China prioritises energy and diplomacy
BEIJING (AFP( — China has expressed its anger over Israeli-US strikes on Iran but, despite hits to its oil imports, will not risk its interests by confronting Washington and helping its long-standing partner, analysts say.The war in the Middle East has sparked global fears of an energy supply crunc»»»
ASE records positive performance this week
AMMAN — Despite the current regional conditions and the state of war in the region, the performance of the ASE remains positive.The general benchmark index during the current week increased from 3559 points at the beginning of the week to reach 3630 points at the end of the week's trading, an incre»»»
Brazil's Senate ratifies Mercosur free trade deal with European Union
Brazil has formally ratified a landmark free trade deal with the European Union, joining Argentina and Uruguay in creating one of the world’s largest trade blocs. The agreement, decades in the making, removes most tariffs, boosts exports on both sides, and has sparked opposition from European farme»»»
Spotlight - Forbidden Stories reports on FindFace in Iran: Facial recognition 'an issue' for Western democracies
François Picard welcomes Alexander Abdelilah, an investigative journalist for Forbidden Stories who has just published a report on how the Iranian regime secretly acquired FindFace in 2019, a powerful facial recognition system developed by Russian company NTechLab. Abdelilah explores how this syste»»»
Press Review - Trouble in MAGA paradise over war with Iran
PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, March 5: The mass exodus from southern Lebanon makes front pages. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is lambasted for a lack of clarity on its war with Iran, including from the US president's own supporters. Plus, we get some bad news on sea levels globally,»»»
Perspective - Iran war is now 'a logistical battle': Former head of the French military mission to the UN
The former head of the French military mission to the UN has spoken to FRANCE 24 about how long the war in the Middle East could go on. General Dominique Trinquand says the war is now a logistics battle, which depends entirely on how many drones and missiles, and the means of launching them, remain»»»
Could Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the former supreme leader, take power in Iran?
The death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an Israeli strike on Saturday sparked the search for a successor that has seen the former leader’s son, Mojtaba, emerge as the front runner. Although a secretive figure in the Islamic Republic, Mojtaba Khamenei is considered one of the re»»»
Tête à tête - 'We will dismantle the stronghold of Hezbollah': Israel's permanent representative to UN
Danny Danon, Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations, told FRANCE 24 that Israel "will not allow Hezbollah to attack our civilians" and "will dismantle the stronghold of Hezbollah", following an unprecedented warning to residents to evacuate all of Beirut's southern suburbs. He»»»
US reaches out to Iran’s Kurds, but will they also be ‘hung out to dry’?
The US has made an outreach to Iranian Kurdish dissident groups as "Operation Epic Fury" rattles the pieces of the Middle East geostrategic chess game. The Kurds in other countries have a history of being pawns in Washington’s games and have at times used their leverage to their advantage. But unde»»»
‘Panic and fear’: Iran’s political prisoners face increasing danger amid US-Israel war
Rights groups warned this week that prisoners in Iran – thousands of whom were detained during recent anti-government protests – are being refused shelter during US and Israeli strikes and face increased risk of forced disappearance and execution due to a nationwide internet blackout. In the Irania»»»
US claims Iran's missile capabilities 'severely degraded'
Washington claims it has severely degraded Iran's missile capabilities, but as the war continues and Iran retaliates, it seems that the country's military capabilities are far from being extinguished. FRANCE 24's Luke Shrago reports.»»»
Kanye West 'not welcome' to perform in Marseille, French mayor says
Controversial hip hop sensation Kanye West has been shunned by France's second-biggest city Marseille after the local mayor said he was "not welcome" to perform there. The mayor of France's second-biggest city Marseille said Wednesday that Kanye West was "not welcome", after the music star known fo»»»
North Korea's Kim inspects new destroyer, vows progress on naval nuclear expansion
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un spent two days inspecting his latest 5,000‑ton destroyer and observing cruise missile tests, signalling a major push to expand his navy’s nuclear capabilities. The move comes as Pyongyang continues building additional warships and emphasises maritime power alongside »»»
Focus - Six months after Nepal's revolution, Generation Z hopes for change in elections
In Nepal, 18 million people are eligible to vote in this Thursday's parliamentary elections. More than 120 parties are running, over a third of them created after the September 2025 uprising, which was largely driven by Generation Z. Among their demands: an end to corruption and nepotism and above »»»
Azerbaijan's President Aliyev vows retaliation after 'terrorist' drone strike blamed on Iran
Baku has vowed to retaliate against what it described as "a terrorist act" allegedly carried out by Tehran after two drones hit an airport and narrowly missed a school building in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave on the border with Iran. The Islamic Republic has denied carrying out the attack. »»»
Israel strikes Beirut's southern suburbs after issuing a blanket evacuation order
Israel launched a series of strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut Thursday after ordering all residents of the densely populated area to evacuate. At least five airstrikes targeted the area around midnight. The areas hit were Haret Hreik, al-Jamous and Msharrafieh. Traffic was gridlocked in Bei»»»
European countries to deploy military assets to Cyprus after drone attack on UK base
Italy, France, Spain and the Netherlands will send naval assets to Cyprus after an Iranian-made drone struck a British base there, Italy's defence minister said Thursday. France also said it would allow US aircraft to access some of its bases in the Middle East during the conflict with Iran. Italy,»»»
NATO shoots down Iranian missile en route towards Turkish airspace
A ballistic missile fired from Iran and en route towards Turkish airspace was intercepted and destroyed by NATO air defence systems, Turkish officials said Wednesday, in an incident that underscored fears of a widening regional war. A ballistic missile launched from Iran and heading towards Turkish»»»
Trump cuts his losses on Noem after controversial tenure at homeland security
Sooner or later, advisers in President Donald Trump's orbit all come to learn the same unwritten rule: no one can outshine the boss. Kristi Noem, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, became the latest reminder of that on Thursday when Trump announced he was removing her from her po»»»
60 Retail outlets open 24 hours in Qatar to meet demand: MoCI official
Doha, Qatar: Sixty retail outlets across Qatar are currently operating 24 hours a day to help stabilize markets and ensure smooth supply chains, a senior official at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) said. Assistant Undersecretary for Consumer Affairs at the Ministry, Hassan Sultan Al-Gh»»»
IMF warns prolonged conflict in M-E could impact global growth, energy markets
QNA & Agencies Bangkok Global economic resilience is once again being tested as rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pose potential risks to energy markets, investor confidence, and global growth, according to the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speaking at the Asia in 205»»»
F1 contender status does not change anything: Russell
PAMedia/DPA London George Russell said his pre-season tag as a potential world championship favourite “does not change anything for me” ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The 28-year-old Brit heads into the season-opening round in Melbourne on Sunday as the bookmakers’ favourite, wi»»»
PM deplores Iranian attacks at emergency GCC-EU meet
QNA Doha Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani participated on Thursday in an emergency Gulf-European ministerial virtual meeting bringing together the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the European Uni»»»
France flays Iran attacks on Qatar, reaffirms unwavering solidarity
Ashraf Siddiqui Doha France has condemned the Iranian attacks on Qatar in the “strongest possible terms” and expressed its solidarity with the country. “France condemns unreservedly, and in the strongest possible terms, the Iranian attacks on Qatar,” the Embassy of Republic of France in Doha said i»»»
Education a strategic national priority that will never be compromised: MoEHE official
QNA Doha Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), Maha Zayed Al Qaqaa Al Ruwaili said on Thursday that the implementation of distance learning system in public schools is an institutional model that reflects a high level of prepared»»»
Al Misnad, Sudan official review regional situation
QNA Doha Minister of State for International Cooperation HE Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad on Thursday held a phone conversation with Advisor to the Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC) for Organisational and Humanitarian Affairs in Sudan Al Sadig Ismail Mahmoud. The call discussed the »»»
Al Muraikhi, Brunei minister Erywan Yusof call for caution
QNA Doha Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received a phone call from Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam Erywan Pehin Yusof on Thursday. Discussion during the call addressed the developments of the military escalation in the region and its ser»»»
Nominee for ambassador to El Salvador comes under fire at Senate hearing - UPI.com
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (shown), D-Md., on Thursday told Troy Edgar, the nominee for ambassador to El Salvador, “Unfortunately, you’ve been part of an administration that's taking away Americans' rights to freedom here at home, due process rights as well as First Amendment rights." File Photo by Bonn»»»
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushes increased nutrition education for doctors - UPI.com
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday announced an initiative to increase the number of nutrition-related credit hours that doctors are required to have in medical school, along with 53 schools that have already agreed to participate. Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI»»»
House rejects bid to curb Trump's war powers on Iran
The US House of Representatives has rejected an effort to curb President Donald Trump's ability to wage war in Iran, a day after a similar bid collapsed in the Senate. The war powers resolution - rejected in a 219-212 vote along party lines - was largely ceremonial and was unlikely to survive an ex»»»
Following Security Council Meeting, Cabinet Says Bulgaria Not Directly Threatened by Middle East Conflict
The Security Council with the Council of Ministers held a meeting here on Thursday to discuss the situation in the Middle East. The meeting, the second since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, was attended by representatives of the political forces in Parliament. Speaking at a news briefin»»»
Anthropic labelled a supply chain risk by Pentagon
The US has officially deemed artificial intelligence (AI) firm Anthropic a supply chain risk — the first time the government has given that label to a US firm. The Pentagon's designation is the latest escalation in a clash over Anthropic's refusal to give the government unfettered access to its AI »»»
GOP advances End Sanctuary Policies Act; Dems warn it’s unconstitutional - UPI.com
Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., late last month introduced the “End Sanctuary Policies Act,” which would restrict federal funding for jurisdictions that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo WASHINGTON, March 5 (UPI) -- The House Judiciary Co»»»
Zelensky issues military threat to Orban (VIDEO)
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has issued an apparent military threat to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban over the ongoing refusal by Budapest to lift a veto on billions in loans underwritten by EU members for Kiev. Orban last month blocked a planned €90 billion ($106 billion) emergency loan rais»»»
Second Deputy HoR Speaker Duma denies having chaired an HoR session during which the new tax law was passed
The Second Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR), Misbah Duma, has refuted the by the Speaker of the HoR, Ageela Saleh, that he had chaired an HoR session during which the new controversial tax law was enacted. Duma stated: “What was mentioned in Speaker Aguila Saleh’s statement rega»»»
Trump replaces DHS chief Kristi Noem with Okla. Sen. Markwayne Mullin - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., speaks to the press outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. President Donald Trump announced Mullin would replace Kristi Noem as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo March 5 (UPI) -- Pr»»»
Iran crisis escalates: Oil prices jump as attacks paralyze Strait of Hormuz shipping
Oil prices held near multi-month highs on Thursday as attacks on tankers and the escalating conflict in the Middle East disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. The US–Israeli war with Iran entered its sixth day, with Washington and its a»»»
Prime Minister receives phone call from Brazilian Foreign Minister
Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani received Thursday a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil HE Mauro Vieira. During the call, the two sides discussed developments related to t»»»
Analysis: Hezbollah’s new reckless war endangers Lebanon - UPI.com
Israeli military vehicles maneuver in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, as seen from the border in Upper Galilee, northern Israel, on Thursday. The Israeli military is conducting strikes across Lebanon targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and personnel. Photo by Atef Safadi/EPA BEIRUT, Leba»»»
Criminal Group for Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation is Dismantled in Bulgaria
The Directorate General Combating Organized Crime (DGCOC) has dismantled a criminal group involved in human trafficking and sexual exploitation, the Interior Ministry announced on Facebook. Eight people were arrested, six of whom were charged with participating in an organized crime group. One has »»»
Qatar sends fourth identical letter to UN, Security Council regarding latest developments of Iranian attack on its territories
New York: The State of Qatar has sent a fourth identical letter to Secretary-General of the United Nations HE Antonio Guterres, and Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of March HE Michael Waltz, regarding»»»
Albanian PM Edi Rama Presents New Book Inspired by Ramadan Iftar Speeches
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Thursday promoted his new book, 'Në Sofrën e Hënës', a collection of speeches delivered during Ramadan iftar dinners he has hosted over the years. Speaking at the presentation, Rama said the idea for the book came partly from Muslim friends and from his own exper»»»
Hezbollah’s Al-Rudwan Forces Directly Clash with Israeli Occupation Troops in Border Area - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Hezbollah’s Al-Rudwan Forces Directly Clash with Israeli Occupation Troops in Border Area 05-03-2026 22:06 PM The Israeli media started ref»»»
Who is Markwayne Mullin, Trump's new pick for Homeland Security secretary?
US President Donald Trump has announced Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin will be the new Homeland Security secretary, replacing the agency's embattled head Kristi Noem. The first-term senator, a former mixed martial arts fighter, has been a supporter of Trump and his policies since coming to Washi»»»
Romantasy author Sarah J Maas announces two new novels in bestselling series
Best-selling romantasy author Sarah J Maas, who has sold more than 75 million books worldwide, has announced two new novels in her A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series. The 40-year-old American author announced the publishing of her two new books on Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast on We»»»
States sue Trump administration over new 'unlawful' global tariffs
Two dozen states in the US have sued the Trump administration, seeking to block the latest tariffs announced by the White House. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, adds to the uncertainties surrounding trade policy, after the Supreme Court ruled that many of the duties Trump had announced last year we»»»
Police release 'difficult to see' video footage of Austin bar shooting
Police have released video footage and recordings of 911 emergency calls from the hours surrounding the moment a gunman opened fire outside a bar in Austin - an attack being investigated as a potential act of "terrorism". "There's people shot. We need help right now," one caller is heard telling po»»»
Multiple Emergency Flights Bring Bulgarians Back from Middle East Countries
Multiple emergency flights Thursday brought Bulgarians back home from various countries in the Middle East where they were stranded by the disruption of air traffic amid the ongoing escalation. The flights arrived with a total of 706 passengers, according to the official accounts. Two flights carry»»»
How motorists can pay vehicle impound allowance
Abu Dhabi: The UAE Ministry of Interior has published a video on its social media platforms explaining how motorists can pay the vehicle impound period allowance through its online services. According to the ministry, users can access the service through the official link (https://portal.moi.gov.ae»»»
Israelis back war with Iran despite uncertainty and fatigue
A sense of normality is slowly returning to Israel, even as large-scale Israeli-American attacks on Iran show no sign of abating, and as Israel expands its offensive in Lebanon against the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah. Six days on, as the intensity of the Iranian retaliation has diminished, mea»»»