Egypt, UAE discuss strengthening cooperation in electricity, renewable energy
Egypt’s Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat has received UAE Ambassador to Cairo Hamad Al Zaabi to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and support investment in the electricity and renewable energy sectors. During the meeting, Esmat praised the longstanding ties bet»»»
Israeli-Palestinian group seeks sanctions on Israeli military chief in West Bank
LONDON: An Israeli-Palestinian nonprofit organization on Monday urged the EU and the governments of the UK, Canada and Australia to impose sanctions on Avi Bluth, head of the Israeli military’s Central Command, for failure to prevent mounting attacks by settlers on Palestinian communities in the oc»»»
Years of Culture marks summer of cultural exchange across three continents
Doha, Qatar: Years of Culture, Qatar’s long-term cultural exchange initiative, has marked a successful summer of international programming, with major exhibitions presented across Mexico, Chile and China bringing Qatar’s creative partnerships to audiences around the world. Spanning three continents»»»
US stocks hover near record highs as investors await retail earnings
New York, Aug. 17 (SANA) US stocks traded close to record levels Monday as investors awaited earnings from major retailers for further evidence of how high inflation and a slowing labour market are affecting consumer spending. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% but remained near Thursday’s record high. The D»»»
Talks on Minimum Wage Continue While Official Statistical Data Is Expected
Negotiations on the minimum wage are continuing, and the National Statistical Institute is expected to present data on changes in the median wage on Thursday, allowing the specific calculation formula to be finalized, Dobri Mitrev, Chairman of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Industrial Associ»»»
Social Minister Sees "Serious Progress" on Minimum Wage Mechanism for 2027
Substantial progress has been made on the mechanism for setting the 2027 minimum wage, with only details concerning official statistics and wage adequacy criteria still unresolved, Labour and Social Policy Minister Nataliya Efremova told journalists Monday. She spoke outside the Finance Ministry af»»»
Poland’s budget deficit reaches PLN 141bn
Poland’s state budget deficit reached PLN 141.06 billion after the first seven months of 2026, according to figures released Monday by the Finance Ministry. Despite the substantial headline figure, the deficit did not increase in July, helped by improving tax revenues as stronger economic activity »»»
Al-Shaibani, Barrack discuss bilateral ties, Syria’s economic recovery
Istanbul, Aug.17 ( SANA) Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, met on Monday U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack in Istanbul, Türkiye. Talks during the meeting dealt with ways to enhance bilateral relations and review the latest regional developments»»»
Europe’s oldest monarch hospitalised: Norway’s King Harald, 89, takes sick leave
Dubai: Europe’s oldest monarch has been admitted to hospital after a medical examination, with Norway’s King Harald V requiring treatment for fluid retention linked to medication for a blood disorder, the Royal Palace said on Monday. The 89-year-old was admitted to Rikshospitalet in Oslo after an e»»»
PM Magyar outraged over Lőrinc Mészáros’s bank decision
Prime Minister Péter Magyar called on MBH Bank and Lőrinc Mészáros, who has ties to business interests with stakes in the lender, to reinstate a charity programme benefitting children from low-income households with good grades in a post on Facebook on Monday. New HQ of Lőrinc Mészáros’s bank too e»»»
Al-Manar correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a bombing in the town of Al-Mansouri in southern Lebanon - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Al-Manar correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a bombing in the town of Al-Mansouri in southern Lebanon 17-08-2026 18:52 PM La»»»
78% of Argentine households earn below national average - UPI.com
Nearly 8 in 10 Argentine households earn less than the national average, helping explain why consumer spending remains weak despite signs of improvement in the broader economy File Photo by Matias Martin Campaya/EPA Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Nearly 8 in 10 Argentine households earn less than the national av»»»
Nvidia to post $105 billion for OpenAI data center in Ohio - UPI.com
An image made with a drone shows an Amazon Web Services data center in Ashburn, Va., on Sept. 23, 2025. File Photo by Jim Scalzo/EPA Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Nvidia announced on Monday that it will finance an OpenAI data center in Ohio for up to $105 billion. The credit from Nvidia will fund the data cente»»»
Egypt-China trade reaches $20.8bn in 2025 as Cairo seeks to boost exports, attract further Chinese investment
Egypt-China trade reached approximately $20.8bn in 2025, with Chinese exports to Egypt accounting for nearly $19.9bn, compared with just $819m in Egyptian exports to China, Head of the Egyptian Commercial Service Abdel Aziz Elsherif said. The figures highlight both the scale of the economic partner»»»
Jordan’s King Abdullah urges Chinese role in easing Middle East tensions
LONDON: Jordan’s King Abdullah II said China and Arab countries have maintained durable ties through decades of regional upheaval by focusing on practical cooperation and shared interests, as he called for deeper coordination on easing tensions in the Middle East. In an interview with China’s Xinhu»»»
Reports: British PM Andy Burnham got messages from someone posing as Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles - UPI.com
1 of 2 | British Prime Minister Andy Burnham gives a speech outside No 10 Downing Street on July 20. On Monday, sources close to the prime minister said he received messages from someone impersonating White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo Aug. 17 (UPI) -»»»
Lebanon says end of US-Iran truce does not affect Beirut’s agreements with Israel
BEIRUT: Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon continued on Monday, as a 60-day deadline set by an agreement in June between US-Iran to reach a deal on ending their conflict expired, an arrangement Tehran previously said also applied to Lebanon. However, an official Lebanese source told Arab News that»»»
$346,000 falcon becomes the most expensive sold anywhere at the 2026 auction
Dubai: A Canadian-bred falcon has sold for 1.3 million Saudi riyals ($346,000) at an auction north of Riyadh, making it the most expensive bird sold at this year’s event and the second-highest sale in the auction’s history. The juvenile three-quarter gyr Super White falcon, bred by Jim Wilson Falco»»»
Qatar nutrition expert explains how to know if a diet plan is right for you
Doha, Qatar: A diet should not be judged solely by how quickly it changes the number on the scale, but by whether it can be maintained over the long term while providing adequate nutrition, according to therapeutic and community nutrition specialist Alaa Mahmoud Abu Nahia. Speaking during an interv»»»
Al-Manar correspondent: Israeli artillery targets the outskirts of Zawtary Sharqiyeh town, South Lebanon - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Al-Manar correspondent: Israeli artillery targets the outskirts of Zawtary Sharqiyeh town, South Lebanon 17-08-2026 17:13 PM Latest News Ur»»»
First striped hyena born after reintroduction into Neom reserve
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife, in collaboration with Neom, has documented the birth of the first striped hyena cub since two breeding pairs were reintroduced to the Neom Nature Reserve. The birth is a positive sign that the hyenas have adapted successfully to the reserve and o»»»
American tourist struck by lightning on Italy’s Mt. Etna dies - UPI.com
The Mount Etna volcano spews smoke and ashes during volcanic activity in Sicily island, Italy, on April 15, 2025. File Photo by Orietta Scardino/EPA-EFE Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A 30-year-old American tourist died on Sunday in Italy after being struck by lightning while hiking on Mount Etna in Sicily. The »»»
Mother and daughter turn down $26.48 million to stop AI data centre on family farm
Dubai: Two farmers in Kentucky have rejected a Dh97.25 million ($26.48 million) offer for land that has been in their family for generations, after learning that the property was being sought for a vast data centre intended to support artificial intelligence infrastructure. Delsia Bare and her moth»»»
15 dead within hours: hotel fire and temple stampede strike pilgrims in India
Dubai: At least 15 people were killed in two separate disasters involving Hindu pilgrims in eastern India on Monday, with eight dying in a hotel fire in West Bengal and seven in a crowd crush at a temple in neighbouring Bihar, officials said. The incidents occurred during Shravan, a sacred month in»»»
Belgium fire halts short of German border, but not 'contained'
Monschau, Germany: Firefighters and farmers backed by water-dropping aircraft battled through a fourth day Monday to tame Belgium's worst wildfire in a century, still burning through pristine parkland though it was halted short of the German border. The blaze charring the High Fens nature reserve, »»»
Prominent Mali journalist, influencer jailed for seven years for criticising junta
A prominent Malian broadcaster and an influencer were on Monday jailed for seven years after criticising the ruling junta. Mohamed Youssouf Bathily was convicted by the Bamaka court of criminal conspiracy and discrediting the state alongside Rokia Doumbia, a noted campaigner. A Malian court sentenc»»»
Five million Iranians are waiting for Umrah as departures to Saudi Arabia restart
Dubai: Iran will resume sending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Umrah after a six-month suspension, with 18,000 people scheduled to travel in the first phase of the programme, official Fars News Agency reported. Akbar Rezaei, deputy head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organisation for Hajj and Umrah af»»»
Houthis strike Mokha as militia suffers mounting battlefield losses
AL-MUKALLA: At least seven missiles launched by the Iran-backed Houthis struck two government-controlled areas on Yemen’s Red Sea coast on Monday, as the militia continued to mourn dozens of fighters killed during its latest military escalation, local officials said. Two missiles struck Mokha seapo»»»
A new generation of Catalans tries to rekindle the independence movement
Nearly 10 years after the attempted referendum on Catalan independence which led to violent clashes between the public and the police, the political demands of the independence movement have not been met. ENTR travelled to Catalonia in June to meet with young people there who are continuing the fig»»»
In photos: Female presidents who shaped Latin America - All Photos - UPI.com
By UPI Staff A look at the women who have served as presidents of Latin American countries, both elected and interim. This collection highlights the modern female leaders who have shaped national politics across the region in recent decades. Violeta Chamorro, Nicaragua President-elect of Nicaragua »»»
How Mojtaba Khamenei reshuffled his hardline team for long war abroad, unrest at home
Dubai: After spending nearly six months largely out of sight, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is beginning to show what his Iran will look like. And it looks increasingly like a country preparing for a long fight. Khamenei has installed a string of veteran military and security har»»»
Iran and the Philippines offer Russia two very different farm-export bets
Russia's meat and feed exporters face a choice between two very different markets: Iran, slow and bureaucratic but predictable, and the Philippines, fast-growing but brutal on price. This is what Russia's pivot to Asia looks like at the level of an actual container. Shut out of European agricultura»»»
Belgium leads EU buyers as Russian LNG sales to the bloc jump 57%
The EU bought €809mn of Russian liquefied natural gas in June, 57% more than a year earlier, with Belgium the single biggest buyer. That gave Russia 24.1% of the EU's LNG market by value, second only to the US on 54.3% and €1.83bn. Belgium took €268mn worth, its highest since July 2025, ahead of Fr»»»
Iran and the Philippines offer Russia two very different farm-export bets
Russia's meat and feed exporters face a choice between two very different markets: Iran, slow and bureaucratic but predictable, and the Philippines, fast-growing but brutal on price. This is what Russia's pivot to Asia looks like at the level of an actual container. Shut out of European agricultura»»»
Afghanistan FM Muttaqi urges US to reopen Kabul embassy
Five years after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has called on Washington to reopen its embassy in Kabul and deepen diplomatic and economic engagement with the country. The appeal includes potential US investment in Afghanistan’s mineral resources an»»»
Sberbank profit hits record $12.6bn as strain spreads through Russia's banks
Russia's banks are earning more than ever, yet beneath the record profits lie mounting bad debts, a flight to cash and a corporate-loan pile that few in Moscow can measure. The country's largest lender, state-controlled Sberbank, posted a record IFRS net profit of RUB1.01tn ($12.6bn) in 1H26, up 19»»»
Belgium leads EU buyers as Russian LNG sales to the bloc jump 57%
The EU bought €809mn of Russian liquefied natural gas in June, 57% more than a year earlier, with Belgium the single biggest buyer. That gave Russia 24.1% of the EU's LNG market by value, second only to the US on 54.3% and €1.83bn. Belgium took €268mn worth, its highest since July 2025, ahead of Fr»»»
Iran and the Philippines offer Russia two very different farm-export bets
Russia's meat and feed exporters face a choice between two very different markets: Iran, slow and bureaucratic but predictable, and the Philippines, fast-growing but brutal on price. This is what Russia's pivot to Asia looks like at the level of an actual container. Shut out of European agricultura»»»
Russia's state development bank sacks chief economist over a speech he gave in May
Russia's main state development bank has sacked its chief economist over a speech he gave three months ago, in which he said the Russian economy would survive. Andrei Klepach, chief economist at VEB.RF for 12 years, was dismissed on August 16. VEB.RF chairman Igor Shuvalov let him go on an instruct»»»
Seven in 10 Russians now call the situation at home tense or critical
Anxiety in Russia has climbed back to the level it reached when Vladimir Putin ordered mobilisation four years ago. Some 57% of Russians describe the situation in their country as tense and a further 13% call it critical or explosive - 70% between them, the highest since September 2022. Only 19% sa»»»
Armenia orders its banks to block payments that dodge Russia sanctions
Armenian banks must now identify and freeze payments designed to slip past Western sanctions on Russia, under central bank rules that took effect on August 12. The requirements sit inside a new regulation on banks' minimum internal control standards approved by the Central Bank of Armenia. Lenders »»»
Cambridge head slams 'racist feeding frenzy' over dead academic
London: The head of Cambridge university Monday condemned a "racist feeding frenzy" prompted by plagiarism claims against black academic Jason Arday, as his supporters prepared for a London vigil after his death last week. Arday, who became Cambridge's youngest ever black professor in 2023, was fou»»»
Omani Authorities continue efforts to contain oil spill from 'CAROLINE BEZENGI'
Muscat: Omani authorities announced today that they are continuing their salvage and containment efforts for the oil spill from the vessel "CAROLINE BEZENGI", which is stranded on a rocky outcrop near Al Qibliyah Island in the Al Hallaniyat Islands archipelago in Dhofar Governorate. These efforts a»»»
Russian court sentences anti-war politician Shlosberg to 11 years in jail
MOSCOW: A Russian court on Monday sentenced prominent opposition politician Lev Shlosberg to 11 years in prison over his criticism of Moscow's offensive in Ukraine. The 63-year-old is among the very few Kremlin opponents who remained in Russia after it launched a sweeping crackdown on dissent follo»»»
Buddhist monks protest Israeli presence, illegal activity in Sri Lankan surfing spot
COLOMBO: Sri Lankan monks have joined residents of the coastal locality of Hiriketiya in protesting the presence of Israeli tourists, whom they accuse of setting up illegal establishments and disturbing the peace near one of the country’s most famous Buddhist temples. Hiriketiya is a fishing villag»»»
Albania Appoints New Acting Head of Fire and Rescue Directorate
Albania’s Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari has introduced Ervis Gjoshi as the new acting head of the country’s General Directorate of Fire Protection and Rescue, as authorities seek to strengthen the national response to emergencies and wildfire risks. Gjoshi takes over the leadership of the ins»»»
James Dacombe just became Europe’s youngest self-made billionaire, at only 25
Dubai: James Dacombe left school as a teenager to build a technology company. Eight years later, the British entrepreneur has become Europe’s youngest self-made billionaire, after his artificial intelligence chip start-up Olix secured a $3.3 billion valuation. The 25-year-old joined the billionaire»»»
$346,000 falcon becomes the most expensive sold anywhere at the 2026 auction
Dubai: A Canadian-bred falcon has sold for 1.3 million Saudi riyals ($346,000) at an auction north of Riyadh, making it the most expensive bird sold at this year’s event and the second-highest sale in the auction’s history. The juvenile three-quarter gyr Super White falcon, bred by Jim Wilson Falco»»»
Ukraine and Russia intensify attacks, several killed in Belgorod border region
A Ukrainian missile strike killed six people and wounded another four, including a child, in Russia's border Belgorod region, the acting governor said on Monday. The assault came as Russia targeted port infrastructure in Ukraine's Izmail district in the southern region of Odesa overni»»»
Opening statements set to begin Tupac Shakur shooting trial - UPI.com
Duane "Keefe D" Davis was arrested September 29, 2023, on a single charge of murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang, in the 1996 shooting death of rapper Tupac Shakur. File Photo courtesy of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Aug. 17 (UPI»»»