Iran ‘Drafting Framework to Advance’ Future US Talks, Says FM
Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Tehran was "drafting" a framework for future talks with the United States, as the US energy secretary said Washington would stop Iran's nuclear ambitions "one way or another". Diplomatic efforts are underway to avert the possibility of US mi»»»
Iran security official appears to fire on crowd at cemetery
Crowds of mourners appear to have been fired on by a security official at a cemetery in Iran. The incident happened in Abdanan, in west Iran, on Tuesday as people gathered to commemorate those killed during the government's brutal crackdown on protesters last month. Iranians usually hold commemorat»»»
Analysis: Hezbollah hit by new U.S. sanctions while restructuring - UPI.com
Supporters of Hezbollah shout slogans during a protest organized by the group under the slogan "The entire country is resistance" outside the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, on February 4. The demonstrators condemned the ongoing Israel»»»
Egypt to link export incentives to measurable performance targets, minister says
Egypt will link all future export incentives and “burden-reduction” programmes to measurable numerical targets and performance indicators (KPIs), Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid said on Wednesday. The move marks a shift toward a “disciplined partnership” between the state and th»»»
Russia Considers New Restrictions Against Cuba Unacceptable - Putin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia considers new restrictions against Cuba unacceptable, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. "We are in a special period now, with new sanctions. You know how we feel about this. We will not accept anything like that," Putin said during a meeting with Cuban Fo»»»
Putin Holds Talks With Cuban Foreign Minister
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Wednesday, February 18. Sputnik brings you a live broadcast from Moscow where Russian President Vladimir Putin is holding talks with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.Earlier on Tuesday, Rodriguez met wit»»»
Lockheed Martin: Saudi Arabia Is Strategic Choice for Global Defense Hub
Saudi Arabia’s push to localize half of its defense spending under Vision 2030 is drawing deeper commitments from US defense giant Lockheed Martin, which says it will expand local manufacturing, transfer advanced technologies, and further integrate the Kingdom into its global aerospace and defense »»»
Unruly passenger forces emergency landing of Delta plane in Houston - UPI.com
It's unclear if an unruly passenger on board a Delta Air Lines will face charges after allegedly trying to enter the cockpit and possibly injuring another passenger. File Photo by John Dickerson/UPI | License Photo Feb. 18 (UPI) -- A Delta Air Lines flight en route to Atlanta was forced to turn aro»»»
Bangladesh PM names cabinet after election win
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman vowed on Wednesday to uphold the rule of law in Bangladesh and overhaul the battered economy in his first speech to the nation since taking office. Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was sworn into office on Tuesday after a landslide election vict»»»
Canada sets out to build a self-sufficient defense industry
Olivera Zivkovic | Pablo Foley EliasAmid strained ties with the United States under Donald Trump, Canada has unveiled its first defense industrial strategy. The move would bring Canada to NATO's 2% defense-spending target five years earlier than planned. https://p.dw.com/p/5903KAdvertisementPablo F»»»
Zuckerberg arrives to testify in social media addiction trial
Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook co-founder, arrived at a California court on Wednesday where he is due to testify in a landmark legal case over whether social media is addictive to children. It will mark Zuckerberg's first appearance before a jury after years of backlash against his company, Meta Pla»»»
Air Force One being given an exterior makeover, including new colours
The US presidential jet is getting a new paint design that will include one of President Donald Trump's preferred colour choices for the White House and his hotels, gold. Air Force One and other planes used by high level US officials, such as First Lady Melania Trump are being repainted gold, deep »»»
Third Conservative Canadian MP defects to Carney's Liberals
A Conservative member of parliament from Alberta has defected to the Liberal Party bringing Prime Minister Mark Carney closer to a majority in the House of Commons. In a post on social media, Carney announced that Matt Jeneroux, who represents a constituency in Edmonton, has joined the Liberal cauc»»»
Romania’s stolen elections were only the start: Inside the EU’s war on democracy
Romania’s 2024 presidential election was already one of the most controversial political episodes in the European Union in recent years. A candidate who won the first round was prevented from contesting the second. The vote was annulled. Claims of Russian interference were advanced without public e»»»
The hidden danger drivers face before iftar
Sharjah Police have urged motorists to remain calm and patient on the roads during Ramadan, warning that rushing to reach destinations — particularly in the minutes before iftar — significantly increases the risk of serious traffic accidents. The call comes as part of the force’s Ramadan awareness »»»
“As if I Ate” mosque in Istanbul embodies story of frugality that became lasting legacy
Istanbul: In the heart of the historic Fatih district in Istanbul, Turkiye, where daily life intersects with the features of Ottoman history, stories lie hidden among the old alleyways, reaching beyond the walls of mosques and the bustle of markets. Among these stories stands a mosque, small in siz»»»
Tesla drops 'Autopilot' to comply with California ruling - UPI.com
1 of 5 | Tesla Cybertruck is on display during the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba-Prefecture, Japan, in January. Tesla will no longer market its "Autopilot" driver-assistance system in California. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Tesla will stop using »»»
Dubai Municipality opens recreational plazas in Lehbab 1 and 2 and Nazwah
In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to develop Dubai’s countryside and rural areas into some of the most beautiful and distinctive in the world, and as part of ongoing efforts to enhance »»»
UN human rights chief renews call for ceasefire in Sudan
New York: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed concern over reports that more than 50 civilians were killed in four Sudanese states as a result of drone attacks, urging an end to the violence and renewed engagement in dialogue toward a ceasefire. In a press statement, Turk sa»»»
Peru's political fragility laid bare as another leader falls to congressional vote
Peru will again swear in a head of state chosen by Congress rather than by direct vote, after legislators removed José Jerí from office barely 130 days into his interim presidency. The decision, approved on February »»»
Palo Alto Networks acquires Israeli cybersecurity startup Koi for $400mn
US cybersecurity giant Palo Alto Networks announced its intent to acquire Israeli startup KOI for $400mn. This comes just a week after Palo Alto acquired another Israeli information security company, CyberArk, for $25bn. T»»»
Protests erupt across Lebanon after VAT and gasoline price hike
The Lebanese Cabinet's decision to increase gasoline prices and raise the value-added tax has sparked widespread protests and political opposition, with demonstrators blocking major roads in Beirut and other cities. In res»»»
Georgia’s economy lifted by shift towards Global South
Another sign yet that Georgia’s worsening elations with the West is not deterring investment came in February, when the first phase of Eagle Hills Georgia’s Tbilisi Waterfront residential project sold out on its opening day. »»»
PANNIER: Drama in Kyrgyzstan much more than a rift between “Eki Dos”
President Sadyr Japarov’s sudden dismissal of his friend and security service chief Kamchybek Tashiyev on February 10 sent shockwaves through Kyrgyzstan. Japarov offered up reasons for the decision and said it will not aff»»»
Czech minister of industry offers Slovakia oil supplies via Druzhba pipeline
Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček has offered to supply Slovakia with oil via the Druzhba pipeline reverse flow. The Czech side could also enhance the transportation capacities from Germany, Slovak state broadcaster STVR reported, referring to Havlíček. »»»
Renewables exceed 50% of Poland’s installed power capacity in 2025
Renewables accounted for more than 50% of Poland’s installed electricity capacity at the end of 2025, and for the first time ever their share in annual power generation surpassed 30%, the Ministry of Climate and Environment said on February 17. »»»
Czech minister of industry offers Slovakia oil supplies via Druzhba pipeline
Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček has offered to supply Slovakia with oil via the Druzhba pipeline reverse flow. The Czech side could also enhance the transportation capacities from Germany, Slovak state broadcaster STVR reported, referring to Havlíček. »»»
Czech minister of industry offers Slovakia oil supplies via Druzhba pipeline
Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček has offered to supply Slovakia with oil via the Druzhba pipeline reverse flow. The Czech side could also enhance the transportation capacities from Germany, Slovak state broadcaster STVR reported, referring to Havlíček. »»»
Czech minister of industry offers Slovakia oil supplies via Druzhba pipeline
Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček has offered to supply Slovakia with oil via the Druzhba pipeline reverse flow. The Czech side could also enhance the transportation capacities from Germany, Slovak state broadcaster STVR reported, referring to Havlíček. »»»
Czech minister of industry offers Slovakia oil supplies via Druzhba pipeline
Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček has offered to supply Slovakia with oil via the Druzhba pipeline reverse flow. The Czech side could also enhance the transportation capacities from Germany, Slovak state broadcaster STVR reported, referring to Havlíček. »»»
Obeidat to Asharq Al-Awsat: Gaddafi Tried to Assassinate King Hussein with Missile Given to Wadie Haddad
In the second installment of his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, former Jordanian prime minister and intelligence chief Ahmad Obeidat recounts details of a missile plot to assassinate King Hussein, which he says was backed by Muammar Gaddafi and carried out through operatives linked to Wadie Haddad»»»
First woman envoy for Palestine dies in France: family
Paris, France: Leila Shahid, the first woman diplomat representing Palestine abroad, died in southern France aged 76, her family said. "She died today," her sister Zeina told AFP. She did not provide further details. "Leila Shahid, the iconic ambassador of Palestine, has left us. This is a huge los»»»
No Other People Were Present at Petrohan Lodge on Night of Three Deaths, Evidence Points to Suicide, Authorities Say
There were no other people present at the Petrohan mountain lodge on the night when three people died there, Deputy Appellate Prosecutor of the Sofia Appellate Prosecution Office Natalia Nikolova said during a joint briefing by the prosecution service and the police. Three men were found shot dead »»»
Polish payment system BLIK’s owners reportedly mull potential IPO at $2bn valuation
The owners of Polish mobile payment system BLIK have held preliminary discussions regarding a potential initial public offering in Warsaw that could value the company at up to $2bn, Bloomberg reported on February 17. Accor»»»
Former President Calls Out Political Bias in Gyurov’s Caretaker Cabinet, Warns Citizens to Watch Closely
Former President Rumen Radev expressed sharp criticism of the newly announced caretaker cabinet under Prime Minister-designate Andrey Gyurov, describing it as a “party cabinet” and urging the public to closely monitor its actions and the upcoming early parliamentary elections. Speaking shortly afte»»»
MOSCOW BLOG: Imperialism is back
The Geneva peace talks on ending the war in Ukraine broke up yesterday with no concrete results. There were no announcements nor any readout of what was discussed. However, US envoy Steve Witkoff released an upbeat post on social media saying the talks were “positive”. A report by the Russian news »»»
Czech minister of industry offers Slovakia oil supplies via Druzhba pipeline
Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček has offered to supply Slovakia with oil via the Druzhba pipeline reverse flow. The Czech side could also enhance the transportation capacities from Germany, Slovak state broadcaster STVR reported, referring to Havlíček. »»»
Iran & Russia plan navy drills as US military presence grows
Dubai: Iran and Russia are set to launch joint naval manoeuvres in the Sea of Oman on Thursday, Iranian media reported, as a massive US military build-up and escalating rhetoric continue to stoke tensions across the Gulf despite ongoing diplomacy between Tehran and Washington. The drills come at a »»»
Rumen Radev Says Draft Caretaker Cabinet Includes Individuals with Pronounced Party, Political Affiliations
The draft cabinet proposed by caretaker prime minister-designate Andrey Gurov on Wednesday includes individuals with pronounced party and political affiliations, former president Rumen Radev said in a Facebook post. ”The assemblage excluded the presidential institution from shaping the caretaker go»»»
Qatar Charity begins implementing Iftar project in 42 countries
DOHA: Qatar Charity has begun the implementation of its Iftar project in 42 countries worldwide, as part of this year's Ramadan campaign "Good Starts With You". In a press release, Qatar Charity revealed the details of the Iftar project in the Republic of Djibouti, where thousands of people from th»»»
Berlin Film Festival slammed over Gaza ‘silence’
Dozens of film industry figures, including Oscar-winning actors Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem, have signed an open letter accusing the Berlin International Film Festival of “anti-Palestinian racism” over its refusal to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza. The letter, published on Tuesday in Variety »»»
Ukrainian disruption of Russian oil pipeline triggers emergency in EU state
Slovakia has declared a state of emergency following Ukraine’s decision to block vital Russian oil supplies to the country, TASR news agency has reported. The state of emergency will be in effect from Thursday until September 30 at the latest, it added, citing Kiev’s refusal to transit Russian oil »»»
Over 24,000 patients in the past three years for Dental Elite clinics and growing interest in prevention among Romanians
The latest internal analysis conducted by Dental Elite, a chain of dental clinics providing comprehensive dental treatments in Bucharest and Brașov, highlights a growing interest among Romanians in preventive oral healthcare over the past three years. Between 2023 and 2025, Dental Elite doctors tre»»»
Veltol Holding strengthens its market position with accelerated growth in 2025 and announces new investments
After a challenging economic year that affected most business sectors, Veltol Holding – the Romanian technology company specializing in renewable energy, energy storage systems, intelligent energy management solutions (EMS), as well as building management systems (BMS) and automation – doubled its »»»
Congress deposes billionaire Les Wexner over Epstein ties - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Chairman of the House Oversight Committee James Comer, R-Ky., and Rep. William Timmons, R-S.C., speak to reporters after a House Oversight Committee closed-door virtual deposition with Ghislaine Maxwell in the Rayburn House Office Building near the U.S. Capitol in»»»
Russian, Cuban Foreign Ministers Exchange Views on Current Global Issues
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla exchanged views on current issues on the global and regional agenda at a meeting in Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. "On February 18, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey »»»
Fire Breaks out Near Iran's Capital Tehran, State Media Says
A fire broke out in Iran's Parand near the capital city Tehran, state media reported on Wednesday, publishing videos of smoke rising over the area which is close to several military and strategic sites in the country's Tehran province, Reuters reported. "The black smoke seen near the city of Parand»»»
US Judge Blocks Deportation of Columbia University Palestinian Activist
A US immigration judge has blocked the deportation of a Palestinian graduate student who helped organize protests at Columbia University against Israel's war in Gaza, according to US media reports. Mohsen Mahdawi was arrested by immigration agents last year as he was attending an interview to becom»»»
New tech and AI set to take athlete data business to next level
Paris: From tracking the trajectory and speed of a footballer's strike to monitoring a Tour de France rider's real-time power output, performance athlete data is deepening its reach in sports, with specialised firms eyeing to score big business. The potential is huge, analysts say, not just for hel»»»
US ambassador to Greece: Energy connectivity in Europe discussed with Serbian PM
ATHENS - US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle said on Wednesday she had met with Serbian PM Djuro Macut on Serbian Statehood Day in Athens to discuss energy connectivity in Europe. "We discussed our shared goals of energy independence and expanding energy connectivity across Europe, including»»»