Iran’s small businesses collapse under war, inflation and internet blackout
Prices for some goods have tripled or quadrupled within a matter of months. At least two million people have lost their jobs, the currency has lost 60% of its value, the international internet has been shut down for more than 75 days, and there is no end in sight. This is the reality of Iran’s econ»»»
Industrial production rises 2.5% in March of 2026
AMMAN — Industrial production quantities rose by 2.50 per cent in March 2026 compared with February of the same year, and increased by 1.10 per cent compared with March 2025.According to the monthly report issued by the Department of Statistics (DoS), the cumulative industrial production index for »»»
Iran allows Chinese ships to pass Hormuz since Wednesday
Tehran: Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday that naval forces had allowed a number of Chinese ships to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz since the previous night. Iran has largely blocked shipping through the vital strait since the outbreak of war with the United States and Israe»»»
Sharia-Free America Hearing marked by attacks on Muslim advocacy groups - UPI.com
The top Democrat on the Constitution and Limited Government subcommittee, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., speaks with Muslim rights advocates after a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday. Photo by Jacques Abou-Rizk/Medill News Service WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) -- Muslim civil rights grou»»»
S.C. governor calls special session for redistricting despite concerns - UPI.com
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has called a special session for later Thursday to vote on redistricting. File Photo by Stephen B. Morton/EPA May 14 (UPI) -- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to call a special session of the legislature to redraw the state's congressional districts,»»»
Russia Pounds Ukraine in Heaviest Wartime Drone Attack Over 2 Days
Russia carried out its largest aerial attack over a two-day period since the start of its war in Ukraine, pounding the capital Kyiv and other cities with hundreds of drones, Ukrainian officials said on Thursday. Russia had launched 1,567 drones since the start of Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zele»»»
Chinese, U.S. presidents agree on new vision for bilateral ties in Beijing talks
BEIJING: In a meeting closely watched by the world, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday agreed on a new vision of building a constructive bilateral relationship of strategic stability. The new vision will provide strategic guidance for China-U.S. relations over »»»
Adani set for major relief as US weighs dropping charges
Dubai: US authorities are moving to resolve fraud charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, potentially ending a criminal case that has hung over the Adani Group for more than a year, Bloomberg News reported. According to people familiar with the matter, the US Justice Department could annou»»»
Celtic must win, Hearts need a draw in Scottish title showdown
LONDON: The destination of Scotland’s Premiership title will be decided at Parkhead on Saturday when Celtic need victory to become champions for the 56th time while Hearts will take the crown for the first time in 66 years and fifth in all if they win or draw. Those are the bald facts, but they bar»»»
Gulf countries condemn Iran’s ‘Hormuz rules’ in letter to UN chief
LONDON: Gulf Arab countries have written to the UN secretary-general protesting against Iran’s “unacceptable claim” to have imposed new rules for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The letter also condemned Iran’s attacks on countries in the region for making sovereign choices related to “»»»
Lebanon to press Israel to cease fire as latest Washington talks begin
WASHINGTON/BEIRUT/JERUSALEM: Lebanon will demand Israel cease fire at face-to-face talks that began in Washington on Thursday, a senior Lebanese official said, as Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel continued to trade blows despite a US-backed truce declared last month. A State Department official co»»»
Ashghal reaffirms commitment to accessibility in healthcare facility design
Doha, Qatar: The Public Works Authority, Ashghal said it is committed to integrating accessibility features for people with disabilities into the design and construction of healthcare facilities, helping improve access to services, independence, and quality of life. In a post on X, Ashghal said its»»»
France Allows Asymptomatic Passengers off New Cruise Ship Struck by Stomach Bug Outbreak
Passengers unaffected by an illness outbreak on a British cruise ship have been allowed off the ship in the French port city of Bordeaux, while authorities confirmed the cause of the outbreak is norovirus, a nasty stomach bug that spreads easily. French authorities had initially ordered over 1,700 »»»
Lebanon to Press Israel to Ceasefire as Latest Washington Talks Begin
Lebanon will demand Israel cease fire at face-to-face talks that began in Washington on Thursday, a senior Lebanese official said, as Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel continued to trade blows despite a US-backed truce declared last month. A State Department official confirmed that a meeting of Leba»»»
DACA recipients face job losses, deportation amid renewal delays - UPI.com
Immigration advocates rally outside the Supreme Court after its a ruling in favor of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in Washington in June 2020. The court's 5-4 decision rejected the Trump administration's plan to end DACA. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo WASHINGT»»»
Court Declares Parliament Resolution on Fuel Price Measures Unconstitutional
Bulgaria's Constitutional Court on Wednesday declared unconstitutional a March 13 National Assembly resolution instructing the Council of Ministers to take urgent measures to mitigate the adverse economic impact of high crude oil and natural gas prices, the Court said on its website. The Court open»»»
Families grieve Bangladeshis killed by Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon
DHAKA: When Sharif Sheikh spoke to his Lebanon-based younger brother Karim Miah over the phone in the early hours of Monday, discussing his safety amid Israel’s war on the country was inevitable. “He said everything was fine with him despite the war situation. But that ‘fine’ didn’t last for him,” »»»
Child Protection Agency Registers 2,000-Plus Reports About Children at Risk in 2025
A total of 2,063 reports about children at risk were registered in 2025 by the State Agency for Child Protection. The National Child Helpline at 116 111 received 25,356 calls, which led to 13,078 psychological support consultations, said Deputy Chair Ivayla Kasarova on Thursday during a conference »»»
Three Israeli civilians injured in Hezbollah drone strike
A Hezbollah drone exploded inside Israel on Thursday, injuring three civilians, two of them severely, according to the Israeli military and hospitals. The incident occurred ahead of a third round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, as the Trump administration pushes for a brea»»»
New Israel-Lebanon talks open in Washington
Israel and Lebanon opened a new round of peace talks in Washington on Thursday as their latest ceasefire -- considered to still be in place despite hundreds of deaths in Israeli strikes -- nears its end. The two sides started discussions just after 9 am (1300 GMT) at the State Department and will m»»»
Syria, Morocco move to restore embassies and expand bilateral cooperation
Rabat, May 14 (SANA) Syria and Morocco announced steps to restore full diplomatic engagement and expand bilateral cooperation during talks between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat on Thursday. Speaking during a joint press confer»»»
Palestinian President Pledges to Hold Elections, Pursue Reforms
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday pledged to press ahead with reforms within the Palestinian Authority, saying he was prepared to hold long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections. Abbas's Fatah party began a three-day conference to elect a new central committee, its highest »»»
Israel strikes south and east as Lebanon, Israel envoys meet in Washington
Israeli strikes targeted Thursday Sinay, Teffahta, Tebna, Froun, Siddiqine, Haddatha, Zrarieh, Brayke', Kfarmelki, Qsaybeh, Jarjou', Kfarseer, Kafra, Arnoun-Shqif, al-Mansouri, Srifa and other villages and towns in south Lebanon, despite a ceasefire and direct Lebanese-Israeli talks scheduled for T»»»
Intesa Sanpaolo Group records a net income of €2.8 billion in Q1 2026
Net income guidance for 2026 is confirmed at around €10 billion. Together, first-quarter revenue growth — driven by fees and commissions and insurance income — along with lower costs and provisions and a CET1 ratio above 13% underline Intesa Sanpaolo’s low risk profile, solid outlook and sustainabl»»»
Israel strikes south and east despite scheduled talks with Lebanon
Israeli strikes targeted Thursday Sinay, Teffahta, Tebna, Froun, Siddiqine, Haddatha, Zrarieh, Brayke', Kfarmelki, Qsaybeh, Jarjou', Kfarseer, Kafra, Arnoun-Shqif, al-Mansouri, Srifa and other villages and towns in south Lebanon, despite a ceasefire and direct Lebanese-Israeli talks scheduled to ta»»»
V.D. Satheesan: From ‘almost there’ to Kerala’s top job
For much of his political career, V.D. Satheesan was regarded as one of the Congress party’s brightest political minds in Kerala — a leader admired for his sharp Assembly performances, command over detail and relentless preparation — yet somehow always just short of the very top. That long wait is »»»