Author: Editorial Team
WASHINGTON — The United States and Iran exchanged fresh threats on Saturday as their fragile interim truce came under renewed strain amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump warned of further military action against Iran after senior U.S. officials demanded that Tehran publicly guarantee the Strait of Hormuz would remain open and that commercial vessels would not be attacked. The renewed tensions came after funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei featured public calls for Trump’s assassination. Later on Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to continue pursuing revenge for his father’s…
LONDON — King Charles III met Prince Harry, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their two children on Friday in the family’s first reunion in years, marking a significant step toward repairing long-standing tensions within the British royal family. Buckingham Palace confirmed that Harry, Meghan, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet met the King and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House, the monarch’s country residence in western England. Harry arrived in the United Kingdom earlier this week for a series of charity engagements, prompting widespread speculation over whether he would meet his father and whether Meghan and their children would join him. The…
WASHINGTON — The United States launched a major wave of strikes against Iran early Sunday after an Iranian attack set a container ship ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz and forced its crew to abandon the vessel. Iran appeared to respond with attacks targeting Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, further escalating tensions across the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the main obstacle to renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at securing a permanent end to the war that began on Feb. 28. About one-fifth of globally traded oil and natural gas passed through the…
Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar, with whom he discussed recent regional developments and escalation, emphasizing the need to support mediation efforts, resume US-Iran talks, and contain tensions. The two officials also stressed the importance of exerting the necessary efforts to reach peaceful and comprehensive solutions that enhance regional and international security and stability. Source: Riyadh Daily
JEDDAH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman issued a series of royal orders on Saturday that included changes to the Cabinet and several senior government positions. The royal orders relieved Bandar Al-Khorayef of his duties as minister of industry and mineral resources and appointed Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman as minister of industry and mineral resources, in addition to his current role as minister of energy. Al-Khorayef was appointed minister of state and member of the Council of Ministers. He was also assigned to serve as acting governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) following the…
KINSHASA — The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has surpassed 1,800 after the virus spread to a fourth province, according to official data released on Saturday. The Health Ministry said the total number of confirmed cases has reached 1,830, including 648 deaths, since the outbreak was declared on May 15. Authorities said 780 patients are currently receiving treatment, while 284 people have recovered. The outbreak has been concentrated in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, where response efforts continue with strengthened national coordination, epidemiological surveillance and community mobilization. On Friday, health authorities…
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance is hosting a training course for 70 imams in Kenya’s Wajir County from July 11 to 16, covering Sharia topics designed to elevate the competence of the attendees, enhance their role in spreading Islamic awareness, and promote the values of moderation and balance. This initiative is part of the programs implemented by the ministry abroad to serve Muslim communities and highlight the Kingdom’s dedication to tolerance, coexistence, and peace. Source: Riyadh Daily
PARIS — Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum have shortened their opening hours as extreme temperatures continue to grip the French capital. The Eiffel Tower closed at 4 p.m. on Saturday and will again shut at the same time on Sunday because of the heat, according to a notice on its website. Visitors with tickets for stair access after noon and elevator access after 12:30 p.m. were advised to check their emails, with affected bookings to be refunded automatically. The Louvre Museum has also been closing at 4 p.m. since Friday and will maintain the reduced schedule through Monday,…
RIYADH — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar discussed the latest regional developments amid escalating tensions during a phone call on Saturday. The two ministers stressed the importance of supporting mediation efforts, resuming U.S.-Iran negotiations and containing regional tensions, according to the Saudi Foreign Ministry. They also emphasized the need to intensify efforts to reach comprehensive and peaceful solutions that enhance regional and international security and stability. Source: Saudi Gazette
BEIJING — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday called for closer strategic coordination and expanded cooperation with North Korea during talks with North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song in Beijing. According to state-run Xinhua News Agency, Li said China is ready to continue upholding the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance by increasing high-level exchanges, strengthening political mutual trust and expanding practical cooperation. Pak is on a three-day official visit to China as the two countries mark the 65th anniversary of the treaty, which was signed on July 11, 1961, and includes a mutual defense provision. Li said…