The risk of war with Iran is growing despite talks
The resumption of contacts between Washington and Tehran in early February 2026 has reopened a narrow diplomatic corridor that many observers had already written off. The first indirect round in Muscat, mediated by Oman, produced the kind of cautious, mutually face-saving language that usually sign»»»
Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek dies aged 48
Actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his starring role in US teen drama Dawson's Creek, has died aged 48 battling bowel cancer. "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," a post to his social media accounts read. "He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace.»»»
Focus - Canada's tighter immigration policy divides the country
Canada is undergoing a historic demographic shift: according to Statistics Canada, the country is experiencing its sharpest population decline since World War II. Behind this phenomenon is an unprecedented tightening of migration policy, after years of openness under former prime minister Justin Tr»»»
Mexican cartel drones forced brief closure of El Paso airspace, US says
Drones operated by Mexican cartels forced the temporary closure of the airspace over El Paso International Airport in Texas on Wednesday, US Transport Secretary Sean Duff said in a post on X, adding that the drones had been “neutralised” and that flights would resume. Authorities had initially said»»»
In Cuba, charcoal and solar panels to face the energy crisis
Cuba’s deepening energy crisis is forcing people to find alternatives to unreliable electricity supplies. Many are turning to charcoal for cooking, despite its high cost relative to average wages, while those who can afford it are investing in solar panels, a fast-growing market. Care homes and hou»»»
UAE President receives Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, who was accompanied by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah. During the meeting at Qas»»»
Motie spins West Indies to victory over England at World Cup
Mumbai, India: Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie tore the heart out of England's much-vaunted middle order Wednesday as the West Indies won by 30 runs in their T20 World Cup clash in Mumbai. The West Indies scored 196-6 largely thanks to Sherfane Rutherford's brutal unbeaten 76 and some late hitting »»»
Chile launches Latin America’s first generative AI model - UPI.com
Members of the Chilean Folk Ballet (Bafochi) perform during the launch of Latam-GPT in Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday. It's a new artificial intelligence tool programmed to eliminate bias against Latin American and Caribbean cultures. Photo by Elvis Gonzalez/EPA SANTIAGO, Chile, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- After»»»
UAE: People of determination granted full trademark fee waiver
Dubai: The UAE has approved a full exemption from commercial trademark service fees for people of determination, as part of efforts to support their economic participation and business development. The Ministry of Economy and Tourism said the decision grants a 100 per cent waiver on trademark-relat»»»
Mansour bin Zayed approves The Founder’s Office strategic plan
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, has approved the strategic plan of The Founder’s Office, reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to celebrating and activating the enduring legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahya»»»
Mohammed bin Rashid attends final day of UAE SWAT Challenge 2026
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, attended the final day of competitions of the seventh UAE SWAT Challenge, held at the Al Ruwayyah training ground in Dubai. Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Mohammed said, “We commend the outstand»»»
Qatar participates in 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour
Marrakesh, Morocco: The State of Qatar represented in the Ministry of Labour participated in the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, which was held today in Marrakesh in the Kingdom of Morocco. A host of representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), governm»»»
Former deputy to Jack Smith announces campaign for Congress - UPI.com
Former Special Counsel Jack Smith is seen during a break while testifying during a closed-door deposition before the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in December 2025. J.P. Cooney, a former deputy to Smith, announced he is run»»»
Lawmakers clash over opt-outs in school lessons over religious beliefs - UPI.com
Yeshiva University Assistant Professor of Law Zalman Rothschild said in a congressional hearing Tuesday that he fears the Supreme Court decision on opting out of lessons over religious grounds could have broad implications and could be disruptive for education. Photo courtesy of Yeshiva University »»»
Police smash Attica car theft ring that made €1.5 million profit
Police arrested eight suspects allegedly involved in at least 73 vehicle thefts across Greater Athens, estimating their financial gains at at least €1.5 million. The arrested accused of forming a gang, stealing cars and forging documents to resell them, authorities said on Wednesday. The suspects m»»»
State Forestry Enterprises and Forest Agency Have No Agreements with NGOs, Agriculture Ministry Says
The state forestry enterprises and the Executive Forest Agency have not concluded agreements with non-governmental organizations regarding their supervisory activities, the Agriculture and Food Ministry told BTA on Wednesday. The statement came in connection with the activity of an NGO, the Nationa»»»
Tête à tête - UN's Albanese slams 'shameful and defamatory' anti-Semitism accusations against her
In an interview with FRANCE 24, UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese dismissed recent accusations of anti-Semitism against her as "shameful and defamatory". She also warned that "the plan to fully destroy Gaza continues" and denounced Israeli measures in »»»
Cyclone batters Madagascar's second city, killing 31
Antananarivo, Madagascar: A cyclone packing violent winds has killed at least 31 people in Madagascar's second-largest city, ripping roofs off buildings, causing flooding and felling trees, the Indian Ocean island's disaster authority said Wednesday, releasing an updated toll. Cyclone Gezani made l»»»
BCT Executive Board keeps key interest rate unchanged at 7%
Tunis, Feb. 11 (TAP) - The Executive Board of the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) decided, at a meeting held Wednesday, to keep its key interest rate unchanged at 7%.The Board also considered it necessary to continue supporting the ongoing...»»»
Petkovic writes to int'l representatives,calls for stopping expulsion of Kosovo-Metohija Serbs
BELGRADE - In a letter to representatives of the international community, the head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic warned on Wednesday of an attempt by Pristina to thwart the work of the Serbian University of Pristina, which is temporarily based in Kosovska Mitro»»»
UN declaration on Al-Fasher atrocities 'ridiculous: World knew how it would end, didn’t do anything'
Nadia Massih is pleased to welcome Renaud Douci, Field Coordinator for Solidarité Internationale in Tawila in Sudan, on the edges of Al-Fasher. It was “impossible to reach” during the brutal 500-day siege. Mr. Douci argues that Al-Fasher was not an unforeseen tragedy. “Everybody knew” the siege wou»»»
Libyan Customs foil attempt to smuggle €140,000 at Tripoli’s Mitiga Airport
The Libyan Customs Authority announced today that it had foiled an attempt to smuggle €140,000 out of the country in foreign currency in violation of applicable laws. The smuggling attempt was conducted by three passengers at Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport. The operation was carried out thr»»»
Mourad Zghidi case relates to tax declaration matters, lawyer states
Tunis, Feb 11 (TAP) - Ghazi Mrabet, member of the defence team of journalist Mourad Zghidi, stated on Wednesday that "the case concerning my client is in no way a money laundering matter; it relates solely to a failure to file mandatory tax...»»»
France demands investigation into diplomat cited in Epstein files
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has demanded an investigation into diplomat Fabrice Aidan following the revelation that the foreign affairs secretary shared a long email correspondence with late sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein. French media reported that Aidan had resigned »»»
Are we all going to die in a nuclear war?
When people talk about the threat of nuclear war, American popular culture inevitably creeps in. More than in almost any other field, the language, imagery and mythology surrounding nuclear apocalypse were created in the United States. Along with the weapons themselves. One immediately thinks of Bi»»»
US lawmakers avoid indictment over call to defy military orders – media
A grand jury in Washington has refused to indict a group of Democratic lawmakers over a video urging members of the US military and security agencies to “refuse illegal orders,” media outlets have reported, citing informed sources. Six members of Congress, including Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark»»»
Munich 2007: Putin’s warning to the West
Exactly 19 years ago on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin took the podium at the Munich Security Conference and demolished the myths and falsehoods underpinning the American-led world order. Did anyone heed his warning? To Russia, the “rules-based international order” has always been shorth»»»
Petkovic writes to int'l representatives, calls for stopping expulsion of Kosovo-Metohija Serbs
BELGRADE - In a letter to representatives of the international community, the head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic warned on Wednesday of an attempt by Pristina to thwart the work of the Serbian University of Pristina, which is temporarily based in Kosovska Mitro»»»
Iran escalates crackdown on protesters amid potential US nuclear talks
Iran intensified its suppression of domestic dissent on Monday, arresting reformist figures and activists weeks after a wave of nationwide protests. At the same time, Tehran left the door open to further nuclear negotiations with the United States, highlighting a dual approach of domestic control a»»»
Iran will not give in to ‘excessive’ US demands in resumed talks, president says
Iran will not give in to "excessive" demands in its talks with the United States on its nuclear programme, the country’s president said Wednesday. Talks between the two countries resumed last week, and while Tehran wants the negotiations to stay focused on the nuclear programme, Washington wants to»»»
Saudi Aramco Achieves 70% Local Content Target through iktva Program
Saudi Aramco announced on Wednesday that its supply chain transformation program, iktva (In-Kingdom Total Value Add), has achieved its target of reaching 70% local content. Building on this milestone, the company said that it plans to increase local content in its goods and services procurement to »»»
Remax appoints Arkan Holding Group as the new Master Franchise in Libya
REMAX real estate company announced yesterday that it had appointed Arkan Holding Group Libya as the new Master Franchise in Libya. REMAX Libya will be headquartered in Tripoli and led by Region Owners Zyead Ghattour and Alhareth Ghattour, with Regional Director Ali Milad overseeing day‑to‑day oper»»»
Qatar participates in extraordinary meeting of Heads of Civil Retirement and Social Insurance Agencies in Riyadh
Doha, Qatar: The State of Qatar, represented by the General Authority for Retirement and Social Insurance (Daman), will participate in the extraordinary meeting of the Committee of Heads of Civil Retirement and Social Insurance Agencies in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, scheduled to »»»
U.S. adds 130,000 jobs in January, unemployment down to 4.3% - UPI.com
MTA Workers carry shovels as snow falls in Times Square during a major winter snow storm on Jan. 25 in New York City.The United States added 130,000 jobs to start the year while 2025 job gains were revised downward, Wednesday's jobs report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said. File Photo by »»»
Opinion | From Watergate to Epstein: How Trump Changed the Morality of the World
Moral scandals have long shaped Western politics, but for decades they functioned as tests of institutional strength and the credibility of ethical discourse. Leaders from Richard Nixon to Bill Clinton, alongside prime ministers and ministers across France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, and the United Ki»»»
Strong expectations of 1-2% cut in EGP interest rates at CBE’s first meeting of 2026
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) is set to hold its first regular meeting of 2026 on Thursday to decide the fate of key policy rates – the main indicator of the short-term direction of pound interest rates – amid strong expectations of a cut ranging between 1% »»»
Al-Sisi oversees swearing-in of new ministers following cabinet reshuffle
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Wednesday oversaw the swearing-in of a deputy prime minister, several ministers and deputy ministers following a cabinet reshuffle, according to a presidential statement. The reshuffle included the appointment of Hussein Eissa as Deputy Prime Minister for »»»
Egypt, Kuwait discuss strengthening tourism cooperation
Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathi, met with Kuwait’s Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Omar Saud Al-Omar – who also serves as Acting Minister of Information and Culture and Chair of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Middle East – on th»»»
US Pivoting From Europe to Indo-Pacific - NATO Chief
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States has been pivoting away from Europe towards the Indo-Pacific, but it is expected to keep a strong military presence in Europe in terms of both conventional and nuclear forces, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday. "The US over time will pivot more »»»
Lyse Doucet: In Tehran, rallies for Iran's revolution overshadowed by discontent and defiance
When clocks struck nine across Tehran on Tuesday, the night skies filled with sound in celebration of the 47th year of the Iranian revolution. We listened from our hotel balcony as chants of "God is greatest" rose from rooftops and roared from windows. Fireworks flared in a kaleidoscope of brillian»»»
U.S. Treasury sets regulatory framework for Venezuelan oil operations - UPI.com
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright will meet in Venezuela with interim President and Hydrocarbons Minister Delcy Rodriguez and executives from oil companies, including Chevron and Spain-based Repsol. File Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo Feb. 11 (UPI) -- The U.S. Treasury Department appr»»»
Turkish, Greek Leaders Voice Desire to Resolve Issues After Talks
The leaders of Türkiye and Greece voiced their desire to resolve longstanding maritime disputes hobbling ties during discussions in Ankara on Wednesday, as the NATO allies and historic rivals try to build on warming relations. The neighbors have been at odds over a range of issues for decades, prim»»»
UN Agency Begins Clearing Huge Gaza City Waste Dump as Health Risks Mount
The United Nations Development Program began clearing a huge wartime garbage dump on Wednesday that has swallowed one of Gaza City’s oldest commercial districts and is an environmental and health risk. Alessandro Mrakic, head of the UNDP Gaza Office, said work had started to remove the solid-waste »»»
Deadly mass shooting in Canada: What we know
Toronto: Canada was reeling after a mass shooting targeting a school in a remote mining town, with nine people gunned down in one of the deadliest attacks in the country's history. Information is patchy, partly because of the remoteness of the location in western Canada, but here is what we know so»»»
US Energy Secretary in Venezuela for Oil Talks
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright arrived in Venezuela on Wednesday for talks with acting president Delcy Rodriguez and oil industry executives on harnessing the country's vast crude reserves. Wright is the highest-ranking official in the administration of US President Donald Trump to travel to Vene»»»
Trump Meets Netanyahu, with US-Iran Nuclear Diplomacy Topping Agenda
President Donald Trump hosted Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, with the Israeli prime minister expected to press him to widen US talks with Iran to include limits on Tehran's missile arsenal and other security threats beyond its nuclear program. In his seventh meeting with Trump »»»
Grand jury declines to charge Democrats in 'illegal orders' video
US federal prosecutors have failed to secure an indictment against six members of Congress who published a video last year encouraging US troops to disobey orders they deem illegal. A grand jury declined to indict the Democratic lawmakers on charges of seditious conspiracy in the case pursued by th»»»
Germany: Tesla charges trade union member in IG Metall fight
BusinessGermanyGermany: Tesla charges trade union member in IG Metall fightMark Hallam with dpa, ReutersTesla's German factory in Grünheide is pressing charges against an external trade union member. The company said he was caught recording a confidential meeting without permission; the IG Metall u»»»
Serbian MoD slams trilateral meeting of Albanian, Croatian and Pristina representatives
BELGRADE - The Serbian Ministry of Defence strongly condemned on Wednesday a trilateral meeting of representatives of Albania, Croatia and the provisional self-government institutions in Pristina, aimed at deepening military cooperation and coordination among the three parties, and noted that the m»»»
Parliamentary Committee on Territorial Reform Resumes Work After Weeks of Opposition Boycott
Albania’s Parliamentary Committee on Territorial Reform returned to normal proceedings on Wednesday after several weeks of boycott by opposition lawmakers, signaling a temporary easing of tensions inside the legislature. Just a day earlier, opposition MP Luçiano Boçi and other lawmakers had joined »»»