Gulf
-
Saudi Arabia reopens Riyadh airport after Houthi attacks but flights remain limited
The renewed fighting in Yemen has shattered a UN-brokered truce that had largely held since 2022
-
Iran’s lethal plots against US officials abroad reach ‘advanced stages,’ memo reveals
This comes as American diplomats were instructed to depart Saudi Arabia on Wednesday with their families
-
No unions, low taxes: why some of Britain’s top chefs are opening outposts in Gulf states
Leading restaurateur says Gulf countries actively help businesses set up, while east Asia has a better work ethic
-
Oil spill washes up on UAE beaches after tanker strike
Satellite images show oil spreading for miles along the coastline, threatening local marine wildlife
-
Oil price rises above $117 a barrel amid fears US will renew strikes on Iran
Brent crude increase follows Tehran threatening retaliatory attacks on Gulf refineries and datacentres
-
UAE diplomat running for UN chief faces questions over her country's support for Sudan rebels
Lana Nusseibeh, a diplomat from the United Arab Emirates, is the newest contender for United Nations secretary-general
-
France to deploy 70,000 officers as it braces for weekend of protests – Europe live
Interior minister Laurent Nuñez defended blanket bans on demonstrations in some parts of France
-
A Budapest reset, and a scramble to get Ukraine peace talks on track
Good morning. I’m Mared Gwyn. In this Friday edition: Ursula von der Leyen is set to become a headline act at Hungary’s 1956 revolution commemoration, and Europeans grapple with Trump’s “terrifying” Ukraine approach. #EuropeToday
-
Oil spill hits UAE beaches as tanker attacks multiply near Hormuz
The UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change said teams were deployed to contain a spill affecting Umm Al Quwain’s beaches, days after a tanker was struck by a projectile off the UAE coast, causing a fire.
-
Gulf nations brace for possible return to all-out war
The volatility around the Israeli and US midterm elections is fueling fears of renewed US-Israeli strikes on Iran in a short and intensive military campaign to push Tehran into concessions, with Iran vowing a devastating response against the Gulf nations.
-
65mph storm threatens East Coast with flooding and dangerous winds
Subtropical Storm Josephine is pushing north from the U.S. Northeast coast, bringing some coastal flooding and possible gale-force winds
-
Iran says 7 tankers on fire or damaged overnight in the Strait of Hormuz, and other Mideast news
Iran's state television has reported that seven oil tankers caught fire and were damaged overnight after either being targeted or striking naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz
-
Macron condemns ‘seditious acts’ by ‘ultra-left’ and says he will seek to ban some protests – Europe live
French government will show ‘absolute’ determination to stop the riots, Macron says
-
France on edge as Macron faces backlash, Putin signals peace talks
France prepares for another weekend of protests as Macron faces criticism over his Gulf tour. Meanwhile, Putin signals readiness for Ukraine peace talks after meeting Steve Witkoff, and Hungary detains former central bank governor György Matolcsy over suspected fraud. #EuropeToday
-
Some US diplomats told to leave Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks
Reports emerge of similar withdrawals in UAE, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain amid concerns about a return to conflict with Iran after US midterm elections
-
US orders some diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate
The warning to US officials comes as at least three people die in the latest strikes at an airport and an oil field.
-
The 'trillion pound' oil fund the government believes Britain could have built
For the first time, the Treasury calculates how much the UK could have raised by investing North Sea proceeds.
-
Disappointed after meeting, French unions call for 5 November action
Trade unions, unanimously disappointed after their meeting with the government, are calling for a large mobilisation on 5 November. The CGT's general secretary is urging workers to "generalise the strike". #EuropeNews
-
US orders some diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia as fears of escalating Houthi attacks rise
The State Department is ordering some diplomats and the families of U.S. government employees to leave Saudi Arabia
-
Europe weighs energy-saving measures as Middle East crisis deepens
EU Energy Ministers will consider demand cuts if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed in the months ahead, according to a document seen by Euronews. #EuropeNews
-
Macron decries 'stupid comments' by foreign leaders on France protests
Speaking in Doha on Wednesday, Macron called out leaders for instrumentalising unrest in France for their own political gain, following riots which occurred across the country over the weekend. #EuropeNews
-
Macron calls for extreme caution in Gulf, secures critical gas deal in Qatar state visit
French president concludes his state visit by reinforcing the strategic partnership with Qatar. He declares his Gulf tour objectives achieved after securing a crucial gas deal with Qatar as he seeks to lower tensions over living costs in France.
-
Macron accuses Trump and other foreign leaders of ‘stupid comments’ about France unrest
Leaders criticised for spreading misleading information as France prepares for further protests this weekend
-
King Charles praises Oman's 'noble efforts' on Strait of Hormuz
Oman’s role during the Middle East war is worthy of our ‘utmost respect’, Charles says
-
IRGC mines set tankers ablaze as Tehran threatens expanded attacks
Iran’s foreign ministry further warned Washington it would retaliate against any strike, and an IRGC spokesperson threatened to target undersea internet cables in the Gulf in another escalation of the ongoing war of words between Tehran and Washington.
-
France's Macron begins state visit to Qatar as part of wider Gulf tour
Qatar welcomed the French president with full state honours on his arrival in Doha as the two countries are strengthening their strategic ties. Facing protests at home, Macron is seeking energy deals with Gulf partners to help ease fuel prices in France, but also contributing to regional stability.
-
Qatar revamped defence system in six hours, intelligence chief says
At Doha’s Global Security Forum, Qatar’s head of intelligence revealed how the war with Iran forced the Gulf country to urgently redeploy its defensive assets, while the US ambassador to Turkey offered new insights into a fundamental shift in Washington's presence in the Middle East.
-
UK to deploy fighter jets to protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks
RAF Typhoon fighters to fly defensive missions over cities and infrastructure in extension of UK support for Riyadh
-
Commissioners push back against cuts to EU’s global cooperation budget
Five Commissioners, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, warn that Ireland’s proposed 17% cut to Global Europe would erode the EU’s influence and security, as Council President Costa readies a new compromise for a 26 November summit.
-
UK to deploy jets to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks
The UK announces it will provide additional defensive military support to Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate in the region.
-
Pressure mounts on Macron as France reels from unrest
Hello from Brussels. I’m Mared Gwyn, holding the newsletter pen once again today. In this edition: what the unrest in France means for its embattled president, and the latest from Ukraine amid signs of intensified diplomacy. #EuropeToday
-
Macron increasingly isolated amid unrest across France
Saturday’s violent protests and looting across France have deepened Macron’s political isolation, raising questions over his authority. #EuropeNews
-
Macron accused of being ‘out of touch’ for Kuwait trip as France gripped by violence
Hundreds of thousands of people protested this weekend over declining public services and the rising cost of living
-
Qatar plans new defence partnership and warns of energy crisis 'peak'
Qatar is preparing a new regional defence partnership while keeping channels open with Tehran, arguing that dialogue and economic ties offer a route to lasting peace. Doha also warned of an energy disruption “peak” with more difficulties on the horizon “in the coming days and months”.
-
A long term solution to heating oil price increases is needed - Jayne Dowle
As autumn is now officially with us, we’ll all be keeping an anxious eye on our energy bills, even more so if we rely on heating oil. The thousands of UK residents with an oil-fired boiler powering heating and hot water are right to question if the government is taking their plight seriously enough.
-
France protests latest: French PM calls for curfews as fears of further violence grow
Hundreds of thousands of people protested this weekend over declining public services and rising cost-of-living pressures
-
Gulf states top disaster resilience as Lebanon and Iraq lag far behind
As many as 87% of UAE residents say the government is well prepared for disasters while only 14% of Lebanese citizens believe the same, and more than half of Iraqi and Lebanese respondents say their governments do not care about them at all, latest study shows.
-
Israel-Lebanon agreement shines light on long-lost Jewish community
Rabbi Elie Abadie, who left Lebanon over 50 years ago, remains deeply connected to his Lebanese roots
-
Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia show the Yemeni rebels' growing strength
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have showcased their growing military capabilities, repeatedly striking the airport in Saudi Arabia's capital and seizing territory near a key shipping chokepoint
-
There is a violent ‘new normal’ in the Strait of Hormuz. Here’s why we should worry
With the prospect of peace in the Middle East looking increasingly remote ahead of the US midterm elections, oil prices remain stubbornly high and attacks have intensified rather than settled. Experts tell Maira Butt that the conflict is in a dangerous limbo
-
Saudi Arabia says it thwarted a missile strike on Medina, and other Middle East developments
The Saudi-led coalition says it has thwarted a missile attack on Medina and another in eastern Saudi Arabia
-
Yemen's Houthis look to build ballistic missiles with more Chinese supplies, report says
Experts say that Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels are working on a new medium-range ballistic missile system using Chinese parts
-
Energy agency lowers world oil demand forecast for the year
The International Energy Agency is lowering its world oil demand forecast for the year, noting that the war in Iran is leading to escalating fuel prices, limited oil supplies and a deteriorating economic outlook
-
IEA warns European diesel prices could rise as crunch lasts into 2027
Europe could face renewed wholesale diesel price rises in the coming weeks, the International Energy Agency warned on Wednesday, as disrupted supplies leave markets tight well into 2027 despite recovering Gulf oil output.
-
Florida officials say six people dead from Hurricane Isaias
Governor Ron DeSantis says death toll ‘sad’ but praises work of local officials for helping to minimize storm’s impact
-
Saudi Arabia strikes oil depots in Yemen and says missiles launched toward location of Saudi Aramco HQ
Civilians warned to leave target area near Sana’a before attacks following deadly strike on Riyadh airport
-
New strategies will make Qatar emerge stronger, emir says
Qatar's emir outlined in a speech to the nation how the Gulf nation has managed to overcome the consequences of the Iran war and will emerge stronger and better equipped to adapt to global changes by diversifying its economy and focusing on non-carbon industries in addition to existing LNG exports.
-
The Saudi megaprojects at risk of collapse as war with Houthis escalates
Saudi Arabia’s image as a safe haven has been battered by Iranian and Houthi attacks. But could this threaten its much-touted Vision 2030? Alex Croft reports
-
Normandy veteran Henry Rice dies aged 100
Henry Rice, from Cranleigh, Surrey, was a signalman who served off Normandy in the days after D-Day.
-
Saudi Arabia further suspends flights after latest deadly Houthi attack on airport
Energy minister says ‘fear has no place in the Saudi lexicon’ as paramilitary group again breaches stretched defences
