Saudi Arabia News

Saudi Arabia Expands Cultural Programmes for International Umrah Guests

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has organised orientation and heritage programmes for international pilgrims participating in the official Umrah and Visit programme, combining religious hospitality with cultural activities.

Saudi Pro League Draws Continued International Attention During Autumn Fixtures

Saudi Pro League clubs are continuing their autumn schedules with prominent international players attracting global media coverage as football remains a central part of the kingdom’s sports development strategy.

Saudi Media Forum Plans More Than 300 Speakers for 2027 Riyadh Edition

Organisers of the Saudi Media Forum say the 2027 event in Riyadh is expected to host more than 300 speakers and 250 international media organisations focused on digital transformation and cross-border industry cooperation.

Saudi Tourism Authority Targets European and Asian Visitors for Autumn and Winter

Saudi Arabia has launched new tourism campaigns promoting AlUla, Diriyah and Red Sea destinations to travellers in Europe and Asia ahead of the peak cooler-season travel period.

Saudi Researchers Expand Quantum Computing and Semiconductor Projects

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology is advancing domestic and international research partnerships in semiconductor design and quantum information systems as part of Saudi Arabia’s national research priorities.

Saudi Arabia Updates Intellectual Property Rules for Digital Innovation

The Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property has introduced revised patent examination procedures and stronger digital copyright enforcement as the kingdom seeks to support technology startups and attract foreign venture capital.

Riyadh Grade A Office Demand Rises as Multinationals Expand Regional Headquarters

Commercial property activity in Riyadh is strengthening as multinational companies establish regional headquarters, driving leasing demand and investment into prime office districts.

Saudi Arabia Sends 500,000 Litres of Drinking Water to Gaza

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has delivered 500,000 litres of clean drinking water across several areas of Gaza as part of ongoing emergency assistance for civilians.

Saudi Arabia Launches Biotech Data Regulatory Sandbox in Riyadh

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority has joined the Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit and introduced a regulatory sandbox with the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center to support precision medicine...

Public Investment Fund Advances Five-Year Strategy for Domestic Industry and Long-Term Returns

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is continuing its five-year investment framework across Vision, Strategic and Financial portfolios, with a focus on building domestic industries, supporting private-sector partnerships and creating l...

Saudi Arabia Reinforces Southern Border Security While Backing Yemeni Political Settlement

Saudi diplomatic and defence authorities are maintaining heightened security along the southern border while reiterating support for a comprehensive Yemeni-led political settlement aimed at long-term regional stability.

Saudi Arabia Urges UN Security Council to Condemn Houthi Drone and Missile Attacks

Saudi Arabia has called on the United Nations Security Council to take a firm position after drone and missile strikes targeted civilian and economic sites in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran.

Brent Crude Rises Above $105 as Middle East Supply Risks Intensify

Brent crude has climbed above $105 a barrel as regional conflict, restrictions on shipping routes and supply adjustments increase concerns over energy availability and add inflationary pressure to global markets.

Saudi Arabia Shuts East-West Oil Pipeline After Security Incidents

Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry has temporarily closed the strategic East-West oil pipeline after attacks affected infrastructure sites, while technical teams assess safety and secure the corridor amid heightened regional tensions.

Saudi Medical Team Completes Kingdom’s First Corneal Retrieval Procedure

The Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation said its medical teams completed the country’s first successful corneal retrieval, expanding domestic tissue-transplant capabilities.

Riyadh Launches Professional Robot Sports League With Plans for International Expansion

Saudi Arabia has launched what the source notes describe as the world’s first professional robot sports league in Riyadh, with plans to take the competition to eight international cities over the next year.

Intel and Hewlett Packard Expand AI Operations in Saudi Arabia

Intel and Hewlett Packard are increasing their presence in the Kingdom through new innovation hubs and operating facilities aimed at serving rising demand for artificial-intelligence computing infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia Captures 93% of Gulf E-Commerce Investment

Regional data cited in the source notes shows Saudi Arabia attracting 93% of e-commerce venture-capital and infrastructure investment across the Gulf Cooperation Council this year as online retail and logistics expand.

Roshn Taps JPMorgan to Seek International Capital for 2034 World Cup Stadium Project

Public Investment Fund-owned developer Roshn has reportedly hired JPMorgan to lead an equity fundraising process for a new stadium complex planned ahead of Saudi Arabia’s 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Saudi Mining and Quarrying Output Rises 19% in July

Saudi Arabia reported a 19% increase in mining activity as the government promotes investment aimed at developing mineral resources estimated at $1.3 trillion.

Saudi Tourism Revenue Reaches $81 Billion as Kingdom Pursues 150 Million Annual Visitors

The Tourism Ministry said revenues have reached $81 billion and now account for 5% of gross domestic product as Saudi Arabia works toward its revised target of 150 million visitors a year by 2030.

Saudi Telecom Partners With Astranis on Dedicated National Communications Satellite

Saudi Telecommunications Company has agreed with Astranis Space Technologies to launch a geostationary satellite providing dedicated national connectivity as part of a broader $8 billion communications infrastructure programme.

Saudi PIF Opens Shanghai Office to Expand Investment Links With China

The Public Investment Fund inaugurated a Shanghai office to facilitate cross-border investment and attract additional Chinese technology and manufacturing capital into Saudi projects.

Saudi AI Company Humain Prepares for IPO 16 Months After Launch

Humain is preparing for an initial public offering after expanding its Arabic large-language model, enterprise products and infrastructure partnerships with technology companies including Nvidia and Amazon Web Services.

Saudi AI Firm Humain Begins Construction of 360-Megawatt Neom Data Centre

State-backed Humain has broken ground on a 360-megawatt hyperscale data centre in Neom’s Oxagon industrial district with DataVolt, with the project planned to run entirely on renewable energy.

Saudi PIF Acquires 93% of Electronic Arts for $55 Billion and Sells Majority Al-Hilal Stake

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund acquired a 93% stake in Electronic Arts for $55 billion while selling 70% of football club Al-Hilal, shifting more of its sports and entertainment exposure toward global gaming.

Saudi Arabia Consults Iran as Gulf Security Deteriorates

Saudi officials held talks with Iranian counterparts as Riyadh sought to preserve bilateral ties and prevent a wider conflict following reported clashes involving Iranian forces and a US unmanned vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi Aramco Crude Exports Fall to Lowest Level in More Than Three Decades

Saudi crude exports dropped to just over 3 million barrels a day last month, according to maritime analytics cited in the source notes, as Red Sea attacks and Strait of Hormuz disruption forced longer and more expensive shipping routes.

Saudi Arabia Warns UN Security Council It Reserves Right to Respond to Houthi Attacks

Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz al-Wasel condemned attacks on civilian and economic infrastructure during an emergency Security Council meeting and said Riyadh retained its right to military self-defence.

Brent Crude Tops $100 After Houthi Attacks Disrupt Saudi Energy Infrastructure

Brent crude rose above $100 a barrel after Houthi forces captured Yemen’s Mocha port and launched drone and missile attacks that injured 73 people and disrupted Saudi Aramco facilities, increasing risks to regional energy exports.

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.

Saudi Arabia Says 97% of Public Services Are Fully Digitized

The Kingdom said more than 97% of government services are now digital, with biometric authentication supporting customs, licensing and tax procedures for citizens and foreign investors.

Sindalah Completes Tourism Facilities as Neom Expands Luxury Red Sea Offering

Neom’s Sindalah island development completed hospitality and yachting facilities, bringing the luxury maritime destination to operational readiness as Saudi Arabia expands its high-end tourism sector.

Trojena Accelerates Construction Ahead of Asian Winter Games

Neom developers reported progress on hospitality and sporting infrastructure at the Trojena mountain resort as work continues toward the deadline for hosting the Asian Winter Games.

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.