OpenAI is facing online backlash after signing a deal with the United States Department of Defense to deploy its AI models within the department’s classified network.

Washington noted European nations would have to have a seat at the negotiating table "at some point", following the first high-level official Washington-Moscow talks since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

In 2015, Iran struck a landmark deal with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia to regulate its nuclear programme in return for the easing of international sanctions. However, in 2018, during his first term, Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the agreement and reinstated heavy sanctions...

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.

Trump said that by the time of the handover, Palestinians "would have already been resettled in far safer and more beautiful communities". Israel's defense minister meanwhile ordered the army to prepare for "voluntary" departures from Gaza, following Trump's remarks.

As the first phase of the ceasefire takes effect, the world watches to see whether this temporary reprieve will be the first step toward lasting peace or whether the violence will soon resume.

Discussions led by the UAE include provisional administration, PA leadership overhaul, and Gaza reconstruction, requiring extensive international cooperation and adherence to a two-state solution framework.

Julani’s appeal comes as Syria signals a shift in its diplomatic tone. Maher Marwan, Damascus’ new governor, told NPR that Syria seeks peace and harbors no hostility toward Israel or any other nation. “We have no plans to interfere with anything that could undermine Israel’s safety. Our people yearn for...

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.

Barbara Leaf, Washington's top diplomat for the Middle East, told Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa of the "critical need to ensure terrorist groups cannot pose a threat inside of Syria or externally, including to the US and our partners in the region."

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...

Washington, United States -- US President Joe Biden said Friday he was canceling student loans for an additional 55,000 Americans, which would amount to wiping out $4.28 billion in debt in his final month in office.The mass cancellation of debt is for "teachers, nurses, service members, law enforcement officials, and other...

The Fed is widely expected to cut its key lending rate for a third straight time, reducing it by a quarter point despite a recent uptick in inflation. But there are fears it will have to slow its pace of easing next year owing to sticky inflation and bets that...

Washington, United States -- The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to announce a quarter point cut to its key lending rate on Wednesday despite a recent uptick in inflation, in the central bank's last meeting of Joe Biden's presidency.The Fed is also tipped to signal a slower path of cuts...

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.

Tehran, Iran - Iran will consider any request from its Syrian ally for troops to help tackle a sweeping rebel offensive in the north, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday."If the Syrian government asks us to send forces to Syria, we will study their request," Araghchi said in an excerpt...

The November 20 bombshell indictment in New York accused billionaire industrialist founder Gautam Adani and multiple subordinates of deliberately misleading international investors as part of a bribery scheme.

India's opposition leader demands Gautam Adani's arrest; Kenya scraps airport, power deals with the Group that has significant investments in the Middle East.

The resolution demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in the war between Israel and the Palestinian group, along with "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages."

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.

Washington, United States -- American B-52 bombers have arrived in the Middle East, the US military said Saturday, a day after Washington announced their deployment in a warning to Iran."B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers from Minot Air Force Base's 5th Bomb Wing arrived in the US Central Command area of responsibility," the...

With US mediation, a ceasefire proposal emerges for both Gaza and Lebanon, balancing Israel's security demands and Lebanon’s need for Hezbollah de-escalation and a potential truce with Hamas.

Since last year Saudi Arabia has been bargaining hard for a defense pact with the United States as well as assistance with a civilian nuclear program. As part of that deal the Gulf kingdom, home to the holiest shrines in Islam, would recognize Israel for the first time.

US officials, citing Netanyahu’s pledge, reported relief in Washington as Israel’s counterstrike on Iran will not target oil or nuclear sites, easing fears of an energy crisis and broader conflict

Netanyahu said in a video address addressed to the people of Lebanon on Tuesday: "You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza." He added: "Free your country from Hezbollah...

The big Detroit automaker reported 659,601 US sales during the period.

Washington, United States- The US State Department announced a $20 million reward on Thursday for information leading to the arrest of the alleged Iranian mastermind behind a plot to assassinate former White House official John Bolton.US officials said in August 2022 that they had uncovered a plot by Shahram Poursafi, a...

‘’In close partnership, we are working to advance multilateral diplomatic solutions and provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance in Gaza and Sudan. Our ongoing defense and counterterrorism cooperation makes our countries and the world more secure. U.S. and UAE troops have stood shoulder to shoulder in six conflicts over the last...

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.

More data this week suggesting the Federal Reserve was winning the battle against inflation provided an extra kick for global equities after recent drops caused by worries of a possible US recession. Wall Street shares were up near midday deals while European markets closed in the green, a day after...

The United States, Egypt and Qatar are parties to the negotiations for the release of the hostages held by Hamas since its attack on Israel on October 7, and on the cessation of a subsequent Israeli military operation in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands.

Since US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated last month that the time for interest rates to begin coming down and the pace would depend on economic data, investors have been keenly awaiting the latest jobs numbers. Dismal July job figures caused markets to panic last month.

Palestinian Territories - Hamas called on the United States Thursday to "exert real pressure" on Israel to reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was no deal in the making.The two sides have traded blame over stalling talks for a ceasefire and hostage exchange as...

Paris, France -- US shares fell marginally and European stock markets mostly inched higher Wednesday as investors cautiously awaited the latest earnings results from US chip giant Nvidia, a bellwether for the tech sector.Traders are also waiting for key US economic data later this week that could provide clues about the...

The Fed's benchmark lending rate currently sits at a 23-year high of between 5.25 and 5.50 percent, cooling demand in the world's largest economy ahead of November's presidential elections, in which inflation and the cost of living have taken a central role.

The annual Jackson Hole Economic Symposium in the US state of Wyoming gives Powell a global platform to enlighten financial markets about the Fed's thinking, a few weeks after he said policymakers could cut rates "as soon as" September.

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.

"We are against any efforts to change the status quo within the holy sites," said deputy spokesman Farhan Haq. "Al-Aqsa mosque, like the other holy sites in Jerusalem, should be left to themselves and should be controlled by the existing religious authorities for the sites. This sort of behavior is...

He said Austin, who spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant on Sunday, had also ordered the USS Georgia guided missile submarine to the area. Ryder said the pair discussed "the importance of mitigating civilian harm, progress towards securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza."

Kuwait: -- The oil and gas sector in Arab countries attracted 610 projects implemented by 356 foreign and Arab companies, with a total investment cost of US$ 406 billion between January 2003 and May 2024.The Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman) stated in its first sectoral report on...

Biden called King Abdullah II of Jordan, which helped down Iranian drones and missiles in an earlier showdown in April, while Blinken called top officials in Qatar and Egypt, the key intermediaries seeking a ceasefire in the 10-month Israel-Hamas war.

US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the attack, the White House said. "They discussed the steps we are taking to defend our forces and respond to any attack against our personnel in a manner and place of our choosing," it said in a statement.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the Middle East and areas under US European Command, as well as a new fighter squadron to the Middle East. Israel killed Hizbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut on Tuesday.

Biden, who was joined on the call by Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, also emphasized the "ongoing efforts to de-escalate broader tensions in the region," the White House said in a statement. The call between the leaders also came after Israel announced it had "eliminated Hezbollah military...

TikTok's suit argues this violates First Amendment rights of free speech.

"A four-way meeting between Egyptian officials and their American and Qatari counterparts, in the presence of Israel's intelligence chief, will be held in Rome on Sunday to reach an agreement on a truce in Gaza," Al-Qahera news, which has links to Egyptian intelligence, reported on Friday, citing a "senior official"...

The International Monetary Fund expects the world economy to grow 3.2 percent this year, unchanged from its April forecast, according to its World Economic Outlook update. "Global activity and world trade firmed up at the turn of the year, with trade spurred by strong exports from Asia," said the fund....

Deliveries still 4.7 percent down from a year ago.

A Hamas official in Lebanon, Osama Hamdan, confirmed that the Islamist movement had received the latest proposal but said it presented "no real progress in the negotiations". Hamas has called for a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, demands repeatedly rejected by Israel.

Hamas insists on a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. Hamdan said the proposals were "merely a waste of time and provide additional time for the occupation (Israel) to practise genocide".