Madinah, May 07, 2026, SPA -- The Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has announced a range of volunteer opportunities for this year’s Hajj season. The initiative aims to strengthen community participation, develop volunteer work, and further embed a culture of volunteering within society. The volunteer opportunities include providing religious guidance and instruction, assisting in organizing prayer rows, monitoring screens and electronic devices, offering translation services, conducting field awareness campaigns, and serving visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque. The presidency invites those interested in participating to register through the National Platform for Volunteer Work and apply for the available opportunities. ...read full article

Riyadh, May 07, 2026, SPA -- Ten years after its establishment in 2016, the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) continues to advance Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector, marking a decade of transformation that has reshaped it into a more structured and dynamic industry. Since its launch, the GEA has focused on regulating activities, issuing licenses, empowering investors, and strengthening coordination among stakeholders to build a sustainable entertainment ecosystem. It has also invested in developing national talent through specialized programs that prepare Saudi professionals for leadership roles in the sector. Among its most notable achievements is the launch of six editions of Riyadh Season since 2019, which has grown into one of the world’s leading entertainment events and a globally recognized brand. The season’s brand value is estimated at $3.2 billio ......read full article

Makkah, May 09, 2026, SPA -- President of the General Presidency of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sanad launched the presidency’s programs for the 1447 AH Hajj season to support services provided to pilgrims. He said that the presidency’s participation has expanded this year to cover 10 regions across the Kingdom, including border crossings and pilgrim cities. The initiative includes 66 sites comprising awareness field centers, border crossings, and awareness points. Around 900 personnel are assigned to these sites, supported by translators in several international languages and sign language. He added that personnel have undergone 31 training programs to enhance performance efficiency during the Hajj season. ...read full article

Riyadh, May 06, 2026, SPA -- The King Abdulaziz Public Library, in cooperation with the Riyadh Education Department, will launch its 26th annual Free Reading Festival for public school students on Sunday. Running from May 10 to 14 in Riyadh, the festival will bring together more than 100 schools, over 1,550 students, and a number of educators and teachers. It aims to foster a love of reading and learning, expand students’ literary, scientific, and cultural horizons, and encourage teachers to promote independent reading. It will also provide a platform to showcase student talents and strengthen Arabic language skills. Through initiatives like this festival, the King Abdulaziz Public Library promotes reading through diverse programs and a wide range of books that foster pride in the Kingdom’s heritage. ...read full article

New York, May 8, 2026, SPA -- Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil affirmed that the signing of a letter of intent between the Digital Government Authority (DGA) and the United Nations to establish a global digital government center in Riyadh reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at advancing digital transformation and leveraging modern technologies to serve sustainable development. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Alwasil said the selection of Riyadh to host the global center reflects the Kingdom’s significant progress in digital government and technological innovation under Saudi Vision 2030. He added that the move also reflects the leadership’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation and building effective partnerships with the United Nat ......read full article

Riyadh, May 07, 2026, SPA -- Riyadh Airports Company, which manages and operates King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, achieved a new global accomplishment by winning four awards at the 2026 Stevie Awards, considered among the most prominent international awards honoring innovation and excellence across various business fields. The awards annually attract thousands of entries from leading institutions and companies worldwide and are subject to precise evaluation standards by specialized international judging committees, reinforcing their position as one of the leading global awards in institutional excellence. The company received awards across multiple categories, winning the gold award for Innovation in the Use of Social Media, in addition to two silver awards for Most Innovative Social Media Campaign and Most Innovative Use of Influencer Collaboration, alongside a bronze awa ......read full article

Jeddah, May 8, 2026, SPA -- Sports fans will turn their attention tomorrow evening to King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah for the final of the 2025–2026 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Cup, the 39th edition of the Kingdom’s most prestigious cup tournament, which will bring together Al-Hilal FC and Al-Kholood FC. Al-Hilal enters the final relying on its extensive experience in championship matches, in addition to a squad featuring international and highly experienced players at domestic and continental levels. The team aims to conclude its season by securing another title after progressing past several opponents on its way to the final, seeking to reclaim the trophy after last winning the competition in the 2023–2024 season. Meanwhile, Al-Kholood will play in the first major final in its history, continuing its rise after earning promotion to the Saudi Pro ......read full article

Jeddah, May 8, 2026, SPA -- The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, signed on Thursday 21 agreements with Azerbaijan involving several financial institutions and commercial banks, as part of its cooperation with the private sector. The agreements were concluded on the sidelines of the private sector forum held in Baku. The corporation stated that Europe, Central Asia, and Azerbaijan represent the largest share of its financing portfolio, with a significant portion of operations focused on trade finance. It emphasized that its activities are centered on achieving measurable results, with objectives defined prior to project implementation, continuous monitoring of impact throughout execution, and final evaluation upon completion. The corporation noted that its engagements cover all commercial b ......read full article

Tabuk, May 04, 2026, SPA -- Red Sea Global announced enhanced travel access to the Red Sea destination for the Eid Al-Adha season by adding 32 flights to meet the growing holiday demand. The Red Sea destination currently offers nine hotels for guests, delivering a range of experiences from desert escapes and island living to adventure and entertainment, including skateboarding, cable surfing, cliff jumping, along with children’s water play areas, a floating obstacle course, and a 215-meter saltwater wave pool with waves reaching up to 2.1 meters. During Eid, the Red Sea destination will present a curated program of culinary, entertainment, and cultural experiences. ...read full article

Jeddah, May 5, 2026, SPA -- The AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 will kick off today at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, and run from May 5 to 22. The Kingdom is participating as the host nation, seeded in the first pot, alongside 15 other national teams. CEO of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Local Organizing Committee Mai Alhelabi stated that the tournament represents a leading model in sports event organization. She added that the implementation of the “single-site” system has enhanced work teams' readiness and achieved the highest levels of coordination and efficiency in managing matches and related services. She noted that the tournament will offer a rich and diverse experience that meets the aspirations of different segments of society through accompanying events and interactive activities, enhancing public attendance and creating a vibra ......read full article

Riyadh, May 06, 2026, SPA -- The Saudi Stock Exchange main index ended trading lower today, losing 57.70 points to close at 10,949.27 points. The total value of trading reached SAR6.7 billion, with 320 million shares traded. The Saudi Parallel Market Index (NOMU) ended higher, gaining 85.64 points to close at 22,811.84 points. Trading value on NOMU reached SAR19 million, with 2.8 million shares traded. ...read full article

Four shows across three cities - Riyadh, Al Khobar, Jeddah - to be held in June and October Fastest-growing jewellery show in the Middle East: a celebration of beauty, heritage and craftsmanship 6 May 2026; Jewels of the World is set to return to Saudi Arabia in June, strengthening its standing as one of the region’s premier watch and jewellery showcases. The event spans four shows across three cities over the course of 2026, bringing together a host of prestigious international watch and jewellery maisons, independent brands and exceptional craftsmanship in a curated presentation of rare and coveted creations. The 2026 calendar will open at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh from 15-19 June, before moving to Al Khobar’s Dhahran Expo from 23-26 June. Later in the year, Jewels of the World will return to Riyadh from 11-15 October, before the series concludes in Jeddah fr ......read full article

Makkah, May 05, 2026, SPA -- The Makkah Chamber of Commerce organized a workshop today titled "Seasonal Work Skills," aimed at developing the capabilities of workers in Hajj-related sectors and enhancing their professional readiness to serve pilgrims efficiently and professionally.= The workshop covered several key topics, including the nature of seasonal work, time management mechanisms, and understanding human behavior, as well as best practices for interacting with pilgrims, contributing to improving their overall experience. This initiative forms part of the chamber's efforts to support private sector establishments and workforce development, enabling them to play an effective role in serving pilgrims, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance the quality of services provided to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. ...read full article

Riyadh, May 05, 2026, SPA -- Governor of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) Dr. Saad Al-Kasabi received today a delegation from the Syrian Arab Organization for Standardization and Metrology (SASMO) headed by its Director General Yaser Alaiwi, to discuss enhancing technical cooperation and developing integration pathways between the two sides in the fields of standards, quality, and conformity assessment. During the meeting, a number of joint initiatives were discussed, most notably the exchange of experiences, expertise, and legislation in national quality infrastructure, alignment of priority standards, examination of mutual recognition mechanisms, certificates, and quality marks, and the formation of joint working teams to exchange expertise and implement specialized technical programs, contributing to reducing technical barriers and facilitating trade e ......read full article

Madinah, May 5, 2026, SPA -- Taibah University in Madinah has recorded and described a new species of burrowing scorpion in a new scientific milestone in documenting biodiversity in Saudi Arabia. The discovery of Scorpio furvus was documented as part of a research study conducted in Harrat Uwayrid, AlUla Governorate, with the findings published in the international scientific journal Taxonomy. The discovery involved Associate Professor of Ecology and Taxonomy at Taibah University Dr. Abdulhadi Aloufi, in collaboration with a research team from Jordan, reflecting scientific cooperation in exploring the Kingdom’s unique natural environments. The study explained that the Latin name furvus means "dark-colored," referring to the scorpion’s coloration, which ranges from dark brown to reddish-black. The species is further distinguished by yellow legs and a strongl ......read full article

Al-Baha, May 04, 2026, SPA -- Al-Baha Region witnessed scattered rainfall today, ranging from moderate to heavy, covering Al-Baha city and several governorates. The rain was accompanied by active winds and dense cumulonimbus clouds. It contributed to a pleasant atmosphere and a drop in temperatures, highlighting the region’s natural beauty and diverse topography. The rainfall led to the flow of several valleys and streams. It also formed water pools across roads and plains. Highlands and natural parks were covered in lush greenery, enhancing their appearance, amid fog and low clouds touching mountain peaks. Rainfall affected several governorates across the region, with flash floods observed in some areas. These conditions added to the scenic landscape and attracted residents and visitors seeking to enjoy the spring weather. Spring rains are a key factor in revitalizing veg ......read full article

RIYADH, May 5, 2026 — The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed that securing a Hajj permit is the fundamental cornerstone for ensuring that rituals are performed with security and peace of mind. Adhering to these regulations is essential for achieving a seamless flow of movement throughout the Holy Sites.  The Saudi Ministry explained that the permitting system empowers authorities to manage large crowds efficiently by organizing the dispatch process and distributing pilgrims across various locations in a balanced manner. This structured approach allows for maximum readiness of field services at specific times and locations.  The Ministry warned that the presence of unauthorized individuals negatively impacts the safety of all pilgrims and the overall efficiency of services. It also cautioned against being misled by deceptive advertisements. Prospective ......read full article

Madinah, May 04, 2026, SPA -- A scientific seminar held as part of the International Conference on Arabic Language and Applied Sciences examined the national policy for the Arabic language in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on vision, foundations, and prospects for impact. The event is organized by the Islamic University of Madinah in strategic partnership with the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL). It is taking place at the King Salman International Convention Center in Madinah. Participants discussed key themes related to language policy in the Kingdom, including national efforts to support Arabic through decisions and policies. Discussions also highlighted KSGAAL's role in language planning and policy development. The seminar addressed the foundations of the national Arabic language policy, its areas of application, ways of implementing language policies ......read full article

Riyadh, May 5, 2026, SPA -- Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan participated—via videoconference—in the Joint Annual Meetings of Arab Financial Institutions for 2026, with the participation of governors and representatives of member states, to discuss key economic and financial developments and ways to enhance joint Arab cooperation in development and investment fields. The Saudi delegation includes Vice Minister of Finance Abdulmuhsen Alkhalaf; Assistant Minister of Finance for Macro-Financial Policies and International Relations Abdullah A. Bin Zaraah; Assistant Governor of the Saudi Central Bank for Executive Affairs Abdulelah A. Aldeheem; and Deputy Minister of Finance for International Relations Khalid Bawazier; in addition to a number of specialists from the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank. The meetings included the participation of a number of Arab fin ......read full article

Riyadh, May 5, 2026, SPA -- Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz patronized on Monday the graduation ceremony of 1,662 students from King Fahd Security College, representing a number of academic and training programs. The graduating cohorts included 59 male and female graduates from the Master’s programs in Artificial Intelligence (second batch) and Administrative Leadership (first batch), in addition to 1,603 graduates from the Bachelor of Security Sciences program (67th batch) and the 55th qualifying course for university graduates, among them 9 students from the Republic of Yemen. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the overall results of the graduating classes were announced, and Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud honored the top-performing graduates in the presence of several royal highnesses, excellencies, and senior officials. ...read full article

Riyadh, May 5, 2026, SPA -- Airports Cluster 2, which operates 22 airports across the Kingdom, recorded strong performance during the first quarter of 2026, achieving growth in air traffic and passenger numbers. This reflects enhanced operational efficiency and the continued expansion of its domestic and international destination network. Performance indicators showed a notable increase in passenger traffic, reaching nearly five million passengers, marking a 7% rise compared to the same period last year. The number of flights also grew, with more than 37,000 flights recorded during the first quarter, representing a 9% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025. As part of its operational expansion, the cluster launched several new routes, including Qassim–Madinah, Arar–Madinah, Jazan–Madinah, Tabuk–Jazan, Jazan–Addis Ababa, Hail–Doh ......read full article

RIYADH, May 3, 2026 — The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is continuing its intensive coordination with international Hajj affairs offices to promote awareness of official procedures. The goal is to ensure that essential guidance and instructional messages reach pilgrims in their home countries well before they arrive in the Kingdom.  These international efforts aim to establish the Hajj permit as the only safe and legitimate pathway for the pilgrimage. By adhering to these regulations, pilgrims ensure their journey is organized from its very first stages. The permit guarantees access to comprehensive field and logistical services and protects the pilgrim's rights from fraud or manipulation. The Ministry reiterated that the slogan "No Hajj Without a Permit" is designed to achieve the highest levels of balance in human density across the Holy Sites. I ......read full article

Q1 2026 revenue of SAR 4.96 billion (+129% YoY), driven mainly by higher freight rates, supported by a larger fleet and increased charter activity to meet customer requirements. Q1 2026 EBITDA of SAR 2.84 billion (+137% YoY) and net profit of SAR 2.15 billion (+303% YoY), with growth led by Bahri's crude oil transportation business. Bahri exercised prudent stewardship and maintained crew and vessel safety amid disruption and conflict in the Arabian Gulf, with all vessels commercially deployed. Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 30 April 2026: The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia ("Bahri" or the "Company", 4030 on the Saudi Exchange), the Kingdom's leading shipping and logistics provider, announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, reporting revenue and net profit of SAR 4.96 billion and SAR 2.15 billion, respec ......read full article