In the world

Events in Ukraine and the World. Main News by the Morning of February 18

Global media and news agencies have reported on events occurring in Ukraine and beyond amid ongoing military actions. Here are the main points. The first day of trilateral negotiations involving delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the USA has concluded in Geneva. They are expected to continue on Wednesday. Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, reported that after the negotiations in Geneva, he held a separate meeting with representatives from

18.02.2026, 07:25

In the world

Kyrgyzstan will import meat from Mongolia

In the first reading, the draft law on the ratification of a temporary trade agreement between Mongolia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) received approval from the parliament of Kyrgyzstan. During the discussion, deputies were interested in whether important products such as meat and legumes would be included in the list of goods with preferential tariffs. Choro Seiitov, the First Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan, confirmed that meat products will indeed be covered

18.02.2026, 06:16

In the world

Marco Rubio congratulated the Mongols on the holiday of Tsagaan Sar

On behalf of the United States of America, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to everyone celebrating Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian Lunar New Year. We in the U.S. take pride in our strategic partnership with Mongolia under the "Third Neighbor" concept and look forward to further deepening the relationship between our countries in the coming year. No matter where you celebrate this year — whether in Mongolia, the United States, or any other corner of the world — we wish

18.02.2026, 06:06

In the world

Generals of Mongolia and the FRG agreed to expand the training of mountain infantry.

The meeting discussed areas of joint work, including the training of mountain infantry. German media also confirmed this information. Cooperation between the armed forces of Mongolia and the Bundeswehr covers many aspects, including specialized training for mountain infantry. One of the key aspects of the training has been the complexity of the initial and intermediate training programs conducted in previous years. Thus, the focus was placed on practicing combat skills in mountainous terrain.

18.02.2026, 05:45

In the world

Mongolia Contributes to Global Security

From January 19 to February 13, 2026, Mongolia held the position of Chair of the Conference on Disarmament (CD). This was reported by MiddleAsianNews. During this period, the Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva actively worked to promote mutual understanding and achieve consensus among CD participants. On January 20, in Geneva, Gerelmaa Davaasuren, the Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the UN, expressed gratitude to the

18.02.2026, 05:28

In the world

Mongolian Engineer at Audi, Designer of Future Concept Cars Audi Activesphere and Audi Concept C

html Davaadorj Battugs According to MiddleAsanNews, Davaadorj Battugs is a car designer and visualizer at Audi, working at the intersection of creative design and digital storytelling. “I am Davaadorj Battugs, I am 25 years old. In Los Angeles, I am engaged in car design at Audi, as well as working with 3D rendering and computer graphics. These technologies help me present the results of my work in the form of 3D models that meet engineering requirements. The models allow us to visualize how

18.02.2026, 05:09

In the world

A climate tech startup is transitioning residents of Mongolian gers from dirty coal to clean solar energy.

“URECA, a startup from Mongolia focused on climate technologies, is helping ger (yurt) residents transition from coal energy sources to solar,” reported bne IntelliNews. The startup received support for this initiative from the Star Venture program of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Ulaanbaatar, where yurt residents use coal for heating, is considered one of the most polluted cities on the planet. According to EBRD data published on February 10 in a press release

18.02.2026, 04:37

In the world

Letter from Sain Noyon Khan Namnansüren to King George V of Great Britain on the Recognition of Mongolia's Independence

For the first time, this secret letter has become available to the public thanks to the book "Mongolian Historical and Cultural Heritage in Great Britain." According to MiddleAsanNews, in 1913, Chinggisid Namnansüren Togsochir and the Prime Minister of Mongolia undertook a three-month trip to Russia, seeking recognition of their country's independence, which proved to be an extremely challenging task. This visit became the longest official journey of Mongolia in the early 20th

18.02.2026, 04:36

In the world

Mongolia Celebrates Tsagaan Sar Starting Today

President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhna According to MiddleAsianNews, the celebration of the Mongolian New Year — Tsagaan Sar — is scheduled for February 18 to 20, 2026. Tsagaan Sar, which translates to "white month," is a significant family holiday for Mongolians, celebrated according to the lunar calendar. Its date varies each year, as the celebration is linked to the first day of spring in the lunar calendar. In modern times, this holiday lasts for three days, but some rituals

18.02.2026, 04:34

In the world

Information has emerged about a possible complete block of Telegram in Russia starting April 1.

Roskomnadzor has not yet commented on this matter According to the Telegram channel Baza, citing its sources, the messenger Telegram may be completely unavailable in Russia starting April 1. It is indicated that the application will cease to function both on mobile networks and through wired internet. So far, there has been no official confirmation of this information. Representatives of Roskomnadzor stated that they cannot provide any new data on this issue and did not confirm the date of a

17.02.2026, 21:52

In the world

A court in Baku sentenced former Karabakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison

The sentence was handed down after the state prosecutor insisted on life imprisonment for Vardanyan. The court found him guilty on multiple counts of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, including charges of aggressive war, deportation, forced relocation of people, persecution, illegal deprivation of liberty, torture, mercenarism, violation of the laws of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, creating a criminal community, illegal arms trafficking, threats to aviation security, violent seizure of

17.02.2026, 17:06

In the world

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5 occurred in Almaty

On February 17, an earthquake occurred in Almaty. According to information provided by the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the event took place at 15:08 Astana time. The epicenter of the seismic activity was located 74 km northeast of Almaty and 31 km east of Esik.

17.02.2026, 16:22

In the world

The second round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the USA on the nuclear program has begun in Geneva.

Illustrative photo In Geneva, at the building of the General Consulate of Oman, the second stage of indirect negotiations between Iran and the USA regarding the Iranian nuclear program has started. This was reported by the Iranian television channel Press TV on February 17. The parties, as in previous meetings, will focus on issues related to Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of American sanctions.

17.02.2026, 15:48

In the world

Hillary Clinton accused the Trump administration of concealing information in the Epstein case

Clinton emphasized that in the investigation of Epstein's crimes, it is necessary for everyone who is asked to provide their testimony. She expressed her willingness to testify alongside Bill Clinton, adding that they insist on conducting this testimony in an open format. “We are ready to provide testimony, but only publicly. We are not hiding anything. We have repeatedly called for full transparency in the Epstein case. We believe that the best defense against lies is to illuminate the

17.02.2026, 15:44

In the world / Exclusive

The strongest magnetic storm of February occurred on Earth.

Specialists from the solar astronomy laboratory of the IKI RAS reported that the strongest magnetic storm of February occurred on Earth, as reported by RIA Novosti. “The G2 level magnetic storm began and ended at night, making it the strongest of this month,” the scientists noted.

17.02.2026, 15:32

In the world

An investigation will be conducted in the U.S. regarding events at Epstein's ranch.

// Reuters According to the new law, a bipartisan committee of four lawmakers will be established to investigate and gather testimony from alleged victims of violence and local residents. Zorro Ranch is located about 50 kilometers from the state capital, Santa Fe. The commission plans to identify all guests of the ranch and officials who may have known about possible crimes or been involved in them. Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019 in a New York jail, allegedly committed suicide while under

17.02.2026, 14:12

In the world

UN Secretary-General calls for accelerating the decolonization process

The United Nations continues to actively work towards the completion of decolonization, highlighting significant progress made in recent decades. This was stated in the address by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the opening of the session of the Special Committee on Decolonization. The speech, read by the head of the Secretary-General's office, Kortenay Rattray, reminded that decolonization remains one of the UN's most important tasks since its inception.

17.02.2026, 14:10

In the world / Exclusive

Allergens Found in Perfumes of Famous Brands in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, the Consumer Council conducted a study that revealed high levels of allergens in some popular fragrance products, including scents from Gucci and Bvlgari, according to information provided by Kazinform and based on data from SCMP. Experts tested 40 different fragrance products, and in three of them, they found 10 different allergens that could negatively affect the skin, especially in people predisposed to eczema and other dermatological conditions.

17.02.2026, 13:40

In the world

Ilham Aliyev: Russian strikes affected the embassy and infrastructure of Azerbaijan in Ukraine

During his speech, Aliyev clarified that he was referring to three incidents that occurred near the Azerbaijani embassy in Kyiv in July, August, and November 2025. According to him, after the first strike, Baku considered it an accident and provided the Russian authorities with the coordinates of all diplomatic facilities, including consulates and cultural centers. However, the subsequent attacks, the president stated, were targeted and aimed at the Azerbaijani representation. The president

17.02.2026, 13:23

In the world

In Uzbekistan, one person died and three were injured in an explosion in an apartment building

The press service of the regional emergency management office reported that the cause of the incident was an explosion of a gas-air mixture. The incident became known at 21:18, and rescue services arrived at the scene within five minutes. The fire was localized by 21:25, and it was completely extinguished seven minutes later. Four people who sustained burns of varying severity were hospitalized. Unfortunately, one of them could not survive despite the medical assistance provided.

17.02.2026, 11:51

In the world

Robert Duvall — the chameleon actor of film and stage

Robert Duvall and Al Pacino in the film "The Godfather II" As reported by his wife, Luciana Duvall, the actor passed away at his horse farm in Plains, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. Duvall, who turned 95 on January 5, leaves behind a legacy of nearly a hundred films over a career spanning more than seventy years in Hollywood. His last work was the film "Going to the NBA," released in 2022.

17.02.2026, 11:50

In the world

In the USA, a man opened fire at a hockey game, resulting in three fatalities

// NYPost During the incident, 56-year-old Robert Dorgan was arrested, who also used the name Robert Esposito and sometimes referred to himself with a female name. The shooting occurred just as the match between the Coventry and Blackstone Valley high school hockey teams was about to begin. As a result of the tragedy, three people died, and three others were seriously injured and hospitalized in critical condition.

17.02.2026, 11:40

In the world

Oscar-winning actor and "The Godfather" star Robert Duvall has passed away

Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen in 'The Godfather' Robert Duvall, whose contributions to cinema include nearly one hundred films, has left a significant mark on the world of art over more than 70 years of his career. One of his most memorable roles was in the cult classic 'The Godfather', where he played the character who is the adopted son and consigliere of Don Vito Corleone.

17.02.2026, 11:29

In the world

Poland's Foreign Ministry urged its citizens to refrain from traveling to Russia and to leave the country

The official clarifications from the Polish Foreign Ministry state that these recommendations are due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the fact that the Russian authorities have declared Poland a "hostile" state. Citizens currently in Russia are advised to leave the country using available commercial or private means of transportation, except in cases where their personal, family, or professional circumstances require their presence in Russia.

17.02.2026, 11:21

In the world

UN Experts: "Epstein Dossier" Contains Signs of Crimes Against Humanity

The collection of documents, often referred to as the "Epstein dossier," contains "disturbing credible evidence" of large-scale and systematic sexual violence, human trafficking, and the exploitation of women and girls, [url=https://news.un.org/ru/story/2026/02/1467385?utm_source=UN+News+-+Russian&utm_campaign=5aa0c25906-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_02_17_01_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6a23d2f3b7-5aa0c25906-437130975]said UN experts. In their opinion, these

17.02.2026, 10:04

In the world

New Constitution of Kazakhstan: From Institutional Model to Value-Based State

A project for an updated Constitution has been presented in Kazakhstan, which includes not only editorial corrections but also radical changes in the structure of state governance. This document symbolizes a transition to a new social contract, strengthens the value foundation of the country, and redistributes powers among the main state institutions. Value preamble: the foundation of law and order

17.02.2026, 09:26

In the world / Exclusive

The number of victims from the shooting at the hockey game in Rhode Island has increased

According to RIA Novosti, the number of victims from the shooting at a hockey match in Rhode Island has risen to three people. The incident occurred in Pawtucket, where the teams from Coventry and Blackstone Valley schools were supposed to meet. Initially, two fatalities were reported, including the shooter, as well as four injured individuals who were taken to the hospital.

17.02.2026, 09:17

In the world

In most regions of Mongolia, the cold weather will weaken

Mongolian horse herder // photo: ©Batzaya Choijiljav According to the weather forecast, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on February 17, 2026, the eastern aimags will experience variable cloudiness, possible light snowfalls, and thunderstorms, while the rest of the country is expected to have clear weather. The eastern regions will encounter winds shifting from the west to the northwest, with speeds of 6-11 meters per second, and in some places, it may reach 13-15 meters per second. In other parts of

17.02.2026, 09:10

In the world

Events in Ukraine and the World. Main News by the Morning of February 17

Foreign publications and agencies are covering the events that have occurred over the past 24 hours in Ukraine and beyond, against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict. Here are the main points. Consequences of the strike on Odessa. Photo Reuters / Nina Liashonok. From February 17 to 18, the third round of trilateral negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine, and the USA will take place in Geneva. Vladimir Medinsky has been appointed head of the Russian delegation, replacing Igor Kostyukov. The

17.02.2026, 07:59

In the world

American actor Robert Duvall has died

Robert Duvall. Photo Reuters. According to reports, Robert Duvall, an Oscar winner and iconic actor, passed away at the age of 95. He became famous for his outstanding roles in films such as "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now," as reported by the "Russian Service of the BBC." The actor spent his final days in his home in Virginia, where he passed away. This was revealed in an official statement released by his wife, Luciana.

17.02.2026, 07:57

In the world

Germany's Ambassador Helmut Kulitz congratulated the Mongolians on the holiday of Tsagaan Sar

German Ambassador Helmut Kulitz “With the arrival of Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian New Year, I would like to express my sincere congratulations to the people of Mongolia. In the Year of the Fire Horse, I wish you and your loved ones health, happiness, and prosperity!” — reports MiddleAsianNews, citing a statement from the German ambassador in Ulaanbaatar. May the Year of the Fire Horse bring you inspiration, success, and hope, as well as strengthen the unity and values that have been passed down

17.02.2026, 05:50

In the world

U.S. Ambassador Richard L. Buangan Congratulates Mongolians on the Tsagaan Sar Holiday

U.S. Ambassador Richard L. Buangan “On behalf of the U.S. Embassy, we express our heartfelt wishes to the people of Mongolia for a successful and joyful celebration of Tsagaan Sar!” — reports MiddleAsianNews, citing the words of the ambassador in Ulaanbaatar. As one of my friends from Mongolia noted, the coming year is the Year of the Red Fire Horse, which occurs only once every 60 years. This symbol embodies change, innovation, new beginnings, and opportunities, which undoubtedly reflects the

17.02.2026, 04:59

In the world

The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization detained a citizen of Mongolia on suspicion of espionage in the province of Zambales in the Philippines.

On Sunday, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported the detention of a citizen of Mongolia in the city of Iba, located in Zambales province. This became known from a journalistic investigation conducted by MiddleAsianNews, which indicated that the suspect may have been involved in espionage activities. The detention of 30-year-old Bold-Erdene Boldbaatar, a graduate of a pilot school, occurred on February 12 at an aviation school located in the village of Lipay Dingin. The arrest was the result

17.02.2026, 04:29

In the world

Shen Minjjuan Congratulated the Mongols on the Tsagaan Sar Holiday

Shen Minjyuan “This year, Tsagaan Sar coincides with the Chinese Spring Festival just a day apart, and soon both countries will celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse!” reports MiddleAsianNews, citing the Chinese ambassador in Ulaanbaatar. The horse, embodying courage, intelligence, and endurance, is an important symbol in both cultures. The Year of the Fire Horse, which occurs once every 60 years, symbolizes bold progress and hope for the future. In connection with the beginning

17.02.2026, 04:21

In the world

Member of Parliament warns that 46 children have died from brain injuries after falling from horses

“Horse racing, being an important part of Mongolia's cultural heritage, is one of the most dangerous sports for children,” reports MiddleAsianNews. Member of Parliament Baasanjargal Khurelbaatar, who is a member of the Standing Committee on Human Rights, drew attention to the serious risks faced by minors in horse racing, pointing to the alarming number of fatal cases. Baasanjargal Khurelbaatar, On her social media pages, Baasanjargal reported information received from the Department of

17.02.2026, 04:02

In the world

Japanese Ambassador Igawahara Masaru congratulated the Mongolians on the Tsagaan Sar holiday

Japanese Ambassador Igawahara Masaru “I sincerely congratulate all of you on the traditional holiday of Tsagaan Sar of the Fire Horse, which is also known as ‘Süreer Daragch’!” — reports MiddleAsianNews, citing the words of the Japanese ambassador in Ulaanbaatar. May this joyful holiday of Tsagaan Sar bring you blessings in these warm days of early spring, when peace and joy reign in large and happy families. Last year, when the Year of the Wooden Snake began, a successful state visit by the

17.02.2026, 04:01

In the world

Prime Minister and Rio Tinto Company Agree to Increase Mongolia's Stake in the Oyu Tolgoi Project

left: Munkhsukh Sukhbaatar and Amarjargal Henchbish During a meeting with Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav, important aspects of negotiations between representatives of Rio Tinto and Oyu Tolgoi were discussed, aimed at increasing benefits for Mongolia from the project. A phased plan for resolving outstanding issues was also agreed upon. This information was published by MiddleAsianNews. During the meeting, the delegation from Rio Tinto and Oyu Tolgoi included: Amarjargal Henchbish,

17.02.2026, 03:52

In the world

92-year-old Radnaa won six gold medals, including in the triple jump in the UAE

Radnaa Tseren, world record holder, has added his 7th gold medal in the triple jump to his collection‼️ Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 1. 1000 m - 🥇

17.02.2026, 03:50

In the world

The U.S. Attorney General Revealed 300 Names of Politicians and Celebrities from Epstein's Files

In her address to Congress, Pam Bondi, the U.S. Attorney General, confirmed that the Department of Justice has released all documents it was required to provide in the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein's case. This was reported by The New York Post. In a letter addressed to the heads of the relevant committees, Bondi and her deputy Todd Blanche pointed out that all records, documents, and materials related to the investigation are publicly available. However, some information remains

16.02.2026, 21:19

In the world

China plans to launch over 200,000 satellites to disrupt Starlink operations

According to information from Bloomberg, China plans to launch 203,000 satellites by the 2030s. This number significantly exceeds the volumes of the largest Western projects, such as Starlink from SpaceX, which currently has about 10,000 satellites in orbit, and Amazon's Project Kuiper, which is planned to include up to 3,232 devices. However, experts believe that most of the declared satellites may remain only on paper. Evan Gray, a columnist for the SatNews portal, points out that such

16.02.2026, 21:14

In the world

Tokaev spoke on the phone with Putin

President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev During the conversation, the leaders of the two countries discussed the current status and future prospects of Kazakhstan-Russia relations. They noted that previously reached agreements continue to be implemented and positively assessed the efforts to deepen cultural and humanitarian ties. The importance of joint initiatives in the scientific and educational sphere was also discussed. During the conversation,

16.02.2026, 17:22

In the world

Serdar Berdymukhamedov made large-scale personnel changes

Among the numerous decrees issued by Serdar Berdymukhamedov, significant attention is drawn to the changes in the highest organs of power, including vice-premiers and heads of security agencies. In a short period, three deputy prime ministers were replaced: Mammetkhan Chakiyev, Bayramgul Orazdurdiyev, and Batyr Amanov were succeeded by Batyr Annaev, Batyr Mammedov, and Guvanch Agajanov, respectively.

16.02.2026, 16:44

In the world / Exclusive

Three Skiers Killed in Avalanche in Italy

At the ski resort of Courmayeur, located in the Aosta Valley in northwestern Italy, a tragedy occurred: three skiers, all French citizens aged between 29 and 35, became victims of an avalanche. According to information published by the newspaper La Repubblica, two skiers died at the scene of the incident on Sunday, while the third, who was found by rescuers and was in critical condition, died in the hospital.

16.02.2026, 15:36

In the world

In Kazakhstan, special services have begun an investigation into Nurlan Saburov.

The National Security Committee of Kazakhstan has initiated an investigation concerning Nurlan Saburov, according to information provided by Tengrinews.kz. The editorial team of this publication sent a request to the NSC to clarify whether an investigation was conducted regarding possible violations of criminal legislation, including Article 170 of the Criminal Code.

16.02.2026, 15:31

In the world

Different Opinions — United Nation, - Professor Kogamov on the Referendum on the Constitution of Kazakhstan

The official media of Kazakhstan has published the final second draft of the new Constitution. If approved by the people in the Republican referendum, the day of the adoption of the fundamental law will become a national holiday. The Constitution will come into effect on July 1, 2026, as reported by "Kursiv". Thus, the people of Kazakhstan are presented with a Constitution that reflects nomadic traditions, a consistent and motivated Law of laws of the steppe civilization. It is

16.02.2026, 15:05

In the world

The KNB of Kazakhstan is investigating Nurlan Saburov due to a video of motorcycles being handed over to Wagner fighters.

The investigation was initiated after a video surfaced in which Saburov allegedly hands over 10 motorcycles to the group "Legion Wagner Istra," which is participating in Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. This footage became public after Saburov was expelled from Russia. There were doubts about its authenticity; however, journalists from Factchek.kz confirmed that the video is indeed real. It was later revealed that Kazakh activist Marat Turymbetov had sent a

16.02.2026, 14:50

In the world

"The Russian language will retain its status in Kazakhstan, - Ambassador Borodavkin on the new Constitution"

Alexey Borodavkin As the ambassador noted, this event can be seen as a very encouraging sign. He emphasized that the Russian language will not only retain its place in Kazakhstan but may also gain even greater recognition both within the CIS and on the international stage, thanks to the country's initiatives. Borodavkin also reminded about the proposal from Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to create an International Organization for the Russian Language. The diplomat

16.02.2026, 14:47

In the world / Exclusive

India has released its first guide on AI management

The Government of India has announced the first set of rules regarding the management of risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI). These recommendations aim to create a code that will support a high level of innovation in this field, reports The Times of India. According to the new rules, measures are provided to combat bias, abuse, and opaque use of AI, with an emphasis on the accelerated implementation of neural networks. The focus is on the safety, resilience, and ecology of

16.02.2026, 14:40