DOHA: The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) announced the working hours for its 31 health centres during the holy month of Ramadan. These centres will be open continuously from Sunday to Thursday. The PHCC indicated that 27 health centres namely, Al Wakra, South Wakra, Al Mashaf, Al Thumama, A»»»

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»»»

Egypt’s Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar has issued a ministerial decree replacing the schedules attached to the country’s anti-drug law, implementing a recent constitutional court ruling on the legality of previous amendments. The Health Ministry said Decree No. 44 of 2026 follows a Feb. 16 ru»»»

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»»»

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»»»

Doha The Amiri Diwan has announced that His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will receive well-wishers on the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan at Lusail Palace on Wednesday evening, the first day of the blessed month, immediately after Taraweeh prayers. M»»»

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»»»

While UAE and Saudi Arabia spotted the crescent marking the start of Ramadan on Tuesday (Sha’ban 29), several countries in the east such as Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia were unable to sight the moon. Accordingly, UAE and Saudi Arabia will mark Wednesday, February 18 as the first day of Ramadan, w»»»

Even as the UAE and Saudi Arabia gear up to begin observing Ramadan on Wednesday, Feb 18, several other countries announced that they would consider Thursday, Feb 19, as day one of the holy month. Ramadan is decided by the lunar calendar – so it tends to move each year, which is where the moon-sigh»»»

Police have identified the suspect in a shooting at a high school ice hockey game in Rhode Island that killed two people and injured three others. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said Robert Dorgan, who also used the name Roberta and the surname Esposito, died of an apparent self-inflicted gu»»»

Hezbollah’s International and Arab Relations Department strongly condemned the US economic blockade on Cuba and Washington’s move to cut off Venezuelan oil, threatening to halt the country’s economy and disrupt essential services. “The US President’s move is a reckless step, part of a pattern of ac»»»

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»»»

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»»»

Doha The State of Qatar has announced that Wednesday (February 18) will mark the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan, following the sighting of the crescent moon. In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs said its Moon Sighting Committee had confirm»»»

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»»»

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»»»

The European Union is bracing itself for a fight over a proposed ban on Russian steel imports, as lawmakers attempt to push the restrictions through a legislative backdoor, according to Euronews. Members of the European Parliament and EU member states will begin negotiations next week on whether to»»»

DOHA: The Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Awqaf has announced thatWednesday, February 18, will be the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH.»»»

NASA Artemis II rests on Launch Complex 39B at sunset at Kennedy Space Center, Florida on Feb. 10. NASA is planning for a second wet dress rehearsal for its Artemis II test flight on Thursday in preparation for a full launch as early as next month. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo Feb. 17 (UP»»»

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) Regional Office in Sofia filed an indictment on Tuesday against four suspects, accused of fraudulently obtaining employment benefits for people with disabilities, the institution reported in a press release. According to the investigation, two companie»»»

The Council of Ministers on Tuesday adopted a decree amending Council of Ministers Decree No. 263 of 2021 on secondary budget administrators under the Ministry of Culture, increasing the staff of Bulgaria’s Cultural and Information Centre in Skopje by one position. The measure is aimed at strengthe»»»

The outgoing Government has approved a plan to promote collective bargaining for the period 2026–2030, prioritizing the expansion of collective bargaining coverage by 2030 through coordinated efforts between the Government and social partners, the Government Information Service said on Tuesday. The»»»

Dubai: The UAE’s Presidential Court has announced that Wednesday, February 18, will mark the first day of Ramadan, following a confirmation by the official moon-sighting committee. (Click here for the Ramadan prayer timings) Also Read: Ramadan 2026 in UAE: Crescent moon sighting and announcements w»»»

Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of the crescent moon. Thus, tomorrow will be the first day of Ramadan. Earlier, it was announced that the moon-sighting would take place in Hawtat Sudair and Tumair in Al-Majma’ah Governorate. Abdulaziz Al-Muainaa, from Al Hareeq Observatory, had added: "The sun »»»

Dubai: Dubai’s public parking operator Parkin has announced that mosque parking spaces across Dubai will be free throughout the day during Ramadan. In a post on its official social media channels, the operator confirmed that parking zones marked for mosques (M and MP) will remain free to use for th»»»

DOHA: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has conducted intensive inspection campaigns on retail outlets and consumer complexes across the country as part of its preparations for the holy month of Ramadan. In a statement, the ministry said that these campaigns aim to ensure the availabilit»»»

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»»»

DOHA: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has announced revised school hours for kindergartens and government schools during the holy month of Ramadan. According to the ministry, school hours for kindergarten and students from Grades 1 to 12 will run from 9am to 12.30pm throughou»»»

For decades, the path of Hezbollah’s resistance has been written not only in victories, but in sacrifice. Leaders rose from among the people, carrying the weight of their homeland, Lebanon, on their shoulders, and when the moment demanded it, they offered their lives so that the nation might stand.»»»

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»»»

A senior imam of the Al‑Aqsa Mosque in east Jerusalem said Tuesday that Israeli authorities have barred him from entering the compound, just days before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "I have been barred from the mosque for a week, and the order can be renewed," Sheikh Muhammad al‑A»»»

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday the latest talks with the United States saw them agree on "a set of guiding principles" that would pave the way for a deal. "Ultimately, we were able to reach broad agreement on a set of guiding principles, based on which we will move forward and »»»

Dubai: The UAE will host around 20 Muslim scholars during the holy month of Ramadan at the expense of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to lead nationwide religious programmes. Dr Omar Al Darei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, sai»»»

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 »»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Araghchi: General Agreement Reached on Guiding Principles in Iran-US Talks 17-02-2026 16:16 PM Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said »»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: We’ve reached an understanding on the main principles with the United States 17-02-2026 16:06 PM Late»»»

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 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»»»

Dubai: The Philippine National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) has officially announced that Ramadan in the country will begin on February 19. In a statement, the NCMF has confirmed that the crescent moon was not sighted, leading to the declaration that the first day of Ramadan will fall on T»»»

Dubai: The American University in Dubai (AUD) has partnered with the IE University to offer a new international business degree called the Global Bachelor in Business Administration (Global BBA). The four-year Global BBA will allow students to study in different parts of the world while they pursue»»»

Israeli NGOs have raised the alarm over a settlement plan signed by the government which they say would mark the first expansion of Jerusalem's borders into the occupied West Bank since 1967. Israel has occupied east Jerusalem since 1967 and later annexed it in a move not recognized by the internat»»»

TUNIS, Feb. 17 (TAP) – The Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy has granted 187 authorisations to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to generate electricity from solar photovoltaic energy, with a total capacity of 287 megawatts, under the...»»»

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran and the United States held serious talks in a constructive atmosphere and exchanged ideas on the Iranian nuclear issue, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday. "I can say that at this round, compared to the last one, we brought up absolutely serious issues f»»»

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»»»

Washington: The American aerospace company SpaceX has launched 29 new satellites into space as part of its Starlink constellation. The company stated that a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying the satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO), and successfu»»»

Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor of matchless versatility and dedication whose classic roles included the intrepid consigliere of the first two "Godfather" movies and the over-the-hill country music singer in "Tender Mercies," has died at age 95. Duvall died “peacefully” at his home Sunday in»»»

Authorities investigating this month’s deadly migrant shipwreck off the eastern Aegean Sea island of Chios have ordered that divers raise the victims’ small boat, which sank after colliding with a coast guard patrol vessel, so that it can be examined as evidence. The decision by the Chios prosecuto»»»

Dubai: When comet 3I/ATLAS, a rare visitor from beyond our solar system, made its closest pass to the sun last October, every telescope on Earth went blind. The comet had slipped behind the sun, out of reach. But the UAE's Hope Probe, orbiting Mars on the same side of the solar system, had a front-»»»

Bulgaria has formally raised concerns about violence and hate speech targeting the Bulgarian ethnic community in the Republic of North Macedonia before the Council of Europe. A written question on the issue has been submitted to the Committee of Ministers and registered as written question No. 806 »»»

The Russian Northern Fleet starts live-fire exercise in the Varanger fjord, a few nautical miles from Grense Jakobselv where the Norwegian military is observing. Russia has issued warnings to both seafarers and pilots to stay away from waters close to the coast between Pechenga fjord and Grense Jak»»»