The Belo Monte dam in Brazil's Amazon, designed to strengthen the electrical grid, has led to higher electricity bills and intermittent public lighting for nearby communities, despite being just 40 kilometers away from the dam. The project displaced around 40,000 people, dried up parts of the Xingu River, and failed to deliver on job and development promises. While the dam benefits cities over 2,400 kilometers away, local communities face socioeconomic challenges, including a surge in violence in Altamira. Federal prosecutors have launched investigations into the dam's construction practices, and the company operating the dam, Norte Energia, is considering additional projects to expand power generation.

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mohammed Salih Bentin met with NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan and his delegation in Makkah to discuss preparations for the upcoming Hajj season. They signed an agreement regarding the arrangements for receiving Filipino pilgrims and ensuring their needs are met during their stay.

The upcoming Aramco IPO is set to attract Saudi investors with incentives such as one free share for every ten purchased, with a cap of 100 shares per investor, provided they retain the shares for 180 days post-listing. Economic columnist Jamal Bennoun predicts a drop in real estate prices as Saudis liquidate assets to invest in Aramco. Olfat Kabbani, a Saudi businesswoman, views the IPO as a significant step in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's economic reform, offering citizens a chance to invest in a leading oil and gas company. The IPO is seen as a historic economic event by Makkah businessmen, expected to diversify the Saudi economy and create jobs in line with Vision 2030.

Since November 2017, over 4.1 million individuals have been arrested in Saudi Arabia for violations of residency, work, and border security systems. The arrests include over 3.2 million for residency violations, over 631,000 for labor violations, and over 265,000 for border violations. A significant number of those attempting to cross the border into Saudi Arabia were Yemeni and Ethiopian. Actions taken against the offenders include immediate penalties, transfer to diplomatic missions, completion of travel reservations, and deportation.

Patient satisfaction with health services in Saudi Arabia has increased to 74.52 percent in the third quarter, up from 73.11 percent in the previous quarter, according to the Ministry of Health's Patient Experience Measurement Program. The program aims to engage patients and families in improving health services, benchmark against regional and international standards, and identify and address service weaknesses.

The Saudi Agriculture Exhibition 2019, endorsed by Minister Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli and organized by Riyadh Exhibitions Co., concluded successfully, showcasing technological advancements and innovations in agriculture. The event, part of Saudi Vision 2030, emphasized sustainable, environment-friendly projects and technologies. Agreements were signed to boost seafood consumption, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization collaborated with Saudi entities to enhance food security. Government leaders and sector CEOs discussed related topics in specialized sessions.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has ended gender segregation at municipal council meetings, allowing women to attend alongside men in accordance with Shariah regulations. This change enables direct communication between female councilors and other stakeholders, which was previously hindered. Rasha Hefzi, a councilor in Jeddah, expressed support for the decision, noting the increased freedom to articulate and implement new plans within the council and ministry. The move follows the historic 2015 elections where women could vote and stand for political positions for the first time in the Kingdom.

The Saudi Arabian Railway Company (SAR) has transported over 12.5 million tons in the past year and aims to increase its capacity to 20 million tons by 2025. SAR's CEO, Bashar AlMalik, emphasized the environmental benefits of the railway network, noting a reduction in truck usage by 500,000. SAR has also seen a 20 percent increase in the transport of mineral products this year and set a record in phosphate transfer in August 2018. The Freight Solutions Forum, inaugurated by the minister of transport and SAR chairman Nabil Al-Amoudi, showcased SAR's role in achieving Saudi 2030 Vision by connecting economic cities and providing innovative freight solutions.

Huawei's smartphone market share in Saudi Arabia reached 20.9% by February 2018, with expectations to hit 50% in the coming months, according to Qinsong (Jim) Xu, Vice President of Global Product Marketing at Huawei Consumer Business Group. The company's growth is attributed to consumer trust, positive feedback, and continuous investment in technology. Huawei is also focusing on job creation and training in Saudi Arabia, aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The company has invested $45 billion in R&D over the past decade and recently launched the Huawei P20 Pro, featuring a Leica triple camera with AI technology.