News – Middle East

MIAMI — Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified into an extremely dangerous category five storm as it tears its way toward the US state of Florida. Milton is packing ferocious winds of up to 180 mph (285km/h) as it skirts the northern edge of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Forecasters warn of potentially …

PARIS — A pair of red shoes, two beaded necklaces and a British 10p coin are among the few clues that could help to identify a teenage girl found murdered in western France more than 40 years ago. Her death is one of 46 cold cases European police are seeking …

Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The Historic Jeddah Program has achieved milestones in the first phase of its strategic plan, focusing on revitalizing the region as a hub for business and cultural activities while preserving its unique architectural heritage. Key achievements include transforming the living space to attract business and …

TEL AVIV — Israel has held ceremonies to remember the victims of the mass killings and abductions carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023, against a backdrop of continuing fighting in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. A year on from the attack that saw some 1,200 people killed and …

MANILA — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte registered on Monday to run for mayor in his home city despite his notorious legacy over his brutal anti-drugs crackdown that the International Criminal Court is investigating as a possible crime against humanity, the Associated Press reported. Duterte, 79, filed his papers before …

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Culture Badr bin Farhan met with the new Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Zhang Hua, at the Ministry of Culture headquarters in Diriyah on Sunday. The minister welcomed the ambassador and congratulated him on his appointment, expressing hope that the meeting would …

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The General Directorate of Passports has issued 23,435 decisions through its administrative committees in various passport departments across the Kingdom to take punitive measures against citizens and expatriates for violating residency, labor, and border security regulations during the month of Rabi Al-Awwal 1446 that ended …

Saudi Gazette report LONDON — Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced on Monday that it will form a strategic partnership with Central Group, a leading retail, real estate and hospitality conglomerate, following PIF’s acquisition of a 40 percent interest in Selfridges Group. This transaction follows a binding agreement for …

One year after Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel unleashed war in Gaza, the Palestinian territory is unrecognisable and its residents are exhausted by displacement and shortages, with no end in sight. “It felt like the first day of the war all over again”, said Khaled al-Hawajri, 46, as the Israeli …

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Stock Exchange benchmark index, Tadawul All Share Index (TASI), rose at its best daily pace since last June, returning to achieve gains exceeding one percent after three consecutive sessions of decline. The index closed Monday’s session up 1.2 percent at 11,914 points, gaining …