The Pakistani community in Qatar is gearing up to celebrate the country’s 80th Independence Day on August 14 with a range of events and activities showcasing national pride, cultural heritage and the community’s strong bonds with the homeland. The celebrations will begin with a flag-hoisting ceremo»»»

AMMAN — Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the wholesale and retail trade sector reached JD818 million during the first quarter of 2026, according to a report on the executive programme of the Economic Modernisation Vision (2026–2029).The report on the first-half achievements of 2026 highlighted prog»»»

As the nature of Russia’s war in Ukraine evolves, Baltic startups are seeking new ways to respond to the hybrid threat from Russia, hoping rapid innovation can have a deterrent effect on Moscow.  One of the lessons of the war in Ukraine is that military technology evolves very rapidly, wi»»»

Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least 10 people overnight and wounded dozens, Kyiv said Tuesday, accusing Moscow of using North Korean missiles. The allegation comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow was receiving more ballistic projectiles and troops from its»»»

KYIV: Ukraine’s ‌wheat and barley exports were at very low levels over August 1-10 after Russian attacks effectively shut Black Sea ports, traders at a major farmers’ union said on Tuesday. Ukraine and Russia have launched broader campaigns against logistics targets, with e-commerce warehouses on b»»»

Andrzej Lis, a fund manager at Rockbridge TFI, describes his investment philosophy as holistic, combining macroeconomic analysis, fundamental research and valuation rather than relying on a single strategy. He begins by assessing inflation, interest rates, market liquidity and the economic cycle be»»»

Polish consumers increased their average monthly spending on major shopping platforms to PLN 825 in July, up 6% from the average of the previous three months, according to whenUbuy. Despite new EU customs charges, spending on Chinese platforms remained above PLN 300 per user. Shoppers instead bough»»»

Dubai: The UAE's aviation sector handled more than 1.13 billion passengers and recorded over 6.16 million aircraft movements between 2016 and 2025, according to figures released by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre. The data showed passenger traffic climbed 26.1 per cent over the de»»»

RIYADH: More than 200 games, interactive stations and daily tournaments are bringing families, friends and gaming enthusiasts together at Chapter 26, an indoor gaming festival in Riyadh running through Aug. 21. Held at Malfa Hall in Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City, known as Misk City, the»»»

Dubai: UAE tax authorities seized 8.45 million non-compliant excise products, including tobacco, energy drinks and sweetened beverages, during the first half of 2026, following more than 103,000 inspections across local markets. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The Fede»»»

Dubai: Dubai Police has urged motorists to deal with traffic fines promptly, highlighting instalment options and digital payment channels available to help manage outstanding penalties. The General Department of Traffic organised an awareness workshop for more than 70 employees of the Dubai Departm»»»

Rescuers work at the site of a Russian missile strike on a residential neighborhood of Zaporizhzhia early Tuesday after six people were killed and 19 injured in aerial attacks on the city overnight. Photo by Daryna NaumovaEPA Aug. 11 (UPI) -- At least nine people were killed and 25 injured in Russi»»»

Dubai: Travellers heading to Europe will not need to apply for the European Union’s new ETIAS travel authorisation yet after the bloc removed its previous late-2026 launch timeline and stopped giving a specific start period for the system. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balanc»»»

Among all the challenges across the Middle East, water security seldom makes the headlines, yet it can keep policymakers awake at night. The Gulf states are among the world’s highest consumers of water per capita but endure some of the most acute water scarcity on the planet. According to the World»»»

International low-cost marketplaces have become an increasingly visible part of Romania’s e-commerce landscape, attracting shoppers with highly competitive prices and an ever-expanding product range. Following its recent analysis of the new EU rules affecting low-value imports, Compari.ro surveyed »»»

Doha, Qatar: Renowned retail chain Safari Hypermarket in Qatar has announced a massive prize scheme for customers this Onam season. Under the theme “Safariyonam... Sammanamonam...!”, customers stand a chance to win prizes worth QR100,000 equivalent to INR 2.5m. This mega promotion is from August 10»»»

Among all the challenges across the Middle East, water security seldom makes the headlines, yet it can keep policymakers awake at night. The Gulf states are among the world’s highest consumers of water per capita but endure some of the most acute water scarcity on the planet. According to the World»»»

Agencies New York A rally in oil prices left stocks wavering while bond yields climbed, with trader anxiety building just days ahead of key inflation reports. The lack of a deal to revive the Strait of Hormuz drove Brent crude above $87. Higher energy costs stoked concerns the Federal Reserve will »»»

LONDON: More than three years after Sudan descended into civil war, army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan is pushing for a broad national dialogue aimed at rebuilding the country’s political institutions and laying the foundations for a civilian transition. Talks could begin as early as August, wi»»»

Cairo: Egypt's National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has referred all mobile network operators in the country to the Public Prosecution after uncovering violations involving mobile phone lines registered in the names of citizens without their knowledge or possession. The regulator said it to»»»

Ukraine’s practice of awarding drone operators points for killing Russian soldiers is “macabre” and disturbing, Britain’s most senior military officer, Richard Knighton, has said. Knighton, the UK chief of the Defense Staff, made the remarks in an essay for Heywood Quarterly published on Tuesday, a»»»

ING customers in the entrepreneur category can now activate RoPay directly from ING Business, through a fully digital process, and will benefit until July 1, 2027, from promotional fees of 0% for payments received from individual ING customers and just 0.25% for payments received from customers of »»»

Encouraging customers to mend worn clothes instead of buying new ones might seem like a self-defeating sales strategy. But in-store repairs and sewing workshops are becoming essential retail services for clothing brands as they try to appeal to young consumers who want to save money and the planet.»»»

Manila: For overseas Filipino workers arriving in Manila with another flight ahead, the difference between 24 hours and six hours is more than a technicality. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has clarified that an OFW arriving on an international flight may use the OFW Lounge at N»»»

On August 10, 1776, a committee of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson suggested the United States adopt "E pluribus unum" -- "Out of many, one" -- as the motto for its Great Seal. 1 of 6 | On August 10, 1776, a committee of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson suggeste»»»

Doha, Qatar: Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global foundation for education and development, and Al Sadd Sports Club have renewed their collaboration agreement for the 2026/2027 sports season, reaffirming their shared commitment to leveraging sport as a powerful community platform to suppo»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatari Diar has officially announced the launch of the first phase of its landmark Alam Al Roum development on Egypt’s North Coast, marking the beginning of one of the Mediterranean’s most ambitious mixed-use urban and tourism destinations. The project represents a total investment of »»»

Doha, Qatar The Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2026 is currently underway in Tashkent yesterday and will run until August 14, with more than 300 weightlifters from 29 countries taking part. The opening ceremony at the Olympic City of Tashkent was attended by officials, sports fi»»»

Doha, Qatar: In a new achievement for Qatari diplomacy and its efforts to promote peace and stability in Africa, authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo released 15 detainees and handed them over to the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) under the mechanism for the release»»»

Doha, Qatar: As part of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology’s (MCIT) ongoing efforts to support entrepreneurship and empower high-growth technology companies, the Ministry has announced the graduation of 10 technology companies from the third cohort of the Scale Now programme.»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar will host the Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ANQAHE) Forum on the Future of Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education on October 7 and 8, 2026. The forum is organised by the National Committee for Qualifications and Academic Accredi»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Food Safety Department at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) intensified its food safety monitoring activities during the second quarter of 2026, inspecting more imported food shipments and conducting thousands of inspection visits to local food establishments, according to key f»»»

Tribune News Network Doha The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) intensified its food safety monitoring and inspection activities during the second quarter of 2026 conducting more than 136,000 laboratory tests and inspecting nearly 30,000 imported food shipments. According to key figures released by »»»

KYIV/MOSCOW: ‌Ukraine and Russia accused each other of lethal attacks on Sunday, as President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow was targeting global food security by striking Odesa’s seaport. Three ​people were killed and 37 wounded in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, where a multi-story apartme»»»

The Embassy of Pakistan in Cairo commemorated Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir on 5 August, reaffirming Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and reiterating its longstanding position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The event was attended by embassy officials, media representatives, a»»»

DOHA: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) celebrated 10 promising technology companies' completion of the third cycle of the 'Wasel' programme, coinciding with the launch of the fourth cycle of the programme with the participation of 12 new companies. This comes within »»»

Dubai: Oman’s Tax Authority on Sunday issued a decision introducing mandatory electronic invoicing for VAT-registered businesses from April 2027, as the sultanate moves to strengthen tax compliance, improve transparency and advance the digitalisation of its tax system. Decision No. 189/2026, which »»»

Abu Dhabi/ Dubai: The Indian expat community in the UAE is gearing up for a series of events to mark India's 80th Independence Day, with the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai both hosting onsite celebrations on August 15 and online events in the run up to the»»»

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering scrapping the 60-day grace period currently available to H-1B holders and certain other foreign workers after they lose their jobs. The proposal has been sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, Bloomberg r»»»

SHIWA MINE: In Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province, dozens of excavators operate day and night to extract gold from the mountains where villagers and their livestock once roamed. Thousands of miners are deployed across the Shiwa area, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) northeast of the provi»»»

Abu Dhabi: Drug traffickers are using increasingly deceptive methods, including sweets, A4 paper and unidentified deliveries, to target children and teenagers, the National Anti-Narcotics Authority has warned. The authority revealed three methods recently detected by security agencies as part of it»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Cultural Village Foundation – Katara will host a series of free movie screenings at the Al Thuraya Planetarium in Building 41 throughout August, offering visitors of all ages an opportunity to explore space and astronomy through immersive full-dome presentations. The screenings wil»»»

Egypt’s investment fund boom is a watershed moment for the country’s financial landscape. Regulatory reforms, digital onboarding, and product diversification are funneling household savings into non-banking instruments on an unprecedented scale. Retail participation has democratized access to inves»»»

Planning a summer getaway or a winter holiday? Pakistani passport holders have several destinations to choose from, with entry available through visa-free access, visa on arrival (VOA), electronic travel authorisation (ETA) and e-visa schemes. The latest Henley Passport Index gives Pakistani passpo»»»

RIYADH: Across the Middle East and North Africa, homegrown fintechs are addressing financial exclusion from two entirely different starting points, and two platforms illustrate that divide well: Valu in Egypt, and Arib in Saudi Arabia. Valu is an Egyptian buy now, pay later and consumer finance pla»»»

It has been a busy week for headlines across the region and beyond. UAE residents can look forward to an upcoming three-day weekend, while Oman opens its doors wider with a free 14-day visa. In local news, a tragic gas cylinder blast in Dubai drew emergency responses, while travel rules take centre»»»

Dubai: For many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), returning to the UAE after a holiday in the Philippines should be as simple as checking in, clearing immigration, and boarding the flight. But for some, one document can make the difference between a smooth departure and multiple trips across the ai»»»

Washington, DC: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine has spent recent weeks privately advising top US President Donald Trump administration officials that the United States must seek an "off-ramp" from the conflict with Iran. Citing sources familiar with the matter, CNN reported that Cain»»»

Ljubljana: Qatar's under-20 national football team defeated Austria's Kapfenberger 7-0 in a friendly match on Friday as part of their ongoing training camp in Slovenia. The camp forms part of Qatar's preparations for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to be held from Aug. 25 to Sept. 6, w»»»

A passenger was arrested after allegedly trying to open the emergency exit door of a Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi while the aircraft was in the air, police said. The incident took place on Batik Air flight OD231 on Wednesday night. The aircraft landed safely at Cochin International A»»»