video Update Palestinians mourn the death of their relatives who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on their shelter in Deir El-Balah.

Gaza ceasefire ‘closer than ever’ as sides work on final details

  • Israeli official: ‘We are close, we are not there yet’
  • Hamas says negotiations in final steps
video By Reuters ·

Special Nawaf Salam to begin consultations to form Lebanese government

Nawaf Salam to begin consultations to form Lebanese government

  • Nawaf Salam: ‘I am not one of those who exclude or marginalize anyone; rather, I advocate for unity and national partnership’
  • Salam: ‘The time has come to begin a new chapter rooted in justice, security, progress and opportunities for Lebanon to be a country of free people equal in rights and duties’
By NAJIA HOUSSARI ·

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends an event at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC, on January 14, 2025. (AFP) video

Blinken proposes UN role, Palestinian state path in Gaza

  • “We’ve long made the point to the Israeli government that Hamas cannot be defeated by a military campaign alone,” Blinken said
  • Blinken said that Gaza should be under the control of the Palestinian Authority
By AFP ·

New study documents reptile species in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve 

New study documents reptile species in King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve 

  • Researchers identified 31 species — 25 lizards and six snakes — following 1,551 field observations within the reserve
By Arab News ·

Israeli foreign minister sees a majority in government to support Gaza agreement

Israeli foreign minister sees a majority in government to support Gaza agreement

  • Gideon Saar said a majority in the Israeli government will support a hostage deal
By Reuters ·

‘I’m not a priority’ for Sweden: Swede on death row in Iran

‘I’m not a priority’ for Sweden: Swede on death row in Iran

  • Ahmadreza Jalali: ‘It seems to not be a priority for the Swedish officials, what may happen to me as a Swedish citizen while I risk dying either by execution or due to poor health’
  • Jalali’s remarks came as German-Iranian Nahid Taghavi was released from Tehran’s Evin prison and returned home on Sunday
By AFP ·

TikTok calls report of possible sale to Musk’s X ‘pure fiction’

TikTok calls report of possible sale to Musk’s X ‘pure fiction’

  • Rumors circulated Monday that TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, is considering selling the platform’s US operations to Elon Musk’s social media platform, X
  • Congress legislation could force TikTok to divest its US operations, requiring its parent company, ByteDance, to either sell the platform or shut it down
By AFP ·

TikTok calls report of possible sale to Musk’s X ‘pure fiction’

TikTok calls report of possible sale to Musk’s X ‘pure fiction’

  • Rumors circulated Monday that TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, is considering selling the platform’s US operations to Elon Musk’s social media platform, X
  • Congress legislation could force TikTok to divest its US operations, requiring its parent company, ByteDance, to either sell the platform or shut it down
By AFP ·