US Invites China to Purchase Venezuelan Oil - Trump
The United States is inviting China to participate in Venezuelan oil purchases, US President Donald Trump said. "China is welcome to come in, and we'll have a great deal on oil," Trump told reporters. AmericasUS Allows Drilling, Export, Purchase and Sale of Venezuelan Oil for US Entities - Treasury»»»
The Horn of Africa is being targeted for fragmentation
Along both shores of the Red Sea and the adjoining Gulf of Aden, several littoral states are in crisis. On the North African side, Sudan and Somalia both have huge problems, while on the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen is faring no better. These crises are not separate. They amount to one much bigger cris»»»
In the Horn of Africa, the state itself is on the line
The Red Sea has long been a strategic maritime artery sustaining global commerce, but today it is far more than that. It has evolved into an arena shaping the contours of an emerging regional order. Across this vital corridor, stability-seeking sovereigns vie with non-state forces that flourish ami»»»
Germany bars airlines from Iranian airspace as airport official in Tehran claims no disruptions
Germany advised its airlines to avoid Iranian airspace due to potential danger, as Iran's main airport denied rumours that international flights had been disrupted, regional media reported on January 31, citing Berlin's flight information district dispatch service. »»»
Germany bars airlines from Iranian airspace as airport official in Tehran claims no disruptions
Germany advised its airlines to avoid Iranian airspace due to potential danger, as Iran's main airport denied rumours that international flights had been disrupted, regional media reported on January 31, citing Berlin's flight information district dispatch service. »»»
South Africa expels Israeli chargé d’affaires, prompting retaliation against ambassador in Ramallah
The South African government declared Israeli chargé d’affaires Ariel Seidman a persona non grata, giving him 72 hours to leave the country. Israel retaliated by declaring Minister Shaun Edward Byneveldt, South Africa’s ambassador to Palestine, a persona non grata as well. »»»
Israel strikes both Gaza and Lebanon in double strikes
Israeli military forces have conducted multiple strikes against alleged Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, as well as a suspected Hezbollah site in Lebanon, on January 31, killing at least 26 people according to initial estimates. »»»
South Africa expels Israeli chargé d’affaires, prompting retaliation against ambassador in Ramallah
The South African government declared Israeli chargé d’affaires Ariel Seidman a persona non grata, giving him 72 hours to leave the country. Israel retaliated by declaring Minister Shaun Edward Byneveldt, South Africa’s ambassador to Palestine, a persona non grata as well. »»»
Israel strikes both Gaza and Lebanon in double strikes
Israeli military forces have conducted multiple strikes against alleged Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, as well as a suspected Hezbollah site in Lebanon, on January 31, killing at least 26 people according to initial estimates. »»»
Israel strikes both Gaza and Lebanon in double strikes
Israeli military forces have conducted multiple strikes against alleged Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, as well as a suspected Hezbollah site in Lebanon, on January 31, killing at least 26 people according to initial estimates. »»»
OSMAN: Somaliland meets Israel on recognition and opportunity amid a shifting security landscape
The recent mutual recognition between the Republic of Somaliland and the State of Israel marks a decisive moment in Somaliland’s long but oftentime frustrating pursuit of international legitimacy. After over three decades of de-facto independence, democratic governance and relative stabil»»»
Crisis looms at Tehran dams as 14 reservoirs fall below 10% capacity
Fourteen dams across Iran's most densely populated provinces remain below 10% capacity, with reservoirs supplying Tehran continuing to decline despite recent rainfall and heavy snow around the capital city, data from Iran's Water Resources Management Company as of January 30 showed. »»»
Israel strikes both Gaza and Lebanon in double strikes
Israeli military forces have conducted multiple strikes against alleged Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, as well as a suspected Hezbollah site in Lebanon, on January 31, killing at least 26 people according to initial estimates. »»»
MARINS: Trump has much to lose and little to gain in Iran
It is extremely difficult to claim that a country with a military budget as modest as Iran's can make Washington's hawks think twice or thrice. However, it would be the most prudent course of action given the current situation. »»»
South Africa expels Israeli chargé d’affaires, prompting retaliation against ambassador in Ramallah
The South African government declared Israeli chargé d’affaires Ariel Seidman a persona non grata, giving him 72 hours to leave the country. Israel retaliated by declaring Minister Shaun Edward Byneveldt, South Africa’s ambassador to Palestine, a persona non grata as well. »»»
OSMAN: Somaliland meets Israel on recognition and opportunity amid a shifting security landscape
The recent mutual recognition between the Republic of Somaliland and the State of Israel marks a decisive moment in Somaliland’s long but oftentime frustrating pursuit of international legitimacy. After over three decades of de-facto independence, democratic governance and relative stabil»»»
Israeli Ceasefire Breaches in Gaza Jeopardize Peace Settlement - Egyptian Foreign Ministry
Israel's repeated ceasefire violations in the Gaza Strip undermine prospects for a political conflict resolution, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said. Earlier in the day, the Gaza Health Ministry said that 26 people were killed and over 30 were injured in Israeli strikes that day. WorldIsraeli Strik»»»
Given Zelensky's EU hopes, Ukraine's Military Potential Must Be Curtailed - Russian Deputy FM
Limiting Ukraine's military potential is especially important given the announced plans for its accelerated admission to the increasingly militarized European Union, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Sputnik. "I can say that given all the announced plans for Ukraine's accelerat»»»
Big freeze causes Russian regional power systems to collapse
Russia is being hit harder than most by the global big freeze that is causing its ageing regional power infrastructure to collapse. A wave of public service failures in recent weeks left tens of thousands without heating o»»»
AI assistant Moltbot goes viral amid bizarre spin-off social network
A new open-source AI assistant called Moltbot has captivated developers worldwide while sparking serious security concerns and spurring a surreal social media experiment in which bots interact without human oversight. »»»
Britain's Starmer seeks to bolster China ties despite Trump warning
SHANGHAI — Visiting Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday Britain has a "huge amount to offer" China, after his bid to forge closer ties prompted warnings from US President Donald Trump.Starmer's trip is the first to China by a British prime minister in eight years, and follows in the footstep»»»
Analysts say Kevin Warsh a safe choice for US Fed chair
WASHINGTON, United States — Former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh is a safe pair of hands to steer the US central bank, analysts said Friday, flagging his track record on Wall Street and with the Fed.Gold and silver prices already started sliding on reports that Donald Trump would nominate Wa»»»
One-stop Service Centre handles 222,000 transactions in 2025 — ACC
AMMAN — The One-Stop Service Centre at the Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) processed over 222,000 transactions in 2025 through offices representing official government institutions and departments, according to data.The Ministry of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs topped the list with 82,100 transact»»»
Arab Bank Group reports record net profit of $1.13b for 2025, 40% cash dividends
AMMAN — Arab Bank Group achieved strong financial performance for the year ending on December, with a net profit after tax USD1130 million compared with USD1007 million in 2024, reflecting a growth of 12 per cent.The Group’s equity position also reflects financial stability and resilience, standing»»»
Thousands march in cities across US in 'national shutdown' against immigration crackdown
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Minneapolis and other US cities on Friday in a show of anger over the immigration crackdown carried out by the Trump administration. The turnout came in response to a call for a day of action, dubbed a "national shutdown", following the killings of Ale»»»
Venezuela announces amnesty push for mass release of political prisoners
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez on Friday announced plans for a "general amnesty" law that could trigger the mass release of political prisoners. Rodriguez also proposed the closure of the notorious El Helicoide prison in Caracas, where rights groups say political priso»»»
US Justice department releases new batch of Epstein files citing Musk, Trump, Mountbatten-Windsor
The US Justice Department on Friday released more than 3 million pages of documents from its investigative files on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The latest release includes thousands of references to US President Donald Trump, hundreds to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly known as B»»»
Trump on 'thin ice' with Iran: US interventions in the Middle East often don't go 'as planned'
Iran said it is ready for dialogue with the US but that there are no concrete plans for talks. This comes amid a major US military deployment to the region. But President Donald Trump's goal remains "unclear", says General Richard Shirreff, former NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, on FRA»»»
Israeli strikes kill at least 30 across Gaza in one of highest tolls since October ceasefire
New Israeli air strikes slammed targets across Gaza on Saturday, including a Gaza City residential building and a tent camp Khan Younis, killing at least 30 people, hospital officials said. The strikes come just a day before the announced reopening of the enclave's Rafah crossing with Egypt and mar»»»
EU army ‘unrealistic’ – Polish foreign minister
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has dismissed the idea of a joint EU army as “unrealistic,” after the bloc’s defense commissioner floated the idea earlier this month, citing the perceived threat from Russia and shifting US national security priorities. The EU has repeatedly cited the ‘Rus»»»
Trump says Iran is ‘talking to us’ amid regional de-escalation efforts
President Donald Trump on Saturday said Iran was negotiating with the US as Qatar's premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, who also serves as foreign minister, held talks with Iran's top security official Ali Larijani in Tehran to try to "de-escalate tensions in the region" said the king»»»
Philippines: Insurance for senior citizens automatically covered by PhilHealth?
Manila: Under Philippine law, senior citizens are automatically entitled to health insurance coverage through PhilHealth. Does it really cover everyone? And how does it work? What's zero-balance billing? Read on... As a rule, the legal mandate in the Asian country ensures that older adults are prot»»»
India's Nirmala Sitharaman set to make history with her 9th consecutive Union Budget
Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad on Sunday hailed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as the pride of Tamil soil as she prepares to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget, a feat unmatched by any woman Finance Minister in India’s parliamentary history. In a statement, Prasad said»»»
300+ anti-ICE protests held on Saturday - UPI.com
People gather at an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement rally in New York on Saturday. Phyoto by Kena Betancur/EPA Jan. 31 (UPI) -- More than 300 protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement were held in cities across the country on Saturday. The protests are in response to the deaths »»»
Abu Dhabi lowers speed limits on one key road
If you are out and about on Dubai roads this morning, you need to know about certain closures and diversions because of the many events taking place today. For Dubai Marathon, for instance, which is currently underway, certain routes are being redirected. Certain road sections will be temporarily c»»»
Clear skies ahead as temperatures rise across the UAE
Dubai: The UAE is set for generally fair weather today and through much of the coming week, with rising temperatures, occasional cloud cover and an increased chance of fog or mist during the late night and early morning hours. According to the National Centre of Meteorology, conditions today will b»»»
How online trends are disrupting the core of education - children’s safety
When the topic of education arises, we often speak about the right to learning, access to schools, curricula and equal opportunity. But there is a more urgent question we must ask today. How can education succeed if a child does not feel safe? Safety here is not an abstract idea. It is a basic cond»»»
On This Day, Jan. 31: Apollo 14 blasts off for moon - UPI.com
On Jan. 31, 1971, Apollo 14, the third U.S. mission to land on the moon, blasted off using a Saturn V rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 1 of 3 | The Saturn V rocket lifts off carrying the Apollo 14 mission from Florida in January 31, 1971. File Photo courtesy of NASA Jan. 31 (UPI) -- On »»»
Western spies say Iran not making nukes – NYT
Western intelligence agencies see no indication that Iran is enriching uranium for “bomb-grade material,” the New York Times has reported, citing sources. While activity has been detected at nuclear sites, including those damaged by last year’s strikes, no high-level enrichment is underway, the rep»»»
Why the Strait of Hormuz matters as Iran launches live-fire naval drills
Dubai: The Strait of Hormuz, a slender maritime passage separating Iran from Oman, has once again become the centre of global geopolitical tension. At its narrowest, this strategically vital strait spans just about 33km (21 miles), yet it serves as the gateway between the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf »»»
Danes marched in protest of Trump’s NATO comments, Greenland efforts - UPI.com
Danish veterans gather for a silent march to the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen on Saturday to express dissatisfaction with President Trump's statements about NATO soldiers in Afghanistan. Photo by EPA/Emil Nicolai Helms Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Danish military veterans and others staged a protest march agains»»»
No evidence Greenland faces foreign threat – EU transport chief
There is no evidence that “foreign adversaries” are targeting Greenland or that the island requires rapid investments to deploy troops there, the EU’s transport commissioner has said. European NATO members pushed back this month against renewed remarks by US President Donald Trump about acquiring G»»»
After ICE raids... a once bustling Chicago neighbourhood has changed
For weeks, all eyes have been on Minneapolis where the anger at the killing of two US citizens by federal immigration agents has turned the Midwestern city into a sea of unrest. President Donald Trump has pledged to "de-escalate" the situation and the new man in charge on the ground, Tom Homan, sai»»»
How luxury car brands are turning Dubai homes into high-priced assets
Dubai: Luxury car and lifestyle brands are moving beyond showrooms and into residential real estate, turning branded towers into high-value assets that appeal to wealthy buyers seeking a defined lifestyle alongside long-term price resilience. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Bal»»»
Rape trial puts Norway's royal family in unwelcome glare of public
When Marius Borg Høiby stands up in room 250 at Oslo district court on Tuesday, at the start of Norway's biggest trial in years, he will have no moral support from his closest relatives. His mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit will not be there, nor will the man she married when her son was four - th»»»
Winter storm triggers states of emergency in N.C., S.C. and Georgia - UPI.com
A northeasterly storm system over the Atlantic Ocean triggered states of emergency in the Carolinas and Georgia as it delivered wintry conditions to the area on Saturday. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo Jan. 31 (UPI) -- A northeasterly storm has created blizzard conditions in the Carol»»»
Federal judge orders the release of Adrian Arias and 5-year-old son - UPI.com
The Department of Homeland Security must release Adrian Arias and his 5-year-old son, Liam, from custody no later than Tuesday, a federal judge ordered on Saturday. Photo by Activedia/Pixabay Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials must release Adrian Arias and his 5-year-old»»»
Judge orders release of five-year-old detained by ICE in Minneapolis
A US judge has ordered the release of a five-year-old boy and his father from an immigration detention centre in Texas, condemning the arrests as "the perfidious lust for unbridled power". The arrest of Liam Conejo Ramos, pictured wearing a blue bunny-shaped hat and a Spider-Man backpack, as he was»»»
Qatar Press Centre trains journalists and diplomats in political analysis
Tribune News Network Doha The Qatar Press Centre (QPC), in collaboration with the Media Development Department of the Qatar Media Corporation (QMC), organised the sixth Political Analysis course for journalists and diplomats. Over five consecutive days, the course was presented by Dr. Abdullah Al S»»»
Wait is over! Batang PBA set for historic debut in Qatar this week
Darlene Regis The wait is finally over. Marking a historic milestone in its 50th anniversary celebrations, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is bringing the Batang PBA Middle East Tournament to Qatar for the very first time. Scheduled from February 6 to 8, 2026, the three-day tournament p»»»