Egypt’s Central Bank maintained its key interest rates at 19% and 20% on August 20, marking the fourth consecutive meeting with no rate adjustments. Inflation increased to 14.9% in July from 14.3% in June, with core inflation rising to 14.7%. The bank stated that economic activity slowed in the second quarter, with a forecasted average real GDP growth of 5% for the fiscal year. Net international reserves reached $56.29 billion at the end of July. The CBE’s inflation target and policy stance remain unchanged.
DR Congo expands its Ebola response as Bundibugyo cases spread across six provinces. Following a request from the Congolese government, the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision approved the release of these doses from the global Ebola stockpile. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that 20,000 of the doses will support a Phase 3 clinical trial focused on Bundibugyo virus disease, while the remaining 50,000 doses are designated for frontline health workers under existing vaccination guidelines. Both WHO and Africa CDC have welcomed this decision, which was publicly announced on Aug. 20. Ervebo is approved for Ebola virus outbreaks, formerly identified as Zaire ebolavirus, but it does not have specific approval for Bundibugyo virus disease. Laboratory and animal research suggest the potential for cross-protection, though the effectiveness in humans remains uncertain. The upcoming clinical trial aims to evaluate the vaccine’s impact during the ongoing outbreak and provide additional data to inform public health decisions. WHO emphasizes that vaccine recipients should be informed about known risks, possible benefits, and current limitations. Six Congolese provinces affected by the outbreak The outbreak initially emerged in Mongbwalu health zone within Ituri Province and was officially confirmed by Congolese authorities in May. Since then, cases have spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, and Bas-Uele. As of Aug. 12, WHO had reported 4,665 cases
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Egypt’s Central Bank maintained its key interest rates at 19% and 20% on August 20, marking the fourth consecutive meeting with no rate adjustments. Inflation increased to 14.9% in July from 14.3% in June, with core inflation rising to 14.7%. The bank stated that economic activity slowed in the second quarter, with a forecasted average real GDP growth of 5% for the fiscal year. Net international reserves reached $56.29 billion at the end of July. The CBE’s inflation target and policy stance remain unchanged.
Japan’s July trade reached record values as imports outpaced exports. This month marked the second consecutive record-high for import value. The increase in crude oil played a key role in this trend, as Japan faced higher energy expenses. Crude oil imports grew by 5.5% compared to July 2025, ending three months of year-on-year declines. Simultaneously, the value of these shipments soared by 87.8% over the same period. Given Japan’s heavy reliance on imported energy, fluctuations in oil prices and exchange rates significantly influence its merchandise trade figures.
Wall Street closed higher as Treasury yields fell and healthcare stocks rallied. Bond prices increased following the U.S. Treasury Department’s announcement of expanded liquidity support through larger buybacks of longer-term government debt. Starting September 9, the cap on purchases will rise from $2 billion to a minimum of $4 billion per operation. This adjustment applies to nominal coupon securities within the 10-to-20-year and 20-to-30-year maturity brackets. The larger buyback limits will stay in effect until November 4. The department cited robust volumes of high-quality offers as the basis for increasing liquidity operations in these sectors. Following the announcement, Treasury yields declined, reversing some of the recent upward trend in long-term borrowing costs. The 10-year Treasury yield dropped to approximately 4.65%, while the 30-year yield decreased to about 5.20%. Notably, the 30-year yield had reached 5.337% on Tuesday, its highest point since 2007. Since bond prices move inversely to yields, the improved demand for government debt pushed yields lower, alleviating some of the pressure that had resulted from the recent selloff in long-term bonds.
Gold Declines for the Week as Expectations of Fed Rate Hike Diminish NEW YORK / RankWire.AI/ – Global markets for precious metals experienced downward pressure on Friday, with spot gold prices decreasing and setting the stage for an overall weekly drop. Data from financial markets indicated that spot gold fell 0.5 percent to trade at $4,326.75 per ounce, while United States gold futures for December delivery declined nearly 1.0 percent to $4,382.50 per ounce. The declines followed a sharp temporary surge on Thursday, when bullion prices reached their highest levels in more than two months before retreating 1.3 percent due to sudden profit-taking.
Global electric vehicle sales expanded by 9% compared to the previous year in July 2026, reaching 1.85 million units. This growth pushed the total number of vehicles sold worldwide in the first seven months to 11.5 million, representing a 4% rise from 2025. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence provided the latest figures on Aug. 13, including data on battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The month of July also marked the fifth consecutive month of annual growth in global EV demand following a sluggish start to 2026.
Health
DR Congo expands its Ebola response as Bundibugyo cases spread across six provinces. Following a request from the Congolese government, the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision approved the release of these doses from the global Ebola stockpile. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that 20,000 of the doses will support a Phase 3 clinical trial focused on Bundibugyo virus disease, while the remaining 50,000 doses are designated for frontline health workers under existing vaccination guidelines. Both WHO and Africa CDC have welcomed this decision, which was publicly announced on Aug. 20. Ervebo is approved for Ebola virus outbreaks, formerly identified as Zaire ebolavirus, but it does not have specific approval for Bundibugyo virus disease. Laboratory and animal research suggest the potential for cross-protection, though the effectiveness in humans remains uncertain. The upcoming clinical trial aims to evaluate the vaccine’s impact during the ongoing outbreak and provide additional data to inform public health decisions. WHO emphasizes that vaccine recipients should be informed about known risks, possible benefits, and current limitations. Six Congolese provinces affected by the outbreak The outbreak initially emerged in Mongbwalu health zone within Ituri Province and was officially confirmed by Congolese authorities in May. Since then, cases have spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo, and Bas-Uele. As of Aug. 12, WHO had reported 4,665 cases
DRC Reports Over 26 Million Malaria Cases in 2025, Highlighting Severe Impact – In 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo documented a total of 26,064,143 malaria infections. The nation also recorded 29,938 fatalities associated with the disease during the same year. Guy Esebe Dembo, who serves as deputy director of the National Malaria Control Programme, revealed these statistics during a campaign inauguration in Ituri province. Dembo emphasized that malaria remains the primary challenge to public health in the country.
Moderna has begun a Phase 1 evaluation of an experimental vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus in Canada. The first participant received the mRNA-1469 vaccine on August 3 at a facility in Truro, Nova Scotia. This trial is taking place as the virus continues to spread across multiple provinces within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization has designated the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
The Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has expanded to become the nation’s most extensive recorded epidemic. As of July 30, health officials reported a total of 3,605 confirmed cases, which include 1,587 fatalities. The case fatality rate was calculated at 44%. During the latest full reporting week, teams documented 567 new infections and 296 deaths, marking the highest weekly totals since the outbreak’s inception. This increase has intensified the strain on efforts related to surveillance, treatment, and community engagement.
Congo Ebola cases cross 3,000 as national health authorities report rapid virus spread and severe shortages of vital medical supplies. The post Congo Ebola cases cross 3,000 as outbreak surges in east appeared first on Arabian Observer: Observe more. Understand Arabia..
New medical advisory releases soft drink dementia warning, urging adults to reduce consumption to protect long-term brain health. The post Experts reveal soft drink dementia warning amid health crisis appeared first on Arabian Observer: Observe more. Understand Arabia..
New medical review reveals 5 cups coffee daily health benefits, linking regular black coffee intake to lower diabetes risk. The post Five cups coffee daily health benefits confirmed by major study appeared first on Arabian Observer: Observe more. Understand Arabia..
DR Congo confirmed 1,307 Ebola cases and 377 deaths as the Bundibugyo outbreak spread across three eastern provinces while testing guides care.
DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has reached 1,048 confirmed cases and 267 deaths, with eastern provinces and Uganda tied to the response.
Ebola cases in eastern Congo have climbed to 896, with officials reporting 232 deaths and wider spread across 33 health zones.
Travel
Etihad’s Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg service will operate four times weekly this winter. This service marks Gothenburg’s first direct air link with the United Arab Emirates and establishes its initial nonstop connection to the Middle East and Asia. Western Swedish travelers can now connect through Abu Dhabi to various destinations across India and Asia. Additionally, the new route provides direct access to Abu Dhabi for those traveling from the Gothenburg region. The airport serving the city, Göteborg Landvetter Airport, caters to Gothenburg and the broader western Sweden area. The airline will operate the route using an Airbus A321LR configured for 160 passengers, featuring two First Suites, 14 Business seats, and 144 Economy seats. Both First and Business classes offer seats that convert into fully flat beds with direct aisle access. Economy passengers will enjoy 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems, and high-speed Wi-Fi will be available in all three classes. The A321LR, a long-range narrow-body aircraft, is now part of Etihad’s fleet.
Entertainment
U.S. Polo Assn. has launched its Fall-Winter 2024 Collection, blending sporty style and festive warmth, with pieces perfect for gifting this holiday season.
Fresha, a leading global booking platform for lifestyle services, announced today that it has…
Adidas Originals and Highsnobiety, a prominent platform in fashion, design, and culture, have announced the launch…
Automotive
Porsche to cut 5000 more jobs under restructuring plan after reaching agreement with German labor unions, data confirms.
Japan’s new car sales rose 1.8% in the first half of 2026, reaching 2.39 million units as registered vehicles and kei cars grew overall.
FIA expands Safe Mobility 4 All & 4 Life into the Middle East and Africa, extending road safety training, mentoring and local support.
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the electric C-Class in Seoul, bringing its first battery-powered C-Class sedan with up to 762 km of WLTP range.
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class adds an illuminated grille, optional lit hood star, and DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps, pairing new styling cues with flagship cabin tech and comfort features.