UK-Saudi deal allows kingdom to tap into Britain’s $1T tech market

The kingdom spent $5.1 billion on research and development in 2022, a 32.7% from the previous year’s $3.9 billion.

Saudi Arabia

What’s behind flurry of Saudi helicopter deals with Airbus, Leonardo?

The Saudi sovereign fund’s helicopter firm inked several agreements during a helicopter expo in this week, choosing to partner with Airbus amid concerns about Boeing.

Legacy: Gulf

Saudi PIF-owned company, tourism fund partner on new downtown for Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is working with the kingdom’s Tourism Development Fund to create "the world’s largest downtown" in the capital.

Saudi Arabia

Culture

Why did Saudi soccer league suspend Cristiano Ronaldo?

Ronaldo’s time in Riyadh has been successful, but the Saudi Pro League is facing some challenges after luring many star players to the kingdom in 2023.

Legacy: Gulf

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy in Saudi Arabia to talk prisoners, Russia war

Saudi Arabia has taken an increasingly active role in mediating the Ukraine-Russia war while maintaining friendly relations with both states.

Legacy: Gulf

Qatar places major bet on gas as Saudi Aramco scores new find in Jafurah

Asian liquefied natural gas prices have fallen to a nearly three-year low as warmer winter temperatures have dampened demand.

Qatar

Analysis

International law 'cannot be a la carte': UAE, Saudi and Egypt scold Israel at ICJ

The presentations at The Hague could further the rift between Israel and the Arab world amid the Gaza war and efforts to expand normalization, though countries in the region are still interested in maintaining relations with Tel Aviv.

By Adam Lucente

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

Saudi Arabia reports oil export slump after OPEC cuts

The dip in exports for the fourth quarter of 2023 was due to Saudi Arabia’s decision to reduce crude output in accordance with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies — the kingdom has also implemented voluntary cuts.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi tech giant expands investments into China, AI as part of $100B plans

Alat plans to invest $100 billion by 2030 to coincide with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan to wean the kingdom’s economy off of its reliance on oil.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi energy minister reveals why Aramco cut oil target by 1m bpd

In January, the world's biggest corporate crude producer said it would halt its oil expansion plan and set a minimum sustained production capacity of 12 million bpd, 1 million bpd below its target announced in 2020 to be reached in 2027.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Aramco pivots investment plans as deals beckon in key Asian growth markets

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

US firm mulls stake in Starbucks Middle East franchise as local competition heats up

Apollo Asset Management's reported interest comes after the coffee chain said boycotts related to the Gaza war had hurt its regional business.

Saudi Arabia