Middle East

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah recently completed a tour of the Balkans. The visit took him to Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. The tour aimed to discuss improvements in the Umrah experience for pilgrims from these nations. During the visit, Al-Rabiah met …

DOHA — The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and New Zealand have signed a joint statement concluding a free-trade agreement (FTA) aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation by eliminating trade barriers. The signing ceremony took place in Doha, Qatar, on the sidelines of the 67th GCC Trade Cooperation …

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Fahd Al-Rasheed, Chairman of the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA), said at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) that Riyadh is on track to be among the world’s top 10 cities very soon. Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s rapid growth, particularly in non-oil sectors, which have …

About 60 Palestinians killed in Gaza, school entrance hit New Israeli strikes on Gaza, Lebanon US-led ceasefire effort flounders Hamas wants full end to war in any truce deal Prospects of a ceasefire between Israel and its foes Hamas and Hezbollah ran aground on Friday as Israeli airstrikes killed at …

BEIJING — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday with China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in Beijing, aiming to enhance cooperation in regulatory matters. The agreement was signed by SFDA CEO Dr. Hisham Aljadhey and NMPA Commissioner Li Li, with Saudi …

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosary announced that his ministry will host the first-ever Impact Makers Forum, ImpaQ, a two-day event set to take place in Riyadh on December 18-19, 2024. This event will bring together a diverse community of global influencers, industry experts, …

RIYADH — The Sports Boulevard Foundation has received top recognition from ActiveScore, securing two Platinum certifications for its commitment to active travel. The Sports Boulevard Masterplan obtained the Platinum Communities Certification, while the iconic Global Sports Tower earned a separate Platinum Certification, setting new benchmarks in urban development and sustainable …

Saudi Gazette report BURAIDAH — The Saudi Red Crescent Authority in the Qassim region deployed its air ambulance in response to an emergency call reporting the injury of a resident working as a camel herder in a remote desert area north of the region. According to details provided by the …

Forty-seven Palestinians were killed and dozens injured, most of them children and women, in Israeli airstrikes on central Gaza. Health officials reported that 47 martyrs had arrived at Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al Balah after strikes targeted multiple homes and areas in Deir Al Balah, Nuseirat, and Al …

The death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Baalbek and surrounding towns in eastern Lebanon climbed to 11 on Thursday, with 14 others injured, according to Lebanons National News Agency. The agency reported that an Israeli strike on a house in the village of Buday in the Baalbek district claimed the …