WASHINGTON: The United States said Wednesday it would ease its system of demanding bond payments of visa applicants for certain fans seeking to come for the World Cup. Under one of President Donald Trump’s many initiatives to crack down on migration, the United States has begun asking people from 5»»»

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned Thursday after a key party in her coalition withdrew its support for her sacking of the defence minister after Ukrainian drones repeatedly strayed into the country. Silina had blamed defence minister Andris Spruds for the incursions, saying the»»»

The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that a staff mission is currently in Egypt to conduct the latest reviews on the country's Extended Fund Facility and Resilience and Sustainability Trust loan programs, which ⁠will determine a ⁠possible $1.6 billion disbursement. IMF spokesperson Juli»»»

The top Democrat on the Constitution and Limited Government subcommittee, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., speaks with Muslim rights advocates after a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday. Photo by Jacques Abou-Rizk/Medill News Service WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) -- Muslim civil rights grou»»»

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has called a special session for later Thursday to vote on redistricting. File Photo by Stephen B. Morton/EPA May 14 (UPI) -- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to call a special session of the legislature to redraw the state's congressional districts,»»»

TEHRAN: Iran’s football federation chief on Thursday said no visas had yet been issued for the national team to participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, state media reported. “Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, we will have a decisive meeting with FIFA. They must give us guarantees,»»»

Meeting with students from Sofia University, who are taking the courses Political Rhetoric and Communication Skills, President Iliana Iotova said on Thursday that the EU needs reforms to return to its founders' vision of a prosperous Europe - to strengthen its production, competitiveness, and finan»»»

The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that it welcomes the initial positive dialogue between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, adding that reducing tension and uncertainty between the world's ⁠two largest economies ⁠was good for the world. "It's very important, »»»

It is apposite that ‘After Nations, The Making and Unmaking of a World Order’ – written by English novelist turned historian Rana Dasgupta – should be published as Donald Trump is desperately seeking to extract America from an ill-judged and calamitous war in Iran. ‘After Nations’ is an analysis of»»»

Along a meandering river in a warm and arid region that is now Thailand roughly 113 million years ago, a plant-eating behemoth almost 90 feet (27 meters) long browsed on the treetops without much fear of predators due to its sheer size. This was Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, the largest-known dinosaur»»»

Dubai: US authorities are moving to resolve fraud charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, potentially ending a criminal case that has hung over the Adani Group for more than a year, Bloomberg News reported. According to people familiar with the matter, the US Justice Department could annou»»»

A request will be submitted to the National Assembly to extend by one week the deadline for discussing draft bills aimed at curbing rising prices, ensuring pricing transparency, and combating unfair trade practices, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry Alexander Po»»»

LONDON: The destination of Scotland’s Premiership title will be decided at Parkhead on Saturday when Celtic need victory to become champions for the 56th time while Hearts will take the crown for the first time in 66 years and fifth in all if they win or draw. Those are the bald facts, but they bar»»»

The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended for a period that is still unknown until the moment, Lebanese sources told Sky News Arabia as the third round of Lebanese-Israeli talks kicked off in Washington. "Israel is insisting on continuing its operations in south Lebanon and Washingt»»»

When the United States launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran in late February, the mission depended on a network of air refueling operations stretching from the Azores to the Arabian Gulf. Whether enough NATO allies would cooperate was not a given...and not all of them did. Secretary of State M»»»

Population held steady in midsize American cities, the Census Bureau said. File Photo by UPI May 14 (UPI) -- Population numbers remained about the same in most U.S. midsize cities, the Census Bureau said Thursday. While the national population grew slowly, the population in major cities dropped, a »»»

LONDON: More than 6,000 ha of land near the Palestinian town of Yabad in the northern West Bank has been designated for seizure under an Israeli military order, according to the Wafa news agency. The area is owned by the residents of Zabda village in the Jenin governorate. This week, a seizure orde»»»

WASHINGTON/BEIRUT/JERUSALEM: Lebanon will demand Israel cease fire at face-to-face talks that began in Washington on Thursday, a senior Lebanese official said, as Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel continued ​to trade blows despite a US-backed truce declared last month. A State Department official co»»»

Peru’s leftist presidential candidate Roberto Sanchez clinched a spot in next month’s runoff election on Wednesday, official results showed, just hours after prosecutors indicted him on campaign finance charges and sought a prison sentence of more than five years. Peru's leftist candidate Roberto S»»»

JEDDAH: “The Sunken Treasures: The Maritime Heritage of the Red Sea” exhibition is attracting locals and foreigners in Jeddah. Being held at the Red Sea Museum, the exhibition features Al-Shuaybah treasure coins, a hoard of Islamic silver coins recovered from a shipwreck off the coast of Al-Shuayba»»»

The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in April secretly carried out a series of air strikes against Iran during the US-Israeli war against Tehran, the Wall Street Journal and Reuters reported this week. Analysts say these raids – which neither country has confirmed – would have been clandestine»»»

In Lebanon, the very idea of peace with Israel continues to deeply divide opinion. As unprecedented negotiations open today in Washington under US mediation, many Lebanese see a chance for a return to stability. But within Hezbollah’s camp, any normalization with Israel is firmly rejected. Report b»»»

Doha, Qatar: HE Director of the Department of American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Jassim bin Mohammed Al Asmakh affirmed that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Qatar and Canada on the establishment of a strategic dialogue between the Qat»»»

A photographer and filmmaker who’s published a book of incredible photographs from the six countries that span the Congo Basin has spoken to FRANCE 24 about his love for the rainforest. Thomas Nicolon used to be FRANCE 24's correspondent in Kinshasa, and says he's been very fortunate to build a car»»»

Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Head of the Egyptian Drug Authority, participated today in an inspection tour of the Medical Professions Factory affiliated with the ACDIMA Group, as well as a press conference held on the sidelines of his visit. The event was attended by Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime »»»

A container ship sails on the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, in June 2025. The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations said Thursday that a Honduran-flagged vessel was seized by Iran northeast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. File Photo by Ali Haider/EPA-EFE May 14 (U»»»

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, May 14, 2026: First, US President Donald Trump's visit to China features on most French front pages. Next, the British papers study the Labour Party's candidates as Prime Minister Keir Starmer refuses to resign. Also, the Guardian reports on a secret UN mission in Gaza. Mea»»»

Sharjah: Sharjah Museums Authority will offer free entry to all its museums across Sharjah City, Khor Fakkan and Kalba on May 18 as part of a four-day celebration marking International Museum Day under the global theme, “Museums Uniting a Divided World.” The programme, running from May 15 to 18, wi»»»

Lebanon will demand Israel cease fire at face-to-face talks that began in Washington on Thursday, a senior Lebanese official said, as Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel continued to trade blows despite a US-backed truce declared last month. A State Department official confirmed that a meeting of Leba»»»

In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under renewed pressure after his Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned today and is expected to launch a leadership bid. Former Deputy leader Angela Raynor might also announce a bid for the leadership today after she announced that she has been cleared i»»»

President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff until just November, Andrii Yermak, has fallen a long way. He is now accused of laundering nearly 9 million euros in a high profile corruption scandal. A Kyiv judge ordered on Thursday that he be placed in pre-trial detention. Story by Marc Paupe and An»»»

Immigration advocates rally outside the Supreme Court after its a ruling in favor of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in Washington in June 2020. The court's 5-4 decision rejected the Trump administration's plan to end DACA. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo WASHINGT»»»

MOSCOW: Europe should not expect ​to act as a mediator in the Ukraine peace process given its current approach, ‌Russia’s ‌state-run ​RIA ‌news ⁠agency ​reported on Thursday, citing ⁠Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Peskov reiterated Moscow’s position that Europe ⁠is currently involved ‌in ‌the con»»»

The National Assembly passed at first reading on Thursday all three bills amending the Judicial System Act, introduced by Progressive Bulgaria, Democratic Bulgaria, and Continue the Change. The Progressive Bulgaria bill was approved unanimously with 189 votes in favour by all parliamentary groups. »»»

RIYADH: Students looking for an American higher education in Riyadh can now apply for a place at the first accredited US university in the Kingdom. At 106 years old, the University of New Haven is officially the first American university to receive a foreign branch campus license from the Ministry »»»

RIYADH: Officials and institutions continued their extensive preparations on Thursday for the upcoming Hajj season which is expected to host more than 1.5 million pilgrims from abroad. Prince Saud bin Mishaal, the deputy governor of the Makkah Region, and Gov. of Jeddah Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin»»»

Bulgaria's Constitutional Court on Wednesday declared unconstitutional a March 13 National Assembly resolution instructing the Council of Ministers to take urgent measures to mitigate the adverse economic impact of high crude oil and natural gas prices, the Court said on its website. The Court open»»»

Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping shook hands ahead of bilateral talks in Beijing on Thursday, marking the first visit by a US president to China since 2017. In his opening remarks, Xi said he had always believed that the two countries “have more common interests than differences.” “A stable b»»»

DUBAI: The Red Sea Film Foundation gathered actors, filmmakers and industry executives on the French Riviera on Wednesday for its annual Women in Cinema luncheon and press day, held alongside the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. The event celebrated women creatives from the Arab world, Asi»»»

Oil prices dipped on Thursday after Iran's state media said about 30 vessels had crossed the Strait of Hormuz in recent hours while the semi-official Fars news agency cited a source saying Iran had begun allowing transit for some Chinese vessels. Meanwhile, the White House, speaking of US President»»»

KARNEI SHOMRON SETTLEMENT, Palestinian Territories: From her home in an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, Anna Sloutskin yearns to expand her country’s borders and one day move to southern Lebanon. And she is not alone. With fighting between Israel and Hezbollah displacing more than a m»»»

DHAKA: When Sharif Sheikh spoke to his Lebanon-based younger brother Karim Miah over the phone in the early hours of Monday, discussing his safety amid Israel’s war on the country was inevitable. “He said everything was fine with him despite the war situation. But that ‘fine’ didn’t last for him,” »»»

REGGIO EMILIA, Italy: The Princess of Wales’ visit to Italy has put the spotlight on an Italian early childhood educational model that helped revolutionize how toddlers learn in school. The Reggio Approach, used in public daycare centers and preschools in the northern city of Reggio Emilia, values »»»

TUNIS, May 14, 2026 (TAP- Ahmed Gaddeh) - United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of United Nations Office for Project Services Jorge Moreira da Silva said Tunisia has become a “country of huge opportunities” capable of...»»»

Havana: Cuba was hit by worsening power outages on Thursday as the island's government said oil reserves had run out and rare protests broke out around the capital Havana. Eastern Cuba was plunged Thursday into the latest of regular electricity shutdowns affecting the whole country, while people pr»»»

A total of 2,063 reports about children at risk were registered in 2025 by the State Agency for Child Protection. The National Child Helpline at 116 111 received 25,356 calls, which led to 13,078 psychological support consultations, said Deputy Chair Ivayla Kasarova on Thursday during a conference »»»

Tehran: Iran's football federation chief on Thursday said no visas had yet been issued for the national team to participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, state media reported. "Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, we will have a decisive meeting with FIFA. They must give us guarantees,»»»

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced the gravest threat yet to his leadership on Thursday as unrest within the Labour Party spilled into open rebellion, with potential successors manoeuvring for position after the party’s bruising local election losses. The crisis deepened after Health Secreta»»»

Rabat, May 14 (SANA) Syria and Morocco announced steps to restore full diplomatic engagement and expand bilateral cooperation during talks between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat on Thursday. Speaking during a joint press confer»»»