Nickolay Mladenov: Bulgaria's Appointee to Lead Gaza Peace Effort
Throughout his career, Nickolay Mladenov has often found himself in the eye of the storm.
Middle East
Saudi Arabia and Syria Agree Multi-Billion Investment Package
Syria's new government and Saudi Arabia on Saturday announced a major investment package dealing with energy, telecommunications, aviation and real estate. The multi-billion-dollar investment agreements signed in Damascus include a major telecommunications project, a low-cost joint airline and an international airport in northern Syria.
Almaty Replaces Neom as 2029 Asian Winter Games Host
Kazakhstan will replace Saudi Arabia as the host the 2029 Asian Winter Games. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Thursday said Kazakhstan's largest city Almaty would be the new venue for the event.
Iran seeks mutual respect before US talks in Oman
Published February 6, 2026 last updated February 6, 2026 Iran said it "entering diplomacy with open eyes" as its representatives are set to meet US officials in Oman. It comes as US President Trump has ordered a naval buildup near Iran and threatened to attack. DW has more.
Assad-era Law Still Threatens Syria's Civil Society
Bashar Assad may be gone from Syria, but one of the more damaging laws that existed throughout his family's rule over the country lives on. Law No.
How Far Will Tehran Go for a Deal?
The Iranian regime is hoping for a way out of its current security predicament, as its Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepares to hold direct talks with US President Donald Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, in Oman on Friday.
Abu Dhabi Talks Yield POW Swap; Negotiations to Resume
Skip next section Over 1,100 Kyiv apartment blocks to have no heating this winter: mayor February 5, 2026 Over 1,100 Kyiv apartment blocks to have no heating this winter: mayor Ukraine is suffering through one of its coldest winters in yearsImage: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images More than 1,100 apartment blocks in the Ukrainian capital cannot be
US and Iran to Meet in Oman on Friday
Iranian and US officials confirmed on Wednesday that a meeting between their countries would be held in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on Friday. Earlier Wednesday, a report surfaced that negotiations between the sides were falling apart over disagreements about the format and venue, raising doubts about the talks' fate.
Monitors: Gaza Death Toll Hard to Deny
Casualties in war are often disputed by opposing sides and counting true numbers is challenging. Yet after years of disputing the number of casualties reported by the Gaza health authorities since the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have now reportedly concurred with estimates that 71,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Iran's Environmental Collapse Deepens Political Crisis
Iranians are running out of water and choking on some of the world's worst air pollution, environmental crises that critics say exemplify the failures fueling anger at the country's theocratic regime.
Iran Signals Willingness for Conditional Nuclear Talks with the U.S.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that he'd instructed his foreign minister to "pursue fair and equitable negotiations" with the United States on some kind of nuclear accord to succeed the one President Donald Trump canceled in his first term.
Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos and Force in Tehran Protests
Mass protests, a deepening economic crisis and a tense military standoff with the US have strained Iranian officials' hold on the Islamic Republic in recent weeks. As clashes between demonstrators and security forces grew deadly in early January, authorities imposed a sweeping communications blackout, making real-time verification of events and reported deaths nearly impossible.