Hamas tells AFP ready to transfer Gaza governance to Palestinian committee
"Protocols are prepared, files are complete, and committees are in place to oversee the handover, ensuring a complete transfer of...
Geostrategy
Gold tops $5,000 for first time on Trump policy unrest
While turbulence over Trump's ambitions for Greenland and pressure on the Federal Reserve have provided the most recent support for...
Business
Business
Gold hits record high, dollar falls as US targets Fed
Fed Chair Jerome Powell confirmed the "unprecedented" subpoenas against the bank in a rare video address on Sunday, which he...
- European stocks wavered after a strong showing in Asia, seen on the back of solid gains on Wall Street before the weekend.
- Gold climbed close to $4,600 an ounce while silver approached $85 an ounce as investors sought traditional safe havens.
Arts & Culture
Morocco’s AFCON star Achraf Hakimi: the pride of his mother’s home town
Ksar El Kebir, Morocco – Achraf Hakimi is an idol across Africa Cup of Nations host country Morocco, but there is...
- Hakimi began his career at Real Madrid and made his senior debut for them in 2017 before eventually moving on to Borussia Dortmund
- Ksar El Kebir residents said their affection for Hakimi was not only down to the family ties to the city, but also to the player's own values
Geostrategy
Trump reposts suggestion that Rubio become next Cuba leader
President Donald Trump reposted a social media message on Sunday suggesting that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, born to Cuban...
- Repost comes a week after US forces seized Venezuela's authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro in an overnight operation
- Cuba's government has yet to respond to Trump's provocative suggestion that an American citizen could rule the island
Geostrategy
Trump tells Cuba to ‘make a deal, before it is too late’
The communist-run island near Florida has been a US foe and ally of Caracas for decades, but Trump has ramped...
- "THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO!" Trump said on his Truth Social platform. "I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."
- Trump provided no details about what potential deal he referred to, or what such an arrangement would achieve.
Geostrategy
Iran president says ‘rioters’ must not disrupt society
Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of "trying to escalate this unrest with regard to the economic discussion and...
- Protests in Iran initially sparked by anger over the rising cost of living have lasted two weeks, becoming a movement against the theocratic system in place since the 1979.
- State TV has aired images of buildings, including a mosque on fire, with authorities saying members of the security forces have been killed.
Arts & Culture
Novel concept: China’s spellbinding bookstores draw selfie snappers
Tianjin, China -- Towering accordion steps and a fantastical spiral staircase greet visitors to a massive bookstore in northern China's...
- Sales of hard-copy books across the country have failed to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels, data shows, despite authorities' efforts to boost domestic consumption.
- Yet in recent years the number of physical bookshops has "maintained steady growth", the head of a publishing industry group said last January.
Geostrategy
Yemen presidential council says Saudi coalition to lead all southern forces
The announcement comes a few days after Yemeni forces supported by Saudi Arabia recaptured large swathes of territory from the...
- The oil-rich neighbors formed the backbone of the coalition fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who overran the capital Sanaa in 2014 and still control much of the country
- But Riyadh and Abu Dhabi now find themselves backing competing factions within the Presidential Council, which is recognized by the international community.
Business
AI toys look for bright side after troubled start
Las Vegas, United States -- Toy makers at the Consumer Electronics Show were adamant about being careful to ensure that...
- The rapid advancement of generative AI since ChatGPT's arrival has paved the way for a new generation of smart toys.
- Among the four devices tested by PIRG was Curio's Grok, a four-legged stuffed toy inspired by a rocket that has been on the market since 2024.
Geostrategy
Palestinian VP meets diplomat expected to serve on Trump’s Gaza peace board
Palestinian vice president Hussein al-Sheikh met on Friday with former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov, who is expected to...
- The meeting in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah comes a day after Mladenov held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu
- Bulgarian diplomat Mladenov served as the UN envoy for the Middle East peace process from early 2015 until the end of 2020
Geostrategy
Russia joins Chinese, Iran warships for military drills off South Africa
A Russian warship arrived off South Africa's main naval base Friday to join Chinese and Iranian vessels for military exercises that...
- A Chinese destroyer and replenishment ship, as well as an Iranian forward base vessel, sailed into South African waters earlier this week
- The UAE was also expected to send ships, South Africa's Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa told Newzroom Afrika television
Most Read
Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
Hamas tells AFP ready to transfer Gaza governance to Palestinian committee
"Protocols are prepared, files are complete, and committees are in place to oversee the handover, ensuring a complete transfer of...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
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...
Egypt ex-graft chief freed from prison, charged again: activist
A military court had found Geneina guilty in 2018 of "spreading information to harm the military", after he had said...
UN admits aid failure for Syria as quake toll hits 33,000
Supplies have been slow to arrive in Syria, where years of conflict have ravaged the healthcare system, and parts of...
At least 20 escape Syria prison holding IS inmates after quake
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said it could not verify whether prisoners had escaped, but confirmed...
Musk kicks Kanye West off Twitter for ‘incitement to violence’
West has made a series of anti-Semitic comments recently, as the one-time titan of fashion and music appears to have...
Trump at Davos demands ‘immediate’ Greenland talks but rules out force
Trump's quest to take control of Greenland, which he said was needed for national and international security, dominated his address...
Geostrategy
European leaders vow ‘unflinching’ response to Trump’s plans to annex Greenland
The US president, who will address the annual gathering of global elites on Wednesday, has put the transatlantic alliance to...
Geostrategy
Putin invited to Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ aimed at resolving conflicts globally: Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" aimed at resolving conflicts...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Geostrategy
Trump threatens European nations with tariffs over Greenland
Trump aimed his ire at Denmark, a fellow NATO member, as well as several European countries that have deployed troops...
- If realized, Trump's threats against Washington's NATO partners would create unprecedented tension within the alliance.
- It was not immediately clear what authority the US leader would invoke to impose the threatened tariffs of up to 25 percent.
Geostrategy
Putin speaks to Israel, Iran leaders to help ‘de-escalate’ the situation: Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday held calls with the leaders of Israel and Iran, the Kremlin said, offering mediation amid...
- On Friday, Russia announced Putin was in contact with both Israeli PM Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
- In his call with Pezeshkian, Putin pledged to further strengthen their countries' "strategic partnership", the Kremlin said
Geostrategy
Saudi, Qatar, Oman convinced Trump to ‘give Iran a chance’: senior Saudi official
Two diplomatic sources told AFP on Thursday that the security posture at Qatar's Al-Udeid Airbase had been lowered after a...
- The Gulf trio "led a long, frantic, diplomatic last-minute effort to convince President Trump to give Iran a chance to show good intention", the Saudi official said
- The United States has repeatedly warned it could intervene against Iranian government crackdown on protests, while Tehran has said it would retaliate with strikes