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  • 4,000-year-old fortified town found in Saudi Arabian oasis

    The remains of the town, dubbed al-Natah, were long concealed by the walled oasis of Khaybar, a green and fertile speck surrounded by desert in the northwest of the Arabian Peninsula. Then an ancient 14.5 kilometre-long wall was discovered at the site, according to research led by French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux published earlier this year. The large town, which was home to up to 500 residents, was built around 2,400 B.C. during the early Bronze Age, the researchers said. It was abandoned around a thousand years later. "No one knows why," Charloux said.

  • Saudi Arabia’s labour law amendments: What they mean for employers and employees

    Set to take effect on February 18, 2025, these changes align with the kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, aiming for a balanced labour market that encourages fair treatment, Saudisation and improved work conditions. The new amendments also expand leave entitlements, granting 12 weeks of maternity leave (six of which are mandatory post-birth), three days of paternity leave, and an additional three days of bereavement leave for the death of a sibling. These changes reflect a progressive shift towards global labour standards, focusing on work-life balance and family support.

  • PIF partners with Google Cloud to create AI hub in Saudi Arabia

    The partnership will provide AI training for millions of Saudi students and professionals, supporting the national objective of expanding the information and communication technology sector by 50 percent. Through Google Cloud’s technology, industries will have enhanced access to AI applications, enabling growth and capacity building. The agreement, subject to regulatory approvals, also includes joint research on Arabic language models and Saudi-specific AI applications.

  • Can Saudi Arabia build a thriving fintech hub by 2030?

    Let’s say an international fintech is looking to come to Saudi Arabia. First, Fintech Saudi will have a consultation with the company to understand its business model and determine if it needs to be regulated by the major financial bodies. If so, it brings in subject matter experts, law firms as well as other companies in the industry to give the relevant guidance, while involving the main regulators throughout the entire process. Next, Fintech Saudi will connect the company with the Ministry of Investment, which can provide support with setting up an entity in Saudi Arabia.8 Finally, Fintech Saudi can give the company links to private service providers in the country–such as office space or software businesses–that can help it get up and running quickly.

  • Archaeologists discover 4,000-year-old Bronze Age settlement hidden in Saudi Arabian oasis

    Archaeologists discovered the site near the city of Al-'Ula in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia and called it "al-Natah." The settlement covered about 3.7 acres (1.5 hectares), "including a central district and nearby residential district surrounded by protective ramparts," the researchers said in a statement. But the town, which was occupied starting around 2400 B.C., was small, with a population of only around 500 people, the team noted in a study, published Wednesday (Oct. 30) in the journal PLOS One. The town was abandoned sometime between 1500 and 1300 B.C., but researchers aren't sure why this happened. "It's a pertinent question that I can't really answer at the moment," Charloux said, noting that "we have very few clues about the last phase of occupation."

  • “Saudi Arabia is among world’s fastest-growing economies”

    He emphasized PIF's focus on investing in AI, leveraging the Kingdom's capabilities to establish itself as a global AI hub. He also presented PIF's investments in the sports sector. “We currently have $930 billion in assets under management and the share of foreign assets is 30 percent. The PIF has established many bold investment partnerships with major companies, and there is a qualitative shift in employing its investments. “We are focusing on the local economy as we have established 92 new companies since 2015, and we have achieved major achievements since then.”

  • Riyadh Fashion Week: Saudi Arabia’s Design Scene Flourishes

    The second Riyadh Fashion Week recently concluded, spotlighting Saudi Arabia’s emerging design talent and its societal modernization. This five-day event featured runway shows, presentations, and exhibitions at Tuwaiq Palace, Riyadh Digital City, and JAX District. Riyadh Fashion Week attracted top local talent and international media, buyers, and celebrities. Georgina Rodríguez and model Elsa Hosk attended, alongside prominent Middle Eastern influencers. Ida Petersson, a renowned retail expert, praised Riyadh’s rapid evolution, noting its ambition to compete globally. Riyadh Fashion Week adapted to local preferences, with evening shows and a relaxed atmosphere between events. Cakmak noted that this format honors Saudi cultural nuances, making the event accessible and enjoyable for all attendees.

  • PIF and Google Cloud to create advanced AI hub in Saudi Arabia

    The landmark partnership, which was signed at the Future Investment Initiative 8th Edition (FII8), further establishes Saudi Arabia as a global hub and top AI destination for local and global enterprises and startups. This partnership aims to develop the Saudi workforce through AI programs for millions of students and professionals, supporting the national objective of growing the information and communication technology (ICT) sector by 50%.

  • Saudi Arabia pushes ahead with economic transformation, minister says

     Saudi Arabia is "doubling down" on its multi-billion dollar plan to overhaul its economy and cut the kingdom's dependence on oil rents, the finance minister told an investor summit in Riyadh on Wednesday. The government is investing heavily in infrastructure works such as the vast mega-city NEOM project under the plan driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who wants to grow the private sector, develop new industries and create thousands of jobs.

  • Inside Saudi Arabia’s Big Cinema Swing ‘Desert Warrior,’ The Delayed $150M Historical Epic Still Being Readied For Battle

    Sources say a final cut is yet to be locked by Wyatt, who exited and then returned to the project amid creative fissures. A screen test revealed Desert Warrior’s disconnect with audiences and a handful of major U.S. studios were unconvinced about an earlier version of the movie. Deeper questions have been asked about Western creatives being entrusted with a historical story about the Middle East, while buyers raised concerns about the movie’s optics after the October 7 attack on Israel.