Expanded probe ordered into deadly cookie factory blast
Fire service experts investigating Monday’s deadly explosion at the Violanta cookie factory near Trikala, which killed five female workers, have been granted an expanded mandate by the local prosecutor to examine broader responsibilities beyond the company itself. Under the new order, investigators»»»
Justice Department arrests Don Lemon over Minnesota protest - UPI.com
Federal officers arrested former CNN anchor Don Lemon in Los Angeles on Thursday over his attendance at a protest at a church in Minnesota earlier this month. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Federal officers arrested former CNN anchor Don Lemon in Los Angeles over »»»
Trump cautions Britain, Canada not to 'get into business with China' - UPI.com
Getting into business with China posed great danger for Britain, U.S. President Donald Trump said as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer embarked on the second day of a visit to China, the first by a British leader since 2018, aimed at re-setting relations and boosting trade. Photo by Aaron Schwart»»»
Minister of Economy Hwej approves series of regulatory measures during meeting with Ministry's affiliated entities
Tripoli based Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohamed Al-Hwej, held an extensive meeting last Thursday (29 January) with the Undersecretaries of the Ministry, the President of the General Authority for Exhibitions and Conferences, the Chairman of the Privatisation and Investment Board, the Chairman»»»
Iran Says Defense Capabilities 'Never' up for Negotiation
Iran's top diplomat said Friday that his country's missile and defense capabilities would "never" be on the negotiating table, as US President Donald Trump appeared to cool on threats of a strike after a military build-up in the region. Tehran and Washington have been trading warnings since Trump f»»»
MSF Says it Will Not Share Staff Details Demanded by Israel to Access Gaza
Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres said on Friday it will not submit lists of staff demanded by Israel to maintain access to Gaza and the West Bank, saying it had not been able to obtain assurances over the safety of its teams. MSF, which supports and helps staff hospitals in Gaza, is one of »»»
IAEA board meets over Ukraine nuclear safety concerns
Vienna, Austria: The UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors on Friday discussed nuclear safety in Ukraine, with several countries expressing "growing concern" following alleged Russian attacks on the power grid. Energy supplies to Ukraine's nuclear plants have been affected, prompting fears of a »»»
Advisor to the Prime Minister, MOFA Official Spokesperson meets Panamanian officials
Panama: Advisor to the Prime Minister and the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari met separately in Panama with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama, HE Javier Martinez-Acha, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic »»»
EU’s Kallas promises to be ‘very smart’ by end of term
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said she “will be very smart” by the end of her term thanks to her reading habits. Kallas made the remark at a press conference on Thursday after a journalist offered to give her a book on Kurdish history by Masoud Barzani, the first president of Iraq’s auton»»»
Watch: Dubai Festival City hosts special fireworks show; more displays ahead in Dubai, Abu Dhabi
Dubai: Dubai residents were treated to a surprise fireworks display at Dubai Festival City on Thursday night. Narayana Marar, a Gulf News reader who captured the spectacular show from Dubai Creek Harbour, said many residents were caught off guard by the three-minute display. “It was a surprise. Sin»»»
Grand Collar of Camões awarded to Arab leader for first time, Sharjah Ruler honoured
A historic moment took place in the grand surroundings of the Presidential Palace in Lisbon as the UAE's cultural ties with Portugal were marked with a prestigious honour. His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, became the first Arab figure»»»
Four Arrested after Law-enforcement Operation against Three Torrent Sites
Four individuals were detained in an operation to shut down torrent sites violating copyright laws, outgoing Interior Minister Daniel Mitov told journalists on Friday in Dimitrovgrad, where he attended the opening ceremony for the renovated building of the local fire department. He described the ac»»»
Russia, India Modernize BrahMos Missiles, Hypersonic Tech - Chief Rocket Designer
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia and India are working together to modernize BrahMos cruise missiles and design hypersonic weapons, Aleksandr Leonov, director general and chief designer at Russian hypersonic missile maker NPO Mashinostroyenia, said on Friday. "We continuously modernize these missiles and »»»
Fulham sign Man City winger Oscar Bobb
London: Fulham signed Norway winger Oscar Bobb from Manchester City for a reported fee of £27 million ($37 million) on Friday. The 22-year-old has joined Marco Silva's side on a five-and-a-half-year deal, which reportedly includes a 20 percent sell-on clause. A graduate of City's youth academy, Bob»»»
Expat and resident parliamentary elections set for May 1, 3, 7 and 10
A decree setting the dates of the upcoming parliamentary elections was issued Friday in Lebanon’s official gazette, signed by President Joseph Aoun, PM Nawaf Salam and Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar. The decree says expats would vote abroad on May 1 and May 3, election workers would vote in Leba»»»
What Sheikh Mohammed did when the Dubai Tram faced a setback?
Dubai: By the time the Dubai Tram neared its launch, everything appeared ready for another carefully choreographed milestone in the city’s transport story. Then a fault surfaced during trial operations. What followed, according to those closest to the project, revealed far more about leadership tha»»»
UAE Pres. echoes support for regional security, stability
ABU DHABI, Jan 30 (KUNA) -- UAE President Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan reiterated Friday his country's commitment to supporting all efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting regional security and stability.The UE president made the statement during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud»»»
Saudi Arabia welcomes SDF integration agreement as step toward peace
Riyadh, Jan. 30 (SANA) Saudi Arabia welcomed on Friday the ceasefire and full integration agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), describing it as a positive step toward peace, stability, and national unity in Syria. In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry»»»
Robbers assault Chinese MP in million-euro Paris burglary
Paris, France: Thieves attacked a Chinese lawmaker at his Paris home while he was asleep, making off with jewellery and luxury goods worth several million euros, prosecutors said on Friday. The attack took place overnight Thursday to Friday in the city's upscale 16th arrondissement, where police fo»»»
UAE President affirms support for regional security in call with Iranian President
Abu Dhabi: UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday held a phone call with Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. During the call, the two leaders discussed relations between the UAE and Iran and ways to strengthen ties in a manner that serve»»»
Trump nominates former US Fed official as next Central Bank chief
Washington, United States: President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is nominating Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor, to be the next US Central Bank chief. Trump's decision caps a closely watched search for a successor to Fed Chair Jerome Powell. "I have known Kevin for a long pe»»»
Former CNN host Don Lemon arrested after anti-ICE protests at Minnesota church
Former CNN host Don Lemon has been arrested after he entered a Minnesota church and filmed anti-immigration enforcement protesters as they disrupted a service. Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents on Thursday night while in Los Angeles covering the Grammy Awards, according to a statement »»»
One killed in Israeli strike on car in Siddiqin
An airstrike targeted a car Friday in the southern town of Siddiqin in the Tyre district, killing one person. The Israeli army said it targeted a Hezbollah member in the strike. Israel has kept up its strikes mainly on south and east Lebanon, despite a ceasefire reached in November 2024 and despite»»»
US Embassy and CENTCOM say Mechanism 'remains fully in place'
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut and the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Friday reaffirmed that the U.S.-led Mechanism committee “remains fully in place and operational,” and that it will meet on February 25, following the latest reports about its fate. “The U.S. Embassy in Beirut and @CENTCOM reaffirm»»»
Dr CJ Roy’s death shocks Dubai actress Nyla Usha: 'He loved his family, swanky cars, and lavish parties'
Dubai: The sudden passing of Dr. CJ Roy, founder and chairman of the Confident Group, has left friends, colleagues, and the Malayalam film industry in shock. Malayalam actress and Dubai-based RJ Nyla Usha, who worked closely with him on sponsored events, reality shows, and promotional campaigns, sp»»»
Security operations kill 41 militants in SW Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Jan 30 (KUNA) -- At least 41 militants were killed in two separate operations by security forces in Pakistanآ’s southwestern Balochistan province, said the military on Friday.According to a press release by Pakistan militaryآ’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), an intell»»»
Kurdistan region president welcomes Syrian government-SDF agreement
Erbil, Jan. 30 (SANA) The President of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, welcomed on Friday a newly announced agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), calling it a significant step toward a stable and unified Syria. In a statement reported by Kurdist»»»
Starmer arrives in Shanghai as he looks to boost UK business opportunities
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in the Chinese financial center of Shanghai on Friday in his bid to boost business opportunities for British firms in the world's second-largest economy, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a possible opposition to any deal between Beijing »»»
Iran FM says no meetings planned with US
Istanbul: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday Tehran had no plans in place to meet with US officials about resuming talks, insisting preparatory work was the first priority. “No meeting plan has been set between us and the Americans. We are ready for fair and just negotiations, but p»»»
Serbian parliamentary committee on finance approves two bills on cooperation with France
BELGRADE - The Serbian parliamentary committee on finance approved on Friday two bills on financial cooperation with France. The committee passed a bill confirming a financial protocol between the governments of Serbia and France on cooperation in financing projects aimed at developing high-perform»»»
UN Lawyers' Conclusions on Crimea, Donbass Unqualified - Russian MFA
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - UN lawyers do not fully understand their tasks and have not read the organization's Charter, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday, commenting on the recent remarks by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. On Thursday, Guterres said that the UN beli»»»
Starmer Says UK Working with Allies to Block Iran's Nuclear Ambitions
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday the UK was working with allies to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, when asked whether he would support possible US strikes on Iran. "The goal, or the aim, here is that Iran shouldn't be able to develop nuclear weapons and that is hug»»»
West Uses OSCE as Tool of Hybrid War With Russia - Russian Deputy FM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The West is using the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) as a tool of hybrid warfare against Russia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Friday. "The West is using the OSCE as an instrument of confrontation, an instrument of the hybr»»»
Microsoft suffers $357 billion rout over AI spending fears
Microsoft shares have suffered their largest decline in more than five years, falling 10% this week after the company reported record spending on artificial intelligence alongside slowing growth in its key cloud unit. The stock closed at $433.50 on Thursday, down from $481.63 at the end of the trad»»»
Trump responds to Canada and UK’s talks with China
US President Donald Trump has warned Canada and the UK that their recent efforts to improve business ties with China are “very dangerous,” as both nations seek to reset relations with Beijing amid tensions with Washington. Trump made the remarks on Thursday at the premiere of a documentary about Fi»»»
Justice Minister Lamallari Announces Penal Amnesty Plan Covering 10,000 People
Justice Minister Besfort Lamallari said Friday that a penal amnesty plan is ready and awaiting government approval, with more than 10,000 people expected to benefit. Lamallari emphasized that vulnerable groups, including women and minors in detention, will benefit from the termination of criminal p»»»
Turkey urges US to resist Israeli pressure to strike Iran
Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi landed in Istanbul on Friday for talks where Turkey was to offer help to mediate tensions with the United States, which has mooted a possible military strike. Turkey Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged Washington to resist Israeli pressure to launch a military stri»»»
Who is Kevin Warsh, Trump's pick for Fed chair?
Kevin Warsh has been nominated by Donald Trump to be the new head of the US central bank, the Federal Reserve. Warsh, who served as a Fed governor from 2006 to 2011, had re-emerged in recent weeks as a potential choice for the top job as speculation grew over who would replace the under-fire incumb»»»
Oil Edges Lower after Trump Signals Dialogue with Iran over Nuclear Program
Oil prices slipped on Friday on signs that the US may engage in dialogue with Iran over its nuclear program, reducing concern over potential supply disruptions from a US attack. Brent crude futures were down 21 cents, or 0.3%, at $70.50 a barrel by 1219 GMT. The March contract expires later on Frid»»»
Israel Reopening Gaza’s Border Crossing with Egypt on Sunday after Long Closure
Israel said Friday that it will reopen the pedestrian border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt in both directions over the weekend, marking an important step forward for US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan. COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of coordinating aid to Gaza, »»»
Kuwait FM, US Mideast Advisor mull regional, int'l happenings
KUWAIT, Jan 30 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya received a phone call from US President's Advisor for African and Middle East Affairs Massad Boulos on Friday.During the phone conversation, both sides discussed historical and firm bilateral relations between Kuwait and»»»
7 things to know about Kevin Warsh, Trump’s Fed chair nominee
Dubai: Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve marks a pivotal moment for US monetary policy, financial markets and everyday borrowers. Warsh’s return to the central bank comes after an unusually public search, at a time when political pressure on th»»»
Mickoski: Unions rejected 40% pay rise over four years due to political capture
Skopje, 28 January 2026 (MIA) – Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told TV 21's Click Plus late Tuesday that that in talks over unions’ demands for higher wages, negotiations were also held to increase the salaries of administrative staff by 8 percent per year, or by a real 40 percent over four year»»»
Europe sees modest growth, but weaker US dollar looms as threat
The European economy recorded modest growth at the end of last year, pushing past turmoil over higher U.S. tariffs. But now the economy faces another hurdle: a stronger euro against the dollar that could weigh on exports. Growth in the 21 countries that use the shared euro currency came in at 0.3% »»»
Interior Minister: It Is Dangerous to Suggest that Elections Depend on Interior Ministry
Elections do not depend on the Ministry of Interior, and it is dangerous to suggest otherwise, outgoing Interior Minister Daniel Mitov said in Dimitrovgrad on Friday. He and Chief Commissioner Alexander Dzhartov, Director of the General Directorate for Fire Safety and Civil Protection, inaugurated »»»
Alliance for Rights and Freedoms Slams Proposal to Restrict Voting Rights of Bulgarians Abroad
The Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF) will firmly oppose the adoption of measures restricting the voting rights of Bulgarian citizens around the world, Floor Leader Hayri Sadakov said in a declaration from the National Assembly rostrum on Friday. Sadakov said that the statement was prompted by»»»
Russia's Rostec to Debut New Sarma MLRS at Saudi Defense Show in February
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian state corporation Rostec said on Friday it was preparing to unveil its newest highly mobile multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), Sarma, at World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh in February. "Rostec will for the first time showcase the newest highly mobile multiple launch roc»»»
Syrian government reaches deal with Kurdish-led forces
Syria's government has reached a deal with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia alliance that would see the gradual intergration of Kurdish forces and institutions into the state. This comes after weeks of clashes which saw Syrian troops reclaim large swathes of territory in the n»»»
Syrians Decry Soaring Electricity Prices
When Hani Massalkhi went to pay his electricity bill in Damascus this week, he discovered that, under the new tariffs, the amount due was higher than his monthly income. Massalkhi, a retired agricultural engineer who lives on a $70-a-month pension, left without paying. "My bill used to vary between»»»