Stories from Saudi Arabia

Consumers are advised to report defects in goods like mobile phones and cars immediately upon discovery. Failure to retain invoices can hinder proof of purchase, though alternative confirmations like email receipts are accepted. Sellers are obligated to disclose all defects, whether the item is new or used, and any misleading information constitutes fraud. If a seller conceals a defect, the buyer has the right to cancel the sale or seek compensation. Products that are counterfeit or defective but presented as genuine are considered commercial fraud.

The Al-Liwan farm in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia is being highlighted for its sustainable rural tourism initiatives. The farm offers visitors an immersive experience, including exploring aromatic plants native to the region and a four-story traditional house that functions as a museum. This initiative aims to blend authenticity with innovation in rural tourism.

Saudi Arabian home ownership increased from 63,416 families in 2019 to 851,387 families in 2025. Saudi Arabia's home ownership rate has reached 66.24 percent, according to a report on the Council of Ministers' economic development vision. This figure represents a increase from previous years when ownership levels did not exceed 7.40 percent. The announcement follows the implementation of new regulations and electronic systems aimed at market organization and Vision 2030 goals. Saudi household home ownership reached 6.60% according to a recent report. The report indicates the achievement reflects government housing policies and efforts related to the Saudi Vision 2030 goals. The average price per square meter was recorded at 1,330 riyals last week. The household home ownership rate reached 66.24%, surpassing the 2025 target of 65%.

Real estate transaction values in Saudi Arabia exceeded 4.841 billion riyals over the past week. In Riyadh's Al-Andalus district, 26 operations were recorded totaling 7.8 million riyals. In Al-Muznib, 12 operations were valued at 200,010 riyals. Additionally, 12 operations in Hail involving land or real estate outside district boundaries were valued at 4.6 million riyals. The General Authority for Real Estate announced that the deadline for the first in-kind settlement for 43 real estate plots in nine neighborhoods of Al Wajh governorate in the Tabuk region ends today, Wednesday, April 29. Property owners within these scopes are being called to complete the process. Food and beverage transactions accounted for 52 million of these operations. Hotel transactions exceeded 800,000 operations during the same period.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense will organize the first Saudi Military History Forum in Taif next September. The event is being held in cooperation with the King Abdulaziz Foundation and Taif University, represented by the Taif History Center. The forum aims to document the national military heritage and highlight key milestones in the Kingdom's military establishment. The initiative focuses on the historical role of the Taif region in the development of the Saudi military.

Authorities in Africa/Middle East regions have detained three residents for attempting to enter Mecca without valid permits during the Hajj period. The suspects allegedly posted misleading advertisements on social media offering fake Hajj services. Police seized large sums of money, computers, and forged Hajj cards from the individuals. Security patrols in Mecca arrested three Indonesian nationals for allegedly conducting fraudulent Hajj service scams. Authorities are working to ensure smooth passenger movement for elderly and disabled pilgrims during the Hajj season through biometric and facial recognition technology. Saudi security forces arrested two Yemeni nationals for attempting to enter the holy city of Mecca without valid Hajj permits. The arrest follows efforts to manage the arrival of five million pilgrims.

Princess Nora University in Riyadh has launched the Next Generation Forum under the theme 'Innovation Without Borders.' The event is hosted by the university's Innovation Center and will continue through tomorrow. The forum includes 12 specialized workshops focusing on the innovation economy, including topics such as artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, research, and technology. Various leadership figures are participating in the discussions. Topics include entrepreneurship, research, technology, and artificial intelligence.

Security forces and all related security sectors are discussing the burial and unification of the situation.

The Saudi Ministry of Culture has launched the 'Museum Riddle Challenge' in partnership with the Museums Commission and the Labeeb platform. The initiative targets primary and middle school students to encourage interactive exploration of museums across various regions of the Kingdom. The program aims to introduce students to unique cultural exhibits and experiences.

Saudi Arabia anticipates $37.8 billion in development costs related to the 2030 World Cup. The expansion targets Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and Neom. This infrastructure development is part of the nation's bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The Jeddah Literature Forum's current edition features a theme directly linked to the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Abdullah addressed the importance of this thematic integration during the session. Reports indicate that some sessions attracted over 1,000 attendees. Other sessions recorded attendance exceeding 2,050 participants. The forum is described as a key destination for intellectuals and culture enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh currently holds 6,040,924 rooms, followed by Al Khobar with 21,116, Jeddah with 13,447, and Neom with 1,920. Al Khobar provides 10,500 rooms, while Abha is estimated to have 751 rooms.