English-language daily newspaper published in Riyadh, serving businesspeople, executives and diplomats.
The Crown Prosecution Service has charged Dr. Vincent Brown, a 65-year-old doctor formerly known as Vincent Bajinya, with conduct ancillary to genocide and six counts of murder as a crime against humanity. He is the first person in Britain to face such charges for the 1994 Rwanda genocide. Proceedings have moved to the Old Bailey, with a next appearance scheduled for October 9.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Washington for a three-day state visit and a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump to press an extension of a trade truce, negotiate AI cooperation and raise cases of Americans held in China. Preparatory talks have produced limited deliverables; officials expect modest, targeted outcomes rather than broad breakthroughs.
A gunman has opened fire outside the Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, wounding a police officer; the suspect has died after hospitalisation. Ontarios SIU and Belleville police have opened investigations and police have increased patrols near places of worship. Separately, Reform synagogues in Jerusalem and other countries have reported repeated vandalism and harassment targeting LGBTQ-friendly and non-Orthodox communities.
Over the past 48 hours, clashes have erupted in Jalud and nearby villages as Israeli settlers, backed by security forces, attacked Palestinian homes and property. The violence disrupts attempts to return a displaced Palestinian family to Jalud amid mounting international criticism of settler actions.
Talks between Iran and the U.S. at the U.N. General Assembly have yielded little progress, and Iran has warned the conflict could escalate after the Nov. 3 vote. President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s ceasefire proposal, pushing Brent above $107 and sending U.S. Treasury yields to multi‑year highs as markets price sustained energy-driven inflation.
Palestinian worshippers face access restrictions as Israeli security forces tighten control around Al-Aqsa during Sukkot and Yom Kippur, with settlers and high-level Israeli officials conducting rites at the site. Across East Jerusalem and the West Bank, clashes, closures, and arrests continue as international actors call for restraint.
Malaysia is coordinating a limited, voluntary repatriation of Rohingya from detention centers to Myanmar, while rights groups warn of ongoing danger and call for safe, dignified returns. The move comes as Bangladesh, China, and regional players weigh broader political settlement amid tensions over refugees.
Palestinian communities in the West Bank report intensified clashes with Israeli settlers backed by occupation forces. Across multiple towns, settlers have attacked homes, seized property, and sparked confrontations amid a surge in violence since 2022.
The attorney general has ordered a one-month postponement of bids for housing in the E1 area near Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim, citing concerns the process could influence the Oct. 27 election. Rights groups and international actors have warned the plan would fracture West Bank contiguity and undermine a two‑state solution.
Saudi authorities label the attempted drone strike on Mecca a red-line incident and a dangerous escalation, while world capitals urge restraint as regional tensions threaten maritime routes and energy supplies.
A surge of runway shows and campaigns in Paris, Milan and Dubai highlights how brands are leaning into luxury heritage and performance, even as the industry faces a soft market. Designers are unveiling new creative directors and collections that mix traditional craftsmanship with modern spectacle, underscoring a shift toward tangible, wearable luxury.
Arab News and Guardian pieces show how regional stuffed-vegetable dishes—from peppers to tomatoes—are being reinterpreted across cuisines. The Guardian reflects on British nostalgia and Ottoman influence, while Arab News highlights authentic Chinese and Italian dining as examples of how food stories travel and adapt.
The UK has announced a broad set of sanctions over Israeli settlements, targeting goods, financing and services linked to the West Bank. Lawmakers and experts call for a fuller approach, citing the occupation itself and the need for stronger action to support a two-state solution.
A large microalgae bloom has clogged intake systems at five of Israel’s six coastal desalination plants, forcing temporary shutdowns and reduced output. Scientists link the bloom to currents from the Nile Delta and warm sea temperatures; some experts say untreated sewage from Gaza has increased nutrient loads. Authorities have mobilised backup supplies and restricted agricultural use while plants recover.
A surge in forest and peatland fires across Indonesia’s Borneo and Sumatra has intensified toxic haze, fueling health risks and prompting international firefighting assistance. El Niño-driven drought and centuries of land degradation are driving the crisis, with cross-border air pollution affecting neighboring Malaysia and Singapore.
Saudi Arabia has convened the chiefs of staff from Turkey and Pakistan to plan practical support under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement after weeks of Houthi missile and drone strikes. Military leaders have agreed to deepen intelligence sharing, integrate defensive capabilities and begin translating the pact into operational cooperation.
Israel has demolished an extensive Hezbollah tunnel complex under the Ali al‑Taher ridge in southern Lebanon; the blast registered as a 4.1‑magnitude tremor and Israeli leaders have said forces will hold a self‑declared security zone. Israeli far‑right minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for a Gaza and West Bank campaign similar to Gaza operations, while Gaza health officials have reported continuing casualties and displacement.
Ukraine faces intensified Russian strikes targeting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities, with multiple cities reporting casualties and widespread damage. Western diplomacy and fear of winter shortages shape the response as Moscow presses its campaign and Kyiv seeks international support.
Gulf states and Iran have been negotiating a temporary shipping framework for the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing war-related disruptions. Oman and Iran are coordinating on routes while Bahrain has declined participation. Oil-price volatility remains as markets watch for a regional security framework to emerge.
Cross-border hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated after Pakistan unleashed airstrikes against militant targets inside Afghanistan. Kabul has condemned the strikes as civilian casualties rise, while regional mediators warn of further turmoil as militants adapt to new fronts along the frontier. The events unfold amid ongoing security operations and a volatile border landscape.
The Venice Special Jury Prize for NAZA has triggered a political firestorm in Israel. Culture Minister Miki Zohar calls to strip the filmmakers’ citizenship, while Prime Minister Netanyahu and other officials condemn the film as treasonous. The documentary cites 24 anonymous Israeli insiders and alleges AI-assisted targeting and anticipated civilian casualties in Gaza; the filmmakers say the film seeks accountability.
Mahmoud Khalil has filed a federal civil‑rights lawsuit against Columbia University, its trustees and the SIPA dean, alleging the university’s ‘‘deliberate indifference’’ allowed doxxing, harassment and a false narrative that helped prompt his 104‑day ICE detention in 2025. The suit asks to restore campus access, lift the Palestine Working Group suspension and seek damages.
Ukraine has proposed de-escalatory steps with assurances from partners to halt strikes on critical infrastructure, while Russia continues attacks on energy facilities. Trump calls for a mutual halt to strikes; Zelenskyy says any ceasefire must be long-term and verifiable. Western sanctions and energy pressures loom as winter approaches.
The Ceuta migrant influx has intensified Spain’s immigration debate and drawn solidarity gestures from international football stars. Real Madrid players wore solidarity shirts partially rolled up before a La Liga match, provoking mixed political reactions. Local unrest and EU tensions persist as thousands remain in Ceuta while authorities assess asylum claims.
Syrian President al-Sharaa has told the UN that Israel’s strikes in Syria are unacceptable and that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian. He has urged withdrawal from border areas and signaled openness to a security agreement, as talks with Israel show progress toward a broader peace.
A coalition including the TPLF, Amhara Fano and OLA has declared the Alliance for Survival to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and establish a transitional government. Fighting is intensifying across Tigray, Amhara and Oromia as both sides mobilize and regional powers weigh in. Flights to Tigray have been canceled as Mekelle’s airport is seized, and tensions with Eritrea and Sudan are rising.
UN Security Council has ordered UNIFIL to begin withdrawing by year-end. Lebanon’s army is expanding deployments in the south as Hezbollah disarmament talks stall. Israeli operations persist with airstrikes, demolitions, and staged clashes near Deir Mimas as regional diplomacy intensifies.
The Supreme Court has granted a pause while it hears arguments in December on the Trump administration’s policy to deport migrants to third countries with minimal notice. Lower courts have required a meaningful chance for migrants to argue safety concerns before removal. The Biden-era government is appealing, arguing that the policy is a lawful tool in immigration enforcement.
Gaza remains under heavy Israeli strikes with multiple fatalities reported across Khan Younis, Jabalia and Gaza City. Officials say the toll is rising amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations and aid delivery concerns.
Pakistan and Afghanistan remain locked in a cycle of cross-border clashes and air strikes, with the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) claiming attacks inside Pakistan and Kabul denying sheltering militants. The latest flare-ups follow a series of air strikes and border clashes that have raised regional security concerns.
Qatar has established Doha Investment to manage its local portfolio, consolidating 45 state-owned enterprises to bolster national champions and diversify away from hydrocarbons amid regional tensions and supply disruptions.
Over the past days, Israeli forces have intensified operations following a spate of attacks near West Bank settlements. An Israeli soldier has been critically wounded, and attackers have been killed in multiple incidents. Ambassadors and family members are expressing concern as the conflict escalates amid a festive period.
Moroccans have gone to the polls to elect 395 deputies in a vote dominated by economic grievances, high youth unemployment and fallout from last years Gen Z protests and Julys mass crossing into Ceuta. Nearly 16 million registered voters face an electorate skewed to older cohorts; only about 4% of registrants are aged 1824. Results are expected Thursday.
Ceer has unveiled its Exobot sedan and SUV at a ceremony in King Abdullah Economic City, marking the first two vehicles from Saudi Arabia’s homegrown electric-vehicle brand. The launch signals a broader push under Vision 2030 to localize manufacturing, create jobs, and position the Kingdom as a regional EV hub.
Charges against five Stanford students related to a 2024 pro-Palestinian demonstration are being dismissed if they complete 100 hours of community service and pay about $52,000 in restitution. A mistrial had previously been declared; the case has shifted to the Attorney General’s office for final disposition.
Iraq’s prime minister has extended the deadline for militias to disarm to June 2027, delaying Sept. 30’s originally planned milestone. Authorities say a new directorate will oversee the process, while immunities and PMF involvement remain points of contention with Washington. The US continues to pressure Baghdad to consolidate arms under state control.
Iran says it can reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the United States eases military pressure and lifts its blockade on Iranian ports. Tehran’s delegation to the UN General Assembly has full authority to revive diplomacy, and the United States says it is open to talks, though no direct meeting is scheduled.
A 22-year-old rope-access technician has died during an illumination project at Rome’s Colosseum. The second level is closed as authorities investigate and mourn the tragedy, with the park promising transparency as workers and unions seek answers.
Sudan faces renewed international pressure as talks on ending the civil war show shifting positions. Sudanese authorities advocate a Sudanese-led path, with external support framed as monitoring rather than directing the process. Diplomatic tensions surface over visa access to UN events and ceasefire strategies, with attention turning to security reform and civilian protection.
The far-right Alternative for Germany has surged in Saxony-Anhalt, nearly claiming government power as CDU support collapses. The shift raises questions about Germany’s place in Europe, NATO, and EU policy amid broader nationalist trends across Europe.
Palestinian olive farmers have faced widespread uprooting of trees by the Israeli army in Deir Nidham, Deir Nizam, and surrounding areas. Harvest season, which typically starts in October, is now overshadowed by fear and access barriers as settler attacks and military operations intensify. Officials estimate a harvest of about 21,000 tonnes, but access to land remains a critical obstacle.
Saudi Arabia hosts 500+ exhibitors from 25 countries for the fourth edition in Jeddah. Indonesia will showcase designers and jumputan textiles to spotlight its modest fashion on a global stage. Indonesian brands expect doors to open for partnerships and market access, with Saudi demand projected to grow toward a $40 billion market by 2029.
The Senate has rejected a War Powers Resolution that would require President Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from Iran absent congressional approval. The vote follows prior House action and reflects ongoing debate over constitutional authority and war powers as the administration faces mounting public concern over the conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a central bargaining chip as Washington and Tehran pursue a phased path to end the conflict. Officials say navigation could reopen within days if the US lifts sanctions and Iran grants access to frozen assets; negotiators warn the process will unfold in stages, with both sides wary of conceding leverage.
Arab News reports on Khasher Mountain Peak in Jazan’s Al-Dayer, a highland area offering scenic views, terraced farms, and heritage sites. The journey to Raydah Peak rises to 1,660 meters, with villages and farms weaving through mountain roads and viewpoints that become part of the visitor experience.
Iran has outlined a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if its conditions are met, while negotiations with the United States face hurdles. Tehran reiterates its rights and demands a negotiated solution, even as the U.S. signals cautious engagement. The international community watches for mediators to convey concrete positions.
Drone strikes hit a major fuel depot near Wad Madani and explosions hit Nyala, amid ongoing Sudanese conflict since 2023. The US has denied a visa to Sudan’s de facto leader for the UN General Assembly, while Burhan vows to eliminate the militia, deepening political standoff.
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman invites UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour to Riyadh as both nations discuss bilateral relations and regional developments, including the Yemen conflict and Houthis’ pressure on Riyadh. The talks follow a thaw in ties and reflect ongoing diplomacy in the Gulf.
Israeli Prime Minister has warned that enemies will try to attack ahead of the October 27 elections. Netanyahu has issued warnings to Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and other groups, while Defence Minister Katz vows to target Hamas leaders abroad. Opposition leaders seek security briefings as polls show a tight race.