Asia
Nepali workers stranded in Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks cancel flights
About 45pc of scheduled Saudi flights were cancelled from Oct 8 to 25 after Houthi attacks; Nepali workers pay up to Rs100,000 for tickets and may miss Tihar.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: 50 The Indus Compass stories. Latest: Nepali workers stranded in Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks cancel flights. Key developments, background…
50 stories on Saudi Arabia since 25 September 2026; the latest was published on 4 November 2026.
Key developments
- Nepali workers stranded in Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks cancel flightsBetween October 8 and 25 about 45 per cent of scheduled flights from Saudi airports were cancelled after Houthi attacks, with 86 per cent cancelled at Riyadh's King Khalid airport, according to the Kathmandu Post.
- AFC postpones 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia to DecemberThe AFC postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia from January to December, citing 'exceptional circumstances' in the region.
- Oil prices fall as US-Iran peace efforts ease supply fearsBrent crude futures fell about 1 per cent to $114.81 a barrel early on Tuesday and US crude to $100.88, on hopes of a settlement of the US-Israeli war on Iran.
- Makkah pact states hold first talks with Iran in TehranField Marshal Asim Munir, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met Iran's leadership in Tehran on Monday.
- R4 and European ministers agree to keep meeting after Istanbul talksThe Foreign Office said Ishaq Dar took part in the first meeting between the R4 (Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey) and France, Germany, Italy and Britain, and that 'all ministers agreed for continued engagement in this format'.
Sport
AFC postpones 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia to December
The AFC has moved the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia from January to December because of 'exceptional circumstances' after Houthi attacks.
Energy
Oil prices fall as US-Iran peace efforts ease supply fears
Brent fell on hopes of a US-Iran settlement and talks in Tehran, but Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia kept crude near six-month highs, Reuters reports.
Middle East
Makkah pact states hold first talks with Iran in Tehran
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye held their first talks with Iran since signing the Makkah defence pact; Khawaja Asif vowed to defend the kingdom.
Islamabad
R4 and European ministers agree to keep meeting after Istanbul talks
Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey agreed with European foreign ministers to keep meeting, and the R4 condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Middle East
Houthis claim strikes on Saudi defence ministry; Aramco evacuates HQ
Houthis claim strikes on Saudi Arabia's defence ministry and Aramco sites as Aramco evacuates its Dhahran HQ, oil hits $112 and Iran threatens Gulf datacentres.
Middle East
Pakistani injured in attacks on Saudi oilfield and Dammam airport
A Pakistani was among those hurt when drone debris hit Saudi Aramco's Shaybah field, while an attack on Dammam's King Fahd airport killed one and injured eight.
Markets
Oil climbs above $110 after US orders staff out of Saudi Arabia
Brent rose $1.29 to $110.11 after the US ordered some diplomats out of Saudi Arabia, as Houthi strikes hit a Dammam airport and a Saudi oilfield.
Middle East
US orders non-emergency embassy staff to leave Saudi Arabia
The US told non-emergency staff and families to leave Saudi Arabia after deadly Houthi attacks, as drone debris killed two at the Shaybah oilfield.
Middle East
Gulf states hold emergency military meeting in Riyadh amid Houthi attacks
GCC military officials held an extraordinary meeting in Riyadh to strengthen coordination and readiness as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia continue.
Middle East
Sisi says Egypt will defend Saudi Arabia but will not attack Yemen
Egypt's President Sisi said any military help for Saudi Arabia would be limited to defending its territory and would not include an attack on Yemen.
Middle East
Turkey to seek mandate for military personnel in Saudi Arabia
A Turkish ruling party lawmaker said parliament will get a mandate to send personnel to Saudi Arabia under the Makkah pact, limited to defensive roles.
Pakistan
Makkah pact text says attack on one is attack on all
The Makkah defence pact text commits Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey to defend each other; a Pakistani will be its first secretary-general.