top of page
All Articles
SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS


Saudi Civil Defense urges caution as thunderstorms forecast to continue until Tuesday
RIYADH, April 24 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense urged the public to remain cautious and stay in safe locations as thunderstorms are expected to continue across the kingdom until Tuesday. The authority warned people to avoid valleys and areas vulnerable to flash floods and advised against swimming in floodwaters. It also called on citizens and residents to follow safety instructions issued through official media and social me
Apr 241 min read


Kuwait reopens airspace, resumes flights after precautionary suspension
RIYADH, April 22 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Kuwait announced the reopening of its airspace at Kuwait International Airport and the gradual resumption of flight operations after a temporary precautionary suspension of air traffic imposed on Feb. 28 due to regional developments. Kuwait’s civil aviation authority said technical teams had begun maintenance and repair work on facilities and operational equipment damaged by Iranian attacks and affiliated factions, and said the
Apr 241 min read


Saudi Ministry of Interior Issues Warning Against Unlicensed Hajj Service Providers
SPA RIYADH, April 20 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has issued an urgent warning to citizens and residents against fraudulent Hajj campaigns and unlicensed offices targeting domestic pilgrims. Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant against deceptive advertisements circulating on social media and various digital platforms. The ministry emphasized that all domestic pilgrimage services must be verified through the official Ministry of
Apr 201 min read


Saudi Civil Defense warns of thunderstorms across kingdom through Friday
SABN RIYADH, April 19 — Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense urged the public to remain cautious and stay away from flood-prone areas as thunderstorms are expected to continue across the kingdom through Friday. The warning followed forecasts by the National Center for Meteorology of continued unstable weather conditions. Civil Defense said moderate to heavy rainfall is expected across all regions, including Makkah, Riyadh, Madinah, Hail, Qassim, the Northern Borders, the Eastern Regi
Apr 201 min read


Saudi Arabia Warns of Fines, Deportation for Unauthorized Hajj Attempts
📷 | SPA RIYADH, April 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior warned Saturday that holders of visit visas are not entitled to perform Hajj, announcing fines of up to SAR 20,000 for violators. The penalty applies to visit visa holders who enter, attempt to enter, or remain in Makkah and the holy sites between the first day of Dhul-Qi'dah and the end of the 14th day of Dhul-Hijjah. Residents and overstayers who attempt to perform Hajj without auth
Apr 191 min read


French soldier killed, three injured in attack on U.N. force in Lebanon, Macron says
PARIS, April 18 — A French soldier serving with the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon was killed and three others were injured in an attack on Saturday morning, French President Emmanuel Macron said. Macron identified the soldier as Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment from Montauban. “Everything suggests that responsibility for this attack lies with Hezbollah,” Macron said in a social media post. France is demanding that Lebanes
Apr 181 min read


Saudi Arabia records 14,487 residency, labor and border violations in one week
RIYADH, April 18 — Saudi authorities recorded 14,487 violations of residency, labor and border security laws during inspection campaigns carried out across the kingdom between April 9 and 15, the Saudi Press Agency reported, citing the Ministry of Interior. The total included 7,911 residency violations, 3,588 border security violations and 2,988 labor-related violations. Border authorities also apprehended 1,382 people attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally, including 38%
Apr 181 min read


Saudi Civil Defense continues weather awareness campaign amid climate fluctuations
RIYADH, April 16 — Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense is continuing a public awareness campaign on weather phenomena, urging residents to follow safety instructions and remain alert during changing weather conditions. The campaign, launched under the slogan “Important to Know,” is aimed at strengthening prevention awareness and improving community preparedness in dealing with climate-related fluctuations. Civil Defense urged the public to stay in safe places
Apr 161 min read


Saudi nonprofit culture forum opens with focus on culture as soft power
SPA RIYADH, April 15 - Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture opened the first edition of the Nonprofit Cultural Sector Forum in Riyadh on Wednesday with a session focused on culture as a form of soft power and the role of the nonprofit sector in shaping the future, state news agency SPA reported. The opening session, held at the King Fahd Cultural Centre under the title "Culture as Soft Power: Redefining the Role of the Nonprofit Sector in Shaping the Future," featured Prince Tu
Apr 161 min read


Saudi Arabia announces fines, deportation for Hajj permit violations
SPA RIYADH, April 14 - Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior has announced penalties for violating Hajj permit regulations ahead of the 1447 AH pilgrimage season, including fines, deportation and possible confiscation of transport used to carry offenders, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. The ministry said anyone caught performing or attempting to perform Hajj without a permit could face a fine of up to 20,000 riyals ($5,332). The same penalty applies to holders of vi
Apr 152 min read


Saudi royal reserve authority records 55 wildlife births in conservation boost
SPA RIYADH, April 13 - Saudi Arabia's Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority said it had recorded 55 new wildlife births in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve and King Khalid Royal Reserve by mid-second quarter 2026, in a sign of wildlife recovery and the success of protection and reintroduction efforts. The authority said the births included nine Arabian oryx and 46 sand gazelles, also known as Reem gazelles. Of the total, 40 births were r
Apr 141 min read


Saudi Public Security begins enforcing Makkah entry permits for residents ahead of Hajj
SABN RIYADH, April 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Public Security said arrangements requiring residents wishing to enter Makkah to obtain official permits took effect on Monday, with those lacking entry permits barred from entering the city. The measures apply to residents who do not hold a permit issued by the relevant authority to work in the holy sites, a resident identity document issued in Makkah, or a Hajj permit. Public Security said entry permits for resident
Apr 131 min read


Saudi passports authority opens electronic Makkah entry permit applications for resident workers ahead of Hajj
SPA RIYADH, April 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports has begun accepting electronic applications for Makkah entry permits for resident workers during the 1447 AH Hajj season. The directorate said the permits would be issued through technical integration with the Makkah Entry Permit service via the Absher and Muqeem portals, removing the need for in-person visits to passport offices. The Absher Individuals platform will be used to
Apr 131 min read


Saudi Arabia Sets Makkah Entry Rules Ahead of Hajj Season
SPA RIYADH, April 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior said residents wishing to enter Makkah will be required to obtain official permits starting Monday, April 13, as the Kingdom begins implementing arrangements for the 1447 AH Hajj season. The ministry said residents without the required permits would be denied entry to Makkah. Exemptions apply to holders of residency permits issued in Makkah, those holding a Hajj permit, and individuals wit
Apr 131 min read


Saudi Arabia reports 15,458 residency, labor and border violations in one week
SPA RIYADH, April 12, Saudi Arabia Breaking News - Saudi Arabia recorded 15,458 violations of residency, labor and border security laws during inspection campaigns conducted across the kingdom between April 2 and April 8, the Interior Ministry said. The violations included 8,440 related to residency laws, 4,054 to border security and 2,964 to labor regulations, the ministry said in a statement. Authorities arrested 1,600 people attempting to enter the kingdom illegally, incl
Apr 121 min read


King Fahd Causeway reopens after closure over possible Iran threat
RIYADH, April 6, Saudi Arabia Breaking News — The King Fahd Causeway linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain reopened on Tuesday morning after being closed for hours over possible threats from Iran. The causeway authority said in a post on X that traffic resumed on the only road route connecting Bahrain to the Arabian Peninsula. The temporary shutdown came after a ballistic missile attack from Iran targeted Saudi Arabia and may have damaged energy infrastructure there. The kingdom h
Apr 71 min read


Saudi Arabia says 18 drones, seven ballistic missiles intercepted over Eastern Region
SPA RIYADH, April 7, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry said on Tuesday that 18 drones and seven ballistic missiles launched toward the Eastern Region were intercepted and destroyed in recent hours. Military spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki said debris from the intercepted missiles fell near energy facilities and that damage assessment was underway.
Apr 71 min read


Saudi Arabia records 14,242 residency, labor and border violations in one week
SPA JEDDAH, April 4, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Arabia recorded 14,242 violations of residency, labor and border security regulations during inspection campaigns carried out across the Kingdom between March 26 and April 1, the Ministry of Interior said. The total included 7,884 residency violations, 3,948 border security violations and 2,410 labor-related violations, the ministry said. Border authorities also arrested 1,449 people attempting to enter the Kingdo
Apr 41 min read


French-owned container ship crosses Strait of Hormuz, data shows
The route taken by the ship CMA CGM Kribi through the Strait of Hormuz shown on the Marine Traffic website. Marine Traffic RIYADH, April 3, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - A French-owned container ship crossed the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data, in one of the latest signs of limited commercial movement through the waterway since the war disrupted regional shipping. Reuters reported that the vessel was the Malta-flagged Kribi, operated by CMA CGM. The ship pa
Apr 31 min read


Saudi Arabia intercepts and destroys four drones, defense ministry says
SPA RIYADH, April 2, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed four drones over the past few hours, the Defense Ministry spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki said on Thursday. The announcement was carried by the Saudi Press Agency. No further details were immediately provided.
Apr 21 min read
bottom of page