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Middle East news — August 17, 2026 - Page 4

Publications tagged with Middle East published on August 17, 2026 (UTC). This is a fixed calendar-day archive. Page 4 of 6.

135 publications

  1. PoliticsRegulatorsIndictmentMiddle East

    Israeli Settlers Establish New Outposts Near Ramallah

    Israeli settlers have begun establishing new outposts on Palestinian land near Ramallah in the West Bank. According to Palestinian sources, this could increase the number of settlements in the region to six. The new outposts are being set up simultaneously with attacks and assaults targeting Palestinians and their lands and homes in several areas in the West Bank.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  2. PoliticsRegulatorsMiddle East

    Xi Jinping Commemorates Jiang Zemin's Centenary

    Chinese President Xi Jinping attended and addressed a grand meeting commemorating the centenary of the birth of late Chinese leader Jiang Zemin on August 17 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi praised Jiang's contributions to China's development, highlighting his role in promoting reform and opening up, maintaining social order, and leading the country through major challenges. The event was broadcast live by China Media Group and other platforms.
    32 sourcesSee all sources
  3. WorldMiddle East

    Central Bank Governors Discuss Financial Cooperation

    The Governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Abdolnasser Hemmati, visited Iraq to meet with his counterpart, Nizar Nasser, to discuss financial and monetary issues and explore mechanisms for settling financial claims and organizing commercial transactions between the two countries. The meeting aimed to enhance bilateral banking relations and expand regional and international coordination.
    10 sourcesSee all sources
  4. WorldBillMiddle East

    Ukraine's Ferrexpo on Brink of Bankruptcy Amid Dispute with Oligarch

    Ferrexpo, a Swiss iron ore mining company with operations in Ukraine, is facing bankruptcy due to a dispute between the Ukrainian government and its largest shareholder, oligarch Konstantin Zhivago. The government has withheld a $90 million VAT refund and demanded Zhivago's exit from the company, while Zhivago retains his stake and opposes additional emissions. Ferrexpo has halted production and is selling stockpiles, with a mid-September deadline to raise funds. Major shareholders include BlackRock and Wellington Management.
    10 sourcesSee all sources
  5. WorldEuropeMiddle East

    Tragic Bus Accident in Hungary Claims Polish Pilgrims' Lives

    A bus carrying Polish pilgrims returning from Medjugorje crashed on a Hungarian highway, resulting in 12 fatalities and several injuries. The pilgrims were residents of Subcarpathia and Małopolska, with the majority from the Subcarpathian Voivodeship, including Strzyżów, Rzeszów, Leżajsk, and Jasło counties. The pilgrimage started in Strzyżów. One victim remains unidentified.
    7 sourcesSee all sources
  6. WorldMiddle East

    Dniester Water Crisis: Low Levels Threaten Chisinau's Water Supply and Ecosystem

    The Dniester River, a vital water source for Chisinau and surrounding areas, is facing a severe water crisis due to low water levels. The Dniester Commission has reduced water discharge from the reservoir to conserve reserves, but this has led to concerns about the ecosystem, including fish populations and oxygen levels. Residents are urged to save water as the situation could lead to water supply restrictions in the capital. The low water inflow from the Carpathians, currently around 35-40 cubic meters per second compared to the usual 105 cubic meters per second, is exacerbating the situation. Ecologists warn that if the Dniester level continues to drop, Chisinau may face water supply by the hour and saltwater penetration from the Black Sea.
    8 sourcesSee all sources
  9. WorldLawRegulatorsMiddle East

    Lebanon Demands UNIFIL Extension, Israel Opposes

    Lebanese President Michel Aoun and other officials have repeatedly emphasized the importance of extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). They argue that UNIFIL's presence helps stabilize the population in southern Lebanon and strengthens cooperation with the Lebanese Army. Israel, however, rejects UNIFIL's presence and has been pressuring for its removal. If extending UNIFIL's mandate proves impossible, Lebanon is open to alternative international forces to maintain security and support the army.
    8 sourcesSee all sources
  10. WorldMiddle EastEarth

    Low Water Levels Threaten Germany's Construction Sector

    Record low water levels in German rivers like the Rhine are causing disruptions in the construction industry. Ships are carrying less cargo, deliveries are delayed, and costs for transport and materials are increasing. The construction sector fears shortages of certain materials if water levels remain low. Alternatives like shifting cargo to railways or roads are possible but more expensive and limited in scale.
    2 sourcesSee all sources
  11. WorldMiddle East

    Fire Situation Improves in Herceg Novi and Ulcinj

    The night was calmer for firefighters in Herceg Novi and Ulcinj, Montenegro, with the situation more stable than previous days. While fires are still active in certain areas like Djennovici and Bjeljska Valley, there were no threatened objects overnight. Firefighters are exhausted after battling the fires for multiple days, with some leaving the scene today. Cooperation among local public enterprises has been praised for their swift response to the fires.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  12. WorldBillRegulatorsMiddle East

    8 Nations Blame Israel for Blocking Gaza Peace Plan

    Eight Arab and Islamic countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, issued a joint statement condemning Israel's rejection of the Trump administration's 15-point roadmap for Gaza. The ministers said this rejection hinders peace efforts and makes Israel responsible for any consequences. The plan, accepted by Palestinian factions, includes disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, international stabilizing forces, and reconstruction.
    98 sourcesSee all sources
  14. PoliticsLocal GovProtestMiddle East

    Colonel Emil Ishkullov to Lead 11th Army Corps in Defense of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk

    Colonel Emil Ishkullov, former commander of the 80th ODSHB, will soon lead the 11th Army Corps, responsible for the defense of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. The appointment comes after Ishkullov's refusal to lead his people to the Kursk region during the 2024 operation, which resulted in his demotion. However, his high managerial skills are expected to strengthen the strategic directions of the front. The 11th Corps is currently conducting a defensive operation in the strategically important area of the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration.
    26 sourcesSee all sources
  15. WorldMiddle EastEarth

    China Sets World Record for Magnetic Levitation Train Acceleration

    An experimental magnetic levitation train in China has set a new world record for acceleration, reaching a speed of 800 km/h in just 5.3 seconds. The train, weighing 1.1 tons, achieved this feat on a 1-kilometer test track at the Donghu laboratory in Hubei province. This is the third record set by this train in the last six months, with previous records of 650 km/h and 700 km/h. The technology is still in the experimental stage but is planned for use in future high-speed transportation systems and other fields.
    42 sourcesSee all sources
  17. WorldBillMiddle EastNorth AmericaEarth

    SC Asks Karnataka to Release Water to Tamil Nadu

    The Supreme Court directed Karnataka to ensure compliance of the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) decision on releasing water to Tamil Nadu. The CWMA had directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12. Tamil Nadu alleged that Karnataka was not complying with the directive, while Karnataka argued that it was facing severe distress due to low inflows and would make up for the shortfall in subsequent days.
    9 sourcesSee all sources
  19. WorldMiddle EastPublic HealthHealthcareGender

    Serbia Reduces Prices of Two Groups of Medicines

    President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, announced a new measure to help citizens by reducing the prices of two groups of medicines: those for preventing blood clots and those for heart weakness. The state has allocated 3.7 billion dinars (around 32 million euros) for this purpose. The reduction applies to drugs obtained with a prescription and will be a permanent measure. The first group of drugs, which includes 16 medications, will see their prices reduced by 30%, with the state covering 70% of the cost. The second group of drugs, for heart weakness, will see a 50% reduction, with the state covering the other 50%. The measure aims to save lives and enable people to spend less on medication.
    8 sourcesSee all sources
  21. PoliticsBillRegulatorsElectionsMiddle East

    SPS Running Independently in Elections

    The Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) will run independently in the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections. Party president Ivica Dačić dismissed speculation about talks with the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) regarding a pre-election coalition. The SPS will have its own presidential candidate and has agreed that city, municipal, and district boards must submit lists of candidates by August 25.
    20 sourcesSee all sources
  22. CultureMiddle EastEducation

    New Subject 'Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia' Introduced in Schools

    From September 1, schools will introduce a new mandatory subject, 'Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia' (SMCR), for fifth-graders starting January 2027 with 17 hours allocated. Later, SMCR will be introduced for older students with more time allocated. Other changes include unified history textbooks, sociology taught in grades 9-11, OJT divided into two courses, and behavior assessment reintroduced. Despite rumors, homework will not be canceled. Meanwhile, bureaucratic workload on teachers is promised to be reduced.
    2 sourcesSee all sources
  23. WorldLawRegulatorsMiddle East

    Taiwan Proposes Record Defense Spending in 2027

    Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te announced plans to propose a record defense budget of NT$1.1225 trillion (approximately €30 billion) for 2027, a 16% increase from the current year. This investment, seen as an 'investment in peace', aims to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region amid growing military pressure from China. The budget will account for over 3% of Taiwan's GDP, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening self-defense capabilities. The proposal comes as Taiwan faces increasing military pressure from China and follows US urging for increased defense spending.
    3 sourcesSee all sources
  24. WorldSummitMiddle East

    International Military Music Festival 'Spasskaya Tower' Postponed to 2027

    The International Military Music Festival 'Spasskaya Tower', scheduled for August 21-30, 2026, has been postponed to 2027 due to reasons beyond the organizers' control. The exact dates for the event will be announced later. The festival features military orchestras and honor guard units from various countries and has been held annually since 2006, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    20 sourcesSee all sources