Al Nassr began the new year with disappointment as their ten-match winning streak in the Saudi Pro League came to an end. The team, featuring Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, lost 3-2 to Al Ahli. English forward Tony Evans scored twice for Al Ahli, while Merih Demiral added another goal. Abdullah Al-Amri netted both goals for Al Nassr in a match where Ronaldo remained largely ineffective.

The game started with Tony scoring in the seventh minute, followed by a second goal in the 20th minute after a long pass from his own half. Al Nassr fought back through Al-Amri, who scored from distance in the 30th minute and then equalized with a header just before halftime. In the second half, Al Ahli regained control, and Demiral’s strike in the 53rd minute sealed the win.

This defeat marked Al Nassr’s first loss in eleven league matches, leaving them with 31 points from ten wins and one draw before this match.

Saudi Arabia’s Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, known as Nazaha, has arrested 116 government officials on corruption charges following an extensive investigation. The arrests were made after a nationwide campaign in December 2025 targeting bribery and abuse of power. According to a report citing the Arabic daily Okaz, Nazaha questioned 466 individuals as part of the probe.

In an official statement, Nazaha said that 1,440 operations were conducted this month across several ministries, including Interior, Municipal and Rural Affairs, Housing, Education, and Health. The investigation primarily focused on allegations of bribery and misuse of authority. Legal procedures are being completed to hand over the accused to the judiciary, and some detainees have been released on bail under criminal procedure laws.

Nazaha stated that the campaign aims to protect public funds, ensure integrity and accountability, and prevent corruption across the public sector. The authority also urged citizens to report any suspected financial or administrative corruption through its toll-free number 980 or its official website.

Saudi Arabia carried out a record 356 executions in 2025, the highest number in the country's history, according to data released by the Saudi government and reported by Agence France-Presse. Of these, 243 were related to drug offenses, marking a sharp increase linked to Riyadh’s declared “war on drugs.” Many of the executions involved individuals whose legal proceedings concluded this year after earlier arrests.

In 2024, Saudi Arabia executed 338 people, making 2025 the second consecutive year with record-high executions. The country resumed enforcing death sentences for drug-related crimes in late 2022 after nearly three years of suspension. The United Nations reported that since the anti-drug campaign began, Saudi authorities have expanded police checkpoints on highways and borders, seizing large quantities of narcotics and arresting numerous traffickers.

Saudi officials maintain that the death penalty is necessary to preserve public order and is only implemented after all appeals are exhausted. Amnesty International has documented Saudi execution data since 1990, noting that earlier records remain unclear.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored an unusual goal but could not prevent Al Nassr’s winning run from ending in the Saudi Pro League. The match against Al Ettifaq ended 2-2, halting Al Nassr’s streak of ten consecutive victories. Ronaldo’s goal came in the 67th minute when a shot from teammate Félix deflected off his back and went into the net. Despite the goal, Al Nassr conceded again later, resulting in a draw.

With this goal, Ronaldo reached 13 goals in the league, sharing the top scorer position with Félix. His career total now stands at 957 goals as he continues his pursuit of 1,000 career goals. After the draw, Al Nassr remained at the top of the league table with 31 points from 11 matches, while Al Taawoun followed in second place with three points fewer.

The result keeps Al Nassr in a strong position in the title race, though the draw ended their momentum from ten straight wins.

Saudi Arabia’s Coast Guard rescued two Bangladeshi sailors from the Red Sea near the Al Lith administrative area in the Makkah region after their vessel broke apart, leaving them stranded. According to Gulf News, rescue teams reached the site promptly, provided necessary assistance, and ensured the sailors’ safety before bringing them ashore.

In an official statement, the Saudi Border Guard urged all seafarers to strictly follow maritime safety guidelines and verify the seaworthiness of their vessels before departure. Authorities also reminded residents to report emergencies by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, and the Eastern Province, or 994 in other regions of the country.

The incident highlights ongoing efforts by Saudi maritime authorities to enhance coastal safety and emergency response capacity, particularly in busy Red Sea routes used by international and regional shipping traffic.

Saudi Arabia has conferred its highest state honor, the King Abdulaziz Medal (Excellent Class), on Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir. The award was presented by Saudi Defense Minister and Crown Prince Khalid bin Salman in Riyadh, following directives from King Salman, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The medal recognizes General Munir’s distinguished contributions to strengthening Saudi-Pakistani strategic relations and defense cooperation. During the ceremony, Crown Prince Khalid and General Munir held talks on bilateral defense ties, long-standing military collaboration, and joint efforts to promote international peace and security. The meeting underscored the two nations’ shared commitment to regional stability and counterterrorism coordination.

Analysts view the honor as a reaffirmation of the deep military and diplomatic partnership between Riyadh and Islamabad. The recognition may also signal Saudi Arabia’s intent to deepen defense and intelligence cooperation with Pakistan amid evolving regional security dynamics.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior announced the arrest of 18,880 undocumented migrants during a week-long nationwide operation conducted between December 11 and 17, 2025. The coordinated raids, carried out with the support of multiple government agencies, targeted individuals violating residency, border, and labor laws across the kingdom.

According to Saudi daily Okaz, 11,190 people were detained for lacking valid residency documents, 3,801 for illegal border entry, and 2,889 for labor law violations. Authorities also arrested 15 Saudi citizens accused of sheltering or assisting undocumented migrants. The Interior Ministry warned that citizens or residents found aiding illegal migrants could face up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching 1 million riyals. Vehicles and properties used in such offenses may also be confiscated.

The crackdown reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to regulate its labor market and curb irregular migration. Officials emphasized that enforcement will continue, signaling stricter oversight of both employers and intermediaries facilitating illegal employment.

Saudi Arabia has announced an increase in the number of annual scholarships for Bangladeshi students, raising the quota to 500. The announcement was made by the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh on December 19, 2025. The scholarships will be available across 30 public and 14 private universities, covering undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and diploma programs in ten disciplines including economics, business administration, education, law, politics, media, religion, language, agriculture, computer science, and engineering.

Applicants can now apply to three universities of their choice from a list of 25 institutions through a centralized system, replacing the previous requirement to apply separately to each university. Selection will be based on merit and specific quotas for foreign students. Participating universities include King Saud University, Islamic University of Madinah, and King Abdulaziz University.

The move is expected to strengthen educational and cultural ties between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, offering greater access to world-class higher education for Bangladeshi youth and supporting Saudi Arabia’s broader international education outreach.

Saudi Arabia has announced the abolition of expatriate worker fees (Iqama) for employees in licensed industrial establishments, a move approved by the Council of Ministers chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The decision, based on recommendations from the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA), aims to strengthen national factories, ensure sustainability, and enhance global competitiveness under the Vision 2030 diversification plan.

Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef said the measure will reduce operational costs, facilitate production expansion, and accelerate the adoption of automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Between 2019 and 2024, Saudi Arabia’s industrial sector saw factories rise from 8,822 to over 12,000, investments grow 35% to 1.22 trillion riyals, and employment increase 74% to 847,000 workers.

Officials expect the policy to further energize the sector and attract international investment. The government aims to triple industrial GDP to 895 billion riyals by 2035, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional manufacturing hub.

Saudi Arabia has announced the cancellation of work permit (Iqama) fees for expatriate workers employed in licensed industrial establishments. The decision, approved under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, follows recommendations from the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA). Officials said the move aims to strengthen the industrial sector and support sustainable economic diversification under Vision 2030.

Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef stated that waiving the fees will reduce operational costs for factories, attract quality investments, and encourage expansion and higher production. He added that the policy will enhance Saudi industries’ global competitiveness and reduce the kingdom’s reliance on oil revenues. The initiative is also expected to accelerate the adoption of automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

The decision comes as Saudi Arabia remains a major source of remittances for countries such as Pakistan, which received $753 million in November 2025. Analysts view the policy as a strategic step toward a more diversified, technology-driven industrial economy.

Several Bangladeshi expatriates have been detained in Saudi Arabia for organizing political gatherings related to Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election without official permission. The Embassy of Bangladesh in Riyadh confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Wednesday night, urging all expatriates to refrain from political activities in the kingdom.

According to the embassy, the detainees allegedly rented halls, restaurants, and private residences to hold meetings under the banners of unauthorized organizations. Saudi authorities acted after reports of group campaigning and the spread of misleading or criminal content on social media. The embassy reminded Bangladeshis to strictly follow Saudi laws and avoid any form of political assembly or online misinformation.

The incident highlights the sensitivity of political activities among expatriate communities in Saudi Arabia, where public gatherings and foreign political campaigns are tightly regulated. The embassy’s advisory aims to prevent further detentions and maintain compliance with local regulations ahead of Bangladesh’s election season.

Saudi Arabia has officially launched its newest multi-mission warship, ‘His Majesty King Saud,’ in Wisconsin, United States, marking the first vessel completed under the Kingdom’s Tuwaiq Project. The ship, built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), represents a major step in Riyadh’s broader initiative to modernize its naval fleet and strengthen maritime defense capabilities.

The launch ceremony was attended by senior Saudi and U.S. military officials, including RSNF Commander Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Ghuraibi, as well as representatives from Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri, the firms involved in construction. Al-Ghuraibi highlighted the Saudi leadership’s “unlimited support” for the navy, emphasizing that the Tuwaiq Project will enhance operational readiness and safeguard strategic sea routes. The warship is designed to counter threats from air, surface, and underwater domains.

Following the ceremony, Al-Ghuraibi met with U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle to discuss expanding bilateral naval cooperation. The Tuwaiq Project underscores Saudi Arabia’s intent to build a faster, more capable maritime force amid evolving regional security challenges.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, at Riyadh’s Al-Yamamah Palace to discuss the ongoing conflict in Sudan and efforts to restore security and stability. The Saudi Press Agency reported that senior Saudi officials, including the defense and foreign ministers, attended the meeting, reflecting Riyadh’s continued diplomatic engagement in the region.

Separately, U.S. Special Envoy for Africa, Massad Boulos, met Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to review bilateral relations and regional peace initiatives. Both sides described the talks as productive and forward-looking, emphasizing cooperation on shared priorities. Some reports suggested Boulos also met al-Burhan, though this has not been independently confirmed.

The meeting underscores Saudi Arabia’s active role in mediating the Sudanese crisis, which has persisted since April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Riyadh’s involvement aims to facilitate peace talks and humanitarian aid, positioning the kingdom as a key regional mediator in African stability efforts.

Saudi Arabia has executed 340 people so far in 2025, setting a new record for the second consecutive year, according to data compiled by AFP. The Saudi authorities announced three additional executions on Monday, pushing the total beyond last year’s figure of 338. The country continues to apply capital punishment for a range of offenses, including murder, drug trafficking, and terrorism-related crimes.

Human rights organizations have expressed alarm over the rising use of the death penalty, calling it the highest annual total since records began in the 1990s. Groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly urged Riyadh to impose a moratorium, citing concerns over due process and fairness in trials.

Observers note that the increase in executions comes despite Saudi Arabia’s pledges to reform its justice system under Vision 2030. The trend may heighten international scrutiny and could affect the kingdom’s human rights image as it seeks greater global investment and diplomatic engagement.

Saudi Arabia has further relaxed its alcohol restrictions, permitting high-income non-Muslim foreign residents to legally purchase alcohol in Riyadh. According to Bloomberg, foreigners earning at least 50,000 riyals (around USD 13,300) per month can now access the kingdom’s only licensed liquor store by presenting proof of income. The store, initially opened last year for foreign diplomats, has now extended access to non-Muslims holding premium residency status.

The Saudi government has not issued an official statement on the policy change, and no immediate comment was provided to media inquiries. Purchases are reportedly managed through a monthly point-based allowance system. Bloomberg also reported that two additional liquor stores are under construction in other Saudi cities.

Analysts suggest the move aligns with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s broader efforts to modernize Saudi society and attract skilled expatriates. The policy shift also comes as the kingdom prepares to host the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup, when an influx of international visitors is expected to seek greater social freedoms.