RIYADH — The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has foiled an attempt to smuggle 46,968 amphetamine pills into Saudi Arabia through the Al Haditha border crossing. ZATCA spokesperson Hamoud Al-Harbi said the narcotics were discovered during an inspection of a truck arriving in the Kingdom. The pills were concealed inside a shipment of metal containers carrying cheese. Following the seizure, ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to identify and apprehend the intended recipient of the shipment inside Saudi Arabia. Al-Harbi said authorities successfully arrested the recipient after completing the customs operation. ZATCA said it remains committed…
Author: Editorial Team
The Arab Tourism Organization honored business leaders, influencers, and executives with the 2026 Ibn Battuta Award at its annual ceremony, held at the organization’s headquarters in Jeddah under the theme “Investment and Tourism.” Arab Tourism Organization President Dr. Bandar Al-Fehaid said the honors are part of the organization’s efforts to support tourism investment, attract capital to Arab countries, and develop the sector to help diversify income sources and promote sustainable development. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Al-Fehaid presented certificates of recognition and commemorative shields to participating entities in appreciation of their efforts to serve the tourism industry and support…
Telefonica recently revealed it had reused or recycled over 4 million devices in 2025, a significant number as the operator steps up its efforts to hit its zero-waste target by 2030. The Spanish operator said 95% of its waste was reused or recycled during the year, including 3 million routers and set-top boxes. Devices were collected from customers, operations and offices, with 75% reused and the remaining 25% recycled. Telefonica also reused more than 780,000 units of network equipment in 2025, adding this enabled it to meet the GSMA-backed industry commitment to reuse and recycle 100% of collected equipment. In…
NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia has underscored the importance of strengthening international efforts to protect older persons, particularly those with disabilities, and ensuring their rights, dignity and full participation in society. The call was made by Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Wasel, speaking on behalf of the Group of Friends of Ageing and Sustainable Development during a side event held on the sidelines of the 19th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New York. Al-Wasel said the mistreatment of older persons is a…
TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that the proposed Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the United States is closer than ever to being finalized. In a post on X, Araghchi said negotiations had made significant progress and that the agreement was nearing completion. “The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has never been closer,” he wrote. Araghchi urged media organizations and commentators to refrain from speculating about the contents of the proposed agreement while negotiations remain underway. “Pending its finalization, the media should refrain from entering speculation about its content,” he said. The Iranian foreign minister added…
Nokia’s upcoming addition of an agentic AI framework into its network services platform (NSP) is being positioned as giving operators the ability to adopt agents using trusted data within secure boundaries. The vendor stated the move would provide the means for customers to introduce AI operations for IP networks, with agents able to take guided, explainable actions based on real network data. Commercial availability of the functionality is expected by the end of the year. Nokia’s NSP is its management and automation platform for multi-vendor IP networks. It asserted the addition of the AI framework supports communication with external agents…
A Saudi delegation led by Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb met with a French delegation headed by France’s Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade, Crafts, Tourism and Purchasing Power Serge Papin in Toledo, Spain, on 11 June 2026, on the sidelines of the 126th session of the UN Tourism Executive Council. The two delegations discussed the longstanding strategic relationship between Saudi Arabia and France in tourism, emphasizing the sector’s importance as a key driver of prosperity and economic growth. They also explored ways to strengthen collaboration in support of shared priorities, including sustainable growth, destination competitiveness, investment attraction, and…
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — South Korea came from behind to defeat Czechia 2-1 on Thursday and make a winning start to its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in Group A. After a goalless first half at Estadio Guadalajara, Czech captain Ladislav Krejci put his side ahead in the 59th minute with a header from a set piece. South Korea responded quickly, with Hwang In-beom leveling the score eight minutes later after the Asians had created the better chances throughout the match. Czechia thought it had regained the lead when Tomas Soucek headed home from a free kick, but the goal was…
DUBAI — US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran’s stated version of a proposed deal on stopping the war was not what was agreed to by both sides even as senior officials said Washington and Tehran may sign an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit next week. Trump has taken to social media to condemn Iran after Iranian media reported extensively on terms of a peace deal being hammered out. Iran’s description of the proposed agreement “bears no relation to the truth,” Trump said, labeling the Iranians “very…
The Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU) commended Saudi Arabia’s efforts in supporting Arab and Islamic causes, foremost among them the Palestinian cause. It also praised the Kingdom’s role in promoting regional stability, sponsoring dialogue and peace initiatives, and advancing reform and development at the national and Arab levels in line with a forward-looking vision based on stability and sustainability. In the final statement of its 39th conference, the union congratulated Saudi Arabia on assuming the presidency of the current session, represented by Speaker of the Shura Council Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh. It expressed full confidence in the Kingdom’s leadership and…