Latest Reporting by Arab News
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Appearance of Arabian Gulf Cup trophy adds to rising excitement in Jeddah
JEDDAH: With the Arabian Gulf Cup 27 set to begin in a matter of days, Jeddah is buzzing with football excitement. The Red Sea city has been witnessing various events and interactive fan activations ahead of hosting the tournament for the first time in Saudi Arabia, from Sept. 23 to Oct. The cup made a special appearance in Jeddah on Saturday as BYD, the official automotive partner of the Arab Gulf Football Federation and the tournament, hosted a trophy tour activation ahead of the competitio
Saudi Arabia’s Operating Revenues Index rises 4.9% in July: GASTAT
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Operating Revenues Index rose 4.9 percent in July from a year earlier, with manufacturing and financial services among the biggest contributors to growth, according to preliminary government data. The index increased 1.2 percent from June, the General Authority for Statistics said in its monthly Short-Term Business Indicators report. Manufacturing revenues climbed 13.5 percent from a year earlier, while financial and insurance activities rose 9 percent. Information and

Ed Sheeran addresses Gaza crisis as protesters gather outside Philadelphia concert
Ed Sheeran opened his Philadelphia concert by addressing the withdrawal of supporting acts following the removal of Benjamin Haggerty (known professionally as Macklemore) for pro-Palestinian remarks. Sheeran described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable,” attributing his comments to on-stage statements reported by Reuters and the Associated Press. The controversy, involving statements by Macklemore and subsequent artist withdrawals, has drawn varied reactions from fans and r...

North Korea fires unidentified projectile into East Sea: Seoul
South Korea's military reported that North Korea launched an unidentified projectile into the East Sea. The action follows Pyongyang's recent missile activities and its public reaffirmation of its nuclear-armed status.

Germans vote in elections threatening fresh blow to Merz
Germans are voting in state elections that could impact Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government, with potential gains for far-right and far-left parties. The elections are taking place in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Mass drone barrage on Moscow kills two
Hundreds of drones attacked Moscow, leading to two deaths and damaging a refinery. Accusations are aimed at Ukraine for interfering with elections.

E.A. Juffali & Brothers denies reports of relocating operations outside Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH: E.A. Juffali & Brothers Group has categorically denied reports claiming that it plans to relocate its operations or offices, describing information circulating on social media and in some media outlets as false. The Group said its headquarters, operations and investments remain in Saudi Arabia and stressed that it has no plans to change this. Juffali & Brothers said it has grown alongside Saudi Arabia for eight decades and remains committed

Michelin Guide names 17 Saudi hotels in 2026 Key selection
DUBAI: The Michelin Guide has unveiled its 2026 hotel selection for Saudi Arabia, featuring 54 properties across Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla and the Red Sea coast.The selection includes 37 hotels recommended by the guide and 17 properties awarded Michelin Keys, the distinction given to hotels judged to offer exceptional stays.Of the 17 Key hotels in Saudi Arabia, 13 received One Michelin Key, three were awarded Two Michelin Keys and one received the top Three Michelin Key distinction.Desert Rock Resor

Chile’s Bachelet quits race to be next UN chief
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn her candidacy for the United Nations secretary-general position after a poll showed low support. Bachelet made the announcement via a social media video.

US military says killed four in Caribbean boat strike
The US military announced it killed four people on a boat involved in drug smuggling in the Caribbean. The operation, called ‘Southern Spear’, was part of an effort against narco-trafficking.

Condemnations after Houthis target Saudi capital
RIYADH: Yemen’s Houthi rebels were condemned after the Iran-align group targeted the Saudi capital Riyadh. The coalition supporting Yemen’s government said that a ballistic missile that was targeting Riyadh had been shot down on Saturday. The Houthis have been attacking the Kingdom with missiles and drones after the group, which is supported by Iran, vowed to impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. Kuwait denounced the group’s actions against Saudi Arabia’s biggest city and condemned their targ

French Daesh suspects to stand trial in Iraq
BAGHDAD: Six French nationals are due to stand trial in Iraq on Sunday, as the country assumes responsibility for prosecuting thousands of suspected Daesh group members. Iraq’s prisons, already packed with Daesh suspects, have received thousands more detainees transferred since last year from neighboring Syria. An Iraqi judicial source told AFP on Thursday that six French nationals were scheduled to stand trial on Sunday. Their identities remain unclear, but they are part of a group of 47 French

Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is ‘catastrophic and unjustifiable’ as he opens solo concert
PHILADELPHIA: Ed Sheeran opened a solo concert in Philadelphia on Saturday with comments about Gaza, saying what’s happening is “catastrophic and unjustifiable.” “My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians’ lives, of children’s lives,” Sheeran said in the night at Lincoln Financial Field. Sheeran also said he wants his music and shows to be about unity and humanity, not politics. He then addressed the controversy that unfolded since his supporting acts withdre

Wildlife tour
Explore Hegra’s protected natural landscape on a safari-style tour on which you may spot native wildlife including gazelles, oryx and ibex. For details, visit experiencealula.com .

Spelling time
The challenge “Letter by Letter” will test your ability to remember the spelling of Arabic words with three different difficulty levels. It is taking place at Ithra Center’s Library until Nov. 20. Check the Ithra app for more information.

Fog Walk
Fog Walk is a seasonal outdoor entertainment destination combining nature and relaxation. Runs until Feb. 28. For more details, visit abha.platinumlist.net .

Survival challenge
Survival Journey is an interactive experience in which participants explore how nature’s challenges can transform into useful sources of life. It runs until Nov. 24 at Ithra Center. Check the Ithra app for more details.

Russia holds parliamentary vote in areas it seized from Ukraine in the war
MOSCOW: Russia’s parliamentary election for the first time includes residents of regions that Moscow illegally annexed from Ukraine after the start of its full-scale invasion more than 4 1/2 years ago, part of Kremlin efforts to cement its gains. Officials in Kyiv vigorously denounced the action as illegal, and a human rights activist described residents there as being coerced to participate in the election. While the vote across Russia started Friday and lasts until Sunday to help boost turn

Raphinha treble fires perfect Barca to win at Sevilla
SEVILLE, Spain: Raphinha scored a superb hat-trick to earn Barcelona a 3-1 win at Sevilla on Saturday in La Liga and preserve their 100 percent record. Hansi Flick’s side moved six points clear of Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, who visit Atletico Madrid in a derby clash on Sunday. The Spanish champions were given the biggest test of their season to date but overcame Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan thanks to Raphinha’s treble. The Brazil international has started the season in sensational form

Pakistan military says fixing Kabul ties rests with Taliban, rules out TTP talks
JAKARTA: Pakistan’s military spokesperson said this week that relations with Afghanistan could be repaired if the Taliban government stops militants from using Afghan territory for cross-border attacks, while ruling out talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militant group and warning that Islamabad could act in self-defense if Kabul failed to address its security concerns. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan deteriorated sharply after the Taliban returned to power five years ago when
