ABHA, 29 March 2007 — Here’s a great idea: Instead of getting a driver’s license, live your life planning to talk traffic police out of caring whether you have one. This is precisely what a citizen in this southwestern Saudi city has decided to do. According to a report in yesterday’s Al-Madinah daily, the man said his strategy has worked for the past 20 years, and he doesn’t see any reason to bother getting a driver’s license at this point.
One Year, 300 Lashes Multiplied by 2
Arab News
BAHA — After a father took his son to court for torching two of his vehicles, a judged sentenced the 26-year-old man to one year in prison and 300 lashes. The daily Al-Watan reported yesterday that the son asked for the judge to double his sentence, without elaborating.
Well, That’s One Way to Stop a Bus
Arab News
BAHA — A man in this southwestern Saudi city had an idea on how to get city buses to stop when they appear ready to swoop past. The daily Al-Riyadh reported yesterday that the 50-year-old man simply decided to walk in front of the bus to wave it down. It worked, but not after the bus had to swerve, nearly colliding with another vehicle. According to the report, the man then patiently walked to the door and tapped on it lightly to get the driver to let him in.
Rescuing Those That Rescue
Arab News
HAIL — Rain fell in Hail, the centrally located Saudi city, recently and a group of young men went out in the desert to enjoy the weather after the downpour. But according to the daily Al-Riyadh, the desert excursion turned into a rescue operation when the men found a family trapped in a car in a flooding ravine. The men were injured rescuing the family, and had to be rescued themselves by the Saudi Red Crescent Society.
Hospital Staff Lose Key to Morgue
Arab News
JEDDAH — Hospital officials had to break through a heavy steel morgue door after losing the keys, the daily Okaz reported yesterday. The family of a deceased man showed up to claim the body when the staffers couldn’t find the keys to the fridge door. After about four hours, with the family growing increasingly anxious due to the burial that was scheduled to take place that day, hospital officials had to break into the morgue.