Middle East

London, Apr 14: Seventy-six people have been killed in Iran by floods in recent weeks, according to a new toll published Sunday with warnings still in place for large swathes of the country. “With the death of five people in the Khuzestan province flood and another person in Ilam province the death toll has now reached 76,” since March 19, according to a statement published online by the coroner’s

Aleppo, Apr 13: At least two children were killed and five others suffered injuries in a landmine blast in Syria's government-held Aleppo city on Friday (local time). A source at Aleppo Police said that the landmine went off following "tampering" by the victims, reported SANA. "The victims had found a landmine left behind by terrorists in the 1070 Apartments project at the western outskirts of

Khartoum, Apr 12: Sudan’s military has removed Omar Al-Bashir from power after 30 years and declared a state of emergency. The move brings to an end the divisive and autocratic reign of one of Africa and the Arab world’s longest serving leaders. It follows months of escalating protests against his rule that have been met with a brutal response by the security forces. Dozens of people have been

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates pledged $200 million in aid to Yemen, to be spent during Ramadan, the UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation said on Monday. Both countries are working with humanitarian organizations to ensure the aid will be distributed in both Houthi and government-controlled areas, Reem Al-Hashimy told a press conference in Abu Dhabi. Preventing

Abu Dhabi, Apr 5: The Anti-Terror Quartet of countries — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt — have confirmed that they will boycott the 140th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which begins in Qatar on Saturday. The 139th IPU general assembly was held in Geneva in October 2018, during which the four nations objected to the decision to hold the next gathering in Doha, over

Riyadh, Apr 5: Saudi Arabia opened a new consulate in Baghdad on Thursday after announcing $1 billion in loans for development projects in Iraq. Three more diplomatic branches are to be opened in other Iraqi cities soon, Saudi Arabia’s Commerce and Investment Minister Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qassabi said Saudi Arabia and Iraq have moved to improve relations in recent months. The Kingdom reopened its

New Delhi, Apr 4: The United Arab Emirates on Thursday bestowed Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Zayed Medal in appreciation for his efforts to boost bilateral ties with the nation. "We have historical and comprehensive strategic ties with India, reinforced by the pivotal role of my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave these relations a big boost. In appreciation of his efforts

Algiers, Apr 3: Algeria’s ailing leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika submitted his resignation with immediate effect, state television said Tuesday, ceding power in the face of massive street protests after two decades at the helm. Bouteflika “officially advised the Constitutional Council of the end of his term of office as President of the Republic” from Tuesday, said a news ticker on the public

Dubai, Apr 2: Saudi Aramco, the world’s biggest oil producer, made core earnings of $224 billion last year, almost three times as much as Apple, figures from the state-owned company showed on Monday ahead of its debut international bond issue. Aramco revealed its financials in order to obtain a public rating and start issuing public international bonds. Despite the huge profit, the state-owned oil

Dhahran, Apr 1: Saudi Arabia on Sunday launched its first locally assembled Hawk jet training aircraft, some parts of which were manufactured by local companies. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled the plane during a ceremony at King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Province, witnessed by princes and officials. The crown prince, who is also deputy prime minister and minister of defense, was