Pakistan names retired general to lead defence alliance with Saudi Arabia, Türkiye

Video

Pakistani party animals go ape for grooving gorillas

• Entertainers dress up in super-sized simian costumes, flailing around their limbs to DJ beats in Lahore
• Young students, who attended a university bash, say energy levels shot up as soon as the gorilla appeared

By AFP · 23 September 2026

Photos

Saudi FM calls for implementation of Gaza peace plan, renewed push for Palestinian statehood

By Arab News · 24 September 2026

Video

Is Iran’s Hormuz offer a sign of economic strain or a bid to buy time?

• Collapsing oil shipments, restricted trade deepen pressure on Tehran as households face rising prices and a weaker rial
• Analysts divided on whether reported reopening proposal reflects pressure or effort to preserve Iran’s bargaining position

By ALEX JAMES · 24 September 2026

US drafted a memo condemning UK over West Bank sanctions. It was never released

• The memo was linked to Secretary of State Marco Rubio
• It pertained to plans to block imports from West Bank settlements

By Reuters · 24 September 2026

Saudi Arabia’s economy to expand 4.1% in 2027: OECD

• Saudi Arabia's GDP is projected to grow by 4.1% in 2027, outpacing the global economy, G20, and G7 countries according to the OECD.
• The Kingdom's growth rate marks a significant recovery from a projected 1.8% contraction in 2026, following an estimated growth of 4.6% in 2025.

By Nirmal Narayanan · 23 September 2026

Rerun of the 2023 final ends in draw as Iraq and Oman open the 27th Gulf Cup

• Early Mohammed Qasim strike puts Iraq ahead inside 6 minutes but Nasser Al-Rawahi levels it midway through the second half
• Iraq come close to winning it in closing minutes when Aymen Hussein met a dipping cross from Ali Jasim, but his header flies narrowly past the post

By Mohammed Fayad · 24 September 2026