MUST-READS

• Iraq bans Saudi’s MBC over Ramadan series Muawiya due to sectarian concerns

  Iraq's media regulator has banned the broadcast of the historical drama "Muawiya" during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on the Saudi Arabian television channel MBC Iraq, citing concerns that it could incite sectarian tensions. The Iraqi Media and Communications Commission (CMC) announced the decision on Saturday, stating that it was exercising its legal authority to regulate the country's media sector. "The broadcast of historically controversial content may provoke sectarian debates, which could threaten social harmony and disrupt the fabric of society, particularly during Ramadan," the commission said in a statement.  "Muawiya" explores the life of Umayyad Caliph Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, who played a central role in the "First Fitna"—the civil war that followed the assassination of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan in the 7th century. Despite the Iraqi ban, "Muawiya" is set to air during Ramadan on MBC's main channels, ensuring its availability to audiences across the region.

• Saudi Arabia’s commitment to spending efficiency is driving growth and building resilience

  Saudi Arabia’s 2025 budget will see the Kingdom continue to invest in the transformation of strategic sectors – including healthcare, tourism and logistics – under Vision 2030. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as key enablers in the transformation journey of these industries, with digitisation helping to streamline processes and increase operational and financial transparency. Of course, there are obstacles to unlocking spending efficiencies. Implementation of advanced tech like AI and data analytics often require substantial short-term investment. Spending on emerging technologies should be done as part of a long-term strategy, which needs the buy-in of all stakeholders – including employees, who may be resistant to change or supply chain partners whose systems and processes may not yet be compatible.

• Why businesses must bridge the ‘generational gap’ to align with Saudi’s AI ambitions

  A significant challenge lies in bridging the generational gap in AI adoption. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, have grown up immersed in technology and tend to feel at ease leveraging AI in the workplace. Millennials, who have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of digital innovation, are close behind. In contrast, more experienced professionals, including Gen X and Baby Boomers, often express greater caution, reflecting a natural hesitancy to embrace new ways of working. This divergence is especially relevant as in the kingdom, nearly two-thirds of the population are under 30. Yet older generations still hold many decision-making roles within organisations. As companies aim to unlock AI’s transformative potential, they must address this gap, ensuring that employees across all demographics are equally equipped to harness AI’s benefits.

• KAUST scientists lead Saudi Arabia’s first scientific mission to Antarctica
  KAUST has sent the first researchers from Saudi Arabia on a scientific mission to Antarctica since signing on to the Antarctic Treaty in May 2024. Carlos Preckler and Diego Rivera, who work with Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor Carlos Duarte, collected samples from the continent to understand how the recovery of whale populations acts as a natural mitigator of climate change by examining their effects on carbon sequestration. The mission ran from January 11 to February 27. The Saudi-based research team has collected ocean samples that they will use to provide the first quantitative measurements of the impact whales have on carbon capture and thus climate change. The information gained will assist in assessing the economic benefits of whale hunting and conservation policies and other activities that affect marine life. Antarctica is deemed the best choice for the study of whale populations because of the well-chronicled and intense whale hunting in the 20th century that depleted the populations of great whales.

• Lebanese president hopes to mend ties with Saudi Arabia in first visit in years

  Lebanon’s president said Monday that he hopes to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia during a visit to the kingdom following years of strained relations between the countries. Joseph Aoun became Lebanon’s first head of state to visit Riyadh in six years. Saudi Arabia has been vocal about its concerns over the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group and Lebanon’s positions on some regional issues. In recent years, it imposed a travel and import ban on Lebanon. Aoun’s appointment as president as well as that of a diplomat and former head of the International Criminal Court, Nawaf Salam, as prime minister are both seen as major blows to Hezbollah. As relations slowly thaw, Lebanon hopes that Saudi Arabia will lift the travel ban on the cash-strapped country, restore trade and help its reconstruction efforts after the war between Hezbollah and Israel left southern and eastern Lebanon in ruins.

• US firm wins world’s tallest tower deal

  US-based Turner has been appointed as the project manager for the 1,000-metre-plus Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia. Turner was the project manager for the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which at 828 metres tall has been the world’s tallest building since 2010. The appointment comes amid other signs of clear progress on the Jeddah Tower. The concrete pouring works for Jeddah Tower began on 20 January, marking the official recommencement of construction works. The project’s contractor, the local Saudi Binladin Group (SBG), has received a payment of SR712m ($190m) for work on the tower. Last year, the project development company, Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), signed an estimated SR8bn 42-month contract with the local SBG to resume construction work on the tower. SBG then began engaging with the supply chain to work on the project. SBG awarded Beijing-headquartered Jangho Group a facade works contract that involves engineering design and technical services for the project’s structural glass and adhesive curtain walls.

• Jennifer Lopez returns to Saudi Arabia to headline Formula 1 Grand Prix in Jeddah

  Global pop sensation Jennifer Lopez is set to headline the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025, taking place April 18-20 over the Grand Prix weekend in Jeddah. She will join Usher and Major Lazer Soundsystem in an entertainment lineup powered by MDLBEAST. The high-energy post-race concerts will take place in Jeddah, offering motorsports and music fans an unforgettable experience. Known for her spectacular stage presence and chart-topping hits, Lopez is set to deliver an electrifying performance that will be one of the standout moments of the Formula 1 weekend. This won’t be the first time JLo dazzles audiences in Saudi Arabia. In a memorable performance at Riyadh Season, Lopez shared the stage with Celine Dion to celebrate Lebanese designer Elie Saab’s 45th anniversary, marking one of the biggest fashion and music spectacles in the Kingdom.

• Photos: Saudi Arabia welcomes Ramadan with festive spirit
  Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has embraced the arrival of Ramadan with festive decorations, as streets and public spaces glow with illuminated crescents and lanterns, symbolising the joy and anticipation of the holy month. Meanwhile, regulatory teams continue to monitor commercial activities and implement preventive health measures to ensure public safety throughout the Kingdom. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), residents across the Kingdom are upholding cherished traditions by decorating their homes, exchanging greetings, and organising family gatherings.

• Sabalenka praises WTA’s new mission, welcomes Saudi investment

  World number one Aryna Sabalenka praised on Friday the WTA's mission to highlight the personalities of its athletes and called Saudi Arabia's investment in the women's tennis tour an important part of growing the game. The WTA rebranding, complete with a new logo and "Rally the world" tagline, comes amid a rise in global viewership and a record $4.8 million prize awarded last year to Coco Gauff for winning the WTA Finals in Riyadh, a tournament sponsored by Saudi's Public Investment Fund (PIF).

• Saudi Arabia’s Port of Neom expanding to be one of world’s largest

  It's expected to handle 12 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) when completed. For reference, the Port of Los Angeles, known as America's Port, is the busiest container port in the US, handling just over 9 TEUs annually. To make this happen, the port's access channels have been dredged using a zero-discharge dredging technique to minimize environmental impact. Rather than simply dredging the sea floor and dumping the soil back into the ocean elsewhere, all materials are reused for land reclamation or infrastructure projects. When the project began, the access channel was roughly 590 ft (180 m) wide and 39-46 ft (12-14 m) deep. Today, the channel is 1,805 ft (550 m) wide and 62 ft (19 m) deep, allowing for more and larger vessel access.

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