Briefly

UNITED STATES

Consumer inflation picks up in August

US consumer prices accelerated in August as the cost of gasoline rebounded after two straight monthly declines, bolstering financial market expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates next week. The Consumer Price Index increased 0.4 percent last month after edging up 0.1 percent in July, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Friday. In the 12 months through August, consumer inflation advanced 3.4 percent after rising by the same margin in July. Meanwhile, the European Central Bank on Thursday announced that it will raise the key interest rates by 25 basis points, marking its second rate hike this year amid rising inflationary pressures.

ALGERIA

Nation to close airspace to UAE-registered planes

Algeria will close its airspace at midnight Friday to all civilian and military aircraft registered in the United Arab Emirates, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday. The measure leaves the UAE's commercial passenger flights to and from Algiers' Houari Boumediene International Airport untouched. They will continue until the end of 2026, when the existing contract expires, the ministry said. Algeria on Thursday announced its decision to sever diplomatic relations with the UAE after "exhausting all avenues" to preserve their ties. It accused the UAE of repeated "provocative or hostile actions" despite warnings. The UAE says it hopes the decision to cut diplomatic ties is temporary.

SERBIA

Vucic to resign on Sept 25 or 26 for PM bid

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday that he would resign on Sept 25 or 26 and then campaign as an ordinary citizen for prime minister in the snap parliamentary elections due on Oct 25. Vucic made the remarks during a presentation of new measures to improve citizens' living standards, in response to a question from local media about when he planned to resign. According to Serbian news agency Tanjug, Vucic said he would resign after completing his official activities in the United States this month. "I will resign and then I will campaign as an ordinary citizen," he said. "I want to go as an ordinary person and an ordinary citizen."

XINHUA-AGENCIES