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SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS


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 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


Kingdom’s Health Sector Sees Major Gains as Life Expectancy Reaches 79.9 Years
RIYADH, April 7, 2026, Saudi Arabia Breakinf News - Saudi Arabia has recorded notable progress in its healthcare sector, with life expectancy increasing from 74 years in 2016 to 79.9 years by the end of 2025, according to the Health Sector Transformation Program. The announcement, made in conjunction with World Health Day on April 7, reflects the Kingdom’s steady advancement toward its Vision 2030 target of 80 years. The improvement has been supported by significant developm
Apr 71 min read


Saudi Civil Defense warns of thunderstorms, flash flood risk across most regions through Friday
. RIYADH, April 6 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense on Monday urged the public to remain in safe locations and avoid valleys and flood-prone areas as thunderstorms are expected to continue across most parts of the kingdom through Friday, state news agency SPA reported. Moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast in parts of Makkah region, including Taif, Maysan, Adham, Al-Ardiyat and Turbah, with risks of flash floods, hail and dust storms. Moderate to he
Apr 61 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


NASA launches astronauts on first crewed moon flight in more than 50 years
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
Apr 21 min read


Saudi Royal Court Announces Passing of Princess Al Jawhara bint Faisal bin Abdullah Al Abdulrahman Al Saud
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.
Apr 11 min read


U.S. offers up to $3 million for information on attacks on diplomatic facilities in Iraq
Smoke and fire rise during reported drone and rocket strikes at the US embassy, according to Iraqi security sources, in Baghdad, Iraq, in this still image obtained from a social media video released on March 17. Social Media/UGC/Reuters RIYADH, April 1, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The U.S. State Department is offering a reward of up to $3 million for information on attacks targeting its diplomatic facilities in Iraq. The offer follows repeated attacks on the U.S. Emb
Apr 11 min read


Saudi Cardiac Surgeon Wins 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award from U.S. College
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
Mar 312 min read


Italy summons Israeli ambassador after Holy Sepulchre Palm Sunday incident
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
Mar 291 min read


Jerusalem police bar Catholic leaders from Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, church says
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
Mar 291 min read


Saudi Arabia extends expired visit visas and waives penalties for direct departure
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,
Mar 281 min read


Saudi Arabia ranks 22nd in World Happiness Report 2026
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
Mar 281 min read


Saudi Arabia records 11,967 residency labour and border violations in one week
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
Mar 281 min read


Prophet’s Mosque imam urges Muslims to remain steadfast after Ramadan
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
Mar 271 min read


Saudi Transport Authority Extends Truck Operating Lifespan to 22 Years
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
Mar 271 min read


Pentagon weighs redirecting Ukraine-bound weapons to Middle East, report says
The Pentagon logo is seen behind the podium in the briefing room at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., January 8, 2020. REUTERS/Al Drag Riyadh, March 26, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Pentagon is weighing whether to redirect weapons originally meant for Ukraine to the Middle East as the war involving Iran strains supplies of some of the U.S. military’s most critical munitions, the Washington Post reported on Thursday, citing three people familiar with the ma
Mar 261 min read


Saudi Arabia issues more than 15,000 penalties for residency, labour and border violations during Ramadan
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
Mar 261 min read


Saudi Arabia allows exit, extensions for expired visit visas amid regional conditions
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
Mar 251 min read


Riyadh governor performs funeral prayer for Princess Noura bint Abdulaziz
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
Mar 241 min read
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