Saudi Arabia warned of a “hostile aerial threat” and issued a string of emergency alerts across the kingdom, including in its capital, late Friday and early Saturday.
Also Saturday, Iran’s state TV reported that a man was executed after being convicted on charges of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad.
Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Friday. Full coverage is available here.
Saudi Arabia warned of a “hostile aerial threat” after issuing a string of emergency alerts across the kingdom late Friday and early Saturday, and at least one explosion was heard in the capital, Riyadh.
The alert heard in Riyadh was first for the Saudi capital since the latest escalation with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
No casualties or damage were reported after the alerts were lifted. Saudi authorities didn't say what prompted the alerts or the cause of the audible explosions, but they previously reported intercepting incoming Houthi missiles and drones.
The U.N.’s most powerful body said late Friday that the Houthis' military escalation, attacks and threats “risk further expanding the conflict, threatening maritime security and international trade” while undermining regional and international efforts to secure peace in Yemen.
It was warned that continued escalation would exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the country.
The council's 15 members called for “practical cooperation” to prevent the Iran-backed Houthis from acquiring arms, military training, financing and other military-related assistance needed to carry out their attacks. They stressed that all countries must enforce the U.N. arms embargo against the rebel group.
Iran's state TV reported on Saturday that a man identified as Hossein Pedram was executed after being convicted on charges of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad.
The report said Pedram passed on to Israel classified information on “sensitive military sites” in Iran's Isfahan province. It didn't say how he accessed the classified information.
Pedram was reportedly arrested after those sites, which included missile bases, were targeted in the 12-day air-war by the U.S. and Israel against Iran in June last year.
A recent surge of executions in Iran prompted an international outcry by human rights groups.
This piece will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.
Supporters of Yemen's Houthi rebels raise their rifles during a rally in support of the group and to protest Saudi Arabia's accusation that the Houthis targeted Islam's holiest site of Mecca, in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)
A supporter of Yemen’s Houthi rebels wears a poster showing the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, tucked into a decorative sash above a dagger, during a rally to protest Saudi Arabia's accusation that the Houthis targeted Islam's holiest site, in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. Arabic reads, "Our souls are sacrificed for it". (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)
A soldier from Yemen's Houthi rebels stands in front of a giant banner of the Kaaba, during a rally to protest Saudi Arabia's accusation that the Houthis targeted Islam's holiest site in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Josue De Paula made plenty of noise during his first week in the major leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and that's not even counting his use of three walk-up songs in the same game.
“It was awesome,” he said, flashing a dazzling smile.
Batting ninth as the designated hitter, De Paula went 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI in his Dodger Stadium debut Friday night, an 8-2 win over the San Francisco Giants.
"I have the utmost confidence in myself and belief,” he said, “so I know when the moment is up for it, I know I’m going to come through.”
De Paula debuted in the major leagues last Friday at Miami. In eight games, the 21-year-old has five hits — his first being a three-run homer off Eury Pérez of the Marlins — five RBIs and four runs. He’s drawn eight walks and struck out just twice. He’s hitting .238 with an OPS of .924.
“We knew that coming up to the big leagues he wasn’t going to get overwhelmed,” manager Dave Roberts said.
De Paula got called up after four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani went on the injured list and is playing his way into a shot at making the postseason roster.
“We need to have somebody coming off the bench. He’s in the mix,” Roberts said. “He’s certainly doing a lot of things well.”
De Paula was born and raised in Brooklyn, but relocated to his father's native Dominican Republic when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down sports in New York so he could play baseball year-round. He lived with his uncles and enrolled in a baseball academy.
He gained Dominican citizenship, which allowed him to sign with the Dodgers as an international free agent in 2022. He was quickly promoted to Class A the following year at age 18. In 2024, he was promoted to High-A.
Last year, he represented the Dodgers in the All-Star Futures Game, hitting a three-run homer and earning MVP honors.
De Paula is the first player to be called up directly from Double-A during Andrew Friedman's 12-year tenure as president of baseball operations. He's also the first player in Dodgers history to wear No. 95.
Unofficially, he may be the first player on the team to use three different walk-up songs in the same game. In a nod to his Brooklyn roots — also the New York borough where the Dodgers originated — he came to the plate in the second inning to “Notorious” by The Notorious B.I.G., another Brooklyn native.
“I didn’t expect the fans to be so supportive and they were awesome,” he said.
De Paula led off the fifth to “Ima a Boss” by rapper Meek Mill in a nod to his father and promptly singled for his first hit at home. He got the ball and planned to give the keepsake to his parents. His third walk-up song was for his mother.
His two-out double in the sixth snapped a 2-all tie.
“I just love his at-bats,” Roberts said. “He takes his walks. When the ball’s in the hitting zone, he can slug you — but he also knows how to get a base hit. It’s been very professional.”
De Paula even won his challenge using the Automated Ball-Strike system during one at-bat.
“I feel the adrenaline, but I just feel like I know how to pinpoint it and focus it,” he said. “I’m so locked in, but I know how to calm myself down.”
De Paula displays a solid swing and an instinct for good pitch selection. Defensively, he knows he needs some work in the outfield.
“I’m going to shut a lot of people up on my defense very soon,” he said.
De Paula has already impressed Dodgers teammate and former AL MVP Mookie Betts, who called it “really neat” to see a young player who can handle any opposing pitcher.
“He loves playing the game,” Betts said. “When he gets on the field, it’s like a quiet focus, but when he’s off the field, he likes joking and laughing. He’s a good kid.”
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Los Angeles Dodgers' Josue de Paula beats his chest after hitting an RBI double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Josue de Paula, left, hits an RBI double as San Francisco Giants pitcher Jason Foley watches during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers' Josue de Paula, second from left, hits an RBI double as San Francisco Giants pitcher Jason Foley, left, and catcher Drew Cavanaugh watch during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
