The UAE city-state at the center of global finance, tourism and controversy
Keely Hodgkinson has withdrawn from the women’s 800m at the Zurich Diamond League after saying her body isn’t ready following the European Championships. Audrey Werro is the effective favourite, with a five‑way battle expected among the world’s best 800m runners.
The US-backed Board of Peace has scaled back its Gaza reconstruction plan to a small pilot camp near Rafah and authorised limited international stabilisation personnel. Hamas has dissolved its Gaza governing body but has not agreed to disarm. Israel has refused major troop withdrawals, continued strikes and delayed legal agreements needed for larger deployments; large-scale rebuilding is unlikely before Israel's October election.
The US has carried out repeated air and naval strikes across Iran to degrade Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on US bases and Gulf allies, and the IRGC has warned civilians near US forces to stay away; the exchanges have closed much of the strait and pushed oil prices higher.
Sephora has opened its first Scottish store in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter. The launch drew long queues, entertainment, and freebies, signaling strong local demand for prestige beauty and marking a milestone in the brand’s UK expansion.
The conflict between the United States and Iran has intensified, with U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian infrastructure and Iran responding with strikes and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices rise as shipping through Hormuz tightens, while regional actors report ongoing fighting and injuries.
The United States has has backed plans to rehabilitate the Iraq–Syria crude oil pipeline as a priority infrastructure project linking Iraqi production with Mediterranean export markets. Deals with US firms aim to create alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz, with initial capacity of about 2 million barrels per day once completed.
Iran has executed multiple men convicted over killings during January’s nationwide protests, including two public hangings in Isfahan’s Alikhani (Malekshahr) Square on 28 July. Videos and witnesses have shown residents chanting and trying to block the executions before security forces dispersed the crowd. Rights groups report a wider surge in executions and hunger strikes at Ghezel Hesar prison.
ECOWAS members have endorsed the Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a 6,800-km conduit linking 13 West African states with potential to export 30 bcm of gas annually. The project aims to diversify energy supplies, boost regional integration and support electricity generation, while weighing security and financing risks as construction eyes 2028 start.
Australia and other nations face shifting travel advice as Middle East conflict escalates. Governments warn of unpredictable security conditions, fuel shortages and flight disruptions, urging reconsideration of travel to several Gulf states and neighbouring countries.
The United States is pressing Iran over the Pickaxe Mountain site near Natanz, with multiple outlets reporting continued construction, potential centrifuge activity, and warnings of imminent strikes as the war escalates. President Trump has warned of heavy action, while analysts debate the site’s depth and capabilities. International inspectors have not accessed the facility.
Gatwick Airport has launched Stanley Robotics’ robotic parking system at its South Terminal, allowing drivers to drop off cars in a private cabin where robots lift and park them. The service, which supports most standard cars, aims to cut drop-off times and free up terminal space, with first passengers using it this August.
Dubai has launched the 'A Dubai Invite' scheme to pay residents' friends and family who visit, offering packages worth over AED 3,000 ($816). Eligible visitors must be non-UAE residents arriving on a valid tourist visa, with benefits including hotel stays, dining deals and attraction tickets. The program runs from 20 July to 31 October, with redemption until December.
Emirates has unveiled the U-Dream, an adjustable headrest designed to support the neck and head, rolling out across economy on A350s and expanding to A380s and 777s by 2027. The feature aims to improve comfort on long-haul flights, with pilots and crew highlighting reduced neck strain and the elimination of traditional neck pillows.
Andrea Pirlo has announced he is no longer a candidate for Italy’s national team head coach, following political concerns over his sponsorship deal with Russian bookmaker Fonbet. Maldini’s backing for Pirlo is under scrutiny as Italy’s football federation reshuffles its leadership after missing a third World Cup.
Sir Ian Wood has died at 84, ending a career that transformed a Aberdeen-based fishing yard into a global energy services group. He founded Wood Group, chaired it until 2012, and established the Wood Foundation to tackle inequality in Scotland and Africa. Tributes praise his enterprise, philanthropy and impact on Aberdeen’s economy.
Russia's FSB has accused Telegram of failing to remove channels, chats and bots that it says Ukrainian intelligence and extremist groups used to coordinate sabotage, terrorism and cyber-fraud inside Russia, and has placed founder Pavel Durov on an international wanted list; Telegram responded by posting an image of Durov making a rude gesture.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has begun legal action against Telegram for failing to remove pro-terror material, citing content linked to Christchurch and Buffalo attacks. Telegram contests the allegations as Russia charges its founder, Pavel Durov, with facilitating terrorism amid ongoing safety talks with Australia.
AP and Independent report reveal that six former child soldiers in Khartoum recount being forced to fight with the RSF, trained by Colombian mercenaries. They describe being shackled to anti-aircraft guns and artillery, with civilians cited as targets. UAE-linked groups are accused of arming the RSF; UAE denies it, calling shipments humanitarian. Events illustrate a wider deployment of foreign mercenaries in Sudan.
Europol-led operations have arrested dozens in Spain and Ecuador in a drug-smuggling ring linked to Dubai investors. The crackdown targets a network moving South American cocaine and MDMA into Europe, with shipments hidden in commercial containers and bananas. The operation has involved dozens of raids and the seizure of vessels, cash, and weapons.
Tui has seen a sharp drop in pre-tax profits in its third quarter as fuel costs rise amid the Middle East conflict. The group reports weaker bookings and higher costs, but notes some signs of recovery in demand and continued price pressure.
Iran and Oman are nearing a bilateral arrangement to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. A temporary central corridor could allow normal oil traffic to resume while broader peace talks with the United States and other parties continue. Officials warn that any reopening remains contingent on U.S. actions and broader security guarantees.
Moove has raised $250 million in a Series C led by Mubadala, supporting its plan to scale autonomous-vehicle operations while continuing its human-driven fleet business. The funding values Moove at $2.1 billion and will fund depots, hiring, and expansion with Waymo partnerships.
The United States has sanctioned Shelbit, a Dubai-based crypto exchange, and related Iranian entities after a Reuters investigation identified Shelbit as a hub for a $4 billion sanctions-evasion scheme. The Treasury notes Shelbit processed funds for Iran’s central bank, an illegal online gambling network, and addresses tied to the IRGC. Nobitex and Kayvanpour are also targeted, while Dubai’s VARA flags compliance gaps.
Waymo has expanded its Ojai robotaxi rollout, adding more U.S. markets and plans to accelerate fleet growth. The company is integrating its sixth‑generation self‑driving system with Zeekr’s Ojai platform, aiming to reduce cost and improve safety as deployments accelerate globally.
A continental push to industrialise the textile and manufacturing sectors is accelerated by investment in long-term funding, high-value processing, and regional value chains. Across Africa, governments and investors are turning cotton, textiles, and infrastructure into job-creating industries to retain value at home.
Harvey Nichols has been put up for sale and is undergoing a turnaround led by Frasers Group. The six-storefront estate, including Edinburgh’s flagship, will continue operating while a broader restructuring is pursued, with potential integration of Flannels and the wider Frasers luxury ecosystem.
Kinahan has been extradited from Dubai and is heading to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to face charges of directing an organised crime group. A large security operation accompanies the transfer, with the prisoner expected to be held at Portlaoise Prison.
Palestinian detainees and Gaza health officials report severe health deterioration among detainees held by Israel, while rights groups call for independent medical examinations and accountability. New details highlight alleged torture and medical neglect in prolonged detention amid ongoing conflict dynamics.
Kinahan has been extradited from the UAE to Ireland to face charges linked to leading a criminal group, money laundering and murder. A major security operation accompanies his transfer to Dublin's Special Criminal Court, with potential prison transfer to Portlaoise on remand.
Kinahan has been extradited from Dubai to Ireland, where he faces charges for directing a criminal organisation. The move follows a Dubai court ruling and marks a significant milestone in cross-border law enforcement cooperation. He is remanded in custody ahead of a Dublin court hearing.
Uninsured and anti-social driving triggers a major police operation across Hyde Park, Kensington and Chelsea. Ninety vehicles are seized, including a Ferrari Monza SP2 worth £3.7m, as officers target dangerous driving and insurance gaps. Several arrests are also reported.
Traders have participated in Tuesday’s tenders with Bunge, CHS and Olam. A new wheat tender is expected to close on August 18, with shipments planned for September-October. Russia’s export tax changes and congestion at Black Sea ports have shaped a cautious market, while forecasts point to a potential fall in August grain exports.
Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption has kept Catania airport closed or operating under strict restrictions, disrupting nearly 2,000 flights over the past week, with passengers rerouted to other hubs and price pressures rising during Ferragosto travel. Authorities warn ash emissions will continue to affect air traffic in the region.
Incheon International Airport has become the world's busiest international hub in the first half of 2026, overtaking London Heathrow as disruptions from the US-Iran conflict redirect passengers to Asia. Heathrow remains under pressure to expand as Istanbul overtakes it in Europe, while Dubai declines.
Iran seeks membership in BRICS’ New Development Bank to diversify funding amid sanctions and war pressures. Tehran aims to use regional currencies for trade and to secure financing for infrastructure as it faces economic strain.
The FIFA president has drawn support from several signatories ahead of next year’s vote, even as a revolt grows over a plan to sell World Cup stakes to private investors. European and regional federations have warned of consequences, and some signatories have withdrawn support amid governance concerns.
The Metropolitan Police has disclosed further suspects in the Operation Cornpoppy inquiry into Mohamed Al Fayed’s alleged offences. A routine victims’ update leaked email addresses to multiple recipients, triggering a formal ICO referral and urgent process reviews. Victims are being offered support as the force investigates the breach.
Au Vodka, the Swansea-based RTD vodka brand known for its gold bottles, is nearing a sale to Sazerac. Founders Charlie Morgan and Jackson Quinn are expected to net over £100m each. The deal, first reported by Sky News, would deepen Sazerac’s UK footprint and follows Au Vodka’s rapid growth and US expansion.
A 35-year-old man from Ruthin, Denbighshire, has been jailed for three years and two months for defrauding four victims after posing as a wealthy businessman with hospitalisation deception. Victims funded investments, private treatment and living costs, with losses totaling around £68,000. The court heard the deception was sustained from July 2020 to October 2021.
Liberian authorities have charged former vice president Jewel Howard-Taylor and three foreign nationals in a widening case tied to alleged transnational cocaine trafficking. Prosecutors say the network used Liberia as a transit hub to Europe, with Howard-Taylor facing multiple charges as the investigation expands. Her lawyers call the case politically motivated as the government pursues a sweeping drug crackdown.
The US has threatened the toughest sanctions on Iran, with Treasury officials detailing measures while Tehran warns of a crushing response. Iran’s armed forces have pledged broad, decisive retaliation across land, sea, air, and cyberspace as Gulf energy shipments face renewed pressure and global oil markets react.
Bloomberg reports that major traders have cut ties with Binance amid concerns over invoices; the company cooperates with US authorities and regulators to resolve inquiries while its insurance unit submits remediation plans. The New York Times describes detentions of Binance staff in the Emirates as a sign of mounting pressure on the exchange.
The Guardian and AP News report that 22-year-old Frenchman Arthur Fils wins the Cincinnati Open, defeating Frances Tiafoe to become the first Masters 1000 final featuring two Black players. Fils overcomes a tense match, dominating late to capture his first Masters 1000 title and rising into the top ranks of the ATP race.
The United States has announced an expansive set of secondary sanctions aimed at cutting Iran off from global financial systems, targeting digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping. Tehran warns the move will deepen economic pain; both sides warn of further escalation as oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile.
Dubai airport handled 31.5 million passengers in the first half, a 32% drop from a year earlier. Second-quarter traffic reached 13 million as disruption from regional tensions eases; officials expect a return to full operation soon.
A glacial collapse on the Nepal–Tibet border has caused a debris-laden flood that has killed hundreds, left more than 1,500 people missing and swept away villages, roads and bridges. Rescue teams are searching across Rasuwa district and Tibet while authorities are trying to identify bodies and account for hundreds of missing foreign tourists.
In Zurich, Dos Santos and Russell set world records in sprint hurdles, with Werro nearing a 800m world record. Duplantis clears 6.25m in a high-stakes pole vault, as Wanyonyi claims a world-leading 800m time; crowd witnesses multiple all-time moments.
The United States is moving to sever UAE access to Banque Misr’s banking system, with a 30-day comment period before rules take effect. The move targets Iran-aligned financing and follows Treasury warnings that Iran’s enablers cannot access the US dollar and global financial system.