North Korean leader Kim Jong Un marked the completion of 10,000 new houses built in Pyongyang, state media KCNA said on Tuesday, as the country prepares to hold a key party congress. Kim has been touring construction sites and touting project progress ahead of this month's Ninth Congress of the rul»»»

The US should reap economic benefits from any potential agreement with Iran for it to be enduring, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid Ghanbari has said. Tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent weeks, with US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatening military action agains»»»

Russia’s online cartographic service has put blurring over a 100,000 square metres of land near the Northern Fleet’s headquarters. The move prompts the question whether authorities are trying to hide the massive losses in Ukraine. Yandex Maps has for years blurred sensitive weapons stores sites and»»»

Dubai: Dubai: With a new travel pilot between the UAE and Bahrain underway, short-haul regional travel is witnessing a shift. While the immediate focus is on faster airport processing, the initiative forms part of a longer-term effort to rethink how border procedures are coordinated across GCC stat»»»

A Sydney man who tried to post native lizards, dragons and other reptiles out of Australia in bags of popcorn and biscuit tins has been sentenced to eight years in jail, authorities said Tuesday. The eight-year term handed down on Friday was a record for wildlife smuggling, federal environment offi»»»

The IT sector contributes more than 7% to the formation of Romania's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but only 5% of companies operating on the national market use Artificial Intelligence (AI), while less than a third of adults have digital skills, according to data with the Software and Services Indu»»»

Electricity recorded the sharpest price increase in January, rising by 59.33% year-on-year, although it fell slightly compared with the previous month, by 0.44%. Significant annual increases were also registered for cocoa and coffee, up by 25.27%, and for rail transport, which rose by 24.40%, accor»»»

A public administration reform and an economic recovery package have been completed and will be passed by emergency ordinance immediately after the end of the opinion seeking process for them is over, with several amendments concerning the institutions of the defence, public order, national securit»»»

Dubai: Ramadan television is a tradition in its own right, and this year Viu along with other streaming platforms is keeping things focused with a carefully chosen slate of premium Arabic dramas. From intense thrillers to light family comedies, the 2026 line-up brings together major regional stars »»»

Dubai: The Al Ain Civil, Commercial and Administrative Court has ordered a woman to pay Dh150,000 to another woman after failing to transfer the full value of her share in a privately organised rotating savings scheme, locally known as a “jamiyah”. The court ruled that the defendant must pay Dh140,»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian navy is the best guarantor of safety of Russian merchant vessels amid Western attacks, Russian presidential aide and chairman of the Russian Marine Board Nikolai Patrushev said. By implementing plans for a naval blockade of Russia, the Europeans are explore the limits»»»

Senior Egyptian officials have been flocking to eastern Libya, the stronghold of the Libyan National Army (LNA), in what observers have said was increasing alarm in Cairo over the LNA’s support to Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The officials have sought to persuade LNA commander K»»»

China's Russian oil imports are set to climb for a third straight month to a new record high in February as independent refiners snapped up deeply discounted cargoes after India slashed purchases, according to traders and ship-tracking data. Russian crude shipments are estimated to amount to 2.07 m»»»

Damascus, Feb. 17 (SANA) Officials at the Damascus Chamber of Commerce met a Jordanian economic delegation on Monday to discuss potential investment in Syria’s cement industry. The talks, held at the chamber’s headquarters, brought together board members and a delegation led by Mohammad Ali Bdeir, »»»

TradeIndiaFrance's Macron in India to boost Rafale deal talks, AI tiesMahima Kapoor with AFP and APEmmanuel Macron arrives in India at a time the country is looking to upgrade its air force, with the Indian government having given preliminary approval to buy more than 100 additional Rafale jets las»»»

U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran of potential consequences should it fail to strike a deal with the United States, as negotiators prepare for the latest round of talks in Geneva on Tuesday. Mediated by Oman, the recently resumed discussions are aimed at averting the possibility of U.S. milit»»»

Dubai: This Ramadan, the night sky offers something truly extraordinary. On Saturday, 21 February 2026, Al Thuraya Astronomy Center invites you to witness a rare planetary parade from the serene Al Qudra Desert in Dubai. Also Read: Scorpion season brings weather changes to UAE: What to expect this »»»

Oil prices stabilized on Tuesday as investors assessed supply disruption risks after Iran conducted naval exercises near the Strait of Hormuz ahead of nuclear talks with the United States later in the day. US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would participate "indirectly" in the Geneva»»»

North Korea completed a five-year project to build 50,000 apartments in Pyongyang, state-run media reported Tuesday. Leader Kim Jong Un, seen here at a Feb. 8 event, attended the inauguration ceremony and touted his regime's domestic accomplishments. Photo by KCNA/EPA SEOUL, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- North »»»

A consortium led by US oil major Chevron signed exclusive lease agreements on Monday to look for natural gas off southern Greece, expanding the United States' presence in the eastern Mediterranean. The deal doubles the amount of Greek maritime acreage available for exploration and is the second in »»»

As workplaces evolve at unprecedented speed, businesses across the UAE are navigating a landscape defined by technology, talent, and transformation. InsuranceMarket.ae, the largest insurance platform of the UAE, in association with Gulf News, will host the Future of Work Summit, a premier forum in »»»

Dubai: One of the most beloved singer-songwriters of the past four decades is finally making his Middle East debut in Dubai. A legend comes to the UAEGrammy Award-winning artist Richard Marx will perform live at Coca-Cola Arena on Saturday October 3, 2026, marking his first ever concert in the Midd»»»

Doha, Qatar: Al Duhail SC’s AFC Champions League Round of 16 hopes were left in the balance after a 3-2 defeat to Al Shorta at Al Zawraa Stadium in Baghdad yesterday. The result leaves the Qatari side seventh in the West Zone on eight points, and their fate now depends on the outcomes of Al Sadd an»»»

Doha: The Organising Committee of the School Olympic Program (SOP) held a ceremony yesterday to honour promising athletes who joined Qatar’s national teams through the program. The event was attended by Mohamed bin Yousef Al Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; Dr. Thani bin A»»»

Doha, Qatar: After six thrilling rounds filled with intense competition and high-speed action, the 2026 Arabian Drag Racing League concluded in spectacular fashion at the drag strip of Qatar Racing Club (QRC). The event was held under the patronage of QRC Chairman H E Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Tha»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Financial Markets Authority (QFMA) yesterday launched its new website (https://www.qfma.org.qa), which provides investors and participants in the Qatari capital markets, as well as all beneficiaries, stakeholders, and entities licensed by the QFMA, with an additional communic»»»

Traffic jams are snarling entry to and exit from Athens’ Attiki Odos ring road after a key airport-bound section was shut for emergency tunnel maintenance. The closure affects the lanes toward the airport between the Aspropyrgos interchange and the Fyli Avenue junction and will remain in place thro»»»

Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a prisoner at Domokos Prison as a potential contract killing rather than a spontaneous crime, according to law enforcement sources. Antonis Papadatos, 42, was shot three times in the head Sunday evening inside the facility. He was serving a senten»»»

Doha, Qatar: Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber, headed the Chamber’s delegation at the 41st Meeting of the General Assembly of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development and the Mecca Halal Forum, held from February 14 to 16 in Mecca, Saudia Arabia. The »»»

Doha, Qatar: Mannai Corporation (Qatar Exchange: MCCS), yesterday announced its financial results for the year ended 31st December 2025. Mannai Group delivered revenues of QR5.1bn, which is a 25% increase compared to QR4.1bn in FY 2024. This robust performance was supported by the Information and C»»»

Donald Trump has said he will be "indirectly" involved in the talks between Iran and the United States which are due to begin in Geneva later on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, the US president added that he believed Iran wanted to make a deal over its nuclear programme. The se»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ability Friendly programme at Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Pre-University Education hosted the Yalla Swim Meet – National Competition 2026, bringing together 121 swimmers representing 12 swimming teams and centres from across Qatar. The competition aimed to promote a culture of social i»»»

On February 14, Abdulaziz kary Zakirov, Mufti of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan, sent-off and blessed three Kyrgyz theologians — Abdimalik Uskenbaev, Nurlan Muhammad, and Muhammad Mirbekov — who are traveling to the Altai Republic, part of the Russian Federation. «We are sending you with a very great respon»»»

India has seized three US-sanctioned oil tankers linked to Iran this month and stepped up surveillance in its maritime zone to curb illicit trade, a source said on Monday, confirming a post on X by Indian authorities earlier in February that had been deleted. India aims to prevent its waters from b»»»

Doha, Qatar: Doha Film Institute (DFI) yesterday announced globally celebrated visionaries—Faouzi Bensaïdi, Gael García Bernal, Alice Diop, Diego Luna and Gustavo Santaolalla as Qumra Masters for its 12th annual talent incubator event, taking place from March 27 to April 1, 2026. Reinforcing Qumra’»»»

Dubai: After nearly a decade of teaching in the UAE, Filipina educator Apple Grace Bernadas has taken center stage in Europe and won over all four judges in the blind auditions of The Voice of Finland. Bernadas, who previously worked as a teacher in Dubai, secured a rare four-chair turn on the popu»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) organised a meeting with the Ministry of Municipality (MoM) and the Public Works Authority (PWA), attended by directors of key sector departments, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance communication with the public sector and various economi»»»

Russian and Ukrainian delegations are set for another round of talks on Tuesday in Geneva as part of the latest fraught push by the United States to end the four-year war. US President Donald Trump is seeking to position himself as peacemaker of the conflict unleashed when Russia invaded Ukraine in»»»

Dubai: Homes 4 Life Real Estate proudly announces its recognition as the 3rd Best Performing Brokerage of 2025 at the prestigious EMAAR Annual Broker Awards 2025. The grand ceremony was held at the luxurious Armani Hotel Dubai, located within the iconic Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai, bringing toge»»»

By Anuj SrivasMUMBAI, India — India is scrambling to defend a new trade deal with the United States that critics have branded as surrender to Washington, as countries navigate the fallout from President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.The deal announced this month has rattled India's powerful farme»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality honoured the winners of the ‘Qatar’s agricultural lens’ competition, which it organised in cooperation with the Qatar Photography Center, at the conclusion of the 13th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition “AgriteQ 2026.” The ceremony included a visua»»»

Italy stands ready to help train police forces in Gaza and elsewhere in the Palestinian territories, its foreign minister said on Monday, as ‌Rome aims to ‌play a ‌role ⁠in stabilizing the ⁠Middle East. "We are ready to train a new Gaza police force, and we ⁠are also ready to ‌train ‌a Palestinian »»»

Doha, Qatar: Since its launch, the Lawh Wa Qalam: M.F. Husain Museum at Qatar Foundation has been more than a gallery; it is a space for dialogue, imagination, and hands-on creativity. With community engagement at its core, the museum has unveiled a series of workshops inspired by the legendary Maq»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar giants Al Sadd face a must-win showdown tonight against Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, as they fight to secure a spot in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite Round of 16. Coached by Roberto Mancini, Al Sadd are currently eighth in the West Zone, tied on ei»»»

Doha, Qatar: Jannik Sinner made a confident return to action at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open yesterday, defeating Czech opponent Tomas Machac in straight sets to launch his Doha campaign in brilliant fashion. Playing his first match since falling short in his Australian Open title defence, the Italian»»»

The US and Iran are expected to hold their second round of talks about Iran’s nuclear program Tuesday in Geneva as the United States ramps up its military presence in the Middle East and Iran holds large-scale maritime exercises. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to c»»»

The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan adopted a resolution «On National Telecommunications Operators.» This document was adopted to strengthen information sovereignty and the sustainable development of the country’s telecommunications infrastructure in accordance with the provisions of the Digital»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) yesterday witnessed the successful listing of QNB Group’s QR1bn bonds which represent the largest Qatari riyal–denominated issuance in the history of the local market. On this occasion, a bell-ringing ceremony was held in the presence of Chief Executive Offic»»»

Doha, Qatar: University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TAAMEER Real Estate Projects, a leading Qatari company in real estate development. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to advancing academic cooperation, enhancing »»»

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) Board Chair Bandar Alkhorayef inaugurated on Monday several advanced factories to produce food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and construction materials in Sudair City for I»»»