{
  "id": 15399770,
  "title": "Saudi closes Riyadh skyscraper as chopper pilots killed near Yemen",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-closes-riyadh-skyscraper-as-chopper-pilots-killed-near-yemen",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T11:22:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3371307/saudi-closes-riyadh-skyscraper-chopper-pilots-killed-near-yemen"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Kingdom Centre, a towering 99-story skyscraper in Riyadh, has mandated remote work for its tenants in the wake of multiple Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Two helicopter pilots were killed in a crash near the Yemen border, according to the Saudi-led coalition. The strike follows a Houthi claim of shooting down an Apache helicopter belonging to the Saudi military. The 13-story mall at the base of the building remains open. The conflict has reignited due to the ongoing US-Iran war, with both sides reporting frequent attacks. The Saudi coalition's decade-long war with the Iran-backed Houthis has intensified, with regular attacks reported by both parties. Tenants such as Merrill Lynch, McKinsey, and the International Monetary Fund have been instructed to work remotely until further notice. The escalation of violence has led to schools extending remote learning measures, and Riyadh's airport remains closed following the recent attack. Egypt is considering providing support to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi aggression, as the conflict continues to escalate.",
  "summary": "Riyadh’s Kingdom Centre skyscraper ordered remote working for office tenants on Sunday following repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, as the Saudi-led coalition said two pilots were killed in a crash near the Yemen border. The imposing, 99-storey landmark announced “mandatory” remote working until further notice. No reason was given for the order, but it comes a week after 13 people were…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Saudi coalition says two pilots killed in chopper crash near Yemen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-coalition-says-two-pilots-killed-in-chopper-crash-near-yemen",
        "published": "2026-10-18T08:14:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Saudi-led coalition says 2 pilots killed in helicopter crash near Yemen border",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-led-coalition-says-2-pilots-killed-in-helicopter-crash-near",
        "published": "2026-10-18T08:25:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "Saudi-led coalition says 2 pilots killed in chopper crash near Yemen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-led-coalition-says-2-pilots-killed-in-chopper-crash-near-yemen",
        "published": "2026-10-18T08:30:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Saudi landmark closes offices, chopper pilots killed near Yemen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-landmark-closes-offices-chopper-pilots-killed-near-yemen",
        "published": "2026-10-18T09:48:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Saudi landmark closes offices, chopper pilots killed near Yemen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-landmark-closes-offices-chopper-pilots-killed-near-yemen-15392586",
        "published": "2026-10-18T10:30:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Saudi landmark closes offices, chopper pilots killed near Yemen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-landmark-closes-offices-chopper-pilots-killed-near-yemen-15402927",
        "published": "2026-10-18T11:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Saudi landmark closes offices, chopper pilots killed near Yemen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-landmark-closes-offices-chopper-pilots-killed-near-yemen-15397229",
        "published": "2026-10-18T11:12:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Saudi-led coalition refutes Houthi claim of Apache helicopter downing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-led-coalition-refutes-houthi-claim-of-apache-helicopter-downing",
        "published": "2026-10-18T11:28:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}