Tue, September 8 2026

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia Reaffirms OPEC+ Compliance As June Crude Supply Hits 9.35 Million bpd

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy has confirmed that the Kingdom remained fully compliant with its voluntary OPEC+ production targets in June, with marketed crude oil supply averaging 9.352 million barrels per day. The figure reflects complete alignment with the agreed quota, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to oil market stability. Amid elevated geopolitical tensions, the Kingdom emphasized that it acted prudently and preemptively in managing its energy output. The Ministry described Saudi Arabia’s role as that of a reliable, transparent, and dependable energy supplier, reinforcing the country’s efforts to enhance supply chain resilience and support global energy security. Although crude production briefly exceeded marketed supply, the additional volumes were not sold either domestically or internationally. Instead, they were managed as part of a broader contingency strategy. These volumes were directed toward building domestic inventories, improving east-west crude flow optimization, and repositioning barrels to offshore storage hubs under long-term delivery strategies designed to enhance flexibility and responsiveness. The Ministry further stressed that all production and supply figures are reported to the OPEC Secretariat on a monthly basis with full transparency. In addition, all eight OPEC-designated Secondary Sources were formally briefed at the start of the week regarding the June data, reaffirming […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia To Introduce AI Curriculum Across All Public Schools Starting 2025

Saudi Arabia will roll out a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum across all levels of public education beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year. The initiative, led by the National Curriculum Center in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), represents a major step in embedding AI literacy into the Kingdom’s educational framework. The curriculum, which aligns with the goals of the Human Capability Development Program under Vision 2030, is designed to empower students from early education through higher learning with essential digital competencies and AI fluency. It aims to nurture a generation capable of driving innovation and positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in emerging technologies. Students will be introduced to age-appropriate AI concepts through interactive and practical learning modules, ensuring continuity and progression throughout the educational journey, from primary school to vocational and university tracks, and into lifelong learning. AI learning outcomes will be formally incorporated into the national student performance assessment system. The new curriculum will instil core technical skills while fostering critical thinking and ethical understanding of AI. The announcement follows the successful pilot of an “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” course for […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia’s Lucid Air Sets World Record With 1,205Km Drive On A Single Charge

Saudi Arabia’s Lucid Group has set a new world record for the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge — covering 1,205km (749 miles) across Europe. The record-breaking drive was completed last weekend by the Lucid Air Grand Touring, travelling from St. Moritz, Switzerland to Munich, Germany, and included alpine roads, highways, and secondary roads. The journey beat the previous world record of 1,045km, set in June 2025, by a margin of 160 kilometres. Saudi-backed Lucid Air sets EV world record Eric Bach, Senior Vice President of Product and Chief Engineer at Lucid, said: “This range record represents a significant milestone – it’s yet another clear demonstration of the technological edge that defines Lucid. “Our Lucid products combine world class vehicle efficiency with the most advanced drive units, ultra-high voltage architecture, and battery management technology available today, which lets a Lucid travel further with less energy than any other vehicles.” At the core of the Lucid Air Grand Touring’s success is its ultra-efficient electric powertrain, boasting: This latest achievement marks the second successful Guinness World Record involving Lucid and Umit Sabanci, a London-based entrepreneur with a passion for EV endurance challenges. In 2024, Sabanci set the record […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia Hosts Esports World Cup With $70m Prize Pool, Kingdom Targets $13.3bn GDP Boost And 39,000 Gaming Jobs

Saudi Arabia has officially launched the largest-ever edition of the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, reinforcing its position as a global powerhouse in gaming, esports, and entertainment. With a record-breaking prize pool of $70m, the 2025 tournament is not only the biggest in esports history but also a strategic milestone for the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 ambitions. This year’s event features more than 2,000 elite players, 200 teams from more than 100 countries and 25 tournaments across 24 game titles, including first-time global additions like chess, Valorant, and Fatal Fury. Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia The seven-week festival—running from July 7 to August 24—is expected to eclipse the 2.6m visitors recorded in 2024. Ticket sales are already up 30 per cent, with the average order value soaring 600 per cent. International ticket sales have tripled, underscoring the EWC’s global appeal. The Esports World Cup will be broadcast in more than 30 languages, reaching audiences in more than 100 countries through more than 80 media partners. New for 2025 is a major leap in content production, with more than 50hours of premium programming under the EWC Spotlight, in partnership with IMG, distribution across global television channels and explosive growth […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia Launches First National Cruise Ship Framework To Boost Red Sea Tourism And Marine Sustainability

The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) unveiled Saudi Arabia’s first-ever framework for cruise-ship operations. The comprehensive set of guidelines aims to guarantee the safety, security, and quality of the tourist experience from embarkation to return. The strategic move actively supports Saudi Arabia’s rapid tourism transformation and its ambition to become a leading global maritime destination. Saudi cruise rules The new guidelines meticulously define the responsibilities and roles of ship operators, shipping agents, and ports. They streamline the process for obtaining necessary licences and permits, integrating technical and operational requirements to foster confidence among both investors and consumers. Safety remains a core priority, with requirements for emergency plans, regular crew training aligned with international standards, and guaranteed availability of safety equipment, first aid, and qualified medical staff on board. The new framework includes strict environmental protection provisions designed to mitigate marine pollution. Cruise ships must implement integrated waste management plans, undertake wastewater treatment, and adhere to a zero-discharge policy for waste into the sea. Compliance with leading international agreements like MARPOL and SOLAS is mandatory, ensuring the preservation of the Red Sea’s marine environment as a valuable national heritage. Furthermore, the provisions heavily emphasize the tourist experience, requiring service providers at […]

1 year ago

Expats To Soon Own Property In Saudi Arabia? Investors Cheer Landmark Move

In a game-changing move for global investors and expats, Saudi Arabia will allow non-nationals to buy property in designated zones starting January 2026, marking a major shift in the Kingdom’s real estate landscape. The long-anticipated reform, approved by the Saudi Cabinet, is seen as part of the country’s wider efforts to attract foreign investment, increase housing supply, and diversify its economy beyond oil. While full details are still being finalized, officials confirmed that non-Saudis will be permitted to own real estate in key cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, while ownership in Mecca and Medina will remain under special regulatory conditions. Investors cheer move Investors with shareholding across major real estate firms benefitted, as stocks soared following the news. Retal Urban Development Co. and Saudi Real Estate Co. jumped over 5%, helping the Tadawul Real Estate Index hit its highest level since May. “This move will likely have very positive and broad implications for multiple sectors in the kingdom, evaluate experts, with real estate developers, cement companies, and banks are all expected to benefit. New ownership rules? The law is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader real estate reform agenda, and was described by Majed Al Hogail, Minister of Municipal and Rural […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia Suspends Two Umrah Firms Over Accommodation Violations

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended two Umrah companies for violating regulations, including housing pilgrims in unlicensed accommodations—an act the ministry described as a serious breach that jeopardises pilgrim safety. Legal action has been initiated against the companies, which were also summoned for investigation. The ministry said the penalties are part of broader efforts to safeguard the rights of pilgrims and enforce compliance with service standards. The ministry has stepped up its crackdown on companies that fail to meet regulatory requirements, warning that violations will be met with firm legal consequences. Inspections and monitoring efforts have intensified in recent months, targeting operators that do not comply with licensing rules or contractual obligations. “The ministry will not tolerate negligence or breaches of contractual obligations,” it said in a statement, adding that all licensed Umrah operators must fully adhere to approved regulations and provide services according to established schedules. The statement underscored the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the highest standards of quality and professionalism in services offered to pilgrims. It also called on all companies operating in the Umrah sector to prioritise the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of pilgrims and visitors to the holy sites in Mecca and Medina. […]

1 year ago

Esports World Cup 2025 Officially Kicks Off in Riyadh 

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) marked the start of the world’s largest esports and gaming festival. Running until the 24th of August, the Esports World Cup (EWC) features more than 2000 elite players, 25 tournaments across 24 leading titles, and a record-breaking prize pool of over $70 million!  EWC 2025: Where the World’s Top Esports Clubs Go Head-to-Head This summer, the Esports World Cup 2025 is raising the bar for global competition, uniting the top 200 Clubs from around the world in a groundbreaking cross-title format. At the centre of the action is the Club Championship, a high-stakes contest where teams earn points across multiple games to battle for the ultimate title of EWC Club Champion. Apart from bragging rights, the champions will take home a staggering $7 million grand prize, along with the honour of lifting the coveted Club Championship trophy. In total, the event boasts a record-breaking $70+ million prize. Saudi Arabia’s Vision: A Gaming Powerhouse HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “This event stands as a global milestone for esports by showcasing the scale, ambition, and future of competitive gaming. It is a moment that will shape the […]

1 year ago

ALDANAH by ROSHN: Creating a New Benchmark for Living in Saudi Arabia

When you think of luxury living, with spacious interiors, green spaces, and abundant amenities, Dubai often comes to mind. But that perception is shifting, and the country leading this transformation is Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is redefining how people live, work, and play. At the forefront of this change is ROSHN Group, the PIF-owned multi-asset developer. ROSHN’s latest community development recently broke ground in Dhahran, in the Eastern Region. ALDANAH, the Group’s first coastal community in the region, will feature over 2,000 homes across 1.7 million square meters. It introduces a new standard of living that prioritises thoughtful design, sustainability, and lifestyle. The result is a community that not only elevates the experience for its residents but also sets a new tone for the wider region. Contemporary Home Designs ROSHN Group has paid close attention to feedback, offering a diverse mix of home typologies that include a driver’s room, a maid’s room, and shaded parking as standard. Large windows maximise natural light, creating bright and airy spaces. Responding to the growing appetite for premium homes, ROSHN has introduced three exclusive villa designs located along ALDANAH’s central ‘green spine’. These homes feature expansive plots, ideal for gardens or swimming pools, and […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia Drives Middle East Push Into $600B Global Sports Market: Report

Saudi Arabia is spearheading the Middle East’s emergence as a global sports powerhouse, backed by large-scale investment, major event hosting and rapid growth in digital sectors, according to a new report by global consultancy Kearney. The report, titled From Passion to Profit: Unlocking Value in Sports, projects the global sports market will exceed $600 billion by 2030. It identifies the Middle East as playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the industry, citing policy reforms, infrastructure spending and a strong push into esports as core drivers of the region’s influence. Saudi Arabia has allocated $38 billion to become a global centre for gaming and esports, while also advancing broader development of sports infrastructure and event management under its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. “The region is innovating at scale: from Riyadh’s Sports Boulevard and Qatar’s integrated World Cup infrastructure to the UAE’s growing ecosystem of digital fan platforms,” said Mohamed Hashem, Partner and Sports Lead for the Middle East and Africa at Kearney. “Rather than replicating Western models, countries across the region are testing new frameworks that align sport with broader economic and societal ambitions.” Middle East’s rise in global sports The report highlights the transformation taking place across the region, with […]

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