What to do in Khobar - Latest News

Starting a new job in Saudi Arabia will soon come with a new requirement: a mandatory health screening. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced new occupational fitness and non-communicable disease screening regulations that will gradually apply to workers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The programme will be introduced in three phases: Phase 1 (first 6 months): mandatory occupational fitness examinations for all new hires Phase 2 (next 12 months): screening expands to existing employees, with priority given to workers in high-risk workplaces Phase 3 (full implementation): regulations apply to all workers, including permanent employees,...

Chocolate lovers, here's something new to add to your list. Bateel has introduced Riyadh Style Chocolate, a new treat inspired by Saudi Arabia's most familiar flavours. The new creation features ingredients often associated with local hospitality, and yes, you can probably already guess a couple of them: dates and coffee. So what else will you find inside the bar? Organic dates Qahwa notes Cardamom Saffron Kunafa View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bateel (@bateelgourmet) Riyadh Style Chocolate is available as a chocolate bar and as a box of assorted chocolates, both presented in Saudi green packaging. You...

If your feed could use some good news today, here's one: Saudi Arabia has recorded its first onager birth in more than 100 years. The announcement was made by the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, home to the young newcomer. The onager is one of the world's rarest wild equids. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), fewer than 600 remain in the wild. In 2025, the species was added to the Critically Endangered list as experts warned its population could fall sharply in the coming decades. The male onager was born in June 2025, but...

If there’s one thing many travellers never leave home without, it’s a power bank. However, you can no longer charge your precious device onboard Saudi flights. The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation has issued new instructions to airlines operating at national airports regarding portable chargers. Here’s what passengers need to know: Charging power banks during flights is now banned Power banks must stay in hand luggage Each passenger can carry a maximum of two power banks Saudi authorities said the rules follow international aviation safety requirements linked to lithium battery, which can overheat or catch fire onboard aircraft. Several...

Residents in Saudi Arabia can now start planning for Eid Al Adha 2026. The holiday’s start date has been confirmed after the Dhul Hijjah crescent moon was sighted on Sunday evening. Here are all the dates for the upcoming holiday period: Dhul Hijjah begins on Monday, May 18 Day of Arafah: Tuesday, May 26 Eid Al Adha 2026 in Saudi Arabia: Wednesday, May 27 The holiday falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. With the Eid Al Adha 2026 start date now confirmed in Saudi Arabia, holiday plans and family gatherings...

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing some of the most luxurious jewellery collections in the world up close, 2026 is your year. Jewels of the World is making its return to Saudi Arabia, bringing the finest jewellery from global brands to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar. Here’s when and where you can catch the event in 2026: Riyadh: June 15 to 19 at the Four Seasons Hotel Al Khobar: June 23 to 26 at Dhahran Expo Riyadh: October 11 to 15 at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Jeddah: October 19 to 22 at Jeddah Hilton The event will feature 100 jewellery...

Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of Saudi Arabia’s future plans. The Kingdom has announced that 2026 will be the Year of Artificial Intelligence, a nationwide initiative focused on strengthening its role in data and AI development. The announcement was made by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). SDAIA also revealed the official logo for the Year of Artificial Intelligence. It combines several elements that reflect both Saudi identity and the country’s growing focus on technology: The palm...

If you spend time in KSA in early March, you may notice more green flags appearing across streets, buildings, and public spaces. That’s because Saudi Flag Day is celebrated every year on March 11, a national occasion dedicated to the Kingdom’s flag and the story behind it. Saudi Flag Day is a relatively recent national observance. It was officially introduced in 2023 to highlight the history and meaning of the national flag. March 11 marks the day in 1937 when King Abdulaziz Al Saud approved the official design of the Saudi national flag, corresponding to 27 Dhu Al Hijja 1355...

Eid Al Fitr is one of the most anticipated holidays marking the end of Ramadan, and naturally, people in both public and private sectors are looking forward to a much-needed break. Saudi Arabia has confirmed the dates for the 2026 Eid Al Fitr holiday, and here’s what you can expect: Government and private sector employees will enjoy a four-day holiday starting Wednesday, March 18, which corresponds to the 29th of Ramadan The holiday will last until Sunday, March 22, when regular work hours will resume These dates are subject to confirmation after the sighting of the Ramadan crescent, so there...

Hajj is a journey most people prepare for long before the time comes. If you’re ready to take that step now, registration is open for citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia. You can submit your application online through the Nusuk app or on the official website https://hajj.nusuk.sa. Before applying, make sure you meet the following: You must be at least 15 years old (Gregorian calendar) You must meet the approved health requirements Residents must have a valid residency permit (iqama). Priority will be given to those whose iqama was issued more than one Gregorian year ago You can read more...