
Colombia opens embassy in West Jerusalem as new president embraces Israel Elis Gjevori on Wed, 10/14/2026 - 12:30 Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar welcomed the move as 'breaking new ground' The Colombian foreign minister Omar Bula Escobar and his his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar at the embassy opening in West Jersualem. (gidonsaar/X) Off Colombia opened its embassy in West Jerusalem on Wednesday, following a controversial decision by the country’s new pro-Israeli president, Abelardo

DUBAI: Four members of the Syrian Arab Republic’s Road Security forces were killed recently by unidentified gunmen on the Salamiyah-Athriya road in the Hama countryside, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday. Ministry spokesman Noureddine Al-Baba said the attackers targeted two patrols on the road, state news agency Sana reported. “The criminal act will not deter us from continuing our mission to pursue criminals and bring them to justice,” Al-Baba said, adding that the attack would strengthen

France is on the precipice of a far-right landslide Rayan Freschi on Wed, 10/07/2026 - 21:08 Presidential frontrunner Marine Le Pen's hijab obsession is merely a symptom of the country's deeply rooted Islamophobia National Rally leader Marine Le Pen speaks during a party rally in Chalons-en-Champagne, France, on 18 March 2026 (Sameer al-Doumy/AFP) Off The French presidential race has begun. For the first time since 2017, Emmanuel Macron won’t be a part of it. And for the first time in her c

NEW YORK: An American woman alleged to have been an Daesh group member caught by anti-Daesh forces in Syria went on trial in New York on Tuesday, charged with receiving military training from the terrorist group. Halima Salman, 27, was one of hundreds of women who ended up in the territory controlled by the Islamic State (IS) married to terrorist fighters before being captured and detained pending their repatriation. The fate of these women and their children has proven a sticking point for the

LONDON: The Syrian Arab Republic has submitted more than 100,000 official documents to the international chemical weapons watchdog, Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani said on Tuesday. Speaking at a joint news conference in Damascus with Sabrina Dallafior, director-general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Al-Shaibani said the government had disclosed facilities and munitions concealed by the ousted government of Bashar Assad. “Last June, we took the initiative to corre

The Israeli army has arrested more than 200 people in southern Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, according to the Sijil Centre, which tracks Israeli activity in Syria. The Israeli military says it is targeting “suspected terrorists”. Witnesses, for their part, have denounced the arbitrary arrests, while former detainees and their loved ones have raised serious concerns over conditions in detention.
Two cargo ships were hit by suspected Russian drones near Bulgaria, resulting in one ship sinking and 11 sailors missing. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev summoned Russia’s ambassador following the incident.
Israel's Syria policy could ultimately invite US pressure to abandon its buffer zone without significant security concessions if it fails to engage Damascus diplomatically, INSS warns.

Hunger strike in Lebanese prisons ends after settlement over amnesty bill reached Maya Saad on Tue, 10/13/2026 - 09:24 Over 600 prisoners were on hunger strike for 30 days in protest against the suspension of the law People wave flags during a protest calling for the release of detained Islamists held in Roumieh prison in the northern Lebanese port city of Tripoli on 5 January 2025 (Ibrahim Chalhoub/AFP) Off Prisoners in Lebanon announced that they were ending an open-ended hunger strike on

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has condemned continued Israeli military actions in Syria, calling for Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Syrian territory and full respect for the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on the humanitarian and political situation in Syria on Monday evening, Pakistan’s Acting Permanent Representative, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, said Israeli actions violated international law and Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, u
LONDON: As Israel heads toward elections, its bulldozers are pushing deeper into southern Syria, widening the gap between diplomatic efforts to reach a security agreement and developments on the ground. In the hills of Quneitra province, excavation work on a project known as the Sufa 53 Line is reshaping terrain near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and raising questions about Israel’s intentions as Damascus pursues negotiations. Analysts say the work could entrench Israel’s military presence,
LONDON: As Israel heads toward elections, its bulldozers are pushing deeper into southern Syria, widening the gap between diplomatic efforts to reach a security agreement and developments on the ground. In the hills of Quneitra province, excavation work on a project known as the Sufa 53 Line is reshaping terrain near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and raising questions about Israel’s intentions as Damascus pursues negotiations. Analysts say the work could entrench Israel’s military presence,

'Riyadh no longer feels safe': Houthi strikes shatter Saudi capital's aura of calm Faisal Edroos on Mon, 10/12/2026 - 16:25 Deadly attacks on the kingdom's main airport have shaken expatriates' sense of security and threatened Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a global hub for tourism and investment Smoke and flames rise from King Khalid Airport in Riyadh on 10 October 2026 after Yemen's Houthis attacked the facility (Reuters) Off Riyadh has long presented itself as a safe haven from the tu

Syria’s state-operated postal service has resumed parcel deliveries between provinces and reopened international shipping routes, expanded its network and developed financial and digital services as it seeks to reconnect with customers and overseas markets. Syrian Post’s director general, Emad Al-Din Hamad, said it had opened or reactivated 164 postal offices over the past year and was preparing to launch international money transfers, as it works to restore services disrupted for years by war,

Franco-Syrian five-piece SARAB, or mirage in Arabic, make what can be described as poetic punk rock, blending guitar-heavy riffs with classical Arabic sounds and socially conscious lyrics. They're on tour with their latest album "Mit Warde – Cent Roses", a record dedicated to the victims of war around the world, from Gaza to Syria. We also speak to Tom McFarland from British neo-soul band Jungle, who are on tour with their radiant fifth album "Sunshine".

UK advises against using any Saudi airport except Medina Imran Mulla on Mon, 10/12/2026 - 09:12 The UK has further warned British nationals not to try and leave Saudi Arabia via airports in the country An air traffic control tower is seen at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on 19 September 2026 (AFP) Off The British government has advised its citizens against all but essential travel to parts of Saudi Arabia, including Jeddah and Dammam, and to all airports in the country except M

That figure, which includes strikes in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran, shows the breadth of conflict Israel has waged since the Hamas terrorist attacks upended the region

A fresh Houthi strike hit Riyadh’s international airport on Sunday, killing one person — a Pakistani resident — and wounding 11 others, a day after another deadly attack claimed by the Yemeni group forced authorities to suspend operations there. Saturday’s attack, the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than a decade, was a sharp escalation in the Yemen war, where Riyadh has long militarily supported the internationally recognised government against the Houthis. The group on Sunday claimed multiple

AS URDU’S literary world is embracing the digital realities and moving towards the online versions, some of Urdu’s literary journals, in particular ones published by our universities’ Urdu departments, have adopted the digital-version-only strategy. So, the literature buffs who are not so tech-savvy may miss out on some new research and critical works, albeit the general standard of Urdu’s research journals published by universities has fallen dramatically. One of the reasons for this tangible l

A fresh Houthi strike hit Riyadh’s international airport on Sunday, killing one person — a Pakistani resident — and wounding 11 others, a day after another deadly attack claimed by the Yemeni group forced authorities to suspend operations there. Saturday’s attack, the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than a decade, was a sharp escalation in the Yemen war, where Riyadh has long militarily supported the internationally recognised government against the Houthis. The group on Sunday claimed multiple

Four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals, a Palestinian, a US citizen, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian and a Sudanese were killed in the attack along with the Indian national.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani visited Libya to discuss cooperation and security with local officials, including the deputy commander of the Libyan National Army, amid concerns regarding Syrian citizens who have gone missing while attempting to immigrate to Europe from Libya. The families of 200 missing Syrians recently protested in Damascus, seeking information on their loved ones' fates. Al-Shaibani's visit follows the reopening of the Syrian Embassy in Tripoli after a 14-year closu

A fresh Houthi strike hit Riyadh’s international airport on Sunday, a day after another attack claimed by the Yemeni group killed at least a dozen people and forced authorities to suspend operations at the facility. Saturday’s attack, the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than a decade, was a sharp escalation in the Yemen war, where Riyadh backs the internationally recognised government against the Houthis. The group on Sunday claimed multiple attacks over the last 24 hours, including on the airpo

JEDDAH: The King Khalid International Airport attack has left 12 people dead and 309 injured, some critically, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation. The fatalities include four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, and victims from the US, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. As families and friends mourned their loved ones, tributes, funeral announcements, and prayers for the injured were shared on X. Taqwa Radwan A relative identified one of the Saudi victims as Taqwa Rad

DHAKA: Bangladesh condemned on Sunday a deadly Houthi strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which killed at least two of its nationals. At least 12 people were killed in Saturday’s attack, including four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, as well as nationals of the US, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan, according to the Kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation. More than 300 others were injured. “Bangladesh strongly and unequivocally condemns the deadly Houthi attack on Ki

NEW DELHI: India joined in solidarity with Saudi Arabia on Sunday, as it condemned a major attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, in which at least 12 people were killed and more than 300 injured. The victims of Saturday’s attack in Riyadh included four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, as well as nationals of the US, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan, according to the Kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation. India’s Ministry of External Affairs described the Houthi attack

LONDON: Israeli forces entered a valley near the village of Abidin in southern Syria on Sunday, preventing farmers from working their land, Syria’s state-run news agency SANA reported. The force, traveling in three military vehicles, advanced into the Yarmouk Basin in western Daraa province before withdrawing toward Jamla and returning to occupied territory through the Tal Abu Al-Ghaithar gate, according to SANA’s reporter. An Israeli soldier also damaged a farmer’s motorcycle during the incursi
CSA released its “Abraham Accords Expansion Opportunities: Middle East Analysis” report on October 8, assessing nine Muslim-majority countries without formal diplomatic relations with Israel.

Houthi forces warn against use of Saudi airports following Riyadh attack Fleur Hargreaves on Sun, 10/11/2026 - 13:56 Warning comes one day after an alleged Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh airport forced authorities to halt operations Military spokesman of Yemen's Houthi group Yahya Saree addresses a Palestine solidarity rally in the capital Sanaa on 2 May 2025 (Mohammed Huwais/AFP) Off Yemen’s Houthis have delivered renewed warnings to stay away from all Saudi airports except Mecca a

Attacks by 'Iran’s proxies' pushing region into spiral of violence, says EU on Riyadh airport strike MEE staff on Sun, 10/11/2026 - 11:38 Commission president called for an immediate end to attacks on civilians, while foreign policy chief described the strike as an 'appalling act of terror' An empty terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1 March 2026 (Fayez Nureldine/AFP) Off European Union leaders have condemned the alleged Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia's Kin

US president Donald Trump says he is weighing whether the US will join Saudi strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis Saturday’s attack was the third launched on the Saudi capital’s main airport this week- with the missile making it past Saudi air defences to strike terminals 3 and 4 of King Khalid airport where hundreds of passengers were awaiting domestic flights. The attack killed at least 12 people and injured 309 at last count, say Saudi officials. The dead include four Saudi citizens, two

Attack on Riyadh airport leaves 12 dead, more than 300 injured At least 12 people were killed and 309 others injured in an attack on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh as Yemen's Houthis escalated the campaign they launched this summer against the kingdom. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said in a statement on Sunday that four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis, one American, one Egyptian, one Jordanian, one Syrian, one Palestinian and one Sudanese were ki

At least 12 people were killed and more than 300 wounded in an attack on Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday, the deadliest in the kingdom in more than a decade, as the Houthis escalate a campaign they launched this summer. The dead from the third attack this week on the airport included four Saudis, two people from Bangladesh and one person each from the US, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt, the Saudi civil aviation authority said. At the latest count, 309 were wounded, official

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday condemned a Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which claimed the lives of 12 and injured over 300 people, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. In a post on X, the premier maintained that targeting civilian and critical infrastructure was “completely unacceptable and [constitutes] a serious threat to regional peace and stability. “Such acts of violenc

An attack on Riyadh’s international airport killed at least 12 people and wounded 309 others, some of them seriously, Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation officials said on Saturday, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to vow on Sunday a decisive response against Yemen’s Houthis. Four Saudi citizens were among the dead, as well as two Bangladeshis, one US citizen, one Egyptian, one Jordanian, one Syrian, one Palestinian and one Sudanese, the statement added. The coalition blamed the group for the strike

Attack on Riyadh airport leaves 12 dead, more than 300 injured MEE staff on Sun, 10/11/2026 - 01:03 Saudi-led military coalition vows 'firm' response as Trump says US may join strikes on Houthis A Flynas plane lands at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on 19 September 2026. (AFP) Off At least 12 people were killed and 309 others injured in an attack on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International airport in Riyadh as Iran-backed Houthis escalated the campaign they launched this summer

Riyadh airport attack kills 12 and injures 309, Saudi aviation authority says An attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed at least 12 people and wounded 309, Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority says. In a statement issued on Saturday, the authority identified the dead as four Saudis, two Bangladeshis and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.

An attack on Riyadh’s international airport killed at least 12 people and wounded 309 others, some of them seriously, Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation officials said on Saturday. Four Saudi citizens were among the dead, as well as two Bangladeshis, one US citizen, one Egyptian, one Jordanian, one Syrian, one Palestinian and one Sudanese, the statement added. Earlier in the day, authorities had suspended operations at Riyadh’s international airport. The Saudi civil aviation authority had initially

When Jihan Hamad Al-Khalaf and her extended family decided to leave Turkiye and return to Syria, there was little debate among them. Five of the seven related families had been away since 2013, while the other two left in 2018. Some of their children had only faint memories of Syria, while others had never seen it. Yet after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in December 2024, Al-Khalaf said their decision was “immediate and collective.” “Conditions and pressures in Turkiye helped accelerate the

When Jihan Hamad Al-Khalaf and her extended family decided to leave Turkiye and return to Syria, there was little debate among them. Five of the seven related families had been away since 2013, while the other two left in 2018. Some of their children had only faint memories of Syria, while others had never seen it. Yet after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in December 2024, Al-Khalaf said their decision was “immediate and collective.” “Conditions and pressures in Turkiye helped accelerate the

DAMASCUS: A recent update from the EU Aviation Safety Agency reflects progress in assessing the safety of Syrian airspace, particularly a reduction in risk levels for overflights at higher altitudes and the possibility of using specific sections of the airspace under approved technical requirements. In a post on X, Omar Hosari, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, said the development coincided with a meeting between the authority, the EU mission and heads of
The dead included four Saudis, two people from Bangladesh and one person each from the US, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt, the Saudi civil aviation authority said.
By Timour Azhari and Enas Alashray RIYADH, Oct 10 (Reuters) - The third attack this week on Riyadh's international airport on Saturday left at least 12 people dead and more than 300 wounded, Saudi authorities said, and the Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for the strike, a major escalation of their campaign against the Saudis. The dead included four Saudis, two people from Bangladesh and one person each from the US, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt, the Saudi civil aviation a
By Timour Azhari and Enas Alashray RIYADH, Oct 10 (Reuters) - At least 12 people were killed and more than 300 wounded in an attack on Riyadh's international airport on Saturday, the deadliest in the kingdom in more than a decade, as the Iran-backed Houthis escalate a campaign they launched this summer. The dead from the third attack this week on the airport included four Saudis, two people from Bangladesh and one person each from the US, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan and Egypt, the Saudi civi

A loud blast was heard at the airport in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday, an eyewitness and people briefed on the matter said, amid an escalation of missile strikes on the kingdom by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group. The Saudi government’s media office and the Saudi civil aviation authority did not immediately respond to requests for comment. King Khalid International Airport urged passengers to contact their airlines directly and check their flight status before heading to the...
Morning recap If you are just joining us, here are key developments from across the region and beyond: * Yemen's government has said more than 1,400 Houthi fighters were "neutralised" in more than 2,750 precision strikes its forces carried out during military operations over the past 24 hours. * The Kremlin has said US President Donald Trump welcomed Russia’s involvement in efforts aimed at reaching a settlement over Iran, Reuters reported. * Israeli forces have killed a 32-year-old Palestinian
UN: Israeli forces made 280 incursions into Syria, detain 49 Syrians Israel has carried out 280 armed incursions into Syria in September and currently detains 49 Syrians, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has said. Several released Syrian detainees have reported “allegations of torture and ill-treatment”, among other violations against them, according to a statement issued by Turk’s office on Friday. Israeli incursions into Syria in September -- marked by raids on homes, restr
Israeli military raids village in Syria's Quneitra province Israeli military has carried out raids and search operations in the village of Rasm al-Haydarah in Syria's Quneitra province, which has been a target of frequent Israeli incursions and artillery attacks. On Wednesday, Israeli military shelled the outskirts of the al-Samdaniya al-Sharqiya village in Quneitra. Two artillery rounds landed in agricultural areas surrounding the village. Syria's Al-Ikhbariah TV reported last Sunday that Isr

Five Syrians and one Lebanese wounded in latest Israeli attack, Lebanon's health authorities say.