A prominent Saudi journalist who was arrested in 2018 and convicted on terrorism and treason charges has been executed, the kingdom said. Activist groups maintain that the charges against him were trumped up. Turki Al-Jasser, who was in his late 40s, was put to death on Saturday, according to the

Days after the successful completion of Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia has reopened Umrah visa applications, signalling the start of a new cycle for Muslims eager to undertake the minor pilgrimage. The announcement, made by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, follows a Hajj season widely praised for its effici

Saudi Arabian authorities have barred more than 269,000 individuals lacking Hajj permits from entering the holy city of Mecca, officials said on Sunday, ahead of the annual Islamic pilgrimage. At a press briefing in Mecca, officials stated that 269,678 people without proper documentation were sto

  Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has refuted recent media reports suggesting an end to its long-standing ban on alcohol. On Monday, Reuters reported that a Saudi official dismissed claims that the kingdom was preparing to lift the 73-year-old prohibition, citing Saudi media outlets.  The

As the first light of dawn breaks on Eid al Fitr morning, there’s a quiet peace in the air across the UAE. The call to prayer echoed, drawing everyone to the mosque for the special prayer on Sunday. The spirit of unity and devotion along with the scent of crisp new clothes and children&rs

Riyadh: Several major changes have been made to labour laws in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources has stated that these changes are part of a series of reforms in labour laws. The aim of these reforms is to protect employees’ rights and create a better working environm

Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa has arrived in Saudi Arabia and met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on his first foreign trip since being named president of the transitional government earlier this week. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) showed al-Sharaa meeting MBS – Saudi Arabia’s d

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Kuwait’s highest civilian honor, The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer, by the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, during a historic state visit on Sunday. This prestigious accolade symbolizes the enduring partnership between the two na

Riyadh, Dec 7: Saudi Arabia has introduced Milaf Cola, the world’s first soft drink crafted from dates, positioning it as a healthier and eco-friendly alternative to traditional sodas like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Launched during the Riyadh Date Festival, this innovative beverage is produced

A court in Saudi Arabia has sentenced a man from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh to death on charges of drug trafficking, triggering panic and despair among his family members who have pleaded for clemency. Meerut SSP Vipin Tada on Wednesday confirmed receiving a letter in this regard from the Indian con

Saudi Arabia is set to unveil the first phase of its ambitious Riyadh Metro project on November 27. The $22.5 billion (SR84.4 billion) project, initially approved in 2012, has faced several setbacks, including logistical challenges and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these obstacl

In a diplomatic dialogue centred on the Israel-Hamas conflict, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed India's backing for an early ceasefire in Gaza and reiterated support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue. His remarks followed discussions with Saudi Arabian

New Delhi, Oct 19: More Indian travellers are now eligible for visa on arrival (VoA) in the UAE, which has long been the top international destination for Indian tourists. In a recent update, Indian citizens with valid visas from the United Kingdom and European Union countries will now qualify for V

Kundapur, Sep 25: Mubashir Bashir, 30, son of Bashir Ahmad, residing opposite the Jamia Mohalla police check post, has reportedly died of a heart attack in Saudi Arabia. This information has been confirmed by local expatriate Indians in Saudi Arabia and his family members in Gangolli. Mubash

New Delhi, Aug 17 (IANS): The government of India has been promoting UPI as a global payment platform. Now merchants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are accepting payments via UPI in Rupees to attract Indian customers. One of the biggest retail companies in the UAE, Lulu has started giving

Indian expats could soon be flying home for very economical prices as a low-cost airline is one step closer to reality. Powered by two Dubai-based businessmen, Air Kerala received the initial no-objection certificate (NOC) from India’s civil aviation ministry over the weekend. This was announc

Dr Saleh bin Zain al-Abidin Al-Shaibi, the long-time custodian and key holder of the Holy Kaaba, has passed away, according to Saudi media. He had been suffering from a prolonged illness. Dr Saleh was the 109th key holder of the Kaaba. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin

At least 550 pilgrims have died during the hajj, underscoring the gruelling nature of the pilgrimage which again unfolded in scorching temperatures this year. At least 323 of those who died were Egyptians, most of them succumbing to heat-related illnesses, the two Arab diplomats coordinating thei