Gold rebounds above $5,000 after US downs Iran drone

Precious metal price voliatility continues as geopolitical tensions push investors to safe-haven assets.

Pope Leo urges Russia and US to renew last nuclear arms treaty

VATICAN CITY, Feb 4 - Pope Leo on Wednesday urged leaders in Russia and the United States to renew their last nuclear arms control treaty, New START, which caps the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by each country.

Inside the Diriyah Biennale: Where processions, poetry and desert rhythms shape contemporary art

As Saudi Arabia's largest contemporary art platform hosts its third edition, the artistic directors of the Diriyah Biennale reveal how ancient Bedouin journeys have inspired a radical new vision.

Two brothers charged with murder in Johor skeletal remains case

No plea was recorded from the duo.

Ukraine, Russia begin second round of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi

KYIV, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Ukrainian and Russian negotiators began a second round of U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, seeking to advance efforts to end Europe's biggest conflict since World War Two. The two-day trilateral meetings come after President Volodymyr

On a paradise island in the Pacific, meth and HIV epidemics rage

International criminal syndicates have been using Fiji as a transshipment point for drugs originating in Southeast Asia and Latin America.

Watch the video: EU-UK relationship — friends with benefits?

We are not seeing a full reunion. Instead, we are seeing a patchwork relationship. So the two are friendly enough to have dinner together. But strictly split the bill. And no sharing dessert.

Philippine lawmakers throw out Marcos impeachment bid

Ahead of the Winter Olympics, Milan wins gold in gentrification

Some advocates say the Winter Games are driving up property prices and exacerbating income inequality.

How the Beatles Wrote Their Songs: From Early Demos to Final Recordings

More than a few of us can claim, with some confidence, to know every Beatles song. And indeed it may be true, in that we’ve heard every track of all their studio albums. But as decade after decade of Beatles scholarship has demonstrated, there’s knowing their songs, and then

Genetic analysis of Deep Maniot Greeks reveals a unique lineage in the Balkans

A new genetic study has revealed that the people of Deep Mani, who inhabit one of the remotest regions of mainland Greece, represent one of the most genetically distinctive populations in Europe, shaped by more than a millennium of isolation. The findings, published in

Engineered antibody targets bacteria-specific sugar, clears lethal drug-resistant infection in mice

Australian researchers have developed a powerful new way to target deadly, drug-resistant bacteria by designing antibodies that recognize a sugar found only on bacterial cells—an advance that could underpin a new generation of immunotherapies for multidrug resistant

Trump Spirals into Crazed Fury after Harvard Humiliates Him Very Badly

After The New York Times reported that President Trump has backtracked on a major demand he’d made on Harvard University, he spiraled out of control in three wild tirades . He angrily insisted on a correction from the Times , and levied unhinged new threats against Harvard,

Daryl McCormack, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Chris O’Dowd, Mark Rylance Join Octavio Rodriguez’s Animated Movie ‘On the Edge’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Animated feature film “On the Edge” has revealed its voice cast, which is led by Daryl McCormack and Mia McKenna-Bruce, and also features Chris O’Dowd and Mark Rylance. The cast also includes Anna Maxwell Martin, Paterson Joseph and Vincent Tong. Octavio Rodriguez, whose

Greek coast guard vessel and speedboat carrying migrants collide, killing 15 people

At least 15 people died when a speedboat collided with a Greek coast guard vessel off Chios, with searches for those missing ongoing.

Sri Lanka’s ‘Riverstone’ Wins Top Prize at Vesoul International Festival of Asian Cinema

Sri Lankan director Lalith Rathnayake’s “Riverstone” claimed the Golden Cyclo, the top prize at the 32nd Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema, which concluded Feb. 3 following a week-long showcase of Asian cinema in the French town. The international jury,

For six hours, Israeli settlers rampaged two West Bank villages – while soldiers looked on

'Settlers tried to break down our door, broke the window and sprayed us with pepper spray,' a resident recalls

S.S. Rajamouli on the Cinematic Feat of ‘Varanasi,’ Mahesh Babu’s Work Ethic and Recreating India’s Sacred City on Screen: ‘To Meet My Own Expectation Is the Biggest Challenge of My Life’

S.S. Rajamouli has worked with some of Indian cinema’s biggest stars, but Mahesh Babu managed to surprise him in unexpected ways. “As an actor, not much surprised me, because I was watching his films from a very long time. I know what he is capable of,” the “RRR” director says

Zelenskyy calls on Trump to respond to Russia’s massive attack as talks resume in Abu Dhabi

As the talks in Abu Dhabi between Ukraine, the US and Russia continue, Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the US president to respond to Moscow’s massive aerial attacks and the violation of Russia’s “energy truce” promise.

Israeli strikes kill 18 in Gaza, patient crossings at Rafah halted, Palestinian officials say

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Pesha Magid CAIRO/JERUSALEM, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Israeli tank shelling and airstrikes killed 18 people, including four children, in Gaza on Wednesday, and Israel halted the passage of patients through the Rafah border crossing, Palestinian officials said.

Melting Antarctic ice may weaken a major carbon sink

Melting ice from West Antarctica once delivered huge amounts of iron to the Southern Ocean, but algae growth did not increase as expected. Researchers found the iron was in a form that marine life could not easily use. This means more melting ice does not automatically boost

Leader of South Africa's second largest party will not seek re-election

The surprise move that may threaten the stability of the coalition government of which the DA is a key partner.

A new nuclear age beckons as clock ticks down on last Russia-US arms deal

MOSCOW, Feb 4 - The last nuclear treaty between Russia and the United States is due to expire within hours, raising the risk of a new arms race in which China will also play a key role.

Israeli strikes kill 17 in Gaza, hospitals say, after soldier wounded by gunfire

Hospitals say six children were among those killed in strikes that Israel's military says it launched after a gun attack on its troops.

Malaysia’s new armed forces chief promises ‘total clean-up’ of military

Malaysia's Defence Ministry has stepped up corruption probe in recent weeks.

The US-India trade deal that isn’t

When Donald Trump announces a “historic deal,” the room usually vibrates with superlatives. When Narendra Modi responds, the quiet is more telling than the words. Their latest exchange—a claimed swap of ending Russian oil purchases for a US tariff cut—was a masterclass in

Southern Africa: Museveni Hosts AU-EAC-SADC Panel On DR Congo Peace Process

[Nile Post] President Museveni on Tuesday met leaders of the African Union-East African Community-Southern African Development Community (AU-EAC-SADC) panel of facilitators tasked with supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) peace process, as regional leaders

South Korea parliament to finalise bill on US investment fund by March 9

SEOUL, Feb 4 - South Korea's National Assembly has agreed to finalise a bill to make investments in the United States by March 9 under a trade deal between the countries, the ruling and main opposition parties said on Wednesday.

Von der Leyen to travel to Australia to seal trade deal

The Commission president hopes to break the deadlock on an agreement that has been stalled since 2023.

Privacy push: Where do Europeans restrict access to their personal data the most?

EU internet users are taking more action to protect their personal data online. As new data shows rising resistance to online tracking, how far is the EU willing to go to reclaim digital sovereignty?

European visitors propel Brazil’s 37% tourism boom

Brazil is experiencing a breakout moment in its tourism history. The South American giant closed 2025 as the world's fastest-growing international destination, driven by new air routes and a growing push from European tourism.

Zhang Youxia: Veteran princeling caught in China’s military purge

His abrupt sidelining was largely unexpected, due to his long military tenure and perceived closeness with President Xi.

'Our bodies bear the cost': Patagonia's firefighters battle blazes and austerity in ancient forest

Wildfires are still tearing apart the drought-stricken region of Patagonia, ravaging its once-pristine forests.

Stephen Colbert Skewers Kid Rock’s Alternative Halftime Show: ‘Powerhouse Lineup’

"If you'd rather not watch a halftime featuring a Bad Bunny, there's going to be a competing halftime show featuring a terrible bunny"

The treaty limiting U.S. and Russian nuclear arms is expiring. What to know.

U.S. lawmakers have expressed concern that the end of New START could lead to “a dangerous and costly arms race” between the world’s biggest nuclear powers.

Elon Musk calls Pedro Sánchez 'tyrant' over plans to ban minors from using social media

The tech billionaire blasted the Spanish premier after Sánchez announced new laws Madrid intends to roll out to protect minors from social media harm, which would see executives potentially liable in court.

The First American Cookbook: Sample Recipes from American Cookery (1796)

Image via Wikimedia Commons On the off chance Lin-Manuel Miranda is casting around for source material for his next American history-based blockbuster musical, may we suggest American Cookery by “poor solitary orphan” Amelia Simmons? First published in 1796, at 47 pages (nearly

Markets losing faith in Prabowo’s grasp of economic reality

As economic bookmarks go, Indonesia’s stock market enduring its worst rout since the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis is as ominous as they come. Jakarta stocks are cratering as Southeast Asia’s biggest economy gets caught skinny dipping, in the Warren Buffett sense. The famed

Can Indonesian businesses thrive amid global uncertainties, changing consumer tastes?

As market pressures, digital disruption and global uncertainties intensify, Indonesian businesses must adapt and target impact-driven innovation, say analysts. These issues will be on the agenda at the CNA Summit in Jakarta on Thursday (Feb 5).

2 Malaysian brothers charged with murder after 6 bodies found in burnt Johor house

The deceased - including five from a family - were discovered in January in a burnt house at an oil palm plantation in Kangkar Pulai. Three of them were children aged two to nine.

LNG2026: CEOs of world’s top energy companies gather in Qatar

The 21st edition of the International Conference and Exhibition on Liquified Natural Gas, or LNG2026, kicked off in Doha, Qatar, gathering global leaders, energy giants and experts with geopolitics, market dynamics, emerging technologies and the energy transition dominating

Myanmar junta’s proxy party named winner of criticised election

Some 13.1 million of 24.2 million eligible voters cast their ballots, a junta spokesman said.

Charlotte Glynn Takes On the Loss of Identity in ‘The Gymnast’ — and Finds Parallels to Today’s ‘Fascism’ in the U.S.

Set in Pittsburgh in the early 1990s, “The Gymnast” follows a young athlete who, after a life-changing accident, loses her identity — much like her city. But director Charlotte Glynn, who also grew up there, found contemporary parallels in the story. “Mass amounts of people

US and Iran to hold nuclear talks in Oman amid heightened tensions, diplomat says

By Humeyra Pamuk and Idrees Ali DUBAI, Feb 4 - Nuclear talks between the United States and Iran are expected to take place in Oman on Friday, a regional diplomat said, with a possible confrontation looming as U.S. President Donald Trump builds up forces in the Middle East.

Expats may fall outside UK inheritance tax after 10 years abroad under new rules, expert says

Key points The UK government has introduced one of the most significant overhauls to inheritance tax in recent history, replacing the domicile system with a residence-based framework since 6 April 2025. For expats who have spent a decade or more abroad, these changes represent

Hong Kong’s bus seat belt saga has all the makings of a good comedy

The government’s policy U-turn features tension, deja vu, a big misunderstanding and a surprise plot twist.

Iran’s drones giving Russia a critical edge in Ukraine war

With Russian ground troops bogged down in a grinding war of attrition, Moscow is striving to press home its advantage in the skies – through an ever-evolving army of drones, courtesy of Iran. In early January, wreckage of a drone found in Ukraine hinted at a new high-speed

Japan warns of avalanches as number of snow deaths rises to 35

The warning comes after the mercury suddenly rose after two weeks of extreme snowfall.

Ricky Martin Celebrates Bad Bunny in Open Letter: ‘You Won by Staying True to Puerto Rico’

"What you have achieved is not just a historic musical accomplishment, it’s a cultural and human victory," the musician wrote in El Nuevo Día