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Jazan Governor Honors Winners of Princess Seetah Award for Responsible Citizenship | 📷SPA AZAN, July 2 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Jazan Region Governor Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz honored the winners of the Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz Award for Responsible Citizenship in its fifth edition. The winners were recognized for contributions to social responsibility and community service. The recognition took place during the governor’s reception of Dr. Fahad bin Hamad Al-

Wildfire in Southern France Forces Evacuations as Firefighters Battle Blaze PARIS, July 2 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - A large wildfire raged in southern France on Wednesday, forcing scores of people to evacuate as firefighters battled flames fuelled by drought and strong winds. Hundreds of firefighters were deployed in the Herault and Aude departments to contain the blaze. Two smaller fires also broke out in Rognac and Lancon-Provence near Marseille. The fires came a year

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Sign MoU to Develop Cricket Stadium in Jeddah | Courtesy of SPA RIYADH, July 1 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation and the Pakistan Cricket Board signed a strategic memorandum of understanding in Riyadh to develop a cricket stadium in Jeddah. The signing was attended by Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation Chairman Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Mohammad and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control and Pakis

Saudi Shura Council Urges Airspace Capacity Expansion, Digital Government Measures | 📷SPA RIYADH, July 1 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council called on the General Authority of Civil Aviation to accelerate work on expanding the Kingdom’s airspace capacity as air traffic continues to grow. The council said the project should help keep pace with the rapid rise in aviation activity and reduce air congestion. It also urged the authority to expand the use o

Saudi Weather Center Warns of Gusty Winds, Blowing Dust Across Several Regions RIYADH, July 1 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Gusty winds and blowing dust are expected to continue across parts of Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders, Eastern, Riyadh and Najran regions, as well as parts of Makkah and Madinah, the National Center for Meteorology said. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds remain possible in parts of Jazan, Aseer and Al-Baha. Over the Red Sea, winds will be northwe

King Salman Delegates Makkah Deputy Governor to Wash Holy Kaaba | SPA MAKKAH, June 30 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz washed the Holy Kaaba on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Upon his arrival, Prince Saud washed the interior of the Kaaba with Zamzam water mixed with rose water and oud, SPA said. The inner walls of the Kaaba

Saudi, Pakistani Foreign Ministers Discuss U.S.-Iran Memorandum and Regional Stability in Phone Call RIYADH, June 29 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, during which Dar offered condolences over the victims of the Saudi Aramco helicopter crash, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Dar conveyed the sympathy of Pakistan’s governmen

Princess Kate scales Britain's highest peaks to raise money for cancer charity RIYADH, June 28 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Kate, the Princess of Wales, completed Britain’s Three Peaks Challenge in 24 hours to raise funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and draw attention to life beyond cancer diagnosis. The 44-year-old princess climbed Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon, the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales, during the weekend. “I have taken on the Na

General view of Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura oil refinery and oil terminal in Saudi Arabia May 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah RIYADH, June 28 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - A helicopter belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco crashed on Sunday in Ras Tanura on Saudi Arabia’s eastern coast on the Gulf, killing 14 nationals. The incident occurred at 6 a.m. local time, west of the Strait of Hormuz. The cause of the crash was not immediately known. Relevant authorities launched a full

Saudi Arabia condemns Iran attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain RIYADH, June 28 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi Arabia condemned Iranian attacks against Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as threats to security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Foreign Ministry said. The ministry said the Kingdom categorically rejected the attacks, describing them as a violation of international law and the U.N. Charter. It said such violations undermine international efforts to rest

Bahrain says Iran targeted it with missiles, drones RIYADH, June 28 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Bahrain said Iran targeted it with ballistic missiles and drones on Sunday, calling the attack a dangerous escalation. Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry said the attack showed what it described as a deliberate policy and systematic pattern of repeated aggression against Bahrain’s sovereignty and the security of its citizens and residents. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said e

Saudi Arabia records 15,231 residency, labor and border violations in one week RIYADH, June 27 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Arabia recorded 15,231 violations of residency, labor and border security regulations during inspection campaigns carried out across the Kingdom between June 18 and June 24. The nationwide campaign covered 7,589 residency violations, 4,443 border security violations and 3,199 labor law violations. Border authorities apprehended 1,763 people attem

The Callisto tanker sits anchored as the traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, March 10, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier RIYADH, June 26 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The United Nations is working with countries to resume the evacuation of hundreds of ships and thousands of stranded seafarers from the Strait of Hormuz after the effort was halted earlier this week, a senior U.N. maritime official said on Friday. The I

Saudi customs authority thwarts smuggling of 1,098 kg of narcotics and 25 million pills RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 26 — Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority said it thwarted attempts to smuggle 1,098 kilograms of narcotics and 25,112,378 prohibited pills through the Kingdom’s land, sea and air ports of entry. The attempts were recorded between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. ZATCA said the illicit substances were concealed using different methods inside shipments i

Saudi Arabia urges global action to protect children in armed conflicts NEW YORK, June 26 — Saudi Arabia affirmed before the UN Security Council that protecting children in armed conflicts is a shared global responsibility requiring concerted efforts to address its root causes and repercussions, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. Delivering the Kingdom’s statement, Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Abdulaziz Alwasil said Saudi Arabia places childr

Saudi Arabia launches ETA service for UK citizens RIYADH, June 26 — Saudi Arabia has launched an Electronic Travel Authorization service for citizens of the United Kingdom, strengthening travel facilitation between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the service comes as part of longstanding relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom and in line with reciprocal arrangements extended by the British side to Saudi

Saudi Sabha prayer beads remain symbol of heritage, identity across generations | 📷SPA RIYADH, June 26 — The Sabha, or prayer beads, continues to hold a prominent place in Saudi society as a symbol of male identity, heritage and social belonging, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. Passed down through generations, the Sabha is commonly carried by men during formal gatherings and social occasions. While it retains its religious function as a tool for counting supplications and

UAE expands visa-on-arrival programme to six more nationalities ABU DHABI, June 26 — The United Arab Emirates has expanded its visa-on-arrival programme to include nationals of six countries and their accompanying family members, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said. The decision, effective from July 25, applies to nationals of Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya and South Africa who hold ordinary passports. Eligible travellers must also hold a valid residenc

Saudi Arabia launches ETA service for UK citizens starting July 1 RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 25 — Saudi Arabia has launched an Electronic Travel Authorization service for UK citizens, easing entry procedures for visitors to the Kingdom. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ETA will allow UK citizens to enter Saudi Arabia multiple times and stay for up to 180 days, either consecutively or across several visits within one year. The authorization covers visits for tourism, s

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steven Butler, charge d'affaires ad interim of the U.S. embassy in Kuwait, attend a flag raising ceremony at the U.S. embassy during Rubio's visit to the Middle East to discuss the interim deal between the U.S. and Iran with Arab Gulf allies, in Kuwait City, Kuwait, June 24, 2026. REUTERS/Eric Lee KUWAIT CITY, June 25 — The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait resumed operations on Wednesday during a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, mont