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Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the Houthi drone attack on the Taiba power distribution station in Madinah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed that this attack constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of Saudi Arabia and a threat to its security…

Algeria’s National People’s Assembly approved a bill on Thursday expanding the death penalty for arson and crimes against children, drawing opposition warnings about the irreversible consequences of judicial error. The amendments to the penal code,…

The United States has imposed new sanctions on Iran’s largest automakers and major rail companies, aiming to pressure Iran economically. These sanctions are part of Washington’s strategy to target key sectors of Iran’s economy.

RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth discussed the two countries’ strategic defense partnership and efforts to strengthen regional security during a phone call on Thursday. “In a call with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, we reviewed the Saudi-US strategic defense partnership and discussed coordinating our efforts…

RIYADH: Gulf states on Thursday condemned a Houthi drone attack on a power distribution station in Madinah that supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque, reiterating their solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid renewed attacks on the Kingdom. The UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait issued separate statements denouncing the attack on the Taiba power distribution station, which Saudi…

LONDON: Lebanon foiled on Thursday an attempt to smuggle about 245 kg of highly explosive material from Syria, the latest in a series of reported weapons-trafficking cases along the neighboring countries’ porous border. The seizure followed surveillance and monitoring operations along Lebanon’s northern and eastern borders, the Lebanese Armed Forces said in a statement, adding…

Security issues dominated secret Turkish-mediated talks between Hezbollah and Syria, during which the two sides exchanged messages aimed at easing tensions. Hezbollah offered assurances that it would stay out of Syria’s security and military affairs…

Egypt warned that repeated Israeli incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque “aim to change the status quo and impose a new reality within the holy site.” In a Foreign Ministry statement on Thursday, Egypt condemned the entry…

Efforts to end the US-Iran war are seesawing between hopes of a breakthrough and threats of renewed bombing. The stalled mediation reveals a dispute not just over what each side must concede, but over who…

The identity and motive of the Omani copilot who stabbed his captain on a flight to Israel, causing the plane to plummet dangerously and forcing it to land in Saudi Arabia, remained unknown on Thursday as investigators raced to learn more.

Iran has rejected allegations of involvement in a suspected plot against a UK airbase, summoning the British ambassador for discussions. This follows claims by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham of Iran’s involvement in the incident concerning a base used by US forces.

LONDON: For decades, the UK-Saudi relationship has been defined by energy, defense, trade and intelligence cooperation. But as conflict and instability increasingly threaten the Gulf’s shipping lanes, energy infrastructure and critical technologies, Sir Liam Fox argues that the partnership now needs to evolve into something broader: a long-term security architecture capable of protecting both national…

LONDON: Palestinian journalist Muhammad Abdel Aziz Al-Najjar was among at least eight people killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, according to Palestinian authorities.Al-Najjar, an imam and presenter for Holy Qur’an Radio, was killed by an Israeli drone while preparing a report on Qur’an memorization in southern Gaza, local media reported.Gaza’s Government…

RIYADH: Houthis in Yemen carried out a drone attack on the Taiba power distribution station in Madinah on Tuesday morning, the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said. An investigation found that the Houthi militia planned and executed the “cowardly terrorist act,” coalition spokesman Turki Al-Maliki said. Authorities carried out an operational review and studied…

MOSCOW: Russia would consider using “all types of weapons”, if its exclave of Kaliningrad was attacked, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday, while insisting that Moscow had “no intention of attacking anyone”. “If it comes to a direct attack on the Russian Federation ... then, of course, the question of the Russian Federation deploying all…

At least 30 Houthis were reportedly killed over the past 24 hours in Yemen’s Taiz province after government forces repelled what officials described as the largest and most coordinated offensive by the Iran-backed group against government-held areas of the province in years. Heavy mortar fire by the Houthis targeting government-controlled areas across much of Taiz…

Carlos Queiroz and the Ghana Football Association have mutually agreed to terminate their contract, marking the second time the coach has left this position. His departure follows Ghana’s recent losses in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.

RIYADH: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Deemah Al-Yahya as a member of the UN High-Level Panel on Freedom of Transit for Landlocked Developing Countries. Al-Yahya represents the Arab region on the panel, a role that reflects her expertise and contributions in the fields of the digital economy, innovation, and international digital cooperation, the Saudi…

The United States has imposed new sanctions on Iran’s largest automakers and major rail companies, aiming to pressure Iran economically. These sanctions are part of Washington’s strategy to target key sectors of Iran’s economy.

LONDON: Smit Machchhar, the FlyDubai captain who was attacked mid-air by his co-pilot, has been moved from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi for continued medical treatment.The Indian pilot was initially taken to hospital in Tabuk, where the flight made an emergency landing on Wednesday morning after he was stabbed in the cockpit. India’s foreign ministry…

LONDON: Manchester City should face the “appropriate consequences” if wrongdoing is established, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Thursday, a day after he expressed concern about City’s owners potentially selling the club. City face the possibility of severe sanctions after being found guilty by an independent commission of serious breaches of…

RIYADH — Deputy Minister of Finance for International Relations Khalid Bawazier headed Saudi Arabia’s delegation attending the 17th meeting of the Arab Finance Ministers Council and the high-level roundtable held in Abu Dhabi. The meeting was organized by the Arab Monetary Fund. The delegation also attended the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Arab Monetary Fund.…

RIYADH — The National Greening Program announced on Thursday that it will launch the 2026 National Greening Season on October 7.Aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030, the nationwide campaign aims to expand vegetation cover, combat desertification, promote the planting of native species suited to the local climate, and foster environmental volunteerism…

RIYADH — The Transport General Authority (TGA), in cooperation with Dammam Airports, has announced the implementation of the first phase of a bus passenger service operating on two shuttle routes connecting King Fahd International Airport with Jubail and Khafji. The TGA stated that the first phase includes shuttle bus services operating in both directions along…

RIYADH — The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said Thursday that a Houthi drone attack targeted the Taibah power distribution station in Madinah, a civilian facility that supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque.Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said the attack occurred at 5:11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29.He said investigations and evidence gathered…

U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa warned Deputy Head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib last month that Israel would launch a full-scale military invasion reaching as far as Beirut, if Hezbollah does not hand over its weapons, al-Modon newspaper reported.

Dubai: Emirates diverted flight EK31 from Dubai to London Heathrow to Frankfurt, Germany, after a passenger suffered a medical emergency on board, the airline said.Emirates Airlines explained that the cabin crew members provided assistance to the passenger during the flight and dealt with the situation according to the procedures followed, while the necessary medical support…

Dubai: Registrations are now open for the 10th edition of the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC), which encourages residents and visitors across the city to commit to 30 minutes of daily exercise for 30 days. Running from 31 October to 29 November 2026, DFC aims to inspire one and all to discover a fitter self with…

Sharjah: Visitors to the 58th Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show at Expo Centre Sharjah are turning their attention to one of the exhibition’s most striking displays - the world’s tallest gold bar, which holds an official Guinness World Records title and is showcased by BTC.The gold bar measures 2.12 metres (6 feet 11.5 inches),…

Dubai: Dubai Media outlined its priorities for its next phase of growth, placing innovation, digital transformation and closer collaboration with advertisers at the centre of its plans to strengthen its position as a leading media organisation in the region.Bringing together advertisers, agencies and business partners at Majlis Al Salam, Madinat Jumeirah, the “Dubai Media –…

LONDON: Hundreds of Palestinians gathered in Gaza City on Thursday for the funeral of 105 people whose remains were recovered from beneath residential buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrikes early in the war, Palestinian media reported. Families and other residents performed funeral prayers before the remains were buried at the Martyrs Cemetery in the Sheikh Radwan…

Turkey’s intelligence agency has detained a suspect linked to a deadly twin bombing in 2013 near the Syrian border while he attempted to flee to Europe. The attack in Reyhanli resulted in 53 deaths, highlighting the spillover from the Syrian civil war.

DUBAI: Intensifying summer heat and accelerating climate change is a problem faced by every city in the world. Perhaps nowhere is it as destructive to everyday life than in the Arab world, where even before any notable global warming, summer temperatures can reach unbearable levels. It is a problem that urban planners and architects from…

Zinedine Zidane, famous for his 2006 World Cup final headbutt incident, returns to face Italy as France’s coach in the Nations League. Zidane has started strong with two wins, with the match against Italy marking his first home appearance as coach of Les Bleus.

Ben Davis, a senior official at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, claimed he lost his job for criticizing Israeli actions in Gaza, stating he violated impartiality rules by organizing silent protests regarding starvation issues. FAO director-general Qu Dongyu condemned staff involvement in human rights discussions, suggesting such matters should be handled by dedicated agencies,…

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority of Foreign Trade (GAFT), held a virtual technical meeting on Thursday with the European Union (EU), co-chaired by GAFT Deputy Governor for International Relations Abdelaziz Al-Sakran and Head of Unit for Middle East at the European Commission's Directorate General for Trade and Economic Security Ignacio Díez.…

Madinaty Golf Club concluded the second Asian Development Tour (ADT) tournament on Thursday, marking the end of a two-week stretch of international professional competitions at the venue. The event, which serves as the 14th tournament in the “Golf Egypt” series, featured a field of professional golfers from around the world. The competition followed the successful…

First phase covers Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Dhaid and Fujairah passenger stations Abu Dhabi: Etihad Rail, Q Mobility and Parkin have signed a strategic partnership to develop and operate smart parking facilities across Etihad Rail’s…

A wind turbine described by its developer as the world's tallest now rises 365 meters (1,197 feet) above the sparsely populated landscape of eastern Germany, surpassing the height of the Eiffel Tower.

RIYADH: After a dizzying day in Riyadh, I found myself in need of nourishment so headed over to the cozy The Lighthouse. “Named after the lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the lighthouse is a restaurant concept store and communal all under one roof,” the menu read. It continued:…

RIYADH: The Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition has expanded its footprint but sharply reduced the number of participating exhibitors this year, with the 2026 edition covering 197,000 square meters but bringing together 254 exhibitors and brands from 20 countries, compared with more than 1,400 exhibitors from 47 countries last year. The 10-day exhibition opened…

As the US and leading labs continue with the full-speed development of artificial intelligence, the conversation should be focusing more on what advanced AI will actually mean when it arrives. We are talking about systems capable of recursive self-improvement, meaning AI that will be able to redesign and upgrade its own intelligence without ongoing human…

RIYADH: A new podcast presented by the Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, Faisal J. Abbas, premieres with a landmark interview with Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia's former intelligence chief and ex-ambassador to both the United Kingdom and the United States. Titled "Arab Views", the podcast will speak to influential voices from the Middle East, and probe…

GENEVA: A staff member at humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières has tested positive for the Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease while working on the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of Congo, MSF said on Thursday. “This person is being safely evacuated under a strict medical protocol in close coordination with the relevant health authorities ⁠in…

SpaceX’s Starship Flight 14 launched last week, marking a new era for the space industry. It reached orbit and successfully deployed 26 Starlink satellites. It has rightly been described as a genuine change in what is economically and physically possible in space. This was not just another rocket launch, as Starship’s fully reusable design can…

HAMBURG: Tunisia’s state grains agency has issued an international tender to purchase about 100,000 metric tons of durum wheat, European traders said on Thursday. The origin is optional and the deadline for submission of price offers is Friday, October 2. The durum is ⁠sought in four ⁠25,000-ton consignments. Shipment is sought between November 5 and…

RIYADH: Bloomberg said on Thursday it had expanded operations in Saudi Arabia with the opening of a new office in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, nearly two decades after establishing a presence in the Kingdom. The financial data and media company has operated in Saudi Arabia since 2007, working with banks, asset managers, sovereign wealth…

LONDON: Syrian authorities began restoring gas supplies on Thursday to the Deir Ali power plant after an explosion at a pipeline serving the Tishreen thermal plant near Damascus forced several generating stations offline and reduced electricity available on the national grid. Technical crews started gradually repressurizing the Arab Gas Pipeline between Adra and Deir Ali,…