Saudi Arabia

JEDDAH — Thunderstorms are expected to continue across parts of Saudi Arabia through the end of the week, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM). Based on outputs from the Saudi Numerical Model, rainfall and thunderstorms are expected across the highlands of the Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, and Makkah regions. The NCM released an animated map […]

RIYADH — More than 10,700 violators were apprehended across the Kingdom within a week, according to the Ministry of Interior (MOI). Between June 4 and June 10, the Joint Field Campaign to Monitor and Apprehend Violators of Residency, Labor, and Border Security Regulations arrested 10,725 violators. Of these, 5,899 were residency law violators, 3,084 were […]

OSLO — Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its support for efforts to end the war in Gaza and achieve an independent Palestinian state during the Oslo Forum 2026. Represented by Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Manal Radwan, the Kingdom participated in the forum’s main session, “Mediation in a Turbulent Middle East,” held under […]

RIYADH — More than 11.2 million pilgrims performed Umrah during the fourth quarter of 2025, according to statistics released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). GASTAT's Umrah statistics for the fourth quarter of 2025 showed that of the 11,291,326 pilgrims, 5,701,525 arrived from outside Saudi Arabia, while 5,589,801 performed Umrah from […]

RIYADH — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed the latest regional developments with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar during a phone call on Saturday.During the call, the two sides discussed the latest regional developments and the efforts being made regarding them.

RIYADH — Saudi security authorities arrested a total of 10,725 illegal residents in a week. The arrests were made in the joint inspections, carried out by the security forces in collaboration with the relevant government agencies, during the period between June 4 and June 10, the Ministry of Interior revealed on Saturday. Those who were arrested include […]

Riyadh — Students in public schools all over Saudi Arabia except the regions of Makkah and Madinah sit for their second semester final examinations, marking the end of the academic year, on Sunday. The final exams in the schools of Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and Taif are scheduled to begin a week later on June 21. Six and a half million male and female […]

Riyadh — Saudi Arabia is set to participate as guest of honor at the Fancy Food Show in New York City, the United States, from June 28 to 30, coinciding with the FIFA World Cup 2026. Saudi Arabia will be represented by the National Center for Palms and Dates, which will showcase a selection of premium Saudi date varieties and their diverse processed […]

Riyadh — An attempt to smuggle 3.9 million amphetamine pills has been foiled, thanks to the security cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. Saudi Ministry of Interior security spokesperson Brig. Gen. Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub said that information provided by the ministry's General Directorate of Narcotics Control to its counterpart in […]

MAKKAH — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended 21 Umrah service companies from providing services for pilgrims after detection of violations and poor performance. The penal action follows the results of performance evaluations conducted during the previous season. It was revealed in performance evaluation that there has been a decline in service […]

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has introduced new traffic regulations governing self-driving vehicles, establishing legal responsibilities for owners and operators.The amendments, approved by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif and published in the official gazette Umm Al-Qura, add several provisions to the Executive Regulations of the Traffic Law […]

TOLEDO, Spain — Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation in tourism, with Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb calling for practical joint action to enhance the sector's resilience amid global economic and geopolitical challenges.Al-Khateeb represented the Kingdom at the 126th session of the Executive Council of […]

NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia has underscored the importance of strengthening international efforts to protect older persons, particularly those with disabilities, and ensuring their rights, dignity and full participation in society.The call was made by Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Wasel, speaking on […]

RIYADH — The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has foiled an attempt to smuggle 46,968 amphetamine pills into Saudi Arabia through the Al Haditha border crossing.ZATCA spokesperson Hamoud Al-Harbi said the narcotics were discovered during an inspection of a truck arriving in the Kingdom. The pills were concealed inside a shipment of metal […]

RIYADH — Qiwa, the digital labor platform operated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, said holders of Premium Residency are required to obtain a dedicated work permit available through the platform at a fee of SR100, Okaz newspaper reported. The platform said subscription fees vary according to the size of each establishment and […]

TOLEDO, SPAIN — A high-level Saudi delegation, led by Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, held extensive talks with French and Indonesian delegations led by tourism ministers with regard to further deepening bilateral cooperation and partnership in the vital tourism sector. The meetings were held on the sidelines of the 126th session of the Executive […]

Riyadh — The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has established its first office dedicated to cybersecurity in Riyadh. Through training, research, policy development and knowledge exchange, the UNITAR Cybersecurity Office will support efforts to strengthen cyber resilience globally.The new office is the third office in the UNITAR […]

RIYADH — The General Authority of Media Regulation has referred a violator to the Public Prosecution after detecting offensive remarks directed at a brotherly state in an audio chat room on a social media platform.In a statement issued Wednesday, the authority said the relevant department detected content on June 6 that included remarks deemed offensive […]

Unanimous ruling says US secured conviction of Ahmad Abouammo for spying for Saudi Arabia in the wrong stateThe US supreme court overturned on Thursday an obstruction conviction of a former Twitter employee accused of spying for Saudi Arabia, saying he was tried in the wrong state for knowingly falsifying a document to impede an FBI investigation.The […]

RIYADH — The Ministry of Energy announced on Thursday the winning bidders for eight licenses covering the establishment, development, operation and maintenance of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) filling and storage facilities, as well as the wholesale distribution of LPG to consumers. As part of the tender process, the ministry had invited interested […]