Saudi Laws Update

Saudi Arabia to stop giving contracts to firms having regional headquarters outside Kingdom  Saudi Gazette report RIYADH —  Saudi Arabia intends to cease contracting with companies and commercial institutions that have regional headquarters outside the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday, citing an official source. According to the source, the move, which will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, will include agencies, institutions, and funds owned by the government. The source stated that the decision aims to incentivize the localization of businesses by foreign companies that deal with the Kingdom’s government or any of its agencies, institutions, and funds, in addition to creating more jobs, limit economic leakage, increase spending efficiency, and guarantee that the main goods and services purchased by the different government agencies are made in the Kingdom with appropriate local content. The source noted that this directive is made in accordance with the ann...

  വ്യാജ വാർത്തകൾ തിരിച്ചറിയുക വ്യാജ വാർത്തകളും, വിവരങ്ങളും വിശ്വസിക്കാതിരിക്കുക.   അസംഖ്യം വിവരങ്ങള്‍ ലഭ്യമാണെങ്കിലും വ്യാജവാര്‍ത്തകളുടെയും വിവരങ്ങളുടെയും കൂത്തരങ്ങാണ് ഇന്ന് ഇന്റര്‍നെറ്റ്. സെര്‍ച്ച് എഞ്ചിനുകളിലും സോഷ്യല്‍ മീഡിയയിലും വ്യാജ വാര്‍ത്തകള്‍ പെരുകുകയാണ്.  വ്യാജവാര്‍ത്തകള്‍ക്ക് പലപ്പോഴും ആകര്‍ഷകമായ തലക്കെട്ടുകളും തലക്കെട്ടുകളുടെ ക്രമീകരണവുമൊക്കെയാവും. അവിശ്വസനീയമെന്ന് തോന്നിപ്പിക്കും വിധം ഞെട്ടിപ്പിക്കു ന്ന പ്രയോഗങ്ങളും അവകാശവാദങ്ങളുമാവും അത്തരം തലക്കെട്ടുകളിലുണ്ടാവുക. അങ്ങനെയുള്ള തലക്കെട്ടുകളോടുകൂടിയ വാര്‍ത്തകള്‍ ശ്രദ്ധിക്കപ്പെട്ടാല്‍ അതൊരു വ്യാജവാര്‍ത്തയാവാനിടയുണ്ട്.   വ്യാജ വാർത്തകൾ സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയയിൽ കണ്ടയുടനെ അതിന്റെ ആധികാരികത ഉറപ്പ് വരുത്താതെ ഷെയർ ചെയ്യുന്നതാണ് ഇത്തരം വാർത്തകൾ നിർമിക്കുന്നവർക്ക് പ്രേരണയാകുന്നത്. അറിഞ്ഞോ അറിയാതെയോ പലരും ഈ വ്യാജ പ്രചാരങ്ങളുടെ വാഹകരാകുന്നു. സൗദി അറേബ്യയുടെ എല്ലാ മന്ത്രാലയങ്ങൾക്കും ഔദ്യോഗി ക സൈറ്റുകളുണ്ട്. മന്ത്രിസഭാ തീരുമാനങ്ങളും പുതിയ നിയമങ്ങളും അതിൽ അതാത് സമയങ്ങളിൽ രേഖപ്പെടുത്തും. ഇതിന് പുറമെ സൗദി അറേബ്യയുടെ ഔദ്യോഗിക വാർ...

  Lawyer becomes internet sensation after Zoom filter makes him look like kitten Previous Volume 90%   Presidio County lawyer Rod Ponton signed into the Zoom call for a civil forfeiture court hearing appearing a fluffy white kitten. (Screenshot) Next The short video clip, which was shared online by Ferguson, ends with others coaching the attorney on how to remove the cat filter LONDON: An attorney in Texas has become an internet sensation after accidentally leaving a kitten Zoom filter on during a virtual court hearing. Presidio County lawyer Rod Ponton signed into the Zoom call for a civil forfeiture court hearing appearing a fluffy white kitten, prompting Judge Roy Ferguson to alert him of his appearance.  “I'm here live. I'm not a cat,” Ponton replied, while explaining his assistant was trying to turn the filter off, to no avail. “I can see that,” replied Ferguson. The short video clip, which was shared online by Ferguson, ends with others coaching ...

 Social gathering norms violations: Four groups to face penalty February 07, 2021, Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH — The Public Prosecution has warned workers against the violation of social gathering protocols that were introduced to stem the spread of coronavirus. Four groups are to be subjected to stringent penalties for their criminal accountability. They are workers who gathered in violation of the social gathering norms; those who made invitations for the gathering; those who had a role in perpetrating the illegal gathering; and the official of the facility where the gathering was held. The Public Prosecution emphasized that the gathering of five or more workers inside homes or buildings under construction, rest houses, farms, and similar facilities other than their accommodation has been prohibited. It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Interior earlier announced penalties for violation of social gathering protocols by workers with gathering of five or more people in places other ...

 Saudi Central Bank to launch new 24/7 instant payments system ARAB NEWS, February 11, 2021 Recent figures showed that digital payment transactions in the Kingdom jumped by 75 percent last year as Saudis embraced online shopping.  SAMA will supervise the new system which, it said, would contribute to the country’s economic development by increasing the speed and efficiency of financial transactions Other benefits would include improved transparency of payments between companies and individuals, and options for customers to carry out immediate transfers between accounts RIYADH: The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) on Thursday announced the launch date for a new electronic instant payments system designed to make the Kingdom less dependent on cash. Following the successful completion of trials, the digital transactions scheme will be activated with participating banks on Feb. 21, according to Asharq Business. SAMA will supervise the new system which, it said, would contribute to the co...

  Jawazat launches Tawasul service for expats February 10, 2021 Saudi Gazette report RIYADH —  The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) announced on Wednesday the launch of the Tawasul service through the Muqeem portal, which will enable beneficiaries to get services and procedures done in the event of their non-implementation even after making the request. The new service will be made available without the need to personally contact the Jawazat offices. The Jawazat stated that the new service aims to enhance electronic transactions and communicate with the concerned officials at Jawazat offices as well as to reduce time and effort, in addition to raise the quality of services and speed of completion. The Jawazat said that launching of the Tawasul service is also part of the efforts to further strengthening its drive to deliver benefits of advanced technology while serving its customers.

Mexico to allow appeals on social media account cancelation Arabnews = 09 February 2021 A new proposed law in Mexico would allow anyone whose account is blocked or canceled to appeal the decision. The appeals would go first to the company’s own internal committees, which would have 24 hours to affirm or revoke the suspension. Users could then appeal to telecom regulators, and if they don’t like that decision, they could then further appeal  A new law proposed in Mexico would open the companies to fines of up to $4.4 million for violating users’ right to free speech. The proposal would allow anyone whose account is blocked or canceled to appeal the decision MEXICO CITY: The party of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador presented for public comment a proposed set of regulations on Twitter, Facebook and other social media companies. The new law proposed Monday by López Obrador’s Morena party would open the companies to fines of up to $4.4 million for violating users’ right to free sp...

ശീലങ്ങൾ നിലനിർത്താൻ  ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതൽ വിറ്റുപോയ ആറ്റോമിക് ശീലങ്ങൾ എന്ന പുസ്തകത്തിന്റെ  രചയിതാവ് ജെയിംസ് ക്ലിയർ നമ്മോടു  പറയുന്നു, ശീലങ്ങൾ നിലനിർത്താൻ സഹായിക്കുന്ന മൂന്ന് കാര്യങ്ങളുണ്ട്: 1) ആവർത്തനം . ശീലങ്ങൾ രൂപപ്പെടുന്നത്   ആവർത്തനം  അടിസ്ഥാനമാക്കിയാണ്,   2) സ്ഥിരമായ സാഹചര്യങ്ങൾ. സാഹചര്യങ്ങൾ എപ്പോഴും മാറികൊണ്ടിരിക്കുകയാണെങ്കിൽ  സ്വഭാവവും അങ്ങനെ തന്നെ മാറും . നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ആശ്രയിക്കാവുന്ന ഒരു അന്തരീക്ഷം ആവശ്യമാണ്. 3) പോസിറ്റീവ് വികാരങ്ങൾ. നമ്മൾ ചെയുന്ന ഒരു കാര്യം നല്ലതാണെന്ന് തോന്നുകയാണെങ്കിൽ, നിങ്ങൾ അത് ആവർത്തിക്കാൻ  ആഗ്രഹിക്കും . എന്റെ ചിന്തകൾ: 1) ആവർത്തനം - ഞാൻ ആഴ്ചയിൽ ഒരിക്കൽ എന്റെ ബ്ലോഗ് / വാർത്താക്കുറിപ്പ് എഴുതാൻ തുടങ്ങി. ഞാൻ ഇത് ആഴ്ചയിൽ മൂന്നുതവണയായി വർദ്ധിപ്പിച്ചു, ഇപ്പോൾ വർഷങ്ങളായി, എല്ലാ പ്രവൃത്തിദിവസവും ഞാൻ ഒരു പോസ്റ്റ് എഴുതുന്നു.  ആവർത്തനം വ്യക്തമായി ഒരു മാറ്റം വരുത്തി. 2) സ്ഥിരമായ സാഹചര്യങ്ങൾ. - എന്റെ നടത്തത്തിന്റെ പ്രധാന പ്രശ്നം കാലാവസ്ഥയാണ്. തണുപ്പുള്ളപ്പോൾ, വാതിൽക്കൽ നിന്ന് പുറത്തുകടക്കാൻ പ്രയാസമാണ്, പ്രത്യേകിച്ച് രാവിലെ....

Crown Prince announces 4 new laws to reform Saudi Arabia’s judicial institutions Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman has announced four new laws as part of measures to reform Saudi Arabia’s judicial institutions as well as to improve the “legislative environment” in the Kingdom, according to an official announcement. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH —   Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman announced on Monday that Saudi Arabia will introduce four key legislations this year as part of its reform measures to reform judicial institutions as well as to improve the “legislative environment” in the Kingdom, according to an official announcement. The new laws — the Personal Status Law, the Civil Transactions Law, the Penal Code for Discretionary Sanctions, and the Law of Evidence — represent a new wave of judicial reforms in the Kingdom. The reforms will help with the prediction of court rulings, the increase of the level of integrity and efficiency of judicial institutions, and will contribute to th...

 Google urging Arab web users to stay safe online Arabnews, TAREK ALI AHMAD (February 08, 2021) The #SaferArabicInternet campaign will look to turn the tide on the growing number of online fake news and conspiracy theory outlets in the region.   Campaign aimed at growing number of online fake news and conspiracy theory outlets in the region Daily tips will be shared between Feb. 9 and 15 through Google Arabia’s Facebook and Twitter accounts LONDON: Google has urged Internet users across the Middle East and North Africa to remain vigilant while surfing the web in a campaign to raise awareness about data and privacy. The #SaferArabicInternet campaign will look to turn the tide on the growing number of online fake news and conspiracy theory outlets in the region. “We’re committed to helping people across the region to learn more about how they and their loved ones can stay safe online and safeguard their privacy,” Dalia Elfiki, Google’s MENA Communications and Public Affairs...

Saudi legal reforms ‘to speed access to justice’ 08 February 2021 RAWAN RADWAN, Arabnews Crown Prince says previous discrepancies in court rulings hurt many — especially women Sweeping reforms will bring clarity and consistency to legal process JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is to implement sweeping reforms to the legal system to eliminate inconsistency, speed up verdicts and make the Kingdom’s judicial institutions more efficient. At the heart of the reforms are four new draft laws — a Personal Status Law, a Civil Transactions Law, a Penal Code for Discretionary Sanctions, and a Law of Evidence. The new laws would eliminate discrepancies and ensure consistency in court rulings, improve the reliability of oversight mechanisms, and clarify accountability, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said. The crown prince said discrepancies in court rulings had led to a lack of clarity, which had hurt many people, mostly women. “The absence of applicable legislation has led to discrepancies in decisions and ...

NCB plans name change to ‘Saudi National Bank’ after conclusion of intended merger with Samba February 01, 2021 Saudigazette JEDDAH –  National Commercial Bank (NCB) plans to change its name to ‘Saudi National Bank’ after conclusion of its intended merger with Samba Financial Group (Samba). The merger will create a new Saudi banking champion with more than SAR 837 billion ($223 billion) in assets, uniquely positioned to accelerate the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s banking landscape and deliver progress towards Vision 2030. Proposed name reflects the creation of a National Banking Champion for Saudi Arabia through the merger of two of the country’s leading banks. The next milestones in the merger journey are to receive regulatory approval for the transaction and for shareholders to approve the transaction in the Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM) for both banks. Saeed Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, Chairman of NCB, said: “This merger is about value creation for shareholders, customers and...

  Jawazat has also pointed out that dependents of the residents can register themselves on the platform using the resident identity numbers, while GCC citizens and those holding tourist visas can use their border entry numbers. Saudi Gazette report RIYADH —  Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states, dependents of residents, and visitors holding valid tourist visas can now make the most of the e-services being provided by Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry through its Absher platform. The move by the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) in cooperation with the National Information Center allows the new beneficiaries to register themselves on the electronic platform in order to avail the services, Jawazat said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Monday. Jawazat has also pointed out that dependents of the residents can register themselves on the platform using the resident identity numbers, while GCC citizens and those holding tourist visas can u...

  Saudi Gazette report RIYADH —  Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Eng. Ahmed Al-Rajhi issued an order on Monday to Saudize remote customer service professions, including direct and indirect contract jobs. The ministry said in a statement on Monday that this decision came in coordination and cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, which contributed to supporting and limiting companies operating in the private sector and benefiting from the decision. The ministerial decision also includes work contracts or outsourcing of services under which employers offer work remotely. The decision covers Saudization of all professions and jobs that are offered at remote customer service call centers, whether by phone, e-mail, chat, social media, direct interaction, and others. This decision aims to create more job opportunities for Saudis and help them improve their income level, besides contributing to supporting the Saudi economy and gr...