The American Express Times
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
A tool of collective punishment?
Medical aid groups report that Israeli military actions have severely damaged Gaza's water infrastructure, leading to widespread shortages and deteriorating sanitation conditions. This crisis is causing serious public health risks, including disease outbreaks, and humanitarian efforts to provide water face significant access challenges amidst ongoing conflict.
★ Featured Stories
Bar wars enemy ‘within’
Melbourne police have called on bar owners to vet their staff thoroughly amid a spike in violent attacks on hospitality venues linked to organized crime…
School wants mum punished
A Melbourne mother who used a hidden recording device to document alleged mistreatment of her non-verbal son at school has been investigated by police for…
Wemby right to suit up in NBA playoffs
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama will be allowed to play in Wednesday’s playoff game after the NBA decided not to extend penalties for his…
Gulf Railway hits 50% completion milestone
The Gulf Railway project has reached 50% completion and is scheduled to be operational by December 2030, connecting six GCC countries over a 2,177-kilometer network.…
★ All Stories
Yangon Region Implements Rice Export Zones to Boost Summer Paddy Exports
The Yangon Region government, in partnership with agricultural agencies and the Myanmar Rice Federation, has established rice export zones across 37 villages to increase summer…
Real Estate Winds Shifting in Three Cities
National home prices in Canada fell by 4 percent year-over-year in April, driven by declines in key cities like Calgary and Hamilton, while Winnipeg saw…
Tender Invitations for Public Rental Housing Development in Yangon and Mandalay
Myanmar’s Department of Urban and Housing Development has invited tenders from local developers to construct partition and enclosure work on the ground floors of several…
Israeli technology exposes users of Starlink satellite-based internet
Two Israeli companies have created technology that can locate and sometimes identify users of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service by mapping the geographic positions of…
Singer FKA twigs to play Josephine Baker in new biopic of anti-racist legend
FKA twigs has been cast to play Josephine Baker in a biopic directed by Maimouna Doucoure that will chronicle Baker’s life as an entertainer, activist,…
Japan aid to help Cuban hospitals cope with worsening power outages
Japan has pledged 1 billion yen in grant aid to install renewable energy equipment, including solar panels, at 10 hospitals in Cuba to help alleviate…
Flick to extend his contract with Barca until 2028
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has agreed to extend his contract with the club until 2028 following their capture of the LaLiga title. The extension signals…
Lufthansa to take majority control of Italy’s ITA Airways
Lufthansa Group announced plans to increase its ownership in ITA Airways from 41 percent to 90 percent by purchasing additional shares for 325 million euros.…
Ruud crushes Musetti to reach Italian Open quarters, Sinner awaits derby
Casper Ruud reached the Italian Open quarterfinals with a decisive win over Lorenzo Musetti, who struggled with a thigh injury and may miss the upcoming…
Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Ally’ finds voice cast
Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho has announced the voice cast for his first 3D animated film "Ally," featuring stars like Bradley Cooper, Ayo Edebiri, and…
Vietnam’s capital plans key night economic zones by 2035
Hanoi plans to establish six to eight major night economic zones and extend operating hours on 15 to 20 streets by 2035 as part of…
China opens global AI education service platform
China launched a global AI education platform during the 2026 World Digital Education Conference to boost international sharing of educational resources and integrate AI into…
German inflation hits two-year high amid energy price shock
Germany’s inflation rate rose to 2.9 percent in April, driven primarily by a sharp 10.1 percent increase in energy prices amid Middle East tensions. This…
Japan, OECD launch economic security plan focused on supply chains
Japan and the OECD have launched a joint initiative to improve economic security and governance frameworks for AI and other advanced technologies amid rising geopolitical…
Thailand’s consumer confidence falls to eight-month low in April
Thailand’s consumer confidence fell to an eight-month low in April, dropping to 50.6 due to concerns over rising energy costs and Middle East tensions. The…
WHO says more hantavirus cases may emerge in coming weeks after Spain-led cruise evacuation
The World Health Organization reported 11 hantavirus cases, including three deaths, linked to an outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, with ongoing monitoring advised…
All cruise ship passengers disembark after suspected hantavirus outbreak
All 122 passengers from the MV Hondius, which experienced a hantavirus outbreak with at least 11 confirmed cases and three deaths, disembarked in the Canary…
Taxpayers will fund your failure, Iran tells US
Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf urged the U.S. to accept Tehran’s 14-point peace plan aiming to end hostilities and lift economic sanctions, warning that…
Gulf Achievements Forum spotlights regional achievements
The Gulf Cooperation Council held the Gulf Achievements Forum in Riyadh to showcase regional advancements in political, economic, and social integration ahead of its 45th…
How Africa can escape the debt trap
Africa’s sovereign debt remains relatively low compared to other regions, but many countries face persistent debt distress due to unfavorable debt structures, high borrowing costs,…
Israeli bombs kill 6 in Lebanon
Israeli airstrikes on a southern Lebanese town killed six people and injured seven, violating the ceasefire established on April 17. This escalation threatens to destabilize…
War hits Iran’s workers
Iran is experiencing massive job losses across multiple industries due to ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict, a government-imposed internet blackout, and tightened economic sanctions. The combination of…
China Advances AI with Huawei Chips Amid U.S. Export Controls
Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has optimized its latest model to run on Huawei-made chips, signaling a shift toward using domestically produced semiconductors amid U.S. export…
Connecting with a Crowd on Camera: Billie Eilish Concert Film
Billie Eilish co-directed a concert film, “Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour,” using prototype 3-D technology developed by James Cameron to capture her Manchester…
Bridge Collapse Leads to Charges
The U.S. Justice Department charged Singapore-based Synergy Marine, its India-based unit, and employee Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair for conspiracy, obstruction, and false statements related to causing…
Patel Faces Heated Questioning on Hill
FBI Director Kash Patel faced tough questioning during a Senate hearing about allegations of personal misconduct, internal leak investigations, and recent staffing changes within the…
Police to tap senior cop to help found W. Bank settler farming outposts
Israel Police announced the creation of a senior officer role to oversee and regulate agricultural settler outposts in the West Bank, coordinating with the IDF,…
Wanted in Colombia: A drug lord’s hippos
A growing population of invasive hippopotamuses descended from Pablo Escobar’s escaped animals is disrupting ecosystems and threatening local communities along Colombia’s Magdalena River. The government…
Tax breaks for cannabis industry
The Trump administration has begun reclassifying medical marijuana to reduce federal restrictions, which could allow cannabis companies to claim standard tax deductions and significantly lower…
Weighing Life Without Her First Reader: Siri Hustvedt’s Memoir
Siri Hustvedt has released a memoir, "Ghost Stories," detailing her life with late husband Paul Auster, their creative partnership, and the intense grief following his…
Louisiana Tests Trump’s Effort To Shape Senate
Louisiana Republican Rep. Julia Letlow is challenging incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy in a heated Senate primary that serves as a key indicator of former President…
French President Macron Announces $27 Billion Investment in Africa
French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a $27 billion investment plan to enhance economic collaboration between France and African countries, targeting sectors like energy, artificial intelligence,…
The ‘Civic Life’ Success at University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is upgrading its School of Civic Life and Leadership to an independent school, reflecting its rapid growth…
School Choice Is a Winning Issue for Republicans
Republican candidates are emphasizing school choice ahead of the November elections, promoting a federal tax-credit program that expands educational options for low-income families through scholarships…
Walmart to Cut or Relocate About 1,000 Corporate Workers
Walmart plans to cut or relocate about 1,000 corporate technology employees as part of consolidating its global tech teams under new leadership. This restructuring aims…
Wall Street Grows Anxious About Inflation
Investor inflation expectations rose sharply following a stronger-than-expected consumer price index report and surging energy prices driven by geopolitical tensions. This uptick raises concerns that…
Red card or black? A draft by luck of the draw
Hundreds of young men participated in Thailand's annual military draft lottery, where drawing a red card requires two years of service while a black card…