Local News
Trade: 17,500 inspection tours in Mecca and Medina in preparation for Ramadan
The Saudi Ministry of Commerce is conducting 17,500 inspection tours in Mecca and Medina to ensure the availability of goods and price stability before Ramadan, in order to protect consumers and pilgrims.
The Ministry of Commerce announced that it has intensified its monitoring efforts in the Makkah and Madinah regions, where its field teams carried out more than 17,500 proactive inspection tours, as part of its preparations for the holy month of Ramadan, which witnesses a large influx of pilgrims and visitors.
These intensified campaigns come in the context of the religious and historical significance of the two holy cities, especially during the months of Rajab and Sha'ban preceding Ramadan, when the number of pilgrims performing Umrah and visiting the Prophet's Mosque doubles. This increased influx naturally leads to a significant rise in demand for food, supplies, and services, necessitating robust monitoring plans to ensure market stability and protect the rights of consumers, including citizens, residents, and visitors.
The Ministry explained that these inspection tours, conducted between the 1st of Rajab and the 5th of Sha'ban 1445 AH, covered a wide range of commercial establishments. These included major supermarkets, hypermarkets, and retail outlets located in the central areas surrounding the Two Holy Mosques, as well as gold and jewelry shops, which experience increased demand during this season. The inspections also extended to gas stations and service centers on the main roads leading to Makkah and Madinah, and the designated Miqat points for Ihram, to ensure the quality of services provided to pilgrims.
These proactive efforts have yielded tangible positive results, with inspection teams confirming the ample availability of essential food commodities and sufficient stock to meet anticipated demand during the holy month. The teams also verified that products offered for sale conformed to approved standards in the Kingdom and that businesses were adhering to consumer protection regulations, such as clearly displaying prices and issuing invoices.
These measures are of paramount importance both domestically and internationally. Domestically, they contribute to strengthening consumer confidence in the market and prevent harmful business practices such as monopolies or artificially inflated prices. Internationally, they reflect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to providing the best possible experience for pilgrims from around the world, aligning with the objectives of the "Guests of God Service Program," one of the programs under Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enrich and enhance the Hajj and Umrah experience.
Local News
Space Debris Conference in Riyadh: International Solutions for Space Sustainability
Riyadh is hosting the Space Debris Conference with the participation of 75 countries to discuss the risks of orbital objects and find innovative solutions to ensure the sustainability of space activities and protect the space economy.
The second edition of the Space Debris Conference, organized by the Saudi Space Agency, kicked off today, Monday, in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The two-day event features broad international participation, including experts and officials from 75 countries, as well as representatives from international organizations and leading companies in the space sector, all aiming to unite efforts to address one of the greatest challenges threatening the future of space activities.
Historical background: A growing problem in Earth's orbit
Since the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957, near-Earth space has seen a dramatic increase in the number of man-made objects. Space debris consists of defunct satellites, rocket launch vehicle parts, and fragments resulting from collisions or breakup. These objects, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, orbit Earth at tremendous speeds of up to 28,000 kilometers per hour, making even the smallest piece capable of causing catastrophic damage to operational satellites or crewed spacecraft. Scientists warn of the Kessler syndrome, a hypothetical scenario in which a single collision could trigger a chain reaction, creating a cloud of debris that would render low Earth orbit unusable for decades.
The importance of the conference and its expected impact
In his opening remarks, the Acting CEO of the Saudi Space Agency, Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi, sounded the alarm, emphasizing that near-Earth space is witnessing a “rapid increase in the number of orbiting objects,” which poses growing challenges to the safety and sustainability of space operations. Al-Tamimi pointed out that addressing this challenge requires strengthening international cooperation and developing innovative and effective solutions to mitigate risks and ensure a safe space environment for future generations.
The conference holds strategic importance as a global platform for solidifying Saudi Arabia's position as a key player in space sustainability. By bringing together decision-makers and experts, the Kingdom aims to lead the international dialogue on the policies and legislation necessary for managing space debris, aligning with the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and enhance its role in the multi-billion-dollar global space economy.
Topics of discussion and international cooperation
The conference, held with the support of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), will discuss several key themes, including space sustainability, protecting the space economy, and unifying international efforts. It will also highlight technological innovations and operational solutions for addressing risks and showcase successful international partnerships in this field. A highlight of the conference is the “DebrisSolver” competition, an international platform designed to stimulate applied innovation and transform research ideas into practical, actionable solutions. This international collaboration reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to shared responsibility and its support for global efforts to ensure the continuity of space activities, upon which the world depends for communications, navigation, and climate monitoring.
Local News
Applying for the 1447 Opportunities Program for Teachers via the Fares System
The Ministry of Education has announced the opening of applications for the 1447 AH (2026/2027) Opportunities Program for those holding educational positions. Find out the dates and requirements through the Fares system.
Announcement of the opening of applications for the “Opportunities” program
The Saudi Ministry of Education announced today (Monday) the opening of applications for the “Fursah” program, dedicated to those holding educational positions for the upcoming academic year 1447 AH. The Ministry clarified that the application period will run from 8 Sha’ban 1447 AH (corresponding to January 27, 2026) until 17 Sha’ban 1447 AH (corresponding to February 5, 2026), through the “Faris System” electronic platform.
Program background and strategic objectives
The “Opportunities” program was launched two years ago as part of the Ministry’s initiatives to develop work mechanisms and improve the education sector environment, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The program primarily aims to address the need for teaching positions at all levels, from schools, institutes, and special education programs to education departments and the Ministry headquarters. It works to achieve a balanced distribution of teaching staff across different regions and sectors, ensuring high-quality education for all students. This program represents a qualitative shift from traditional transfer procedures to a more flexible and transparent system based on available opportunities and required competencies.
Application process and available opportunities
The Ministry called on all those holding educational positions to log into their personal accounts on the “Faris System” to regularly check available opportunities and specializations and apply for them according to the approved procedure. The program allows applications for a variety of high-quality job opportunities, including teaching positions in different specializations, as well as opportunities in school structures (such as school principal or vice-principal) and supervisory structures (such as educational supervisor). This platform allows applicants to review the requirements of each opportunity and submit their applications electronically, thus facilitating the process and increasing professional development opportunities for teachers.
The importance and expected impact of the program
The “Opportunities” program is of paramount importance at the local level, as it empowers teachers and grants them greater freedom in planning their career paths and moving to positions or roles that align with their aspirations and experience. The program also enhances the efficiency of human resource management in the education sector by matching actual needs with available competencies. In the long term, the program is expected to increase job satisfaction among teachers and improve the overall performance of the education system, which will positively impact the quality of student learning outcomes and support the Kingdom's efforts to build a knowledge-based economy.
Local News
Applications are now open for the 1447 Opportunities Program for Teachers via the Fares system
The Ministry of Education announced the opening of applications for the “Opportunities” program for educational job holders for the year 1447 AH through the Fares system, with the aim of meeting the need and developing the staff.
The Saudi Ministry of Education has announced the start of the application period for the “Fursah” program, dedicated to those holding educational positions for the academic year 1447 AH. This step reflects the Ministry's ongoing commitment to developing educational staff and achieving optimal distribution of human resources. The Ministry clarified that the online application portal will be available through the “Faris” system from 8 to 17 Sha'ban 1447 AH, corresponding to January 27 to February 5, 2026.
General context and historical background of the “Opportunities” program
The “Fursah” program was first launched two years ago as part of the Ministry’s digital transformation initiatives. Its primary goal is to address the shortage of teaching positions across the Ministry, its education departments, schools, and government-run special education institutes and programs. The program offers a modern alternative to traditional teacher transfer procedures, providing a centralized and transparent platform that allows teachers to view and apply for available vacancies electronically, ensuring fairness and equal opportunities for all applicants.
The importance of the program and its expected impact
The “Opportunities” program is of strategic importance as it aligns directly with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which focuses on enhancing the efficiency of the public sector and developing human capital. Locally, the program contributes to the job and psychological stability of teachers by allowing them to transfer to regions of their choice, which positively impacts their professional performance and the quality of educational outcomes. The program also helps education departments address shortages in certain specializations and remote areas more quickly and effectively.
The program is expected to enhance the resilience of the education system and its ability to adapt to changes, by providing decision-makers with accurate and up-to-date data on the supply and demand for teaching staff. Applications submitted through “Fursah” include a diverse range of high-quality career opportunities, not limited to teaching positions, but extending to school administrations (such as principals and vice-principals) and supervisory roles within education departments, thus opening up broader horizons for the professional and leadership development of national talent.
Application process and next steps
The Ministry called on all education professionals interested in benefiting from the program to regularly access their personal accounts on the “Faris” system during the specified application period to view available opportunities and specializations and apply according to the approved mechanism and announced conditions. This step underscores the pivotal role of the “Faris” system as a comprehensive self-service platform for Ministry of Education employees.
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