Saudi Arabia Mandates Vaccination Certificate

A boy receives a coronavirus vaccine shot in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A boy receives a coronavirus vaccine shot in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Mandates Vaccination Certificate

A boy receives a coronavirus vaccine shot in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A boy receives a coronavirus vaccine shot in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The mandate for people to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will enter into force next Sunday in Saudi Arabia, making a vaccination certificate mandatory for accessing workplaces and businesses and attending social events and gatherings.

The Ministry of Interior stated that the decision, approved by the Ministry of Health, will be effective as of August 1.

A statement published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said that a vaccination certificate available through the dedicated Tawakulna application will be necessary to access to any economic, commercial, cultural, recreational or sports events, or any governmental or private facility, or any educational institution.

Such important decision will effectively contribute to enhancing efforts in combating the pandemic and protecting lives, in addition to the gradual return of activities, it added.

The Ministry of Interior reiterated its call on the Saudi citizens and residents to comply with the precautionary and preventive measures, such as social distancing, wearing a mask, frequently washing hands and adhering to the approved protocols.

The Ministry of Health announced on Monday that 1,252 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Kingdom, bringing the total to 519,395, including 10,788 active cases.

Moreover, 1,299 cases have recovered, raising the number to 500,428.

Meanwhile, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) delivered medical aid to the Uruguay to combat the pandemic. The aid included 53 artificial respirators and 2.3 million masks for surgical operations, in addition to protective clothing, masks medical gloves and other supplies.



Saudi Royal Order Promotes and Appoints 34 Board of Grievances Judges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
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Saudi Royal Order Promotes and Appoints 34 Board of Grievances Judges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs a cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA file)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued on Friday a royal order promoting and appointing 34 judges at the Board of Grievances.

President of the Board of Grievances and Chairman of the Administrative Judiciary Council Dr. Ali bin Ahmed Al-Ohaydib said the administrative judiciary enjoys the support of King Salman and the attention and follow-up of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

This is reflected in the royal order, which supports the Board of Grievances, motivates its judges and personnel, and advances the administrative judiciary, he added.


Saudi-Malaysian Security Cooperation Foils Smuggling of 505.6 Kilograms of Ketamine

An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
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Saudi-Malaysian Security Cooperation Foils Smuggling of 505.6 Kilograms of Ketamine

An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)
An image showing a portion of the seized quantity of ketamine (Saudi Ministry of Interior)

Saudi Ministry of Interior security spokesperson Brigadier General Talal bin Shalhoub stated that intelligence provided by the General Directorate of Narcotics Control to Malaysian authorities enabled the Royal Malaysian Customs Department Anti-Narcotics Unit to thwart an attempt to smuggle 505.6 kilograms of ketamine.

Bin Shalhoub praised the ongoing operational coordination between the two nations in intercepting illicit drugs, emphasizing that this joint success reflects tight security integration to counter transnational organized crime networks, SPA reported on Friday.

He affirmed that Saudi Arabia remains vigilant in tracking and dismantling criminal syndicates that target national security and youth with narcotics, continuing coordinated global efforts to protect societies from the illicit drug trade, SPA added.


UAE President Pardons Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
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UAE President Pardons Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters
UAE flag / File Photo- Reuters

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a pardon on Friday for Abdul Rahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, who was convicted by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal on 27th August 2026 of the offences with which he was charged and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment and a fine of AED200,000.

The ruling was first issued on August 27, 2026, after finding Al-Qaradawi guilty of the charges against him.

According to Friday's announcement, the necessary procedures have been taken to implement the presidential pardon.