Jaipur: Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, participated in the 2026 BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting (TMM), held at Maharani Mahal, Hotel Sawai Man Mahal, in Jaipur, India. Hosted by India under its BRICS Chairmanship, the meeting brought together trade ministers and senior offi»»»

BAGHDAD: Iraq is in talks with Iran ​on an arrangement to allow Iraqi oil exports, but the mechanism has not yet been ‌activated, the ‌country’s ​Oil ‌Minister ⁠Basim Mohammed ​said on ⁠Saturday. He gave no details on the proposed route, expected volumes, or ⁠a timeline for ‌the ‌arrangement. Iraq »»»

BUENOS AIRES: Jorge ‌Messi, the father of soccer star Lionel Messi, died on Friday night at the age of 68 at a medical clinic in the Argentine city of Rosario after a long illness, the Argentine footballer’s family confirmed to Reuters. Jorge spent his final months alternating between a medical cen»»»

ILORIN, Kwara: Some of the 163 kidnapped Nigerians rescued from militant captivity have spoken of the suffering and fear they lived in for six months. The freed captives, mostly women and children, were among over 300 kidnap victims freed by Nigerian forces this week. They were handed over to the a»»»

Sofia: Prime Minister of Bulgaria Rumen Radev announced that a drone entered Bulgarian airspace Saturday morning and exploded near the border with Romania and the gas pipeline linking Turkiye to Ukraine through the Balkans. In a video posted by the Bulgarian government on social media, Radev said t»»»

The Israeli military continued its incursions and the demolition of homes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, despite the Lebanese president announcing that a senior United States general will soon arrive in Beirut to address a ceasefire. The ongoing military operations come despite a positive atmosph»»»

New right-wing Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn into office on Friday, vowing in his inaugural address to launch a fierce crackdown on drug trafficking, end peace talks with armed groups, and implement strict austerity measures to restore economic confidence. De la Espriella, »»»

Declining political consensus in the United States regarding support for Israel is creating mounting pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and raising deep concerns among Israeli officials about the long-term sustainability of the alliance. Critics argue that Netanyahu’s intense foc»»»

Egypt’s financial inclusion rate continued to rise, reaching 79% in June 2026, with 56.4 million citizens owning active accounts that enable them to perform financial transactions, out of a total of 71.4 million citizens aged 15 and above. The progress reflects the sustained efforts of the Central »»»

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has instructed banks operating in the local market to complete the core data of all companies they deal with—whether borrowers or non-borrowers—using commercial registry information and incorporate it into their respective databases. In a circular addressed to banks,»»»

MIDBANK has launched the “MID Plus” savings certificate, offering individuals a secure investment option with a variable annual return of up to 19.65% paid monthly or up to 19.5% paid daily, with a guaranteed minimum return of 17%. The certificate has a three-year tenor. The launch comes as part of»»»

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) announced that domestic liquidity in Egypt’s banking sector stood at EGP 15.261trn in June 2026, down from EGP 15.330trn in May. Data released by the CBE showed that the money supply declined to EGP 4.492trn in June, compared with EGP 4.502trn a month earlier. Curren»»»

Abu Dhabi: Shoppers at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, one of Abu Dhabi's busiest shopping destinations, were met with an unexpected sight on Saturday as UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was seen walking through the mall alongside a group of senior officials. Videos shar»»»

BANGKOK: A schoolgirl died from critical wounds Saturday after a student opened fire at a h igh school and his home outside Bangkok the day before, bringing the death toll from the attack to at least eight people. The 14-year-old opened fire at around 10 a.m. Friday at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in»»»

Nahla Khalifa woke on April 15, 2023, to the sound of artillery in Omdurman. She could not have known that the war that sent her and her five children scrambling under beds and tables would upend even the most basic aspects of their lives: food, water and medicine. At first, the family survived on »»»

ELCHE, Spain: Brighton midfielder Facundo Buonanotte will play for Spanish team Elche this season in what is the Argentinian playmaker’s fourth loan spell since joining the Premier League club in January 2023. The 21-year-old Buonanotte, who signed with Brighton from Rosario Central, was loaned to »»»

Gaza: The death toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7, 2023, has risen to 73,384 martyrs and 174,242 wounded. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that hospitals in the Strip received two martyrs who succumbed to their injuries in the pa»»»

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche speeks during a press conference on the department's efforts to investigate the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion, a cartel based in Mexico, at the Department of Justice headquarters on Wednesday. On Saturday, Blanche was confirmed as attorney general by the Senat»»»

Ukraine's drone campaign against Russian refineries has rocked not only Russia's own fuel market but those of Central Asia too, Carnegie Politika's Galiya Ibragimova wrote on August 6, warning the region has little time to avert a full-scale shortage. Central Asian states have their own refining ca»»»

Ukraine's drone campaign against Russian refineries has rocked not only Russia's own fuel market but those of Central Asia too, Carnegie Politika's Galiya Ibragimova wrote on August 6, warning the region has little time to avert a full-scale shortage. Central Asian states have their own refining ca»»»

JEDDAH: Emerging Saudi musicians are set to gain new training, mentorship and international performance opportunities through a strategic partnership between the Saudi Music Commission and Jazz in Jeddah. The partnership aims to develop local talent while bringing Saudi and international musicians »»»

An unidentified drone entered Bulgarian airspace from the north and exploded approximately 100 metres inside Bulgarian territory, prompting authorities to strengthen surveillance and amplify security measures along the country's northern frontier. The incident occurred in the immediate vicinity of »»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian forces struck a dry cargo ship carrying military equipment, as well as a warehouse with weapons and military supplies belonging to the Ukrainian armed forces in the Ukrainian port of Nikolaev on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "During the day, precision air-l»»»

The Fidesz parliamentary group leader has launched a sharp attack on András Baka, the former president of Hungary’s Supreme Court, after the Tisza Party nominated him as the country’s next president. János Bóka said on Saturday that Fidesz considers the election of a new head of state illegitimate,»»»

The Strait of Hormuz remains the primary source of concern as Iran and Oman negotiate a temporary shipping deal, while an ADNOC vessel is targeted by a missile strike and US forces intensify a blockade surrounding Iranian ports. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reiterated that Tehran is open»»»

BELGRADE: President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced Russia’s latest deadly attacks on Kyiv on Saturday as he visited Serbia, one of the few European countries that has maintained friendly relations with Moscow throughout its invasion of Ukraine. Four people, including a child, were killed in the overn»»»

Buenos Aires, Argentina: Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Lionel Messi, has died aged 68, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's childhood club Newell's Old Boys announced on Saturday. Argentinian media reported Jorge Messi had passed away on Friday in a hospital in Rosario. "His constant companio»»»

A fire near Visoka Mogila, in the southwestern Kyustendil Region, has affected two houses and threatens to reach other houses in the area as the wind continues to blow, Boboshevo Municipality Mayor Stefan Tachev told BTA on Saturday. "The fire has affected two houses, but it spread up the mountain »»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani sent a cable of condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the passing of the mother of HH Prince Bandar bin Mansour bin Abdullah bin Jalawi Al Saud.»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A large-scale demonstration against German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his policies took place in the eastern German city of Plauen on Saturday, the DPA news agency reported. Demonstrators reportedly demanded the resignation of the German government, a snap election, lower elec»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Nearly 50% of Germans see former Chancellor Angela Merkel as the best person to fill the largely ceremonial role of the federal president, a Forsa poll published on Saturday has found. Merkel has dismissed rumors that she is planning to run for the post in the election, which is »»»

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is confronting mounting internal party pressure and speculation of an early replacement ahead of critical September regional elections, reflecting an unprecedented state of political turmoil in a country long considered a pillar of European stability, according to P»»»

Georgian Dream officials have offered supporters the same message for the better part of a year: a reset with Washington is close at hand. George Melashvili, chairman of the Europe-Georgia Institute, a Tbilisi based think-tank that follows Georgia's foreign policy and its relations with the West, a»»»

GAZA: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency has opened a school in southern Gaza to help children return to education and restore learning opportunities after the war devastated much of the enclave’s education system, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Makkah School, launched by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and »»»

Emirates has warned passengers of flight delays to and from Shanghai and Hangzhou due to adverse weather conditions caused by Typhoon Dolphin. The airline said several flights operating between Dubai and the two Chinese cities have been rescheduled as weather conditions are expected to affect opera»»»

Riyadh: A defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan heralded a new security alliance seeking to deter a bellicose Iran, offset an unreliable US and send a message to Israel, analysts say. As the Middle East war drags on, this alliance binds three powerful Sunni countries that are strat»»»

The US Senate on Saturday voted 50-49 to confirm President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Todd Blanche as the country's attorney general. Blanche was serving as the top US law enforcement officer in an acting capacity after Trump fired another loyalist, Pam Bondi. His confirmation caps one o»»»

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed a joint defence agreement in Mecca on Friday, aimed at strengthening collective deterrence. Under the pact, an armed attack on any one of the three countries would be considered an attack on all. Simon Moritz tells us more about what’s in the agreement.»»»

NEW DELHI: India’s tourism players are expecting a boost in premium and business travel from Saudi Arabia, following the launch of Riyadh Air’s daily flights to Mumbai. Riyadh Air started operating flights between the Saudi capital and Mumbai on Tuesday, marking the airline’s first Indian route and»»»

CAIRO/WASHINGTON/RIYADH: Iran said on Saturday that a deal with Oman on control of the Strait of Hormuz was close but would not be enough to free up ​the waterway. A US official, who declined to be identified, said on Friday that Washington anticipated an agreement soon between Iran and Oman, which»»»

MADRID: A diplomatic spat between Spain and Italy over the rush of tens of thousands of migrants to the Spanish territory of Ceuta escalated on Saturday after the government in Madrid announced border controls on Italian travelers in response to Rome’s decision to impose sanctions on visitors from »»»

RAFHA: The Social Development Bank supported the participation of 15 families working in the cottage industry at the Farmers’ Market Festival in Rafha governorate. The festival was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture branch in the Northern Borders region, with the partic»»»

MAKKAH: Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Alsheikh inaugurated on Saturday the final rounds of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorizing, Reciting and Interpreting the Holy Qur’an at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Held under the patronage of King Salman, the event»»»

GERB-UDF MP Hristo Gadjev, member of the parliamentary defence committee, commenting on Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s announcement that a drone had entered Bulgarian airspace near Kardam and exploded, wrote on Facebook, "Let’s see how Rumen Radev’s government will defend our national interest." Gadj»»»

RIYADH: Not too long ago, avoiding animal products was considered unusual in Saudi Arabia. Telling people you were vegetarian often came with an inevitable question: But what do you eat? Today, while vegetarianism remains a niche lifestyle, that experience is gradually changing. Nada Al-Dagher, a n»»»

Planning a summer getaway or a winter holiday? Pakistani passport holders have several destinations to choose from, with entry available through visa-free access, visa on arrival (VOA), electronic travel authorisation (ETA) and e-visa schemes. The latest Henley Passport Index gives Pakistani passpo»»»

DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a cable of condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the death of the mother of His Highness Prince Bandar bin Mansour bin Abdu»»»

Damascus, Aug. 8 (SANA) Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh said that all World Bank grants provided to Syria so far are non-repayable and impose no financial burden on the public treasury, attributing growing confidence among international financial institutions to an approach based on transpar»»»

RIYADH: The first auction night of the International Falcon Breeders Auction saw two falcons from JW Falcons sold for a total of SR540,000 ($144,000), amid a strong turnout of falconers and visitors interested in the heritage. Organized by the National Center for Falcons at its headquarters in Malh»»»