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SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS


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


Riyadh deputy governor performs funeral prayer for Prince Mohammed bin Bandar bin Mohammed Al Saud
SPA RIYADH, March 23 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of Riyadh Region, performed funeral prayers on Monday for Prince Mohammed bin Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabeer Al Saud at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The funeral prayer was held after the Asr prayer. Among those attending were Prince Abdulrahman bin Saud Al Kabeer, Prince Mutaib bin Thunayan bin Mohammed, Princ
Mar 231 min read


Heavy rainfall and hail sweep Saudi Arabia’s Al-Baha region
SPA Riyadh, March 23, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Heavy rainfall swept Saudi Arabia’s Al-Baha region in recent hours, affecting Al-Baha city and several surrounding governorates, as hail and lower temperatures accompanied the unstable weather. The rainfall created flash floods in valleys and ravines across the region, with waterfalls forming in some areas, highlighting the intensity of the downpour and the mountainous terrain. Hail also covered roads and vehicles as c
Mar 231 min read


Macron expresses France’s support for Saudi Arabia in call with Crown Prince
SPA JEDDAH, March 23, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron. During the call, they reviewed the latest developments in the region and their implications across various fronts. President Macron expressed France’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and condemned the repeated Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom. He also reaff
Mar 231 min read


Saudi Arabia records 22,931 residency, labor and border violations
Riyadh, March 21 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior recorded 22,931 violations of residency, labor and border security laws in inspection campaigns carried out across the Kingdom between March 12 and 18, including 17,181 residency violations, 3,931 border security violations and 1,819 labor violations. Border authorities apprehended 1,635 individuals attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, including 29% Yemenis, 68% Ethiopians and 3% of othe
Mar 211 min read


Saudi National Guard minister inspects command center, conveys Eid greetings
SPA Riyadh, March 21, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the National Guard, inspected the ministry’s main command center on Friday and congratulated personnel on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. During the visit, he was briefed on the tasks and responsibilities of the main command center. He also held a video call with National Guard commanders on the southern, northern and eastern borders, conveying the g
Mar 211 min read


U.S. to deploy three more warships and about 2,500 Marines to Middle East, officials say
A U.S. Navy sailor signals an F/A-18E Super Hornet on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of the Operation Epic Fury attack on Iran at an undisclosed location March 4, 2026. U.S. Navy/Handout via REUTERS WASHINGTON, March 20 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The United States is sending three additional warships and roughly 2,500 Marines to the Middle East, U.S. officials said on Friday, in a move that would expand the American mil
Mar 201 min read


Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Performs Eid Al-Fitr Prayer at Grand Mosque in Makkah
SPA Mecca, March 20, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, performed Eid al-Fitr prayers on Friday at the Grand Mosque in Mecca alongside worshippers. The Grand Mosque and surrounding courtyards were filled with large numbers of worshippers attending the prayer. Among those attending were Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Mem
Mar 201 min read
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