Local News
Details of the Blue Defender 26 naval exercise between Saudi Arabia and the United States
Saudi and US naval forces are conducting Blue Defender 26 exercise at King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah to enhance military cooperation and protect shipping lanes.
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance defense capabilities and deepen strategic partnerships, the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and their US counterparts conducted the joint naval exercise “Blue Defender 26.” This important military exercise took place at King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah, and aimed to improve military coordination and the exchange of combat and operational expertise between the two sides.
The “Blue Defender 26” exercise witnessed the execution of a series of complex field and tactical scenarios designed to simulate realistic scenarios of potential maritime threats. Participating forces from both sides demonstrated a high level of professionalism and combat readiness, reflecting the high competence of naval crews and their superior ability to work together to enhance operational capabilities and strengthen maritime security in the region.
Strategic importance for enhancing Red Sea security
This exercise comes at a crucial time, underscoring the strategic importance of the Red Sea region as one of the world's most vital shipping lanes. The objectives of "Blue Defender 26" extend beyond military training to include securing international shipping lanes and ensuring the flow of global trade, reflecting the commitment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States to maintaining regional stability and protecting shared interests.
Extended military partnership
This exercise is an extension of a long history of close military cooperation between Riyadh and Washington, with the armed forces of both countries regularly conducting joint exercises. These drills contribute to unifying military concepts, honing the leadership and field skills of officers and personnel, and testing and developing joint command and control systems to address various security challenges.
Raising combat readiness
At the conclusion of the exercise, organizers affirmed that the results achieved reflect the significant progress made by the naval forces and their ability to adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape of modern naval warfare. The success of "Blue Defender 26" represents a further step towards strengthening military deterrence and ensuring maximum readiness to confront any contingency that threatens the security and safety of territorial and international waters.
Local News
Rainfall amounts in Saudi Arabia: Al-Khurmah recorded the highest at 32 mm, with details for 7 other regions
Learn more about the Ministry of Environment's report on rainfall amounts in Saudi Arabia. Al-Khurmah recorded the highest rainfall at 32.6 mm, and rain also fell in Riyadh, Mecca, the Eastern Province, and Qassim.
The daily report issued by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which specializes in monitoring rainfall amounts, revealed that varying amounts of rainfall were recorded in 7 different administrative regions, as part of the ongoing monitoring of the climatic conditions in the Kingdom.
The official report indicated that monitoring stations recorded the highest rainfall in the Al-Gharif area of Al-Khurmah Governorate in the Makkah region, reaching 32.6 mm. This data is based on readings from 51 hydrological and climatological monitoring stations distributed throughout the Kingdom, covering the period from 9:00 AM on Friday to 9:00 AM on Saturday.
Details of rainfall amounts in regions and governorates
The Makkah region experienced varying rainfall amounts. Besides Al-Khurmah, which recorded the highest rainfall, Al-Ruknah in Al-Muwayh recorded 8.0 mm, Maysan 1.7 mm, and Haddad Bani Malik in Taif recorded 0.5 mm. In the Madinah region, stations recorded 11.6 mm in Tharb in Mahd Al-Dhahab Governorate and 2.2 mm in Al-Hasu Municipality in Al-Hanakiya.
In Riyadh and its surrounding governorates, the Sajaa Reserve in Afif recorded 8.6 mm of rainfall, King Khalid International Airport 5.0 mm, and Al Majmaah 3.4 mm, while Al Kharj and Halban in Al Quway'iyah each recorded 1.6 mm. In the Qassim region, rainfall reached 6.2 mm at the Ministry's branch in Al Nabhaniyah, 3.9 mm in Al Tarfiyah Al Gharbiyah, and 1.4 mm in the Al Ulya neighborhood of Al Asyah.
Rain also fell in the Eastern Province, with Ras Tanura recording 3.4 mm, Hafr al-Batin 2.9 mm, and the Jubail naval base 2.8 mm. In the northern regions, Baqaa in the Hail region recorded 1.0 mm, while Rafha Airport in the Northern Borders region recorded 0.8 mm.
The importance of hydrological monitoring and the impact of rainfall
These daily reports are of paramount importance in the context of water resource management in Saudi Arabia, where the Ministry relies on a vast network of precise hydrological and climatological monitoring stations. This data contributes to informed decision-making regarding agriculture and dam management, in addition to its vital role in enhancing groundwater reserves, which are a cornerstone of water security in arid and semi-arid regions.
These rains, though varying in quantity, have a positive impact on vegetation and natural pastures in desert areas, thus supporting the livestock sector. Accurate monitoring of these rainfall amounts also helps relevant authorities, such as civil defense and meteorology, to issue early warnings and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of citizens and residents, especially in areas experiencing high rainfall that could lead to flash floods in valleys and streams.
Local News
The Public Transport Authority apprehends 689 violators of the unlicensed taxi service and clarifies the penalties
The Public Transport Authority has apprehended 689 violators of the unlicensed taxi service and 614 for illegal street vending. Learn about the fines, which can reach 20,000 riyals, and the vehicle impoundment under the new regulations.
The Public Transport Authority announced the results of its intensive inspection campaigns during January, which resulted in the detection of 689 violations related to operating unlicensed passenger transport services, known locally as "Kaddada," across various regions of Saudi Arabia. These efforts are part of the Authority's commitment to regulating the land transport sector and raising compliance levels with regulations.
Details of the violations detected and the field campaigns
Official statistics released by the authority revealed that monitoring teams, in cooperation with relevant security agencies, identified and apprehended 614 violators during the same month for engaging in what is known as "sowing" – the preparatory activities used to attract and transport passengers in private vehicles without the necessary licenses. In addition, 75 other violators were apprehended for transporting passengers in unauthorized ways. The relevant authorities dealt firmly with these violations, impounding 83 vehicles and taking legal action against their owners.
Campaign context and its strategic importance
These monitoring campaigns are of paramount importance, going beyond simply monitoring violations. They are an essential part of the Kingdom's efforts to achieve the objectives of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics, stemming from the Kingdom's Vision 2030. These moves aim to eliminate the phenomenon of unregulated transport, which negatively affects fair competition in the sector and harms the interests of legitimate operators, licensed taxi drivers, and approved transport applications.
Through these measures, the Authority also focuses on enhancing safety and security standards for passengers, as unlicensed transport vehicles often lack proper insurance coverage and are not subject to the strict periodic inspections imposed by the Authority on public transport, which poses a risk to the safety of users.
Penalties and fines according to the new system
The Public Transport Authority confirmed that the new regulations governing land transport include strict penalties to deter violators, with fines for those who practice “calling” (preparatory work) reaching 11,000 riyals, with the vehicle being impounded for 25 days upon repetition of the violation.
Regarding the practice of unregulated transportation, the penalty can reach a fine of 20,000 riyals, along with vehicle impoundment for up to 60 days. In case of repeated violations, the system allows for the vehicle to be sold at public auction, in addition to deportation for non-Saudi violators, reflecting the seriousness of the relevant authorities in regulating this vital sector.
Call for compliance and reporting
In closing, the authority called on all citizens and residents to cooperate by refraining from dealing with unlicensed carriers and to review the updated regulations and bylaws on its official website. It also urged everyone to report any observations or violations related to transportation activities via the unified number 19929 or through official communication channels such as the customer care account on the “X” platform.
Local News
Media regulation statistics: 25 films and 405 books cleared in one week
The General Authority for Media Regulation announced the approval of 25 cinematic contents, 405 books, and 20 electronic games, and the issuance of 80 reliable licenses and 345 media licenses within one week.
The General Authority for Media Regulation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia revealed today (Saturday) its latest operational statistics, which reflect the growing activity in the media and entertainment sectors, as it announced the approval and classification of 25 cinematic contents and 15 series contents, during the past week alone.
The announcement, highlighting the Authority's extensive activity, revealed official figures showing that 405 printed books were cleared and classified, reflecting the continued flow of knowledge and culture in the Kingdom's publishing market. Regulatory efforts also included the clearing of 20 electronic games, in addition to nearly 50,000 media devices—a figure indicative of the high demand in the local technology and media market.
Regarding professional and regulatory licensing, the Authority reported issuing 345 new media licenses and granting 15 no-objection certificates, in addition to completing 415 professional registrations for media professionals and practitioners. Concerning the regulation of the advertising and digital content sector, the Authority issued 80 licenses for "Mawthooq," the mandatory license for individuals to conduct commercial advertising on social media platforms.
These figures reflect the pivotal role played by the General Authority for Media Regulation in regulating and developing the media landscape in the Kingdom, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030, which focuses on improving quality of life and developing the entertainment and culture sector. The film and video game sector is among the fastest-growing sectors in the region, necessitating swift and effective classification and licensing mechanisms to ensure that appropriate content reaches the public.
The surge in the number of licensed books (405 books per week) demonstrates the dynamism of the cultural scene and the publishing and authorship movement, while the number of licensed media devices (50,000) underscores the purchasing power and economic growth in the e-commerce retail sector. The Authority continuously works to govern the sector to ensure a transparent and investment-friendly media environment, while upholding societal values and consumer rights through licenses such as “Mawthooq,” which has regulated the digital advertising market in an unprecedented manner.
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