Startup Wrap: MENA startups raise $150m in April as investor activity recovers
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»»»
Caught on camera: Sharjah Police arrest stunt driver in residential area
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 This Day, May 9: President Donald Trump fires FBI Director James Comey - UPI.com
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»»»
Europe funds the Ukraine conflict with debt, Russia with cash
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. »»»
Europe funds the Ukraine conflict with debt, Russia with cash
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. »»»
Europe funds the Ukraine conflict with debt, Russia with cash
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. »»»
Europe funds the Ukraine conflict with debt, Russia with cash
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. »»»
Europe funds the Ukraine conflict with debt, Russia with cash
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. »»»
Europe funds the Ukraine conflict with debt, Russia with cash
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. »»»
Fatalities drive push to ban minors from e-scooters
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»»»
Brazil’s Lula and Trump hail positive White House talks after rocky relations
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»»»
"My child doesn't like it": Why are 28% of UAE parents avoiding life-saving car seats?
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 Surpasses Audi in Global Car Sales Amid Challenges in the Electric Vehicle Market
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»»»
Pakistan military says five militants killed in northwest intelligence-based operations
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 »»»
Caretaker Cabinet Hands Over Executive Power to New Regular Government
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»»»
Economy Minister Prioritizes Food Inflation, Fuel Prices and Public Sector Oversight
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»»»
Economy Minister Outlines Priorities As Food Inflation, Fuel Prices and Public Sector Oversight
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»»»
UAE banks rolled out Dh6.2b in relief support, here’s who benefited
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»»»
Ivan Vasilev Assumes Office as Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation
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 restricts delivery motorcycles on major roads
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»»»
Why some Mecca schools are switching to remote learning
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 prepares UAE businesses for e-invoicing rollout
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.»»»
‘I’m a millionaire in Dubai’: South African expat wins Dh5m in UAE Lottery, plans to invest in family’s future
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»»»
Unsafe e-scooter riding is putting lives at risk, Abu Dhabi Police warn
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»»»
Parliament Elects Rumen Radev as Prime Minister
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»»»
Media Review: May 8
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»»»
Qatar continues Consultations on Human Rights Action Plan
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»»»
Philippines: War on 'text blasters' — ex-POGO phishers peddle scam machines that hijack your phone
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»»»
Shura Council Speaker meets parliamentary leaders
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»»»
Qatar attends GCC ministerial meeting on food safety
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 This Day, May 8: V-E Day marks end of World War II in Europe - UPI.com
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»»»
Minister of Commerce and Industry meets with business leaders to address private sector challenges
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»»»
Qatar warns of global impact of Strait of Hormuz closure at UN briefing
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 Taxi profit hit by March slowdown despite fleet expansion
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»»»
93% of MoM services completed electronically in 2025
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»»»
US slaps sanctions on Iran-linked oil smugglers funding Iraq attacks
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»»»
Seven Global Films supported by Doha Film Institute selected for 2026 Cannes Film Festival
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 expands pilgrim support with 24/7 hotline in 11 languages
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»»»
Pakistan Air Force says downed eight Indian fighter jets during May 2025 conflict
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: Minister of Health
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»»»
Germany’s new militarization: Revival of the spirit or blatant revanchism? (by Dmitry Medvedev)
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 inflation accelerates to 2.5% y/y in April
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 Warns of Strong Response to Any Attack on Anniversary of Clash with India
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 »»»
Two more airline partners resume services at Hamad International Airport
Doha, Qatar: More airline partners are gradually resuming operations at Hamad International Airport (HIA) continuing to support smooth passenger flow. HIA stated that Saudia and Kuwait Airways have resumed services to and from Doha, adding to the 22 airline partners previously announced. Qatar Airw»»»
Boy, 12, critically hurt in e-scooter accident
A 12-year-old boy was hospitalised in critical condition Thursday after a road accident with an e-scooter west of Athens, just days after the government announced plans to restrict minors’ use of the vehicles. The boy suffered severe head injuries when his e-scooter collided with a car in the town »»»
EU funding of 3.42 million euro for installation of new charging points under Blue Route 4E programme
A total of 106 new fast and ultra-fast charging points will be installed on major European routes in Romania and Greece, with funding from the European Union (EU) worth 3.42 million euro, the developer company said in a press release.According to the PPC Blue, under this initiative the company will»»»
Dimitrieska-Kochoska: Committed to stable economic growth through reforms and sustainable public finances amid global uncertainty
Skopje, 5 May 2026 (MIA) - Sustainable public finances and macroeconomic stability are key in conditions of increased global uncertainty, Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska said in her address at the Economic and Financial Dialogue held Tuesday in Brussels. As part of the 12th Economic a»»»
Saudi Arabia a ‘no-go area’ for Pakistan, deputy PM says amid US-Iran conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Wednesday Islamabad had warned all parties involved in the US-Iran conflict that Saudi Arabia was a “no-go area” for Pakistan, underscoring the country’s security commitment to the Kingdom under a mutual defense pact signed last year. Da»»»
Saudi Q1 budget: Strategic spending of $103bn strengthens economic resilience
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s first-quarter 2026 budget performance figures showed the government remained firmly committed to development and social spending, with total expenditure surging 20 percent year on year to about SR387 billion ($103.2 billion), compared with SR322 billion in the same period a y»»»
CEO of QFZ discusses cooperation in trade and investment with Ambassador of Panama
Doha, Qatar: Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al-Thani met with Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the State of Qatar H E Johnny Mayani. During the meeting, the two sides discussed cooperation efforts in trade & investment and exc»»»