Protesters in New York demand the release of Mohsen Mahdawi after his arrest in April amid an effort by the government to deport him on grounds his acitivism regarding Palestinians and the Gaza war threatened U.S. foreign policy. A federal judge has now thrown out the case. File Photo by Sarah Yene»»»

The Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, together with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), has launched a new project to develop climate-resilient value chains. The ministry’s press service reported. The Japanese government has allocated $4.5 million for the initiative.»»»

Doha, Qatar: The 11th annual Interprofessional Education (IPE) Student Association Forum at Qatar University (QU) marked a significant milestone in the ongoing development of collaborative health profession education. The forum brought together students, health professionals, educators, and leaders»»»

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received Lindsey Graham, member of the US Senate. During the meeting at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, the two sides discussed the friendship and strategic cooperation between the UAE and the US and their shared commitment to strength»»»

To date, thousands of square meters of ECO DOME constructions have already been sold, including residential units, tourism-oriented spaces, and special-purpose facilities, including medical facilities such as a sanatorium. The consistent customer interest indicates a real need for this type of cons»»»

North Bucharest Investments announces the launch of the North Bucharest Investments Academy, an educational platform dedicated to developing professional competencies in real estate, designed both for newcomers to the industry and for consultants looking to advance their careers. The Academy is str»»»

Alex Soros, heir to his father’s empire, met with some of US President Donald Trump’s leading opponents at the Munich Security Conference. Looking behind the hugs and handshakes, it’s clear that the eye of Soros is fixed on the 2028 election. Soros’ weekend in Munich was a whirlwind of photo opport»»»

In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has ordered the release of 1,856 prisoners of different nationalities from Dubai’s correctional and punitive establishments, on the occasion of Ramadan. Chancello»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) represented by the Private Associations and Institutions Department, in collaboration with the Excellence Center for Training and Consulting at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, organised a specialised panel discussion titled »»»

Talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US aimed at ending Moscow's war in Ukraine have concluded without a breakthrough. The trilateral meetings, held in Geneva, went on late on Tuesday but only lasted two hours on Wednesday. Although US envoy Steve Witkoff had expressed optimism over the talks, bot»»»

TechnologyIndiaIndia AI summit: Brazil's Lula lands, US giants tout plansMark Hallam with AFP, AP, ReutersBrazil's President Lula da Silva has arrived in New Delhi, joining Emmanuel Macron, Pedro Sanchez and other leaders. Meanwhile, Google and Nvidia touted their Indian expansion plans at the AI I»»»

Ivaylo Ivanov, one of the six people who lost their lives in the Petrohan–Okolchitsa case, killed himself with two shots to the head. One gunshot wound had an entry point under the chin, and the other had an entry point at the left temple and an exit at the right, said Ivan Madzharov, Deputy Direct»»»

“I conducted the talks independently and I take full responsibility for all the ministers in this cabinet,” said Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov, speaking to journalists after presenting the lineup of the caretaker government to President Iliana Iotova. “With Andrey Yankulov as caretaker depu»»»

Nikolay Denkov, co-chair of the parliamentary group Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB), commented on Wednesday that he does not see any bright political figures in Andrey Gurov's draft cabinet. "I don't see bright political figures, but an attempt for each minister to understand the wo»»»

SARAJEVO - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Wednesday his visits to Banjaluka and Sarajevo had been aimed at tangible and concrete progress in regional cooperation, as well as at looking after the position of Republika Srpska and the Serbs and at discussions on mutual support on the EU path. "I can »»»

The European Union is exploring possible support for a new committee established to take over the civil administration of Gaza, according to a document produced by the bloc's diplomatic arm and seen by Reuters. "The EU is engaging with the newly established transitional governance structures for Ga»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli Occupation Forces Escalate Incursions into Southern Syria, Raiding Villages and Detaining Civilians 18-02-2026 15:51 PM QUNAITRA, S»»»

Dubai: Dubai’s commercial transport sector recorded more than 40 per cent growth in licensed companies in 2025, with annual revenues exceeding Dh8.4 billion, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said»»»

Catholics from different Emirates in the UAE has marked the start of the Lenten season today with Ash Wednesday. For Filipino believers, the tradition is observed wherever they may be across the globe. The cross-shaped ashes in their forehead signifies the beginning of a spiritual time filled with »»»

Bulgaria's Parliament on Wednesday voted, 141-0 with 27 abstentions, to pass on first reading amendments to the Penal Code extending the same legal protection against sexual offences to children aged 15 and 16 as to those under 14. The revisions, tabled by MPs of MRF - New Beginning, were adopted w»»»

Ivaylo Ivanov, one of the six people who lost their lives in the Petrohan–Okolchitsa case, killed himself with two shots to the head. One gunshot wound had an entry point under the chin, and the other had an entry point at the left temple and an exit at the right, said Ivan Madzharov, Deputy Direct»»»

Before Pakistan commits to sending troops to Gaza as part of the International Stabilization Force it wants assurances from the United States that it will be a peacekeeping mission rather than tasked with disarming Hamas, three sources told Reuters. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set t»»»

Dubai: Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar has never played it safe in her career. Her first film was the incredibly enjoyable romantic comedy 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' in which she played a plus-size woman navigating an arranged marriage to a vain high-school drop out. The self-made star, Bhumi, was brill»»»

The history of wine production is a history of constant adaptation, said shadow rapporteur on the so-called "wine package" in the European Parliament, MP Eric Sargiacomo (France, S&D), during a discussion on the topic "The Future of the Wine Sector: European Perspectives", which took place in Sofia»»»

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Bulgaria is honouring its national hero, revolutionary and freedom fighter Vasil Levski (1837-1873) on the 152nd anniversary of his death. In a declaration delivered on behalf of the parliamentary group Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria, MP Elisaveta Belobradova sa»»»

Following a period marked by adjustments, the local real estate market enters 2026 with enhanced confidence on the part of Romanian investors. They have become an essential factor in supporting the market’s liquidity and stability, showing greater interest both in income-generating assets and in br»»»

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park (@gulfarium) Feb. 17 (UPI) -- A resident of a Florida aquarium confirmed to be at least 71 years old has been certified as the oldest manatee ever by Guinness World Records. The record-keeping organization said Romeo, a re»»»

Damascus, Feb. 18 (SANA) Head of Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport Omar Hosari met Canadian Ambassador Gregory Galligan in Damascus on Wednesday to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in civil aviation. During the talks, the two sides reviewed prospects for strengthening»»»

TradeIsraelWhy a German shipping deal alarms Israel's governmentNik MartinHapag‑Lloyd's deal to buy a major Israeli shipping company is colliding with national-security red lines. Critics say the purchase could expose critical infrastructure at a volatile moment in the Middle East. https://p.dw.com»»»

Irena Mladenova has been nominated as caretaker Minister of Innovation and Growth in the Gurov draft cabinet. Mladenova is an assistant professor in the Department of Business Administration at the Faculty of Economics, St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, according to the University’s website»»»

Iran says it temporarily closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf. The move came as semiofficial Iranian news agencies reported live fire exercises in the vital waterway, through which 20% of the world's oil passes. The move is a rare, perhaps unprecedented shutdow»»»

The Israeli government has scrapped a longstanding rule preventing Israeli citizens from buying land directly from Palestinians, in a bid to establish facts on the ground that would prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. The previous rules—in place since 1967—served as a legal obstacle t»»»

Japan's exports surged nearly 17% in January from a year earlier, lifted by seasonal factors and strong demand in China and other Asian markets. Imports slipped 2.5% from the same month a year earlier to 10.3 trillion yen ($67 billion), while exports climbed 16.8% to 9.19 trillion yen ($59.8 billio»»»

Indonesia is tightening state control over the world's largest nickel supply after years of betting the metal would anchor a homegrown electric-vehicle industry, and just as global demand begins shifting away from heavy reliance on nickel. The move could still ripple through global EV supply chains»»»

The final report of the Winograd Commission, which investigated the events of the Second Lebanon War, was one of the most prominent probes that addressed the Israeli political and military failures in commanding the July 2006 war. The report’s significance stems from the broad powers granted to the»»»

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he is pleased to see steps taken in neighbouring Syria to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into state structures, after a US-backed ceasefire deal late last month between the sides. In a readout on Wednesday of his comments to reporters »»»

1 of 5 | White House crypto czar David Sacks and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg (R) attend a dinner hosted by President Donald Trump with tech leaders at the White House in September. Zuckerberg is expected to testify today in a trial that will decide if his platforms intentionally addict kids. File Phot»»»

The Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs presented additional findings on the cases at Petrohan and Okolchitsa during a joint briefing, attended by Deputy Appellate Prosecutor Natalia Nikolova, senior officials from the Interior Ministry, and Criminal Police representatives. Aut»»»

The Sharjah Civil Defence Authority has issued a safety advisory urging parents and caregivers to closely supervise children in kitchens, warning that the area remains one of the most common locations for household accidents. The alert, released as part of the authority’s ongoing “Spark of Awarenes»»»

Sharjah’s economic performance in 2025 underscored the strength of the emirate’s business environment and reinforced its position as a competitive and sustainable economic hub in the UAE, said Hamad Ali Abdalla Al Mahmoud, Chairman of the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) and member of»»»

Julian Popov has been nominated as caretaker Minister of Environment and Water in the Gurov draft cabinet. Born in Sofia on September 21, 1959. Graduated with a degree in Bulgarian Philology from Sofia University, according to information on the presidential administration website. Chair of the Boa»»»

The Trump administration is closer to a major war in the Middle East than most Americans realize. It could begin very soon, U.S. news portal Axios reported on Wednesday. A U.S. military operation in Iran would likely be a massive, weeks-long campaign that would look more like full-fledged war than »»»

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Djuro Macut met with new Ukrainian Ambassador to Belgrade Oleksandr Lytvynenko on Wednesday to discuss strengthening of cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. Welcoming the ambassador, Macut expressed a wish for a "continuation of good and successful cooperation esta»»»

Türkiye Petrolleri (TPAO) has signed a partnership agreement with Shell to carry out exploration work in Bulgaria's maritime zone, the Turkish energy ministry and British oil major said on Wednesday. European Union member Bulgaria, which had been totally dependent on Russian gas until 2022, has bee»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Vatican Says Won’t Participate in Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ in Gaza 18-02-2026 15:16 PM Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City (image from January 202»»»

Neel let out a piercing cry at the New Sonapur Crematorium on Wednesday as he bid farewell to his father, Ramesh Shukla – the legendary lensman known across the UAE as the “royal photographer”. From Shukla’s wife Tarulatta and grandchildren to relatives, friends and staff at the Four Seasons Ramesh»»»

Unannounced, U.S.-brokered negotiations between Lebanon and Israel have made major progress, a senior source said. “These negotiations, led by a high-ranking Lebanese figure, are based on a mutually agreed-upon framework of concessions,” the source told the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper. The source adde»»»

A 39-year-old man has been taken into custody following an alleged sexual assault involving a minor. Bulgarian authorities report that the incident constitutes intercourse with a child who was unable to defend themselves and did not give consent. The case was officially opened on Tuesday by the dis»»»

Dubai: In a major leadership change at one of the world’s largest hotel groups, Hyatt has appointed its President and CEO, Mark S. Hoplamazian, as Chairman of the Board with immediate effect. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The leadership shakeup comes after Thomas J. »»»