Saudi Arabia to host first professional T20 cricket competition
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will stage its first professional T20 cricket competition featuring stars of the international game in October this year. The six-team Dunes T20 League will run from the second week of October, and represents a significant step in the development of cricket in the Kingdom. The »»»
Where We Are Going Today: Jollibee
Greeting you with an image of a jolly anthropomorphic bee donning a chef’s hat, Jollibee is giving even the business of bees in Saudi Arabia some juicy and crunchy chicken to munch on. The branding of Jollibee — which was founded by Filipino Chinese entrepreneur Tony Tan Caktiong — is said to have »»»
How a Swiss-Moroccan entrepreneur built a ‘kingdom’ out of scattered plots in Switzerland
LONDON: As self-proclaimed King of Switzerland and, to give his full titles, Emperor of the Lauwiner Empire, Grand Master of the Order of Merit, Admiral of the Empire Fleet and Field Marshal of the Empire Legion — to say nothing of his recent election to the municipal council of the Swiss city of B»»»
The pathetic demise of Keir Starmer
Keir Starmer may still be British prime minister when this article is published, but it is certain that he will not lead the Labour Party at the next general election, due to be held in June 2029. Starmer became prime minister after steering Labour to a decisive election victory in July 2024. With »»»
Israel says targeted head of Hamas armed wing in Gaza strike
Israel said on Friday that it carried out a strike in Gaza targeting Ezzedine Al-Haddad, who it described as chief of the armed wing of Palestinian movement Hamas. Since Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, the Israeli military and intelligence services have waged an extensive campaign targeti»»»
Hezbollah attacks Israeli barracks as strikes hit Tyre, kill 3 paramedics in Harouf
An Israeli strike hit a building in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on Friday after an evacuation warning, state media reported, despite an extension in the truce between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel's military had called on residents of several buildings in Tyre to immediately evacuate ahead of»»»
CIA director's visit to Havana fuels questions over Cuba's future - UPI.com
1 of 2 | CIA Director John Ratcliffe (L) meets with high-level Cuban officials Thursday in Havana to discuss economic and security issues. Photo via CIA/UPI | License Photo May 15 (UPI) -- CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Havana this week opened a new political chapter inside and outside Cuba»»»
Lebanon, Israel ceasefire extended by 45 days
Lebanon and Israel on Friday extended a ceasefire for 45 days, despite a new flareup in violence, the U.S. State Department said after mediating talks. "The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. He sa»»»
Lebanon, Israel ceasefire extended by 45 days: US
Lebanon and Israel on Friday extended a ceasefire for 45 days, despite a new flareup in violence, the US State Department said after mediating talks. "The April 16 cessation of hostilities will be extended by 45 days to enable further progress," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. He said»»»
Israeli forces set up a camp in the Iraqi desert during Iran war, officials say
BAGHDAD: Israeli forces set up a post in the desert in Iraq at the beginning of the US-Israeli war with Iran, Iraqi and US officials told The Associated Press. The existence of the secret Israeli military facility was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, which described it as a base housing s»»»
Texas high court rules against Gov. Greg Abbott on removal of Rep. Gene Wu - UPI.com
Texas Governor Greg Abbott tried to remove state Rep. Gene Wu from office, but the state Supreme Court ruled against him. File Photo by Francis Chung/UPI | License Photo May 15 (UPI) -- The Texas Supreme Court refused to remove state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, from office, despite the efforts of Gov.»»»
Sustainability shifts from vision to execution across GCC projects
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC have placed sustainability at the center of long-term development agendas, with the focus now shifting from ambition to execution and from policy to implementation on the ground. Despite strong delivery performance, environmental benchmarks still point to a ga»»»
Egypt Paves the Way for a Cashless Society
As Egypt strides towards a cashless future, the recent launch of Apple Pay and the upcoming introduction of Google Wallet in 2025 mark significant milestones in the nation’s financial inclusion strategy. These advancements are integral to Egypt’s 2022-2025 plan to embrace contactless payment method»»»
National Media Authority holds first session of Media Content Standards Awareness Campaign in Abu Dhabi
The National Media Authority (NMA) has launched a series of sessions as part of the National Campaign for Awareness of the 2026 Media Content Standards, aimed at fostering a safe and responsible media environment that promotes creativity and excellence in the UAE. The NMA inaugurated the campaign W»»»
What Went Wrong With Trump China Visit?
US President Donald Trump’s visit to China was “mostly performative,” with both sides sending political messages to global and domestic audiences, veteran geopolitical analyst and former US Marine Brian Berletic told Sputnik. “Both the US and China have assumed entrenched positions primarily becaus»»»
Trump says no change in Taiwan policy as China visit wraps
LivePoliticsUnited States of AmericaTrump says no change in Taiwan policy as China visit wrapsLouis Oelofse | Wesley Rahn | Roshni Majumdar | Kate Hairsine with AFP, AP, Reuters, dpaUS President Donald Trump is headed home to Washington after spending two days with China's Xi Jinping in Beijing. Bo»»»
Syria’s recovery could be a ‘success story’ if the world acts, Security Council told
NEW YORK CITY: Syria remains at a “critical, yet promising” juncture, the UN warned on Friday, as senior officials told the Security Council that progress on efforts related to accountability, recovery and the return of refugees risk being undermined by insecurity and economic hardship, coupled wit»»»
Venezuelans' presence in Chile’s labor market declines - UPI.com
By far, the occupation that could face the greatest labor shortage in Chile is motorcycle drivers, where 61.1% of workers are Venezuelan. File Photo by Ronald Pena/EPA SANTAIGO, Chile, May 15 (UPI) -- The departure of more than 30,000 Venezuelan workers from Chile's labor market in recent months ha»»»
UAE plans second oil pipeline to bypass Strait of Hormuz - UPI.com
A vessel is seen anchoring off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on March 1. The United Arab Emirates is planning to fasttrack construction of a West-East pipeline that would bypass the Strait of Hormuz, opening in 2027. File Photo by Stringer/EPA May 15 (UPI) -- The United Arab Emirates is»»»
Namibia's food security improves despite climate shocks: WFP
Windhoek: Food security in Namibia has improved compared to last year, though climate-related shocks continue to strain vulnerable communities, the World Food Program (WFP) said in its April 2026 country brief. According to the brief, about 456,000 people are projected to face acute food insecurity»»»
Hezbollah Drone Threat Underscores How Unmanned Warfare Transforms Modern Combat: WSJ - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Hezbollah Drone Threat Underscores How Unmanned Warfare Transforms Modern Combat: WSJ 15-05-2026 19:38 PM A screenshot from video footage s»»»
Film incentives raised to boost Saudi film production
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has raised film incentives to 60 percent to boost film production in the Kingdom. The Saudi Film Commission has announced the updated cash rebate program as part of efforts to support growth in the sector, attract high-quality projects and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as »»»
Saudi experts: Media narratives, the hidden battlefield of Feb. 28 war
RIYADH: Saudi media experts have affirmed that contemporary conflicts are no longer waged by military means alone but through “narrative wars,” pointing to the US-Israeli-Iranian war as evidence that media is not a neutral conduit but a principal actor in shaping the balance of power. The remarks c»»»
Treasury bond yields spike to 5.05% on inflation reports - UPI.com
Federal Reserve Chair nominee Kevin Warsh speaks during a Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing on his nomination in April. He was confirmed on Wednesday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo May 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. treasury sold $25 billion of 30-year bonds Wednesday»»»
Pakistan's Search for Markets Beyond the Gulf and the West
The IMF has warned that Pakistan's economy remains dangerously tied to the Gulf Cooperation Council, which supplies over four-fifths of its fuel and half of all remittances. The International Monetary Fund has issued a stark warning: A staggering 85% of Pakistani fuel imports and 50% of its remitta»»»
‘Happiest Day of Our Lives’: Gazans Hold Mass Wedding Among Ruins
Wearing traditional Palestinian dresses, the white fabric intricately embroidered in a rainbow of colors, dozens of smiling brides clutched red bouquets as they walked with their grooms past the tents and ruined buildings of Gaza City. To the tune of popular songs played from loudspeakers in a city»»»
Delhi rolls out work-from-home policies to weather fuel shortage
NEW DELHI: India’s capital will roll out fuel-saving measures starting on Monday, including work-from-home days for city employees, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for greater public participation to mitigate the economic fallout of the US-Israeli war on Iran. New Delhi will be the »»»
Lebanon, Israel Start Day Two of Talks Despite Violence
Lebanon and Israel opened a second day of talks in Washington on Friday, diplomats said, despite a new flare-up of violence with Israel striking its northern neighbor. Envoys from the two countries, which have no diplomatic relations, resumed talks at the State Department shortly after 9 am (1300 G»»»
Tunindex closes Fridays session up 0.93%
Tunis, May 15 (TAP) - Tunindex closed Friday's session up 0.93% to 17,383.37 points, with a high traded volume of TND 19.2 million, said broker Tunisie Valeurs. TPR shares were the best performers after rising by 6% to TND 15.620, feeding the market...»»»
“Boosting Investments in the Mediterranean” Conference yields signing 3 future projects
On 13 September 2017, on the sidelines of the inauguration of the “Boosting Investments in the Mediterranean” Conference organised by EIB in collabouration with MIIC, the Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Dr. Sahar Nasr signed a financing agreement worth EUR 4.7 million with the »»»
UAE says nearly 3,000 Iranian missiles and drones targeted civilian sites
New Delhi: The UAE has reaffirmed its categorical rejection of what it described as Iranian claims and attempts to justify terrorist attacks targeting the country and other states in the region, during the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi. Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of Sta»»»
CIA chief delivers Trump’s message to Havana
CIA Director John Ratcliffe has paid a rare visit to Havana to deliver a message from US President Donald Trump to the Cuban leadership amid a US-imposed fuel blockade of the island. According to Reuters, it was the first time a CIA chief has visited Cuba since the Communist Revolution in the 1950s»»»
Art Dubai returns for special 20th edition in pared back, intimate format
DUBAI; The 20th anniversary edition of Art Dubai arrived this week in a more intimate, pared-back format, yet still drew eager crowds that flowed steadily through the venue from opening hour. Collectors, curators, artists and art enthusiasts gathered in the familiar corridors of Madinat Jumeirah, w»»»
UAE students score near-perfect CBSE results despite most exams being cancelled - here's how they did it
Dubai: India's Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) released Class 12 results on Wednesday for millions of students, including those in UAE-based CBSE schools, under circumstances unlike any previous year. Regional tensions stemming from the US-Israel-Iran conflict forced the cancellation of»»»
Russia reduces jet fuel flow to Berlin airport
Wolfgang BernertBerlin flights depend on fuel from the Schwedt refinery. But Russia has cut Kazakh oil flows to the refinery, forcing Germany to seek new supply routes via Poland. https://p.dw.com/p/5DdBeAdvertisementThe fuel supply for Berlin's airport is closely tied to the PCK Refinery in Schwed»»»
Indian PM Modi urges ‘open and safe’ Hormuz during UAE visit
ABU DHABI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an “open and safe” Strait of Hormuz during a visit to the UAE on Friday, the start of a five-nation tour overshadowed by energy and supply-chain worries due to the Iran war. Modi, whose plane was guided in and out of UAE airspace by military»»»
Indian PM urges 'open and safe' Hormuz at start of UAE-Europe tour
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an "open and safe" Strait of Hormuz during a brief visit to the United Arab Emirates on Friday, the start of a five-nation tour overshadowed by energy and supply-chain worries due to the regional tension in the Gulf. Modi, whose plane w»»»
LUCA reaches the milestone of 200 locations in Romania and Poland
The entire network is wholly owned by Tinervis Group, consolidating LUCA’s position as the bakery chain with the most extensive direct presence in Romania and a brand undergoing continuous development in Poland. In a competitive and dynamic market, Tinervis Group emphasizes the importance of buildi»»»
Dentons advises UniCredit on financing for large solar and battery storage project in Bulgaria
Global law firm Dentons has advised UniCredit as sole global coordinator, mandated lead arranger and bookrunner, together with a group of lenders and including Raiffeisen Bank International AG, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, United Bulgarian Bank and Eurobank Bulgaria on a ma»»»
'Out of shape' Lukaku named in Belgium World Cup squad
Brussels, Belgium: Belgium coach Rudi Garcia named Romelu Lukaku in his World Cup squad on Friday despite saying Belgium's all-time record goalscorer was "out of shape". Lukaku, who has scored 89 goals in 124 international appearances, has struggled for form and fitness at Serie A club Napoli this »»»
US-China summit exposes Trump's limits on Iran war, Taiwan
ConflictsChinaUS-China summit exposes Trump's limits on Iran war, TaiwanAndrew Zi-Qi Fang Washington DC | Darko JanjevicDonald Trump hopes to have China help him end the war in Iran, but this goal seemed far from guaranteed as he wrapped up his two-day visit to Beijing. Xi Jinping, in turn, took th»»»
Six killed in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon as talks in US enter second day
Six people were killed Friday in strikes on south Lebanon, hours before Lebanese and Israeli envoys were set to meet for a second day of talks in Washington. Israel's military called on residents of five villages in southern Lebanon to immediately evacuate ahead of expected attacks, despite a truce»»»
U.S. Central Command chief: Iran's military 'severely degraded' - UPI.com
U.S. Central Command's Adm. Brad Cooper contradicted recent reports that internal intelligence assessments given to senior U.S. officials showed that Iran retained most of its prewar missile capacity. File Photo by Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) -- The war in Iran has "s»»»
GymBeam, the first “Shop of the Year” in Compari.ro competition
The competition, which has a consolidated tradition across Central and Eastern Europe, focuses on the quality of services provided by online stores as perceived directly by consumers. The final ranking is based on community votes and evaluations collected from verified purchases, providing a clear »»»
Iran allowing more ships through Strait of Hormuz: state TV
TEHRAN: The naval forces of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are allowing more ships to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, state television said Friday, after Tehran blocked the waterway following US-Israeli strikes. Since the outbreak of war on February 28, Iran has largely blocked shipping t»»»
Oil, Iran and China: What markets are really telling us about the Middle East tensions
The latest escalation involving Iran has once again placed the Middle East at the centre of global market attention. Oil prices reacted immediately, volatility picked up, and investors were reminded how quickly geopolitical risks can ripple through global markets. Brent crude briefly spiked towards»»»
Thai lawmakers vote to revive clean air bill
Bangkok: Thailand's parliament on Friday revived a law that would enshrine the right to breathable air and tax emitters, setting up a final vote in the senate on the landmark legislation. Several cities in Thailand, including Bangkok and northern tourist hub Chiang Mai, suffer from seasonal smog, s»»»
Six killed in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon as talks in US enter second day
Six people were killed Friday in strikes on south Lebanon, hours before Lebanese and Israeli envoys were set to meet for a second day of talks in Washington. Israel's military called on residents of five villages in southern Lebanon to immediately evacuate ahead of expected attacks, despite a truce»»»
Pope Leo warns Europe’s military buildup undermines diplomacy
Pope Leo XIV has condemned rising European military spending, warning that rearmament betrays diplomacy and fuels tensions in a world already being “maimed by wars.” Global military spending approached a record $3 trillion in 2025 despite lower US outlays, according to a SIPRI report released last »»»
Thailand officially launches Thai Fruits & Food Festival 2026 across 16 Choithrams stores in the UAE
The Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government, through the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and Thai Trade Center Dubai, officially inaugurated the Thai Fruits & Food Festival 2026 at Choithrams Green Community Supermarket – DIP on Friday, 15 May 2026. This event reaffirms Thail»»»