Stories from Jeddah · Saudi Arabia

The Governor of Jeddah oversaw the conclusion of a cybersecurity exercise for the 1447 Hajj season.

Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) launched the first Hajj pilgrim service via the Haramain High-Speed Railway on Tuesday. The service operates from King Abdulaziz International Airport station to the Makkah station. SAR announced it has increased the operational capacity of the Haramain High-Speed Railway to accommodate the service. The expansion aims to serve the growing number of pilgrims traveling to Makkah. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched the first trips for Hajj pilgrims to the holy site.

Al-Ittihad finished the league in sixth place, a position considered appropriate given their performance this year. The team faced internal disagreements with the coach and players, and lacked clarity in their technical strategy on the field.

Jeddah recorded the highest price per square meter in Saudi Arabia during April. The price per square meter in Jeddah reached 143 SAR during the month of April.

A new shipping service line has been launched to connect King Abdullah Port with Europe. The initiative aims to strengthen direct links between Saudi Arabia and European markets via major Red Sea ports, including Jeddah Islamic Port and King Abdullah Port.

Leaders from Asian nations will convene to address regional tensions, with a particular focus on Iran-US relations, which are impacting the region's economy, energy, and security.

King Abdulaziz Airport has launched the 'Musafir Bila Haqiba' (Traveler Without a Bag) application. The app is designed to enhance travel efficiency and speed up procedures for all pilgrims.

Scoot has extended the cancellation of flights between Singapore and Jeddah. The airline cited the ongoing Middle East conflict as the reason for the service suspension.

Saudi Arabia is reportedly moving approximately 5 to 6 million barrels of oil through the Red Sea strait. In contrast, Iran is producing 3 million barrels per day but is allegedly unable to move quantities through the area.

Saudi authorities reported a 99 percent satisfaction rate among Hajj pilgrims. The 'Hajj Without a Bag' initiative has reduced the time from pilgrim arrival to the departure of the last bus to 35 minutes. Electronic tracking and service company compliance contributed to these improved processing speeds. Security forces in Mecca arrested a Yemeni resident for violating Hajj regulations. The incident occurred during a period where total pilgrim numbers reached approximately 5 million for the year 1447 AH. The initiative aims to enhance digital transformation and the pilgrim experience. The King Abdulaziz International Airport has integrated over 27 government and private entities to serve Hajj pilgrims. The Haramain High-Speed Railway has also increased its departing trips to provide pilgrims with the best travel experience.