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Thousands of Palestinians performed Friday prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, amid heightened Israeli military measures restricting access. Local sources reported that Israeli forces blocked worshippers from reaching the mosque and arrested freed Palestinian prisoner Imad Al Abbasi near Bab Al Silsila, one of the mosque’s gates. Israeli authorities continue to impose strict entry restrictions, preventing thousands from the West Bank from reaching Jerusalem without special permits, especially on Fridays. Since October 2023, during the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, access to Al Aqsa and the Old City has been heavily restricted. Source link
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (centre) walks with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono (left) and Danantara Indonesia chief executive officer Rosan Roeslani upon his arrival at the Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in Jakarta yesterday. Source link
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its strong condemnation of the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, resulting in a number of deaths and injuries. In a statement Friday the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the Kingdom’s position rejecting targeting of places of worship, terrorizing of innocent civilians, and shedding of innocent blood. The Ministry affirmed Saudi Arabia’s solidarity with Pakistan against all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered its condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. Source link
Malaysia has imposed a ban on imports of electronic waste, as it looks to tighten controls on the entry of hazardous materials and safeguard the environment, the head of the country’s anti-graft body said. The country is among the world’s top destinations for plastic waste and other scrap, but has struggled to fend off a deluge of generally illegal unrecyclable garbage. Malaysia anti-corruption commission chief commissioner Azam Baki, who chairs a government taskforce on the issue, said e-waste would be reclassified under the “Absolute Prohibition” category in customs regulations effective immediately. Source link
US President Donald Trump has called for negotiations on a “new, improved, and modernized” nuclear arms control agreement with Russia following the expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) — the last legally binding nuclear arms control pact between the United States and Russia. New START, signed in April 2010 and entered into force in February 2011, capped deployed strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems for both countries. It was the final remaining bilateral agreement limiting the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals. The treaty officially expired on 5 February 2026 after it could not be extended further under its terms. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said that instead of extending New START, the United States should task its nuclear experts with drafting a modernized successor treaty that can endure future security challenges. The president criticized the original agreement as poorly negotiated and suggested that any future deal should be broad in scope and inclusive of contemporary realities. Trump has also previously stated that any new arms control framework should potentially include other nuclear powers, such as China, to reflect the current global nuclear landscape — although Beijing has rejected participation in such talks given its smaller arsenal. The treaty’s expiration has reignited international concern over nuclear proliferation and strategic stability. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the lapse as a “grave moment” for global peace and security, urging both Washington and Moscow to urgently negotiate a successor agreement to reduce nuclear risks. Meanwhile, the Kremlin reiterated that Russia will continue to act responsibly as a nuclear power, even as the treaty has lapsed, expressing regret over the end of New START and signaling continued openness to dialogue with the United States under constructive conditions.Analysts warn that without a replacement for New START, the US and Russia will be operating without binding limits on their strategic nuclear forces for the first time in decades, heightening risks of miscalculation and a renewed arms buildup. Source link
Jeanette U Gotangogan, crowned Noble Queen Globe 2025, is set to return to Qatar as one of the distinguished personalities who will grace the ‘Kabayan Connect Qatar Business Conference & Exhibition’, at the Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park on February 16.Gotangogan, who represented the Filipino community in Qatar, was crowned during the Noble Queen of the Universe 2025 Coronation Night held at Okada Manila on December 4, 2025. She also received special recognitions as Best in Advocacy and Legacy Crown Brand Ambassador.Other 2025 Noble crown titleholders include Alexia Nunez Muller Roger of Brazil (Noble Queen of the Universe), Sara Lopez of Luzon, Philippines (Noble Queen International), Brenda Shangme Darrough from the Filipino community in the USA (Noble Queen Earth), Gail De Asis of Mindanao, Philippines (Noble Queen Nation), and Hinata Tarutani of Japan (Noble Queen Princess International).Gotangogan spent over two decades working in Qatar’s oil and gas industry before establishing a multi-awarded manpower recruitment agency in the Philippines. Through her company, she has successfully deployed thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Qatar and other countries worldwide. She remains actively involved in outreach programmes both in Qatar and the Philippines, with a strong advocacy focused on uplifting the lives of OFWs through financial literacy, empowerment events, and community initiativesApparently, Jeanette was also proclaimed as “Best in Advocacy “and “Legacy Crown Brand Ambassador” during the Asia Golden Legacy Charity Awards held on December 20, 2025, at Heritage Hotel, Manila, Philippines.During the much-anticipated Kabayan Connect Qatar event, Gotangogan will lead the ceremonial ribbon-cutting alongside other dignitaries and deliver an inspirational talk on OFW financial literacy, with particular emphasis on practical retirement planning. Source link
At least 30 people have been killed and more than 130 wounded after an explosion ripped through a mosque in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, the police said.A security source said that a suicide attacker was responsible for the blast and was stopped at the mosque’s gate and detonated himself. Source link
Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held separate consultations this morning with the Iranian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the US delegation led by Presidential Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, in the context of Oman's hosting of talks on Iran's nuclear file.In a statement, Oman's Foreign Ministry said the discussions focused on creating favorable conditions for resuming diplomatic and technical negotiations, underscoring their importance in advancing security and stability. Al Busaidi reaffirmed Oman's commitment to supporting dialogue and bridging differences between the parties, while working with regional partners to reach mutually acceptable political solutions. Source link
Pakistan captain Salman Agha shares a light moment with Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza on the eve of the T20 World Cup in Colombo yesterday ‘It’s sad Bangladesh are not here. They have a very good side. Hopefully they will support us’ Pakistan will seek advice from their government if they reach the knockout phase of the T20 World Cup and meet arch-rivals India, captain Salman Agha said yesterday. The tournament has been marred by an acrimonious political build-up after Bangladesh were kicked out and Pakistan refused to face co-hosts India in their Group A match. However, a semi-final or final showdown between the uneasy South Asian neighbours is still a possibility. “The India game is not in our control. It was the government’s decision and if we have to play them in the semi-final or the final, we will go back to them and act on their advice,” Agha told reporters in Colombo. Bangladesh refused to play in India, citing security concerns, as relations soured and were kicked out of Group C by the International Cricket Council, to be replaced by Scotland. Pakistan backed Bangladesh’s plea to have their games moved to Sri Lanka. The government in Islamabad cleared the national team to take part but ordered them not to play in the marquee group match against India on February 15. “It’s sad Bangladesh are not here. They have a very good side. Hopefully they will support us,” Agha said. Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in multinational events. They will face Namibia, the Netherlands and the United States in the group stage. “We’re excited to play in this tournament. We lost to USA in the last World Cup and we are determined to put that disappointment behind us and put a few things right,” Agha said. Pakistan will not only lose two points for forfeiting their India match but will also take a big hit to their net run rate. Even losing one of their group games to bad weather could make it difficult for Pakistan to qualify. “We know the margin for error is small, but we can’t control the weather. We are here to play good cricket and we’re not bothered about the conditions,” Agha said. Pakistan, the 2009 champions, arrive after a 3-0 whitewash of Australia at home. “We’ve been playing really good cricket. We haven’t lost a series since the Asia Cup last year. Everything is coming along nicely and we’re confident of doing well,” Agha said. All of Pakistan’s games will be played in Sri Lanka, where they toured in January.“Very happy to play in Sri Lanka – it’s a second home for me. This is my sixth visit, we know the conditions and we get a lot of support,” Agha said. Source link
Bangladesh army personnel gather at the National Stadium in Dhaka yesterday, as they prepare for the upcoming country's general election on February 12. Source link