Middle East

Abha, Jun 20: Nine people died and eight injured in two separate traffic accidents in the southern region on Thursday. In the first accident, eight people lost their lives and three injured when their vehicle hit a camel in Rijal Al-Mae, Asir region, said security sources. The early-morning crash took place on Jandalat Wadi Reem, said Ahmed Ibrahim Aseeri, spokesman of the Saudi Red Crescent

Jeddah, Jun 19: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday urged the international community to shoulder its responsibility toward halting the dangerous Israeli military escalation against the Palestinian people. “Israeli forces have been committing horrendous crimes against the Palestinian civilians under the pretext of the disappearance of three Israelis,” Deputy Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Salman

Jeddah, Jun 17: Saudi Arabia rejected Monday the idea of any foreign interference in Iraq and blamed Baghdad’s “sectarian and exclusionary” policies for the worsening security situation in the country. Fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have seized several Iraqi cities, threatening to split the country down sectarian lines, a deeply worrying prospect for the region and

Washington, Jun 16: The United States ordered an aircraft carrier into the Persian Gulf and laid out specific ways for Iraq to show it is forging the national unity necessary to gain assistance in its fight against insurgents. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel yesterday ordered the USS George HW Bush from the northern Arabian Sea as President Barack Obama considered possible military options for Iraq

New Delhi, Jun 15: Amid escalation in violence in Iraq, India today asked its citizens not to travel to the troubled-torn country and set up a 24-hour helpline to offer assistance to those living there. The government also asked Indians residing in Iraq to consider leaving the country in view of the "precarious" security situation there. "In view of the precarious security situation prevailing in

Jeddah, Jun 15: The midday work ban in the Kingdom comes into effect Sunday, the Labor Ministry said on Saturday. The three-hour work ban from 12 noon to 3 p.m. will continue until Sept. 15, it added. The ministry said workers at oil and gas companies and emergency maintenance are exempt from the rule, but companies should take adequate measures for their protection from sun. The ministry said it

Jeddah, Jun 13: Domestic Haj companies have forged an alliance to provide 10,000 local pilgrims the opportunity to perform Haj this year for SR2,750. The price for a low-cost Haj will range between SR2,750 and SR5,000 while those wanting extra services have to pay SR9,800 and more. Pilgrims opting for low-cost services will be given tents in different parts of Mina, said Saad Al-Qurashi, chairman

Jeddah, Jun 11: Justice Minister Mohammed Al-Eissa has denounced international rights groups for attacking the Kingdom’s judiciary, saying laws in this country are based on divine precepts contained in the Holy Qur'an. “Any attack on the judiciary will be considered an attack on the Kingdom’s sovereignty,” he said recently. Speaking to American lawyers, legal consultants and academics in

Jeddah, Jun 10: Muslims should expect scorching temperatures of over 50 degrees Celsius and more than 15 hours a day of fasting in Ramadan this year. However, the hours will decrease slightly to 14 hours and 40 minutes toward the end of the holy month. Makkah, Madinah, Yanbu, Riyadh and Dammam, are expected to record the highest mercury levels. Hussain Al-Qahtani, spokesperson of the Presidency of

Jeddah, Jun 9: The Labor Ministry announced Sunday that it would allow firms in the high and medium green categories of Nitaqat to recruit foreign workers required for the expansion of their business activities. However, the same privilege will not be available for companies in the lower green, yellow and red categories. “We have clearly mentioned the categories of companies that would benefit