Topic
Saudi Arabia
Stories tagged Saudi Arabia
Steve Harvey-Backed MELT Live Eyes GCC Growth in 2027
MELT Live, the entertainment company chaired by global TV star and entrepreneur Steve Harvey, is reportedly preparing a major GCC expansion across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait from Q4 2026, with regional growth set to accelerate into 2027.
25 May 2026
FIFA PASS 2026: Priority US Visa for Gulf Fans Explained
The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia has opened FIFA World Cup 2026 visitor visa applications for ticket holders through FIFA PASS — the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System. Gulf fans with official FIFA tickets can now book a priority B1/B2 visa interview, skipping months-long
22 May 2026
Saudi Film Commission Raises Production Rebate to 60%
Saudi Arabia's film sector scored a major global breakthrough after the Saudi Film Commission raised its cash rebate for international productions to as much as 60 percent of eligible local spending — one of the highest ceilings in the world, announced at the Cannes Film
17 May 2026
Saudi Researcher Turns Date Pits Into Artificial Bone
Saudi researcher Sali Al-Harbi has developed artificial bone material from date pits, targeting fracture repair. Early tests on rabbits found the material mirrors human bone in structure, density, and calcium composition — a first in Gulf biomedical science.
26 Apr 2026
Who Is Model Roz? The Saudi Star Breaking Barriers
Model Roz — real name Rawan Abdullah Abu Zaid — is the Saudi fashion model and influencer who became the first Arab woman to appear in a Victoria's Secret PINK campaign and starred on Netflix's Dubai Bling Season 3.
20 Apr 2026
Red Sea International Film Festival 2026: Dec 3–12 in Jeddah
The Red Sea International Film Festival 2026 has confirmed its dates: December 3–12 at the festival headquarters in Al-Balad, Jeddah. The sixth edition promises competition cinema, short films, emerging Saudi talent, and the kind of star-studded red carpets that have made it one
18 Apr 2026
Boulevard Flowers Riyadh Season with Abdulaziz Aldjlah
Boulevard Flowers at Riyadh Season is a 215,000 sqm park with over 200 million flowers, restaurants, shops, and live entertainment. Abdulaziz Aldjlah gives this dazzling Saudi Arabia attraction the spotlight it deserves.
18 Apr 2026
AlUla Skies Festival 2026: Saudi Arabia's Balloon Event
The AlUla Skies Festival 2026 transformed Saudi Arabia's desert April 17–26 with 30 hot air balloons over Hegra, illuminated Glow Shows, certified Dark Sky stargazing, VOX Moonlight Cinema at Maraya, and Nancy Ajram live at Thanaya.
1 Apr 2026
Saudi Arabia Wedding Trends Dubai Didn't See Coming
Saudi Arabia wedding trends are taking over timelines. A Jeddah couple exchanged vows underwater in the Red Sea, and a professional skater staged a full roller-skating wedding. These are not one-off stunts — they signal a genuine shift in how Saudi couples celebrate, and Dubai
31 Mar 2026
Spotify SongDNA Launches in UAE and Saudi Arabia
Spotify has quietly added something new for listeners in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. It is called SongDNA, currently in beta for Premium users, and it opens up everything behind a song — from writers and producers to samples, interpolations, and covers — right inside the Now
26 Mar 2026
Aquarabia Qiddiya City Is Now Open for Early Access
Aquarabia Qiddiya City, the largest water park in the Middle East, has kicked off its soft launch near Riyadh. The 250,000-square-metre park features 22 rides including four world-record attractions, and Dubai residents are already adding it to their regional travel plans.
23 Mar 2026
Saudi Flag Day 2026: Date, History and Celebrations
Saudi Flag Day 2026 is observed on March 11, marking the date King Abdulaziz Al Saud officially approved the Kingdom's national flag in 1937. Now in its fourth year, the celebration honours the flag's symbolism and Saudi national identity.
5 Mar 2026
Maraya AlUla Ramadan Nights: Iftar Inside the Mirrored Desert
Maraya AlUla is hosting Ramadan iftar and suhoor gatherings inside the world's largest mirrored building, part of the Hilal AlUla programme with Banyan Tree AlUla and Our Habitas AlUla. Iftar from SAR 350, suhoor from SAR 250.
28 Feb 2026
Ramadan Prayer Times Riyadh 2026: Full Timetable
Ramadan prayer times for Riyadh 2026, covering daily Fajr, Sunrise, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha salah timings in Riyadh local time (+03). Includes Suhoor, Iftar, and Taraweeh planning tips for the Holy Month.
18 Feb 2026
PUMA and Al Hilal's Saudi Founding Day 2026 Kit
PUMA Middle East and Saudi football club Al Hilal have launched a special edition Founding Day kit to celebrate Saudi Arabia's Founding Day on February 22. The limited-edition "Designed for Pride" collection blends cultural symbols with modern sportswear performance, available
16 Feb 2026
Joy Awards 2026: Nominees, Categories & How to Vote
Joy Awards 2026 airs live on MBC tonight, January 17 at 7 PM KSA time, with nominees spanning cinema, Gulf and Egyptian TV series, music, sports, and influencers. Voting is open via the official Joy Awards app — winners are announced live, no advance disclosures.
17 Jan 2026
Snapchat Creator Study: What Creators Want from Brands
A Snapchat creator study conducted with Publicis Groupe Middle East and Ipsos in Saudi Arabia finds 94% of creators have high affinity for the platform, 41% prefer long-term brand partnerships, and 77% of users say creators feel like friends — not just content providers.
10 Dec 2025
Queen Latifah at Red Sea Film Festival on Women and Power
Queen Latifah took the stage at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah and made one thing unmistakably clear: the entertainment industry's biggest untapped resource is women. Here's what the Oscar-nominated icon said.
5 Dec 2025
Emirates A350 Launches Dammam Flights in Saudi Debut
Emirates has launched daily Airbus A350 service to Dammam, marking the aircraft's Saudi Arabia debut. Flight EK 827 departs Dubai at 7:30 am and arrives at 7:50 am, operating a 312-seat three-class cabin with lie-flat Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy.
8 Jul 2025
Saudi Arabia Launches $10B AI Fund via Humain
Saudi Arabia's government-backed AI firm Humain is launching a $10 billion venture capital fund and a $77 billion infrastructure programme to position the kingdom as the Middle East's leading AI power by 2030.
29 May 2025
YouTube Turns 20: MENA Creator Economy Surges
As YouTube marks its 20th anniversary, the MENA creator economy is booming. Saudi Arabia saw a 40% jump in million-riyal channels, Egypt a 60% surge, and the UAE a 15% rise in seven-figure earners — all backed by $70 billion paid out to creators globally over three years.
24 Apr 2025
Trump to Visit Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar in May 2025
President Donald Trump will travel to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar from May 13 to 16, 2025 — his first major Gulf visit of his second term. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the trip, which will target defense cooperation, energy security, and landmark
23 Apr 2025
Trump Plans UAE Visit to Strengthen Gulf Ties
Four sources confirm US President Donald Trump is planning a UAE visit in mid-May as part of his first overseas trip of his second term — a Gulf tour also covering Saudi Arabia and Qatar to finalize landmark investment and diplomatic deals.
1 Apr 2025
UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Real Estate Growth 2025
Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) forecasts strong real estate growth across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait in 2025, driven by economic expansion, falling interest rates, and government-backed mega projects. The UAE recorded AED 457 billion in transactions by November 2024.
13 Feb 2025
UAE Job Market 2025: 75% Plan to Switch, LinkedIn Finds
Three in four UAE and Saudi professionals plan to switch jobs in 2025, yet over half say job hunting has become harder, a LinkedIn survey finds. Recruitment challenges are rising on both sides — candidates and HR teams alike struggle in a tightening market.
21 Jan 2025
Saudi Arabia Partners with Influencers on 2025 Tourism Push
The Saudi Tourism Authority signed an MoU with a national marketing services company to expand its influencer database and launch global campaigns in 2025, supporting Vision 2030's goal of boosting tourism's contribution to GDP.
29 Dec 2024
Biban 2024 Forum Closes with $9.4bn in Deals
The Biban 2024 Forum, organized by Saudi Arabia's Monshaat, closed with agreements topping SR35.4bn ($9.4bn). Held in Riyadh under the theme "Global Destination for Opportunities," the five-day event drew 182,000 visitors and more than 1,300 startups from 72 countries.
13 Nov 2024
Gulf Tourists Drive 60% Surge in Maldives Luxury Bookings
Luxury resorts across the Maldives are reporting bookings up to 60% above prior-year levels, driven by high-spending visitors from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. With a four-hour flight time from Dubai and rising demand for private villas and bespoke experiences, the Maldives is
1 Sep 2024
Saudi Arabia's $1 Trillion Non-Oil Investment Plan
Goldman Sachs says Saudi Arabia will spend $1 trillion by 2030 in a "capex super-cycle," with 73% directed to non-oil sectors including clean energy ($235bn), mining, and logistics as the kingdom accelerates Vision 2030 diversification.
19 Aug 2024
King Salman Global Academy's Arabic Language Month in India
The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) concluded its Arabic Language Month in India — a month-long initiative held across New Delhi and Kerala in July 2024 — with scientific programs, teacher training courses, and partnerships with Jawaharlal Nehru
29 Jul 2024
Saudi Arabia Grants Citizenship to Global Talent
Saudi Arabia's Royal Decree has awarded citizenship to scientists, medical doctors, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs from around the world. The move aligns with Vision 2030's goal of attracting exceptional global talent across medical, scientific, cultural, sports, and
6 Jul 2024
Saudi Arabia: 90-Day E-Visa for Esports World Cup 2024
Saudi Arabia is issuing 90-day e-visas to Esports World Cup 2024 ticket holders. The eight-week Riyadh event (July 3–August 25) features 1,500+ players, 22 tournaments, and a record $60M+ prize pool.
27 Jun 2024
Saudi Arabia to Attract 300 Millionaires in 2024
Saudi Arabia is set to attract nearly 300 millionaires in 2024, with Riyadh and Jeddah emerging as top destinations for high-net-worth individuals, according to the Henley & Partners Private Wealth Migration Report.
20 Jun 2024
Saudi Arabia AI Skills: 79% of Workers Expect Major Changes
A LinkedIn study of Saudi Arabia's nine-million-strong workforce found that 79% of employees expect AI to significantly change how they work within a year. AI talent hiring grew 24% year-on-year, the kingdom climbed to 30th globally in AI skills penetration, and Saudi Arabia now
18 Jun 2024
Saudi Royal Backs $510M Bid to Acquire Everton FC
A Saudi royal is backing a $510 million consortium bid for Everton FC, led by London businessman Vatche Manoukian with US ultra-high-net-worth families. The all-equity offer includes plans for fresh signings and a new Liverpool stadium.
12 Jun 2024
Saudi Culture Ministry Launches Camel Studies Grant
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture has launched a Camel Studies Grant to fund scientific research on the camel's cultural, economic, environmental, and health significance — aligned with the UN's 2024 International Year of Camelids and Saudi Arabia's Year of the Camel.
11 Jun 2024
PIF Launches £650M Inaugural Sterling Bond Offering
Saudi Arabia's PIF priced its inaugural sterling bond offering of £650M under its EMTN program. Demand was more than six times subscribed, signalling strong investor confidence in PIF's A1/A+ credit ratings.
5 Jun 2024
Abha Airport: Saudi Arabia's First Silent Terminal
Abha International Airport has become Saudi Arabia's first silent airport, replacing traditional PA announcements with digital flight display screens and multilingual signage. The move joins a global trend already embraced by Singapore Changi, Zurich, Dubai, Amsterdam, and
27 May 2024
Archer Aviation Eyes Saudi Arabia After UAE Flying Taxi Deal
Saudi Arabia is courting Archer Aviation after the electric air taxi company announced a partnership with the UAE — its main regional competitor. The Gulf rivalry for foreign investment is accelerating, and companies like Archer stand to benefit as both kingdoms open their
23 May 2024
Japan–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council Launched
Japan and Saudi Arabia agreed to establish a Strategic Partnership Council after PM Kishida and Crown Prince MBS held a videoconference in May 2024. The council will deepen bilateral ties across energy, hydrogen, digital transformation, space, health, and agriculture.
22 May 2024