– Pakistan accounts for about 48% of people living in extreme poverty across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan region, according to the World Bank’s October 2026 economic update. The measure uses the international extreme poverty line of
– Air Arabia will launch nonstop flights between Sharjah International Airport and Amman City Airport on November 15, 2026. The new route will operate four times each week and expand the carrier’s network between the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
News
– Pakistan accounts for about 48% of people living in extreme poverty across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan region, according to the World Bank’s October 2026 economic update. The measure uses the international extreme poverty line of
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted India’s water-governance experience as a reference for countries across the Global South. He shared an article on October 6 that examined reforms developed in Gujarat and later reflected in national water programmes. Modi
UAE President receives Senator Joni Ernst at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi to conduct comprehensive high-level diplomatic discussions centered on strengthening strategic bilateral ties and reinforcing regional defense cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the United States. President
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with Captain Smit Machchhar following the pilot’s heroic effort to save lives during a critical aviation emergency. Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conducted a video call with Captain Machchhar on Friday to inquire
– Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India has strengthened its role as a first responder and security partner in the Indian Ocean Region. He made the remarks at the Indian Navy’s Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on September 29. Singh
Business
– The African Union officially launched the Africa Credit Rating Agency, or AfCRA, in Mauritius on October 7. The new institution will focus on African sovereigns, companies and other issuers. AfCRA plans to provide independent credit assessments using African data,
– The UAE recorded $63.353 billion in outward foreign direct investment in 2025, according to UN Trade and Development. The country’s total outward FDI stock reached $402.729 billion by year-end. That compares with $55.560 billion in 2010, showing a sharp
– UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema met in Abu Dhabi on September 29 to discuss stronger bilateral economic ties. Hichilema visited the UAE after beginning his second presidential term earlier this month.
The international financial community maintains a highly positive outlook on the economic trajectory of the United Arab Emirates. Recent macroeconomic assessments published by the World Bank Group indicate that the sovereign state will experience robust expansion over the next two
Economic growth across developing Asia and the Pacific will moderate to 5.0% in 2026 from 5.5% in 2025. The Asian Development Bank raised its 2026 forecast by 0.1 percentage point from its July estimate. Growth should edge up to 5.1%
Remittances from Egyptians working abroad totaled about $29.7 billion from January through July 2026. The Central Bank of Egypt said the figure rose 28.1% from about $23.2 billion a year earlier. The seven-month increase added roughly $6.5 billion compared with
China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged in September, extending a period of stable borrowing costs. The one-year loan prime rate remained at 3.0%, while the over-five-year rate stayed at 3.5%. Banks commonly use the longer-term benchmark when pricing mortgages.
Bullion faced renewed selling pressure across international trading desks as global commodity markets digested a quarter-point interest rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Spot gold declined 1 percent to $4,249 per ounce, hitting multi-session lows under the weight of
Egypt’s net international reserves reached a record $57.2145 billion at the end of August 2026. The Central Bank of Egypt reported the provisional figure on September 7. Reserves had stood at $56.2939 billion at the end of July. The monthly
South Korea and African partner nations will launch a major economic cooperation framework focused on artificial intelligence and technology-driven development at the 8th Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Ministerial Conference in Seoul. The upcoming ministerial gathering marks the 20th anniversary of the
South Korea’s consumer inflation accelerated to 3.1% in August from a year earlier, official data showed. The rate increased from 2.8% in July and moved back above 3%. Consumer prices also rose 0.2% from the previous month. The Ministry of
Health
– A daily serving of psyllium husk may help improve blood sugar control, according to clinical research. Psyllium is a soluble fiber from the Plantago ovata plant. It forms a thick gel when mixed with liquid. That gel can slow
Travel
– Air Arabia will launch nonstop flights between Sharjah International Airport and Amman City Airport on November 15, 2026. The new route will operate four times each week and expand the carrier’s network between the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
Sports
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland are among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Organizers announced the men’s shortlist on September 8 before the awards ceremony in London on October 26. Ousmane Dembélé, Rodri and
Lionel Messi has ended his international career with Argentina after 21 years at senior level. The 39-year-old leaves with national records for both appearances and goals. Messi played 207 matches for Argentina and scored 125 times. His international career included
International motorsport governance and European state leadership converged at the Hungaroring circuit as Federation Internationale de l’Automobile President Mohammed Ben Sulayem held high-level meetings with regional government figures during the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix. Official reports published by Emirates
Spain reached the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Portugal on Monday, as Mikel Merino scored in the 91st minute at Dallas Stadium. The substitute took a pass from Ferran Torres and finished low past Diogo Costa.
England reached the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 after captain Harry Kane scored twice late in a 2-1 win over Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday. Congo DR led through Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute goal and held that
Mexico advanced to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday. The co-host beat Ecuador 2-0 at Mexico City Stadium. Julián Quiñones scored in the 22nd minute. Raúl Jiménez added the second goal nine minutes later.
Automotive
Technology
– The European Commission has proposed a new EU Critical Communication System to connect first responders across European borders. The plan would link national networks used by police, firefighters, emergency medical services and civil protection teams. It covers all EU
Apple introduced the iPhone Duo on Sept. 9, marking its first foldable iPhone. The device starts at $1,999 in the U.S. and opens to a 7.6-inch inner display. When closed, it uses a 5.4-inch outer screen for standard phone tasks.
Apple has introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max with upgrades to cameras, battery life and processing power. Both models use the new A20 Pro chip and a redesigned vapor chamber for sustained performance. Apple also added
Apple has introduced the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, with availability scheduled for October 23. The handset opens to a 7.6-inch inner display and uses a 5.4-inch outer screen when closed. Both displays share the same aspect ratio and
The United States is adding battery factories while trying to cut its dependence on China. Domestic cell production has grown, but major supply gaps remain further upstream. Chinese companies still lead global production of several materials needed for lithium-ion batteries.
Entertainment
CALIFORNIA: Sony Interactive Entertainment and Santa Monica Studio announced on February 12 that the original God of War trilogy is being remade, reviving the series’ Greek era in a project the studio said is still in very early development. The announcement was made during
Apple is expanding its Apple Arcade subscription service with a slate of new titles and major updates launching throughout September. Headlining the lineup is NFL Retro Bowl ’26, which debuts exclusively on the platform on September 4. Developed by New Star
The 47th edition of the Moscow International Film Festival (MIFF) commenced on Thursday in the Russian capital, opening a week-long program that will spotlight 200 films representing 50 countries and regions. The festival, one of the oldest in the world, runs through
The investigation into Matthew Perry’s tragic overdose has resulted in charges against five individuals, including three medical professionals and one assistant, linked to the actor’s untimely death. The group of accused also encompasses Jasveen Sangha, known colloquially in the industry as the
Immutable, a leading Web3 gaming platform, has made headlines with the announcement of a groundbreaking gaming rewards program valued at an impressive $50 million. The initiative, aptly named “The Main Quest,” is poised to revolutionize the landscape of blockchain gaming.
