3 days ago
The Ministry of Health has fined three airlines for failing to comply with health surveillance regulations at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the violations included not implementing proper disease vector control measures, such as spraying aircraft with insecticides. These breaches of the Health Surveillance Law at entry points pose a risk to public health. The Ministry has taken disciplinary action against the airlines to enforce compliance and prevent future violations. Health Ministry Fines Three Airlines for Violating Health Surveillance Regulations at Entry Points.https://t.co/d66vMqzE7o#SPAGOV pic.twitter.com/Rndh5x2vPm — SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) September 29, 2024 This incident highlights the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining strict health surveillance at airports and border crossings, ensuring the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors to Saudi Arabia.
3 days ago
The Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday the arrest of 15,324 illegal residents during inspection raids across Saudi Arabia during last week. Among the violators, 11894 have been deported. The arrests were made during the joint field security campaigns carried out by security forces and the concerned government agencies during the period between Sept. 19 and Sept. 25. Those who were arrested included 9235 violators of the Residency Law, 3772 violators of the Border Security Law, and 2317 violators of the Labor Law. A total of 6,520 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents while 1,385 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations. The total number of people who were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom stood at 1226, of whom 48 percent were Yemeni nationals, 51 percent Ethiopian nationals, and one percent belonged to other nationalities while 116 people were arrested while attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally. Four people, who were involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators, were also arrested. The Ministry of Interior has warned that any person who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, provides them with shelter or any […]
3 days ago
Saudi Arabia participated in the Tourism EXPO Japan 2024 on Thursday and Friday, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to boosting its growing tourism industry, particularly through international collaborations with Japan. Tourism EXPO Japan is one of the world’s largest annual travel events that brings together countries and Japanese destinations to promote inbound and outbound tourism. Saudi Arabia’s participation aimed to highlight its unique cultural and heritage offerings, showcasing the Kingdom’s significant cultural transformation over the years and how its presence can evoke its rich history while displaying its natural charms. Saudi authorities believe the Kingdom has much to offer regarding adventure, culture, and heritage, especially for travelers looking to journey off the beaten track and enjoy authentic experiences that cannot be found elsewhere. The Saudi delegation highlighted attractions such as the Nabataean ruins of Madain Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bedouin culture, and local cuisine. They also noted that Japanese and Saudis share common values, such as family, tradition, respect for elders, and patriotism.
3 days ago
A devastating fire ravaged large parts of Jeddah International Market, which at more than 50 years old is one of the oldest markets in the governorate. No casualties have been reported in the blaze at the famous market, which broke out at 6 a.m. on Sunday, according to the Civil Defense. More than 20 firefighting units were pressed into service to contain the rapidly spreading flames as the market in the Al-Rawdah district was partially engulfed in smoke. The blaze was brought under control after nearly 12 hours, but not before a large number of stalls and shops were razed to the ground, with their owners left standing helplessly in the parking lot. No one was at the market when the incident occurred in the early hours of the day. Moammar Al-Awidy, an owner of a cafe and an electronics shop, told Arab News that he received a call from one of his employees at 8 a.m. with the shocking news. “I rushed to the market but could not get anywhere because local authorities advised us to stay away from the area due to the possibility of smoke poisoning. Although there were no fatalities or injuries, the northern side of […]
3 days ago
The Federation of Saudi Chambers, represented by the National Entertainment Committee, announced plans to launch a unique digital platform for the entertainment sector. The platform will connect private companies with each other to facilitate the provision of their services for entertainment events under one roof so as to enable them to access investment opportunities and link them together to create a connected and vibrant community. Alwaleed Al-Baltan, chairman of the National Entertainment Committee, said that the digital platform project for the entertainment ecosystem is the first of its kind among the national committees within the federation. “The establishment of the platform is part of the private sector’s efforts to keep up with the rapid developments in the entertainment sector, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, the growing volume of investments, and the continuous increase in the number of visitors and tourists to the Kingdom,” he said. The size of the entertainment market in the Kingdom stands around SR8.7 billion, with expectations to reach SR14.4 billion by the year 2028, achieving an annual growth rate of 10.4 percent.
3 days ago
Heavy rains that began Saturday have continued to affect parts of Saudi Arabia, causing significant disruption in several regions. The National Centre for Meteorology warned on Sunday that the downpours, reaching torrential levels, will persist, halting movement and daily activities in some areas. While autumn typically brings milder weather, regions like Mecca have been hit by torrential rains. Southwestern and western Saudi Arabia, including the highlands of Asir, Al Baha, Jizan, and eastern Mecca and Medina, are expected to experience further heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hail. Hussein Al Qahtani, spokesman for the National Meteorological Center, noted that while conditions in Medina are more stable, winds reached 100 km/h and rainfall measured 34 mm within two hours on Saturday night. In Jabal Uhud, rainfall reached 37 mm. Authorities have advised the public to avoid open areas during storms, stay away from flood-prone zones, and limit travel. Motorists are urged to keep their vehicles fuelled and avoid risky areas. Forecasts suggest the rain could intensify midweek as tropical moisture moves into southern regions, bringing heavier and more widespread rain to areas like Jizan, Asir, and Al Baha. Thunderstorms, lightning, and hail are expected on Tuesday, with storm activity expected to continue throughout […]
4 days ago
Al-Ittihad leapfrogged Al-Ahli to claim top spot in the Saudi Pro League after a 4-1 win over Al-Khaleej on Friday night, with the reigning champions still to play on Saturday. The visitors shocked the home crowd by taking a fifth-minute lead thanks to Khaled Narey, which they held until half-time. But after the break Al-Ittihad rediscovered the form that saw them beat Al-Wehda 7-1 two weeks ago and scored four times in a dominant second half performance. Karim Benzem kick-started the comeback four minutes after the break and there were further goals from Houssem Amour (56), Steven Bergwijn (68) and Hamed Al-Ghamdi (stoppage time). The Jeddah club, champions two seasons ago, now sit top of the SPL standings with 12 points from five matches but will drop to second if Al-Hilal — with a perfect record after four matches — get at least a draw against Al-Kholood at home on Saturday night. Meanwhile Al-Nassr managed to record their second win in a row for the first time this season when they beat Al-Wehda 2-0 in Riyadh. Angelo Gabriel opened the scoring on 41 minutes before Cristiano Ronaldo wrapped up the win with a penalty in the 56th minute. Al-Nassr now […]
4 days ago
Al Nassr secured three points against Al Wehda, extending their unbeaten run under Italian coach Stefano Pioli, with a 2-0 win in the opening of the Saudi Pro League’s fifth round. The victory brings Al Nassr to 11 points, putting them just one point behind their traditional rival, who tops the standings with 12 points. Brazilian star Angelo Gabriel scored his first goal for Al Nassr with a stunning shot that deceived goalkeeper Abdullah Al Owaisheer just minutes before the end of the first half. Sultan Al Ghannam, a key player for Al Nassr, won a penalty early in the second half after being fouled by an Al Wehda defender. Cristiano Ronaldo calmly converted the penalty, adding the second goal for the team. Al Wehda was reduced to 10 men in the final minutes after their captain, Waleed Bakshween, received a second yellow card and was sent off. Al Wehda remains with four points after their third consecutive defeat, a stark contrast to their strong start, where they gained four points from the first two matches.
4 days ago
Al-Ittihad made a dramatic comeback against Al-Khaleej, overturning an early deficit to secure a 4-1 victory, reclaiming their winning form in Round 5 of the Saudi Pro League. After suffering a loss to Al-Hilal in the previous round, Al-Ittihad bounced back to claim three crucial points in a match that came alive in the second half, favoring the home team. Al-Khaleej opened the scoring early through Khalid Nari in the fifth minute with a lob over Croatian goalkeeper Rajkovic. The visitors held onto their lead until the end of the first half. In the second half, Karim Benzema equalized for Al-Ittihad in the 49th minute, and soon after, Houssem Aouar gave Al-Ittihad the lead in the 55th minute. Dutchman Steven Bergwijn added a third goal in the 67th minute, and substitute Hamed Al-Ghamdi sealed the victory with a fourth goal in stoppage time. This important victory boosted Al-Ittihad’s points tally to 12, while Al-Khaleej remained stuck on 4 points with their ongoing struggles. Meanwhile, in Dammam, Al-Qadsiah clinched a valuable 1-0 win over Al-Ahli, with the sole goal coming from Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang via a first-half penalty. Al-Qadsiah’s win compounded the woes of Al-Ahli, who had recently been knocked […]
5 days ago
King Abdulaziz University has announced the launch of the second Student Film Festival, from Dec. 4 to Dec. 5 at King Faisal Hall for Conferences. The festival aims to foster student creativity in filmmaking, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the industry. Ayman Naji Bajunaid, dean of the College of Communication and Media, said that the upgraded festival was designed to establish a cultural and artistic platform that nurtured talent from Saudi universities, strengthened interaction and collaboration among students, and built bridges between academic filmmakers and producers. This initiative would also contribute to highlighting and deepening Saudi cultural identity. Bajunaid said that the festival’s objectives aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and the strategic goals of the Saudi Film Commission, by developing students’ skills in filmmaking and fostering connections between filmmakers and producers. The festival also aims to encourage academic and cultural engagement. He said that while the previous festival was limited to King Abdulaziz University students, this year’s expanded version invited participation from students across Saudi universities. The expansion is part of the festival’s broader goal of attracting and motivating talented students, creating a dynamic and competitive learning environment that inspires creativity.