TRENDING NEWS
At the end of August, South Korea’s foreign exchange reserves reached a record-high monthly increase, totaling $442.28 billion. The Bank of Korea announced a rise of $14.33 billion from $427.95 billion at the close of July. This increase marked the largest since official reserve data collection began in 1971 and pushed the country’s holdings to their highest level since May 2022, showing a rapid acceleration compared to the modest gains of the previous two months.
Alibaba Group has announced an HK$80 billion share placement aimed at boosting its investments in artificial intelligence and cloud technology. The firm will issue 710 million new ordinary shares at HK$112.70 each, translating to roughly US$10.2 billion based on current exchange rates. The transaction is anticipated to close by Aug. 26, contingent upon standard closing procedures. The company plans to direct the raised funds toward expanding its AI-related initiatives.
PanStar Acro is carrying commercial cargo on South Korea’s Arctic shipping trial. The vessel is transporting a total of 837 TEU, of which 737 TEU consist of commercial freight. Its cargo includes chemical substances, used vehicles and automotive parts, along with 100 empty containers. Managed by PanStar Line and supported by government agencies, the ship’s journey through Arctic waters is scheduled to begin around August 30. The Arctic segment spans approximately 6,400 kilometers, with the schedule indicating completion around September 7. After traversing the Arctic zone, PanStar Acro will proceed to three ports in Europe. Its first stop is Felixstowe in Britain on September 9, followed by Rotterdam on September 11. The vessel is then expected to arrive at Gdansk on September 15. The return voyage to South Korea will follow the same northern corridor, with the Busan-to-Rotterdam route covering roughly 13,000 kilometers, in contrast to the approximately 20,000 kilometers via the Suez Canal. Commercial freight challenges Arctic shipping route South Korean authorities prepared the vessel and crew for the demanding conditions expected during the northern passage. Training for polar navigation was completed prior to departure, with officers receiving specialized instruction for Arctic waters. An experienced polar navigator, previously with the Araon icebreaking research vessel, joined as chief officer. Insurance, emergency protocols, and international administrative procedures were also addressed, with a 24/7 communications system established to maintain contact throughout the Arctic
Flooding across Nepal and Tibet has caused at least 919 deaths, with 4,793 individuals still unaccounted for. Following the disaster on August 26, Nepal has documented 903 fatalities and 4,247 people missing. In Gyirong County, Tibetan authorities have confirmed 16 deaths and 546 individuals missing. Search operations persist across devastated mountain regions, river valleys, and hydropower locations. As rescue teams access previously unreachable areas and verify reports of missing persons, officials have updated casualty figures accordingly.
A 5.1-magnitude quake shook Longchang City in China’s Sichuan Province on Friday, according to data released by the China Earthquake Networks Center. The tremor took place at 1:13 p.m. Beijing time at a depth of 13 kilometers, with its epicenter situated in Neijiang prefecture at 29.23 degrees north latitude and 105.22 degrees east longitude. Emergency agencies promptly launched initial field assessments across the county, with early reports confirming no immediate casualties or structural damages.
A five-year wheat supply arrangement valued at up to US$500 million has been officially implemented between the UAE and Egypt. Al Dahra Agriculture Trading will deliver imported wheat to Egypt’s General Authority for Supply Commodities as part of this deal. Funding for these purchases is provided through the Abu Dhabi Exports Office. The agreement formalizes a framework established in 2023, establishing the terms for wheat transactions between Al Dahra and GASC over the next five years.
Wildfires sweeping through northeastern Algeria have claimed at least 12 lives and left 54 people injured during a severe heatwave. Interior Minister Said Sayoud reported that five individuals died in Jijel, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou. Among the injured, six remain in critical condition after suffering burns and requiring intensive medical attention. The fires have spread across several northern provinces, prompting emergency crews to continue operations around forested communities and nearby residential zones.
In July 2026, South Korea welcomed a total of 2,093,223 international visitors, signaling a robust rebound in global tourism. This monthly figure reflects a 20.8% increase compared to the 1,733,199 arrivals recorded in July 2025. Additionally, it surpasses the July 2019 level by 44.6%, prior to the pandemic’s impact on international travel.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has become the deadliest in the country’s history, with the death toll reaching 2,325. As of Aug. 16, government data indicated there have been 4,945 confirmed cases, including the 101 new infections reported in the last 24 hours. This latest death count surpasses the 2,299 fatalities recorded during the Ebola epidemic from 2018 to 2020 in the country.
Business
At the end of August, South Korea’s foreign exchange reserves reached a record-high monthly increase, totaling $442.28 billion. The Bank of Korea announced a rise of $14.33 billion from $427.95 billion at the close of July. This increase marked the largest since official reserve data collection began in 1971 and pushed the country’s holdings to their highest level since May 2022, showing a rapid acceleration compared to the modest gains of the previous two months.
News
The program provides specialized training, technical support, and access to experienced breeding expertise. It also establishes standards related to animal welfare, biosecurity, and responsible management of breeding sites. Emirati houbara breeders gain structured training and technical guidance through IFHC. Selected breeders and their teams will gain access to specialized training delivered by Abu Dhabi Nature Academy. The curriculum includes courses and workshops on ethical houbara breeding, animal welfare, biosecurity protocols, and facility management. Participants who complete the courses will receive certificates, and experts will continue offering technical support throughout their participation in the program.
ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan hosted Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The discussions centered on strengthening the relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, with particular emphasis on collaboration with the Kurdistan Region. Both leaders examined potential avenues to enhance cooperation across various sectors and promote regional development. The meeting was also attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. Abu Dhabi hosts high-level UAE and Kurdistan Region talks on bilateral relations. (Credit – WAM) In addition to bilateral ties, Sheikh Mohamed and Barzani addressed regional issues and mutual interests. They underscored the significance of security, stability, and enduring peace throughout the Middle East, stating those objectives should benefit the region’s populations. The Kurdistan Regional Government confirmed that the conversation included condemnations of recent attacks on the UAE and reaffirmed support for regional peace and security efforts. This high-level meeting gathered senior figures from the UAE leadership and government. Among the attendees was Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan also participated. The gathering underscores ongoing high-level engagement between the UAE and the Kurdistan Region as both parties reviewed cooperation efforts and regional developments impacting the broader Middle East. UAE and Kurdistan Region examine bilateral relations The discussions on Tuesday came after Sheikh Mohamed and
Chinese President Xi Jinping touched down in Cairo for an official state visit, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi greeted Xi at Cairo International Airport on Tuesday. The ceremony was also attended by First Lady Entissar El-Sisi and Peng Liyuan, Xi’s wife. This marks Xi’s first visit to Egypt in ten years, emphasizing high-level discussions focused on strengthening political, economic, and developmental links in Cairo.
India-Russia cooperation stays in focus across trade, energy, defence and diplomacy. The leaders evaluated progress in the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership that links India and Russia, with their governments working together across sectors such as defense, civil nuclear energy, space, trade, and technology. Bilateral economic relations have grown notably in recent years, driven by energy trade and other commercial exchanges. Both nations actively utilize established mechanisms to address issues related to investment, payments, transportation, and market access. During their Kyrgyzstan meeting, Modi and Putin deliberated on these areas while assessing the overall state of their relationship. Results from the 27th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation were warmly received by the leaders. This commission convened in Moscow on August 24. The two countries aim to achieve $100 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2030. According to Indian government data, bilateral trade reached $59.86 billion during the 2025-26 fiscal year, with Russian exports to India accounting for a larger portion—highlighting the importance of energy and other commodities in their economic partnership.
The program provides specialized training, technical support, and access to experienced breeding expertise. It also establishes standards related to animal welfare, biosecurity, and responsible management of breeding sites. Emirati houbara breeders gain structured training and technical guidance through IFHC. Selected breeders and their teams will gain access to specialized training delivered by Abu Dhabi Nature Academy. The curriculum includes courses and workshops on ethical houbara breeding, animal welfare, biosecurity protocols, and facility management. Participants who complete the courses will receive certificates, and experts will continue offering technical support throughout their participation in the program.
Health
Technology
Each year, Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency processes approximately 900,000 consumer consultation records through its PIO-NET database. On September 1, the agency revealed plans to expand its anti-fraud efforts by deploying artificial intelligence to identify early warning signs in complaints. The new system will scrutinize language used in reports, patterns of solicitation, and similarities with previous cases. Its goal is to detect signs of malicious schemes and problematic enterprises sooner by leveraging existing consumer data collected nationwide.
Travel
In July 2026, South Korea welcomed a total of 2,093,223 international visitors, signaling a robust rebound in global tourism. This monthly figure reflects a 20.8% increase compared to the 1,733,199 arrivals recorded in July 2025. Additionally, it surpasses the July 2019 level by 44.6%, prior to the pandemic’s impact on international travel.
Nearly 2 million international visitors arrived in Republic of Korea in June alone, propelling the total number of foreign travelers entering the country in the first six months past a significant threshold. Data released by Emirates News Agency confirmed that Korea’s foreign tourist arrivals exceeded 10 million in H1, driven by consistent double-digit growth from key regional source markets. Statistics from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism indicate that 1.99 million foreigners visited Korea in June, representing a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month last year. This strong monthly increase brought the cumulative first-half figure to 10.71 million visitors, a 21.3 percent growth from the 8.8 million recorded during the same period in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 26.9 percent.
South Korea’s travel account posts surplus for 3rd consecutive month in May as foreign visitor numbers increase nationwide The post South Korea travel account posts surplus for 3rd month in May appeared first on Gulf Daily Report: The Gulf’s daily news, fully reported..
Australians travel advice Middle East conflict alerts rise as federal authorities urge citizens to leave high-risk Gulf zones. The post Australians travel advice Middle East conflict raised by DFAT appeared first on Gulf Daily Report: The Gulf’s daily news, fully reported..