SFDA confirms full laboratory readiness for Hajj food and drug safety
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) announced that its mobile and fixed laboratories in Mecca and Medina are fully operational. The labs are equipped to conduct rapid testing on…
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Miraval The Red Sea set for official opening on May 15
The Red Sea Global (RSG) announced that the Miraval The Red Sea wellness resort on Shura Island will welcome its first guests this Friday. The resort marks a major milestone…
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Saudi Aramco announces region’s largest carbon capture facility
Saudi Press Agency (SPA): In a Monday briefing, Aramco unveiled plans for a major integrated carbon capture and storage plant in the Eastern Province as part of the 2060 net-zero…
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Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns Iranian targeting of UAE facilities
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement on Saturday morning expressing its strongest condemnation of Iranian-linked attacks using missiles and drones against civilian facilities in the UAE.…
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Saudi Ministry of Interior activates digital self-deportation service via Absher
The Saudi Ministry of Interior has launched a new digital service on the Absher platform allowing individuals with expired visas to process their own exit procedures voluntarily. The initiative is…
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Saudi football clubs Shabab Al Ahli and Al Wahda resume Asian campaign in Jeddah
The Saudi Ministry of Sport confirmed that high-profile matches for Shabab Al Ahli and Al Wahda are set to resume in Jeddah this weekend. The Ministry has implemented enhanced security…
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Saudi Arabia and Türkiye sign strategic visa accord to boost bilateral travel
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan have finalized a landmark visa agreement. The accord streamlines entry procedures for citizens of both nations, aiming…
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Mecca schools transition to online learning ahead of peak Hajj season
Education authorities in Mecca have shifted all primary and secondary schools to distance learning starting this week. The move is designed to ease traffic congestion and support the arrival of…
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Saudi female labor force participation hits record 34 percent in 2026 review
The latest progress report on Saudi Vision 2030 reveals that female participation in the national workforce has reached 34%, nearing the long-term target of 40%. The growth is driven by…
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Saudi Arabia activates digital self-deportation platform for irregular residents
The Ministry of Interior has launched a new service on the Absher platform allowing individuals with expired visas to exit the country voluntarily. The digital pathway replaces traditional detention procedures…
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EmaarEC awards $146 million infrastructure contract for King Abdullah Economic City
Emaar the Economic City has signed a deal worth SAR 547.3 million with Nesma and Partners to develop infrastructure for the King Salman Automotive Cluster. The project aims to accelerate…
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Saudi Arabia fully implements skill-based work permit classification system
The Ministry of Human Resources has completed the rollout of a new work permit framework that categorizes expatriate employees based on educational background and wage levels. The system is designed…
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Saudi Arabia: Strict permit-only access for Hajj 2026 confirmed
The Saudi Ministry of Interior has enforced a total ban on Hajj activities for holders of visit and tourist visas. Authorities stated that only those with dedicated Hajj permits will…
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Haramain railway increases capacity to 2.2 million for pilgrimage season
Saudi Arabia Railways has officially boosted seat capacity on the Haramain High-Speed Rail to 2.2 million for the 2026 Hajj season. The move includes the deployment of 35 trains running…
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Saudi Arabia rolls out 5-year physical Muqeem ID cards for residents
The Ministry of Interior has introduced a new version of the Resident Identity (Muqeem) card featuring a five-year physical validity period. While the physical card lasts longer, residents must still…
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Strict Enforcement of Hajj Permit Rules for 2026
The Ministry of Interior has reiterated that visit visa holders are strictly barred from performing Hajj. Violators face fines of up to SAR 20,000, potential deportation, and a 10-year re-entry…
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Vision 2030 Enters Final ‘Peak Delivery’ Phase
The Kingdom has officially transitioned into the third phase of Vision 2030, shifting focus from policy reforms to large-scale project execution. Authorities are prioritizing a 65% private sector GDP contribution…
Read moreMobile Passport Counters Launched for Hajj Pilgrims
The General Directorate of Passports has begun deploying mobile biometric counters at airports and land crossings to expedite entry for Hajj pilgrims. The portable devices capture facial images and passport…
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Saudi Arabia: Rail ‘Landbridge’ Fast-Tracked to Bypass Strait of Hormuz
Saudi Arabia is accelerating the development of the Saudi Landbridge and Northern Corridor, a 1,700 km rail link designed to transport cargo from Eastern Province ports to the Jordanian border.…
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Saudi Arabia: Ministry Warns of Jail, Heavy Fines, and Deportation for Visa Overstayers
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has issued a firm reminder to all expatriates and visitors regarding the severe legal consequences of overstaying entry visas. As part of intensified efforts to…
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Saudi Arabia: New Construction Index Launched to Track Vision 2030 Momentum
Al Rajhi Capital, in partnership with S&P Global, has today launched the “Al Rajhi Capital Saudi Construction Index,” a high-frequency indicator designed to monitor the Kingdom’s booming construction sector in…
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Saudi Arabia: Over 15,000 Hajj Pilgrims Arrive as Transport Costs See Slight Adjustment
As the 2026 Hajj season approaches, Saudi Arabian authorities have confirmed the arrival of over 15,000 pilgrims through 59 international flights as of this morning. Parallel to the pilgrimage influx,…
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Saudi Arabia: Mecca Entry Restricted for Expats Without Hajj Permits
Saudi authorities have begun enforcing strict entry restrictions for the Makkah region as of mid-April. Expatriates and residents are barred from entering the holy city unless they possess a valid…
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Saudi Arabia Expresses Strong Condemnation Over Drone Strikes on Kuwaiti Borders
The Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry has issued a statement of strong condemnation following drone attacks on Kuwaiti border posts originating from Iraq. As reported by Dawn and Al Jazeera, the…
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Health Minister Inspects Makkah Facilities Ahead of Hajj
Saudi Arabia’s Health Minister, Fahad Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel, has concluded a comprehensive two-day inspection of medical facilities in Makkah to ensure peak readiness for the upcoming Hajj season. According to a…
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