JEDDAH: One of the three brothers arrested in connection with the June 26 bombing of the Al-Sadeq Mosque in Kuwait is a 38-year-old Saudi businessman from Al-Khafji, a town close to the Kuwait border.
The second brother was arrested in Kuwait and extradited to Saudi Arabia, while the third was arrested in Taif. A fourth brother is apparently in Syria fighting for Daesh, according to sources.
The brother in Al-Khafji had been tracked by the police to his sister’s house. He had refused to surrender and opened fire on the police.
He was injured during the firefight and arrested. One officer suffered head injuries and was taken to Riyadh by air for treatment.
An investigation is now under way into the man’s movements, and whether family members were involved in providing him refuge, according to reports in a local publication on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Interior issued a statement on Tuesday morning to announce that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were cooperating in the investigation to track down those responsible for the bombing, which it described as a “sinful” act.
The suspects included four women, with some of their relatives living in areas controlled by Daesh in Syria and Iraq, according to reports.
Saudi terror suspect is Al-Khafji businessman
Saudi terror suspect is Al-Khafji businessman
Saudi Arabia inaugurates self-driving aerial taxi during Hajj
- The electric flying taxi will transport pilgrims across holy sites, facilitate the swift transfer of medical emergencies and supplies, as well as deliver goods
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia has inaugurated a pioneering self-driving aerial taxi service for pilgrims during this year’s Hajj season.
The electric flying taxi will transport pilgrims across holy sites, facilitate the swift transfer of medical emergencies and supplies, as well as deliver goods, state news agency SPA reported.
Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, said the flying taxi is the world’s first to be licensed by a civil aviation authority.
On Wednesday, Al-Jasser witnessed the vertical takeoff of the autonomous vehicle during the launch event attended by Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, president of General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA); Rumaih Al-Rumaih, Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, and several representatives of related entities.
The minister said the inauguration of the air taxi was part of the efforts to apply the latest future transport technologies and adopt innovative environment-friendly transport models that use artificial intelligence applications.
In line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, the Kingdom aims to modernize the transport sector through the launch of air taxi technologies, electric cars and hydrogen trains.
Al-Jasser said the ministry is working to enhance smart mobility and develop legislation, laws, and systems that enable the employment of modern technologies.
It also seeks to provide experimental environments to facilitate the expansion of future transport technologies.
GACA’s Al-Duailej said the flying taxi was one of the most significant initiatives of the advanced air mobility roadmap, which aims to reduce passenger travel time within congested areas, especially during emergencies, facilitate the transportation of goods and medical supplies, and complete surveillance and inspection tasks in a speedy manner.
The aerial taxi is among 32 modern technologies applied to serve pilgrims during this year’s Hajj.
Saudi authorities thwart attempt to smuggle 240kg of qat
- Qat, a shrub native to the Arabian Peninsula, contains mainly cathine and cathinone
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Border Guard has foiled an attempt to smuggle 240 kg of qat into the country.
Officers in Asir’s Al-Raboah district arrested several suspects, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The government has urged the public to report suspected smuggling operations or customs violations on the confidential numbers 1910 and 00 966 114208417, or via email at [email protected].
Financial rewards are offered for tips leading to prosecutions.
Qat, a shrub native to the Arabian Peninsula, contains mainly cathine and cathinone that cause excitement, euphoria and loss of appetite.
The World Health Organization in 1980 stated that qat can create mild to moderate psychological dependence. It is banned in several countries, including Saudi Arabia.
KSrelief announces three health projects to support hospitals in Sudan
RIYADH: Saudi aid group KSrelief inaugurated three health projects in Port Sudan, Red Sea State that provide necessary medical equipment to hospitals, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The first project aims to support Al-Abyadh Specialist Hospital for Children with an oxygen station to generate and distribute oxygen, benefiting 25,000 individuals.
The second project seeks to support government hospitals affiliated with the Sudanese Ministry of Health with dialysis machine, benefiting 3,960 individuals.
The third project provides medical equipment to children’s hospitals affiliated with the Patient Support Fund, filling a major shortage of medical equipment in Kasla Hospital and Al-Obeid Hospital. It is expected to benefit 200,000 individuals directly and indirectly.
The projects were announced in the presence of Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali bin Hassan Jafar, Sudanese Federal Minister of Health Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim, Sudanese Sovereignty Council member Lieutenant-General Bahri Ibrahim Jaber Ibrahim, and a KSrelief team.
Saudi envoy sends off first group of King Salman’s Palestinian Hajj guests from Jordan
RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Jordan Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudairi Tuesday bid farewell to the first group of 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims, who are staying in Jordan, who were invited by King Salman to perform Hajj this year.
Al-Sudairi saw off the pilgrims, who are the families and relatives of Palestinian martyrs, prisoners and wounded, at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman.
He said that the Palestinian martyrs, prisoners and wounded deserved the ‘paternal attention’ from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and added that the gesture was part of the government’s “continuous and generous support for serving Islam and Muslims in general and the brotherly Palestinian people in particular.”
The Palestinians are performing their pilgrimage under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program.
Families of conjoined twins arrive for Hajj as guests of Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Program
- They were hosted as guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit under directives issued by Saudi King Salman last month
MAKKAH: Families of conjoined twins, who were separated in Saudi Arabia, were welcomed in Makkah after arriving to perform Hajj, state news agency SPA reported.
They were hosted as guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit under directives issued by Saudi King Salman last month.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, which supervises the program, had made extensive preparations and formed various committees to ensure a smooth pilgrimage for the families.
The families thanked the Saudi leadership for their continuous kindness, from the successful separation of their twins to being hosted for Hajj.
