Yemen's Houthis have captured the strategic Perim island located within the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This development follows reports of fighting between Houthi forces and Saudi-backed government troops in the region. The strait serves as a critical maritime route for global shipping and oil exports.
Ben Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe in four sets on Friday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The American player will face Alexander Zverev in the championship match of the tournament. This victory marks Shelton's first appearance in a Grand Slam singles final.
Intense fighting has resumed between Saudi-backed forces and Houthi groups in Yemen after a period of relative quiet. Pakistan, which holds defense agreements with both Riyadh and Tehran, states it offers support to Saudi Arabia but does not plan to join strikes against the Houthis. Officials indicate Islamabad seeks peace and stability while managing its dual diplomatic relationships.
The Norwegian royal palace announced that Princess Astrid died on Friday at the age of 94. She was the older sister of the late King Harald, who passed away last month at age 89. The princess made her final public appearance at her brother's funeral held on Wednesday.
Saudi authorities stated that drones launched from Iraq targeted the East-West pipeline, causing injuries and forcing a temporary closure as a precaution. The facility, which helps bypass disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, was hit in the Riyadh and Medina regions. Iraqi officials confirmed the attack originated within their territory and dismissed a military commander involved.
Saudi authorities closed the East-West oil pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions following multiple attacks that injured several people. Officials stated the shutdown was a precautionary measure taken after drones originating from Iraq targeted the infrastructure. Satellite imagery confirmed smoke near Madina along the route used to transport oil to the Red Sea coast.
Iran's foreign ministry announced talks scheduled for Monday in Oman involving Iraq and other Persian Gulf nations to address the future of the strategic waterway. The meetings aim to promote regional understanding and security while discussing the management of a channel that previously facilitated significant global oil transit. During the conflict, Iran has required vessel permission and is considering service fees, leading to strikes against non-compliant ships and periodic US coastal bombings.
Yemeni Houthi forces have taken control of Perim Island, also known as Mayyun, along with the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands in the Bab el-Mandab Strait. Government officials from the Saudi-backed Yemeni administration confirmed that their forces previously held territory on the western coast has fallen to the group. The Houthis stated that freedom of navigation remains safe for international trade while excluding Saudi vessels.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting to coordinate efforts between federal and provincial governments for increasing farm productivity and promoting exports. He directed authorities to seek new global markets and instructed commercial officers abroad to support these initiatives. The briefing noted that agricultural exports reached $5.18 billion in the last financial year.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz recently traveled to London for her daughter's graduation ceremony and returned to Lahore. Information Minister Azma Bokhari stated that the chief minister paid all expenses for the journey from her own pocket. Opposition groups have questioned the use of the provincial government aircraft for this private visit.
