Al Riyadh Newspaper: August 4, 2025: Middle East, Economic Trends

These sources primarily discuss current events and economic trends in the Middle East, with a significant focus on Saudi Arabia’s role in regional stability and development. Several articles address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing political efforts for a two-state solution. Furthermore, the texts cover market analyses, including reports on the real estate sector and the oil market, alongside cultural and societal initiatives within Saudi Arabia. Finally, there are snippets on legal announcements, sports news, and general public safety advisories.

Podcast

The Ongoing Crisis in Palestine: A Comprehensive Overview

The Palestinian issue is a deeply complex and long-standing conflict, frequently described as an “existential moment” for the international community’s commitment to justice and peace. The situation is characterized by ongoing tensions, violence, and persistent diplomatic efforts to find a lasting solution.

Here’s a comprehensive overview based on the provided sources:

Current Situation and Recent Events

• Al-Aqsa Mosque Incursions: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has repeatedly stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy protection. These actions are viewed not as religious acts but as political exercises aimed at achieving internal political gains for the occupation. Such tampering with the Holy Site of Jerusalem is monitored internationally as a measure of peace intentions in the region. Sources highlight that this is not an isolated incident, referencing previous incursions, such as Ariel Sharon’s visit in 2000 that ignited the Second Intifada, and the incident at the Ibrahimi Mosque in 1994.
• Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza:
• Israeli occupation planes bombed the Palestinian Red Crescent Society headquarters in Khan Yunis, Gaza, resulting in the martyrdom of one medical staff member and injuries to others. They also targeted a school sheltering displaced people in the Al-Amal neighborhood, leading to civilian casualties.
• Medical sources reported 62 martyrs, including 38 children, among those awaiting humanitarian aid.
• The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is severe, with Al-Shifa Hospital experiencing a power outage due to fuel depletion, compounded by Israel preventing the entry of necessary supplies for generators.
• Israeli raids continued in eastern Gaza City, and artillery targeted the northern Nuseirat camp.
• Sources confirm deaths from starvation and malnutrition, with six individuals (all adults) dying within 24 hours. The total number of famine and malnutrition victims has reached 175, including 93 children.
• UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) warned of a doubling in malnutrition rates among children under five between March and June due to the continued siege.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has described malnutrition rates in Gaza as “alarming”.
• UNICEF noted that the humanitarian situation has passed the hunger threshold, with one in three people going days without food.
• The Gaza Health Ministry stated that only 36 aid trucks entered the strip, with most being looted due to security chaos attributed to the occupation.
• The Israeli occupation has destroyed approximately 97% of Gaza’s animal wealth through bombing or systematic starvation, which includes working animals. This, along with the destruction of agricultural lands, is seen as a deliberate policy to starve the population, causing severe human and psychological suffering and constituting a crime of collective genocide.

Historical Context

• The roots of the conflict are often traced back to the 1917 Balfour Declaration, where Britain announced support for a Jewish homeland.
• In 1937, Britain proposed the first partition plan for Palestine, creating a Jewish state in the north and an Arab state in the south.
• The 1948 war resulted in Israel’s control over Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and most of the Golan Heights, tripling the area under its control.
• Later diplomatic efforts included the 1991 Madrid Conference and the Oslo Accords, which, although not leading to a Palestinian state, were seen as serious attempts under U.S. patronage to advance self-rule.
• Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin agreed to a return to pre-1967 borders, and the PLO recognized Israel’s right to exist in peace, which seemed to open a new phase. The handshake between Yasser Arafat and Rabin at the White House was a significant historical moment.
• However, Rabin’s assassination in 1995 by a religious extremist disrupted the peace process.
• The Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, led by Saudi Arabia, offered full Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the Green Line (pre-1967 borders). This initiative, despite its comprehensiveness, was rejected by Israel.

Political and Diplomatic Efforts (Two-State Solution)

• The “Two-State Solution” is widely considered the most acceptable framework. A recent “Two-State Solution” conference in New York, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, is regarded as a pivotal diplomatic event.
• This conference involved most world countries and international organizations, aiming for a just and comprehensive political solution. It emphasized that the time for actual action has come regarding the two-state solution.
• Many countries at the conference announced their intention to officially recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming UN General Assembly session in September 2025.
• Saudi Arabia and France are leading this initiative, highlighting the importance of justice as a fundamental entry point for security and stability. Their efforts are rooted in UN resolutions and extend to ethical commitments to support Palestinian aspirations.
• The conference specifically called for ending civilian suffering in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire, lifting the siege, and stopping repeated incursions into the West Bank. It affirmed that justice for Palestinians and their right to an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital are essential for stability.
• The Arab Parliament President further underscored that international legitimacy guarantees the Palestinian people’s right to freedom and an independent state, criticizing the international community’s inability to materialize these resolutions. He called for a global parliamentary endorsement of official recognition of Palestine.
• The Arab Parliament President noted that the decisions by Canada, Malta, and Portugal to recognize Palestine are a “correct and courageous step” towards correcting historical injustice.
• Saudi Arabia’s role is evolving from a mere “supporter” to an “influential actor” in shaping the regional environment, aiming to re-engineer balances through alliances, dialogue, and unifying the Arab stance around the priority of Palestine.
• Geopolitical shifts, including the decline of Western unipolarity and the rise of new international blocs, could foster more balanced international positions.
• The Saudi-Iranian rapprochement could lead to a unified Arab and Islamic stance, weakening Israeli pretexts and strengthening the Palestinian negotiating position.
• Global public opinion influenced by Israeli aggression, boycott campaigns, and exposure of practices online, also creates new avenues for pressure.
• Saudi Arabia’s leadership in Arab, Islamic, and international diplomatic and media efforts aims to restore the Palestinian narrative and isolate the occupation globally.
• The conference’s final document is viewed as an advanced and comprehensive initiative, considered a “turning point” that, if supported by necessary political courage, could rewrite history.

Israeli Actions and Policies

• Israeli incursions are seen as a deliberate attempt to impose a new reality in Al-Aqsa Mosque, transforming incursions into fixed religious rituals linked to Torah occasions, paving the way for the mosque’s temporal and spatial division and eventual full Judaisation.
• Settlers performed Talmudic rituals in villages in the West Bank under military protection, which is interpreted as establishing new facts on the ground.
• The Palestinian Foreign Ministry states that the Israeli occupation government is racing against time to thwart international consensus on the two-state solution and to continue its crimes of genocide, starvation, and displacement in Gaza.
• An Israeli official stated that for peace to exist, Palestinians must accept “some basic facts,” implying the impossibility of returning to pre-1967 borders due to demographic changes.
• Netanyahu’s government has continued to impose new conditions, including disarming Palestinian factions and the full occupation of Gaza, which has thwarted peace efforts.

Palestinian Stance and International Calls

• The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has warned against settler provocations and official Israeli involvement in them, particularly regarding the use of live ammunition against civilians.
• They assert that the suffering of the Palestinian people is part of an official governmental policy to liquidate the Palestinian cause and stop international efforts to end genocide, starvation, and displacement.
• The Palestinian leadership stresses the need for the international community and the UN Security Council to assume their legal and ethical responsibilities to halt Israel’s actions, protect Palestinians, and enable their right to self-determination.
• Hamas has expressed readiness for a comprehensive prisoner exchange deal in exchange for an end to the war and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
• Massive protests in Tel Aviv, with tens of thousands of Israelis demanding an immediate prisoner exchange deal, indicate internal pressure on the Israeli government. Protesters accused the government of negligence, with relatives of prisoners describing severe conditions, including starvation.
• Nabil Abu Rudeineh, official spokesman for the Palestinian Presidency, stated that settler terrorism and provocations in Al-Aqsa are a continuation of the war of extermination and starvation in Gaza. He affirmed that this escalation is organized and supported by occupation authorities to thwart efforts for a ceasefire and stability.

International Reactions and Concerns

• Saudi Arabia views the tampering with holy sites not as an internal Israeli matter but as a threat to regional and global security. Riyadh emphasizes that silence on these violations is complicity, and the protection of Al-Aqsa is a political commitment to regional stability.
• The Arab Parliament has strongly advocated for reforming the United Nations and the Security Council to restore trust, emphasizing that the denial of self-determination for an entire people is a clear example of the international system’s failure.
• The Parliament called for an international parliamentary alliance for global justice to monitor and document discriminatory practices in applying international law.
• The Parliament President specifically demanded Sweden resume its funding for UNRWA, noting that UNRWA is the primary lifeline providing food, medicine, and education to over two million Palestinians. He argued that Sweden’s decision to halt funding contradicts its supportive stance on the Palestinian issue. The Swedish Parliament itself indicated that the government’s decision on UNRWA funding was not supported by parliament and was criticized by opposition parties as violating international law.
• The international community is urged to take responsibility and intervene to prevent Israel from acting unilaterally against the Palestinian people.

Saudi Vision 2030: A Transformative National Blueprint

Saudi Vision 2030 is consistently presented in the provided sources as a comprehensive and transformative national blueprint guiding the Kingdom’s future across various sectors, extending beyond mere economic targets to encompass social, cultural, and geopolitical ambitions. It is seen as an ethical, strategic, and practical framework underpinning numerous initiatives.

Here’s a detailed discussion of Saudi Vision 2030, based on the provided information:

Core Objectives and Foundational Principles:

• Economic Diversification: A primary aim of Vision 2030 is to move beyond oil dependence by diversifying the economy and increasing non-oil revenues. This includes fostering new economic models such as the “knowledge-based economy” or “creative (orange) economy,” with a strong focus on cultural and creative sectors. Efforts to stabilize the real estate market and curb price increases are also aligned with creating a more balanced and sustainable economic environment.
• Enhancing Quality of Life and Human Development: A central pillar of Vision 2030 is to position human well-being as the core of development and significantly improve the quality of life for all citizens. This objective is pursued through:
• Health Sector Advancement: Initiatives to promote public health, prevent diseases like obesity, and create healthier environments are integral. The accreditation of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah as a “healthy city” by the World Health Organization for the second time is highlighted as a direct embodiment of the leadership’s commitment to Vision 2030’s health and quality of life goals.
• Youth Empowerment and Capacity Building: Programs like “Wesal” by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language aim to equip non-native Arabic speakers in various sectors with functional linguistic skills, enhancing their performance and deepening their connection to national identity, which contributes to Vision 2030’s human capabilities development program. Similarly, the Ministry of Sports and Youth’s “Hekayat Al-Shabab” (Youth Stories) program focuses on developing youth capabilities, fostering public health through sports, and showcasing inspiring success stories, reinforcing the strategic dimension of sports within Vision 2030.
• Environmental Sustainability: The Vision emphasizes building an integrated environmental system and promoting sustainable practices. Initiatives such as supporting coral reef research (through CORDAP, launched during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency) and efforts to develop vegetation cover, including the “Al-Qardh” plant in Najran, are presented as direct contributions to Vision 2030’s sustainability and desertification combat objectives.
• Digital Transformation and Knowledge Society: The transformation towards a digital and knowledge-based society is supported by initiatives like the National Center for Documents and Archives’ role in documentary governance and establishing a digital environment for preservation and documentation.
• Strengthening Global Influence and Diplomatic Role: Vision 2030 aims to elevate Saudi Arabia’s role from a “supporter” to an “influential actor” in shaping the regional and international landscape. This involves re-engineering regional balances through alliances, dialogue, and consolidating the Arab stance, particularly on core issues like the Palestinian cause. The Kingdom’s co-chairing of the “Two-State Solution” conference in New York with France is explicitly described as a strategic transformation aligned with Vision 2030’s ambition to be a global pillar in crafting solutions rather than merely observing conflicts.

Implementation Approach and Leadership Style:

• The Vision is characterized by a “spirit” that permeates every detail of leadership, focusing on decisive action, precision, and speed in decision-making. It emphasizes that every project should reflect the nation’s identity and the citizen’s dignity.
• Leadership under Vision 2030 is described as interactive and directly involved, moving away from distant directives to daily follow-up and supervision, signifying a shift from rigid hierarchy to active engagement.
• A key aspect of the Vision’s implementation is creating an attractive investment environment, with the Crown Prince’s personal follow-up and swift decisions being crucial for attracting foreign direct investment.
• The Kingdom’s strategy also includes re-engineering balances through alliances and dialogue, uniting Arab positions around the priority of Palestine, which reflects a nuanced and evolving diplomatic approach under Vision 2030.

Perceived Impact and Future Outlook:

• The sources indicate that the Vision’s reforms are already demonstrating tangible positive outcomes, such as the observed stabilization and “correction” phase in the real estate market.
• The comprehensive nature of the Vision is highlighted by its ability to integrate various sector developments, such as SABIC’s operational efficiency and growth strategies, with national goals for sustainable development.
• Geopolitical shifts, including the emergence of new international blocs and the decline of Western unipolarity, are seen as potentially creating more balanced international positions that could facilitate the achievement of Vision 2030’s ambitious goals, including a just resolution for the Palestinian issue. The final document of the “Two-State Solution” conference is even described as a potential “turning point” capable of “rewriting history” if supported by the necessary political courage, implying Saudi Arabia’s commitment to making the Vision a reality on the international stage.

In summary, Saudi Vision 2030, as presented in the sources, is more than an economic plan; it is a holistic national project to foster a vibrant society, a prosperous economy, and an ambitious nation, capable of playing a significant and constructive role globally.

Global Oil Market Dynamics: Prices, Production, and Geopolitics

The oil market, as depicted in the provided sources, is a dynamic and complex landscape influenced by a confluence of supply-side policies, geopolitical events, economic indicators, and regional demand shifts.

Here’s a comprehensive discussion:

1. Price Movements and Influencing Factors:

• Recent Increases: Oil prices rose by over 6% in the week leading up to August 4, 2025, primarily due to threats from US President Donald Trump to impose severe sanctions on Russian oil purchases and news of state-owned Indian refineries reducing their Russian oil purchases. Futures contracts for crude oil also increased above $70 per barrel amidst concerns about potential disruptions to oil trade flows and withdrawals of oil from the market.
• Market Stability: Despite geopolitical concerns, oil prices remained relatively stable, hovering just under $70 per barrel at the end of the week.
• Factors Contributing to Price Fluctuations:OPEC+ Decisions: The agreement by the “OPEC+” group to begin increasing production after a long period of production cuts could pressure future oil prices. The group decided to implement a voluntary production adjustment of 547,000 barrels per day in September 2025, compared to the required production level in August 2025, which equates to four monthly increases. This gradual and flexible restoration of voluntary production adjustments (2.2 million bpd) aims to support market stability.
• Economic Uncertainty: General economic uncertainty is cited as a reason for the decline in global oil prices.
• Company Performance: Disappointing financial results from petrochemical companies, particularly SABIC, have also contributed to downward pressure on the market index, causing a significant drop in its shares.
• Liquidity Shift: The continued transfer of liquidity from stocks to debt instruments and fixed-income assets is another factor.
• Sanctions: Geopolitical tensions and sanctions, particularly against Russia, are seen to intensify supply contraction fears, leading to price increases.

2. Production and Supply Dynamics:

• OPEC+ Adjustments: The eight member countries of the “OPEC+” group (including Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, UAE, Iraq, Russia, Oman, and Algeria) announced additional voluntary adjustments in production during April, November 2023, and August 2025. They reiterated their commitment to cooperation, including additional voluntary adjustments, and affirmed their intention to fully compensate for any excess production since January 2024.
• Russia’s Production and Exports: Russia’s crude oil production remained stable at 9.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in the past month, with crude shipments holding at 4.68 million bpd. However, its exports of oil and petroleum products declined by 110,000 bpd to 2.55 million bpd. The International Energy Agency’s research paper suggested that the “deterioration of exports” in 2024-2025 raises concerns about Russia’s ability to maintain its upstream production capacity.
• US Crude Production & Rig Counts: The number of drilling rigs in Saudi Arabia fell to its lowest level in two decades, simultaneously with increasing momentum in gas projects. The number of oil rigs in the Kingdom decreased to 20 by early July, the lowest since February 2005. This comes after Saudi Aramco decided to cancel plans to increase its production capacity to 13 million bpd, opting to maintain it at 12 million bpd.
• Non-OPEC+ Supply Growth: Consultancy Wood Mackenzie estimates that oil supply growth from non-OPEC countries (led by Brazil, Canada, and Guyana) will decline by over 80% between 2025 and 2027, nearing a complete halt by 2027.

3. Demand and Imports/Exports:

• US Market: Crude oil imports into the US have been steady at 6.1 million bpd, while crude oil exports from the US decreased for the third consecutive month to an average of 3.6 million bpd. Petroleum product imports into the US decreased by 4% to 1.7 million bpd, while exports rose by about 2% to just under 7 million bpd. US crude oil inventories increased by 7.7 million barrels to 426.7 million barrels by July 25, driven by a decrease in exports. Gasoline inventories decreased by 2.7 million barrels.
• Asian Markets:China: Crude oil imports decreased significantly to an average of 11.0 million bpd in May, although product imports remained stable. China is expected to export over 2.3 million tons of jet fuel in August.
• India: Crude oil imports from India recovered, reaching an average of 5 million bpd above 1.2 million bpd in May, despite a 2% monthly decrease. Product imports also rose.
• Japan: Crude oil imports from Japan decreased, but remained higher than the previous year’s level. Product imports from Japan recovered slightly after a sharp decline in the previous month.
• Asia Refineries: Asian refineries, particularly Indian government-owned ones, are largely unaffected by the latest sanctions on Russian oil, as they primarily sell their fuel domestically or export it to buyers in Asia (like Singapore) through private discussions.
• Europe: Jet fuel exports to Europe are expected to reach their highest level in several years in July, as traders ship surplus regional supplies to capitalize on higher European prices. European jet fuel stocks reached their lowest level since February of the current year.

4. Geopolitical Influence and Sanctions:

• US Sanctions on Russia: President Trump’s administration is re-evaluating its strategies, including a decision to grant Chevron permission to resume and expand its operations in Venezuela to supply crude oil, signaling a shift in sanction application. This shift comes after over a year of tightened restrictions that led Gulf refineries to diversify their supply sources. US officials have threatened to impose tariffs ranging from 25% to 100% on China and India if they continue purchasing Russian oil.
• US Sanctions on Iran: The US Treasury Department sanctioned over 115 individuals, entities, and vessels involved in transferring Russian oil, some of which are linked to Iran. The US also took “decisive actions” to disrupt Iran’s ability to fund its nuclear program, destabilizing activities, and support for terrorist groups, as well as its repression of its own people. This includes sanctioning entities involved in the trade of Iranian oil, petroleum, or petrochemical products, and identifying 10 vessels whose management companies were involved in illicit shipments.
• EU Price Cap on Russian Oil: The European Commission proposed a floating price cap on Russian oil, set at 15% below the average market price over the preceding three months. This move aims to limit Russia’s ability to finance the war in Ukraine. Despite efforts, the European leaders failed to agree on lowering the price cap below $60 per barrel, leading some to move forward independently.
• Impact of Russia-Ukraine War: The war continues to be a major factor affecting the global oil market, with the EU and G7 aiming to cut off funding for Russia’s war efforts through sanctions and price caps.

5. Broader Economic and Investment Context:

• IMF Report on Saudi Arabia: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission visited Saudi Arabia in June 2025 and issued recommendations, which the sources suggest should be treated with caution. The IMF’s underlying assumptions about the market as the sole driver of the economy are deemed outdated, especially given global economic changes since 2008. For instance, the IMF predicted an increase in Saudi oil revenues, but Saudi budget data for Q2 2025 actually showed a 14.7% annual decrease in actual oil revenues, attributed to the OPEC+ decision to increase production.
• Saudi Economic Diversification: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil revenues increased by about 6.6% in Q2 2025, which is presented as evidence of the government’s success in economic diversification efforts under Vision 2030, reducing reliance on oil reforms alone.
• Investment in Oil & Gas: Aramco signed 23 drilling contracts worth $2.4 billion for gas.
• Egypt’s Gas Discoveries: Egypt is witnessing increased activity in its offshore gas fields, with new agreements for exploration and evaluation, including the “Narjis” discovery and the activation of a floating natural gas liquefaction vessel to boost gas imports.
• New Zealand Policy Shift: New Zealand’s government has gradually lifted its ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, which was imposed in 2018, due to a decline in domestic crude oil production.

In essence, the oil market is currently navigating delicate balances between production adjustments aimed at stability, the disruptive effects of geopolitical sanctions on major producers like Russia and Iran, and evolving refining and import strategies globally. The effectiveness of international efforts to curb certain oil flows is a key determinant of price and supply dynamics.

Saudi Real Estate: Stability Through Strategic Reforms

The real estate market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is currently undergoing a significant transformation, characterized by a noticeable slowdown in price increases and a move towards greater stability and balance. This shift is primarily attributed to the effectiveness of wise leadership directives and robust government policies aimed at regulating the sector.

Here’s a detailed discussion of the Saudi oil market:

1. Market Performance and Price Stabilization:

• During the second quarter of 2025, the real estate market experienced a slowdown in its annual price increase pace. The general real estate price index rose by only 3.2% annually, a decrease from 4.3% in the previous quarter.
• On a quarterly basis, the market achieved unprecedented stability, with the increase not exceeding a marginal 0.1% compared to the first quarter of the year. Experts note this as the lowest quarterly stability in a long time, marking a fundamental departure from past sharp increases.
• This performance reflects the Saudi real estate market’s lowest quarterly growth rate in many years. Several administrative regions, including Riyadh, Mecca, and the Eastern Region, saw their annual growth rates slow to approximately 3-4%, while areas like Medina, Asir, and Jazan even recorded slight annual price decreases, signaling a trend toward moderation.

2. Factors Influencing the Market Correction:

• Leadership Directives and Government Policies: Economic observers emphasize that the clear slowdown in price growth proves the effectiveness of the wise leadership’s directives in monitoring the real estate sector. These directives have been crucial in balancing supply and demand and guiding the market towards a more stable phase. Dr. Khalid Al-Rubaish specifically highlights that the Crown Prince’s directives led to the adoption of specific measures and controls to restore the sector’s status as a secure and attractive investment, drawing in both large and small investors seeking reliable and sustainable profits.
• Regulatory Interventions: The significant transformations witnessed in Q2 were a direct result of corrective and regulatory policies implemented by official authorities. Key examples include:
• Increased fees on undeveloped “white lands”: Especially in major cities, to encourage their development or sale, thereby increasing supply and curbing speculative real estate inflation that previously drove prices up.
• Strict procedures for rental market regulation: This includes the activation of the “Ejar” electronic platform and the standardization of contracts between landlords, tenants, and brokers. This aims to protect all parties and prevent arbitrary practices that could inflate rental costs.
• Enhanced Transparency: Efforts also involved developing and periodically publishing official real estate indicators and statistics to combat rumors and inaccurate information that previously fueled price increases.
• Tightened Financing Supervision: Oversight of real estate financing was strengthened to prevent excessive credit, which helped keep financing costs and property prices within acceptable limits.

3. Sector-Specific Performance (Q2 2025): The second quarter of 2025 revealed a varied performance across the three main real estate sectors:

• Residential Sector:
• Experienced relative stability, with a marginal annual price increase of approximately 0.4%.
• Prices for residential villas increased by around 3.2% annually, and residential land prices saw a slight 0.2% increase.
• In contrast, apartment prices decreased by about 0.7% annually, and prices for residential units (like floor-type units) declined by roughly 1.5% compared to Q2 of last year.
• Quarterly, residential land prices dropped by over 4% in three months, and apartment/floor prices continued their decline by 1.2% and 0.9% respectively, indicating a short-term downward correction possibly due to increased supply or seasonal demand slowdown.
• Commercial Sector:
• Emerged as a strong growth area, registering the highest annual growth rate among all sectors.
• Commercial real estate prices collectively jumped by about 11.7% annually, largely driven by a significant 11.7% increase in commercial land prices and rising demand for commercial development.
• Commercial building prices rose by about 2.7% annually, and showrooms/shops saw a 4.1% annual increase.
• Quarterly, commercial real estate prices collectively rose by about 7.9%, with commercial land prices jumping by an estimated 8.6% and commercial building prices by 3%. This indicates increased investment activity and renewed confidence, perhaps due to business recovery and new project openings.
• Agricultural Sector:
• Demonstrated a relatively calm performance, with a slight annual decrease of about 0.9% in agricultural land and building prices. This is linked to the end of a price increase wave in certain palm and farm land areas, coupled with stable demand for agricultural uses.
• Quarterly, it achieved a moderate growth of about 1.7%, driven by a similar increase in agricultural land prices.

4. Future Outlook and Investment Climate:

• An optimistic outlook prevails for the real estate market’s future, with analysts predicting sustainable growth. The controlled pace of price increases is seen as a solid foundation for this.
• The success of government policies in re-balancing the market and fostering a transparent environment is expected to lead to moderated price movements, preventing sudden jumps and encouraging investment and development activity.
• The market is becoming more mature and stable, which is anticipated to attract increased long-term investments from both local developers and international investors who are observing the Saudi market with growing confidence.
• The objective is to ensure that prices remain at acceptable levels, allowing the widest segment of citizens to achieve housing ownership goals, aligning with national housing programs.
• Experts affirm that the continuation of leadership directives supporting stability will enhance the market’s long-term attractiveness. The real estate sector is expected to continue its corrective path throughout 2025, supported by ongoing reforms.

In essence, the Saudi real estate market is undergoing a deliberate and successful recalibration, driven by strategic governmental oversight and a commitment to creating a stable, equitable, and attractive environment for both citizens and investors.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Vision and Initiatives

Public health is a significant focus within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, deeply integrated into its national vision and manifested through various initiatives, regulatory bodies, and humanitarian efforts.

Here’s a comprehensive discussion:

1. Vision 2030 and Overall Health Strategy Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to enhance the quality of life within the Kingdom, including promoting general health and preventing diseases. This overarching goal drives many of the current health-related efforts.

2. Key Health Initiatives and Regulatory Bodies

• Medical Referrals Center (مركز الإحالات الطبية):
• The Council of Ministers has approved the establishment of the Medical Referrals Center.
• Its primary goal is to manage medical referrals between health facilities within and outside the Kingdom.
• It monitors bed capacities, provides technical support, and coordinates with relevant authorities to ensure patients receive healthcare at the appropriate time and place.
• The center’s responsibilities include developing procedural and executive rules for air medical evacuations (domestic and international), reviewing sick leave reports exceeding 30 days for civil service employees, processing health incapacity requests, studying medical release reports for prisoners, and overseeing the implementation of treatment orders for health cases inside and outside the Kingdom.
• Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (الهيئة السعودية للتخصصات الصحية):
• This commission issues performance reports for students and graduates of health colleges in Saudi universities.
• These reports are based on the results of the Saudi Licensing Exam for Professional Practice (SLE) in specializations like human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and medical laboratories.
• The SLE serves as a crucial indicator for evaluating the overall performance of universities and the quality of their educational outcomes.
• In 2025, King Saud University ranked first in average scores for human medicine and dentistry, while King Abdulaziz University led in nursing, and Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University topped in pharmacy and medical laboratories.
• Al-Qassim University also achieved high ranks, securing categories (A) for human medicine and nursing, and (B) for dentistry, pharmacy, and medical laboratories. This reflects the high quality of its educational programs and the competence of its graduates.
• “Healthy City” Status – Medina City:
• Medina has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a “Healthy Million-Person City” for the second time.
• This achievement signifies that Medina has met over 80 of the WHO’s international standards for healthy cities.
• It underscores the Kingdom’s leadership commitment to prioritizing human well-being and achieving integrated development, fostering seamless coordination between governmental, private, and community entities.
• The city’s status contributes to its ongoing urban and health transformation, placing it in a leading regional and international position aligned with Vision 2030’s goals.
• The WHO’s “Healthy Cities” program emphasizes integrating public health concepts with urban planning and local development projects to create more sustainable and healthy environments. Medina was initially accredited as a healthy city in 2019, with this re-accreditation in 2025 reflecting its continued commitment.
• Mecca Region – Emergency Medical Services:
• The Saudi Red Crescent Authority in Mecca has activated pathways for cardiac strokes and brain strokes.
• In July 2025, these pathways were activated for 90 critical cases, demonstrating efforts to improve response speed and quality of care.
• Jeddah recorded the highest number of cases: 27 for cardiac strokes (out of 46 total) and 23 for brain strokes (out of 44 total). Mecca followed with 13 cardiac stroke cases and 18 brain stroke cases, while Taif had 6 and 3 respectively.
• This initiative significantly contributes to reducing response times and increasing survival rates through direct coordination with specialized hospitals and ensuring the readiness of medical teams and advanced ambulance equipment.

3. Major Public Health Challenges: Obesity Obesity and weight gain are widespread health problems in Saudi society.

• Causes: A combination of factors including unhealthy eating habits (excessive consumption of processed foods, sweets, and outside meals), lack of physical activity, and genetic predisposition. Psychological stress can also lead to overeating.
• Prevalence: According to the Ministry of Health, obesity affects 20.2% of the population, and 38.2% of adults are overweight. Statistics from the General Authority for Statistics in 2024 showed that 23.1% of residents aged 15 and above suffer from obesity, and 45.1% are overweight.
• Health Risks: Obesity is linked to various chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, joint pain, and fatty liver (which can lead to cirrhosis). It can also cause gallbladder problems.
• Psychological and Social Impact: Obesity can negatively affect psychological and social well-being, particularly in children, leading to issues like bullying.
• Vulnerable Groups: Women are generally more susceptible to obesity than men, especially pregnant women.
• Combating Obesity:The Kingdom is implementing various initiatives to promote public health and prevent obesity.
• The “Keel” Charitable Association for Combating Obesity, headquartered in Riyadh, plays a crucial role by providing nutritional consultations, preventive and curative services, and training specialists in the field.
• Keel aims to raise awareness about the dangers of obesity and provides specialized nutritional advice to help affected individuals.
• Recommendations for healthy weight loss: Focus on continuous lifestyle changes rather than temporary diets. Emphasis is placed on moderation in eating (“no deprivation, but rather moderation in everything”) and regular physical activity, which accounts for 40% of weight loss. For children, it’s advised to protect them from early obesity by regulating meals and reducing screen time to under two hours daily.

4. International Humanitarian Efforts

• King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief):The center continues to carry out humanitarian and relief initiatives globally, including in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, and Afghanistan.
• Activities include vocational training (e.g., air conditioning maintenance and psychological support in Yemen), distributing large quantities of dates and food baskets (e.g., 1,350 cartons of dates for 8,100 individuals in Taiz, Yemen; 393 food baskets for displaced Syrians; 752 food baskets in Lebanon; 1,440 food baskets in Sudan; 135 food baskets in Afghanistan for returnees from Pakistan).
• These projects highlight Saudi Arabia’s leading role in providing humanitarian support to affected countries and populations, meeting their urgent needs across various fields.

5. Other Health-Related Aspects

• Nutritional Support for Prisoners: The Medical Referrals Center’s mandate includes reviewing health release reports for prisoners.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: The Ministry of Interior conducts “For Your Safety” campaigns, stressing that reporting violations (including drug use or behaviors harmful to society/environment) is a national and social responsibility to protect public safety. This emphasizes community participation in health and safety.
• Squash Team’s Achievements: The Saudi squash team’s participation and achievements in international tournaments, like the Asian Junior Championship in Hong Kong (2025), reflect efforts to develop athletes and contribute to a healthier, more active society.
• Sports as a Tool for Health: Sports and youth programs, such as “Hikayat Al Shabab” (Youth Stories), are used to promote public health, enhance life skills, and inspire ambition and perseverance among youth. This aligns with Vision 2030’s aim to build a healthy society by integrating sports into daily life.

Al-Watan Newspaper: Political, Economic, and Sports Commentary

Here are the titles of all columns written in this newspaper, along with their first two paragraphs of detail in English:

• Column Title: Word
• Detail 1: What happened recently, like igniting a spark in a gas-filled closed room, resembled the political situation in its sensitive moments, increasing by the moment, not because it was new in its outspokenness, but because it occurred in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which has a very sensitive position.
• Detail 2: On the knife’s edge. That the Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, once again stormed Al-Aqsa under heavy protection, is not a religious act, but a political exercise; it is part of an absurd policy of escalation that relies on symbolic escalation to achieve internal political gains, even if the price is.
• Column Title: Dangerous Absurdity
• Detail: No detailed paragraphs for this column are available in the provided sources.
• Column Title: Conference on “Two-State Solution”… An International Stance to Renew Hope for Peace and Justice
• Detail 1: The holding of the “Two-State Solution” conference in New York at the United Nations headquarters, co-chaired by the Saudi and French foreign ministers, constituted a pivotal political moment for an issue that has always been at the core of the global conscience.
• Detail 2: The conference, in which most countries of the world and international and regional organizations participated, was not merely a fleeting diplomatic event, but represented a real hope towards a just and comprehensive political solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The conference has rekindled the spotlight on the Palestinian issue and that it still represents the greatest challenge before the international community. The calls for a two-state solution were old, but adopting them at this time by this international consensus gave them unprecedented political and moral weight.
• Column Title: The Quarterly Budget… And the IMF Report
• Detail 1: The International Monetary Fund mission visited the Kingdom in June last year and submitted its recommendations to the concerned authorities. These recommendations, despite their professionalism, must be dealt with cautiously, because the Fund operates from assumptions some of which are outdated. This Fund, for example, has ingrained beliefs that the market alone is the driver of the economy, at a time when the experience of the global economy since 2008 proves that things are not 100% as such.
• Detail 2: A quick glance at the economic changes that have occurred since the global financial crisis of 2008 shows that China, where the government sector plays a prominent role in its economy, has advanced significantly, while countries relying on the market economy have declined. For example, during the period 2004-2007, the Chinese economy advanced over the French and British economies, and in 2008, it became the fourth largest economy in the world. In 2009, it surpassed the German economy and became the third largest economy in the world. After that, it became the second largest economy in the world. Thus, it has only the American economy ahead of it, which is expected to surpass it by 2038.
• Column Title: Cleary: Russia is a Strategic Threat to American Security
• Detail 1: The idea that China is the United States’ primary strategic threat has spread since the early 21st century within decision-making and strategic thinking circles in Washington. The idea then became deeply rooted among both political parties and guided strategic thinking in the White House, the Departments of State and Defense. The House of Representatives also established a committee to study the malicious activities of the ruling Communist Party in China. Additionally, former US President Donald Trump criticizes China’s trade practices and threatens to impose retaliatory tariffs on Chinese products.
• Detail 2: One of the most prominent issues that imposed itself on the US presidential election battle last year was the suspicious purchase operations by Chinese entities of agricultural lands near sensitive military installations, and ways to stop these operations. In an analysis published by the American National Interest magazine, Colin Cleary, an assistant professor and lecturer in American foreign policy at George Washington University, said that China is not a country that can be taken lightly and must be confronted, but rather the majority of American attention to resources is ignoring the activities of another member state in the UN Security Council whose leaders and propaganda constantly threaten nuclear war against the United States and its European allies; and whose dictator president invaded and annexed large parts of another internationally recognized state, Russia under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, whom the strategic threat is seen by the United States.
• Column Title: The Two-State Solution is an International Political Project Led by Saudi Arabia
• Detail 1: The Palestinian issue remains a bleeding wound in the Arab and Islamic conscience, and a test of the credibility of the international system. Meanwhile, the “two-state solution” emerges as the most acceptable legal and diplomatic framework in the current phase, representing a potential entry point for settling this chronic conflict. Despite the entrenchment of the historical rights of the Palestinian people, the feasibility of this solution remains dependent on the facts on the ground and the fluctuating positions of successive American administrations.
• Detail 2: The core of the Western approach remains focused on the premise that the conflict has no solution, and on providing political cover for the Israeli occupation to entrench a reality in which the Palestinian dream erodes day by day. The “two-state solution” envisions the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace alongside Israel. However, this vision is systematically undermined by Israeli actions under Western cover, especially with the rise of right-wing governments that classify the Palestinian state as an “existential threat” and work to expand settlements and Judaize Jerusalem.
• Column Title: Saudi Arabia Redefines the Two-State Solution with a Comprehensive Vision
• Detail 1: The Kingdom, on behalf of the international community, in a highly significant political scene, signed the final document of a high-level conference in New York on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue, with the presence of an elite group of representatives from major countries and in partnership with France. Through our Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, it affirmed that it does not merely content itself with its status as a rising regional power, but plays an increasing role in reshaping the international agenda on the most complex and long-standing issues in contemporary history, namely “the Palestinian issue.”
• Detail 2: The Kingdom’s co-chairing of the international conference, in partnership with France, is not – as some might believe – a diplomatic protocol, but a clear expression of a qualitative shift in Saudi strategy towards international issues, especially those related to the Middle East. This approach reflects a clear alignment with Vision 2030, as it seeks to be a global pillar in formulating solutions, not just in monitoring conflicts.
• Column Title: Path
• Detail 1: This is the history of the two-state solution that is being sponsored internationally and led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Last week, the world witnessed one of the most important weeks in terms of diplomacy in the Middle East, as Britain, the author of the Balfour Declaration, announced with a new and historic pledge a British desire to recognize a Palestinian state in the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, and France and other European countries had preceded it in this direction.
• Detail: Only one paragraph of detail is available in the provided source for this column.
• Column Title: Reporting is a National Responsibility and a Community Pillar
• Detail 1: The Ministry of Interior continues its intensive efforts, through its various awareness campaigns, foremost among them the #ForYourSafety campaign, which carries a clear and direct message to citizens and residents alike: that reporting and taking initiative on any violation is not just a legal duty, but a national duty and a shared responsibility, and ethical.
• Detail 2: Through these messages, the Ministry emphasizes that reporting violations – of any kind – is one of the most important forms of effective community interaction, reflecting the awareness of individuals and their keenness on the safety of their homeland and society. The Ministry also assures all those who submit reports that the information is treated with the utmost confidentiality, and the reporter incurs no legal responsibility; rather, they are appreciated and thanked for their awareness and initiative.
• Column Title: The Awaited Moment
• Detail 1: Yes, Al-Nassr previously faced difficult circumstances that the team suffered from and were the reason for its exit from all championships last season, in addition to administrative problems and arbitrary decisions. In contrast, today we see a permanent hope for all Al-Alami fans. There was presence, vitality, giving, and good discipline in training, professional deals, and a shrewd coach who was the best choice with Jisos and an independent technical and administrative staff with full authority in a beautiful picture that paints this change in everything.
• Detail 2: The team started since the return of training regularly and strictly by Jisos, which makes you, as an Al-Nassr fan, feel that Al-Nassr is coming strongly this season and that the administrative and technical work in the team is in the best condition, and this is what Al-Nassr is looking for. Yes, the era of laxity and chaos will not return with the presence of a strong and strict coach like Jisos and a new administration.
• Column Title: Al-Nassr is Different!
• Detail 1: Yes, Al-Nassr previously faced difficult circumstances that the team suffered from and were the reason for its exit from all championships last season, in addition to administrative problems and arbitrary decisions. In contrast, today we see a permanent hope for all Al-Alami fans. There was presence, vitality, giving, and good discipline in training, professional deals, and a shrewd coach who was the best choice with Jisos and an independent technical and administrative staff with full authority in a beautiful picture that paints this change in everything.
• Detail 2: The team started since the return of training regularly and strictly by Jisos, which makes you, as an Al-Nassr fan, feel that Al-Nassr is coming strongly this season and that the administrative and technical work in the team is in the best condition, and this is what Al-Nassr is looking for. Yes, the era of laxity and chaos will not return with the presence of a strong and strict coach like Jisos and a new administration.
• Note: The detailed paragraphs for this column are identical to those of “The Awaited Moment” due to repetition in the provided source material.
• Column Title: When Joy is Scarce.. Some Search for a Glimmer of Glory..
• Detail 1: This manifests in a time when small details are inflated and turned into headlines, exemplified by the scene of boasting about “Don’s” plane as a reflection of a deeper reality than it appears on the surface. It is not merely a celebration of a picture or pride in the color of a plane, but a reflection of a deep-seated need to cling to any symbolism, to the extent that some people’s obsession with “symbolization” reaches a point where it sometimes turns into belittling entities that feel inferior to them, even if it was seemingly a means of boasting. This happens when it is emptied of its true meaning and turns towards negativity, sliding into emptiness and exaggeration outside the green rectangle and in the absence of “real achievements”! At that point, the image fades and triviality falls silent.
• Detail 2: And when joy is scarce and pride diminishes, some search for any glimmer to create glory, even if it is on the wing of a plane. Here, the painful truth appears: some no longer find anything in the stadiums to quench the thirst of their fans, so they resort to dazzling displays whose sparkle quickly fades before the radiance of “real championships”! Raising a picture of a plane or boasting about it is not proof of strength or greatness. Al-Nassr was intimately familiar with private jets, and the club had habitually used private aviation for its travels to matches and training camps for many years as part of its culture and policy to provide the best conditions for its players. Therefore, portraying the matter as an unprecedented achievement is a clear disregard and belittling of a long history of professionalism and the capabilities Al-Nassr possesses!
• Column Title: Youth and Sports.. A Healthy Society
• Detail 1: Today, our clubs’ football teams are experiencing a constant and diligent movement of preparation for the new sports season, which has become imminent. The beginning was through contracting with new coaches, in addition to renewing contracts for some of them, and the arrival of foreign professional players who have been selected.
• Detail 2: If we were to look back, we would find that our clubs’ football teams are in a state of constant and diligent movement today in preparation for the new sports season, which has become imminent. The beginning, without a doubt, will be the contracting with new coaches, and the renewal of contracts for some of them, in addition to contracting with foreign professional players who are selected. However, in my opinion, this method does not align with the progress and sports awareness we have reached, as it has many flaws and haste, including, for example, relying on agents who only care about their own interests, and the club is the loser. Also, poor selection, despite the fact that the majority of clubs have experienced foreign players, and there were without a doubt positive and negative hot relationships. This is the general state of sports, and with a sporting spirit, far from biases, fanaticism, and emotion, we congratulate the winning teams. As it was said, whoever achieved something deserves it, knowing that this thing did not come out of nowhere; rather, it was after concerted efforts and work for the benefit of their teams. Some teams are not lucky, but what matters is that the officials in charge of sports among us, God willing, have learned the lessons their clubs went through in the last league, especially from the technical side, because unfortunately, these mistakes are repeated every sports season.
• Column Title: Towards a Model Real Estate Sector
• Detail 1: I confirm here that the severe slowdown in prices in the second quarter of the current year spreads a state of optimism and hope among those dealing with real estate and beneficiaries, with the possibility of creating a model real estate sector. This is not only because it contributes to enhancing national income for the Kingdom and provides job opportunities, but also because the sector has begun to enjoy stability and calm with a package of regulations and procedures that prevent undesirable surprises, such as unjustified price increases or monopolization of real estate products. This scene creates a stimulating environment for attracting local and foreign investments to the sector, ensuring growth and prosperity, which encourages sector investors and contributes to increasing the supply of real estate products to achieve.
• Detail 2: The goals of the Kingdom’s Vision. The results of the second quarter of 2025 reflect a success story of the efforts made to curb real estate price increases and guide the market towards a state of stability and balance. Despite the variation in the performance of different sectors, the common denominator was the decline and decrease in price inflation and growth rate to a safe range. With the continuation of the current approach, positive expectations indicate that the real estate sector will witness a prosperous phase of stable growth and promising opportunities for all stakeholders, under constant leadership follow-up and regulatory procedures that ensure the sustainability of the real estate recovery without sacrificing price affordability and market fairness for all.

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By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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