News
Worsening air pollution triggered by regional peatland fires forced Malaysia to enact an emergency declaration in Sarawak’s Serian district as the Air Pollutant Index breached the extreme 500 mark. Reaching a peak API reading of 519, the hazardous conditions led educational and health administrators to suspend classes across 647 schools to protect students and staff. Federal authorities are coordinating emergency mitigation measures, including cloud-seeding sorties and mask distributions, as agricultural fires burning across neighboring Indonesian Kalimantan continue to transport thick smoke plumes across shared maritime borders.
Business
Gold prices hold above $4,400 as U.S. inflation data and interest rates stay in focus. Early trading saw the U.S. dollar stay subdued, which boosted dollar-denominated precious metals. A weaker dollar lowers gold’s cost for those purchasing in other currencies. Meanwhile, the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury yield remained near 4.84%, maintaining its elevated level. Since gold does not pay interest, fluctuations in bond yields are significant for the metals market. Brent crude also stayed above $100 a barrel after crossing that threshold during the previous session. Market attention was also directed towards two critical U.S. inflation reports. Producer price index data is due at 1230 GMT on Thursday, followed by consumer inflation figures on Friday. The Federal Reserve’s policy meeting is scheduled for September 15 and 16, with inflation remaining a key factor influencing interest-rate decisions. According to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, there is about a 60% chance that the U.S. will raise rates this month. The current federal funds target range stands at 3.50% to 3.75%. Focus on Inflation Data as Gold Maintains Above $4,400 Wednesday’s trading showed a notable shift from earlier price movements. Spot gold slipped 0.1% to $4,349.44 an ounce at 0040 GMT, but by 1744 GMT, it had risen 1.4% to $4,414.30. December gold futures
Travel
Etihad adds Red Sea International Airport to its growing Saudi Arabia flight network. This route will be operated using an Airbus A320 configured with eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy Class seats. Etihad stated that travelers from across its network can reach the Red Sea with a single connection in Abu Dhabi, including those arriving from the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent. Tickets are already available on Etihad’s booking platform for travel from the launch date. The route complements existing connections to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Al Qassim within Etihad’s Saudi network.
Sports
Spain sent Portugal out of the FIFA World Cup with a late 1-0 win, ending Ronaldo’s sixth tournament and long pursuit of the title.
Norway reached the FIFA World Cup last eight after a 2-1 win over Brazil, with Haaland scoring twice and Neymar netting late.
Australia exited the FIFA World Cup 2026 after Egypt won 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 Round of 32 draw in Arlington at Dallas Stadium.
Spain kept a clean sheet and advanced from the World Cup Round of 32 after goals by Oyarzabal and Porro ended Austria’s run in Los Angeles.
Mexico reached the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador, keeping its unbeaten run and clean-sheet record intact.
Brazil booked a Round of 16 place at World Cup 2026 after Casemiro and Martinelli erased Japan’s first-half lead in Houston from the Round of 32.
Portugal moved to four points in Group K after a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, whose first World Cup campaign remained difficult.
Norway’s 3-2 victory over Senegal put Haaland on four World Cup 2026 goals and sent the team into the Round of 32 from Group I after two wins.
Health
Congo’s Ebola response expands as Bundibugyo transmission remains active. This epidemic has become Congo’s most extensive and deadliest Ebola outbreak ever, ranking as the second-largest worldwide after the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic. Ituri remains the epicenter of the crisis, responsible for roughly 85% of cases and 88% of fatalities. Tedros highlighted that many deaths involve individuals not registered as known contacts, indicating ongoing transmission chains that health teams are still missing. Community deaths and unsafe burials continue to pose major challenges to controlling the outbreak. According to Africa CDC, over 60% of fatalities in the recent seven-day period occurred within communities. Health officials also report delays in detecting infections and admitting patients to treatment centers. The latest government figures show 1,439 recoveries and a case fatality rate of 48.6%, underscoring the severe impact of the Bundibugyo virus. Transmission persists throughout eastern Congo Active transmission persists in 51 health zones, despite signs of a recent decline in case numbers. Four zones have not reported new cases for over 42 days and have interrupted transmission, while an additional five have experienced more than 21 days without new cases. Public health officials warn that the recent decrease is too recent to confirm that the Ebola outbreak nationwide is under control. The WHO has expanded testing, treatment, and field support efforts across affected regions, delivering over 330 tonnes of emergency supplies and deploying more than 300 experts. Laboratory capacity has increased
Technology
U.S. battery manufacturing is growing while key materials still come from China. In 2025, China accounted for over 80% of the global battery cell output, roughly 85% of cathode active material, and more than 90% of anode active material. The International Energy Agency detailed these figures in its 2026 global electric vehicle outlook. Chinese manufacturers also supplied nearly three-quarters of worldwide electric vehicle battery deployment that year, spanning everything from refined minerals to finished cells and manufacturing equipment.