Putin seeks to reinforce China ties after Trump-Xi summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday for talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, aiming to project unwavering ties between the two powers just days after US President Donald Trump’s high-profile visit sought to steady US-China relations. Russian President Vlad»»»
Opposition Parties in Bulgaria Blast “Communist-Style” Overhaul of Parliamentary Rules
Opposition parties in Bulgaria have sharply criticized proposed amendments to the National Assembly’s rules of procedure, accusing the ruling “Progressive Bulgaria” (PB) majority of weakening parliamentary oversight and concentrating power in a way they describe as authoritarian and “communist-styl»»»
Iran stages mass weddings for couples ready for war ‘sacrifice’
TEHRAN: Iranian authorities held mass public weddings in Tehran for couples who signed up to a state-sponsored scheme declaring their readiness to sacrifice their lives in the war against the US and Israel.The ceremonies conducted late on Monday involved hundreds of couples in several major squares»»»
Kenya suspends strike after transport paralysis over high fuel prices
Kenya suspends strike after transport paralysis over high fuel prices 11 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleBasillioh RukangaNairobi AFP via Getty ImagesKey roads in the capital Nairobi remained empty Transport operators in Kenya have suspended their nationwide strike following talks wit»»»
Israeli far-right minister Smotrich says ICC prosecutor seeks his arrest
JERUSALEM: Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister, said on Tuesday he was informed that the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in the Hague has requested a “secret” arrest warrant against him. Smotrich, speaking at a press conference, did not specify who had informed hi»»»
Passport services for Indians in UAE: Alhind reveals 16 centres
Abu Dhabi: The locations of 16 new Indian consular service centres coming up across the UAE have been revealed as Alhind Tours and Travels formally signed its agreement with the Indian missions in the country on Monday. Spread across all seven emirates, the centres are set to go live on July 1, 202»»»
Saudi Arabia, UAE cut US Treasury holdings in March
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia cut its US Treasury holdings by $10.8 billion to $149.6 billion in March, while the UAE reduced its portfolio by $5.8 billion to $114.1 billion, official data showed. Despite the monthly drop, the Kingdom’s portfolio remained higher than the $131.6 billion recorded a year earli»»»
China’s New AI Model Highlights Unique Ecosystem Built on Tech Sharing to Tackle Global Challenges
In Beijing, an AI scientific agent has already identified more than 11 previously unknown particle decay modes - discoveries that would traditionally require research teams to spend years filtering through enormous volumes of high-background noise data. In the field of space science, another AI sci»»»
US Dollar Strength Tests Egyptian Pound as Markets Navigate Managed Adjustment Cycle
Egypt’s foreign-exchange market passed through another tense trading week between 11 and 17 May, with the US dollar again climbing above the EGP 53 threshold as investors reassessed geopolitical risk, global interest-rate expectations, and exposure to emerging-market assets. By Sunday’s close of bu»»»
Media Review: May 19
OVERVIEW The Government’s measures to tighten public spending and the competition between Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas to host Eurovision 2027 after Bulgaria’s win with DARA dominated the media on Tuesday. Several outlets also covered the cost of retirement bonuses in the public sector, the ris»»»
ADNOC Distribution, Americana Restaurants to open 200 fast food outlets across UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt
RIYADH: Abu Dhabi-based gas company ADNOC Distribution is partnering with Americana Restaurants to expand food and beverage offerings across its service station network in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. According to a press release, up to 200 quick-service restaurants representing 12 prominent g»»»
Romanians stabbed journalist in London at behest of Iran, UK court told
LONDON: A team of Romanian men, acting as proxies for the Iranian government, carried out a knife attack on a journalist working for a Persian-language media organization in London, prosecutors told a British court on Monday.Pouria Zaratifoukolaei, known as Pouria Zeraati, a British journalist of »»»
D33 and the business of scaling with confidence
Across decades of global disruption, the need for future-ready, resilient business leaders has only intensified. In moments like these, the responsibility of leaders is to prioritise stability, preparedness and long term value creation, even when short term pressures dominate. The UAE is a country »»»
Planning minister: We seek economic growth between 5.2% and 5.4% in next fiscal year
Minister of Planning and Economic Development Dr. Ahmed Rostom affirmed on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, that the government is targeting economic growth between 5.2 percent and 5.4 percent in the next fiscal year, supported by the continuation of economic reform measures. He noted that growth during the »»»
Kremlin reveals details on Putin’s upcoming trip to China
Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Beijing this week with a high-level delegation for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping focused on bilateral ties, trade, energy cooperation, and global affairs, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov has said. The May 19-20 visit coincides with the 25th annive»»»
“Prisons became graveyards of the living”: Ali Al Samoudi on a year behind Israeli bars
DUBAI: Roll calls begin at 6:00 in the morning. More than 14 heavily armed Israeli guards, equipped with tear gas and military gear, stand watch as Palestinian prisoners are forced to kneel on the floor with their hands behind their heads. Cells are routinely ransacked and the prisoners mercilessly»»»
“Prisons became graveyards of the living”: Ali Al Samoudi on a year behind Israeli bars
DUBAI: Roll calls begin at 6:00 in the morning. More than 14 heavily armed Israeli guards, equipped with tear gas and military gear, stand watch as Palestinian prisoners are forced to kneel on the floor with their hands behind their heads. Cells are routinely ransacked and the prisoners mercilessly»»»
Mango founder's son arrested in Spain over father's death: police
Barcelona: Spanish police said Tuesday they have arrested the eldest son of Mango clothing empire founder Isak Andic over his father's death during a hiking trip in December 2024. Jonathan Andic, who was alone with his 71-year-old father when the retail magnate plunged to his death in the Montserra»»»
MSF warns aid used for ‘military objectives’ in South Sudan
NAIROBI: Medical charity Doctors Without Borders warned Tuesday that aid in South Sudan was being “instrumentalized” for military and political objectives, despite the country’s dire humanitarian needs. After gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan descended into civil war and remains mired in ex»»»
Saudi Arabia intends to issue real estate bonds worth $40bn by 2030 — minister of housing
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia plans to issue real estate bonds in global markets worth up to SR150 ($40 billion) by 2030, Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majid Al-Hogail said in an interview with Asharq News. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, Al-Hogail said the K»»»
Merkel, Stubb, and Draghi suggested as potential envoys to Putin – Politico
Read more Talks with Russia ‘inevitable’ for Europe – Kremlin envoy The EU’s search for a potential negotiator with Russian President Vladimir Putin has apparently been narrowed down to three candidates: Angela Merkel, Alexander Stubb, and Mario Draghi. However, all three come with baggage that cou»»»
Thndr becomes 1st Egyptian company to top Financial Times’ fastest-growing list in Africa
In an unprecedented achievement for the Egyptian fintech sector, Thndr, a leading retail investment appliation platform, has secured the top spot in the Financial Times’ ranking of the fastest-growing companies in Africa for 2026. This recognition, achieved in collaboration with the global research»»»
MSF Warns Aid Used for 'Military Objectives' in S.Sudan
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders warned Tuesday that aid in South Sudan was being "instrumentalized" for military and political objectives, despite the country's dire humanitarian needs. After gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan descended into civil war and remains mired in extreme pov»»»
Trump's tough-talk foreign policy hits wall with Iran
President Donald Trump has considered himself an effective dealmaker above all else, but he appears to have hit a wall with Iran as his tough talk, threats and even military action have not moved Tehran from its long-established positions. With shifting goals that make it difficult to judge the sta»»»
UAE's image as Middle Eastern haven is tested by Iran war
The United Arab Emirates for decades has advertised itself as a haven for international business in a Middle East awash in violent upheaval. Those waves have now crashed into this nation, testing its economic model like never before. The UAE, a close ally of the United States and Israel, faced more»»»
Report: ‘Abu Lulu’, RSF Commander Who Was Filmed Killing Civilians in Sudan, Is Back in Combat
A Sudanese paramilitary commander who was arrested late last year following global outrage over videos of him executing unarmed people in al-Fashir has been released from prison and returned to active duty on the battlefield, nine sources told Reuters. Two of the sources – a Sudanese intelligence o»»»
Oman sovereign fund posts $7.8bn profit, delivers 14.6% return in 2025
RIYADH: Oman’s sovereign wealth fund posted $7.8 billion in profits in 2025, as stronger public market gains and restructuring across state-owned companies boosted returns and improved the performance of its portfolio. Citing SWF Global data, Oman Investment Authority said it delivered a 14.6 perce»»»
Iran General to US: Don’t Repeat ‘Strategic Mistake’
A top Iranian commander has warned the United States and its allies against making another “strategic mistake” or miscalculation against Iran, stressing that the Iranian Armed Forces are more prepared and powerful than before and stand ready to respond decisively to any new act of aggression. Major»»»
South Korea Increases Purchases of Aluminum From Russia to Historic High
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - South Korea increased purchases of raw aluminum from Russia to a record amount in April, with imports reaching almost $140 million, according to Sputnik calculations based on data from the Korean statistical service. South Korean companies imported $136.5 million worth of raw alu»»»
New country opens visa-free entry for Filipinos, allowing 30-day stays, new travel horizons
Manila: Good news for Filipino travelers: you can now explore Angola without a visa for short stays — a welcome expansion of the world that’s suddenly within easier reach. Filipinos can now visit Angola visa-free for 30 days. Also In This Package Indian passport now 75th, 56 countries visa-free Pak»»»
How China became the new master of Russia's economy
TradeChinaHow China became the new master of Russia's economyNik MartinHot on the heels of Donald Trump's visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin travels to Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping. DW explores how China has been Russia's financial lifeline since the Ukraine war. https://p.dw.com/p/5DtWsB»»»
Trump's tough-talk foreign policy hits wall with Iran
President Donald Trump has considered himself an effective dealmaker above all else, but he appears to have hit a wall with Iran as his tough talk, threats and even military action have not moved Tehran from its long-established positions. With shifting goals that make it difficult to judge the sta»»»
Human Trafficking Lives in the Shadow of Our Economies, Romanian Official Says
Human trafficking lives in the shadow of our economies, Diana Tusa, chair of the Special Commission for Combating Human Trafficking in the Romanian Parliament, said at the opening of an international conference on strengthening justice systems through a coordinated European response against human t»»»
US Court Accuses Former Venezuelan Industry Minister of Money Laundering for Maduro
Venezuela's former minister of industry appeared in a US court Monday to face money laundering charges under accusations of being a front man for deposed president Nicolas Maduro. Alex Saab, a 54-year-old Colombia-born businessman and close ally of Maduro's, appeared in US federal court in Miami wh»»»
U.S. imposes new Cuba sanctions as Caribbean tensions rise - UPI.com
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday announced additional sanctions against Cuba. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo May 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he has imposed additional sanctions against Cuba, with more to come in the days and weeks ahead, as the Trump »»»
Human Trafficking Among Fastest-Growing Forms of Organized Crime, Anti-Trafficking Official Says
Human trafficking remains one of the gravest violations of human rights and one of the fastest-growing forms of organized crime in Europe, Daniela Saveklieva, secretary of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, said at the opening of the international conference on stren»»»
Statute of limitations: Why a US jury dismissed Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI
A California jury rejected Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman on Monday (May 18, 2026), finding that his claims were barred by the statute of limitations. In a unanimous verdict following roughly two hours of deliberations, the jury determined that Musk had "waited too long to fi»»»
Five Kyrgyzstan’s universities receive $19.5 million for development - | 24.KG
The Ministry of Science, Higher Education, and Innovation of the Kyrgyz Republic signed trilateral sub-loan agreements under the Quality and Innovation in Higher Education (QIHE) project with the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic and five state universities with special status. According t»»»
CCQ public administration programmes earn 10-year ACBSP international accreditation
Doha, Qatar: The Community College of Qatar (CCQ) has reached a new academic milestone, with its Public Administration programmes earning initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programmes (ACBSP) for a period of 10 years. The distinction makes them the only hi»»»
DRC reports 118 suspected Ebola deaths as epidemic spreads - UPI.com
May 19 (UPI) -- At least 118 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo have died of suspected Ebola infections, according to Congolese health officials, who said the outbreak is spreading. The suspected death toll was announced by DRC government spokesman Patrick Muyaya on Monday, the official Con»»»
UAE strengthens lead as world’s most powerful passport in 2026
Montréal, Canada: New data released today by Arton Capital’s Passport Index shows that the United Arab Emirates has further strengthened its position as the holder of the world’s strongest passport, climbing to a total score of 182 — the highest ever recorded in the history of the index. The UAE ha»»»
Polish construction firms sign pact for Ukraine post-war reconstruction
Three major Polish construction companies signed a cooperation agreement on May 15 to jointly target infrastructure projects as part of Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, the Ministry of State Assets said. The signatories to the agreement, signed at the State Assets Ministry, include Budimex and Po»»»
Xi hosts Putin in Beijing days after Trump: what to know
Beijing: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Beijing on Tuesday for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, looking to deepen a strategic partnership stretching from Scandinavia to Southeast Asia. Underpinning the two nuclear powers' relations is China's economic heft complemented by Russi»»»
300,000 drones ordered: Pentagon hits hard wall as '98% of the magnets come from China'
The US Department of Defence (also known as the Department of War) has quietly launched the largest drone buildup in American history — ordering 30,000 one-way attack drones with plans to scale beyond 300,000 units by 2028. But inside that surge lies a vulnerability. Few outside US defence circles »»»
Under Trump Pressure, EU Eyes Deal to End Trade Standoff
The EU hopes Tuesday to strike a deal towards implementing its nearly year-old trade pact with the United States -- with an increasingly impatient Donald Trump threatening steep new tariffs unless it is done by July 4. The 27-nation bloc struck an accord with Washington last July setting levies on »»»
Al-Obaidli clinches snooker gold as Qatar shooters continue strong show
Doha, Qatar: Top Qatari cueist Ali Al-Obaidli defeated Saudi Arabia’s Ziyad Al Qabbani 3-0 in the 15-red snooker singles final to clinch the gold medal at the 4th GCC Games Doha 2026 yesterday. At the Main Hall of the Qatar Billiards & Snooker Federation, Al-Obaidli dominated Al Qabbani, winning th»»»
RAGOZIN: From reform to relapse, Ukraine’s corruption problems resurface
Charges brought against president Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s former chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, focus on four mansion houses in the luxury estate co-op called Dynasty. These are identified as R1, R2, R3 and R4 by the SAPO (anti-corruption prosecutor’s office) investigation which claims that the suspe»»»
Palestinian President's Son Vows to Put 'Gaza First'
The son of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on Monday said Fatah would prioritize Gaza and return it "to the fold of Palestinian legitimacy", the day after being elected to the movement's top decision-making body. Fatah's first congress in a decade came as the Palestinian movement faces existent»»»
Azerbaijan's graduate glut
Azerbaijan is producing more university graduates than its economy can absorb, leaving thousands of young people to choose between working below their qualifications, paying bribes for public-sector positions, or emigrating, according to economists and graduates who spoke to Toplum TV and Aznews.az»»»
Business - G7 finance ministers meet in Paris as headwinds mount for global economy
Finance ministers and central bankers from the world's top economies are gathering in Paris as the US war on Iran threatens to undermine the global financial system. Meanwhile, inflation tied to the war sparks a rout on bond markets, and the US's busiest commuter rail system shuts down over a labou»»»