Author: Editorial Team

RIYADH — The Transport General Authority (TGA) has urged all carriers in the Kingdom to fully comply with the prohibition on transporting violators of Hajj regulations and instructions to Makkah or the holy sites. These include holders of all types of visit visas and individuals without a Hajj permit or an entry permit to Makkah for residents for work or housing purposes, until the end of Dhul Hijjah 14, corresponding to May 31. The directive comes within the framework of integrated national efforts and in implementation of the Ministry of Interior’s announcements on regulations and instructions aimed at organizing crowd…

On a sunny April morning in Dubai, Himani Samtani, 20, checks her phone for the day’s orders for Chazen Matcha, her home pickup cafe in Al Mankhool. Within minutes, she’s whisking matcha in her designated prep space, the rhythmic motion of the chasen against the bowl becoming her version of meditation. “Whisking matcha is something I really love doing. It feels like my Zen,” she says. “That’s also why I named it ‘Chazen.’” Like Samtani, a growing number of young founders are turning their passion into full-fledged business models, with Dubai’s residential neighbourhoods, such as Al Khawaneej, Al Barsha South…

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed 1,500 cartons of dates in Khartoum State, Sudan, benefiting 11,647 individuals, as part of the Madad initiative in Sudan for 2026. This comes within the framework of the relief efforts provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people amid the humanitarian crisis they are facing. Source: Riyadh Daily

RIYADH — Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan held phone calls on Monday with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi; and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs of Egypt Dr. Badr Abdel-Aty.During these calls, they discussed the latest regional developments and joint efforts to establish security and support stability in the region. Source: Saudi Gazette

ARAR — Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah toured Al-Haditha and Jadidat Arar border crossings to review workflow and preparations for receiving and serving pilgrims arriving to perform Hajj. The minister was accompanied by President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, Governor of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) Suhail Abanmi and Acting Director General of Passports Saleh Al-Murabba during the tour. The minister and the high ranking officials assessed operational readiness and services provided at both crossings, reviewed procedures for receiving pilgrims, and evaluated the smooth flow of movement to ensure efficient, high-quality…

 The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) launched today in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, a program titled “Analyzing Extremist and Hate Speech in Digital Media – Tools and Smart Countering Technologies,” as part of its strategic media initiative “Peace Journalists Initiative.” The program includes 30 trainees from among media professionals and individuals interested in media affairs. Its launch is part of IMCTC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the role of media in countering extremist and hate speech and to build media awareness capable of addressing rapidly evolving intellectual challenges in the digital environment. This supports social stability and fosters a culture of peace. The…

MAKKAH — Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb inspected the readiness of hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations designated for pilgrims during the Hajj season, reviewing the level of services provided to pilgrims at their residences. The tour included hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations across Makkah. He assessed operational procedures, facility preparedness, and the services offered to pilgrims. This contributes to enhancing service quality within accommodation facilities. During the tour, Al-Khateeb met with trained tourism personnel serving pilgrims and reviewed their readiness and role in delivering services. This reflects the impact of the ministry’s training and qualification programs aimed at empowering national…

RIYADH — Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef held a bilateral meeting with President of Oman’s Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones Qais Al-Yousef. They discussed enhancing industrial cooperation and developing joint investments between the two countries. The meeting addressed ways to strengthen cooperation in the fields of industrial cities and special economic zones, in addition to developing strategic partnerships that enhance industrial integration between the two countries, in a manner that supports regional supply chains and boosts the competitiveness of the Saudi and Omani economies.Both sides emphasized the importance of expanding industrial and investment…

The commerce sector achieved significant milestones in 2025, as detailed in the Saudi Vision 2030 annual report. The Kingdom secured the 17th position globally in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, a result of over 1,000 economic, procedural, and technological reforms implemented through the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center in partnership with 65 government entities. These efforts have streamlined the regulatory environment and successfully stimulated broad economic activity. Economic indicators for 2025 exceeded expectations, with the private sector’s contribution to GDP reaching 51%, a 4% increase over the previous year. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) contributed 22.9%, growing at a rate of…

RIYADH — Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority Bandar Alkhorayef said that the percentage of local content in Saudi Arabia jumped from 28 percent in 2018 to 51 percent last year, with investments exceeding SR18 billion, contributing to knowledge transfer and building community capabilities. The minister attributed this to the activation of the roles of the authority ever since its inception.Addressing the Local Content Award ceremony in Riyadh on Monday, he said that Local Content and Government Procurement Authority has become a powerful tool for…