Saudi Arabia

The Red Sea Film Festival Foundation has announced its SR37.5 million ($10 million) fund, which will support projects with directors from the Arab World and Africa, launching a new generation of filmmakers and supporting established auteurs as they bring their work from script to screen. The Red Sea Fund will …

 Saudi Arabia and the US are committed to addressing the increasing climate challenge with “seriousness and urgency,” a joint statement said on Wednesday. The two countries will work to strengthen the implementation of the Paris Agreement and actively promote a successful G20 in Italy and UN Climate Change Conference of …

Talks in Vienna on the Iran nuclear deal should take into consideration Tehran’s ballistic missile program, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers said on Wednesday. GCC countries should also be included in the dialogue, a meeting of the ministerial council in Riyadh heard. The foreign ministers condemned Tehran for smuggling …

Saudi Arabia’s oil minister is expected to address a private meeting of top US hedge fund managers today at the Robin Hood Investors Conference. The behind-closed-doors virtual gathering brings together some of the world’s top fund managers — some of them heavily invested in oil markets. Saudi Energy Minister Prince …

Iran has made 6.5 kg of uranium enriched to up to 60 percent, the government said on Tuesday, detailing a move that rattled the country’s nuclear talks with world powers by taking the fissile material closer to the nuclear weapons-grade of 90 percent. State media reported that government spokesman Ali …

The United States on Monday said it “strongly condemned” a Houthi drone attack that damaged a school in Saudi Arabia. The explosives-laden drone was launched across the border from Yemen and crashed into a school in Asir region, Saudi Civil Defense said on Sunday. “Such attacks threaten civilians, including school children,” the …

Saudi Arabia is on a path of dramatic economic and social reforms. The reforms, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are aimed at modernizing the kingdom and are welcomed both nationally and internationally. Abir Abusulayman stands at the forefront of social reforms, in particular women’s right to choose. The …

Saudi Arabia is doubling down on its landmark Diriyah Gate project to build a leisure and cultural zone in the historic heart of Riyadh. Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the authority that runs the landmark project, told Arab News that his budget has been increased from $27 billion to $40 billion, …

The threat seemed clear. The low-tax countries of the Middle East would have to fall in line with the high tax-and-spend economies of Europe and North America, and impose big tax increases that would threaten their global competitiveness. But although initially hailed as “historic,” when the experts and policymakers got …

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, resigned to the revival of a nuclear pact with Iran they always opposed, are engaging with Tehran to contain tensions while lobbying for future talks to take their security concerns into account. World powers have been negotiating in Vienna with Iran and the …

The Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) launched a joint exercise with their US counterparts in Saudi Arabia’s northwestern region, the ministry of defense said. The “Falcon Claws 4” drill aims to strengthen mutual military relations between the two countries and unify military concepts through joint action between the forces of …

Britain’s Foreign Minister Dominic Raab met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday and discussed Iran in addition to bilateral ties and climate change, the British foreign office said. Raab’s visit comes as global powers work to revive a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran that Saudi Arabia had …

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives has released a movie in solidarity with the conflict in the Palestinian territories. “Palestine… A Candle that wasn’t Extinguished” was aired on all the foundation’s social media platforms this week. The film, in four parts, reflects the importance of the Palestinian …

Saudi Arabia is seeking to raise $55 billion from a privatization plan, the Kingdom’s finance minister said on Thursday.Mohammed Al-Jadaan said the Kingdom had recently announced a privatization plan that includes identifying 160 projects in 16 sectors, including asset sales and public-private partnerships. “Our goal is to secure about $55 …

The U.S. envoy for the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman, is traveling to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kenya this week, the State Department said on Tuesday. From May 31 to June 6, Feltman planned to meet with senior officials “to discuss cooperative approaches to supporting a …

Senior Saudi and Omani officials on Tuesday discussed investment opportunities in both countries, state media reported, a few days after Oman was hit by protests over unemployment. The virtual meeting was held by Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih and Omani Commerce and Industry Minister Qais al-Yousef, Oman’s state television channel …

Saudi Arabia is working to launch the “Riyadh Initiative” aimed at establishing a global network of operations to exchange information between anti-corruption agencies. Mazin bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous, president of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), will head the Kingdom’s delegation at the session at the UN headquarters in Geneva on …

Construction has begun on a state-of-the-art frigate being built for Saudi Arabia by one of America’s leading shipyards. A keel laying ceremony took place on Thursday at Fincantieri’s Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin. The ship’s name was revealed as “His Majesty King Saud’s Ship.” The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) …

The UN launched an emergency appeal on Thursday to raise $95 million of funding for urgent humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza, along with repairs to key infrastructure damaged by Israeli attacks this month. The conflict has left 800,000 Palestinians without access to clean water. More than 1,000 housing …

Saudis have expressed their disapproval of the practices of some social media influencers who have exploited their accounts to collect more followers and win more advertisements while flouting social ethics and governing regulations. These violations go against the Saudi Anti-Cyber Crime Law and have also gained the attention of the Saudi …

Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman has received the commander of US Central Command Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, and his accompanying delegation. They discussed the partnership between the Kingdom and the US, specifically in the area of defense. They emphasized the importance of the partnership and its role in …

The Houthis on Sunday threatened to mount more drone and missile strikes on “unexpected” locations in the Arab coalition countries in response to the latest US sanctions on the militia’s leaders. Mohammed Ali Al-Houthis, the president of the Houthi supreme revolutionary committee, said his movement would escalate attacks on “aggressor …

The United States is imposing sanctions on two Houthi military officials leading the Iran-aligned movement’s offensive to seize Yemen’s gas-rich Marib region, US Special Envoy on Yemen said on Thursday. Tim Lenderking, who has been pushing for a ceasefire between the Houthis and the Arab coalition, also told a virtual media …

Lebanese Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe has quit after provoking widespread anger and condemnation for suggesting that Gulf states were to blame for the rise of Daesh, with lawyers submitting a complaint against him for breaching his duties and “committing crimes that threaten national unity.”  Wehbe faced a barrage of criticism …

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has strongly decried the derogatory and racist statements made by caretaker Lebanese Foreign Minister, Charbel Wehbe, against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) States. The Lebanese ambassador to the UAE was summoned by the MoFAIC and …

Once upon a time, mankind produced a small amount of waste. Food was not packaged, fruit and vegetable peelings were fed to animals and the dung from horses and camels was used for fertilizer or dried and burned for heating. Most of what came from the earth went directly back …

Saudi Arabia has released construction tycoon Bakr Bin Laden after more than three years since he was detained as part of a corruption crackdown in 2017, two sources told Reuters on Thursday. The former chairman of Saudi Bin Ladin group and a half-brother of Osama bin Laden, was released a …

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation in Jerusalem and Gaza, at the request of Saudi Arabia, it was reported on Thursday. The meeting between foreign ministers of OIC member nations will address continuing Israeli attacks in the Palestinian territories, which have …

Saudi Arabia has condemned attacks carried out by Israeli forces at Al-Aqsa, a foreign ministry statement said early Tuesday. The actions have caused concern in the Muslim world as the site is one of the most religious in Islam.  The Saudi ministry of foreign affairs strongly condemns the attacks carried …

Iran confirmed publicly for the first time on Monday that it is in talks with its regional arch rival Saudi Arabia, saying it would do what it could to resolve issues between them. “De-escalation of tensions between the two Muslim countries in the Persian Gulf region is in the interest …

Saudi Arabia on Saturday denounced Israeli plans to evict Palestinian families from their homes in Jerusalem amid soaring violence in the city. Israel reinforced its security operation on Saturday after clashes on Friday night, when more than 200 Palestinians were injured. Riot police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and stun …

Saudi Arabia’s Adel Al-Jubeir called on Saturday for people who “accused the Kingdom” with regard to claims it was involved with the hacking of Amazon boss Jeff Bezos’ phone last year to “acknowledge their mistake.” The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs posted to Twitter asking if now that the truth that “the Kingdom had nothing to …

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan have signed an agreement to establish the Saudi-Pakistani Supreme Coordination Council. Both countries also signed a memorandum of understanding on illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors, state news agency SPA reported. “Another MoU for …

It is time for the international community to shoulder its responsibilities to help find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and resolve other conflicts in the region, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN said on Friday. Speaking on behalf of the UN Arab regional group, Abdallah Al-Mouallimi told Secretary-General …

Iraq has hosted more than one round of talks between regional foes Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iraqi President Barham Salih said on Wednesday. Salih made his remarks during an interview broadcast live online with the Beirut Institute think tank. He gave no more details. Diplomats hope the opening of direct …

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz discussed bilateral ties in a call on Tuesday, the Turkish presidency said, the second conversation between the two leaders in less than a month. Turkey is seeking to improve ties with the Gulf Arab state after they were thrown …

Saudi Arabia’s king appointed Faisal al-Ibrahim as minister of economy and planning, state news agency SPA said on Monday. King Salman in March last year had tasked Minister of Finance Mohammed al-Jadaan with overseeing that ministry, relieving Mohammed al-Tuwaijri from his post and appointing him as adviser to the royal …

Saudi Cultural Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan on Sunday held a virtual meeting with the chargé d’affairs of the US Embassy in the Kingdom, Martina Strong. During the meeting, they discussed aspects of cooperation in cultural fields between Saudi Arabia and the US, and the latest development in …

The Fashion Commission has finalized its strategy to develop the sector, including educational and training programs to prepare graduates for the labor market, providing outlets for the distribution of locally designed products, and building networks between designers and investors. The strategy’s aim is to enhance the national identity of the …

Iran on Thursday welcomed what it called a change of tone from Saudi Arabia and said it hoped they could work together to secure peace, amid moves to ease tensions between the regional rivals. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman made the statement days after Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince …

Abdullah Al-Mudaifer (AAM): Peace and blessings be upon you. Welcome to this very special interview with Crown Prince His Highness Mohammed bin Salman that is being broadcasted on the Saudi Channel and on a number of Arabic channels. Greetings to you, Your Highness. It’s a pleasure to have been given …

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince has taken a more conciliatory public stance towards Iran, trying to balance long-held animosity with economic considerations and bridge differences with Washington over how to tackle Tehran’s regional behaviour. Tensions between Riyadh and Tehran have festered over the Yemen war, where an Iran-aligned group has increased …

Major Chinese investors are in talks to buy a stake in Saudi Aramco 2222.SE, several sources told Reuters on Wednesday, as Saudi Arabia’s state oil firm prepares to sell another slice of its business to international investors. Saudi Arabia was in discussions to sell 1% of Aramco to a leading …

A Lebanese music composer close to the president’s party is believed to be detained in Saudi Arabia for unknown reasons, according to local media reports confirmed by two sources close to him and a security source. An official source said Lebanon’s foreign ministry had tried to ask Saudi authorities about …