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News from around the world.

MLDBeast’s Riyadh Soundstorm 2023 to be headlined by Metallica and Black Eyed Peas

November 28, 2023
MLDBeast’s Riyadh Soundstorm 2023 to be headlined by Metallica and Black Eyed Peas

MLDBeast’s annual music event Riyadh Soundstorm will be a 3-day music festival that features the best and greatest music has to offer. This year’s Soundstorm (2023) will be in Riyadh, Banban, from 14th thru 16th of December 2023.

Here’s a snippet of their lineup, in no particular order;

DECEMBER 14, THURSDAY

  • Black Eyed Peas
  • Calvin Harris
  • H.E.R.
  • Metallica
  • Wizkid

DECEMBER 15, FRIDAY

  • Chris Brown
  • Martin Garrix

DECEMBER 16, SATURDAY

  • David Guetta
  • J. Balvin
  • Swedish House Mafia

You can find the complete lineup here.

Tickets for the music festival can be as low as SAR 169, which is around Php 2,500.00, for the general admission or just one day pass or as high as SAR 80,000.00, which approximately Php 1.18 million for a VIB BOX, that will include Dedicated Concierge, an exclusive entry with valet, premium food and beverage and your very own dedicated private suite.

As for me, I’ll go with the GENERAL ADMISSION, since you get an all stage access, daily SAR 25 wallet credit, and complimentary parking, which is not bad if you’re just there to head band and slam with Metallica.

You can go to Riyadh SoundStorm 2023 for more info

OFW in Saudi can now request ‘Employment / Experience Certificate’ through Qiwa portal.

November 19, 2023
OFW in Saudi can now request ‘Employment / Experience Certificate’ through Qiwa portal.

Saudi’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced that workers in the private sector can now request their Employment/Experience Certificate online using Qiwa. The announcement (written in Arabic) was posted on the Ministry’s official X (twitter) account.

Here are the steps on how to request for your Employment/Experience Certificate;
1. Login to your Qiwa account
2. Under SERVICES, go to EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
3. Click the “APPLY FOR CERTIFICATE” button on the top right section of the page.
4. From there, choose your work experience, from which youwant to receive the certificate then go to “NEXT STEP.”
5. Select the experience certificate type, then click “NEXT STEP.”
6. From there you can review the summary finalizing the request by clicking on “SUBMIT REQUEST”.

HONOR opens its first authorized store in Saudi Arabia

November 5, 2023
HONOR opens its first authorized store in Saudi Arabia

HONOR Saudi just open its first authorized store in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East earlier this month. The store is located in Al Hayat Plaza in Dammam, Eastern Region of the Kingdom. Those who visit the store’s opening day received special offers.

Here are some photos as posted by @HonorKSA;

Price for the coming KCON Korean Festival in Saudi

September 28, 2023
Price for the coming KCON Korean Festival in Saudi

We know the when and the who for the upcoming KCON Korean Festival in Saudi, and now we have the answer on the “HOW MUCH” since there have been no official announce on the ticket price for the Korean Festival.

There will be 3 categories of tickets; Entry Ticket will be SR 280.00, Golden Circle is SR 550.00 and VIP will cost SR 1,000.00.

  • VIP : This ticket will include the access to the VIP stand, Free Snacks and Drinks, access to the Gold Circle, and the convention.
  • Gold Circle : This ticket will include the access to the private lounge, the Gold Circle, and the convention.
  • Entry Ticket : This ticket will include the access to the general areas and the convention.

You can get your tickets from TicketMX using this link – https://www.ticketmx.com/en/d/4080/kcon-saudi-arabia-2023

The Music Commission will host the KCON Festival for the second time in the Kingdom on October 6 and 7 at the Mohammed Abdo Theater in Riyadh City Boulevard, with the participation of 14 Korean bands performing an international concert over two days presenting a variety of Korean cultural music as well as allocating an accompanying exhibition concerned with Korean culture.

Exhibition timings: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Concert timings: 10:00 pm – 12:30 am

Ticket categories:
VIP : This ticket will include the access to the VIP stand, Free Snacks and Drinks, access to the Gold Circle, and the convention.
Gold Circle : This ticket will include the access to the private lounge, the Gold Circle, and the convention.
Entry Ticket : This ticket will include the access to the general areas and the convention.
Meet & Greet : An additional ticket added to your basic ticket that let you enjoy the experience of meeting your favorite band and artists.
3 different sessions, 3 different bands per day from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Mobile User’s Name and ID to appear starting Oct 1st

September 27, 2023
Mobile User’s Name and ID to appear starting Oct 1st

The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) of Saudi Arabia has announced that the new regulation requiring all mobile phone operators to display the caller’s name and ID will take effect on October 1, 2023.

This new regulation is aimed at reducing the number of spam and scam calls received by mobile phone users in Saudi Arabia. It will also help to improve the safety and security of mobile phone users.

Under the new regulation, all mobile phone operators will be required to display the caller’s name and ID on the recipient’s phone screen before the call is answered. If the caller’s name and ID are not available, the caller’s phone number will be displayed instead.

The caller’s name and ID will be obtained from a central database that is maintained by the CST. The database will contain the names and IDs of all mobile phone subscribers in Saudi Arabia.

Mobile phone users can choose to have their names and IDs displayed to all callers, or they can choose to have their names and IDs displayed only to callers who are in their contact list.

The new regulation also requires mobile phone operators to provide their subscribers with the ability to block unwanted calls. Subscribers will be able to block calls from specific phone numbers, or they can block all calls from unknown numbers.

The CST has stated that the new regulation is part of its ongoing efforts to improve the quality of mobile phone services in Saudi Arabia. The CST is also working to protect mobile phone users from spam, scams, and other forms of fraud. Mobily, STC, Zain and Virgin Mobile are the top mobile provider in the country and are expected to comply with this new regulation.

The new regulation is expected to have a positive impact on mobile phone users in Saudi Arabia. It will help to reduce the number of unwanted calls, and it will improve the safety and security of mobile phone users.

Source: Saudi Gazette

Lineup for the KCON Korean Festival in Saudi

September 16, 2023
Lineup for the KCON Korean Festival in Saudi
Image: @KConOfficial

We finally have the official band line up for the coming KCON Korean Festival in Saudi. Of all the 14 bands, I only recognize Super Junior. Looks like the rest of the bands are up and coming bands in the K-POP scene.

For October 6th;

  • Super Junior D&E
  • HighLight
  • Hyolyn
  • Kard
  • Everglow
  • 8turn
  • Riize

For Octoher 7th;

  • Super Junior
  • Oh My Girl
  • Dreamcatcher
  • Tempest
  • The New Six
  • Eleltz U+P
  • Evnne

The KCON Korean Festival will (KCON Riyadh 2023) be on Friday, October 6, and Saturday, October 7, at the Mohammed Abdo Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City. In addition to the musical performances, there will be an exhibition dedicated to Korean culture. This will provide attendees with a deeper understanding of Korea’s rich history and traditions.

The official Instagram account of KCon also announced the band line for the KCon Riyadh.

KCON Korean Festival returns to Saudi for the Second time

September 11, 2023
KCON Korean Festival returns to Saudi for the Second time
Image: @KConOfficial

Here’s something for OFW who are a big fan of K-pop, K-drama and/or Korean culture in general.

The KCON Korean Festival will return to Saudi Arabia to celebrate Korean culture in all its vibrant forms. This year, KCON Riyadh 2023 is officially happening this fall. The festival will take place on Friday, October 6, and Saturday, October 7, at the Mohammed Abdo Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City.

KCON Riyadh 2023 promises to be an exciting event, featuring performances by 14 South Korean bands. Fans can look forward to a variety of concerts and meet-and-greets, providing a unique opportunity to interact with their favorite artists.

But KCON is not just about music. It’s a celebration of all things Korean. In addition to the musical performances, there will be an exhibition dedicated to Korean culture. This will provide attendees with a deeper understanding of Korea’s rich history and traditions.

Moreover, a market will be set up where attendees can pick up all sorts of Korean goodies. Whether you’re looking for K-pop merchandise, traditional Korean crafts, or popular Korean snacks.

First launched in LA in 2012, KCON has since grown into one of the largest Korean cultural festivals worldwide. It now attracts over a million visitors yearly across four continents.

No line up have been announce and we can assume that this will come in the coming days.

Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) arrested by Taif Police for promoting methamphetamine (shabu)

July 10, 2023
Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) arrested by Taif Police for promoting methamphetamine (shabu)

An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) was arrested by Taif Police for promoting methamphetamine or commonly known as shabu, Saudi General Security reported via their official twitter account (@security_gov) on Sunday, July 9, 2023. The OFW was transferred to appropriate authorities in order to make the legal actions against him.

Riyadh Air unveil designs for their planes and new promotional video

June 5, 2023
Riyadh Air unveil designs for their planes and new promotional video

Riyadh Air unveil the first of two design of their fleet which blend of cutting-edge technology and timeless elegance. The name Riyadh Air can be seen across the plane and features a lavender colors with stripes design.

Together with the new planes, Riyadh Air also release a 51 secs promo video that teases the public regarding an event on June 12th.

Public Investment Fund (PIF) first announce Riyadh Air in March of this year, explaining that the airline is expected to add US$20 billion to non-oil GDP growth, and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Saudi Astronaut Ali Alqarni shares image of Riyadh from the International Space Station

May 29, 2023
Saudi Astronaut Ali Alqarni shares image of Riyadh from the International Space Station
Image: @AstroAli11

Saudi Astronaut Ali Alqarni who went to the International Space Station (ISS) last 22nd of May via Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission, just a picture of Riyadh from the International Space Station (ISS). The image is a photo of a shining Riyadh at night. Astrounaut Ali Alqarni also shared a picture of the flag of Saudi Arabia inside the ISS.

The Saudi Crew are currently conducting educational outreach and conduct innovative research experiments while in orbit. The Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission crew are currently in orbit and are scheduled to return early June 2022.

Crew of Axiom Mission 2 checks in before their flight to the International Space Station

May 22, 2023
Crew of Axiom Mission 2 checks in before their flight to the International Space Station
From left to right: Ali Alqarni, Peggy Whitson, John Shoffner and Rayyanah Barwani.

The Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission crew checks in before their long flight to the International Space Station. The 4-man crew is composed of Saudi Nationals Rayyanah Barwani and Ali Alqarni joined by Americans commander Peggy Whitson and pilot John Shoffner.

From ArabNews;

Rayyanah Barwani, who is the first Arab woman to reach orbit, graduated from the University of Otago, New Zealand with a BA in biomedical sciences, and obtained a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Alfaisal University.

Ali Alqarni graduated from King Faisal Air Academy with a BA in aeronautical science and obtained a diploma in aeronautical science from Vance Air Force Base in the US. He is a captain in the Royal Saudi Air Force with more than 12 years of experience as a jet pilot.

Mission commander Peggy Whitson is the most experienced, having three previous trips to the ISS under her belt and 665 days in space. John Shoffner will serve as the pilot of the Dragon crew vehicle. The Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission crew is scheduled to reached the ISS on Monday morning at around 9:16AM ET and they will be in orbit for 10 days.

Axiom Space’s Ax-2 mission is the second all-private human spaceflight mission to the International Space Station. The Ax-2 crew will participate in educational outreach and conduct innovative research experiments while on the orbiting laboratory.

Apple opens online store in Vietnam

May 21, 2023
Apple opens online store in Vietnam

Apple just announced that the Apple Online Store is now available in Vietnam.

Vietnam’s Apple Online Store will offers a wide range of Apple products and accessories, with shopping assistance from Apple’s team of experts, no-contact delivery, trade-in program, build-to-order Mac options, and up to 24 months of financing for your Apple device. The Apple Online Store will also offer students a special pricing for their Mac or iPad, and receive discounts on accessories as well as AppleCare+.

The store is available in both Vietnamese and English, allowing customers to order a wide range of Apple products on the web.

Apple to open its first retail stores in India

April 12, 2023
Apple to open its first retail stores in India
Image: Apple

Apple has announced that it will be opening two new retail store in India. The Apple BKC in Mumbai will start operating this 18th April, then Apple Saket in Delhi on the 20th April. The new two new retail stores were opened 20 years after Apple entered the Indian market.

Even though India is the second largest market for Internet and smartphones in world, Apple is limited to the high-end of the market, specially for smartphones that are priced way below the price range of Apple in country.

You can read the full text of Apple’s announcement below;

Today Apple announced it will open its doors to customers at two new retail locations in India: Apple BKC in Mumbai on April 18, and Apple Saket in Delhi on April 20. These new retail locations mark a significant expansion in India that will offer great new ways to browse, discover, and buy Apple products with exceptional service and experiences for customers.
The barricade for Apple Saket was revealed this morning and features a unique design that takes inspiration from Delhi’s many gates, each signifying a new chapter to the city’s storied past. The colorful artwork celebrates Apple’s second store in India — located right in the nation’s capital. Beginning April 20, customers will be able to stop by to explore Apple’s latest product lineup, find creative inspiration, and get personalized service and support from the store’s team of Specialists, Creatives, and Geniuses.

In celebration of the first Apple Store opening in India, Apple BKC announced a special Today at Apple series — “Mumbai Rising” — running from opening day through the summer. Bringing visitors, local artists, and creatives together, these sessions will offer hands-on activities with Apple’s products and services that celebrate the local community and culture in Mumbai. Customers can explore the “Mumbai Rising” sessions and sign up at apple.com/in/today.

Ahead of opening day, customers are invited to download custom Apple BKC and Apple Saket wallpapers, specially curated playlists on Apple Music to move to the sounds of Mumbai and Delhi, and visit apple.com/in/retail/bkc and apple.com/in/retail/saket to learn more about the upcoming openings in India. Apple BKC opens Tuesday, April 18, at 11 a.m. IST, and Apple Saket will open for customers April 20 at 10 a.m. IST.

Public Investment Fund (PIF) launches Riyadh Air, a new national carrier to expand Saudi’s local and global aviation industry

March 15, 2023
Public Investment Fund (PIF) launches Riyadh Air, a new national carrier to expand Saudi’s local and global aviation industry

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) just announced the launching of a new national airline Riyadh Air. Wholly owned by PIF, Riyadh Air will leverage Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographic location between the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, enabling Riyadh to become a gateway to the world and a global destination for transportation, trade, and tourism.

Riyadh Air will be chaired by His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, while Tony Douglas, will be its Chief Executive Officer. Douglas brings more than 40 years of experience in the aviation, transportation and logistics industries.

The newly established airline is expected to add US$20 billion to non-oil GDP growth, and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Ramadan 2023 working hours announced for Saudi Arabia’s Private and Public Sector

March 15, 2023
Ramadan 2023 working hours announced for Saudi Arabia’s Private and Public Sector
From: Wiki

Ramadan, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is just less than 10 days away and all workers in both public and private sector will have shorted working hours.

As announced by Saudi’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), the working hours in the public sector will reduced to 5 hours a day, from 10 AM to 3 PM, while those working in the private sector, it will have a 6 hours workday, flexible time from 9 to 10 in the morning and 3 to 4 in the afternoon.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.

Source: Saudi Gazette 1, 2

New cockroach species named after Pokémon

March 14, 2023
New cockroach species named after Pokémon

A newly discovered species of cockroach in Singapore have been named after a Pokémon. The name of the roach is Nocticola pheromosa first discovered during an insect survey in 2016 at a nature reserve to uncover the diversity of insects in Singapore. The cockroach was name after the Pokémon, Pheromosa.

In an article on Lee Kong Chian Natural History Muse (LKCNHM), Cristian Lucañas of the University of Philippines Los Baños, Museum of Natural History, and Foo Maosheng of LKCNHM, published a paper describing a new species of delicate cockroach, Nocticola pheromosa. The Pokémon Pheromosa was inspired by the freshly-moulted American cockroach, because of its pale body. The new species, together with the other cockroach under the Nocticola species, shares a similar features with Pheromosa such as their elongated appendages, reduced coloration and fast speed.

Both Cristian Lucañas and Etymologist Foo Maosheng share the same sentiments regarding people’s perspective on cockroaches and naming the new cockroach after a Pokémon will “change people’s perspectives on cockroaches and realise their value as part of a richer biodiversity.”

Foo also noted that “of attention is often given to other insects like butterflies, beetles and bees that are deemed more charismatic in nature. Cockroaches, on the other hand, face an ongoing stigma as pests that are viewed as off-putting. However, this delicate cockroach is not one to be overlooked! In fact, one might even appreciate how cockroaches administer their own kind of care to the environment—some assisting pollination while others facilitate nutrient cycling in the ecosystem.”

Source: LKCNHM

Yellow iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus now available for Pre-Order in Saudi Arabia

March 11, 2023
Yellow iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus now available for Pre-Order in Saudi Arabia

The recently announced ‘yellow’ iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus is now available for pre-order in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The pricing of the Yellow iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are as follows;

iPhone 14

  • 128 GB – SAR 3,799.00
  • 256 GB – SAR 4,299.00
  • 512 GB – SAR 5,299.00

iPhone 14 Plus

  • 128 GB – SAR 4,199.00
  • 256 GB – SAR 4,699.00
  • 512 GB – SAR 5,899.00

You can place your pre-order to your favorite retailers; Jarir, Extra, Xcite and Virgin Megastore.

Happy Bear MilkTea, an authentic taste of bubble tea from Taiwan to Saudi Arabia

March 6, 2023
Happy Bear MilkTea, an authentic taste of bubble tea from Taiwan to Saudi Arabia

Craving for milktea?

If you’re in Riyadh, KSA you can checkout Bubble TEA, a milktea shop that started as a home business and now a full blown business with 4 partners around the country. Their shop in Riyadh is located in the Sulimaniyah district, less than 1 km from Prince Sultan Medical City.

This is their location via Google Maps – https://goo.gl/maps/esVNSkkax3RdX6rj7

Happy Bear MilkTea offers dine-in or take-out.

You can checkout their full menu here.

Saudi Arabia to celebrate Flag Day on March 11 every year

March 5, 2023
Saudi Arabia to celebrate Flag Day on March 11 every year
Image: @spagov

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud announced in a royal decree that the Kingdom will celebrate March 11 every year as a special day for the Saudi flag named “Flag Day”.

Here’s the full text of the royal decree;

The decree said that this is based on the value of the national flag extending throughout the history of the Saudi state since its founding in 1139 AH corresponding to 1727 AD, which symbolizes the testimony of monotheism (There is no God but Allah) in its middle which is the message of peace and Islam on which this blessed state was based; and the sword symbolizes strength, dignity, the height of wisdom and status. For nearly three centuries, the flag is a witness to the country’s unification campaigns waged by the Saudi state, and the citizens of this country have considered it as a banner of pride and lofty out of belief in the great importance of the flag as a manifestation of the state, its strength, sovereignty, and a symbol of cohesion, coalition and national unity.

Whereas, the 27th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1355 AH corresponding to March 11, 1937 AD, is the day when the Founder late King Abdulaziz endorsed the flag in the form that we see today fluttering with its great connotations that refer to monotheism, justice, strength, development and prosperity.

Steamdeck now available in Saudi Arabia

February 13, 2023
Steamdeck now available in Saudi Arabia

Steamdeck is now available in Saudi Arabia. You can purchase Valve’s handheld gaming computer – Steamdeck from Xcite, which from a quick lookup, appears to be the only local retailer to sell the gaming device. Before, if you want to purchase Steamdeck, you can either need to contact someone from the United States or buy it from the gray/black market.

The Steamdeck is a handheld gaming computer developed by Valve Corporation. Released on February 25, 2022, the Steam Deck can be played as a handheld or connected to a monitor in a similar manner to the Nintendo Switch. Steamdeck is designed to designed for playing Steam-based game, but can also support third-party storefronts like Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect, or Origin. The user can also replace the preinstalled SteamOS with a different operating system entirely, since it supports multi-booting.

Here are the pricing of Steamdeck, based on Xcite’s website listings;

  • SAR 2,498.99 – Steamdeck 64GB eMMC
  • SAR 3,199.00 – Steamdeck 256GB NVMe SSD
  • SAR 4,199.00 – Steamdeck 512GB NVMe SSD

Here’s the full specs of the Steamdeck;

Compute
Processor AMD APU
CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.0-1.6GHz (up to 1.6 TFlops FP32)
APU power: 4-15W
RAM 16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels)
Storage 64 GB eMMC (PCIe Gen 2 x1)
256 GB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4 or PCIe Gen 3 x2*)
512 GB high-speed NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4 or PCIe Gen 3 x2*)

Controls and Input
Gamepad controls A B X Y buttons
D-pad
L & R analog triggers
L & R bumpers
View & Menu buttons
4 x assignable grip buttons
Thumbsticks 2 x full-size analog sticks with capacitive touch
Haptics HD haptics
Trackpads 2 x 32.5mm square trackpads with haptic feedback
55% better latency compared to Steam Controller
Pressure-sensitivity for configurable click strength
Gyro 6-Axis IMU

Display
Resolution 1280 x 800px (16:10 aspect ratio)
Type Optically bonded IPS LCD for enhanced readability
Display Size 7″ diagonal
Brightness 400 nits typical
Refresh Rate 60Hz
Touch Enabled Yes
Sensors Ambient light sensor

Connectivity
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0 (support for controllers, accessories and audio)
Wi-Fi Dual-band Wi-Fi radio, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, 2 x 2 MIMO, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac

Audio
Channels Stereo with embedded DSP for an immersive listening experience
Microphones Dual microphone array
Headphone / mic jack 3.5mm stereo headphone / headset jack
Digital Multichannel audio via DisplayPort over USB-C, standard USB-C, or Bluetooth 5.0

Power
Input 45W USB Type-C PD3.0 power supply
Battery 40Whr battery. 2 – 8 hours of gameplay

Expansion
microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
External connectivity for controllers & displays USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt-mode support; up to 8K @60Hz or 4K @120Hz, USB 3.2 Gen 2y

Size and Weight
Size 298mm x 117mm x 49mm
Weight Approx. 669 grams

Software
Operating System SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
Desktop KDE Plasma

Images and video from steamdeck.com

Current pricing of the new Samsung Galaxy S23 phones in Saudi Arabia

February 5, 2023
Current pricing of the new Samsung Galaxy S23 phones in Saudi Arabia

If you’re in Saudi Arabia, below are the pricing of the just announced Samsung Galaxy S23 phones;

Galaxy S23
8GB RAM + 128GB storage – TBA
8GB RAM + 256GB storage – SAR 3,499.00

Galaxy S23+
8GB RAM + 256GB storage – SAR 3,999.00
8GB RAM + 512GB storage – SAR 4,399.00

Galaxy S23 Ultra
8GB RAM + 256GB storage – TBA
12GB RAM + 256GB storage – SAR 5,199.00
12GB RAM + 512GB storage – SAR 5,699.00
12GB RAM + 1TB storage – SAR 6,699.00

Samsung announced the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ last Feb 1, 2023 at their Galaxy Unpacked 2023. In a nutshell, the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ are the same phones with different screen size while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the premium version that supports S-Pen and features a 200 MP camera.

You can read more about the new Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ here.

Changes to Passport Renewal Process at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh this New Year

January 4, 2023
Changes to Passport Renewal Process at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh this New Year

Philippine Embassy in Riyadh just announced that there will be changes in the passport renewal this 2023. The announcement took effect last Jan 3, 2023, the Consular Section of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh will only receive regular passport renewal application through VFS Global both in Riyadh and in Al Khobar. Walk-ins are allowed adn no need for an appointment.

Philippine Embassy in Riyadh will still provide the following services;

  1. Passport applications for newborns
  2. Issuance of emergency travel documents
  3. Resolutions of issues with passport applications
  4. Civil Registry (Reports of Birth, Marriage and Death)
  5. Application for marriage and solemnization of marriage
  6. Correction of entries in birth certificates and marriage contracts registered at the Embassy
  7. Notarial
  8. Visa

Philippines launches eTravel platform to replace One Health Pass

December 3, 2022
Philippines launches eTravel platform to replace One Health Pass

The Philippine government just launched the eTravel platform that will as an online Health Declaration and Contact Tracing platform that aims to promote a convenient and seamless movement of international travelers from departure from the country of origin to arrival at the Local Government Unit (LGU) of destination. The service is for all foreign and Filipino international travelers, including infants and children.

The eTravel service started last December 2, the Health Declaration Checklist of the Department of Health-Bureau of Quarantine may be accessed through etravel.gov.ph and anyone accessing the One Health Pass will be redirected to the new eTravel domain. On December 5, the One Health Pass website no longer be accessible by the public.

Using and eTravel platform registration is free and does not collect or require any form of online payment.

Here’s the announcement from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF – EID);

Pursuant to the Philippine Government’s efforts to streamline its entry procedures and data collection processes, we inform you of the launch of the eTravel platform, an online registration system for travelers to the Philippines and returning residents.

Beginning 0001H of 02 December 2022, the Health Declaration Checklist of the Department of Health-Bureau of Quarantine may be accessed through etravel.gov.ph.

Passengers using the former www.onehealthpass.com.ph will be redirected to the new eTravel domain. On December 5, the old domain of the One Health Pass will no longer be accessible to the public.

The eTravel platform will host the electronic version of the paper Arrival Card that travelers must submit upon arrival in the Philippines for immigration clearance. Starting 05 December 2022, the Bureau of Immigration will discontinue using the paper Arrival Card. All travelers will be required to provide their arrival information and health declaration through the eTravel portal.

Registration on the eTravel platform is free. The public is warned against transacting with any entities or websites soliciting payments and fees of any kind as these are in no way related to the official eTravel platform of the Philippine Government.

The eTravel platform is a joint initiative of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in partnership with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Gilas defeats Saudi Arabia to close the Window 5 of 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier (63 – 76)

November 13, 2022
Gilas defeats Saudi Arabia to close the Window 5 of 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier (63 – 76)

Gilas Pilipinas will remain undefeated as they beat Saudi Arabia in the Window 5 of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier 2023. The game was held at the King Abdullah Sports City, in Jeddah, even though it’s the home court of Saudi Arabian team, the crowd was predominantly composed of OFW, which felt more like a home for the Filipino cagers.

It a close game at the start, where both teams came out firing in all cylinders, it was a tie game (16-16) by the end of the first quarter. Gilas Pilipinas started to pickup steam in the 2nd quarter, where they scored a game high of 25 points, and ended the first half holding on to a 6 point lead.

It’s in the 3rd qtr when the Gilas started to separate themselves with the help of Roger Pogoy who contributed 13 pts on a 5 to 12 shooting. But it was Kai Sotto to made the most contribution chipping in 11 points, a game high 9 rebounds and 5 blocks, with 2 assists, 1 steal on a 23 player efficiency (EFF).

In the 4th quarters, the Saudi tried to make one last push but with the leadership and timely hustle plays of Scottie Thompsons with 9 pts, 3 assists, 9 rebs and 2 steals on a 18 eff, Gilas made sure that it will a night to remember for all the OFW in the arena.

Saudi Arabia vs 🇵🇭 Philippines | Basketball Highlights

Here are the scores;

By Quarters: 16-16, 31-25, 55-45, 76-63.

Philippines 76 – D. Ramos 13, R. Pogoy 13, K. Sotto 11, C. Perez 10, S. Thompson 9, B. Parks 8, J. Aguilar 6, A. Kouame 5, J. Malonzo 1, C. Oftana 0, P. Erram 0, K. Quiambao 0.

Saudi Arabia 63 – Ma. Almarwani 19, Abdel Gabar 16, Mo. Almarwani 8, M. Kadi 6, H. Aljohar 5, A. Ashoor 4, Ali Shubayli 2, T. Mohammed 2, F. Belal 1, M. Saleh 0, A. Almuwallad 0, O. Albargawi 0.

Image: FIBA

Saudi Arabia launches its own electric vehicle brand – Ceer

November 10, 2022
Saudi Arabia launches its own electric vehicle brand – Ceer

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced the launching of Ceer – “the first Saudi electric vehicle brand that will contribute to Saudi Arabia’s automotive manufacturing sector.” The announcement is part of PIR and Saudi’s plan to diversify the country’s economy, as it moves away from oil dependency.

Ceer will also contribute to Kingdom’s “efforts towards carbon emissions reduction and driving sustainability to address the impact of climate change.” In the official announcement published by Saudi Press Agency (SPA), his Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) said;

Saudi Arabia is not just building a new automotive brand, we are igniting a new industry and an ecosystem that attracts international and local investments, creates job opportunities for local talent, enables the private sector, and contributes to increasing Saudi Arabia’s GDP over the next decade, as part of PIF’s strategy to drive the economic growth in line with Vision 2030.

Ceer is the first Saudi automotive brand that will will design, manufacture and sell a range of electric vehicles for consumers in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region. It is projected that Ceer will attract more than US$150 million of foreign direct investment, and create up to 30,000 direct and indirect jobs. Ceer is projected to directly contribute US$8 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2034.

Ceer motors, the company behind Ceer, is a joint venture between PIF and Foxconn, will be using technology from BMW for its vehicle development process. Foxconn will also develop the electrical architecture of the vehicle, to power its infotainment, connectivity and autonomous driving technologies. Each vehicle will be designed and manufactured in Saudi Arabia, and will be tested to the highest global automotive quality control and safety standards. Ceer vehicles are expected to be on the road by 2025.

Source: SPA, ceermotors.com

Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman appointed as Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia

September 28, 2022
Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman appointed as Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia

In a Royal Decree, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Bin Salman have been appointed by King Salman as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s appointment was made with the exemption to the provision of Article 56 of the Basic Law of Governance, and the relevant provisions contained in the Law of the Council of Ministers.

The Royal Decree also states that Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Khalid Bin Salman will be the Kingdom’s Minister of Defense and Yousef Bin Abdullah Al-Benyan as the Minister of Education.

The King appointed Talal Bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi as assistant minister of defense.

Source: Saudi Gazette
Image: SPA

OFW deployment in Saudi Arabia to start on November 7th 2022

September 14, 2022
OFW deployment in Saudi Arabia to start on November 7th 2022

Great news for our kababayan wanting to find jobs in Saudi Arabia, since the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have agreed to RESUME the deployment of Filipino workers to the Kingdom starting 7th November 2022.

You can read the joint statement of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) below;

The announcement was posted on official Facebook page of Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

How to Pre-Order the iPhone 14 in Saudi Arabia

September 12, 2022
How to Pre-Order the iPhone 14 in Saudi Arabia

If you are still high on the recent announcement of the new iPhone 14 series, and want to immediately order the device, then you’ve come to the right place.

There are a number of ways you can pre-order the iPhone 14; you can preorder the device thru your carrier or thru a retailer.

These are the leading carrier in Saudi Arabia where you can preorder the latest Apple smartphone;

  • Mobily – orders will be released 16/09/2022 except for iPhone 14 Plus which will be available on October 7th, 2022.
  • STC – you can order via mystc app, which means that you should be a current STC subscriber in order to have an active MY STC account.
  • Virgin Mobile – they offer a limited number of of iPhone 14s for pre-order. You can also pre-register your interest and once iPhone 14 are available they will notify you over SMS.
  • Virgin Mobile – you can pre order thru their mobile app.
  • Zain – Stock is limited, 1 order per customer and the iPhone will be released on 16 September 2022, while the iPhone 14 Plus will be available by 7th of October .

If you want to go and place your pre order thru a retailer, then these are the leading retailers in the Kingdom;

All retailers said that the the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max will be release on September 16, 2022, while iPhone 14 Plus will be available by October 7th.

iPhone 14 & iPhone 14 Plus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehbmC1irQuY

iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max

Gilas Pilipinas 1-win away to take home the 14th straight SEA Games Gold in Vietnam

May 21, 2022
Gilas Pilipinas 1-win away to take home the 14th straight SEA Games Gold in Vietnam
Image: Rappler

This was a Thirdy Ravena, who lights up the stat sheet with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals for Gilas. This is Gilas’ 4th blow-out win, after they dispatched Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia by an average of 47.5 points. The only team that were able to threaten the Filipino cagers are the Thais, lead by Price and M. Morgan.

Scores;
Philippines 87 – T. Ravena 17, Lopez 9, Pogoy 9, Go 8, Montalbo 6, K. Ravena 6, Wright 6, Tungcab 6, Tautuaa 6, Rosario 5, Fajardo 5, Navarro 4.

Malaysia 44 – Lee 8, Wee 8, Kuek 8, Wong 6, Tem 5, Liew WY 4, Chang 3, Lew WQ 2, Ong 0, Kwaan 0.

Quarters 19-10, 39-22. 68-33, 87-44.

Read the full report on Rappler;

Saudi Government will no longer shoulder the COVID-19 cost for patients in private hospital

March 19, 2022
Saudi Government will no longer shoulder the COVID-19 cost for patients in private hospital

Saudi Arabia will no longer pay for the treatment of COVID-19 cost for patients in private private sector.

This was announced by Council of Health Insurance (Dhaman) last Tuesday, 14th of March, that the government will no longer bear the treatment costs of COVID-19 patients in the private hospitals and other health facilities. The announcement was made through a Dhaman circular sent to all the approved healthcare service providers and the qualified health insurance companies in the Kingdom.

Dhaman circular also emphasis the need to be vaccinated as well as take the booster shots for all the people inside the Kingdom in accordance with the directives of the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Public Health Authority (Weqaya).

Patients who are not eligible with for treatment or insurance coverage, can still avail of the services by getting the approval from MoH.

For more details, you can read the full report from Saudi Gazette;