Iran unveils missile systems on Gulf Islands amid US tensions

A missile launch during the December 2021 ‘Great Prophet 17’ exercise in southwestern Iran. — Reuters TEHRAN: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have deployed new missile systems on three strategic islands near the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, saying they can… ​A missile launch during the December 2021 ‘Great Prophet 17’ exercise in southwestern…

Russia seeks ‘progress’ at Saudi talks, says negotiator

Russian senator Grigory Karasin. — AFP/File MOSCOW: Russia hopes to make “some progress” in peace talks with Ukraine at a meeting in Saudi Arabia on Monday, a senior Russian negotiator has said. Moscow has rejected a joint US-Ukraine proposal of a full and unconditional 30-day… ​Russian senator Grigory Karasin. — AFP/FileMOSCOW: Russia hopes to make…

Putin not a ‘bad guy’, says Trump envoy

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff looks on, at the White House, in Washington, US on February 3, 2025. — Reuters WASHINGTON: White House envoy Steve Witkoff has praised Vladimir Putin in glowing terms as trustworthy and said the Russian leader told him he had… ​US Special Envoy to the Middle East…

Film industry to bank on Tom Cruise in 2025

Tom Cruise takes on what may be his final “Mission: Impossible,” a new Superman will wear the red cape, and the record-setting “Avatar” sci-fi series will return to movie theaters this year. Those films and more are giving cinema operators hope that the long… ​Tom Cruise takes on what may be his final “Mission: Impossible,”…