More than one million Syrians return to their homes: United Nations
Geneva, Switzerland -- More than one million people have returned to their homes in Syria after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad,...
Geostrategy
Trump’s aid freeze could cause millions more AIDS deaths: UN agency
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - President Donald Trump's decision to suspend US overseas funding could result in millions more deaths from AIDS,...
Science
Arts & Culture
Second edition of Saudi art biennale seeks to modernize Islamic tradition
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Under a vast canopy of tents in the Saudi city of Jeddah, religious artefacts are on display...
- Arts Biennale features as its centrepiece segments of the "kiswa", the black cloth embroidered with gold and silver that covers the Kaaba
- Under his "Vision 2030", Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sought to transform the kingdom's image
Geostrategy
Israel says could fulfil Trump’s Gaza displacement plan if hostages not freed, Hamas says truce deal ‘fragile’
Hamas has said it would postpone the release citing Israeli violations, and hours later, Trump warned that "hell" would break...
- The remarks by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz came shortly after Palestinian group Hamas said it would not bow down to US and Israeli threats
- The truce has largely halted more than 15 months of fighting and seen Israeli captives released in small groups in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli custody
Business
UAE to launch DeepSeek-inspired AI models: Faisal Al Bannai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- The United Arab Emirates is planning to launch new artificial intelligence models inspired by China's DeepSeek,...
- The UAE is betting big on the transformational technology as part of its push to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels.
- The UAE launched Falcon in 2023, a large language model that compared favorably with industry leaders including OpenAI's ChatGPT.
Geostrategy
At least $53 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, UN estimates
United Nations, United States - More than $53 billion will be required to rebuild Gaza and end the "humanitarian catastrophe" that...
- The global body said in a report that a "political and security framework" must also be put in place so that recovery and rebuilding can begin
- Much of Gaza -- including schools, hospitals and other civic infrastructure -- has been reduced to rubble by a withering Israeli military offensive
Geostrategy
Egypt to present ‘vision’ for Gaza reconstruction without displacement amid Trump threat to halt aid
The statement came a day after US President Donald Trump said he could "conceivably" halt aid to Egypt and Jordan...
- The foreign ministry said Egypt "hopes to cooperate" with Trump's administration on the matter, with the goal of "reaching a fair settlement of the Palestinian cause"
- It said its plan would provide for the reconstruction of Gaza "in a clear and decisive manner that ensures the Palestinian people stay on their land
Geostrategy
Jordan king set for tense Trump talks as Gaza truce under strain
The talks come a day after Trump said he could "conceivably" halt billions of dollars in US aid to both...
- King Abdullah is a key US ally but last week rejected "any attempts" to take control of the Palestinian territories and displace its people.
- Every year, Jordan receives around $750 million in economic assistance from Washington and another $350 million in military aid.
Business
Chinese auto giant BYD to integrate DeepSeek, broaden self-driving tech
BYD will install its "God's Eye" autonomous driving system in at least 21 models, including the Seagull budget hatchback priced...
- The company also said it would integrate AI startup Deepseek's software into its cars, following domestic peers such as Geely, Great Wall Motors, and Leapmotor
- BYD is Tesla's biggest rival in China and increasingly abroad, and Monday evening's announcement led analysts to suggest a new price war might be on the horizon
Trump warns ‘all hell’ will break loose if Gaza hostages not returned after Hamas delays exchanges
The January 19 truce halted 15 months of Gaza fighting, freeing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but tensions...
- The truce that went into effect on January 19 largely halted more than 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip saw five groups of Israeli hostages freed
- But tensions have been running high since a shock proposal by Trump to take over the Gaza Strip and remove its more than two million inhabitants
Geostrategy
Under US takeover plan, Palestinians will have no right of return to Gaza: Trump
Trump told Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier that "I would own it" and that there could be as many as...
- Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Sunday that the thinking behind Netanyahu's remarks "is unacceptable and reflects a complete detachment from reality"
- The Saudi foreign ministry stressed its "categorical rejection to such statements that aim to divert attention from the continuous crimes in Gaza
Geostrategy
Egypt to host emergency Arab summit on Palestinians: foreign ministry
Cairo, Egypt -- Egypt will host a summit of Arab nations on February 27 to discuss "the latest serious developments" concerning...
- The "emergency Arab summit" comes as Egypt has been rallying regional support against US President Donald Trump's plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan.
- The remarks have prompted global backlash, and Arab countries have firmly rejected the proposal, insisting on an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
More than one million Syrians return to their homes: United Nations
Geneva, Switzerland -- More than one million people have returned to their homes in Syria after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad,...
Geostrategy
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100 killed in fire during wedding at Iraq event hall
At the main hospital in Hamdaniyah -- a predominantly Christian town east of Mosul that is also known as Qaraqosh...
Ailing US explorer rescued after nine days in Turkish cave
The 40-year-old explorer developed stomach problems while examining the depths of the Morca Cave, a remote complex of twisting underground...
Sad day for America, says Trump after court appearance
Former US president Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday to criminal charges that he conspired to overturn the results...
OceanGate co-founder hits back at James Cameron over Titanic sub
Soehnlein stressed it was too soon to say what happened to the Titan and that it was "tricky to navigate"...
Biden demands assault-weapons ban after 8 killed in Texas mall rampage
Responders, distressed witnesses and police described scenes of panic and horror in Allen, where video footage shared online showed the...
Three Gaza hostages set for release after ceasefire crisis abates
Jerusalem, Undefined - Israel said Friday it had received the names of three hostages to be freed by militants in exchange...
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia to host Arab summit on Trump’s Gaza plan, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and the UAE to attend
Trump sparked a global outcry with his proposal for the United States to "take over" the Gaza Strip and to...
Geostrategy
Hezbollah supporters protest banning Iranian planes from landing in Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon - Hezbollah supporters blocked the Beirut airport road and burned tyres on Thursday to protest a decision barring two...
Geostrategy
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Business
Stocks mostly rise, oil falls as Trump fans Ukraine peace hopes
London, United Kingdom -- Major stock markets mostly rallied and oil prices retreated Thursday on hopes for an end to the...
- London was a rare faller owing to sharp losses to share prices of big companies, including Unilever, Barclays and British American Tobacco.
- With Russia being a major producer of oil, crude futures fell heavily on easing supply concerns, while the dollar lost some of its safe-haven support.
Arts & Culture
Second edition of Saudi art biennale seeks to modernize Islamic tradition
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Under a vast canopy of tents in the Saudi city of Jeddah, religious artefacts are on display...
- Arts Biennale features as its centrepiece segments of the "kiswa", the black cloth embroidered with gold and silver that covers the Kaaba
- Under his "Vision 2030", Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sought to transform the kingdom's image
Geostrategy
Israel says could fulfil Trump’s Gaza displacement plan if hostages not freed, Hamas says truce deal ‘fragile’
Hamas has said it would postpone the release citing Israeli violations, and hours later, Trump warned that "hell" would break...
- The remarks by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz came shortly after Palestinian group Hamas said it would not bow down to US and Israeli threats
- The truce has largely halted more than 15 months of fighting and seen Israeli captives released in small groups in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli custody