Crown Prince Unveils Company that Will Develop Downtowns in Saudi Arabia

Crown Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of Saudi Downtown Company (SDC) that will build and develop downtown areas and mixed-use destinations in 12 cities throughout Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Crown Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of Saudi Downtown Company (SDC) that will build and develop downtown areas and mixed-use destinations in 12 cities throughout Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Crown Prince Unveils Company that Will Develop Downtowns in Saudi Arabia

Crown Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of Saudi Downtown Company (SDC) that will build and develop downtown areas and mixed-use destinations in 12 cities throughout Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Crown Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of Saudi Downtown Company (SDC) that will build and develop downtown areas and mixed-use destinations in 12 cities throughout Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced the launch of Saudi Downtown Company (SDC) that will build and develop downtown areas and mixed-use destinations in 12 cities throughout Saudi Arabia.

The company will aim to improve the infrastructure and build strategic partnerships with the private sector and investors, by creating new business and investment opportunities in key economic sectors, including retail, tourism, entertainment, and housing.

The 12 cities include: Al-Madinah, Al-Khobar, Al-Ahsa, Buraidah, Najran, Jizan, Hail, Al-Baha, Arar, Taif, Dumat Al-Jandal, and Tabuk.

SDC will develop over 10 million square meters of land across all projects, creating modern destinations drawn from Saudi Arabia’s diverse local culture and traditional architectural motifs, while using cutting-edge technology in every project.

By launching SDC, PIF aims to increase trade and investment opportunities in various cities across Saudi Arabia to enhance their attractiveness and create a positive impact in their local economies.

The projects will contribute to creating new opportunities for the private sector and new job opportunities for citizens, as well as localizing knowledge and expertise to help entrepreneurs and companies start and expand their businesses.

The launch of SDC reflects Crown Prince Mohammed’s vision to launch development projects in various regions of Saudi Arabia, highlighting the active role that domestic cities play in supporting the national economy.

The company’s strategy aligns with PIF’s efforts to unlock and enable the capabilities of promising sectors locally that can help drive the diversification of the economy and contribute to non-oil GDP growth, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.



Saudi Defense Minister Offers Condolences to Qatari PM on Passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Minister Offers Condolences to Qatari PM on Passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman held telephone talks on Wednesday with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani to offer his condolences over the passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Prince Khalid expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy, praying for God's mercy and forgiveness upon the deceased.


Saudi Arabia, the UK to Support Vulnerable Groups in Yemen with $10 Million

Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah signs the agreement. SPA
Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah signs the agreement. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, the UK to Support Vulnerable Groups in Yemen with $10 Million

Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah signs the agreement. SPA
Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah signs the agreement. SPA

Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah and Acting Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) Carl Skau have signed a cooperation agreement to support vulnerable groups in several Yemeni governorates.

The agreement forms part of Saudi Arabia's humanitarian and relief projects and programs delivered through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to assist people in need and those affected by crises around the world.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday via video conference in the presence of UK Deputy Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr. Alice Burt.

Under the agreement, KSrelief and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will each contribute half of a $10 million financial package to the WFP to support the project in Yemen's Al-Mahrah, Hadhramout, Aden, Al-Dhale, and Lahij governorates.

The agreement aims to address the food needs of the most vulnerable groups by providing asset-creation support activities for beneficiaries and improving their access to food through conditional cash transfers, enabling them to become less dependent on humanitarian assistance.

The project also includes rehabilitating productive infrastructure, helping targeted households transition from Phase 4 acute food insecurity to greater stability and self-reliance, implementing vocational training programs, developing beneficiaries' skills to enhance productivity, strengthening the capacities of local authorities, and activating governance systems to manage and sustain community assets.


Kuwait, Bahrain Say Intercepted Iran Attacks

Smoke rises after a drone was intercepted during early morning hours in Manama, Bahrain, July 14, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Smoke rises after a drone was intercepted during early morning hours in Manama, Bahrain, July 14, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
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Kuwait, Bahrain Say Intercepted Iran Attacks

Smoke rises after a drone was intercepted during early morning hours in Manama, Bahrain, July 14, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Smoke rises after a drone was intercepted during early morning hours in Manama, Bahrain, July 14, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

Kuwait and Bahrain on Wednesday confirmed they had intercepted fresh aerial salvos from Iran as Tehran and Washington exchanged fire over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Kuwait's military said it was intercepting attack drones, and blamed "nefarious Iranian aggression,” with Bahrain's army later saying it "succeeded in intercepting and destroying a number of the treacherous Iranian aerial attacks.”

In the early hours of the morning, Bahrain's interior ministry said it had sounded warning sirens and urged citizens and residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.

Iranian state media reported Wednesday that Iran carried out separate attacks on US targets in Kuwait and Bahrain after US forces struck Iran.