Author: Editorial Team
MANILA — A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines early Monday, prompting tsunami warnings and evacuations in coastal areas, authorities said. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the quake struck at 7:37 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located 13 kilometers southwest of General Santos City on the island of Mindanao at a depth of 10 kilometers. Power outages were reported in some areas, while residents were urged to move to higher ground as a precaution against possible tsunami waves. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said tsunami waves of up to 3 meters could affect…
JERUSALEM/TEHRAN — Israel launched strikes on targets in western and central Iran early Monday after Tehran fired multiple waves of missiles toward northern Israel in the most serious escalation between the two sides since a ceasefire was reached in April. The Israeli military said the strikes were carried out in response to Iran’s first direct missile attack on Israel since April, after earlier warning that any such action would trigger retaliation. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the missile barrage marked “the beginning of a full week of continuous strikes” against Israel. Israeli authorities said most of the missiles…
The UAE is aiming to divert 80 per cent of waste away from landfill by 2031, with textile waste emerging as a key focus under a new national circular economy initiative launched this week as authorities work towards closing 11 landfill sites within the next three years. The push comes as the country generates an estimated 220,000 tonnes of textile waste every year, much of which currently ends up in landfill. According to Tadweer Group chief executive officer Etienne Petit, almost all textile waste generated today ultimately reaches landfill, with only limited recycling taking place. Through the newly launched Naseej…
LIMA — Peruvians headed to the polls on Sunday in a presidential runoff election between Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sanchez, with the winner set to become the country’s ninth president in a decade. Fujimori, representing the right-wing Popular Force party, secured 17% of the vote in the first round held in April, while Sanchez of the leftist Together for Peru party received 12% in a crowded field of more than two dozen candidates. Fujimori, 51, is the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, who ruled Peru from 1990 to 2000. Her campaign has focused on tackling rising crime and violent…
BEIRUT — Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sunday, marking the first attack on the Lebanese capital since a ceasefire was extended earlier this month. According to witnesses, fighter jets struck the Dahiyeh area without prior warning, sending plumes of smoke into the sky over the southern suburbs of the city. In a statement posted on X, Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said the army targeted what he described as a Hezbollah infrastructure facility in the area. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strike was carried out in response…
[Editor’s Note: Follow Khaleej Times’ live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.] At a meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Abdullah Balala, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, delivered the UAE’s statement in the wake of the drone attack that targeted the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on May 17. IAEA members praised the UAE’s transparent and responsible handling of the incident, as well as its close cooperation with the agency. They also commended the safety and security measures in place, saying they reflect the UAE’s…
RIYADH — Maj. Nasser Al-Otaibi, spokesperson of the General Directorate of Passports, said that the directorate continues to implement its operational plan for the departure of Hajj pilgrims through all international air, land, and sea ports. He said that the Passports Directorate has introduced an advanced suite of modern technological solutions, most notably electronic gates that enable the automated processing of travel procedures with speed and ease, thereby enhancing the overall departure experience for pilgrims leaving the Kingdom. “Simultaneous electronic translation devices powered by artificial intelligence and supporting 138 languages have been deployed to facilitate effective communication with pilgrims from…
JERUSALEM — Iran launched missiles toward northern Israel late Sunday in the first such attack since a fragile ceasefire took effect in April, escalating regional tensions following Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut. Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB confirmed the missile launches, warning that attacks would continue if Israel responded to the strikes or failed to halt its military operations in Lebanon. Israeli media reported that Iran fired three waves of missiles, including a salvo of four projectiles, toward northern Israel. Initial reports indicated damage in the city of Tiberias. The Israeli military said its air defense systems intercepted…
[Editor’s Note: Follow Khaleej Times’ live blog for the latest regional developments with the US-Israel-Iran ceasefire now in effect.] The UAE has strongly condemned and denounced the Israeli targeting of a vehicle belonging to the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon, which resulted in the deaths of a number of military personnel. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) reaffirmed the UAE’s categorical rejection of any attacks that undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability, or target its legitimate institutions. The ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s full solidarity with the government of Lebanon and support during this critical juncture, emphasising its unwavering…
ST. PETERSBURG — Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Al-Khorayef met with a number of investment officials in St. Petersburg, Russia, to discuss opportunities for cooperation across priority sectors. This was part of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources’ efforts to strengthen international partnerships, facilitate the transfer of advanced knowledge and expertise, and attract high-quality investments to the Kingdom in support of the objectives of Vision 2030 and the enhancement of its position as a global industrial and mining hub. Alkhorayef arrived here to attend the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2026, which concluded on…