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NASA’s Artemis II moon rocket lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad39-B Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) RIYADH, April 1, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Four astronauts set off on a high-stakes flight around the moon on Wednesday, marking humanity’s first crewed lunar voyage in more than half a century and the opening mission in NASA’s renewed push toward a moon landing within two years. The crew, made up of three

SPA RIYADH, April 1, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Royal Court said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency that Princess Al Jawhara bint Faisal bin Abdullah Al Abdulrahman Al Saud, mother of Prince Mohammed bin Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, had died. Funeral prayers were set to be held on Thursday after Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, according to the statement.

SPA RIYADH, March 31, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi cardiac surgeon Professor Zohair Alhalees has received the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology, in recognition of a career that has helped shape cardiac surgery, pediatric heart care and surgical training in Saudi Arabia and beyond. The award was presented during the college’s Annual Scientific Session in New Orleans, where Alhalees was recognized before an international gather

SPA MADINAH, March 31, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Nusuk app has surpassed 51 million users worldwide, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah said at the opening of the third Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in Madinah. The forum is being held over three days with broad local and international participation, bringing together stakeholders involved in services linked to Umrah and religious visitation. Developed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Nusuk offers more than

Air Force One departs from Sigonella Air Force Base in Sigonella, Sicily, Italy, May 27, 2017. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi RIYADH, March 31, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Italy has refused permission for U.S. military aircraft to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily for operations linked to the Middle East, an official said. The aircraft were intended to land at the base before continuing toward the region, the official said, adding that the case involved U.S. bombers. U

ROME, March 29 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Italy formally protested to Israel on Sunday after Jerusalem police prevented top Catholic officials from reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani instructed Italy’s ambassador to Israel to convey the protest and reaffirm Italy’s commitment to protecting religious freedom “at all times and under all circumstances.” Tajani also summoned Israel’s ambassador to Italy for

JERUSALEM, March 29 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Jerusalem police prevented senior Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Palm Sunday Mass, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said on Sunday. The Patriarchate said the measure blocked the Cardinal and the Custos, whom it described as bearing the highest ecclesiastical responsibility for the Catholic Church and the Holy Places. It said it was the first time in centuries that Church leaders had bee

RIYADH, March 28, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia said holders of certain expired visas could either extend them through Absher or depart directly through international ports without fees or late penalties, SPA reported on Saturday. The General Directorate of Passports said the measure applies to expired visit visas of all types, as well as Umrah, transit and final exit visas. It said visas that expired from February 25, 2026 could be extended until April 18,

RIYADH, March 28, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia ranked 22nd globally out of 147 countries in the World Happiness Report 2026, with a life evaluation score of 6.817 out of 10. The report, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in partnership with Gallup and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, is issued annually in conjunction with the International Day of Happiness on March 20. It is based on survey d

RIYADH, March 28, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia recorded 11,967 violations of residency, labour and border security laws during inspection campaigns carried out across the Kingdom between March 19 and 25, the Ministry of Interior said. The total included 7,650 residency violations, 2,952 border security violations and 1,365 labour law violations. Border authorities arrested 1,140 people attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, including 26% Yemenis, 71% E

SPA MADINAH, March 27, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Sheikh Dr. Ali Al-Hudhaifi, imam and preacher of the Prophet’s Mosque, urged Muslims on Friday to remain steadfast in obedience after Ramadan and to guard against falling into sin after the holy month. In his Friday sermon, Al-Hudhaifi said God had made what is lawful and unlawful clear in the Quran and the Sunnah, warning that following sin amounted to obedience to Satan. He called on Muslims to be guided by a living

RIYADH, March 26, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority on Thursday extended the operating lifespan of trucks used in freight transport to 22 years for six months, until Sept. 25, 2026. The authority said the measure was introduced to help the land transport sector absorb current changes and meet rising demand in the freight segment. It added that the initiative was among measures announced by Transport and Logistics Services Minister

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses a special session of the Conference on Disarmament at the United Nations, aside of U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva, Switzerland, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy Riyadh, March 26, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Israel removed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf from its target list after Pakistan urged Washington to press Israel not to strike them, a Pakistani source wi

Riyadh, March 26, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports issued 15,208 administrative decisions during Ramadan 1447 AH against citizens and residents found in violation of residency, labour and border security regulations. The penalties included imprisonment, fines and deportation. The directorate urged citizens, residents, business owners and individuals not to transport, employ or shelter violators of residency, labour and border

SPA Riyadh, March 25, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani sent a message of condolences to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the death of HRH Princess Noura bint Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, QNA reported. HH the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani also sent condolences to King Salman. HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al

RIYADH, March 25, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday it was allowing visa extensions and direct departures for holders of expired visas who had been unable to leave because of current regional conditions. Visas that expired from February 25, 2026 may be extended until April 18, 2026 through the Absher platform, upon request by the host and subject to applicable fees. Holders of expired visit, umrah, transit and final-exit visas may also leave d

Pope Leo at the Vatican, March 15, 2026. Vatican Media/­Handout via REUTERS Riyadh, March 24, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Pope Leo renewed his call for a ceasefire as the war involving Iran expanded, warning that hatred and violence were worsening and urging authorities to pursue dialogue instead of weapons. Speaking to journalists as he left his residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Leo said he was concerned by what he described as the rising level of animosity in the

SPA RIYADH, March 24 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, governor of Riyadh Region, performed the funeral prayer after Asr on Tuesday for Princess Noura bint Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, SPA reported. Among those attending the prayer were Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman, Prince Saud bin Saad bin Abdulaziz, Prince Dr. Mansour bin Miteb bin Abdulaziz, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdu

Riyadh, March 23, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s National Center of Meteorology issued a red alert on Monday warning of heavy rain in the governorates of Adham and Al Lith in the Makkah region, including Bani Yazid, Jadhm and Yalamlam. The alert also covers open areas and highways, with expected impacts including strong winds, near-zero visibility, hail, flash floods and thunderstorms. The center said the weather condition is expected to begin at 10 a.m. o

SPA RIYADH, March 23 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call on Monday with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow to discuss current developments in the region and related international efforts, according to the Saudi Press Agency.