Finland summons Russian diplomat over suspected airspace violation

Finland's foreign ministry said on Wednesday it had summoned Russia's top diplomat to Helsinki over a suspected June 10 violation of Finnish airspace, the second such event in under three weeks.
NATO member Finland on Tuesday said it believed a Russian military aircraft entered its airspace off the coast of Porvoo in the southern part of the Nordic country, and that the Finnish Border Guard was investigating the incident.
'The foreign ministry has invited Russia's acting head of mission to speak on the issue today,' the Finnish ministry said in a statement to Reuters.

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Saudi Gazette

2 hours ago

• Saudi Gazette

20 drug smugglers nabbed within 24 hours

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi security authorities have arrested 20 drug smugglers in massive security operations carried out across the Kingdom within the last 24 hours. Those arrested include citizens and violators of border security regulations. The arrests were made in the regions of Tabuk, Asir, the Northern Borders, and Jazan, for their involvement in promoting or smuggling narcotics. In the Tabuk region, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested six citizens and Egyptian residents for promoting hashish and amphetamine, in addition to pills subject to medical circulation regulations. In the Asir region, a citizen was arrested for promoting 8,000 pills subject to medical circulation regulations. In the Northern Borders region, two citizens were arrested for promoting hashish and amphetamine. As part of efforts to combat cross-border smuggling attempts, Border Guard land patrols teams in the Dhahran Al-Janoub sector in the Asir region arrested five Ethiopian border security violators, who were in possession of 52 kilograms of hashish. Border Guard patrols in Al-Daer sector in the Jazan region also arrested four Ethiopian violators for smuggling 80 kilograms of khat, while security patrols in Al-Farsha governorate in the Asir region foiled an attempt to smuggle 28 kilograms of khat. The security authorities confirmed that they had completed the initial legal procedures against those involved, and handed them over, along with the seized items, to the competent authorities. They were then referred to the Public Prosecution. The authorities emphasized their continued pursuit of anyone who would threaten the security of society. They called upon citizens and residents to report any information they have about any activities related to drug smuggling or trafficking, by calling the numbers 911 in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and the number 999 in the rest of the Saudi regions. The information can also be passed to the General Directorate of Narcotic Control over the number 995, the authorities said while noting that all reports will be dealt with in complete confidentiality.

Arab News

3 hours ago

• Arab News

‘Ambassador extraordinaire': well wishes pour in as Saudi envoy concludes tenure in London

RIYADH: As Prince Khalid bin Bandar concludes his role as Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the UK, his six-year tenure is being marked as a period of renewed engagement and modernization in Saudi-UK relations. As per Royal Decree issued last March, Prince Khalid has been appointed as an advisor at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is expected to head back to Riyadh in the next few days. Since his appointment in 2019, Prince Khalid has led efforts to strengthen ties and redefine the Kingdom's image across political, economic, academic and cultural spheres. His approach is marked by transparency, accessibility and strategic foresight as well as consistent outreach to both political institutions and the wider British public. In April this year, he was named Diplomat of the Year for the Middle East and North Africa by Diplomat Magazine, an award voted on by representatives of more than 180 missions in the UK. One of his final public engagements was an on-the-record panel discussion with Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abbas at the Frontline Club, hosted by the MENA-based think tank SRMG Think (videos above). Current British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Neil Crompton described Prince Khalid as 'an exemplary ambassador' and said: 'He tirelessly engaged the media, universities, and parliamentarians to explain Saudi views and illuminate the changes under Vision 2030. He will be much missed.' (Prince Khalid) tirelessly engaged the media, universities, and parliamentarians to explain Saudi views and illuminate the changes under Vision 2030. Neil Crompton British ambassador to Saudi Arabia Former UK ambassador to the Kingdom, Sir John Jenkins, said, 'Prince Khalid has been one of the best connected and most visible — and articulate — ambassadors in the whole of the London diplomatic corps … The Kingdom needs advocates like him, and we need friends like him.' Prince Khalid has been one of the best connected and most visible — and articulate — ambassadors in the whole of the London diplomatic corps. Sir John Jenkins Former UK ambassador to the Kingdom Among the hallmark initiatives of his tenure was the Great Futures event in Riyadh, a flagship moment for UK-Saudi engagement. The event brought together investors, policymakers, academics and creatives, fostering trade, education and public understanding of the Kingdom's transformation. Sir Ben Elliot, former chairman of the Conservative Party, commended Prince Khalid's diplomatic instinct: 'His unwavering dedication over six years has transformed the UK-Saudi relationship. The UK has now become the largest source of visitors to Saudi Arabia — a milestone he personally championed. He reshaped perceptions of the Kingdom with diplomacy, charm and grace.' The UK has now become the largest source of visitors to Saudi Arabia — a milestone he personally championed. Sir Ben Elliot Conservative Party, former chairman This vision of diplomacy extended beyond politics to academia and community engagement. Prince Khalid actively reached out to British Muslim communities, students and universities such as Oxford and Durham — not as formalities, but as forums for real dialogue and shared values. Othman Al-Omeir, veteran Saudi journalist and former editor of the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat, told Arab News: 'I have witnessed the tenure of seven Saudi ambassadors who served at the Saudi Embassy in London. In truth, Prince Khalid stands out for his profound and precise understanding of British society, and for the universal respect he commands due to his competence, capability and discernment. His presence was positive, effective and influential.' Prince Khalid stands out for his profound and precise understanding of British society, and for the universal respect he commands due to his competence, capability and discernment. Othman Al-Omeir Veteran Saudi journalist Dr. Najah Al-Osaimi, a trustee of the Saudi British Society, said: 'Prince Khalid changed the dynamic. For decades, relations were political and elite driven. He brought it to the people — through media, academia and civil society. His television appearances tackled complex issues with openness. 'I was fortunate to meet him many times, particularly through the Saudi British Society, where he is our patron alongside King Charles. Thanks to his support, we launched the annual Ghazi Al-Gosaibi Memorial Lecture. His efforts brought momentum to Saudi Arabia's presence in the UK's cultural, sports and economic landscape.' His efforts brought momentum to Saudi Arabia's presence in the UK's cultural, sports and economic landscape. Dr. Najah Al-Osaimi Saudi British Society trustee Prince Khalid prioritized public diplomacy, focusing on transparency and dialogue. One of his final appearances was at the Frontline Club in London last February— moderated by Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas — which offered a rare candid conversation about Saudi reform and regional diplomacy with British journalists and policy thinkers. Prince Khalid ensured Saudi voices were better represented in British media, academic panels and think tanks, earning him praise across the diplomatic spectrum. Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, said: 'Prince Khalid brought a dignified presence to the Arab diplomatic circuit in London, especially during times of regional turmoil.' Prince Khalid brought a dignified presence to the Arab diplomatic circuit in London, especially during times of regional turmoil. Chris Doyle Council for Arab-British Understanding director Prince Khalid also deepened ties with institutions like the Saudi British Society, one of the UK's oldest platforms for cultural diplomacy. He supported its events and initiatives, highlighting arts, heritage and mutual understanding. Roxana Mohammadian-Molina, deputy chair of the Saudi British Joint Business Council, added: 'Prince Khalid's presence brought energy, engagement and a modern perspective to the bilateral relationship, particularly at a time of profound transformation in the Kingdom. We were honored to work alongside him to advance commercial and cultural ties, and we are grateful for his steadfast support of UK-Saudi collaboration. Roxana Mohammadian-Molina Saudi British Joint Business Council deputy chair 'At the Saudi British Joint Business Council, we were honored to work alongside him to advance commercial and cultural ties, and we are grateful for his steadfast support of UK-Saudi collaboration. He leaves a lasting legacy, and we wish him every success in his future endeavors.'

Al Arabiya

5 hours ago

• Al Arabiya

Erdogan tells Iran's top diplomat resuming talks only way to solve nuclear dispute

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday told Iran's foreign minister that resuming Iranian-US talks on Tehran's nuclear program was the only way to achieve a solution to their dispute and the conflict with Israel, the Turkish presidency said. Erdogan met Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of an Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting in Istanbul. In a statement, his office noted that Erdogan said Israel had to be stopped immediately. Erdogan said Turkey was ready to play a facilitator role to help resume the nuclear talks, adding 'steps should be taken as soon as possible to open up diplomacy via technical and leaders-level talks between Iran and the US,' his office added.