CONAF: Women remain underrepresented in Romania’s political decision-making despite strong professional competence
The National Confederation for Women’s Entrepreneurship (CONAF) says Romania does not lack competent women, but does face a representation problem in the spaces where political and administrative decisions are made. The fact that, in recent political consultations, most delegations were made up exc»»»
Jordan’s local revenues up 1.6% YoY in Q1: Finance Ministry
RIYADH: Jordan’s local revenues increased 1.6 percent year on year to 2.19 billion Jordanian dinars ($3.08 billion) in the three months to the end of March, mainly driven by higher non-tax revenues, despite regional challenges. According to the country’s Ministry of Finance, non-tax revenues increa»»»
France ponders failure to protect children as school abuse scandal rocks Paris
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire has acknowledged “systemic” failings as investigators probe allegations of child abuse by non-teaching staff at more than 100 nurseries and primary schools in the French capital, in a scandal that has shocked the public and exposed major gaps in child protection and ac»»»
FM invites British companies to leverage investment opportunities
SONY DSC Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty called on British companies to benefit from investment opportunities in Egypt and expand their existing activities. This came during his meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in London with chairme»»»
South Korea exports jump in early May as chip demand remains strong
Seoul, May 21 (SANA) South Korea’s exports rose sharply in the first 20 days of May, supported by booming semiconductor sales and strong demand from major trading partners, official customs data showed Thursday. According to figures released by the Korea Customs Service and cited by Yonhap News Age»»»
Tense Trump-Netanyahu call exposes widening divide over Iran strategy
Dubai: A sharp divide has emerged between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over whether to resume military action against Iran, as tense diplomacy and war planning now appear to be running in parallel behind the scenes. A heated hour-long phone call between th»»»
Tucker Carlson says US should cut support for Israel
The US has no obligation to give Israel anything and should cut off all aid, conservative American journalist Tucker Carlson has said. America’s association with Israel’s “many crimes” has damaged its global reputation, he argued. Speaking to Israeli Channel 13 in an interview aired on Tuesday, Car»»»
Elon Musk eyes record-breaking Wall Street debut with SpaceX IPO
Elon Musk's SpaceX filed for a stock market debut on Wednesday that could become the largest IPO in history, seeking to raise up to $75 billion at a valuation of as much as $1.75 trillion, according to US media reports. Musk would remain CEO, CTO and chairman after the listing. Elon Musk's Spa»»»
Chinese President Xi likely to visit N. Korea as early as next week: sources - UPI.com
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) will likely visit North Korea as early as next week, sources said Wednesday. In this photo, Xi shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a meeting in Beijing. File Photo by KCNA/EPA Chinese President Xi Jinping will likely visit North Korea as early a»»»
Media Review: May 21
Corruption, administrative reforms, proposed changes to Parliament’s Rules of Organization and Procedure, fuel prices, education, and others are the leading topics in Thursday’s news media. POLITICS Mediapool.bg has published the first part of a series of articles by former Prime Minister Ivan Kost»»»
Saudi Traveler Showcases Al-Ahsa’s Beauty and the Rise of Solo Camping Adventures
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has undergone a transformation in the way travel is perceived. Journeys are no longer viewed simply as movement from one place to another, but as immersive cultural experiences that deepen people’s connection to places and redefine the meaning of discovery. Interest in»»»
Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus jumps 219% in March to $15bn
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus surged 218.9 percent year on year to SR57 billion ($15.2 billion) in March, marking its sharpest annual increase in nearly five years as oil exports jumped and imports declined sharply. Figures released by the General Authority for Statistics showed merchandise »»»
Vietnam’s net-zero push tests limits of state-led climate governance - UPI.com
Can the country achieve its goal without more rigorous, independent environmental reporting? A farmer transports rice on a boat along the Ngo Dong River in Tam Coc, a part of the Hoa Lu limestone mountain range about 75 miles from Hanoi, Vietnam. As one way to reduce carbon emissions, the country i»»»
Lebanon continues its gamble in U.S.-backed peace talks with Israel - UPI.com
A damaged mosque is shown Wednesday, a day after an Israeli airstrike hit the village of Maashouk in southern Lebanon. According to the Disaster Management Unit of the Lebanese government, Israeli attacks across Lebanon have killed more than 3,045 people and injured more than 9,310 others since the»»»
DR Congo cancels World Cup training camp over Ebola outbreak
DR Congo cancels World Cup training camp over Ebola outbreak 11 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleWedaeli Chibelushi Getty Images The Democratic Republic of Congo has cancelled its pre-World Cup training camp in the capital, Kinshasa, because of an Ebola outbreak in the east of the coun»»»
Barnacles, jellyfish and heat are now damaging ships trapped in the Gulf: Reports
Dubai: Ships stranded in Gulf waters for weeks are now facing an unusual new problem — barnacles, algae and jellyfish are building up on their hulls and propellers, raising concerns that some vessels could struggle to leave even after the regional conflict eases. Sign up for our daily business news»»»
Anthony Stalker, CEECAT Capital: Investors are increasingly prioritizing regional growth platforms
Romania’s private equity market is entering a new stage of maturity, driven by founder transitions, regional consolidation opportunities, and growing institutional interest across Central and Eastern Europe. In an exclusive interview for Business Review, Anthony Stalker, Managing Partner at CEECAT »»»
Eye on Africa - DR Congo's Ebola responders decry lack of supplies
In tonight's edition: First responders to DR Congo's Ebola outbreak say they're struggling to source the basic supplies they need. Plus Kenyan campaigners give their government an ultimatum to deliver on promises to bring down the number of femicides.»»»
SpaceX Reveals Plans for What Could be Biggest-ever Initial Public Offering
Elon Musk announced plans Wednesday for one of the biggest stock sales ever by taking public a space company that is currently losing billions of dollars a year. A filing shows that his SpaceX lost $2.6 billion from operations last year on $18.7 billion in revenue, and the losses kept piling up at »»»
Norway paper under fire over Modi ‘snake charmer’ cartoon
A leading Norwegian newspaper has come under intense criticism after publishing a cartoon depicting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a snake charmer, triggering accusations of racism, colonial stereotyping and cultural insensitivity across India. The cartoon, published by Norway’s largest dai»»»
Pakistan Army Chief Due in Iran as Trump Says Talks on 'Borderline'
Pakistan's army chief was due in Iran Thursday, Iranian media reported, with Islamabad mediating as Iran examines a new US proposal to end the Middle East war. The reported visit by Field Marshal Asim Munir, a powerful figure with a growing role in Pakistan's foreign relations, comes a day after Pr»»»
Ebola entry rules divert U.S.-bound Air France flight to Montreal - UPI.com
An Air France flight en route to Detroit on Wednesday we re routed to Montreal due to a Congolese passenger being denied entry to the United States. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo May 21 (UPI) -- An Air France flight bound for the United States was diverted to Canada after a passen»»»
Ben-Gvir’s ‘Shameful Display’ Sparks Global Fury Over Abuse of Gaza Flotilla Activists - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Ben-Gvir’s ‘Shameful Display’ Sparks Global Fury Over Abuse of Gaza Flotilla Activists 21-05-2026 11:09 AM Israeli National Security Minist»»»
Dubai set for ‘PFL Mena: Pride of Arabia’ showcase
DUBAI: The “PFL MENA: Pride of Arabia” show is set to take over Coca-Cola Arena this weekend for two nights of world-class entertainment, live music, and elite cage action by fighters from across the Middle East and North Africa. The event, held in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council and the Du»»»
Filipino farmers waited for roads, flood defences that never came: Court cases filed over ₱186.8 million ‘ghost’ projects
Manila: At least two infrastructure projects worth ₱186.8 million fully paid by Filipino taxpayers but turned out to be non-existent — or "ghosts" — are now the subject of court battles, amid an ongoing crackdown on infrastructure anomalies tied to politicians. One project, worth ₱94 million, invol»»»
UNGA votes for resolution supporting strong action to combat climate change
New York: The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution supporting strong action to combat climate change, despite US diplomatic efforts to have the measure withdrawn. The General Assembly, comprised of 193 member states, adopted a non-binding resolution endorsi»»»
Iskander-M Missiles With Special Warheads Deployed in Belarus Drills
As part of nuclear forces exercises in Belarus, Iskander-M operational-tactical missile systems equipped with special warheads have been deployed, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. The weapons were delivered to the field storage points of a brigade. Military personnel received the w»»»
EasyJet reports deeper first-half loss on Mideast regional tension
London, United Kingdom: British no-frills airline EasyJet said Thursday that its losses deepened in the six months to end-March after the Middle East regional tension sent jet fuel prices soaring. The headline loss after tax came in at £377 million ($506 million) for first half of its financial yea»»»
US probe targets Gaza aid foundation backed by Trump administration: FT
DUBAI: The US State Department’s internal watchdog is investigating the now defunct Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) over how it spent millions of dollars in emergency aid allocated for Gaza. The inquiry, led by the State Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), is reportedly focused on a »»»
Buying gold today? Dubai prices dip slightly as global tensions reshape bullion markets
Dubai: Dubai gold prices slipped slightly on Thursday, giving UAE shoppers a small breather after recent volatility in bullion markets. The price of 24K gold dropped to Dh546.75 per gram, down from Dh547.50 yesterday, while 22K fell to Dh506.50 from Dh507.00. The decline tracks softer international»»»
Qatar Press Center Forum explores Gulf’s post-war future
Doha, Qatar: A panel discussion organised by the Qatar Press Center examined the future of the Gulf region in the aftermath of the recent war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, highlighting four possible regional scenarios and outlining ten strategic priorities for Gulf countries in the»»»
'Their Story is Our Story': Pigeons and Humans, 3,500 Years Together
They have been our meat and our messengers, a source of fertilizer and a religious symbol: while pigeons are now mostly reviled as dirty city pests, they long played an important role in human society. Now, research published on Thursday has revealed that the humble birds were first domesticated 3,»»»
EFG Hermes, ADX launch investor day for listed companies amid regional uncertainty
Dubai: EFG Hermes and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange have launched an Investor Day for ADX-listed companies in Abu Dhabi, bringing together senior executives from listed firms and regional and international institutional investors. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - si»»»
This 83-year-old Pakistani artist in Dubai is losing his sight but he refuses to stop painting
Dubai: In a makeshift studio carved out of a modest Dubai apartment, a man holds a canvas inches from his face. His eyes, once sharp enough to capture the subtlest shifts of light, now strained. Slowly, deliberately, he drags a palette knife across the surface, coaxing thick, heavy ridges of paint »»»
Anti-Smoking Society ‘Zemam’ strengthens tobacco awareness efforts across Qatar
Doha, Qatar: On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, observed annually on May 31, Anti Smoking Society ‘Zemam’ launched a series of awareness initiatives to promote community awareness of the dangers of smoking and reduce tobacco use in all its forms, in line with Qatar’s public health efforts. Th»»»
The View Hospital sets a new benchmark for private sector
DOHA: The View Hospital has successfully performed the first robotic proximal redo ureteroureterostomy, setting a new benchmark in complex urological reconstruction in the private sector. This advanced minimally invasive procedure offers a highly precise solution for patients with recurrent uretera»»»
The View Hospital performs Qatar private sector’s first robotic reconstruction for complex ureteral stricture
Doha: The View Hospital, has successfully performed the first robotic proximal redo ureteroureterostomy, setting a new benchmark in complex urological reconstruction in the private sector. This advanced minimally invasive procedure offers a highly precise solution for patients with recurrent ureter»»»
SPEEDWELL expands SPACEPLUS concept to Poland and prepares launch of new Popești-Leordeni location
SPEEDWELL, one of the most active real estate developers with Belgian roots and operations across Romania and Poland, announces the international expansion of the SPACEPLUS concept through the launch of its first project in Poland, while also preparing to begin construction works this June on the n»»»
AI, skills and adaptability drive graduate employability
Industry exposure, communication skills and interdisciplinary learning are increasingly shaping hiring outcomes, education leaders said during a panel discussion at Edufair Abu Dhabi 2026 held at Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi Corniche from May 16 to 17. The session, titled “The Employabilit»»»
‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ head to the big screen in new Star Wars adventure
DUBAI: The “Star Wars” franchise is heading back to movie theaters. And this time, it’s bringing Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, and everyone’s favorite tiny green scene-stealer along for the ride. Co-written by “The Mandalorian” series co-creators Jon Favreau and new Lucasfilm president Dave Filon»»»
Sudan’s Security and Defense Council Orders Curbs on Armed Movement Inside Cities
Sudan’s highest military and security authority has called for tighter controls on the movement of armed personnel, combat vehicles, and security cells inside cities and marketplaces, following reports and videos alleging incidents of “disorder” attributed to armed forces and army-aligned groups in»»»
Some UAE schools to get new Arabic programme: What parents need to know
Ras Al Khaimah: A new Arabic programme will be introduced across private schools in Ras Al Khaimah from September 2026. Called IQRA, the Arabic word for "read,” the programme was developed by the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research and has been independently shown to deliv»»»
Iraq: Al-Sadr Warns Against Being Branded a ‘Traitor’ after Backing Government
Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr is facing mounting criticism over reports that he supports Iraq’s new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, as major political factions reassess their alliances after failing to secure key cabinet posts in the new government. Among the dissatisfied parties are Nouri »»»
QKC: Rizkallah edges Litaudon in 3rd round as Hassiba retains QKC lead
Doha, Qatar: Karim Rizkallah claimed a dramatic victory in Round 3 of the 2026 Qatar Karting Championship (QKC) after edging Victor Litaudon by a razor-thin margin of just 0.031 seconds in the Grand Final at Lusail International Circuit on Tuesday night. Competing on the 1.124km Lusail track, Rizka»»»
Report: Early War Goal Was to Install Ahmadinejad as Iran’s Leader
Washington: By Mark Mazzetti, Julian E. Barnes, Farnaz Fassihi and Ronen Bergman Days after Israeli strikes killed Iran’s supreme leader and other top officials in the opening salvos of the war, President Trump mused publicly that it would be best if “someone from within” Iran took over the country»»»
Britain says Russian jets harassed RAF plane over Black Sea - UPI.com
A Russian SU-35 fighter jet, like the one seen here, was involved in harassing a British reconnaissance plane last month in international airspace, Britain's Ministry of Defense said. File Photo via U.S. Air Force/UPI | License Photo May 21 (UPI) -- Russian warplanes repeatedly harassed a British r»»»
Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region emerges as key livestock hub amid food security push
RAFHA: Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region has emerged as a key pillar of the Kingdom’s food security and rural development strategy, with livestock numbers surpassing 7.5 million head, according to a report carried by the Saudi Press Agency. The report, released by the regional branch of the Mi»»»
Lebanon-Israel talks: diplomacy under bombs
On 15 May, as Israeli strikes and Hezbollah drone attacks continued in Lebanon, Washington announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend their ceasefire by 45 days, reflecting a grim reality: diplomacy is seemingly moving, but the war on the ground hasn't stopped. Israel has continued to c»»»
Ebola fears surge on the ground in Congo over rapid spread of a rare type
BUNIA, Congo: Anxious health care workers in eastern Congo said Wednesday they are underprotected and undertrained in a rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak of a rare type of the virus in one of the world’s most remote and vulnerable places.Long the scene of attacks by an array of armed groups, the reg»»»
Fitch expects Romania to limit macroeconomic damage from political crisis
Fitch Ratings, in an ad-hoc note on May 18, said it expects the near-term impact of Romania’s political crisis on public finances to remain limited, despite growing uncertainty surrounding the formation of a new government and the continuation of fiscal consolidation efforts. The rating agency»»»