Saudi Border Guards foil attempt to smuggle drugs by boat

Millions of tablet were seized by authorities. (Saudi Border Guards photo)
Updated 24 April 2018
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Saudi Border Guards foil attempt to smuggle drugs by boat

  • Border guards seized 2,851,500 amphetamines tablets and 1.5 kilos of opium
  • Suspects have been handed over to relevant authorities for further action: border guard spokesman

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Border Guards foiled an attempt to smuggle a massive drugs haul into the northwestern province of Tabuk on Sunday.

Border guards found 2,851,500 amphetamines tablets and 1.5 kilos of opium on a boat being used to cross to the maritime borders of Tabuk, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Two Egyptian nationals on board the boat were arrested, while two Saudi nationals who were receiving the narcotics were also held.

The Border Guards’ spokesman, Col. Saher bin Mohammed Al-Harbi, said the suspects have been handed over to relevant authorities for further action.

Last month, the German Federal Police organized training for 11 Saudi women working at the General Directorate of Border Guards.

Al-Harbi said development and training of women in the Border Guards was part of a global skills program. 

“The program represented an important step by training technical personnel to perform their duties effectively,” he said.

Al-Harbi said the training sessions respected the morals of the Islamic religion regarding privacy and protection of women.

The Border Guards training program has the support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin, the spokesman said. 


Where We Are Going Today: Asalet Beirut in Jeddah

Updated 11 min 40 sec ago
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Where We Are Going Today: Asalet Beirut in Jeddah

or those craving authentic Lebanese flavors, Asalet Beirut in Jeddah offers a wide array of traditional pizzas, manaqeesh and pastries, all baked fresh to order.

The restaurant is known for its simple yet charming setup, catering to locals and visitors. The interior is styled on a homely Lebanese bakery, creating a cozy atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the menu is meat manaqeesh, a dish that has earned high praise for its rich flavor and perfectly baked crust. The meat is seasoned to perfection, blending Lebanese spices with a tender texture that melts in your mouth.

The menu is extensive, offering everything from zaatar and cheese manaqeesh to classic pizzas. While the variety is impressive, some items, such as the labnah manaqeesh, tend to get soggy if not eaten immediately. This makes eating in the car the best way to enjoy the food at its freshest and most flavorful.

The pricing is good with options catering to different budgets, making it a go-to place for quick bites or family meals.

While the food stands out in terms of flavor and variety, the main drawback is the occasional inconsistency in texture if some items sit for too long. However, the vibrant flavors and authentic preparation more than make up for it, especially for those who enjoy freshly baked goods.

Whether you are a fan of Lebanese cuisine or looking to try something new, Asalet Beirut is a great choice for flavorful, budget-friendly meals.

For more information, check their Instagram @asaltbyrut.


Saudi officials meet Egyptian, Greek ambassadors in Riyadh

Updated 16 min 56 sec ago
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Saudi officials meet Egyptian, Greek ambassadors in Riyadh

RIYADH: Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received Egyptian Ambassador Ahmed Farouk Tawfik in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The meeting marked the conclusion of Tawfik’s tenure as ambassador to Saudi Arabia, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

Prince Faisal expressed his gratitude for the ambassador’s efforts during his service and wished him success in his future endeavors.

Meanwhile, Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati met with Greek Ambassador Alexis Konstantopoulos in Riyadh. The two men discussed bilateral relations and topics of common concern, said the Foreign Ministry on X.


Baby born on migrant vessel in Atlantic: Spanish rescuers

Updated 44 min 49 sec ago
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Baby born on migrant vessel in Atlantic: Spanish rescuers

  • “Christmas ended in the Canaries with the rescue of a baby born while crossing the sea,” the coast guard said
  • A record 46,843 undocumented migrants reached the Canary Islands in 2024

MADRID: Spanish coast guards rescued a baby that was born on an inflatable vessel carrying migrants to the Canary Islands, authorities said on Wednesday.
The newborn was recovered safely along with their mother on Monday, the coast guard service said in a message on X.
They were the latest to make the crossing that has seen thousands drown as migrants try to reach the Atlantic archipelago from Africa.
“Christmas ended in the Canaries with the rescue of a baby born while crossing the sea,” the coast guard said.
A coast guard boat “rescued a mother who had given birth aboard the inflatable craft in which she was traveling with a large group of people.”
The two were taken by helicopter to Arrecife on the island of Lanzarote, it added.
A record 46,843 undocumented migrants reached the Canary Islands in 2024 via the Atlantic route, official data showed this month.


Saudi crown prince receives call from Ukraine’s Zelensky

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (File/SPA/AFP)
Updated 30 min 26 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince receives call from Ukraine’s Zelensky

  • Two leaders discussed the latest developments in the Ukrainian-Russian crisis and efforts made to resolve it

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. 

During the call, the two leaders discussed the latest developments in the Ukrainian-Russian crisis and efforts made to resolve it. 

They also reviewed Saudi-Ukrainian relations and discussed issues of common interest. Regional and international developments were also discussed. 


Egypt unveils ancient rock-cut tombs and burial shafts in Luxor

Updated 08 January 2025
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Egypt unveils ancient rock-cut tombs and burial shafts in Luxor

CAIRO: Egypt unveiled several discoveries near the famed city of Luxor on Wednesday, including ancient rock-cut tombs and burial shafts dating back 3,600 years.

They were unearthed at the causeway of Queen Hatshepsut’s funerary temple at Deir Al-Bahri on the Nile’s West Bank, according to a statement released by Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities & Heritage. It said it worked in tandem with the Supreme Council of Antiquities on the site since September 2022.

Artifacts found at the tombs included bronze coins with the image of Alexander the Great dating to the Time of Ptolemy I (367-283), children’s toys made of clay, cartonnage and funerary masks that covered mummies, winged scarabs, beads and funerary amulets.

Hawass told reporters that the discoveries could “reconstruct history” and offer an understanding of the type of programs ancient Egyptians designed inside a temple.

The Archeologists also found the remains of Queen Hatshepsut’s Valley Temple, rock-cut tombs dating back to the Middle Kingdom (1938 B.C. — 1630 B.C.), burial shafts from the 17th dynasty, the tomb of Djehuti-Mes and part of the Assassif Ptolemaic Necropolis.

The rock-cut tombs had been previously robbed during the Ptolemaic period and later. Still, the Egyptian teams uncovered some artifacts such as pottery tables that were used to offer bread, wine and meat.

Inside the burial shafts dating back to 1580 B.C. — 1550 B.C., anthropoid wooden coffins were found, including one that belonged to a young child. It remained intact since its burial some 3,600 years ago.