– Pakistan represents about 48% of people living in extreme poverty across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan region. The World Bank reported the figure in its October 2026 regional economic update. The lender measured poverty using the
– The African Union officially launched the Africa Credit Rating Agency, or AfCRA, in Mauritius on October 7. The new institution will focus on African sovereigns, companies and other issuers. AfCRA plans to provide independent credit assessments using African data,
– Air Arabia will start nonstop flights from Sharjah International Airport to Amman City Airport on November 15, 2026. The carrier will operate the route four times a week. The service will add another direct connection between the United Arab
Business
– The African Union officially launched the Africa Credit Rating Agency, or AfCRA, in Mauritius on October 7. The new institution will focus on African sovereigns, companies and other issuers. AfCRA plans to provide independent credit assessments using African data,
– Pakistan’s federal state-owned enterprises carried debt equal to about $36.5 billion at the end of December 2025. The total rose 14.3% from a year earlier, adding roughly $4.7 billion at current exchange rates. The Ministry of Finance published the
– The UAE recorded $63.353 billion in outward foreign direct investment in 2025, according to UN Trade and Development. The country’s total outward FDI stock reached $402.729 billion by year-end. That compares with $55.560 billion in 2010, showing a sharp
Travel
– Air Arabia will restart daily nonstop flights between Ras Al Khaimah and Kozhikode on October 16, 2026. The service restores a direct connection between the UAE emirate and the southern Indian state of Kerala. Bookings are already available through
– flydubai presented its growing Levant route network at the Syria Travel Show in Damascus as the regional low-cost carrier expands direct connectivity between the United Arab Emirates and key Syrian commercial hubs. Participating in the event hosted under the
Dubai-based flag carrier Emirates has entered the northern winter travel period with robust forward booking metrics across its international network, outpacing initial corporate projections. The performance follows a high-density summer operational cycle during which the airline transported more than 8.6
Technology
– The European Commission has proposed a new communications network for emergency and security services across Europe. The EU Critical Communication System, known as EUCCS, would connect national networks used by police, firefighters and medical responders. Civil protection authorities would
Apple introduced the iPhone Duo on Sept. 9, marking its first foldable iPhone. The device starts at $1,999 in the U.S. and opens to a 7.6-inch inner display. When closed, it uses a 5.4-inch outer screen for standard phone tasks.
Apple has introduced the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone, with availability scheduled for October 23. The handset opens to a 7.6-inch inner display and uses a 5.4-inch outer screen when closed. Both displays share the same aspect ratio and
Apple has introduced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max with upgrades to cameras, battery life and processing power. Both models use the new A20 Pro chip and a redesigned vapor chamber for sustained performance. Apple also added
The United States is expanding domestic battery production as it works to reduce dependence on China. The larger challenge sits deeper in the supply chain. China still dominates battery materials, processing and key manufacturing technologies used worldwide. U.S. factories have
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Luxury
Rolex introduces the latest addition to its esteemed collection with the unveiling of the new Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea model. Breaking tradition, this iteration marks the first-ever presentation of the divers’ watch in 18 ct yellow gold. Sporting a distinctive 60-minute
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, a beacon of horological prestige, marries the elegance of 18 ct gold or 950 platinum with groundbreaking innovation. Since its launch in 1956, it has stood out as the first wristwatch to display both the date and