UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Their discussions centered on the relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, with a focus on cooperation with the Kurdistan Region. The leaders explored ways to strengthen partnerships in various sectors and promote development. Attending the meeting was Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Egypt and China highlight trade and development ties during Xi Jinping’s Cairo visit. (Credit – WAM) The Egyptian Presidency announced that El-Sisi and Xi would explore ways to deepen their partnership. Their talks include economic collaboration, development initiatives, and political coordination. They will also review the progress of the Egypt-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, launched in 2014. Discussions will cover regional and international issues of mutual concern. Since establishing the strategic partnership, the two leaders have maintained regular presidential contact to expand their relationship. This visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China. Formal ties were established in 1956, making Egypt the first Arab and African nation to do so with the People’s Republic of China. Both governments emphasized this milestone during Xi’s visit preparations. El-Sisi and Xi noted the growth of bilateral cooperation over the past decade, especially in trade, infrastructure, and technology sectors. Seventy Years of Growing Cooperation Economic relations now form a vital part of the Egypt-China partnership. In 2025, bilateral trade reached approximately $20.78 billion, according to Egyptian officials. This is an increase from about $17.37 billion in 2024. China remains Egypt’s top trading partner for non-oil goods. In the first half of 2026, Egyptian exports to China totaled around $840.8 million. Imports from China were about $10.4 billion during the same period. Overall trade between Egypt and China hit roughly $11.

Their talks on August 31 covered a wide range of topics including political ties, trade, defense, energy, space, mobility, and people-to-people exchanges. The leaders also examined regional conflicts and their cooperation in international forums. Discussions also addressed regional conflicts Security issues in the region were part of the agenda between Modi and Putin. They exchanged views on conflicts in the Black Sea area and West Asia. India emphasized how these conflicts impact maritime trade and Indian seafarers’ safety. Modi reaffirmed India’s stance that dialogue and diplomacy should lead efforts to resolve such disputes.

A new United Nations report indicates that efforts worldwide to stop violence against children are falling behind schedule for the 2030 deadline. The document reflects on twenty years of progress since the landmark UN study on violence against children. It highlights ongoing threats such as conflict, forced displacement, climate-related hazards, and digital abuse that continue to endanger millions of young lives. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, prepared this latest report for the 81st UN General Assembly.

India and Uzbekistan ties enter a broader phase spanning trade, technology and security. Trade relations took center stage during their talks. Uzbekistan reported bilateral trade reaching $1.3 billion in 2025, a 33% increase from the previous year. Both nations aim to boost trade to $5 billion by 2030. The number of joint ventures has grown seven times over recent years. Currently, there are 14 direct flights weekly between the countries. Additionally, four Indian universities operate in Uzbekistan. Officials agreed to establish a foreign ministers-level body to oversee bilateral commitments. A separate joint working group will focus on non-tariff barriers and investment issues. Both nations will review further steps after completing a feasibility study for a Preferential Trade Agreement. Key sectors include energy, metallurgy, electrical engineering, critical minerals, and agriculture. The economic agenda also covers healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, electronics, mechanical engineering, and jewellery. Cooperation expanded across diverse fields During the visit, India and Uzbekistan signed 11 agreements, memoranda, and related arrangements. These cover cultural exchanges, higher education, scientific research, environmental protection, and traditional medicine. The package also includes tourism, geology, mineral resources, archival cooperation, and economic dialogue. Gujarat state and Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region agreed to strengthen regional ties. An agreement on diplomatic training was also signed. Separate measures will support archaeological conservation at the Fayaz Tepa and Kara Tepa Buddhist sites. New initiatives were announced

Rescue efforts are underway in Nepal and Tibet following devastating floods that have claimed 919 lives and left 4,793 individuals missing. Search teams are working in difficult terrain, focusing on damaged mountain regions, river valleys, and hydropower sites. Thousands remain missing, with authorities rescuing 10,451 people so far. The Nepal Army is collaborating with international tunnel rescue specialists to locate at least 90 individuals trapped in hydropower tunnels. Recovery teams are also identifying bodies washed downstream by the floodwaters and working to confirm identities.

Local leaders announced that ongoing field surveys will assess older buildings in nearby rural villages for stability. A magnitude 5.1 quake hit Longchang City in Sichuan, while ongoing seismic surveillance by state agencies continues across the southwestern part of China. Throughout the event, municipal communication systems remained fully operational, facilitating swift coordination between provincial emergency centers and local responders. Officials reaffirmed that updates on public safety will be issued promptly if new data or aftershocks are detected. Community leaders u

Relief efforts in Algeria benefit communities as wildfires claim 12 lives and injure 54 in the north. Fire crews battle deadly wildfires across northern Algeria during a severe heatwave. By Wednesday evening, authorities recorded at least 159 vegetation fires across multiple provinces. Emergency teams prioritize the most affected regions, with Bejaia remaining a key focus as fires hit several coastal municipalities. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune authorized ministerial visits to review firefighting efforts and hospital treatments. The government coordinated firefighting, evacuations, and medical aid across northeastern Algeria. Summer heatwave intensifies wildfire response challenges.

The figures, presented to the National Assembly, show these deportations resulted from violations such as overstaying visas, illegal entries, drug offenses, forged documents, and involvement in organized begging networks. The deportation of nearly 22,000 Pakistanis over just four months for visa breaches and begging underscores increased immigration enforcement in the Middle East. Diplomatic representatives meet in legislative assembly halls to review border security policy. The Ministry for Narcotics Control’s written statement revealed that Saudi Arabia led with the highest number, expelling 15,500 Pakistani nationals during this period. The UAE deported 3,803 individuals, Oman 1,606, Bahrain 521, Qatar 429, and Kuwait 97. Among those sent back, 4,628 were absconders, 1,294 served prison sentences, and 472 were identified as beggars. Expulsions from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman Highlight Focus on Immigration These actions come amid increased Gulf Cooperation Council scrutiny of immigration rules and visa compliance. The Ministry recorded that 1,924 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia for overstaying or illegal entry. The UAE and Oman repatriated 347 and 295 individuals respectively for similar reasons. Additionally, 968 Pakistanis were blacklisted, 1,155 cases involved lost passports, and 689 cases related to direct visa violations. Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has stepped up airport screening to catch those trying to travel abroad with fake or forged documents. Officials stressed that those who misuse pilgrimage