Rubio to begin Israel visit in aftermath of Qatar strike
Jerusalem, Undefined -- Top US diplomat Marco Rubio begins a visit to Israel on Sunday, after expressing the Trump administration's unwavering support for its ally in the war with Hamas following a strike in Qatar that drew broad criticism of Israel. The trip is taking place after President Donald Trump...
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 Jordan and Egypt if they refuse to take in Palestinians that he says should be moved out from their homeland. The meeting also comes as the Gaza ceasefire appears increasingly...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 rose after Trump’s proposal to take over Gaza and displace its inhabitants.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 Palestinian territories, its foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday.The "emergency Arab summit" comes as Egypt has been rallying regional support against US President Donald Trump's plan to...Trump condemned for ICC sanctions over Israel, US probes
The United Nations and the European Union also urged Trump on Friday to reverse the decision ordering asset freezes and travel bans against ICC officials, employees and their family members, along with anyone deemed to have helped the court's investigations.Asian markets advance after Wall St gains, US Postal Service U-turn
Asian markets rose Thursday, tracking gains on Wall Street and following the US Postal Service's U-turn on a ban on parcels from China and Hong KongTrump, Netanyahu to discuss Gaza ceasefire, regional stability in White House meeting
Trump has floated a controversial plan to relocate Palestinians to neighboring countries, but Egypt, Jordan, and ceasefire mediator Qatar have strongly rejected any forced displacement from Gaza.OPEC+ sticks to oil output plan after Trump’s price demand
In a bid to boost prices, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) headed by Saudi Arabia and Russian-led allies have cut supply by almost six million barrels per day (bpd) since 2022. The OPEC+ alliance has repeatedly postponed putting some of the withheld barrels back on the market.US$1.5 billion Amazon protection plan launched in Davos
A carbon markets investor backed by Swiss-trading house Mercuria said on Wednesday it had joined with two non-profits to raise an initial US$1.5 billion to help protect the AmazonUS proposes $8B arms deal with Israel; Biden plans strikes on Houthis as Gaza aid faces Trump-era cuts
The US proposes an $8 billion arms deal with Israel, plans intensified strikes on Yemen's Houthis, while Israel considers cutting Gaza aid following President-elect Trump’s inauguration, signaling shifting Middle East dynamics.Asia stocks mostly down after Wall St. losses
The "Santa Claus rally" got off to a good start but US stocks then fell across the board on Friday, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq both dropping more than one percent. Tech stocks led the way, with Elon Musk's electric car giant Tesla closing around five percent lowerUAE says will not arm Sudan paramilitary RSF: White House
Washington, United States -- The United Arab Emirates has informed the United States that it will not arm paramilitaries in Sudan's brutal civil war, US lawmakers long critical of the Gulf power's role quoted the White House as saying on Thursday.The assurance came as the United States announced $200 million in...Trump touts tariffs, mass deportations and NATO skepticism
In his first formal television interview -- and just six weeks before he takes office -- Trump again signaled that US support for Ukraine will scale back, saying he will "probably" cut the aid helping Kyiv repel the Russian invasion. Trump also said he would "very quickly" look at pardons...Bitcoin passes $100,000 mark for first time, outshining wavering stock markets
Donald Trump, who has vowed to make the US the 'bitcoin and cryptocurrency capital of the world' wrote 'Congratulations Bitcoiners...You're welcome'OPEC+ expected to extend oil supply cuts to avoid drop in prices
Without a new agreement, the eight countries which have been making voluntary additional production cuts of 2.2 million barrels per day are currently set to begin increasing production beginning in January to gradually return it to 2022 levels.OECD warns of protectionism weeks before Trump return
While the organization raised its 2025 global growth forecast to 3.3 percent, it cautioned that "greater trade protectionism, particularly from the largest economies" poses a "downside risk" along with geopolitical tensions and high public debts.Trump threatens 100% tariff on BRICS countries over currency plans
Washington, United States -- President-elect Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on the BRICS group nations if they undercut the US dollar."We require a commitment... that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty US Dollar or,...Trump’s tariff threats stoke global fears, prompting retaliation warnings from allies and rivals
US President-elect Donald Trump's sweeping tariff plans target Canada, Mexico, and China, raising fears of a global trade war, with analysts predicting significant retaliation from Europe and Asia that could dampen global economic growth.G20 leaders to grapple with climate, taxes, Trump comeback
G20 leaders gather in Brazil on Monday to discuss fighting poverty, boosting climate financing and other multilateral initiatives that could yet be upended by Donald Trump's impending return to the White HouseWith Trump’s presidency, expect pro-Israel policies to replace Biden’s nuanced approach in Middle East relations
Trump’s return could shift US policy on Israel, with his Republican Party's pro-Israel stance and his preference for "America First" potentially altering military and diplomatic strategies.End of a love affair: news media quit X over ‘disinformation’
Paris, France -- News outlets have begun quitting X, formerly Twitter, once a favorite of global media but now accused of enabling the spread of disinformation under its owner, president-elect Donald Trump ally Elon Musk.Citing a "harsh and extreme" climate, Sweden's newspaper of reference, the left-liberal Dagens Nyheter (DN), on Friday...World leaders meet for climate talks, but big names missing raising concerns over global climate commitment
The small group of developed countries that currently contributes the money wants the donor pool expanded to include other rich nations and top emitters, including China and the Gulf states, something firmly rejected by Beijing.Donald Trump ramps up transition moves with key appointments
President-elect Donald Trump is tapping loyalists for several key posts after signaling his desire to have his cabinet confirmed without Senate oversight.Saudi hosts Muslim nations to discuss war in the Middle East with Trump in the equation
Arab and Muslim leaders are gathering in Saudi capital city Riyadh to discuss Israeli war against Gaza and Lebanon in a bid to send a message to President-elect Donald Trump.Bitcoin hits $80,000 for the first time on Trump return optimism
London, United Kingdom -- Bitcoin soared to a new record high on Sunday, as traders bet that Donald Trump's return to the White House will be good for the cryptocurrency.The digital currency passed $80,000 for the first time in its history shortly after 12:00 pm (1200 GMT).It has been rising since...Who will staff Trump’s Govt? A look at top contenders, with Elon Musk among the likely picks
Tesla CEO Elon Musk could head a new "Department of Government Efficiency," promising $2 trillion in federal budget cuts and ensuring "fair and humane" transitions for impacted government workers.Trump victory reflects Arab-American support, Netanyahu discusses Iran with him amid lingering regional conflict
In a unique campaign twist, Trump captured Muslim voters by pledging diplomacy, promising to end prolonged conflicts and promote stability, despite his controversial past record in the Middle East region.What impact will Donald Trump have on the world economy?
Paris, France -- Donald Trump's return to the White House with his protectionist policies poses threats for the global economy, with the prospect of new trade wars, resurgent inflation and slower growth, experts sayGlobal trade threatened? During his first term in office from 2017 to 2021, Trump often resorted to punitive...Most Asian markets rise ahead of toss-up US election
Asian markets mostly rose Tuesday a day before results from the US presidential election rolled in, with opinion polls showing a knife-edge vote, while Chinese equities were boosted by hopes over the country's economyExpected impact of the U.S. election on business
35 percent of CEOs worldwide identify #inflation as the most critical #economic issue facing their countries, followed by boosting #consumer #confidence, a global CEO report saidBitcoin close to record as cautious markets eye US election
The surge in the price of bitcoin is seen as a bet on a Republican victory, as Donald Trump has emerged as the pro-crypto candidate. The price of bitcoin closely follows Trump's standing in the pollsTrump says he thinks Israel should ‘hit’ Iran nuclear facilities
The former president, speaking at a campaign event in North Carolina, referred to a question posed to Democratic President Joe Biden this week about the possibility of Israel targeting Iran's nuclear program. He issued a scathing statement this week, holding Biden and Harris responsible for the crisis.Trump launches into ‘dark speech’ on illegal immigration
Anti-immigrant sentiment has been at the core of Trump's appeal in economically depressed, majority-white parts of the country ever since his 2016 presidential victory, but the rhetoric is turning ever more extreme as election day nears. The 78-year-old businessman said former California prosecutor Harris, 59, is "dumb."Trump safe after apparent assassination attempt, person in custody
The incident came amid heightened tensions in the knife-edge presidential race, and concern for the safety of both candidates. "There is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country," President Joe Biden said in a statement.US says Iran responsible for Trump campaign hack
The statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) confirmed the Trump campaign claim from earlier this month that it had been targeted, potentially by Iran.Unnerved and exposed, Trump struggles to regain campaign mojo
Washington, United States - Donald Trump has never lacked for self-confidence, but his presidential campaign has been sent into a tailspin by the extraordinary events of the past month, and suddenly he appears older, more awkward and grasping for direction.An assassination attempt, the shock withdrawal of Joe Biden from the White...The Biden bombshell: a plot twist that roils Trump too
With the Democrat no longer in the race, the Trump operation finds itself pushed into a strategic pivot, forced now to shift its messaging to fit a contest with no incumbent and a yet-to-be-confirmed opponent, although Biden did endorse Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday as he pulled out of...Trump Tower agreement announced in Jeddah following luxury hotel deal in Oman
A Trump Tower is coming to Saudi Arabia, a regional developer announced on Monday, Al Monitor reported.Dar Global and the Trump Organization said in a statement that they have plans to develop a new project in Jeddah that will target “the luxury Saudi Arabian market and international investors.” The firms said...Trump warns jail time could be ‘breaking point’ for supporters
In an interview aired Sunday on Fox News, the former president and current Republican White House hopeful acknowledged the possibility of jail time or house arrest following his historic criminal conviction in a hush money trial.Trump hails election as ‘most important date’ in US history
Earlier this month Trump and Biden each won enough delegates to clinch their party nominations in the 2024 presidential race, all but assuring a rematch and setting up one of the longest election campaigns in US history. Among the issues Trump is campaigning on is sweeping reform of what he...Biden and Trump gird for marathon White House race
Both are unpopular with large sections of a populace wary of handing the keys to the most powerful office in the world to men born closer to the inauguration of Civil War hero Ulysses S. Grant than to November's election.Trump, Biden clinch enough delegates for US presidential nomination
The results in four statewide elections Tuesday, the latest in the months-long march to determine the Democratic and Republican party flagbearers, were essentially a foregone conclusion as incumbent Biden and former president Trump had already seen off all primary challengers.TikTok dragged into US election as Trump opposes ban
Years of on-and-off attempts of banning the Chinese owned app have resurged in the United States with the introduction of a bill in Congress that could see the app forced to cut ties with its Chinese owner, Bytedance. The US House of Representatives could vote this week on the bill...Led by Elon Musk, Silicon Valley tech titans make rightward turn
Washington, United States -- Since his tumultuous takeover of Twitter, Elon Musk has made an unabashed turn to the right politically, defying the orthodoxy that Silicon Valley is a citadel of well-heeled liberals beholden to Democrats.Long considered non-identifiable ideologically, Musk's politics are now hardline right wing as he uses his platform...AI tools still permitting political disinfo creation, NGO warns
The success of ChatGPT, from Microsoft-backed OpenAI, has over the last year ushered in an age of popularity for generative AI, which can produce text, images, sounds and lines of code from a simple input in everyday language. It said that Midjourney had "performed worst" on its tests, "generating election...Putin says prefers more ‘predictable’ Biden over Trump
Asked by a journalist who Russia would like to see win in the likely contest between the Democratic incumbent and Republican frontrunner Trump, Putin said: "Biden, he's more experienced. He's predictable, he's an old-school politician."Trump closes in on Republican presidential nomination in New Hampshire
Manchester, United States - Donald Trump aims to sew up the Republican presidential nomination after the contest narrowed to a two-horse race with Florida governor Ron DeSantis's withdrawal less than 48 hours before the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday.Short of a defeat in the Granite State, or a close second-place for...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 of the 2020 election and defraud the American people. Trump also said it was a 'sad day for America'.CNN chief Chris Licht has stepped down: Warner Brothers
After joining CNN last year, Licht came under fire for editorial decisions including a recent town hall meeting with former president Donald Trump that was dominated by cheering from supporters and jeering at CNN interviewer Kaitlan Collins.Iran says nuclear deal still possible, efforts underway with mediators
"Efforts are underway with the European coordinator and other mediators, including the foreign ministries of neighboring countries, to exchange messages to reach an agreement, said Nasser Kanani, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman.How Saudis receive US presidents: A hug for Biden?
King Abdullah greeted Bush warmly at the airport in May 2008, showing no signs of the tensions that had roiled their 2002 meeting at Bush's Texas ranch.