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Middle East news — August 20, 2026 - Page 3

Publications tagged with Middle East published on August 20, 2026 (UTC). This is a fixed calendar-day archive. Page 3 of 6.

131 publications

  1. PoliticsRegulatorsMiddle EastLogistics

    Yemeni Armed Forces Target 8 Saudi Oil Tankers

    The Yemeni Armed Forces have targeted eight Saudi oil tankers since July 20, according to multiple reports. Five of these tankers were hit in the Red Sea, while three others were targeted in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. The attacks are part of a naval blockade declared by Yemen against vessels linked to Saudi Arabia. The Yemeni forces also claim to have prevented the passage of 48 Saudi oil tankers, forcing them to return.
    14 sourcesSee all sources
  2. WorldMiddle EastChinaConflict

    Black Sea Grain Exports Halted by Russia-Ukraine Conflict

    The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has led to a near halt in grain exports via the Black Sea, with more than 97% of export capacity lost. This includes a significant reduction in wheat exports, which has driven up global prices. Ukraine, which relies heavily on sea exports for its grain, is struggling to find alternative routes, while Russia is expected to redirect exports to other ports. The situation has raised concerns about global food security and inflation.
    20 sourcesSee all sources
  3. PoliticsExecutiveRegulatorsMiddle East

    Moscow Region to Offer Free Rehabilitation to Relatives of Missing SVO Soldiers

    The Moscow Regional Duma is set to consider a bill that would grant free rehabilitation courses at the 'Litvinovo' camp to the wives and underage children of missing soldiers in the special military operation (SVO) in the Moscow region. This includes not only widows but also the wives of missing defenders. The camp also currently hosts families from Kalmykia for rehabilitation.
    3 sourcesSee all sources
  4. WorldMiddle East

    Shakira and Christina Aguilera's Shows in Abu Dhabi Canceled Amid Middle East War

    The organizers of two festivals in Abu Dhabi, where the participation of Colombian star Shakira and American singer Christina Aguilera was scheduled, announced their cancellation amidst the Middle East war and security tensions affecting the emirate. The United Arab Emirates continues to be one of the main targets of Tehran's retaliation since the start of the US-Israeli offensive against Iran on February 28. The Gulf country claims to have been hit by more than 3,000 missiles and drones, some of which hit infrastructure, although most were intercepted. While the pace of attacks has significantly decreased in recent months, the Emirati Ministry of Defense reported on Tuesday that Iran had launched two ballistic missiles targeting 'maritime navigation,' which eventually fell into the sea. In this context, the organizers of the Offlimits festival, where Shakira was scheduled to perform on November 21, announced the cancellation of the event on Tuesday and assured that the cost of tickets would be refunded. Meanwhile, Ticketmaster, the platform responsible for selling tickets for Christina Aguilera's concert, scheduled for September 25, also confirmed the cancellation of the show, without announcing a new date.
    15 sourcesSee all sources
  7. PoliticsMiddle EastNorth AmericaConflict

    Rubicon Center Operations in Donbas Region

    The Rubicon Center operators conducted military operations in the Donbas region between August 17 and 20, 2026. Their activities included strikes on Ukrainian armed forces' targets, long-range mining of logistics routes, cooperation with the Russian Federation's air forces, and combat operations against Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles using FPV-PVO shifts. The operations resulted in a total of 664 targets hit.
    7 sourcesSee all sources
  10. PoliticsJudiciaryCorruptionThink TanksMiddle East

    SNS Accused of Massive Electoral Fraud via New Citizenships

    Dragan Milić, leader of the Decentralization Movement of Serbia, alleges that the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is preparing an 'unprecedented electoral fraud' by issuing a large number of fake Serbian citizenships. Milić received a response from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) stating that 238,890 new citizenships have been granted in the last 10 years. The SNS denies these claims.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  11. WorldMiddle East

    Kazakhstan Proposes International Horse Meat Standard

    Kazakhstan has proposed the development of an international standard for horse meat products. The initiative was presented at a forum in Astana. Currently, there is no single international document for horse meat, which can lead to differences in requirements and difficulties in exports. The future standard may include traditional Kazakh products such as kazy, shuzuk, jal, jaya, as well as smoked and sausage products. Kazakhstan is ready to lead an international working group to prepare the draft standard and discuss it with other horse meat producing countries.
    5 sourcesSee all sources
  16. WorldMiddle EastEarthPublic Health

    Earthquakes Strike Kyrgyzstan and China

    Kazakhstani seismologists registered two earthquakes in China overnight on August 19, with magnitudes of 5.8 and 4.5. On August 20, an earthquake with a magnitude of about 4 on the MSK-64 scale occurred in Kyrgyzstan, with its epicenter located 15 kilometers northwest of the village of Kok-Jar. Chinese seismologists also recorded an earthquake in Kazakhstan on August 20, with a magnitude of 5.1.
    4 sourcesSee all sources
  17. WorldLawRegulatorsMiddle East

    Belarus Sends Poor Harvest Workers to Military Training on Ukraine Border

    The Belarusian Defense Ministry has sent around 500 agricultural workers, deemed dishonest or poor performers during the harvest season, to military training on the border with Ukraine. The conscripts, including specialists and mechanics, are undergoing tactical training, psychological obstacle courses, and armored vehicle evacuation exercises. This move follows an order by President Alexander Lukashenko, despite no such punishment norm existing in Belarusian laws.
    6 sourcesSee all sources
  19. SportsRegulatorsMiddle EastWinter Sports

    Chaos at Ben Gurion Airport: Strike Halts Operations on Busy Day

    A strike by check-in staff at Ben Gurion Airport has caused chaos and disruptions on one of the busiest travel days of the year, affecting nearly 100,000 passengers and 600 flights. All check-in desks have been closed due to the strike, with the Airport Authority warning of potential closure. The Transport Workers Union denies a 'surprise strike,' blaming the chaos on understaffing and lack of preparation for the summer rush. The Ministry of Transport threatens severe action if the strike is confirmed.
    12 sourcesSee all sources
  22. WorldAsiaMiddle East

    Cyprus Presents Major Pension Reform Framework

    The President of Cyprus, Nicos Christodoulides, presented the biggest and most substantial reform of the pension system since 1980 to social partners. The reform aims to strengthen pensions, support low-income pensioners, and ensure the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund. Key aspects include more dignified pensions, a sustainable Social Insurance Fund, and support for low-income pensioners. The reform is part of the government's broader effort to change Cyprus based on its social liberalism framework.
    8 sourcesSee all sources