Thiago Avila, a member of the Global Sumud Flotilla, arrives to attend a hearing at the Ashkelon Magistrate's Court in Ashkelon, Israel, on May 3. Israel has said he and Saif Abukeshek will be released Saturday. Photo by Abir Sultan/EPA May 9 (UPI) -- Two activists being held in Israel after the co»»»

Doha: Qatar, seeking a hat-trick of Asian Cup titles, will face four-time champions Japan, Thailand and Indonesia in Group F after the final draw for the continent’s premier tournament produced an intriguing set of fixtures. Qatar defeated Jordan 3-1 in February 2024 to retain the crown they first »»»

RIYADH: Record winners Japan were drawn in the same group as champions Qatar for next year’s AFC Asian Cup, while hosts Saudi Arabia will meet Kuwait, Oman and Palestine. The draw for the 2027 edition of the continent’s showpiece event, which runs from January 7 to February 5, took place on Saturda»»»

Pakistan: A suicide bomber and several gunmen detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a security post in northwest Pakistan late Saturday, triggering an intense firefight that killed at least three police officers, police said. The attack took place in Bannu, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa pro»»»

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday marked the first anniversary of last year’s military conflict with India, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowing to continue the country’s fight against militancy and respond forcefully to any future aggression. Pakistan officially commemorated the conflict as “Ma»»»

Poland’s mandatory National e-Invoicing System (KSeF) is reshaping the freelance market, increasing pressure on freelancers to provide clear and professional billing processes. According to Freelancehunt, only 37.9% of freelancers operate as registered sole proprietors, even though many work with c»»»

MILANO: Inter ‌Milan forward Ange-Yoan Bonny has completed a switch of nationality and will be available for selection for the Ivory Coast when they announce their World Cup squad on Friday. French-born Bonny’s request to ‌change his ‌footballing nationality from ‌France, ⁠for whom he ⁠played at Un»»»

RIYADH: Startup investment activity across the Middle East and North Africa recovered in April 2026, with startups raising $150 million across 27 deals, according to Wamda’s monthly investment report. The figure represents a 211 percent increase compared to March, when regional funding activity had»»»

Sharjah: Sharjah Police arrested a reckless driver who carried out dangerous stunts and drove recklessly inside a residential area of the emirate, following a rapid investigation supported by surveillance footage provided in cooperation with local residents. Police said authorities moved immediatel»»»

On May 9, 2017, President Donald Trump abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey citing mistakes he allegedly made in the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails. 1 of 7 | U.S. President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with James Comey, director of the FBI during in the Blue Room of the White House»»»

How can Europe cover the $100bn the war in Ukraine costs? The EU just signed off on a €90bn loan for Ukraine agreed at a summit on December 19 to get it through the next two years. But the increasingly dysfunctional European economy doesn’t have the cash to make the loan. So, it borrowed it. »»»

How can Europe cover the $100bn the war in Ukraine costs? The EU just signed off on a €90bn loan for Ukraine agreed at a summit on December 19 to get it through the next two years. But the increasingly dysfunctional European economy doesn’t have the cash to make the loan. So, it borrowed it. »»»

How can Europe cover the $100bn the war in Ukraine costs? The EU just signed off on a €90bn loan for Ukraine agreed at a summit on December 19 to get it through the next two years. But the increasingly dysfunctional European economy doesn’t have the cash to make the loan. So, it borrowed it. »»»

How can Europe cover the $100bn the war in Ukraine costs? The EU just signed off on a €90bn loan for Ukraine agreed at a summit on December 19 to get it through the next two years. But the increasingly dysfunctional European economy doesn’t have the cash to make the loan. So, it borrowed it. »»»

How can Europe cover the $100bn the war in Ukraine costs? The EU just signed off on a €90bn loan for Ukraine agreed at a summit on December 19 to get it through the next two years. But the increasingly dysfunctional European economy doesn’t have the cash to make the loan. So, it borrowed it. »»»

How can Europe cover the $100bn the war in Ukraine costs? The EU just signed off on a €90bn loan for Ukraine agreed at a summit on December 19 to get it through the next two years. But the increasingly dysfunctional European economy doesn’t have the cash to make the loan. So, it borrowed it. »»»

The government is moving toward stricter regulations on electric scooters following fatal accidents involving minors, including the death of a 13-year-old in Ilia and a serious collision involving a 12-year-old in Aspropyrgos. The Transport Ministry is considering a complete ban on scooter use by a»»»

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said three hours of talks at the White House with US President Donald Trump on Thursday helped stabilise relations between Brazil and the United States, which have been strained by Trump’s tariff policy. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sai»»»

Dubai: Nearly three in ten parents in the UAE are travelling without a child car seat for young children, despite the near-universal recognition of their safety benefits, according to a new survey commissioned by RoadSafetyUAE and Al Wathba Insurance. The study, which surveyed 1,010 UAE residents i»»»

Tesla Inc. has outpaced Audi in global car sales, marking the first time the American electric vehicle manufacturer has surpassed the German luxury brand. In 2024, Tesla sold 1.79 million vehicles, edging out Audi’s 1.67 million, despite both companies facing their own set of challenges. Audi, a su»»»

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military said on Friday security forces killed five militants in two intelligence-based operations in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as Islamabad presses ahead with its counter-militancy campaign. The operations took place in Tank and Dera Ismail Khan districts »»»

Changing-of-the-guard ceremonies took place Friday after the Rumen Radev Cabinet was approved by Parliament earlier in the day. The members of the caretaker government handed over executive power to the new ministers. Newly elected Prime Minister Rumen Radev said that he believed that “our governme»»»

Combating inflation in essential food products, measures against rising fuel prices, and a review of the activities of public enterprises, structures and agencies are among the main priorities of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry Alexander Pulev in the governmen»»»

Combating inflation in essential food products, measures against rising fuel prices, and a review of the activities of public enterprises, structures and agencies are among the main priorities of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry Alexander Pulev in the governmen»»»

Abu Dhabi: Central Bank of the UAE announced on Friday the latest results of its comprehensive proactive support package aimed at strengthening the resilience of financial institutions and supporting customers affected by economic disruptions. The central bank said the total value of facilities ben»»»

The new Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation, Ivan Vassilev, took over on Friday from the caretaker Minister of Innovation and Growth, Irena Mladenova, and the caretaker Minister of E-Governance, Georgi Sharkov. This took place at an official handover ceremony in the building of the Mi»»»

Abu Dhabi: Delivery motorcycles will be banned from using selected high-speed roads across Abu Dhabi from May 15, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen road safety and reduce risks facing riders and motorists. The Integrated Transport Centre, operating under Abu Dhabi Mobility, announced that de»»»

Dubai: Schools in the holy city of Mecca are set to shift partially to distance learning next week as Saudi authorities intensify preparations for the peak Hajj season and move to ease pressure on the city’s roads and transport network. The General Directorate of Education in the Mecca region annou»»»

Bestax Chartered Accountants has announced new support for businesses preparing for the UAE’s upcoming electronic invoicing system, as companies across the country move towards mandatory e-invoicing from 2026. The announcement comes after the UAE Ministry of Finance issued Ministerial Decisions No.»»»

Dubai: A routine morning email check has turned into a life-changing moment for a South African expatriate in Dubai after he discovered that he had won Dh5 million in the UAE Lottery’s Lucky Day draw. 39-year-old Branden Tekram has noted that he initially thought the email was informing him of a sm»»»

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police have warned against the improper use of electric scooters, saying unsafe riding practices and the use of scooters in unauthorised areas continue to pose serious risks to road users. The warning was issued by the General Command of Abu Dhabi Police as part of Gulf Traffic»»»

Bulgaria's Parliament voted 124-70 with 36 abstentions to elect Rumen Radev of Progressive Bulgaria as Prime Minister. The 124 votes in favour came from Progressive Bulgaria. Voting against the Cabinet were 21 MPs of Movement for Rights and Freedoms, 21 MPs of Democratic Bulgaria, 16 MPs of Continu»»»

Friday's media coverage is dominated by the formation of the Rumen Radev government, budget and prices, and the political disputes around the new cabinet’s first priorities. POLITICS Trud writes that President Iliana Iotova handed the first government-forming mandate to Progressive Bulgaria’s PM-de»»»

Consultative sessions on the National Human Rights Action Plan (2026-2030), organised by the committee tasked with preparing the plan, continued yesterday under the chairmanship of Minister of State for International Cooperation H E Dr. Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad. The session, which forms»»»

Manila: Authorities here are ramping up a nationwide crackdown on illegal "text blasters" — high-powered GSM devices — now peddled on Facebook Marketplace and online store Shopee by ex-workers from shuttered offshore gaming operations. While centralised scam hubs have declined, the Philippine Natio»»»

Podgorica: Speaker of the Shura Council H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, met with President of the Senate, Faisal Akef Al Fayez, and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mazen Qadi, on the sidelines of the first Summit of Speakers of Parliaments and Presiden»»»

DOHA: Qatar participated in the 10th ministerial committee meeting on food safety for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, held virtually yesterday. Qatar was represented by Minister of Public Health H E Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud. The meeting addressed a range of key food safety issues, incl»»»

On May 8, 1945, President Harry S. Truman officially declared V-E Day, the end of World War II in Europe. People jam Piccadilly Circus during celebration of V-E Day on May 8, 1945, in London. UPI File Photo May 8 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1541, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto becomes t»»»

Doha, Qatar: Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani held a meeting yesterday with private sector representatives from Qatar Chamber and the Qatari Businessmen Association. The meeting forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing engagement with the business commun»»»

New York: The State of Qatar has warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused significant economic disruption and risks escalating regional tensions into a global crisis. The remarks were made yesterday by Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, H E Sheik»»»

Dubai: Dubai Taxi Company reported lower first-quarter revenue and profit after regional uncertainty in March reduced trip volumes across its taxi and limousine businesses, interrupting a strong start to the year driven by fleet expansion and steady mobility demand. Sign up for our daily business n»»»

Doha, Qatar: Ministry of Municipality has unveiled its 2025 annual report, highlighting major achievements in digital transformation, sustainability, urban development, and food security as part of efforts to advance the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. The report showcased a year of accelerate»»»

The US Treasury Department has imposed fresh sanctions targeting individuals, companies and Iran-backed groups accused of exploiting Iraq’s oil sector to benefit Tehran. According to a press release, Iraq’s Deputy Oil Minister Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly is among those sanctioned, whom Washington alleges»»»

Tribune News Network Doha Doha Film Institute (DFI) continues to champion bold global storytelling, with seven films supported through its funding programmes selected for the 2026 Cannes Film Festival (May 12–23). The films span the festival’s Official Selection, In Competition and Un Certain Regar»»»

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has enhanced direct communication channels with pilgrims through a unified number, 1966, available around the clock in 11 languages. The ministry said the service allows pilgrims to obtain information, request assistance and report service-related issues, w»»»

ISLAMABAD: A senior Pakistan Air Force (PAF) official said on Thursday that the PAF had downed eight Indian fighter jets during the brief military conflict between the two sides in May last year, stressing that Islamabad had not lost a single aircraft during the skirmishes. Pakistani and Indian mil»»»

Katya Ivkova has been proposed as Minister of Health in the draft Cabinet of Rumen Radev. Katya Ivkova holds a Master's degree in Public Health and Health Management from the Medical University of Sofia, graduated with full honours, and in International Relations from the University of National and»»»

Threats by Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from NATO, expressed on March 27, 2026, at an investment forum in Miami, statements by J.D. Vance about Europe’s loss of its identity during an interview with Fox News on March 15, 2026, along with the refusal of European countries to directly j»»»

Czech consumer prices (inflation) rose by 2.5% year-on-year (y/y) and by 0.5% month-on-month in April, according to the flash estimate released by the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO). Inflation growth accelerated on the 1.»»»

Pakistan’s military warned Thursday it would respond strongly against any attack as it marked the anniversary of last year’s four-day conflict with neighboring India that brought the nuclear-armed rivals to the brink of war before a US-brokered ceasefire halted the fighting. The military said that »»»