All Articles

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

Prince Khalid bin Salman Meets Maldives Defense Minister in Jeddah | 📷SPA JEDDAH, June 30 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met Maldives Minister of Defense and National Service Hassan Rasheed in Jeddah on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. During the meeting, the two ministers reviewed relations between Saudi Arabia and the Maldives and discussed defense cooperation between the two countries. They also dis

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

Senior Saudi Officials Perform Funeral Prayer in Dammam for Victims of Saudi Aramco Helicopter Crash | spa DAMMAM, June 29 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Eastern Region Governor Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz attended funeral prayers on Sunday for those killed in a Saudi Aramco helicopter crash, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The funeral prayer was performed in the afternoon at Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam. Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and Eas

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

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

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 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

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

KAUST ranks among world’s top 50 in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2026 RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 24 — King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has ranked among the world’s top 50 universities in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2026 for the first time. KAUST placed 48th among more than 1,600 universities from 130 countries and territories. The rankings measure universities’ contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals across

Rafael Mariano Grossi speaks to members of the media after at the United Nations headquarters in New York, on April 21.Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images SAUDI ARABIA, June 24 — Inspectors from the United Nations nuclear watchdog will visit nuclear sites in Iran, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Mariano Grossi said, after conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran over inspection access. Grossi said the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding provides for IA

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sends message of condolence to Qatar’s Amir after Ras Laffan facility explosion RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 24 — His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent a message of condolence and sympathy to Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani after an explosion at a gas-processing facility in Ras Laffan Industrial Zone caused deaths and injuries. In the message, the Crown Prince exte

King Salman sends condolences to Qatar’s Amir after Ras Laffan facility explosion RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 24 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a message of condolence and sympathy to Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani after an explosion at a gas-processing facility in Ras Laffan industrial zone caused deaths and injuries. In the message, King Salman extended his deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to Sheikh Tamim, t

King Salman to host 1,000 Umrah performers at personal expense RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 24 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has approved the hosting of 1,000 male and female Umrah performers from around the world at his personal expense. The initiative falls under the Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit, implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance. The program will be

Ithra to launch children’s festival with more than 73 events | 📷SPA DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia, June 23 — The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, will launch the second edition of its children’s festival with more than 73 events for children and families. The program includes interactive workshops, performances, storytelling sessions and art installations. Ithra said the festival is designed to encourage curiosity, community participation and cultural engagem