The World Green Economy Summit 2026 is set to bring together 135 speakers from governments, businesses and international organisations in Dubai to discuss the expansion of green economic initiatives. The 12th edition of the summit will take place on October 21 and 22 at Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme "From Success to Scale: Showcasing the Green Economy". It is being organised by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and the World Green Economy Organization. The event will bring together ministers, business leaders, government officials, dec
Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered a pyramid-shaped tomb from the Roman period, about 1,700 years old, at Bir Al-Shaghala in the Dakhla Oasis. Built of mud brick for the burial of a man and his wife, the tomb blends Egyptian, Greek and Roman elements. A 14-step staircase leads to a sandstone entrance in Egyptian style, carved with hieroglyphic funerary spells and topped by a winged sun disk and two cobras. The lintel shows the seventh hour of the Amduat, one of ancient Egypt’s books of the afterlife, the first example of that hour found among the Bir Al-Shaghala tombs. A stone blocki
Indonesia is preparing up to two million hectares of land for the development of a domestic bioethanol industry, with corn among the crops being developed as a source of ethanol feedstock. Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman announced the plan after a coordination meeting with 44 district heads in Jakarta on September 21. The programme covers three main crops: sugarcane, cassava and corn. The Agriculture Ministry is working with regional governments to map available land, identify suitable crops and assess whether different areas are ready to supply the raw materials needed for
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) will return on December 8, 2027, with the Dubai Media Council announcing the festival’s 15th edition on September 17 during the Arab Media Summit. The event will return with a new format shaped around changes in the film industry and Dubai’s growing role in film and creative production. DIFF was launched in 2004 with the aim of connecting Arab cinema with international audiences. Over its 14 editions, the festival became a platform for filmmakers and creative talent from across the region. Its 2017 edition screened 140 films from 51 countrie
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have found evidence that the human brain develops from two distinct groups of progenitor cells rather than from a single source. The findings challenge the long-standing view that the entire brain develops from one common population of early cells. The study found that one progenitor population develops into the forebrain and midbrain, while another forms the hindbrain. The two populations emerge separately during an early stage of embryonic development and remain committed to their respective regions. Researchers identified different genetic
Malaysia has officially offered Indonesia assistance to tackle forest fires, including a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft previously used in firefighting operations in the country. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi conveyed the offer to Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka during his working visit to Jakarta on September 17. The proposed assistance also includes three helicopters and 52 officers and personnel from Malaysia’s National Disaster Management Agency, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Royal Malaysian Air Force. The deployment would require approval
The UK and Japan are seeking changes to proposed European Union industrial rules that could limit the benefits available to their automotive industries. The EU’s “Made in Europe” policy is designed to strengthen European manufacturing and reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains. The proposed measures would give greater preference to European-based manufacturing in areas such as electric vehicles and clean energy. Current automotive provisions could leave vehicles and components made outside the EU at a disadvantage when companies seek access to public procurement and subsidies.
Singapore will host Bioenergy Expo Asia from September 29 to 30, 2027, at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. The expo will bring together companies working across Asia’s growing bioenergy sector. The exhibition will feature live demonstrations and technology displays focused on biofuel production. Biogas and biomass will also feature, alongside sustainable aviation fuel. More than 70 international manufacturers and service providers are expected to take part. Several exhibitors will showcase equipment used in feedstock processing. Others will focus on biorefining and a
Leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are due to meet in Cardiff on September 14 for a summit focused on self-determination. Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill are expected to sign a memorandum affirming their nations’ right to pursue independence. The three leaders are attending as representatives of their parties, rather than in a governmental capacity. Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald is also expected to attend. The memorandum is intended to press the UK government to establ
The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13 under India’s 2026 chairship. Leaders adopted the 140-point New Delhi Declaration after discussions on international security, trade and economic cooperation. The situation in West Asia was among the key issues discussed at the summit. BRICS leaders expressed serious concern over the escalation and called for maximum restraint. They backed dialogue and diplomacy as the way to resolve international disputes. The declaration also addressed the impact of tariffs and other trade measures. Members raised concerns about unil