INTERNACIONAL
Saudi Arabia on edge: Iconic Kingdom Centre sends workers home amid Houthi attacks
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One of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic skyscrapers ordered office workers to stay home Sunday as escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels rattled the capital of Riyadh amid fears of a widening Middle East conflict.
The move came after the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted two drones in the Riyadh area, a third over the Eastern Province and two ballistic missiles in southern Saudi Arabia overnight, after authorities had earlier issued a threat alert in the capital, also shared on X.
Management at the 99-story Kingdom Centre, a landmark on Riyadh’s skyline, ordered office employees to work remotely until further notice, according to reporting by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The directive affects a building whose tenants include major international financial institutions such as Merrill Lynch, consulting giant McKinsey & Company and the International Monetary Fund.
THE HOUTHIS AREN’T SOMEBODY ELSE’S PROBLEM. AMERICA CAN’T AFFORD TO LOOK AWAY
One of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic skyscrapers ordered office workers to stay home as escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels rattled the capital of Riyadh amid fears of a widening Middle East conflict. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
«Please be advised that remote working arrangements are mandatory for all office employees at Kingdom Centre, effective immediately and until further notice,» building management said in an email obtained by AFP.
Employees were instructed not to report back to their offices. The shopping mall at the base of the tower, however, remained open to the public.
Management did not specify a reason for the directive, but it came as repeated missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthis disrupted the Saudi capital.
The security concerns also follow a deadly Oct. 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300 others.
As previously reported by Fox News Digital, another strike the following day killed one person and injured 11.
Airport operations have been severely disrupted, while schools in Riyadh have extended remote learning measures amid continued security threats.
SAUDI ARABIA FACING ‘BIGGEST THREAT’ EVER TO OIL PRODUCTION AS IRAN-PROXY HOUTHIS LAUNCH ATTACKS, EXPERT SAYS
The Houthis also attacked Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia. (AFPTV / AFP via Getty Images)
The mounting crisis comes as Saudi Arabia’s military reported two deaths in a helicopter crash near its southern border with Yemen.
Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, said Sunday that an AH-6i reconnaissance helicopter crashed in the Najran region because of a technical malfunction, killing both crew members.
Saudi civil defense authorities also reported Sunday that six people were injured when a hostile projectile struck a residential neighborhood in Najran, damaging three homes and three vehicles.
Meanwhile, Egypt moved toward potentially providing military assistance to Saudi Arabia as the kingdom confronts the growing Houthi threat.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi requested an emergency parliamentary session to authorize defensive military support for Saudi Arabia if requested by Riyadh, Reuters reported.
Lawmakers were expected to continue discussions Monday.
NEW RISK FOR US CONSUMERS AS IRAN-BACKED ATTACKS THREATEN A SECOND MAJOR OIL CHOKEPOINT
A Houthi follower looks on, during a pro-Iran demonstration, as the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran continues, in Sanaa, Yemen April 6, 2026. (Khaled Abdullah/Reuters)
The Egyptian presidency said Cairo was prepared to provide Saudi Arabia with necessary support to defend its security, stability, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites.
The statement followed a meeting of Egypt’s National Defense Council chaired by el-Sissi and attended by senior government and military officials.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty also spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan about regional developments and the importance of de-escalation, according to a post on X.
The potential involvement of Egypt, which has one of the Arab world’s largest militaries, could significantly expand the regional response to the Houthis.
The Iran-backed group now controls Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and much of the country’s north.
Fighting with the Saudi-led coalition, which supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government, has intensified amid the broader U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
world, saudi arabia, middle east, national security, iran, foreign affairs, foreign policy, military
INTERNACIONAL
Strait of Hormuz crisis traps 6,000 sailors as attacks on ships mount, UN maritime chief says
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Thousands of sailors remain stranded near the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating attacks on commercial ships, the United Nations’ top maritime official warned Sunday after Iran accused the U.S. military of using an international emergency radio channel to threaten civilian crews.
The warning also came amid reports that 24 ships had been attacked on the waterway over roughly two weeks, underscoring growing concerns about maritime safety in the region, according to Financial Times.
«The situation continues to be severe and critical when it comes to international shipping,» International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez told Fox News Digital.
«There is a double blockade and too many vessels have been attacked, particularly in recent days.
‘VAST MAJORITY’ OF IRAN’S ATTEMPTED ATTACKS ON STRAIT OF HORMUZ ARE UNSUCCESSFUL, CENTCOM SPOKESMAN SAYS
24 ships have been attacked on the waterway over roughly two weeks, according to reports. (Fatemeh Bahrami / Anadolu via Getty Images)
«Seafarers have continued to perish in these attacks and around 6,000 seafarers remain trapped since the beginning of the conflict,» he warned, adding that his message was not to transit the Strait of Hormuz or put seafarers at risk «until we have guarantees.»
Dominguez’s warning followed an Oct. 9 letter to the IMO in which Iran alleged that the U.S. military used VHF Channel 16, an internationally designated maritime distress and safety channel, to intimidate Iranian crews in the Persian Gulf.
«VHF Channel 16 has been repeatedly occupied for prolonged periods by the United States military forces operating in the Persian Gulf,» the letter stated.
TRUMP OPENS HORMUZ UNDER FIRE WITH ‘PROJECT FREEDOM’ AS IRAN WARNS OF ATTACKS
Smoke column rises from tanker El Gaia after incident in the Strait of Hormuz.
«During such transmissions, Iranian seafarers have been addressed in Persian with threatening, abusive and provocative language and in certain instances urged to abandon their vessels.»
In a statement to Fox News Digital, U.S. Central Command defended its enforcement of the naval blockade of Iranian ports.
«The U.S. naval blockade has been in place for months and is professionally communicated to all international mariners,» CENTCOM said.
«Vessels that refuse to comply with blockade enforcement receive multiple warnings, with ample opportunity to comply.
«American forces remain highly vigilant, focused, and professional while fully enforcing the naval blockade against Iran.»
Iran’s complaint was submitted by Seyed Ali Mousavi, its ambassador to the IMO, and circulated to member states on Oct. 9, according to a copy reviewed by Fox News Digital.
Tehran also accused American forces of turning the maritime safety channel into an «instrument of military intimidation and psychological pressure against civilian crews.»
The letter cited commercial vessels, shipping companies and maritime operators but provided no recordings, transcripts or specific details of the alleged exchanges. Fox News Digital could not independently verify the accusations.
IRAN THREATENS TO HALT RED SEA TRAFFIC IN RESPONSE TO US MILITARY BLOCKADE OF PORTS
Naval units from Iran simulate the rescue of a hijacked vessel during joint drills at the Port of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan, Iran, on Feb. 19, 2026. (Iranian Army/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
«Seafarers are not trained for combat, and they are not guilty of any conflicts that are happening around the world,» Dominguez said.
«And we have seen this in several parts of the world where Channel 16, that should not be used for this kind of communication, starts receiving messages that may be perceived as actually threatening or that are outside the remit of why it was created.»
Iran also asked the IMO to raise its allegations with member states and relevant international organizations, potentially including the International Telecommunication Union.
Dominguez said the IMO could review its regulations and procedures to determine whether stronger safeguards are needed, though he did not announce a formal investigation.
«Our role here at IMO is that when those situations take place, we will then look into any technical measures or any operational aspects that we may need to clarify further within our regulatory framework,» he said, stressing that member states have equal rights to raise concerns, regardless of the conflict.
«We have a responsibility, and I have a duty as well, to circulate letters and notes that the countries actually put forward when they’re also being affected.»
WHO CONTROLS THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ RIGHT NOW? HERE’S WHAT THE SHIP TRAFFIC ACTUALLY SHOWS
The U.S. naval blockade has been in place for months and is professionally communicated to all international mariners, CENTCOM said. (U.S. Navy)
«We take all that information, meet at the level of different meetings of the organization and have the discussions,» Dominguez added.
«If it’s demonstrated that we probably need to improve our rules in order to avoid communications issues, or that we need to enhance the knowledge of how these channels should be used, that is a role for us.»
The IMO had recorded 100 confirmed maritime incidents across the region as of Oct. 9, with 24 seafarers killed since the conflict began Feb. 28. Dominguez also warned that fraudulent ship registrations and false flags have become major contributors to the danger.
«What we’ve also seen right now is an increase in fraudulent registries with false flags that are taking the risk and acting as shuttle tankers in order to bring goods in and out,» he said. «That’s one of the reasons that we’re seeing an escalation.
«And it’s the irresponsible shipowners that are taking the risk in order to actually be able to trade and move some of the goods and the cargoes.»
WHITE HOUSE SILENT ON IRAN-OMAN HORMUZ PLAN TEHRAN SAYS WOULD BAN US WARSHIPS
A ship is seen passing through the Strait of Hormuz during a two-week temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, 2026. (Shady Alassar/Anadolu/Getty Images)
«For me, any single case, any vessel that is attacked, any life of a seafarer that is lost, is a critical situation for me, because they are all relevant, they are all important.»
Despite the confrontation, Dominguez said diplomatic channels with Iran remain open, though he has no direct contact with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
«I have communications with all the member states of IMO, and that includes the Islamic Republic of Iran,» he said.
«Of course, that’s through the diplomatic channels. I don’t have direct contact with the IRGC.
«I have conversations with them and they respond to my messages. You know, the information flows. What is difficult is to get final decisions because of the conflict that is ongoing.»
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Iranian embassy for comment.
world, united nations, iran, military, international law, middle east
INTERNACIONAL
Entre mensajes de condena e indignación, familia realizará tributo al exfiscal Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa en Guatemala
La familia de Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa anunció las honras fúnebres y un homenaje público para despedir al abogado guatemalteco, asesinado el sábado 17 de octubre durante un ataque armado en el Campo Marte, en la zona 5 de la Ciudad de Guatemala.
Las actividades se realizarán entre el lunes 19 y el martes 20 de octubre, en medio de condenas de organizaciones nacionales e internacionales y reclamos para que el crimen sea esclarecido.
Los familiares agradecieron las expresiones de solidaridad que recibieron tras la muerte del exfiscal del Ministerio Público (MP) y exjefe de la Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria (SAT).
“Nuestra familia agradece la solidaridad y acompañamiento en este momento doloroso”, señalaron en una publicación difundida en las redes sociales que utilizaba el abogado.
El velorio comenzará el lunes 19 de octubre, desde las 7:00, en Capillas Señoriales, en la zona 9 capitalina. Al día siguiente, la familia convocó a un acto para recordar la trayectoria profesional y pública de Solórzano Foppa, quien murió junto con Gustavo Adolfo Aguilar Gamarro.
El homenaje será en la Plaza de la Constitución antes del sepelio
El homenaje tendrá lugar el martes 20 de octubre a las 7:30 en la Plaza de la Constitución, frente al Palacio Nacional de la Cultura, en la zona 1 de la capital. La convocatoria plantea que el encuentro buscará recordar el compromiso del abogado “por una mejor Guatemala”.
Tras la actividad, los asistentes se dirigirán al Cementerio Los Parques, en San Cristóbal, zona 8 de Mixco, donde está previsto el sepelio a las 10:00. La familia indicó que habrá transporte disponible para quienes deseen acompañar el cortejo fúnebre.
La despedida ocurre mientras continúa bajo reserva la investigación por el ataque armado ocurrido en una cancha deportiva del Campo Marte. El MP informó que mantiene diligencias relacionadas con el asesinato de Solórzano Foppa y Aguilar Gamarro, sin divulgar detalles sobre los avances del caso.
El presidente de Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, repudió el crimen y afirmó que las instituciones del Gobierno colaborarán con las autoridades competentes para identificar a los responsables. “Los vamos a encontrar”, expresó el mandatario al referirse a los autores materiales e intelectuales.
Organizaciones nacionales e internacionales exigieron una investigación imparcial
El asesinato provocó pronunciamientos de entidades de derechos humanos, gremios profesionales, organizaciones empresariales y actores de la sociedad civil.
La Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) condenó el hecho y pidió al Estado una investigación diligente que permita establecer responsabilidades y sancionar a quienes participaron en el crimen.
La CIDH recordó las denuncias públicas que Solórzano Foppa hizo sobre la penetración del crimen organizado en instituciones guatemaltecas y contra el denominado “pacto de corruptos”. También señaló que las autoridades deben actuar con debida diligencia para esclarecer el ataque.
La Oficina del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos en Guatemala, (Oacnudh), rechazó el asesinato del abogado y de Aguilar Gamarro.
El organismo reclamó una pesquisa pronta, exhaustiva e imparcial, y subrayó la necesidad de garantizar condiciones de seguridad para las personas defensoras de derechos humanos.
La delegación de la Unión Europea en Guatemala expresó su solidaridad con la familia de Solórzano Foppa y destacó su labor en investigaciones vinculadas con estructuras criminales.
Mientras que la Embajada de Estados Unidos radicada en Guatemala condenó el “atroz asesinato” del exfiscal a quien calificó como un “firme defensor de la lucha contra la corrupción y el crimen organizado”, por lo que expresaron su “sinceras condolencias” a la familia del abogado.
A las muestras de repudio se unió el Centro por la Justicia y el Derecho Internacional (Cejil) quienes, a través de un comunicado, instaron a las autoridades del Estado de Guatemala a llevar a cabo una”investigación exhaustiva e imparcial«, garantizando que “todos los responsables sean llevados ante la justicia”.
“La memoria de Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa debe ser honrada con acciones concretas que fortalezcan la libertad de expresión y la defensa de los derechos humanos. No se puede permitir que su legado quede en la impunidad”, dijo Cejil.
Su alma mater, la Universidad Rafael Landívar también lamentaron la muerte del abogado y recordaron que en los “últimos años motivó en la opinión pública una discusión crítica y necesaria par la democracia en Guatemala”.
Para la casa de estudios, este hecho de violencia “exige a todas las autoridades del sistema de justicia una investigación pronta, independiente y exhaustiva que permita esclarecer lo ocurrido”, al tiempo que pidieron a la sociedad guatemalteca a “no ceder ante el miedo”.
También se pronunciaron la Fundación para el Desarrollo de Guatemala, el Colegio de Abogados y Notarios de Guatemala, la Procuraduría de los Derechos Humanos, cámaras empresariales, universidades y organizaciones sociales.
Una trayectoria entre la investigación penal, la SAT y la defensa legal
Solórzano Foppa se graduó en la Universidad Rafael Landívar y desarrolló parte de su carrera en el MP, donde trabajó durante cerca de 12 años. Ocupó cargos ligados a la investigación criminal, entre ellos en la Fiscalía de Delitos contra la Vida y la Dirección de Análisis Criminal.
Durante ese período participó en investigaciones de alto impacto, como el caso de defraudación aduanera conocido como La Línea, que en 2015 derivó en la renuncia del entonces presidente Otto Pérez Molina y de la vicepresidenta Roxana Baldetti.
En marzo de 2016, el entonces presidente Jimmy Morales lo nombró superintendente de la SAT. Su gestión impulsó medidas de fiscalización y cobro a contribuyentes por incumplimientos tributarios. El Directorio de la institución lo destituyó en enero de 2018, tras cuestionamientos por el cumplimiento de la meta de recaudación.
En los últimos años ejerció como abogado y notario, participó en debates sobre justicia, corrupción y seguridad, y enfrentó procesos judiciales vinculados con actividades políticas y con su intervención en la defensa del periodista José Rubén Zamora. Su familia lo despedirá ahora con un homenaje abierto en el centro de la capital guatemalteca.
Guatemala,Bernardo Arévalo,Gobierno de Guatemala,Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa,Foppa,Ataque armado,Homicidios,Ciudad de Guatemala
INTERNACIONAL
Massachusetts GOP ticket rocked by alleged drunken crash as candidate abruptly halts campaign
A late-night crash has thrown a Massachusetts Republican’s statewide campaign into turmoil just weeks before voters head to the polls.
Shawn Oliver, 42, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor and a New Bedford city councilor, suspended his campaign on Sunday. The move came after Oliver was arrested following a rollover crash that involved five parked vehicles, police confirmed to Digital.
Officers responded around 11:40 p.m. Saturday to 448 Dartmouth St., where a vehicle had overturned after striking multiple parked vehicles, the New Bedford Police Department said. Two of the five parked vehicles sustained extensive damage.
BODYCAM SHOWS NANTUCKET OFFICIAL SLURRING, SWAYING DURING DUI STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO SIGN: POLICE
Oliver, identified by police as the driver, was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Following an investigation at the scene and at the hospital, officers arrested Oliver and charged him with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and speeding, police said.
DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE SEEN SOBBING, PRAYING IN PATROL CAR AFTER DUI ARREST: VIDEO
Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue publicly called on Oliver to suspend his campaign.
«I am extremely disappointed. Shawn is lucky to be alive and lucky that no one innocent was hurt,» Minogue wrote on X. «There is no excuse for driving under the influence.»
NEW JERSEY LT GOV DALE CALDWELL RESIGNS AFTER SEXUAL HARASSMENT INVESTIGATION
Minogue, a businessman and military veteran challenging Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, said he spoke with Oliver before demanding he step aside.
«After speaking with Shawn, I am asking him to suspend his campaign immediately, and when elected, I will formally ask for his resignation,» he wrote.
TRAFFIC DRAMA THREATENS TO END DEM GOVERNOR’S TENURE AS VOTERS HEAD TO POLLS IN RHODE ISLAND
Oliver confirmed his campaign suspension on X, saying «the election is too important to be overshadowed by personal matters.»
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said in a statement posted to Facebook that the crash happened in the city’s South End.
MASSACHUSETTS MAYOR CHARGED WITH WIRE FRAUD IN $1.5M COVID RELIEF SCHEME
«This morning, I was made aware that City Councilor Shawn Oliver was involved in a car accident in the South End and taken into custody,» Mitchell said. «I’m grateful to the New Bedford Police Department for their prompt response and relieved that no one was seriously injured.»
The Democratic mayor also called for Oliver to address the incident publicly.
EX-NEW JERSEY MAYOR, HER HUSBAND CHARGED FOR USING FAKE BALLOT SIGNATURES AFTER SHE PLEADED GUILTY TO DUI
«The allegations against Councilor Oliver are deeply concerning, and the public deserves to hear his explanation of what happened,» Mitchell said.
Minogue urged Oliver to focus on his family and take steps to prevent another incident.
«Shawn is a father and grandfather, and he needs to put his family first. He needs to do the work to ensure this never happens again,» Minogue wrote. «If he needs help with that, I will help him.»
He also took aim at his Democratic opponent.
ICE BOSTON ARRESTS BRAZILIAN ILLEGAL ALIEN WANTED FOR MURDER DAYS BEFORE GOV HEALY SIGNED PROTECT ACT
«As governor, I will put the Commonwealth first. That starts with accountability, something Massachusetts has not seen from Maura Healey,» Minogue wrote.
The Massachusetts Department of Correction confirmed to Digital that Oliver, a New Bedford city councilor employed by the department, has been placed on restricted work duty following his arrest.
«Shawn Oliver has been placed on restricted work duty while all facts and circumstances are reviewed. He is currently assigned to the Massachusetts Treatment Center,» department spokesman Scott J. Croteau said.
The campaign suspension comes just weeks before the November election, with Minogue challenging Healey and Democratic Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll seeking another term.
politics, massachusetts, gubernatorial, state and local, boston
Paro docente bonaerense: el Gobierno constató escuelas cerradas y avanzará con sanciones contra los sindicatos
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