A giant fire erupts at an oil storage facility following Israeli strikes in Yemen's Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah on July 20, 2024. AFP
Israeli strikes on Yemen highlight critical role of Hodeidah port

Even before the civil war, the city handled most incoming goods in a country where a staggering 90 per cent of food was imported

July 21, 2024
Members of the diplomatic corps listen to a non-binding ruling on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem at the International Court of Justice in The Hague on July 19, 2024. AFP
Arab nations welcome ICJ ruling on Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories

The Arab League said the decision constitutes 'a key legal pillar in boosting the Palestinian legitimacy'

July 20, 2024
The attack happened at the Ali bin Abi Talib mosque, in the Wadi Al Kabir neighbourhood of Muscat. AFP
Oman’s Grand Mufti surprised citizens were behind mosque attack

ISIS have claimed shooting that killed six people, including a police officer, in Muscat

July 19, 2024
The Oman mosque shooting suspects seen in a video released by ISIS after the attack.
Three Omani brothers behind Shiite mosque attack, police say

ISIS claimed the shooting in Wadi Al Kabir that killed at least six people as Pakistan ambassador hails 'extreme sacrifice' of mosque volunteers who helped injured

July 18, 2024
Several journalists have been targeted in the Gaza war. Bloomberg
Covering Gaza puts huge pressures on journalists who want to remain objective

Readers need to know how many of our colleagues put their integrity above all else - even their safety

July 18, 2024
Ismaeel Naar in 2016, left, and in 2021 following his surgery. Ismaeel Naar / The National
How weight-loss surgery saved my career – and my life

Dreams of being a war correspondent were hampered by my 115kg frame, until a drastic change tipped the scales in my favour

July 12, 2024
Freed prisoners at Marib Airport during a prisoner swap in April 2023. The Yemeni government and the Houthi prisoner exchange talks in Muscat ended without a agreement. Reuters
Yemen negotiations on prisoner exchange deadlocked in Oman

One sticking point relates to detention of pro-government Sunni Islamist politician held by Houthis

July 08, 2024
Houthi leader Abdul Malik Al Houthi speaks about Red Sea shipping attacks in a televised address from Sanaa, Yemen. EPA
US military and allies destroy Houthi drones

Rebel leader threatens Saudi Arabia in dispute over banking

July 08, 2024
Iranian presidential election candidates Masoud Pezeshkian, left, a reformist lawmaker and a former health minister, and Saeed Jalili, an ultraconservative former senior nuclear negotiator. AP
Iranians make final choice for president between two contrasting figures

Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian and ultraconservative Saeed Jalili face off after leading the pack in the first round last week

July 05, 2024
Ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili (left) and reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian greet each other before a TV debate ahead of the second round of the presidential election, in Tehran, Iran, on July 1. EPA
Iran’s Jalili and Pezeshkian clash over foreign policy ahead of runoff vote

Tehran will hold a runoff presidential election on Friday, only its second since the 1979 Islamic Revolution

July 02, 2024
The ruins of buildings in Shujayea, a neighbourhood of Gaza city, after Israeli bombardment on June 28, 2024. AFP
Israel presses assault on Gaza's Shujayea neighbourhood as talks remain deadlocked

Israeli army began attacks on Thursday, ordering population to go to 'humanitarian zone' in the enclave's south

June 30, 2024
An Iranian woman casts her ballot in Tehran on Friday. More than 61 million people were eligible to vote in this presidential election. Reuters
Polls close in Iran after election to replace late president Raisi

Three hardliners and one reformist are competing in election held amid escalating regional tension

June 28, 2024
Filipino household workers, who were repatriated from Kuwait by their government, arrive in Manila in 2018. EPA
Kuwait lifts ban on Philippine workers after labour rights row

Gulf nation had suspended all new visas for citizens of the Philippines after relations soured over the murder of domestic worker Jullebee Ranara

June 25, 2024
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani and Iran's acting Foreign Minister Ali Kani in Tehran. Photo: Bahrain Foreign Ministry
Bahrain and Iran agree to start talks on resuming ties

Manama cut ties with Tehran in 2016 but relations improved after the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement last year

June 24, 2024
A man suffering from heat exhaustion is assisted by a member of the Saudi security forces in Mina. AFP
Saudi Arabia says more than 1,300 died during Hajj

Many of the deceased, from more than 10 countries, did not have permits to attend the pilgrimage

June 24, 2024