New York, Jan.14 (SANA) The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that thousands of displaced residents have begun returning to their homes in the Aleppo neighborhoods of Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud, following weeks of displacement caused by clashes between»»»

Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces exchanged fire Tuesday in a tense area of eastern Aleppo province, marking a possible escalation after days of clashes in the northern city. No casualties were immediately reported, as an impasse continues in negotiations between»»»

The Romanian economy recorded a growth rate of 0.8% last year, falling significantly short of the 1.3% projected in June and the 2.1% estimated at the start of 2025, according to the latest “Global Economic Prospects” report published on Tuesday by the World Bank and cited by Agerpres. In 2026, Rom»»»

TradeIranWill Trump risk a clash with China over Iran tariff?Nik MartinDonald Trump's sudden 25% tariff on nations trading with Iran puts Beijing squarely in the spotlight. China knows how to evade sanctions and has the muscle to retaliate. DW explores what this showdown could mean. https://p.dw.co»»»

China opposes any outside interference in Iran's ​internal affairs, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday, after US President Donald Trump warned that Washington ‌would take "very ‌strong action" ‌against Tehran. China ⁠does ​not ‌condone the use or the threat of force in international rel»»»

The head of Iran’s judiciary signaled Wednesday there would be fast trials and executions ahead for those detained in nationwide protests despite a warning from US President Donald Trump. The comments from Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei come as activists had warned hangings of th»»»

As the calendar turns in Bulgaria, the Roma community celebrates a special occasion that shines with color, music, and tradition - the Roma New Year, or Bango Vasil, observed on January 14. The celebration, named after Saint Basil, is a moment of renewal, reflection, and communal joy, bringing toge»»»

Clashes between Syrian government troops and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) erupted Tuesday in the Deir Hafer district of Aleppo province. It came days after the evacuation of SDF fighters from Aleppo's Kurdish-majority Sheikh Maqsud and Achrafieh neighbourhoods. No casualties »»»

Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces exchanged fire Tuesday in a tense area of eastern Aleppo province, marking a possible escalation after days of clashes in the northern city. No casualties were immediately reported, as an impasse continues in negotiations between»»»

Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, signed on Tuesday three international memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on mineral resources cooperation with the Chile, Canada, and Brazil. The MoUs were signed on the sidelines of the Ministerial Roundtable of ministers »»»

A train derailed in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday after a construction crane fell on three ​of its carriages, killing at least 25 people and injuring about 80, police said. The accident took place on Wednesday morning in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, 230 km (143 miles) nor»»»

An informed Palestinian sources revealed that an agreement has been reached on the majority of the members of the technocratic committee will run the Gaza Strip. The source, who is a member of the Palestinian civil society, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the 18-member committee will be comprised of Gaza»»»

Dubai: Dubai Airport is getting a major parking upgrade – and if you already use Salik, you may never need to tap a ticket machine again. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.From January 22, 2026, Salik’s e-wallet will be introduced across all paid parking at Dubai Interna»»»

US President Donald Trump on Monday said any country that does business with Iran will face a tariff rate of 25% on any trade with the US as Washington weighs a response to the situation in Iran which is seeing its biggest anti-government protests in years. Iran, a member of the OPEC oil producing »»»

Mohamed Ali Alabbar, founder of Emaar and Noon, and chairman of Eagle Hills, said his greatest strength as an Emirati business leader has always been his ability to build strong teams. “I have always tried to build and work with the best team of talented people,” Alabbar said at the Dubai Internati»»»

Manila: More than 20 containers of radioactive zinc stranded in Manila Bay for months have been brought ashore to a "safe place", the country's nuclear research director told AFP on Wednesday. The 23 containers arrived in Manila aboard the MV Hansa Augsburg in late September after Indonesian author»»»

DOHA: Msheireb Museums (MM), in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Doha and Qatar Television, organized on Tuesday an event celebrating diving heritage as well as the cultural bonds between Qatar and Australia. The event, held at MM's Bin Jelmood House Courtyard, showcased the screening o»»»

ED – this is bne IntelliNews's annual OUTLOOK report for Egypt. We are making forward-looking assessments for major Global Emerging Markets in Emerging Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, drawing on insightful reporting from our bureaus around the world. »»»

Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok has set the date for Hungary's next parliamentary election as April 12, the earliest possible day under Hungary's constitution and election law, the presidential office announced on Facebook on January 12. »»»

ED – this is bne IntelliNews's annual OUTLOOK report for Egypt. We are making forward-looking assessments for major Global Emerging Markets in Emerging Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, drawing on insightful reporting from our bureaus around the world. »»»

During Lebanon's civil war, the Commodore Hotel in western Beirut's Hamra district became iconic among the foreign press corps. For many, it served as an unofficial newsroom where they could file dispatches even when communications systems were down elsewhere. Armed guards at the door provided some»»»

The Indian government has asked all quick-commerce platforms to drop the controversial "10-minute delivery" promise amid concerns over worker safety, sources told the BBC. The decision follows discussions between the federal labour ministry and company officials after a recent nationwide strike by »»»

At a suburban Kyiv railway station, two carriages painted in the blue and white livery of Ukrainian Railways sit on the main platform, their diesel engines running as snow steadily falls. The train is not going anywhere but it is providing a vital service for dozens of people who have been left wit»»»

Is it becoming impossible to protest the US government as specifically protected by the First Amendment without being branded a domestic terrorist, or worse, killed? That is what many fear is happening following the violent death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a stay-at-home mother of three, in »»»

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan met on Tuesday with a delegation of Wizz Air, with discussions focusing on expanding the network of destinations and ensuring high-quality services.The delegation present at Victoria Palace of Government was led by Chief Executive Officer Jozsef Varadi and Dorottya Duruc»»»

Romanian economy recorded last year a 0.8% increase, compared to an advance of 1.3% foreseen in June 2025 and 2.1% estimated at the beginning of 2025, according to the latest report “Global Economic Prospects” released by the World Bank on Tuesday. This year, Romania's GDP could register an advance»»»

The Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, on Tuesday discussed with the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Romania, Ali Yerlik, about the state of bilateral cooperation and the initiation of a Memorandum of Understanding to support joint development in the field of agriculture, the Minist»»»

Romania won the mandate to serve as President of the Executive Board of some of the most important UN development agencies - UNDP, UNOPS and UNFPA - for 2026 and will be represented by its Ambassador to the UN Cornel Feruta, announced Foreign Minister Oana Toiu.'Romania's activity at the UN has str»»»

Relations between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Hezbollah have grown visibly strained, with contacts confined to what ministerial sources described as “the bare minimum.” The chill has deepened following Aoun’s recent remarks on Hezbollah’s weapons, which widened the rift between the two sides»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions, which is based in Doha, yesterday concluded its international conference titled, “Protecting Children in the Digital Space: Challenges, Legislation, and Preventive Measures.” The conference was held alongside the Network’s 25th Ge»»»

Doha, Qatar: The sixth edition of the Katara International Amber Exhibition opened yesterday by the Director General of the Katara Cultural Village Foundation Professor Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, who also toured the exhibition with a number of ambassadors and officials. The event, being hel»»»

During the traditional census of griffon vultures in the Balkans, the largest number of these endangered birds in recent decades was reported in Bulgaria. On November 22, 2025, a team from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation, and volunteers co»»»

Vazrazhdane submitted a proposal to the National Assembly for a joint hearing in the plenary chamber of key institutions over rising prices of goods and services following the introduction of the euro, MP Peter Petrov said on Wednesday. The proposal calls for senior officials from the central bank,»»»

China announced record export numbers for 2025, a year when US President Donald Trump's tariffs and trade policy caused turmoil in the global economy. Beijing on Wednesday reported the world's largest-ever trade surplus - the value of goods and services sold overseas compared to its imports - at $1»»»

Doha, Qatar: The third edition of the Government Communications Forum discussed, during a panel session on its second day, the role of sport as a unifying narrative that helps inspire individuals and institutions and reinforces shared values within society. The session examined how sporting values,»»»

Arcapita Group Holdings Limited ('Arcapita'), the global alternative investment firm,announces a joint venture partnership with Cloud Capitalto acquire a 21-megawatt data center located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with plans to expand its capacity to 31 MW. Cloud Capital is a leading globaldata cent»»»

1 of 2 | South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands Wednesday at Horyu-ji, a World Heritage-listed Buddhist temple in Nara Prefecture. Photo by Yonhap South Korea has reaffirmed its bid to join the trans-Pacific trade pact during the summit talks»»»

In late December, US President Donald Trump said he would support new strikes on Iran if Tehran attempted to continue developing its missile and nuclear programs. Later, amid protests and unrest in Iran, Trump threatened the country with a strike if protesters were killed, stressing that he would c»»»

Doha, Qatar: Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Visit Qatar H E Saad bin Ali Al Kharji affirmed that Doha’s winning of the title of GCC Tourism Capital did not come by chance, but rather as recognition by the GCC’s General Secretariat of the great efforts exerted by Qatar in dev»»»

A surreal drum duet between two East Asian world leaders has set the internet abuzz - and put a spotlight on Japan and South Korea's diplomatic relationship. Decked out in matching blue jackets, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday played drums t»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has signed contracts with a new group of Palestinian doctors approved for H H the Amir’s Scholarship Program for Postgraduate Medical Studies in Qatar and honoured doctors who successfully completed their subspecialty programmes during 2025. This initi»»»

The process surrounding Bulgaria’s transition to the euro is unfolding smoothly and compares favorably with similar experiences in other countries, including Croatia, according to Vladimir Ivanov, Chairman of the State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Markets and head of the Coordination Cente»»»

At least 22 people were killed on January 14 after a construction crane collapsed on to a passenger train in north-east Thailand, derailing carriages and triggering a brief fire, in one of the deadliest rail incidents in the country in recent years. »»»

Doha, Qatar: Ahlibank has announced the official opening of its new branch at Doha Oasis, marking a strategic step in the Bank’s ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility, elevate customer experience, and strengthen its presence within key lifestyle and commercial hubs across the State of Qatar. The»»»

Doha, Qatar: The United States said Qatar is set to play a central role in shaping the emerging artificial intelligence-era (AI) economic order, citing the country’s growing investments in advanced technology, secure energy systems, and resilient supply chains. The assessment came as Washington wel»»»

Rabat: Three years after they last appeared together, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah meet again today on opposing sides as Senegal and Egypt clash for a place in the Africa Cup of Nations final. The last-four showdown in the Moroccan city of Tangiers will be the first time the former Liverpool teamma»»»

At least 22 people were dead in northeastern Thailand on Tuesday after a crane collapsed onto a passenger train. Photo courtesy of State Railway of Thailand/Facebook Jan. 14 (UPI) -- A construction crane collapsed Tuesday on a train with nearly 200 people aboard in northeastern Thailand, killing at»»»

Speaker of the Zhogorku Kenesh Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu has called for a complete abolition of tender procedures in the implementation of construction projects. He made the statement at a parliamentary session. According to him, the current public procurement system significantly delays the start o»»»

Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai climbed to a fresh all-time high on Wednesday morning, extending a rally that has gathered pace since the start of the year as investors seek safety amid geopolitical tension and uncertainty around US monetary policy. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside prices »»»

Donald Trump is the only world leader capable of stopping Vladimir Putin from threatening Europe, according to Poland's President Karol Nawrocki. In an interview with Radio 4's Today programme he said the Russian leader was not to be trusted, but that Europe needed to do everything it could to supp»»»