Spot gold fell 1 percent to $4,249 per ounce, reaching multi-session lows amid rising sovereign yields and tighter monetary policies. Higher interest rates have raised the opportunity cost of holding physical gold, leading institutional investors to shift capital into fixed-income securities. Central banks in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain swiftly increased their key benchmark interest rates following the Federal Reserve’s move. In contrast, the Central Bank of Kuwait chose to keep its key interest rate steady after a comprehensive review of domestic economic indicators, maintaining its existing monetary stance. Investors in financial markets closely observed the central bank’s policy statement for hints regarding the broader outlook of global interest rates and macroeconomic stability.
News
Revised Figures Show Nepal Flood Missing Count Now at 6,150 After Data Validation KATHMANDU / RankWire.AI / – In the aftermath of the devastating floods that struck Nepal on August 26, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has updated its figures, revealing that the number of missing persons has risen to 6,150. This new total, verified through recent data from affected districts, represents an increase of 971 over the previous count of 5,179. Since the disaster, authorities have recovered 1,403 bodies. The floods, along with debris flows, caused widespread destruction particularly in northern Nepal, close to the border with China.
Extreme rainfall in Hainan forced more than 55,000 people from high-risk areas. The onset of heavy rain in Hainan began on September 11, as a tropical depression from the South China Sea interacted with cold air masses. This system brought persistent downpours across the island, with southern and central regions experiencing the most intense rainfall. Locations such as Baoting, Wuzhishan, Wanning, Qionghai, and Lingshui faced significant weather impacts. Rivers swelled, and water levels rose in multiple communities as the storm persisted. Some areas recorded extraordinary rainfall totals before the weather began to ease. Between September 11 and 2 p.m. on September 14, Xiangshui township in Baoting recorded 912.9 millimeters of rain. During this period, six townships received over 700 millimeters, and three exceeded 800 millimeters. These figures illustrate the highly localized and intense nature of the rainfall across parts of Hainan. Evacuations intensify amid worsening weather conditions The number of evacuations surged as authorities expanded safety measures throughout affected regions. By 7:50 p.m. on September 13, officials had relocated 31,564 residents from dangerous zones. The total increased to over 55,000 by the following evening, amid ongoing flooding and landslide risks. The Hainan Provincial Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief Committee Office coordinated the emergency response efforts. Emergency teams worked diligently to restore
Amidst escalating inflationary pressures across Pakistan, consumers in Lahore are experiencing significant price differences for essential food items compared to official rates, revealing underlying economic challenges. Despite the government’s efforts to lower prices through official rate reductions, many retail outlets continue to charge markedly higher prices. This week, the gap between notified and market prices was especially evident in products like chicken, vegetables, and fruit. These rising costs are burdening households as the country’s overall consumer inflation reaches double digits and fuel prices further squeeze household budgets.
In a move to bolster international partnerships, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed His Excellency Bajram Begaj, President of the Republic of Albania, at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi. This official gathering coincided with President Begaj’s working visit to the UAE, which aims to enhance diplomatic ties and economic cooperation between the two nations. The UAE President hosts the President of Albania as both nations aim to amplify joint development projects across vital sectors. Executive diplomatic delegations convene during high level bilateral conference sessions. During the formal plenary session, the two leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions centered on increasing bilateral trade and attracting more institutional investment. Topics of conversation included speeding up economic collaborations, infrastructure projects, renewable energy initiatives, and the integration of advanced technologies. Sheikh Mohamed welcomed the Albanian delegation and expressed optimism that this visit would open new pathways for fruitful commercial relations and sustained economic development. The discussions also emphasized mutual commitments to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation strategies. Both officials examined preparations for the upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference, scheduled to be hosted by the UAE in December to address worldwide water security issues. They reaffirmed their intention to work closely within international forums to promote sustainable resource management and regional stability. Albanian President Awards Top Honor to Sheikh Mohamed As part of official diplomatic exchanges, President Bajram Begaj conferred upon Sheikh Mohamed the Grand Star of the Supreme Order of the Eagle, Albania’s most prestigious national decoration. This honor recognizes the UAE
Nepal has estimated that approximately $4.78 billion will be necessary to rebuild after the destructive floods caused by the Bhote Koshi River. This figure was published by the government through its Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment following the disaster on August 26. The assessment indicates direct physical damage totals about $1.8 billion, while economic losses are roughly $883 million. Officials emphasized that these numbers encompass damage across social, productive, and infrastructure sectors. The floods impacted communities and vital infrastructure across districts such as Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, among others.
Technology
Health
The World Health Organization reports that Ebola transmission is decreasing in some of the hardest-hit regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This positive trend is most evident in parts of Ituri province, which has been the central focus of the outbreak. Nevertheless, the epidemic persists and continues to expand in other areas. According to official data through Sept. 13, there have been 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths across seven provinces, with the overall case fatality ratio at 48.4%.
NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – As part of the ongoing investigation into a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the South Bronx, initial tests have identified Legionella DNA in a cooling tower located at Yankee Stadium. The City of New York is actively examining a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases. By Tuesday night, authorities confirmed 11 infections, including one fatality. Three individuals remain hospitalized. The New York City Health Department has pinpointed 10 cooling towers with preliminary positive PCR results across ZIP codes 10451 and 10456, covering parts of Melrose and Morrisania.
Funding and Staffing Challenges Limit Ebola Response Efforts in Congolese Regions A key obstacle is the shortage of non-governmental partners capable of managing complex isolation facilities. World Health Organization technical expert Luca Fontana pointed out that just five or six international humanitarian organizations have the expertise needed to establish and operate specialized Ebola treatment centers. Without additional operational partners stepping in to oversee established sites, technical teams remain tied to existing facilities, limiting their ability to deploy resources to new outbreak hotspots. In response, the Ministry of Health of the Congo has taken direct control over several treatment centers set up during the early stages of the epidemic. However, officials caution that the country’s capacity to manage these facilities is limited.
The World Health Organization has emphasized the need for an extensive expansion of the Ebola response within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, health teams have yet to trace every chain of transmission. As of Sept. 1, government reports confirmed 6,250 cases and 3,039 fatalities in Congo. The ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak now spans 60 health zones across six provinces. Congo’s Ebola response expands as Bundibugyo transmission remains active. This outbreak has become Congo’s most extensive and deadliest Ebola event to date.
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have launched a targeted Ebola vaccination initiative in Kisangani, the administrative center of Tshopo Province, to combat what is now the country’s most severe outbreak on record. Frontline healthcare workers, emergency response personnel, and individuals who have had direct contact with confirmed cases are being prioritized during the initial phase of the deployment.
In response to the escalating Ebola situation, the European Commission has committed €2.1 million to acquire PCR testing kits specifically for the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak. These open-platform tests aim to enhance detection efforts and bolster laboratory capacities during the crisis. The procurement was coordinated with support from the European Health and Digital Executive Agency, with delivery schedules starting in August to supplement diagnostic supplies as health authorities combat increasing case numbers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
DR Congo expands its Ebola response as Bundibugyo cases spread across six provinces. Following the government’s appeal for assistance from the global Ebola stockpile, the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision authorized the release of vaccines. WHO indicated that 20,000 doses will be used in a Phase 3 clinical trial targeting Bundibugyo virus disease. The remaining 50,000 doses will be allocated to frontline health workers and medical personnel, in line with current vaccination policies. Both WHO and Africa CDC welcomed this decision, announced on Aug. 20.
WHO incident manager, Thierno Baldé, stated that the projected three-month containment of the Ebola outbreak in Congo depends heavily on acquiring the necessary resources. The agency has secured approximately $69.3 million out of the $115 million needed, which is roughly 60%. Over the past two weeks, teams have added more than 400 treatment beds and deployed 100 extra epidemiologists along with over 500 community health workers to bolster surveillance and contact tracing efforts. The response efforts also require transportation vehicles, ambulances, medical supplies, and personnel to cover the expanding impacted regions.
DRC malaria response targets a disease that caused more than 26 million cases in 2025. The National Malaria Control Programme released these data as health officials ramp up malaria response activities specifically in Ituri. Dembo highlighted that control initiatives must persist, and efforts should be strengthened with interventions proven effective. He also stressed the importance of tailoring strategies to suit the particular conditions of individual health zones. One such initiative in Ituri focuses on the mass distribution of antimalarial medications. This campaign is part of the broader strategy to prevent and treat malaria, aiming to cut infection rates, severe cases, and mortality.
The escalating public health emergency in Central Africa is progressing faster than ever before, according to assessments shared by international health authorities on Friday. The World Health Organization has confirmed that, without swift measures to contain community spread and address regional supply chain issues, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola outbreak will break all previous death toll records. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that the current epidemic trajectory risks surpassing the devastating 2014–2016 West African outbreak, which resulted in over 11,000 fatalities.