Saudi Arabia News

Modern Slavery Decisions Broaden the Al Fayed Inquiry’s Frame

At least five women who say they were abused by Mohamed Al Fayed have received formal recognition as victims of modern slavery, adding official weight to the trafficking dimension of the wider investigation.

FIFA’s Retreat Leaves a Larger Question Over Who Guards the Game

Gianni Infantino has abandoned a private-investment plan for football’s most valuable commercial rights, but the revolt it provoked has widened into a dispute over FIFA’s power, process and future leadership.

Saudi International Sports Events Face Disruption as Regional Security Concerns Affect Major Tournaments

The 2026 Esports World Cup was moved to Paris after organizers relocated the event from Saudi Arabia because of regional security concerns, following disruption to other planned international sporting events.

AlUla Expands Sustainable Tourism Model With Visitor Limits and Heritage Protection Measures

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla is developing a low-impact tourism strategy that limits visitor numbers and uses ranger-led management to protect archaeological sites while attracting high-value international travelers.

Saudi Arabia Launches Global Women’s Golf Series Through PIF and Golf Saudi Partnership

The Public Investment Fund and Golf Saudi have announced the 2026 PIF Global Series, a fifteen million United States dollar women’s golf circuit featuring five tournaments across three continents, including a new LPGA-sanctioned event in...

Saudi Aramco Raises August LPG Prices as Global Demand Strengthens

Saudi Aramco increased August official selling prices for propane and butane by forty United States dollars per metric tonne, reflecting stronger international demand for liquefied petroleum gas and petrochemical inputs.

Saudi PIF-Backed HUMAIN Partners With MOZN to Expand Artificial Intelligence Development

HUMAIN, a technology company backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has invested in Riyadh-based enterprise AI firm MOZN as the Kingdom advances its artificial intelligence ambitions during its declared Year of AI.

Saudi Arabia Reports Higher Foreign Investment and Lower Unemployment in First Quarter Economic Update

Foreign direct investment into Saudi Arabia reached seven billion United States dollars in the first quarter of 2026, while unemployment among Saudi citizens declined to six point four percent as economic diversification efforts continue.

Neom Project Enters Major Reset as Saudi Arabia Scales Back The Line Development Plans

Saudi Arabia’s Neom megaproject is undergoing a strategic review, with The Line’s 2030 population target reduced to one hundred thousand residents and resources redirected toward projects including artificial intelligence data centres an...

Saudi Aramco Cuts Asian Oil Prices by Eleven Dollars per Barrel in Major Market Move

Saudi Aramco has reduced its August Official Selling Price for Arab Light crude to Asian customers by eleven dollars per barrel, the company’s largest monthly price cut since 2003 as it responds to changing global market conditions.

Saudi Arabia Prepares Military Options Against Houthis as Red Sea Security Tensions Rise

Riyadh is reviewing possible military responses after renewed Houthi attacks affecting regional shipping and energy interests, including options involving Saudi air and logistical support for allied Yemeni forces.

Public Investment Fund Approves 2026–2030 Strategy Focused on Investment Returns and Domestic Growth

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has approved a new five-year strategy shifting from rapid expansion toward stronger investment performance, with greater focus on domestic industries, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing,...

Saudi Crown Prince Pushes United States Toward Diplomatic Solution Instead of Military Strike on Iran

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, alongside leaders from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, urged United States President Donald Trump to abandon a planned large-scale strike on Iran and pursue negotiations aimed at reducing regio...

Saudi Businesses Increase Artificial Intelligence Adoption Across Key Industries

Artificial intelligence adoption among Saudi companies has exceeded 33%, with Saudi Aramco, the Public Investment Fund and government institutions expanding the use of machine learning in logistics, manufacturing and financial services.

Saudi PIF Adjusts Vision 2030 Projects Toward Private Investment and Financial Returns

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is reshaping some tourism and infrastructure projects by slowing certain large-scale developments and increasing focus on phased delivery, private-sector participation and financial returns.

Saudi Domestic Tourism Rises 16% as International Arrivals Face Regional Pressure

Domestic travel in Saudi Arabia increased 16% to nearly 29 million trips in the first quarter of 2026, helping offset a 13% decline in international visitors caused by regional geopolitical uncertainty.

Saudi Venture Capital Funding Falls 74% but Kingdom Remains Regional Startup Leader

Saudi Arabia’s venture capital investment dropped to $219 million in the first half of 2026 amid a global funding slowdown, although the Kingdom maintained the largest share of startup financing in the Middle East and North Africa, parti...

Saudi Arabia Attracts $7 Billion in Foreign Direct Investment in First Quarter of 2026

Foreign direct investment into Saudi Arabia rose 2.4% year-on-year to $7 billion in the first quarter of 2026, supported by government policy changes, investment activity and a lower unemployment rate among Saudi citizens.

Saudi Foreign Real Estate Ownership Rules Open New Investment Opportunities

Saudi Arabia’s 2026 property ownership law for non-Saudis allows registered foreign buyers to purchase real estate in designated city zones and government-backed development areas, with new digital registration requirements and a fixed t...

IMF Praises Saudi Fiscal Reforms and Public Investment Fund Strategy Shift

The International Monetary Fund said Saudi Arabia has made progress on non-oil revenue growth, fiscal consolidation and financial sector stability, while highlighting changes to the Public Investment Fund’s approach toward greater privat...

Saudi Arabia and United States Reach Civilian Nuclear Technology Agreement

A new agreement allowing Saudi Arabia to pursue uranium enrichment for civilian nuclear power has increased attention from global energy investors as the Kingdom advances plans to diversify its domestic energy infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia’s Non-Oil Economy Expands as Oil Output Limits Weigh on Growth

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economic activity grew 0.6% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, according to official estimates, while overall GDP declined 4.8% due to a 24.7% contraction in oil sector activity linked to production restri...

Saudi Airlines and Gulf Carriers Reroute Flights as Regional Security Risks Increase

Saudi Arabia’s Saudia, along with Emirates and Etihad Airways, has adjusted flight schedules and suspended some routes as military tensions between the United States and Iran create uncertainty over regional airspace access.

Saudi Public Investment Fund Wins Approval for $55 Billion Electronic Arts Takeover

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has secured final regulatory approvals for its $55 billion leveraged buyout of U.S. video game publisher Electronic Arts, with the deal expected to close on August 4 and give the fund control of a 93...

OPEC+ Approves September Oil Production Increase of 188,000 Barrels Per Day

Saudi Arabia and six other core OPEC+ members agreed to raise oil output by 188,000 barrels per day from September 2026, completing the planned reversal of voluntary production cuts introduced in 2023.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Urges Trump to Avoid Military Strikes on Iran

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called on U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend planned strikes against Iran during a critical weekend discussion, warning that diplomacy was needed to prevent a wider regional conflict an...

Finland Deploys Commercial-Scale Thermal Batteries Using Crushed Rock to Store Renewable Grid Energy

A 100-megawatt-hour thermal storage system in Pornainen has eliminated the municipal heating network's reliance on oil, as engineers test bidirectional power conversion.

Valued at $109 Million: F-35B Fighter Jet Crashes in Southern California

Valued at $109 Million: F-35B Fighter Jet Crashes in Southern California

An advanced stealth aircraft went down in an open field near San Diego, prompting a Class A military accident investigation after the pilot safely ejected.

Red Sea Global Expands Solar-Powered Luxury Tourism Projects

Red Sea Global has completed additional off-grid luxury island resorts powered by solar energy and sustainable desalination systems, supporting Saudi Arabia's environmental and tourism goals.

Saudi Housing Fund Approves New Residential Financing Support

The Real Estate Development Fund has approved thousands of new subsidized home financing packages across Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province to help raise national homeownership under Vision 2030.

Saudi Education Ministry Launches AI and Quantum Technology Scholarship Program

Saudi Arabia has introduced a specialized overseas scholarship initiative focused on artificial intelligence, robotics and quantum technologies under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program.

Jubail and Yanbu Secure New Petrochemical Investment Agreements

The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu has signed multi-billion-dollar industrial agreements to expand specialty petrochemical manufacturing and downstream production in both industrial cities.

Saudi Health Ministry Opens National Genomics and Biotechnology Center

The Ministry of Health has launched a biotechnology and genomics research hub in Riyadh to support precision medicine, genetic testing and pharmaceutical research.

Public Investment Fund Expands Sports Tourism Through Global Events

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Ministry of Sport announced new investments and hosting rights for major esports tournaments, Formula One races and professional golf events to boost tourism and entertainment.

Saudi Water Authority Expands Solar-Powered Desalination Capacity

The Saudi Water Authority has completed a major expansion of a solar-powered desalination facility in the Eastern Province to improve long-term water security while reducing energy consumption.

Saudi Central Bank Reports Strong Banking Growth

The Saudi Central Bank said commercial banks continued to expand, supported by robust mortgage lending and growing adoption of digital payment platforms.

Diriyah Launches New Phase of Luxury Hotels and Cultural Development

The Diriyah Gate Development Authority has begun construction on additional luxury hotels, museums and residential projects to further develop the historic area near Riyadh as a leading heritage and tourism destination.

Saudi Ports Expand Container Capacity at Dammam and Yanbu

The Saudi Ports Authority, Mawani, has upgraded container handling capacity at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and Yanbu Commercial Port, strengthening the kingdom's role as a regional logistics hub.

Saudi Arabia Leads Regional Diplomatic Efforts on Humanitarian Stability

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched coordinated talks with regional and international partners to support humanitarian assistance and encourage long-term stability across conflict-affected areas in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia Launches New AI and Cloud Computing Partnerships

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has formed joint ventures with global technology companies to expand cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence development centers across the kingdom.

Saudi Press