Ukraine talks in Geneva are set to resume on February 17-18, the Kremlin confirmed Friday, as diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year war continue without a clear breakthrough. According to Russian officials, the upcoming negotiations will follow the same trilateral structure involving representatives from Russia, the United States, and Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov…
Spain swine fever outbreak spreads beyond initial control area, prompting heightened monitoring and stricter preventive measures to protect pigs Spain is facing a growing crisis as the swine fever outbreak in Catalonia expands beyond its original containment zone, raising concerns among agricultural authorities and the pork industry. Regional officials reported that African swine fever has…
Trump’s decision to send a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East marks a significant escalation in U.S. military positioning as Washington intensifies pressure on Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile activities. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, has been ordered to depart from the Caribbean Sea and…
Germany’s rules-based order warning took center stage at the Munich Security Conference as Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared that the international system that has shaped global stability for decades is no longer functioning in its previous form. Speaking before dozens of world leaders and senior policymakers, Merz said the global framework built on shared principles and…
Sohar: A specialised medical team at Sohar Hospital has successfully carried out the hospital’s first anterior and posterior anatomical repair of wrist ligaments. The patient, who had been suffering from a chronic wrist injury for over a year, underwent the advanced procedure following thorough clinical and radiological evaluations. The surgery, which employed modern anatomical techniques,…
Muscat: Oman’s Main Committee for Moon Sighting has announced that Thursday, 19 February 2026, will mark the first day of Ramadan 1447 AH. Based on confirmed astronomical calculations, the crescent moon will not be visible on Tuesday, 17 February 2026 (29 Sha’ban 1447 AH), in any governorate of the Sultanate, making its sighting astronomically impossible….
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s banking sector outlook remains stable, supported by stronger non-oil economic growth and solid capital buffers, Moody’s Ratings said, forecasting continued expansion despite liquidity constraints. The credit rating agency noted that the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP is projected to grow by 4.2 percent this year, up from 3.7 percent in 2025, reinforcing banks’ lending…
France’s highest court has refused to reopen an investigation into the 2016 death of Adama Traore, a young black man who died in police custody, upholding an earlier decision to dismiss the case against the three officers involved. The Court of Cassation’s ruling effectively closes the case nearly a decade after the 24-year-old’s death in…
Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom have announced that 2029 will be celebrated as the Saudi-British Cultural Year, marking a major cultural partnership between the two countries. The announcement was made on Wednesday and coincides with Prince William’s visit to Saudi Arabia this week, underscoring the long-standing relationship between the two nations, which spans more…
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan has received a written message from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov concerning relations between the two countries. The message was delivered on behalf of Prince Faisal by Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Al-Khuraiji during a meeting with Russia’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Sergey…
