{
  "id": 14136235,
  "title": "Riyadh extends airport closure, UK imposes sanctions on Iranians and IMF cuts Gulf growth forecasts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/riyadh-extends-airport-closure-uk-imposes-sanctions-on-iranians-and",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T06:23:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/podcasts/trending-middle-east/2026/10/13/riyadh-extends-airport-closure-uk-imposes-sanctions-on-iranians-and-imf-cuts-gulf-growth-forecasts/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In today's news, Yemen's Houthi rebels have escalated their attacks against Saudi Arabia, leading to the extension of King Khalid International Airport's closure until October 17. This closure has caused flight disruptions across the region, with Etihad Airways canceling services between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh until October 19.\n\nThe UK has imposed sanctions on two Iranian citizens believed to be involved in plots targeting the country, although Tehran denies any involvement. Meanwhile, Pakistan has detained allies of its former prime minister, Imran Khan, following the imposition of emergency rule and suspension of the provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.\n\nThe International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its economic growth forecasts for the Gulf region downwards, attributing the decline to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The IMF now predicts a 3.9% contraction in the UAE economy for the year.\n\nIn a separate development, the UAE Cabinet has approved a federal budget for 2027 to 2029, amounting to Dh292.5 billion ($79.64 billion). This budget represents a 28.3% increase compared to the previous three-year period.",
  "summary": "In today’s episode of Trending Middle East , Yemen’s Houthi rebels launch further attacks against Saudi Arabia as authorities extend the closure of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport until October 17. The attacks have disrupted flights across the region, with Etihad Airways cancelling services between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh until October 19. The UK imposes sanctions on two Iranian citizens…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Riyadh extends airport closure, UK imposes sanctions on Iranians and IMF cuts Gulf growth forecasts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/riyadh-extends-airport-closure-uk-imposes-sanctions-on-iranians-and-14142218",
        "published": "2026-10-13T06:23:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "JUST IN: IMF increases Nigeria’s growth forecasts to 4.2%, warns higher prices will aggravate poverty, food insecurity",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/just-in-imf-increases-nigerias-growth-forecasts-to-4-2-warns-higher",
        "published": "2026-10-13T06:39:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "IndiGo extends Saudi flight cancellations as Riyadh airport stays closed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/indigo-extends-saudi-flight-cancellations-as-riyadh-airport-stays",
        "published": "2026-10-13T07:42:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}