Middle East

Riyadh, Mar 20: Heavy rains lashed Riyadh on Thursday morning causing congestions on main traffic arteries. Rainwater flooded the new Al-Kharj road. Industrial areas were inundated. Traffic police diverted traffic on the new Al-Kharj road to the old Al-Kharj road to enable workers to make their way to their offices. Motorists using the airport highway to the city center were caught up in traffic

Riyadh, Mar 19: The whole world must understand that Saudi Arabia will never succumb to any pressure to change the way its judiciary and other organs of state function. This is because Islamic law underpins all these separate and autonomous bodies and entities. The judicial system is independent of the country’s executive, which means there is no interference in the decision of judges. In the

Riyadh, Mar 16: The Kingdom’s regulations aim to provide equal opportunities for men and women, observed a Shoura Council member at a women’s day event in Riyadh on Sunday. Lubna A. Al-Ansary, a professor of family medicine and member of the Shoura Council, delivered a lecture at a function held at the French Embassy to mark International Women’s Day. Hosted at the French ambassador’s residence by

Jeddah, Mar 15: As delaying the age of marriage for both young men and women in the Kingdom has become more common, experts say the number of unmarried women has increased in recent years. The number has grown 15 times in comparison to 1995, according to official statistics. The Kingdom is thus in second place among countries in which the percentage of single people has increased over the past two

Madinah, Mar 14: There were no injuries reported after a fire at Prince Muhammad International Airport on Friday. The fire broke out as a result of an electrical short circuit in a women's lounge at an executive office, according to fire safety officials of the airport. Prince Muhammad International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Kingdom serving as a crucial gateway for pilgrims.

Jeddah, Mar 12: The police have been arresting 1,250 illegal expatriates daily on average in Makkah region as part of its latest crackdown on foreigners violating the country’s residency and labor laws, according to a senior police officer. The government views these workers as infiltrators, who must be penalized, Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz bin Osman Al-Suli said at a press conference here, according to

Alkhobar, Mar 9: If you are approached by a well-clothed young man explaining his medical condition in fluent English, don’t dish out any money to help that “needy.” Con men operating in the Eastern Province have taken beggary to a new level. Panhandlers of various nationalities, with a convincing tone, claim to be university students suffering from chronic diseases and in need of treatment. These

Jeddah, Mar 3: Legal experts have called for a law that would penalize owners of camels that cause road accidents. “Until now there is no law in Saudi Arabia that would penalize the owner of a stray camel for causing a fatal road accident,” said Ahmed Al-Ashwan, a Saudi lawyer. Currently, the traffic law considers leaving animals along roadside and highways a sinful act. There is no criminal

Jeddah, Mar 1: Intensive security measures are in force to seize foreigners who violate the Kingdom’s labor laws, said a Jeddah police source. Security checkpoints on roads are also focused on ensuring the success of Saudi Arabia’s campaign against undocumented workers. “The highway security patrol enforces the regulations and directions of the Ministry of Interior,” said Maj. Gen. Khaled Al

Riyadh, Feb 21: Deaths from the MERS virus have surged in the Kingdom, the Health Ministry figures showed on Friday. The ministry recorded five MERS deaths on Thursday alone, bringing to 16 the number since Feb. 11. The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus also infected two more people, the ministry said. The five victims were four Saudis from Alkhobar, Riyadh and Buraidah, while the fifth