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Saudi Arabia

June 11, 2025

Riyadh 6:27 am

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Muslim worshippers make their way towards the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque complex in in the holy city of Mecca to take part in morning prayers on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice, early on June 6, 2025.

In photos: Muslims kick off Eid al-Adha across the Middle East

The holiday’s arrival cast a spotlight on deepening humanitarian crises, leadership transitions and shifting regional dynamics.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Mideast airlines to deliver industry’s highest profit margins in 2025

The region's airlines are forecast to hit a profit margin of 8.7% in 2025, slightly lower than last year's figure of 8.9% but the highest in the industry.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud (R) receives his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, prior to their meeting in Riyadh on April 25, 2025.

Israel blocks Saudi, UAE and other FMs from West Bank visit: What to know

The move to block the visit comes amid heightened international pressure on Israel to end its military offensive in Gaza and make progress toward Palestinian statehood, a key condition for normalization with Riyadh.

Latest News

Saudi Arabia releases Iranian cleric who criticized Hajj: What to know

The pilgrims' convoy departs from the city of Al-Dana, Syria, to Damascus Airport in order to set off to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj rituals on May 21, 2025.

Tom Barrack talks Syria aid during Saudi Arabia, Jordan visits: What to know

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan meets with United States special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack.

China expands visa-free policy to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait

JAM STA ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Bahrain's Bapco Energies signs pipeline deal with BlackRock

Bahrain, one of the smallest producers in the Gulf, is focused on developing its downstream sector and looking at asset monetization deals.

Saudi Aramco signs downstream agreements with Chinese refiners

Saudi Aramco is leveraging its existing relationships with Chinese oil buyers by expanding into chemicals. The oil company also looks to invite Chinese investments to its projects in the kingdom.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C) and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (2L) attend the first session of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sept. 9, 2023.

Saudi crown prince meets Russia's Lavrov at GCC meetings in Riyadh

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on the sidelines of GCC ministerial meetings in Riyadh.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin welcomes Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman to the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on November 1, 2023. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

In military reshuffle, Saudi Arabia seeks efficiency, closing gap with regional rivals

Saudi Arabia has recently undertaken a significant reorganization of its top military leadership, with new senior appointments to the kingdom’s joint, land and naval forces — a step that could mark a pivotal shift in the country's defense strategy and domestic balance.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Employees of Aramco oil company work in Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq oil processing plant on September 20, 2019.

Analysis

Can Saudi Arabia afford giga-projects with oil prices under $75 per barrel?

Riyadh could soon run a current account deficit as oil revenue declines amid huge spending commitments toward ambitious Vision 2030 projects. Saudi-led OPEC has also deferred an output increase plan to allow more time to reach desired oil prices.

Jennifer Gnana

Samuel Wendel

By Jennifer Gnana , Samuel Wendel

Analysis

Is NFL inching closer to welcoming Gulf investors?

America’s richest sports league is finally embracing Wall Street. Could investors from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE be next?

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

A general view shows the ADNOC Facility in Fujairah on November 28, 2023. Using novel technology developed by Omani start-up 44.01, the solar-powered plant will suck carbon dioxide from the air, dissolve it in seawater and inject it deep underground, where it will mineralise over a period of months. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Why UAE's ADNOC is investing in Exxon's Texas hydrogen plant

Abu Dhabi's state-run oil company is taking a stake in ExxonMobil's major new low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia plant, its second foray into the Texas energy industry.

United Arab Emirates

This picture taken from the Egyptian side of the border with the Gaza Strip, shows the war-ravaged city of Rafah on July 4, 2024, as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas continues.

Saudi Arabia condemns Netanyahu's Philadelphi Corridor statements

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent comments regarding the Israeli military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor.

A cargo ship is docked at the port of Yemen's Huthi-held city of Hodeida on July 28, 2024. Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi entity denies its ship hit as Houthis claim attack on Greek tanker

Saudi Arabia's national shipping company Bahri denied reports that its tanker Amjad came under attack by the Houthis, the Yemeni armed group that has stepped up attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea.

Houthi ships

Two oil tankers come under attack in the Red Sea, sources say

Oil tankers transiting the Red Sea are facing renewed dangers while transiting one of the world's most critical chokepoints for crude.

King Abdullah Centre

Middle East fintech funding sees 650% spike in 2020-2023

Fintech is one of the most funded and transacted industries across the MENA region, according to a MAGNiTT report, accounting for 24% of all venture investment in the region in the first half of 2024.

China's foreign minister, Wang Yi (R), shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, before a family photo for the attendees of a meeting of foreign ministers from Arab and Muslim-majority nations at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on November 20, 2023.

How significant is PIF's $50B China investment for Saudi ties?

Though Riyadh continues its efforts toward economic integration with Beijing, it still seeks to balance relations with both Beijing and Washington.