LONDON: More than a year after Syrian rebels swept longtime ruler Bashar Assad from power, the Captagon empire that underpinned his regime has survived his fall. It has mutated into trafficking networks that stretch across a landscape of porous borders and fragmented authority. Determined to disman»»»

MAKKAH: For centuries, the Hajj pilgrimage has been a journey unlike any other, one in which the punishing demands of the road have been inseparable from the spiritual weight of the destination. The pilgrim caravans of the past paint a human and devotional canvas without parallel, faithfully chroni»»»

GENEVA: Minister of Public Health HE Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud has said that Qatar is addressing global health challenges through three priorities: strengthening emergency preparedness and fully implementing the International Health Regulations; investing in primary health care as the foundati»»»

The 13th annual Avocado Festival in Tancítaro, Mexico, saw a Guinness World Record broken in the form of a 14,991-pound serving of guacamole. Photo courtesy of the Avocado Institute of Mexico May 20 (UPI) -- The 13th annual Avocado Festival in Tancítaro, Mexico, saw a Guinness World Record broken i»»»

A Maryland woman took some advice from her sister-in-law and scored a $77,000 prize from a Maryland Lottery scratch-off ticket. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo May 19 (UPI) -- A Maryland woman took some advice from her sister-in-law and scored a $77,000 prize from a Maryland Lotter»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Islamic Resistance fighters targeted at 17:25 on Wednesday 20-05-2026 a gathering of vehicles and soldiers belonging to the “Israeli” enemy»»»

Tunis, May 20 (TAP) - CEO of Tunisia’s Export Promotion Centre (CEPEX), Mourad Ben Hassine, met on Wednesday a delegation representing organisers of the global event Expo 2030 Riyadh, headed by Mulham Al-Bakree, Chief of Stakeholder Management at...»»»

Iran said on Wednesday it was examining the latest US proposal received from mediator Pakistan in talks to end the Middle East war, despite the two sides trading threats over resuming attacks. It came after US President Donald Trump told reporters that Washington was in the "final stages" of negoti»»»

In late April, Argentine President Javier Milei visited the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz during joint naval exercises between Argentine and U.S. forces in the South Atlantic Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy May 20 (UPI) -- Argentina and the United States this week launched a new maritime »»»

1 of 5 | President Donald Trump delivers the commencement address during the United States Coast Guard Academy's graduation ceremony Wednesday in New London, Conn. Photo by Angelina Katsanis/UPI | License Photo May 20 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump delivered the commencement address Wednesday at t»»»

As part of its strategic vision for early investment in national talent, the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) incollaboration with the Nafis Youth Council has announced the launch of the second batch of the 'Alpha Program. ETCC has partnered with Emirates National Schools in Abu Dhabi »»»

Tunis, May 20 (TAP) - After pausing gains at the close of the previous session, the stock market turned negative again on Wednesday.The Tunindex fell 1.35% to 17,285.34 points, trimming its annual performance to +28.5%, according to the daily...»»»

GAZA/CAIRO: In a tent in southern Gaza, Najia Abu Lehia mourns not only her husband but also their failure to make the pilgrimage to Makkah, or Hajj, together before he died a year ago because of war and border closures. Before the war between Israel and Hamas erupted in 2023, at least 3,000 Gazan »»»

Located in Alkhobar’s northern district, Lofi feels less like a traditional coffee shop and more like a carefully designed creative space. From the moment you walk in, the identity is clear; retro-inspired furniture, warm ambient lighting, curated decor, and design details that avoid the repetitive»»»

Iran has jailed a former goalkeeper for the national men’s football team after he published earlier this year a post deeply critical of then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his wife said. The Mizan news agency of the Iranian judiciary confirmed that Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri was under arrest but said h»»»

By now the world is all too familiar with the Hormuz Strait and the economic distress that the strangulation of a small-but-vital territorial zone can cause to markets the world over. Perhaps now then is a good time to take a look at the Wakhan Corridor, the narrow, protruding strip of land in nort»»»

Temperatures outside do not have to be summerlike for the temperatures inside a vehicle to quickly rise to life-threatening for a child or pet. File Photo by Anatoli Zhdanov/UPI | License Photo A 4-year-old girl died Tuesday in Los Angeles after she was found in a vehicle in a driveway, according t»»»

Dubai: Dubai Police showcased its latest smart security technologies and future policing initiatives at the International Exhibition for National Security and Resilience (ISNR 2026) in Abu Dhabi, with Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri highlighting the force’s focus on a»»»

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Spanish state-owned financial institution COFIDES have signed an agreement to launch a €300 million ($327 million) joint investment fund aimed at supporting strategic projects across Spain, with a focus on green transition, digital transformation and technologic»»»

PARIS: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to impose “permits” on submarine fiber-optic cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Here is what you need to know about cable infrastructure in the region and how the threats could play out: What cables run through Hormuz? Major c»»»

Taif Gov. Prince Fawaz bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz received the Consul General of China in Jeddah Yang Yi in Taif on Wednesday. During the meeting, they held friendly talks and discussed various topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Meanwhile, Saudi Ambassador to the Netherlands »»»

Tunis, May 20 (TAP) - Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Mohamed Ben Ayed held talks on Wednesday in Tunis with Director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) Antón...»»»

In “The Curse of Cash,” acclaimed economist and bestselling author Kenneth Rogoff explores the past, present, and future of currency, showing why, contrary to conventional economic wisdom, the regulation of paper bills—and now digital currencies—lies at the heart some of the world’s most difficult »»»

JEMA: As day broke in a remote part of western Ghana, a priest, farmers and other residents combed through the forests, looking for signs of illegal gold mining.They have done this for the past year as part of a grassroots task force created to combat the mining that has poisoned rivers in one of t»»»

WASHINGTON: The US military said Marines had boarded an Iranian-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of attempting to violate Washington’s blockade of Iran. “American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ship’s crew to alter course,” said Ce»»»

ANKARA: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told US President Donald Trump in a call on Wednesday he welcomed the extension of a ceasefire between the US and Iran, adding he believed contested issues between the sides could be resolved, according to the Turkish presidency. NATO member Turkiye, which n»»»

Turkiye is working with the United States and Arab mediators to secure safe passage for Hamas fighters who are holed up in tunnels in the Israel-controlled area of Gaza, a Palestinian source, a Hamas official and Turkish officials said on Monday.The fate of about 200 fighters has complicated effort»»»

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new trade deal for the United Kingdom with six Persian Gulf countries. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo May 20 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday announced a trade agreement with six Persian Gulf countries that he»»»

Sitting on Wednesday, the competent parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee approved further provisions of new draft Rules of Organization and Procedure of the National Assembly moved by Progressive Bulgaria. According to the approved version, the National Assembly Chair may move a change in the agenda, unl»»»

LONDON: The Syrian Arab Army took part in the Efes 2026 land, naval and air forces drills in Turkiye alongside 50 countries from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Efes 2026 has been taking place since April 20 in the western Izmir province on the Aegean Sea and will conclude tomorrow. It fe»»»

ROME: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni slammed as “unacceptable” the treatment of Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel, after an Israeli minister posted a video of them bound and forced to kneel. Meloni called for the immediate release of any detained Italian citizens and demanded an apo»»»

TAIPEI, Taiwan: Taiwan evacuated more than 3,000 people from vulnerable areas and closed schools and offices on Tuesday ahead of the arrival of tropical storm Fung-wong, which killed at least 18 people and displaced more than 1.4 million in the Philippines after making landfall there Sunday.Fung-wo»»»

TUGUEGARAO CITY: Rescuers using backhoes and chainsaws began digging the Philippines out from the devastation of Typhoon Fung-wong on Tuesday, as floodwaters receded in hundreds of villages and the storm’s death toll climbed to 18.Fung-wong, which displaced 1.4 million people, had weakened into a s»»»

Doha The State of Qatar has condemned the mistreatment by the Israeli National Security Minister of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla detained by Israeli authorities, describing this act as inhumane treatment constituting a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. In a statement»»»

Skopje, 18 May 2026 (MIA) - Fuel prices are set to rise by Mden 2-2.5 per liter as on Monday midnight, the Energy Regulatory Commission has said. The new retail price of Eurosuper BS-95 will be Mden 87 per liter, Eurosuper BS-98 will cost Mden 89, and Eurodiesel BS (D-E V) Mden 92. The price of ext»»»

Dubai: The Dh30 million UAE Lottery Lucky Day draw held on Wednesday has seen numerous players winning cash prizes, while the top jackpot remained unclaimed. In Draw No. 260520, the winning numbers for the Days section were 19, 29, 7, 20, 22, and 4, with the selected Months section number being 9. »»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Islamic Resistance fighters targeted at 15:20 on Wednesday 20-05-2026 a D9 bulldozer with a loitering glider [FPV], and a Merkava tank with»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Islamic Resistance fighters targeted at 15:20 on Wednesday 20-05-2026 a second Merkava tank at the Al-Baydar neighborhood in Haddatha town »»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Islamic Resistance fighters targeted at 15:25 on Wednesday 20-05-2026 a second bulldozer brought to withdraw the targeted vehicles in Hadda»»»

Doha: The State of Qatar has condemned the mistreatment by the Israeli National Security Minister of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla detained by Israeli authorities, describing this act as inhumane treatment constituting a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. In a statemen»»»

Scott Irlbeck crouched in a field of stunted wheat plants in a parched stretch of West Texas and slipped his hand into a crack wide enough to swallow it. Last autumn, Irlbeck planted a crop that barely grew because rain never came. He now hopes his insurance adjuster will declare it a total loss so»»»

FREETOWN: Nine migrants deported from the United States landed in Sierra Leone on Wednesday, the West African country said, in the latest example of the Trump administration’s widely criticized deals with African nations to take third-country deportees. Five migrants are from Ghana, two from Guinea»»»

MIAMI: Federal prosecutors on Wednesday announced charges against former Cuban President Raul Castro in the 1996 downing of civilian planes operated by Miami-based exiles as the Trump administration escalated pressure on the socialist government. The indictment was related to Castro’s alleged role »»»

MEXICO CITY: With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than a month away, thousands of passengers arriving at Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport are greeted by a chaotic construction site of buzzing drills, scattered pipes and unfinished flooring. The construction work coexists with hundreds»»»

LONDON: A UK high court judge ruled Tuesday that asylum seekers can continue to be housed in a hotel northeast of London which was the target of anti-immigration protests earlier this year.The local council in Epping had launched a legal challenge to block the use of the Bell Hotel as asylum accomm»»»

AMMAN — The Jordanian Internal Audit Association on Wednesday launched the "Jordan Internal Audit Forum 2026", gathering over 320 financial experts, policymakers and risk management professionals to exchange experiences and enhancing cooperation between the private and public sectors.Held under the»»»

AMMAN — Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah called for enhancing trade exchange between Jordan and European Union countries and increasing Jordanian exports to European markets to support economic growth and stimulate national productive sectors.During a meeting on Wednesday with the»»»

AMMAN — Chairman of Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) Ayman Alawneh, and Hamad Al Matrooshi, Chargé d'Affairesat the UAE Embassy in Jordan, on Wednesday discussed prospects for economic, investment and trade cooperation between the two countries.According to a JBA statement, Alawneh stressed »»»

TOKYO: Saudi Ambassador Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzaqr turned the Tokyo embassy into a lively celebration of the Kingdom’s culture for “Saudi Coffee Day,” welcoming Japanese guests to experience the warmth and flavor of the country’s coffee and dates. “Today, the embassy welcomed a distinguished gatherin»»»