All Articles

Saudi Arabia condemns attack on military base in Chad RIYADH, May 21 — Saudi Arabia condemned an attack on a military base in Chad that killed and injured several security personnel, the foreign ministry said on Thursday. In a statement, the ministry reaffirmed the kingdom’s rejection of terrorism and extremist acts targeting the security and stability of Chad. Saudi Arabia also expressed solidarity with the government and people of Chad and extended condolences to the famili

Saudi Civil Defense urges safe use of electrical appliances during Hajj RIYADH, May 20 — Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense urged pilgrims and Hajj campaign operators to use electrical appliances safely in accommodation facilities at the holy sites, SPA reported. The directorate warned against overloading electrical circuits, saying it could cause short circuits or fires. Civil Defense urged pilgrims and operators to follow safety instructions issued through

U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia opens visa appointments for World Cup ticket holders RIYADH, May 20 — The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia said it has opened applications for visitor visa appointments for FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders under the FIFA PASS programme. The programme allows fans in Saudi Arabia who bought tickets directly from FIFA to schedule B1/B2 visa interview appointments in Jeddah ahead of the tournament, the embassy said. The embassy urged applicants to revie

Etihad to double A380 Paris service this summer ABU DHABI, May 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Etihad Airways will increase its Airbus A380 service to Paris Charles de Gaulle to double daily from July 1, WAM reported. The expansion will raise Etihad’s Abu Dhabi-Paris route to three daily flights overall. The schedule will include two daily A380 services from Zayed Abu Dhabi International Airport, with morning and afternoon departures. A third daily Boeing 787-9 service will

Bahrain suspends entry for non-citizens from three African countries over Ebola outbreak MANAMA, May 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs suspended entry for non-Bahraini travellers arriving from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda over the Ebola outbreak, BNA reported. The suspension applies from Tuesday, May 19, and follows World Health Organization updates on the outbreak and worsening conditions in the affected countr

UAE says drone that hit near Barakah plant was launched from Iraq ABU DHABI, May 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The United Arab Emirates said six drones had been launched against the country from Iraq over the past 48 hours, including one that caused a fire near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday, Reuters reported. The UAE Defence Ministry said it intercepted all but one of the drones. Three of the drones had been targeting the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, the Arab

Saudi Arabia says visit visas do not authorize Hajj. (Photography: SPA) RIYADH, May 19 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior said visit visas of all types and categories do not authorize holders to perform Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The ministry stressed that an official Hajj permit is mandatory to perform the ritual. It urged the public to comply with regulations for the 1447 AH Hajj season and cooperate with authorities to ensure the

UAE announces four-day paid holiday for private sector on Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha, May 26–29 (Photography: WAM) ABU DHABI, May 18 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced that May 26 to 29 will be a paid holiday for all private sector employees on the occasion of Arafat Day and Eid Al-Adha, WAM reported. The ministry said the decision was issued in line with the UAE Cabinet resolution on official public holidays.

Bahrain condemns drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia MANAMA, May 18 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Bahrain strongly condemned the drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia using three drones launched from Iraqi airspace. Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry described the attack as a dangerous escalation, a threat to regional security and stability, and a violation of international law and U.N. Security Council Resolution 2817. The ministry affirmed Bahrain’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia

AlUla marks International Museum Day as world’s largest living museum. (Photography: Courtesy of SPA) ALULA, May 18 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Royal Commission for AlUla marked International Museum Day as part of efforts to strengthen AlUla’s position as the world’s largest living museum. The commission said AlUla preserves a civilizational legacy spanning thousands of years while supporting cultural, tourism and economic development under Saudi Vision 2030. RCU conti

Saudi Arabia intercepts three drones entering its airspace from Iraq RIYADH, May 17 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed three drones after they entered the Kingdom’s airspace from Iraq on Sunday morning, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the drones were intercepted on May 17 after entering Saudi airspace from Iraqi airspace. Al-Maliki said the Ministry of Defense reserves the right

Saudi Arabia announces start of Dhu Al-Hijjah, Eid Al-Adha date RIYADH, May 17 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court announced that Monday, May 18, will be the first day of Dhu Al-Hijjah 1447 AH, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The court said Arafat Day will fall on Tuesday, May 26, while Eid Al-Adha will begin on Wednesday, May 27. The announcement followed a session held by the Supreme Court’s crescent sighting department on Sunday evening to review r

Abu Dhabi says drone strike caused fire at Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, no injuries or safety impact PARIS, May 17, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Authorities in Abu Dhabi responded to a fire caused by a drone strike on an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Brakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra Region, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said on Sunday. No injuries were reported, radiological safety levels were unaffected and the Federal Authority for N

Saudi Supreme Court calls for Dhu Al-Hijjah crescent sighting on Sunday RIYADH, May 16 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court called on Muslims across the kingdom to sight the Dhu Al-Hijjah crescent moon on Sunday evening, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The court requested that anyone who sights the crescent, whether with the naked eye or through binoculars, report the sighting to the nearest court to register their testimony. It also said people may co

Saudi Arabia records 9,576 residency, labor and border violations in one week RIYADH, May 15 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia recorded 9,576 residency, labor and border security violations during inspection campaigns across the kingdom from May 7 to 13, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Ministry of Interior recorded 4,865 residency violations, 3,319 border security violations and 1,392 labor law violations. Authorities apprehended 1,500 people attempting to ente

Saudi Arabia warns against transporting visit visa holders to Makkah during Hajj season RIYADH, May 14 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior warned that anyone who transports or attempts to transport visit visa holders to Makkah or the holy sites during the Hajj season will face fines of up to SAR100,000, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The penalty applies from the first day of Dhu Al-Qidah until the end of the 14th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah. The mini

Saudi Supreme Court calls for Dhu Al-Hijjah crescent sighting RIYADH, May 15 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court called on Muslims across the kingdom to sight the Dhu Al-Hijjah crescent moon on the evening of Sunday, May 17, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The court requested that anyone who sights the crescent, whether by naked eye or through binoculars, report to the nearest court to register their testimony. It also said people may contact the near

Princess Muna Al-Hussein Honoured in Bucharest During Visit to Romania | Photography: Romanian Royal Family The mother of King Abdullah II of Jordan received the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy and attended events dedicated to nursing education and professional development. Her Royal Highness Princess Muna Al-Hussein, mother of His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, visited Romania, where she was honoured for her longstandi

Saudi Arabia opens pavilion at Doha International Book Fair 2026 (Photography: SPA) DOHA, May 14 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission inaugurated the kingdom’s pavilion at the Doha International Book Fair 2026, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The exhibition runs from May 14 to 23 and reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in publishing and the regional and global cultural landscape. Commission CEO Dr. Abdullatif Al

MADINAH, May 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The courtyards of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah use advanced engineering and cooling systems to reduce high temperatures and provide a comfortable environment for pilgrims and visitors, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The system includes giant umbrellas, each weighing about 40 tons and standing more than 21.7 meters high. The umbrellas help improve air circulation and support the comfort of worshippers throughout the day. The