An Indian national was killed and two others were injured in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. This incident follows another attack on the Shaybah oilfield where an Indian was also injured, amidst escalating strikes by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Saudi infrastructure.
A senior Pakistan Army general has confirmed the presence of Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia, operating in "multiple capabilities" and "domains" amidst escalating Houthi attacks. This deployment is linked to the Makkah defence pact, a trilateral agreement with Turkiye and Saudi Arabia for collective deterrence, though specific details remain classified. Both Pakistan and Turkiye emphasise the defensive nature of their involvement.
India has strongly condemned the recent Houthi militant attacks on two Saudi Arabian airports, asserting that the targeting of civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable.
Pakistan and Turkiye have agreed to deploy military forces in Saudi Arabia as part of the Makkah Alliance for Defence. This decision follows recent attacks by Houthi rebels and aims to strengthen collective deterrence against threats to Saudi Arabia. The alliance, formed in August, considers an attack on one member as an attack on all.
Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence imposed on Sri Lankan migrant worker Anojan Sivarasa, who was convicted of blasphemy over a Facebook comment. The decision comes after sustained diplomatic and legal efforts by the Sri Lankan government. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake welcomed the verdict, highlighting the importance of patient diplomacy.
India has issued a new advisory for its citizens in Saudi Arabia, urging them to follow local instructions, stay indoors during aerial attacks, and be aware of ongoing flight disruptions. The advisory follows an October 10 attack on Riyadh airport that injured several Indians, with some still hospitalised. Major Indian airlines have cancelled flights to Saudi cities until late October, impacting travellers and Umrah pilgrims.
Top defence officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye have affirmed their commitment to the Makkah Defence Alliance, a trilateral pact aimed at collective security against threats, particularly from Yemen's Houthi rebels. The alliance, formed last month, considers an attack on one as an attack on all, and its members met in Riyadh to discuss intelligence sharing, military coordination, and capability integration to defend Saudi Arabia's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
An Indian national was killed and ten others injured in an attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy confirmed the death and ongoing medical care for the injured. India has strongly condemned the repeated attacks, which Saudi Arabia blames on Yemen's Houthis, and called for an immediate cessation of violence.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stern warning that the Makkah Defence Alliance, a newly formed pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, stands ready to activate its collective defence provisions in response to escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Any military response to a cross-border terror attack from Pakistan will have to take into account the new alignments beginning to take shape in the region, points out former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has reiterated the nation's unwavering commitment to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, underscoring its role in regional security following an attempted drone attack near the holy city of Mecca. The pact, signed by Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia, establishes a framework for collective deterrence against armed attacks.
BRICS nations have successfully reached a consensus on a joint statement following extensive negotiations, with India playing a crucial role in bridging differences, particularly among West Asian members like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, despite regional conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
Bangladesh is considering joining a newly formed defence alliance between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye, with junior ministers stating that any decision would be based on national interests and a "Bangladesh First" policy. The pact, signed in Makkah, aims for collective deterrence.
China has established a significant lead in the Aich-Nagoya Asian Games medal tally after the third official day, securing 53 medals including 32 golds. Japan and Korea follow in second and third place respectively, while India is currently positioned eighth with 7 medals.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on Friday signed a key joint defence agreement under which an attack against one of them will be treated as an attack against all of them, amid increasing security concerns in the wake of escalating tensions in West Asia.
Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia have signed a trilateral defence pact, agreeing to treat an attack on one as an attack on all. Analysts suggest this alliance could significantly diminish the United States' strategic influence in West Asia and elevate Pakistan's geopolitical standing, potentially acting as a deterrent in regional conflicts.
'It beggars belief that Saudi Arabia would deploy military force against India, a top partner and market.'
Erik ten Hag blamed Cristiano Ronaldo's poor fitness and preparation for his Manchester United struggles, saying the superstar let the team down before their acrimonious split in November 2022.
The ministry of external affairs on Friday dismissed as 'fake news' reports alleging that India had requested Israel to sign a defence pact in response to the newly formed Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkey security framework.
Indian government bond yields have recorded their worst losing streak in three decades, rising for the tenth consecutive week, driven by elevated crude oil prices and increasing global yields. The rupee also weakened, and India's foreign exchange reserves saw a significant decline.
An Indian captain and Israeli passengers on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv heroically fought off a co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli envoy Reuven Azar praised Indian Captain Smit Machchhar for foiling an alleged co-pilot's attempt to crash a flydubai plane en route to Tel Aviv. Azar detailed Israel's immediate response, including scrambling fighter jets, and highlighted the combined efforts of the captain, Israeli passengers, and crew in ensuring a safe landing in Saudi Arabia, saving nearly 180 lives.
Legendary striker Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 979th professional goal, leading Al Nassr to a 2-1 victory over Abha in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo opened the scoring, with Abdullah Al-Hamdan adding another, securing Al Nassr's second-place position in the league table.
An Omani citizen, Hamam al-Hammami, has been identified as the flydubai co-pilot who attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar and allegedly attempted to take control of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, which the UAE has now confirmed as a 'terrorist act'.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that India is set to introduce a new, more investor-friendly bilateral investment treaty (BIT) framework, which is expected to receive Cabinet approval shortly, aiming to provide sharper protection for investors from both sides.
Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the national team if he chooses to, following the captain's abrupt departure from the squad last week after being an unused substitute.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio kick-started a three-day visit to India on Tuesday to advance bilateral ties in energy, trade and investment, defence, critical technologies, and exchange views on the West Asia crisis.
Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri described his recent season as his 'weakest' and addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding LIV Golf. He stated that his future decisions regarding where he plays will be based on the best interests of his family and himself, urging patience as the situation is dynamic. Lahiri also shared insights into his break from golf, focusing on fitness and mental well-being, and expressed excitement about returning to play at the Delhi Golf Course.
Saudi Arabia coach Georgios Donis said his players lacked self-confidence in the second as they failed to hold on to their lead with Maxi Araujo equalising for Uruguay in the 2nd half.
Inspired by Lamine Yamal, Spain strolled to a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Group H on Sunday, where Mikel Oyarzabal restored his reputation with two goals and Luis de la Fuente's side found their groove after an underwhelming World Cup opener.
Authorities in Australia, Israel, and the UAE are investigating an Omani co-pilot's attempted "terrorist act" on a flydubai flight. The co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, attacked the Indian captain with a crash axe, but passengers and reserve pilots managed to land the plane safely. The probe focuses on his motives, connections, and past radical views.
Professional men's golf league LIV Golf has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New Jersey, aiming to restructure its business with a $49.6 million loan from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
From Mithun Chakraborty and Vidya Balan to S J Suryah and Hrithik Roshan, Jailer 2 boasts an eclectic new cast. Here's a look at the fresh faces joining Rajinikanth's Tiger Muthuvel Pandian and the films you know them from.
India's national football team suffered a 6-1 defeat against two-time former world champions Uruguay in an international friendly in Kolkata.
Munich has been selected by the German Olympic Committee to be Germany's candidate city for hosting the Summer Olympic Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044. This marks Germany's latest effort to bring the multi-sport event back to the country since 1972, with Munich's bid leveraging its existing Olympic park and enjoying strong local support.
Tajinderpal Singh Toor secured a silver medal in shot put at the Asian Games, marking his third consecutive medal at the event. Despite aiming for gold and a new personal best, Toor faced challenging wet conditions and minor injuries, finishing behind Iran's Mohammadreza Tayebise who set a new Games record. Toor expressed disappointment but acknowledged the significance of winning a medal for India.
India's Asian Games campaign looked bleak in Nagoya. A slow medal start saw the country slip to around 12th, before a late surge took India back to fourth with 85 medals.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have withdrawn nearly Rs 5,109.21 crore from Indian government securities under the fully accessible route (FAR) in just three days, driven by global uncertainty, elevated crude prices, rising US Treasury yields, and a depreciating rupee.
India's athletics campaign at the Asian Games saw Sawan Barwal secure an unexpected silver in the marathon with a national record, while Tajinderpal Singh Toor also claimed silver in shot put. Prachi Chaudhary added a bronze in quarter-mile, bringing India's athletics medal tally to eight. The day also saw injuries to medal contenders Jyothi Yarraji and Praveen Chithravel.
There are only bad and worse options before him, points out Aakar Patel.
