Hala guys! 👋🏼

Saudi’s week came with serious warnings, a billion-riyal school bill, corporate ghosting getting called out and football drama that refused to stay on the pitch 😭 Plus, Riyadh’s local legends are officially entering their awards era 🏆

Here’s your debrief 👇🏼

LOVIN NEWS

🎒 Saudi’s Back-To-School Bill Hit SAR 1.01 Billion In One Week

• Apparently, sending everyone back to school now requires a ten-figure budget 😭 Saudi families spent around SAR 1.01 billion on educational supplies in only one week this August.

  • 💸 Spending was at least 19% higher than last year.

  • 🎒 Branded backpacks and premium school supplies helped push the total higher.

  • ✏️ Trendy notebooks, pens and matching sets were firmly on the shopping list.

  • 💻 Tablets, laptops and other learning devices added another serious hit to family budgets.

  💡 Basically:

  Saudi’s back-to-school shopping bill reached SAR 1.01 billion in one week, proving that notebooks, backpacks and tablets can absolutely humble a wallet.

LOVIN COMMUNITY

🏆 Lovin Riyadh Just Launched Its First-Ever Community Awards

• The first-ever Lovin Riyadh Community Awards 2026 are officially here and the city’s creators, cultural icons, community heroes and homegrown favourites are finally getting their flowers 🌟

  • ❤️ Riyadh Is The Main Character: The awards celebrate the people and places bringing personality, creativity and real community spirit to the capital.

  • 📱 The Whole Thing Is Digital: Categories, nominees and voting are all available online, so everyone gets a front-row seat.

  • 🌟 More Than Just Big Names: The spotlight stretches from familiar faces and rising creators to local businesses and people making a genuine difference.

  • 🗳️ The Community Has The Final Say: Explore the categories, back the favourites and help decide who takes home an award.

LOVIN NEWS

💼 Employers Can No Longer Ghost Candidates For Months

• The era of “we’ll get back to you” followed by complete radio silence is officially over 👋

  Saudi employers must tell applicants whether they have been accepted or rejected within 30 days of an interview.

  • 📅 Companies have a maximum of 30 days to share the final decision.

  • 👻 Failing to respond goes against Saudi regulations for job advertisements and interviews.

  • 📲 Non-compliant companies can be reported through the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s official app.

  • 🤝 The rule is designed to make hiring more transparent, organised and respectful.

  💡 Basically:

  If an employer disappears for more than 30 days after an interview, applicants no longer have to sit there refreshing their inbox. They can officially report it.

LOVIN COMMUNITY

⚽️ Al-Ahli’s 3–2 Loss Somehow Turned Into Online Beef

• The final whistle blew, but apparently the drama had only just started 👀

  After Al-Qadsiah’s 3–2 win over Al-Ahli, a social media post targeting defender Merih Demiral reportedly led to a confrontation behind the scenes.

  • 📱The club posted Demiral’s picture with the line: “As usual, you’ll find the pain of defeat on his account.”

  • 👀 Footage showed the defender heading back towards the dressing-room area.

  • 🗣️ He allegedly refused to leave until the post was removed and an apology was made.

  • 🗑️ It has since been deleted, but naturally, the internet already had screenshots and videos.

  💡 Basically:

  The new strategic dialogue takes Saudi-German relations a step further, creating a stronger framework for everything from business and investment to coordination on major regional issues.

 🍿 Sharable bits and tips!

• National Day 96 is already bringing major green across Riyadh 🛍️🇸🇦

• After 40 years of showing up, Uncle Yasser is finally getting his flowers 💙⚽️

• Official footage captured the strength of those injured following the Houthi attacks 🤍🇸🇦

• At only 22, he gave his parents the most unforgettable thank-you gifts 🚘✨

REGIONAL FAVORITES

🚕 Qatar’s Limousine Taxis Are Getting Interior Security Cameras

• That quiet ride home is about to come with an extra layer of security 📹 Qatar is reportedly requiring all limousine companies to install surveillance cameras inside their vehicles.

  • 📹 Limousine taxis will be fitted with interior security cameras to document journeys.

  • 🛡️ The move is designed to better protect both passengers and drivers throughout each trip.

  • 🚘 Limousine operators will be responsible for ensuring their vehicles follow the new security requirements.

  • 🔍 Recorded journeys could help authorities review complaints, disputes or incidents more accurately.

  💡 Basically:

  Qatar’s limousine rides are getting a major safety upgrade, with interior cameras set to become mandatory across vehicles to make every journey more secure and accountable.

👇🏼 TUNE IN to the latest episode of The Lovin Riyadh Show!

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