Osama Al-Qahtani
Al-Watan
There is a common understanding that simplified legal procedures will spur development and boost investments. But, how true is this perception?
Let us look into an example. In the Philippines, a land buyer will need not less than 168 procedural steps in 53 offices to complete his la
Amending laws before tackling corruption
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Haia chief scoffs at charges of graft
Saudi Gazette report
DAMMAM — There are no cases of corruption within the Commission of the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Haia), stated Sheikh Abdullatif Al-sheikh, Haia chief.
In a press statement, he said: “I’m refuting any administrative corruption claims against the Haia and
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Asir first to implement e-education program
Nadia Al-Fawwaz
Saudi Gazette
ABHA — Asir has become the first province to implement a comprehensive e-education program in the Kingdom.
Jalawi Al-Kirkuman, director of education in the region, said 10 intermediate and secondary schools have been picked to launch the program from the beginning of
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Stationers selling counterfeit school products: Parents
Faisal Aboobacker Ponnani Saudi Gazette DAMMAM — Parents are complaining that stationery shops are selling counterfeit items for the same price as genuine products and it is hard to differentiate between the two. As schools reopened after the long summer holiday, stationery shops across
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Filipino team here for Haj preparations
Ronaldo Z. Concha Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Representatives from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) have arrived in the Kingdom to prepare for this year’s Haj. The group, which arrived a few days ago, is headed by its Chairman Director Ad-drin N. Abusa
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A leap for KAUST
A research ship acquired recently by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to boost marine research carried out by the university, located in Thuwwal near Jeddah. Before, researchers from KAUST used leased ships for research purposes. The university officials said the new ship, called the “Thuwwal Research Ship”, will be a big boost for students
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Juveniles convicted of major crimes to be sectioned off
Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — The Ministry of Social Affairs is planning to separate juveniles who commit minor offenses from those arrested for serious crimes such as murder and drug smuggling.
The ministry took this decision due to increased trouble in the juvenile detention center in Riyadh, Al-Watan repor
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Papers of abandoned teenager completed
Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH — The Ministry of Social Affairs has completed documents of an abandoned child who was held for more than five years at a juvenile center in Jeddah. The illegitimate child, Waleed, was held because his adopting father refused to collect him from the center, which refused to release him until his
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Police officer investigated over alleged power misuse
Saudi Gazette report
AL-KHOBAR — Concerned authorities are currently investigating a police officer who allegedly used his authority to live in a mosque residence designated for an imam and also stole money from the mosque in Al-Khobar, Al-Watan reported Monday.
The case started three years ago when a philant
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Awaser uncovers attempts to embezzle money
Saudi Gazette report
ABHA — A number of Saudi and foreign women have attempted to con money from the Charity Society for the Care of the Saudi Families Abroad (Awaser), which assists Saudi men’s foreign wives and children stranded abroad, Al-Sharq daily cited an Awaser board member as saying.“A n
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Private family funds, an alternative to bank loans
Laura Bashraheel
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — With the difficulty of getting bank loans and high interest rates, family members are looking for alternative ways to help each other not get in debt.
Funds that family members contribute toward are becoming increasingly commonplace to help with the rising cost of living and provide an alte
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Locusts still a favorite dish for many…
A Saudi citizen and his son eat a dish of dried locusts in Hail. Despite doctors’ warning that eating locusts may result in poisoning because of their exposure to insecticides, many rural people still consider them a delicacy. They say that they have medicinal properties, especially for curing rheumatism, back pain, and pediatric hormone growth deficiency, in addition to
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Bootlegger nabbed in Briman area
JEDDAH — Police arrested a liquor dealer in east Jeddah’s Briman neighborhood. Police received information from people about the suspicious activities of the dealer. After 48 hours of surveillance, police were able to confirm his illegal activity. Officers followed the dealer to a house in the neighborhood. After storming the house, th
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Special team to investigate death
MAKKAH — The director of Health Affairs in Makkah ordered an investigation over the death of a 15-year-old student who died after he underwent an operation. Health officials were directed to examine the body to determine the cause of the death as the operation was routine. According to the doctors, the student underwent the operation and was
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Emergency landing at Riyadh airport
RIYADH — A small plane made an emergency landing at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh following a technical problem. The pilot and co-pilot were unharmed. The airport was put on alert when the pilot sought permission for the emergency landing. Two Saudi Red Crescent teams arrived at the location along with Civil Defense. No one was
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School evacuated after short circuit
ABHA — Some 250 students were evacuated from a girls' school in Rijal Almaa in Asir province as a precautionary measure following an electric short circuit. Civil Defense rescue teams arrived at the location and fixed the source of danger. The school authorities quickly evacuated the students without incident.
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Drunken driver attempts suicide
TURAIF — A drunk man in his 30s attempted to commit suicide in the middle of the road. The man stopped his vehicle in the middle of King Khaled Road in Turaif and started to stab himself. Other drivers stopped their cars and managed to subdue the man and take the knife away from him. The man was taken to a nearby hospital where he was report
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11 cultural activities in Souk Okaz approved
Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH – Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has approved 11 cultural activities for the seventh Souk Okaz cultural festival.
The prince is also chairman of the higher supervisory committee of the event, which he will launch on Sept. 10.
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Honor deal on Zamzam allowance: Indian minister
Hassan Cheruppa Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — India’s Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed has asked Saudi civil aviation authorities to overturn their decision to reduce the quantity of Zamzam water allotted for each Haj pilgrim from 10 to five liters.
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Cooking gas outlets a constant worry for Madinah residents
Saudi Gazette report
MADINAH — Several people in Madinah have described gas cylinder shops in the midst of neighborhoods as a ticking bomb waiting to explode.
Most of these gas cylinder shops are located near residential and school areas. People are calling on related authorities and Civil Defense to relocat
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