Saudi Arabia Faces 'Real Test' After Houthi Attacks; Global News Roundup

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy, Abdulaziz bin Salman, stated on Monday that Riyadh faces a "real test" following a series of deadly Houthi attacks in Yemen against the Kingdom, emphasizing that these developments require a "serious" response. The UAE's presidential advisor, Anwar Gargash, called for Gulf states to strengthen their collective security system amidst ongoing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, particularly targeting Riyadh airport, which resulted in at least 18 deaths. Saudi Arabia announced an extension of the suspension of operations at Riyadh airport due to recent Houthi attacks, with the Australian Embassy in Saudi Arabia reiterating its advisory for citizens in Riyadh to "stay indoors" and "remain in their locations." Iran expressed "deep concern" over the escalating attacks and offered to "facilitate dialogue between the parties" to the conflict, while China condemned the Houthi attacks and voiced "great concern over the worsening conflict." Oil prices rose, driven by Houthi-claimed attacks on Saudi airports and energy facilities over the weekend.

In Yemen, Houthi forces have reportedly closed all exits from Taiz in the southwest, tightening their grip on the city still under government control. In Lebanon, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam affirmed that authorities would deal firmly with any weapons outside the legal framework, following the security forces' seizure of explosives being transported from the east of the country to Beirut, suspected of being linked to Hezbollah.

France's Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, described the postponement of Palestinian elections as "the worst possible outcome" for the Palestinian people. Russia abstained from confirming an agreement with Ukraine to halt mutual attacks on energy facilities, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced such a deal. The Kremlin stated it would only offer Ukraine a one-day truce for presidential elections, rejecting Kyiv's request for a two-month ceasefire for the election campaign. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that his country would retaliate if Moscow did not agree to an "energy truce" unilaterally announced by President Trump. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas announced the bloc would welcome a truce in strikes on energy facilities between Russia and Ukraine "when it holds," following President Trump's announcement. The EU also approved new sanctions against approximately 1,600 entities and individuals linked to Russia's war on Ukraine.

NATO's Supreme Military Commander, Alexus Grynkewich, issued a warning to Russia regarding its potential threat. Turkish intelligence confirmed the PKK evacuated four bases in northern Iraq, a significant step in the peace process. France is experiencing a new wave of student protests advocating for improved educational conditions. Ethiopian federal forces and allies entered a key town in the Tigray region after rebels withdrew without a fight. Seoul reported Pyongyang launched several ballistic missiles off its east coast amid rising tensions. Iran's judiciary announced the execution of a man convicted of aiding a deadly attack on a police center. The director of an Islamic center in Melbourne condemned "false accusations" after the UAE prosecution linked his center to a co-pilot suspected of attacking a captain on a Flydubai flight to Israel. Pakistani authorities arrested hundreds of members of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party after declaring a state of emergency in a northern province. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition faces a new crisis after Minister of Labor Berbel Bas unexpectedly resigned, citing an "attack" from his party. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated it is "clear" Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum. Taiwan's Defense Minister announced the island will "closely monitor" live-fire drills China plans to conduct off its coast. China announced sanctions on two ministers from Paraguay and Belize for their countries' diplomatic relations with Taiwan. In Nigeria, 24 people were killed in separate attacks over the weekend. American economists Robert Hol and Michael Woodford won the Nobel Prize in Economics. The global multidimensional poverty index recorded its first rise since 2010, affecting 1.2 billion people, according to the UN Development Programme.