News
Wildfires sweeping through northeastern Algeria have resulted in at least 12 fatalities and left 54 injured, officials announced Wednesday night. Among the casualties, five deaths occurred in Jijel, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou, Interior Minister Said Sayoud confirmed. Six of the injured remain in critical condition, undergoing intensive treatment for burns. The fires ignited across multiple provinces amid a brutal heatwave impacting Algeria and neighboring North African nations.
Business
Al Dahra Agriculture Trading and Egypt’s General Authority for Supply Commodities have established a five-year wheat supply agreement valued at up to US$500 million. This arrangement transitions a 2023 financing plan into an operational import framework for Egypt. Al Dahra will provide imported wheat to GASC financed by the Abu Dhabi Exports Office, with the agreement outlining the procedures for purchases under this existing program. UAE-backed financing supports a five-year wheat supply program for Egypt. The deal was signed at Egypt’s Cabinet of Ministers headquarters in El Alamein on Aug. 26, 2026, with Egypt’s Supply and Internal Trade Minister Sherif Farouk—who also chairs GASC—present at the signing. Khadim Abdullah Al Darei, co-founder and managing director of Al Dahra, was also in attendance.
Travel
South Korea welcomed over 2 million international visitors in July 2026, with inbound travel remaining above pre-pandemic figures. The Korea Tourism Organization reported a total of 2,093,223 foreign arrivals for the month, reflecting a 20.8% increase from 1,733,199 in July 2025. This number also represents 144.6% of the July 2019 figure, before the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted global travel. Foreign visitor arrivals in South Korea rose 20.8% year on year in July. Compared to July 2024, the total grew by 48.6% from 1,408,499 foreign visitors, with notable gains across South Korea’s main inbound markets. China continued to be the largest source, with approximately 777,000 travelers, followed by visitors from Japan, Taiwan, the United States, and Hong Kong. Japan contributed around 330,000 visitors, and Taiwan accounted for about 261,000. The United States sent roughly 150,000 travelers, while Hong Kong’s arrivals totaled approximately 76,000. Each of these five markets surpassed its July 2019 numbers, with Chinese arrivals increasing by 49.6%, Japanese by 20.2%, and Taiwan recording the largest percentage growth at 129.4% from its 2019 level.
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
EU Boosts Ebola Testing Efforts with €2.1M PCR Supplies BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / RankWire.AI / – European Commission has announced a deal to acquire €2.1 million worth of PCR testing kits to aid in managing the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak. These open-platform tests are intended to enhance infection detection and bolster laboratory capabilities during this crisis, with procurement arranged through support from the European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Shipments are scheduled to commence in August, providing essential diagnostic tools as health authorities face increasing case numbers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Technology
UN child safety push targets AI, disinformation and harmful online platform practices. Ahead of International Youth Day on Aug. 12, the Department of Global Communications published the report, noting that over 82% of individuals aged 15 to 24 are internet users globally. This access facilitates learning, civic engagement, and economic participation. Nevertheless, harmful online environments pose risks to the cognitive, emotional, and social growth of younger users, and the report underscores that children and adolescents are still developing the skills needed to critically evaluate online information.