Japan's 'godless' lake warns of creeping climate change
The Japanese priest and his parishioners gathered before dawn, hoping that climate change had not robbed them of the chance to experience an increasingly rare communion with the sacred.
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Real knafeh and the art of pickling: 4 unmissable stops for foodies in Nazareth
Whether it's pickled vegetables you're after, spices in bulk, knafeh in five different flavors or a home-hospitality experience, four lesser-known Nazareth culinary spots provide an opportunity to experience the city's rich gastronomic diversity
Biodegradable Mardi Gras beads help make Carnival season more sustainable
It is Carnival season in New Orleans. That means gazillions of green, gold and purple Mardi Gras beads.
Berlin Selection ‘Light Pillar’ Unveils New Clip (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety is exclusively unveiling a new clip from “Light Pillar,” the feature debut from Chinese writer-director Xu Zao, which is in the Berlin Film Festival’s Perspectives section. Dubai-based company Cercamon recently acquired worldwide sales rights to the production, which
What not to miss in Portugal’s new European Green Capital in 2026
Guimarães in northern Portugal is showcasing its green spaces as part of a year-long programme.
Black-clad Malaysians protest against anti-graft chief over alleged shareholdings, abuse of power
There were about 1,000 protesters, which included student groups, civil society organisations and politicians.
Four new astronauts arrive at the International Space Station to replace NASA's evacuated crew
The International Space Station returned to full strength with Saturday's arrival of four new astronauts to replace colleagues who bailed early because of health concerns.
US ocean regulator faces criticism over changes to right whale protection rule
The U.S.'s ocean regulator plans to make industry-friendly changes to a longstanding rule designed to protect vanishing whales, prompting criticism from environmental groups who cite the recent death of an endangered whale.
Battlefield 6 Season 2 release time in your time zone
BF6 Season 2 is out this week. Here's when Battlefield 6 season 2 releases in your time zone, plus what to expect.
Taiwan Prison Drama ‘Sunshine Women’s Choir’ Becomes Highest-Grossing Local Film Ever
Taiwanese prison drama “Sunshine Women’s Choir” has become the highest-grossing local film in Taiwan’s box-office history, surpassing NT$545 million ($17.3 million) on Feb. 14 and dethroning the previous record-holder “Cape No. 7” (2008). The drama follows a baby girl born
All 10 seasons of Stargate SG-1 are now streaming on Netflix
The beloved Stargate SG-1 has always been the pinnacle of the Stargate franchise.
Retired Army general predicts 'formidable' US military action against Iran if Trump pulls trigger
Retired four-star U.S. Army Gen. Jack Keane said he believes President Trump is inching closer to a decision on using military force against Iran as the president escalates pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program. “Obviously, the president has yet to make the decision about
US Senator Graham urges Saudi Arabia and UAE to mend ties as Iran pressure mounts
Tensions in the Gulf over Yemen, Sudan, and wider regional rivalries highlight the delicate balance among US allies, with unity increasingly seen as vital amid rising uncertainty in the Middle East.
Gender pay gap won't close for another 30 years, warns union
The average woman employee "effectively works for 47 days of the year for free," according to the Trades Union Congress.
Munich Security Conference: Six quotes to take away from the world's biggest security conference
The annual gathering at the Munich Security Conference laid bare competing visions of the West. While Rubio called on Europe to help save a common civilisation, Kaja Kallas suggested Europe does not need saving.
German Animation Showcase at EFM Pitch Sessions Celebrates Kids Fare, Teases Bovine-Pantherine Love, New Struwwelpeter, Life as a Kalashnikov
Berlin’s EFM Animation Days industry showcase presented a selection of eight German animation projects on Friday in a lively pitching session that offered a wide range of family-friendly and darker, adult-themed fare. Projects included modern twists on such classics as Robert
‘Let them fight’, says Malaysia PM Anwar on Bersatu turmoil
This follows the party's ongoing crisis after it expelled some of its members.
Madrid Launches Berlin Networking Event, Aims to Strengthen International Positioning as Production Hub
Spain’s muscular presence at this year’s Berlinale and European Film Market was bolstered on Saturday with an inaugural presentation and networking event organized by the Madrid Audiovisual Cluster in collaboration with the Madrid Film Office and Film Madrid Region. The
Hiam Abbass says 'cinema is a political act' after Berlin row
The start of this year's Berlin Film Festival was marked by a row over how far film should venture into politics but for prominent French-Palestinian actor Hiam Abbass, "everything we do is a political act". Abbass is starring in two films being presented at this year's
Gaza civil defence says Israeli strikes kill 12 since dawn
Gaza's civil defence agency reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 12 people since dawn on Sunday, while a military official said the attacks were in response to ceasefire violations. Despite a US-brokered truce that entered its second phase last month, violence has
Director Hanna Bergholm and Star Seidi Haarla Talk Berlinale Shocker ‘Nightborn’: ‘We Were Dead Serious While Making It’
Hanna Bergholm’s Finnish chiller “Nightborn” shook up Berlinale’s competition, with some viewers laughing during its violent scenes. But its star, Seidi Haarla, isn’t laughing. “We were dead serious while making it,” she tells Variety. Haarla plays Saga, who moves with her
Welcoming a New Life: ‘Papaya’ Debuts Trailer as Director Priscilla Kellen Talks Crafting Non-Dialogue Hope-Filled Narratives (EXCLUSIVE)
“Between a mother-tree and a young seed at the same time” is how Brazilian director Priscilla Kellen felt as she became a mother at 36. A very free and independent woman until then, it was this pregnancy and birth that shaped what would become “Papaya”, Kellen’s feature
US Secratary of State Rubio tours Central Europe to bolster ties with Trump allies Fico and Orbán
US Secretary of State visits Slovakia and Hungary to discuss energy deals and peace initiatives with nationalist leaders. Both Robert Fico and Viktor Orbán align with Trump's agenda on migration and Ukraine and are fierce critics of the European Union.
Latest news bulletin | February 15th, 2026 – Midday
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this February 15th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
Mamdani works toward child care pledge as advocates press for patience
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is making strides toward his campaign promise for universal child care in a phased implementation plan that has already seen some assistance by the state's governor. While the city already offers free, universal pre-K to children 4 years old and
GOP senators view Lutnick’s contacts with Epstein as political liability
Republican senators are worried that revelations around Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s ties to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein could balloon into a bigger political liability for the GOP heading into this year’s midterm elections. Lutnick is viewed on Capitol
Food Used to Be Democrats’ Territory. What Happened?
Last month, with great fanfare, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled the new dietary guidelines for Americans. The advice was muddled—eat more meat but not more saturated fat!—and likely shaped by the very industry influences that Kennedy has vowed to curb. Never mind, though. Its
Democrats say Trump's climate rollbacks 'corruption in action'
Democrats are linking President Trump's unraveling of climate change regulations to a larger story about corruption, a midterm argument they think could hurt Republicans in the battles for the House and Senate this fall. While climate change itself may not be an issue driving
China confirms visa-free access for Canada, UK visitors from Feb 17
Canadian and British citizens can travel to China visa-free from Feb 17 to Dec 31.
Angles, constructions and compositions: The world according to Ingrida Rutkutė
Ingrida Rutkutė is all about the visuals. She's tried many different professions but photography always rises to the top. As a fashion photographer she worked with Bottega Veneta and many others has been a regular presence at fashion weeks in Paris, Milan and Copenhagen.
Eleven killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, rescuers say
The Palestinian Red Crescent say a strike on a tent encampment in northern Gaza killed at least six people.
Taiwan President vows to strengthen island’s defences in Lunar New Year message
Mr Lai Ching-te also thanked the armed forces for protecting Taiwan round the clock.
Better vs. done
“There, it’s done.” This is the production mindset and the rule of school. Pencils down. Hand it in. The alternative is, “Sign me up for a commitment to better.” Ship an update every day. Learn from what works, relentlessly improve what doesn’t. The hard part about this path is
Field observations and computer modeling help predict the world's deadly scorpion hotspots
An international team of scientists has identified how to pinpoint and predict hotspots for some of the most dangerous species of scorpion in the world. The researchers have established the key environmental conditions that determine where lethal, venomous arachnids
In ‘London,’ Debuting at Berlin, Car-Sharing Is Caring. But How Did Its Director Pull Off the Genre-Bender?
Sebastian Brameshuber discusses his Panorama title, his own experience with shared rides, bringing together people in a studio for free-flowing conversations, and not shying away from emotions.
Emma Laird on Going From ‘The Brutalist’ to ‘The Bone Temple’ and Picking Bold, Bonkers Roles: ‘I Don’t Want to Do Shakespeare, I Want to Play a Fish’
Emma Laird recalls a moment — not all that long ago — when she was stood on the rooftop of her apartment in Los Angeles, looking out across a picture-postcard sunset skyline and smoking a cigarette. “It was so cinematic,” she says. “And I was crying my eyes out.” The Brit had
'We have to be strong, we must not stop being good,' Tusk says in Munich
"Those who think that everything can be bought should also remember that, according to this philosophy, everyone can be sold," Polish PM Donald Tusk said at the Munich Security Conference.
Bangladesh’s Islamist-led coalition submits poll complaints
Police records show that political clashes during the campaign period left five people dead and more than 600 injured.
‘Iron Sky’ Producers Prepping Communists-on-Mars Trilogy ‘Deep Red’ (Exclusive)
While 'Iron Sky' told a “story of Nazis hiding on the dark side of the Moon,” the new films “shift the battleground to Mars, where the Red Menace is alive and well.”
Second round of indirect U.S.-Iran talks to be held Tuesday, senior official says
Speaking to the BBC a day after mass anti-Iranian regime protests in Germany, the country's deputy foreign minister said Tehran is prepared to discuss a settlement on its nuclear program if sanctions are discussed, but stressed that the issue of zero uranium enrichment 'is not
Malaysia’s Bersatu reclaims social media page after alleged sabotage by admins
Four administrators suspected of being behind the sabotage had been removed.
Philippine authorities caution against spread of marijuana-laced vapes
They allegedly came from neighbouring Asian countries where cannabis use is allowed or loosely regulated.
This low-cost airline is relaunching flights between Europe and Kuala Lumpur
AirAsia X’s revived route between London Gatwick and the Malaysian capital will now include a stopover in Bahrain.
Berlinale Issues Statement Following Political Backlash at Festival, Says Artists Should Not Be ‘Expected to Speak on Every Political Issue’
The Berlin Film Festival has issued a lengthy statement from head Tricia Tuttle over what it describes as a “media storm” that has swept over the festival. The note — sent out late on Saturday night — comes following criticism faced by multiple attendees over the comments about
