Category: 2. Middle East

Hamas said it would release a US-Israeli hostage held in Gaza as the group revealed it was engaged in direct talks with the United States towards a ceasefire in the war-battered territory.

“Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, a dual US national, will be released as part of efforts towards a ceasefire” and the reopening of aid crossings, the Palestinian militant group said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear when 21-year-old Alexander would be released.

Earlier, two Hamas officials told AFP…

The Eurovision Song Contest burst into Basel on Sunday, but a parade launching a week of build-up to the grand final was marked by protests over Israel’s participation.

The Swiss city is hosting the 69th edition of the world’s biggest annual live televised music event, reaching around 160 million viewers.

Organisers said tens of thousands of spectators took to the streets to welcome the 37 artists representing the competing countries.

Europop beats, dramatic staging and earworm choruses…

Donald Trump intends to accept a luxury Boeing jet from the Qatari royal family for use as Air Force One then continue flying in it after his tenure, despite strict rules on US presidential gifts, media reported Sunday.

Calling the plane a “flying palace,” ABC News, which first reported the story, said the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet would possibly be the most expensive gift ever received by the US government.

The US Constitution prohibits government officials from accepting gifts “from any King,…

Donald Trump plans to accept a luxury Boeing jet from the Qatari royal family for use as Air Force One and then continue flying in it after his tenure, despite strict rules on US presidential gifts, media reported Sunday.

Calling the plane a “flying palace,” ABC News, which first reported the story, said the Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet would possibly be the most expensive gift ever received by the American government.

Qatar swiftly sought to downplay the uproar, saying reports describing the jet as…

MUSCAT, Oman — The Trump administration sounded cautiously upbeat after US and Iranian negotiators concluded their latest round of nuclear talks, agreeing to reconvene to hammer out the technical details of a potential deal. 

“We are encouraged by today’s outcome and look forward to our next meeting, which will happen in the near future,” a senior US administration official said, adding that an agreement was reached “to continue working through technical elements.”

Iran’s reaction…

MUSCAT, Oman — The Trump administration sounded cautiously upbeat after US and Iranian negotiators concluded their latest round of nuclear talks on Sunday, agreeing to reconvene to hammer out the technical details of a potential deal. 

“We are encouraged by today’s outcome and look forward to our next meeting, which will happen in the near future,” a senior US administration official said, adding that an agreement was reached “to continue working through technical elements.”

Iran’s foreign minister on Sunday said the country’s right to nuclear enrichment was “non-negotiable”, ahead of the fourth round of talks in Oman with the US over Tehran’s atomic programme.

The negotiations follow earlier rounds that began nearly a month ago, marking the highest-level contact between the two foes since Washington withdrew in 2018 from a landmark nuclear deal, during President Donald Trump’s first term.

“Enrichment capability is one of the honours and achievements of the…

Iran and the United States kicked off the fourth round of nuclear talks in Oman Sunday amid a standoff over uranium enrichment, with Tehran calling it “non-negotiable”, while Washington has described it as a “red line”.

The negotiations follow earlier rounds that began nearly a month ago, marking the highest-level contact between the two foes since Washington withdrew in 2018 from a landmark nuclear deal, during President Donald Trump’s first term.

“Enrichment capability is one of the honours…

Iran and the United States wrapped up nuclear talks in Oman on Sunday with no apparent breakthrough in a public standoff over enrichment, but with both sides confirming plans for future negotiations.

This was the fourth round of talks that began nearly a month ago, marking the highest-level contact between the two foes since Washington withdrew in 2018 from a landmark nuclear deal, during President Donald Trump’s first term.

Both sides had reported progress in the previous three rounds, and on…

Ahead of US President Donald Trump’s Gulf visit next week, his son Eric was promoting his crypto firm in Dubai, while Don Jr prepared to talk about “Monetising MAGA” in Doha.

Last month, the Trump Organization struck its first luxury real estate deal in Qatar, and released details of a billion-dollar skyscraper in Dubai whose apartments can be bought in cryptocurrency.

In a monarchical region awash with petrodollars, the list of Trump-related ventures is long and growing. However, the…