Category: 2. Middle East

Simone Inzaghi was revealed as the new coach of Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal on Thursday, days after he led Inter Milan to a heavy defeat in the Champions League final.

“The Italian genius is here,” Al Hilal posted on X, with a slickly produced video of the Italian coach. “Welcome, Simone Inzaghi.”

Inzaghi joins the Riyadh club, a mainstay of the oil-funded Saudi Pro League, weeks before it takes part in the new-look Club World Cup in the United States.

“I am Simone Inzaghi and today begins my story…

Muslim worshippers prayed on Mount Arafat during the high point of the hajj pilgrimage Thursday, as authorities urged them to avoid the hottest hours of the day after tragedy struck last year.

Thousands of white-robed pilgrims recited Koranic verses from dawn on the 70-metre (230 feet) rocky rise near Mecca, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon.

But numbers thinned by midday following official warnings for pilgrims to stay inside between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, a…

Muslim pilgrims prayed atop Mount Arafat on Thursday during the high point of the annual hajj pilgrimage, as Saudi officials called on participants to refrain from being outside during the hottest hours of the day.

Thousands of pilgrims were beginning to gather before dawn around the hill and the surrounding plain where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon.

While some arrived early to take advantage of the relatively cool morning, many pilgrims will remain for hours…

The United States vetoed Wednesday a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza, which Washington claimed undermined ongoing diplomacy to resolve the conflict.

It was the 15-member body’s first vote on the situation since November, when the United States — a key Israeli ally — also blocked a text calling for an end to fighting.

“This resolution would undermine diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire that reflects the realities on the…

UN Security Council members criticized the United States Wednesday after it vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza, which Washington claimed undermined ongoing diplomacy.

It was the 15-member body’s first vote on the situation since November, when the United States — a key Israeli ally — also blocked a text calling for an end to fighting.

“This resolution would undermine diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire that…

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul pledged additional arms deliveries to Israel on Wednesday, ahead of his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar’s visit to Berlin, Anadolu reports.

“Germany will continue to support the state of Israel, including with arms deliveries,” Wadephul said during a question-and-answer session in the parliament, known as the Bundestag.

Responding to a corresponding question from the opposition Green party, the minister said the…

The UN said Wednesday that all hospitals in North Gaza are now non-operational due to Israeli military operations, as aid deliveries remain obstructed by repeated access denials by Israel, Anadolu reports.

“Our colleagues on the ground tell us that the latest figures indicate that in the past three weeks, more than 100,000 people were forced to flee in the governorates of North Gaza and Gaza alone,” spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference.

He…

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq over phone on Wednesday, discussing bilateral ties, as well as regional and global issues, according to a statement by Turkiye’s Communications Directorate.

Erdogan said cooperation between Turkiye and Oman has been strengthening in all areas and that efforts to further enhance bilateral relations will continue.

The Turkish president also extended his greetings to the sultan for…