🇸🇦 Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia · EN · https://saudigazette.com.sa
About Saudi Gazette
The Saudi Gazette is published by the Okaz Organization for Press and Publication, a private company controlled by senior Saudi business figures. Its ownership was formalized as a civil society institution via a royal decree in 1964.
Media Bias/Fact Check rates the Saudi Gazette as 'left-center biased' in a Saudi context, but also notes its 'factually Mixed' reporting due to promoting pro-state propaganda, as there is no press freedom in Saudi Arabia. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Freedom House consistently report that Saudi Arabia has a 'not-free' press environment, with media under strict state control, high levels of self-censorship, and little to no editorial independence. The outlet often sources articles from the government-controlled Saudi Press Agency (SPA) but also uses international news agencies for world news. The headline sample reflects a focus on government initiatives, economic reports, and official communications, aligning with a state-aligned narrative.
Reading context
Media systems vary by law, ownership, and editorial custom. We preserve each outlet's framing and add context so readers can compare coverage without treating one country as the default.
Saudi Arabia Starts Issuing Umrah Visas for New Season
- Saudi Arabia has begun issuing Umrah visas for the new Islamic year 1448 AH. - Pilgrims can enter the Kingdom starting May 31, 2026, and must use the Nusuk application for Umrah permits. - The Minis…
Ministry of Health provides over 2.5 million services during Hajj season
- Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health reported no epidemic outbreaks during the 2026 Hajj season. - Over 2.5 million health services were provided to pilgrims, including hospitalizations and surgeries. …
SAR transports over 1.9 million pilgrims on Mashair Metro during Hajj
- Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) successfully completed its operations for the 2026 Hajj season. - The Mashair Metro transported over 1.9 million pilgrims across nine stations in Arafat, Muzdalifah, and …
Saudi Defense Minister Offers Condolences for Former Yemeni President Hadi
- Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister conveyed condolences from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the family of the late former Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. - Prince Khalid b…
Saudi Arabia plans project to cool Riyadh streets and buildings by up to 15°C
- Saudi Arabia plans a major urban cooling project in Riyadh to combat the urban heat island effect. - The project, led by Greek firm PLANET, aims to reduce surface temperatures by 8-15°C using innova…
Saudi Arabia begins early preparations for 2027 Hajj season
- Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah met with Hajj company representatives to plan for the 2027 Hajj season. - The early preparations aim to evaluate current operations and identify development…
Lebanese PM and FM laud GCC support for Lebanon's security and stability
- Lebanese Prime Minister and Foreign Minister spoke with GCC Secretary General. - They praised GCC support for Lebanon's security and stability. - The GCC reaffirmed its commitment to Lebanon's sover…
Pilgrims complete arrival in Mina, prepare for standing at Arafat
- Pilgrims have arrived in Mina to observe the Day of Tarwiyah, a key stage before the standing at Arafat, the Hajj pilgrimage's climax. - Security, health, and service sectors are monitoring crowd fl…
Saudi Interior Minister reviews Hajj security preparations for pilgrims' movement to Arafat
- Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif inspected Hajj security preparations in Mina. - He reviewed mechanisms for monitoring security, traffic plans, and pilgrim transportation t…
GCC Chief condemns Hezbollah’s interference in Bahrain’s internal affairs
- The GCC Secretary General condemned Hezbollah's interference in Bahrain's internal affairs. - He denounced statements made by Hezbollah's Secretary General regarding Bahrain's measures against indiv…
Saudi Ministry Penalizes Five for Transporting Unlicensed Hajj Travelers
- Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry has fined four expatriates and one Saudi citizen for transporting seven individuals without Hajj permits to Makkah. - Violators face fines up to SR100,000, imprisonm…
Grand Mufti Commences Hajj Duties in Makkah
- Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan has begun his duties in Makkah related to the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage. - He chaired a meeting of the Permanent Committee for Fatwas to discuss Sharia-relate…
Prince Faisal co-chairs Saudi-Hellenic Strategic Partnership Council meeting in Athens
- Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis co-chaired the second meeting of the Saudi-Hellenic Strategic Partnership Council in Athens. - The mini…
Saudi Arabia at BRICS Meet: Gulf Region is Vital Hub in Global Trade
- Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khereiji attended the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi. - Al-Khereiji emphasized the Gulf region's crucial role as a hub for global trad…
Hajj Ministry launches service for qualifying external agents and finalizing contracts for next Umrah Season
- The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched a new digital service on the Masar Nusuk platform to streamline the qualification of external agents and contract finalization for the upcoming Umra…
Saudi Arabia and Russia Launch Visa-Free Travel Agreement
- Saudi Arabia and Russia have implemented a mutual visa exemption agreement, allowing citizens of both nations to travel for short stays without visas. - This agreement, effective May 11, 2026, is th…
Saudi, Turkish FMs sign pact for mutual visa exemption
- Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed an agreement for mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and special passports. - The pact was signed by the foreign ministers of both nations following a mee…
Saudi Hajj Ministry Approves 73 Companies for Domestic Pilgrim Services
- Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has approved 73 companies to provide services for domestic pilgrims. - These companies were accredited after meeting strict organizational and operational s…
Saudi Arabia Delivers $2 Million Contribution to Support UNRWA Operations
- Saudi Arabia has contributed $2 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). - The donation represents the Kingdom's annual support for UNRW…
Prince Khaled: Saudi physical activity rises to 59% under Vision 2030
- Saudi Arabia has seen a significant rise in physical activity, with rates increasing from 13% in 2018 to 59.1% in 2025 among adults. - Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud highlighted this p…
King Salman Medical City Expands Services, Achieves World-Class Healthcare Standards
- King Salman bin Abdulaziz Medical City in Madinah significantly expanded its services and capacity in 2025. - The medical city saw substantial increases in patient visits for outpatient and emergenc…
Expat Sentenced to Six Months, Fined SR100,000 for Illegal Healthcare Practice and Promoting Unauthorized Abortion Drug
- An expatriate in Saudi Arabia has been sentenced to six months in prison and fined SR100,000 for practicing healthcare without a license. - The individual was convicted of promoting and selling an u…
5 arrested while attempting to enter Makkah on foot illegally
- Hajj Security Forces arrested five individuals attempting to enter Makkah illegally on foot. - The group included one Saudi citizen and four foreign residents (two Egyptians and two Yemenis) without…
Saudi Arabia Ranks Second Globally in Data Center Market Attractiveness
- Saudi Arabia has been ranked the second most attractive market globally for data centers, trailing only the United States. - The Kingdom's data center operational capacity has seen significant growt…
Saudi Anti-Corruption Authority Probes 259 Suspects, Detains 97 in April Crackdown
- Saudi Arabia's anti-corruption authority investigated 259 suspects and detained 97 individuals in April 2026. - The investigations followed 3,041 inspection rounds conducted by the authority. - Deta…
Tourism minister inspects readiness of pilgrims’ accommodation in Makkah
- Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb inspected hospitality facilities and temporary accommodations for Hajj pilgrims in Makkah. - The inspection aimed to assess service quality and operational…
Hajj Security Forces Arrest 3 Egyptians for Violating Pilgrimage Regulations
- Hajj security forces apprehended three Egyptian nationals for violating Hajj regulations by attempting to enter Makkah without a permit. - The individuals were discovered concealed within a freight …
King Salman receives written message from Djibouti president
- King Salman of Saudi Arabia received a written message from Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh. - The message focused on enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations. - The exchange o…
Saudi Arabia Condemns Drone Strikes on Kuwait Launched From Iraq
- Saudi Arabia strongly condemned drone strikes targeting Kuwaiti border posts launched from Iraq. - The Kingdom rejected any violation of sovereignty and threats to regional security, urging Iraq to …
Saudi Arabia Backs Palestinian Reforms, Calls for Sovereignty and Peace at Global Alliance Meeting
- Saudi Arabia, the EU, and Norway co-chaired a meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. - Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian government's …
Transport Minister Visits Makkah Route Initiative Terminal at Jeddah Airport
- Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser visited the Makkah Route Initiative terminal at Jeddah airport. - The initiative, now in its eighth year, facilitates pilgrims' journeys by …
Port of NEOM Fully Operational, Facilitating Global Cargo Flows
- The Port of NEOM has officially begun full operations, handling complex cargo and facilitating global trade flows. - Its multi-purpose terminal supports efficient cargo handling and multimodal routi…
Saudi Arabia Projected as 3rd Fastest-Growing G20 Economy in 2027: IMF
- Saudi Arabia is projected to be the third fastest-growing economy among G20 nations in 2027, according to IMF forecasts. - The Kingdom's economic growth is expected to accelerate to 4.5% in 2027, pl…
Saudi Arabia Condemns Attack on UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon
- Saudi Arabia strongly condemned an attack on a French contingent of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). - The attack resulted in the death of one French soldier and injuries to several others.…
Two Royal Reserves Witness Births of 55 Arabian Oryx and Gazelles
- A total of 55 Arabian oryx and gazelles were born in Saudi Arabia's Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammad Royal Reserve and King Khalid Royal Reserve by mid-second quarter of 2026. - These births signify a su…
