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Middle East news — August 18, 2026

Publications tagged with Middle East published on August 18, 2026 (UTC). This is a fixed calendar-day archive.

154 publications

  1. WorldMiddle EastChina

    Moldova Backs Ukrainian Grain Transit Despite Farmer Concerns

    Moldova's President Maia Sandu has reiterated the country's support for the transit of Ukrainian grain through its territory, despite concerns from local farmers about potential market disruption. Sandu emphasized that Ukraine's ability to sell its products and fund its defense is crucial for regional security, including Moldova's. The Moldovan government has agreed to reduce tariffs on Ukrainian grain transit by 50% until the end of 2026.
    22 sourcesSee all sources
  3. PoliticsBillMiddle EastIsrael

    Saudi Arabia Removes 'Muslims Will Never Give Up Jerusalem' From Textbooks

    An Israel-based organization, Impact-se, has praised Saudi Arabia for removing the phrase 'the Muslims will never give up Jerusalem' from its school textbooks. The phrase was seen as implying that Muslim control over Jerusalem was under threat. Impact-se also noted other changes, such as the removal of passages from the Quran and Hadith, and the alteration of maps and terminology regarding Israel and Palestine.
    9 sourcesSee all sources
  4. SocietyEuropeMiddle East

    Eritrean Man Convicted of Raping Elderly Man in Harrow

    An Eritrean man, Desalange (also spelled Desalane), has been convicted of raping an elderly man outside St. John's Church in Harrow, Greater London. The attack lasted for 20 minutes and was captured on CCTV. Desalange initially claimed he was helping the victim but later declined to comment. He is scheduled to be sentenced in the autumn and faces up to five years in prison.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  5. SportsMiddle East

    Piero Quispe Makes Successful Return to Universitario

    Piero Quispe made his long-awaited comeback for Universitario de Deportes in the Liga 1 Clausura 2026 tournament, entering as a substitute against FC Cajamarca. Coach Héctor Cúper praised Quispe's performance, highlighting his accurate passing and positioning. Quispe's return was marked by instructions from Cúper to maintain his usual game and take protagonism with the ball. The midfielder expressed his happiness with the victory and his focus on recovering his best physical condition and helping Universitario win the Clausura tournament.
    16 sourcesSee all sources
  10. PoliticsMiddle EastCounterterrorismCyberattack

    Russian Drone Operators Destroy Ukrainian Vehicles

    Russian drone operators, including those from the 34th Guards Mountain Motorized Rifle Brigade and the 4th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, have destroyed multiple Ukrainian vehicles using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Targets included armored vehicles such as HMMWVs and International MaxxPro vehicles, often equipped with reactive fire systems. The Ministry of Defense of Russia has published footage of these operations.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  12. WorldLocal GovCorruptionMiddle East

    East Timor Police Raid Online Fraud Dens, Arrest 14 Suspects

    East Timor police conducted raids in Dili, dismantling three online fraud dens hidden in residential areas. A total of 14 foreign suspects were arrested, including 12 Chinese nationals, one Indonesian national, and one Vanuatu national, with two female suspects. Electronics such as computers, mobile phones, and network antennas were seized as evidence. The case is still under investigation.
    22 sourcesSee all sources
  13. WorldMiddle East

    Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 6,438

    The death toll from the double earthquake in Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 6,438, according to authorities who added 137 fatalities. The tremors of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 devastated northern Venezuela, with at least 190 buildings collapsed and nearly 60,000 homes affected. Rescue efforts continue as families search for missing people among the rubble. The government has delivered 335 homes to affected families and treated 86,358 people in hospitals. Reconstruction efforts are ongoing, with the World Bank estimating direct physical damages at $19.6 billion.
    65 sourcesSee all sources
  15. WorldMiddle EastOceanographyHealthcareDefense

    Egypt Accuses Rosatom of Nuclear Safety Violations

    Egypt's Nuclear Power Plants Authority has accused Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear energy corporation, of violating safety standards and regulations during the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant. The accusations include structural defects, safety breaches, deliberate negligence, and deceptive practices to overstate construction progress. The same reactor design is used in Hungary's Paks 2 project, raising concerns about its safety and reliability.
    36 sourcesSee all sources
  16. WorldMiddle East

    Remains of Lt. Col. Yehuda Katz Returned After 44 Years

    The remains of Lt. Col. Yehuda Katz, who fell in the Battle of Sultan Yakub during the First Lebanon War in 1982, have been returned to Israel after 44 years. The operation was conducted by the IDF and Mossad, with the support of the Minister of Defense and Prime Minister. Katz's family, who had been advocating for his return, is grateful for the efforts. His funeral will unite the nation and take place according to his unique personality.
    11 sourcesSee all sources
  19. WorldMiddle EastNorth America

    Latin Stars Raise $1.3M in Miami Concert for Venezuela and Colombia Earthquake Relief

    Over 30 Latin artists, including Marc Anthony, Luis Fonsi, and Chayanne, united for a benefit concert in Miami to raise funds for earthquake victims in Venezuela and Colombia. The 'Unidos por los Nuestros' event, held at the Kaseya Center, raised $1,377,928.05 for humanitarian programs such as food, medical care, and infrastructure reconstruction. The initiative initially focused on Venezuela but expanded to include Colombia after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck there on Aug. 10.
    14 sourcesSee all sources
  21. WorldMiddle East

    Ukrainian Attacks on Belgorod Region Injure and Kill Civilians

    Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) carried out numerous attacks on the Belgorod region, injuring and killing civilians. According to reports, 20 people were injured, with three in critical condition, and one person died. The AFU attacked the region 130-142 times using artillery, aviation, and drones, damaging infrastructure and vehicles. The acting governor of Belgorod Oblast, Alexander Shuvayev, confirmed these attacks.
    22 sourcesSee all sources
  22. WorldMiddle East

    Trump Shares Edited Photo of Kim Jong-un, Suggesting Good Relations

    U.S. President Donald Trump shared an edited photo of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on his social media platform Truth Social, depicting Kim on the phone saying, 'Hey Donald, we cool...right?' This move comes as Trump has been highlighting his personal relationship with Kim and suggesting that Kim has responded to America's dialogue offers. The photo, believed to be from 2014, shows Kim observing a missile test and has been edited to include a phone in Kim's hand.
    10 sourcesSee all sources
  23. WorldBillMiddle East

    Palestinian-American Raises U.S. Flag Against Settler Attacks

    A Palestinian-American man, Loui Ridi, returned to his home in Qusra, West Bank, after Israeli settlers besieged it for nine days. In response, he hoisted an American flag, hoping it would deter further attacks. The incident gained international attention, sparking discussions about why it took a Palestinian-American's involvement for major media to notice. However, the flag did not prevent a settler from entering Ridi's land, and soldiers ordered him inside, indicating that the U.S. flag offered no protection.
    8 sourcesSee all sources