No work, no pay: War hits hard OFWs in the Middle East
DUBAI: “The money I raise from my part-time work is not enough, so I usually just have a meal once a day to save money,” Dubai-based Filipino household helper Cinderella told Arab News. “I was working for a Syrian family here in Dubai, but they left the UAE because of the US-Iran conflict amid fear»»»
Oman inflation rises 3.2% in April on higher food, transport costs
JEDDAH: Oman’s consumer prices rose 3.2 percent year on year in April, pointing to a steady but contained rise in inflation, driven mainly by higher costs in essential goods and services, according to official data. Figures from the National Center for Statistics and Information, or NCSI, showed th»»»
Prime minister reiterates Qatar's condemnation of drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud. During the call, they reviewed bilateral relati»»»
Russia, Belarus Stage Nuclear Drills
Russia and Belarus staged nuclear drills on Monday, authorities said, amid a standoff with the NATO military alliance and an impasse with Washington over nuclear arms control. Russia deployed Oreshnik, its latest hypersonic, nuclear-capable missile, to Belarus last year, upping the stakes in its ri»»»
Moscow Has Most Serious Expectations From Putin's Upcoming Visit to China - Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moscow has the most serious expectations from the upcoming official visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to China, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. "I can say that we have the most serious expectations," Peskov said. Putin is preparing for his upcoming visit t»»»
Women to travel free on KSRTC buses in Kerala
Dubai: Delivering on election promises within hours of assuming office, the maiden Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Monday announced a series of sweeping welfare measures, signalling the start of an assertive, people-centric governance model under the new Congress-led UDF»»»
Do UAE tenants now need approved credit checks before signing rental contracts?
Dubai: Is the UAE rental market now entering a new phase of financial screening? Private landlords across the country can now request the credit scores of prospective tenants through a new “Tenant Screening” solution launched by Etihad Credit Bureau in collaboration with UAE PASS. Get updated faste»»»
Strike over high fuel prices paralyses transport in Kenya
Strike over high fuel prices paralyses transport in Kenya 12 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleBasillioh RukangaNairobi AFP via Getty ImagesThe protests have been triggered by a record increase in the cost of fuel Thousands of Kenyan commuters have been stranded and businesses paralysed»»»
Iranian Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi released from hospital
DUBAI:Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has been released from a hospital in Tehran after more than two weeks, her supporters said Monday. They called for Mohammadi, 54, to remain at home to receive follow-up care and daily physiotherapy. Mohammadi was urgently transferred from pr»»»
Saudi airport passenger traffic climbs 9.6% in 2025: GASTAT
RIYADH: Passenger numbers travelling through Saudi airports increased 9.6 percent in 2025 to reach 140.9 million, according to the data released by the General Authority for Statistics, International passengers accounted for 75.8 million of the total, marking a 9.4 percent year-on-year rise, while »»»
Investment minister affirms commitment to improving business climate, attracting investments
The Egyptian pound dropped again against the dollar on the black market on 21 July 2016, extending its recent decline despite central bank efforts to close the gap between demand and supply in the dollar-starved economy. Egypt, which relies heavily on imports, is facing a shortage in foreign curren»»»
Prime minister, Egyptian foreign minister discuss regional developments
DOHA: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Abroad in the Arab Republic of Egypt HE Dr Badr Abdelatty. During the call, they reviewed the »»»
US Navy planes collide during airshow (VIDEO)
Two US Navy electronic warfare aircraft collided mid-air on Sunday during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. All four crew members ejected safely. Video from the scene shows two EA-18G Growler jets flying in close formation at low altitude. At one point, the air»»»
Dinar-to-euro exchange rate at RSD 117.3945
BELGRADE - The Serbian dinar's official median exchange rate against the euro is 117.3945 dinars for one euro on Monday, which is a slight change relative to Friday, the National Bank of Serbia said. The dinar is steady against the euro m-o-m, down by 0.1 pct y-o-y and down by 0.1 pct relative to t»»»
Vucic: Very successful meetings in Baku, new opportunities for cooperation
BAKU - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday he had had very successful meetings with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and representatives of Azerbaijan's top companies earlier in the day and that new opportunities for cooperation with the country had been opened up. "Of course, we co»»»
Eid Al Adha holidays announced for UAE private sector employees
Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced a four-day paid holiday for private sector employees across the UAE, in observance of Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha. The Eid break will run from Tuesday, May 26, and continue through Friday, May 29. Normal working hours will re»»»
Romania’s electric vehicle market accelerates in April 2026, with a 113% increase
According to data compiled by LEKTRI.CO, out of a total of 42,448 vehicles registered last month, regardless of engine type, electric vehicles accounted for 3.08%. Of the 1,308 EVs registered during this period, 1,233 were passenger cars and 75 were electric commercial vehicles; after subtracting t»»»
Risk of Ebola importation to Kyrgyzstan remains low — Health Ministry - | 24.KG
No cases of Ebola have been reported in Kyrgyzstan, the Ministry of Health’s press center reported. According to the ministry, the risk of virus being imported into the country is currently assessed as low, but the Ministry of Health is taking all necessary measures to ensure the healthcare system »»»
Media Review: May 18
HEADLINES Bulgarian media on Monday are dominated by the victory of Dara at the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, with newspapers and broadcasters extensively covering the singer’s success and public reactions in Bulgaria. Among the leading front-page headlines, Telegraph »»»
Taiba Investments signs $633.4m Madinah hotels agreement with Osool
RIYADH: Public Investment Fund-backed Taiba Investments Co. has finalized an agreement worth SR2.4 billion ($633.4 million) to develop three hotels in central Madinah. The deal will see the firm create a special purpose company with Osool Integrated Real Estate Co., and Taiba will contribute SR300 »»»
Spanish court orders 55 mn euro tax refund to Shakira
Madrid, Spain: A Spanish court has ordered the tax authority to refund Colombian pop star Shakira more than 55 million euros ($64 million) improperly collected in a dispute over her 2011 taxes, according to a court document seen by AFP on Monday. The National Audience said tax authorities had faile»»»
Iran Says Responded to Latest US Peace Proposal
Iran said Monday it had responded to a new US proposal aimed at ending the war, adding that exchanges were continuing despite Iranian media reports describing Washington's demands as excessive. Washington and Tehran have been swapping proposals in an effort to end the conflict which broke out on Fe»»»
Ukraine Loses Over 300 Soldiers to Russia's Tsentr Battlegroup in Past Day
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine lost over 300 soldiers in combat against Russia's Tsentr battlegroup over the past day, in addition to losses in manpower and equipment on other fronts, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday. "The losses of the Ukrainian armed forces amounted to over 300 military pe»»»
DR Congo Ebola outbreak: How dangerous is it and should you worry?
Dubai: A new Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has triggered growing global concern after spreading undetected for weeks in a region torn by conflict and displacement. Nearly 250 suspected cases and around 80 deaths have already been reported, while neighbou»»»
UAE students can study medicine in India for just Dh700 a year – here’s how
While cracking India’s fiercely competitive engineering and medical entrance exams remains a daunting challenge, students from the UAE are increasingly securing seats in reputed institutions, including IITs, NITs and government medical colleges, at fees that are often lower than monthly school tuit»»»
Muna Easa Al Gurg makes TIME100 Philanthropy 2026 list
Muna Easa Al Gurg has been named in the 2026 TIME100 Philanthropy list, in recognition of her efforts to support women and girls across the Middle East and North Africa. The annual list by TIME highlights influential figures shaping the future of philanthropy and social impact. Get updated faster a»»»
Katz Enforces “Execution Law” for Palestinian Prisoners in West Bank - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Katz Enforces “Execution Law” for Palestinian Prisoners in West Bank 18-05-2026 12:23 PM Israeli DM Yisrael Katz with Israeli military and »»»
Cabinet allocates additional 680 million soms to support SMEs - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers allocated additional funds to support small and medium-sized businesses and the garment industry. The First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Daniyar Amangeldiev, told journalists as part of the Open Cabinet project. According to him, suppo»»»
Argaam summit spotlights next phase of Saudi economic transformation
RYIADH: The second edition of the Argaam Summit 2026 concluded last Tuesday, bringing together CEOs of leading companies, market and sector specialists, investors, and policymakers to discuss Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation a decade after the launch of Vision 2030. The summit was anchored by»»»
Prime Minister holds phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister
Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani held a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud. During the call, they reviewed »»»
Indonesia boosts defences with new fighter jets
Jakarta, Indonesia: Indonesia will continue boosting its defence capabilities, President Prabowo Subianto said Monday, citing uncertain times as he presented new military hardware, including six French-made Rafale jets, to the air force. The Southeast Asian nation, which pursues a policy of diploma»»»
Most Foreign Mercenaries in Ukrainian Army Seen in Kharkov Direction - Russian Official
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The largest number of foreign mercenaries in the ranks of the Ukrainian armed forces have been spotted in the Kharkov and Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk) directions, the Russian Foreign Ministry's ambassador-at-large on the Ukrainian regime's crimes, Rodion Miroshnik, told Sputnik. "The»»»
Belarus Begins Drills of Units for Use of Nuclear Weapons, Support - Defense Ministry
MINSK (Sputnik) - Military units of Belarus for the combat use of nuclear weapons and nuclear support have started military drills, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said on Monday. "Today, in the interests of increasing the readiness of the armed forces for the use of modern weapons, including speci»»»
Rostec to Unveil New Super-Heavy Engine in Coming Years - Top Manager
HARBIN, China (Sputnik) - Russia's Rostec is working on a new super-heavy engine and will unveil it in the coming years, Viktor Kladov, the state corporation's director of international cooperation, told Sputnik. "We are working on a super-heavy, super-powerful engine to replace the products of [th»»»
China, Russia Plan to Further Promote Relations to Higher Level - Chinese Foreign Ministry
BEIJING (Sputnik) - Beijing and Moscow intend to continue to promote bilateral relations to an even higher level, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday. "Taking this opportunity, the parties intend to further advance bilateral relations to a deeper and higher level, bringing »»»
Ukraine Confirms Spread of Hantavirus Among Its Soldiers
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has confirmed that hantavirus is widespread among the military personnel of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Sumy direction, Russian law enforcement agencies told Sputnik. "Kiev doctor Irina Semenova stated that hantavirus is widespread among the military personnel of th»»»
Intesa Sanpaolo Group records a net income of €2.8 billion in Q1 2026
Intesa Sanpaolo Group delivered net income of €2.8 billion in the first quarter of 2026, the best quarterly result in the Bank’s history (+6% vs. Q1 2025). Q1 operating income reached a record €7.2 billion, driven by balanced growth across net interest income, commissions, insurance activities and »»»
BCR: EUR/RON rises, leu still overvalued amid instability
The recent rise in the exchange rate, amid political instability, has reduced the overvaluation of the Romanian leu, but it still persists, according to an analysis by the Romanian Commercial Bank (BCR), which has increased its forecast for the EUR/RON level. Analysts also note a shift in the Natio»»»
Voluntary home policies up 7% in 2025; EUR 255,000 largest payout
The number of voluntary home insurance policies concluded last year rose by 7%, covering around 128,000 additional homes in a single year, the National Union of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies of Romania said in a statement."This development confirms an essential fact: having voluntary home ins»»»
Word Bank Group’s IFC is to become shareholder of Carpathia Pensii, a VIG company
Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group signed today in Bucharest an agreement with Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) to acquire approximately 10% of the shares of Carpathia Pensii. A strategic partnership aimed at strengthening Romanians’ trust in private pensions. The majority shareholder »»»
ING Bank adds payment request option to RoPay in Home’Bank
ING Bank Romania is expanding the RoPay functionalities available in Home’Bank with the launch of the Payment Request option, which allows users to send and receive instant payment requests using only a phone number, without entering an IBAN. ING Bank is expanding the functionalities offered throug»»»
BRD Signs Sector-Level Collective Labor Agreement in Banking
BRD – Groupe Société Générale announces its voluntary accession to the Collective Labor Agreement negotiated at the level of the banking sector, recently concluded between the Council of Banking Employers in Romania (CPBR) and the representative trade union federations FSIF and FSAB. The document, »»»
Economy Still in Recession as Inflation Tops 10%
Romania’s economy remains in recession. The first quarter of this year recorded a decline both compared to the end of last year and to the same period in 2025. Annual Romania’s economy remains in recession. The first quarter of this year recorded a decline both compared to the end of last year and »»»
NBR Board decisions on monetary policy
In its meeting of 15 May 2026, the Board of the National Bank of Romania (NBR) decided the following: to keep the monetary policy rate at 6.50 percent per annum; to leave unchanged the lending (Lombard) facility rate at 7.50 percent per annum and the deposit facility rate at 5.50 percent per annum;»»»
Drivers in Kuwait face up to three years in jail, fines up to KD1,000 and vehicle impoundment for transporting illegal residents
Kuwaiti authorities have reiterated strict penalties against individuals involved in transporting illegal residents or operating unlicensed passenger transport services, warning that violators could face jail terms of up to three years. According to local media reports, authorities said drivers usi»»»
Meet Salam, Dubai Safari Park’s baby white rhino who became a symbol of peace
Dubai: Born amid conflict, Dubai Safari Park’s baby rhino Salam quickly became an unlikely symbol of hope for many residents across the UAE. Named after the Arabic word for peace, the endangered southern white rhino calf arrived at a time in April beginning when conflict dominated headlines across »»»
FIFA studies football in Kyrgyzstan, presents nationwide development plan - | 24.KG
A meeting dedicated to the development of grassroots and amateur football in Kyrgyzstan was held in Bishkek as part of the FIFA Amateur Event. The event brought together representatives of the Kyrgyz Football Union, regional football organizations and leagues, as well as FIFA specialists. FIFA Regi»»»
Iran’s World Cup football team leaves for Turkiye: media
TEHRAN: Iran’s national football team was headed to Turkiye on Monday to play a final friendly match and apply for visas to fly to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, Iranian media reported.The team plan to participate in the tournament despite co-host Washington having launched a war against»»»
Colombian singer Shakira acquitted of tax fraud in Spain
MADRID: Spain’s High Court has acquitted Colombian singer Shakira of tax fraud and ordered the Treasury to reimburse her with over 60 million euros ($69.8 million) in fines she had paid plus interest, according to a court document seen by Reuters on Monday.»»»
Prime Minister receives phone call from Egyptian Foreign Minister
Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received a phone call from HE Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt. During the call, they reviewed bilate»»»