1 year ago
Saudi Arabia: 3 Arrested After Seizing Huge Cache Of Amphetamine Pills Hidden In Sheep’s Intestines In Hafar Al-Batin
The Saudi security authorities have seized 411,546 amphetamine pills hidden inside plastic tubes in the intestines of sheep in the Hafar Al-Batin governorate in the Eastern Province. The authorities arrested the recipients —two Saudi citizens and a displaced expatriate. The arrests were made during the security campaign carried out by the Ministry of Interior to crack down on drug smugglers through close monitoring of drug smuggling and trafficking activities, which target the security of the Kingdom and its youth. The security authorities called upon citizens and residents to report any information they have about any activities related to drug smuggling or trafficking, by calling the numbers 911 in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and 999 in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom. They can also contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control’s reporting number 995, and via email (Email: 995@gdnc.gov.sa). All reports will be handled with complete confidentiality, the authorities revealed.
1 year ago
Saudi Businesses Add New Jobs At Fastest Pace In 14 Years: Riyad Bank PMI
Saudi businesses are continuing to add new jobs at top speed – but this is also leading to a ‘record rise’ in their wage costs. Across sectors, new jobs are seeing the ‘sharpest rise’ since May 2011, according to the latest PMI data. This is where the cost factor kicks in. “This surge in demand for staff contributed to a record increase in wage costs, which added to overall cost pressures and led to a renewed rise in output prices,” according to a report by Riyad Bank. Adding to this is the cost of purchases, which in June rose at the fastest since February 2025, in part ‘driven by stronger demand and rising geopolitical risks’. “Despite these cost challenges, firms broadly raised their selling prices, reversing the declines seen in May and signaling an improved ability to pass on higher costs to customers,” said Naif Al-Ghaith, Chief Economist at Riyad Bank. The Saudi travel and tourism sector is, these days, one of the biggest hirers in the Kingdom, with the launch date of Riyadh Air coming closer on the horizon. According to hiring consultants, there is a whole slew of aviation facing businesses that are also adding to their payrolls. […]
1 year ago
Saudi Arabia, Indonesia Seal $27 Billion In Deals
Saudi Arabia and Indonesia signed a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding worth a combined $27 billion, deepening economic and strategic cooperation across sectors ranging from energy and petrochemicals to defence and cybersecurity. The signings came during a visit to the Kingdom by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, on Wednesday, underscoring the growing importance of bilateral ties between Southeast Asia’s largest economy and the Gulf’s biggest oil exporter. Among the agreements were commitments to expand collaboration in clean energy, aviation fuel services, and petrochemical industries. The two governments also reaffirmed their shared interest in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and carbon circular economy models. Over the past five years, bilateral trade between the two nations has reached approximately $31.5 billion, with Saudi Arabia now standing as Indonesia’s top trading partner in the region. Both sides welcomed progress made in negotiations for a free trade agreement between Indonesia and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which held rounds in September 2024 and February 2025, expressing optimism that a final accord could be reached soon. In the energy sector, Riyadh and Jakarta committed to strengthening cooperation on crude oil supplies, petrochemical development, electricity generation, and renewable energy. The two nations also pledged to jointly […]
1 year ago
Saudi Arabia: Commerce Ministry Recalls Over 88,000 Anker Portable Chargers Over Fire Risk
The Ministry of Commerce has announced the recall of 88,518 Anker portable chargers across multiple models due to a potential internal electrical short circuit that may lead to overheating and pose a fire hazard. The ministry urged consumers to immediately stop using the affected products and contact Anker via the toll-free number (8008500030) to arrange for a replacement or full refund. Consumers can verify whether their device is included in the recall and initiate the replacement or refund process by visiting: https://anker.com/mmrc2506. Additionally, users are advised to check the model number of their charger against the list of affected products on the Defective Products Recall Center website: https://recalls.sa. The ministry emphasized its continued commitment to consumer safety and the importance of promptly addressing product defects to prevent potential hazards.
1 year ago
Saudi Arabia Uncovers 18 Major Corruption Cases Involving Doctors, Police Officers And Officials
Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) has uncovered a series of major corruption cases implicating government employees, law enforcement officers, and private sector figures, as part of its ongoing campaign to uphold transparency and accountability. In a statement issued Monday, Nazaha revealed it had initiated 18 new cases of financial and administrative misconduct. The operations, carried out in coordination with various ministries and security agencies, have led to multiple arrests and the launch of legal proceedings. Among the more serious violations, a resident doctor at a government hospital was suspended for allegedly issuing fake sick leave reports and other fraudulent medical documents in exchange for bribes — a case uncovered in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Two customs officials at a sea port were arrested after accepting SR400,000 in bribes from a customs clearance agent to illegally facilitate the import of trucks. In a separate incident, a land port employee used an official customs vehicle to steal seized contraband, including cartons of cigarettes. In cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, Nazaha also arrested a non-commissioned police officer and a municipal employee for accepting SR110,000 from business owners in exchange for unauthorized access to scrap metal from demolished government […]
1 year ago
Saudi Arabia Enforces New Menu Rules To Flag Salt, Caffeine And Calorie Burn
Restaurants and cafes across Saudi Arabia are now required to display detailed nutritional information on their menus under a new directive from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) that came into effect on July 1. The regulation, which applies to both physical and digital menus — including food delivery apps — is aimed at helping consumers make more informed dietary choices and addressing rising public health concerns such as hypertension and obesity. Under the updated technical regulations, food outlets must now: “These measures are designed to help people monitor their intake of salt, sugar, and caffeine in line with global health recommendations,” the SFDA said in a statement. The initiative reflects a growing focus on lifestyle-related health issues in the Kingdom, where non-communicable diseases like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes are on the rise. By promoting transparency and nutritional literacy, the SFDA hopes to support the government’s broader public health goals under Vision 2030. According to the World Health Organization, adults should limit their daily sodium intake to 5 grams (about one teaspoon), while safe caffeine consumption is capped at 400 mg per day for most adults and 200 mg for pregnant women. To help both businesses and individuals […]
1 year ago
NCM Forecast: Dust Storms Expected Across Saudi Arabia Until Next Week
The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) expects dust-storms would continue hitting across several regions of Saudi Arabia, from Monday until the beginning of next week. The NCM said in its weather statement that winds are expected to continue active in the Eastern Province, the eastern parts of Makkah, Madinah, and Asir, as well as in the Najran region and the coastal road from Jeddah to Jazan. The center warned that parts of the Riyadh region would be affected by dust storms, including active winds and reduced horizontal visibility from 3 to 5 kilometers. The governorates of Al-Sulayyil and Wadi Al-Dawasir would be affected by dust storms from 1 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Al-Aflaj from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meanwhile, the capital city of Riyadh and the governorates of Diriyah, Al-Kharj, Al-Hariq, Al-Dalam, Al-Muzahmiyya, and Hawtah Bani Tamim would be affected by dust storms from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as the governorates of Al-Dawadmi, Al-Rayn, Al-Quwayiyah, and Afif from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It also expected that the effects of the active winds would extend to parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, Hail, Al-Qassim, and Riyadh regions. Meteorological forecasts indicated that hot to very hot […]
1 year ago
SR200,000 Fine For Saudi And Egyptian In Cover-Up Case
The Dammam Criminal Court ruled penalties, including a fine amounting to SR200,000, to a Saudi citizen and an Egyptian resident after their conviction in cover-up (tasattur) case. The convicts were found guilty in their cover-up in water desalination business in the Qatif governorate in the Eastern Province. The punitive measures, ruled by the court, include cancellation of the commercial registration and license, liquidation of the establishment’s activities, collection of zakat, fees, and taxes, prohibition from engaging in the concerned commercial activity and deportation of the Egyptian national and a ban to his return to Saudi Arabia. Following the court verdict, the Ministry of Commerce published the convicts name in the local media at their own expense. The court found the citizen’s involvement in concealing the Egyptian’s illegal cover-up activity. The citizen received 40 percent of the profits from the water distribution tankers, thus enabling the resident to carry out business on his own account without obtaining a foreign investment license. It is worthy to note that the Anti-Cover-Up Law stipulates penalties of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to SR5 million, and the seizure and confiscation of illicit funds, following the issuance of final court rulings […]
1 year ago
Al Hilal Stuns Man City And Stirs The World: ‘One Of The Greatest Nights In Saudi Club Football’
Al Hilal’s stunning 4-3 extra-time victory over English powerhouse Manchester City in the FIFA Club World Cup sent shockwaves through global football, but for seasoned followers of Asian football and the Roshn Saudi League, it felt like a long-overdue statement on the world stage. The Riyadh giants, who boast a record number of AFC Champions League titles, pulled off one of the most remarkable results in the competition’s history Monday night in Orlando. With goals from Marcos Leonardo (2), Malcom, and Kalidou Koulibaly, Al Hilal outlasted the reigning UEFA Champions League winners in a pulsating round-of-16 clash. Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi praised his squad’s heart and tactical discipline, declaring: “The key to this result are the players, the heart they put on the pitch. Tonight, we had to do something extraordinary because we knew how good Manchester City are. We knew we had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen and we were great.” He added: “We played with strong determination. They deserved it. They fought for every ball, and it gives satisfaction to the family of Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia, and the fans here with us.” Senegalese center-back Kalidou Koulibaly, who nodded home Al Hilal’s third goal in extra […]
1 year ago
Saudi Arabia Announces New Corruption Crackdown With Arrests Across Public And Private Sectors
Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) has announced on Monday a new wave of criminal cases as part of its ongoing campaign to root out corruption and strengthen integrity across the Kingdom. The latest round of investigations has resulted in multiple high-profile arrests spanning customs, municipal affairs, the judiciary, education, healthcare, and security sectors. In a statement issued through official channels, Nazaha reaffirmed its firm commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance. Among the most notable cases, two customs employees and a broker were arrested after allegedly accepting SR400,000 in bribes to unlawfully expedite the import process for trucks. Meanwhile, in a separate case, a police officer and a municipal employee were detained for receiving SR110,000 from business owners in exchange for facilitating the illegal extraction and sale of metals from government buildings, a scheme that reportedly generated over SR4.6 million in profit. Judicial integrity also came under scrutiny, with a court clerk arrested after taking SR32,500, part of a promised SR65,000, to influence the outcome of a criminal case and secure an acquittal. In the education sector, a resident was taken into custody for receiving over SR230,000 to manipulate the awarding of subcontract work on Ministry of Education […]
