No plan to lift alcohol ban, Saudi Arabia says amid speculation over 2034 Fifa World Cup
DUBAI, May 26 — A Saudi official denied yesterday media reports saying the kingdom, which is the birthplace of Islam, would lift its 73-year-old ban on alcohol, which is prohibited for observant Muslims.
The reports, which did not cite any sources, suggested the kingdom would allow the controlled sale of alcohol as it prepares to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup. — AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Thailand 'deeply saddened' by death of Gaza hostage, says foreign ministry
Image from The Nation Thailand/ANN BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday it was "deeply saddened" by the death of a Thai hostage in Gaza whose body was retrieved by Israeli forces. Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said in a video statement the ministry "is deeply saddened to announce that today, the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv was informed by a representative of the Israeli government that Mr Nattapong Pinta, the last Thai hostage, has been confirmed dead." An Israeli military statement, which gave his name as Natthapong Pinta, said on Saturday its forces retrieved his body from the Rafah area of southern Gaza. It said he was taken alive as a hostage during Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and "was murdered while in captivity". The Israeli military statement blamed the Mujahideen Brigades, an armed group close to Hamas ally Islamic Jihad. Nikorndej said Nattapong was one of three Thais held hostage in Gaza. The other two were confirmed dead in 2024 but Nikorndej said Israel has "not yet been able to retrieve their corpses". He said the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has contacted Nattapong's family to inform them and would work with the Israeli side to return his body to Thailand as soon as possible. Nikorndej said the ministry "expresses its deepest condolences to Nattapong's family". - AFP
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Thailand tightens border controls for tourists after Cambodia clash
Image from The Nation Thailand/Asia News Network BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand temporarily closed its biggest border crossing with Cambodia to local tourists on Saturday after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a recent military clash between the two uneasy neighbours. There has been sporadic violence on the Thai-Cambodia frontier since fighting first broke out in 2008, resulting in at least 28 deaths. A Cambodian soldier was killed in the most recent outbreak on May 28 in an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. The Thai and Cambodian militaries agreed to ease tensions the following day but Cambodia then said it would keep its troops in the area, despite Thailand urging it to withdraw. The Royal Thai Army took control of the "opening and closing" of all border crossings it shares with Cambodia on Saturday, citing a "threat to Thailand's sovereignty and security". The 1st Army Region banned the passage of six-wheeled trucks and reduced the operating hours of the border crossing between Aranyaprathet in Thailand's southeast and Poipet in Cambodia's west. It said in a statement on Saturday that Thais and Cambodians would only be allowed to cross for work and trade purposes. The Aranyaprathet-Poipet border crossing sees the most land traffic between the two countries with several thousand people using it each day, many of them Thais going to gamble at casinos on the Cambodian side. The Royal Thai Army told AFP that the restrictions only applied to citizens of the two countries but that implementation "may vary from place to place". Six other border checkpoints tightened their opening hours and issued bans on six-wheeled vehicles. The Thai army said trade remained unaffected and Cambodian workers were still permitted to enter Thailand. Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Phumtham Wechayachai said in a statement on Saturday it was "deeply regrettable" that Cambodia had "rejected" the proposal to withdraw its armed forces after the May 28 incident. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Monday the kingdom would file a complaint with the International Court of Justice over the border dispute. Thai authorities said a Joint Boundary Committee would meet next week to resolve the issue. - AFP
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysian Islamic figures express gratitude for Saudi Arabia's hajj hospitality
MINA: Saudi Arabia's Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, on Friday met here with Malaysian Islamic figures participating in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Programme for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit, implemented by the ministry. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Malaysian delegation conveyed their profound gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi leadership for the exceptional care and attention provided to pilgrims, and for the outstanding organisation that ensured a smooth and seamless performance of the rituals. They further praised the Kingdom's pioneering role in serving Islam and Muslims, highlighting the continuous efforts by the ministry to disseminate the values of moderation and promote the true image of Islam.
