Saudi Arabia
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia reduces activist Salma Al-Shehab’s sentence
In a significant turn of events, a Saudi Arabian court has reduced the sentence of women’s rights activist and academic Salma Al-Shehab from 27 to four years, with an additional four years…
- Middle East
World’s first robotic-assisted artificial heart pump implantation performed in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh: In a landmark medical achievement, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh has successfully performed the world’s first robotic-assisted implantation of an artificial heart pump, the HeartMate 3,…
- Middle East
Over 18.5 million foreign pilgrims performed Haj, Umrah in 2024
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Haj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, announced that more than 18.5 million pilgrims from outside the Kingdom performed Haj and Umrah in 2024. This included: 16,924,689…
- Middle East
Google Pay set to launch in Saudi Arabia in 2025
In a major step toward advancing its digital economy, the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has partnered with Google to introduce Google Pay in Saudi Arabia in 2025 through the national payment network,…
- Entertainment
Video: Rakhi Sawant sponsors Umrah trips for 15 needy people
Mumbai: Indian entertainment industry’s controversial personality Rakhi Sawant, now known as Fatima after accepting Islam in 2022, began the New Year 2025 on a spiritual note by performing her second Umrah. Videos…
- News
PM Modi promises ‘improved pilgrimage experiences’ for Haj devotees
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed the India-Saudi Arabia bilateral agreement for Haj-2025, asserting that the government led by him remains committed to ensuring improved pilgrimage experiences for the…
- Middle East
India signs Haj agreement with Saudi Arabia, quota fixed at 1,75,025 pilgrims
New Delhi: India on Monday, January 13, signed a Haj agreement with Saudi Arabia, finalising a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for itself. Ministry of Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju signed the agreement…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia offers new benefits to importers, exporters
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has announced the expansion of its “Authorized Saudi Economic Operator Program” by offering new benefits and incentives for importers and…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia to enforce mandatory qualification verification for work visas
Saudi Arabia is set to introduce a mandatory pre-verification of professional and academic qualifications of Indian nationals for all work visa applications, effective from Tuesday, January 14. This initiative, initially proposed six…
- Middle East
Video: Saudi Arabia arrest 10 expats for selling fake gold bars
Police in the Makkah Al Mukarramah region, Saudi Arabia, arrested 10 Pakistani expats on Sunday, January 12, for their involvement in a series of financial fraud operations of selling fake gold bars.…
- Middle East
Lebanon’s newly-elected president to visit Saudi Arabia on first foreign trip
Lebanon’s newly-elected President Joseph Aoun announced Saturday that he will visit Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. The Saudi Crown Prince…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia launches football experience for visually impaired fans
In a significant development, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Ministry of Sport has taken a step towards inclusive sports experiences by launching innovative initiatives during the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddha…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia issues weather warning: Heavy rain, strong winds until Jan 12
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecasted rainfall of varying intensities across most regions, ranging from light to moderate and heavy, starting Friday, January 10, and…
- Middle East
Saudi Crown Prince named most influential Arab leader for fourth consecutive year
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been named the most influential Arab leader of 2024, according to an online poll conducted by Arabic news channel Russia Today…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia announces minimum Iqama validity to issue final exit visa
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has announced that a resident’s ID (Iqama) must be valid for a minimum of 30 days when requesting the issuance of a final exit…