MUST-READS

• Saudi crown prince discusses ways to support Syrian Arab Republic with president during trip to Riyadh

  The crown prince congratulated Al-Sharaa on his recent appointment and wished him success in achieving the hopes and aspirations of the Syrian people. The interim president said Saudi Arabia was committed to supporting his country after meeting Prince Mohammed: “We held a long meeting during which we felt and heard a genuine desire to support Syria in building its future,” Al-Sharaa said in a statement on Telegram. Military commanders appointed Al-Sharaa interim president weeks after militant forces overran Damascus. Last month, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, visited Damascus and said the Kingdom was engaged in talks with the US and European partners to help lift economic sanctions imposed on the Syrian Arab Republic that have left the country’s economy decimated.

  • France 24 - Syria's new leader al-Sharaa meets Saudi crown prince on first trip abroad
• 10,295 illegal residents deported in a week

  The Saudi security forces have arrested a total of 21,564 illegal residents from various regions of the Kingdom during the last week. The arrests were made during the joint field security campaigns that were carried out in collaboration with the relevant government agencies during the period between Jan. 23 and 29, the Ministry of Interior revealed on Saturday. Those who were arrested included 13,883 violators of the Residency Law, 4,668 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,013 violators of the Labor Law. A total of 27,127 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents while 2317 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations whereas 10,295 violators were deported.

• 55 Saudi companies take part in Baghdad International Fair

  The Saudi Export Development Authority (Saudi Exports), in partnership with the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, is participating in the 48th edition of the Baghdad International Fair. The Saudi pavilion features 55 national companies representing various export sectors. The exhibition, which kicked off on Saturday and will run through until Feb. 7 in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen trade ties between Saudi Arabia and Iraq while showcasing the Kingdom’s leading products and services. Saudi non-oil exports to Iraq have reached nearly SR20 billion over the past five years (2020–October 2024), with metals and their products, food industries, and electrical machinery and equipment ranking as the top export sectors during this period

• Nazaha arrests 158 ministry employees over corruption charges

  The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) officials have arrested 158 employees of various ministries over corruption charges during the last month of January. Some of the arrested employees were released on bail. Those who were arrested included employees of the Ministries of Interior, Defense, National Guard, Justice, Health, Education, Commerce, and Municipalities and Housing. They were accused of charges including bribery and abuse of office. The Nazaha said that it has carried out 1076 inspection tours during the last month and that resulted in carrying out investigations against 396 suspects. The authority initiated a number of administrative and criminal cases following the inspection raids.

• WhatsApp calls reportedly activated in Saudi Arabia: Permanent change or temporary test?
  Many WhatsApp users in Saudi Arabia reported on Saturday that voice and video calling features had been activated after years of restrictions. However, there has been no official confirmation on whether this is a permanent change or a temporary test. The sudden activation has raised questions, particularly in the absence of an announcement from authorities. Technology expert Abdullah Al Subaie noted that this move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance telecommunications and digital infrastructure, potentially improving communication for users.

• Acting Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia Shannon Dolan

  Dr. Shannon Dolan is the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia and a career member of the Senior Foreign Service.  Most recently, she led the management operations of the mission.  For the past three years, she was the U.S. Director of the bilateral Program of Technical Cooperation in Saudi Arabia, leading the interagency team to develop and implement training and advising programs bolstering security, critical infrastructure protection, and counterterrorism efforts in support of U.S national security goals.

• UAE becomes top global destination for winter tourism: Report

  The UAE has advanced to 18^th position globally in the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index, whilst maintaining its regional leadership. The nation’s Tourism Strategy 2031 targets AED100 billion in investments and 40 million hotel guests. The World Travel & Tourism Council reports that the UAE received 29.2 million international tourists in 2024, marking a 15.5 percent increase from 2023. The council projects visitor numbers to reach 45.5 million by 2033, WAM said in a statement.

• Glamping and Boutique Adventure Hotels Gain Ground in Saudi Tourism Push

  The push for adventure-based tourism aligns with consumer preferences for environmentally responsible travel, making boutique adventure accommodations a strategic investment. The appeal of glamping and boutique adventure hotels lies in their ability to balance luxury with sustainability. Unlike large-scale resorts, these properties integrate outdoor activities that allow guests to engage with nature while minimizing environmental impact. According to a report by Blooloop, Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes create ideal settings for adventure tourism. Developers can incorporate outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and stargazing, enriching guest experiences and differentiating their offerings from traditional accommodations.

• Expat Tales: Experiencing ‘history in the making’ in Saudi Arabia

  I relocated to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in February 2024 because I was eager to join the company I work for. It wasn't until I secured the role and began preparing for the move that I realised it's not just the company I'm working for that’s making history. Living in the Kingdom right now is experiencing history in the making. Living in a compound means my apartment is part of a community of 400 tenants, many of whom have become close friends. Imagine living in a resort with a group of your friends every day - that’s what compound life feels like. Everything in Riyadh comes alive after dark! Due to the heat, the Saudi way of life is to rest during the day and go out at night. Malls are empty during the day, but if you go at 1am, you’ll have a hard time finding parking. I was lucky enough to get tickets to see Tyson Fury in a boxing match here, and he entered the ring at 2am. You can even get a haircut at midnight if you feel like it!

• Veteran Saudi actor Mohammed Al Towayan passes away

  Mohammed Al Towayan, a leading figure in Saudi television and cinema, has died at the age of 79, the Saudi Ministry of Culture confirmed on Friday. Al Towayan, known for his roles in hit drama series such as Awdat Asweed, Ayal Qariah, and Ghashmshm, played a pivotal role in shaping the Saudi entertainment industry over nearly five decades. His final film, Mandoub Al Layl (The Night Agent), was a major box-office success in Saudi Arabia and was screened internationally. Despite his long-standing presence in television, his transition to cinema marked a significant shift in his career.

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