Middle East

Riyadh, Jun 4: A major Saudi-Czech business meeting has been canceled by the Kingdom because of anti-Islam statements made by a Czech official targeting Islamic countries, Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil, president of the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC), confirmed on Wednesday. Al-Zamil, who also heads the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), said: “I have seen the reports and I can confirm the

Jeddah, Jun 3: The Jeddah Municipality, university branch, inspected the Binladin date market in the university district and closed 13 shops and confiscated two tons of contaminated stock. The move is in view of the fast approaching Holy Month of Ramadan and the rise in demand for dates, leading to violation of health safety regulations. Hassan Ghoneim, director of the municipality’s university

Dubai, Jun 1: A 41-year-old Indian national has been sentenced to one year in jail after which he will be deported from the UAE for posting a 'blasphemous' status on a social networking site. The Dubai court of first instance convicted him of blasphemy for a Facebook status he posted last July after reading a news bulletin about the Iraq war, according to a media report. he accused, who was not

Riyadh, May 31: The US on Saturday joined Gulf and Arab countries in denouncing the terror attack in Dammam, saying that it was committed to working with the Kingdom to fight extremism. “We deplore the brutality of the terrorists who perpetuated this violence at places of worship,” said US State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke, in response to Friday’s attack at the Al-Anoud Mosque in Dammam

Riyadh, May 30: In widespread condemnation across Saudi society, prominent citizens reacted strongly on Friday to yet another terror attack in which a suicide bomber blew himself up near a mosque in Damman leaving four people dead. Governments and top officials from different countries have expressed their deep sorrow at the fresh suicide bombing that came exactly a week after a bomber killed 21

Jeddah, May 29: Ninety six percent of the Haramain High Speed Rail Project in Jeddah and Makkah has been completed. The contractors would by the end of this year complete bridges along the railway line in Jeddah, including those removed three years ago in preparation for the project, such as the Briman, Palestine and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Road bridges, sources said. All work, including

Jeddah, May 27: Saudi Arabia will confront those who try to undermine its security and stability with an iron fist, said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior. Addressing citizens in Qatif, he said security forces have arrested most of the culprits behind Friday’s terror attack on the Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb Mosque in Al-Qadeeh village, in which 21 Saudis were

Jeddah, May 26: Saudi Gulf Airlines said Monday that it would start operating flights on Nov. 1 from Dammam to Jeddah, Riyadh and one international destination, with more destinations added next year as its fleet expands. The statement follows a meeting between Sulaiman Al-Hamadan, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and Tariq bin Abdel Hadi Al-Qahtani, chairman of the airline’s

Jeddah, May 25: The Interior Ministry has confirmed the hand of Islamic State in Qatif suicide bombing. Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, Interior Ministry spokesman, said latest investigations have revealed that IS was behind the bombing of Ali bin Abi Taleb Mosque. Last month, a cell was busted, and security forces revealed that one of the arrested members, Essam Al-Daoud, had provided shelter to Al

Abu Dhabi, May 16: Musapah Al Ketbi, a member of the Federal National Council (FNC) from Sharjah had called for issuing a decision to consider the last 10 days of Ramadan as holiday for government sector employees. Hussain Al Hamadi, the UAE Minister of Education and the head of The Federal Authority For Government Human Resources will respond to Musapah Al Ketbi's request during the next session