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.
An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the earthquake scale struck northeastern Pakistan early Thursday, impacting parts of Gilgit-Baltistan close to the northern border. According to Pakistan’s official seismic records, the event registered at magnitude 5.3. The tremor struck at 5:35 a.m. local time on August 13, with its epicenter positioned 27 kilometers northwest of Sost, near the Khunjerab region. The Pakistan Meteorological Department documented a depth of 15 kilometers for this quake.
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Business
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.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources noted that exports exceeded the previous July record of US$5.90 billion set in 2023. In comparison, exports in July 2025 amounted to US$5.83 billion. Domestic vehicle sales also experienced a slight rise of 0.5%, totaling 139,000 units, while production increased significantly by 11.3%, reaching 352,000 vehicles.
On Wednesday, diesel prices persisted at high levels as constrained supplies of refined products continued to exert upward pressure on fuel markets across the United States and Europe. U.S. ultra-low sulfur diesel futures surged by 7.4% on Monday, closing at $4.19 a gallon, marking their largest single-day increase since July 13. Early trading on Wednesday saw the contract near $4.28 per gallon, while European diesel refining margins stayed at historically elevated levels after nearly a 10% rise on Monday.
Gold continued its upward trajectory for a third consecutive session on Tuesday, building on the sharp rebound seen last week. Spot gold increased by 1% to reach $4,432.74 an ounce by 0217 GMT, marking its highest point since June 5 and surpassing the seven-week peak recorded the previous week. U.S. gold futures also rose by 1.7% to $4,492.60. This rally followed gains on Friday and Monday, as global bullion markets tracked U.S. economic indicators and interest-rate expectations.
Denmark’s July inflation slowed to 1.7% as consumer price growth eased from June. (AI-generated image) The consumer price index for July reached 102.92, with 2025 established as the base year with an index value of 100. The increase in holiday home rentals and package holidays contributed 1.24 percentage points to the monthly inflation figure. Food prices added 0.15 percentage point, while reductions in clothing, hotel accommodation, and footwear prices collectively decreased the monthly rise by 0.34 percentage point. Rent was the largest factor boosting annual inflation, accounting for a 0.55 percentage point increase. Holiday home rentals contributed 0.51 point, and fuel added 0.39 point. Electricity costs lowered the annual rate by 0.68 point. Food prices decreased it by 0.26 point, and package holidays subtracted 0.06 point. These movements resulted in headline inflation falling below June’s 1.9% figure. Leading the yearly gains are restaurants and transportation Prices for restaurants and hotels rose 8.1% from July 2025, marking the strongest increase among the main CPI categories. Transport costs went up by 5.5%, while information and communication prices increased by 4.6%. Education expenses grew 4.5%, and insurance and financial services saw a 2.9% rise. In contrast, prices for food and nonalcoholic beverages declined by 1.6%, and household
Health
According to official data through Aug. 7, the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has resulted in 1,916 fatalities and 4,209 confirmed cases. The death toll has increased by 29 from the 1,887 reported in the previous update. Additionally, health authorities have identified 595 individuals receiving care in isolation, and another 828 people have recovered from the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak. Ebola cases and deaths remain concentrated in eastern DR Congo, led by hard-hit Ituri. The epidemic continues to be centered in Ituri, with 3,636 confirmed cases and 1,551 fatalities. In North Kivu, there are 470 cases and 315 deaths recorded. Haut Uele has reported 91 cases and 44 deaths, while Tshopo reports nine cases and five deaths. South Kivu has documented three cases and one death. Overall, 53 out of 140 health zones across the five affected provinces have been impacted by the outbreak. The most recent daily update noted 89 new confirmed cases and 21 new deaths, adding to the national totals. Of these, 73 infections were in Ituri, while North Kivu accounted for 12 and Haut Uele for four. Authorities have stated that 83.4% of identified contacts are being followed up across the affected regions. Efforts by health teams to review and harmonize case and mortality data continue as surveillance records are updated. Expansion of Bundibugyo outbreak across
The report indicates that weight-related health issues resulted in more than one death every hour across the nation. The data also reveal that high BMI led to over 150,000 years of life lost in a single year across all demographic groups.
Ebola deaths in DR Congo rise to 930 amid attacks on health workers as emergency field response teams face threats. The post Ebola deaths in DR Congo rise to 930 as attacks persist appeared first on Arabian Observer: Observe more. Understand Arabia..
African Development Bank Group provide 13 million to strengthen the national emergency health procedures across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda The post Global health funds allocated to halt virus transmission now appeared first on Arabian Observer: Observe more. Understand Arabia..
DRC Ebola cases reached 2,267 and deaths rose to 893 as the Bundibugyo outbreak spread across five provinces and 46 health zones in DRC. The post DRC Ebola cases reach 2,267 as deaths rise to 893 appeared first on Arabian Observer: Observe more. Understand Arabia..
Congo’s Ebola outbreak has reached 2,124 cases and 828 deaths, with most fatalities reported outside hospitals across five eastern provinces. The post Congo Ebola outbreak expands as community deaths rise appeared first on Arabian Observer: Observe more. Understand Arabia..
DR Congo has confirmed 598 Ebola cases and 115 deaths as health teams respond across eastern provinces hit by Bundibugyo virus.
WHO reports 507 confirmed Ebola cases and 88 deaths across Congo and Uganda as Bundibugyo virus response efforts continue.
Africa CDC and WHO launched a $518 million plan to support Ebola detection, care and preparedness across affected African countries.
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.