US Senate backs huge tariffs on Russian energy buyers – Hungary could be in the firing line
The US Senate has overwhelmingly approved a major new Russia sanctions package that could impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries buying Russian oil and natural gas, potentially putting Hungary in the firing line. The bill, named in honour of the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, pa»»»
Thailand school shooting: PM vows tougher gun laws after eight killed
Dubai: Thailand’s prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul has vowed to introduce tougher gun-control laws after a 14-year-old boy allegedly carried out a shooting spree that left eight people dead and at least 22 others injured. According to a BBC report, the teenager is alleged to have first killed his»»»
UAE men add five more medals to Jiu-Jitsu World Championship tally
ABU DHABI: The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team continued its strong performances at the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship by winning three gold and two silver medals in the Adult men’s competition on Friday at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi. The latest results take the national team’s overall tally at the»»»
Niemann and Torque GC extend lead after 36 holes at LIV Golf New York
BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY: Joaquin Niemann’s dominant start to LIV Golf New York 2026 shows no signs of slowing down. The Chilean fired a 6-under 65 on Friday to reach 13-under through 36 holes, extending his lead to five shots without a single bogey on his card through two rounds at a Trump National »»»
Startup wrap — Saudi Arabia leads MENA investments in July
RIYADH: Startups operating in the Middle East and North Africa region raised $172.6 million across 45 deals in July, a monthly increase of 16 percent. According to Wamda data, Saudi Arabia regained the top spot in July after ranking outside the lead for the entire first half of the year, with start»»»
Americana Restaurants posts 59.2% jump in H1 net profit as revenue tops $1.36bn
Americana Restaurants International PLC reported strong financial results for the first half of 2026, with double-digit growth in revenue, earnings, and cash flow, supported by higher like-for-like sales, continued restaurant expansion, and improved operating efficiency. The restaurant operator, li»»»
Search for 15-year-old Bayel, who fell into river, continues in Talas region - | 24.KG
A large-scale search and rescue operation is underway in Talas region on Talas River, where 15-year-old Bayel Timur uulu was swept away by the current a month and a half ago. According to Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the region Ermat Dzhumaev, 320 people are currently involved»»»
How MENA’s homegrown platforms are democratizing access to finance
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»»»
AI factories will power Saudi Arabia’s next phase of digital transformation, NVIDIA says
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is entering one of the biggest technology infrastructure shifts since the rise of cloud computing, with data centers set to evolve into artificial intelligence factories, a senior NVIDIA executive told Arab News. Marc Domenech, vice president enterprise for Middle East, Turkey,»»»
18-year-old Hungarian man suspected of killing Austrian man in anti-gay attack
An 18-year-old Hungarian man is suspected of killing a 29-year-old Austrian man in Lower Austria, with investigators examining the possibility that the attack was motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation. The victim was found dead early on Thursday in a house in Langenzersdorf, north of Vienna.»»»
From collecting garbage to owning a restaurant: How this Filipino expat found success by taking a chance in the UAE
Dubai: There was a time when hunger dictated Jenifer Segalowitz’s life. One afternoon after returning home from school in the Philippines, she discovered there was nothing left to eat. Hungry and exhausted, she accepted a piece of fried chicken that had already been thrown into the trash after her »»»
Trend of Falling Water Levels in the Danube Persists, Hydrological Situation Remains Difficult
The trend of falling water levels in the Danube continues across the entire Bulgarian section of the river, the Executive Agency for Exploration and Maintenance of the Danube River (EAEMDR) reported on Saturday. Data as of August 8 show a drop of 5 cm at the Ruse gauging station. The recorded river»»»
Don't be fooled by discounts: Dubai shares shopping tips for parents
Dubai: The Dubai Consumer Protection Department has intensified inspection campaigns across retail outlets, markets and shopping centres as back-to-school promotions get under way, aiming to ensure compliance with promotional regulations, price transparency and consumer rights. Ahmad Ahli, Acting D»»»
Civil Service Bureau concludes participation in ‘My Career, My Future’ programme
DOHA: The Civil Service and Government Development Bureau concluded its participation as a strategic partner in the eighth edition of the 'My Career, My Future' programme, organised by the Qatar Career Development Center from August 2 to 6. The programme was held in the presence of HE Dr Abdulaziz »»»
OFW Pass or OEC? UAE-based Filipino workers share their airport experiences
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»»»
Why the United States keeps losing wars
If you are American, then you might be getting damn tired of losing wars. I know I am. And you may be asking yourself, “Why does this keep happening?” It’s an intriguing and disheartening puzzle: Although the United States has been far-and-away the world’s most powerful country for many decades, wi»»»
Strong labour market underpins US economic resilience: QNB
Doha, Qatar: Qatar National Bank (QNB) said the US economy continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of current domestic and external pressures, despite a moderation in the labour market and increased economic uncertainty. In its weekly commentary, the bank said the moderation in the pace of »»»
Construction underway at 68 sites in Talas region - | 24.KG
The socioeconomic development results for the first six months of 2026 have been summed up in Talas region. The meeting was chaired by Ermat Dzhumaev, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the region. The results of the first half of the year show growth in economic indicators, as well as positive »»»
Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact, Iran blockade, UAE flights: What UAE residents need to know today (August 8, 2026)
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed a mutual defence pact, the US Navy is enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports, and Iran and Oman are nearing a shipping deal for the Strait of Hormuz, all as the Houthis are blamed for an attack on Najran. Meanwhile, most UAE flights are operating as sche»»»
Meteorology Institute Issues Orange Code Warning for High Temperatures
The National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH) has issued an orange code for the scorching temperatures in vast parts of the country for Saturday. The code applies to Northern, Southern Bulgaria, and for the Southwest. A yellow code due to the hot weather has been issued for the regions»»»
'Water batteries' for the Philippines? 5 things to know
Manila: The Philippines is entering an unusual phase of its energy transition. It is adding solar and wind power at a pace that could eventually transform the electricity system, while at the same time confronting one of the oldest problems in power generation: What happens when the sun stops shini»»»
State Mortgage Company of Kyrgyzstan increases capital by 5 billion soms - | 24.KG
State Mortgage Company (SMC) OJSC held an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, where a number of decisions were made. According to the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange, the company’s authorized capital will be increased by 5,193.5 billion soms. The company will reportedly issue additional 51,935 shares worth »»»
'Our children are suffering': Sri Lankan mother in UAE appeals for help as debt crisis and legal troubles tear family apart
Dubai: "The only reason why I have not given up and still have hope is because of my children," said Raziya Razick, a Sri Lankan expatriate who has called the UAE home for the past decade. Razick and her family are grappling with legal dues, the result of a series of setbacks that began when she lo»»»
The humble burrito causes indigestion for Trump’s party
WASHINGTON: Debate over the price of a burrito is causing indigestion for President Donald Trump’s Republican Party, which fears being punished for the high cost of living in November’s midterm elections. The Mexican specialty — rice, beans, meat and other toppings wrapped in a tortilla — is belove»»»
From eating food from the trash to owning a restaurant: How this Filipino expat found success by taking a chance in the UAE
Dubai: There was a time when hunger dictated Jenifer Segalowitz’s life. One afternoon after returning home from school in the Philippines, she discovered there was nothing left to eat. Hungry and exhausted, she accepted a piece of fried chicken that had already been thrown into the trash after her »»»
Flying from UAE today? Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, flydubai latest cancellations and flight updates
The UAE’s summer travel rush continues, with thousands of passengers flying abroad as airlines maintain operations despite ongoing regional uncertainty. While most flights are operating as scheduled, some Gulf routes continue to see changes due to operational adjustments and temporary airspace rest»»»
Teaching children to outsmart the algorithm
Hidden accounts, secretive messages or covert contacts are usually discovered by accident, not design. An unlocked phone or an unexpected notification may reveal a second profile, showing a child’s alter-ego unknown to their parent. This does not reflect poor parenting. Instead, it shows that secre»»»
U.S. Senate passes bill to impose new sanctions on Russia
Washington, Aug. 7 (SANA) The U.S. Senate on Friday passed a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia, primarily targeting its energy revenues, with broad bipartisan support, according to the Associated Press. The bill, approved by a vote of 86 to 11, aims to penalize countries that continue to purcha»»»
Syrian, UAE economy ministers discuss expanding economic and investment cooperation
Dubai, Aug. 8 (SANA) Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal al-Shaar and UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri discussed ways to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and expand investment partnerships during a meeting in Dubai on Friday. The two ministers reviewe»»»
ING: Hungarian economy takes a summer breather as industry and retail disappoint
Economic activity data for June confirmed what we saw in the second quarter GDP data: as summer arrived, the Hungarian economy went on holiday. Both industry and retail sector growth rates came in lower than expected, but we are still optimistic about the future. The Hungarian »»»
Europe demands Turkey certify its gas exports are not Russian in origin
European buyers are demanding that Turkey provide documentation proving natural gas transported through Turkish territory is not of Russian origin, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said in an interview with A Haber TV on August 6. Bayraktar said Turkey is legally obliged to process »»»
Structural Reform Proposals in Health Care to Be Put to Broad Public Discussion
Proposals for structural reforms will be presented for broad public discussion, Health Minister Katya Ivkova said, as quoted by the Ministry's press centre on Friday. These are not final decisions, but proposals for structural reforms aimed at creating an administration that is more accountable to »»»
OCHA confirms limited improvement in aid entry to Gaza
New York: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Friday confirmed a limited improvement in the flow of essential supplies into the Gaza Strip recently, despite acknowledging that humanitarian needs remain immense as the population continues to rely heavily »»»
Palestinian patients face mounting barriers to care in West Bank as NGOs struggle to fill widening gap
LONDON: Sujood Faroun, 29, a mother of two young children, suffered cardiac arrest in late July as an ambulance rushed her toward a hospital in Ramallah. But at the edge of her hometown of Sinjil, the ambulance encountered a closed Israeli army gate guarded by soldiers. Her husband pleaded for help»»»
Exclusive: WFP to extend Palantir contract despite concerns raised in leaked audit
The UN's World Food Programme is finalizing a five-year renewal of its contract with US data software firm Palantir despite “key privacy concerns” raised in a leaked 2025 internal audit. The audit, seen by PassBlue and FRANCE 24, reveals UN misgivings about allowing Palantir to process data for the»»»
US appeals court halts construction of Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom project
A federal appeals court on Friday ordered US President Donald Trump’s administration to stop construction of its $400 million ballroom on the site of the White House's demolished East Wing. The court added that a president cannot fundamentally reshape the White House without congressional»»»
President of Sopot: Without Airbnb city will divide into tourist ghettos
Poland’s Ministry of Sports and Tourism is considering giving municipalities greater powers to regulate short-term rentals, including Airbnb-style properties. Options include creating restricted zones, introducing licensing systems and setting occupancy limits based on apartment size to prevent ove»»»
Developer drought coming for offices
Poland’s office development pipeline has fallen to historic lows, with less than 200,000 sq. m of new space expected annually in 2026-2027, compared with 700,000 sq. m completed in 2020. Despite the slowdown, the commercial real estate market remains active. Office investment reached EUR 549 mln in»»»
Pole will lead Scandinavia hotel chain Puro Hotell Holding
Przemysław Wieczorek has been appointed president of PURO Hotels and CEO of Puro Hotell Holding, effective from the beginning of August. The management change comes as the Polish hotel chain prepares for its first international openings. Wieczorek, who has been involved with PURO since its launch, »»»
Rental market has negotiable climate but rents high anyway
Poland’s rental housing market is becoming more balanced as a steady supply of listings and weaker demand improve tenants’ negotiating position. According to a Morizon-Gratka survey, 56.4% of respondents consider the number of available rentals balanced or high, suggesting there is no major shortag»»»
CD Projekt leading growth while Modivo lost most
Friday’s session on the Warsaw Stock Exchange was marked by clear weakness among most companies in the WIG20 index. Modivo recorded the steepest decline, with its shares falling 7.78% to PLN 91.50. Other major losers included Orlen (-2.38%), Grupa Kęty (-1.62%), Pekao (-1.56%), Tauron (-1.56%) and »»»
How settler violence and settlement expansion are impacting life across the West Bank
LONDON: The morning after Israeli settlers descended on Khirbet Al-Tuba, a small shepherding community in the Masafer Yatta area of the occupied West Bank, the silence was broken only by the crunch of ash underfoot. Three homes had been reduced to blackened shells and several defaced with Hebrew gr»»»
US official: We expect a deal soon between Iran and Oman on Strait of Hormuz
WASHINGTON: Progress is being made between Iran and Oman on the Strait of Hormuz and “we expect a deal soon,” a US official told Reuters on Friday. Once a deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments, the United States will lift its blockade of Iranian ports, the of»»»
UK-funded, British Steel-supplied Ankara-Izmir railway project quarter complete after 13 years
The material completion of the Turkish government’s 503-kilometre (313-mile) Ankara to Izmir high-speed rail project stands at just 24%, daily Birgun has reported. Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) broke ground on the ambitious project in 2013. Back then, the transport minis»»»
Qatar welcomes release of 15 detainees under Doha Peace Process for Eastern DR Congo
DOHA: The State of Qatar has welcomed the release of 15 detainees by the Congolese authorities and the facilitation by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) of their transfer and handover to the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) on August 6 and 7, under the mechanism fo»»»
Chinese brands continue expansion into Polish market
Chinese automakers are rapidly expanding in Poland, accounting for a record 15.5% of new passenger car registrations in July 2026, up from 14.9% in June. BYD nearly tripled registrations in the first seven months of the year to 6,600, while MG and Omoda remained the largest Chinese brands by volume»»»
Starting in 2027, property taxes to increase
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Winemakers across Europe face the challenges of climate change
Winegrowers in France are harvesting their grapes unusually early this season because of the effects of climate change. While the rising global temperatures offer a new chance for winemakers in northern and Scandinavian countries, experts say it’s too early to expect a drastic shift in the viticult»»»
AfCFTA signs $3.1bn deal to modernise customs across Africa
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has signed a 20-year, $3.1bn concession agreement with Nigerian technology company Bergmans Security Consultants and Supplies Limited to modernise customs administration across Africa. The agreement, signed in Abuja on August 6, will supp»»»
MACRO ADVISORY: Russia’s August Angst - 2026
One of our quirkier rituals is to write every year about why Russians view August as some sort of cursed month and to highlight what could happen this year. Or, to paraphrase (ex US Secretary of Defence) Donald Rumsfeld, the “known knowns” and, possibly, the “known unknowns”. But, of course, it is »»»