The wire

RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing said municipalities across the Kingdom inspected 97% of food establishments during the first half of 2026.The ministry said municipalities, in coordination with relevant authorities, are expanding the scope and frequency of field inspections to achieve full regulatory coverage, improve compliance with health requirements and protect consumer health.Inspection teams are conducting routine visits to restaurants, kitchens and food retail outlets to verify compliance with health regulations and food safety standards, detect violations and take legal action against non-compliant businesses.The ministry said continued coordination between municipalities and partner agencies has strengthened the Kingdom's food safety system by improving prepared…

RIYADH — The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has launched the Jeddah Road Development Project, which includes the construction of four bridges along Jeddah Road. The project will feature four bridges with a combined length of 990 meters and four traffic lanes in each direction. According to the accompanying map, traffic diversions will begin on August 2, affecting sections of Jeddah Road near the intersections with Prince Bandar bin Abdulaziz Road, Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road, and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Thani Road. The map also identifies open roads, temporary routes, and closed sections that will be in place during the construction period. As part of the efforts to develop the road network in the city of Riyadh, the project in expected to enhance traffic flow,…

JEDDAH — Thundery rain showers are forecast to persist across several regions of Saudi Arabia through the end of the week, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM). The forecast is based on the Saudi Numerical Model displayed in an animated weather map released by the NCM. According to the map, light to moderate rain is expected to affect southern parts of Jazan and Asir from late Sunday afternoon until the evening. No rainfall is forecast overnight, although light showers are expected near Najran city on Monday morning. By Monday afternoon, light showers will return to southern Najran and gradually spread across the southern parts of the region, continuing into the early hours of Tuesday. Late Tuesday afternoon, moderate rainfall is forecast over Taif and surrounding areas i…

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia recorded a wide range of international achievements in July 2026, from topping global digital rankings and aviation performance tables to earning recognition in higher education, healthcare, sports, and sustainability. Together, the milestones illustrate the Kingdom's expanding international presence across sectors that have become central to its long-term development strategy. **media[2745284]** Digital TransformationJuly saw Saudi Arabia strengthen its position as one of the world's leading digital economies. The Kingdom ranked first globally in the ICT Development Index, placed among the G20's top five countries for mobile internet speeds, retained its regional leadership in digital government services, secured leadership of an ISO technical committee on wound dres…

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia regained the top spot in the Esports World Cup 2026 Club Championship standings after 15-year-old Chilean player Jaime Bustos made history by winning the Street Fighter 6 title, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament's history. **media[2745239]** Busots’ “Craime” victory gave Team Falcons its first tournament title of this year's Esports World Cup and lifted the club to 1,000 points, putting it atop the Club Championship standings at the close of Saturday's competitions. Craime defeated 30-year-old Japanese veteran Hibiki, the oldest competitor among the top eight, by a score of 5-2 in the grand final, and subsequently earning the $250,000 in prize money and secured qualification for Capcom Cup 13. After suffering just one defeat in the group stage, the Chil…

JEDDAH — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday to discuss developments in the region and their regional and international implications.During the call, the Crown Prince stressed the importance of prioritizing dialogue to reduce tensions.He also emphasized the need to make every possible effort to achieve de-escalation, paving the way for diplomatic solutions that would deliver positive outcomes, preserve the region's security and stability, and prevent the situation from escalating into a broader conflict with repercussions for regional and international security and stability.The two leaders also reviewed the existing areas of cooperation between their countries and discussed ways to further strengthen them.

JEDDAH — High temperatures, dust-stirring winds, and reduced visibility are expected to affect several parts of the Kingdom on Sunday, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM). Temperatures will remain high across parts of the Eastern, Riyadh, and Makkah regions. Gusty, dust-stirring winds will affect parts of the Eastern, Riyadh, Makkah, and Najran regions, with horizontal visibility dropping to zero or near-zero along the coastal road leading to Jazan. Horizontal visibility will also be reduced by suspended dust over the western and southwestern parts of the Kingdom. The NCM also forecasts rain-bearing thunderclouds to form over the southern parts. Over the Red Sea, northwesterly to northeasterly winds are forecast over the northern part at speeds of 10–32 km/h, while south…

RIYADH — The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has forecast varying rainfall and above-normal temperatures across the Kingdom during August, September and October 2026, with rainfall expected to increase gradually and exceed seasonal averages in most regions by October.The NCM said August rainfall is expected to remain below average in Jazan and Al-Baha, as well as parts of Najran, Asir, Makkah, Madinah, Tabuk, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, while other regions are likely to receive near-average rainfall.In September, above-average rainfall is forecast for Tabuk, Madinah and Al-Baha, along with parts of Asir, Makkah, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf and the Northern Borders Region. Rainfall in the rest of the Kingdom is expected to remain close to normal.The center said October is likely to bri…

RIYADH — The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) recorded 1,210 seizures of prohibited items at the Kingdom's land, sea and air customs ports over the past week.The seizures included 88 narcotics-related cases involving cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, Captagon pills and other illicit drugs, as well as 402 prohibited items.Customs officials also intercepted 2,425 tobacco products and derivatives, 18 cases involving undeclared cash, and three cases involving weapons and related items.ZATCA said it will continue tightening customs controls on the Kingdom's imports and exports in coordination with relevant government agencies to safeguard society and combat smuggling.The authority also urged the public to report smuggling offenses and violations of the GCC Common Customs Law t…

RIYADH — The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) carried out 2,338 inspection tours across the Kingdom during July 2026, leading to investigations involving 430 suspects and the arrest of 131 people in corruption-related cases.Nazaha said on Saturday that some of those arrested were later released on bail.The authority said the suspects are accused of offenses including bribery and abuse of public office.Those under investigation include employees from the ministries of Interior, Defense, Foreign Affairs, Health, and Municipalities and Housing.

RIYADH — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia’s sincere condolences to Algeria following the traffic accident that occurred in Boumerdès Province, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of a number of people. In a statement the minstry issed on Sturday, the Kingdom gave it heartfelt sympathy to the to Algeria and its people. The Kingdom also affirmed its solidarity with the Algerian leadership and people in the wake of this tragic incident and extended its wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured.

RIYADH — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held separate telephone calls on Saturday with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as part of ongoing consultations to contain regional tensions and support diplomatic efforts.During his call with Fidan, the two ministers reviewed the latest regional developments and exchanged views on the situation, emphasizing the importance of supporting all diplomatic initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions and containing the crisis.Prince Faisal also received a call from his Kuwaiti counterpart, during which they discussed regional developments and underscored the importance of continued consultation and coordination.The ministers reaffirmed their support for diplomatic effo…

WASHINGTON — Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khalid Al Biyari visited the United States to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation and expand collaboration in military industries, technology transfer and regional security.Al Biyari began his visit with a meeting at the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, where he met Director Mary Morgan to review defense industrial cooperation and discuss issues of mutual interest.During separate meetings at the Pentagon, Al Biyari met Michael Duffey, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment; Elbridge Colby, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; and Gentry Stephen, U.S. Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs.The discussions focused on enhancing defense co…

RIYADH — Saudi authorities arrested 14,154 violators of residency, labor, and border security laws during nationwide joint inspection campaigns conducted between July 23 and July 29. The Ministry of Interior said the campaigns resulted in the arrest of 7,103 violators of the Residency Law, 3,654 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,397 violators of the Labor Law. Authorities also arrested 1,418 people attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, of whom 54 percent were Yemeni nationals, 45 percent were Ethiopian nationals, and 1 percent were of other nationalities. Another 23 people were arrested while attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally, while 17 individuals were apprehended for transporting, sheltering, employing, or concealing violators of residency, labor, and border securit…

JEDDAH — Dust-stirring winds, rainfall, and rising temperatures are expected to affect several parts of the Kingdom on Saturday, according to the National Center for Meteorology (NCM). Temperatures will rise across parts of the Eastern and Riyadh regions, while rainfall is forecast over their southern areas as well as parts of Jazan and Asir. Dust-stirring winds are also expected to affect parts of the Eastern, Riyadh, Jazan, Asir, Makkah, and Najran regions. Over the Red Sea, southwesterly to southeasterly winds are forecast over the northern part at speeds of 10–25 km/h, while westerly to northwesterly winds will prevail over the central and southern parts at speeds of 20–50 km/h. Waves are expected to range from 0.5 meters to more than 2 meters, with sea conditions varying from calm to…

RIYADH — Conjoined Fijian twins Jesibel and Desisia arrived in Riyadh on Friday under directives from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to undergo evaluation for a possible separation surgery.The twins and their family arrived at King Khalid International Airport before being transferred to King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital under the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, where a specialized medical team will assess their condition and determine whether separation surgery is feasible.Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and head of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program's medical and surgical team, thanked the Kingdom's leadership for the hum…

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia welcomed the historic agreement on the disarmament of the Gaza Strip announced by US President Donald Trump, praising his leadership and commitment in securing what it described as a landmark achievement.In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed appreciation to Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, the United States, the Peace Council and all partners whose sustained efforts contributed to reaching the agreement.The Kingdom reaffirmed its full commitment to implementing the comprehensive peace plan endorsed by the U.N. Security Council in Resolution 2803, in coordination with regional and international partners, stressing the importance of carrying out all agreed phases within a defined timetable in a credible, final and irreversible manner.Saudi Arabi…

JEDDAH — Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call on Thursday from Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, during which the two leaders reviewed the latest regional developments and efforts to strengthen security and stability.King Hamad congratulated the Crown Prince on the establishment of the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance and Saudi Arabia's selection as the coalition's leader and permanent headquarters.The Bahraini King said the decision reflects the international community's confidence in Saudi Arabia's leadership role in strengthening collective maritime security.The two leaders also discussed a number of issues of mutual interest.

RIYADH — The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has foiled an attempt to smuggle 36,773 amphetamine pills hidden aboard a bus entering the Kingdom through the Al Hadithah border crossing.ZATCA spokesperson Hammoud Al-Harbi said the drugs were discovered during customs inspections after the bus was screened using security technologies and detection methods. The pills were concealed inside a specially modified compartment beneath the vehicle.Al-Harbi said the authority remains committed to strengthening customs controls at all border crossings to prevent smuggling attempts and protect society, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Narcotics Control.He urged the public to report suspected smuggling activities through ZATCA's security hotline (1910)…

RIYADH — The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has launched a new phase of the Taif Road Development Project, featuring a major bridge and road upgrades designed to improve traffic flow and increase the corridor's capacity to around 200,000 vehicles per day.The new package of works includes the construction of a 311-meter-long, 36-meter-wide bridge at the intersection of Taif Road and Taibah Street. The project extends from the Taif Road–Najd Street intersection in the west to the Western Ring Road in the east.The development will also introduce a range of engineering improvements, including modern pedestrian bridges that provide safer crossing points and enhance road safety.Once completed, the 15-kilometer corridor will feature four main lanes in each direction, improving traffic ef…