Saudi introduces free visa for foreign scientists, experts
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia will grant visas free of charge to foreign scientists and experts, in a move that primarily aims at improving its health sector, media reports said on Sunday.
Secretary general of the Saudi Health Council Ahmed Al Aamiri praised the decision made by the cabinet last week, Xinhua reported.
Aamiri said the new visa policy was approved as part of various health initiatives suggested by the council to promote the health sector.
The new visa, which will be provided only to those who have proven their competency in different fields, is expected to attract top foreign experts who will take part in the research programmes in the kingdom.
The experts, especially health specialists, could contribute to the major steps the kingdom has been taking to implement various reforms.
Notably, they will help Saudi deal with serious medical issues, including preventing the spread of contagious diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus that caused many deaths since 2012.
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SP leader’s 'blue drum' gift to UP Deputy CM sparks political controversy over Meerut murder case
Meerut: The murder of Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput in Meerut has sparked a political debate after Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Deepak Ranjan presented a blue drum to Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak at an event in Lucknow on Tuesday. The gesture, captured in viral images, was seen as a jibe at the state’s law and order situation.
Rajput’s wife, Muskan Rastogi, confessed to killing him with the help of her lover, Sahil Shukla. The duo dismembered Rajput’s body and concealed it in a blue drum filled with cement. The crime has turned the blue drum into a chilling symbol, widely referenced in memes and social media discussions.
SP leader Ranjan’s act of gifting a blue drum has ignited debate over governance and security in Uttar Pradesh. The move, made during the ‘Lantrani Hasya Utsav’ event in Lucknow, has further intensified political discourse.
The case has also affected sales of blue drums, particularly in Meerut and Aligarh, where shopkeepers report a decline due to public apprehension. Some sellers have urged people not to stigmatise the item.
Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla remain in jail, facing trial for the gruesome murder.
Fogg से भी ज़्यादा चलने वाला आइटम ये नीला ड्रम ही है । अब तो लोग उप मुख्यमंत्री तक को गिफ्ट कर रहे है
— Amrish Srivastava🇮🇳 (@amrishsonu) April 2, 2025
सपा प्रवक्ता दीपक रंजन ने DCM ब्रजेश पाठक को नीला ड्रम भेंट किये... @brajeshpathakup @DeepakRanjanSP @yadavakhilesh pic.twitter.com/2axEC2XEKt
