DAMASCUS — Syrian authorities said Sunday they foiled a sabotage plot linked to Hezbollah in the southern province of Quneitra aimed at launching rockets across the border. A statement from Syria’s Interior Ministry said the plan was uncovered during a joint operation involving internal security forces and the General Intelligence Service. Authorities said the cell had prepared a civilian vehicle modified to conceal equipment intended for launching rockets in an attempt to carry out a surprise attack. The ministry did not specify the intended target. It said the plot was thwarted after close monitoring and surveillance of the suspects, allowing…
Author: Editorial Team
MANCHESTER, 19th April, 2026 (WAM) — Erling Haaland’s second-half strike fired City to a priceless 2-1 Etihad win over leaders Arsenal and within three points of the Premier League summit. Amidst a raucous Etihad backdrop, Rayan Cherki had fired City into a 16th minute lead after bamboozling the Gunners defence with a sublime piece of skill before drilling home a sweetly struck shot. Within 30 seconds however Arsenal drew level through Kai Havertz after the Gunners striker harried an attempted Gianluigi Donnarumma clearance with the ball ricocheting into the net. In what was an intense, high quality affair, Arsenal twice…
Forget work from home or work from hotel, Dubai is set to introduce “work from park”, with outdoor workspaces opening across the emirate to blend productivity with outdoor leisure. Launched by Dubai Municipality, the initiative aims to transform parks into multi-functional urban spaces that support modern work patterns while enhancing quality of life. The first location is scheduled to open in May 2026 at Al Barsha Pond Park, featuring modular workspaces integrated into the natural surroundings. Additional locations will be introduced across parks throughout the year, further expanding the concept across the emirate. As part of the rollout, the civic…
RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman met with the National Security Advisor of India Ajit Doval in Riyadh on Sunday. During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector. The efforts to support energy security and the stability of its supplies were figured high in their talks. The meeting was held in the presence of Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban. Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks with Ajit Doval at the…
JEDDAH — The relocation of car showrooms, workshops, scrap yards, and junkyards from Al-Jawhara district to Al-Khumra in South Jeddah began on Sunday. This follows serving of a final warning issued by the Jeddah Mayoralty in this regard. Earlier, the mayoralty notified owners and occupants of the sites to vacate or modify their land use in accordance with the approved regulatory guidelines. Sources told Okaz that a large number of owners have begun relocating their businesses to “Car City” in Al-Khumra so as to avoid legal procedures and comply with the new zoning requirements aimed at reorganizing land use in…
A 2.0-magnitude earthquake was recorded in the UAE, according to the National Seismic Network of National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The tremor occurred in Al Halah at 9.15pm UAE time on April 19 with a depth of 3.9km, according to NCM. The latest event comes amid a series of minor seismic activities recorded in the region in recent months. On January 3, a 2.2-magnitude earthquake was reported south of Musandam at 10:43am UAE time. Musandam lies to the south of the Strait of Hormuz and is mainly governed by Oman as the Musandam Governorate, with certain parts governed by the UAE, including Ras Al Khaimah and parts of Dibba. Stay…
RIYADH — Ten countries, including Saudi Arabia, welcomed on Sunday the signing of a unified 2026 budget for Libya, the first Libyan national budget in over a decade and a critical step to increase economic coordination between western and eastern Libyan leaders. “We applaud their constructive approach to reach this agreement, which has the potential to foster increased unity, stability, and prosperity for Libya,” they said in a joint statement. The countries also include the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. Full implementation of the unified budget, signed…
RIYADH — Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif has approved the strategic plan for the Crime Research Center. The plan was prepared with the participation of experts in criminal research and analysis and supported by the ministry’s International Partnerships Program. The plan focuses on developing research and analytical work through building a comprehensive crime database, qualifying specialized personnel in criminology, using artificial intelligence to analyze data and predict crime, and strengthening partnerships with national and international universities and research centers. It provides a framework to support specialized studies and produce scientific knowledge, contributing to equipping security decision-makers…
FUJAIRAH, 19 April (WAM) — Fujairah’s hospitality sector achieved record occupancy levels at the start of 2026, with rates reaching between 95% and 100%. The emirate saw a substantial influx of visitors attracted by its distinct mountainous terrain and leisure attractions. According to the Fujairah Department of Tourism and Antiquities, these figures highlight the sustainable expansion of the local industry. Officials stated that the surge underscores the effectiveness of government initiatives to diversify tourism products and bolster the emirate’s international appeal. These strong performance indicators are expected to drive further investment in infrastructure and the enhancement of recreational facilities across…
ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber said 50 days of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz have blocked nearly 600 million barrels of oil, putting increasing pressure on global supplies of LNG, jet fuel, fertiliser and other essential commodities. In a post on social media platform X, he warned that the impact is being felt worldwide, with rising costs ultimately passed on to ordinary people. Al Jaber stressed that the global economy cannot withstand prolonged uncertainty and said the Strait must not operate under threat. He also criticised any form of payment for safe passage, calling it a “protection racket”, and…