Franchise opportunities are booming in Saudi Arabia, as registrations soared by 866% over the past three years, predominantly driven by thriving tourism and hospitality sectors. This impressive growth is particularly evident in Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern Province, thanks to supportive Franchise Laws enhancing transparency.

Meanwhile, Lulu Hypermarket is celebrating its 15th anniversary in Saudi Arabia with the 'Super Fest 2024,' offering a generous SR25 million in discounts and exciting prizes. This celebration coincides with Lulu's recent IPO success, raising $1.72 billion, highlighting investor interest across the GCC.

In the world of sports, Cristiano Ronaldo led Al Nassr to a 3-1 victory with his impressive brace against Al Gharafa, inching them closer to the AFC Champions League knockout stages. Al Nassr's win was sealed, even as Al Gharafa played a man down following Seydou Sano's red card.

Turning to technology, Iraq is actively pursuing digital transformation and AI development, engaging with the Digital Cooperation Organization in Riyadh for potential collaboration. These efforts aim to elevate Iraq’s tech-skilled workforce and bolster economic growth through recent initiatives like the Digital Space Iraq Forum.

On the diplomatic front, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan joined a crucial meeting of G7 and Arab ministers in Italy, focusing on stability in the Middle East. The discussions stressed international cooperation, particularly advocating for humanitarian efforts in Gaza, Lebanon, and resolving the crisis in Sudan.

Lastly, Saudi Arabia is strengthening its diplomatic relations by engaging in productive meetings with both the United States and Ukraine. Minister Faisal Alibrahim and Deputy Minister Abdulrahman Al-Rassi held talks aimed at fostering collaboration and mutual interests, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s active international diplomacy.