TRENDING NEWS
India has cautioned Washington that the proposed tariffs on nations importing Russian crude oil could negatively impact bilateral relations and cause disruptions in global commodity markets. This warning came in the wake of the US House of Representatives passing the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which permits the US government to impose tariffs up to 100 percent on key buyers of Russian energy. India emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding energy security for its citizens while retaining flexibility to purchase oil from global suppliers based on prevailing market conditions.
Gold prices stayed above $4,400 an ounce on Thursday after reversing an earlier decline from the previous session. The spot gold price increased 0.3% to $4,414.28 an ounce by 0419 GMT, while U.S. gold futures for December slipped 0.1% to $4,457.20. During Asian trading, the dollar remained subdued, supporting bullion priced in the U.S. currency. Gold approached Thursday near the higher levels seen late Wednesday, having recovered from earlier losses recorded earlier that day.
While U.S. battery manufacturing capacity saw significant growth in 2025 with the opening and expansion of various plants, the industry remains highly dependent on imported or processed materials from abroad. Natural graphite exemplifies this vulnerability, as the United States reported complete reliance on imports for this material in 2025. China continued to be a primary supplier, and Chinese processors maintained dominance in the production of battery-grade graphite used in standard lithium-ion anodes.
Consumer price data shows transport and food led Oman’s annual inflation in August. Transport costs increased by 8.5% from August 2025, representing the largest annual rise among major consumer segments. The food and non-alcoholic beverages category followed with a 7% uptick. Personal goods and services, including miscellaneous items, rose by 6.1%, while restaurant and hotel prices increased 3.6%. Furniture, household appliances, and routine household upkeep saw a 3.1% increase. Education costs grew by 2.2%, and healthcare expenses rose 1.7%. Prices for culture and recreational activities went up slightly by 0.4%. Several other categories experienced more modest changes. Clothing and footwear prices edged up by 0.1%, while communication services and tobacco costs remained stable compared to the previous year. Conversely, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels decreased by 0.6%. The August data also revealed notable disparities across Oman’s governorates. According to official consumer price figures, annual inflation varied from 2.1% in Dhofar to 4.8% in Al Dhahirah. Transport and Food Lead August Price Escalation Al Dhahirah experienced the highest annual inflation rate among the governorates at 4.8%. Muscat followed with 3.9%, while Al Dakhiliyah registered 3.8%. Al Wusta reported 3.4%, and both Musandam and Al
During his visit to Germany, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held discussions with top German business executives and corporate heads in Berlin. These engagements took place amid his official state visit, where, at a high-level roundtable, the UAE President was briefed extensively on corporate activities, industrial projects, and technological advancements across significant European manufacturing sectors. The talks aimed to strengthen cross-border economic links as both nations seek to broaden commercial collaborations, joint investment initiatives, and bilateral trade, especially in strategic growth markets.
BERLIN, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – Bilateral cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and Germany was significantly enhanced during a state visit to Berlin, where a total of 12 government agreements and declarations were announced. The visit was attended by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. These agreements span diverse sectors including investment, energy, technology, aviation, security, environmental policy, legal affairs, and culture. Additionally, both nations launched a Strategic Dialogue aimed at coordinating efforts across multiple government sectors. This initiative builds upon their longstanding Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2004.
Berlin talks put trade, investment, diplomacy and security at the center of UAE-Germany ties. Sheikh Abdullah and Wadephul explored methods to enhance the strategic partnership between the UAE and Germany across multiple sectors. Prominent in their talks were economic ties and development cooperation. The ministers also shared perspectives on international challenges and diplomatic strategies to address crises. Sheikh Abdullah underscored the longstanding ties between the two nations and their history of cooperation in political and economic spheres.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier extended a formal welcome to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Villa Borsig in Berlin on September 10. This event was part of Sheikh Mohamed’s official visit to Germany from September 9 to 11. The ceremony opened with the national anthems of both nations. Sheikh Mohamed then inspected the guard of honour and greeted high-ranking German officials attending the occasion. The UAE and Germany deepen bilateral ties during a landmark presidential state visit. During his visit, Sheikh Mohamed also signed the official VIP guestbook at Villa Borsig. He emphasized the enduring connection between the United Arab Emirates and Germany, along with their growing cooperation. Steinmeier welcomed members of the UAE delegation accompanying the president, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, other ministers, senior officials from the Presidential Court, and government representatives participating in the state visit. This visit was the first-ever state visit to Germany by an Emirati president. After the official reception, Sheikh Mohamed and Steinmeier held discussions at Villa Borsig. Their talks focused on the UAE-Germany partnership and significant regional and international issues. They also examined cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including diplomatic efforts to promote peace, security, and stability across the Middle East. Leaders discuss expanding bilateral ties between UAE and Germany.
On Friday, the budget airline Air Arabia revealed a strategic boost to its Southeast Asian routes, notably increasing the number of flights connecting the United Arab Emirates with Thailand. From October 25, 2026, the airline will add a fourth daily non-stop flight linking Sharjah International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. This move raises the airline’s weekly non-stop departures on the Sharjah-Bangkok route to 28, providing more scheduling options for both leisure and business travelers. With four daily flights from Sharjah, Air Arabia is increasing its Bangkok service to meet rising demand across regional commercial corridors.
Business
India has cautioned Washington that the proposed tariffs on nations importing Russian crude oil could negatively impact bilateral relations and cause disruptions in global commodity markets. This warning came in the wake of the US House of Representatives passing the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which permits the US government to impose tariffs up to 100 percent on key buyers of Russian energy. India emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding energy security for its citizens while retaining flexibility to purchase oil from global suppliers based on prevailing market conditions.
News
UAE and Senegal advance bilateral talks on economic cooperation and global water priorities. Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Faye and highlighted areas where the two nations already work closely together. Economic cooperation was a central focus of the meeting, with both presidents considering opportunities linked to investment and development priorities in their countries. These discussions occurred amidst ongoing official exchanges between Abu Dhabi and Dakar. Throughout 2026, UAE and Senegalese officials have held multiple meetings centered on trade, investment, government collaboration, and preparations for a significant global water conference. The officials also addressed the upcoming 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which the UAE and Senegal are set to co-host. Scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10, the conference aims to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6. This goal advocates for universal access to water and sanitation, as well as sustainable water resource management. Participants will include governments, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders involved in water policy. Water summit plays a key role in discussions The United Nations has organized six interactive sessions for the December event, focusing on water for people, prosperity, the planet, cooperation, multilateral processes, and investment. The agenda will also cover financing, technological advancements, innovation, and capacity building. According to UN data, approximately 2.1 billion individuals still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and around 3.4 billion lack access to safely managed sanitation services. These issues are central to
Nepal has updated its official count of missing persons following the August 26 floods, now listing 6,150 individuals as missing after comprehensive district-level verification. The previous figure was 5,179, which means an additional 971 names have been added to the total. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority provided the revised figures as search and identification efforts are ongoing. Since the disaster, authorities have recovered 1,403 bodies, with 105 victims officially identified. Rescue and recovery operations continue across districts hit by Nepal’s August floods. (AI-generated image) Forensic teams have collected 3,175 DNA samples to aid in victim identification and to reconcile missing-person records. This total includes 1,286 samples from recovered bodies and 1,889 from relatives of those still missing. Since the disaster struck northern Nepal, officials have also recorded 13,742 rescues. Additionally, 587 foreign nationals are still listed as missing. These figures highlight the extensive search operations carried out in remote mountain districts and communities impacted by floodwaters and debris. The latest official breakdown shows 2,679 missing persons in Rasuwa, while Nuwakot accounts for 1,787. Both districts experienced severe damage during the late-August floods, which destroyed roads, settlements, bridges, and other vital infrastructure. Search teams have operated across river valleys and damaged areas while authorities review local records. They are cross-referencing family reports, district data, and forensic evidence to update the
More than 55,000 individuals have been displaced from high-risk zones across Hainan due to severe rainfall that triggered flooding and the threat of landslides. Authorities ramped up evacuation efforts through September 14 as rising river levels and water intrusion into vulnerable communities persisted. The operation targeted low-lying districts, regions near waterways, and zones susceptible to geological hazards. Emergency teams also arranged temporary shelters and provided essential supplies for residents unable to return home.
Lahore consumers face retail food prices that remain well above official government rates. Despite government efforts to reduce prices, many shoppers in Lahore continue to pay well above official rates, with the discrepancy spanning across chicken, vegetables, and fruit markets. Consumers face these elevated costs amid ongoing inflationary pressures and rising fuel expenses. Official data indicate that household expenses are climbing across various categories, further straining families already burdened by higher costs for basic necessities like food and transportation.
UAE and Senegal advance bilateral talks on economic cooperation and global water priorities. Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Faye and highlighted areas where the two nations already work closely together. Economic cooperation was a central focus of the meeting, with both presidents considering opportunities linked to investment and development priorities in their countries. These discussions occurred amidst ongoing official exchanges between Abu Dhabi and Dakar. Throughout 2026, UAE and Senegalese officials have held multiple meetings centered on trade, investment, government collaboration, and preparations for a significant global water conference. The officials also addressed the upcoming 2026 United Nations Water Conference, which the UAE and Senegal are set to co-host. Scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10, the conference aims to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6. This goal advocates for universal access to water and sanitation, as well as sustainable water resource management. Participants will include governments, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders involved in water policy. Water summit plays a key role in discussions The United Nations has organized six interactive sessions for the December event, focusing on water for people, prosperity, the planet, cooperation, multilateral processes, and investment. The agenda will also cover financing, technological advancements, innovation, and capacity building. According to UN data, approximately 2.1 billion individuals still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and around 3.4 billion lack access to safely managed sanitation services. These issues are central to
Health
Technology
Apple has expanded its iPhone lineup with the addition of a foldable device, the iPhone Duo. The company announced the product on Sept. 9, with preorders set to open on Oct. 16. U.S. pricing starts at $1,999, while in the UAE, the base price is AED 8,499. Sales will commence on Oct. 23 across over 70 countries and regions. This launch marks Apple’s first smartphone with a book-style design featuring separate outer and inner displays. The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable iPhone and starts at $1,999 in the US. The iPhone Duo features a 5.4-inch outer screen for regular use when the device remains closed. When opened, it reveals a 7.6-inch Super Retina XDR display designed for larger applications and multitasking. Both screens support ProMotion and Always-On functions, with outdoor brightness capable of reaching 3,000 nits. Apple has crafted the case from Grade 5 titanium and constructed the hinge from over 100 components. Additionally, the phone carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The device’s software is central to its use of the extra display space. Apple developed iOS 27.1 to support both folded and unfolded modes. Split View enables users to position two apps side by side on the inner display. Users can also run two windows from the same app and save app combinations for later use. The larger screen allows for two Home
Travel
Commercial passenger aircraft taxi along airport runways during peak international travel hours. The seasonal results reflect increased passenger capacity and improved load factors on key long-haul routes linking North America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific. International aviation channels report that early bookings for the upcoming holiday period remain high across both premium cabins and economy. Industry analysts note that the consistent passenger flow indicates a resilient structure within the international long-haul aviation sector. To meet anticipated winter passenger numbers, Emirates is accelerating its multi-billion-dollar fleet upgrade and product enhancement initiatives. The airline continues to incorporate newly retrofitted Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft into service, further expanding the availability of its popular Premium Economy cabin on additional long-haul routes. Emirates starts the winter season with strong booking demand as its fleet retrofit efforts boost premium seat options on major intercontinental routes. Fleet Modernization Program Focuses on Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 Cabin Upgrades Beyond cabin improvements, Emirates is increasing its flight frequencies and introducing new international destinations ahead of the winter timetable. The expansion in routes is complemented by growing interline and codeshare collaborations, enabling seamless connections across secondary and regional airports worldwide. Management emphasized that these strategic partnerships help capture feeder traffic from emerging regional markets. The airline’s operational capacity continues to bolster trade, tourism, and business travel centered at Dubai International Airport. Increased frequencies on high-demand routes are designed to accommodate the expected surge in passengers associated with major global conventions, trade fairs, and winter holiday travel across
Officials are now inspecting travel and immigration documents along routes that usually operate without routine internal border checks. This decision follows Italy’s earlier move to reintroduce checks on certain passengers arriving from Spain. Travelers from Italy face temporary passport checks at Spanish airports and seaports. On the first day of enforcement, the Spanish Interior Ministry reported that 199 passengers traveling on 12 flights from Italy were subjected to inspections. These controls took place at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. The process involved verification of passports, nationality, and visa status where applicable. Despite these checks, flights and maritime services between Spain and Italy continue to operate normally while the measures are in place. Italy began its own temporary border controls on Aug. 1, in response to a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta from Morocco. The Italian authorities applied these checks to non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air or sea, excluding Italian citizens, Spanish citizens, and other EU nationals from the restrictions. Italy informed European agencies that its controls would last until Sept. 1 under the current schedule. Ceuta arrivals predated border restrictions Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the large wave from Morocco that started in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Aug. 4 that about 70,000 individuals had since departed the territory. Ceuta, located on the North African coast, lies outside the Schengen Area. This surge in arrivals
Dubai-based airline flydubai announced a significant expansion of its European route network on Wednesday, boosting flight frequencies to major Italian destinations to cater to increasing international travel. Official statements issued by Emirates News Agency confirmed that flydubai is expanding operations in Italy with more flights to Milan-Bergamo and Naples, strengthening direct connections between the United Arab Emirates and Southern Europe. Starting July 31, 2026, the airline will operate double-daily flights between Dubai International Airport and Milan-Bergamo Airport. Additionally, service to Naples International Airport has been increased to a daily schedule, reinforcing flydubai’s presence in Italy’s key urban centers.
The new digital payment system is accessible to residents of the United Arab Emirates for both international and domestic flight bookings, with prices and settlements in Emirati Dirhams. Transactions are handled through Crypto.com’s checkout portal, giving travelers direct access to their digital wallets during the booking process. The rollout aligns with regional economic initiatives, notably supporting Dubai’s Cashless Strategy under the broader D33 Economic Agenda aiming for 90% of financial transactions to be digital by the end of 2026. Industry analysts note that integrating digital wallet payment options helps international airlines attract tech-savvy customers while reducing reliance on traditional card processing.