Author: Editorial Team

TEHRAN — Iran signaled it is willing to return to negotiations with the United States, but only if Washington abandons what it described as an “excessive approach” and threatening rhetoric, according to state media. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks while briefing counterparts in Türkiye, Egypt, Iraq and Azerbaijan, Press TV reported. Araghchi said Iran did not initiate the war and that its armed forces remain fully prepared to respond to any renewed military threat. He added that Tehran had entered the latest Pakistan-mediated talks in good faith despite deep skepticism toward Washington, citing what he described as repeated…

Data issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Statistical Centre revealed that the GCC countries continued to bolster their performance in the 2026 Economic Freedom Index, recording a clear superiority over the global average—an indicator reflecting the strength of economic openness and the improved business environment in the region. According to the data, the average Economic Freedom Index for the GCC countries reached 66.9 points, surpassing the global average of 59.9 points by a margin of nearly seven points, reflecting a higher level of economic openness compared to the international rate. The data indicates that all GCC countries witnessed improvement or stability…

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States could “take over” Cuba, suggesting a U.S. aircraft carrier could be deployed near the island as a show of force. Speaking at an event in Florida, Trump said Cuba could be addressed “almost immediately,” linking the remarks to ongoing U.S. military operations abroad. He indicated that a naval deployment could follow the current conflict involving Iran, mentioning the possible use of the USS Abraham Lincoln. Trump suggested that such a move would pressure Cuba into compliance, while reiterating that the United States is prepared to act decisively. Separately,…

WASHINGTON — The US Department of State approved a series of potential military sales to Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, totaling more than $7.6 billion, as regional tensions remain elevated. The agency cleared the possible sale of Patriot air and missile defense replenishment services and related equipment to Qatar valued at $4.01 billion. It also approved the sale of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) to Qatar worth $992 million, and to the United Arab Emirates valued at $147.6 million. Separately, Washington authorized the potential sale of an Integrated Battle Command System to Kuwait for $2.5 billion. The…

Pilgrims from the People’s Republic of Bangladesh praised the Makkah Route Initiative for fulfilling their aspirations by facilitating Hajj travel with unprecedented ease. Now in its sixth year of implementation at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and its eighth year globally, the initiative is a key component of the Ministry of Interior’s efforts under the Pilgrim Experience Program, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. This year, the initiative serves 10 countries across 17 international entry points, including new participants Senegal and Brunei Darussalam. The program streamlines the pilgrimage by providing electronic visas, verifying health requirements, and completing passport and biometric procedures at…

KYIV — Russian drone strikes killed at least two people and injured 13 others across southern and northeastern Ukraine on Saturday, Ukrainian officials said. Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said a drone strike hit a minibus in the Dniprovskyi district, killing two people — a municipal worker and a woman — and injuring seven others, including utility workers. All of the injured were taken to hospital for treatment, he added. Prokudin later said a second strike targeted another minibus in Kherson’s Tsentralnyi district, injuring one person. The Kherson Regional Military Administration said the number of injured in the initial attack rose…

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan accused Afghan border forces of targeting civilians in a new wave of clashes, saying at least nine people were killed and 15 injured over the past two days. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X that those killed included women and children, with 12 people injured on Thursday in what he described as “unprovoked and criminal targeting of civilians” in the Bajaur tribal district. He added that three civilians were injured on Friday while playing cricket, blaming a quadcopter attack on what Islamabad refers to as “Fitna Al Khwarij,” a term used by Pakistan…

Data issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Statistical Centre revealed that the GCC countries continued to bolster their performance in the 2026 Economic Freedom Index, recording a clear superiority over the global average—an indicator reflecting the strength of economic openness and the improved business environment in the region. According to the data, the average Economic Freedom Index for the GCC countries reached 66.9 points, surpassing the global average of 59.9 points by a margin of nearly seven points, reflecting a higher level of economic openness compared to the international rate. The data indicates that all GCC countries witnessed improvement or stability…

MAKKAH — Security patrols in Makkah arrested three Indonesian residents for committing fraud by publishing misleading and fake advertisements on social media offering Hajj services. Fake Hajj permits and tools used in these activities were seized from them.They were referred to the Public Prosecution after taking the necessary legal measures. The Public Security urged the public to comply with Hajj regulations and instructions and to promptly report violations by calling 911 in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom. Source: Saudi Gazette

WARSAW — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of a growing fracture within the transatlantic alliance, describing what he called the “ongoing disintegration” of NATO as a “disastrous trend.” “The greatest threat to the transatlantic community are not its external enemies, but the ongoing disintegration of our alliance,” Tusk wrote on X, urging coordinated efforts to reverse the situation. His remarks came hours after Washington announced plans to withdraw approximately 5,000 troops from Germany. Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States is assessing a broader reduction of its military presence in Europe, including Germany, following criticism…