Ghana parliament passes anti-LGBTQ+ bill
Ghana parliament passes anti-LGBTQ+ bill Just nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleHarry SekulichandThomas Naadi ReutersReverend John Ntim Fordjour, the Ghanian MP who sponsored the bill, speaks to media after it passed parliament. The parliament in Ghana has approved a new bill criminalising homo»»»
Iran war live: Tehran says ceasefire deal with US still not reached – Ya Libnan
Share: The US Treasury Secretary announced that US had seized $1bn in Iranian cryptocurrency assets as part of the economic campaign launched by Trump. Iran has been charging for passage thru Hormuz in crypto currency Iran says a ceasefire deal has still not been reached after US President Donald T»»»
Israeli troops push deeper into Lebanon – Ya Libnan
Share: A paramedic volunteer carries a body, one of the six the family members who were killed on Wednesday when their car was struck in an Israeli airstrike on a highway as they fled their village, during a funeral procession in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Friday, May 29, 2026. Mohamm»»»
FSCC launches Franchises Committee to boost local and international brand presence
Damascus, May 29 (SANA) The Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce (FSCC) has defined the tasks of its newly formed “Franchises Committee,” in a move aimed at strengthening franchise culture and expanding the presence of Syrian brands locally, regionally, and internationally, supporting the inve»»»
HINDAMME releases new collection in collaboration with AlUla’s Madrasat Addeera
Art AlUla’s Madrasat Addeera — billed as “a platform dedicated to heritage-led creativity” — has teamed up with Saudi fashion label HINDAMME to release a limited-edition handmade collection. “The collection is rooted in AlUla’s landscape — its tones, its textures, its quiet intensity,” HINDAMME’s c»»»
How a mental health program in Syria’s Homs is helping former detainees rebuild their lives
LONDON: Some walked out of Syria’s Sednayah prison unable to remember their own names. After years inside what rights groups described as a “human slaughterhouse,” survivors of the country’s most notorious prison emerged in late 2024 unsure whether their families were alive or whether their homes w»»»
Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida to retire from House of Representatives - UPI.com
Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., announced on Friday that she will not seek re-election for a ninth term in Congress. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo May 29 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D.-Fla., said she has decided not to run for what would be her ninth term in the House of Rep»»»
Stitch shifts focus to infrastructure as legacy systems limit scale
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s fintech race is no longer being defined by consumer-facing apps, but by the infrastructure powering them, according to Mohamed Oueida, founder and CEO of Stitch. As the Kingdom’s financial sector matures under Vision 2030, attention is shifting away from user interfaces towar»»»
Germany alarmed by Israel’s plans for more Gaza territory
GAZA: The German government is concerned about Israeli plans to take more of Gaza, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday, adding that Germany opposes a permanent division of the Palestinian territory. Palestinians view Israel’s widening Gaza buffer zone as a part of a strat»»»
Syria deploys disaster relief as floods displace thousands
DEIR EZZOR: The Syrian Arab Republic’s government has continued its emergency operations in Deir Ezzor after surging water levels along the Euphrates River affected about 2,400 families. The crisis prompted widespread evacuations, urgent shelter preparations, and a sweeping humanitarian relief effo»»»
Armenia should hold EU referendum soon, Putin and allies say
ASTANA: Armenia should hold a referendum on EU membership “as soon as possible,” President Vladimir Putin and three Russian-allied leaders said in a statement Friday, escalating pressure on Yerevan over its deepening ties with Brussels. Armenia is formally allied with Moscow, but has been building »»»
Colombia votes amid insecurity, polarization and fiscal strains - UPI.com
Colombia will head to the polls Sunday to elect President Gustavo Petro's successor. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo May 29 (UPI) -- Colombia will head to the polls Sunday to elect its next president under an unprecedented security deployment that includes 246,000 members of the secu»»»
Japan’s crude imports drop nearly 66 percent in April amid Middle East war turmoil
Tokyo, May 29 (SANA) Official Japanese data released on Friday showed that the country’s crude oil imports fell by nearly 66 percent in April compared with the same month a year earlier, amid the ongoing repercussions of the US Israeli–Iranian war in the Middle East on oil supplies from the region.»»»
Trump heads into Situation Room meeting to decide on Iran deal - UPI.com
Iranian Commander of the Mohammad Rasoolullah Corps Hassan Hassanzadeh attends an event with Iranian officials at the Imam Khomeini Mosque in Tehran, Iran, on Sunday. President Donald Trump is expected to make a decision on the proposed Iran cease-fire Friday. Photo by Behnam Tofighi/UPI | License »»»
Response to Congo Ebola outbreak faces shortfall of aid support - UPI.com
1 of 3 | A coordinator with U-Reporters, an UNICEF program to engage and inform local communities, wears a protective gown as he takes part in a campaign to raise awareness against Ebola in Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Friday. Photo by Jeanne Munyerenkana/EPA May 29 (UPI) »»»
Mayar Sherif ‘proud’ of Roland Garros performance against Coco Gauff, who hailed Egyptian’s ‘bravery’
PARIS: Mayar Sherif’s journey at this year’s Roland Garros came to an end on Thursday with a second-round defeat to defending champion Coco Gauff but the Egyptian says she leaves Paris feeling “proud” of her performances and “motivated” for what’s to come. Sherif, who won four matches in Paris thro»»»
Secretary-general of MWL receives speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly
MAKKAH: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the secretary-general of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, has received Ahmad Muzani, the speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly, and his accompanying delegation in Makkah. The delegation included»»»
Secretary-general of MWL receives speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly
MAKKAH: Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the secretary-general of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, has received Ahmad Muzani, the speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly, and his accompanying delegation in Makkah. The delegation included»»»
Russia Has Means to Destroy Anyone Targeting Its Air Defense Bases - Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia has all the means to destroy anyone who attempts to destroy its air defense bases. “Russia has all the means to flatten anyone who tries to do this,” Putin told journalists during a press briefing following his visit to Kazakhstan, commenting on t»»»
Deputy PM attends opening reception of Shangri-La Dialogue 2026
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, alongside Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Singapore HE Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Maliki Al Juhani, attended the ministerial recepti»»»
From instinct to intelligence: How Omnicom and Google are using AI to rethink ad creativity
LONDON: When Omnicom Advertising and Google launched what they describe as the first artificial intelligence-powered creative intelligence system in the Middle East this April, the promise was unusual: that a machine could tell a creative director not just what was weak in an ad, but what it would »»»
Asharq Al-Awsat Publishes Hamas Letter to Mediators as Cairo Meeting Looms
Asharq Al-Awsat has obtained a document recently sent by Hamas to mediators regarding the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, where escalating Israeli violations have killed more than 930 Palestinians since the deal took effect on October 10. Israel’s Channel 13 reported on Thursday evening, cit»»»
Hamas calls Netanyahu’s plan to expand control in Gaza a dangerous escalation
* Hamas says Netanyahu’s plan equates to ethnic cleansing* Ceasefire deal left contentious issues unresolved* Analysts warn move risks increase in violenceGAZA/CAIRO: Hamas said on Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration that his country would expand its area of control»»»
Eleven Children Killed, Injured Every 24 Hours in Lebanon, UN Says
Eleven children have been killed or injured on average every 24 hours in Lebanon over the last week, the UN's children's agency said on Friday, as Israel has expanded strikes across the country despite a ceasefire. Heavy Israeli strikes hit towns and villages in southern Lebanon overnight on Wednes»»»
Israel Plan to Seize More of Gaza Means ‘More Children Will Suffer’, Says UN
The UN warned on Friday that an Israeli plan to take control of 70 percent of Gaza is sure to increase suffering among children already hit by the impacts of severe overcrowding. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that he had ordered the military to take control of more terr»»»
Aoun Tells Rubio That Israel Truce Crucial to Talks Progress as Netanyahu Says Troops Crossed Litani
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday that a ceasefire with Israel was crucial, as Israeli and Lebanese military delegations meet at the Pentagon. A statement from Aoun's office said that during a phone call, the president "emphasized the need to exert all »»»
Is Tony Blair the fake ‘savior’ the UK Labour Party deserves?
This week, as UK Labour’s destructive leadership contest intensified, former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair staged a remarkable intervention in which he single-handedly sought to save the party from political oblivion. Blair’s dramatic intrusion into Labour politics took the form of a 5,600-word »»»
Pilgrims describe a feeling they want to last ‘forever’ as Hajj nears conclusion
MINA: This year’s Hajj pilgrims completed the second day of Tashreeq on Friday, following the ritual stoning of the three pillars at the Jamarat complex in Mina. Almost 1.71 million pilgrims have performed Hajj this year, with the majority taking part in the stoning ritual with ease and comfort, th»»»
Hamas Calls Netanyahu’s Plan to Expand Control in Gaza a Dangerous Escalation
Hamas said on Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration that his country would expand its area of control in Gaza was a dangerous escalation, as residents of the Palestinian territory also voiced alarm at the plan. Under a ceasefire deal in October Israel's military was to»»»
Travelling from the UAE to Europe? Expect longer waits at border control
Dubai: UAE travellers heading to Europe should gear up for a long wait of at least five to six hours at European airports, as the rollout of the EU’s new electronic Entry/Exit System (EES) plunges major hubs into operational disruptions. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances»»»
Benjamin Netanyahu orders IDF to widen area of Gaza it occupies to 70% - UPI.com
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave orders to the Israel Defense Forces on Thursday to seize more territory in Gaza, despite a U.S.-brokered peace deal that restricts the area under its control to just over half. File photo by Ilia Yefimovich/UPI | License Photo May 29 (UPI) -- Israeli P»»»
Israel PM says orders army to take control of 70 percent of Gaza Strip
Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he had ordered the country’s military to take control of 70 percent of the Gaza Strip,in defiance of the terms of a fragile ceasefire that took effect in October. “We are currently squeezing Hamas. We now control 60 percent of the t»»»
Emirati chants, dances and music captivate Warsaw thanks to Sharjah National Band
Warsaw: Sharjah's participation as the Guest of Honour at the Warsaw International Book Fair 2026 extended beyond literature as the emirate brought music to the streets of Poland. The Sharjah National Band brought Emirati folk arts and heritage performances to audiences across the Polish capital, d»»»
Jill Biden says she feared Joe Biden was “having a stroke” during the 2024 debate with Trump
Former US First Lady Jill Biden has said she thought her husband was having a stroke during his disastrous 2024 debate with Donald Trump. The remarks have revived scrutiny of Joe Biden’s decline and the efforts by his inner circle to defend his fitness for office. Speaking to CBS on Wednesday, Jill»»»
Philippines, Japan start talks for intel-sharing deal as ties upgraded to highest-level
MANILA: The Philippines and Japan have upgraded bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and agreed to start talks toward an intelligence-sharing agreement, marking new milestones amid shared concerns over rising tensions in the South China Sea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos »»»
Poland leaders alarmed over Zelensky move on WWII unit
WARSAW: Polish leaders on Friday warned that the Ukrainian president’s move to honor a controversial World War II group accused of massacring Poles risked souring relations between the two neighbors. The row was sparked after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky named a military unit after the Uk»»»
Hezbollah rejects direct talks anew, Israel says wants disarmament, peace deal
Hezbollah has again rejected direct talks between Lebanon and Israel on the eve of military negotiations between the two sides. The Iran-backed group believes that Beirut doesn't have the leverage to stop the war and have Israel withdraw its troops. "The ruling authority persists in pursuing a down»»»
Germany Says Israeli Plans to Take More of Gaza are Cause for Concern
The German government is concerned about Israeli plans to take more of Gaza, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday, adding that Germany opposes a permanent division of the Palestinian territory. The Israeli military said Wednesday evening it had launched strikes in the northern»»»
Media Review: May 29
POLITICS The first visit of Bulgaria's new prime minister Rumen Radev to Brussels has drawn much attention in Bulgarian media. The former president and current head of the country's executive branch of power held separate talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President U»»»
Haaretz Warns “Israel’’ Is Sinking into the Lebanese Quagmire
In a stark editorial published Thursday, ‘Israel’s’ leading left-leaning newspaper Haaretz warned that the regieme is being dragged deeper into a “futile and pointless war” in Lebanon, with no clear objectives or exit strategy. The newspaper called for an immediate reduction of fighting and a withd»»»
'Dialogue between civilisations is not an option' says Sharjah's Sheikha Bodour at opening of Warsaw International Book Fair 2026
Warsaw: “Civilisations do not have to resemble one another to understand one another,” Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi told an audience gathered at the opening of the Warsaw International Book Fair in Poland. “They only need to approach each other with patience, curiosity and empathy.” Sharjah»»»
Sudanese Medical Group Accuses Paramilitary Force of Killing 27 in Attack Targeting Civilians
A humanitarian organization on Friday accused forces affiliated with a Sudanese paramilitary group of targeting civilians in an area of Sudan free of any military presence during Eid al-Adha, killing 27 people, among them elderly people. Sudan Doctors Network, a group that tracks violence across th»»»
Saudi Fintech, Cloud Services Drive Technology Sector Profit Boom
Saudi Arabia’s listed technology companies posted strong first-quarter earnings for 2026, reflecting a structural shift in the sector as digital revenue growth converged with tighter control over operating and administrative costs. Combined net profits for companies in the Kingdom’s applications an»»»
Decarbonizing Saudi Arabia’s cement sector
RIYADH: Cement sits at the center of Saudi Arabia’s transformation. From giga-projects and housing developments to industrial zones and tourism infrastructure, demand for the material is expected to remain high as the Kingdom advances its Vision 2030 agenda. But cement is also one of the world’s mo»»»
‘Our workers, our pride’: UAE rolls out nationwide Eid celebrations for workforce
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) is organizing 30 celebratory events for workers across the country during the Eid Al Adha holidays under the theme “The Happiness of Our Workers is the Joy of Our Eid.” The celebrations will take place throughout the Eid holidays at 30 l»»»
Ever heard of ‘bromocriptine’? This teen spelled it to win $50,000
Most adults would struggle to pronounce them, let alone spell them. Yet for 14-year-old Shrey Parikh, words such as hwyl, philepitta and bromocriptine became stepping stones to one of America’s most coveted academic titles. The California teenager outspelled 247 competitors to win the 2026 Scripps »»»
ICC: Hungary halts withdrawal, parliament votes to stay
Hungary’s parliament has approved legislation to stop the country’s planned withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), reversing a decision launched under the previous government and keeping Hungary inside the Hague-based tribunal. As we reported, as a first step, the Tisza-led governm»»»
Bonyan reports 106% revenue growth in Q1 2026 Arab Finance For Information Technology
Arab Finance: Real estate company Bonyan for Development and Trade (BONY) reported a 106% year-on-year (YoY) increase in total revenues to EGP 370 million in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, driven by continued growth in rental income alongside a rise in sales revenues, compared to EGP 179.9 million»»»
Italy Urges EU to Strengthen Border Vigilance Against Ebola Risks
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday said she wrote to the European Union's top leaders urging strengthened coordination on border vigilance in response risks that Ebola infection may spread in the continent. "Italy believes that the epidemiological situation in Central Africa linke»»»
Nabil Fahmy to Assume Position as Arab League Secretary-General in July
Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy will assume office as Secretary-General of the Arab League on July 1, succeeding Ahmed Aboul Gheit, whose term expires on June 30. The 165th regular session of the Council of Arab Foreign Ministers, held virtually in March, unanimously approved a resolut»»»