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Saudi Arabia Denies Plans to Lift 73-Year-Old Alcohol Ban

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Riyadh, May 27, 2025: The Saudi government has denied recent media reports claiming that the Kingdom plans to lift its 73-year-old ban on alcohol sales by 2026. A senior Saudi official clarified that alcohol remains strictly prohibited for Muslims in the country and that the Kingdom continues to uphold Islamic principles.

Speculation arose following reports suggesting that Saudi Arabia, as part of its Vision 2030 reforms and in preparation for Riyadh Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, was planning to allow regulated alcohol sales in luxury hotels, resorts, and diplomatic zones—potentially at around 600 locations nationwide.

However, the official rejected these claims, stating that the ban on alcohol, in place since 1952, applies to both citizens and foreign nationals. He reaffirmed that there are no plans to lift the ban and emphasized the country’s commitment to preserving its religious and cultural traditions while moving forward with economic and tourism-related reforms.

In January 2024, a shop in Riyadh was granted permission to sell alcohol exclusively to non-Muslim diplomats under strict regulations. This move was seen as a measure to curb the black market and illegal importation of alcohol, rather than a step toward general legalization.

In February 2025, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, confirmed that alcohol would not be allowed during the 2034 FIFA World Cup. He emphasized that while the Kingdom welcomes visitors, it will do so within the framework of its cultural values and will not compromise them.

While a few exceptions have been made under controlled conditions, the long-standing ban on alcohol remains firmly in place, with no official plans to reverse it. Saudi Arabia continues to pursue its economic diversification goals under Vision 2030 while maintaining its religious and cultural identity.

Maharashtra

Opposition protests against the government for declaring Wari as urban Naxal

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Mumbai: On the fourth day in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, the opposition created a ruckus over declaring Wari as urban Naxal and has made serious allegations against the government of insulting Wari. On the fourth day of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, the opposition has made several serious allegations against the ministers of the government while protesting on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan. The ministers included in the cabinet of the state government are misusing their powers and occupying government lands in the state.

Just as the ruling front is trying to defame the holy pilgrimage of Hinduism, Wari, by calling Vitthurai and Warkars urban Naxalites and urban Maoists, in the same way it is insulting Wari Palkhi. This is reprehensible. Members of the Maha Vikas Aghadi staged a strong protest on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan against the ruling front and accused the government of insulting Wari. In this demonstration, the members also raised slogans cursing the government and said that due to the scamster government, farmers are dying of hunger and the ministers are calling the laborers urban Naxalites. Shiv Sena leader of opposition Ambadas Danve, Vijay Varditwar, Sachin Ahir, Jitendra Ahawat etc. participated in this protest.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra Urdu Academy should be formed, funds and staff should be appointed for the promotion of Urdu language Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: Mumbai Maharashtra Legislative Assembly member Abu Asim Azmi has demanded the immediate formation of Urdu Academy to promote Urdu. He said that academies of other languages ​​including Gujarati and Marathi are active, but the condition of Urdu Academy is pathetic. Earlier there were 25 employees in this academy, but now only the superintendent is left. The remaining 24 have retired. The government needs to pay attention to the plight of Urdu.

The formation of this academy will promote Urdu. Azmi demanded that the Urdu Academy is facing difficulties due to the provision of funds. He said that the government allocates Rs 1 crore on paper, but this fund is not provided. Abu Asim Azmi said that Urdu is the language of our country. Whenever the Chief Minister or any other minister speaks in the House, they resort to Urdu poetry. But when it comes to the establishment of Urdu Academy and the development of Urdu language, the government is doing injustice

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Maharashtra

On the third day of Maharashtra Assembly, the opposition protested against the corruption of Rs 3000 crore.

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Mumbai: On the third day of Maharashtra Assembly in Mumbai, the opposition accused the ruling party of corruption and protested on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan, accusing the government of giving contracts to every company of its choice. The state’s construction and development department has given a contract of Rs 3000 crore to Mahagathbandhan government’s Megha Engineering Company. Many shortcomings have been found in the work of this company, but despite this it is dear to the government. Therefore, slogans were raised on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan that giving contract to this company is condemnable. Opposition members were also holding banner posters of contractor Megha Engineering, in which the picture of the owner of Megha Company was also visible. The opposition has intensified its protest against corruption in the Mahagathbandhan government. Shiv Sena opposition leader Ambadas Danve, Congress members and all parties including Congress protested loudly on the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan and drew the attention of the government towards this.

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