ALBAWABA- Armenia has gained new rail access to Turkey through Georgia, marking a significant shift in regional connectivity and a breakthrough in long-isolated trade routes, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on Sunday...

Cypriots ‌went to the polls on Sunday in a parliamentary election expected to deliver gains for anti-corruption campaigners and the far right, while weakening centrist parties that back President Nikos Christodoulides. In a vote being…

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) QNA Makkah Al Mukarramah: Minister of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs and Head of the Qatari Hajj Mission, HE Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanim, conducted an inspection ...

RIYADH — The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced on Saturday that land, sea, and air customs ports across Saudi Arabia recorded 931 seizures of various types and forms of prohibited items during the last week. The seized items included 76 narcotics, 413 prohibited items, 1,827 tobacco products, 13 cases involving cash, and five…

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority has referred 17 suspects linked to Cenomi Retail to the Public Prosecution over suspected violations of the Capital Market Law, Market Conduct Regulations and Companies Law.The suspects include former and current board members, a chief executive officer, several financial managers at the company, and members of the audit…

(MENAFN - Khaama Press) Ishaq Dar and Badr Abdelatty discussed regional developments and ongoing diplomatic coordination during a phone conversation, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said ...

ALBAWABA - Tens of thousands of people march in protest against the Socialist Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, demanding his resignation...

Yemeni Minister of Awqaf and Guidance Sheikh Turki bin Abdullah Al-Wadaei stressed that Hajj pilgrims from his country have been registered regardless of their political and sectarian affiliations. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he added…

Kuwait’s General Civil Aviation Authority has launched its operational plan for the 2026 Hajj season, with 63 scheduled flights set to transport around 8,400 pilgrims and administrators from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia. The flights will depart from Terminal 4 at Kuwait International Airport between May 21 and May 23, according to the authority. The return…

RIYADH — Saudi security forces arrested a total of 8,943 illegal residents in a week. The arrests were made in joint inspections, carried out in collaboration with the relevant government agencies, during the period between May 14 and 20, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday. Those who were arrested include 4,638 violators of the…

(MENAFN - Gulf Times) His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani held separate telephone conversations Tuesday with the ...

ALBAWABA- Russian forces launched one of the largest combined missile and drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital overnight into Saturday, targeting military-industrial facilities and causing widespread damage across several districts of Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said...

The Iran-aligned Nujaba Movement in Iraq warned on Saturday against an “American plot” to merge the pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in state institutions, presenting new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi with his first test in…

By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday announced sanctions against nine individuals, including Iran's designated ambassador to Lebanon, for obstructing the peace process in the Middle Eastern country and impeding the disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control said the officials were embedded across…

JEDDAH — Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif received on Friday a phone call from Pakistan Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi. During the call, they discussed topics of mutual interest. The ministers reviewed aspects of security cooperation and coordination between the two countries.

ALBAWABA- A man was shot and killed by the United States Secret Service after opening fire near a security checkpoint outside the White House on Saturday evening, leaving one bystander seriously wounded, authorities said...

Damascus announced on Saturday that it has received over 10,000 applications for Syrian citizenship from Kurds in wake of a recent decree that preserves their rights in the country. The Interior Ministry said it received…

(MENAFN) Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Wednesday ordered authorities to pursue accountability against any party found to have used Iraqi soil as a staging ground for drone attacks on Saudi ...

MINA — Hajj Security Forces arrested 12 expatriates and one Saudi citizen for violating Hajj rules and regulations in three separate incidents. In the first incident, five Turkish residents were arrested for violating Hajj regulations and instructions by attempting to enter Makkah through dirt roads and valleys without obtaining Hajj permits. Legal action was taken…

ALBAWABA- A deadly explosion struck a passenger train near Chaman Phatak in Quetta on Sunday morning, killing at least 24 people and injuring more than 80 others, according to local authorities and media reports...

The Saudi leadership extended condolences to Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and to Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, over the passing of Sheikh Mohammed Faisal Mohammed Abdulaziz…

(MENAFN - Khaama Press) Shehbaz Sharif and Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts related to the Iran crisis.Sharif wrote on X on Monday, ...

JEDDAH — Advisor to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Emir of Makkah and Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah Prince Khaled Al-Faisal reviewed the outcomes of the committee’s meetings and the operational plans of relevant entities for the 2026 Hajj season.Prince Khaled Al-Faisal listened to a briefing from Deputy Emir of…

ALBAWABA- US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that a comprehensive peace agreement with Iran has been “largely negotiated,” raising prospects for an end to the 2026 conflict and a broader regional de-escalation framework...

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, participated in a joint phone call on Saturday with the US President and several leaders of Arab and Islamic…

Earlier on Sunday, a drone strike sparked a fire outside the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi, according to UAE authorities. The post Saudi Arabia intercepts three drones launched from Iraq appeared first on World Israel News .

MAKKAH — Saudi Arabia stressed on Friday that it will not allow the Hajj season to be exploited for any activities that violate its religious purpose, as authorities announced the arrival of more than 1.5 million pilgrims from abroad and revealed the dismantling of hundreds of fake Hajj campaigns across the Kingdom. The remarks came…

ALBAWABA - Israeli officials are watching the developments intently as Washington and Tehran seem on the verge of a preliminary agreement that may be in its final stages, and are concerned about the long-term implications of any such breakthrough in Tel Aviv...

Lebanon's civil defense agency said early on Sunday its regional facility in the southern city of Nabatieh had been destroyed by an Israeli strike. The Directorate General of Civil Defense said the building had collapsed…

(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) [Editor's Note: Follow the Khaleej Times live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.]The UAE has condemned in the ...

RIYADH — The General Authority of Civil Aviation issued a new circular to all airlines operating at the Kingdom’s airports updating regulations governing the carriage of portable chargers (power banks) and electronic devices aboard aircraft.The authority said the updated measures align with international civil aviation safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization and…

ALBAWABA - Turkey’s main opposition party is in the throes of an internal crisis after a court decision invalidated its leadership election in 2023, sparking a struggle for power that threatens to splinter the movement at a pivotal junction in Turkish politics...

Syria's Interior Ministry announced on Saturday the arrest of a former officer in Bashar al-Assad's regime holding the rank of major general and accused of committing crimes and violations. In a statement, the ministry said…

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) QNA Riyadh: The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday the interception and destruction of three drones after they entered the Kingdom's airspace from Iraqi ...

MAKKAH — Saudi Interior Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud reviewed on Thursday the operational readiness of Hajj security forces to implement approved security and organizational plans for the 1447H Hajj season.**media[2711568]**The inspection took place during the annual ceremony organized by participating Hajj security forces in Makkah.Director of Public…

ALBAWABA - A short social media message by a top White House official has sent off a wave of speculation as tensions between Washington and Tehran are elevated and diplomatic efforts continue to stumble...

Hezbollah said Saturday that a message from Tehran showed that Iran would not abandon the Lebanese militant group and that the Islamic republic's latest proposal to end the US-Iran war included a ceasefire in Lebanon.…

MAKKAH — Saudi Hajj security forces began enforcing restrictions on Friday preventing unauthorized vehicles from entering the holy sites ahead of the annual pilgrimage season, with the measures remaining in effect until the end of Dhul Hijjah 13, corresponding to May 30.The move is part of efforts by the Saudi Ministry of Interior to ensure…

ALBAWABA - Frustration is growing inside the White House over the next phase of the battle with Iran, as diplomatic attempts fail to create a breakthrough and fears grow over the likelihood of a prolonged war...

Ten Turkish citizens accused of being ISIS members have been arrested in Syria, Turkish state media said on Saturday. The 10 -- for whom Interpol had issued international alerts, or Red Notices -- were apprehended…

RIYADH — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of the explosion that occurred near a building belonging to the Syrian Ministry of Defense in Damascus, which resulted in the death of a soldier and the injury of civilians.The ministry stated that Saudi Arabia reiterates its firm stance against all forms…

ALBAWABA - More than 50 American aerial refueling planes remain at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport weeks after the ceasefire, raising worries about Washington’s long-term military posture in the region and continued readiness for possible future operations...

Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court has set July 1 for its first hearing in a lawsuit challenging the validity of Ali al-Zaidi’s designation as prime minister, the first legal move of its kind since the current…

RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from Syria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Al-Shaibani.During the call, they discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional developments of mutual interest.

ALBAWABA - Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz flared again on Friday after Iran said 35 commercial ships and oil tankers had crossed the strategic waterway in the last 24 hours in direct coordination with Iranian authorities, boosting Tehran's growing control over one of the world's most important energy arteries...

A Tunisian court sentenced the former head of the national anti-graft body to 10 years in prison over charges including forging documents, his lawyer said on Friday. Chawki Tabib, who is also a prominent lawyer…

JEDDAH — Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif received Head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Alireza Rashidian in Jeddah on Thursday. The minister welcomed pilgrims arriving from Iran, affirming the commitment of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince…

ALBAWABA - The images of demolition operations in southern Lebanon cheered by Israeli troops and their families during a military homecoming function drew worldwide criticism after the video of the occasion was shared on social media...