Saudi Arabia has entered the global race to build large-scale data infrastructure with the launch of the Hexagon Data Center in Riyadh, described as the world’s largest government data centre and classified as Tier IV, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The Hexagon Data Center is designed to support the kingdom’s development sectors through advanced digital technologies, as data increasingly becomes a core driver of economic and social transformation.

The project aligns with the strategy of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, according to SPA.

SPA said the development of large-scale digital infrastructure is viewed by the kingdom as a strategic necessity to ensure technical sovereignty over data while diversifying non-oil revenue streams.

Saudi Arabia currently ranks first globally on several indicators, including government strategy in the Global AI Index.

Data centres have evolved significantly since their origins in the 1950s as climate-controlled facilities housing early supercomputers.

Their strategic importance accelerated with the expansion of the internet in the late 1990s and the introduction of cloud computing services in 2006.

Data centres have become a priority for governments

By 2020, data centres had become an economic priority for governments worldwide, a trend further amplified by the rise of generative artificial intelligence, which requires vast processing capacity.

Since its establishment in 2019, SDAIA has led Saudi Arabia’s national data and AI agenda, serving as the official authority for data and artificial intelligence regulation, development and use.

In less than six years, the kingdom has emerged as a key player in the global digital economy and the Middle East’s leading destination for international technology companies, SPA said.

SDAIA has also developed a comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework, including the Personal Data Protection Law and its implementing regulations, standards for generative AI, the AI Adoption Framework, and rules governing the National Register of Controllers.

These measures are intended to strengthen trust in Saudi Arabia’s digital ecosystem and support sustainable development.

Read: AI data centres and the Middle East advantage

Hexagon Data Center has a capacity of 480 megawatts

The Hexagon Data Center is intended to serve as the foundation for a nationwide network of data centres under SDAIA’s expansion strategy, designed to meet growing demand for national digital infrastructure while ensuring high system availability based on international benchmarks.

The facility meets US Green Building Council LEED Gold standards and incorporates advanced energy efficiency and smart cooling technologies, including direct liquid cooling and hybrid systems, to achieve low power usage effectiveness. It also integrates renewable energy sources, supporting its classification as one of the world’s largest green data centres.

The Hexagon centre has a capacity of 480 megawatts and covers more than 30 million square feet. It has received international accreditations under the TIA 942 standard and holds Tier IV certification, the highest global benchmark for data centre reliability, ensuring 99.995 per cent operational availability.

It has also been awarded ISO IEC 22237 certification, which addresses infrastructure resilience and protection against technical and environmental risks.

SDAIA estimates that the kingdom’s data centre strategy will generate a cumulative local economic impact exceeding SAR10bn ($2.67bn), alongside annual savings of more than SAR1.8bn, while supporting non-oil economic growth and improving digital government services for citizens and residents, SPA reported.

The Anti-Fraud Centre at Dubai Police’s General Department of Criminal Investigation has urged the public to remain vigilant against scammers offering fake work visas, warning that such schemes continue to target job seekers with misleading promises.

Officials said fraudsters frequently lure victims with assurances of employment and visa sponsorship that have no legal basis, exposing individuals to financial losses and legal risks, a Dubai Police media report said.

Read more-How Dubai Police is stepping up the road safety game

The warning forms part of Dubai Police’s ongoing #BewareOfFraud campaign, which aims to raise awareness around common fraud tactics.

Authorities reiterated that the only legitimate way to secure a work visa is through official government channels or legally licensed recruitment agencies operating within the UAE.

How to protect yourself

Dubai Police outlined several measures to help individuals avoid falling victim to fraudulent visa schemes. Members of the public are advised to always verify the authenticity of any visa offer with relevant official authorities before making payments.

Police also stressed the importance of using authorised channels only, including accredited offices and government platforms, when processing employment or visa-related documentation. Individuals are further encouraged to stay cautious of unofficial groups or individuals promising “guaranteed” visas outside standard legal procedures.

Authorities urged residents to report suspicious activity to help protect the wider community. Fraud and cybercrime incidents can be reported through the Dubai Police Smart App, the eCrime platform, or by calling 901 for non-emergency enquiries and specialist assistance.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that 60 per cent of the Oud Maitha Road and Al Asayel Street Development Project has been completed, marking a key milestone in the broader Sheikh Rashid Corridor Development Project. The initiative forms part of Dubai’s ongoing efforts to expand and modernise its road infrastructure in line with urban growth and rising population demand.

According to an RTA media centre report, the project is designed to enhance connectivity between Al Asayel Street and Al Khail Road via Al Wasl Club Street, while also providing a dedicated exit to Oud Maitha Road and Al Wasl Club Street. Once completed, the development is expected to significantly improve traffic flow across several densely populated and strategically important areas of the city.

Read more-Dubai’s new road project: 2,300 metres of bridges, major lane expansions planned

The scope of the project includes the development of four major intersections, supported by bridges spanning a total length of 4.3 kilometres and roads extending 14 kilometres. Upon completion, the upgraded corridor is expected to serve more than 420,000 residents by 2030, underscoring its importance within Dubai’s long-term transport planning framework.

Construction progress across key components of the project continues to advance steadily. The project contractor has completed 70 per cent of the bridges serving traffic movements from Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road northbound towards Business Bay Crossing. Preparatory works are currently underway ahead of the bridge’s scheduled opening in the first quarter of the current year.

In parallel, approximately 60 per cent of construction works have been completed on the tunnel serving traffic from Dubai–Al Ain Road towards Al Wasl Club Street. RTA confirmed that works are continuing on the remaining road widenings and associated bridge structures, which are scheduled to open in the third quarter of this year.

Four intersections at the core of the upgrade

Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the board of executive directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, said the Oud Maitha Road and Al Asayel Street Development Project aligns with leadership directives to complete the Sheikh Rashid Corridor in a way that supports Dubai’s expanding urban footprint.

“Oud Maitha Road and Al Asayel Street development project is being undertaken in line with leadership directives to complete the development of the Sheikh Rashid Corridor to accommodate urban expansion and population growth,” Al Tayer said. “The project is among key road infrastructure developments, encompassing the upgrade of four major intersections, including the construction of bridges spanning 4.3kilometre and roads extending 14 kilometre.”

He added that the project supports a wide range of service, residential and development areas, including Zabeel, Al Jaddaf, Oud Maitha, Umm Hurair, Latifa Hospital and Al Wasl Club. The population served by the upgraded corridor is expected to exceed 420,000 residents by 2030.

Beyond improved connectivity, the project is also expected to deliver major operational benefits. The capacity of Oud Maitha Road will increase from 10,400 vehicles per hour in both directions to 15,600 vehicles per hour, representing a 50 per cent increase. Journey times along the corridor are expected to be reduced from 20 minutes to just five minutes, an improvement of 75 per cent.

First intersection: Oud Maitha Road–Sheikh Rashid Road

The first of the four upgraded intersections is the Oud Maitha Road–Sheikh Rashid Road junction. Works at this location include the addition of a left-turn slip ramp for traffic moving from Oud Maitha Road onto Sheikh Rashid Road towards Al Garhoud Bridge, increasing capacity to 1,800 vehicles per hour.

The scope also includes upgrading the service road on Sheikh Rashid Road between the existing bridge and the Al Zahrawi Street exit. These improvements aim to address existing traffic overlap while enhancing road safety for all users.

In addition, the number of right-turn lanes for traffic travelling from Sheikh Rashid Road to Oud Maitha Road towards Dubai–Al Ain Road will increase from two to three lanes. This enhancement will raise capacity to 4,000 vehicles per hour.

Second intersection: Oud Maitha Road, Al Asayel Street and Al Wasl Club Street

The second major intersection upgrade involves Oud Maitha Road’s junction with Al Asayel Street and Al Wasl Club Street. This phase includes the construction of two bridges linking Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road via Al Wasl Club Street.

The first bridge comprises two lanes with a capacity of 2,400 vehicles per hour and will serve traffic moving from Al Asayel Street towards Al Wasl Club Street. The second bridge features three lanes with a capacity of 3,600 vehicles per hour and will serve traffic moving from Al Khail Road towards Al Asayel Road.

Additionally, a separate two-lane bridge with a capacity of 2,400 vehicles per hour will accommodate left-turn movements from Al Asayel Street towards Oud Maitha Road. The scope also includes upgrading the access road to Al Wasl Club, along with entry and exit points on Al Wasl Club Street, to resolve existing weaving and merging conflicts along the corridor.

Third intersection: Al Wasl Club Street–Al Khail Road

The third intersection upgrade focuses on Al Wasl Club Street’s junction with Al Khail Road. Works include the construction of a two-lane bridge serving traffic movements from Al Asayel Street to Al Khail Road towards Business Bay Crossing, with a capacity of 3,000 vehicles per hour.

Further enhancements include upgrading Al Wasl Club Street by increasing exit capacity towards Al Khail Road to two lanes, constructing service roads in both directions, and providing dedicated parking spaces. These measures are intended to enhance traffic flow and accessibility within the area.

Fourth intersection: Zabeel Palace Street

The fourth intersection upgrade involves Zabeel Palace Street’s junction with Al Khail Road and Oud Maitha Road. Works include the addition of an extra left-turn slip lane on the ramp serving traffic from Al Khail Road towards Dubai–Al Ain Road, doubling capacity from 900 vehicles per hour to 1,800 vehicles per hour.

The scope also includes constructing a single-lane vehicle tunnel with a capacity of 1,200 vehicles per hour to serve traffic moving from Dubai–Al Ain Road towards Al Wasl Club Street, helping to resolve existing traffic overlap.

In addition, the number of lanes on the existing bridge serving traffic from Al Khail Road towards Oud Maitha Road will be increased from two to three lanes, raising bridge capacity from 2,200 vehicles per hour to 3,300 vehicles per hour.

The US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, praised by President Donald Trump as stunning and powerful, leaves behind uncertainty about who is running the oil-rich country.

Trump said on Saturday that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez had been sworn in after Maduro‘s arrest and that she had spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, leading to speculation that she would take the reins.

Under Venezuela’s constitution, Rodriguez becomes acting president in Maduro‘s absence and the country’s top court ordered her to assume the role late Saturday night.

But shortly after Trump’s remarks, Rodriguez appeared on state television flanked by her brother, the head of the national assembly Jorge Rodriguez, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and said that Maduro remained Venezuela’s only president.

The joint appearance indicated the group that shared power with Maduro is staying united – for now.

Trump publicly closed the door Saturday on working with opposition leader and Nobel Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, widely seen as Maduro‘s most credible opponent, saying she doesn’t have support inside the country.

After Machado was barred from running in Venezuela’s 2024 elections, international observers say her stand-in candidate won the vote in a landslide, despite Maduro‘s government claiming victory.

Maduro flown to New York

The US captured Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro in a military operation and his wife Cilia Flores early on Saturday morning, culminating a months-long pressure campaign by President Donald Trump’s administration.

Maduro was then put on a warship bound for New York to face criminal charges, according to US officials.

Trump had been urging Maduro to cede power and has accused him of supporting drug cartels that Washington designated as terror groups, alleging they were responsible for thousands of US deaths tied to illegal drug use.

Since September, U.S. forces had killed more than 100 people in at least 30 strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats from Venezuela in the Caribbean and Pacific, which legal experts said likely violated US and international law.

Trump said on Saturday the United States will have large US oil companies go into Venezuela after the arrest of Maduro.

Trump said at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida that US forces were prepared for a second, larger attack as part of the operation to capture Maduro overnight, but that it was not necessary.

The UAE will be affected by unstable weather conditions from Sunday through January 8, including fog, dusty winds, and the possibility of light rainfall, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

The NCM said weather conditions across the country will fluctuate between dusty conditions and partly cloudy skies, with periods of fog or mist formation, increased wind activity, particularly at sea, and intermittent chances of light rain in some areas.

On Sunday, January 4, conditions could cause fog or mist formation over internal and coastal regions, with dusty weather gradually giving way to partly cloudy conditions, state news agency WAM reported, citing NCM’s forecast.

Winds will be southwesterly to northwesterly, light to moderate but becoming active and strong at times, especially over the sea, raising dust and sand. Wind speeds are expected to range between 15 and 30 km per hour, reaching up to 50 km per hour.

Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf will be rough to very rough, while the Oman Sea will be moderate, the NCM said.

Chances of fog and light rainfall on Monday, January 5

On Monday morning, January 5, humid conditions are forecast with a chance of fog or mist over some eastern internal areas. Skies will be fair to partly cloudy, with low clouds forming over eastern and northern regions and a possibility of light rainfall over the far north, the WAM report stated.

Temperatures are expected to fall, particularly in western areas.

Winds will be northwesterly, shifting to northeasterly, light to moderate and active at times, with speeds of 10 to 25 km per hour, reaching up to 40 km per hour.

Sea conditions will be rough to moderate at times in the Arabian Gulf and slight in the Oman Sea.

Humid conditions will persist into Tuesday morning, January 6, with a chance of fog or mist over internal and western coastal areas. The weather will range from fair to partly cloudy, with low clouds over islands and western sea areas and a continued chance of light rainfall.

On Wednesday morning, January 7, humidity is expected to remain high, with possible fog or mist over internal and western coastal regions.

Skies will be fair to partly cloudy, with low clouds over islands and western coastal areas and a chance of rainfall, according to the NCM.

Humid weather to continue until January 8

By Thursday morning, January 8, humid conditions will continue, with fog or mist likely over some internal areas, particularly in western regions.

The sky will remain fair to partly cloudy, with low clouds over islands and coastal areas, accompanied by a drop in temperatures, especially in the northern parts of the country.

Throughout the period, winds will vary between northeasterly and northwesterly, remaining light to moderate and active at times, while sea conditions will range from slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and remain slight in the Oman Sea.