Oil prices extended gains on Wednesday after the US shot down ​an Iranian drone and armed Iranian boats approached a US-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, rekindling fears of an escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran. Brent crude futures were up 56 cents, or 0.8%, at $67.89 per b»»»

Saudi Arabia’s Fashion Commission and global luxury group Kering have launched the "Kering Generation Award X MENA" across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for 2026. The announcement was made on Tuesday during the opening of the RLC Global Forum, hosted at the French Embassy in Riyadh. This »»»

Doha, Qatar: Web Summit Qatar 2026 marks a defining moment for Qatar as it continues to position the country as a global leader in innovation, digital transformation, and the AI economy. Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the summit Rania El Khoury, Global Adoption Practice Lead and Qata»»»

The Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) announced the Arab Cities Culture and Creative Industries (CCI) Index at the 2026 edition of the World Governments Summit, taking place in Dubai from Feb 3-6. The index is the first regionally-grounded and evidence-based framework building on UNE»»»

Doha, Qatar: Coach Djamel Belmadi and Al Duhail are eyeing full points against struggling Umm Salal to continue their push towards the top four in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) at Al Khor Stadium. Al Duhail, currently placed sixth, are aware that any slip-up could further distance them from the top-»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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 »»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

In tonight's edition: Former South African president Jacob Zuma crops up in the US Justice Department's latest Epstein files drop. Also, three years after the last devastating conflict in the region, Tigrayans living in northern Ethiopia are increasingly worried that their lives could tip back»»»

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, a son of Libya’s late longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi and once seen as his heir, has died, relatives said Tuesday, without providing details on the circumstances. His death was confirmed by an adviser on social media, while his cousin told Libyan media he had been killed in hi»»»

France’s former culture minister Jack Lang and his film-producing daughter Caroline have both been named in the latest release of documents related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While Lang, who currently leads the prestigious Arab World Institute in Paris, said he had not known about Epstei»»»

The cybercrime unit of the Paris prosecutor's office on Tuesday launched a search of the French offices of social media platform X. The raid was connected to an ongoing investigation launched in January 2025 over alleged algorithm manipulation and illicit data extraction that has since expanded to »»»

Today in Paris, prosecutors are presenting their “réquisitions” in Marine Le Pen’s appeal trial over the European Parliament assistants’ case. The trial is complex and politically sensitive, as it could affect her eligibility to run in the 2027 presidential election. A final decision is not expecte»»»

Social media and instant messaging platform Snapchat has blocked almost half a million accounts believed to belong to people under 16 as tech companies try to comply with Australia's age-based social media ban, the company said Monday. Governments across the world are watching the ban's implementat»»»

A US fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that "aggressively" approached the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, the US military said, describing it as an act of self-defence. Earlier, a US-flagged oil tanker was approached and challenged by Iranian gunboats while »»»

A Malaysian court on Tuesday acquitted 34-year-old French national Tom Félix on eight drug-related charges. The Veolia executive spent nearly two and a half years behind bars. A French national facing a possible death penalty in Malaysia on eight drug-related charges was acquitted Tuesday, freeing »»»

China will ban hidden car door handles from January 1, 2027, citing safety concerns, phasing out the minimalist designs popularised by Tesla. The new rules require doors to have both interior and exterior mechanical releases and could influence global EV design as China asserts itself as a standard»»»

Teenager Austin Appelbee swam four hours through the ocean to find help for his mother and two siblings after they were swept out to sea while kayaking. A 13-year-old boy is credited with saving the lives of his mother and two younger siblings by swimming four hours through choppy waters to get hel»»»

The US Department of War said it has invited 25 companies, including two Ukrainian firms, to compete in Phase I of its Drone Dominance Program, aimed at rapidly fielding large numbers of low-cost, one-way attack drones. According to the Pentagon, the program is designed to build an arsenal of “hund»»»

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was hospitalized Monday night after experiencing flu-like symptoms over the weekend. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Sen. Mitch McConnell was hospitalized Monday night after experiencing what his spokesperson said were "flu-like symptoms" o»»»

US President Donald Trump has not let go of his dream to some day “own” Greenland and is still exploring ways to take control of the Arctic island, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen warned in a speech to parliament in Nuuk on Monday. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen warned on Monda»»»