Business
– Germany’s new electric vehicle registrations surged 58% to 604,000 in the first nine months of 2026, helping lift global battery-electric vehicle registrations to a record 11 million, according to PwC. Worldwide registrations rose 12% over the period, driven mainly
– Brent crude rose above $115 a barrel on Wednesday as traders reacted to reports of possible renewed US strikes on Iran. Brent futures climbed $1.48, or 1.3%, to $115.36 by 01:40 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose
– Microsoft is offering a voluntary exit package to about 27% of its workforce as it seeks to fund a costly AI infrastructure expansion while protecting capital efficiency. The offer, announced on Monday, applies to certain employees in the United
– South Korea’s current account surplus reached $116.63 billion in the second quarter, the second-largest among major economies after China, central bank data showed. The surplus was larger than those of Germany and Japan combined, Yonhap News Agency reported. China
– Bilateral trade between Russia and Oman reached $1.5 billion in the first seven months of 2026, its highest level in a decade, according to Sergei Shoigu. The Secretary of Russia’s Security Council said trade had increased 22-fold over the
– Japan’s exports rose for a 13th straight month in September, but faster growth in imports left the country with a trade deficit of 536.6 billion yen. Preliminary figures from the Ministry of Finance showed exports up 16.7% year on
– South Korea’s semiconductor exports surged 222.5% year on year to $27.5 billion in the first 20 days of October, driving total exports to $61.6 billion. Overall outbound shipments more than doubled from the same period last year, according to
– Oil prices climbed sharply on Friday, with Brent crude touching $110 a barrel for the first time since May. Worries that escalating Middle East tensions could further tighten supplies drove the rally. Brent for December delivery settled up $3.94,
– Egypt received a record $33.9 billion in remittances from citizens working abroad during the first eight months of 2026. The Central Bank of Egypt said on Tuesday, October 13, that inflows rose 27.2% from $26.6 billion a year earlier.
Travel
– Türkiye has set its sights on becoming the sixth-highest-earning tourism country in the world, according to its 2027 central government budget draft. Anadolu Agency reported that the draft allocates $244.5 million to tourism, compared with $188.4 million this year.
– Air Arabia will start nonstop flights from Sharjah International Airport to Amman City Airport on November 15, 2026. The carrier will operate the route four times a week. The service will add another direct connection between the United Arab
– Air Arabia will restart daily nonstop flights between Ras Al Khaimah and Kozhikode on October 16, 2026. The service restores a direct connection between the UAE emirate and the southern Indian state of Kerala. Bookings are already available through
– flydubai presented its growing Levant route network at the Syria Travel Show in Damascus as the regional low-cost carrier expands direct connectivity between the United Arab Emirates and key Syrian commercial hubs. Participating in the event hosted under the
Dubai-based flag carrier Emirates has entered the northern winter travel period with robust forward booking metrics across its international network, outpacing initial corporate projections. The performance follows a high-density summer operational cycle during which the airline transported more than 8.6
Etihad Airways will launch year-round flights from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast on Oct. 4, 2026. The service will connect Zayed International Airport with Red Sea International Airport in Tabuk Province. Etihad will start with one weekly
Indonesia reopened Jakarta’s main airport and several regional airports Tuesday after volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau disrupted air travel. More than 340,000 travelers faced delays, cancellations or diversions during the disruption. Nearly 3,000 flights across Indonesia felt the impact. Authorities
Low-cost carrier operator Air Arabia announced a strategic expansion of its Southeast Asian operations on Friday, increasing flight frequencies between the United Arab Emirates and Thailand. Starting October 25, 2026, the airline will introduce a fourth daily non-stop service connecting
Air Arabia will launch nonstop flights between Sharjah and Gdansk on Dec. 14, 2026. The new route will link Sharjah International Airport with Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport five times each week. Flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and
Foreign tourist arrivals in South Korea exceeded 2 million in July 2026 as inbound travel continued above pre-pandemic levels. The country received 2,093,223 foreign visitors during the month, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. That total rose 20.8% from 1,733,199
Etihad Airways will launch seasonal nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg on December 17, 2026. The service will operate four times a week through March 21, 2027. The route will connect the UAE capital with Sweden’s second largest city
South Korea recorded a $596.6 million tourism surplus in June 2026, its strongest monthly result since the COVID-19 pandemic. The figure marked a $1.44 billion improvement from June 2025, when the balance showed an $846.8 million deficit. Korea Tourism Organization
Spain has begun temporary border checks on travelers arriving from Italy by air and sea. The controls took effect at midnight on Aug. 8 and are scheduled to remain through Sept. 7. Spain introduced the measure after Italy imposed its
Government data released on Sunday showed that South Korea’s travel account posts surplus for 3rd consecutive month in May, supported by a significant rise in incoming foreign visitors. According to figures compiled by the Korea Tourism Organization and reported by
Sports
Technology
– Apple has added Touch to the Mac for the first time with a redesigned MacBook Pro that also introduces a tandem OLED display called PROLED XDR. Available in 14-inch and 16-inch versions, the laptop runs on M5 Pro and