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The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced it has foiled five separate attempts to smuggle a total of 242,296 amphetamine pills into Saudi Arabia through the Al-Rub’ Al-Khali, Al-Haditha, and Al-Durra border crossings. According to ZATCA spokesperson Hammoud Al-Harbi, the largest seizure occurred at the Al-Rub’ Al-Khali port, where 202,570 pills were discovered hidden in parts of a truck entering the Kingdom. At Al-Haditha port, three separate attempts were intercepted. In the first, customs officers uncovered 9,859 pills concealed in compartments specially designed inside a truck. In the second, 6,040 pills were hidden within a shipment of electrical wires. The third attempt involved 11,424 pills found inside a vehicle’s drive shaft. The fifth attempt was thwarted at Al-Durra port, where officers found 12,403 amphetamine pills also concealed in a vehicle’s drive shaft. Following the seizures, ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to track and apprehend the intended recipients within Saudi Arabia. Authorities confirmed the arrest of two individuals in connection with the cases. Al-Harbi affirmed the Authority’s ongoing efforts to tighten customs control on imports and exports to protect society from narcotics and related threats, in close cooperation with the anti-narcotics directorate. He urged citizens and […]
10 hours ago
Firefighters have for hours been battling to manage a wildfire that has spread in some villages in south-western Saudi Arabia, according to a Saudi media report. No casualties were reported. The fire erupted Tuesday afternoon in the mountains of Al Ays village in Al Mandaq governorate, which is part of Al Baha region, and has extended to the villages of Rasba and Al Sarfa amidst forests and trees that helped the blaze spread over large areas, reported news website Sabq. Civil defence teams are making huge efforts to extinguish the blaze, the cause of which is not clear yet. There was no immediate comment from the authorities. Also read: Saudi Arabia To License Alcohol In Select Locations From 2026
21 hours ago
Riyadh has emerged as one of the world’s ten most expensive markets for prime office space, driven by rapid cost increases and sustained high occupancy, according to Savills’ Riyadh Office Market Report for Q1 2025. The Saudi capital saw average prime office rents rise 2.5% quarter-on-quarter and 12% year-on-year. Occupancy rates remained steady at 98%, highlighting the limited availability of high-quality office space and continued business confidence. The growth is largely attributed to activity across sectors such as consulting, IT, legal, and pharmaceuticals. Notably, 50% of transactions in Q1 came from new market entrants, while 70% of enquiries were for units under 1,000 square metres — underscoring a shift toward flexible, efficient workspaces. Riyadh also recorded the fastest increase in global prime office occupancy costs, rising 5.2% in the first quarter. This metric includes rent, service charges, fit-out expenses, and other occupier costs — offering a comprehensive view of leasing expenditures. Pivotal moment The city now ranks alongside global commercial hubs such as London, New York, Dubai, and Hong Kong in the Savills Global Prime Office Costs report. “We’re witnessing a pivotal moment for Riyadh,” said Ramzi Darwish, Head of Savills Saudi Arabia. “With demand outpacing supply and international occupiers […]
21 hours ago
Saudi police said they had arrested three expatriates implicated in immoral acts at a relaxation and body care facility in Riyadh, the latest such case reported in the kingdom. The Saudi General Directorate of Public Security said the offenders had been referred to public prosecution while punitive municipal action is being taken against the massage centre involved in the violation. In February, four other expatriates were detained over involvement in immoral acts at a massage parlour in Riyadh too. The arrests were made by the Riyadh region police in coordination with the General Department for Community Security and Combating Human Trafficking. Earlier that month, Saudi police said they had arrested five other expatriates at a body care centre in the port city of Jeddah for purportedly involvement in activities that violated public morals. In a separate case, three expatriates – a man and two women – were arrested for involvement in prostitution in the central region of Al Qassim. The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced earlier this year establishing the General Department for Community Security and Combating Human Trafficking Crimes aimed at developing and enhancing the efficiency of the security system in general and the crime-fighting system in particular. The new unit is tasked […]
21 hours ago
This strategic move marks a significant transformation in the Kingdom’s traditionally strict regulatory stance on alcohol and is part of a broader vision to modernize its tourism industry, particularly in preparation for hosting the 2030 World Expo and the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Controlled Legalization in High-End and Restricted Zones The Saudi government will authorize the sale of wine, beer, and cider—excluding spirits and drinks exceeding 20% alcohol content—only in controlled environments. These include: The decision was influenced by the positive impact of similar models in neighboring countries, such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, where regulated alcohol availability has enhanced tourist experiences and boosted foreign visitor numbers. Saudi Arabia now aims to replicate this success while balancing cultural and religious considerations. Maintaining Social Norms and Tight Control While this policy signals increased openness, the authorities have stressed that alcohol sales will remain prohibited in open public spaces, private homes, retail stores, and for home production. Access will be tightly controlled, with licenses granted under specific conditions and strict regulations to ensure alcohol is consumed responsibly and discreetly. Licensed venues will be subject to clear operational guidelines, and service staff will receive specialized training to manage alcohol provision in accordance with Saudi laws and customs. These steps are designed to prevent abuse, ensure cultural sensitivity, and maintain the Kingdom’s Islamic identity while accommodating international […]
2 days ago
After nearly three months of cycling thousands of kilometers, 26-year-old Belgian Anas Al Razqi has reached Saudi Arabia to fulfill his lifelong dream of performing the Islamic pilgrimage, Hajj. Starting his journey at the beginning of Ramadan in March, Al Razqi pedaled through nine countries — including Germany, Austria, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina — facing diverse weather conditions and occasional loneliness. Crossing into Saudi Arabia was a surreal moment. “It’s hard to describe,” he said. “This is a dream. I didn’t believe I would be in Mecca,” Al Razqi told Saudi TV channel Al Ekhbariya after arriving at the Halat Ammar border crossing near Jordan. “I feel blessed to have arrived in the kingdom.” Al Razqi said the sincere prayers and warm smiles of those he met along the way gave him strength. “They kept me going,” he told Saudi news portal Sabq. Crossing into Saudi Arabia was a surreal moment. “It’s hard to describe,” he said. “I felt I was approaching a dream I’ve cherished for years. Now, I just want to reach the closest point to the Kaaba and see it for the first time.”
3 days ago
The National Center of Meteorology (NMC) stated that Saudi Arabia is now 12 days away from the meteorological start of summer on June 1. This day will mark the beginning of a gradual rise in temperatures across various regions. Hussein Al-Qahtani, spokesman of NMC, said that Jeddah recorded the highest temperature in the Kingdom on Tuesday, reaching 47 degrees Celsius in the shade. This is an early indication of the intensification of summer weather, reflecting a significant increase in temperatures, especially in the western regions of Saudi Arabia. NMC is geared up to mobilize all its modern capabilities and equipment to carry out its work during summer. The center relies on the latest technologies and modern meteorological programs represented by observatories across the Kingdom, including weather radars, satellite images, and the Saudi numerical model, in addition to manned observatories and mobile automatic stations that operate around the clock to achieve the utmost accuracy in the center’s forecasts.
3 days ago
A simple yet powerful gesture by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has gone viral across Syrian social media, becoming an unexpected symbol of hope and gratitude following a major US policy shift. The moment, captured on camera during the recent Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, shows Prince Mohammed placing both hands on his chest — a traditional gesture of respect and appreciation — as he thanked US President Donald Trump for lifting American sanctions on Syria. The image struck a chord among Syrians, rapidly spreading across platforms as celebrities, activists, and everyday citizens imitated the gesture in a wave of photos and videos. “It’s not just a movement; it’s a message,” said a Syrian social media influencer. “It tells the world that there is hope and solidarity —that Saudi Arabia stands with Syria during a moment of change.” Artists and cartoonists joined in, sharing digital illustrations and caricatures inspired by the Crown Prince’s gesture, amplifying its symbolic weight. Syrian commentators hailed the moment as a “historic signal” of warming ties between Riyadh and Damascus — one that resonated more deeply than any formal diplomatic statement. Many credited behind-the-scenes talks between Prince Mohammed and President Trump as instrumental in influencing the White House’s […]
3 days ago
The Hajj Security Forces have arrested three Bangladeshi residents for violating Hajj regulations by attempting to enter Makkah without a permit. One of the accused also published video content documenting their attempt. All three have been referred to the competent authorities for legal action in accordance with the applicable regulations. The Public Security urged all citizens and residents to comply with Hajj rules and regulations and to report any violations by contacting the number 911 in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or the number 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.
3 days ago
The Ministry of Interior announced that punitive measures have been taken against nine Saudi citizens and eight expatriates for violating Hajj regulations. They were arrested by the Hajj Security Forces at the entry points to Makkah while transporting a total of 61 individuals without obtaining a permit to perform Hajj. The ministry issued administrative decisions through the seasonal administrative committees against the transporters, accomplices, and those transported. According to the decisions, penalties included imprisonment, fines of up to SR100,000, publishing violators’ names in the local media at their own expense, deportation of residents and a 10-year ban from re-entering Saudi Arabia after serving their sentence. The ministry called for the judicial confiscation of vehicles used in the unauthorized transport of pilgrims and the imposition of a fine of up to SR20,000 on those who attempted to perform Hajj without a permit. The ministry urged all citizens and residents to comply with Hajj regulations and instructions to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims as they perform their rituals.
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