Philippines: 100% discounts in electricity bills for certain Filipino households
Manila: In a game-changing move, the government has unleashed a major policy tweak allowing a 100% electricity subsidy for poorest Filipino families. Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos recently unveiled the "auto-enrollment" scheme for millions of target beneficiaries -- families unde»»»
Climber on trial for leaving girlfriend to die on Austria's highest mountain
More than a year after a 33-year-old woman froze to death on Austria's highest mountain, her boyfriend goes on trial on Thursday accused of gross negligent manslaughter. Kerstin G died of hypothermia on a mountain climbing trip to the Grossglockner that went horribly wrong. Her boyfriend is accused»»»
Guatemalan troops deploy to gang-plagued capital
Heavily armed Guatemalan troops and military police deployed to the country's capital Tuesday, challenging street gangs blamed for killing 11 officers and sparking a major security crisis. President Bernardo Arevala ordered the "Plan Sentinel" operation to break the stranglehold of Barrio 18 and MS»»»
I would scream in my sleep: Women from Syria's Alawite minority tell of kidnap and rape
Warning: This report contains accounts of sexual assault and violence that some readers may find distressing. Ramia was preparing for a family picnic, on a warm summer day in her village in Latakia province in western Syria, when a white car drove up, she said. Three armed men got out, saying they »»»
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»»»
Winter is getting shorter across nearly 200 U.S. cities, new climate analysis finds - UPI.com
A water taxi/ferry is escorted through the ice in the Hudson River before docking in Manhattan as seen from "Edge" at Hudson Yards as sub freezing temperatures continue after the weekends major snow storm on January 29 in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Across the United »»»
Dangerous winds cause deadly Colorado pileup sparks fast-moving Plains wildfires - UPI.com
1 of 2 | A fatal crash on I-25 near Pueblo, Colo., took place Tuesday during a high-wind event. Photo courtesy Colorado State Patrol Powerful winds kicking up dust across the Plains contributed to multiple fatal crashes and sparked rapidly spreading wildfires on Tuesday as dry grasses fueled fast-m»»»
Jesse Jackson 'proved that a black man could be a serious contender for the White House'
Charismatic US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, an eloquent Baptist minister raised in the segregated South who became a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr and twice ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, has died at age 84, his family said in a statement on Tuesday. Despite never »»»
Qatar University, Qatar Shell launch third cohort of ‘Shell Intilaaqah-Qatar’
Tribune News Network Doha Building on a strong and growing partnership, Qatar University (QU), in collaboration with Qatar Shell, announced the launch of the third cohort of the ‘Shell Intilaaqah – Qatar’ programme. It is one of the country’s leading initiatives dedicated to nurturing entrepreneuri»»»
Msheireb Properties, Qatar Charity sign MoU to bolster humanitarian initiatives
Tribune News Network Doha Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable real estate developer, and Qatar Charity (QC), one of the largest humanitarian and development organisations in the world, have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday. This partnership formalises a »»»
QC supports vulnerablegroups in Burkina Faso with specialised assistance
Tribune News Network Doha Reaffirming its commitment to supporting communities most in need worldwide, Qatar Charity (QC) has delivered a package of special humanitarian assistance to Burkina Faso, aimed at supporting vulnerable groups and strengthening community resilience. The aid was formally re»»»
MECC launches Rawdat Umm Laqhab fencing project in Al Thakhira
QNA Doha The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), represented by the Wildlife Development Department, in cooperation with the Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ), has launched the second phase of the Rawda (meadows) fencing initiative at Rawdat Umm Laqhab in the Umm Birkah area of Al Thakh»»»
QPC marks 15 yrs of National Sport Day legacy
Tribune News Network Doha The Qatar Press Centre (QPC) organised a dialogue session titled “National Sport Day: Results and Legacy,” highlighting the achievements and long-term impact of the national initiative in promoting sports culture, healthy living, and community participation over the past 1»»»
NGO Related to Six Violent Deaths Triggers Four Alerts since 2022
A report released on the Ministry of Interior's website on Tuesday specified that activities conducted by the NGO National Protected Areas Control Agency (NPACA) have triggered four alerts since the NGO was established in 2022. On February 2, 2026, the bodies of three NPACA members were found with »»»
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»»»
Venezuelan U.S. oil expert freed after arrest with no charges - UPI.com
Evanan Romero, who was detained for four days, is part of a committee of about 400 former state-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela technicians and executives dedicated to developing proposals for rebuilding the energy sector under a future government. File Photo by Henry Chirinos/EPA Feb. 17 »»»
Ohio man wins lottery jackpot after using same numbers for 22 years - UPI.com
An Ohio man who stuck with the same set of lottery numbers for 22 years found his persistence rewarded with a $3.5 million Classic Lotto jackpot. Feb. 16 (UPI) -- An Ohio man who stuck with the same set of lottery numbers for 22 years found his persistence rewarded with a $3.5 million jackpot. The »»»
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»»»
Guatemala’s attorney general tied to alleged illegal adoption network - UPI.com
A protester holds a sign during a demonstration against the election process led by the state university and the candidacy of Guatemalan Attorney General Consuelo Porras for a Constitutional Court magistrate position in Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala, on Monday. The University of San Carlos, the stat»»»
Shein faces EU investigation over products, design features
BusinessEuropeShein faces EU investigation over products, design featuresMark Hallam with AP, dpaEU regulators are investigating Shein on suspicion that it has not done enough to limit the sale of illegal products and to protect consumers from allegedly addictive design features on the platform. ht»»»
Apple announces "Charge Limit" feature on MacBook
Washington: Apple announced a new feature titled "Charge Limit" on its MacBook devices as part of the new trial version of the operating system macOS 26.4. Having only been featured on iPhone and iPad, the new feature will allow users to determine the charging limit, thus enhancing its long-term pe»»»
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»»»
Germany rebukes Macron over defense spending
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of failing to deliver on his calls for European “strategic autonomy,” urging Paris to increase its military expenditure at the expense of social spending. Macron has pushed for European defense autonomy since propo»»»
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 »»»
Alliance for Rights and Freedoms Meets with OSCE Delegation
The Chair of the parliamentary group of the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF), Hayri Sadakov, together with Deputy Chairs Sevim Ali and Taner Ali, met with representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The organization’s Office for Democratic Institutions »»»
US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies aged 84
US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson died aged 84 on Tuesday morning surrounded by relatives, according to a statement released by his family. "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Civil Rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Lou»»»
Iranians Chant Slogans Against Supreme Leader at Memorials for Slain Protesters
Iranians shouted slogans against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Tuesday as they gathered to commemorate protesters killed in a crackdown on nationwide demonstrations that rights groups said left thousands dead, according to videos verified by AFP. The country's clerical authorities also staged a co»»»
New terminal station in Piraeus for T7 tramline from Wednesday
A new terminal station will begin operating on T7 tram line in Athens on Wednesday, with the long-delayed opening of the Akti Poseidonos tram stop more than five years after its construction was completed. The addition of the new stop brings the tram network within a five-minute walk of Piraeus’ ma»»»
Egypt to launch largest Mediterranean gas drilling programme in 2026
Egypt will implement its largest-ever gas drilling programme in the Mediterranean in 2026, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi said on Tuesday during an inspection of Shell’s new offshore operations. The minister visited the STENA ICEMAX drillship to monitor the start of drilli»»»
Sharjah foundation strengthens child protection systems
The Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi Humanitarian Foundation (KSQF) has reached more than 36,000 beneficiaries across Morocco, Mexico and Zanzibar in 2025, expanding its international humanitarian work to strengthen child protection systems and address rising risks of exploitation, violence and harm aff»»»
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»»»
Iran Foreign Minister Says Progress Made in Nuclear Talks with US in Geneva
Iran and the United States reached an understanding on Tuesday on main "guiding principles" in talks aimed at resolving their longstanding nuclear dispute, but that does not mean a deal is imminent, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said. Oil futures fell and the benchmark Brent crude contract»»»
Dh4.9m ruling upheld in Fujairah licence transfer case
The Fujairah Federal Court of Appeal has upheld a ruling requiring a company and its partners to pay Dh4,943,018 to an individual after failing to settle the remaining value of an agreement involving the transfer of a commercial licence and the right to use an industrial land plot in the emirate. T»»»
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»»»
Bitcoin selloff exposes cracks in El Salvador's sovereign financing strategy
The deterioration in Bitcoin’s market price is feeding directly into El Salvador’s sovereign risk profile, exposing the fiscal and institutional trade-offs embedded in President Nayib Bukele’s flagship digital asset strategy. »»»
IRGC initiates live fire military drills as US-Iran talks in Geneva conclude
A second round of US-Iran negotiations in Geneva concluded after approximately three hours, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that the parties reached an understanding on several key principles. »»»
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 »»»
Where to watch the Ramadan iftar cannon in Fujairah this year
The General Command of Fujairah Police has completed preparations to fire the traditional Ramadan iftar cannon throughout the holy month, with the main launch taking place at Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah, alongside several key locations across the emirate. The initiative aims to revive one of Ra»»»
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»»»
The poster child of ‘post-politics’
He emerged from our screens. He’d be nothing without social media, without its ability to transform an absolute nothing into a famous nothing. His improvised videos were considered provocative at first. Provocation then brought attention, and attention brought voter interest. Who is this? Donald Tr»»»
Zelensky’s Ceasefire for Elections is Strategic Gambit, Not Democratic Move
Volodymyr Zelensky's reluctance to hold elections in Ukraine is multi-faced, according to Marco Marsili, geopolitical analyst at CESRAN International and former OSCE election observer. The Ukrainian politician is on thin ice despite optimistic polling numbers: "The reported approval ratings reflect»»»
Iran partially closes oil route for military drills, prices rise - UPI.com
A container ship sails on the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, on June 23, 2025. Iran partially closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping path, to conduct military drills on Monday. File Photo by Ali Haider/EPA-EFE Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Oil prices climbed on Tu»»»
Council of Ministers Funds Security, Scaffolding for Dismantled Monument to Soviet Army
The Council of Ministers allocated additional expenditures for 2026 under its own budget that will cover the Sofia regional administration's activities of providing security for the dismantled bronze figures and bas-reliefs from the Monument to the Soviet Army, including the rental of scaffolding a»»»
Ramadan 2026: These countries sighted the crescent moon today
Muslims across the world are preparing to welcome Ramadan 1447, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar officially confirming that the holy month will begin on Wednesday, February 18. The announcements follow verified crescent moon sightings in each country, signalling the start of a month of fasting»»»
Harsher Penalties Proposed for Crimes Against Children
The government has okayed draft amendments to the Criminal Code introducing harsher penalties for offences committed against minors and underage persons. The amendments also extend the limitation periods for prosecuting perpetrators of this category of offences, the Council of Ministers said in a p»»»
Council of Ministers Funds Security, Scaffolding for Dismantled Monument to the Soviet Army
The Council of Ministers allocated additional expenditures for 2026 under its own budget that will cover the Sofia regional administration's activities of providing security for the dismantled bronze figures and bas-reliefs from the Monument to the Soviet Army, including the rental of scaffolding a»»»