QUOTED

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“The Kingdom has connected 6.2 GW of renewable energy to its grid, with 20 GW of projects launched this year and 44.2 GW under development—enough to supply 7+ million homes with clean electricity.” Saudi Green Initiative 2024 forum, gallery, and talks conclude with impactful outcomes [Zawya]

TOP STORY

Noor Riyadh, world’s largest light festival, attracts 3 million

Noor Riyadh, 1

Noor Riyadh, the world’s largest light art festival and a flagship program of Riyadh Art, concluded its successful fourth edition, welcoming over 3 million spectators and bringing together over 60 artworks by more than 60 artists from 18 countries. [more]

 

MORE TOP STORYLINES

Saudi Healthcare Firm Almoosa’s IPO Draws $46 Billion in Orders

Via Laura Gardner Cuesta in yahoo.com: Saudi Arabia’s Almoosa drew 173 billion riyal ($46 billion) worth of orders from institutional investors for its $450 million initial public offering in the kingdom, in a sign of continued interest in Middle Eastern listings. Almoosa is offering 13.3 million shares, or a 30% stake. At this price, the firm would be valued at 5.62 billion riyals, with the deal on track to be the kingdom’s second largest listing of the year. Almoosa is the latest Middle Eastern listing to garner triple-digit levels of oversubscription, although of late this has not necessarily translated to strong trading performance.

The Transformative Power of Sculptures and Landmarks in Urban Spaces: The Case of Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

in archdaily.com: The Mujassam Wattan competition, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, has been a catalyst for integrating meaningful public art into cities across the Kingdom. By inviting artists and designers to create works inspired by Saudi heritage and aspirations, the initiative fosters cultural expression while enhancing urban spaces. In Alkhobar, the competition resulted in the creation of Alarda and Alkhobar Memory, two sculptures that transformed the citys sea front into a cultural and social hub. These works exemplify how public art can redefine spaces, connect communities, and highlight local identity.

Diriyah Company awards $202M excavation contract to China

Via Nikita Buekenhout in mepmiddleeast.com: Diriyah Company, the visionary Saudi mixed-use developer transforming “The City of Earth,” has awarded a $202.2 million contract to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for bulk excavation works within the second phase of the ambitious Diriyah project. Spanning approximately 6.3 square kilometres of the 14 square kilometre development, this phase is a cornerstone in bringing Diriyah’s integrated urban master plan to life. The project features more than 40 hotels, arts districts, museums, and world-class sporting venues, including the Royal Diriyah Opera House and the 20,000-seat Diriyah Arena. This groundwork will enable the seamless construction of the planned cultural and entertainment landmarks, paving the way for Diriyah to become a premier live-work-play destination on the outskirts of Riyadh.

 

MORE ON THE KINGDOM AND BEYOND

In a year, Saudi gifted students get 107 global awards, with over 582,000 students competing nationally.

Saudi Arabia's national teams who competed in international science and academic contests had tremendous success, winning 107 global awards across 25 events held between September...[via mawhiba.org]

 

‘Next Saudi Generation Program’ Launched to Support Saudi Talent in Motorsports

The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) has launched the Next Saudi Generation Program to support and develop Saudi talent in motorsports. The program, conducted in...[via spa.gov]

 

Iran FM says ties with Saudi Arabia are progressing despite gradual pace

Speaking in an interview with China Media Group (CMG), Araghchi said that the newly restored Iranian-Saudi ties have a lot of potential that haven’t been...[via alarabiya.net]

 

Milan star thanks Saudi fans for inspiring Supercoppa comeback

Milan forward Tammy Abraham has hailed the impact of the support in Riyadh as his side booked their place in the Supercoppa Italiana final. The Englishman...[via yahoo.com]

 

Major Saudi Food Company Exits Iran After 20 Years

The Saudi Arabian group SAVOLA has sold all its assets in Iran for 705 million Saudi riyals (approximately $188 million) and is exiting the country. SAVOLA,...[via iranfocus.com]

 

Cristiano Ronaldo Talks Life In Saudi Arabia, Growth Of Saudi Pro League

Since Ronaldo's arrival in the SPL, the league has grown leaps and bounds. Players like Karim Benzema, Neymar, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, and...[By Apratim Banerjee via si.com]

 

All 6 lines of Riyadh Metro operational with rollout of Orange Line

The Line 3 (Orange Line) covering Madinah Road would connect the east of Riyadh to its west, and extends from Jeddah Road in the west...[via saudigazette.com]

 

Which sporting events is Saudi Arabia hosting in 2025?

On the back of the busiest sporting year Saudi Arabia has ever had, punctuated by news of the nation’s successful 2034 FIFA...[By Mark Lomas via alarabiya.net]

 

US approves possible sale of torpedoes to Saudi Arabia: Pentagon

The State Department approves the possible sale of 20 MK 54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedoes to Saudi Arabia for $78.5 million, according...[via alarabiya.net]

 

Saudi Arabia Affirms Readiness To Participate In Syria’s Renaissance

Prince Faisal reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity while emphasizing efforts to achieve security, stability, and prosperity for the...[via eurasiareview.com]

 

Saudi Arabia revises fees for seven services, including visa and Iqama renewals

The Saudi Ministry of Interior’s Absher Business platform has introduced updated fees for seven services offered to establishments, according to Okaz newspaper. Among the changes,...[via gulfnews.com]

 

Climate-driven sea level rise will overwhelm major oil ports, study shows

Rising sea levels driven by the climate crisis will overwhelm many of the world’s biggest oil ports, analysis indicates. Thirteen of the ports with the...[By Damian Carrington via theguardian.com]

 

Saudi Arabia embraces mortgage-backed securities

Saudi officials have signed a preliminary deal this week to issue residential mortgage-backed securities, a first for the Gulf. The Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company (SRC),...[By Valentina Pasquali via agbi.com]

 

Anti-corruption squad arrests Saudi government employees

Government employees were among 145 people arrested in Saudi Arabia over corruption charges last month. The country’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) conducted 1,462 “oversight visits”...[By Gavin Gibbon via agbi.com]

 

South African-built cars dominate the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia: Video

South Africa’s strong legacy at the Dakar Rally continues in 2025, with more than half of the vehicles at the event in Saudi Arabia being...[via youtube.com]

 

Saudi wages rise 45% as unemployment hits historic low of 3.3% in 2024

Wages for Saudis in the private sector rose by 45 per cent in 2024, as Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development...[By Khitam Al Amir via gulfnews.com]

 

Saudi Arabia to host 2026 Gulf Cup

Adding another tournament to a busy decade of football events, Saudi Arabia will host the 2026 Gulf Cup.  The news was confirmed on the sidelines of...[via insideworldfootball.com]

 

Clampdown begins on Saudi’s unlicensed hospitality

Travel and tourism service providers and booking platforms have been ordered by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism to remove unlicensed hospitality facilities from their listings...[By Neil Halligan via agbi.com]

 

PHOTO COLLECTION: Saudi Arabia Dakar Rally

This is a collection of 37 photos chosen by AP photo editors. ...[via apnews.com]

 

Trump returns to a profoundly different Middle East

In the urgent first quarter of 2025, the new US administration is going to have to focus on how to maximize the opportunity while minimizing...[By Paul Salem via mei.edu]

 

Post-Assad Syria presents a more complex, nuanced, and urgent challenge to a second Trump administration

A political transition is currently underway in Damascus, run by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — a group that remains a designated terrorist organization in the...[By Charles Lister via mei.edu]

 

Syrian mass graves expose “machinery of death” under Assad, top prosecutor says

An international war crimes prosecutor said on Tuesday that evidence emerging from mass grave sites in ...[By Timour Azhari and Anthony Deutsch via reuters.com]

 

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards extend control over Tehran’s oil exports, sources say

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have tightened their grip on the country's oil industry and control up to half...[By Jonathan Saul and Parisa Hafezi via reuters.com]

 

Mubadala backs US-based AI startup in $600m funding round

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company is among the investors backing Crusoe, a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence infrastructure provider, in its $600 million funding round. The...[By Pramod Kumar via agbi.com]

 
 

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