Los Angeles, United States: A brush fire broke out Monday in the suburbs of Los Angeles, spreading rapidly and prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders for thousands of residents. Dubbed the Sandy Fire, the blaze broke out late Monday morning in Simi Valley, a city of around 125,000 residen»»»

Scientists attempting to determine whether or not hantavirus is present in Argentina's Ushuaia on Monday laid the very first traps to catch rodents potentially carrying the disease, AFP journalists observed. The MV Hondius cruise ship, where a hantavirus outbreak on board killed three people and tr»»»

Taiwan Defense Minister Wellington Koo on Tuesday said he was "cautiously optimistic" about arms sales from the US, after President Donald Trump said he was still considering whether to go ahead with new sales to the Chinese-claimed island. Trump's meeting with China's Xi Jinping last week, where T»»»

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon’s independent watchdog is probing the legality of the US military’s widely criticized operation targeting alleged drug boats that has killed at least 192 people, US media reported on Monday.President Donald Trump’s administration began striking vessels in the Caribbean and »»»

Doha, Qatar: On International Museum Day 2026, Qatar Foundation’s Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum celebrates its role as an arts and culture landmark that embodies inclusivity and diversity, staying true to the vision of renowned modern art master Maqbool Fida Husain. Housed within Qatar Foundat»»»

Moscow, Russia: Russia's army on Tuesday began three days of nuclear weapons drills involving thousands of troops across the country, as Kyiv escalates its drone attacks and with President Vladimir Putin headed to China. Throughout its more than four-year offensive in Ukraine Moscow has flaunted it»»»

It's the middle of the night in Havana, but Alejandro Benitez is just getting down to work. The power is back on for the first time in 15 hours and Benitez, a fourth-year architecture student, needs to get his assignment in fast before the electricity cuts out again. Desperate times call for desper»»»

Asian markets were mixed Tuesday as oil prices eased on hopes of a US-Iran deal, though elevated crude levels capped investor appetite for risk. Energy markets held center stage after US President Donald Trump signaled "serious negotiations" with Tehran and called off planned strikes, boosting opti»»»

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»»»

Romania remains a destination for global projects, expertise and capacity in the IT sector, the president of the Employers' Association of the Software and Services Industry (ANIS), Radu Postolache, said at a specialist event.'We must acknowledge that the IT sector, both locally and globally, is fa»»»

General interior fit-out contractor Except Custom Solutions recorded a 30% increase in turnover in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. The growth is underpinned by a reshaping of the project portfolio, directly influenced by market preferences. While the HoReCa segment »»»

Leasing transactions for modern office space in Bucharest increased 14% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, while new demand rose by 24%, according to data from Colliers.According to the source, new demand reached approximately 24,000 square metres in the first thr»»»

Romania’s hotel industry recorded a 16% increase in turnover in 2025, reaching €2.2 billion, according to Crosspoint’s estimates, but the drivers behind this growth signal a structural shift. The advance is driven primarily by rate increases and the upscale segment, while overall demand has shown t»»»

The European Commission on Monday proposed mobilising 144 million euros from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to help Spain, Romania and Cyprus recover from the devastating disasters of 2025, according to a EU Executive release.The largest amount, more than 120 million euros, is set to be »»»

Very important projects to Romania, such as Via Transilvania and slow tourism in the Danube Delta, will be funded with Norwegian grants, the Minister of European Investment and Projects, Dragos Pislaru, said on Thursday, at the end of a government sitting."We have announced that the memorandum will»»»

Timisoara was designated "Destination of the Year 2026" in Romania during a gala hosted on last Thursday evening at the Constanta Casino, where the country's most appreciated cities, spa resorts, authentic villages and natural attractions were awarded."Destination of the Year 2026, now in its sixth»»»

All livestock and poultry numbers increased in 2025 compared with the previous year, with Romania maintaining in second place in the European Union for sheep and goats, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS).According to data published on Friday by the INS, the total number of catt»»»

The number of animals slaughtered and meat production increased in March 2026 for pigs, sheep and goats, and poultry, while they decreased for cattle, both compared with February 2026 and with March 2025, according to data published on Monday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).Thus, in M»»»

LEKTRI.CO, one of the leading players in the electric mobility sector in Romania, has released data for April 2026 on the evolution of the electric vehicle market. During this period, 1,308 electric vehicles were registered, an increase of 113% compared to April 2025, a trend that confirms a resurg»»»

On May 19, 1935, Pope Pius XI canonized Sir Thomas More and Cardinal John Fisher as saints of the Catholic Church. 1 of 3 | On May 19, 1935, Pope Pius XI canonized Sir Thomas More, pictured, and Cardinal John Fisher as saints of the Catholic Church. File Image by J.F. Gleeson/Library of Congress On»»»

BENGALURU: Oil prices fell 2 percent on Tuesday in ​early Asian trade after US President Donald Trump said he had paused a planned attack on Iran to ‌allow for negotiations to end the war in the Middle East. Brent futures for July delivery fell $2.26, or 2 percent, to $109.84 a barrel at 06:52 a.m.»»»

Hundreds of farmers staged protests for a second consecutive day across several Syrian provinces over the government’s wheat purchase price for the current harvest season, denouncing it as unfair and insufficient to cover production costs. Demonstrators warned the pricing policy would discourage wh»»»

Dubai: An Abu Dhabi-based student has turned a moment of anxiety into an opportunity to help her classmates by developing a mobile application aimed to provide support during stressful situations. Nakshatra Prem, a Grade 7 student at Abu Dhabi Indian School, has created “Al Amal – The Hope,” an app»»»

Sofia is ready to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev said on bTV’s morning programme. "I have great respect for my colleagues, and I know that they, too, would do a wonderful job with any event, but the scale of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) requires it to be held»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April 2026 stood at 110.61 points, recording a decline of 0.74% compared to March 2026, while rising by 2.62% year-on-year compared to April 2025. The index, which measures inflation, comprises 12 main groups covering 737 goods and services. It is»»»

Australia has secured three shipments of jet fuel from China totaling 600,000 barrels, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday, doubling the national supply. The Middle East conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz have caused fuel prices to soar and left many Asia-Pacific nations facing a»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, represented by the Department of Curriculum and Learning Resources, celebrated the conclusion of the seventh edition of the Reading Olympiad project and the tenth season of the Arab Reading Challenge at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. The eve»»»

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»»»

Doha, Qatar: Birla Public School, Doha has made history at the Alice Programming Competition 2026, hosted by Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar under the guidance of the Hamad Bin Jassim Center for K 12 Computer Science Education. The school swept the Advanced Category with 1st and 2nd positions a»»»

Doha, Qatar: United Development Company (UDC), master developer of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, successfully concluded the second edition of its Women’s Padel Tournament 2026, bringing together residents in a vibrant celebration of sportsmanship, community spirit, and friendly competition. Held at »»»

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»»»

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Bucharest is leading an investigation into suspected procurement and subsidy fraud involving non-repayable EU funding to support small farms and young farmers.According to an EPPO press release, searches were carried out in Dambovita County on May 1»»»

The Senate adopted, on Monday, the emergency ordinance that allows the filling of vacant positions of contractual personnel in the Ministry of National Defense, the Special Telecommunications Service and the justice system, also introducing the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE) among the instituti»»»

Romanian Naval Forces personnel, alongside military structures and specialists from five allied and partner states, are taking part in OPEX 26, an exercise involving autonomous unmanned systems held in the Black Sea from May 18 to 29.The multinational operational experimentation exercise OPEX 26 is»»»

If parliamentary elections were held next Sunday, AUR would win 32% of the vote, according to a CURS poll conducted between May 1 and 14. PSD is estimated at 24%, while PNL stands at 20%. USR would obtain 10% and UDMR is at the 5% threshold. The survey also shows that PNRR, the party led by Cristia»»»

It is necessary to form as soon as poosible a government with a program to continue the fiscal-budgetary consolidation and the reforms, as well the absorption of the European money, says the chairman of the Fiscal Council, Daniel Daianu.'The political crisis (since it is more than just a government»»»

Multiple Hamas sources in the Gaza Strip revealed that the movement’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, is now led by Mohammed Awda, succeeding Ezzedine al-Haddad, who was killed by Israel last Friday after decades of pursuit. Three Hamas sources in Gaza told Asharq Al-Awsat that Awda ha»»»

Kenyan ant expert Dino Martins gushes over the red and black insects that have become the center of an international smuggling trade. Martins has been visiting the network of nests of these Giant African Harvester Ants outside Nairobi for 40 years. “They're big and bold... They're the tigers of the»»»

A Russian air attack damaged port infrastructure in Ukraine's Izmail city in the early hours of Tuesday, while Russian authorities said they had downed four drones launched by Ukraine that were headed towards Moscow. Izmail, in the southern Odesa region and home to the largest Ukrainian port on the»»»

The exercises on the readiness and deployment of Russian nuclear forces are to be held from May 19 to 21, Russian Ministry of Defense stated. Key details:Over 64,000 troops and more than 7,800 pieces of equipment will be involved in nuclear forces exercisesDuring the exercises, the Russian Armed Fo»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has organised the 2026 Annual Planning Forum under the theme “Continuity, Resilience, and Future Foresight,” to strengthen institutional integration and enhance the efficiency of strategic planning for the coming phase. Kahrama»»»

SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi were set to hold their fourth meeting in about six months on Tuesday, underscoring their push to deepen ties between the historical Asian rivals in the face of geopolitical challenges. Lee will host Takaichi in h»»»

MADRID: At ​least two people died ‌and four ‌were ​injured ‌in ⁠a ​shooting in ⁠the southern Spanish ⁠city ‌of El ‌Ejido, ​El ‌Pais newspaper ‌reported on ‌Tuesday, adding that the shooter ⁠was ⁠still at large.»»»

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s government is taking an “authoritarian” turn under President Prabowo Subianto, allowing disinformation to discredit critics and justify repression, Amnesty International said Tuesday. In a report titled “Building up Imaginary Enemies,” the rights watchdog highlighted a trend of»»»

The US-Israeli war with Iran has already cost companies around the world at least $25 billion - and the bill is climbing, according to a Reuters analysis. A review of corporate statements since the start of the conflict by companies listed in the United States, Europe and Asia offers a sobering loo»»»

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»»»

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»»»

Doha, Qatar: Minister of Municipality H E Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah headed the State of Qatar’s delegation participating in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), hosted by Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan from May 17 to 22, 2026, under the theme “Global Housing: Safe and Resilient Cities»»»

Construction of an innovative international-level hotel complex Relax-Inn will begin in Karakol city. The project will be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework using a special legal mechanism known as a «project sandbox.» The decision was approved by Cabinet Chairman Adylbe»»»

The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, on May 18, bringing together more than 45,000 delegates from 182 countries. During the forum, President Sadyr Japarov delivered a speech emphasizing Kyrgyzstan’s focus on the sustainable development of mountain region»»»