Recent stories from sustg

MUST-READS

  • Saudi Arabia presents space advances at G20 meeting in Brazil

    Saudi Space Agency Vice Chairman and CEO Mohammed Al-Tamimi led the Saudi delegation at the fifth G20 Space Economy Leaders Meeting in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, from Sept. 11 to 13. This year’s meeting, initiated during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency, focused on “Space Economy and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities.” Al-Tamimi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s advances in its space sector and the Kingdom’s commitment to using space technology for sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

  • S&P Boosts Saudi Arabia Outlook, Flags Possible Ratings Upgrade

    S&P Global Ratings raised Saudi Arabia’s outlook to positive from stable and flagged the possibility for future ratings increases as the kingdom presses ahead with a massive economic overhaul aimed at diversifying revenues and boosting the non-oil sector. “The positive outlook reflects the potential that the Saudi government’s wide-ranging reforms and investments will underpin the development of the non-oil economy while upholding sustainable public finances,” S&P analysts including Zahabia Gupta said in a report on Friday.

  • Saudi Arabia winger in intensive care after fall

    Saudi Arabia international Fahad Al-Muwallad is in intensive care after falling from a balcony at his apartment in Dubai. The player's club, Al-Shabab, said an accident occurred on Thursday at a home owned by the 30-year-old. Local police confirmed that Al-Muwallad, who has represented his country 78 times, "fell from the balcony of his second-floor home".

  • No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state: Prince Turki

    He said the US is keen on the resumption of talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia to strengthen regional security and to forge economic ties, but Riyadh’s position is that “if there’s a Palestinian state that Israel accepts to come (into) existence, then we can talk about normalization with Israel.” The prince added: “Before Oct. 7 … talks not only progressed along those lines, but also the Kingdom invited a Palestinian delegation to come and talk directly to the Americans about what it is that might bring about a Palestinian state.

  • Bon voyage: Retired airplanes take Jeddah to Riyadh road trip

    Stunning images of three retired airplanes mounted atop trailer trucks being transported from Jeddah to Riyadh has created a buzz on social media. From a man enjoying gahwa on a traditional carpet on the side of the road to a group of young children giving the aircraft a salute on its final journey, the images are capturing a new turn in the life of the aircraft. The airplanes, which were retired from Saudia Airlines between 2016 and 2017, were transported under tight security, covering a distance of more than 850 km from Jeddah to Madinah, then to Qassim, and ultimately to Riyadh.

  • How Saudi Arabia’s investment in blue ammonia is helping the global clean energy transition

    The production of blue ammonia involves capturing up to 90 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions generated during its manufacture, thereby significantly reducing its environmental impact. This makes it an attractive alternative to conventional fossil fuels, especially in industries that are difficult to decarbonize, such as shipping, aviation, and heavy manufacturing.

  • Saudi art icon Safeya Binzagr passes away

    The Saudi art world was deeply saddened by the passing of Safeya Binzagr, the celebrated artist often referred to as the "Mona Lisa of Hijaz," on Thursday. Born in 1940 in the heart of Jeddah’s old city Harat Al-Sham, Safeya Binzagr’s early life was intertwined with the rich heritage and traditions of her hometown. The old city’s ambiance and the warmth of its people profoundly influenced her artistic journey. In 1947, Binzagr and her family moved to Egypt, but the memories of Jeddah’s narrow alleys and traditional customs remained deeply ingrained in her.

  • S&P upgrades Saudi Arabia’s outlook to positive on sustained reforms

    S&P Global Ratings has revised Saudi Arabia’s forecast to positive from stable on Friday, reflecting the kingdom’s sustained reforms momentum, strong non-oil growth outlook and economic resilience. The ratings agency said the positive outlook reflects the Saudi government’s potential to bring in more reforms and investments, contributing to the development of non-oil economy. The upgrade also reflects the country’s economic resilience against volatility stemming from the hydrocarbon sector.

  • Saudi Arabia’s bold recycling plan will see it become a world-leader, experts believe

    Saudi Arabia is seeking to make the most of this industry, and in January the Kingdom’s Ministry of Environment announced a comprehensive plan to recycle a significant portion – up to 95 percent – of the country’s waste. This initiative is anticipated to contribute approximately SR120 billion ($31.99 billion) to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product, and aims to generate over 100,000 employment opportunities for the Kingdom’s nationals. When fully implemented, the plan will see the recycling of around 100 million tonnes of waste annually, showcasing the nation’s commitment to sustainability.

  • Opinion: Netanyahu Is Playing Into Khamenei’s Hands

    While Khamenei and Nasrallah haven’t backed their retaliation threats with deeds, they are intent on keeping Israel under constant pressure and consumed by wars of attrition. Indeed, wearing Israel down in quagmires that cost it militarily and isolate it politically on the world stage is the core of Iran’s strategy. As Khamenei argued in March, Israel is “suffering a crisis” because the “entry of the Zionist regime in Gaza created a quagmire for it. If it comes out of Gaza today, it will have failed. And if it doesn’t come out, it will also have failed.”