SM’s $748-million profit surge reveals the bets shaping its next growth wave
SM Investments Corp., one of the largest and most prominent Filipino conglomerates founded by Henry Sy Sr., is leaning on resilient consumers, banking growth and a pipeline of large-scale property and renewable-energy projects as it navigates a more uneven Philippine economy. SM Investments Corp. (»»»
Qatar strengthens digital infrastructure through AI training
Doha, Qatar: The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) yesterday conducted the seventh edition of its specialised training series focused on the secure adoption and usage cycle of artificial intelligence (AI), bolstering Qatar’s efforts to build a resilient, risk-aware digital infrastructure. Organ»»»
Qatar Sports for All Federation praises success of Sports for All Summer Programme 2026
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Sports for All Federation applauded the success of its Sports for All Summer Programme 2026, in which various segments of society and all age groups across more than 65 locations took part. These locations included public parks, sports clubs, youth and commercial centres, nei»»»
Israeli enemy carries out a new bombing between the two towns of Al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun, South Lebanon: Al-Manar reporter - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli enemy carries out a new bombing between the two towns of Al-Mansouri and Majdal Zoun, South Lebanon: Al-Manar reporter 12-08-2026 2»»»
EAA Foundation, Ministry of Sports and Youth mark International Youth
Doha, Qatar: Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global foundation for education and development, and the Ministry of Sports and Youth marked the United Nations International Youth Day with a youth-focused public activation at Place Vendôme, creating an interactive platform for young people in »»»
MoJ sets six key research areas for legal, judicial studies through 2030
Doha, Qatar: The Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched the Ministry’s Research Priorities Guide for 2027-2030. The guide provides a national framework for directing legal and judicial research toward areas with scientific, social and economic impact. It»»»
Qatar takes action within hours on violations threatening consumer health
Doha, Qatar: Commercial violations that directly threaten consumers’ health and safety are treated as high-risk cases in Qatar, with authorities taking immediate action that can be completed within hours, a senior Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) official has said. Mohammed Ali Al-Ozba, Ass»»»
Electric vehicles imported to Kyrgyzstan under quota not intended for resale - | 24.KG
Electric vehicles imported into Kyrgyzstan under the quota are not intended for resale, Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce Sultan Akhmatov said at a press conference. According to him, the additional quota for 10,000 electric vehicles should not be distributed among importers. The increased qu»»»
UAE to India flights: Your guide to security checks and airline advisories ahead of Independence Day travel
UAE residents travelling to India around Independence Day on August 15 should plan ahead, with airports across the country stepping up security and warning passengers to expect longer processing times. India will celebrate its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, with enhanced security measures in pl»»»
UAE flight status: India travel advisory, Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia cancellations schedule changes
UAE travellers flying today are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport, as airlines continue to adjust some regional services while overall operations remain largely stable. Etihad Airways, Emirates, Air Arabia and flydubai continue to operate services across the region,»»»
Trump administration criticizes Israel defense minister’s statements on southern Lebanon occupation
DUBAI: The Trump administration has criticized Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s comments to keeps troops in southern Lebanon, as his declarations contravened commitments made by the Israeli government under the agreement signed with the US and Lebanon. “The United States expects all parties t»»»
Russia Creates Wound-Healing Gel From Algae
Bioengineers at NUST MISIS have created a new gel for rapid wound healing based on a food thickener derived from algae. The agent helps cells cope with the inflammation that arises immediately after an injury and, under unfavorable conditions, can hinder skin recovery, the university’s press servic»»»
Was there really any difference between András Baka’s removal in 2011 and Tamás Sulyok’s in 2026?
Many see András Baka becoming Hungary’s next president as a form of historical justice after his controversial removal. But does that make the removal of Sulyok any more democratic? The similarities between the removal of András Baka in 2011 and that of Tamás Sulyok in 2026 are difficult to ignore.»»»
US Spent $533 Million on Shell Factory That Produced Zero Usable Shells — Reports
A US Army-funded artillery plant near Dallas, built to produce 155mm shells for Ukraine, never produced a single usable shell, ProPublica reported. Workers described robots catching fire, machines smashing into equipment, steel cracking beyond repair and giant presses needing to be beaten with a sl»»»
Iran says no progress on reviving interim peace deal with US
DUBAI: Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source, who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a time frame to implement it.The comments wer»»»
Philippines: SLEX to Bicol — the 30-minute drive that could break Quezon’s traffic nightmare
Manila: For motorists heading from Metro Manila to Quezon and Bicol, the journey south has long been defined by one frustrating bottleneck: the stretch of the Maharlika Highway between Sto. Tomas, Batangas and Tiaong, Quezon. That may finally begin to change this year. The Philippine Department of »»»
After 30 years of service, NASA astronaut Mike Fincke retires - UPI.com
NASA astronaut Mike Fincke helped out of the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship SHANNON after landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Long Beach, Calif., on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Fincke announced his retirement on Wednesday. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA/UP»»»
US floats prospect of joint strikes on Colombian armed groups
PANAMA CITY: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth floated on Wednesday the possibility of joint strikes on Colombian armed groups, as he welcomed the nation into a military-led counter-narcotics coalition after its conservative president took over last week. Colombia had authorized “joint military ope»»»
DIB launches its first Youth Council to develop the next generation of talent
The DIB, the world’s leading Islamic financial group and the largest Islamic bank in the UAE, has announced the launch of its first Youth Council, creating a structured platform for young employees to bring forward fresh perspectives and ideas, contribute to relevant initiatives and take an active »»»
Danube so low the government is sinking barges and building a dam to save the nuclear plant
The government has ordered the immediate construction of a riverbed weir on the Danube between the Paks nuclear power plant and the settlement of Dunaszentbenedek. In parallel, as a temporary measure, two barges, each eighty metres long, are being placed on standby at Paks so that, if necessary, th»»»
Shorter bang for your forint
The government is preparing a three-day series of events for the national holiday on 20 August, during which the fireworks display will be shorter than usual, government spokesperson Éva Magyar said at a Wednesday event in Budapest where the programme was presented. The series of events will cost 4»»»
Beggar caught with $46,600 in cash after collecting money on Amman streets
Dubai: Jordanian authorities have arrested a woman found begging in central Amman with about $46,600 in cash, the Ministry of Social Development said. Anti-begging teams from the ministry, working with the Public Security Directorate, apprehended the woman in Amman’s downtown area as part of effort»»»
Lebanon becomes first Arab country in world to abolish death penalty - | 24.KG
Lebanon has become the first Arab country in the world to abolish the death penalty. Parliament approved the decision, replacing capital punishment with life imprisonment with hard labor, Asharq Al-Awsat reports . A majority of the 128 lawmakers voted in favor of abolishing the death penalty. The H»»»
Dubai-Sharjah traffic report: Heavy delays on E11 and E311
Dubai-Sharjah traffic is building across several key commuter routes this morning, with the latest Google Maps view showing a mix of heavy congestion and slower-moving traffic at major interchanges. On the Sharjah side, E88 Al Dhaid Road is mostly moving, but the map shows pockets of orange and red»»»
46kg loss: Indian Minister Nitin Gadkari’s remarkable journey from 135kg to 89kg
Dubai: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has opened up about his long fitness journey, revealing how he brought his weight down from 135kg to 89kg and made regular exercise a non-negotiable part of his daily routine. Gadkari discussed his transformation during a recent ap»»»
Chinese Cinema Days kick off in Bishkek - | 24.KG
Chinese Cinema Days kicked off in Bishkek on August 12. The first audience was shown Shenzhou 13, a film largely shot in orbit by members of the Chinese space mission. Cosmonauts Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, and Ye Guangfu spent six months on the Chinese space station and filmed the action themselves»»»
Pakistan Independence Day: Expats call for education and economic strength
Dubai: As Pakistan marks its 79th Independence Day anniversary, Pakistanis living and working in the UAE have renewed their call for greater unity, stronger institutions, quality education and wider opportunities for the country’s young population, while expressing pride in their homeland and confi»»»
Saudi Arabia moves to prohibit children in fundraising advertising, introducing stricter governance and transparency
Dubai: Saudi Arabia is moving to prohibit the use of children in fundraising advertisements under new draft rules aimed at tightening oversight of donation campaigns and protecting donors and beneficiaries. The National Center for the Non-Profit Sector has published its draft Fundraising Governance»»»
Kyrgyz woman injured in Cyprus remains in stable but serious condition - | 24.KG
The condition of the citizen of Kyrgyzstan injured in the attack in Northern Cyprus remains stable but serious. Related news Kyrgyz woman seriously injured in knife attack in Northern Cyprus According to the treating physician, as the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported, the woman periodica»»»
Trump opts for low-key Iran strategy as pressure mounts
Washington: Keeping a low profile doesn't come naturally to Donald Trump. Yet that is the strategy the American president says he now favors in the war against Iran, and he is betting on economic pressure over diplomacy or new strikes. "We are low-keying it," Trump told news site Axios by phone Sun»»»
Skip the Deposit: Flexible monthly car rentals in Abu Dhabi with OneClickDrive
OneClickDrive, the UAE-based car marketplace, keeps seeing steady demand for extended rental periods in Abu Dhabi, as residents in the capital think twice before buying a car outright, especially in that first year or two of settling in. Monthly rental has been part of the platform's offering for y»»»
Trump lets US law enforcement use cyber tools to target transnational criminal groups
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump signed a memo on Wednesday that the White House said was aimed at empowering federal law enforcement to use cyber tools against transnational criminal organizations that operate in foreign jurisdictions to attack Americans. Trump signed the national security »»»
Trump ‘low-key’ bets on economic pressure against Iran
WASHINGTON: Keeping a low profile doesn’t come naturally to Donald Trump. Yet that is the strategy the American president says he now favors in the war against Iran, and he is betting on economic pressure over diplomacy or new strikes. “We are low-keying it,” Trump told news site Axios by phone Sun»»»
Spain darkens as solar eclipse races south from Arctic
BURGOS, Spain: Day briefly turned to night in Spain on Wednesday, as the country witnessed its first total solar eclipse in more than a century, plunging it into eerie darkness in one of nature’s greatest spectacles.The spectral glow of the Sun’s outer corona, shimmering out of the edges of the sha»»»
China’s C919 jet makes first international commercial flight
BEIJING: China’s homegrown C919 jet completed its first international commercial flight on Wednesday, a symbolic step toward Beijing’s goal of challenging the decades-long aerospace dominance of Boeing and Airbus. The narrow-body jet has been billed as a potential competitor to Boeing’s 737 or Airb»»»
Jeju 4.3 cave considered for national cultural heritage status - UPI.com
A man pays his respects during the 76th anniversary of the Jeju 4.3 memorial ceremony at the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park in Jeju City, South Korea, on April 3, 2024. File Photo by Darryl Coote/UPI JEJU ISLAND, South Korea, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- The Korea Heritage Service announced Wednesday that Jeju Island's D»»»
New Arabian gazelle births signal wildlife recovery at Saudi reserve
RAFHA: Three new Arabian gazelle births recorded in the Al-Taysiyah area during the second quarter of 2026 are providing another indication of progress in wildlife conservation and reintroduction efforts at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Wedn»»»
UAE temperatures to hit 49°C with rain and mist forecast
Dubai: Temperatures could reach 49°C in parts of the UAE on Thursday as the country faces a mix of intense heat, possible afternoon rain and overnight humidity, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The NCM said conditions would be fair to partly cloudy at times, with convective cl»»»
Empowering next generation to shape future of water security
Every year, International Youth Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the vital role young people play in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future. Their contribution is particularly important in scientific fields that advance the knowledge, technologies, and innovations needed to addres»»»
10 things to do in Dubai this weekend: Lucky Ali and Usha Uthup concert, live music, comedy and more
Dubai: It is a significant weekend for two of the largest communities in this country. Pakistan marks Independence Day on Friday 14 August, India on Saturday 15 August, and the calendar has arranged itself accordingly. Here is everything worth knowing, in the order it happens. 1. Book Week at The H»»»
When home is suddenly somewhere else: Helping children find belonging after moving to the UAE
Every year, thousands of families relocate to the UAE, home to more than 200 nationalities. They arrive with hopes of new opportunities, career growth and a better future for their children. For many families, Dubai represents possibilities, a diverse, international environment where their children»»»
Ukraine hits Russia with hundreds of drones, Moscow warns even bigger missile salvos on the way
Ukraine launched a barrage of more than 450 drones against Russia overnight on August 10, targeting 16 regions and occupied Crimea in one of its deepest and broadest strikes of the war, as Moscow's own military signalled it plans to sharply scale up the missile salvos it fires at Ukraine in return.»»»
Tributes pour in for Indian expat student in UAE who died in Tamil Nadu after rare cancer battle
Sharjah: When Grade 12 C at GEMS Our Own English High School, Sharjah, returns from the summer break, one seat will stay empty. It belonged to Glowin Chell, and her seatmate Reema is already heartbroken. Glowin, an 18-year-old Indian expat who grew up in Sharjah, died on Tuesday during treatment ba»»»
Two soldiers killed in military helicopter crash in Salado, Texas - UPI.com
A U.S. AH-64 Apache helicopter is shown in 2025 during a training exercise. An Apache helicopter crashed Wednesday in central Texas, killing the two soldiers on board. File Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo Aug. 12 (UPI) -- An Apache attack helicopter based at Fort Hood crashed into a fie»»»
Rare solar eclipse crosses Europe, bringing darkness to Spain
People across Europe looked to the western horizon on Wednesday evening to see the moon moving in front of the sun, bringing twilight-like conditions and plunging parts of the continent into darkness. The totalsolareclipse began in northern Siberia, before the moon's umbra swept in an arc over Gree»»»
UK PM Burnham calls for wider distribution of asylum seekers
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for immigrants to be housed more widely across the UK, as the country continues to grapple with large numbers of people crossing the English Channel. More than 3,000 illegal immigrants have reportedly reached the country by boat in the three weeks sinc»»»
Justice Department announces charges in alleged marriage fraud scheme - UPI.com
1 of 4 | Attorney General Todd Blanche and others are shown during a press conference Wednesday at the Department of Justice Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Justice Department announced criminal charges against 11 people they allege participated in a fraud scheme that involved more than 1,000 »»»
Strait of Hormuz remains blocked; claims don't change reality: Iran dismisses Trump's "total US control" claims
Tehran: Iran has rejected President Donald Trump's claim that the United States has "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz, saying the strategic waterway remains blocked and will not be reopened until Tehran's conditions are accepted. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority, in a post on X, said Trump»»»
US on track for record natural gas production in 2026: EIA
Washington: US natural gas production is on track to hit a new annual record in 2026, with output forecast to average 122.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), according to the latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). That would eclipse the prev»»»
'Another world': total solar eclipse enthralls Europe
A total solar eclipse swept across parts of Europe on Wednesday, briefly turning day into night along a narrow path of totality from Iceland to northern Spain. But clouds and rain spoiled the view for many spectators, obscuring the Moon’s dramatic passage across the Sun. The Aug. 12 eclipse was the»»»