Trump announces $7bn Gaza reconstruction plan with police force recruitment underway
US President Donald Trump announced that over $7bn was pledged to Gaza relief during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington. The financial aid was pledged by nine nations, namely Saudi Arabia, the »»»
Trump announces $7bn Gaza reconstruction plan with police force recruitment underway
US President Donald Trump announced that over $7bn was pledged to Gaza relief during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington. The financial aid was pledged by nine nations, namely Saudi Arabia, the »»»
Kuwait’s CGCC secures gas gathering contract in PNZ
The Combined Contracting Group Co. (CGCC) has secured a KWD10.2mn ($33mn) agreement to deliver gas gathering support services within the Partitioned Neutral Zone (PNZ) shared by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The Kuwaiti enginee»»»
Kuwait’s CGCC secures gas gathering contract in PNZ
The Combined Contracting Group Co. (CGCC) has secured a KWD10.2mn ($33mn) agreement to deliver gas gathering support services within the Partitioned Neutral Zone (PNZ) shared by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The Kuwaiti enginee»»»
Kyrgyzstan: Driving school overhaul sparks debate over state control and dissent
The arrest of a private driving school director in Bishkek has turned what authorities describe as a road-safety reform initiative into a broader debate over state control, corruption and the limits of public criticism in Kyrgyzstan. »»»
Trump announces $7bn Gaza reconstruction plan with police force recruitment underway
US President Donald Trump announced that over $7bn was pledged to Gaza relief during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington. The financial aid was pledged by nine nations, namely Saudi Arabia, the »»»
Trump announces $7bn Gaza reconstruction plan with police force recruitment underway
US President Donald Trump announced that over $7bn was pledged to Gaza relief during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington. The financial aid was pledged by nine nations, namely Saudi Arabia, the »»»
Police drones start talking to people on streets of Almaty
In Almaty, Kazakhstan, Big Brother is not just keeping a watchful eye on you from a camera mounted high up above a street corner, he’s hovering over your head in the form of a drone, prattling on in a monotone through a loudspeaker about the ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ of the law-abiding citizen. »»»
Slovak government could have boosted Czechoslovak Group with defence contracts ahead of IPO, anti-graft watchdog says
Slovak journalists claimed in an investigation published on February 19 that Ministry of Defence contracts signed with regional defence and machinery conglomerate Czechoslovak Group (CSG) could have been intended to send a positive signal to investors ahead of the company’s January 2026 IPO. »»»
Clashes erupt in Albania between police and protesters
Albanian police fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters in Tirana on February 20 as opposition supporters clashed with security forces during a rally demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The protest »»»
Slovak government could have boosted Czechoslovak Group with defence contracts ahead of IPO, anti-graft watchdog says
Slovak journalists claimed in an investigation published on February 19 that Ministry of Defence contracts signed with regional defence and machinery conglomerate Czechoslovak Group (CSG) could have been intended to send a positive signal to investors ahead of the company’s January 2026 IPO. »»»
Italy's Enel buying US wind, solar plants for $1b
ROME — Italian power giant Enel said Saturday it is buying a "portfolio" of US wind and solar plants with a capacity of 830 megawatts (MW) for around $1 billion.It said it was buying the plants, which have an expected average output of around 2.1 TWh (Terawatt-hours) per year, from Excelsior Energy»»»
Trump announces hike in US global tariff rate from 10 to 15%
WASHINGTON, United States — President Donald Trump said Saturday he is raising the worldwide tariffs on goods entering the United States from 10 percent to 15 percent "effective immediately," a day after the Supreme Court largely struck down his sweeping duties.Trump said on his Truth Social platfo»»»
Leather, Garment Sector drives economic growth, job creation in rural areas, key to EMV
AMMAN — The leather and garment industry has emerged as a "primary" catalyst for Jordan’s regional industrial expansion, serving as a strategic cornerstone for the Kingdom’s Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV), according to Ihab Qadri, representative of the sector at the Jordan Chamber of Industry »»»
Brazil, India eye critical minerals deal as leaders meet
NEW DELHI — India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were holding talks in New Delhi on Saturday, seeking to boost cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths.Brazil has the world's second-largest reserves of these elements, which are used in every»»»
Zelensky Should Call Election Before Seeking Meeting With Putin - Expert
A third round of trilateral talks between Russia, the United States, and Ukraine took place in Geneva in mid-February. Volodymyr Zelensky told Axios that he tasked a Ukrainian delegation with raising the possibility of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky should hold a presid»»»
Witkoff Admits That Putin Always Remained Honest During Their Meetings
WASHINGTON, February 22 (Sputnik) - US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff admitted that Russian President Vladimir Putin always remained honest during their meetings. "He's never been anything other than straight with me," Witkoff said in an interview with Lara Trump on Fox News.Witkoff recalled that»»»
Venezuela frees 379 political prisoners after amnesty law approval
Venezuela granted amnesty to 379 political prisoners, a lawmaker said Friday, a day after the National Assembly unanimously approved a long-awaited amnesty law to free hundreds of people imprisoned before the US toppling of former leader Nicolas Maduro. Venezuelan authorities have granted»»»
Tariff loss, falling popularity, soaring costs: Trump challenged ahead of key US speech
As President Donald Trump prepares for his key State of the Union address on Tuesday, the once unstoppable US leader finds himself weighed down by the Supreme Court decision to strike down his signature tariff policy amid souring public opinion over his immigration crackdown and failure to address »»»
Trump imposes extra 10% global tariff after Supreme Court setback
President Donald Trump imposed Friday an additional 10 percent tariff on imports into the United States after the Supreme Court struck down many of his sweeping and often arbitrary duties, delivering a stinging rebuke on his signature economic policy.»»»
Giant tortoises make a comeback on Galapagos island
More than 150 giant tortoises have been reintroduced to Floreana Island in Ecuador's famed Galapagos archipelago where they disappeared more than a century ago, the environment ministry said Friday. Floreana was once home to some 20,000 giant tortoises, but whaling, a devastating fire, and re»»»
Sowing sustainability: Brazil's approach to sustainable farming
In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, an innovative approach to farming is taking root. Known for its vast soy bean production and heavy pesticide use, the region is now challenging itself to farm without chemicals while boosting productivity. This experiment, which combines cutting-edge resea»»»
'A check on executive authority': Supreme Court delivers blow to Trump’s tariffs
The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's far-reaching global tariffs on Friday, delivering a stinging loss that prompted a fierce attack on the court he helped shape. The ruling was significant because it marked "a rare instance" of the Supreme Court acting as "a check on executive au»»»
Trump says he will raise US global tariff rate from 10% to 15%
US President Donald Trump said he was hiking the import levies from 10 to 15 percent on Saturday, a day after the Supreme Court ruled much of his aggressive tariff policy was illegal. Trump added that over the next few months, his administration would seek further alternative wa»»»
Iran says will not 'bow' to pressure amid US nuclear talks as anti-govt protests reported in Tehran
President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that Iran "will not bow" to pressure from world powers amid nuclear talks with the US. Meanwhile, Iranian students chanted anti-government slogans at rallies for the thousands killed during last month's demonstrations, local and diaspora media repor»»»
How the death of far-right activist Quentin Deranque became France’s ‘Charlie Kirk moment’
The fatal beating of far-right activist Quentin Deranque in the final moments of a street brawl between ultranationalist and anti-fascist militants in Lyon has become a rallying cry for right-wing forces in France and beyond. If police predictions come true, France’s third-largest city of Lyo»»»
Paris Agriculture Fair opens without cows for first time due to lumpy skin disease fears
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday inaugurated the annual Paris Agriculture Fair without cattle for the first time ever after an outbreak of lumpy skin disease. France's two main farmer unions also boycotted the traditional meeting with the president in a bid to highlight the difficulties»»»
More than 3000 march in Lyon for slain far-right activist as Macron urges calm
Around 3,200 people on Saturday participated in tribute rally in Lyon for slain far-right activist Quentin Deranque, who was fatally beaten in a street brawl between ultranationalist and anti-fascist militants, according to the Rhône prefecture. French President Emmanuel Macron earlier ea»»»
Paris Agriculture Fair opens without cows for first time due to disease fears
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday opens the annual Paris Agriculture Fair without cattle for the first time ever to contain the spread of lumpy skin disease.»»»
Thousands rally in Lyon for slain far-right activist Quentin Deranque; Nazi salutes reported
At least 3,200 people marched in the southeastern city of Lyon on Saturday under heavy security in tribute to 23-year-old far-right activist Quentin Deranque, whose killing is blamed on the hard left. More arrests are possible as police investigate suspects behind Nazi salutes, racist slu»»»
Thousands expected to attend rally for killed far-right activist
Some two to three thousand people are expected to attend a march Saturday in Lyon for a far right activist killed last week. With ultra-right groups expected to attend the march, tensions are high with President Emmanuel Macron urging calm ahead of the event. FRANCE 24's Olivia Bizot reports from L»»»
France’s Michelon wins Olympic gold in women’s biatholon mass start, teammate Simon takes silver
France's Océane Michelon and Julia Simon won gold and silver respectively in the women's biathlon 12.5-kilometre mass start race the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Saturday. Czech biathlete Tereza Vobornikova had to settle for bronze after being overtaken by the French powerhouse team, »»»
France's annual agricultural show gets underway in Paris
The annual Paris agricultural show has gotten off to a rocky start this year, with the absence of cows for the first time in its history, following the outbreak of lumpy skin disease in 2025. But they're not the only ones missing, two major farmer unions have boycotted the traditional unions' meeti»»»
The Observers - How Russian drones are terrorising civilians in Ukraine
Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, drones have transformed the battlefield. But they have also brought the war to Ukrainians’ doorstep. Small drones known as FPVs and long-range Shahed drones are terrorising Ukrainian civilians. In a special report in collaboration with RFI U»»»
UK govt mulls removing ex-prince Andrew from line of succession
The British government on Friday mulled passing a law to remove former prince Andrew from the line of succession, as police stepped up investigations into his conduct, quizzing the disgraced royal's former protection officers. The former prince was arrested on Thursday at his new home on the king's»»»
'Heavy', 'sad' and 'increasingly intense' atmosphere at rally for killed far-right activist
Several hundreds joined a march organised by far-right groups on Saturday after a nationalist activist died from a beating in Lyon in an incident that highlighted a climate of deep political tensions ahead of next year's presidential vote. Reporting from Lyon, FRANCE 24's Olivia Bizot said the atmo»»»
World's tallest church: Sagrada Familia inches closer to the sky
Barcelona's towering Sagrada Familia basilica reached its maximum height on Friday, though the magnum opus of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí remains years away from completion. A crane placed the upper arm of a cross atop the Tower of Jesus Christ, the church's soaring central piece, which now stan»»»
French baker brings bread and comfort to war-hit Ukraine
Since the Russian invasion began in 2022, French baker Loïc Nervi – originally from the Var region – has repeatedly driven through war-torn Ukraine to bring fresh bread to civilians in hard-hit areas, turning an old truck into a mobile bakery to bake and distribute loaves to communities strugg»»»
Trump puts Greenland back in spotlight with hospital ship announcement
US President Donald Trump said Saturday he was sending a hospital boat to Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory that he has long coveted and threatened to seize by force. Trump's rhetoric has ratcheted up tensions between the United States and Denmark, while putting the global spotlight on the »»»
US Ambassador Causes Uproar by Claiming Israel has a Right to Much of the Middle East
Arab and Muslim nations on Saturday sharply condemned comments by the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who said Israel has a right to much of the Middle East. Huckabee made the comments in an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that aired Friday. Carlson said that accordin»»»
Riyadh Municipality Decorates Capital with Over 5,000 Lights for Founding Day
The Riyadh Municipality has illuminated the capital's main streets, vital thoroughfares, and public squares with over 5,000 decorative lights in celebration of Saudi Founding Day. The project involved installing 5,481 decorative lights across various locations to enhance the festive atmosphere thro»»»
Ukrainian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Russia’s Demands to Annex Territory are a Red Line
A senior Ukrainian official said Kyiv is concentrating its negotiating efforts with Russia on achieving an unconditional ceasefire, while stressing the need for full international security guarantees to ensure that any future attack on Ukraine does not recur. He underscored that Russia’s demands to»»»
A gesture no one asked for: Ukraine turns the Paralympics into a political circus
Ukrainian officials have developed a notorious reputation for their wildly inappropriate grasp of reality, including when it comes to sports. One would think the Paralympics is a celebration of the perseverance and triumph of athletes with disabilities – those who have spent years working tirelessl»»»
Abu Dhabi’s Ramadan Majlis reinforces work–life balance and institutional cohesion
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, attended the Abu Dhabi Government’s Ramadan Maj»»»
Islamic, Arab countries warns against inflammatory talk on Israeli control
Abu Dhabi: The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of Türkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sult»»»
US withdraws hundreds of troops from Qatar and Bahrain as Iran tensions rise
Dubai: The United States has evacuated hundreds of troops from key bases in Qatar and Bahrain in what is described as a precautionary move as tensions with Iran continue to escalate, according to a report by The New York Times. The withdrawal, which involved personnel stationed at Al Udeid Air Base»»»
Willie Colón, trombonist who pioneered salsa music, dies aged 75
Salsa music pioneer Willie Colón, the trombonist and orchestra leader behind songs like El Malo, Oh, Qué Será, Talento de Televisión and Gitana, has died aged 75, US media reports. The Grammy nominated singer-songwriter "passed away peacefully" on Saturday morning "surrounded by his loving family",»»»
Final missing Lake Tahoe avalanche skier found dead after 5-day search
The ninth and final missing skier has been found dead in California's Lake Tahoe backcountry, five days after a powerful avalanche struck several guides and a tight-knit group of friends on a trip. Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said on Saturday during a news conference that all nine bodies hav»»»