Saudi Arabia
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia declares February 22 an official holiday
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced that Saturday, February 22, will be an official holiday for workers in the private and non-profit sectors…
- Middle East
Over 10,000 Indians in foreign jails, mostly in Saudi Arabia, UAE
New Delhi: As per the information available with the Ministry of External Affairs, the number of Indian prisoners, including undertrials, in foreign jails at present is 10,152, the government informed Parliament on…
- India
Kashmiri engineer jailed in Saudi Arabia: Indian govt initiates formal dialogues
The office of Union External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has responded to the petition of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) for the urgent repatriation of 36-year-old Abdul Rafi Baba,…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia suspends multiple-entry visit visas for India, 13 other countries
In a major policy change, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has temporarily suspended the issuance of multiple-entry visit visas for citizens of 14 countries, including India. Despite the policy change being…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia to open Haj package bookings for 2025 via Nusuk
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Haj and Umrah announced on Thursday, February 6, that Haj package bookings for the 1446 AH/2025 season will soon open via the Nusuk Haj…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia suspends meningitis vaccine requirement for Umrah pilgrims
Riyadh: The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, February 6, announced the suspension of a previous directive that required Umrah pilgrims to be vaccinated against Neisseria meningitis,…
- Middle East
Hyderabadi activist Zahack Tanvir, imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, released
Hyderabad: A renowned Hyderabad-origin activist Zahack Tanvir has been released from custody in Saudi Arabia after nearly a year of detention. Tanvir, known for his outspoken views on international affairs and counter-extremism, was…
- Middle East
Hijrah to Madinah: Saudi Arabia’s project to retrace Prophet Muhammad’s journey
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has unveiled an ambitious cultural project designed to retrace Prophet Muhammad’s historic migration journey (Hijrah) from his birthplace Makkah to Madinah. Through this project, the Kingdom…
- Middle East
From maternity leave to overtime: Saudi Arabia rolls out changes to labour law
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MoHRSD) has implemented significant changes to its labour law, effective this month. The initiative aims to strengthen employee rights…
- Middle East
Sheikh Al-Sudais to mark 42 years as Imam of Masjid Al Haram
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, is set to complete 42 years since his appointment as Imam of Masjid Al Haram, Makkah.…
- Middle East
GCC residents can perform Umrah via multiple visa options
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Haj and Umrah has announced that residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can now perform Umrah rituals through multiple entry visa options. This…
- Middle East
Saudi Crown Prince, Syria’s interim President discuss diplomatic ties
Riyadh: Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa reviewed in Riyadh on bilateral relations and the latest developments in Syria. The two…
- Middle East
Syria’s interim president visits Saudi Arabia on first trip abroad, likely a signal to Iran
Dubai: Syria’s interim president made his first trip abroad Sunday, travelling to Saudi Arabia in a move likely trying to signal Damascus’ shift away from Iran as its main regional ally. Ahmad…
- India
Kashmiri engineer jailed in Saudi Arabia; family desperate for justice
A 36-year-old Kashmiri engineer from Srinagar’s Soura city has been languishing in prison in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for four years, leaving his family in a state of perpetual anxiety and…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia’s real GDP grows 4.4 pc in Q4 2024
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s real gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024 achieved a growth rate of 4.4 percent compared to the same period in 2023.…