Saudi Arabia News

5 days ago

Saudi Cabinet Approves Agreement for Electric High-Speed Railway Link With Qatar

The Saudi Council of Ministers on Tuesday approved the agreement for the electric high-speed railway link between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman chaired the Cabinet session in Riyadh. The 785 km high-speed electric rail line, linking Riyadh and Doha, will feature speeds exceeding 300 km/h, connecting key stations like Dammam and Al-Ahsa, and reducing travel time to approximately two hours. At the outset of the session, the Cabinet was briefed on the recent telephone conversation between Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Council also reviewed the discussions held by the Crown Prince with President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz during their official visits to the Kingdom. The Cabinet praised the positive outcomes of these visits, which underscored the strength of bilateral relations and the mutual commitment to furthering them at all levels. It also lauded the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed with Türkiye, as well as those between the public and private sectors in the Kingdom and Germany, which aim to expand cooperation and coordination across various sectors, advancing shared interests and supporting development priorities. […]

6 days ago

NCW Releases Over 10,000 Animals Under Reintroduction Programs

The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) announced that the total number of wildlife animals released under its breeding and reintroduction programs for locally threatened species has exceeded 10,000 animals. “This is an achievement reflecting the scale of the NCW’s sustained efforts to develop wildlife, restore ecosystems, and enhance biodiversity across various regions of the Kingdom,” it said in a statement. The releases carried out by the NCW over the past years included more than 80 priority wildlife species, including reem gazelles (sand gazelles), Arabian oryx, Idmi gazelles, mountain ibex, houbara bustards, ostriches, and sandgrouse, as part of efforts aimed at supporting the recovery of natural populations of these species and enhancing their sustainability within their environmental and historical ranges. CEO of NCW Dr. Mohammad Qurban noted that release operations are among the key tools for restoring ecosystems and reducing ecological imbalance, as the return of wildlife to their natural habitats contributes to protecting biodiversity and improving environmental quality, which in turn supports habitat integrity, the continuity of plant and animal components, and the enhancement of ecosystem functions over the long term. NCW continues to implement its strategic plans to develop wildlife, protect endangered species, and enhance the efficiency of natural […]

7 days ago

Saudi Arabia Orders 20 New Haramain High-Speed Trains To Boost Capacity

Saudi Arabia’s national rail operator has signed an agreement to purchase 20 new high-speed trains from Spain’s Talgo to expand the Haramain High-Speed Railway fleet and increase passenger capacity to more than 30 million travelers annually. The deal was announced on Sunday by Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) under the patronage of Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser, who is also chairman of SAR, and in the presence of Spain’s Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility Oscar Puente. The new trains are scheduled to begin delivery at the end of 2028, with full delivery expected by 2031. Once operational, the trains will serve the entire Haramain High-Speed Railway network, which connects Makkah and Madinah through five stations. Al-Jasser expressed appreciation to Saudi leadership for its continued support of the transport and logistics sector, noting that the expansion aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub. He said the Haramain High-Speed Railway, inaugurated in 2018 by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, is one of the Kingdom’s most strategic transport projects, directly linked to serving the Two Holy Mosques. Enhancing the fleet, he added, is essential to improving mobility for pilgrims and […]

1 week ago

Saudi Arabia Deports 11,656 Illegal Residents In A Week

The Saudi security authorities have arrested a total of 20,237 illegal residents in a week. The arrests were made in the joint inspections, carried out by the security forces in collaboration with the relevant government agencies, during the period between January 29 and February 4, the Ministry of Interior revealed on Saturday. Those who were arrested include 12,687 violators of the Residency Law, 4,318 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,232 violators of the Labor Law. A total of 11,656 illegal residents were deported while 16,805 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents and 2,437 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations. The total number of people who were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom accounted for 1,555, of whom 40 percent were Yemeni nationals, 57 percent Ethiopian nationals, and three percent belonged to other nationalities. A total of 61 people were arrested while attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally. Some 32 people involved in giving transportation, shelter, and employment for violators were also arrested. A total of 23,807 expatriates, including 21,926 men and 1,881 women, are currently undergoing procedures to enforce legal measures. The Ministry of Interior has warned […]

1 week ago

Saudi Arabia Opens Guest Of Honor Pavilion At Damascus International Book Fair 2026

Saudi Arabia inaugurated its Guest of Honor pavilion at the Damascus International Book Fair 2026 on Tuesday.The pavilion was opened by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, who also chairs the board of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, in the presence of Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammed Yassin Saleh and Qatari Minister of Culture Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Thani.Saudi Arabia is participating as Guest of Honor at this year’s edition of the fair, which runs until Feb. 16, in a move that reflects the Kingdom’s cultural leadership and its commitment to strengthening Arab cultural exchange.The participation aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which positions culture as a platform for dialogue, a bridge for civilizational communication, and a tool for fostering closer ties among Arab societies.The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is leading the Kingdom’s participation in an institutional framework that highlights the development of Saudi Arabia’s literary, publishing, and translation sectors, while reaffirming the central role of books as carriers of knowledge and awareness.Commission CEO Abdulatif Alwasel said Saudi Arabia’s selection as Guest of Honor reflects its leadership in the Arab cultural scene and its belief in culture as a space for dialogue and shared creativity. […]

1 week ago

Syria And Saudi Arabia Sign Deals For Joint Airline, $1 Billion Telecoms Push

Syria and Saudi Arabia signed deals Saturday that include a joint airline and a $1-billion project to develop telecommunications, officials said, as Syria seeks to rebuild after years of war. Saudi Arabia has been a major backer of Syria’s Islamist authorities who took power after toppling longtime ruler Bashar Al Assad in December 2024. The new authorities in Damascus have worked to attract investment and have signed major agreements with several companies and governments, including Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. Syrian Investment Authority chief Talal Al Hilali announced a series of deals including “a low-cost Syrian-Saudi airline aimed at strengthening regional and international air links”. The agreement also includes the development of a new international airport in the northern city of Aleppo, and redeveloping the existing facility. Hilali also announced an agreement for a project called SilkLink to develop Syria’s “telecommunications infrastructure and digital connectivity”.Syrian Telecommunications Minister Abdulsalam Haykal told the signing ceremony that the project would be implemented “with an investment of around $1 billion”. For decades, Syria was unable to secure significant investments because of Assad-era sanctions. But the United States fully removed its remaining sanctions on Damascus late last year, paving the way for the full […]

1 week ago

Qatar 10-Year Residency Vs UAE Golden Visa, GCC Long-Term Visas: Costs, Compared

Qatar’s new 10-year residency programme arrives at a time when GCC has already seen several options for long-term, sponsor-free visas. For UAE residents, the most immediate comparison is with the UAE Golden Visa, which remains the region’s most comprehensive long-term residency framework. Qatar vs UAE Golden Visa Qatar’s programme currently targets only entrepreneurs endorsed by local incubators and senior executives employed in regulated or strategic sectors. Salary thresholds are high, and employer eligibility is tightly defined. The UAE Golden Visa, by contrast, operates across multiple tracks. Skilled professionals generally qualify with a minimum monthly salary of Dh30,000 ($8,100), significantly lower than Qatar’s executive thresholds. Entrepreneurs may qualify if they own a business valued at Dh500,000, subject to auditor verification and incubator endorsement. Property investors typically need Dh2 million in real estate to secure a 10-year visa. Property-linked residency Property-linked residency highlights another contrast. Qatar offers residency starting at $200,000 in designated freehold zones, while the UAE’s 10-year Golden Visa requires a much higher entry point. Qatar also offers a direct path to permanent residency at the $1 million investment level, including access to public healthcare and education. The UAE’s Golden Visa remains renewable and does not grant permanent residency status. […]

1 week ago

Saudi’s Neom Replaced By Almaty As Asian Winter Games Host

Kazakhstan will replace Saudi Arabia as the host the 2029 Asian Winter Games. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Thursday said Kazakhstan’s largest city Almaty would be the new venue for the event. The 2029 Asian Winter Games had originally been planned to be held in Neom, a planned city and mega-project on the Red Sea in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Announcing the decision on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, OCA President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamas Al Thani thanked Kazakhstan for its commitment to and development of winter sports. “Almaty is a city with deep connections to winter sports and we have very fond memories of when we last hosted the Asian Winter Games in 2011,” he said at a press conference. “We have no doubt we will ‌build on this legacy and deliver an ‌unforgettable ⁠Games in 2029,” Al Thani added. Why are the 2029 Asian Winter Games being moved from Saudi Arabia? The move to Kazakhstan comes after Saudi Arabia and the OCA agreed in ‍January to delay the kingdom’s staging of the Asian Winter Games at Trojena, an under-construction mountain tourism resort and a centerpiece of the Neom mega-project. The postponement was confirmed after […]

1 week ago

Saudi Arabia to Start Issuing Hajj Visas on Sunday, Four Months Ahead of 2026 Pilgrimage

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced the commencement of visa issuance for the 2026 Hajj season (1447 AH) on Sunday, February 8, corresponding to Sha’ban 20. This early launch is part of an accelerated timeline designed to enhance service readiness and ensure the comfort of pilgrims approximately four months ahead of the rituals, in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The ministry confirmed that contracts covering 100 percent of services at the holy sites for pilgrims arriving from abroad have been finalized, along with all accommodation contracts in Makkah through the Nusk platform. It reported that 750,000 pilgrims have registered to date, with packages booked for 30,000 pilgrims directly from their home countries. In addition, approximately 485 camps have been allocated for international pilgrims at the holy sites, and 73 Hajj affairs offices have completed their basic contractual arrangements. Coordination remains ongoing with Hajj affairs offices and service providers both within and outside the Kingdom. Issuing visas at this early stage reflects a proactive planning approach for the Hajj season, contributing to a more organized experience and improving the efficiency of services provided to millions of pilgrims from around the world. The initiative forms part of a comprehensive […]

1 week ago

Education Ministry Revokes Licenses of 74 Private Schools for Violations

The Saudi Ministry of Education has revoked the licenses of 74 private schools across several cities in the Kingdom, as part of its efforts to safeguard student safety and uphold the quality of the educational environment. The decision followed the detection of multiple regulatory violations, including breaches related to student safety, educational standards, and compliance with approved requirements. Inspection visits conducted over the past period revealed that several schools had failed to renew their licenses or comply with updated regulatory requirements, prompting the implementation of necessary measures to protect student safety and maintain the quality of the educational environment. The ministry clarified that the violations included the absence of a valid operating license and the lack of a safety license (Civil Defense certificate), both of which are mandatory for the continued operation of private educational institutions. The Ministry, in its bid to ensure continuity in students’ education, has facilitated the direct transfer of affected students to public schools, while also granting parents the option to transfer their children to private schools of their choice. This measure ensures that students are able to complete their studies without disruption in a safe and appropriate learning environment close to their residences. The decision […]

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Search Here

Saudi Cabinet Approves Agreement for Electric High-Speed Railway Link With Qatar

NCW Releases Over 10,000 Animals Under Reintroduction Programs

Saudi Arabia Orders 20 New Haramain High-Speed Trains To Boost Capacity

Saudi Arabia Deports 11,656 Illegal Residents In A Week

Saudi Arabia Opens Guest Of Honor Pavilion At Damascus International Book Fair 2026

Syria And Saudi Arabia Sign Deals For Joint Airline, $1 Billion Telecoms Push

Qatar 10-Year Residency Vs UAE Golden Visa, GCC Long-Term Visas: Costs, Compared

Saudi’s Neom Replaced By Almaty As Asian Winter Games Host

Saudi Arabia to Start Issuing Hajj Visas on Sunday, Four Months Ahead of 2026 Pilgrimage

Education Ministry Revokes Licenses of 74 Private Schools for Violations

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