Number of tourists keeps rising
In January 2026, nearly 1.1 million guests spent approximately 2.4 million tourism nights at tourist (commercial, private and other) accommodation establishments. Tourist arrivals were up by 5.3% and tourism nights by 3.6% in number compared to a year earlier. The number of domestic and internation»»»
Access Asia - Ignoring the optics: Modi stands firmly by Netanyahu in Israel
In this edition of Access Asia, we explore what the recent visit by India's prime minister to Israel means for both sides. Narendra Modi's public embrace of Benjamin Netanyahu may have raised eyebrows at home, but it is part of New Delhi's broader strategic vision. We ask our analyst whether N»»»
Israel launches preemptive strike on Iran: Israeli defence minister
Israel has carried out a preemptive strike against Iran, the Israeli Defence Minister confirmed. Sirens sounded across the country, while mobile alerts instructed residents to stay close to protected spaces. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the alert is a precaution to prepare the public for po»»»
Hungary will not be intimidated, PM says
In his weekly interview on Kossuth Radio, Prime Minister Orbán issued a stark warning regarding the escalating tensions with Ukraine, labeling the recent cessation of oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline as a direct attack on Hungary’s economic sovereignty. With the country facing a potential e»»»
How much cash can you bring when travelling to the Philippines? What you need to know
Dubai: If you are flying to the Philippines, it may be wise to check how much cash you are carrying before heading to the airport. The Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) has reiterated long-standing regulations on the entry and exit of both foreign and local currencies, reminding travellers to comp»»»
Tunisia: Ex-PM Gets 24-Year Prison Sentence Over Terror Charges
A Tunisian appeals court has imprisoned former prime minister Ali Larayedh 24 years after he was found guilty of terrorism charges. Since his arrest in late 2022, Larayedh has denied the charges that he helped send militants to Iraq and Syria, and his lawyers have branded the case as politically mo»»»
20 Dead as Cash-packed Military Plane Crashes in Bolivia
At least 20 people were killed Friday when a Bolivian military cargo plane carrying banknotes crashed while landing near the capital city La Paz, authorities said, prompting police to repel bystanders who were grabbing cash. The aircraft, a C-130 Hercules transport plane, veered off the runway at E»»»
US backs Pakistan 'right to defend itself' against Afghan Taliban govt
Washington: The United States said on Friday it supported Pakistan after it bombed neighbouring Afghanistan and declared war against its Taliban government following clashes. Also Read: Trump: Pakistan leaders are great people, vows to solve Afghan-Pakistan crisis very quickly "We continue to monit»»»
US–Iran tensions: Canada says relocating some diplomatic staff from Tel Aviv
Canada said Friday it was relocating non-essential diplomatic staff and their dependents out of the Israeli city of Tel Aviv due to "ongoing tensions in the region," as the US weighs striking Iran. Also Read: US orders non-essential embassy staff to leave Beirut amid regional tensions"Global Affair»»»
Prime minister, Iranian FM discuss results of negotiations between US and Iran
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran HE DrAbbas Araghchi. During the call, they discussed the results of the third round of negotiations betw»»»
North Korea releases rare image of Kim’s daughter firing rifle
Seoul: North Korea released a rare image on Saturday of leader Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter firing a rifle at a shooting range, adding to speculation that she is being groomed as his successor. Kim's daughter Ju Ae has long been seen as the next in line to rule the secretive, nuclear-armed state,»»»
Sri Lanka detains ex-spy chief over Easter bombings
Colombo: Sri Lanka's president has cleared investigators to detain the country's former intelligence chief for up to three months of questioning over his alleged role in the 2019 Easter bombings that killed 279 people, police said Saturday. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake signed an order under t»»»
EU Commission triggers provisional application of Mercosur trade pact
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on February 27 that Brussels would provisionally implement the controversial trade agreement with Mercosur, triggering a sharp rebuke from France and exposing deepening rifts within the bloc over one of the most ambitious trade pacts in r»»»
Why Ethiopia's presence on the Red Sea is a red line for Egypt
Ethiopia’s push for Red Sea access will have consequences that reach far beyond the Horn of Africa, not least because littoral states are staunchly opposed to Addis Ababa gaining a sovereign foothold on this crucial trade artery. With 132 million people, landlocked Ethiopia is Africa’s second-most »»»
Bill Clinton tells Congressional panel he ‘did nothing wrong’, saw no sign of Epstein’s abuse
Former US president Bill Clinton on Friday told a Congressional panel investigating late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that he saw no signs of the financier’s wrongdoing and had done “nothing wrong” himself during his association with Epstein. Clinton is mentioned multiple times in the Epstein files»»»
ICE releases Columbia student from custody after Trump-Mamdani talks
US President Donald Trump agreed to release a Columbia University student detained by immigration agents on Thursday after a direct appeal from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the White House. Elmina Aghayeva was arrested earlier that same day after federal agents entered one of the university's r»»»
Israeli strikes kill five in Gaza as ceasefire faces strain
Israeli attacks killed five people in Gaza on Thursday, the territory’s health officials said. Medics reported two killed in an air strike in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighbourhood and others in drone strikes on police checkpoints in Khan Younis and near Bureij camp. Israel’s military said it killed a mi»»»
Townsend Manor claims Fuwairit Cup with a late burst
Tribune News Network Doha Townsend Manor produced a powerful late burst to claim the feature Fuwairit Cup, a Class 2 Thoroughbred Open Handicap for 3yo+ over 1100m, heading a field of 11 at the Al Rayyan Racecourse on Wednesday night. Saad Ali Al Kubaisi, Deputy Director of the QREC Registration & »»»
NMoQ is first museum in the world to achieve GSAS Operations’ Platinum rating
Tribune News Network Doha The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) has received Platinum rating under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) Operations’ sustainable green building certification system, further underscoring Qatar Museums’ position as a global pioneer in sustainable cultural i»»»
QF’s Academic Bridge Programme signs pact with St Andrews University to broaden UK study pathways
Tribune News Network Doha The Academic Bridge Programme (ABP), part of Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education, has signed an academic agreement with the University of St Andrews in the UK, creating new pathways for students in Qatar to pursue higher education at leading UK universities. The pa»»»
QM welcomes Ramadan with a lineup of events on reflection and creativity
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Museums (QM) is marking the Holy Month of Ramadan with a rich programme unfolding across its museums, creative hubs and festivals. Blending heritage, creativity and well-being, this month’s line-up invites audiences of all ages to connect, reflect, and celebrate toge»»»
The Observers - Migrants in Tunisia face growing pressure to leave 'voluntarily'
As Tunisian authorities intensify their crackdown on migrant camps in El Amra and Jebeniana, a WhatsApp group is offering sub-Saharan migrants fast-track repatriation to their home countries. Over the last three years, thousands of undocumented migrants – many of them from sub-Saharan Africa&n»»»
UN chief calls for immediate ceasefire after Pakistan declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan
UN Chief António Guterres has called for an immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, after Islamabad conducted airstrikes in Kabul and three other Afghan provinces on Friday. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif declared "open war" after his country ran out of “patience” fo»»»
Pakistan-Afghanistan 'open war': How and why we got here?
Pakistan was once viewed as the sponsor and chief backer of Afghanistan’s Taliban movement. But when Islamabad declared “open war” on Kabul Friday, it marked a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two countries and underscored the regional security implications in a volatile zone. Shortly af»»»
Wrestling tournament in Albania: Kyrgyzstani Gulnura Tashtanbekova wins bronze - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstani Gulnura Tashtanbekova won a bronze medal at a ranking wrestling tournament in Albania, the United World Wrestling (UWW) reported. In the 65-kilogram weight class, Gulnura Tashtanbekova lost to Alina Kasabieva from Russia in the quarterfinals. However, the Russian representative advanced»»»
EU unlocks funds for 'safe' abortion access after million-strong petition
The European Commission said Thursday that member states will be able to tap into a social fund to help women access safe abortion care. This comes after a "My Voice, My Choice" campaign called on the bloc to create a funding mechanism to help women from EU countries with severe restrictions o»»»
A propos - 'Security, dilemma over Greenland have enhanced urgency' for EU referendum in Iceland
Iceland's government will soon propose a date for a referendum on resuming talks for its possible accession to the EU, the country's foreign ministry told AFP on Thursday. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks with Eirikur Bergmann, Professor of Politics at Bifröst University, who says that "the securi»»»
Focus - Solidarity in the Arctic Circle: Indigenous peoples united against Trump's threats
Spread across eight nation-states, the Arctic Circle is home to a number of Indigenous peoples. US President Donald Trump's ambitions to take control of Greenland have caused concern but also kindled solidarity amongst these peoples, who call the coldest parts of the world home. FRANCE 24's Isabell»»»
Europe Rendezvous - Warning: French regions at risk! Part 1: Corsica
France is a poor performer when it comes to cohesion in Europe and is marked by growing regional inequalities, despite being allocated a whopping €18 billion in EU cohesion funding for 2021-2027. Numerous regions risk falling into a "development trap": after a period of growth, they stagnate o»»»
Talking Europe - Cancer rates rise amid inequalities between EU members
European countries have some of the best public health systems in the world. And yet cancer rates have been going up, according to the European Commission. For instance, in 2022, there was a 2.3 percent increase on the year 2020. The International Agency for Research on Cancer says it expects cases»»»
Special ops: Trump’s go-to foreign policy tool
As war clouds gather over Iran, with American warships lurking nearby, it is worth noting that US President Donald Trump’s favoured foreign policy tool whilst in office appears to be the country’s much-vaunted Special Forces. Both the January 2020 assassination of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani »»»
Why an Ethiopian Red Sea presence is a red line for Egypt
Ethiopia’s push for Red Sea access will have consequences that reach far beyond the Horn of Africa, not least because littoral states are staunchly opposed to Addis Ababa gaining a sovereign foothold on this crucial trade artery. With 132 million people, landlocked Ethiopia is Africa’s second-most »»»
EEC introduces tariff exemption for import of cattle meat into EAEU countries - | 24.KG
The Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) approved a tariff benefit providing for exemption from import customs duties on certain types of beef imported into the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in 2026, the EEC press service reported. The measure allows duty-free imports»»»
Wrestling tournament in Albania: Meerim Zhumanazarova wins silver - | 24.KG
Meerim Zhumanazarova won a silver medal at a ranking wrestling tournament in Albania, the United World Wrestling (UWW) reported. In the 68-kilogram weight class, the Kyrgyzstani lost 0-2 to Yuliana Yaneva from Bulgaria in the gold medal bout. Earlier, Meerim Zhumanazarova had defeated athletes from»»»
EU Commission triggers provisional application of Mercosur trade pact
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on February 27 that Brussels would provisionally implement the controversial trade agreement with Mercosur, triggering a sharp rebuke from France and exposing deepening rifts within the bloc over one of the most ambitious trade pacts in r»»»
EU Commission triggers provisional application of Mercosur trade pact
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on February 27 that Brussels would provisionally implement the controversial trade agreement with Mercosur, triggering a sharp rebuke from France and exposing deepening rifts within the bloc over one of the most ambitious trade pacts in r»»»
Israeli leaders and citizens begin emergency preparations amid US-Iran war concerns
Amid rising concerns over a potential US-Iran war, Israeli citizens are on high alert in preparation for any potential attacks against the country by Tehran. Diplomatic efforts in Geneva stalled on February 26 between the »»»
Great Game rekindled in four-hour Pakistan-Afghanistan border war
The long-simmering stand-off between Pakistan and Afghanistan tipped over into open warfare late on February 26, continuing into the following day, with both sides trading air strikes, artillery fire and accusations of being sponsors of terror sponsorship in the most serious escalation along t»»»
Great Game rekindled in four-hour Pakistan-Afghanistan border war
The long-simmering stand-off between Pakistan and Afghanistan tipped over into open warfare late on February 26, continuing into the following day, with both sides trading air strikes, artillery fire and accusations of being sponsors of terror sponsorship in the most serious escalation along t»»»
Israeli leaders and citizens begin emergency preparations amid US-Iran war concerns
Amid rising concerns over a potential US-Iran war, Israeli citizens are on high alert in preparation for any potential attacks against the country by Tehran. Diplomatic efforts in Geneva stalled on February 26 between the »»»
EU sanctions envoy arrives in Bishkek to warn Kyrgyzstan over shipping of ‘war machine’ goods to Russia
EU sanctions envoy David O'Sullivan arrived in Bishkek on February 26 to warn Kyrgyzstan’s government that its heavy “re-export” flows to Russia of dual-use European goods must be stopped. In a wry comment on how he is not»»»
EU Commission triggers provisional application of Mercosur trade pact
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on February 27 that Brussels would provisionally implement the controversial trade agreement with Mercosur, triggering a sharp rebuke from France and exposing deepening rifts within the bloc over one of the most ambitious trade pacts in r»»»
EU Commission triggers provisional application of Mercosur trade pact
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on February 27 that Brussels would provisionally implement the controversial trade agreement with Mercosur, triggering a sharp rebuke from France and exposing deepening rifts within the bloc over one of the most ambitious trade pacts in r»»»
Ukraine’s war is “our war”, Poland’s Sikorski says in policy speech
Ukraine’s defensive war against Russia is “our war”, and its outcome will shape the geopolitical future of the European Union, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said on February 26. Presenting the government’s fo»»»
MOL gives ultimatum to Janaf and warns of legal steps in Russian oil dispute
Hungary's MOL group is calling on Croatia’s state-controlled oil pipeline operator Janaf to provide guarantees by February 27 for the passage of Russian oil shipments arriving by sea, which are not affected by sanctions, otherwise MOL will contact the European Commission and may initiate compensati»»»
EU Commission triggers provisional application of Mercosur trade pact
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on February 27 that Brussels would provisionally implement the controversial trade agreement with Mercosur, triggering a sharp rebuke from France and exposing deepening rifts within the bloc over one of the most ambitious trade pacts in r»»»
EU Commission triggers provisional application of Mercosur trade pact
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on February 27 that Brussels would provisionally implement the controversial trade agreement with Mercosur, triggering a sharp rebuke from France and exposing deepening rifts within the bloc over one of the most ambitious trade pacts in r»»»
Moldova pushes for faster, broader integration of separatist Transnistria
Moldova’s ruling Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which holds a parliamentary majority, has tabled a draft law aimed at extending the country’s tax regime to companies operating in the separatist region of Transnistria, in what appears to be a coordinated push for deeper reintegration. »»»
EU Commission triggers provisional application of Mercosur trade pact
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on February 27 that Brussels would provisionally implement the controversial trade agreement with Mercosur, triggering a sharp rebuke from France and exposing deepening rifts within the bloc over one of the most ambitious trade pacts in r»»»
MOL gives ultimatum to Janaf and warns of legal steps in Russian oil dispute
Hungary's MOL group is calling on Croatia’s state-controlled oil pipeline operator Janaf to provide guarantees by February 27 for the passage of Russian oil shipments arriving by sea, which are not affected by sanctions, otherwise MOL will contact the European Commission and may initiate compensati»»»