US pledges $1.8 billion more for UN humanitarian aid even as it’s cut foreign assistance overall
UNITED NATIONS: The Trump administration on Thursday announced $1.8 billion more toward UN humanitarian aid, saying it will be earmarked for lifesaving aid to victims of natural disasters, famine and “people who are truly in critical need” even as the US has cut foreign assistance overall. The mone»»»
Could Hormuz make Iran rich? Military says 'Yes' — Here's what experts say
While India is hosting Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, currently in Delhi for the BRIC Foreign Ministers Meeting, Iran's military attacked and sunk an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman. India deplored the move. The attack was no accident. It forms part of a deliberate strategy of Ir»»»
NU-Q Media Majlis Museum winds up exhibition exploring Gulf Futurism
Tribune News Network Doha The Media Majlis Museum at Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) celebrates the successful conclusion of its 11th exhibition, ‘What’s between, between?’, which ran from January 26 to May 14, 2026. The exhibition invited visitors to examine the meanings and complexities o»»»
MoECC holds session on 2026climate change conferences
QNA Doha The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), represented by its Climate Change Department, held a session on the strategic directions of climate change conferences for 2026 as part of preparations to monitor developments in international climate negotiations and the key issues o»»»
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Price Hike: signals a tighter competitive supply landscape in 2025
Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant, Aramco, has raised oil prices for Asian buyers. This decision aligns with expectations of a tighter supply landscape, as OPEC+ recently opted to delay production increases. Aramco has adjusted the price of its flagship Arab Light crude by 60 cents, establishing a $1.»»»
HUD secretary under bipartisan fire for proposed housing program cuts - UPI.com
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner speaks during a Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies hearing on the fiscal year 2027 budget request for HUD in the Dirksen Senate Office Building near the U.S. Capi»»»
Outgoing champions Al-Ittihad beat Al-Ettifaq to go fifth in Saudi Pro League
DUBAI: In the closing days of their reign as Saudi Pro League champions, Al-Ittihad clinched a 3-1 away victory over Al-Ettifaq to go fifth in the table, three clear of Al-Taawoun. The visitors took the lead at EGO stadium in Dammam through Houssem Aouar after only three minutes, and Moussa Diaby d»»»
Air Arabia reports Dh278 million net profit for Q1 2026
SHARJAH: Air Arabia (PJSC), the first and largest budget carrier operator in the Middle East and North Africa, has announced its financial and operational results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2026. Air Arabia reported a net profit of Dh278 million for the first quarter ending March 31, 20»»»
Lebanon-Israel talks face familiar hurdles – Ya Libnan
Share: By GISELLE RUHIYYIH EWING and DANIELLA CHESLOW A person is seen inside a burning vehicle as men attempt to put out the fire after an Israeli airstrike hit a car in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. Israel and Hezbollah have continued to exchange strikes despite a U.S.-mediated truce. | Mustafa »»»
Mbappe, Dembele head up France squad for 2026 World Cup
PARIS: Kylian Mbappe will spearhead France at the World Cup after coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday announced his 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Deschamps, who guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 and will leave his role after the 2026 editio»»»
Gaza aid flotilla sets sail again after Israeli interceptions
MARMARIS, TURKIYE: Ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail for a third time on Thursday from southern Turkiye, after earlier attempts to deliver aid to Gaza were intercepted by Israel in international waters. The flotilla had previously departed from Spain on April 12, but Israeli forces int»»»
Qatar participates in 9th meeting of GCC Ministerial Preparatory Committee for Economic and Development Affairs
Doha: The State of Qatar participated on Thursday in the ninth meeting of the GCC Permanent Ministerial Preparatory Committee for the Economic and Development Affairs Authority, held via videoconference. Minister of Finance HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari led the State of Qatar's delegation to the meeti»»»
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»»»
Germany revamps its energy laws, but risks locking itself into decades of costly gas import dependence
Germany risks locking itself into decades of costly gas import dependence unless policymakers give battery storage equal treatment in upcoming power market reforms, energy think-tank Ember has warned. In a report published on May 13, Ember said Germany’s electricity system was at a “critical inflec»»»
Swift Student Challenge winners use coding to help solve real-world issues
RIYADH: Layan Allhidaan, Maram Bin Gubair and Noura Alshathry are the latest winners of the Apple Swift Student Challenge after they used their coding skills to solve real-world environment, communication, and climate change challenges. Through the Swift Student Challenge, Allhidaan created Velora,»»»
UK student dies after meningitis cases at college, two treated
LONDON: A student in southern England has died after contracting suspected meningitis, health authorities said on Thursday, adding that two other young people were being treated following related cases. The UK Health Security Agency said three cases had been identified among young people linked to »»»
How Saudi organizations are embedding AI into decision making
ALKHOBAR: Saudi Arabia’s artificial intelligence drive is rapidly moving from experimentation to operational reality, as organizations increasingly integrate AI into core business functions rather than treating it as a separate innovation initiative. “AI in Saudi Arabia is moving beyond pilots fast»»»
Syrian foreign minister raises his country’s flag to officially reopen embassy in Morocco
LONDON: The Syrian Arab Republic officially reopened its embassy in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, on Thursday after a hiatus of nearly 14 years. Morocco severed diplomatic ties with Syria and declared the country’s ambassador persona non grata in 2012, following the brutal suppression by former pres»»»
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 »»»
Lebanon to push Israel for cease fire at Washington talks, report – Ya Libnan
Share: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, listens to Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad speak along with US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, during a meeting between the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon in the Oval Office at the White House, April 23, 2026, in Washington. (A»»»
Cuba says it has completely run out of fuel, blames U.S. embargo - UPI.com
Cuba's energy minister said Wednesda that Havana, the capital, was without electricity for as much as 22 hours a day because the country had run out fuel. File photo by Ernesto Mastrascusa/EPA-EFE May 14 (UPI) -- Cuban Energy Minister Vincente de la O Levy said the country's diesel and fuel oil sto»»»
Spotlight - Starmer 'unpopular PM across the board': Labour lacking 'clear programme, coherent government'
Mark Owen is pleased to welcome Quentin Peel, Associate Fellow with the Europe Programme at Chatham House and former foreign editor at the Financial Times. At the centre of his analysis is the precarious position of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who Peel suggests is "hanging on in there»»»
Sumud Flotilla to Sail from Turkey in Bid to Break Israeli Blockade on Gaza
An international flotilla carrying over 500 activists is set to depart from Turkey on Thursday in a renewed attempt to defy Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, despite prior interceptions and ongoing threats. Organizers of the Global Resilience Flotilla announced in Marmaris, southwestern Turkey, t»»»
Former Nigerian minister sentenced to 75 years in rare corruption verdict
Former Nigerian minister sentenced to 75 years in rare corruption verdict 7 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMakuochi OkaforBBC Africa, Lagos Nigeria's power ministryJust weeks before he was sentenced, Mamman announced he intended to run for state governor Saleh Mamman, a former Nigeri»»»
What is Hantavirus and how at risk are we of getting it
DUBAI: In recent weeks global headlines have focused on a cluster of hantavirus cases diagnosed on the trans-Atlantic cruise ship the MV Hondius. For many, the spread of the rare disease on the ship and the subsequent quarantining of its passengers induced flashbacks of the global pandemic years pr»»»