Pakistan and Afghanistan are at war. Here’s the full story behind the clash
On February 27, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declared that his country had entered a state of “open war” with Afghanistan. Pakistani Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar reported strikes on Kabul and Kandahar, which Afghan authorities have confirmed. Asif claimed that the Taliban has »»»
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to visit Israel amid Iran concerns - UPI.com
Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives before President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address Tuesday. The State Department announced Friday that Rubio will travel to Israel to discuss Iran next week. Pool photo by Kenny Holston/UPI | License Photo Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Secretary of State»»»
Anxious days inside Iran as speculation grows of US strikes
Across Iranian cities, many are living through sleepless nights and anxious days amid the continued speculation that the United States could be about to carry out military strikes. Some young people in particular are obsessively checking plane- and ship-tracking platforms - some fearful of external»»»
Why Trump means the Cuban Revolution faces its biggest threat yet
A sizeable exhibit in the Museum of the Revolution in Havana is dedicated to conditions in Cuba before the revolution took power in 1959. Inside the ornate former presidential palace, photographs and oral testimony detail the grinding poverty and ingrained corruption of the dictatorship of Cuba's t»»»
Global cocaine market expands, U.N. report says - UPI.com
Members of the National Institute of Forensic Sciences organize packages of confiscated cocaine in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on February 26 before incinerating 5,038 pounds of the drug after seizures made under the U.S.-led Operation Southern Spear, an international initiative to combat dr»»»
Tram Derails in Central Milan, Leaving One Dead, 40 Injured
One person was killed and around 40 injured, including one in a critical condition, when a tram derailed in central Milan on Friday, a spokesperson for local firefighters said. The tram, one of the newest models in operation in Milan, came off the tracks in Vittorio Veneto street, one of the c»»»
Anthropic faces deadline on deal for Pentagon to use AI model - UPI.com
Artificial intelligence company Anthropic faces a 5 p.m. EST deadline to comply with the Pentagon or lose a $200 million contract and face blackilisting. Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI | License Photo Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Anthropic faces a 5 p.m. EST deadline to comply with the Pentagon and allow it to »»»
‘With the Quran, the mind expands’: Young Kuwaiti reciter reaches finals of $1m Dubai Award
Dubai: “With the Quran, the mind expands to embrace everything” - an inspiring principle shaped by Kuwaiti contestant Abdullah Faisal Al Buti, serving as a constant guide throughout his journey since early childhood. The Holy Quran has been his driving force, multiplying his energy and motivating h»»»
Five arrested in Turkey over deadly migrant shipwreck off Chios
Five people have been arrested in Turkey and charged with membership of a migrant-smuggling ring allegedly involved in this month’s shipwreck off Chios that killed 15 Afghan migrants, Greek authorities said Friday. A Coast Guard statement said the crackdown in the coastal city of Izmir followed an »»»
UK withdraws Tehran embassy staff as concern grows over threat of US strikes
The UK has temporarily withdrawn staff from its embassy in Tehran, as the threat of US strikes against Iran prompts warnings from a number of countries to their citizens in the Middle East. The UK Foreign Office said it was a "precautionary measure" and that its embassy in Iran's capital continued »»»
UEFA Champions League Round of 16 showdown: Real Madrid vs Manchester City, PSG to battle Chelsea
Nyon: The draw for the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League was held on Friday at the UEFA headquarters in the Swiss city of Nyon, producing several high-profile matchups among Europe's elite clubs in a stage expected to witness open tactical and physical battles. The draw pitted defending cham»»»
Rubio Plans to Visit Israel Next Week as US-Iran Tensions Remain High After Latest Talks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will make a quick trip to Israel early next week, the State Department said, as tensions between the United States and Iran remain high after their latest nuclear talks and American forces gather in the region. The US Embassy in Israel had earlier urged staff who want»»»
Macron to Set Out How France’s Nuclear Arms Could Protect Europe
French President Emmanual Macron is Monday to reveal his vision for how France's nuclear arsenal could bolster defense in Europe, with the continent scrambling to re-arm against an aggressive Russia and as Washington turns away. The speech by Macron, at France's Ile Longue nuclear submarine base, w»»»
Partly cloudy skies across most regions Friday night
Tunis, Feb. 27 (TAP) - Skies will be partly cloudy over most regions of the country on Friday night, with the possibility of locally dense fog during the night, according to an update from the National Institute of Meteorology (INM).Temperatures...»»»
US Senator Reed Warns Iran Conflict Would Strain US Ammo Stocks, Affect Response Ability
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Senate Armed Services Committee's leading Democrat Jack Reed on Friday warned that US involvement in a military conflict with Iran would have a "significant and deleterious" impact on ammunition stockpiles and Washington's ability to respond elsewhere. "I was very impr»»»
Lebanese Prime Minister meets Qatari Ambassador
Beirut: The Prime Minister of the Republic of Lebanon, HE Dr. Nawaf Salam, met Friday with the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Lebanon, HE Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.»»»
Rise in Water Prices, Electricity Bills - Purposefully Delayed or Gradually Introduced?
While the relevant institutions are investigating complaints and reports from consumers in the country that they have received very high electricity bills for December and January, water and sewerage companies have announced that the change in their service prices will take effect on March 1. The d»»»
Rubio to Hold Talks Monday in Israel on Iran
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold talks Monday in Israel on Iran, the State Department announced, as the United States builds up forces for a potential strike on the country. The top US diplomat will head to Israel just as the United States tells non-emergency staff to leave Israel, raisi»»»
FBI fires agents linked to Trump classified documents case
At least ten FBI agents linked to the 2022 investigation into US President Donald Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents and the search of his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida were dismissed on Wednesday, according to multiple media reports. The firings came after FBI Director Kash Patel s»»»
The presidential curse: South Korean leaders tend to get bad lots
“Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived,” goes the rhyme that the English use to memorize the mostly woeful fates of King Henry VIII’s six wives. South Koreans could use one for their leaders. Last week, former President Yoon Suk-yeol, impeached for staging a failed coup in 2024, wa»»»
Quality of treated wastewater imajor obstacle to economic use in Tunisia
Tunis, Feb. 27 (TAP)- The quality of treated wastewater is a major obstacle to its economic use in Tunisia though the Water 2050 Plan eyes a reuse rate of 80%. With a modest water potential mostly hinging on a capricious weather, the country...»»»
Rubio to visit Israel next week to discuss, Iran and Lebanon as tensions escalate – Ya Libnan
Share: File: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will make a quick trip to Israel early next week as tensions between the United States and Iran soar amid a massive buildup of U.S. forces in the Middle East, the State D»»»
MMR continues its downward trend, to 6.99% in February (BCT)
Tunis, Feb. 27 (TAP) - The average money market rate (MMR) continued its downward trend, standing at 6.99% in February 2026, compared with 7.08% in January 2026, according to statistical data released on Friday by the Central Bank of Tunisia...»»»
Greeks advised to avoid travel to Iran, Israel, Palestinian territories
The Foreign Ministry on Friday issued a travel advisory for Greek travelers to avoid all but absolutely necessary visits to Iran, Israel and the Palestinian territories. A ministry statement said the advisory took into consideration “the developing situation in the Middle East” where tensions are h»»»
NASA Overhauls its Artemis Program to Return Astronauts to the Moon
NASA said Friday it’s adding an extra moon mission by Artemis astronauts before attempting a high-risk lunar landing with a crew. The shakeup in the flight lineup came just two days after NASA’s new moon rocket returned to its hangar for more repairs and a safety panel warned the space agency to sc»»»
Cuba accuses US of failing to curb expat militancy
The US has failed to curb militants on American soil seeking to overthrow the Cuban government, officials in Havana have said, commenting on a deadly shootout this week involving a boat allegedly stolen in Florida. According to Cuban accounts, a patrol vessel intercepted a boat carrying armed indiv»»»
Tunisia takes delivery of second batch of buses from China
Tunis, Feb. 27 (TAP) - One hundred and fifty-eight (158) new buses arrived on Friday at the Port of La Goulette, marking the second batch of an international order concluded with China for the acquisition of a total of 461 buses, aimed at renewing...»»»
Swedish Defense Minister Does Not Rule Out Deployment of Nuclear Weapons During Wartime
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Swedish Defense Minister Pal Johnson has not ruled out the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in Sweden during wartime. "If war breaks out, we will, of course, be prepared for anything that can ensure Sweden's survival and the security of Swedes," Johnson told Sveriges Radi»»»
Relatively cold night ahead in Qatar with some clouds: Meteorology Department
Doha, Qatar: The Department of Meteorology has reported that inshore weather until 6am on Saturday will be relatively cold, with some clouds at times, becoming hazy to misty later. In offshore, the skies will be scattered with clouds at times. Winds inshore are expected to be mainly southeasterly a»»»
Five arrests over phone scams, including one worth €220,000
Five suspected members of two different gangs have been arrested in northern Greece over phone scams targeting vulnerable people that in one case netted more than €200,000-worth of loot, police said Friday. The first two suspects, men aged 31and 21, also face charges of attempted murder after alleg»»»
Controlled blasts destroy 40-ton boulder threatening village
A specialized demolition crew has successfully destroyed a 40-ton boulder that loomed over a village in the western Peloponnese after being dislodged by recent landslides. Residents of Katakolo, in the municipality of Pyrgos, first spotted the massive rock on a hillside above the settlement two wee»»»
India, Italy explore deepening defence coop.
NEW DELHI, Feb 27 (KUNA) -- India and Italy discussed on Friday ways to deepen defence cooperation.A statement from the Indian Ministry of Defense said that Indian Secretary of (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar met leading Italian Defense officials and explored ways to further strengthen defence c»»»
French agriculture minister says regrets EU move on Mercosur deal
France's agriculture minister said Friday she regretted the European Union's provisional application of a mammoth trade deal with the South American Mercosur bloc. "It is a decision that I regret," Annie Genevard told reporters at the Salon de l'Agriculture following EU chief Ursula von der Leyen's»»»
Bulgaria Lacks Up-to-Date Forest Strategy, Risks EU Commitments, Economic and Social Council Warns
Bulgaria’s forests face serious systemic risks due to outdated policy planning, weak data and declining forest health, according to a newly adopted opinion by the Economic and Social Council made public Friday. In its opinion titled "Forests as a Strategic Resource in the Context of Sustainable Man»»»
Varna's Presumed Key Fentanyl Dealer Is Arrested
In a special operation against drug trafficking in Varna, on February 25, officers from the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) in the city detained 11 people for 24 hours, the directorate announced on Friday. Among those taken into custody was the area’s primary supplier of f»»»
Kuwait Army Deputy Chief tours sites
KUWAIT, Feb 27 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti Army Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah toured on Friday several military sites northern the country.An army statement said the senior brass attended a briefing during the visit, which included a detailed explanation of procedures »»»
IAEA Says Unable to Verify Whether Iran Has Suspended All Uranium Enrichment
Iran has not allowed the United Nations nuclear agency access to its nuclear facilities bombed by Iran and the United States during a 12-day war in June, according to a confidential report by the watchdog circulated to member states and seen Friday by The Associated Press. The report from the Inter»»»
Heads of Kara-Suu and Toguz-Toro districts resign - | 24.KG
The press service of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic announced that Kanat Tabaldiev has been dismissed from his post as akim (head) of Kara-Suu district of Osh region. This decision was made in accordance with submitted letter of resignation. Photo Kanat Tabaldiev A similar decision was made r»»»
Serbia, Kazakhstan exchange ten memoranda in Astana
ASTANA - At a ceremony also attended by Presidents Aleksandar Vucic and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Serbia and Kazakhstan exchanged ten signed bilateral documents on cooperation in Astana on Friday. "The exchanged documents include a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Health of Serbia and»»»
What's Behind the Latest Fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan?
Pakistan carried out air strikes on Afghanistan's major cities overnight, officials in Islamabad and Kabul said on Friday, escalating months of border clashes between the Islamic neighbors. The air and ground strikes, which hit Taliban military posts, headquarters and ammunition depots in multiple»»»
US Envoy Barrack Meets Iraq's Ex-prime Minister Maliki
US Envoy Tom Barrack met former Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki on Friday, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Maliki has been nominated by a powerful Shiite bloc to return to the post, but the United States has said it will reconsider its support for Iraq if he is chosen again.»»»
Lebanese Foreign Minister underscores importance of success for Paris conference
Beirut: Lebanese Foreign Minister, Youssef Rajji emphasised the importance of a successful Paris conference aimed at strengthening Lebanon's security institutions and enhancing their capacity to maintain national stability. According to a statement from the Lebanese Foreign Ministry, he discussed w»»»
Simeonovgrad Municipal Council Adopts Declaration Against Construction of Refugee Centre
The Simeonovgrad Municipal Council Friday adopted a declaration against the construction of a closed-type refugee centre in the southern town. The vote was 10-1, with 2 abstentions. The procedure follows a central government decision of February 17, according to which the State Agency for Refugees »»»
Israel Follows Iran Negotiations amid its Broadest Escalation in Eastern Lebanon
The intense Israeli airstrikes that targeted the Bekaa in eastern Lebanon on Thursday evening marked the broadest aerial escalation against the Bekaa since the ceasefire agreement entered into force. This came a week after the killing of eight members of Hezbollah, including a commander, whom Israe»»»
Vance Says 'No Chance' US Will Get Involved in Years-Long War in Middle East Over Iran
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Vice President JD Vance has ruled out that the United States will become entangled in a years-long armed conflict in the Middle East if President Donald Trump opts for strikes on Iran. "The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight — t»»»
Pakistan Calls on Afghan Authorities to End Impunity for Terrorists – Foreign Ministry
NEW DELHI (Sputnik) - Pakistan calls on authorities in Afghanistan to end impunity for terrorists operating in the country, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on Friday. "Pakistan reiterates its strong resolve and determination to uproot the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and calls»»»
Economic and Political Power Shifting From West to East - Pakistani Senator
The Moscow-Islamabad Media Forum featured senior Pakistani politicians, the country's ambassador to Russia, and defense experts, all of whom stressed that the relationship between the two countries is entering a new, multidimensional phase against the backdrop of a rapidly changing global order. "P»»»
Water Price Hikes Have Been Coordinated by Water and Sewerage Holding Chair, GERB-UDF Says
GERB-UDF MP Nikolay Nankov told journalists in the National Assembly on Friday that the Chairman of the Board of the Bulgarian Water and Sewerage Holding, Lozko Lozev, has coordinated water price hikes in Bulgaria. "He is currently a regional coordinator for Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgari»»»
Former US diplomat sentenced to life for abusing two girls in Burkina Faso
A United States citizen has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing two teenage girls while working at the US embassy in Burkina Faso. The US Department of Justice said 41-year-old Fode Sitafa Mara, from Maryland, was sentenced on Wednesday following a two-week tr»»»
Afghan Returnees, Residents Fear Violence at Key Pakistan Crossing
Afghans who recently returned from Pakistan and residents near a key crossing expressed their fears of deadly border clashes on Friday, as smoke billowed from the mountains. AFP journalists heard shellfire and gunfire in Torkham, with Afghan soldiers heading towards the frontier after overnight bom»»»