Ukraine Geneva peace positive but make no concrete progress
US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington had made “meaningful progress” in negotiations on a potential Ukrainian settlement after a first day of trilateral talks in Geneva on February 17 involving US, Ukrainian and Russian representatives. »»»
Ukraine Geneva peace positive but make no concrete progress
US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington had made “meaningful progress” in negotiations on a potential Ukrainian settlement after a first day of trilateral talks in Geneva on February 17 involving US, Ukrainian and Russian representatives. »»»
Witkoff says 'meaningful progress' made as Ukraine talks enter second day
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said talks between Ukraine and Russia had "brought about meaningful progress" to end the war, as both sides prepared for a second day of negotiations in Geneva on Wednesday. "President Trump's success in bringing both sides of this war together has brought about meani»»»
Russia, Ukraine seem to be 'putting up a performance for president Trump', analyst says
Ukrainian and Russian negotiators concluded the first of two days of US-mediated peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday, though neither side signalled they were any closer to ending Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, John Lough, Head of Foreign Policy at »»»
Who is Vladimir Medinsky, the nationalist historian leading Russia’s peace talks delegation?
Russia’s delegation to the latest round of US-brokered peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Geneva is once again being led by ultraconservative historian and presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky – a man who rewrote Russia’s history textbooks to justify Moscow’s all-out invasion of Ukraine. Vladimi»»»
First day of Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Geneva ends with no breakthroughs
Ukrainian and Russian negotiators wrapped up a first day of US-mediated peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday with no sign of a breakthrough. The nearly four-year war, Europe’s deadliest since World War II, grinds on as both sides signalled that they remain far apart on key issues like territory. »»»
'I am Sara Duterte. I will run for president of the Philippines'
Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday formally declared that she will seek the presidency in 2028, ending years of speculation about her political ambitions. “I am Sara Duterte. I will run for president of the Philippines,” she said during a press conference, delivering a direct and unequivocal »»»
Judge blocks deportation of Palestinian activist who led protests at Columbia
NEW YORK: An immigration judge has blocked the Trump administration from deporting Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian graduate student who led protests at Columbia University against Israel and the war in Gaza. Also Read: US expands visa curbs: 39 countries affected under new immigration policyIn a ruli»»»
MARINS: What happens if the Iran-US Geneva talks to stave off war fail?
After the first meeting in Oman this month, about which very little is known, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi are meeting in Geneva on February 17. »»»
Russia-Ukraine-US talks start in Geneva: Kyiv, Moscow announce
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators on Tuesday began US-brokered talks in Geneva seeking to end the four-year war, hours after both sides launched fresh long-range strikes, officials said. A source in the Russian delegation and Rustem Umerov, head of the Ukrainian delegation, said the trilateral talk»»»
Food prices are surging in Russia. Is the war hitting Russians in the pocket?
"Life is becoming more expensive," complains Alexander, a Moscow-based advertising specialist who works for a big corporation. In the course of one month his monthly food budget soared by more than 22% - from 35,000 roubles (£330; $450) to 43,000 (£406; $555). With Russia's economy hanging somewher»»»
Iran-US talks in Geneva advance on 'guiding principles'
Iran announced a "breakthrough" in Geneva talks with the US on February 17, 2026, agreeing on "guiding principles" for resolving its nuclear dispute, BBC reported. This marking progress after Oman's-hosted first round. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the indirect discussions "constru»»»
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the US Navy's newest and largest aircraft carrier crosses the Strait of Gibraltar, en route to the Middle East
The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the US Navy's newest and largest aircraft carrier has recently crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and is en route to the Middle East. The move is widely interpreted as a strategic signal amid escalating regional dynamics, including US responses to Iranian threats and b»»»
QRCS distributes canned beef topeople in Gaza
Tribune News Network Doha As part of its ongoing humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is working with Qatar’s Gaza Reconstruction Committee to distribute canned beef to displaced families across the blockade. This food aid is part »»»
Gaza volunteers bring colour to ruins ahead of Ramadan
In southern Gaza, volunteers from a Turkish NGO paint rubble and decorate a destroyed street as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches. Gaza is facing a daunting task ahead to rebuild as more than 80 percent of buildings have been destroyed by the two years of war with Israel, according to the»»»
Iran, US agree to 'guiding principles' for nuclear deal at Geneva talks
Iran and the United States reached an understanding Tuesday on "a set of guiding principles" laying the groundwork for a broader deal during talks in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday. This came as the US ramps up military forces in the region and Iran said it»»»
From Lunar New Year prayers to high-tech displays, millions usher in the Year of the Horse
Fireworks lit the skies and incense smoke filled the air as millions rang in the Lunar New Year on Tuesday. From bustling temple fairs in Beijing to a high-tech Spring Festival gala, the Year of the Horse began in a swirl of prayer, pageantry and cutting-edge spectacle. Traditional prayers, firewor»»»
Greek, Serbian police to hold joint summer patrols in Halkidiki, Zakynthos
Greek and Serbian police officers will conduct joint patrols this summer in parts of Greece that are popular with Serbian tourists, officials said Tuesday. A Citizen Protection Ministry statement said the joint patrols will be in Halkidiki in northern Greece and the western island of Zakynthos, whi»»»
The Munich Security Conference 2026: Much hype, little substance, no hope
What a relief, it’s over. This year’s Munich Security Conference (MSC) has ended. In reality, the meeting has never had much to do with increasing anyone’s security. Otherwise, its Western participants would, for instance, not have laughed at the warning Russian President Vladimir Putin issued ther»»»
Ukraine to train German troops – media
Ukrainian service members will train German troops in drone warfare as well as the use of modern command and control technologies as part of a new program, several German media outlets have reported. The Ukraine conflict has seen the mass deployment of strike and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehi»»»
Kristi Noem spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin to leave job next week - UPI.com
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during an Assumption of Command Ceremony for Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday in January. Noem's spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin is leaving her position next week. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Tric»»»
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators meet for US-brokered talks
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators launched fresh US-brokered talks on Tuesday in Geneva seeking to end the four-year war, hours after both sides launched a fresh wave of long-range strikes. US President Donald Trump is seeking to position himself as peacemaker of the conflict unleashed when Russia »»»
Egypt’s Prime Minister and FM Head to Washington for Trump Peace Council Meeting
Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly headed to Washington on Tuesday to participate in the inaugural meeting of a "Board of Peace" established by US President Donald Trump, the cabinet said. Madbouly is attending on behalf of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and is accompanied by Foreig»»»
Shutdown of Starlink Terminals Has No Effect on Russian Troops - Senior Military Official
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The shutdown of Starlink terminals did not affect the command and control system for Russian troops in the special military operation zone, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said on Tuesday. "The shutdown of Starlink terminals did not affect the command and contr»»»
Obeidat to Asharq Al-Awsat: Mystery Sniper Killed Wasfi Tal
Former Jordanian Prime Minister Ahmad Obeidat, who died earlier this month, was both a key player and a witness to sensitive chapters in his country’s history. Obeidat began his career in the 1970s as an assistant director of intelligence, later serving as head of the General Intelligence Departmen»»»
Independent UN Body Condemns ‘Vicious Attacks’ on UN Expert on Palestinian Rights
An independent United Nations body on Tuesday condemned what it described as vicious attacks based on disinformation by several European ministers against the organization's special rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese. In the past week several European countries, including Germany, France»»»
Hungarian opposition made ‘secret pact’ with EU on Ukraine – Orban
Hungary’s opposition parties are colluding with EU leaders to fast-track Ukraine’s accession to the bloc, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was claimed. He warned that if the pro-Brussels Tisza Party come to power, it could drag the country into a direct conflict with Russia. Hungary’s April 12»»»
Hezbollah Rejects Disarmament Plan and Government’s Four-Month Timeline
Hezbollah rejected on Tuesday the Lebanese government's decision to grant the army at least four months to advance the second phase of a nationwide disarmament plan, saying it would not accept what it sees as a move serving Israel. Lebanon's cabinet tasked the army in August 2025 with drawing up an»»»
Russia-US-Ukraine peace talks: Who is facing off in Geneva?
American, Russian, and Ukrainian delegations have arrived in Geneva for a crucial round of peace talks. After narrowly focused discussions in Abu Dhabi, several key moves from the Russians and Americans suggest that things will be more serious this time around, and that the time to strike a deal is»»»
MARINS: What happens is the Iran-US Geneva talks to stave off war fail?
After the first meeting in Oman this month, about which very little is known, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi are meeting in Geneva on February 17. »»»
Australia won't repatriate ISIS-linked citizens stuck in Syrian camps - UPI.com
1 of 3 | Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he will not allow Australians who moved to Syria to join an ISIS caliphate repatriate to Australia, even though they are mostly women and children and didn't choose to travel there. File Photo by Bianca De Marchi/EPA Feb. 17 (UPI) -- A group »»»
Opinion | Munich Security Conference 2026: A Report Framing Trump’s Bid to Unravel the Liberal International Order
In the halls of the Bayerischer Hof in Munich, where the 62nd session of the Munich Security Conference convened in February 2026, the atmosphere transcended that of a routine diplomatic gathering addressing scattered global crises. Instead, it felt like a direct confrontation with a profound histo»»»
Ukraine should come to the table ‘fast’ – Trump
Ukraine must swiftly give up its uncompromising stance in the negotiations to settle the conflict with Russia, US President Donald Trump has warned. He made the comments ahead of talks between Russia, the US, and Ukraine in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday and Wednesday. The parties previously held t»»»
Netflix grants 7-day window for WBD-Paramount offer discussions - UPI.com
1 of 3 | Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said the company will engage with Paramount Skydance on its offer to buy the company, but still believes Netflix is a better choice. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Warner Bros. Discovery announced that Netflix has grante»»»
British ‘nuclear umbrella’ won’t protect Europe – Moscow
The British ‘nuclear umbrella’ will not provide extra security to other NATO members in Europe, Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin has said. Discussions about the continent developing its own nuclear deterrent have accelerated following White House announcements that the US would be scaling »»»
Russia, Ukraine talk down prospects for latest peace talks in Geneva - UPI.com
A motorcade carrying Russia's negotiating delegation arrives at the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva on Tuesday ahead of U.S.-mediated talks with Ukraine on ending the war. Photo by Cyril Zingaro/EPA Feb. 17 (UPI) -- A third round of U.S.-brokered peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were »»»
France releases suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker after fine paid
France says it has released an oil tanker suspected of being part of Russia's sanctions-busting "shadow fleet!" after its owner paid a fine. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the vessel, named Grinch, was "leaving French waters" on Tuesday having paid a penalty of "several million euros»»»
Third round of Russia-Ukraine talks starts in Geneva as strikes continue
Russian and Ukrainian delegations are meeting in Geneva for the latest round of US-brokered talks, a week before the fourth anniversary of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Expectations for a breakthrough remain low, as Moscow has not wavered from its maximalist demands for Ukrainian territo»»»
Khamenei says Iran can sink US warship as Geneva talks conclude
Iran's supreme leader warned on Tuesday that the country had the ability to sink a U.S. warship deployed to the Gulf, as fresh talks between the two sides concluded in Switzerland. The threat by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei follows a military build-up by the United States in the region as President Donal»»»
West's Claims of Non-Involvement in Ukraine Conflict 'Epitome of Hypocrisy' - Expert
NATO personnel operating Western military hardware in the Ukrainian conflict zone has long been an open secret, Russian military analyst Viktor Litovkin tells Sputnik. Ukraine, Litovkin explains, ended up relying on foreign personnel because it:Lacks the necessary number of skilled pilots and speci»»»
Report: US, regional actors seeking deal with Lebanon that would freeze Hezbollah arms
Political negotiations are underway, led by regional actors, with the aim of reaching a "security agreement with Lebanon," the pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper quoted informed sources as saying. The Americans are saying that they are interested in arranging this agreement and Hezbollah is not show»»»
Can you buy a country?
When US President Donald Trump revived the idea of buying Greenland – and refused to rule out stronger measures if Denmark declined – the reaction across Europe was swift and indignant. The proposal was framed as an anachronism: a throwback to imperial horse-trading that modern international politi»»»
The UAE is testing the use of lasers to stimulate rainfall
A research project conducted under the supervision of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science has reached a scientific breakthrough confirming the feasibility of laser-induced water vapor condensation and is now preparing for field trials in collaboration with international partners. »»»
Protesters Block Beirut Roads after Cabinet Approves New Taxes that Raise Fuel Prices
Protesters blocked main roads in and around Beirut on Tuesday after Lebanon’s Cabinet approved new taxes that raise fuel prices and other products to fund public pay hikes. The Cabinet approved a tax of 300,000 Lebanese pounds (about $3.30) on every 20 liters (5.3 gallons) of gasoline on Monday. Di»»»
South Asia: A disconnected giant in a connected world
South Asia is one of the great paradoxes of the global economy. Home to nearly a quarter of the world’s population, including three of the ten most populous countries, it should logically be among the most interconnected regions on earth. Instead, it remains one of the least integrated — economical»»»
Iran’s IRGC Maintains 24-Hour Watch Over Strategic Strait of Hormuz
The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps naval force has announced that the IRGC’s intelligence unit maintains round-the-clock surveillance over the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil transit route connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. IRGC Navy Launches War Game»»»
Ukrainian Geneva talks kick off
A new round of peace talks kicks off today in Geneva. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kuchner have already landed and are due to begin talks in a few hours. We're getting close to the end in the sense that we're running out of time. Trump has already made it clear that he wants the deal done by June ahead »»»
Ukrainian Geneva talks kick off
A new round of peace talks kicks off today in Geneva. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kuchner have already landed and are due to begin talks in a few hours. We're getting close to the end in the sense that we're running out of time. Trump has already made it clear that he wants the deal done by June ahead »»»
Commentator calls out IOC hypocrisy over Israeli athlete
A Swiss sports commentator launched a scathing on-air attack against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday, accusing it of hypocrisy for allowing Israeli athletes to compete in the Milano Cortina Winter Games while maintaining strict sanctions against Russians. Stephane Renner of Swis»»»
Pentagon clashes with Claude AI developer, Axios reports
The US Department of War is close to cutting ties with key AI partner Anthropic, the company behind the Claude model, and designating it a supply chain risk, Axios reported on Sunday, citing a Pentagon official. The label is typically reserved for entities linked to states that Washington considers»»»