At least 15 people were killed and dozens more injured late Tuesday after a Greek coast guard vessel collided with a speedboat carrying undocumented migrants off the eastern Aegean island of Chios, authorities said. The incident occurred as the speedboat, believed to be operated by migrant smuggler»»»

Heavy snow battering northern Japan in the last two weeks has been blamed in 35 deaths nationwide so far, including people suffering sudden heart attacks or slipping while shoveling snow, government officials said Wednesday. As of Wednesday, 15 prefectures have been affected, with the amount of sno»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Masters returns for its 29th edition, once again drawing a star-studded field to Doha Golf Club (DGC) as golfers vie for the iconic Mother of Pearl Trophy. The picturesque course will host 144 players, including eight former champions, all chasing a repeat victory in the Qata»»»

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) organised Al Hosn Festival, the emirate’s leading annual celebration of cultural heritage, ran from Jan 17-Feb 1 at Al Hosn. The festival offered a dynamic platform for cultural exchange and an interactive journey into Abu Dhabi’s he»»»

Doha, Qatar: Lucidya founder and CEO Abdullah Asiri has described Web Summit Qatar as a pivotal platform accelerating the Middle East and North Africa’s transformation into a global technology hub, highlighting the event’s growing importance for startups and investors across the region. Speaking on»»»

North Korea is punishing citizens caught watching South Korean television with forced labor and even death, according to an Amnesty International report released Wednesday. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo Feb. 4 (UPI) -- North Korea is carrying out arbitrary and brutally disproport»»»

A collision between a speedboat carrying migrants and a Greek coast guard patrol vessel off the eastern Aegean island of Chios has killed at least 15 people, the coast guard said late Tuesday, while a search and rescue operation involving patrol boats, a helicopter and divers was underway for poten»»»

The dog was Penny. The win was priceless. A Doberman pinscher named Penny won best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, netting US show dogs’ most coveted prize — and giving veteran handler Andy Linton another win after nearly four decades. Linton got best in show in 1989 »»»

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Governorate launched a new initiative in collaboration with leading astrophotographers to highlight its position as a global destination for sustainable astrotourism, as part of the Royal Commission for AlUla's (RCU) efforts to showcase the governorate’s natural and environment»»»

A US Navy fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that was approaching the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, US Central Command said Tuesday, threatening to ramp up tensions as the Trump administration warns of possible military action to get Iran to the negotiating table. The»»»

Doha, Qatar: Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Qatar Organising Committee H E Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani met with members of the German delegation taking part in the third edition of the region’s fastest-growing technol»»»

What began as an ignored phone call during a busy day turned into a memorable moment for Shanthanu Shettigar, a 33-year-old Indian expat based in Muscat, who has won Dh20 million in Big Ticket’s Series 283 live draw. Shettigar, a shop in-charge from Karnataka, has been living in Oman for the past e»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar is gaining prominence as a key player in practical artificial intelligence (AI) deployment, leveraging partnerships that combine Silicon Valley expertise with local knowledge to tackle complex challenges across government, healthcare, and private enterprise. The approach was high»»»

Doha, Qatar: Advisor to the Prime Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari has said that all regional countries are working together through intensive communication to diffuse tension in the region and bring the US and Iran on negotiations table. “R»»»

Lebanon’s military court on Tuesday wrapped up, in just one hour, the trial of Nouh Zaiter, known as the “drug emperor,” ruling on 40 security cases involving weapons possession, military ammunition, gunfire, and confrontations with Lebanese army patrols during operational duties. The court, chaire»»»

Doha, Qatar: Italy marked a significant milestone at Web Summit Qatar 2026 with its first-ever institutional participation, underscoring the growing depth of relations between Rome and Doha and a shared ambition to expand cooperation in innovation, technology and high-value industries. The Italian »»»

President Iliana Iotova is continuing consultations with parliamentary groups on Wednesday, prior to appointing a caretaker prime minister, the President's press secretariat said. She will receive representatives of MRF-New Beginning at 10 am, BSP - United Left at 11:30 am, and There Is Such a Peop»»»

The parents of three girls in Ghaziabad have been left reeling after their kids jumped off the ninth floor of their residential building and died, reported NDTV. The girls – identified as Pakhi (12), Prachi (14), and Vishika (16) – apparently jumped after their parents objected to their online gami»»»

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said Turkish direct investment in the Kingdom has exceeded $2 billion. In comparison, bilateral trade has reached about $8 billion, marking 14% growth in a single year. He said the Saudi-Turkish economic partnership has moved from a phase of dia»»»

The most prominent son of late Libyan leader ​Moammar al-Gadhafi, Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, has been killed, sources close to the family, his lawyer Khaled el-Zaydi and Libyan media said on Tuesday. The 53-year-old was killed in the town Zintan, 136 kilometers (85 miles) southwest of the capital, Trip»»»

Doha/Berlin: A German deep technology institute and Qatari government bodies have signed an agreement to establish a new university-affiliated innovation hub in Doha, aimed at strengthening global collaboration and advancing technology transfer and entrepreneurship. The European School of Managemen»»»

Hungary has filed a legal challenge at the European Court of Justice against the European Union’s REPowerEU regulation banning the import of Russian energy, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced on Monday, adding that continuing the lawsuit will require the governing parties to win the upcomin»»»

All parking areas in Bishkek will transition to QR code—only payment. The plans were announced by Bakai Asylbek uulu, Director of City Road and Transport Infrastructure municipal enterprise, at a joint meeting of Emgek and Zhany Kuch factions of the Bishkek City Council. According to him, the capit»»»

Deputy Chairman of the Association of International Road Carriers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Igor Golubev, commented to journalists on the congestion of heavy trucks at Kazakh—Kyrgyz section of the border. According to him, inspections have been intensified by Kazakhstan’s Border Service and the State»»»

Talgat Umetaliev has been appointed Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of Kyrgyzstan. The corresponding order was signed by Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic. Talgat Umetaliev previously served as Deputy Chairman of the Financial and Credit»»»

Doha, Qatar: QatarEnergy signed a 20-year Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Petronas for the supply of two million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG from Qatar to Malaysia starting 2028. The agreement was signed by HE Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President a»»»

As the general election on February 8 approaches, the Japanese political climate is split between a governing bloc prioritising geopolitical clout and an opposition focused on domestic relief. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of the Liberal Democratic Party is campaigning on a platform of sovereign st»»»

A digital registry of available land plots will be created in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek. The announcement was made by First Vice Mayor Mirlan Baigonchokov at a meeting of the Bishkek City Council’s Standing Commission on Economy, Budget, Finance, and Investments. According to him, relevant work»»»

AMMAN — The Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) extended its gains on Tuesday, with the All-Share Index closing at 3,611 points, up 39 points, continuing a positive trend seen since the beginning of 2026.The Premier Companies Index rose to 1,978.17 points, while the Total Return Index advanced to 2,601.50 p»»»

AMMAN — The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) will issue on Wednesday the sixth tranche of Treasury bonds for this year on behalf of the government, with a total value of JD200 million.According to data released by the bank and cited by Al Mamlaka, the bonds will mature on February 5, 2036, while the se»»»

State owned Libya Post announced yesterday the opening of partnership opportunities with entities and companies wishing to provide diverse services and products through its post offices across Libya. This initiative is part of the company’s plan to transform its offices into integrated service cent»»»

The United States has sent a small group of soldiers to Nigeria, marking the first confirmed presence of US forces on the ground since airstrikes carried out in December, Reuters reported. "That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some uniqu»»»

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez consolidated her new government on Monday by appointing key ministers and meeting Washington’s new chargé d’affaires, Laura Dogu, in Caracas to discuss US plans for “stabilisation, economic recovery, reconciliation and transition". Foreign Minister Yvan»»»

Less than two weeks after Donald Trump suggested Colombian President Gustavo Petro could face a fate similar to Nicolás Maduro’s, Petro is now visiting the White House, showing efforts to ease months of intense diplomatic tension. The two leaders, who have traded harsh public insults and disagreed »»»

One month after the reported US capture of President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores, Venezuela and the United States have begun restoring diplomatic contacts after years of estrangement. Talks are focusing on energy, economic cooperation and political transition, alongside prisoner rele»»»

Iran has signalled readiness to negotiate with the United States, with President Masoud Pezeshkian instructing his foreign minister to pursue talks despite recent tensions and unrest. The negotiations are expected to take place on Tuesday in Turkey, with the apparent backing of Supreme Leader Ayato»»»

Bill and Hillary Clinton will testify in a US House investigation surrounding deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a spokesman for the ex-president said, heading off a potential vote to hold the couple in contempt. The Epstein affair continues to cast a long shadow over Washington, entangling som»»»

Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify in the House’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation, though terms aren’t finalized. Rep. James Comer continues to push for contempt charges while negotiating deposition dates, pausing the House Rules Committee’s consideration of the resolution, as detailed b»»»

François Picard is pleased to welcome Elizabeth Dickinson, Deputy Director for Latin America at the International Crisis Group. She offers a nuanced, clear-eyed perspective on the shifting dynamics between the United States and Colombia. Through the lens of US domestic politics, Colombia’s internal»»»

For this edition of VIEW FROM RIO, Carys Garland is pleased to welcome our Jan Onoszko. In Brazil, nearly 24,000 children and adolescents were reported missing in 2025. The figures represent not just a statistical spike, an 8% increase from the previous year, but a deeper, systemic challenge. In th»»»

Jack Lang is mentioned in the newly released Epstein files, revealing a long-standing acquaintance with Jeffrey Epstein, including visits to the Louvre together. The ex-French minister said he cut ties after learning Epstein was likely a sex offender, but the files show Lang maintained deep connect»»»

A samba school’s decision to honour Brazilian President Inacio Lula da Silva at this year’s Rio de Janeiro Carnival has sparked controversy, with critics accusing organisers of turning the spectacle into a premature campaign event months before national elections. The face of the Brazilian presiden»»»

Poland ​will launch an investigation into possible links between the late sex offender Jeffrey ⁠Epstein and Russian intelligence, as well as any impact on Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday. "More and more leads, more ​and more information, and more and more commentary in the global»»»

Colombian President Gustavo Petro and US President Donald Trump appeared to reset strained relations during a White House meeting, signalling cooperation on drug trafficking and trade after months of sharp rhetoric and diplomatic friction. Colombian President Gustavo Petro and US President Donald T»»»

US President Donald Trump signed a sweeping $1.2 trillion government funding package to end a partial federal shutdown, while leaving unresolved a looming battle in Congress over short-term Homeland Security funding and immigration enforcement. US President Donald Trump signed a roughly $1.2 trilli»»»

Forces reporting to Syria’s interior ministry on Monday entered the strategic city of al-Hassakeh in the northeast as part of an agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Under the deal, the security forces were given permission to enter two Kurdish-controlled cities in exchang»»»

Israel has reopened the Rafah border crossing into Gaza, but movement remains tightly restricted, with only a dozen people allowed to enter and a small number of wounded evacuated to Egypt. While the reopening is seen as a key step in the ceasefire process, far fewer people crossed than expected, l»»»

Despite the ceasefire in place in Gaza since October 2025, the Israeli bombing continues. Residents are suffering dire conditions while winter has made things worse: heavy rains have flooded the camps and cold weather has led to the death of at least ten children due to a lack of adequate heating o»»»

One month after the US captured Nicolas Maduro, is Washington trying its Venezuela template on Iran? Not the part where special forces swoop for foreign leaders. Rather the part where the regime and its apparatus can stay so long as Washington gets what it wants. In the case of Iran, maximum pressu»»»

A US stealth warplane shot down an Iranian drone that "aggressively" approached an American aircraft carrier as it sailed in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, a US military spokesman said. The incident occurred with the carrier about 800 kilometers from Iran's coast, and came on the same day that America»»»