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  • Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup could be year’s best race

    Saturday's $20 million Saudi Cup is not only the richest race in the world, but also, potentially, this year's best. And that 1 1/8 miles is only the capper on a program that has stars from around the globe competing from sprints to marathons, on dirt and on turf. The question of the day is: Can Romantic Warrior, the Hong Kong superstar already ranked as the top money-earner in Thoroughbred history, transition successfully from turf to the dirt surface at King Abdulaziz Racecourse? If he can, even the opposition reckons him a good bet to earn his 11th Group 1 victory in a fifth nation and push his earnings over the $33 million mark. The "undercard" has runners who have competed in the world's top races, including last year's winner, Remake; reigning Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Straight No Chaser; and Japan Cup runner-up Shin Emperor. The Saudi Derby has several contenders who could go on to the UAE Derby and the Run for the Roses.

  • King Salman approves Saudi riyal symbol

    King Salman on Thursday approved the official symbol for the Saudi riyal, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Kingdom’s financial journey, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. Saudi Central Bank Gov. Ayman Al-Sayari expressed his gratitude to the nation’s leadership for launching the symbol, which he believes “reinforces Saudi Arabia’s financial identity both locally and globally.” Al-Sayari further noted that this initiative underscores the growing international influence of the Saudi riyal, while also fostering a sense of national pride and cultural unity. He added that the newly designed symbol represents the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage.

  • How to Celebrate Saudi Founding Day in 2025: Culture, Heritage, and Luxury Experiences

    Saudi Founding Day, celebrated annually on February 22, is a momentous occasion that honours the deep-rooted history, culture, and heritage of the Kingdom. Whether you are in Saudi Arabia or beyond, there are various immersive experiences to mark this special day. From engaging in cultural events to indulging in luxury hospitality, here’s how to celebrate Saudi Founding Day in 2025.

  • Saudi Arabia unveils new Saudi riyal symbol, design derived from Arabic calligraphy

    Saudi Arabia on Thursday unveiled a symbol for the Saudi riyal approved by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, citing the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). The reveal of the Saudi riyal symbol is a historic move that is set to reinforce the Saudi currency’s identity, according to the report. The Saudi riyal symbol “embodies the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, carrying the name of the national currency ‘Riyal’ in a design derived from Arabic calligraphy,” SPA said. The implementation of the new symbol will be gradual for financial and commercial transactions, with coordination across all relevant entities, al-Sayari added. The initiative aims to promote national identity and cultural belonging, highlight the role of the national currency, and showcase the Kingdom among major global economies and G20 members, SPA reported. The governor acknowledged all departments involved in the symbol's development project led by SAMA, including the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Media, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.

  • Normalization and Displacement: Saudi Arabia and Trump’s Gaza Proposal

    For Saudi Arabia, Palestinian displacement significantly stymies the prospects of normalization. Thus, the two projects are not merely intersecting but fundamentally incompatible. This incompatibility represents one of the potential sources of disagreement with Trump in his second term, alongside his demands for lower oil prices, which conflict with Saudi Arabia’s interest in maintaining high oil prices to fund its domestic needs and Vision 2030 projects. The kingdom is beginning to realize that dealing with Trump in a second term will be more challenging than during his first. Nevertheless, the overall atmosphere between the two sides remains positive. Trump chose Saudi Arabia to host a February 18 US-Russian summit, and Saudi Arabia has avoided any negative remarks about Trump in the current crisis, focusing its criticism on Israel.

  • Syria’s rebuilding is bringing US partners Turkey and Saudi Arabia closer together

    Since Turkey ended a period of sharp tensions with several Gulf countries in 2021, Ankara has improved relations with all the countries in the region, and ties between Turkey and Saudi Arabia in particular have significantly improved. Ankara and Riyadh have put aside their past disputes and deepened their strategic relations. Now, the rebuilding of post-Assad Syria offers an opportunity for Turkey and Saudi Arabia to deepen their relations further. After becoming Syria’s new de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia and Turkey for his first two visits abroad. This is a testament to the important role both countries are expected to play in the new Syria. Sharaa is likely attempting to show the new Syrian leadership’s intent to distance itself from Iran and attract the Saudi financial investment that Syria desperately needs.

  • Saudi crown prince invites leaders of GCC, Jordan, Egypt for informal meeting in Riyadh

    Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has invited the leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Jordan, and Egypt for a meeting in Riyadh on Friday, an official source stated on Thursday. The informal gathering follows similar meetings that have been held periodically for many years between the leaders of GCC countries, Jordan, and Egypt, enhancing cooperation and coordination. “Joint Arab action and any relevant decisions will be included in the agenda of the upcoming Extraordinary Arab Summit, which will be held in Egypt” on March 4, the source added.

  • Prospect of Russia-US deal raises alarm in Iran’s pro-reform camp

    In Iran, pro-reform and moderate media are expressing deep concern about the Saudi-brokered talks between Russia and the US. Many fear that Iran could become a bargaining chip in a potential deal between Moscow and Washington, with Tehran’s interests sidelined in favor of broader geopolitical agreements.

  • Russia’s Putin holds phone call with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince

    Russia’s President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday, the Kremlin said. Putin said the two countries will continue to work within the OPEC+ framework to maintain stability in the global oil market. Putin also expressed his gratitude for organizing the Russia-US negotiations that took place in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday.

  • Reconstruction and rivalries: What to expect from Saudi Arabia’s Gaza summit

    Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to host leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates in Riyadh on Friday to discuss the Egyptian proposal. Just because Trump has warmed up to an Arab post-war plan for Gaza and is keen on Gulf cash does not mean the crown prince and his counterparts have it easy. The Egyptian plan, which has now been widely reported, calls, unsurprisingly, for Palestinians to stay in the Gaza Strip. They would live in mobile housing while debris is cleared away and reconstruction begins. The main sticking point is who will pay for reconstruction and temporary housing. Analysts and diplomats have speculated that Trump’s call for the US to take over the enclave without paying for it was a ploy to get oil-rich Gulf states to foot the bill. More than $50bn will be required to rebuild Gaza, a joint assessment provided by the United Nations, European Union and World Bank on Tuesday said. At least $20bn will be required in the first three years. Asked in an interview in January if Saudi Arabia would fund Gaza’s reconstruction, Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UK, said: “To reconstruct a Palestinian state, yes. To reconstruct a territory that the Israelis might destroy again in a matter of years, I don’t think that would be a sensible thing to do.”