Saudi Arabia says its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered the holy city’s restricted airspace. The Saudi-led coalition described the incident as the second attempted Houthi attack on Mecca, following a 2017 missile incident. Saudi officials warned that the security of Mecca, Medina and pilgrims is a “red line.” The Houthis denied targeting Mecca or any Islamic holy site, calling the Saudi claim misinformation. The interception came amid intensified Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and growing regional tensions involving Iran, Yemen and Gulf states. Saudi authorities also issued temporary security alerts in Mecca, Jeddah and Taif. (PC: Reuters)

A news helicopter covering a deadly bus accident crashed into a parking lot in Los Angeles on Tuesday, killing at least three people, officials said. The helicopter was operating near the scene of an earlier SUV-and-city-bus collision that killed two people and injured six others. Video from inside the aircraft appears to capture its final moments, showing the helicopter hovering before the footage suddenly shakes as it crashes. At least one helicopter-crash victim was outside the aircraft. Another person was hospitalized, while authorities continued determining the number of people aboard. More than 50 firefighters responded, and the NTSB and FAA will investigate. 

Saudi Arabia is seeking wider regional support as Houthi attacks escalate, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meeting Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo. The two sides stressed protecting navigation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, while Egypt did not announce military support but could provide diplomatic backing among Arab countries. Separately, Saudi Arabia’s 1,200-km East-West oil pipeline was damaged in an attack Riyadh blamed on an Iran-aligned Iraqi group. The pipeline offers an alternative to the disrupted Strait of Hormuz; a prolonged shutdown could affect 4% of global oil supply, according to traders cited by Reuters. Meanwhile, Houthis reportedly gained territory around Bab el-Mandeb, while Saudi strikes intensified in Yemen. (PC: Reuters)

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday accused Yemen-based Houthis of targeting Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, after its air force intercepted a drone heading toward the city. Major General Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis, said the drone was intercepted at 6:50 pm on Tuesday before entering Mecca’s prohibited airspace. The accusation comes amid heightened West Asia tensions, with the Houthis intensifying attacks on Saudi Arabia and choking the Bab al-Mandeb strait, the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The Houthis, who have declared a blockade of Saudi Arabia, denied attacking Mecca, calling the allegation “a worn-out lie”. The 57-member OIC condemned the attack and expressed support for Saudi measures to deter the Houthis.

The US has publicly confirmed that it has weapons in orbit. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said the weapons can help defend American forces from attacks in space. The Pentagon has not revealed their number, location or exact abilities. US Space Command said the move is aimed at preventing future conflicts and protecting important space systems. Modern militaries depend on satellites for GPS, communication, surveillance and missile warnings. China and Russia are also developing space warfare capabilities. Experts warn that attacks on satellites could create dangerous debris. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans weapons of mass destruction in orbit but does not ban all conventional weapons.  

A US Pentagon watchdog has confirmed that the Iran war has caused shortages in American weapons. The report said the US spent more than $22 billion on munitions from February to June. This led to “strategic inventory shortfalls” and delays in replacing weapons. The report also found $3.7 billion in equipment losses and $7.4 billion in other costs. Overall, the US spent $33.4 billion on the war through June 30. Several aircraft and 30 MQ-9 drones were destroyed. The findings challenge President Donald Trump’s claim that US ammunition supplies are “virtually unlimited.” The Pentagon is now working to increase production.  

Russia and Ukraine traded strikes on energy targets on Tuesday, hours after US President Donald Trump said both sides had agreed to stop such attacks. Russia launched around 200 drones at Ukraine overnight, killing two people. Petrol stations in Kyiv and energy sites in other regions were hit. Ukraine, meanwhile, struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukrainian forces also targeted drone production sites. Trump had said both countries agreed not to attack each other’s energy infrastructure. However, the latest strikes have raised fresh doubts over efforts to reduce fighting between Russia and Ukraine.  

Two sailors are missing after an oil tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, Oman said. Twenty-three crew members were rescued from the Panama-flagged 'El Gaia'. Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said a fire broke out in the ship’s engine room after the attack. The vessel was later towed towards an Omani port. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed the tanker hit a naval mine. However, the US military rejected the claim and said the vessel was hit by an Iranian missile and later by a drone. The incident adds to growing tensions in the key waterway used for global oil shipments.  

A US government watchdog report has revealed the heavy cost of America’s war with Iran. The conflict has caused major damage to US military bases across the Middle East. Dozens of American aircraft and drones were also damaged or destroyed. The report said the war created shortages in advanced weapons and exposed problems in replacing munitions. Damage to US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE was estimated at $184 million. The State Department also spent more than $11 million evacuating around 9,000 Americans. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier said the conflict had cost $37.5 billion.  

Russia and Ukraine exchanged strikes on energy targets Tuesday, hours after US President Donald Trump said they had agreed to stop such attacks. Russia launched 200 drones overnight at Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, killing two people and striking petrol stations, energy and port infrastructure, according to Ukrainian officials. Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, struck an oil refinery in Syzran, Russia’s Samara region, along with drone production facilities in Taganrog and Oryol. The attacks came despite Trump’s announcement of an agreement to halt strikes on energy targets, casting fresh doubt on his peace push. The strikes showed both sides continuing attacks on strategic energy and military-related infrastructure, hours after the understanding. (PC: Times Now)