RIYADH — Cristiano Ronaldo’s wait for major continental glory in Saudi Arabia ended in heartbreak on Saturday night after Al Nassr fell to a shock 1-0 defeat against Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final. Under the lights at King Saud University Stadium, Ronaldo and Al Nassr dominated possession, created chances and threw everything at the Japanese side but one moment from Deniz Hümmet proved enough to hand Gamba Osaka their first Asian crown since 2008. For Ronaldo, it was another crushing near-miss in a Saudi Arabia chapter that has delivered goals, records and global attention, but still…
Author: Editorial Team
MAKKAH — The comprehensive national application Tawakkalna enabled pilgrims and personnel working during the Hajj season of 2026 to access government services related to Hajj in 19 international languages. This initiative formed part of an integrated digital ecosystem led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), with the objective of facilitating the pilgrims’ journey and enhancing their digital experience from the moment of their arrival in the Kingdom until their departure. The Tawakkalna app offers over 1,300 digital services in collaboration with more than 350 government entities, across various categories including health, education, justice, tourism, professional, and entertainment…
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is observed every year on 17 May, the day highlights how resilient networks, cloud platforms, data centres, and digital ecosystems are shaping inclusive, secure, and AI-ready economies. World Telecommunication and Information Society Day has become more relevant than ever in an era shaped by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital-first economies. What began as a commemoration of global telecommunications history is now a timely reminder that connectivity is no longer a background utility. Modern economies, public services, and enterprises increasingly depend on it. From fibre networks and 5G infrastructure to satellites, data…
After hundreds of enthusiasts headed to malls ahead of the highly-anticipated Audemars Piguet x Swatch collaboration launch on May 16, Swatch has now issued a statement. The watch company urged customers not to rush to stores, warning them that in some locations, queues of more than 50 people will not be accepted. It said that in cases where too many people may gather, sales may need to be paused to ensure customer and staff safety. Swatch said, “To ensure the safety of both our customers and our staff in Swatch stores, we kindly ask you not to rush to our…
RIYADH — Saudi security authorities arrested a total of 9,576 illegal residents in a week. The arrests were made in the joint inspections, carried out by the security forces in collaboration with the relevant government agencies, during the period between May 7 and 13, the Ministry of Interior revealed on Saturday. Those who were arrested include 4,865 violators of the Residency Law, 3,319 violators of the Border Security Law, and 1,392 violators of the Labor Law. A total of 11,272 illegal residents were deported while 2,311 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents and 11,226 violators…
MAKKAH — Customs at Saudi land, sea, and air ports recorded 915 seizures of contraband last week. The seized items include 62 types of narcotics, such as hashish, cocaine, heroin, and Captagon pills, in addition to 395 other prohibited substances. Customs ports also foiled attempts to smuggle 1,942 units of tobacco and its derivatives, along with 12 types of cash, and two types of weapons and related equipment. The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) affirmed its commitment to strengthening customs control over the Kingdom’s imports and exports to ensure the security and protection of society, through continuous cooperation and…
India’s Central Board of Secondary Education on Saturday, May 16, wrote a message to students taking cognisance of social media posts made by pupils after the Class 12 board results were announced. According to the Board, many Class 12 students have been attributing their results to the change of assessment scheme — the On-Screen Marking mechanism — that was introduced earlier this year. The Board is extremely sensitive to their concerns and is alive to addressing it accordingly. Cbse Board In A Message To Students It reiterated that “student well-being is of paramount importance” and “has attempted to address all…
LONDON — The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in the United Kingdom has urged all Saudi citizens to exercise caution and stay away from gatherings in London. In a statement issued on Friday, the Embassy said: “Demonstrations are expected to take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in several areas. We urge everyone to exercise caution, adhere to the instructions of local authorities, and avoid gatherings and demonstrations for your safety.” The embassy pointed out that in case of any emergency, the citizens should contact directly on the unified number for Saudi affairs (00447799519495). The Saudi Embassy’s advisory came amid reports…
TEHRAN — Iran has developed a mechanism to regulate maritime traffic through a designated route in the Strait of Hormuz and plans to impose fees for “specialized services” provided under the system, a senior Iranian lawmaker said on Saturday. Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said only commercial vessels and parties cooperating with Iran would benefit from the planned arrangement. “In this process, only commercial vessels and parties cooperating with Iran will benefit from it,” Azizi wrote on X. He added that Tehran would soon unveil the details of the plan, warning that…
VIENNA, 16th May, 2026 (WAM) — Austria’s latest banking data showed economic confidence indicators continued to decline amid the impact of tensions in the Middle East on European markets and ongoing pressure from slowing growth, inflation and high energy costs. Austria’s UniCredit Bank said its economic indicator fell by 0.5 points in April from the previous month to -1.8 points, marking its lowest level in six months. Bank economists attributed the decline mainly to weaker sentiment in the services and construction sectors and a sharp drop in consumer confidence. Stefan Bruckbauer, Chief Economist at UniCredit Bank, said the impact of…