The American Express Times
Friday, May 8, 2026
Neither hot meals, nor medicine
Lebanon is facing a severe food insecurity crisis, with nearly 1.24 million people—about 24 percent of the population—projected to experience acute hunger through August due to escalating conflict, displacement, and economic collapse. Humanitarian agencies and Lebanese officials warn that urgent coordinated efforts, including increased funding and reopening trade routes, are critical to prevent further deterioration…
★ Featured Stories
Feilding to Utah to Chiefs chance
Kyle Brown has become a crucial midfield player for the Chiefs this Super Rugby season, stepping up amid injuries and changes to the outside centre…
Adam Scott even scared himself in ‘Hokum’
Adam Scott stars in the supernatural horror film "Hokum," portraying a skeptical author who investigates eerie occurrences at a haunted Irish hotel. The film combines…
Exclusive: Danny Rohl Tipped as Wolfsburg’s Top Manager Choice
Wolfsburg is considering Rangers head coach Danny Rohl as a top candidate to become their next manager amid struggles in the Bundesliga. Rohl’s potential move…
Time for a Gas-Tax Holiday to Ease Rising Prices
Gasoline prices in the U.S. have risen to about $4.50 per gallon, prompting calls for a temporary suspension of the federal gas tax to relieve…
★ All Stories
Saudi entrepreneurs take center stage at Jeddah Beauty Show
The Jeddah Beauty Show brought together local and international beauty brands, entrepreneurs, and experts to showcase innovations in makeup, skincare, fragrance, and wellness from May…
Michael Jackson's music sets new streaming records
Michael Jackson’s solo music catalog saw a 146% surge in U.S. streaming during the week of April 24 to 30, reaching a record 137.5 million…
Why does Kingdom stand unmoved while others falter?
Saudi Arabia has maintained a steady and strategic approach amid regional turmoil, relying on long-term planning and infrastructure investments like the East–West Crude Oil Pipeline.…
Israel has ‘manufactured malnutrition crisis’ in Gaza, medical charity says
Doctors Without Borders has accused Israel of deliberately blocking food and humanitarian aid to Gaza, causing a severe malnutrition crisis that disproportionately harms infants, pregnant…
Spain summons Israeli envoy over ‘intolerable’ detention of activist
Spain summoned Israel’s top diplomat to protest the continued detention of Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish activist held after the interception of a Gaza-bound aid…
Palestinian silence should not be mistaken for acquiescence
Streets in Jerusalem’s Old City experienced heightened tension amid rising settler violence and fears of renewed conflict, highlighted by a widely condemned attack on a…
Has the time come for guaranteed incomes?
The rise of AI and automation is fueling renewed interest in universal basic income (UBI) and universal high income (UHI) as potential strategies to address…
AI reshapes Saudi supply chains
Saudi Arabia is increasingly adopting AI technologies in supply chain operations, particularly within retail and FMCG sectors, to improve forecasting, planning, and resilience. This shift…
Burgerizzr Q1 profit soars 202% on Saudi food boom
Burgerizzr reported a 201.79 percent increase in net profit for Q1 2026, reaching SR57.2 million due to new store openings, higher sales, and the recent…
Gold climbs to 2-week high as oil prices fall
Gold prices climbed to a two-week high, reaching $4,735.32 per ounce as a weaker dollar and falling oil prices boosted investor demand amid hopes for…
Review: Palestine 36 — Annemarie Jacir’s eerily relevant period piece
“Palestine 36,” a historical drama directed by Annemarie Jacir, is now streaming on Netflix after acclaim at international festivals, portraying the Palestinian uprising against British…
Attorney General Reverses, Rules Against Stipend Question on Ballot
Massachusetts state authorities have ruled that the petition to reform legislative stipend distribution is unconstitutional, preventing it from moving forward to the ballot. This decision…
Digital Government Authority and UN to establish center in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia's Digital Government Authority and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs are partnering to create a digital government center headquartered in…
GEA marks 10th anniversary of spearheading cultural transformation
Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) is celebrating its 10th anniversary, highlighting a decade of transforming the country’s entertainment sector through events like Riyadh Season…
Israeli airstrike kills son of chief Hamas negotiator despite truce
An Israeli airstrike killed Azzam Al-Hayya, son of senior Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya, amid ongoing negotiations in Cairo to maintain a fragile truce with Israel.…
Philippines calls for stronger crisis coordination
The Philippines has urged Southeast Asian countries to improve crisis coordination in response to economic disruptions caused by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has…
A concert for Hormuz
A draft United Nations Security Council resolution aiming to secure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has been proposed by Bahrain and backed by…
Saudi business confidence rebounds in April on stronger non-oil outlook
Saudi Arabia’s Business Confidence Index rose to 54.5 points in April, signaling improved optimism in the non-oil sectors after a decline in March. This rebound…
Egypt’s annual inflation slows to 14.9% in April
Egypt’s annual urban consumer inflation rate decreased to 14.9 percent in April, driven by a decline in food and beverage prices despite a 1.1 percent…
Recipes for Success: Chef Vlassia Anagnostou
Vlassia Anagnostou, head chef at Avli by tashas in Dubai, incorporates her Greek culinary roots and Mediterranean influences to create thoughtful, authentic dishes. Her emphasis…
Revitalized Copley Square Park Could Be Perfect Space for Everyone
Copley Square Park in Boston has reopened after a two-year renovation featuring expanded seating, increased tree coverage, and improved infrastructure to support diverse public activities.…
Israeli settler to face trial over attack on French nun
An Israeli settler from the West Bank settlement of Pochuel is set to stand trial for assaulting a French Catholic nun near Jerusalem’s Old City,…
Mass protests can reignite peace talks with Israel: Palestinian envoy
Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot called for widespread protests as a strategy to gain moral authority and pressure Israel in the ongoing conflict. His remarks underscore…
Everybody loses in Mali stalemate
Tuareg separatists and Islamist militants recently captured the town of Kidali in northern Mali, marking a sharp escalation in conflict amid competing foreign influences. This…
Central banks face AI-driven systemic risk
Central banks, including the Bank of England and U.S. regulators, are urgently addressing the growing systemic risks posed by advanced AI models that can manipulate…
Saudi benchmark index edges up to end week at 11,031
Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose 0.75 percent to close at 11,031.32, driven by gains in key stocks like Al Jouf Cement and Acwa,…
Vipers’ chance to spread Global Super League message
The third Global Super League T20 tournament will be held in Guyana in July 2026, featuring five top franchise teams including the Guyana Amazon Warriors,…
Incoming: the hottest TV shows set for release this summer
Amazon Prime will premiere "Spider-Noir" on May 27, featuring Nicolas Cage in his first lead TV role as a 1930s version of Spider-Man. This series…
Hampshire Faculty and Staff Say They Were Misled About Closure
Hampshire College announced it will close by the end of 2026 due to persistent financial difficulties and declining enrollment despite recent efforts to stabilize its…
I Became a Doctor at 72: Our Medical Career Paths Are Broken
Dawn Zuidgeest-Craft, a nearly 73-year-old neonatal nurse practitioner with over 40 years of experience, is starting a family medicine residency in Michigan after completing medical…
Criticism of the Term ‘LGBTQIA+’ as a Word Salad
A reader named Lin Pierson criticized the acronym "LGBTQIA+" as an overly broad label that groups diverse identities without sufficient distinction. This critique highlights ongoing…
Left Behind in Spirit’s Demise, Planes Will Find New Homes
Spirit Airlines ceased operations and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last weekend, leading to the planned return and relocation of two Airbus A320 jets parked…
Women Working to Make a Place in the AI Explosion
Women remain underrepresented in technical and leadership roles within the AI industry despite holding many generative AI-related positions, with only 22 percent of AI jobs…
A Viral Clip Captured a Generation’s Housing Angst
David Modica’s viral speech at a Marblehead town meeting sharply criticized the town’s superficial compliance with state housing laws, highlighting local resistance to meaningful multifamily…
Shame on Citizens: Call Grows for Bank to Cut Ties to Prison Firms
Citizens Bank is facing increasing pressure to end its financial support for private prison companies like CoreCivic and the GEO Group, which operate detention centers…
Symphony T Station to Close for Nearly 3 Years
The MBTA will close Boston’s Symphony Green Line station for nearly three years starting June 6 to carry out extensive renovations that include new elevators,…
SJC Moves to Force End to Auditor’s Lawsuit Fight
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has directed Attorney General Andrea Campbell to decide within 30 days whether she will represent State Auditor Diana DiZoglio in…