Egypt’s net international reserves rose to a record $57.2145 billion at the end of August 2026. The Central Bank of Egypt released the provisional figure on September 7. Reserves stood at $56.2939 billion at the end of July. That means the total increased by about $920.6 million during August, or roughly 1.6%. The latest reading extends a series of monthly gains in 2026 and takes Egypt’s official foreign reserves above $57 billion for the first time.
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The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of formal Egypt-China diplomatic relations. Egypt and China established diplomatic ties in 1956, making Egypt the first Arab and African country to recognize the People’s Republic of China. El-Sisi highlighted the anniversary in remarks released before Xi’s arrival. Xi also addressed the milestone ahead of the visit. Both presidents pointed to seven decades of bilateral cooperation and the expansion of relations since the comprehensive strategic partnership began.
The report says almost 19% of the world’s children now live in conflict zones. That compares with about 10% during the 1990s. By the end of 2024, conflict and violence had displaced 48.8 million children worldwide. The total was nearly triple the roughly 17 million recorded in 2010. It includes refugee and asylum-seeking children, along with millions uprooted within their own countries by conflict and violence.
Climate hazards are adding another layer of risk for children around the world. Nearly half of all children, or 1.1 billion, face at least three overlapping climate hazards. Almost every child faces at least one such hazard, according to UNICEF’s 2026 climate risk assessment. More than 4 million children face as many as six overlapping threats. The hazards include drought, extreme heat, heatwaves, floods, fires, tropical storms and sand and dust storms.
India and Uzbekistan elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on Sunday, expanding cooperation across major economic and security sectors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the upgrade after talks at the Kuksaroy Residence in Tashkent. The leaders reviewed trade, investment, transport, digital technology, energy, critical minerals, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and education. Modi visited Uzbekistan from August 29 to 30 at Mirziyoyev’s invitation.
The flood struck the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District on the morning of August 26. It swept through riverbank settlements and damaged homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure. Officials said Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha suffered major effects as floodwaters moved through connected river systems. The disaster also hit Gyirong County in Tibet, where rescue teams continue searching mountain valleys and border areas. Authorities are still examining the full sequence that triggered the flood.
Travel
Indonesia reopened Jakarta’s main airport and several regional airports Tuesday after volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau disrupted air travel. More than 340,000 travelers faced delays, cancellations or diversions during the disruption. Nearly 3,000 flights across Indonesia felt the impact. Authorities reopened Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after winds cleared ash from critical aviation areas. Anak Krakatau remained active Tuesday, with monitors recording three smaller eruptions during the morning.
Air Arabia boosts Sharjah Bangkok routes to 28 weekly flights. Starting October 25, 2026, the airline will introduce a fourth daily non-stop service connecting Sharjah International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The added operational schedule brings the carrier’s weekly non-stop connections on the Sharjah-Bangkok route to 28 flights, enhancing schedule flexibility for leisure and business travelers. Air Arabia increases Bangkok frequency with four daily flights from Sharjah to meet growing regional travel demand across commercial corridors.
Business
Egypt’s net international reserves rose to a record $57.2145 billion at the end of August 2026. The Central Bank of Egypt released the provisional figure on September 7. Reserves stood at $56.2939 billion at the end of July. That means the total increased by about $920.6 million during August, or roughly 1.6%. The latest reading extends a series of monthly gains in 2026 and takes Egypt’s official foreign reserves above $57 billion for the first time.
German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen AG agreed on Monday to sell its Osnabrück assembly plant to Israeli private equity firm Aurelius Capital and the German state of Lower Saxony. Under the preliminary agreement, the new owners will convert the vehicle manufacturing site into a dedicated security and defense production facility. The strategic transaction marks the first major industrial conversion of a German car factory to supply military hardware amid ongoing structural reorganization across Europe’s automotive sector. Israel Aurelius German state to take over VWs Osnabrueck plant defense projects to supply air defense equipment for European security markets.
The ministerial summit, running from September 8 to 11, operates under the theme of leveraging artificial intelligence and communications networks for African structural transformation. South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-sook is scheduled to deliver opening addresses alongside leadership delegations from the African Development Bank Group. Delegations will focus on combining South Korean technological manufacturing expertise with African human capital and critical mineral reserves. Korea Africa chart new course AI digital infrastructure strategies as continental planners seek to bridge an estimated $400 billion annual development financing deficit.
Fuel costs remained a major source of price pressure during the month. Petroleum product prices climbed 14.2% from a year earlier, though the increase slowed from July. Diesel prices jumped 19.6%, while gasoline prices rose 11.5%. Petroleum products added 0.54 percentage point to annual consumer price growth. South Korea relies heavily on imported energy, leaving domestic fuel costs sensitive to changes in global energy markets.
The shortlist includes players from leading clubs across Europe and other major competitions. Paris Saint-Germain has one of the strongest contingents in the men’s field. Its nominees include Dembélé, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Fabián Ruiz, Vitinha and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Bruno Fernandes, Declan Rice, Michael Olise, Lautaro Martínez and Sadio Mané also earned places. France Football administers the Ballon d’Or and applies a season-based assessment period to each edition.
Health
The World Health Organization has urged a wider Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as transmission continues across several provinces. Congo had recorded 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 deaths by Sept. 1, according to the latest government figures. The outbreak has affected 60 health zones in six provinces. Authorities have also recorded 1,439 recoveries, while the case fatality rate stands at 48.6%.