Brendan Rodgers definitively reveals why he swapped the UK for Saudi Arabia Rodgers believes more managers and players should consider moving to the Saudi Pro League. The National (Scotland) · Aug 25
Turkish military transport flights to Pakistan raise eyebrows in India In a 60-hour operation, Turkish military transport aircraft, including C-130 Hercules and A400M models, delivered cargo to Pakistan’s military bases. There is speculation that these flights transported Turkish military gear and drones. This event highlights the strengthening defense relationship between Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, reigniting discussions about Ankara’s military… The Economic Times · Aug 25
Macron unveils €6bn Saudi-backed theme park deal amid rights criticism A €6 billion Saudi investment will create three theme parks near Paris, born from a "shared passion" for Dragon Ball Z and anime Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discovered during talks in Riyadh last December. Euronews · Aug 25
Why Ollie Watkins’ move to Saudi Arabia will tarnish his Aston Villa legacy IN-DEPTH: The England striker seems dead set on leaving Villa in the lurch to join Al Hilal – which, Richard Jolly writes, is a great shame for a club and player who were very good for one another The Independent UK · Aug 25
Emmanuel Macron Seals €6bn Saudi Deal for Three Theme Parks Near Paris, Including Dragon Ball Site, Creating 22,000 Jobs French President Macron and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince finalise a £5.13bn deal to build three theme parks near Paris, including a Dragon Ball attraction, creating 22,000 jobs and strengthening cultural ties. International Business Times UK · Aug 24
Saudi Arabia to invest €6 billion into building three theme parks near Paris The parks are set to be constructed in Cergy-Pontoise to the northwest of Paris and are expected to include a manga-themed attraction. Euronews · Aug 24
Saudi Arabia to invest €6 billion in theme parks near Paris, Macron says France and Saudi Arabia on Monday signed an agreement for the oil-rich Gulf kingdom to invest €6 billion to create three amusement parks near Paris, including one likely to be a manga-themed park, the French presidential office said. The announcement came during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit focused… France 24 · Aug 24
Saudi Arabia to invest €6bn in building theme parks near Paris France and Saudi Arabia on Monday signed a memo of understanding for a €6 billion Saudi investment to create three theme parks near Paris, the office of the French president said. Radio France Internationale · Aug 24
Houthis claim strike on Saudi tanker in latest Red Sea escalation The missile struck a tanker 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu, setting it ablaze, in the latest strike under the Houthis' announced blockade of Saudi Arabia, threatening its ability to export millions of barrels of crude oil per day. Euronews · Aug 24
AG.AL wins the Esports World Cup 2026 Club Championship, ending Falcons’ reign AG.AL denied Team Falcons a historic three-peat, clinching the Esports World Cup 2026 Club Championship via a dramatic Trackmania final in Paris — the first EWC held outside Saudi Arabia. Dot Esports · Aug 24
Esports World Cup crowns champions in Paris after move from Riyadh The China-based AG.AL claimed the $7 million Club Championship as the seven-week tournament wrapped up its first edition outside Saudi Arabia after a short-notice relocation to France. Euronews · Aug 24
Iran invited to join Mecca pact by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan: Report Iran has been invited to join the Mecca Agreement for Mutual Defense, a new security alliance formed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, Al Mayadeen reported, citing a senior Iranian official. The Times of India · Aug 23
Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez left out of Aston Villa squad amid exit talk Watkins is being heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia while Martinez, who misses out due to a lack of match fitness, could also leave The Independent UK · Aug 23
From Middle East to e-sports: Macron hosts Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman Long ostracised on the international stage after the murder of Saudi journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi, "MBS" has in recent years regained status as a valued strategic partner. Euronews · Aug 23
Radio France Internationale · Aug 23 Saudi crown prince heads to France as Paris seeks closer Gulf ties French President Emmanuel Macron will host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday for a two-day official visit, as Paris looks to deepen ties with Riyadh against a backdrop of war in the Middle East.
The Times of India · Aug 23 'Positive approach': Bangladesh ministers on possibility of joining Mecca pact Bangladesh maintains a positive approach towards joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, two junior ministers have said, while stressing that any decision would be guided by the country’s national interests.
Bangkok Post · Aug 23 Macron hosts Saudi's MBS for visit ranging from esports to Mideast PARIS (FRANCE) - French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Saudi crown prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday for a two-day visit set to range from esports to the war in the Middle East.
France 24 · Aug 23 Macron hosts Saudi crown prince for two-day visit spanning energy to Middle East French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Paris for a two-day visit focused on bilateral deals and the Middle East. The visit, which begins with the Esports World Cup, comes amid criticism from journalists’ unions over France’s hosting of the Saudi de facto…
International Business Times UK · Aug 21 Saudi Textbooks Remove 'Muslims Will Never Give Up Jerusalem' Line; Quran and Hadith Passages Also Removed Saudi Arabia's educational reforms remove Jerusalem references and revise Quran and Hadith passages, signalling a shift towards modernisation and religious tolerance.
The Times of India · Aug 21 55,000 years ago, Neanderthals may have trekked deep into Saudi Arabia when Nefud Desert was covered by lakes and grasslands A new study suggests Neanderthals may have trekked far deeper into the Arabian Peninsula than scientists previously thought possible, reaching a lakeside site in what is now Saudi Arabia around 55,000 years ago. Researchers examined stone tools from Jebel Katefeh 1, a site beside an ancient lake near the city…
The Economic Times · Aug 20 Urban Company, Unicommerce expand partnership to Saudi Arabia, UAE Urban Company's Middle East division has partnered with Unicommerce to streamline its e-commerce operations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The online platform will leverage Unicommerce's Uniware technology to manage inventory and fulfillment for its at-home services, ensuring real-time visibility and efficient order routing for service professionals.
GamesRadar · Aug 19 EA devs feel "the threat of layoffs at all times," especially after Saudi Arabia acquisition: "It's hard to see how teams or games that underperform wouldn't be dissolved" Increasingly bad energy
International Business Times UK · Aug 19 Jared Kushner and Saudi Buyout of EA Could Destroy 'The Sims' as a Safe Space for Queer Diversity Jared Kushner and Saudi Arabia now own EA, putting The Sims' LGBTQ+ legacy under scrutiny as queer players fear the game could lose its status as a safe space.
GamesRadar · Aug 19 EA staff fear new Saudi Arabia owners will police their games: "Projects just won't get signed because they don't align explicitly with what the Saudi government wants" "It's certainly hard to feel good about being bought out by a regime that's very much at odds with progressive society"
France 24 · Aug 18 Trump says no Iran talks planned as UAE suspends trade with Tehran US President Donald Trump said Tuesday no talks with Iran were planned and insisted the Strait of Hormuz remained open despite reduced shipping traffic. Oman and Iran neared a deal on the waterway as a projectile struck a vessel, while the UAE said two Iranian ballistic missiles landed in or…