RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil revenues saw an annual rise of 2 percent in the first quarter of 2026 to reach SR116 billion ($30.9 billion), official data showed. The figures, published in the Budget Performance Report covering the three months to March 31 issued by the Ministry of Finance, highlig»»»

Continue the Change (CC) has ideas for the state budget, party chair Assen Vassilev said on Tuesday during consultations with President Iliana Iotova regarding the handing of the first exploratory mandate to form a government. "We hope there will be responsiveness from Progressive Bulgaria," Vassil»»»

LONDON: King Abdullah of Jordan on Tuesday condemned the Iranian attacks on the UAE during a call with the emirate’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. The king expressed Jordan’s solidarity with the UAE and its support for all measures taken to protect its security and sovereignty. He a»»»

PARIS: FIFA has invited the Iranian football federation (FFIRI) to its headquarters for talks over the country’s participation at this year’s World Cup, a source told AFP on Tuesday. Iran’s presence at the tournament, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico between June 11 and July 19, has bee»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Djuro Macut met on Tuesday in Belgrade with an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation headed by Annette Kyobe to discuss current macroeconomic trends, the fiscal policy and further cooperation. "Macut emphasised that the Government remains committed to preserving macroec»»»

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has set a deadline for pilgrims to receive recommended vaccinations no later than 10 days before the start of the Hajj season, as part of efforts to strengthen preventive measures during one of the world’s largest annual gatherings. The ministry said immunisation i»»»

Chennai: Actor-politician C. Joseph Vijay has formally staked his claim to become Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, setting the stage for intense post-poll negotiations after a fractured electoral verdict left the state without a clear majority. Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which emerged as »»»

The Baku Marathon has taken place in the capital of Azerbaijan, organizers reported. Among the men, Turkish runner Ahmet Alkanoglu crossed the finish line first. Ukrainian runner Vitaly Shafar took second place, while Kyrgyzstani Yrskeldi Akerov took third. Another Kyrgyzstani, retired police major»»»

People need swift progress in at least two key areas - the budget and judicial reform, President Iliana Iotova said during consultations on Tuesday with representatives of Vazrazhdane as part of the procedure for handing over the first exploratory mandate to form a government. During the talks, Vaz»»»

Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani received on Tuesday HE Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore, who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they reviewed the e»»»

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a phone call from Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, during which he condemned the Iranian terrorist attacks targeting civilians and civilian sites in the UAE, noting that they constitute a violation »»»

Dubai: A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck southwest of Kuwait on Tuesday, according to the Kuwait National Seismic Network. In a statement, the network said the tremor was recorded in the Al Manaqeesh area at 1:27pm local time, at a depth of 5 kilometres below the surface. Get updated faster and for»»»

CAIRO — Egypt Aluminium Company has implemented fresh price increases for May, raising product prices by between EGP 3,000 and EGP 5,000 per ton, according to an official company circular cited by Economy Plus. Under the revised pricing structure, the base price of aluminium reached approximately E»»»

The United States is "not looking for a fight" over the Strait of Hormuz and its ceasefire with Iran still holds, but any attack on commercial shipping will be met with a "devastating" response, the Pentagon chief said Tuesday. The warning from Pete Hegseth came on the second day of a U.S. effort t»»»

A Greek national is among the passengers aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius crossing the Atlantic Ocean, where three passengers have died in a suspected outbreak of hantavirus. The information was obtained by a list of passengers and crew issued by Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship’s owners. The compa»»»

GERB will pursue a constructive political dialogue with the other parties in the National Assembly, party Chair Boyko Borissov said during a meeting with ambassadors from European Union countries in Bulgaria. Borissov announced the meeting on Tuesday in a post on his Facebook page. “The political s»»»

Democratic Bulgaria will be a constructive opposition that supports the right policies, said Bozhidar Bozhanov, deputy Floor Leader of the Democratic Bulgaria parliamentary group and co-chairman of Yes, Bulgaria (part of the Democratic Bulgaria coalition) during the consultations with President Ili»»»

Dubai: UAE to get new Dh1 billion Fujairah desalination plant, with a total investment value of Dh1.046 billion, after Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) signed a new agreement on the sidelines of Make it in the Emirates 2026. The development and investment arm of EtihadWE has signed an Engine»»»

CAIRO/GAZA: Israeli strikes killed ‌at least two Palestinians and wounded several others in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, health officials said. Medics said a Palestinian was ​killed and two others were wounded by an Israeli airstrike near the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, while another was»»»

NEW DELHI: For the first time in five decades, no Indian state will be governed by a left-wing party, following elections including in Kerala, a long-time socialist stronghold and home to the world’s first democratically elected communist government. When vote counting in five regional assembly ele»»»

If the Iran ceasefire collapses, Israel is eyeing the possibility of escalating strikes on Hezbollah across Lebanon, an Israeli source told CNN on Tuesday. Washington is still pushing for diplomacy between Israel and Lebanon, but the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Lebanon appears to be on the verge of »»»

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf warned Tuesday that Iran was "just getting started" after its military clashed with U.S. forces attempting to guide commercial ships trapped by the war out through the Hormuz Strait. File Photo by Wael Hamzeh/EPA May 5 (UPI) -- Iran warned Tuesday that i»»»

YEREVAN - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Tuesday in Yerevan, where he is attending the Yerevan Dialogue 2026 conference, that a policy of principles, national interests and adaptability was the essence of Serbia's policy in the current era of unprecedented changes. Speaking to reporters after atte»»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump is keeping the option of restarting major combat operations against Iran if no deal is reached. “The president retains the opportunity and the capabilities, more capabilities than we had at the st»»»

The Congress high command faces its first and most critical test in Kerala after a sweeping electoral victory — choosing the next chief minister, a decision that will set the tone for governance and internal cohesion over the next five years. With the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) retu»»»

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has said communication with the Iranian regime continues — both "overtly and quietly” — in order to create conditions for a "deal”, even as US President called talks with Iran "very positive". The US kicked off “Project Freedom” to escort commercial ships stuck in t»»»

Dubai: After losing an eye in an Israeli military strike, Gaza artist Areej al-Saafin is turning trauma into expression. From her home in the Bureij refugee camp, she creates charcoal drawings on the walls, reflecting pain, resilience and survival. The war in Gaza began after Hamas’s October 7, 202»»»

The Justice Ministry published a Concept for the creation of an institutional mechanism for the protection and support of magistrates subjected to pressure, threats or other forms of improper interference in connection with the exercise of their functions, the Ministry's press centre said on Tuesda»»»

GERB will pursue a constructive political dialogue with the other parties in the National Assembly, party Chair Boyko Borissov said during a meeting with ambassadors from European Union countries in Bulgaria. Borissov announced the meeting on Tuesday in a post on his Facebook page. “The political s»»»

Doha, Qatar: President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the closing day of the boys’ competitions at the 19th edition of the Schools Olympic Program, held today at Aspire Dome. The closing day was also attended by Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Presi»»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine said on Tuesday that 22,500 mariners at over 1,500 commercial vessels are currently unable to leave the Gulf area. "There are currently 22,500 mariners embarked on more than 1,550 commercial vessels trapped in the Arabian Gulf, unab»»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The ceasefire between the United States and Iran is holding, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday, adding that the so called Project Freedom initiative is a "distinct project". "No, the ceasefire is not over," Hegseth told reporters when ask about the status of th»»»

RIYADH: Indonesia continues its Hajj flights with expanded access to the Makkah Route, as Saudi authorities have added a new major Indonesian airport to the flagship initiative that streamlines immigration procedures for pilgrims. Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, will send 22»»»

The Varna District Court has resumed the case against Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev and municipal councillors Yordan Kateliev and Nikolay Stefanov, the court's press office said on Tuesday. Also standing trial are businessman Yordan Marinov and PR expert Antoaneta Petrova. Proceedings were suspended »»»

Abu Dhabi: The UAE announced on Monday that it has taken a step towards developing a global defence manufacturing hub through a new partnership with South Korea’s LIG Defence and Aerospace (LIG D&A). Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Tawazun Council for Defence Enablemen»»»

Tuesday is Teacher Appreciation Day. Doodle courtesy of Google May 5 (UPI) -- Tuesday's cheerful-looking Google Doodle was created to mark Teacher Appreciation Day. The artwork features a blue and white vase with yellow flowers, a juice box with a googly-eyed apple on it, a pencil and sheet of pape»»»

Dubai: As UAE schools shift to distance learning once more in response to safety concerns, families across the country are adjusting with a sense of confidence and preparedness. While the sudden change requires quick coordination at home, parents say the move reinforces a strong commitment to stude»»»

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has called on private sector companies employing 50 or more workers to step up efforts to meet their semi-annual Emiratisation targets, requiring a 1 per cent increase in skilled roles before the 30 June 2026 deadline. With just under two»»»

Tunis, May 5, 2026 (TAP) – A restitution conference presenting the outcomes of the second edition of the National Water Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 9 in Tunis, organized by the Nomad 08 Association and the Tunisian Water Observatory...»»»

Tunis, May 5, 2026 (TAP) – Tunisia’s energy situation is prompting the conclusion of concession agreements for electricity generation from renewable sources, particularly solar energy, according to data presented during a session of the Investment...»»»

DOHA: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore HE Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and his accompanying delegation, during their visit to the State of Qatar. The meetin»»»

LONDON: Al Majalla has picked up 14 Awards of Excellence at the Society of News Design’s 47th Annual Creative Competition. SND has organised this competition annually since 1979, and it remains the global benchmark for visual journalism. These awards honour standout visual journalism across design,»»»

President Iliana Iotova said that after the elections, the more difficult phase begins - institutions must meet citizens' expectations. Iotova spoke on Tuesday during consultations with Continue the Change on forming a government. "The elections are over, and from here on comes the harder part - al»»»

Frankfurt, Germany: Germany's BioNTech said Tuesday it will halt operations at several sites, in a move affecting up to 1,860 jobs, as sales of its blockbuster Covid vaccine drop. The biotech company plans to stop operating at three manufacturing sites in Germany by the end of 2027, it said, while »»»

Dubai: Forbes Middle East has revealed the third annual list of the region’s Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders, highlighting the developers and decision-makers transforming the region’s skylines and urban landscapes. The ranking was compiled over several months and based on multiple criteria inclu»»»

RIYADH: Patent applications filed by individuals in Saudi Arabia rose by 102 percent in 2025 from the previous 12 months, accelerating from a 62 percent year-on-year increase in 2024. Data released in January showed that such filings rose 96 percent to 3,942 last year, from 2,007 in 2024. The Saudi»»»

RIYADH: Non-governmental organizations are showcasing practical, locally-developed solutions to reduce waste, encourage sustainable habits and address land degradation during Saudi Environment Week. At an event in Riyadh on Monday, NGOs presented initiatives ranging from food waste reduction and el»»»

WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that a US operation to protect commercial ships from Iran in the Strait of Hormuz is temporary, Washington is not looking for a fight and the ceasefire with Iran is still in effect. “The ceasefire is not over,” Hegseth told reporters. “W»»»

JAKARTA: Indonesian authorities have detained 62 foreign nationals in Bali in an ongoing crackdown on violators of local customs and visa rules, officials said on Tuesday. At least 2,600 foreign nationals in Bali were deported between January and July 2025, latest government data showed, while some»»»