Local News
Prince William's arrival in Riyadh: A visit that strengthens Saudi-British relations
Britain's Prince William arrived in Riyadh today and was received by the Deputy Governor of Riyadh. Learn more about the visit and its importance in strengthening the strategic partnership.
His Royal Highness Prince William, Prince of Wales and Crown Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, arrived in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, today (Monday), on an official visit that affirms the strength of bilateral relations between the two friendly countries.
Upon his arrival at King Khalid International Airport, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, was at the forefront of those welcoming him and wishing him a pleasant stay. Also participating in the reception were His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the United Kingdom, and the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Kingdom, Mr. Stephen Charles Hitchin, in addition to the Undersecretary of Royal Protocol, Mr. Fahd Al-Suhail, and a number of other officials.
Dimensions of the visit and its political implications
The visit of the Crown Prince of the United Kingdom to Riyadh is of paramount importance at this time, reflecting the depth of the strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. This visit comes within the framework of ongoing communication between the leadership of both countries to strengthen ties of cooperation across various fields. Saudi-British relations serve as a model of long-standing international relations, built on mutual respect and shared interests that contribute to the stability of the region and the world.
A long history of diplomatic relations
This visit cannot be viewed in isolation from the long-standing historical ties between the two countries' royal families and the diplomatic relations that span more than a century. The United Kingdom has always been a key partner of Saudi Arabia, and Prince William's visit serves to strengthen this historical legacy and propel it to new heights, particularly in light of international developments that necessitate high-level coordination among influential global powers.
Strategic partnership and Vision 2030
On the economic and developmental level, these reciprocal visits represent a valuable opportunity to discuss ways to support the strategic partnership, especially in light of the massive development movement that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing under the umbrella of Vision 2030. Political and economic circles look forward to this visit contributing to opening new avenues for cooperation in the fields of sustainability, clean energy, cultural exchange, and technological innovation, in line with the aspirations of both countries towards a more prosperous future.
Local News
The Saudi Healthcare Model 2026 Forum kicks off in Riyadh tomorrow
Under the patronage of the Minister of Health, the Saudi Healthcare Model 2026 Forum will commence tomorrow in Riyadh. Learn more about the awards, healthcare transformation, and the future of healthcare in the Kingdom.
The third edition of the "Saudi Healthcare Model 2026 Forum" will commence tomorrow, Tuesday, in Riyadh, the capital. Organized by Health Holding Company, the forum will be held under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Health and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Health Holding Company, Mr. Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel. The two-day event (February 10 and 11, 2026) will take place at the Princess Nouf bint Abdulaziz International Conference Center in the Sofitel Riyadh Hotel, marking a pivotal moment in the Kingdom's healthcare transformation journey.
The context of health transformation and Vision 2030
This forum comes at a strategic time, reflecting the maturity of the outcomes of the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the most prominent programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This ambitious program aims to restructure the health sector into a comprehensive, efficient, and integrated healthcare system based on the health of the individual and the community (including citizens, residents, and visitors). The "healthcare model" is the cornerstone of this transformation, shifting services from a focus on pain and treatment in hospitals to a focus on prevention and promoting public health outside the walls of traditional facilities.
Excellence Awards and Pioneer Recognition
The forum is set to honor more than 15 winners for their excellence in implementing the model systems over the past year. The awards include several categories, most notably the "Gold Award," which will be given to one winner who has achieved exceptional overall performance across clinical pathways and demonstrated a lasting impact. Other awards include the "Healthcare Systems Award" for outstanding implementation of the six systems (preventive, elective, safe delivery, emergency, chronic, and palliative), and the "Impact Maker Award" for initiatives that have enhanced quality of life and community health.
A platform for exchanging experiences and anticipating the future
The forum's scientific sessions are of paramount importance, bringing together a select group of healthcare leaders, decision-makers, and local and international experts. Discussions will focus on showcasing real-world success stories in implementing the model through integration among healthcare entities, and addressing the challenges and opportunities for translating strategic visions into tangible and measurable health impacts, thus reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a leading regional model in modernizing healthcare systems.
The role of Health Holding in enhancing quality of life
It is worth noting that the Health Holding Company is leading this initiative through its oversight of 20 health clusters covering all regions of the Kingdom. The company is implementing a human-centered care model, prioritizing prevention over treatment. This approach facilitates access to services, reduces waiting times, and improves spending efficiency, directly contributing to the Vision's goals of increasing life expectancy and enhancing the quality of life for the population. Those interested can register to attend the events via the official website: https://www.health.sa/ar/moc-forum
Local News
Food and Drug Authority: 34 pharmacies fined 4 million riyals for violating "monitoring" regulations
The General Authority for Food and Drug fined 34 pharmacies 4.2 million riyals in January 2026 for violating the “Monitoring” system and failing to provide medicines, stressing the continuation of monitoring to ensure availability.
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) announced the imposition of strict financial penalties on 34 violating pharmacies, as part of its intensive inspection tours during January 2026. The total fines imposed amounted to approximately 4.2 million Saudi riyals, as a result of these establishments' failure to comply with the regulations and bylaws related to providing pharmaceutical products and reporting their movement immediately through the approved electronic tracking system “Rasad”.
Details of observed violations
The authority revealed in its statement that the violations detected varied in nature, but all fell under the category of compromising pharmaceutical security. These violations included facilities failing to report anticipated shortages or disruptions in drug supplies well in advance, thus preventing the implementation of necessary measures. Furthermore, they neglected to provide immediate and real-time reporting on drug movement within the supply chain. The authority also observed a clear breach of the minimum mandatory drug inventory requirements designed to ensure patient needs are met for specific periods, a serious violation that jeopardizes public health and safety.
The “Monitoring” system and its strategic role in drug security
This decisive measure underscores the paramount importance that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places on the pharmaceutical sector. The electronic tracking system for pharmaceutical products, "Rasad," is a cornerstone of the healthcare sector's digital transformation strategy. This advanced system aims to track human medicines with extreme precision from the moment they leave the production lines in factories, through storage warehouses and distribution points, until they reach the end consumer. The system's significance lies in its ability to combat commercial fraud and prevent the circulation of expired or counterfeit medications, thereby enhancing drug safety and bolstering consumer confidence in the healthcare system.
Regulatory sanctions and their impact on compliance
In a related context, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) emphasized that penalties stipulated by applicable regulations are not limited to fines, but can reach a maximum of 5 million riyals per establishment. The SFDA clarified that punitive measures may escalate to include the temporary closure of the violating pharmacy for up to 180 days, or even the permanent revocation of its license in cases of serious violations. These stringent penalties aim to deter violators and ensure everyone adheres to strict health standards.
Call to comply with regulations
The authority concluded its statement by urging all pharmaceutical establishments and those working in the drug sector to fully comply with the approved regulations and instructions, and to take the "Rasad" system seriously. It emphasized that protecting public health and ensuring the availability of medicine for citizens and residents is a red line that cannot be crossed, noting that its monitoring tours will continue regularly to regulate the market and guarantee the continuous and efficient supply of medicines.
Local News
Journalist Marwa Hashem suspended for 3 months for insulting an Iraqi officer
The Media and Communications Commission decided to suspend journalist Marwa Hashem for 90 days and suspend the Voice of the People program, after broadcasting content offensive to an officer in the Ministry of Interior and violating broadcasting rules.
The Iraqi Media and Communications Commission issued strict penalties against journalist Marwa Hashem and the "Iraq Al-Hadath" channel, following the detection of serious professional violations in the program "Sawt Shaab" (Voice of the People). These penalties are part of the commission's oversight role to regulate the media landscape and ensure that media outlets adhere to professional and ethical broadcasting standards.
Details of penalties and binding procedures
According to the official statement issued by the authority, the program "Voice of the People" was suspended for 30 days, and its presenter, journalist Marwa Hashem, was banned from appearing on television for 90 days (three months). The authority did not stop at suspension; it also mandated that the channel remove the episode containing the violation from all its platforms and issue a formal and public apology to the Ministry of Interior and the affected officer. The authority based its decisions on its legal powers, asserting that the episode broadcast on January 27, 2026, contained serious violations of the approved broadcasting regulations.
The nature of the violation and misleading public opinion
The commission clarified that the observed violations were not mere isolated lapses, but rather included the dissemination of fabricated visual content shared from social media platforms without verification. This content contained unethical allegations against an officer of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, which constituted incitement to violence and a violation of public decency and morality. The commission indicated that the lack of accuracy and transparency in disseminating information contributed to misleading public opinion and damaging the reputation of the national security institution, which is a clear breach of regulations.
Context of regulating digital and traditional media
This incident highlights the growing challenges facing traditional media in the face of the dominance of social media. The Media and Communications Commission is continuously working to establish regulations that curb the spread of "fake news" or fabricated content from the unregulated online sphere to television screens, which are supposed to be highly credible. Relying on social media content without filtering or verifying its accuracy is one of the most prominent mistakes made by some talk shows in their pursuit of sensationalism, necessitating firm regulatory intervention to protect society from rumors.
The importance of preserving the prestige of security institutions
From a professional and national perspective, this decision is of particular importance given its connection to the security establishment. While the constitution and the law guarantee freedom of expression and the press, this freedom is limited by the bounds of defamation or unsubstantiated slander, especially when it concerns officers and personnel of the Ministry of Interior, who represent a cornerstone of security and stability. The measures taken by the authority reflect the need for a balance between constructive criticism and personal attacks that could undermine trust between citizens and security agencies, emphasizing that media platforms should be tools for building and uncovering the truth, not instruments of destruction and spreading falsehoods.
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