Saudi Arabia News

Saudi Press Agency Launches Journalism Training Academy in Riyadh

Media Minister Salman bin Yousif Al Dossary inaugurated a new Saudi Press Agency academy that will work with international business schools to provide professional training for domestic journalists.

Public Investment Fund Creates Company to Develop Riyadh Expo 2030 Infrastructure

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund established Expo 2030 Riyadh Company to design, build and manage exhibition facilities intended to support construction, tourism and private-sector employment.

Saudi Crown Prince Weighs Military Response Against Effort to Preserve Yemen Detente

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman faces pressure to restore deterrence after renewed Houthi attacks while seeking to preserve Saudi Arabia’s broader diplomatic disengagement from the Yemeni conflict.

Saudi Arabia Prepares Global AI Summit in Riyadh as Technology Investment Expands

Saudi Arabia will host technology executives at the King Abdulaziz International Convention Centre for discussions on artificial intelligence regulation and development as the Kingdom increases investment in advanced computing.

Saudi Banks Use Localized AI Models to Cut Operating Costs

Saudi National Bank, Saudi Awwal Bank and other financial institutions are deploying artificial intelligence in credit underwriting and risk assessment, with reported transaction-cost reductions of as much as 40%.

Neom Green Hydrogen Project Advances Toward 600-Tonne Daily Production Target

The ACWA Power and Air Products-backed venture reported further construction progress on its solar- and wind-powered facility, which is designed to produce 600 tonnes of green hydrogen a day for export.

Saudi Public Investment Fund Prices Debut €1.6 Billion Green Bond

The Public Investment Fund completed its first euro-denominated green bond offering, raising €1.6 billion after investor demand exceeded the available securities by more than six times.

Saudi Unemployment Falls to 7% as Female Labor Participation Exceeds 34%

Saudi Arabia reached its Vision 2030 unemployment target six years early as private-sector hiring expanded and female labor-force participation climbed above 34%.

Neom Restructures $16 Billion in Contractor Agreements to Shift Investment Priorities

Neom is terminating several long-term construction contracts and redirecting spending toward digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and tourism assets as the $500 billion development recalibrates its capital plans.

Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure Expand Saudi Data Centers

Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure are scaling up domestic cloud infrastructure to comply with Saudi data-residency requirements and support the government’s target of attracting $18 billion in data-center investment.

Public Investment Fund and Saudi Aramco Establish Humain for AI Infrastructure Investment

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and state oil company launched Humain to invest across artificial intelligence infrastructure, including hyperscale data centers, cloud computing and locally developed large language models.

Saudi Public Investment Fund Assets Surpass $1.2 Trillion as Profit More Than Doubles

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund said assets exceeded $1.2 trillion while annual net profit rose to more than 65 billion riyals, strengthening its capacity to finance Vision 2030 projects and domestic investment.

Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Prime Minister’s Entry Into Golan Heights

The Saudi Foreign Ministry denounced the Israeli leader’s entry into the Golan Heights as a violation of Syrian sovereignty and international law, sharpening Riyadh’s criticism of Israeli territorial actions.

Saudi Arabia and Sudan Sign Deal to Rebuild Khartoum Refinery and Develop Port Sudan Facility

Saudi Arabia’s Twaik Group reached an agreement with Sudan to rehabilitate the war-damaged Khartoum refinery and build a new refinery at Port Sudan, expanding Saudi energy investment along the Red Sea.

Saudi Arabia Reroutes Crude Exports to Yanbu as Maritime Attacks Disrupt Regional Shipping

Saudi Arabia diverted millions of barrels of crude through its domestic pipeline network to Yanbu as maritime attacks and higher insurance costs threaten export routes and Brent crude trades above $100 a barrel.

United States Sends Military Advisers to Saudi Arabia as Houthi Operations Threaten Red Sea Shipping

The Pentagon deployed specialist personnel to Saudi Arabia to coordinate defenses against expanding Houthi operations as militant forces move toward the Bab al-Mandeb shipping chokepoint.

Houthi Drone and Missile Attack Hits Saudi Aramco Facilities and Abha Airport, Injuring 73

A coordinated Houthi assault targeted energy and civilian infrastructure in southern Saudi Arabia, injuring 73 people and temporarily disrupting operations at several sites as the regional conflict escalates.

Saudi Arabia Declares September 23 Paid National Day Holiday

The government confirmed September 23, 2026, as a mandatory paid holiday for employees in the private and nonprofit sectors across the Kingdom.

Neom Sports Club Prepares to Host Saudi League Champion Al Hilal

Neom Sports Club is set to face reigning champion Al Hilal in the Roshn Saudi League as investment continues to expand the commercial profile of domestic football.

Saudi Tadawul Index Slips 0.2% Amid Regional Tensions

The Tadawul All Share Index closed near 11,000 points on turnover of almost SAR4 billion as investors weighed resilient non-oil data against geopolitical and energy-market uncertainty.

Saudi Event Show Draws More Than 5,500 Industry Professionals to Riyadh

International organizers, technology suppliers and government representatives gathered in the capital as Saudi Arabia continues expanding its entertainment, sports and business-events industries.

Saudi Arabia Promotes Red Sea Fisheries Protection at UN Food Agency Meetings

Saudi officials in Rome reaffirmed commitments to combat illegal fishing and strengthen sustainable fisheries management as part of national food-security and environmental policies.

Saudi Arabia Backs UK Ban on Goods From Israeli Settlements

Saudi Arabia and seven other Islamic countries welcomed Britain’s decision to prohibit imports produced in Israeli settlements, reiterating support for Palestinian sovereignty.

Saudi Arabia Registers 26 New National Parks in Global Protected-Area Database

More than 5,000 square kilometers across 26 parks were added to the World Database on Protected Areas as the Kingdom pursues its goal of protecting 30% of terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030.

Saudi Delivery Sector Processes 132 Million Orders as Digital Commerce Expands

Delivery and e-commerce activity grew 30% in the second quarter of 2026, with 132 million orders processed as online consumer spending continued to rise.

Saudia Cargo Plans to Double Fleet and Expand Use of AI

The freight carrier intends to increase its aircraft fleet while deploying artificial intelligence for route planning and operational management across its global logistics network.

Riyadh Air Launches Direct Flights to Manila

The PIF-backed airline began Boeing 787 services between Riyadh and the Philippines, adding its 13th international destination and expanding Saudi connectivity with Southeast Asia.

PIF Launches Al-Khafji Gulf Coast Tourism Development

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund unveiled a 20-square-kilometer development featuring 16,000 homes and 1,400 hotel rooms as it expands domestic tourism infrastructure.

Global Companies Expand Investment in Saudi Gas and Desalination Infrastructure

International suppliers including JSW Infrastructure and Welspun Corporation are increasing capacity and investment to support Saudi natural-gas transmission and water-desalination projects.

Saudi Business Confidence Reaches 18-Month High

The Kingdom’s Business Confidence Index rose to 56.7 points in August 2026 as companies reported stronger expectations for investment and employment across industrial and service sectors.

Saudi Non-Oil Economy Grows 0.9% in Second Quarter

The General Authority for Statistics said non-oil activity expanded 0.9% year on year in the second quarter of 2026 despite volatility in the Kingdom’s overall oil-driven economy.

Saudi PIF Raises 2030 Asset Target to $2.67 Trillion

The Public Investment Fund increased its assets-under-management goal by 43% after expanding rapidly and acquiring an additional 8% stake in Saudi Aramco.

Saudi and Qatari Foreign Ministers Coordinate Response to Houthi Attacks

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed the strikes on Saudi energy infrastructure and efforts to reduce Gulf tensions.

Saudi Arabia Condemns Iranian Strikes on Jordan

The Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed support for Jordan and condemned Iranian attacks on its territory as regional hostilities continue to expand.

U.S. and Saudi Arabia Advance Talks on Nuclear Technology Cooperation

Officials in Washington and Riyadh have reached an advanced understanding on a framework that could allow the United States to transfer civilian nuclear energy technology to Saudi Arabia.

Iran Announces Restricted Shipping Corridor Through Strait of Hormuz

Iran plans to establish a controlled maritime zone in the Strait of Hormuz and penalize vessels that breach it, increasing risks for Saudi and international energy shipments through the Gulf.

Houthi Strikes Hit Southern Saudi Arabia, Disrupting Aramco Operations and Injuring Dozens

Missile and drone attacks on Abha, Jazan and Najran caused 73 casualties and temporarily disrupted some Saudi Aramco operations, while Brent crude approached $95 a barrel and oil flows were redirected through Yanbu.

Riyadh Season Organizers Forecast Record Attendance

Saudi event organizers and hospitality companies expect the upcoming Riyadh Season to draw record domestic and international visitor numbers as the Kingdom continues expanding its entertainment and tourism sectors.

Saudi Arabia Expands Global Sports Investments Through Boxing and Golf

The Public Investment Fund is adding sponsorships and event-hosting agreements in boxing and golf as Saudi Arabia continues using international sport to expand its global profile.

Saudi Water Authority Expands Reverse Osmosis to Cut Desalination Energy Use

The national water authority is replacing older thermal desalination facilities with more efficient reverse-osmosis plants powered increasingly by renewable energy.

Saudi Venture Capital Funding Reaches New Highs as Fintech and Digital Retail Expand

Startups in Riyadh and Jeddah are attracting record levels of regional investment, with sovereign funds and international investors increasing exposure to financial technology and digital consumer businesses.

Neom Prioritizes Sindalah and Trojena as Giga-Project Spending Is Rebalanced

Neom is concentrating resources on operations at Sindalah and continuing essential construction at the Trojena mountain resort following budget adjustments across the wider development program.

Riyadh Air Accelerates Fleet and Route Planning Ahead of Commercial Launch

The Public Investment Fund-backed airline is stepping up talks with aircraft manufacturers and regulators as it prepares to establish a broad international network from Riyadh.

Saudi Aramco Raises September LPG Prices Ahead of Winter Demand

Aramco set September propane prices at $625 per tonne and butane at $660, providing new benchmarks for petrochemical buyers and Asian refiners amid volatile energy markets.

Saudi Crown Prince Holds Talks With Omani, Egyptian and Greek Leaders on Trade Routes

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman briefed the Cabinet on discussions with leaders from Oman, Egypt and Greece covering Red Sea and Mediterranean shipping security and cross-border economic cooperation.