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Middle East news — August 18, 2026 - Page 2

Publications tagged with Middle East published on August 18, 2026 (UTC). This is a fixed calendar-day archive. Page 2 of 7.

154 publications

  2. WorldMiddle EastEarthPublic Health

    Nigeria Hospital Collapses After Landslide

    A hospital building in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, has collapsed following a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall and severe soil erosion. The UNICEM Hospital reportedly gave way on Thursday after torrential rain saturated the ground and destabilized the hillside on which the structure was built. The incident has raised concerns over the risks posed by building on erosion-prone slopes, particularly during periods of intense rainfall. The extent of damage and casualties is not immediately clear.
    3 sourcesSee all sources
  3. WorldMiddle East

    Israeli Aircraft Activity Over Middle East

    Israeli military aircraft have been conducting intensive aerial activities over central and northern Palestine, as well as in the skies of Daraa and on the border with Lebanon. The Israeli Air Force has been flying over areas of confrontation north and south of Lebanon. Jamming on communication and radar systems has been reported, coinciding with the overflight of an Israeli Oaks aircraft for inspection and monitoring of radio, land, and sea transmission operations. The Israeli enemy has updated a new target bank in preparation for targeted operations or special security operations or assassinations on the fronts of Lebanon, Syria, and occupied Palestine, as well as Iran. There are warnings of a potential new Israeli aggression in the region.
    7 sourcesSee all sources
  4. WorldRegulatorsConstitutionMiddle East

    France to Expel Two Iranian Diplomats

    The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, has announced that France will expel two Iranian diplomats in the coming days. This decision is a response to the 'outrageous' attack on two French diplomats that occurred on July 19. The French Foreign Minister stated that this action was taken because France stands with the people of Iran and supports its artists, scientists, and researchers.
    7 sourcesSee all sources
  5. WorldMiddle EastInflationPlatforms

    Rupee Falls Against US Dollar Amid Rising Crude Oil Prices

    The Indian rupee depreciated against the US dollar, falling by 7 paise to 95.68 in early trade. Forex traders attributed this to increased demand for dollars due to soaring Brent crude prices near $91 per barrel. Additionally, the Reserve Bank of India's closure of the concessional FCN (B) forex-swap facility raised concerns about future dollar inflows. Domestic equities also opened lower, with foreign investors continuing to sell shares.
    11 sourcesSee all sources
  7. WorldMiddle EastBiodiversity

    Saudi Arabia Shells Residential Areas in Yemen

    Saudi Arabia has been targeting residential villages in Yemen with artillery shelling. The Saudi enemy has hit areas in the Sharaq region of the Razih border district, the villages of Ahla in the Ghafarah district, and scattered areas in the Ghamr and Al-Zahir directorates of Sa'ada province. Additionally, Saudi-backed mercenaries have launched Katyusha rockets on the Akhama area in Maqbana district west of Taiz province.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  10. PoliticsRegulatorsLocal GovMiddle East

    U.S. Imposes Sanctions on ICC President and Officials

    The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on Tomoko Akane, the Japanese President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Abdoulaye Seye, a senior trial lawyer at the ICC. The move is part of an ongoing campaign by the Trump administration against the ICC, which it accuses of overstepping its mandate and abusing its authority. The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets held by the individuals and bar them from doing business with U.S. citizens. The ICC has condemned the sanctions, stating that they undermine the rule of law and threaten the independence of international justice.
    195 sourcesSee all sources
  11. PoliticsRegulatorsPeaceResignationMiddle East

    Lavrov: Russia May Consider British Strikes as War Participation

    Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia has the right to consider direct British involvement in strikes against Russia as participation in the war with all the ensuing consequences. This comes after British Prime Minister's statement supporting Ukraine. Lavrov expressed sympathy for Britain if it continues its stance, citing President Putin's warning about Russia's rights to act in any ocean area if its interests are threatened.
    8 sourcesSee all sources
  12. WorldMiddle East

    Only 3% of Gaza's Farmland Remains Accessible and Intact

    According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), only 3% of Gaza's farmland remains accessible and intact. This represents a decrease of 25.5% since October 2025, primarily due to reduced access associated with the westward expansion of the 'Yellow Line'. The report also highlights the severe shortage of agricultural inputs and the impact on local food production. FAO urges urgent action to restore agricultural production and support farmers.
    11 sourcesSee all sources
  13. WorldMiddle EastEarthClimate

    Greenpeace Calls for Billion-Euro Investment in Forest Fire Prevention

    Greenpeace has called for an annual investment of around one billion euros for measures to prevent forest fires, given an evolution towards increasingly severe episodes. So far this year, more than 76% of the area affected by fires has been concentrated in 42 major forest fires, while last year only 0.77% of the fires was responsible for 86% of the burned area. The organization believes that reducing ignitions is only one part of prevention, which must also focus on managing the territory to limit the spread of flames through silvicultural treatments, discontinuities in vegetation, and the maintenance of agroforestry mosaics. Spain has almost 29 million hectares of forest land, but only 27.8% of that surface has management plans. Greenpeace estimates that large fires have cost between 2 and 3.8 billion euros this year, not including damage to infrastructure, economic losses, compensation, or ecosystem degradation. Facing this bill, Greenpeace argues that for every euro invested in prevention, up to 100 euros in extinction costs can be avoided.
    7 sourcesSee all sources
  18. WorldBillRegulatorsMiddle East

    Missile Threat in Dubai: Air Raid Sirens Sound Amid Reports of Missile Launch from Yemen

    Air raid sirens sounded in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Monday, with reports suggesting that the country's air defense systems detected a missile threat. Multiple sources indicated that the potential threat may have originated from Yemen, with some speculating that Houthi forces could be responsible. The UAE's National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority confirmed the detection of a missile threat. Residents were advised to seek shelter, and the cause of the sirens remains under investigation.
    8 sourcesSee all sources
  19. WorldReliefMiddle EastWeather

    IAEA Condemns Drone Strike on Bus Stop in Enerhodar

    The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has condemned a drone strike on a bus stop in Enerhodar, Ukraine, which resulted in one death and 17 injuries. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi described the incident as 'the worst thing that has happened to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant'. The strike was carried out by Ukrainian forces, but the IAEA did not specify who owned the drone.
    7 sourcesSee all sources
  20. WorldBillMiddle EastIsrael

    Explosions and Drone Attacks in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia

    Multiple explosions were heard in the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv region. Enemy monitoring channels reported reactive drones approaching Kyiv, with air alarms sounding in the city. In Zaporizhzhia, the enemy targeted the private sector, causing a fire and damaging houses. In Kyiv, explosions were heard, and debris from a reactive UAV fell in the courtyard of a residential building, with no fire recorded. The air alert sounded nine times in Kyiv due to the threat of reactive unmanned aerial vehicles.
    9 sourcesSee all sources
  22. WorldJudiciaryMiddle East

    Football Legend Roberto Carlos Converts to Islam

    World-renowned Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos, who once played for Fenerbahçe, has reportedly converted to Islam. The 53-year-old legend recited the Shahada and embraced the new faith about four weeks ago. The news was announced by AK Party Gaziantep MP Ali Şahin and confirmed by Sheikh Cihad Hammadeh, a leading figure among Brazilian Muslims. Carlos' conversion has been met with joy and congratulations from various sources.
    13 sourcesSee all sources
  23. WorldMiddle East

    Kramatorsk: A City Slowly Dying Under Occupation

    Kramatorsk, a Ukrainian city, is experiencing a grim reality under occupation. A Ukrainian blogger who visited the city reported that it is 'slowly dying', with people leaving and the security situation worsening. The streets are almost deserted, and the city center is blocked by anti-drone nets and barbed wire. Signs of destruction are visible throughout the city, and drones fly overhead. Businesses are closing, and life has significantly changed, with the city becoming silent in the evenings. The blogger expressed uncertainty about returning due to the deteriorating situation.
    5 sourcesSee all sources