MFA considers it inappropriate to respond to Vladimir Solovyov's statements - | 24.KG
At a press conference, Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev responded to a journalist’s question about what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs thinks about the statements made by Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov. Recall, in one of his broadcasts, he suggested «starting a special milit»»»
Foreign Ministry holds talks on reducing visa bond for travel to USA - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is holding negotiations aimed at reducing the visa bond required for travel to the United States. Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev said this at a press conference while answering journalists’ questions. «The amount is extremely high. If we compare it with o»»»
EU and Mercosur build one of world's biggest free-trade zones
Talks on a landmark free trade deal between the European Union and four South American countries started so long ago that the euro wasn't even in circulation, China hadn't yet joined the World Trade Organization and Venezuela was still America's top oil provider. But against a starkly different geo»»»
Riots an Israeli Plot to Pave Way for US Aggression; Iran Now in Full Control - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Riots an Israeli Plot to Pave Way for US Aggression; Iran Now in Full Control 15-01-2026 11:15 AM Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attribute»»»
Gaza enters phase two of ceasefire: Who will govern, what happens to Hamas, what’s next
Dubai: After more than two years of devastating war, Gaza is moving into a critical and uncertain new chapter. The United States says the ceasefire plan brokered under President Donald Trump is entering phase two — a stage that goes beyond silencing the guns and aims to dismantle Hamas’ rule, rebui»»»
Waste-Collection Crisis To Be Resolved, Says Sofia Mayor Terziev
Sofia will cope with its waste-collection crisis, Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev said at a briefing at the Sofia Municipal Council on Thursday. He said problems affected four or five Sofia boroughs, while the other 19 had no issues. “I have a short message: we will cope with Sofia’s waste crisis,” Terz»»»
Gaza: Israeli Violations Surge as US Touts Second Phase of Ceasefire Phase
The US announcement of a second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza contrasted sharply with ongoing escalated violations on Thursday, deepening humanitarian suffering amid severe weather. The Israeli military launched artillery fire and airstrikes across several areas of the Gaza Strip on Thursday morni»»»
ISS Crew Splashes Down on Earth After Medical Evacuation
Four International Space Station (ISS) crewmembers splashed down in the Pacific Ocean early Thursday, video footage from NASA showed, after a medical issue prompted their mission to be cut short. American astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov and Japan's Kimiya Yu»»»
Russia Expels UK Diplomat Accused of Being Spy
Russia said Thursday it was expelling a British diplomat, calling him an undercover spy in the latest espionage accusation between Moscow and London. The Kremlin has long singled out Britain as one of the most hostile Western states -- with relations virtually frozen even before Moscow's full-scale»»»
Why Iran's fate means more to oil markets than Venezuela's
BusinessIranWhy Iran's fate means more to oil markets than Venezuela's Thomas KohlmannWhile markets appeared barely fazed by the fate of Venezuela's oil industry, they are considerably more nervous about the potential impact of internal unrest and foreign escalation when it comes to Iran. Rightly s»»»
Qatar Meteorology warns of strong wind, cold nights over weekend
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Meteorology Department has issued a warning for strong winds and colder nights over the next three days, starting today, January 15, 2026. In its weekend weather forecast, the department said temperatures will range between a minimum of 13°C and a maximum of 23°C, with light »»»
Bulgarian Diplomat Nickolay Mladenov Picks Gaza Leadership Ahead of Trump Peace Plan
Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov has personally selected the members of a 14-member committee of Palestinian technocrats set to take over the governance of the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported, citing a document obtained by the agency. The committee is composed of representatives from the private s»»»
Sheikh Mohammed presents Great Arab Minds 2025 Awards at Museum of the Future
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, honoured the six winners of the Great Arab Minds 2025 Award at a ceremony held at the Museum of the Future in Dubai. The third edition of the award, the largest of its kind in the Ar»»»
Oil prices drop 3% after Trump comments on Iran
Oil prices plunged on Thursday after fears over instability in Iran were eased by comments from U.S. President Donald Trump. West Texas Intermediate dropped 3.0 percent to $60.16 per barrel while Brent crude was down 2.93 percent to $64.57, after Trump said he had been told the killings of proteste»»»
UK economy grew by 0.3% in November, beating forecasts
The UK economy grew by a faster-than-expected 0.3% in November after car production rebounded and the services sector got a boost. Growth was driven by an increase in industrial output, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, helped by the return to production at Jaguar Land Rover's faciliti»»»
Ali Shaath Appointed Head of Gaza Administration Committee: What Do We Know About Him?
Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye announced on Wednesday the formation of a Palestinian technocratic committee to administer the Gaza Strip, headed by Ali Shaath. The move follows changes to the committee’s membership and broader political maneuvering that point to an imminent transfer of go»»»
Watch Chef Nobu Matsuhisa at Dubai’s Waterfront Market as he chooses the freshest fish by hand
Dubai: He is one of the world’s most celebrated chefs and so you would think that he doesn’t have to come to a fish market to choose his catch. But the 76-year-old culinary legend or Sultan Of Sushi as we jokingly label him does it anyway. Say hello to legendary Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa, who sa»»»
— Naharnet
Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan met Thursday with President Joseph Aoun at the Baabda Palace. Hassan had arrived Wednesday in Beirut where he met with his Lebanese counterpart Nawaf Salam. The two countries signed twenty-two agreements and Memoranda of Understanding at the Grand Serail. Aoun »»»
Russia expels British diplomat over allegations of spying
A British diplomat has been ordered to leave Russia, with officials accusing the man of being an intelligence agent working undercover at the embassy in Moscow. The man has been stripped of his accreditation and must leave the country within two weeks, Russia's foreign ministry said on Thursday. In»»»
Parliament Caps Interest on Student Loans at 3%
The National Assembly on Thursday adopted at first and second readings in a single sitting amendments to the Student and Doctoral-Candidate Loans Act to cap interest on such loans at three percentage points. The bill was submitted by MP Gabriel Valkov of BSP – United Left and a group of MPs. It pro»»»
Qatar attends ministerial roundtable on minerals sector in Riyadh
Riyadh: Qatar has participated in a ministerial roundtable on the minerals sector held in Riyadh, on the sidelines of 5th Future Minerals Forum program (FMF 2026) hosted by Saudi Arabia. The meeting, organised by the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, brought together ministers and r»»»
Sports program of 6th World Nomad Games presented in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
The sports program of the 6th World Nomad Games (WNG) has been presented in Kyrgyzstan. The event is organized by the State Agency for Youth Affairs, Physical Culture and Sports. According to the agency’s director Kazybek Moldazhiev, the 6th World Nomad Games will be held in 2026 in Cholpon-Ata, wi»»»
Air India, Saudia ink new codeshare deal
Dubai: Travel between India and Saudi Arabia is set to become simpler from February, with a new codeshare agreement unlocking more flight options, smoother connections and easier onward travel for passengers flying between the two countries. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Bala»»»
OUTLOOK 2026 South Africa
ED – this is bne IntelliNews's annual OUTLOOK report for Egypt. We are making forward-looking assessments for major Global Emerging Markets in Emerging Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, drawing on insightful reporting from our bureaus around the world. »»»
ASH: Do the Ukrainian numbers now add up?
The EC has finally announced details of its new €90bn loan facility for Ukraine agreed at the EU council meeting in December. Remember this was the last minute compromise solution to cover Ukraine’s estimated €140bn financ»»»
OUTLOOK 2026 South Africa
ED – this is bne IntelliNews's annual OUTLOOK report for Egypt. We are making forward-looking assessments for major Global Emerging Markets in Emerging Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, drawing on insightful reporting from our bureaus around the world. »»»
Singapore's leader of opposition stripped of title after lying conviction
Singapore's Leader of the Opposition in parliament, Pritam Singh, has been stripped of his title by the prime minister following a vote by lawmakers. The vote took place on Wednesday in parliament, which is overwhelmingly dominated by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). The move follows Singh's»»»
Real estate activity hits QR1.99bn across 456 deals in December
Doha, Qatar: The real estate transactions index recorded a total value of QR1.990bn for 456 real estate deals in December last year. The real estate sector serves as a cornerstone that mirrors Qatar’s progress and shapes its future. The country’s realty market is poised for continued expansion, sup»»»
Election Law Changes Should Boost Turnout and Trust, Socialist MP Kiselova Says
In a television interview, BSP-United Left MP Nataliya Kiselova said here on Thursday that changes to election legislation should aim to increase voter turnout and public trust. Kiselova noted that one of the reasons Bulgaria is facing an acute political crisis is the lack of trust in the National »»»
Israel Seeks to Cement Status Quo of Its New Occupation in Syria
A senior Israeli official has acknowledged that disagreements with Syria remain “very deep,” dismissing what the United States has described as a positive atmosphere surrounding negotiations. “The reality is quite different,” the official said. The remarks indicate that Israel intends to preserve t»»»
ASH: Do the Ukrainian numbers now add up?
The EC has finally announced details of its new €90bn loan facility for Ukraine agreed at the EU council meeting in December. Remember this was the last minute compromise solution to cover Ukraine’s estimated €140bn financ»»»
AI becomes pivotal for achieving global sustainability amid growing demand
By Humoud Al-Shayji ABU DHABI, Jan 15 (KUNA) -- Dr. Ibraheem Al-Mansouri, Director of Engineering at Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), affirmed that artificial intelligence (AI) has become pivotal for achieving global sustainability, given the challenges associated with the growing demand f»»»
Le Drian also discussed Mechanism 'reinforcement', Hezbollah disarmament in Lebanon visit
French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian addressed in his visit to Lebanon "the reinforcement" of the committee monitoring the year-long ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which France is a part of, French foreign ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said. The main aim of the visit was to discuss th»»»
Lebanon arrests Syrian citizen suspected of funding pro-Assad fighters
Lebanese authorities have arrested a Syrian citizen who is suspected of sending money to fighters loyal to former Syrian President Bashar Assad in Syria, judicial officials said Wednesday. Ahmad Dunia was detained in recent days in Lebanon's region of Byblos north of Beirut and is being questioned »»»
World's weakest passports for 2026 revealed
Earlier this week, Singapore retained its position as the world’s most powerful passport, offering access to 192 destinations visa-free. Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the spectrum, Afghanistan once again ranked last, with its passport holders able to travel to just 24 destinations without a pri»»»
Labour ministry urges employers to protect workers amid forecast of strong winds and dust
DOHA: The Ministry of Labour has called on employers to exercise caution and vigilance in light of the prevailing and forecast weather conditions, urging strict adherence to occupational safety and health guidelines to ensure the protection of workers. In a social media post, the ministry stressed »»»
Bulgaria's President: Anti-Mafia Consensus Party Emerges Around Demand for Fair Elections
President Rumen Radev said there is clearly a political force that represents what he described as an "anti-mafia consensus", stressing that its core demand is the holding of fair elections in Bulgaria. Speaking in Belovo, Radev commented that after extensive public debate, it is evident such a par»»»
Russia's FSB Says Identified Undeclared UK Intel Employee Working in Embassy in Moscow
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) said on Thursday that it had identified an undeclared employee of the UK special services who was sent to Russia under the guise of the post of secretary of the department of the UK Embassy in Moscow. "The Russian Federal Security Serv»»»
Russian Foreign Ministry Lodges Protest Over Affiliation of Embassy Employee to UK Intel
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that it had lodged a protest with UK Charge d'Affaires in Moscow Danae Dholakia in connection with information received by Russian authorities about the affiliation of one of the diplomatic staff of the embassy to the UK special servi»»»
Burj Khalifa Metro station set for major upgrade
Dubai: Dubai’s most heavily used Metro station is set for a major capacity boost, with plans now confirmed to expand the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station to handle sharply rising passenger volumes during peak periods such as New Year’s Eve, public holidays and major events. Sign up for our dai»»»
Kyrgyzstan’s Ambassador to Qatar dismissed for ethics violation - | 24.KG
Marat Nuraliev has been relieved of his duties as Kyrgyzstan’s Ambassador to Qatar for violating the ethics of a civil servant. Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev said at a press conference in Bishkek while answering journalists’ questions. He noted that Marat Nuraliev had performed well in his post»»»
Kyrgyzstan expands number of countries it maintains diplomatic relations with - | 24.KG
The geography of diplomatic activity has significantly expanded over the past year, Foreign Affairs Minister of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev announced while summing up results of the ministry’s activities for 2025. According to him, Kyrgyzstan’s positions in traditional regions have been strengthene»»»
Beyond marks: Helping students thrive in board exams
Every year, as the CBSE Board examinations for Grades 10 and 12 approach, tension builds in familiar ways. Classrooms grow quieter, homes more tense. Some young people seem confident, even relaxed, but many others are anxious and uncertain. They fear failing, disappointing their families, or not me»»»
Competition authorizes the transaction by which Repsol Downstream takes over a stake in Valtec
The Competition Council authorized the transaction by which Repsol Downstream Internacional S.A.U., Spain, intends to take over part of the share capital of Valtec Premium Lubricants S.R.L.. Following this transaction, Valtec Premium Lubricants S.R.L. will be owned by Valtec B.V. and Repsol Downstr»»»
Crucea Nord BESS reaches 80% completion
The battery energy storage system (BESS) project that Hidroelectrica is developing in the Crucea Nord Wind Farm exceeded 80% completion at the beginning of 2026, with the company indicating a “significant” pace of execution, faster than initially estimated. Under these circumstances, the new comple»»»
Mintia Thermal Power Plant Back on the Energy Map
Construction of the Mintia gas-fired power plant, the largest in Europe, is nearing completion. With a total project value estimated at EUR 1.2 billion, this facility is poised to become a cornerstone of Europe’s energy security and a significant driver of economic growth for Romania, ...»»»
BIG Shopping Centers Launches Major New Energy Investment in Romania
BIG MEGA Renewable Energy, a joint venture backed by Israeli real estate company BIG Shopping Centers, has secured around 100 million euros for the construction and operation of the 102 MW Vacareni wind farm in Romania. The owner of AFI launches a new energy investment in Romania. Financing was arr»»»
Romania’s Gas Stocks 15% Above EU Average
Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan says Romania’s gas storage is 15% above the EU average. The National Energy Command has been convened for Monday at 12:00, amid the frost forecast issued for the coming days. The meeting will take place at the headquarters of the National Energy Dispatcher. “Last week we»»»
Energy Minister Ivan: First gas from the Black Sea expected in 2027
The Neptun Deep project is ahead of schedule, with first gas extraction expected in the first half of 2027, Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan said on Monday after a meeting of the National Energy Task Force."Progress on the Neptun Deep project is slightly ahead of the schedule set at the start of the pro»»»
Power grid reportedly stable in severe winter weather
Romania's power grid is working stably in severe winter weather, as the morning and evening consumption peaks are covered without problems and natural gas storage facilities are 65% filled, according to Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan."We have summoned the National Energy Command again, to check the si»»»