Saudi Arabia

SPA MAKKAH, February 8, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Hira Cultural District hosted an evening dedicated to Arabic literature and rhetoric on Saturday, drawing scholars and specialized audiences for discussions on classical language and literary heritage. The event formed part of the district’s ongoing cultural programming aimed at supporting Makkah’s literary scene through forums that connect Arab heritage with contemporary intellectual discourse. SPA

RIYADH, February 8, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior recorded 20,237 violations of residency, labor and border security regulations during inspection campaigns conducted from January 29 to February 4. The total included 12,687 residency violations, 4,318 border security violations and 3,232 labor-related violations. Border authorities detained 1,555 people attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, including 40% Yemenis, 57% Ethiopians a

SPA JEDDAH, February 6, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) awarded Jeddah and Taif the title of World Region of Gastronomy 2027 after both cities met the institute’s criteria for sustainable regional development through gastronomy. The designation covers economic, cultural, social and environmental dimensions, and marks a new milestone for Saudi culinary-sector visibility on international platforms.

SPA DAMASCUS, February 6, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Culture Minister Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Syrian Culture Minister Mohammed Yassin Saleh toured the National Museum of Damascus on Thursday during Saudi Arabia’s participation as Guest of Honor at the Damascus International Book Fair 2026. The visit included review of the museum’s collections spanning prehistoric periods to modern art. The two ministers also viewed the Arab-Islamic wing, includ

SPA AL-HOFUF, February 4, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Governor of Al-Ahsa Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr inaugurated the Lyali Al-Qaysaria Festival 2026 on Tuesday at the historic Al-Qaysaria Souq in Al-Hofuf. Prince Saud toured the market and reviewed activities including folk arts, performances, community gatherings, traditional games and interactive experiences highlighting Al-Ahsa’s cultural heritage. He described Al-Qaysaria Souq as one of the governorate’s most

SPA RIYADH, February 4, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Qiddiya’s executive head of gaming and esports, Mike Milanov, told a Saudi Media Forum session in Riyadh that Saudi Arabia is positioned for growth in the global gaming sector, citing local esports talent and what he described as strong creative capacity to build partnerships domestically and internationally. Milanov pointed to Qiddiya City’s planned footprint of around 330 square kilometres and said more than 86% of

SPA ALULA, February 4, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – AlUla has become a destination for astrophotographers in recent years, supported by clear skies and low light pollution that enable detailed night-sky imaging, including views of the Milky Way, meteor activity and deep-sky objects. Local terrain has provided varied backdrops for night shoots, with photographers using open desert spaces and rock formations as foregrounds for wide-field astronomy images, according to in

SPA RIYADH, February 4, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Saudi Health Council highlighted measures it has taken to develop and regulate healthcare services for cancer patients in the Kingdom to mark World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4. Key steps included establishing the National Cancer Center under the council, developing quality standards and evaluation frameworks for oncology services, centres and departments, and creating a fast-track pathway for the

SPA Riyadh, February 2, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia received 19.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers from abroad in 2025 and recorded a satisfaction rate exceeding 90% for services provided, according to National Center for Performance Measurement of Public Entities (Adaa). The figures reflect the expansion and development of services for pilgrims and Umrah performers in line with Saudi Vision 2030 targets. Pilgrim Experience Program reported satisfact

SPA AlUla, January 31, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Wadi AlFann is a cultural project being developed in AlUla to transform a large desert landscape into a permanent contemporary art destination through site-specific installations integrated into the natural topography. The project is designed as an open-air museum intended to reflect the valley’s geological setting and human history. A delegation of arts specialists and media representatives recently toured the site t

SPA Riyadh, January 31, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior recorded 19,975 violations of residency, labour and border security laws during inspection campaigns carried out across the Kingdom between January 22 and January 28. The ministry reported 12,906 residency-related violations, 3,918 border security violations and 3,151 labour law violations. Border authorities apprehended 1,716 people attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, inclu

SPA Riyadh, January 30, 2026 (SABN) – The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has launched its 1447 AH Ramadan operational plan, aimed at enriching the spiritual experience of visitors and promoting the message of moderation. Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, President of Religious Affairs, said the plan is a systematic, institutional response to the diverse cultural and linguistic needs of global visitors. He said the plan includes 100 in

SPA Riyadh, January 29, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology held a ceremony to recognise Professor Omar Yaghi, winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and supervisor of the joint nanomaterials centre of excellence run by KACST and the University of California, Berkeley. KACST described Yaghi as the first Saudi scientist to receive a Nobel Prize, citing his work in establishing reticular chemistry and contributions linked to e

SPA Makkah, Jan 28, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Holy Quran Museum in Makkah’s Hira Cultural District is showcasing a rare quarter of the Holy Quran, featuring part 25 and estimated to date back to the 9th century AH (15th century AD). Written in Levantine Naskh script, the manuscript is marked by intricate decorative elements and gilding. The piece is preserved at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, with the display forming part of a collabora

SPA Al-Ahsa, Jan 28, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Prince Saud bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the deputy governor of the Eastern Region, inaugurated the third edition of the Al Bisht Al-Hasawi Festival in Al-Ahsa on Wednesday, held under the patronage of Eastern Region Governor Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz. Organised by the Heritage Commission, the festival will run for 11 days at Ibrahim Palace in Al-Ahsa, with organisers positioning it as a platform to support artisa

SPA Riyadh, Jan 27 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife (NCW), in cooperation with the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, released 75 animals into the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve on Tuesday as part of breeding and reintroduction programmes. The release included 50 Arabian sand gazelles and 25 Arabian oryxes, aimed at supporting ecosystem sustainability and enhancing biodiversity through the return of endangered species t