Middle East

First batch of Qatari Haj pilgrims arrives in Saudi Arabia

Jeddah, Aug 18: The first batch of 100 Qatari pilgrims crossed into Saudi Arabia through the Salwa border crossing, and was welcomed by officials.

The pilgrims were allowed in without Hajj permits, and will be treated as guests of...

Saudi King orders opening of Salwa border crossing for Qatari Haj pilgrims

Jeddah, Aug 17: King Salman has approved a plan to open the Salwa border crossing to Qataris performing Hajj this year, the Saudi Press Agency said late Wednesday.

The King has also ordered that a private aircraft...

Fire damages six buildings in Jeddah’s historic center

Jeddah, Aug 16: A fire took hold of six buildings, three of which collapsed completely, in Jeddah’s historic center Tuesday, forcing 60 people to evacuate, officials said.

“Rescue teams managed Tuesday evening to evacuate about 60 people to safe...

Iraq starts bombing Daesh-held Tal Afar, west of Mosul: Report

Erbil, Aug 15: Iraq has begun an aerial bombardment of Tal Afar, a town under Daesh control west of Mosul, Baghdad-based Al-Sumariya TV said on Tuesday, citing an Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman.

The ground attack to...

Saudi summons Twitterati, others for ‘harming public order

Riyadh, Aug 14: Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecution has issued an order to summon a group of Twitter users and others who have been charged with criminal offenses of harming public order "by influencing the integrity and moderation of the...

Iran boosts budget for missiles, army

Iran's parliament has overwhelmingly voted to increase spending on Tehran's ballistic missile programme and the elite Revolutionary Guards in retaliation for new sanctions imposed by the United States.

In a session on Sunday, a total of 240 politicians out...

2 die of MERS in Hail, Khamis Mushayt

Riyadh, Aug 12: A 58-year-old Saudi man and a 50-year-old male expatriate died Thursday of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS) in Hail and Khamis Mushayt, respectively, the Health Ministry said Friday.

Two new cases, female expatriates aged 38...

Nearly 7K expats arrested in Madinah for labor, residency violations

Riyadh, Aug 10: Madinah police have arrested 6,944 expatriates in the past two months for residency and labor violations.

They were arrested during routine inspections carried out by security authorities, said Madinah police spokesman Maj. Hussain Al-Qahtani....

Amid Gulf rift, Qatar offers visa-free entry to 80 nations including India

Doha, Aug 9: Qatar announced on Wednesday a programme to allow visa-free entry for citizens of 80 countries to encourage air transport and tourism amid a two-month boycott imposed on the Gulf state by its neighbors.

Nationals from dozens...

Saudi-US relationship improved under Trump administration: Envoy

Jeddah, Aug 9: A huge improvement is witnessed in the Saudi-US relationship under the Trump administration, said the new Saudi ambassador to the US Prince Khaled bin Salman who recently presented his credentials to President Trump.

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