Israel says intercepted missile launched from Yemen

Israel says intercepted missile launched from Yemen
Israeli security officers oversee the removal of a part of a missile fired from Yemen. (File/AFP)
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Updated 26 April 2025
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Israel says intercepted missile launched from Yemen

Israel says intercepted missile launched from Yemen
  • The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, have repeatedly fired missiles and drones at Israel since the war in Gaza

Israel’s military said Saturday it had intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, whose Houthi militants have launched attacks throughout the Gaza war, as well as a drone approaching “from the east.”
“Following the sirens that sounded recently in several areas in Israel, a missile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted” before “crossing into Israeli territory,” a military statement said.
In a later statement, it said a drone “that was on its way to Israeli territory from the east was intercepted” by the air force.
Yemen, large parts of which are under the control of the Iran-backed Houthis, is located to Israel’s southeast.
Other countries to Israel’s east include Iraq, where Tehran-aligned militants have claimed a number of attacks targeting Israel since the Gaza war began.
The Houthis have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at Israel since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023 in what they say is a show of solidarity with the Palestinians.
The militants have also targeted ships they accuse of having ties to Israel as they travel on the Red Sea — a vital waterway for global trade.
They had temporarily paused their attacks during a recent two-month ceasefire in Gaza.
According to Israel’s army radio, the missile intercepted overnight was the 22nd fired by the Houthis since they had resumed their attacks as Israel renewed its Gaza offensive on March 18.
Since March 15, Israel’s key ally the United States has stepped up its attacks on the Houthis, targeting militants positions in Yemen with near-daily air strikes.


Saudi Arabia’s EV push signals long-term investment strategy: Alkhorayef

Saudi Arabia’s EV push signals long-term investment strategy: Alkhorayef
Updated 5 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia’s EV push signals long-term investment strategy: Alkhorayef

Saudi Arabia’s EV push signals long-term investment strategy: Alkhorayef

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s investment in electric vehicles reflects how the Kingdom is shaping its future through strategic, long-term bets, according to a senior minister.  

Speaking during a panel discussion at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef stated that Saudi Arabia’s push toward EV manufacturing demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to shaping a modern and sustainable economy. 

His comments come as Saudi Arabia ramps up efforts to position itself as a regional hub for automotive manufacturing, particularly in electric vehicles. Backed by the Public Investment Fund, the Kingdom has invested in ventures such as US-based Lucid Motors, which is building a production facility in King Abdullah Economic City.  

As part of its broader diversification drive, Saudi Arabia aims to produce over 300,000 vehicles annually by 2030. 

“Betting on EVs is also showing you how we think as a country. We are investing in the future,” he said.  

He added: “Automotive is a sector that we have been waiting to attract for many years, that our vision is a great enabler that brought the sector to Saudi. We are the largest country exporting cars with no local manufacturing, and I think it's the right move.”  

Alkhorayef emphasized that the Kingdom’s economic transformation under Vision 2030 centers on diversification, with mining and industrial development playing a key role in that shift.  

“In our vision — Saudi Vision 2030 — diversification of our economy is key, and definitely mining and industry are both areas where we can see great opportunities,” he said.  

Discussing the Kingdom’s execution capabilities, the minister said Saudi Arabia has mastered “the art of execution,” stressing that successful implementation of plans, not just strategy, is what builds investor confidence.  

He highlighted mining as a strategic sector, noting that the country has significantly reformed its regulatory framework.  

“We have been able to introduce, I would claim, one of the best — if not the best — mining investment laws globally… We have been able to reduce the licensing time from the global average of three to five years to six months,” Alkhorayef said.   

Touching on global mineral demand, he said: “We are actually in a race with time to ensure that we have the right quantities of minerals and metals to satisfy the global need in energy transition, in automation, in technology, and in defense.” 

The minister pointed to the Future Minerals Forum hosted by the Kingdom as a critical platform to address such challenges, uniting governments, private sector players, and financial institutions to improve exploration, refining, and supply chain resilience.  

On the topic of supply chains and national resilience, Alkhorayef explained that Saudi Arabia’s localization strategy goes beyond national security.  

“It is really capturing a new value. Today in manufacturing, scale is becoming less important because of new technologies that are being introduced,” he said. 

Alkhorayef continued: “Today in manufacturing, in mining, and in many of the sectors we intend to build in Saudi, are all built on new technologies. How can we ensure that while we are growing our economy, we are creating the right jobs for our people?” 

Addressing the role of governments in enabling private sector growth, Alkhorayef stressed the need for proactive governance.  

“Without government really helping the private sector to capture different value, it would be very hard to see the growth in the private sector,” he said, stressing the importance of infrastructure, regulation, and digital security in encouraging investment. 

He concluded by highlighting the Kingdom’s export achievements: “Last year is a great demonstration of the growth we have done. 2024 was the record high export of Saudi Arabia. Non-oil export — we grew from 16 percent contribution in non-oil export to 25 percent contribution of our GDP in non-oil export. The non-oil, non-petrochemical growth of exports was 9 percent last year,” he said.  


Golf Saudi brings free GoGolf coaching to South Korea at Aramco Korea Championship

Golf Saudi brings free GoGolf coaching to South Korea at Aramco Korea Championship
Updated 3 min 36 sec ago
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Golf Saudi brings free GoGolf coaching to South Korea at Aramco Korea Championship

Golf Saudi brings free GoGolf coaching to South Korea at Aramco Korea Championship
  • The initiative was run alongside the $2 million Aramco Korea Championship

SEOUL: Golf Saudi’s grassroots coaching initiative, GoGolf, made its international debut in South Korea this month, offering free golf lessons to more than 300 children and Saudi expats during the Aramco Korea Championship.

The initiative was run alongside the $2 million Aramco Korea Championship, part of the new-look PIF Global Series, held at New Korea Country Club from May 9 to 11.

At the tournament, Czech golfer Sara Kouskova led her team to victory, while home favourite Kim Hyo-joo clinched the individual title after three days of play.

Away from the competition, Golf Saudi delivered three days of onsite coaching clinics as part of its GoGolf program, aimed at introducing new players to the game. Sessions took place on the tournament driving range and were led by Golf Saudi coaches and brand ambassadors.

“At Golf Saudi we are passionate about bringing more and more people into the game we love, helping it continue to grow both in Saudi Arabia and around the world,” said Muath Al-Alsheikh, program manager at GoGolf.

“We know that means enabling access and breaking down barriers of entry wherever possible, so that’s why GoGolf offers all Saudis free lessons — and why we were thrilled to host complimentary GoGolf clinics in Seoul.

“It was great to see so many young golfers come and be part of the sessions, including some who were repeat participants — amongst them, several of the Saudi expats. This shows the effectiveness of clinics like these in driving a growing interest in golf,” Al-Alsheikh added.

The GoGolf scheme, launched in Saudi Arabia, offers newcomers three months of free lessons, followed by discounted rounds, coaching, and memberships.

According to Golf Saudi, the program has delivered more than 70,000 free lessons to date, contributing to a 300 percent increase in Saudi golf participation since 2022. About 3,000 Saudi women have taken up the sport since 2021.

In Seoul, participants included local children aged five to eight who were introduced to the game through a partnership with First Tee Korea, a non-profit focused on youth development through golf.

Sessions were also open to Saudi expats living in South Korea, some of whom had previously taken up the sport in the Kingdom.

“I really enjoyed GoGolf,” said Abrar Abdulwahab, one of the approximately 100 Saudis who took part.

“I tried golf last year in Saudi Arabia, and now, trying again here, I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in my skills. When I return to my home, I’ll continue learning more, it’s been a wonderful experience,” he said.

Fellow expat Fahad Al-Qahtani added: “I’m extremely grateful for this program and its organizers. Not only did I take part in the coaching session, but I also learned about the history of golf in Saudi Arabia, which was really interesting.”


Poland to try suspect in alleged Russian plot to assassinate Zelensky

Poland to try suspect in alleged Russian plot to assassinate Zelensky
Updated 2 min 15 sec ago
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Poland to try suspect in alleged Russian plot to assassinate Zelensky

Poland to try suspect in alleged Russian plot to assassinate Zelensky
  • The man, identified as Pawel K., was arrested in April 2024
  • Prosecutors said he had declared his readiness to act for Russia’s military intelligence

WARSAW: Polish authorities have indicted a man charged with planning to help Russian foreign intelligence services prepare a possible attempt to assassinate Ukraine’s president, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

The man, identified as Pawel K., was arrested in April 2024 after cooperation between Polish and Ukrainian prosecutors, and faces up to eight years in prison.

According to prosecutors, he had declared his readiness to act for the military intelligence of the Russian Federation and established contacts with Russians who were directly involved in the war in Ukraine.

“The activities were to help, among other things, in the planning by the Russian special services of a possible assassination attempt on the life of ... the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky,” the prosecution said in a statement.

Pawel K.’s tasks included collecting and providing information on security at the Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland, prosecutors said.

Poland, a hub for Western military supplies to Ukraine, says it has become a major target of Russian spies, accusing Moscow and its ally Belarus of trying to destabilize it — accusations which the Kremlin has repeatedly denied.


UAE foreign minister holds phone call with his new German counterpart

UAE foreign minister holds phone call with his new German counterpart
Updated 54 sec ago
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UAE foreign minister holds phone call with his new German counterpart

UAE foreign minister holds phone call with his new German counterpart
  • Ministers discussed strengthening the UAE-Germany strategic partnership and enhancing cooperation in key sectors

LONDON: UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan congratulated Johann Wadephul on his appointment as Germany’s minister of foreign affairs.

The two ministers discussed strengthening the UAE-Germany strategic partnership and enhancing cooperation in key sectors during a phone call on Tuesday, the Emirates News Agency reported.

Sheikh Abdullah hoped to achieve mutual prosperity between Germany and the UAE, whose diplomatic ties were established in 1972.

In 2023, the UAE became one of Germany’s most important business partners in the Middle East, with a bilateral trade volume exceeding €14 billion ($15.768 billion). According to Germany’s Federal Foreign Office report, German imports from the UAE experienced a 150 percent increase in the same year.

Wadephul, a veteran conservative and defense policy expert, assumed the foreign minister’s office on May 7 in Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government.


Syrian pilgrims arrive at Jeddah airport

The first flights of pilgrims from the Syrian Arab Republic for 2025 Hajj season arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
The first flights of pilgrims from the Syrian Arab Republic for 2025 Hajj season arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
Updated 18 min 9 sec ago
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Syrian pilgrims arrive at Jeddah airport

The first flights of pilgrims from the Syrian Arab Republic for 2025 Hajj season arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
  • This Hajj season is the second since pilgrimage for Syrians resumed in 2024 after a 12-year hiatus
  • The General Directorate of Passports has eased entry procedures by utilizing multilingual personnel to assist pilgrims from around the world

RIYADH: The first flights of pilgrims from the Syrian Arab Republic for the 2025 Hajj season have arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

This Hajj season is the second since pilgrimage for Syrians resumed in 2024 after a 12-year hiatus, and the first following the implementation of a new regime under the leadership of President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in January, marking a new era of relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia.

All entry procedures were completed in an orderly and trouble-free manner, a reflection of the Kingdom’s continuous efforts for providing a safe journey for pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The General Directorate of Passports has eased entry procedures by utilizing multilingual personnel to assist pilgrims from around the world, and supplying advanced technologies at entry points.

The directorate has reaffirmed its preparedness to facilitate the arrival of pilgrims at all of the Kingdom’s international airports, land border crossings, and seaports.

It has also stressed that it is working in cooperation with all relevant authorities in the Kingdom to guarantee a smooth and honorable pilgrimage for all.