Gulf news

Condolences pour in for youngest martyr

RIYADH: A large number of people gathered in Taif to offer their condolences to the family members of the youngest martyr in the Asir bomb blast on Sunday. Mamdouh Misfer Al-Harthi, 19, was the youngest among the martyrs who died in the blast at the Special Emergency Forces Mosque on Thursday. Mam

'Thousands with humanitarian cases stuck in Gaza'

About 20,000 people with "humanitarian cases" are stranded in Gaza, waiting for the opening of the Rafah crossing between the besieged Palestinian strip and Egypt, the Gaza-based interior ministry has said. Ministry spokesperson Iyad al-Bazem said on Saturday that the closure of the crossing by E

Security force to protect Saudi national heritage proposed

Tourism experts proposed on Friday the need to establish a tourism police department in the Kingdom, Al-Madina reported. Naif Arab University for Security Sciences Professor Mohammad Al-Thaqafi, said experts at the conference on the preservation of national heritage and tourism here, stressed the

Haj rates cannot exceed SR11,890, rules ministry

RIYADH: The minimum cost of Haj this year will be SR3,000 and the maximum will be SR11,890, Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar was quoted as saying by a local daily on Sunday. The pilgrimage charges have been divided into various categories such as low, medium, top and supreme. The cost for the top cate

Popular TV presenter Saud Al-Dosari dies in Paris

JEDDAH: The well-known Saudi television personality, Saud Al-Dosari, was found dead in his house in Paris on Friday. The award-winning talk show host died of a heart attack. He was 47. As mourners took to social media to bid him farewell, many shared his last quotes. The last tweet by the popular

Identity of Saudi mosque bomber revealed

The Saudi interior ministry revealed on Saturday the identity of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) suicide bomber who blew up the mosque in the southwestern city of Abha that killed 15. The ministry said that the name of the bomber was Yusuf Bin Salman Bin Abdullah al-Salman. He was 21 y

Parents up in arms as private schools hike fees

JEDDAH: International and private schools have shocked parents by notifying that they have increased the school fees, after receiving the approval of the Ministry of Education. Some parents, quoted by local publications, said this was too late and that they should have been notified about this at

Crossing red light top traffic violation in Riyadh

RIYADH: Crossing the red light was found to be among the top traffic traffic violations in the city during last month, followed by cars without registration and driving without license. This was revealed during a month-long campaign launched by the traffic department in the capital, Muhammad bin Al

17 killed in bomb attack on Saudi police at mosque

A blast triggered by a suicide bomber has killed 15 people at a mosque inside a special forces headquarters in Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen. An interior ministry spokesman said on Thursday that the "terrorist" attack took place during noon prayers in the city of Abha, in the southern p

Dubai to build world’s largest indoor ski resort

DUBAI: Dubai announced Tuesday it would build the world’s largest indoor ski resort, with a 1.2-km run. Dubai’s current indoor ski resort, opened in 2005 in the Mall of the Emirates, remains the largest in the world, according to the Guinness World Records website, boasting a 400-meter slope. The

Visitors to KSA entitled to SR100,000 medical cover

RIYADH: The maximum medical policy or contract for visitors is SR100,000, which covers expenses on emergency treatment, maternity charges, traffic accident injuries, dialysis and medical treatment in or outside the Kingdom. Making the above announcement, Council of Cooperative Health Insurance Secr

SAMA restricts credit card cash withdrawals

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) has tightened restrictions on cash withdrawals from banks using credit cards in an effort to head off any consumer debt problems. “The move by SAMA is in line with global best practice that is mindful of consumers and their protection,” commented John

King Salman, Sisi discuss regional developments

RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman called Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to discuss relations between the two countries and emphasize the new integration strategy and strengthening of ties. The two leaders discussed ways to increase mutual cooperation, areas of common

UAE arrests: 41 accused of plotting 'caliphate'

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates say 41 people will go on trial for trying to "seize power and establish a caliphate" in the Gulf nation. The state news agency said the group comprised foreigners and UAE nationals. Attorney General Salem Saeed Kubaish said the suspects planned to "carry

Sandstorm hits vehicular traffic in Riyadh

RIYADH: A thick layer of sand covered the city’s skyline on Saturday with a heavy blanket of dust caused by strong winds hampering visibility and creating traffic snarls on busy roads. The traffic department advised motorists to drive slowly and exercise caution like use of headlights as darkness e

Bin Laden relatives reportedly killed in private jet crash in Britain

LONDON (Reuters) - A private jet crashed in southern England on Friday, killing four people on board, a spokesman for Britain's Hampshire police service said, and Saudi and British media said the passengers were relatives of deceased al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. A spokeswoman for the British

Palestinian fury as 'Jewish settler' arson attack kills child

Palestinian officials say Israel is "fully responsible" for the death of an infant in an arson attack blamed on Jewish settlers in the West Bank. The 18-month-old boy was killed in the night-time attack on two homes in the village of Duma. His parents and brother suffered serious injuries. Slo

Size of tourism industry crosses SR100m mark

RIYADH: The size of the tourism industry has crossed the SR100-million mark with around 130 organizations in the field and the revenues generated through festivals are approximately SR11 billion annually, experts have said. The figures have been provided by industry experts to the Saudi Commission