Latest news with #SaudiArabia
Argaam
37 minutes ago
- Business
- Argaam
SAMA issues updated rules for issuance, operation of credit cards
The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) issued the updated rules for the issuance and operation of credit cards. The updated rules aim to reduce costs for customers and enhance disclosure and transparency related to credit card transactions. They also seek to keep pace with ongoing developments and align with the growing variety of credit card products in line with global best practices. The rules include detailed provisions on the issuance and operation of credit cards and increased clarity regarding financial transactions related to the cards. This is in addition to increasing financial awareness among customers, as well as creating innovation-friendly regulatory environment in the financial sector. SAMA also coordinated with global payment companies to review and reduce the costs associated with credit card transactions. This move is part of SAMA's broader efforts to develop and strengthen the digital payments ecosystem and offer diverse payment solutions to both residents and visitors in retail outlets across the Kingdom, in line with Vision 2030.
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Adventurous couple travel across GCC states on motorcycle
JEDDAH: Two Jeddah-based Indian-Saudi bikers have covered a distance of 62,218 kilometers across the Gulf Cooperation Council region on their motorcycles. Driven by faith and adventure, the couple traveled thousands of miles, crossing the GCC borders — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Bahrain — and enduring long hours on the road, all to reach their target. Their 24-day trip stands as a powerful testament to their devotion, determination, and love for an adventurous journey. Mir Shakeel Ur Rahman from Hyderabad and Amal Ahmed from Jeddah started biking together 6 years ago after their marriage. It has been a journey of self-discovery, shared interest and passion that has made their biking experience more surreal. The couple have rode across Saudi Arabia to Makkah, Jazan, Abha, Hail, Riyadh, Dammam, and Al-Ahsa to promote Saudi tourism, but this time, the duo decided to go on an epic adventure across the GCC states. 'We were excited to start the journey and tackle a route new to us,' said Shakeel. For Shakeel and Ahmed, this journey is about much more than reaching and discovering new destinations. It is also about the motorcycle friends they have met and respect. 'Actually this journey was aimed to visit our dear friends and celebrate with them their national days. We really wanted to attend Oman's national day, UAE's national days and Bike Week in Bahrain.' The couple officially left Jeddah at the end of November 2024 to Makkah followed by Taif before riding through Riyadh from where they crossed the border over to Abu Dhabi. During their stay in Riyadh, the couple met with a number of motorcyclists from all regions of the Kingdom as well as riders from Iraq, and Bahrain. They also participated in the celebration held at the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman to mark the 54th Omani National Day. 'On our way to the border of UAE from Riyadh, it was not as easy as we expected because of the sandy weather we faced, but we managed to get through with the great help we received from the Saudi patrol officers who kept us safe all the way,' added Shakeel. Once they reached Abu Dhabi, the couple contacted Sheikh Suhail Bin Hasher Al-Maktoum, widely known as the 'Father of All Bikers' in the UAE who invited them to celebrate the UAE's 53rd National Day along with other motorcyclists from all over the world at his farm. 'It was a great night with Sheikh Suhail who gathered all bikers from all over the world, it was also a great opportunity to exchange our deep relations with our friends while celebrating the UAE's national day. Actually, we were surrounded by people who were trying their best to help us in any way they can to make our journey safe,' said Ahmed. Keen to take things further, the pair continued their journey to Oman. Shakeel found riding through Oman particularly enjoyable, from exploring the historic Nizwa Fort and Souq to venturing into the surrounding mountains. 'It was a truly a new experience. It allowed us to explore Oman's diverse landscapes, immerse ourselves in its rich history, and create lasting memories,' he said. His wife stated that visiting Oman's iconic Jebel Akhdar — the Green Mountain — was probably the highlight of their journey. She added: 'Our Omani motorcycle friends also were extremely generous with us all the time we were there; they took us on tours to various parts of Oman and also were very helpful in maintaining our bikes.' After enjoying their stay for few days in Oman, they rode toward Bahrain and attended the annual Bahrain Bike Week, which featured various activities like motorcycle races, concerts, and street festivals. 'We had wonderful days and the event was filled with energy, passion, and the love for two wheels,' said Shakeel. While they had reached their final destination, they were informed by KALAM's World Record that they had officially set the record for the longest motorcycle expedition as a couple. 'It was a great news for us to be recognized by KALAM's World Record which is an organization that celebrates achievements across various fields. We are extremely happy and I am dedicating this achievement for my wife. We are looking forward to receive this award on Sept. 16, 2025,' said Shakeel. The couple have no intention of settling down and are already planning their next adventure.
New York Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- New York Times
A change in formation for Real Madrid
Real Madrid have settled for a draw in their opening match of the Club World Cup against Saudi side Al-Hilal Getty Images Getty Images 50' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal As expected, the half-time introduction of Guler has seen Real Madrid move into a back three, the favoured system of Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen. Aurelien Tchouameni has dropped into the backline alongside Dean Huijsen and Fran Garcia with Alexander-Arnold moving into a right-wing back position and Vinicius Jr staying close to the touchline on the other wing. That means Rodrygo and goalscorer Gonzalo Garcia are in a two-man attack. 47' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal What a start to the second half! Real Madrid could — and maybe should — have scored within 60 seconds of the restart. First, substitute Guler rattled the crossbar with a contested volley from the edge of the box. And Madrid recycled the ball — although were later flagged for offside — and Vinicius Jr lifted a delicate cross into Garcia in the six-yard box whose header was well kept out by Bounou. Almost the perfect start to the second half for Alonso's men. 46' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal After that quick — and much-needed — break for half-time refreshments, the ball is rolling again at Hard Rock Stadium. Not before Real Madrid make a substitution, though, with Asencio taken off for midfielder Arda Guler. The Spaniards perhaps moving to a back three with that very attacking change. Getty Images Raul Asencio has now conceded three penalties in 2025. Only one defender on a La Liga team, Getafe's Omar Alderete, has conceded more (4) this year. Getty Images HT Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Xabi Alonso's first starting XI with Real Madrid has an average age of 24 years and 300 days, which is the club's youngest in their first game with a new manager in all competitions since at least the 2009-10 season. Five of Madrid's last eight managers won their first game in all competitions with the club (D2 L1), with Zinedine Zidane achieving the biggest win of those eight with a 5-0 victory over Deportivo de La Coruna in La Liga in January 2016. HT Real Madrid 0-0 Al-Hilal Still trying to get my head around the fact that this tournament is on at the same time as the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Among the stranger club-vs-country battles in evidence here: Saudi Arabia are in the Gold Cup — not weird at all, stop looking at me like that — and play the US tomorrow, yet their best player is currently on duty for Al Hilal in Miami. Funny old world. Getty Images When Real Madrid finally started playing on their front foot late in the first half, it was Rodrygo who ensured his side would have something to show for it. The Brazilian nearly did the job himself with a curling strike that went just over the crossbar, but then completed a terrific Madrid build-up with a perfect curling pass to give Garcia his first shining moment for the club. Getty Images Few clubs outside of Europe in this competition have as many European level-caliber players as Al-Hilal, and they showed that throughout the first half. Portugal international Ruben Neves, formerly of Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers, finally provided the Al-Hilal breakthrough with his equalizing penalty kick. Getty Images With his goal in the first half, Gonzalo Garcia (21 years, 86 days) became the fourth-youngest player Real Madrid player to score in his first start for the club since 2009-2010. The three players to have done it at a younger age? Jude Bellingham – 20 years, 44 days – 20 years, 44 days Marco Asensio – 20 years, 201 days – 20 years, 201 days Dani Ceballos – 21 years, 47 days Getty Images HT Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Put yourselves in the shoes of 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia for a second. You're a Madrid native who's devoted his entire life to rising through the academy of your hometown club, which also happens to be one of the biggest in the world. You're suddenly picked to start on a global stage because the first-choice man, who also happens to be one of the most recognizable faces in world football, is sick. Then, you not only make some stellar runs when your team looks to push, but you score the first goal. What a moment! Getty Images HT Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Well, there hasn't been much difference between Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti's, which shows that this new project is only a few days old. The defensive system failed, with Al-Hilal generating more danger and once again there was a lack of clarity in the build-up play and in the final metres. HT Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal There goes the half-time whistle at Hard Rock Stadium. That was not the first half that many of us were expecting. Al-Hilal have been much the better team while Real Madrid have been really underwhelming. The Spaniards took the lead against the run of play but were pegged back after some lazy Asencio defending. Simone Inzaghi will be particularly impressed with what he has seen from the players. Alonso, not so much. Getty Images 45+4' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Real Madrid are a structural mess. Their high press has been ineffective and they've been exposed defensively in transition and when Al Hilal slow the game down and progress through possession. 45+2' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Oh, that was nearly a brilliant Al-Hilal goal. Al-Dawsari has been a real threat on the left wing and he exchanged a lovely one-two with Milinkovic-Savic inside the Madrid penalty area. His shot at the end of it was bending towards the top corner, but Asencio did well to get in front of it and deflect it beyond Courtois' far post. It's not quite making amends for his concession of the penalty, but that was a crucial block. Getty Images 45' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal As a result of the penalty, goals and cooling break, there will be five more minutes of this first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Getty Images 44' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal No real surprise to see Neves score from the penalty spot — he scored all eight that he took for Wolves in the Premier League. Getty Images 43' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Asencio had made several very good interventions, but this penalty underlines that he continues to make mistakes that penalise the team. Undoubtedly something he needs to improve, although he does have plenty of time at the age of just 22. 42' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Madrid's issues with refs continue — and not the first time in his short Madrid career that Raul Asencio has given away a needless penalty. The 22-year-old seemed to lose a sense of where the ball and his opponent was, and although the contact was slight, the referee was within his rights to point to the spot. 41' Real Madrid 1-1 Al-Hilal Al-Hilal have the equalising goal their first-half play has deserved! Neves is a very accomplished penalty taker and he smashes it into the back of the net as Courtois dives the other way. We're all square again on the stroke of half-time.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Paris Air Show: Airbus gets nearly $21 billion in orders
June 19 (UPI) -- During the Paris Air Show, Airbus on Thursday reported robust orders of nearly $21 billion, while Boeing was in the background as it struggles with a host of issues. The European aircraft manufacturer reported 142 firm orders and an additional 102 jets under provisional agreements. Airbus customers include Saudi lessor AviLease and LOT Polish Airlines, with 40 orders each. All Nippon Airways ordered 27 jets and Riyadh Air ordered 25 A350-1000 wide bodies. Starlux in Taiwan ordered 10 Airbus airliners and EgyptAir expanded an order from 10 to 16 jets. Boeing kept a low profile at the Paris Air Show, but recently got a Qatar Airways 210 airliner order during an official U.S. government diplomatic visit in the Middle East. Despite Airbus orders surging at the air show, both aircraft manufacturers are experiencing backlogged orders as they continue to face supply issues. Air Lease Corp CEO John Plueger told CNBC, "Both Airbus and Boeing are all sold out to 2031 and '32 anyway. So how many follow-on orders into the '33, '34, '35 time frame are you really going to see? ... But overall, the demand environment remains very robust." An Airbus order and delivery summary as of May 2025 shows total orders at 24,836. Boeing did not do aircraft fly-bys or major promotions at the Paris show. CEO Kelly Ortberg was to attend, but that plan was disrupted by the Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash, which claimed at least 280 lives, including 39 people on the ground. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Palmeiras ease past Al Ahly in Club World Cup
The match was suspended in the 63rd minute because of a weather warning For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
