Middle East

Riyadh, May 29: Saudi Arabian Airlines and Haramain High-Speed Railway (HHSR) have signed an agreement to provide integrated transport services. Passengers will benefit from services such as an app to manage travel procedures and direct baggage transfer from HHSR stations to airports. The agreement will also allow the airline to open offices in HHSR stations in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, King Abdul

Makkah, May 27: The Muslim World League (MWL) on Monday will organize an international conference for moderate Islam under the patronage of King Salman. Mohammed bin Abdul-Karim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the MWL, said that he appreciated the “generous patronage which comes within the framework of the great support for the joint Islamic action, deepening the harmony and cooperation among the

London, May 25: Jokha Alharthi on Tuesday became the first Arabic author to win the Man Booker International prize for her novel "Celestial Bodies" which reveals her Omani homeland's post-colonial transformation. "I am thrilled that a window has been opened to the rich Arabic culture," Alharthi, 40, told reporters after the ceremony at the Roundhouse in London. Alharthi is the author of two

Jeddah, May 24: The fight against terrorism remains a global priority, Saudi Arabia said on Thursday, as the Kingdom emphasized the need for the international community to work together to eradicate the threat it poses. The comments were included in a speech delivered by the Saudi delegation at the 28th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Geneva. Led by Interior

Dubai, May 24: Oman is trying “with other parties” to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran, the Omani Foreign Ministry tweeted on Friday. The tweet cited Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, the sultanate’s minister responsible for foreign affairs, who met on Monday in Tehran with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. “There is a danger that a war breaks out, hurting the whole

Tehran, May 23: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuThursday became the first world leader to congratulate his counterpart Narendra Modifor scripting an "impressive victory" in the general elections and vowed to strengthen their "great friendship" as well as bilateral ties. Riding on a massive Modi wave sweeping through most parts of India, the BJP is set to return to power Thursday as it led

Jeddah, May 23: The Saudi cabinet on Tuesday said that while the Kingdom believes all people in the region have a right to live in peace, including the Iranians, the international community must take firm action against the regime in Tehran to prevent it from spreading destruction and chaos. After a meeting of the Council of Ministers at Assalam Palace, presided over by King Salman, Turki Al

Dubai, May 22: The UAE's decision to grant permanent residency to investors will attract long-term residents, investors and world's best talent in diverse fields, hence increasing the size of the UAE's economy and stabilising it, analysts, businessmen and entrepreneurs have said. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on

Dubai, May 20: Saudi Arabia does not want war but will not hesitate to defend itself against Iran, a top Saudi diplomat said Sunday after the kingdom's energy sector was targeted this past week amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, warned Iran that it will face destruction if it seeks a fight, while Iranian officials said their country isn't looking

Dubai, May 19: Iran's top diplomat dismissed the possibility of war erupting in the region at a time of escalating confrontation with the United States, saying Tehran did not want conflict and no country had the "illusion it can confront Iran". Tensions between Washington and Tehran have increased in recent days, raising concerns about a potential US-Iran conflict. Earlier this week the United