White House announces some members of Gaza Board of Peace
WASHINGTON: The White House has announced some of the members of what it refers to as the Board of Peace, which, under President Donald Trump's plan, will oversee the temporary administration of the Gaza Strip. In a statement, the White House said the names include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, T»»»
West's Policy of Using Russia, China as Threats in Arctic Unrealistic - Russian Ambassador
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The West's policy of using Russia and China's supposedly threatening presence in the Arctic as a pretext for intimidation has proven flawed, turning against its European supporters in the context of Greenland, Russian Ambassador to Norway Nikolai Korchunov told Sputnik. "The poli»»»
'Not just trade': The EU-Mercosur megadeal
BusinessEurope'Not just trade': The EU-Mercosur megadeal Rosie BirchardAs the EU's share of the global market slips, the Mercosur deal could unlock access to critical raw materials. It's also indicative of a wider EU economic pivot. https://p.dw.com/p/56ozZTariffs on most goods will be cut or scrap»»»
Will Dhurandhar's Rs13 billion box office haul embolden Bollywood? Mardaani 3 star Rani Mukerji spills all
Dubai: As Ranveer Singh’s Bollywood hit Dhurandhar rakes in Rs 13 billion at the box office, we asked powerhouse performer Rani Mukerji, whose husband produced the film, the question on everyone’s mind: does one film’s success embolden others and finally shift the conversation about what kinds of m»»»
Today in Kuwait's history
KUWAIT, Jan 17 (KUNA) -- 1962 -- Kuwait Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah signed a decree approving formation of the Gulf State's first government. The 14-member cabinet had a mandate of writing a constitution. 1981 -- Abdullah Al-Nouri, a scholar, teacher and was the director of Kuwait Radio »»»
White House announces some members of Gaza Board of Peace
Washington: The White House announced some of the members of what it refers to as the Board of Peace, which, under President Donald Trump’s plan, will oversee the temporary administration of the Gaza Strip. In a statement, the White House said the names include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump»»»
Israel Continues Assassinations of Hamas, Islamic Jihad Leaders
Israel pressed ahead with targeted killings of senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad figures in Gaza, citing recent attacks on its forces, even as a ceasefire agreement entered its second phase, and plans were announced for a technocratic body to administer the enclave. On Thursday, Israel killed two seni»»»
Watch: Burj Khalifa lights up as UAE observes ‘Day of Resolve’
Dubai: The UAE is marking the ‘Day of Resolve’ today, January 17, with nationwide displays, as fighter jets and helicopters are set to sweep across the skies of all seven emirates this afternoon. Late on Friday, the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, was illuminated with the ‘Day of Resolve’ »»»
Xi lauds ‘turnaround’ with key US neighbor
Chinese President Xi Jinping has welcomed what he called a “turnaround” in relations with Canada, following a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Beijing. While campaigning for office in April 2025, Carney claimed that China represented the number one security threat to Canada on th»»»
UN Urges US to Comply With UN Charter Amid Trump’s Claims to Greenland - Spokesman
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United Nations calls on the United States to comply with the Charter amid Washington's plans to "acquire" Greenland and threats of tariffs on countries opposing a takeover, UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq said on Friday. Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump did no»»»
All eyes on Riyadh as Joy Awards bring global stars together
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: If you thought red carpets were dramatic, wait until Hollywood, Bollywood, and Arab superstars collide on Riyadh’s lavender carpet tonight. The 6th Joy Awards is here, and Gulf News Manjusha Radhakrishnan will be there, front-row, keeping tabs on celebrity arrivals, jaw-droppi»»»
Gaza Peace Board to Include Rubio, Witkoff, Kushner - White House
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, among others, while US Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers has been appointed Commander of International Stabilization F»»»
NATO Buildup in Arctic Fuels Tensions - Russian Ambassador
Russia is concerned about NATO’s increased activity in the Arctic, Russian Ambassador to Norway Nikolai Korchunov told Sputnik. As experience shows, "boosting the North Atlantic alliance’s presence in a particular region does not contribute to strengthening security but, on the contrary, leads to i»»»
Unsettled weather hits UAE as winds pick up
Dubai: The UAE is experiencing a spell of unsettled winter weather on Saturday, with partly cloudy skies, strong northwesterly winds and very rough seas. A surface low-pressure system from the east is interacting with a high-pressure system moving in from the west, the National Centre of Meteorolog»»»
Latin America: US issues 'military activity' flight advisory
BusinessUnited States of AmericaLatin America: US issues 'military activity' flight advisoryShakeel Sobhan with AFP, Reuters, dpaThe warnings come as Trump has suggested possible military strikes against drug cartel targets in Mexico. However, Mexican authorities said the US advisory has no operati»»»
Ukraine suspends Iran embassy operations
Ukraine has temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran, citing deteriorating security conditions as protests continue across Iran, the mission announced via social media on January 16. The announcement follows mass prot»»»
Syria's new president issues decree granting Kurdish language and citizenship rights
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree on January 16 granting Kurdish citizens language rights and citizenship while declaring the Persian and Kurdish new year Nowruz a national holiday, state news agency SANA reported. »»»
Ukraine suspends Iran embassy operations
Ukraine has temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran, citing deteriorating security conditions as protests continue across Iran, the mission announced via social media on January 16. The announcement follows mass prot»»»
Emirati Resolve and the imperative of confronting terrorist organisations
The concept of Emirati Resolve — a deeply rooted national value embodying determination, strategic foresight, moral responsibility, and steadfast readiness to defend legitimate states and protect regional stability — has long shaped the United Arab Emirates’ approach to security and peace. Resolve »»»
US aircraft carrier heading to Middle East – Fox News
The US has deployed at least one aircraft carrier to the Middle East, Fox News has reported, citing anonymous military sources. It comes on the heels of thinly-veiled threats against Iran in recent days by President Donald Trump. The Islamic Republic has been gripped by mass protests since late Dec»»»
Trump's proposed credit card cap spotlights Americans' debt. Would it help?
Credit card debt is an increasingly heavy burden for millions of Americans. Selena Cooper, 26, is among those dealing with the strain. A former paralegal at the Social Security Administration, she was left without a stable income when the US government shut down a few months ago. She lost her job p»»»
From camouflage to tracksuits - Guinea's junta leader poised to become civilian president
From the moment he seized power in September 2021 Guinea's Mamadi Doumbouya struck an imposing figure. Just 36 years old at the time, the broad-shouldered colonel, standing at well over six feet (1.8m), wearing military fatigues, mirrored sunglasses and a red beret certainly made an impression when»»»
US justice department investigates Minnesota Democrats over alleged obstruction of ICE
The US justice department is investigating two prominent Minnesota officials over alleged attempts to impede federal immigration agents, in an escalation of the Trump's administration's clash with Democrats. Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are facing an inquiry over statements th»»»
Under fire from the sea, families in Odesa try to escape Russian barrage
From Mariia's 16th-floor flat, the calm waters of the Black Sea stretch out into the horizon beneath the fading twilight. "Up here you can see and hear when the drones come," she says, standing by a wall-length, floor-to-ceiling window. When they hit buildings and homes in the city of Odesa down be»»»
GCC chief welcomes Gaza plan phase two
RIYADH, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi welcomed the move to Phase Two of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, and the formation of the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).Al-Budaiwi thanked, in a press»»»
Syria's Sharaa declares Kurdish a 'national language' following clashes
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday declared Kurdish one of the country's national languages in the wake of recent clashes between the army and Kurdish forces in Aleppo. Kurds in north Syria have declined to integrate into the State calling instead for a decentralised federal system, which »»»
Access Asia - Trump's world: India and EU draw closer
In this week's edition of Access Asia, we explore how India and the EU are edging closer, as reports swirl that the two sides are in the final stages of securing a free trade deal. This shift in the relationship comes as both powers grapple with an unpredictable Donald Trump. Plus, w»»»
A hotline to report vapers and caning if you're caught: Singapore's e-cigarette crackdown
It's a busy day at Woodlands Checkpoint, Singapore's main land crossing on the border with Malaysia, and thousands of cars are slowly trundling past the watchful eyes of customs officer Belinda Liaw and her team. Suddenly Liaw steps forward, signalling at a white Toyota van to stop. Her team swarms»»»
Education Department delays garnishment on defaulted student debt - UPI.com
The Department of Education on Friday paused plans to seize tax refunds and garnish wages of those in default while revising student loan repayment regulations. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. Education Department has delayed plans to seize tax refunds and»»»
Blair and Rubio among names on Gaza 'Board of Peace'
The Trump administration has named US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former UK prime minister Sir Tony Blair as two of the founding members of its "Board of Peace" for Gaza. Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner will also sit on the "founding execu»»»
Poland to produce landmines, abandoning treaty
Poland will formally withdraw from an international treaty banning anti-personnel landmines next month, a senior defense official has announced, outlining plans to mass-produce the ordnance and prepare for possible deployment along the border with Russia’s Kaliningrad Region. Deputy Defense Ministe»»»
Ramadan 2026 in UAE: How shopping, screen time, travel change after iftar
Dubai: Ramadan in the UAE is expected to begin around February 18 or 19, and this year it is arriving with measurable shifts in how residents move, shop, and structure their day. Falling in late winter, the month brings cooler evenings and shorter days, reinforcing behavioural changes that research»»»
Nobel Peace Prize committee: Only Maria Corina Machado is honored - UPI.com
Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado presents her medal to President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday. Image courtesy of the White House Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Corina Machado is the only recognized recipient of the award despite the Venezuelan leader »»»
Trump envoy outlines demands on Iran
The US prefers a diplomatic solution to ongoing tensions with Iran rather than military action, President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has said, urging Tehran to scale down its missile and nuclear programs. A wave of protests kicked off in Iran in late December. Initially prompted by »»»
France warns US over Greenland
France has issued a diplomatic warning to the US, stating that any attempt to seize Greenland would amount to a “crossed line” and threaten economic ties with the EU, Financial Times has reported. The message was delivered by French Finance Minister Roland Lescure to his US counterpart, Treasury Se»»»
DOJ reports 500+ are reviewing millions of Epstein files - UPI.com
More than 500 people are assigned to reviewing and redacting millions of pages of the Jeffrey Epstein case files before making them publicly available, Department of Justice officials said on Thursday. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The Department of Justice has more»»»
Canada's deal with China signals it is serious about shift from US
Prime Minister Mark Carney's new approach to Canada's foreign policy can perhaps be distilled in one line: "We take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be." That was his response when asked about the deal struck with China on Friday, despite concerns over its human rights record and nearly a y»»»
Taiwan to invest USD 250 bln in US semiconductor sector
WASHINGTON, Jan 15 (KUNA) -- The American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States signed on Thursday "a historic trade deal" that will drive a massive reshoring of America's semiconductor sector."This unprecedented commitment will strength»»»
Yemeni FM Al-Zandani named as PM-designate
ADEN, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- Chairman of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi appointed Shaye Mohsen Al-Zandani as prime minister replacing Salem Saleh bin Braik who resigned his post on Thursday evening.Under a presidential decree, signed by Al-Alimi and carried by Yemen News Agency (S»»»
EU foreign policy chief: Only dialogue can help achieve security in Middle East
BRUSSELS, Jan 15 (KUNA) -- EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said she held talks with the foreign ministers of a number of Arab partners, together with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, on regional issues.Kallas said in a post on X on Thursday ev»»»
Prof. Schlevogt’s Compass No. 38: Dethroning the green god – Venezuela and Petrodollar conspiracies
At the core of propaganda lies an intriguing paradox: Sometimes the safest way to bury the truth is to place it in plain sight. Propaganda 101: Manipulation through manifestationWhen an inconvenient fact is openly stated, being printed, televised, or officially acknowledged, it often loses its powe»»»
Trump’s Iceland envoy pick apologizes for ‘52nd state’ joke
US President Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to Iceland, former Representative Billy Long, apologized on Thursday for joking that the island nation could become the 52nd US state with himself as governor. The remark comes as Trump’s statements regarding Greenland have escalated in recent week»»»
UK welcomes Gaza plan phase 2, calls for addressing humanitarian conditions
LONDON, Jan 15 (KUNA) - The UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomed on Thursday the commitment to move forward with the second phase of the Gaza plan, as well as the formation of the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.In a press release, Cooper said, "I welcome the co»»»
UK senior army officer welcomes new measures to recall veterans
LONDON, Jan 15 (KUNA) -- Commander of the Standing Joint Command Lt.-Gen Paul Griffiths welcomed on Thursday a new bill to recall older army veterans and raise the maximum age of recall from 55 to 65, measures seen as a plan to meet threats and challenges.The Armed Forces Bill reforming the strateg»»»
Trump now says he won't militarily intervene in Iran - UPI.com
French residents near the Eiffel Tower in Paris hold Iranian flags and portraits of ousted Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as they gather in support of the widespread protests that have rocked Iran on Jan. 4. The protests have led to increasing violent clashes with security forces. Photo by Maya Vidon-W»»»
Trump announces ‘phase two’ of Gaza plan
US President Donald Trump has announced the launch of the second phase of his plan to settle the conflict in Gaza, despite both sides repeatedly accusing each other of breaching an earlier-agreed ceasefire. The next step is demilitarization and the establishment of a new technocratic government in »»»
Trump, governors to push for power grid auction to lower energy costs - UPI.com
Air handling units sit on the roof of a CloudHQ data center in Ashburn, Va., in September. Virginia is home to more than 650 data centers, the highest concentration of data centers in the world. File Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The Trump administration, backed by a group of eastern-»»»
Trump offers to restart U.S. mediation in Nile water dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia
U.S. President Donald J. Trump has offered to restart American mediation between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan to resolve the long-standing dispute over the Nile River and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), according to a letter addressed to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. In the cor»»»
'An occupying force': Minneapolis caught up in Trump’s anti-immigration surge
Masked agents from multiple agencies have turned Minneapolis into a testing ground for the Trump administration’s most aggressive anti-immigration strategy yet. A multi-billion surge in federal funding has turbo-charged an operation built on escalation, confusion and spectacle, with ICE-led interve»»»
Virginia lawmakers OK congressional redistricting vote - UPI.com
Virginia lawmakers on Friday approved a resolution enabling voters to decide if lawmakers temporarily can bypass the commonwealth's independent redistricting commission to redraw congressional seats mid-decade when another state does the same. File Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo Jan. »»»