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  • US to announce progress in Saudi-Israel normalisation talks: report

    US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to announce progress in talks aimed at normalising relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel during their meeting in Washington on Tuesday, according to a report by the Israeli daily Haaretz on Sunday. The report came after US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, was reportedly working to finalise the exact wording of the agreement between the two countries. Last week, Witkoff visited Riyadh on a trip that was followed by a stop Tel Aviv to reportedly finalise the details. The US envoy also report Palestinian Authority Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein Al-Sheikh, as well as another Palestinian figure described by the newspaper as "acceptable to the West".

  • Saudi crown prince discusses ways to support Syrian Arab Republic with president during trip to Riyadh

    The crown prince congratulated Al-Sharaa on his recent appointment and wished him success in achieving the hopes and aspirations of the Syrian people. The interim president said Saudi Arabia was committed to supporting his country after meeting Prince Mohammed: “We held a long meeting during which we felt and heard a genuine desire to support Syria in building its future,” Al-Sharaa said in a statement on Telegram. Military commanders appointed Al-Sharaa interim president weeks after militant forces overran Damascus. Last month, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, visited Damascus and said the Kingdom was engaged in talks with the US and European partners to help lift economic sanctions imposed on the Syrian Arab Republic that have left the country’s economy decimated.

  • 55 Saudi companies take part in Baghdad International Fair

    The Saudi Export Development Authority (Saudi Exports), in partnership with the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, is participating in the 48th edition of the Baghdad International Fair. The Saudi pavilion features 55 national companies representing various export sectors. The exhibition, which kicked off on Saturday and will run through until Feb. 7 in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen trade ties between Saudi Arabia and Iraq while showcasing the Kingdom’s leading products and services. Saudi non-oil exports to Iraq have reached nearly SR20 billion over the past five years (2020–October 2024), with metals and their products, food industries, and electrical machinery and equipment ranking as the top export sectors during this period

  • WhatsApp calls reportedly activated in Saudi Arabia: Permanent change or temporary test?

    Many WhatsApp users in Saudi Arabia reported on Saturday that voice and video calling features had been activated after years of restrictions. However, there has been no official confirmation on whether this is a permanent change or a temporary test. The sudden activation has raised questions, particularly in the absence of an announcement from authorities. Technology expert Abdullah Al Subaie noted that this move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance telecommunications and digital infrastructure, potentially improving communication for users.

  • Acting Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia Shannon Dolan

    Dr. Shannon Dolan is the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia and a career member of the Senior Foreign Service.  Most recently, she led the management operations of the mission.  For the past three years, she was the U.S. Director of the bilateral Program of Technical Cooperation in Saudi Arabia, leading the interagency team to develop and implement training and advising programs bolstering security, critical infrastructure protection, and counterterrorism efforts in support of U.S national security goals.

  • Glamping and Boutique Adventure Hotels Gain Ground in Saudi Tourism Push

    The push for adventure-based tourism aligns with consumer preferences for environmentally responsible travel, making boutique adventure accommodations a strategic investment. The appeal of glamping and boutique adventure hotels lies in their ability to balance luxury with sustainability. Unlike large-scale resorts, these properties integrate outdoor activities that allow guests to engage with nature while minimizing environmental impact. According to a report by Blooloop, Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes create ideal settings for adventure tourism. Developers can incorporate outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and stargazing, enriching guest experiences and differentiating their offerings from traditional accommodations.

  • Expat Tales: Experiencing ‘history in the making’ in Saudi Arabia

    I relocated to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in February 2024 because I was eager to join the company I work for. It wasn't until I secured the role and began preparing for the move that I realised it's not just the company I'm working for that’s making history. Living in the Kingdom right now is experiencing history in the making. Living in a compound means my apartment is part of a community of 400 tenants, many of whom have become close friends. Imagine living in a resort with a group of your friends every day - that’s what compound life feels like. Everything in Riyadh comes alive after dark! Due to the heat, the Saudi way of life is to rest during the day and go out at night. Malls are empty during the day, but if you go at 1am, you’ll have a hard time finding parking. I was lucky enough to get tickets to see Tyson Fury in a boxing match here, and he entered the ring at 2am. You can even get a haircut at midnight if you feel like it!

  • Veteran Saudi actor Mohammed Al Towayan passes away

    Mohammed Al Towayan, a leading figure in Saudi television and cinema, has died at the age of 79, the Saudi Ministry of Culture confirmed on Friday. Al Towayan, known for his roles in hit drama series such as Awdat Asweed, Ayal Qariah, and Ghashmshm, played a pivotal role in shaping the Saudi entertainment industry over nearly five decades. His final film, Mandoub Al Layl (The Night Agent), was a major box-office success in Saudi Arabia and was screened internationally. Despite his long-standing presence in television, his transition to cinema marked a significant shift in his career.

  • Why Saudi-Turkish collaboration in Syria is more likely than a clash

    Turkey and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states appear to be filling the void in Syria as Iran’s influence after the fall of Bashar Al-Assad dramatically diminishes. Ankara’s coordination with Gulf Arab capitals stands to bring about growing alignment. Turkey has gone to pains to accommodate the interests of all GCC states in the new Syria, including those which previously saw the foreign policy of Turkey’s “neo-Islamist” government as a threat. In particular, Saudi Arabia—the GCC state taking the lead on shoring up and legitimizing the administration of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) on an international level—shares many of Turkey’s interests. These include helping Syria achieve a smooth transition, preserve its territorial integrity, and not become a haven for violent extremist groups that threaten other countries.

  • Saudi Arabia’s IPO Boom Reshapes Its Market Dynamics

    According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, 41 IPOs were launched in Saudi Arabia last year, raising a total of $4.06 billion. By contrast, only five IPOs took place in 2019, yet they generated a much higher $30.46 billion—largely driven by Saudi Aramco’s record-breaking IPO, which raised $25.6 billion for a 1.5% stake in the state-owned oil giant. “The Saudi stock exchange has become a preferred listing destination due to strong liquidity, robust demand from institutional investors, and alignment with global investment standards,” says Farah el Nahlawi, research lead at MAGNiTT, a leading venture capital data platform for emerging markets. “Moreover, the IPO landscape is no longer oil-centric, with fintech, healthcare, and retail companies successfully listing—indicating broader investor appetite.”