RAMALLAH, Feb 28 (KUNA) -- Israeli occupation's defense minister Israel Katz said that a "pre-emptive" attack was launched against Iran early Saturday, as sirens were heard in occupied territories.Katz was quoted by Israeli occupation radio as saying that a state of emergency was declared in all oc»»»

Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran on Saturday, pushing the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation and further dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to Tehran's long-running nuclear dispute with the West. The New York Times, citing a US official, reported that US»»»

Damascus, Feb. 28 (SANA) Three powerful explosions shook central Tehran, the capital of Iran, following the announcement of an Israeli attack against the Asian nation.According to press reports, the explosions occurred on Saturday morning, while local media and social media users shared images and »»»

TEHRAN, Feb 28 (KUNA) -- Plumes of smoke were seen rising in the Iranian capital, Tehran, as several explosions were heard, Iranian State TV reported on Saturday. (more) mk.mt»»»

RIYADH, Feb 28 (KUNA)-- Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call late Friday from Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, discussing regional developments.In a statement by Saudi Foreign Ministry, the two ministers reviewed recent regional developments and dis»»»

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama on Friday signaled heightened vigilance over currency moves, telling parliament the government is monitoring the yen's recent slide with a strong sense of urgency. “We are watching recent movements very closely, with a strong sense of urgency,” Katayama to»»»

Sweden and Denmark could host NATO nuclear weapons, officials from both countries have said. The alleged ‘Russian threat’ has fueled discussions in Western Europe about expanding nuclear deterrence. Moscow has dismissed these concerns as “nonsense.” The EU has allocated €800 billion ($948 billion) »»»

In Kyrgyzstan, a state program provides support for first-time entrepreneurs. Nur­bek Umetaliev, head of the Entrepreneurship Development Department at the Business Environment Policy Directorate of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, said on Birinchi Radio. According to hi»»»

ABU DHABI, Feb 28 (KUNA) -- The UAE voiced concern over renewed military clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, calling for calming down and avoiding regional escalation.In a press release, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on both sides to settle their disputes through wisdom and diplo»»»

With the United States and Iran locked in a tense diplomatic dance of sorts where indirect negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme have entered a seemingly critical phase, mediators, according to some sources, say both sides appear to be moving closer to an understanding on issues surrounding »»»

China's central bank (PBOC) moved to rein in the fast-rising yuan on Friday, scrapping risk reserves requirements for forex forward contracts in a move that would encourage dollar buying as exporters start to feel the pinch from a stronger currency. The decision came after the yuan hit a near three»»»

At least 800 old trees are expected to be cut down in the capital this year. Zhanybek Zhumaliev, chief agronomist of the municipal enterprise Bishkekzelenkhoz, said on Radio Sputnik Kyrgyzstan. According to him, from 800 to 1,000 old trees are scheduled for removal in 2026. Zhumaliev specified that»»»

Rehabilitation and social adaptation of people affected by rare diseases has remained one of their main problems over the past 20 years, National Alliance of People with Rare Diseases (NAPRD) President Vladimir Tomov told BTA. February 28 is world Rare Disease Day. “Therapies are becoming available»»»

Mexico City: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reaffirmed on Friday the commitment to create the necessary conditions to co-host the 2026 World Cup, while affirming that a FIFA team will visit the country to coordinate security and mobility. "Every team in the world can rest assured that they wil»»»

The Tripoli Criminal Court on Friday sentenced a member of a criminal network to 30 years in prison after convicting him of human trafficking and of organizing the smuggling of migrants by sea. The Office of the Attorney General said the court initiated criminal charges against an individual active»»»

In January 2026, nearly 1.1 million guests spent approximately 2.4 million tourism nights at tourist (commercial, private and other) accommodation establishments. Tourist arrivals were up by 5.3% and tourism nights by 3.6% in number compared to a year earlier. The number of domestic and internation»»»

In this edition of Access Asia, we explore what the recent visit by India's prime minister to Israel means for both sides. Narendra Modi's public embrace of Benjamin Netanyahu may have raised eyebrows at home, but it is part of New Delhi's broader strategic vision. We ask our analyst whether N»»»

Israel has carried out a preemptive strike against Iran, the Israeli Defence Minister confirmed. Sirens sounded across the country, while mobile alerts instructed residents to stay close to protected spaces. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the alert is a precaution to prepare the public for po»»»

In his weekly interview on Kossuth Radio, Prime Minister Orbán issued a stark warning regarding the escalating tensions with Ukraine, labeling the recent cessation of oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline as a direct attack on Hungary’s economic sovereignty. With the country facing a potential e»»»

Dubai: If you are flying to the Philippines, it may be wise to check how much cash you are carrying before heading to the airport. The Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) has reiterated long-standing regulations on the entry and exit of both foreign and local currencies, reminding travellers to comp»»»

A Tunisian appeals court has imprisoned former prime minister Ali Larayedh 24 years after he was found guilty of terrorism charges. Since his arrest in late 2022, Larayedh has denied the charges that he helped send militants to Iraq and Syria, and his lawyers have branded the case as politically mo»»»

At least 20 people were killed Friday when a Bolivian military cargo plane carrying banknotes crashed while landing near the capital city La Paz, authorities said, prompting police to repel bystanders who were grabbing cash. The aircraft, a C-130 Hercules transport plane, veered off the runway at E»»»

La Paz: At least 20 people were killed when a Bolivian military cargo plane carrying banknotes crashed while landing near the capital La Paz, police said Friday. The aircraft, a C-130 Hercules transport plane, veered off the runway at El Alto International Airport and crashed into an avenue, crushi»»»

Washington: The United States said on Friday it supported Pakistan after it bombed neighbouring Afghanistan and declared war against its Taliban government following clashes. Also Read: Trump: Pakistan leaders are great people, vows to solve Afghan-Pakistan crisis very quickly "We continue to monit»»»

Canada said Friday it was relocating non-essential diplomatic staff and their dependents out of the Israeli city of Tel Aviv due to "ongoing tensions in the region," as the US weighs striking Iran. Also Read: US orders non-essential embassy staff to leave Beirut amid regional tensions"Global Affair»»»

DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran HE DrAbbas Araghchi. During the call, they discussed the results of the third round of negotiations betw»»»

Seoul: North Korea released a rare image on Saturday of leader Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter firing a rifle at a shooting range, adding to speculation that she is being groomed as his successor. Kim's daughter Ju Ae has long been seen as the next in line to rule the secretive, nuclear-armed state,»»»

Colombo: Sri Lanka's president has cleared investigators to detain the country's former intelligence chief for up to three months of questioning over his alleged role in the 2019 Easter bombings that killed 279 people, police said Saturday. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake signed an order under t»»»

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on February 27 that Brussels would provisionally implement the controversial trade agreement with Mercosur, triggering a sharp rebuke from France and exposing deepening rifts within the bloc over one of the most ambitious trade pacts in r»»»

Ethiopia’s push for Red Sea access will have consequences that reach far beyond the Horn of Africa, not least because littoral states are staunchly opposed to Addis Ababa gaining a sovereign foothold on this crucial trade artery. With 132 million people, landlocked Ethiopia is Africa’s second-most »»»

Former US president Bill Clinton on Friday told a Congressional panel investigating late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that he saw no signs of the financier’s wrongdoing and had done “nothing wrong” himself during his association with Epstein. Clinton is mentioned multiple times in the Epstein files»»»

US President Donald Trump agreed to release a Columbia University student detained by immigration agents on Thursday after a direct appeal from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the White House. Elmina Aghayeva was arrested earlier that same day after federal agents entered one of the university's r»»»

Israel’s top court on Friday froze a government ban on 37 foreign aid organisations operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, issuing an interim order that allows the groups to continue their work while the court considers a final ruling. Israel's Supreme Court decided in a ruling published Fri»»»

Israeli attacks killed five people in Gaza on Thursday, the territory’s health officials said. Medics reported two killed in an air strike in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighbourhood and others in drone strikes on police checkpoints in Khan Younis and near Bureij camp. Israel’s military said it killed a mi»»»

Tribune News Network Doha Townsend Manor produced a powerful late burst to claim the feature Fuwairit Cup, a Class 2 Thoroughbred Open Handicap for 3yo+ over 1100m, heading a field of 11 at the Al Rayyan Racecourse on Wednesday night. Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & »»»

Tribune News Network Doha The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) has received Platinum rating under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) Operations’ sustainable green building certification system, further underscoring Qatar Museums’ position as a global pioneer in sustainable cultural i»»»

Tribune News Network Doha The Academic Bridge Programme (ABP), part of Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education, has signed an academic agreement with the University of St Andrews in the UK, creating new pathways for students in Qatar to pursue higher education at leading UK universities. The pa»»»

Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Museums (QM) is marking the Holy Month of Ramadan with a rich programme unfolding across its museums, creative hubs and festivals. Blending heritage, creativity and well-being, this month’s line-up invites audiences of all ages to connect, reflect, and celebrate toge»»»

As Tunisian authorities intensify their crackdown on migrant camps in El Amra and Jebeniana, a WhatsApp group is offering sub-Saharan migrants fast-track repatriation to their home countries. Over the last three years, thousands of undocumented migrants – many of them from sub-Saharan Africa&n»»»

In tonight's programme: Kenya begins administering its first doses of Lenacapavir – a groundbreaking, long-acting HIV prevention drug. But first: DR Congo forces launch drone strikes on M23 rebels near Rubaya, a key coltan mine, as militias capture the village of Kazinga. And the tastes of Afr»»»

UN Chief António Guterres has called for an immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, after Islamabad conducted airstrikes in Kabul and three other Afghan provinces on Friday. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif declared "open war" after his country ran out of “patience” fo»»»

Pakistan was once viewed as the sponsor and chief backer of Afghanistan’s Taliban movement. But when Islamabad declared “open war” on Kabul Friday, it marked a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two countries and underscored the regional security implications in a volatile zone. Shortly af»»»

Kyrgyzstani Gulnura Tashtanbekova won a bronze medal at a ranking wrestling tournament in Albania, the United World Wrestling (UWW) reported. In the 65-kilogram weight class, Gulnura Tashtanbekova lost to Alina Kasabieva from Russia in the quarterfinals. However, the Russian representative advanced»»»

The European Commission said Thursday that member states will be able to tap into a social fund to help women access safe abortion care. This comes after a "My Voice, My Choice" campaign called on the bloc to create a funding mechanism to help women from EU countries with severe restrictions o»»»

Iceland's government will soon propose a date for a referendum on resuming talks for its possible accession to the EU, the country's foreign ministry told AFP on Thursday. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks with Eirikur Bergmann, Professor of Politics at Bifröst University, who says that "the securi»»»

Spread across eight nation-states, the Arctic Circle is home to a number of Indigenous peoples. US President Donald Trump's ambitions to take control of Greenland have caused concern but also kindled solidarity amongst these peoples, who call the coldest parts of the world home. FRANCE 24's Isabell»»»

France is a poor performer when it comes to cohesion in Europe and is marked by growing regional inequalities, despite being allocated a whopping €18 billion in EU cohesion funding for 2021-2027. Numerous regions risk falling into a "development trap": after a period of growth, they stagnate o»»»

European countries have some of the best public health systems in the world. And yet cancer rates have been going up, according to the European Commission. For instance, in 2022, there was a 2.3 percent increase on the year 2020. The International Agency for Research on Cancer says it expects cases»»»