English-language daily newspaper from Riyadh; businesspeople, executives and diplomats readership
Ukraine has reported that Starlink and its military sister service Starshield have been limited to roughly 160 km/h inside Ukraine, disrupting drone guidance and logistics during recent Russian strikes. Kyiv has accused SpaceX or Washington of imposing the throttle; Elon Musk has said Starshield is controlled by the US government and that usage limits are set by the US military and president.
Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali has won a defamation case against GB News’ Alex Armstrong and Bernadette Spofforth. The High Court has ordered apologies and substantial damages after posts accusing him of taking part in the 2024 Harehills riots harmed his reputation. Ali says the case highlights how social media smears target public figures who assist communities in crisis.
A Washington Post photographer, Heidi Levine, has been beaten and robbed by masked Israeli settlers while documenting Palestinians harvesting olives near Abu Falah on 16 October. Levine has been hospitalised with broken vertebrae, a broken rib and other injuries; US, press and rights groups have called for an investigation and arrests.
Mauritius has shortened its overnight curfew to 10 p.m.–4:30 a.m. after days of protests over water shortages and the cost of living that escalated when a police officer shot and wounded a 27‑year‑old woman. Authorities have arrested the officer, detained dozens of people and closed schools and public transport as they increase deployments and checkpoints.
Israeli strikes have continued across northern, central and southern Gaza, killing and wounding civilians since the October 2025 ceasefire. Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported more than 1,500 Palestinians killed and 5,300 injured during the truce year, and roughly 74,000 killed since the October 2023 war began. Displacement, shortages and restrictions on aid remain acute.
Palestinian olive growers face a wave of settler assaults, theft, and tree destruction across Nablus, Ramallah, and Hebron as harvest season continues. Israeli forces are deterring farmers amid a surge in violence, with several injuries and arrests reported by local sources and media.
Ottolenghi Edinburgh has opened on George Street, Edinburgh, in the former Ragu site. Yotam Ottolenghi and Neil Campbell lead a transformed space offering a broad menu, from miso hake to Scottish puddings, with a lively launch attended by notable figures. The restaurant promises a vibrant, globally inspired menu and a strong emphasis on atmosphere.
SpaceX has achieved an orbital Starship flight, deploying 26 Starlink V3 satellites and signaling a new era of high-frequency, reusable launches. The mission faced an early engine issue but proceeded to orbit with a Pacific splashdown and a rapid return-to-flight plan taking shape for future missions.
Libya’s eastern House of Representatives has replaced speaker Agila Saleh with Abdulnabi Al-Obeidi after approving a new rule limiting the speaker and deputies to a single 12-month term. The move follows parliamentary discontent and aligns with Haftar’s eastern bloc, raising questions about national reconciliation as UN-backed talks stall.
Saudi-led forces have intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels toward Riyadh, officials and residents have reported. Recent Houthi strikes have hit King Khalid and Abha airports, killed foreign residents and wounded dozens, forced flight suspensions and prompted Saudi counterstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.
Palestinian prisoner rights groups say abuses inside Israeli prisons have intensified over three years of war in Gaza, with hundreds of detainees dead and more than 9,000 still held in harsh conditions. Families report limited access to information and increasing use of video hearings, while activists call for international accountability.
The conflict along Ethiopia’s northern border has intensified, with claims of Eritrean troops crossing into Ethiopia to support rebels near Zalambessa. Addis Ababa denies incursion, while other witnesses and conflict monitors report troop movements and strategic advances. The situation risks broader regional spillover as global powers call for de-escalation.
Rayo Vallecas returns to its home ground but protests targeting owner Raúl Martín Presa interrupt the match against Athletic Bilbao, with objects thrown on the pitch. The game was suspended; authorities face ongoing questions over stadium safety and maintenance. A replay is likely as tensions persist.
Police say a gunman killed nine people in Erie, Pennsylvania, before dying from an apparent self-inflicted wound. Two women and two children were among the victims. Police say the shooter barricaded inside a home and a standoff ensued; investigators say all deaths occurred before officers arrived. The mayor and governor have offered support as the city mourns.
Al-Hilal defeats Al-Ittihad 3-2 in a Saudi Clasico, Ollie Watkins stars with two goals, while Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr to a 3-0 victory; the results shake up the league table as teams chase top position.
A review of recent articles shows the Malacca Strait crisis is intensifying, with maritime blockades constraining energy flows and testing international law. Analysts say diversifying routes and boosting military presence will shape global trade and security dynamics.
Inter return to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Parma, extending their lead at the top; Lazio keeps pace after a win against Monza, while Roma draw with Como following a red card for Malen. Napoli suffer another defeat as Venezia claim a landmark win.
Unidentified projectiles have struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, starting fires and injuring several people. Air defenses have intercepted a cruise missile in the area. The strikes come amid a wave of recent attacks on Saudi civilian aviation, with international condemnation and calls for restraint.
Two men have been killed during the olive harvest in south Lebanon: one by Israeli shelling and the other by a war-remnant explosion. Local authorities warn residents to avoid olive groves until decontamination is complete, as sporadic attacks and ongoing fighting continue to affect the region.
Gazans face ongoing strikes, displacement, and humanitarian shortages a year after a truce was declared. While aid flows are limited and reconstruction lags, residents describe a deteriorating situation with tents, damaged homes, and scarce potable water.
The Guardian and Arab News publish pieces warning that AI threatens democracy if unchecked; they argue constitutional checks are essential to ensure AI safety and democratic resilience. The debate emphasizes policy safeguards, transparency, and public-interest journalism as bulwarks.
IMF projections show the Middle East and Central Asia contracting 0.3% in 2026, with the Gulf facing deeper contractions in Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar. Saudi Arabia flexes with diversified export routes, while the broader region eyes a rebound in 2027 as supply lines normalize.
Leaders push for stronger domestic funding as Africa faces fiscal strain and a shift toward locally led health systems. Amref calls for predictable aid and primacy of primary care to protect services amid climate shocks, conflict and disease in 2026.
Malawi has unveiled a 2026-31 housing plan that aims to deliver 135,000 modern homes by 2031, backed by K8.1 trillion in funding. Officials say progress will depend on financing, donor support, and private capital through public-private partnerships. The strategy seeks to accelerate land adjudication and urban development while aligning with Malawi 2063, but delivery remains contingent on fiscal space and external investment.
Russia has detained a Japanese reporter it identifies as Yuki Imai of the Hokkaido Shimbun, accusing him of collecting information on Russian defence capabilities for Japanese intelligence. The FSB has flown him to Moscow and a court has remanded him until 12 December. Tokyo has summoned the Russian ambassador and requested consular access and fair treatment.
As headlines detail Trump’s comments on Iran and Israel ahead of elections, Israeli leaders warn of potential attacks while U.S. and Israeli militaries stay on high alert. Endorsement questions and ongoing talks shape a febrile security backdrop.
Thousands rally across major cities as Abelardo de la Espriella faces protests against plans to curb social gains from Petro era. Demonstrations are peaceful but authorities have expanded powers to manage crowds; debates flare over foreign policy and economic austerity.
The Board of Peace has awarded a contract to Arkel International to build a fortified outpost in Gaza for 150 international troops. Israel has not authorized the work to begin, delaying the international stabilization force and threatening reconstruction plans for Gaza. The Guardian quotes sources saying the border remains closed; the Board of Peace and others have declined to comment.
The EU-GCC flagship summit has been postponed with a new date to be announced, as Saudi Arabia faces strikes by Yemen's Houthis. The decision underscores strains in the region while the EU signals commitment to deepening ties with Gulf partners.
The Houthis have fired multiple missiles at Aden’s Al-Maashiq Palace, the government says the prime minister and cabinet ministers are unharmed. Attacks also target Marib, while government forces push back Houthi fighters around Taiz amid heavy clashes.
Qatar has pledged ongoing support for Lebanon’s army and outlined a plan with TotalEnergies to develop a solar power plant, funded and implemented by Qatar without cost to Lebanon. The move accompanies talks on southern Lebanon’s security and reconstruction, amid Israel-Hezbollah tensions and displacement from the region’s ongoing conflict.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has publicly stated that his presidential term will end in 2030 and that the constitution will remain unchanged. The remarks come during a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy and are being watched for any signal about potential constitutional changes ahead of 2030.