RIYADH: The General Directorate of Passports at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport in Madinah is ensuring efficient entry for Umrah performers during Ramadan this year. The directorate has launched a comprehensive strategy involving advanced technology and highly trained personnel to ease the entry of pilgrims into the Kingdom. Biometric devices for streamlined identification have been … Read more
GENEVA: In the shadow of the war raging in Gaza, record numbers of Palestinian detainees are filling Israeli prisons, where they face “systemic abuse” and torture, rights advocates warn, calling for international action. Members of several Israeli NGOs traveled to Geneva this week to raise concerns before the UN about a major “crisis” inside the … Read more
LONDON: A top Democrat senator in the US has called on President Joe Biden to “use all levers” at his disposal in pressuring Israel to change its war strategy, The Guardian reported. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen is part of a group of seven senators who this week sent to a letter to Biden urging an … Read more
JEDDAH: The historic district of Al-Balad is buzzing with cultural festivities and traditional celebrations during the holy month as part of the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Ramadan Season.Ramadan holds a cherished spot in the hearts of residents and visitors, symbolizing a period of spiritual contemplation, community bonding, and family gatherings. In Al-Balad, this sacred month … Read more
DUBAI: Saudi conceptual artist Obaid Alsafi was born in 1991 in Wadi Ad-Dawasir, which he describes as an intersection of the vast desert and green farms. “There was a contradiction, and through that contradiction it was as if I was seeing day and night,” Alsafi, who is now based in Riyadh, tells Arab News. “I … Read more
DUBAI: Australian-Lebanese model Jessica Kahawaty this week unveiled her newest campaign with Boss. Taking to Instagram, she shared polaroid-style pictures from the shoot with her 1.5 million followers and wrote: “Double B, Every Me. Because there’s more than one way to be a BOSS.” In the images, she wore a brown bomber jacket paired with … Read more
SEOUL: A group of South Korean senior doctors said Saturday that they would resign starting March 25 in support of junior medics in a nearly month-long strike over government training reforms that has plunged hospitals into chaos. Thousands of trainee doctors stopped working on February 20 to protest government reforms aimed at easing doctor shortages … Read more
An Indian navy warship has intercepted the hijacked the cargo ship Ruen and demanded the Somali pirates on board surrender, a navy spokesperson said on Saturday. The pirates who allegedly hijacked the Maltese-flagged bulk cargo vessel on Dec. 14 opened fire on the navy ship in international waters on Friday, the spokesperson said without providing … Read more
CAIRO: A Marshall Islands-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker reported two explosions near the ship as it traveled off the coast of Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah, the third merchant vessel attack of the past 48 hours, British security firm Ambrey said on Friday. The crew from the ship involved in the latest Red Sea … Read more
BAGHDAD: Diplomatic activity between Ankara and Baghdad has surged this week, with senior Turkish officials making a high-level visit to the Iraqi capital on Thursday to discuss security, energy, and defense issues with their Iraqi counterparts. The meetings, attended by key figures in Turkish foreign policy, defense, and intelligence agencies, centered not only on the … Read more