Saudi foreign minister chairs meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Riyadh

Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan chairs meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Updated 10 November 2023
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Saudi foreign minister chairs meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Riyadh

  • Prince Faisal urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the Israeli war in Gaza

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan presided over a preparatory meeting of Arab foreign ministers on Thursday in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The meeting came ahead of the extraordinary session of the Arab summit on the Israeli violence in Gaza, which is scheduled for Saturday.

Prince Faisal urged the international community, including the UN’s Security Council, to fulfill its responsibilities by establishing a ceasefire, providing civil protection, releasing hostages and prisoners, and halting the forced displacement of Palestinians, in accordance with international law.

The Saudi foreign minister also called for the lifting of the siege on Gaza and the delivery of relief and medical aid without restrictions and in a sustainable manner to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe that has claimed the lives of innocent people — more than half of whom are women and children — and which threatens regional and global security and stability.

He added that the Saudi aid agency KSrelief had launched a donation campaign through the Sahem platform to provide relief to the Palestinian people in Gaza, and that the Kingdom would spare no effort in attempting to alleviate the human suffering of the Palestinian people.

Prince Faisal said that the Arab world must not lose sight of the goal of establishing a Palestinian state according to 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He added that the Kingdom was keen on consulting and coordinating with international allies to find a solution to the crisis.


Harley-Davidson to launch racing series with MotoGP in 2026

Updated 52 sec ago
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Harley-Davidson to launch racing series with MotoGP in 2026

Riders will be given race-prepared Harley-Davidson Road Glide bagger motorcycles
The 12-race series will run at six Grands Prix on the MotoGP calendar

PARIS: Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson and MotoGP announced a new global racing series on Saturday which will launch in 2026, with teams riding bagger motorcycles at Grands Prix in Europe and North America.

Riders will be given race-prepared Harley-Davidson Road Glide bagger motorcycles, which are touring-style bikes designed for long-distance riding.

The 12-race series will run at six Grands Prix on the MotoGP calendar and the grid is expected to have six to eight teams with two riders each.

“This is a bold new step for Harley-Davidson’s global racing ambitions,” Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz said in a statement.

“With this new series, we’re excited to bring a new form of racing to the world stage.”

The teams will be supported by Harley-Davidson Factory Racing.

Iran beat Pakistan in Asian polo qualifiers’ finals in Riyadh

Updated 9 min 35 sec ago
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Iran beat Pakistan in Asian polo qualifiers’ finals in Riyadh

  • Iran defeated Pakistan with an aggregate score of 32–30 over two-leg matches
  • Saudi Polo Federation chief highlights the high level of competition from both teams

RIYADH: The Iranian national polo team have qualified for the 2025 World Cup in the US after beating Pakistan in the 2025 Federation of International Polo (FIP) Arena World Polo Championship Asia qualifiers.

Held in western Riyadh at the Nofa Equestrian Resort, Iran defeated Pakistan with an aggregate score of 32–30 over two-leg matches, a media statement said on Saturday.

The medal ceremony was attended by Piero Dillier, president of the Federation of International Polo, and Faisal bin Duwaiyes, CEO of the Saudi Polo Federation, who awarded the medals to both teams.

Bin Duwaiyes said that the successful hosting of the event was a continuation of Saudi Arabia’s achievements in organizing regional and international sporting events.

“This success was made possible by the unwavering support of the Kingdom’s leadership and the close attention of the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, he said.

SPF’s CEO highlighted the high level of competition and strong performances from both teams throughout the matches.

Bin Duwaiyes underscored the significance of the presence of Federation of International Polo officials and sport experts. He described it as a valuable opportunity for Saudi administrative and technical personnel to gain experience and further contribute to the development of polo in the Kingdom.


Saudi Arabia welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire, urges dialogue

Updated 20 min 37 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire, urges dialogue

  • Kingdom commends both parties for prudence, self-restraint amid heightened tensions

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday welcomed the US-mediated ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India, expressing hope that the development will pave the way for restoring security and stability in the region.

In an official statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom commended both parties for their prudence and self-restraint amid heightened tensions, and reiterated its support for resolving disputes through dialogue and peaceful means.

Saudi Arabia emphasized the importance of adhering to the principles of good neighborliness in a manner that promotes peace and prosperity for both countries and their peoples.

The ceasefire announcement came on Saturday after both Islamabad and New Delhi confirmed the agreement following a period of escalated hostilities.

The de-escalation followed US-mediated talks late on Friday night, with President Donald Trump stating that Washington had played a key role in brokering the understanding between the nuclear-armed neighbors.


UK pro-Israel group slammed for suggesting war could reduce Gaza obesity

Updated 41 min 13 sec ago
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UK pro-Israel group slammed for suggesting war could reduce Gaza obesity

  • Comments follow warnings by UN, aid agencies that enclave faces imminent famine
  • Council for Arab-British Understanding, Palestine Solidarity Campaign label remarks ‘atrocious’, ‘utterly sickening’, ‘repulsive’

LONDON: A pro-Israel pressure group in the UK has been condemned for suggesting that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip may benefit from a reduction in obesity levels arising from the war, The Guardian reported on Saturday.

The comments — made by Jonathan Turner, head of UK Lawyers for Israel — followed a series of warnings by the UN and aid agencies that Gaza faces imminent famine.

Turner, on behalf of UKLFI, was responding to a motion set to be debated at the annual general meeting of the Co-operative Group, a major British retailer.

The motion calls for the Co-operative to stop stocking Israeli products, as part of the worldwide Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. UKLFI urged the Co-operative council to withdraw the motion.

In doing so, Turner highlighted the motion’s reference to a letter published last year by The Lancet, a leading medical journal, which said the death toll in Gaza could be far higher than the 52,000 put forth by the enclave’s Health Ministry.

Turner said the letter “ignored factors that may increase average life expectancy in Gaza, bearing in mind that one of the biggest health issues in Gaza prior to the current war was obesity … These factors include the possible reduction in the availability of confectionery and cigarettes.”

Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, said on X that Turner’s comments represent “atrocious views,” adding: “How very kind of Israel to put 2.3 million Palestinians on an enforced diet to improve their obesity levels.”

The Lancet has published several studies relating to Israel’s war in Gaza. One found that life expectancy in the enclave plunged by 34.9 years during the first year of the war. Gaza’s pre-war life expectancy was 75.5 years.

Since March, Israel has implemented a total blockade on the entry of humanitarian goods to the enclave.

Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: “As children in the Gaza Strip face the growing risk of starvation, illness and death, the suggestion by the head of UK Lawyers for Israel that they might benefit from weight loss is utterly sickening.

“These repulsive comments illustrate exactly what it means to be ‘for Israel’ and how low its apologists are prepared to sink in their attempts to justify genocide in Gaza.”

UKLFI previously faced controversy over the removal of artwork made by Palestinian children in a London hospital.

The organization submitted a complaint to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in 2023, claiming that artwork created by Palestinian children and displayed in the facility made Jewish patients feel “vulnerable, harassed and victimized.” The hospital removed the works.


US mission in Islamabad eases staff movement curbs after India-Pakistan ceasefire

Updated 10 May 2025
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US mission in Islamabad eases staff movement curbs after India-Pakistan ceasefire

  • The embassy upholds ‘Do Not Travel’ statue for areas near the eastern border
  • It also maintains a ‘Reconsider Travel’ advisory in the country more broadly

ISLAMABAD: The United States eased movement restrictions on its diplomatic personnel in Pakistan on Saturday, following a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan that brought a pause to days of cross-border military exchanges.
The conflict was sparked by a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month that killed 26 tourists, with New Delhi blaming Pakistan for the incident despite Islamabad’s denial of the allegation.
India launched missile strikes on what it said were “terrorist camps,” prompting Pakistan to respond with attacks on Indian military targets.
A ceasefire brokered by Washington was announced Saturday afternoon by President Donald Trump, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying both sides had agreed to hold talks at a neutral venue.
“Movement restrictions on US government personnel in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore have been adjusted to allow travel within city limits,” the US mission said in a security alert.
However, it reiterated its “Do Not Travel” advisory for areas near the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control, citing “terrorism” and the risk of “armed conflict.”
It also maintained a “Reconsider Travel” advisory for Pakistan more broadly, reflecting long-standing US concerns about militant violence and limited consular access in parts of the country.
Earlier this year, the US State Department had cited Pakistan’s deteriorating security conditions, especially in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
In its recent alert, the US embassy advised citizens in Pakistan to review their security plans and stay alert.
It noted that flight availability remained fluid in Pakistan, urging travelers to confirm schedules with their airlines.