Saudi Royal Decree Forms 3 New Ministries, Merges 2 Others

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques king Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques king Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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Saudi Royal Decree Forms 3 New Ministries, Merges 2 Others

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques king Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques king Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques king Salman bin Abdulaziz issued on Tuesday a series of Royal Decrees that formed three new ministries and merged two others.

King Salman relieved Media Minister Turki al-Shabanah, Civil Service Minister Sulaiman bin Abdullah al-Hamdan and governor of the General Investment Authority Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman al-Omar of their posts.

He ordered that Dr. Majed bin Abdullah al-Qasabi will continue to serve as Trade Minister and will also become Minister of Media.

Majed bin Abdullah bin Hamad al-Haqil will continue to serve as Minister of Housing and also serve as Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

King Salman ordered that the Civil Service Ministry be merged with the Ministry of Labor and Social Development. It will now be known as the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

The General Investment Authority will be transformed into a ministry, called the Ministry of Investment, with Khalid al-Falih as its minister.

King Salman ordered that the General Sport Authority would be transformed into the Sports Ministry. Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal was appointed as Sports Minister.

In another decree, King Salman ordered that the Commission for Tourism and National Heritage would be transformed into the tourism ministry, with Ahmed al-Khatib as its minister.



4 People Injured after Debris Falls on South Dubai Houses

Lightning illuminates the sky over Dubai during a thunderstorm on March 26, 2026. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)
Lightning illuminates the sky over Dubai during a thunderstorm on March 26, 2026. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)
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4 People Injured after Debris Falls on South Dubai Houses

Lightning illuminates the sky over Dubai during a thunderstorm on March 26, 2026. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)
Lightning illuminates the sky over Dubai during a thunderstorm on March 26, 2026. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)

Four people were injured by debris from an interception that fell on residential houses in southern Dubai Tuesday, authorities said.

"Authorities confirm that they are responding to an incident caused by debris from a successful interception that fell on residential houses in southern Dubai, resulting in property damage and minor injuries to four Asian nationals," the Dubai Media Office said on X.


Saudi Arabia Intercepts 7 Missiles Targeting Riyadh, Downs 10 Drones

Saudi defenses intercepted a drone in the Al-Kharj province. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
Saudi defenses intercepted a drone in the Al-Kharj province. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia Intercepts 7 Missiles Targeting Riyadh, Downs 10 Drones

Saudi defenses intercepted a drone in the Al-Kharj province. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
Saudi defenses intercepted a drone in the Al-Kharj province. (Saudi Defense Ministry)

Saudi air defenses thwarted on Tuesday a series of Iranian missile attacks and drone incursions targeting the Riyadh region and the Eastern Province. 

The Saudi Civil Defense said that debris from intercepting a drone fell in al-Kharj Governorate, resulting in two minor injuries and limited material damage 

Defense Ministry spokesman Turki al-Malki stated earlier Tuesday that four ballistic missiles launched towards the Riyadh region and the Eastern Province were intercepted and destroyed.  

He also announced the interception and destruction of an additional three ballistic missiles, bringing the total number shot down to seven. 

Al-Maliki added that Saudi Air Defense Forces also managed to intercept and destroy 10 drones in the past hours, as part of the ongoing response to aerial attacks. 

The official spokesperson for the Civil Defense stated that drone interception debris fell twice in Al-Kharj, causing material damage in residential areas.  

The first incident damaged six homes without injuries, while the second affected three homes and vehicles. Two people were slightly injured in the later incident, with one already discharged after treatment. 

Authorities confirmed that the incidents were handled according to established procedures. Saudi defenses remain on high alert to counter various threats and protect airspace and vital facilities. 


Bahrain Says it Busts a 'Hezbollah Terrorist Cell'

The three detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution. (BNA)
The three detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution. (BNA)
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Bahrain Says it Busts a 'Hezbollah Terrorist Cell'

The three detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution. (BNA)
The three detainees have been referred to the Public Prosecution. (BNA)

Bahrain announced on Monday the arrest of three people “for forming a cell affiliated with the Lebanese terrorist Hezbollah group,” saying the necessary legal procedures had been completed and that the detainees had been referred to the Public Prosecution.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry said the suspects “coordinated with terrorist elements abroad and sought to engage in espionage with them with the intent to undermine the sovereignty of the state, spread fear and panic among citizens and residents, and endanger the security and safety of the country.”

The suspects were identified as Ahmed Ahmed Hussain Madan, 24, Hassan Abdulameer Ashoor, 22, and Muntadhar Abdulmohsen Ali Madan, 29, reported Bahrain’s state news agency BNA.

They revealed that “during their travel to Lebanon, they received weapons training after meeting with members of the Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist organization.”

They also sent images and information about the repercussions of the Iranian attacks against Bahrain and collected funds under the guise of charitable work, transferring them to support Hezbollah activities in preparation for being tasked by its leaders with carrying out terrorist plots and acts in Bahrain, said the statement.