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Saudi Astronauts Make History As They Lift Off Into Space
Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni arrived at the International Space Station today at 19:45 UAE time.

Rayyanah Barnawi has made history by becoming the first female Arab astronaut to enter space after blasting off from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A with Arab teammate Ali AlQarni.
The pair were joined by astronaut Peggy Whitson, along with business pioneer and pilot John Shoffner on the sixteen-hour journey to the International Space Station (ISS). They were welcomed aboard in a ceremony at 19:45 UAE time today, Monday, May 22, 2023.
The astronauts became Saudi Arabia’s first citizens to leave earth in nearly 40 years, after Saudi Prince Sultan bin Salman became the first Arab to go to space in 1985.
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The pioneers will spend eight days on the ISS alongside fellow Arab Sultan Al Neyadi from the United Arab Emirates — aka the Sultan of Space — who is embarking on a longer six-month-long space mission.
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Google Pay Launches In Lebanon With Support From Multiple Banks
Bank Audi, Neo Digital Bank, and Whish Money are all offering support for Mastercard and Visa cardholders.

Google Pay has officially launched in Lebanon, allowing Android users to make secure, contactless payments via their smartphones. The rollout has been quickly supported by BLOM, BLF, Whish Money, Bank Audi, and its digital banking offshoot Neo Digital Bank. Customers of all three services can now add eligible Mastercard and Visa payment cards to their Google Wallets.
The integration enables in-store tap-to-pay transactions, as well as online and in-app purchases, using the same cards users already carry. For Bank Audi and Neo Digital Bank, the launch covers Mastercard products; for Whish Money, BLOM, and BLF it includes Visa cards. Payments are processed through the Google Pay platform, which maintains cardholder privacy while extending standard card protections.
To begin using the service, customers can download the Google Wallet app from Google Play, select “Add to Wallet,” and follow a short verification process. Once set up, payments can be made with a single tap — eliminating the need to carry physical cards or cash.
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“This launch represents a significant milestone in our commitment to digital innovation and customer convenience,” said Toufic Koussa, CEO at Whish Money. “By making Whish Visa Card available on Google Pay, we’re enabling our customers to make everyday transactions faster, more secure, and more inclusive. It’s about giving them the tools they need to transact seamlessly, wherever they are”.
The move follows the official activation of Google Pay in Lebanon on June 24, 2025, and marks a notable expansion of mobile payment options in a market where Apple Pay has yet to gain traction. Google’s entry is expected to increase digital wallet adoption among Android users and pave the way for further collaborations with regional financial institutions.
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