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Middle East news — August 18, 2026 - Page 4

Publications tagged with Middle East published on August 18, 2026 (UTC). This is a fixed calendar-day archive. Page 4 of 7.

154 publications

  1. PoliticsMiddle EastNorth AmericaChina

    Polish MiG-29s Unfit for Combat, Modernization Needed for Ukraine

    Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, confirmed that Polish MiG-29 fighter jets promised to Ukraine are not suitable for combat operations in their current state. The aircraft require modernization before they can be used effectively, and neither Poland nor Ukraine wants to bear the cost. Both countries are seeking external funding for this purpose. In exchange for the MiGs, Poland is reportedly seeking modern Ukrainian drones and technologies.
    11 sourcesSee all sources
  2. PoliticsRegulatorsCorruptionProtestMiddle East

    Russian Drone Strike in Kherson: Munition Lands in Child's Crib

    In Kherson, a Russian drone strike hit a private house, with a munition flying through the window and landing in a two-year-old child's crib. Miraculously, the child survived with no injuries. The mother and son were hospitalized and are planned to be evacuated. The attack was part of a broader terror campaign in the Kherson region that left two people dead and 12 injured, including two police officers.
    9 sourcesSee all sources
  4. WorldRegulatorsMiddle EastChina

    Russia Summons Japanese Ambassador Over Putin's Kuril Islands Visit

    Russia summoned Japan's Ambassador to Moscow after Tokyo lodged a protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Kuril Islands. Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, described Japan's reaction as unacceptable and a breach of diplomatic protocol. The dispute centers around the status of the islands, which Russia claims as part of its territory, while Japan contests this and refers to them as the 'Northern Territories'.
    68 sourcesSee all sources
  6. WorldLocal GovCivil RightsCorruptionMiddle East

    Kazakh Woman Dies After Argument Over Dessert

    In Kazakhstan, a 19-year-old woman named Madina Rashidkyzy was found dead after an argument with her husband over a dessert called 'Barney'. Madina, who had an eight-month-old son, was reportedly beaten by her husband and his mother during the argument. The incident occurred in the Zhambyl region of southern Kazakhstan, and a pre-trial investigation has been launched into the case.
    4 sourcesSee all sources
  8. WorldMiddle East

    UN Urges Immediate De-escalation in Yemen as Civilian Casualties Rise

    The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has expressed alarm over the increasing number of civilian casualties in Yemen, urging all parties involved to immediately de-escalate tensions and halt any actions that risk returning the country to full-scale conflict. This call comes as renewed fighting between the Houthi rebels and the government undermines a 2022 truce, with at least 17 civilian casualties reported in government-controlled areas since August 6.
    14 sourcesSee all sources
  9. WorldMiddle East

    Kyrgyzstan Threatens to Block Large Foreign Online Platforms for Tax Evasion

    The State Tax Service of Kyrgyzstan has identified 11 foreign companies providing electronic services to residents without mandatory tax registration. These include Alibaba Group, Pinduoduo, Twitch, Microsoft Corporation, Valve Corporation, Sony Interactive, Epic Games Inc., Electronic Arts Inc., VK Company Limited, Telegram, and Dropbox Inc. Together, they received approximately 15.9 million money transfers totaling over 13.2 billion soms in 2024-2025. The tax authority has warned these companies and may seek to restrict access to their services if they fail to comply with Kyrgyz tax law.
    2 sourcesSee all sources
  11. PoliticsMiddle EastBorder Security

    Russian Forces Advance in Donetsk Region

    Russian forces have advanced in the Donetsk region, specifically in the areas of Novoaлександровки and Novogo Shakhova towards Dobropoly. Storm groups have entered the city, and Ukrainian counterattacks have not been able to stop the Russian advance. Meanwhile, Russian forces have taken control of the towns of Krasnopodilia and Orijuvatka, bringing them closer to the Ukrainian bastions of Dobropilia and Sloviansk respectively.
    4 sourcesSee all sources
  12. WorldLocal GovMiddle EastNorth America

    Bawumia Calls for Unity Among NPP Executives Ahead of 2028 Elections

    Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has urged the newly elected Greater Accra Regional executives to prioritize unity as a key ingredient for victory in the 2028 general election. He made this call during a courtesy visit by the executives, led by Regional Chairman Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, following the regional elections. Bawumia emphasized the importance of putting internal contests behind and focusing on rebuilding the party and preparing for the elections. He also pledged to work with all factions within the party.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  14. WorldLegislationRegulatorsMiddle East

    Hormuz Strait Closure: Iran's Conditions for Reopening

    Iran has stated that the Hormuz Strait will remain closed until the United States meets certain conditions. These include lifting the marine blockade and sanctions, freeing Iran's frozen assets, and ceasing military operations. The closure comes amid difficulties in reaching an agreement between Washington and Tehran, following a memorandum of understanding signed last June.
    24 sourcesSee all sources
  16. CultureMiddle East

    Britain's Newest Prison Struggles with Staff Shortages, Leaving Hundreds of Cells Empty

    Britain's newest and most expensive prison, built at a cost of £400m, is facing significant staff shortages that have resulted in hundreds of cells remaining empty. This issue is particularly concerning given the current prison overcrowding crisis. Experts and survivors have expressed their frustration and confusion about the situation, with some prisoners being kept in their cells for up to 23 hours a day due to understaffing.
    7 sourcesSee all sources
  17. PoliticsRegulatorsConstitutionMiddle East

    Wagenknecht Challenges Höcke to Debate on New Thuringia Government

    Sahra Wagenknecht, founder of the BSW party, has called on Björn Höcke, leader of the AfD in Thuringia, to engage in a public debate about her proposal for a non-partisan prime minister to replace the current Thuringia government. This comes after Höcke offered his support for Wagenknecht to become the state's prime minister. The BSW party is currently in a coalition with the CDU and SPD, but without an absolute majority, they rely on the support of the Left party in the state parliament. The AfD, led by Höcke, is the strongest faction in the parliament and is classified as securely right-wing extremist by the state constitutional protection office.
    18 sourcesSee all sources
  20. PoliticsJudiciaryMiddle EastUnited Kingdom

    Dana White Doubts Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury Fight

    Dana White, head of Zuffa Boxing, has cast doubt on the long-awaited heavyweight boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. Despite Saudi boxing power broker Turki Alalshikh's efforts to make the fight happen in New York City under Zuffa's banner, White isn't optimistic about its prospects. He believes that for the fight to occur, both boxers must genuinely want to fight, regardless of contract terms. Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn insists the fight should happen in the UK, as per their contract with Alalshikh.
    4 sourcesSee all sources
  21. WorldMiddle EastBudget

    Poland Temporarily Reduces VAT and Implements Price Cap on Fuel

    Poland has temporarily reduced the VAT rate on gasoline and diesel from 23% to 8%, and introduced a daily price cap on fuel until the end of August. The Polish Ministry of Energy will set maximum prices based on average wholesale prices and operating costs of major suppliers. This measure aims to ease the financial burden on people returning from holidays and may boost fuel tourism from neighboring countries like Germany.
    9 sourcesSee all sources
  22. WorldMiddle EastUnited Kingdom

    Lee Kuan Yew's Pen Sells for US$360,000 at Singapore Auction

    A silver Montblanc fountain pen once owned by Singapore's first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, sold for US$360,000 at an auction in Singapore. The pen, a Montblanc Meisterstuck No 146, drew 111 bids and sold for nearly 10 times its highest valuation. The pen was first sold in 2003 for S$52,000 and the proceeds supported teen girls. It was re-auctioned more than two decades later.
    9 sourcesSee all sources
  24. WorldMiddle EastLogisticsHardware

    Bitpanda Fined €70,000 Under MiCA Rules in Austria's First Enforcement Case

    Austria's Financial Market Authority (FMA) has fined cryptocurrency firm Bitpanda €70,000 for violating MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulations. The penalty, Austria's first published under MiCA, was issued for failing to submit a crypto asset white paper on time and publishing non-compliant marketing materials. Bitpanda also omitted mandatory disclosures in one advertisement.
    9 sourcesSee all sources