Local News
Real estate registration to begin in neighborhoods of Riyadh and Mecca in 2026
The General Authority for Real Estate has announced the commencement of real estate registration in selected neighborhoods in Riyadh and Mecca. Learn about the details, importance, and registration steps.
The General Authority for Real Estate announced the commencement of a new phase of the real estate registration project in the Kingdom. This phase includes one property in the Al-Mughterah neighborhood of Dhurma Governorate in the Riyadh region, and another property in the Al-Hudaybiyah neighborhood of the Makkah region. The registration period is scheduled to begin on February 1, 2026 (corresponding to 13 Sha'ban 1447 AH) and continue until May 7, 2026 (corresponding to 20 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1447 AH).
Historical background and strategic context
This announcement represents a significant step in implementing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to develop, regulate, and enhance the efficiency of the real estate sector. The new property registration system marks a qualitative shift from the previous system based on personal deeds to a system that uses the property itself as the fundamental unit of registration. Instead of linking ownership to an individual, the new system assigns each property a unique identity through a distinctive registration number and precise geospatial information, thus preventing duplicate ownership and significantly reducing real estate disputes.
Project importance and expected impact
The importance of the Real Estate Registry lies in its role as the cornerstone for building a reliable and transparent real estate sector. Locally , the system will provide absolute protection for property owners' rights, as the title deed issued by the registry becomes conclusive and unchallengeable. It will also facilitate buying, selling, and mortgage transactions, thereby enhancing market liquidity. Nationally , the project will contribute to increasing the attractiveness of the Kingdom's investment environment and encourage local and foreign investment in the real estate sector, given the existence of a clear and reliable legal framework that protects assets. Furthermore, it will provide an accurate and comprehensive real estate database that supports urban planning efforts and infrastructure development in Saudi cities.
Registration mechanism and required steps
The General Authority for Real Estate called on property owners in the designated neighborhoods to register during the announced period. The process can be completed electronically through the Real Estate Registry platform (rer.sa) or by visiting designated service centers. The Authority emphasized that the essential requirement for completing registration is a fully documented electronic title deed that meets all regulatory requirements. Upon completion of registration, a new title deed will be issued for each property unit, including its descriptive data, legal status, and any associated rights and obligations, supported by accurate geospatial data.
The authority explained that these neighborhoods were selected based on specific criteria, and confirmed that the remaining areas and neighborhoods to be included in the upcoming phases of the project across the Kingdom will be announced subsequently. For any inquiries, beneficiaries can contact the customer service center at 199002 or visit the authority's official platforms.
Local News
Zatka: 1202 smuggling attempts foiled in one week
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced the seizure of 1,202 cases of smuggling of prohibited items, including drugs, weapons and tobacco, through Saudi ports, confirming its efforts to protect the security of society.
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced today in a statement a new security achievement, adding to its impressive record. It successfully thwarted 1,202 attempts to smuggle contraband through various land, sea, and air customs ports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in just one week. These efforts reflect the vital role the Authority plays as the first line of defense in protecting the security and economy of the community.
The seizures included a wide range of prohibited substances that pose a direct threat to social security and public health. ZATCA explained that the confiscated items included 64 types of highly dangerous narcotics, such as hashish, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, as well as large quantities of Captagon pills, which specifically target young people. Authorities also seized 546 other prohibited substances, 12 types of weapons and related equipment, and uncovered 11 cases of smuggling involving undeclared sums of money, often linked to money laundering and the financing of illicit activities. In addition, the smuggling of 2,426 tobacco products, intended to evade applicable duties and taxes, was thwarted.
A strategic role in protecting the homeland
These high-quality operations reflect the Kingdom's comprehensive strategy, aligned with the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to build a safe and prosperous society. The Kingdom's strategic geographic location, which makes it a global logistics hub, places a heightened responsibility on its security and customs agencies to secure its borders against organized crime networks that seek to exploit international trade to smuggle their illicit goods.
Effects that extend beyond local boundaries
The success of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority in thwarting these large quantities of contraband has an impact not only on the local level but also on regional and international security. Every successful seizure contributes to dismantling a link in the chain of transnational smuggling networks and limits their ability to deliver their poisons to other countries, thus reaffirming the Kingdom's role as an active and reliable partner in combating organized crime on the global stage. Protecting society from the scourge of drugs, preventing the spread of illicit weapons, and combating tax evasion are all fundamental pillars for achieving sustainable development and stability.
In closing its statement, ZATCA reiterated its firm commitment to tightening customs control over all imports and exports of the Kingdom, stressing the importance of continued cooperation and coordination with its partners in the security and military authorities to unify efforts and tighten the noose on anyone who tries to compromise the security and safety of the homeland and its resources.
Local News
44 types of native plants for developing vegetation cover in Al-Jawf
The National Afforestation Program announced the identification of 44 local plant species in Al-Jawf, as part of Vision 2030's efforts to increase green spaces and combat desertification.
The National Afforestation Program has announced the identification of 44 native plant species that thrive in the diverse environments of the Al-Jawf region, a move reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to achieving its environmental sustainability goals. These environments include sand dunes, plains, highlands, valleys, plateaus, and salt flats, highlighting the region's rich biodiversity and its potential to support ambitious afforestation projects.
General context: Part of a national green vision
These efforts are part of a broader initiative led by Saudi Arabia to achieve a comprehensive environmental transformation, a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030. The Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to plant billions of trees across the Kingdom, is the driving force behind these projects. The National Afforestation Program, by focusing on native plants, aims to ensure the success and sustainability of these initiatives, as these species are perfectly adapted to harsh climatic conditions and require less water and resources, making them the ideal choice for combating desertification and effectively developing vegetation cover.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
At the local level, the afforestation of the Al-Jawf region with these plants contributes to improving air quality, reducing land degradation, stabilizing the soil to withstand sandstorms, and enhancing the natural habitats of native organisms. The project also raises community awareness about the importance of environmental conservation and encourages local participation in afforestation efforts, creating a sustainable legacy for future generations. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom's success in rehabilitating its desert ecosystems using native plants provides a leading model for other countries facing similar challenges and underscores its active role in global efforts to combat climate change and preserve biodiversity.
Botanical treasures in the Al-Jawf region
The program highlighted the rich biodiversity of the Al-Jawf region, encompassing shrubs, trees, and perennial and annual herbs. Among the most prominent identified species are: *Acacia tortilis*, *Atriplex halimus*, *Atriplex thalis*, *Atriplex thalis*, *Atriplex rhizome*, *Atriplex senegal*, *Atriplex halimus ... and *Atriplex halimus*. These plants belong to diverse families such as legumes, Atriplex halimus, Atriplex halimus, and *Atriplex halimus*, reflecting the region's rich biodiversity. This diversity not only supports the ecosystem but also preserves the Kingdom's natural heritage.
Local News
Egyptian belly dancer Boussy El-Assad is on trial for public indecency
The Egyptian Public Prosecution has referred belly dancer Boussy El-Assad to criminal trial on charges of publishing indecent videos. Learn about the details of the case and its legal and social background.
The Egyptian Public Prosecution ordered the referral of the dancer known as “Boussy the Lion” to urgent criminal trial, in a case that has attracted public attention, on charges of publishing videos deemed offensive to public morals on social media platforms with the aim of making financial gains.
The details of the incident began when the General Directorate for the Protection of Public Morals at the Egyptian Ministry of Interior monitored the defendant's social media accounts, where she posted videos of herself dancing in what investigations described as "vulgar and indecent" clothing. According to a security statement, these videos contradict the values and traditions of Egyptian society and constitute a crime punishable by law. After obtaining a warrant from the Public Prosecutor's Office, security forces were able to locate and arrest her.
Background of the case and its general context
The case of Bousy El-Assad is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a broader campaign waged by Egyptian authorities in recent years to monitor digital content and prosecute a number of content creators and influencers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram on similar charges, most notably “violating Egyptian family values” and “inciting debauchery and immorality.” The judicial arena has witnessed similar cases that have sparked widespread controversy, reflecting a trend toward imposing strict control over the online sphere to curb what the state considers “moral decay.”.
Legal basis and expected impact
The prosecution's charges are based on articles of the Egyptian Penal Code, specifically Article 178, which punishes with imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of no less than five thousand Egyptian pounds anyone who publishes images or videos that violate public decency. The case could also fall under the Cybercrime Law. This trial is expected to have a deterrent effect on other content creators, sending a clear message about the limits of permissible online publishing. On a social level, the case reignites the ongoing public debate about personal and artistic freedoms versus the preservation of public morality—a debate in which public opinion is divided between those who see these measures as necessary protection for society and those who consider them a suppression of freedom of expression and creativity.
During the investigation, four mobile phones were found in the defendant's possession, containing digital evidence proving her management of the pages and her posting of the aforementioned content. Bousy El-Assad admitted that her aim in creating these videos was to increase viewership and followers, thereby generating revenue through advertising. As the investigation continues, the Egyptian public awaits the verdict in this case, which could set a new legal precedent in the regulation of digital content in Egypt.
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