Muslim authorities say Ramadan fasting to begin Thursday

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Muslim authorities in Saudi Arabia and several other Middle Eastern countries say this year's fasting month of Ramadan will begin Thursday based on the expected sighting of the crescent moon. Clerics across the region said the moon was not visible...

Alcaraz wins Indian Wells over Medvedev, regains No. 1 rank

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday to win the BNP Paribas Open title and regain the world's No. 1 ranking. The 19-year-old Spaniard will move from second to first in the ATP Tour rankings on Monday, displacing Novak Djokovic. The...

Iran says 110 arrested over suspected schoolgirl poisonings

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian police said Wednesday that 110 suspects have been arrested in connection with the suspected poisoning of thousands of girls in schools across the country. Students say they have been sickened by noxious fumes in incidents dating back to...

Iran state media report quotes head of judiciary as saying 22,000 people arrested in recent protests have been pardoned

Oil giant Saudi Aramco reports profits in 2022 of $161B off higher crude oil prices

Latest astronaut from UAE getting used to space

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) — The second astronaut from the United Arab Emirates is still adjusting to life off the planet, after rocketing to the International Space Station last week. “I’m still coping. I’m still learning,” Sultan al-Neyadi said Tuesday, but added that...

FlyDubai announces record profit as Gulf air travel booms

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Budget carrier FlyDubai announced record profits on Wednesday, benefitting from a surge in air travel following the lifting of pandemic restrictions. The state-owned carrier, based in the business and tourism hub of Dubai in the United Arab...

Novak Djokovic breaks record for most weeks ranked No. 1

Novak Djokovic broke the record for the most time spent at No. 1 in the professional tennis rankings by a man or woman, beginning his 378th week in the ATP’s top spot on Monday to surpass Steffi Graf’s 377 leading the WTA. He already held the men’s mark, eclipsing Roger...

Swiatek defeats Gauff again, advances to Dubai final

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Top-ranked Iga Swiatek stayed undefeated against Coco Gauff, beating the American teenager 6-4, 6-2 to reach the final at the Dubai Championships on Friday. The three-time Grand Slam champion improved to 6-0 against the 18-year-old Gauff, and each...

Iran sentences detained US-based opposition figure to death

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A senior member of a U.S.-based Iranian opposition group held by Iran and accused of orchestrating a deadly 2008 mosque bombing has been sentenced to death, authorities said Tuesday. Iran says Jamshid Sharmahd, a 67-year-old Iranian-German...