Saudi Arabia

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was plunged into chaos as heavy rains lashed the region, causing widespread flooding and the closure of Dubai Airport. According to reports from local authorities, the rainfall exceeded the annual average, leading to significant disruptions across the country.

Amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, the United States has issued a stark warning of a possible massive attack by Iran targeting Israel. US officials in Israel have been advised to restrict travel outside designated areas, citing credible threats emanating from Tehran.

US President Joe Biden has urged Israel to unilaterally call for a 6- to 8-week ceasefire in Gaza, criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approach as a "mistake." This follows Biden's recent public pressure on Israel's conduct during the conflict, particularly after the deaths of seven aid workers in an airstrike.

"The Islamic world must show unity to end Israel's attacks on Palestine as soon as possible," President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged in a phone call with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday.

This year's edition of the multinational air force exercise Iniochos will kick off on Monday.

The drill, which will run until April 18, is organized every year at Andravida Air Base in Western Greece by the Hellenic Air Force, and will be conducted in the greater area of ​​the Athens Flight Information Region.

A Tanzanian-flagged cargo ship transporting 6,800 sheep and goats from Georgia to Saudi Arabia that ran aground near a Dodecanese island has been dislodged and towed to Kalymnos for a safety inspection.

Also on board were 15 foreign crew members and one Syrian passenger.

There were no reports of water ingress or injuries on the vessel, which ran aground north of Pserimos.

A livestock cargo ship ran aground north of the islet of Pserimos in the Dodecanese island complex on Friday.

No injuries have been reported among the 15 crew members of the Tanzania-flagged vessel.

The ship had departed from Batumi in Georgia and was en route to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, carrying 6,800 lambs.

Trendyol, one of Türkiye's largest e-commerce platforms, has opened its first pop-up store in the Gulf region at a shopping mall in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh.

The online shopping giant has been expanding its operations abroad, including Germany, Azerbaijan and Central and Eastern Europe.

Istanbul has attracted a total of 2.46 million foreign tourists in the first two months of 2024, the Culture and Tourism Ministry has said.

Foreign tourist arrivals in the city, which is also Türkiye's financial and commercial center, increased by 8.1 percent compared to the January-February period of last year.

As part of a factory in the western province of Denizli that is producing a special collection for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, apparel produced by nearly 2,500 women workers will reach sports enthusiasts.