World Economic Forum CEO and President Børge Brende, pictured here in 2014, has resigned upon completion of an independent investigation of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Børge Brende resigned his position as president and CEO of the Worl»»»

The US Treasury Department proposed a rule on Thursday that, if finalized, would sever MBaer Merchant Bank AG's access to the US financial system on the grounds the Swiss bank had supported illicit actors linked to Iran and Russia. The Treasury alleged MBaer and its employees had facilitated corrup»»»

Parents using Instagram's child supervision tools will soon receive alerts if their teen repeatedly searches for suicide or self-harm related terms on the platform. It is the first time parent company Meta will proactively alert parents to searches by their child on Instagram for harmful material, »»»

In our ongoing weekly digest, award-winning journalist Veronika Munk summarises and explains the most important political developments in Hungary. We guide readers on the route to the key April 2026 election — a poll without precedent in the region over the past 15 years. This week, we cover: The p»»»

Despite headwinds from US tariffs and Chinese competition, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's latest report shows stronger-than-expected GDP growth, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa as decelerating inflation boosts consumer spending power. In Business, we spoke to the report's»»»

Dubai: Iran and the United States held another round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva on Thursday, as rising military tensions and a significant American force buildup in the Middle East cast a long shadow over diplomatic efforts. The Oman-mediated discussions, hosted at the Omani ambassador’s r»»»

A complaint has been filed in Switzerland accusing Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi of crimes against humanity linked to anti-government protests in his country in recent years, lawyers said Thursday. The complaint, filed by an Iranian-Swiss citizen, said Gharibabadi "may have comm»»»

Armenia’s prospective shift towards US-backed small modular reactor (SMR) technology could add as much as 30% of GDP to public debt in a worst-case scenario, even as it reduces the country’s long-standing strategic reliance on Russia, according to Ivan Tchakarov of GlobalSource Partners. »»»

Every day, Iranians go to stores and find prices rising. Some post photos on social media of the shrinking contents of their shopping carts as they struggle to buy enough basic staples for their families. The mounting cost of living is an extra weight bearing down as Iranians prepare for a possible»»»

Germany's government convened an emergency meeting of the organizers of the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday, saying it wanted to discuss the event's "direction" after debate and protests over Gaza dominated the programme. The Bild newspaper reported on Wednesday that the government's Commissioner »»»

For at least 34 years, Canada held an unbroken grip on the top spot in US trade. In 2025, Mexico ended it, and the timing could hardly be more consequential. According to reports from Bloomberg and Forbes, M»»»

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has announced early elections - hailing the next four years as "decisive" for her country. "We as Danes and as Europeans will really have to stand on our own feet," Frederiksen told parliament. "We need to define our relationship with the United States," she »»»

Caretaker Labour and Social Policy Minister Hasan Ademov stated on Wednesday stated that the ministry must ensure that people with disabilities can freely express their right to vote. He spoke during a meeting with national representative organizations of people with disabilities, the ministry anno»»»

Indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States in Geneva have paused for a break and will resume later today, following what the Omani mediator described as an exchange of “innovative and positive ideas.” Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi announced the development, stating: “Today i»»»

Not a single acquittal has been handed down by a court in Tajikistan in the past two years. The stark statistic is highlighted by a report published this week by Tajik daily Asia-Plus. »»»

Ukraine has preserved macroeconomic stability despite a fourth year of full-scale war, but its growth prospects for 2026 have been sharply downgraded as expectations of a ceasefire fade, according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. »»»

Oil and gas revenues will account for less than 20% of Russia's budget this year, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told the Duma on February 26, as oil prices tumble and sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet become more effective. »»»

Ukraine has preserved macroeconomic stability despite a fourth year of full-scale war, but its growth prospects for 2026 have been sharply downgraded as expectations of a ceasefire fade, according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. »»»

Russian Finance Minister Anton Sulianov was speaking to the Duma yesterday and announced a pretty radical new direction. What he's proposing to do is to move the budget away from its traditional addiction to oil and gas export revenue and make Russia a consumption-based economy, (with a useful, but»»»

Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev said he expects a strike in the capital’s public transport system during the “election window,” speaking at a briefing at the Sofia Municipal Council here on Thursday. However, Socialist Municipal Councillor and trade unionist Ivan Kirilov denied such claims, explaining th»»»

Dubai: As US forces mass across the Middle East, Iran is staring at the threat of major American strikes that could target its leadership, military command structure, nuclear sites and critical infrastructure — a showdown Tehran would almost certainly lose in conventional terms, but one that could »»»

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Caribbean leaders on Wednesday that the removal of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro has improved regional stability, despite objections over its legality. Speaking at a summit in St Kitts and Nevis, he urged closer cooperation while tensions persist over Cuba, migra»»»

Manila: A volcano erupted in the central Philippines on Thursday evening, sending a billowing plume of ash about 2,500 metres (1.5 miles) into the nighttime sky. The two-minute eruption began at 7:04 pm (1104 GMT), state volcanology agency director Teresito Bacolcol told AFP, saying "there might be»»»

A recent sociological survey conducted by the Center for Analysis and Marketing (CAM) in February indicates that five parties are likely to secure seats in Bulgaria’s next parliament. According to the study, these parties are Rumen Radev’s formation, GERB, WCC-DB, DPS-New Beginning, and “Revival.” »»»

Real Madrid are through to the next round of the Champions League but, once again, the biggest talking point was not the football. A 2-1 win over Benfica at the Santiago Bernabeu sealed a 3-1 aggregate victory. Arbeloa’s side had already done the hard work in Lisbon with a 1-0 win at the Estadio da»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli drone attack targets “Ali Al-Taher” forest in Nabatieh county, South Lebanon: Al-Manar reporter 26-02-2026 14:10 PM Latest News Urg»»»

The top Democrat on the congressional committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein has accused the US justice department of withholding files containing allegations of sexual abuse of a minor made against President Donald Trump. Robert Garcia, who sits on the House Oversight Committee, said he had perso»»»

Canada has said it now believes India is no longer linked to violent crimes on its soil, marking a significant shift in its position ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first official visit to India. The statement, made by senior Canadian officials during a media briefing and reported by the Toro»»»

"We used to eat out twice a month," says Marjan, who lives in Iran's second largest city, Isfahan. "Now we just can't. We have to save that money to pay the rent." For the last six years, she had been selling wooden crafts and keyrings through a page on Instagram - one of hundreds of thousands of I»»»

New Delhi: In a major relief for air travellers, India’s aviation regulator has introduced a 48-hour “look-in” period allowing passengers to cancel or amend tickets without paying additional charges, while also tightening refund timelines and easing name correction rules. The Directorate General of»»»

The Bulgarian Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov, Thursday gave a new conference about the search and rescue operation and inspection of a Bulgarian fishing vessel with a crew of three which has been unaccounted for since February 18. He said that no mine-like objects were reported from th»»»

A major Iranian university has suspended three students for burning the national flag during recent anti-government protests, local media reported Thursday. Student demonstrations erupted on Saturday at several major universities in the capital Tehran, with campuses in other cities joining in the d»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States still prefers to fully link the negotiation track on the settlement in Ukraine with the one on economic cooperation with Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. "No, it does not mean that. As before, the American side prefers to fully link thes»»»

Dubai: Days before she was found dead at her rented apartment in Hyderabad, 21-year-old science student and part-time YouTuber Bonu Komali wrote a deeply emotional diary entry reflecting her lingering attachment to a former partner. “I’m scared to move on because what if he comes back?” Komali wrot»»»

Dubai: Abu Dhabi Police has launched a traffic fine discount initiative under the campaign 'Pay Early.. Gain Surely,' encouraging drivers to settle their violations promptly in exchange for significant savings. The campaign aims to reduce outstanding fines and promote responsible driving behaviour »»»

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, in an interview with Kabar news agency, addressed concerns voiced by some citizens about an alleged rift with former head of the State Committee for National Security, Kamchybek Tashiev, and responded to the question: «What will happen next?» «Nothing will hap»»»

US tariffs have rerouted trade, but not dented it as much as feared, allowing larger-than-expected economic growth in certain developing markets, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development said on Thursday. Growth in the 40 countries covered by the development finance institution rose by »»»

A Hezbollah official told AFP on Wednesday that the Lebanese movement would not intervene militarily in the event of "limited" U.S. strikes on its backer Iran, but would consider any attack against supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a "red line". The U.S. has repeatedly threatened Iran over its »»»

According to the annual CEE M&A report by Forvis Mazars, developed in association with Mergermarket, M&A activity in the CEE region did relatively well in 2025 in terms of overall disclosed deal value, though a decline in transaction volume points to significant geopolitical headwinds and challengi»»»

Iran and the United States met on Thursday in Geneva for nuclear negotiations viewed as a last chance for diplomacy. US President Donald Trump wants a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwi»»»

In this photo released Thursday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (2-L) shakes hands while his daughter Kim Ju Ae (L) looks on during a military parade in Pyongyang. The event marked the conclusion of the week-long Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea. Photo by KCNA/EPA SEOUL, Feb. 26 (UPI)»»»

Planning permission has been granted for apartments on the site of a former Irish mother and baby home. Cork City Council has provided conditional permission to developer Estuary View Enterprises for the 140 apartment units at Bessborough in Ballinure, Blackrock. Ex-residents and campaigners have l»»»

Also In This Package Iran-US talks begin in Oman: What’s at stake? Iran-US talks in Geneva advance on 'guiding principles' Iran draws red line on enrichment; shrugs off US threat Iran open to compromise in US nuclear talks: Report Iranian negotiators have reportedly travelled to Geneva on Thursday »»»

Also In This Package Iran draws red line on enrichment; shrugs off US threat Iran open to compromise in US nuclear talks: Report Iran-US talks begin in Oman: What’s at stake? Iran-US talks in Geneva advance on 'guiding principles' Iranian negotiators have reportedly travelled to Geneva on Thursday »»»

Dubai: An Indian expat who won the first Dh5 million prize in the UAE Lottery has revealed his profession and his dreams post the windfall that he is going to share with a friend. In an exclusive interview, Murugananth Govinthan, 43, told Gulf News he has no intention of quitting his job and his fi»»»

Dubai: An Indian expat who won the first Dh5 million prize in the UAE Lottery has revealed his profession and his dreams post the windfall that he is going to share with a friend. In an exclusive interview, Murugananth Govinthan, 43, told Gulf News he has no intention of quitting his job and his fi»»»

Iran and the United States are talking in Geneva for a third time on Thursday as President Donald Trump seeks to delay Tehran's nuclear program while threatening it by deploying a massive number of aircraft and warships to the Middle East. U.S. special Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, a billionaire rea»»»

Dubai: Indian travellers dreaming of a visa-free holiday in Jeju Island should think twice or at least prepare far more carefully after a high-profile detention case sparked an official response from the Embassy of India in Seoul, South Korea. The incident that started it allTravel vlogger Sachin A»»»

A Youth Council has been established under the Speaker of the Zhogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan. Deputy Tabyldy Muratbekov announced at a parliamentary session. According to him, the Council will promote the active participation of young people in public, political, socioeconomic, and cultural life, pr»»»

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has unlocked around $2.3 billion for Egypt after its latest program reviews, it said on Wednesday. Egypt secured an expanded $8 billion package over nearly four years from the IMF in March 2024, contingent on a series of economic reforms. In March last year, th»»»