Dubai: Carrefour is pulling back from more countries as it tries to rebuild profits and simplify its sprawling global business, even as its stores remain a familiar sight for shoppers across the Gulf. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The French supermarket group said on»»»

Skopje, 17 February 2026 (MIA) - The memorandum of cooperation, signed by Minister of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources Sanja Bozhinovska with representatives of CFS Media & Advisory DOO, which includes the Balkan Green Energy News portal and the Belgrade Energy Forum, sets out coordinated acti»»»

Sharjah: The Board of Trustees of the American University of Sharjah (AUS) has approved a series of strategic measures aimed at expanding academic offerings, strengthening governance and reinforcing long-term institutional resilience during a recent meeting held on campus. The meeting, chaired by S»»»

Russian delegation in Geneva has clear instructions to act within the Anchorage guidelines, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing. The results of the Geneva talks will be announced by authorized officials, she added. Key statements: UN Secretary-General António Gut»»»

The French company SCOR offers its clients a diversified and innovative range of reinsurance and insurance solutions and services to control and manage risk. The Group generated premiums of EUR 20.1 billion in 2024 and serves clients in more than 150 countries from its 35+ offices worldwide. “Openi»»»

Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov said the nomination of Andrey Yankulov sends a clear message about the importance placed on judicial reform. According to Gyurov, Yankulov’s role in investigating the “Eight Dwarfs” case provides strong moral grounds to demand accountability from the Prosecuto»»»

Day one of three-way peace negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the United States yielded noteworthy progress, according to the man moderating the talks, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Photo by Al Drago/UPI | License Photo Feb. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff early Wednesday rep»»»

Dubai: Philippine officials together with VFS Global have formally launched a new Contract Verification Centre (CVC) at the world’s largest visa application facility in Dubai, in a move to make the contract verification process easier and faster for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the UAE. The »»»

Over 1,040 people on motorbikes and electric scooters were stopped and fined for not wearing crash helmets in the second week of February, police said Wednesday, compared to more than 1,240 a week earlier. Police said 832 of the people were driving motorcycles, 122 were driving electric scooters an»»»

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev expressed his support for the decision of his deputy in charge of finance and healthcare, Georgi Klisurski, to accept the post of Minister of Finance in the caretaker government of Andrey Gurov, Sofia municipality announced on Wednesday. Terziev is temporarily taking over»»»

Angelina Boneva has been nominated as caretaker Minister of Regional Development and Public Works in the Gurov draft cabinet. Holds a bachelor's degree from Oxford University, UK, and a master's degree in European Sciences from the University of Graz, Austria, according to information posted on the»»»

In the wake of last week's mass shooting in the remote Canadian community of Tumbler Ridge, some online have been claiming that transgender people are more likely to commit violence than the rest of the population. In this edition of Truth or Fake, FRANCE 24's Charlotte Hughes explains why those al»»»

New Delhi: Google said it would build new subsea cables from India and chip titan Nvidia unveiled tie-ups with computing firms on Wednesday as tech giants rushed to announce deals and investments at a global AI conference in New Delhi. The AI Impact Summit is the fourth annual gathering to discuss »»»

Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the release of 1,440 inmates from correctional institutions across the country on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. The President will also settle the financial obligations arising from the sentences issued ag»»»

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev expressed his support for the decision of his deputy in charge of finance and healthcare, Georgi Klisurski, to accept the post of Minister of Finance in the caretaker government of Andrey Gurov, Sofia municipality announced on Wednesday. Terziev is temporarily taking over»»»

Ирена Георгиева е предложена за служебен министър на туризма в кабинета „Гюров“. Ирена Георгиева е завършила специалност „Социология“ в Софийския университет „Св. Климент Охридски“ със златен медал за отличен успех и активна обществена дейност, по данни на Министерството на туризма. Почти целият ѝ »»»

“We are not just presenting a rocket here, we are presenting the future,” said Mihai Filip, CEO of OVES Enterprise, who explained that the rocket is scalable and can be built on site using 3D printers, at a rate of 30 rockets in 24 hours. Announced in November 2025, the Sahara project is at an adva»»»

On Monday, February 16, an Israeli drone strike killed a Lebanese citizen in the southern town of Tallousah. But beyond the brief headline lies a deeper story, one that speaks to the resolve of ordinary people who, when confronted with sudden death, choose composure over fear and stand firm to defe»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Erdogan: We have informed all parties of our rejection of any military intervention against Iran 18-02-2026 14:03 PM Latest News Urgent New»»»

Damascus, Feb. 18 (SANA) Officials from the Syrian Foreign Ministry and the South African Embassy in Damascus met on Wednesday to explore ways to deepen cooperation between the two countries. Ashhad al-Salaibi, director of the Afro-Asian and Oceania Affairs Directorate at the Syrian Foreign Ministr»»»

For much of the past decade, bioplastics were viewed as a niche solution driven largely by consumer sentiment and corporate sustainability pledges. That perception is now changing at speed. What was once considered an optional sustainability upgrade is rapidly becoming a supply chain necessity, sha»»»

The military forces of Iran and Russia are going to hold a joint naval exercise in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean on February 19. According to the spokesperson for the drill, Rear Admiral Hassan Maqsoudlou, the joint exercise will be conducted in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indi»»»

The Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development’s (ADDED) arm to develop and regulate the business sector, is increasing and intensifying inspection campaigns and regulatory visits across markets and shopping centres before and during the holy month of »»»

Dubai: The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat has called on imams and preachers to exercise moderation and consideration for worshippers during Taraweeh prayers in Ramadan. The authority urged clerics to show balance and leniency in leading prayers, serve as role models in c»»»

Traicho Traikov has been nominated for caretaker Minister of Energy in the proposed Gurov cabinet. Caretaker prime minister-designate, Andrey Gurov, presented the proposed government lineup to President Iliana Iotova earlier on Wednesday. Traikov is currently Mayor of Sofia's Sredets district. Befo»»»

Commemoration of Vasil Levski should be a personal experience for every Bulgarian, There Is Such a People Floor Leader Toshko Yordanov said here Wednesday. Yordanov spoke on the occasion of the 153rd anniversary of Levski’s death. Yordanov expressed his discontent with some fellow MPs’ speeches pay»»»

Korman Ismailov has been proposed as caretaker Minister of Transport and Communications in the draft cabinet of Andrey Gurov. Ismailov was born on September 13, 1972 in Sofia, according to information published on the Bulgarian Parliament website. He was served as a Member of Parliament in the 41st»»»

Nayden Todorov has been nominated as caretaker Minister of Culture in the Gurov draft cabinet. Born in Plovdiv, South Central Bulgaria, in 1974. Graduated from the Music High School in Plovdiv. Earned his Bachelor's degree at the Vienna Music University in 1996. Specialized under Mendi Rodan at the»»»

Born in Isperih (Northeastern Bulgaria) on January 24, 1953. Graduated from Varna Medical University as a specialist in anaesthesiology and resuscitation in 1979. First elected to National Assembly in 1997, has been MP in 11 parliaments. On numerous occasions has been chair and deputy chair of parl»»»

Economic news, the latest developments in the Petrohan criminal case, and the caretaker government's lineup dominate Wednesday's news media. POLITICS On bTV's morning show, Anton Kutev commented on former president Rumen Radev's upcoming political project. Kutev, former caretaker government spokesp»»»

Speaking to reporters in Parliament’s lobby on Wednesday, National Assembly Deputy Chair and GERB-UDF Deputy Floor Leader Kostadin Angelov said that his political entity believes the proposed caretaker Cabinet is the personal responsibility of President Iliana Iotova. He was commenting on the lineu»»»

Bulgarian tourism experienced a strong rebound in 2025, with notable increases in visitor numbers, overnight stays, and tourism revenues, according to outgoing Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh. The minister described 2025 as a successful year for the sector, attributing the growth to targeted »»»

A Thessaloniki court has sentenced a 55-year-old woman to 10 months in prison without suspension for stalking a radio journalist-producer over more than a decade. The court found her guilty of threatening behavior through persistent surveillance, acknowledging diminished culpability due to psychiat»»»

Commenting on the proposed caretaker cabinet, Iskra Mihaylova-Koparova, Deputy Floor Leader of MRF-New Beginning, told reporters in Parliament on Wednesday that her party viewed the line-up as effectively a caretaker cabinet of President Iliana Iotova, George Soros, and the Petrohan case. She expla»»»

NEW DELHI - Indian PM Narendra Modi said on Wednesday he had met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi to discuss deepening of bilateral cooperation in several areas, and expressed the confidence the bilateral ties would "gain even more »»»

British National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell has been spotted at the scene of crucial peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US in Geneva. The UK has scuppered a peace deal before, and is not due to take part in the latest negotiations. Video footage captured by Ruptly shows Powell in th»»»

French authorities on Tuesday arrested nine people over the fatal beating of a 23-year-old far-right activist on the sidelines of a protest in Lyon last week. The attack has heightened political tensions ahead of key elections. French authorities on Tuesday arrested nine suspects over the killing l»»»

French President Emmanuel Macron's Middle East and North Africa adviser Anne-Claire Legendre has been named as head of the Arab World Institute in Paris, following the resignation of longtime chair Jack Lang over his links to child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Legendre is the first woman to lead t»»»

French authorities on Wednesday arrested two more suspects over the fatal beating of 23-year-old far-right activist Quentin Deranque on the sidelines of a protest in Lyon last week, bringing the total number of those detained to 11. The killing has heightened political tensions ahead of municipal e»»»

Greece’s seamen will hold a 24-hour strike on Saturday, February 28, to mark the third anniversary of the deadly Tempe railway disaster, it was announced Wednesday. In a statement, their union, the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO), said the strike aims to pay tribute to the victims and send a »»»

Gaborone, Botswana – Egypt’s rising badminton star Adham Hatem Elgamal delivered a commanding performance to secure the men’s singles gold medal at the All Africa Senior Badminton Championships 2026, held from February 9 to 15 in Botswana’s capital. Hatem clinched the continental title after a hard»»»

Damascus, Feb. 18 (SANA) The governor of Syria’s central bank met with representatives of global investment bank Lazard to discuss potential reforms to the country’s banking sector and explore opportunities for expanding investment banking activity in Syria. Central Bank Governor Abdulkader Husarie»»»

Dubai: French defence and aerospace giant Thales plans to recruit more than 9,000 new employees worldwide in 2026 — including 60 roles in the UAE and 30 in Saudi Arabia. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The global hiring drive follows the recruitment of 8,800 employees »»»

Dubai: After a morning that already tested the patience of commuters across the emirate, Dubai's roads are now entering what is arguably the most critical window of the entire Ramadan driving calendar, the pre-Iftar rush. With the first fast breaking at approximately 6:18 pm this evening, the next »»»

A teenager has been arrested at Athens International Airport for allegedly trying to smuggle 15.5 kilograms of marijuana into the country on behalf of an international ring, police said Wednesday. A police statement said the 19-year-old was taken into custody after he arrived on an international fl»»»

Commemoration of Vasil Levski should be a personal experience for every Bulgarian, There Is Such a People floor leader Toshko Yordanov said here Wednesday. Yordanov spoke on the occasion of the 153rd anniversary of Levski’s death. Yordanov expressed his discontent with some fellow MPs’ speeches pay»»»

Tunis, Feb. 18 (TAP) – As of February 17, Tunisia’s net foreign exchange assets reached 25.06 billion dinars, equivalent to 106 days of imports. Compared to the same period last year, foreign reserves (23.3 billion dinars, or 102 days of imports)...»»»

NEW DELHI - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday in New Delhi opportunities were emerging for Serbian companies to come to India, as well as for Indian companies to invest in Serbia, and added that he hoped Indian PM Narendra Modi would visit Serbia soon. Speaking to reporters after»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States takes new practices of violating international law and poses a threat to states' sovereignty, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on Wednesday. "We are concerned about the deterioration of the international situation in an already unjust international or»»»