Saudi Arabia condemns attack on rally in northwest Pakistan

An ambulance carries the injured to the hospital, after a blast in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan July 30, 2023. (AFP)
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Updated 30 July 2023
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Saudi Arabia condemns attack on rally in northwest Pakistan

  • Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry reaffirmed the Kingdom’s rejection of violence and terrorism anywhere in the world
  • It expressed its solidarity with Pakistan and its people

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned and denounced an explosion that tore through a political rally in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday.

At least 44 people were killed and over 200 injured as a result of the blast that took place at a gathering of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party in the former tribal area of Bajaur.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry reaffirmed the Kingdom’s rejection of violence and terrorism anywhere in the world, and expressed its solidarity with Pakistan and its people.

The ministry offered its condolences to the families of the victims and the government and people of Pakistan, wishing the injured a swift recovery.


KAUST to host Times Higher Education World Academic Summit 2025

Updated 10 October 2024
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KAUST to host Times Higher Education World Academic Summit 2025

  • Event will be held under the theme ‘Universities as Agents of Progress’
  • KAUST’s selection as host underscores its status as a leading hub for higher education in the region

THUWAL: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology will host the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit in 2025.

It will be first time the summit is held in the Middle East, recognizing the significant contributions of the Kingdom and KAUST to the global academic community.

Scheduled for Oct. 7-9 next year, the three-day summit will be held under the theme “Universities as Agents of Progress.”

This focus aligns with the transformative dynamics underpinning Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, with KAUST playing a pivotal role in driving progress not only within the Kingdom, but also on a global scale.

The host announcement was made by Prof. Edward Byrne, president of KAUST, during his closing remarks at this year’s World Academic Summit hosted by the University of Manchester.

“We are honored to welcome global leaders in higher education to KAUST for this prestigious summit, which routinely strengthens the cooperative spirit within academia, focusing on making strategic, impactful contributions to global challenges,” Byrne said.

“Building on the success of this year’s event, we will continue the tradition of cultivating collaboration and driving global change. This milestone underscores the rising recognition of the role that Saudi Arabia can play in building a future for higher education where universities worldwide understand their potential influence for good,” he added.

In alignment with KAUST’s commitment to cultural engagement and as a demonstration of Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, the summit will offer a variety of activities that highlight the Kingdom’s natural beauty and cultural depth.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the Red Sea through snorkeling and diving excursions, experience heritage tours of Jeddah and visit transformative projects like NEOM.

Phil Baty, chief global affairs officer of Times Higher Education, said: “The 2025 World Academic Summit will bring together leaders in higher education to engage with the industry’s most pressing issues.

“Together, the community will explore opportunities for innovation and commercialization, outline strategies to shape the next generation of leaders and collaborate to make a meaningful impact on lives around the world.”


New ‘Dragon Ball’ game is boost for Saudi theme park

Updated 09 October 2024
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New ‘Dragon Ball’ game is boost for Saudi theme park

  • Legendary manga franchise by Japanese artist has spawned countless anime series and films

RIYADH: Manga fans are eagerly awaiting the launch on Friday of the latest “Dragon Ball” video game, the first since the death in March of Akira Toriyama, the legendary Japanese artist who created the series 40 years ago.

Among them are leisure chiefs at Qiddiya, the entertainment and tourism project being built near Riyadh, who revealed plans this year for a massive “Dragon Ball” theme park.

“Dragon Ball” recounts the adventures of a monkey-tailed boy called Son Goku through fantastical universes. Over more than 500 chapters, the hero with spiky black hair fights otherworldly enemies in his quest to find seven mystical dragon balls. It is one of the bestselling manga franchises of all time, spawning countless anime series, films and video games.
The new game, “Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO,” will feature a record 182 characters doing battle.
A new animated series, “Dragon Ball Daima,” will also be released to mark the 40th anniversary of the franchise.
The Saudi “Dragon Ball” attraction, the Kingdom’s first theme park, will cover more than half a million square meters with at least 30 rides, including a roller coaster inside a dragon modeled on Shenron, a wish-giving dragon that features in the franchise.


Saudi Arabia launches insurance policy to protect expatriate workers

Updated 09 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia launches insurance policy to protect expatriate workers

  • Authorities to enforce penalties for employers who fail to meet their obligations, official says

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Insurance Authority have launched an insurance service that will cover unpaid wages for up to six months and provide travel assistance for expatriates in the Kingdom in the case of private sector defaults.

Director general of international communications and cooperation, Abdulrahman Al-Zaid, told Arab News: “The Expatriate Worker Wage Insurance Service for Private Sector Defaults is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to protect both workers and employers, while enhancing the overall efficiency and appeal of the Saudi labor market.

“The initiative is designed to create a more secure labor environment, making Saudi Arabia a leading hub for international talent.”

The service covers specific benefits as outlined in the policy, allowing foreign workers in defaulting companies to receive their entitlements — within the financial limits of the policy — and provide a plane ticket to return to their home country, if they wish to do so, within the policy’s financial limits, he said.

Insurance is part of a package of measures introduced by the ministry to safeguard the rights of employers and employees.

Al-Zaid explained how the insurance policy works for the benefit of the expatriates: “In rare cases when wages are not fulfilled, this insurance service will cover unpaid wages and entitlements for up to six months, with a maximum compensation payout of SR17,500 ($4,661) provided the combined rights of all workers do not exceed the overall insurance coverage limit for the company.”

But this payout is contingent on 80 percent or more of the workers in the establishment not having received their wages or entitlements, per the ministry’s regulations.

The initiative is part of the ministry’s commitment to creating a fair and secure labor environment for employers and employees.
 
Affected workers who wish to return to their home countries will be provided with a travel ticket, with cover up to SR1,000 ($266).
 
Al-Zaid said a worker is entitled to a return ticket to their home country “if they wish to leave the country directly without transferring their services to another company and can provide proof of completing all necessary procedures for departure, such as obtaining an exit visa and proof of a travel booking to their home country.”

Private sector employees wishing to apply for the insurance policy can submit claims through the designated insurance company responsible for handling compensation claims.

The ministry will oversee the process to ensure compliance and smooth execution of the service.
 
The introduction of this service does not absolve employers of their responsibilities, and they will still be fully responsible for meeting their wage obligations.

“The ministry will continue to enforce strict measures, including penalties for employers who deliberately fail to meet their obligations,” Al-Zaid added. 
 
Abdul Ghaffar is an expat, originally from India, who has been living in the Kingdom for the past 24 years working as a senior consultant in talent development.

When asked if he had ever been affected by a company defaulting in Saudi Arabia, Ghaffar said: “I have never personally witnessed any instances where companies defaulted on paying my salary. But one of my close friends, who worked for a private construction company, was facing financial difficulties.

“The company delayed salaries for several months, causing significant stress for him and his family. It becomes very critical, especially (for) expatriates who rely on timely wages to support their families back home.”

He said that the situation was resolved but it took months for the individual’s account settlement and exit process. The case highlighted the vulnerability that expatriate workers face in such circumstances, he added.

The ministry and the Insurance Authority's new policy aims to protect expatriates from vulnerabilities such as these.

“I believe the new wage insurance policy is a positive step forward. It shows that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is taking the necessary steps to protect expatriates working in Saudi Arabia,” Ghaffar said. “This policy will not only provide financial relief to workers impacted by company defaults but also create a more secure and attractive environment for expatriates considering working in the Kingdom.”

Ghaffar said of the new policy that the “travel ticket assistance also reflects the ministry’s understanding of the needs of expatriates who might want to return home in such situations.”

He said he believes the new initiative will “enhance Saudi Arabia’s reputation as a fair and competitive destination for international talent.”

The insurance cover for eligible workers began on Oct. 6, 2024. 


Saudi deputy foreign minister and Spanish official chair third round of political consultations

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji receives Spanish official Diego Martinez Belio. (SPA)
Updated 09 October 2024
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Saudi deputy foreign minister and Spanish official chair third round of political consultations

  • During the consultations, ways to enhance Saudi-Spanish relations in various fields and enhancing coordination on issues of common interest were discussed

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji and Spanish State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs Diego Martinez Belio chaired the third round of political consultations between their countries on Wednesday.

During the consultations, ways to enhance Saudi-Spanish relations in various fields and enhancing coordination on issues of common interest were discussed.

The session of consultations was attended by the Kingdom’s ambassador to Spain Princess Haifa bint Abdulaziz Al-Muqrin.


Saudi deputy minister receives UN official in Riyadh

Updated 09 October 2024
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Saudi deputy minister receives UN official in Riyadh

  • The pair discussed aspects of cooperation between the UN and the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received UN Resident Coordinator in the Kingdom Mohamed El-Zarkani in Riyadh on Wednesday.

During the meeting, they discussed aspects of cooperation between the UN and the Kingdom, and prominent developments of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.

Seperately on Wednesday, Al-Rassi met with Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom Madiyar Menilbekov, during which they reviewed joint cooperation in various fields.