Saudi Arabia bars employers from charging domestic workers any fees

In a major relief for workers, Saudi Arabia has barred employers from charging domestic staff any fees, including recruitment, work permit, service transfer, and change of profession. The provisions are outlined in the newly released Guide to the...

Saudi Arabia postpones October housing support disbursement

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Housing has postponed the October housing support disbursement to Sunday, October 26, due to a public holiday. The grant will be distributed over five working days. Eligible citizens, now including those aged 20 and...

Saudia named as official premium partner of Riyadh Season 2025–2026

Business Desk Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has been named the Official Premium Partner of Riyadh Season 2025–2026. This marks the sixth consecutive year that Saudia has partnered with Riyadh Season, underscoring its role as a...

Saudi ends ‘modern slavery’ with kafala system. Why it’s significant for Indian workers

For workers who wished to go to Saudi Arabia, there was one constant fear — the kafala system. However, not any more. That’s because the Kingdom has abolished this system, which many critics compared to modern-day slavery. The reform was first...

Beatrice and Eugenie Have Both Quietly Left the U.K. Amid Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson Drama

Sometimes, the best way to make it through a particularly stressful situation is to get a little distance from it. This seems to be the approach Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are taking to the continuing drama surrounding their parents,...

A New Chapter in Saudi–Bangladesh Labor Cooperation

When two nations commit to partnership, they build something more lasting than contracts - they build trust, dignity, and common purpose. With our newly signed bilateral labor agreement, we are ushering in a fresh chapter in labor mobility - one...

New Marriott Bonvoy Research from Europe, Middle East and Africa Reveals Importance of AI for Holiday Planning, with Passion Pursuits and Lux-Scaping as Key Travel Trends for 2026

Research amongst more than 22,000 travellers across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) shows that 79% of travellers plan to go on more or the same amount of holidays in 2026 compared to 2025 Lux-scaping – travellers booking a luxurious stay as...

Pilgrim Hajj 2026: 72,000 UAE Pilgrims Apply For Just 6,228 Spots

21DUBAI General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat has announced a huge number of applicants to register for Pilgrim Hajj 2026. Approximately 72,000 applications were received to fill approximately 6,228 pilgrim slots in the UAE,...

Saudi Authorities Arrest Individuals in 17 Corruption Cases

Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) announced on Tuesday that it has uncovered details of 17 criminal corruption cases investigated in recent weeks. The cases involve several government employees, both civilian and...

Tourist arrivals to Azerbaijan increased by nearly 2%

In January-September of this year, from 183 countries 1,948.2 thousand or 1.8 percent less foreign nationals and stateless persons compared to the corresponding period of the previous year visited Azerbaijan, the State Statistical Committee told...

Saudi Arabia abolishes Kafala system – What it means for migrant workers

Saudi Arabia has abolished its decades-old Kafala system, granting migrant workers the freedom to change jobs, travel without sponsor consent, and access legal protections. The move, part of Vision 2030, aims to improve labour rights and global...

Saudi Arabia postpones October housing support disbursement: Check new date and conditions

In Saudi Arabia, the official weekend is Friday and Saturday, making Sunday a regular working day for postponed disbursements Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Housing has announced that the monthly housing support grant for October 2025 will be...

Who is Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan, Saudi Arabia's new grand mufti?

King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia has appointed Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan as the new grand mufti of the Kingdom, according to a royal decree. The appointment was made based on a proposal by Crown Prince Mohammed bin...

Uber and WeRide launch robotaxi service in Riyadh

The launch marks the first time autonomous vehicles are publicly available on the Uber platform in Saudi Arabia Uber and WeRide have begun offering autonomous robotaxi passenger rides in Riyadh, marking the first time autonomous vehicles are...

Saudi TDF wraps up Grow Tourism Accelerator with 17 startups

The Tourism Development Fund (TDF), Saudi Arabia’s national enabler of the tourism sector, has concluded the Grow Tourism Accelerator – Second Cohort Demo Day in Riyadh. Organised by (TDF Grow), the Fund’s non-financial enablement arm, the event...

Saudi Arabia’s New Hajj Restrictions Ban Kidney Failure, Serious Heart Disease, Dementia

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — In a sweeping move that could bar thousands of Malaysians from performing the Hajj, Saudi Arabia has announced stringent new health requirements for the 1447H / 2026M pilgrimage season, effectively prohibiting people with a...

Expo 2030 Riyadh: an event that brings together culture, innovation and investment

Among these events that capture the world's attention every four years, the Universal Exhibition to be held soon in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, stands out. Expo 2030 Riyadh is an exceptional project that redefines the concept of 21st-century...

Saudi: Several government employees arrested over corruption charges

RIYADH — Several government employees were among those arrested in connection with corruption charges in various regions across the Kingdom. The spokesman of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) stated that legal measures were...

UAE Hajj pilgrimage 1447H / 2026 health requirements: Find out who can perform Hajj next year

UAE's General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (Awqaf) has announced medical requirements for pilgrims to perform Hajj / AI-generated illustration In a sweeping overhaul ahead of the 1447H / 2026 pilgrimage season, the Kingdom of...

Saudi Pavilion Concludes Expo 2025 Osaka with Record Visitor Numbers and International Praise

The Louvre reopened Wednesday morning to crowds under its glass pyramid even as France reeled from one of the highest-profile museum thefts in living memory just days earlier at the famed museum. The Sunday morning smash-and-grab unfolded just 250...