Saudi Economy & Energy: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said nearly 2,000 vessels are waiting to exit the Gulf as Strait of Hormuz tensions disrupt shipping, raising fresh concerns for oil, LNG flows and freight costs. Digital Payments: Dinero Pay said it strengthened payment infrastructure for Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing digital economy by deploying a white-label setup with Akurateco to support local compliance and popular wallets/BNPL options. Travel & Hospitality Sustainability: Novotel Riyadh Sahafa won its inaugural Green Globe certification, highlighting energy and water-saving measures and sustainability controls. Hajj Operations: Saudi Crown Prince reaffirmed the kingdom’s duty to serve pilgrims and manage the Two Holy Mosques; meanwhile, Qatar reported round-the-clock Mina medical clinics with rapid-response teams. Business & Tech: Meta began rolling out paid subscription plans for Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, while SK Hynix joined the $1 trillion club on AI-driven semiconductor demand. Food Security Research: Almarai opened the 2026 cycle of its international food-security research prize focused on dryland regions.