Middle East

Seoul, Sep 12: The global oil market is well balanced and top exporter Saudi Arabia ready to supply whatever volume of crude is needed to meet demand, Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi said. Saudi Arabia produced record high volumes of crude in August as it boosted output for the second time in two years to cushion the global oil market from supply disruptions. Al-Naimi’s

Riyadh, Sep 12: Saudi Arabia is deploying local and international resources to contain the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), says a top health official. His remarks came as the Ministry of Health confirmed the 100th MERS case in the Kingdom. The ministry has pledged to double its efforts to control the spread of the disease through continuous surveillance across the Kingdom

Jeddah, Sep 11: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal announced plans to develop Souk Okaz, located in the summer resort of Taif, into a full-fledged tourist center on Tuesday, opening its doors throughout the year and not only during the holiday seasons. He emphasized the role of Souk Okaz in promoting creativity among Saudis. “It’s a venue for people to present their creativity and exchange their

Jeddah, Sep 10: Foreign mothers of Saudi children will be given permanent residence in the Kingdom without sponsors, the Council of Ministers said on Monday. They will also receive educational and health services like other Saudis. The Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, made this important decision upon the recommendation of Foreign Minister Prince

Makkah, Sep 9: Work on the demolition of two minarets close to Al-Umrah Gate of the Grand Mosque started on Sunday so as to facilitate the ongoing expansion of the mataf (circumambulation area around the Holy Ka’aba). Electricity to the minarets has been disconnected. Engineers and technicians from the company, which is implementing the expansion of the Grand Mosque and the mataf, have started

Jeddah, Sep 8: The first group of 235 Indian pilgrims arrived on an Air India flight in Madinah on Saturday from Goa. According to Irshad Ahmad, consul for press and information at the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao and Consul General Faiz Ahmad Kidwai welcomed the pilgrims. The oldest pilgrim is an 82-year-old woman named Aisamma, and the youngest a 24-year-old man named

Jeddah, Sep 8: Saudi Post will provide three labor-related services for expats next week. These include transferring sponsorships, issuing or renewing work permits and changing professions, said Sami Al-Owaidhi, its vice president. “We’ll also provide services such as updating information related to a private firm’s address at the Labor Ministry and registration of its national address,” he said

Dubai, Sep 6: The Central Bank of the UAE has asked banks and exchange houses operating in the country to advise their customers travelling to India to abide by the laws on carrying cash to India. In a notice issued on Tuesday, the Central Bank also asked the banks and money exchangers to warn their customers of the consequences of failing to do so. “The penalties stipulated in the new law include

Jeddah, Sep 4: Muslims should stick to Islamic teachings and shun the dowry system, Indian expatriates in the Kingdom have said in reaction to reports that the incidence of domestic violence in their country has worsened because of dowry disputes. Women’s rights activists on Tuesday, citing statistics from of the National Crime Records Bureau, said 8,233 Indian women died at the hands of their

Jeddah, Sep 4: Thirteen-year-old Reham Al-Hekami, the victim of an HIV-contaminated blood transfusion at Jazan Public Hospital, returned to her hometown in the southern region on Monday after receiving intensive treatment at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh. Mazhara village celebrated her arrival with a large number of people, including friends and relatives, present at King Abdullah