ADNOC Distribution Sees 59% Profit Surge to $568 Million
ADNOC Distribution has announced a record net profit of $568 million for the first half of 2026, marking a 59% increase from the same period last year. This significant growth is attributed to higher fuel sales, network expansion, inventory gains, and growth across its non-fuel retail business. The company’s board has also approved a second-quarter dividend of 5.14 fils per share, equivalent to $175 million, which is scheduled to be paid on September 1, 2026.
The company’s fuel volumes reached a record high of 7.75 billion litres during the first six months of the year, supported by demand from retail and commercial customers. Its network across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt expanded by 11% to 1,045 service stations. Gross profit increased 29% to $1.16 billion, while reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation rose 39% to a record $786 million. Underlying EBITDA, which excludes certain one-off factors, increased 14% to $603 million.
ADNOC Distribution’s non-fuel retail business also saw significant growth, with gross profit increasing 12% due to higher customer footfall, more transactions, and a broader food and convenience offering. The company has continued to expand The Hub by ADNOC, a roadside retail format with a footprint three times larger than a traditional service station. Locations operating under this concept are expected to generate annual EBITDA of $30 million by 2030. Additionally, ADNOC Distribution has entered a partnership with Americana Restaurants International to open up to 200 quick-service restaurants across its service station network.
The company’s electric vehicle charging network, E2GO, expanded 35% from a year earlier, with the amount of electricity sold through the network more than doubling. Electric vehicles charged at ADNOC Distribution stations travelled 27.4 million low-emission kilometres during the period, twice the distance recorded a year earlier.
In other developments, ADNOC Distribution signed a definitive agreement in July to acquire Shell’s downstream business in South Africa at an implied enterprise value of $1 billion. The proposed transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in 2027. The company expects the acquisition to increase earnings per share by 6% in the first full year following completion.
Once the second-quarter dividend is paid, ADNOC Distribution will have distributed an estimated $5.8 billion to shareholders since its initial public offering. Shareholders must own the stock by August 12 to qualify for the payout, with the shares trading without the dividend entitlement from August 13.
Strait of Hormuz transit plan near with Oman
Iran, Oman Agree on Hormuz Transit Route
Iran and Oman have agreed on a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and are finalizing arrangements for jointly managing the strategic waterway, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei. The geographical coordinates of the route have been agreed upon, and a joint statement containing the main considerations and points of agreement is in the final review and drafting stage. However, Baqaei stressed that any reopening of the strait would depend on the United States fulfilling its commitment to end its naval blockade of Iran's ports.
The agreement would be a step towards reopening the key energy route, which has been closed since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran on February 28. Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz carried around a fifth of the world's oil and LNG exports, and prices have repeatedly surged since the dispute over the waterway erupted. Iran has exercised de facto control of the waterway and threatened any vessels transiting routes it deems unauthorized.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted that Tehran is keen for a deal to reopen Hormuz, but Iran has denied this and said it will instead make arrangements with its neighbor across the strait, Oman. The factors making the Strait of Hormuz insecure still exist on the part of the United States, particularly the naval blockade and other aggressive and threatening actions against Iran and its interests, according to Baqaei.
The Strait of Hormuz dispute is connected to the prior conflict between Iran and the United States, which has been escalating since the US imposed sanctions on Iran.
FIFA Infantino privatisation plan scrapped after backlash
FIFA Apologises for World Cup Privatisation Plan, Reaffirms Support for Infantino
FIFA's leadership has apologised for errors surrounding a leaked proposal to open the World Cup to private investment, which was valued at $20 billion. The proposal, called the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), was scrapped after fierce backlash from European governing body UEFA, who threatened to boycott the World Cup. FIFA's leadership reaffirmed their full support for President Gianni Infantino, who has come under increasing pressure over his handling of the proposal.
FIFA's Secretary General and members of the FIFA Management Board met in Rabat, Morocco, to address the controversy, stating that "errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to media". The proposal aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion and provide each of FIFA's 211 member associations with a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027, and increase their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million. However, the plan was met with severe criticism, with UEFA resorting to the threat of boycotting the World Cup, prompting Infantino to withdraw the plan.
The FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) was proposed to run events such as the World Cup and Club World Cup, but the plan ultimately produced a furious backlash. Infantino stated that "our purpose has always been -- and will always be -- to unite and improve", and the organisation has since scrapped the private investment plan.
This development follows a prior controversy surrounding FIFA's handling of the World Cup, where UEFA's governing body had expressed concerns over the organisation's decision-making process. The scrapped privatisation plan has brought attention to the organisation's transparency and accountability, with many calling for increased oversight and reform.
Northern California Earthquakes Hit Near Covelo
Twin Earthquakes Rattle Northern California, Triggering ShakeAlert Warnings
Twin earthquakes hit Northern California on Wednesday afternoon, with the stronger quake centered about 19 miles northwest of Covelo at a shallow depth of roughly 3 miles. The US Geological Survey recorded the quakes at about 3:21 p.m. local time Wednesday, triggering ShakeAlert warnings to mobile devices in parts of Northern California. Local residents, including those in the Trinity-Mendocino county area, received these alerts, which provided crucial seconds to protect themselves before stronger shaking arrived.
The earthquakes struck in a relatively remote part of Northern California, limiting the potential for widespread damage. However, shallow earthquakes can produce noticeably stronger shaking near the epicenter than deeper events of similar magnitude. Emergency officials continue to remind residents that earthquakes can strike without warning and that the safest immediate response is to drop, cover, and hold on. The latest earthquakes add to a string of recent seismic activity in the region, including a magnitude 4.4 quake in July and a magnitude 5.6 earthquake in June.
The ShakeAlert system, which pushed alerts to mobile devices, played a crucial role in warning residents of the impending shaking. For some residents, the first warning came not from the shaking itself but from their phones. There were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage, but the twin jolts kept residents alert in an area accustomed to living with seismic risk.
This recent seismic activity in Northern California is reminiscent of previous earthquakes in the region, such as the ones that struck in June and July. The US Geological Survey and emergency officials continue to monitor the situation, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and swift action in the event of an earthquake.
19 miles northwest of Covelo, the epicenter of the stronger earthquake, is a relatively remote area, which limited the potential damage.
The US Geological Survey's recording of the quakes at 3:21 p.m. local time Wednesday is a crucial piece of information, as it triggered the ShakeAlert warnings that helped residents prepare for the shaking.
Messi Scores 2 Goals in Inter Miami's 4-2 Win
Messi Nets 2, Inter Miami Beats San Luis 4-2
Lionel Messi scored his first two goals since the World Cup as Inter Miami beat Atlético San Luis 4-2. Messi's goals in the 11th and 44th minutes brought his total to 14 goals in 12 Leagues Cup matches, making him the career scoring leader in the tournament. Inter Miami extended its unbeaten streak to eight matches with the win.
The match at Nu Stadium was delayed 30 minutes in the second half due to lightning in the area. Telasco Segovia and defender Micael also scored for Inter Miami, while Noah Allen had three assists. Rafa Llorente scored for San Luis, which took an early lead through David Rodríguez's header.
Messi's performance marked his return to form after being held off the scoresheet against Columbus. He led Argentina to its second straight World Cup final appearance before losing to Spain and has now taken the lead in the Leagues Cup's all-time scoring list.
This win follows Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew on Saturday, where Messi played 37 minutes as a substitute. With this victory, Inter Miami solidifies its position in the Leagues Cup, and Messi continues to make history in the tournament.
The Leagues Cup has seen Messi's impressive skills before, as he led Miami to the title in 2023 and the final again last year. His consistent performance has earned him a reputation as one of the greatest players in the sport.
SpaceX Moon Impact: Photos Coming in Weeks
Moon Crater Photos: NASA's Wait Begins
The wait for photos of the Moon crater left by SpaceX's rocket impact has begun, with NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter expected to capture before-and-after images within two weeks. On August 5, 2026, the upper stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket struck the Moon, ejecting an estimated 1,100 tonnes of lunar material. The impact was tracked by Abu Dhabi's Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory, which detected neither a flash nor visible ejecta.
The Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory, part of the International Astronomy Centre, produced the most detailed estimate of the impact, with director Mohammad Shawkat Odeh stating that the collision excavated around 450 cubic metres of lunar soil and rock. Under the Moon's weak gravity, some of the ejecta could have risen as high as three kilometres above the surface before falling back.
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which has been mapping the Moon since 2009, will be used to capture the before-and-after images of the impact site. The orbiter will have to pass over the right patch of ground, in the right lighting, at the right altitude for the resolution needed, before downlinking, processing, and comparing the images against the existing archive to confirm the new feature is the crater rather than something already there.
The Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter will also look for opportunities to capture imagery of the impact site, according to a NASA spokesperson. The first pictures are expected to appear between the middle and end of August, although no specific date has been promised. Locating a crater roughly 25 metres across on a surface the size of Africa takes time, even when you know approximately where to look.
Scientists had been uncertain about what the impact would look like, with predictions ranging from a brief flash to a visible cloud of dust and rock, to nothing at all. The complication was that the rocket struck the lit side of the Moon, making any impact flash difficult or impossible to detect. However, detections by the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona suggest evidence of a plume, which Al Khatim is now waiting on observations from other ground-based observatories and space telescopes to confirm.
The impact of the SpaceX rocket on the Moon is a significant event, with NASA planning to collect data from the event and refine techniques for tracking objects in space. The wait for photos of the Moon crater may be long, but it will be worth it to see the aftermath of this historic event.
For those waiting for the photos, it's a matter of patience. The images will be released as soon as they are available, and they will provide a unique glimpse into the aftermath of the SpaceX rocket impact on the Moon.
