Capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, central to governance and regional affairs
Houthi forces have claimed ballistic and missile attacks on Saudi airports in Abha and Riyadh on 6–9 October, which Saudi authorities say have killed at least three foreign residents and wounded dozens. Riyadh has launched air strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen in response, flights to Riyadh have been disrupted and air traffic authorities say operations have largely returned to normal.
Ottolenghi Edinburgh has opened in the former Ragu site on George Street, Edinburgh. Yotam Ottolenghi and Neil Campbell lead a transformed space with an all-day menu, Croatian-inspired culinary nods, and a bustling launch attended by Ian Rankin and Kirsty Wark. The venue promises a lively mix of dishes, from miso hake to a Scottish cranberry-pantry of puddings.
A missile attack strikes King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, injuring dozens and prompting evacuation as Saudi authorities confirm the assault amid ongoing Houthi strikes on civilian targets. Health workers are mobilising, flights are suspended, and international warnings have been issued as the conflict widens.
Attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport have disrupted operations, injuring and killing civilians. GACA says flights are suspended while damage is assessed; foreign governments urge caution as the Houthis warn aviation routes. The situation follows earlier strikes that killed several people and intensified regional tensions.
Saudi authorities have said they have intercepted a Houthi-launched drone south of Mecca and have called the attempt a "red line" because it targeted Islam's holiest sites. Regional capitals and Muslim organisations have condemned the strikes on Saudi cities and infrastructure, and analysts warn the attacks will raise pressure on shipping routes and global energy supplies.
Oil prices have fallen after data showed Asia is set to import its highest monthly crude volume since the US–Iran war began, while traders continue to monitor UN‑level diplomacy and regional tensions. Brent has slipped near $102 a barrel and U.S. crude is trading in the low $90s as markets weigh rising Asian flows against Middle East risks.
Saudi Arabia has faced an intensified campaign of drone and missile attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis since July, and the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed in August has prompted Pakistan and Turkiye to discuss defensive support. Britain has approved time-limited refuelling for Saudi jets and the three allies are meeting to decide collective steps as attacks continue.
The Houthis have expanded their attacks on Saudi targets, claiming to strike a sensitive site in Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu. Saudi intercepts six missiles aimed at Taif and Yanbu as fighting intensifies along Yemen’s coast and in border areas. The conflict threatens regional oil routes and global supply chains.
Yemen’s government forces and allied militias are intensifying operations against Houthi positions across Taiz and along the Bab al-Mandeb coast. The coalition says it is targeting Houthi sites with air cover, while the Houthis have sought to extend their grip on western Yemen. Civilians remain displaced as fighting tightens its grip on strategic routes and coastal corridors.
Iran and the United States are in renewed talks over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran maintaining strict conditions and Washington signaling continued engagement. Trump has tied negotiations to broader regional dynamics as oil markets react.
The Red Sea conflict has intensified as Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi air power, press to retake Sanaa and secure Bab al-Mandeb. The Houthis have escalated missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets, while the U.S. supports allies with intelligence and targeting data but is not yet engaging in kinetic strikes.
Arab warnings from Egypt and the UAE are now corroborated by multiple outlets, including The Atlantic and The Wall Street Journal. The reports describe Israeli leaders receiving cautions about Gaza's volatility in the weeks before the October 7, 2023 assault, with Egypt’s Abbas Kamel and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed reportedly warning of imminent danger.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are strengthening high-level ties amid regional tensions, inviting Gulf allies to the GCC-EU Summit and coordinating on issues including Yemen and security. Multiple meetings signal a thaw and shared interests as Riyadh hosts the event.
Temasek is expanding with new offices in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to engage Gulf institutions and pursue long-term infrastructure and private-market opportunities, aligning with regional transformation and existing partnerships.
Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its commitment to regional stability as Gulf security ties deepen. Leaders cite de-escalation efforts and a trilateral defense framework with Turkiye and Pakistan, while warning that attacks by Yemen's Houthis will be met with decisive responses. The king and crown prince are outlining continued military and diplomatic measures amid recent confrontations in the Red Sea and border areas.
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a co‑pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and tried to crash the plane. The injured captain, identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar, has been taken to hospital in Tabuk. Passengers and on‑duty crew have overpowered and restrained the attacker; all passengers have returned to Tel Aviv.
The Saudi-led coalition reports intercepting two ballistic missiles and two drones fired by Yemen's Houthi group toward the Kingdom, including strikes on Riyadh, Khamis Mushait and Jazan. The attacks come with ongoing Yemeni operations and regional diplomacy as GCC states reiterate solidarity.
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has diverted to Tabuk after a co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar. The captain opened the cockpit door as the aircraft dropped about 17,000 feet; passengers and crew overpowered the attacker, enabling an emergency landing. Machchhar is recovering in Abu Dhabi, praised by Modi and Netanyahu for bravery.
Passengers and crew have subdued an attacker on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, preventing a potential crash as the aircraft plummeted and then leveled out. An Israeli passenger and off-duty pilots helped regain control; Trump has praised an ‘Israeli plumber’ whose actions are cited by multiple outlets.
Yemen's internationally recognised government has announced a major military campaign to retake territory from the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. Forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition say they have pushed into Red Sea coastal areas, including around Dhubab and Mokha, while the Houthis report strikes on Saudi oil sites and gains around Taiz. The offensive has intensified fighting and displacement since August.
President Donald Trump has suggested at a Nebraska rally that higher fuel prices from the US‑Israel war with Iran are "a small price to pay," saying "they can take out a city — let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego." California leaders have called the comments "deranged" and "dangerous," while the White House has labelled the reaction a "media freakout."
The trilateral Defence Agreement among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye is deploying forces to bolster the Kingdom's security in response to Houthi attacks. Officials say the pact treats an attack on one as an attack on all, with the first deployments already underway.
Gaza remains under strain as displacement, injuries, and psychological trauma persist for millions. UN and NGO assessments highlight vast needs, with hundreds of thousands of children affected by violence, loss, and disrupted services amid ongoing humanitarian challenges.
The Iran-backed Houthis have claimed new strikes against Saudi Arabia, targeting airports and military sites as fighting in Yemen widens. Saudi forces say they are intercepting missiles north of Riyadh, while ground and air operations on Yemen’s western coast intensify. The conflict risks disrupting regional shipping routes amid a broader regional confrontation.
Missiles and drones targeted Aden International Airport as fighting intensifies along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. The attack forced a flight from Cairo to divert to Jeddah, prompting international concern as displaced people face mounting humanitarian needs amid a widening confrontation.
Saudi air hubs at King Khalid International and Abha airports have been struck again, with casualties and damage reported. Attacks are claimed by Yemen's Houthis, triggering regional security concerns and a swift Saudi-led coalition response.
The latest batch of reports indicates the United States has told the Pentagon to be ready for the possible resumption of major combat operations against Iran. The move could involve large-scale strikes on energy, infrastructure and nuclear targets and may occur before the U.S. midterm elections. Trump insists he will not attack Iran before the elections while officials say preparations are advancing; Iran and its allies are on high alert as regional tensions escalate.
OpenAI has told investors that its annualized revenue is around $50 billion by the end of September, a figure CNBC has confirmed, which is significantly below the widely reported $68 billion figure. The discrepancy is contributing to volatility in tech stocks and raising questions about the company’s valuation ahead of a potential 2027 IPO. CNBC and TechCrunch report variations in how revenue is calculated, with implications for comparisons to Anthropic.
The Saudi-backed Yemeni government has launched a counter-offensive to retake areas along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including Bab al-Mandab and Mayun Island, as clashes with Houthi forces intensify. At least 63 people have died in the past 24 hours across western Yemen, with casualties on both sides and civilian impacts mounting. The conflict remains fluid with independent verification difficult, and officials say air power from Saudi Arabia supports the government operations.
The King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been evacuated after a blast, with air traffic halted as the Houthis claim responsibility for attacks connected to the Yemen crisis. Saudi authorities have not commented, while officials say the situation is ongoing and evolving.