Stories from Riyadh · Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has presented an ultimatum to the United States regarding the use of dollars.

The Ministry of Industries in Saudi Arabia has reviewed industrial opportunities within its projects. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has prioritized the service of guests, particularly during religious pilgrimages. This focus is a key aspect of the nation's strategy. The specifics of this ultimatum and its potential implications are not detailed in the provided transcript. The Ministry of Interior and various sectors are working to facilitate the journey for Hajj and Umrah visitors. This includes organizing trips and providing direct services to help pilgrims access historical and religious sites. The next phase will involve launching national sectoral and regional strategies as long-term implementation tools. These strategies will complement Vision 2030 programs with broader focus. Ninety-three percent of vision performance indicators have met their annual targets.

Iran has entered a new phase in its negotiations, which may be related to energy. This development is seen as potentially impacting the stability of the Sahel region.

The Saudi entertainment sector attracted more than 12.6 million visitors during the third quarter of 2025. The sector organized 488 events during this period. These activities contributed to local and foreign investment and provided new job opportunities for young men and women. The sector also aimed to stimulate domestic and international tourism. The World Travel and Tourism Council released its 2025 economic impact report for the Middle East. The report states the travel and tourism sector's total contribution to Saudi Arabia reached approximately $178 billion USD in 2025. The findings were presented during Finance Week sessions. This figure represents 64% of the tourism economy in the Middle East. The sector is showing advanced growth indicators reflecting a qualitative shift in performance.

German Bundestag Vice President Omid Nouri-Purash discussed energy supply stability during a trip to the Middle East. The situation necessitates coordinated international dialogue to address potential supply disruptions. German commentators are criticizing the federal government for being too slow to address energy crises. The German Energy Minister's reported stance of ignoring the scale of the problem is described as unhelpful. Experts are calling for increased dialogue and cooperation with countries heavily affected by the energy situation. A nuclear reactor explosion reached temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Celsius, melting surrounding structures. The resulting fire lasted for nine days. The initial blast caused 31 deaths, though the radioactive cloud released afterward is cited as the primary cause of mortality.

Arabia Media reported a profit of 59.9 million riyals for the first quarter of this year. This marks the company's first profitable quarter following 14 consecutive quarters of losses. The financial turnaround occurred during the first quarter of 2026. The bank attributed the performance to an increase in the average selling price and a reduction in expenses. Shareholders are invited to an ordinary general assembly meeting scheduled for May 19. The meeting will include voting on board member remuneration totaling 16.16 million riyals for the year 2025. The assembly will also vote on the board's recommendation regarding dividend distributions.

The Riyadh public transport network is reaching a daily capacity of 3.6 million passengers. A new seventh metro line will connect Riyadh to the Al-Jadidah area. This expansion aims to facilitate visitor access from the airport directly to Al-Jadidah via the public transport network.

The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Authority held a meeting this year to review conservation efforts. Discussions focused on the protection of Arabian Oryx and Reem Gazelles within the reserve. The meeting aimed to strengthen relationships with environmental activists and stakeholders. The initiative serves to enhance environmental awareness within the protected area.

The Minister of Investment participated in the launch of a regional program for digital and e-commerce across the Middle East and North Africa. The initiative aims to drive economic reforms to attract increased investment.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Djibouti Ambassador Diaa al-Din Bamakhrama in Riyadh. The meeting focused on reviewing bilateral relations and discussing regional and international cooperation. Discussions also covered efforts to address shared interests in the region. The meeting followed a phone call between the Saudi Foreign Minister and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani regarding regional security. The Saudi Museums Commission has announced a contract worth 1.8 billion riyals to construct the Saudi Museum of Contemporary Art.