US, Israel Conclude Exercise to Seize Warship in Red Sea

A flotilla of Israeli navy ships on August 10, 2021. (AFP/Getty Images)
A flotilla of Israeli navy ships on August 10, 2021. (AFP/Getty Images)
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US, Israel Conclude Exercise to Seize Warship in Red Sea

A flotilla of Israeli navy ships on August 10, 2021. (AFP/Getty Images)
A flotilla of Israeli navy ships on August 10, 2021. (AFP/Getty Images)

The Israeli Army announced on Friday that its commando unit, Shayetet 13, concluded a four-day joint maritime exercise with US naval forces.

The exercise included an operation to seize an enemy warship deep in the Red Sea.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson's Unit said in a statement that the Israeli and US navies concluded the “Noble Rose” joint exercise, which took place in the Red Sea with the participation of Israeli commandos and the US 5th Fleet and a refueling tanker.

The forces simulated various operational scenarios in the Red Sea, including the seizure of a naval vessel and the use of advanced naval equipment.

“We strengthened the scope of our operations and deepened the professional dialogue between our navies,” the spokesperson said.

The exercise is part of a series of drills and international cooperation activities that have been held recently as part of Israel’s annual training plan for 2022.

Summing up the maneuver, Commander of the Israeli Navy Vice Adm. David Saar Salama stressed that maintaining the superiority of the navy in the maritime domain is a direct contribution to Israel’s security.

"During this exercise we managed to deepen our relations with Israel's most important ally - the United States. Together we develop solutions, share knowledge, create a common language and increase our scope of activity. I am certain that the dialogue will continue to increase, and will bring about significant achievements in the future."

He noted that he was confident that Israel will continue to strengthen its dialogue with the US to realize great achievements in the future.



Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan Agree to Establish Coordination Council

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan Agree to Establish Coordination Council

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan agreed to establish a Saudi-Kazakh Coordination Council, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received in Riyadh Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev. Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Yerlan Akkenzhenov also attended the meeting.

The talks tackled the establishment of the coordination council, which will be chaired by the Saudi minister of energy and Kazakhstan’s foreign minister. The council reflects the two countries’ commitment to strengthening cooperation and expanding their bilateral partnership.

Prince Abdulaziz and Kosherbayev signed an agreement on the establishment of the council, which aims to boost coordination and consultation between the two countries and develop frameworks for cooperation across various sectors of mutual interest, elevating bilateral relations to broader levels.

Prince Abdulaziz and Kosherbayev discussed relations between their countries and ways to develop them further, especially in the energy field. They tackled opportunities for cooperation and investment in renewable energy and energy storage systems and discussed oil market developments.


Mbappe Calls for Prestianni Ban over Alleged Racist Slur at Vinicius

TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe talks with SL Benfica's Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho during the UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on February 17, 2026. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)
TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe talks with SL Benfica's Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho during the UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on February 17, 2026. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)
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Mbappe Calls for Prestianni Ban over Alleged Racist Slur at Vinicius

TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe talks with SL Benfica's Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho during the UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on February 17, 2026. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)
TOPSHOT - Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe talks with SL Benfica's Portuguese head coach Jose Mourinho during the UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on February 17, 2026. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe said Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni should be banned from the Champions League after the Argentine was accused of directing a racist slur at Vinicius Jr during the Spanish side's 1-0 playoff first-leg win on Tuesday.

Denying the accusation, Prestianni said the Brazilian misheard him.

The incident occurred shortly after Vinicius had curled Real into the lead five minutes into the second half in Lisbon.

Television footage showed the Argentine winger covering his mouth with his shirt before making a comment that Vinicius and nearby teammates interpreted as a racial ‌slur against ‌the 25-year-old, with referee Francois Letexier halting the match for ‌11 ⁠minutes after activating ⁠FIFA's anti-racism protocols.

The footage appeared to show an outraged Mbappe calling Prestianni "a bloody racist" to his face, Reuters reported.

The atmosphere grew hostile after play resumed, with Vinicius and Mbappe loudly booed by the home crowd whenever they touched the ball. Despite the rising tensions, the players were able to close out the game without further interruptions.

"I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults to Vini Jr, ⁠who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard," Prestianni wrote ‌on his Instagram account.

"I was never racist with ‌anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players."

Mbappe told reporters he ‌heard Prestianni direct the same racist remark at Vinicius several times, an allegation ‌also levelled by Real's French midfielder Aurelien Tchouamen.

Mbappe said he had been prepared to leave the pitch but was persuaded by Vinicius to continue playing.

"We cannot accept that there is a player in Europe's top football competition who behaves like this. This guy (Prestianni) doesn't ‌deserve to play in the Champions League anymore," Mbappe told reporters.

"We have to set an example for all the children ⁠watching us at ⁠home. What happened today is the kind of thing we cannot accept because the world is watching us.

When asked whether Prestianni had apologized, Mbappe laughed.

"Of course not," he said.

Vinicius later posted a statement on social media voicing his frustration.

"Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to cover their mouth with their shirt to show how weak they are. But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them. Nothing that happened today is new in my life or my family's life," Vinicius wrote.

The Brazilian has faced repeated racist abuse in Spain, with 18 legal complaints filed against racist behavior targeting Vinicius since 2022.

Real Madrid and Benfica will meet again for the second leg next Wednesday at the Bernabeu.


Saudi-Qatari Partnership Paves Way for Logistics Corridors to Boost Regional Trade Efficiency 

The MoU was signed by Mawani President Eng. Suliman Almazroua and CEO of Qatar Ports Management Company Captain Abdullah Mohammed Al-Khanji. (QNA)
The MoU was signed by Mawani President Eng. Suliman Almazroua and CEO of Qatar Ports Management Company Captain Abdullah Mohammed Al-Khanji. (QNA)
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Saudi-Qatari Partnership Paves Way for Logistics Corridors to Boost Regional Trade Efficiency 

The MoU was signed by Mawani President Eng. Suliman Almazroua and CEO of Qatar Ports Management Company Captain Abdullah Mohammed Al-Khanji. (QNA)
The MoU was signed by Mawani President Eng. Suliman Almazroua and CEO of Qatar Ports Management Company Captain Abdullah Mohammed Al-Khanji. (QNA)

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and Qatar Ports Management Company signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting maritime and logistics cooperation between the two sides.

The agreement will contribute to the development of the ports sector, raising operational efficiency, and supporting regional and international trade flows.

The MoU was signed by Mawani President Eng. Suliman Almazroua and CEO of Qatar Ports Management Company Captain Abdullah Mohammed Al-Khanji. Qatari Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Bandar bin Mohammed Al Attiyah attended the signing ceremony.

The agreement reflects Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s commitment to building effective partnerships, exchanging expertise, establishing an organized framework for cooperation management, and developing joint investment opportunities in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030.

The MoU outlines eight key areas of cooperation, including the exchange of best practices in port management and operations, and the study of opportunities for direct maritime and land connectivity between the ports of both countries to enhance trade flow efficiency.

It includes collaboration in logistics services, exploring the establishment of joint maritime corridors serving bilateral and regional trade, and assessing the feasibility of creating shared regional distribution centers.

In the fields of digital transformation and artificial intelligence, the two sides agreed to deepen cooperation on developing smart systems, data governance, and the unified maritime window, thereby boosting operational efficiency and keeping pace with technological advancements in the maritime sector.

The MoU places strong emphasis on maritime safety and environmental protection, including exchanging expertise in combating marine pollution and emergency response; developing joint maritime emergency plans; establishing an emergency communication line between the two countries; and cooperating to ensure compliance with international conventions, conduct joint exercises, and develop risk monitoring systems.

The cooperation also covers human capital development through joint training programs and field-exchange of expertise, as well as academic and research collaboration in maritime transport and logistics.

In terms of joint investment, both sides will study local and global investment opportunities in ports and related services and coordinate with the private sector to support these initiatives.

The MoU further includes cooperation in cruise tourism through enhanced maritime connectivity and joint promotion of Gulf cruise routes, as well as international and regional representation by coordinating positions in international maritime organizations and supporting joint initiatives, notably “Green Ports” and “Safe Sea Corridors.”

The agreement reflects the commitment of Mawani and Qatar Ports Management Company to advancing the ports sector and boosting its role as a key driver of trade and economic growth, contributing to Gulf integration and enhancing regional competitiveness in maritime and marine services.