Saudi Arabia’s labour reforms under Vision 2030 have lifted women’s workforce participation from 17% in 2017 to over 35% in 2024 and counting/Representative Image TL;DR: Female labour-force participation jumped from ~17% in 2015 to 36.2% in Q3 2024, well above Vision 2030’s initial 30% target . “Mada” digital payments saw e-commerce sales grow 25.8% to […]
Saudi Arabia is using advanced AI and its Absher platform to track visit visa overstays, holding both expats and employers accountable with heavy fines/Representative Image TL;DR: Saudi Arabia introduced a 30-day grace period effective June 26 for expired visit visas this is a major shift from older 90‑day fines. Failure to leave within this window […]
Women in Saudi Arabia are redefining their roles, advancing in healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship under Vision 2030 reforms/Representative Image TL;DR: 2.6 million Indians contribute significantly to Saudi Arabia’s economy. Female Workforce participation up from ~23% to ~35–36%, with rising leadership and SME ownership. Persisting hurdles such as Saudization, legal friction, and cultural biases still limit […]
GTA V and GTA Online will be available with a +21 rating in Saudi Arabia and the UAE starting July 17, 2025, on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, in both physical and digital formats./ Image: Rockstar GTA V and GTA Online are officially rated +21 and launching in Saudi Arabia and UAE on July 17, 2025. […]
The airline expands its winter schedule with new routes to Munich, Prague, and Warsaw‑Modlin/Image: Wikipedia TL;DR: Daily flights to Munich start December 15; Prague and Warsaw‑Modlin also join the winter roster. Move expands the carrier’s European network to 19 destinations, a nearly 20 percent increase.Targeting leisure and diaspora travel; leverages low‑cost model and secondary airports. […]
Saudi Arabia introduces a skill-based permit system, transforming the expat workforce/Image: File TL;DR: Saudi Arabia’s new visa policy now considers skills, experience, and salary. Expats are grouped into three levels: high-skilled, skilled, and basic.This change joins with Vision 2030 and big national projects like NEOM and Qiddiya. While professionals may benefit from this system, it […]
No radioactive traces have been detected in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, or the wider Gulf region following U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, according to regional authorities and the IAEA./ Image composite: File (AP) Multiple Gulf nations have confirmed that no abnormal radiation has been detected in the region following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear […]
Muslim pilgrims offer prayers at top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) In a major policy shift to enhance the Umrah experience and protect the rights […]
Air Arabia suspends flights to 10 countries amid Middle East airspace closures triggered by Israel’s strike on Iran. (File) Sharjah-based low-cost carrier Air Arabia has temporarily suspended flights to and from several countries due to airspace closures triggered by escalating regional tensions after Israeli airstrikes on Iran. The cancellations affect flights scheduled for Friday, June […]
Muslim pilgrims walk around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) Saudi Arabia has announced that it will resume issuing Umrah visas beginning Tuesday, June 10 (14 Dhul Hijjah 1446), just days […]
