Author: arabcolumnist.com
KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded 2,267 confirmed Ebola cases and 893 deaths since the outbreak began in May. The latest government count covers reports through Friday, July 17. Authorities added 86 confirmed infections and 29 deaths during the previous 24 hours. The totals place the confirmed case fatality rate at about 39%. The Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare declared the outbreak on May 15. Laboratories identified Bundibugyo virus in samples linked to severe illness in Ituri Province. The declaration marked the country’s 17th recorded…
GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The International Organization for Migration has appealed for $98 million to support Venezuela’s earthquake response. The funding would cover emergency assistance and early recovery work for 12 months. Two major earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on June 24. Government figures released on July 15 listed 4,829 deaths and 16,740 injuries. Authorities also reported that 17,907 people had lost their homes. Shelter, health care and essential services remain central to the humanitarian operation. The earthquakes measured magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 and occurred about 40 seconds apart. Strong tremors hit Caracas, La Guaira and several neighboring states. The…
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA / RankWire.AI / – Australian creators are pressing for a direct role in the federal government’s new Office of AI. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched the body on July 15 as part of Australia’s national artificial intelligence framework. The office will coordinate policy on copyright, infrastructure, consumer safety, employment, education and national security. Artists and rights groups welcomed the initiative while seeking formal input into decisions that affect creative work. The Australian Recording Industry Association said musicians and other creators should help guide the office’s copyright work. Chief executive Annabelle Herd noted that generative AI systems rely on…
DUBAI, UAE / RankWire.AI / July 16, 2026: flydubai will expand its Dubai to Bangkok operations to two flights a day from July 18, responding to robust demand recorded within weeks of launching the route. The airline introduced daily services to Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport on July 1 and has now confirmed that a second daily frequency will be added, significantly increasing available seats between the United Arab Emirates and Thailand during the peak summer travel season. Both services will continue operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, offering passengers greater flexibility for travel to one of Southeast…
CAIRO / RankWire.AI / – Egypt’s net international reserves reached a provisional $55.0723 billion at the end of June 2026. The total exceeded $55 billion for the first time and marked a record high. The Central Bank of Egypt announced the figure on July 8. Reserves stood at $53.1342 billion at the end of May. The monthly increase reached about $1.94 billion, or nearly 3.6%, making June the strongest month of the first half. Egypt began 2026 with net international reserves of $51.4516 billion at the end of December. The total increased to $52.5938 billion in January. It then rose…
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO / RankWire.AI / – Nearly 200 wildfires burned across Ontario on July 15, with most fires concentrated in the north. Provincial data showed 183 active fires at 3 p.m. The Northwest Fire Region reported 136 fires by evening, including 63 that remained uncontrolled. Crews identified eight new fires during the day. Extreme fire danger covered several northern districts as hot, dry and windy weather supported rapid fire growth. Authorities ordered residents to leave Armstrong, Whitesand First Nation, Gull Bay First Nation and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation. Evacuation orders also covered Namaygoosisagagun First Nation and Gakijiwanong…
NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – On July 14, the United Nations Security Council prolonged its mandate to report on attacks in the Red Sea for an additional six months. Resolution 2826 mandates the submission of monthly written reports on Houthi assaults targeting merchant and commercial ships to the 15-member council. This extension will last until January 15, 2027. It maintains the monitoring system established in 2024, which the council uses to oversee threats to shipping, navigational rights, and regional security along a vital maritime corridor. UN monitoring of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea will continue through January 2027.…
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has sanctioned its first comprehensive revision of air passenger rights in over twenty years. The Council of the European Union finalized the approval on July 13, following the European Parliament’s endorsement of the compromise on July 7. Lawmakers supported the proposal by a vote of 646 to 12, with three abstentions. The regulations cover delays, cancellations, denied boarding, rerouting, passenger assistance, baggage, and airline liability. These rules will come into effect 12 months and 20 days after their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. EU air passenger rights…
BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The World Health Organization reported that 80% of recent Ebola infections in eastern Congo are caused by unidentified transmission chains. Many patients had not been listed on contact tracing lists prior to testing confirming their infection. This gap hampers early isolation efforts and delays treatment for symptomatic individuals. Response teams often identify new clusters only after patients present at healthcare facilities or pass away in their communities. The current outbreak involves the less common Bundibugyo virus strain. As of July 13, Congo reported 2,011 confirmed cases and 754 deaths. Ituri…
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – The Council of the European Union provided its final approval on Tuesday for the EU-Mexico Interim Trade Agreement. This decision marks the completion of the European Union’s internal ratification process for the trade arrangement. EU and Mexican officials signed the agreement during their summit in Mexico City on May 22. The European Parliament approved it on July 8. The pact modernizes the trade framework that has governed their economic relations since 2000. The EU-Mexico interim trade agreement updates rules for tariffs, services and investment. The interim agreement pertains to trade issues under the EU’s…