US Study: Saudi Arabia is World’s 9th Most Powerful Country

A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
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US Study: Saudi Arabia is World’s 9th Most Powerful Country

A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has ranked as the ninth most powerful country in the world according to a US study published by the Business Insider magazine on Saturday.

The US News and World Report placed the US at the top of the list, followed by Russia, China, Germany and Britain.

The rankings look at a country's political and financial influences, as well as its international and alliances, the strength its military and how it acts as an international leader.

The rankings come as part of US News and World Report's "2019 Best Countries" ranking in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania, which surveyed more than 20,000 people on their opinions of 80 countries.

The top ten countries also included France, Japan and South Korea and the United Arab Emirates taking the eleventh spot.



6 Injured after Debris Falls from Attack on Residential Area in Kuwait

Smoke rises from an area of Kuwait's international airport after a reported drone strike on April 1, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Smoke rises from an area of Kuwait's international airport after a reported drone strike on April 1, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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6 Injured after Debris Falls from Attack on Residential Area in Kuwait

Smoke rises from an area of Kuwait's international airport after a reported drone strike on April 1, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Smoke rises from an area of Kuwait's international airport after a reported drone strike on April 1, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

An Iranian attack on a residential area in northern Kuwait injured six people on Monday, the Gulf country's health ministry said.

It followed a post on X by Kuwait's army earlier in the day saying the nation's air defenses were working to intercept incoming missiles and drones.

"Falling projectiles and debris in a residential area in the north of the country after an Iranian aggression," the ministry said.

"The total number of injuries rose to six, with varying degrees of wounds."

Overnight from Sunday to Monday, Kuwait had also said it was responding to similar attacks.


Saudi Arabia Intercepts and Destroys Two Drones

Saudi defenses downed two drones in recent hours. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
Saudi defenses downed two drones in recent hours. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
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Saudi Arabia Intercepts and Destroys Two Drones

Saudi defenses downed two drones in recent hours. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
Saudi defenses downed two drones in recent hours. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)

Saudi defenses intercepted two drones, said Defense Ministry spokesman Turki al-Malki on Monday.

He said the interception and destruction operations were carried out successfully, reported the Saudi Press Agency.


UAE: Falling Debris Injures One after Attack Intercepted

FILE PHOTO: General view of the Abu Dhabi city is seen from observation deck of Emirates Towers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, December 23, 2018. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: General view of the Abu Dhabi city is seen from observation deck of Emirates Towers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, December 23, 2018. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
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UAE: Falling Debris Injures One after Attack Intercepted

FILE PHOTO: General view of the Abu Dhabi city is seen from observation deck of Emirates Towers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, December 23, 2018. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: General view of the Abu Dhabi city is seen from observation deck of Emirates Towers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, December 23, 2018. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

Falling debris from an intercepted attack injured one person in an industrial area of Abu Dhabi, authorities in the United Arab Emirates said Monday.

"Abu Dhabi authorities have responded to an incident of falling debris on the Raneen Systems company in ICAD (Industrial City of Abu Dhabi) in the Musaffah area, following a successful interception by air defense systems," the Abu Dhabi government's media office posted on X.

"The incident resulted in moderate injuries to a Ghanaian national."

The injury comes a day after authorities in the Emirati city of Sharjah said they were "dealing with an incident that targeted Khor Fakkan.”