Author: Editorial Team
JEDDAH — Riyad Mahrez has bid an emotional farewell to Al Ahli after the expiration of his contract, thanking his teammates, coaches and supporters for an unforgettable chapter that included major silverware and lifelong friendships. The Algeria captain shared a heartfelt message on social media, reflecting on his time with the AFC Champions League Elite winners and expressing gratitude for the memories created during his stay in Jeddah. “To my teammates… thank you for everything we shared,” Mahrez wrote. “I was fortunate to experience unforgettable moments with you, win trophies, write a chapter in the history of this club and…
LONDON — Packed fan zones in Dhaka erupted when Lionel Messi scored Argentina’s opening goal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite there not being a single Argentine supporter among the thousands celebrating. The scenes highlighted a striking reality of global football: some of the world’s most passionate football nations remain absent from the game’s biggest stage. According to BBC report, among the world’s 10 most populous countries, only the United States and Brazil qualified for the 2026 World Cup. India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Ethiopia have never appeared at the tournament, while China has qualified only once, in 2002, and…
Saudi Arabia will participate in the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, to be held on the sidelines of the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva from July 6 to 7. The dialogue will bring together ministers, policymakers, representatives of international organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society from around the world. The Saudi delegation will be headed by Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha and will include President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) Abdullah Alghamdi. Also participating will be Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations and International Organizations in…
DUSHANBE — The Speaker of the Shura Council meets with the Speaker of the National Council of the Supreme Assembly of Tajikistan to review bilateral relations. Speaker of the Saudi Shura Council Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh met with Chairman of the National Council of the Supreme Assembly of the Republic of Tajikistan and Mayor of Dushanbe, Rustam Emomali Rahmon, during his official visit to Tajikistan at the head of a Shura Council delegation. The two officials held an official round of talks at the National Council’s headquarters in Dushanbe. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between…
RIYADH — Saudia has denied any operational or commercial relationship with Boeing 777-200 aircraft formerly owned by the airline, saying the aircraft were sold on June 7, 2023, to a company registered outside Saudi Arabia in accordance with applicable commercial and legal procedures. The clarification came in response to media and social media reports alleging that the aircraft had been transferred to an entity subject to international sanctions. Saudia said that since the completion of the sale, it has had no operational or commercial relationship with the aircraft. Source: Saudi Gazette
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Tehran was eager to reach a settlement with Washington, adding that the United States had temporarily paused negotiations to allow for the funeral ceremonies of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which officially began in Iran. Speaking at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota during celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, known as America 250, Trump praised the country’s military achievements. “We created the strongest and most powerful military. We won two world wars,” he said, adding that the Cold War had consigned America’s enemies “to the depths of…
The Third International Conference on Legal and Sharia Studies opened yesterday at the Holiday Inn Jeddah Corniche under the theme “Laws and Modern Trends,” bringing together researchers and specialists from more than seven Arab and Islamic countries. The first day of the conference featured four scientific sessions covering a range of contemporary legal and Sharia issues. The conference will continue today with additional scientific sessions before concluding with the announcement of its recommendations. Source: Riyadh Daily
RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has exempted several business activities from paying the fee required to obtain a 24-hour operating permit, Okaz newspaper reported. The exemptions include fuel stations — specifically fuel dispensing services — and service centers located outside urban areas, as well as hotels, hotel apartments, resorts and similar accommodation facilities. Pharmacies, healthcare services, educational institutions, wedding halls and recreational rest houses are also exempt from the fee. The ministry recently approved regulations governing 24-hour operating permits under the Municipal Licensing Procedures System and its executive regulations. Obtaining the permit requires approval from the relevant…
JEDDAH — A Saudi labor court has ordered an Arab barber to pay SR40,866 in compensation to his employer after ruling that he breached his employment contract by leaving his job without following the legal procedures for terminating the agreement, Okaz newspaper reported. According to the ruling, the compensation was calculated based on the remaining 621 days of the worker’s fixed-term employment contract. Court documents showed that the barber arrived in Saudi Arabia to work in Jeddah under a three-year employment contract, officially documented with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. He began work on Sept. 19, 2024.…
HOUSTON — Morocco became the first African nation to reach the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on more than one occasion after a commanding 3-0 victory over Canada in the Round of 16 on Saturday. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice before Soufiane Rahimi sealed the victory in stoppage time as the Atlas Lions continued their impressive run following their historic semifinal appearance at the 2022 World Cup. Morocco will face France in the quarterfinals after Les Bleus edged Paraguay 1-0 later on Saturday. “We are no longer a surprise,” Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said. “Now when people talk about Morocco, we’re a…