Saudi Arabia News

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia: Royal Commission For Jubail And Yanbu Plans To Impose Hefty Penalties For Various Municipal Violations

The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu announced plans to introduce revised penalties for a host of municipal violations. The commission urged the stakeholders to express their opinions and viewpoints on the proposed multitude of penalties for various violations before finalizing them. These included in the draft “Regulations of Fines and Penalties for Municipal Violations of the Royal Commission.” The draft requires the perpetrator of a municipal violation to repair any damage and restore the property to its original condition, and to appeal to the competent authority against any of the penalties specified in the regulation within 60 days from the date of notification of the penalty. The competent authority’s decision may be appealed to the Board of Grievances within 60 days. The draft categorizes violations into five groups: public health violations; slaughter and stray livestock violations, sales violations, building violations, and traffic violations. Public health violations included 60 violations, with fines ranging from SR100 to SR20,000. These violations included food waste from homes with a fine of SR100; commercial waste from fruit and vegetable markets with fines ranging from SR1,000 to SR5,000; hazardous waste from factories with fines ranging from SR10,000 to SR20,000; workers showing symptoms of illness with […]

1 year ago

Video: Man Attempts To Stab Elderly Imam Outside Mosque In Riyadh

A viral video showing an attempted attack on a mosque imam as he exited the building has prompted immediate action by Saudi Ministry of Interior, which confirmed the arrest of the assailant in Riyadh. The footage, widely circulated on social media, shows the imam, an elderly man with a white beard, leaving the mosque when he is suddenly confronted by a man holding what appeared to be a knife. The imam manages to push the attacker back, and several bystanders also rushed in to intervene. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior released a statement confirming the arrest of the suspect, whose image was published on the ministry’s official Snapchat account. Another image showed him from behind, in custody. “Riyadh Police have arrested a person who appeared in a video attempting to assault another individual in front of a mosque,” the ministry said. “He has been taken into custody, and legal procedures are underway. He has been referred to the Public Prosecution.” The incident took place in the Manfouha neighborhood of the capital. While social media users speculated the attacker may have attempted to stab the imam, authorities have not officially disclosed details the motive. In a separate development, the ministry added […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia Launches 1447 AH Umrah Season Plan To Enrich Pilgrims’ Spiritual Journey

Saudi Arabia’s Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has officially launched its operational plan for the 1447 AH Umrah season, aiming to enhance the spiritual experience for millions of pilgrims and visitors. The plan, announced during a ceremony at the Presidency’s headquarters in Mecca, is designed to provide a smooth and fulfilling religious journey for all. Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al Sudais, President of Religious Affairs, said the 1447 AH Umrah season will be guided by a service-centric approach, with the enrichment of spiritual and devotional experiences forming the plan’s central objective. He emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between various government agencies and strategic partners to ensure unified and efficient implementation. The eight-month plan will unfold in three distinct phases, running until the end of Sha’ban 1447 AH, after which the separate Ramadan operational plan will take effect. On June 10, Saudi Arabia resumed issuing Umrah visas, followed by the start of Nusuk permit applications on June 11. The Ministry clarified key dates within the Umrah calendar: the deadline for approving contracts between Umrah companies and overseas agents is the first day of Sha’ban; the issuance of Umrah visas will cease on the first […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia’s National Airline Confirms October Start For Direct Moscow Flights

Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia will start non-stop flights between Riyadh and Moscow from October1, in a move to capitalise on the sharp rise in Saudi tourism to Russia. The new service will offer three weekly flights. The announcement comes amid what officials described as an unprecedented surge in Saudi arrivals to Russia, driven largely by Moscow’s rollout of a streamlined electronic visa system in August 2023. According to Russian government data, 52,400 Saudi citizens visited the country in 2024, a more than 570% increase from just 9,300 the previous year. That momentum has continued into 2025. In the first six months of the year, Moscow welcomed over 9,900 Saudi visitors, marking a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Russian authorities have credited the spike to the e-visa programme, which allows Saudi passport holders to apply for travel authorisation online. The introduction of direct flights by Saudia is expected to bolster that growth further, offering both convenience and connectivity at a time of deepening cultural and economic engagement between the two nations.

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Gets Its Own Monopoly Board

There’s a new Monopoly board coming to market – and it’s got all the happening places in Riyadh, the Saudi metropolis. The ‘Riyadh Monopoly’ will be up at stores in September after being announced on June 26 at the King Abdullah Financial District Conference Centre. The board is ‘designed to reflect Riyadh’s rich culture, notable landmarks and dynamic spirit’. Riyadh is going through a major transformation, including the creation of a swanky Downtown. In late 2019, the Dubai version of the Monopoly board was launched. (Monopoly is owned by the toy company Hasbro.) “Riyadh Monopoly reflects our goal of making big, strategic projects accessible and engaging to all ages,” Mazroua Al-Mazroua, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer, at King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company. “As the leading destination for international and local businesses in Saudi Arabia, we are creating new opportunities for the next generation to thrive. “We want the new generation to recognize the names and places shaping their future. What better way than through play?” Over half of Riyadh’s residents are under 20 years. “Riyadh Monopoly is crafted to unite generations in friendly rivalry, whether strategizing over historic streets or modern skyscrapers,” said a statement. The […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia: GCC Citizens And Residents Can Now Perform Umrah Anytime

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can now perform Umrah at any time of the year, with entry permitted through all land, air, and sea ports. Permits for Umrah can be obtained conveniently through the official Nusuk application. The decision is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to streamline pilgrimage procedures and improve the overall experience for pilgrims. In tandem with these measures, residents of GCC countries, not just citizens, are now eligible to perform Umrah using multiple types of visas. These include Umrah visas available via nusuk.sa, transit visas issued in partnership with Saudi Airlines and Flynas (saudia.com and flynas.com), and tourist visas that can be obtained through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official portal (ksavisa.sa). To access the holy sites, all pilgrims, whether citizens or residents, are required to obtain a prior permit through the Nusuk app for Umrah and prayer in the Rawdah Al Sharifah, the sacred chamber in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. On June 10, Saudi Arabia resumed issuing Umrah visas to international pilgrims. The ministry started issuing Nusuk Umrah permits on June 11. In the Umrah season calendar, the ministry clarified that it […]

1 year ago

Nearly Half Of Saudis Spend Over Seven Hours Online Daily

Nearly half of Saudi Arabia’s internet users, approximately 48.6 percent, spend seven hours or more online each day, according to the Saudi Internet 2024 report released by the Kingdom’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission last week. The report highlights a sharp rise in the consumption of digital content and e-services, driven by the country’s broader digital transformation agenda. The data shows that peak internet usage occurs between 9pm and 11pm, with March recording the highest overall usage levels throughout the year. Saturdays were found to be the most internet-active day of the week. Home remains the primary location for internet use, with 87.9 percent of users logging on from their residences. This is followed by internet use during travel, at 79.3 percent, and the workplace, where 41.7 percent of users reported being connected. In terms of devices, mobile phones dominate the digital landscape, with 99.4 percent of users accessing the internet via smartphones. Computers came in second at 50.7 percent, followed by tablets at 37.5 percent. Android holds the lion’s share of mobile operating systems, accounting for 55 percent of usage, compared to 45 percent for iOS. Meanwhile, Windows remains the dominant platform for computers, used by 91.1 percent of […]

1 year ago

Saudi Customs Foil Attempts To Smuggle Over 922 Kg Of Narcotics And 20 Million Drug Pills In A Year

The Saudi Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has been instrumental in the seizure of more than 922 kilograms of narcotic and prohibited substances along with over 20 million illegal narcotic pills within a year. The Customs authorities at various land, sea and air ports have successfully thwarted numerous attempts to smuggle large quantities of narcotics in various forms. The ZATCA said in a statement that it continues to intensify security operations to combat narcotics smuggling across all land, sea, and air customs ports. As part of its vital mission to safeguard the security and stability of society, ZATCA is actively monitoring and intercepting smuggling attempts using advanced detection and inspection technologies. ZATCA’s ongoing successes underscore the integrated efforts of relevant security agencies and its commitment to advancing inspection and detection capabilities. It continues to implement intensive training programs for customs personnel, significantly enhancing their ability to detect and counter smuggling attempts. ZATCA urges the public to report any smuggling crimes or customs violations through its dedicated security hotline number 1910, via email at 1910@zatca.gov.sa, or by calling the international number 009661910. All reports will be handled with strict confidentiality, and individuals who provide accurate and actionable information may be […]

1 year ago

Cabin Manager Dies On Board London-Bound Saudia Flight

Saudi Arabian Airlines has announced the passing of its Cabin Manager Mohsen bin Saeed Alzahrani, who died while on duty aboard flight SV119 bound for London from Jeddah on Thursday, June 26. Alzahrani suffered sudden medical emergency condition during mid-flight. Despite the swift and professional response by crew members and medical personnel on board, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at Cairo International Airport. Saudia called the demise of Alzahrani as a tragic moment losing one of the most dedicated team members of the national carrier. Described by colleagues as a model of commitment and professionalism, Alzahrani was widely admired for his integrity, work ethics, and high moral standards. Saudia, in coordination with the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Egypt, is currently finalizing the necessary procedures for the repatriation of the body. The airline also extended its sincere gratitude to the flight crew for their exceptional professionalism and calm in handling the situation, ensuring the continuation of the journey under extraordinary circumstances. Saudia likewise thanked all passengers aboard for their patience and cooperation during the ordeal. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Alzahrani’s family, colleagues, and friends,” the airline said, adding: “Saudia remains fully committed to supporting his loved ones […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia: SFDA Penalizes Food Safety Violators

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has taken punitive measures against erring food establishments in various regions of Saudi Arabia. It affirmed zero tolerance for any violations affecting food safety. Inspection teams from SFDA, in coordination with relevant government agencies, detected a number of violations related to food safety and quality as part of their ongoing inspections of food establishments. This inspection aims to enhance proactive oversight and limit any practices that lead to contamination or food poisoning. The inspections resulted in the seizure of more than two tons of food of unknown origin, in addition to the destruction of approximately 200 kg of spoiled products unfit for human consumption. Large quantities of food stored in conditions that do not comply with health requirements and standards were also detected at a residential site run by expatriate workers. The workers were arrested and legal action was taken against them. In a related development, the SFDA halted production lines at a food factory after seizing approximately 150 kg of products of unknown origin. The inspection tours revealed several violations affecting product safety, including the possession of unknown raw materials and a clear decline in hygiene standards, which led to spreading of […]

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Saudi Arabia: Royal Commission For Jubail And Yanbu Plans To Impose Hefty Penalties For Various Municipal Violations

Video: Man Attempts To Stab Elderly Imam Outside Mosque In Riyadh

Saudi Arabia Launches 1447 AH Umrah Season Plan To Enrich Pilgrims’ Spiritual Journey

Saudi Arabia’s National Airline Confirms October Start For Direct Moscow Flights

Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Gets Its Own Monopoly Board

Saudi Arabia: GCC Citizens And Residents Can Now Perform Umrah Anytime

Nearly Half Of Saudis Spend Over Seven Hours Online Daily

Saudi Customs Foil Attempts To Smuggle Over 922 Kg Of Narcotics And 20 Million Drug Pills In A Year

Cabin Manager Dies On Board London-Bound Saudia Flight

Saudi Arabia: SFDA Penalizes Food Safety Violators

Recent Posts

Bahrain International Airshow’s Eighth Edition Rescheduled to November 2028

Qatar to digitise sweetened drink registration process from November 1

Saudi-led coalition in Yemen says 73 injured in Houthi attacks on the kingdom

One visa for 6 Gulf countries: GCC chief says scheme will launch ‘soon’

Popular Indian restaurant Chokhi Dhani Dubai to close permanently on September 15

New tourist, residential project along Arabian Gulf coast announced in Saudi Arabia

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