3 days ago
Saudi: Houthi Missile Intercepted In Khamis Mushait, Causes Damage To Buildings And Vehicles
A ballistic missile, fired by the terrorist Houthi militia, was intercepted in Khamis Mushait in the southern Asir region. The General Directorate of Civil Defense revealed that Civil Defense teams in Khamis Mushait responded on Thursday to falling debris resulting from the interception of the missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward civilian residential areas. The falling debris caused limited material damage to several buildings and vehicles. The competent authorities have taken emergency procedures following the incident, the directorate added.
3 days ago
Riyadh Makes Accreditation Mandatory For Infrastructure Projects From January 1, 2027
The Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center (RIPC) announced the imminent implementation of mandatory accreditation for infrastructure project contractors. With only 90 days remaining until the accreditation takes effect on January 1, 2027, only companies accredited by the RIPC will be permitted to undertake infrastructure projects in the Riyadh region. This move is part of the Center’s efforts to develop the infrastructure project implementation system, enhance sector efficiency, and strengthen compliance with quality, safety, and environmental standards. It is expected to contribute to improving execution quality, reducing operational risks, and enhancing the sustainability of assets and services provided to the region’s residents. The RIPC stated that the accreditation aims to enhance the reliability of infrastructure project implementation by applying unified standards to assess the capabilities of implementing companies. This ensures that their technical and operational capabilities are commensurate with the nature and scale of projects and that they meet the minimum requirements for efficiency, technical expertise, and financial solvency necessary to execute the work in accordance with approved standards. The RIPC indicated that the accreditation assessment is based on three main pillars: technical and operational capabilities 55 percent, financial stability 25 percent, and professional experience 20 percent. This framework ensures an objective […]
3 days ago
Saudi Arabia Denies Reports Of Suicide Bomber At Grand Mosque In Makkah
Saudi authorities have denied reports of a suicide bomber at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, saying security forces arrested a man for harassing passersby and causing panic. Public Security said security authorities in Makkah arrested the individual after he harassed people and caused fear and panic among passersby. Authorities immediately dealt with the incident, took legal measures against the man and referred him to the Public Prosecution. Public Security said claims circulating about the incident were false and urged the public to obtain information from official sources.
3 days ago
Six Killed, Including Five Teachers, In Taif-Riyadh Highway Crash
Six people, including five female teachers and their driver, were killed in a collision on the Taif-Riyadh highway on Thursday morning, prompting Saudi Arabia’s National Transport Safety Center to launch an investigation. The teachers were traveling to Hailan Elementary and Intermediate School, northwest of Al-Muwayh governorate, when their vehicle was involved in a collision with another vehicle. One of the teachers was pregnant, according to a relative. The driver died at the scene, bringing the death toll to six. The teachers had been traveling to their workplace on a daily journey covering more than 400 kilometers round trip when the crash occurred. Emergency teams responded to the scene, and the victims were taken to Al-Muwayh Hospital. The National Transport Safety Center said it had received a report of a collision involving two vehicles on the Taif-Riyadh highway in the Makkah region. Preliminary information indicated that six people were killed in the crash, the center said. A safety investigation team has begun its work in coordination with the relevant authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision and collect the necessary information and data as part of the investigation.
3 days ago
Saudi: 4 Houthi Missiles Intercepted In Asir, Asian Expat Injured
Saudi Air Defense intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired by the terrorist Houthi militia over Ahad Rafidah governorate in the southern Asir region on Friday. The falling shrapnel from the intercepted missile injured an expatriate of Asian nationality and caused material damage to a prayer room inside a building, as well as to several civilian vehicles, the General Directorate of Civil Defense revealed. Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, stated that three ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi militia toward Khamis Mushait in the Asir region were intercepted and destroyed. Also on Friday, a hostile projectile launched by the Houthi militia struck a school in Najran, causing material damage. Civil Defense teams responded to the incidents and took the necessary emergency measures, the directorate added.
6 days ago
UAE’s Next $25 Billion Bet On India Includes Energy Sector
Authored by Tsvetana Paraskova via OilPrice.com, The United Arab Emirates has expressed intent to invest another $25 billion in India, including in the energy sector, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said at a high-level meeting in Mumbai. The UAE has already invested about $25 billion in India and has signaled its intent to invest another $25 billion in the near term, the Indian minister said at the 14th Meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments. The UAE ultimately targets to have $100 billion invested in India in the long term, according to the minister. The UAE-India meeting was co-chaired by Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), and was attended by Thani bin Al Zeyoudi, the Emirati Minister of Foreign Trade. The Indian minister noted that he held “productive discussions on further strengthening our robust trade & investment partnership, with a focus on advancing cooperation across energy, infrastructure, logistics, advanced technology, food security and other priority sectors.” ADIA’s Al Nahyan and the Indian minister also discussed “accelerating the India-UAE economic partnership and fully leveraging the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a landmark framework driving trade, investment, and […]
6 days ago
Oil Slides As Qatar Touts ‘Talks’ Again; Iran Struck Large Crude Tanker Overnight
Iran is said to have struck a Very Large Crude Carrier in the Strait of Hormuz late on Monday, signaling what will likely be the resumption of strikes on foreign vessels seeking to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, after last week’s diplomatic talks at the UN failed to produce a breakthrough. Still, for the time being more oil is being shipped through the strait compared to where the situation was for the past many months of war. Maritime monitor UKMTO indicated the vessel was struck by a suspected unknown projectile, resulting in a fire. The fire looks to have been extinguished quickly, with the crew safe and the vessel underway on its transit. On Tuesday Iran’s parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf has reiterated that America should know that “in a region where we don’t sell oil, no one will sell oil.“ He followed with, “If our security is not ensured, no infrastructure will be safe.” Later in the day, Fars reported that another drone has been fired an ‘illicit’ ship, however few details have been given. Ghalibaf further described during a parliament session that “the era of intimidation and threats is over” and that the Islamic Republic would escalate its responses. […]
6 days ago
Saudis through to Gulf Cup semis but Oman and Iraq impossible to separate after dramatic group finale
Group A of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup concluded in dramatic fashion on Tuesday. With 10 minutes remaining in both games, it looked as though Iraq were destined to join the already-qualified Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals. The Green Falcons were leading by two goals against the Iraqis, but it seemed that both teams would progress because in the other game, Oman was locked in a 1-1 draw with already-eliminated Kuwait. Fifteen minutes later, however, nobody was quite sure who would be joining the Kingdom in the next round. In their third Gulf Cup meeting in four years, the Saudis triumphed 2-0 over Iraq in a tense encounter. Saudi Arabia had already secured their place in the semis with a 3-0 victory over Oman on Saturday, after winning their opening group game against Kuwait 1-0. Iraq needed only a point to advance; however, little sense urgency was evident as both teams eased into the game. Meanwhile, Kuwait faced Oman, who still had some faint hopes of reaching the semi-finals for a third consecutive time: prior to kick-off, Oman were on one point with a goal difference of minus-3, while Iraq were on four points with a goal difference of plus-1. […]
6 days ago
MOE bans filming students and teachers
The Ministry of Education instructed all staff at government schools not to take photos or videos of students, teachers, school facilities, activities or events and post them on social media without permission from the relevant authorities. In an official circular sent to government schools, the ministry stated the instruction covers official information and documents related to work, school facilities and classrooms, teachers and students, as well as school trips and events. The ministry also asked schools to ensure all staff are aware of the instructions and sign to confirm they have read and agree to follow them. Schools must then send a copy of the signed list to the relevant Education Operations Department. The ministry stressed the importance of following the rules on filming and sharing content related to schools and their staff and students. It stated that failure to follow the instructions would be considered a violation of applicable laws and regulations.
6 days ago
Man Jailed Over Attack Posts
The High Criminal Court sentenced a man to 10 years in prison and fined him BD2,000 for posting content on social media that supported and encouraged attacks on Bahrain. The court also ordered the confiscation of the mobile phone used in the offence. The case began after the Electronic Crimes Directorate reported a social media account containing images, videos and comments that supported and encouraged attacks targeting Bahrain. Investigations identified the defendant as the person operating the account. The Public Prosecution questioned the defendant, heard witness statements and assigned technical experts to examine the electronic devices seized in the case. The investigation and technical examination found that the defendant committed the offence. The Public Prosecution then referred him, while in custody, to the High Criminal Court. The court heard the case over several hearings, during which the defendant was given his legal right to defence, before issuing its verdict. The Public Prosecution stated that freedom of opinion and expression is protected by law but must be exercised within legal limits. It also stressed that publishing or sharing material that supports, promotes or encourages terrorist acts is a criminal offence under Bahraini law.
