RIYADH — Total investment in the industrial cities of Yanbu and Jubail has exceeded SR1.5 trillion by the end of 2025, according to the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu’s annual report. The figure reflects the scale of investments and the alignment of the Commission’s efforts with the objectives of the National Industrial Strategy, which seeks to develop national industries, maximize value-added output, and expand the production base. These initiatives, in turn, strengthen the competitiveness of the national economy and increase the contribution of the non-oil sector to economic growth. The growth also highlights the Commission’s role as a key…
Author: Editorial Team
RIYADH — The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has forecast thunderstorms to continue across multiple regions of the Kingdom from Friday through Tuesday, with rainfall ranging from light to heavy, intensifying in several areas. According to the NCM, these weather conditions may be accompanied by strong downdraft winds reaching up to 60 km/h, which could stir up dust and reduce visibility; hail; rising wave heights; and flash floods in areas experiencing heavier rainfall. The center also forecast the severity of these storms could increase in certain areas over the weekend. For regions expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall, certain…
As the global automotive industry accelerates toward electrification and intelligent mobility, OMODA & JAECOO — fast-rising brands under the Chery Group — are reinforcing their position as one of the industry’s most dynamic new entrants. Following strong global expansion into 64 markets and cumulative sales surpassing 960,000 units in under three years, OMODA & JAECOO continue to gain traction and are fast approaching the one-million milestone, with the UAE emerging as one of the key regional growth markets in the Middle East. Within just one year of operations in the UAE, OMODA & JAECOO have recorded over 3,000 vehicle sales,…
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently outlined plans to explore a ban on China’s three major telecoms operators running data centres in the United States. These plans form part of an ongoing effort to address national security concerns. It stated it tentatively concluded national security concerns exist with companies on its so-called Covered List including China Telecom, China Unicom and China Mobile interconnecting with domestic operators, and is seeking comment on whether to issue a ban. The Covered List identifies telecoms and other equipment deemed an unacceptable risk to US national security, banning its authorisation, importation and sale. Specifically,…
The Sport Investment Forum (SIF) 2026 announced the Sports Boulevard project as a main sponsor of the forum, which will be held in Riyadh from April 20 to 22, with senior executives and investment and sports leaders from several countries participating. One of Riyadh’s mega projects, Sports Boulevard extends for more than 135 km and includes pathways, sports facilities, and investment opportunities in the sports and tourism sectors. The project will participate in the forum through panel discussions and workshops, alongside presentations on its key investment opportunities, giving investors and companies a closer look at partnership and expansion prospects. The…
RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced an update to compliance requirements for documenting employment contracts through the Qiwa platform. It has raised the target compliance rate to 85 percent starting April 30, 2026, followed by a second phase increasing the rate to 90 percent by June 30, 2026. The ministry noted that the compliance rate is calculated by comparing the number of documented contracts to the total number of employee contracts at each establishment, allowing employers to monitor their performance accurately and clearly. The update to the rules comes as part of the ministry’s efforts…
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed today 574 food baskets to returnees from neighboring countries, internally displaced persons, needy families, and orphans in Kabul Province, Afghanistan, benefiting 3,444 individuals from 574 families, as part of the Food Security and Emergency Project in Afghanistan for 2026. This comes as part of the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts, carried out through its humanitarian arm KSrelief, to support the Afghan people and alleviate their suffering. Source: Riyadh Daily
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the US Navy would “immediately” begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following the collapse of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan. Trump said he had instructed naval forces to intercept vessels linked to payments to Iran, aiming to cut off what he described as Tehran’s economic leverage. “I have instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran,” he said, adding that ships doing so would not have safe passage. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global chokepoint, previously…
RIYADH — Remittances of expatriates in the Kingdom recorded a decrease of two percent in February 2026, reaching SR12.55 billion, compared to the same period in 2025. This is the lowest figure in 15 months, according to the latest data released by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). The SAMA data indicated that foreign remittances in February fell by approximately SR768 million or 6 percent, compared to January 2026. The data also showed a 22 percent decrease in remittances by Saudis abroad during February, compared to the same month in 2025, reaching SR 4.86 billion. Source: Saudi Gazette
The Holy Quran Museum in the Hira Cultural District in Makkah houses one of the rarest examples of Islamic art: a mosaic depicting the opening verses of the Holy Quran. This remarkable artwork blends the elegance of Arabic calligraphy with the precision and richness of Islamic decorative arts. Dating back to the 17th century, the mosaic reflects both exceptional craftsmanship and a longstanding tradition of expressing the Holy Quran through diverse artistic techniques. The original manuscript is preserved within the holdings of the King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries, one of the most prominent institutions dedicated to the preservation and conservation of…