Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Saudi-led coalition Thursday intercepted multiple ballistic missiles and drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels towards the kingdom, state media said, after the insurgents claimed they had targeted the capital Riyadh.

The Iran-linked rebels have stepped up attacks on neighbouring Saudi Arabia, mainly targeting southern provinces along the long border between both countries.

But on Thursday afternoon, the rebels’ Al-Masirah television said the Houthis attacked an “important target” in Riyadh using drones and a missile.

RIYADH, Sept 8 (NNN-SPA) – Saudi King, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and French President, Emmanuel Macron, reviewed the efforts of Group of 20 (G20) countries, to support global economies.

Both sides also discussed over a phone call, the role of G20 in backing health systems, to combat the implications of COVID-19.

The French president hailed the cooperation between the two countries, and the efforts of the Saudi G20 presidency.

RIYADH, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and United States President Donald Trump discussed the efforts of the Group of 20 (G20) to combat COVID-19 over a phone call, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The two leaders reviewed the work of the G20 chaired by Saudi Arabia this year, and the efforts made within its meetings to protect lives and livelihoods to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

05 Sep 2020; MEMO: Saudi authorities have recently arrested Sheikh Abdullah Basfar, one of the famous Quran reciters across the Islamic world, the Prisoners of Conscience revealed on Twitter on Friday.

The Prisoners of Conscience Twitter account conveyed that the sheikh was arrested in August, without giving more details on how and where he was arrested.

RIYADH, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Group of 20 (G20) foreign ministers highlighted on Thursday coordination of cross-border management to protect lives and livelihoods during coronavirus crisis, according to a statement by the Saudi G20 Presidency.

During the extraordinary meeting, the foreign ministers acknowledged the importance of opening borders and promoting measures to allow the economy to thrive in accordance with the protective measures given by health organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

31 Aug 2020; MEMO: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday condemned the burning of a copy of the Muslim holy book Quran in the southern Sweden city of Malmo, Anadolu reports.

In a statement, the Jeddah-based bloc described the burning as an “act of incitement and provocation” and “contradicts with global efforts to combat extremism and incitement to hatred based on religion and faith”.

29 Aug 2020; MEMO: An explosives-laden drone fired by Yemen’s Houthis toward Saudi Arabia was intercepted, the Saudi-led coalition said yesterday, Anadolu Agency reports.

Coalition spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki said the missile was fired toward Najran in southern Saudi Arabia, according to the Saudi SPA news agency.

He said Houthis continue to violate human rights by deliberately targeting civilian settlements with explosives-laden drones.

26 Aug 2020; MEMO: Divorce rates have increased by nearly 96.7 per cent during the lockdown imposed by Saudi Arabia to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Justice said.

According to the ministry’s monthly report, the number of divorce certificates issued in June reached 4,079; 53 per cent in the Riyadh and Makkah regions.

RIYADH, Aug 23 (NNN-SPA) – Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced yesterday that, government employees will return to work starting Aug 30.

The decision was based on the health reports of the kingdom’s cities and governorates, the ministry said, adding, employees must follow anti-COVID-19 precautions during their working hours.

The decision excludes high-risk employees, and no more than 25 percent of staff in each department will be allowed to work remotely.

20 Aug 2020; MEMO: Pakistan’s effort to repair relations with Saudi Arabia has been snubbed by Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. The de facto ruler of the kingdom refused to meet with Islamabad’s Army Chief, Qamar Javed Bajwa, who was in the Gulf state to mend ties between the two countries.