TRENDING NEWS
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.
The United Nations has launched a $49.6 million emergency appeal to support a four-month response to Nepal’s August floods. This urgent appeal aims to assist 84,270 people, with nearly 40% being children. It encompasses 19,284 households spread across 17 municipalities within six districts, namely Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha, and Tanahu. Relief efforts focus on providing shelter, food, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, protection, and winter aid. The floods, which struck on Aug. 26, caused widespread destruction along major river corridors, devastating numerous communities.
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.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan touched down in Berlin on Wednesday for an official state visit to Germany. After the presidential aircraft crossed into German airspace, it was escorted by German military planes. Upon arrival, Sheikh Mohamed was greeted with a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. This visit marks the first-ever state visit to Germany by a UAE president, and it includes meetings with top German political leaders as part of a formal schedule in Berlin.
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.
German automaker Volkswagen AG agreed Monday to sell its Osnabrück manufacturing facility to Israeli private equity firm Aurelius Capital and the German state of Lower Saxony, paving the way for the site to be transformed into a dedicated defense manufacturing hub. Under the initial agreement, Aurelius will acquire a majority stake alongside Lower Saxony to convert the vehicle assembly plant into a security and defense production center once passenger car manufacturing concludes in 2027. This strategic move represents the first significant conversion of a German automotive plant into a military hardware production site amid a broader reshaping of Europe’s auto industry. The facility will host an inaugural project with Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, focusing on supplying air defense components for European security markets.
Etihad Airways plans to commence nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport starting on Oct. 4, 2026. The airline will initially operate one flight per week, increasing to twice weekly from Oct. 25. This new route will mark Red Sea International as the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s network and will enhance direct connectivity from the UAE capital to Saudi Arabia. An Airbus A320 will be used for the service, featuring eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats. Each scheduled flight will carry a total of 158 passengers.
Indonesia resumed services at Jakarta’s primary airport and several regional hubs on Tuesday after ash from Anak Krakatau temporarily halted flights. The volcanic activity impacted nearly 3,000 flights and over 340,000 passengers nationwide. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport recommenced operations following assessments indicating that ash levels had diminished. Monitoring teams recorded three smaller eruptions on Tuesday morning, with the volcano still classified at Level III, Indonesia’s second-highest alert level.
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
Business
During their recent discussions, the leaders of the United Arab Emirates and India emphasized the importance of expanding economic and strategic cooperation, with bilateral trade reaching a record high of $101.25 billion during India’s 2025-26 fiscal year. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on September 12, where they discussed enhancing ties between the UAE and India. The meeting occurred at Hyderabad House amidst the 18th BRICS Summit, focusing on economic cooperation, investments, trade, and the broader Comprehensive Strategic Partnership connecting the two nations.
News
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.
During the high-level plenary session, the two leaders engaged in structured discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and attracting more institutional investment. Focus areas included advancing economic collaborations, infrastructure projects, renewable energy initiatives, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies. Sheikh Mohamed expressed confidence in the visit’s potential to open new avenues for constructive commercial partnerships and sustained economic development, welcoming the Albanian delegation warmly. The discussions underscored shared commitments to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation strategies.
Nepal has determined that approximately $4.78 billion will be necessary to rebuild following the floods along Bhote Koshi on August 26. According to the government’s Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, direct physical damages are estimated at about $1.8 billion, while economic losses are calculated around $883 million. This assessment encompasses social services, productive sectors, and key infrastructure. The floods impacted areas such as Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and other locations along the river system, damaging homes, roads, bridges, and energy facilities.
Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah review UAE-Jordan relations and regional stability. Economic cooperation was a key focus of their conversations. Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah discussed joint efforts in trade, investment, and development within the framework of the UAE-Jordan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. This agreement provides both nations with an expanded platform for commercial and investment activities. Additionally, the leaders examined broader collaborative areas aligned with their respective national development goals. The UAE and Jordan continue to enjoy strong political connections, regularly exchanging views on economic and regional issues. Jordan’s delegation featured Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, while senior UAE officials participated as well. Attending in Abu Dhabi were Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Their presence underscored the significance of the meeting, bringing together key officials responsible for political, economic, and foreign policy matters in both countries. Trade pact forms foundation of economic collaboration On October 6, 2024, the UAE and Jordan signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which officially took effect on May 15, 2025. This agreement marks the UAE’s first comprehensive economic accord with an Arab nation. It encompasses over 98% of tariff lines and establishes uniform rules for goods and services. The pact also covers investment, customs procedures, digital trade, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. The
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.
Health
Technology
Apple unveils the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, featuring significant upgrades in camera technology, battery capacity, and processing capabilities. Both models are powered by the latest A20 Pro chip and incorporate a redesigned vapor chamber to ensure consistent performance. The company also introduced a smaller Dynamic Island along with advanced camera controls tailored for professional users.
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.