Iraqi politicians and observers warn of the potential fallout from a comprehensive review of suspicious financial transactions in Iraq as promised by US envoy Mark Savaya. Meanwhile, a surprise decision by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the leading vote-getter in the elections, to re»»»

Washington: On a sunny January morning in Florida, Donald Trump went shopping for marble and onyx for his new White House ballroom. A few hours later, he was bombing Venezuela. It was just one day in an extraordinary year since his return to office, but it summed up how Trump has reshaped the US pr»»»

The White House says it is moving into the second phase of President Donald Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan – breathing new life into a proposal that aims to rebuild the war-ravaged area and reshape the wider Middle East. Trump's Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, broke the news Wednesday in a post on X, sa»»»

Australia's emergency services warned people Friday to stay prepared for sudden downpours and dangerous bushfires in the country's east after a flash flood swept cars into the sea. Heavy rains on Thursday sent a deluge of water flowing through some parts of the eastern state of Victoria, which is s»»»

Abu Dhabi: January 17 is observed as the 'Day of Resolve', a national milestone symbolising the UAE’s strength, unity, and readiness in the face of threats. Also Read: UAE observes ‘Day of Resolve’ to mark Houthi attack in Abu DhabiThe occasion recalls the 2022 terrorist attack on Abu Dhabi, when H»»»

The International Festival of Masquerade Games “Surva” has officially opened in the Bulgarian city of Pernik, bringing ten days of color, sound, and ancient ritual to the town. This year marks the festival’s 60th anniversary, a milestone for one of Bulgaria’s most cherished winter events. Visitors »»»

Iran's ongoing internet blackout has exceeded 182 hours of continuous disruption, surpassing the core duration of the 2019 shutdown, according to NetBlocks' monitoring data.  Most Iranian government websites»»»

Iran's ongoing internet blackout has exceeded 182 hours of continuous disruption, surpassing the core duration of the 2019 shutdown, according to NetBlocks' monitoring data.  Most Iranian government websites»»»

A mother who is one of a group of British parents suing TikTok after the deaths of their children said she wants "accountability" from the social media firm. Ellen Roome is in the US for the first day of the hearing, filed by the Social Media Victims Law Centre. She said: "It's about time we held t»»»

The US is enhancing its military presence in the Middle East following US President Donald Trump's threats against Iran, several US media outlets reported on Thursday. The New York Times reported that the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and some of its escort warships were steaming toward the Midd»»»

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the formation of a Gaza "board of peace," a key phase two element of a U.S.-backed plan to end the war in the Palestinian territory. "It is my Great Honor to announce that THE BOARD OF PEACE has been formed," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, addin»»»

The health system in Sudan is suffering, with massive shortage of medical staff and supplies, said Dr. Javid Abdelmoneim, International President of Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Abdelmoneim said a large number of hospitals have been damaged, or completely out of servi»»»

A UAE-based circular economy firm has launched a reusable foodware system aimed at eliminating single-use plastic waste at large-scale events, with its first deployment at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi this week. Polygreen has introduced Again, Please, a closed»»»

Abu Dhabi: In the national memory, some dates do not simply pass. They become moments of reflection, awareness, and renewal. For the fourth year, the UAE is marking January 17 as the ‘Day of Resolve’, a national occasion that has evolved into a symbol of unity, resilience, and shared purpose, follo»»»

French President Emmanuel Macron joked about a “completely harmless” eye condition on Thursday during a New Year address to France’s armed forces. “Please pardon the unsightly appearance of my eye,” Macron said at the beginning of his speech. “It is, of course, something completely harmless.” Macro»»»

The body of a 25-year-old man who had been reported missing from the northern Athens suburb of Maroussi since Monday was found Thursday evening in nearby Agia Paraskevi, bringing a tragic end to the search. A search team located the man’s body after launching an operation at the request of his fami»»»

Abu Dhabi: January 17 is observed in the UAE as the Day of Resolve, a national milestone that symbolises the country’s strength, unity, and unwavering preparedness in the face of threats. The occasion recalls the terrorist attack on Abu Dhabi in 2022, when the Houthi militia targeted civilian sites»»»

On Jan. 16, 1919, the United States went legally "dry" when the 36th state ratified the 18th Amendment. 1 of 2 | New York City Deputy Police Commissioner John A. Leach (R) watches agents pour liquor into sewer following a raid during the height of prohibition. On January 16, 1919, the United States»»»

Egyptian experts and tourism workers expressed satisfaction on Friday after the administration of President Donald Trump said its decision to place new restrictions on visa applicants does not impact US visitor visas but only immigrant visas. On Wednesday, Fox News reported that the State Departmen»»»

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro was transferred to prison on Thursday to begin serving a 27-year sentence for orchestrating a failed coup, under conditions described by a court as “more favourable.” The 70-year-old was convicted over efforts to overturn his 2022 election loss to&»»»

The Muslim Brotherhood is facing growing international isolation after US President Donald Trump moved to designate its branches in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as terrorist organizations. Argentina has joined the list of countries banning the Brotherhood, announcing on Thursday that it had added the»»»

The US attack on Venezuela and abduction of President Nicolas Maduro amounts to an act of war, the South American country’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab has told RT. American forces carried out a series of airstrikes on the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and several other regions of the count»»»

WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- U.S. President Donald Trump voiced support for a recently appointed Palestinian government of technocrats to run the Gaza Strip in the aftermath of launching the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement."As Chairman of the Board of Peace, I am backing a newly appoin»»»

Saudi Arabia is set to transform its financial landscape by fully opening its stock market, known as Tadawul, to all foreign investors. This move, announced by the Capital Market Authority (CMA), eliminates longstanding restrictions that previously limited direct access to qualified foreign investo»»»

Even the most optimistic advocates of change in Gaza’s system of governance did not expect the list for the proposed Gaza Administration Committee to include figures long described as among Hamas’s fiercest opponents. Many Palestinians, across factional and popular lines, were surprised by the emer»»»

Gosuslugi, Russia's system of government digital services, will undergo a comprehensive transformation aimed at making it user-friendlier, while maintaining the “single window” approach, which made it very popular among Russians. »»»

DOHA: The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), in partnership with Al Noor Center for the Blind, launched yesterday, the 'Digital Safety Booklet for Persons with Visual Disabilities', written in Braille. This initiative comes as part of the Agency’s ongoing efforts to enhance cybersecurity indica»»»

Authorities in Hong Kong on Thursday announced that the final death toll in the Tai Po district fire has reached 168. All deceased have been identified and no individuals remain unaccounted for. File Photo by Leung Man Hei/EPA Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The death toll from November's Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fi»»»

A US announcement launched the second phase of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, as questions swirl over the future of Hamas after nearly two years of an unprecedented war with Israel that has only partially subsided. The ceasefire is part of a peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trum»»»

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, during the first visit by a Canadian leader to China in eight years after a period of testy relations. Carney hailed a “new strategic partnership” as Ottawa seeks to reduce reliance on the US afte»»»

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to five years in prison Friday for obstruction of justice and other charges. He is seen here on a television in Seoul Station airing the live broadcast of his trial. Photo by Yonhap Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to five years in prison Fri»»»

Doha: Qatar’s tourism sector closed 2025 with solid momentum and enters 2026 positioned for further expansion, according to insights from the latest Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Travel Trends Report. The study places the country among the Middle East’s most resilient and fast-evolving destinations, »»»

MEXICO (Sputnik) - The Venezuelan government's goal is to preserve the country's national authority and sovereignty, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said on Friday. "Today we can say that our objective, as an oath to the president and the first lady, is to preserve national authority, t»»»

NEW YORK, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the Israeli occupation' unlawful entry into a United Nations property in occupied East Jerusalem, the UNRWA Jerusalem Health Centre, and the order of its temporary closure.The UNRWA Jerusalem Health Centre, which se»»»

WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- U.S. President Donald Trump announced the formation of a "Board of Peace" for the Gaza Strip, just as he had promised early 2026."It is my Great Honor to announce that the Board of Peace has been formed," Trump wrote on Truth Social late Thursday."The Members of the Boa»»»

Ali Larijani, seen here as Iran's Parliamentary speaker in 2012, was sanctioned by the United States on Thursday. He is currently secretary of Iran's Supreme Council for National Security. Photo Maryam Rahmanian/UPI | License Photo Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The United States has sanctioned five Iranian secu»»»

Dubai: Gold prices in the UAE edged lower on Friday morning, offering buyers a brief pause after a sharp run that pushed rates to record territory earlier this week. At 9.30 am, 24-karat gold stood at Dh554.25 a gram, down from Dh556 on Thursday, while 22-karat slipped to Dh513.25 from Dh514.75. (C»»»

A political leader demanding questionable policy from the central bank and testing the legal limits to get it - to Martin Redrado, sitting in Argentina, Donald Trump's stand-off with the Federal Reserve feels surprisingly familiar. Redrado was fired as head of Argentina's central bank in 2010, afte»»»

South Korea's impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol has arrived in court for the verdict over his failed martial law bid in 2024. Yoon, who is accused of obstructing justice and other charges in this case, faces a 10-year jail term if found guilty. This is the first of the verdicts in the eight trials »»»

The American Civil Liberties Union on Thursday filed a lawsuit on behalf of Minnesotans to stop the Trump administration from using allegedly unconstitutional practices in its immigration crackdown. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The American Civil Liberties Union filed a»»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The United States is sending troops to the Middle East over the consideration of potential strikes on Iran by President Donald Trump, Fox News reported on Thursday, citing military sources. At least one US aircraft carrier is moving toward the region amid the growing tensions»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump expressed support for the newly formed Palestinian technocratic government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. "As Chairman of the Board of Peace, I am backing a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government, the National Commit»»»

The 2026 Ugandan presidential election, held on Thursday (January 15, 2026) amid heightened tensions and an internet blackout, appears poised to extend President Yoweri Museveni's four-decade rule, amid concerns over technical snags causing delays and an internet blackout. SnapshotA widely shared n»»»

A White House spokesperson said Thursday that Iran had backed away from plans to execute 800 protesters following intervention threats from President Donald Trump, but warned that “all options” remain on the table for the United States. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments. (FRANCE 2»»»

The 2026 Ugandan presidential election, held on Thursday (January 15, 2026) amid heightened tensions and an internet blackout, appears poised to extend President Yoweri Museveni's four-decade rule, amid concerns over technical snags causing delays and an internet blackout. SnapshotA widely shared n»»»

US President Donald Trump threatened to activate the Insurrection Act to send military forces to Minnesota as protests escalated after federal agents shot and wounded a man and, days earlier, fatally shot a woman during immigration enforcement actions. Demonstrators condemned the use of f»»»

The United States has repeatedly said that it will send "help" to Iranian protesters as demonstrations across the country have led to the death of at least 3,428 people. As Iranian authorities use internet blackouts to quell dissent, the US may resort to cyberwarfare instead of physical strike»»»

Vietnam’s 14th National Party Congress, which opens on January 19, arrives at a delicate moment for the country’s political and economic direction. After several years of leadership upheaval, the gathering is widely expected to draw a line under the turbulence by confirming To Lam as both general s»»»

Vietnam’s 14th National Party Congress, which opens on January 19, arrives at a delicate moment for the country’s political and economic direction. After several years of leadership upheaval, the gathering is widely expected to draw a line under the turbulence by confirming To Lam as both general s»»»

Since its inception in 1947, Pakistan’s military has played an active role in the Arab world and the wider Middle East. This engagement echoes the British Indian Army’s former policy of policing what the British referred to as ‘East of Suez’, although Pakistan’s role has been limited to training an»»»