MUST-READS

• Crown Prince launches Saudi Architecture Characters Map to celebrate Kingdom’s architectural heritage
  The Saudi Architecture Characters Map highlights 19 architectural styles inspired by geographical, natural and cultural characteristics, derived from urban and historical studies of building traditions passed down through generations. As chairman of the Supreme Committee for Saudi Architectural Design Guidelines, the Crown Prince emphasized that Saudi Architecture reflects the cultural and geographical diversity of the Kingdom. He further highlighted the importance of sustainable urban planning that harmonizes with the local environment while integrating traditional architectural elements into modern designs.

• US ends Iraq’s Iran electricity waiver, stoking crisis and opportunity

  The Donald Trump administration has declined to renew a sanctions waiver for Iraq's electricity imports from Iran, raising the spectre of a power crisis in Baghdad. Part of Trump’s "maximum pressure" policy towards the Islamic Republic—and with the Iraqi banking sector also seemingly in Washington’s crosshairs—the move has stoked fears that the fallout could reverse Iraq’s delicate economic and security gains, particularly in an election year.

• Arab states to keep talking with Trump envoy on Egypt’s Gaza plan
  Arab foreign ministers said on Wednesday they would continue consultations with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy over Egypt's plan for rebuilding the Gaza Strip, an alternative to Trump's proposed takeover of the Palestinian territory. Consultations and coordination on the plan would continue with the U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, as a "basis for the reconstruction efforts" in Gaza, according to a joint statement following a meeting of the foreign ministers in Doha. Earlier this month, Arab leaders adopted a $53 billion Egyptian reconstruction plan for Gaza that would avoid displacing Palestinians from the enclave, in contrast to Trump's vision of a "Middle East Riviera".

• Unpacking the Drivers of Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Policy

  At its core, Saudi Arabia's foreign policy orientation is grounded in the Kingdom’s economic program Vision 2030. For Vision 2030 to succeed, there is a clear awareness by the Saudi government that international partnerships and a stable geopolitical environment are essential. As the country works to reduce its dependence on oil and diversify its economy, foreign relations are not merely supplementary but a prerequisite for securing the investments, trade agreements, and stability needed for sustained economic growth. As Saudi Arabia seeks to establish itself as an attractive investment destination, diplomatic efforts help maintain an investment-friendly environment, assuring foreign investors of the country's security and stability.

• Saudi Arabia tries to shed ‘pariah status,’ remaking itself as a key middleman in global conflicts

  MBS, as he is widely known, is trying to transform Saudi Arabia’s image from the deeply conservative, oil-rich theocracy whose officials murdered the American-based Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 into a regional giant built on diplomacy, business, tourism, entertainment and sports. “This is a new Saudi Arabia — better educated, well-traveled and more open to ideas than in the past,” added Lippman, author of the book “Saudi Arabia on the Edge.” As well as the Ukraine summit, Trump revealed last week that the first foreign visit of his second term would be to Saudi Arabia, just as it was during his first administration. As then, he said that, in return, the Saudis had agreed to invest a bonanza sum in American businesses, this time $1 trillion.

• A landmark for the Kingdom as PIF launches Al Waha, first Saudi-owned duty-free retailer

  In a breakthrough for the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving aviation and tourism landscape, Public Investment Fund (PIF) today announced the establishment of travel retailer Al Waha Duty-Free Company (Al Waha), the first Saudi-owned duty-free operator. Al Waha, a wholly owned PIF company, pledges to become a leader in travel retail and secure a greater share of passenger spending for the Saudi economy. Al Waha will develop premium and luxury stores in select locations across the country and feature a variety of merchandise including distinctive, high-quality Saudi products. The newly formed entity will operate its airport stores on a duty-free basis. It will also explore additional travel retail opportunities at land border crossings and seaports and channels such as inflight shopping.

• Saudi Universities Top Global Patent Ranking

  Saudi universities have dominated the National Academy of Inventors' (NAI) 2024 Top 100 Worldwide Universities list, which ranks the top 100 universities granted utility patents during the calendar year. According to a Council of Universities Affairs press release, King Faisal University led the global list with 631 patents. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals secured 5th place with 265 patents, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University ranked 15th with 141 patents, and King Saud University placed 64th with 56 patents. Council of Universities Affairs Secretary-General Dr. Bassam Al-Bassam attributed this success to the significant transformation of Saudi universities, particularly in scientific research and innovation. He emphasized their emergence as hubs for research aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, supported by the Kingdom's leadership and the minister of education. Al-Bassam congratulated the universities and expressed optimism for continued achievements.

• Saudi Arabia’s Renewed Commitment to Palestinian Cause: A Legacy Laid Out by King Abdulaziz

  At the Arab Summit in Beirut in March 2002, the Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to the Palestinian cause by presenting a practical framework for achieving a comprehensive and just resolution to the Middle East conflict. This proposal, later known as the Arab Peace Initiative, was adopted by Arab leaders and officially approved during the summit. In line with the continued commitment to the Palestinian cause, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud named the 29th Arab Summit, held in Dhahran in April 2018, the Al-Quds Summit. He also announced that Saudi Arabia was donating $150 million to support Islamic institutions in Jerusalem and $50 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Saudi Arabia continues its efforts to support the Palestinian cause as part of its Arab and Islamic responsibilities.

• PwC working to mend ties with Saudi Arabia

  Global consulting firm PwC is working with Saudi Arabia and its sovereign wealth fund to address issues that have led to a suspension of new consulting projects, reported Reuters.  The Public Investment Fund (PIF), with assets worth $925bn (SR3.5trn) and more than 100 subsidiaries, has instructed its companies to halt project assignments to PwC until February 2026.  This comes two years after PwC received a licence to establish its regional headquarters in Riyadh.  The firm currently employs more than 2,000 individuals across various cities in Saudi Arabia.

• KFSHRC Rises 20 Spots in Newsweek’s Global Top 250 Hospitals Ranking

  King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) has again secured its position as the top hospital in Saudi Arabia for the fourth consecutive year, according to Newsweek’s 2025 ranking of the world’s best hospitals. KFSHRC has made strides, jumping 20 places from last year's list, indicating a 9% improvement in this prestigious ranking. Among more than 200,000 hospitals operating globally, Newsweek and Statista evaluate only 2,400 institutions and publish an annual list of the top 250 hospitals. The ranking is based on various criteria, including medical performance indicators, healthcare outcomes, and expert recommendations from international healthcare professionals. In 2024, KFSHRC set a new record with 1,111 organ transplants in one year, including 500 successful kidney transplants through the paired exchange program, reinforcing its status as a global leader in complex surgeries and organ transplantation. The hospital also provided advanced medical care to patients from 17 different countries, solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position as a premier destination for healthcare.

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