Trump pledges historic tax cuts, investment growth, oil price action, and Ukraine peace effort at Davos 2025
The newly inaugurated president remarked that he would “like to meet with President Putin soon” and “get the war ended,”...Geostrategy
Trump’s second term begins: Highlights Middle East hostage return, promises diplomacy over conflict among top priorities
Trump vowed to be a “peacemaker and unifier,” citing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release as key steps toward peace,...Geostrategy
Turkish Airlines restarts Libya flights after almost a decade
Istanbul, Turkey - Turkey's flagship carrier, Turkish Airlines, has resumed flights to Libya's capital, almost 10 years after they were suspended...The airlines's chief executive, Bilal Eksi, attended a ceremony at Mitiga International Airport on Thursday to mark its first flight to Libya since 2015.
A company spokesman told AFP on Friday that Turkish Airlines will operate flights to Tripoli three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
US census to include Middle Eastern or North African category
The next US census and federal government forms will include new options for race and ethnicity including a category for..."These updated standards will help create more useful, accurate and up-to-date federal data on race and ethnicity," US Chief Statistician Karin Orvis said.
These revisions will enhance the ability to compare data across federal agencies, and to understand how federal programs serve a diverse America.
US Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge ticks up as fuel costs rise
WASHINGTON, US – The US central bank's favored measure of inflation edged higher last month on the back of rising fuel...The personal consumption expenditures price index rose at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in February.
Much of the February increase in the cost of goods came from energy prices, which rose 2.3 percent from January.
Israeli strikes kill dozens in Syria and Lebanon, rile Russia and Iran
In Syria, "Israeli strikes" targeted a Hizbollah "rockets depot" in Aleppo province, killing 36 Syrian soldiers, seven Hezbollah members and...Moscow said they were "categorically unacceptable" while Iran said they were a "violation of Syria's sovereignty" and "a serious threat to peace and security".
In Lebanon, Hizbollah has exchanged near-daily fire with the Israeli army across the country's southern border since October, saying it is in support of Gazans and Hamas.
Restoration project for Jeddah district’s old buildings completed
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Ministry of Culture, represented by the Jeddah Historic District Program, has announced the completion of...The project comes within the context of the Crown Prince's keenness to preserve and rehabilitate historical sites.
The project aimed to highlight the heritage landmarks that Jeddah District is abundant in as a site containing over 600 heritage buildings.
Turkey’s Erdogan seeks to wrest back Istanbul in mayoral election
Istanbul, Turkey--Recapturing Istanbul, the "jewel" of Turkey, in Sunday's local elections has become President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's obsession ever since losing...In 1994, Erdogan was elected mayor of the city, setting him up to become president of the country, a seat he continues to occupy
He named former minister Murat Kurum as his mayoral candidate, entrusting him to reconquer Istanbul and consolidate his power
ICJ orders Israel to ensure humanitarian aid in Gaza
The International Court of Justice said in its order that Israel should "take all necessary and effective measures to ensure,...The court said that Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, but... famine is setting in
At the ICJ, South Africa has charged that Israel is perpetrating a genocide in Gaza
Russia says ‘evidence’ links Ukraine to Moscow attack
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Russia said on Thursday it had evidence the perpetrators of last week's massacre at a concert hall outside...Russian officials alleged the suspects had received "significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine".
The officials said that said another man "involved in financing the terrorists" had been identified and detained.
French parliament condemns 1961 Paris killings of Algerians
Paris, France - The French parliament's lower house on Thursday approved a resolution condemning as "bloody and murderous repression" the killing...Dozens of peaceful demonstrators died during a crackdown by Paris police on a protest by Algerians in 1961
The bill, put forward by Greens lawmaker Sabrina Sebaihi and ruling Renaissance party MP Julie Delpech, was approved by 67 lawmakers
UN ‘disturbed’ as Israeli strikes on health care kills 10 in Lebanon
"The tragic events of the past 36 hours have resulted in a significant loss of life and injuries in south..."Deeply disturbed by the repeated attacks on health facilities and health workers who risk their lives to provide urgent assistance to their local communities," said Imran Riza.
Hizbollah said four of its fighters and two rescuers were killed in Wednesday's strikes, while its ally the Amal movement said it had lost two members, including a rescuer.
