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Saudi Arabia

June 8, 2025

Riyadh 10:09 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

US President Donald Trump announces tariffs on auto imports in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on March 26, 2025.

Gulf markets dip after Trump announces 25% automotive tariffs

Donald Trump announced on Wednesday 25% tariffs on imported cars and light trucks entering the United States, set to take effect on April 2, further fueling the ongoing trade war and contributing to market volatility.

Solitaire Riyadh

AL-Monitor Riyadh: Explore Saudi tradition at Fanajil Exhibit

Men inspect an electric car at a showroom in Riyadh, on June 8, 2024.

Tesla to launch in Saudi Arabia next month as Musk-PIF tension cools

Tesla said it would hold a launch event in Riyadh on April 10 to display its electric vehicles and other products, including solar energy solutions and battery technology.

Yasser Hassan

Exclusive

'Cloud First' policies give Saudi Arabia, UAE edge in AI race: Amazon exec

In March 2024, AWS announced plans to invest $5.3 billion in Saudi Arabia to launch a cloud infrastructure region in the kingdom by 2026.

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

JAX 01.

AL-Monitor Riyadh: The Saudi capital prepares for inaugural Riyadh Art Week

This handout screen grab captured from a video shows Houthi fighters' takeover of the Galaxy Leader Cargo on the Red Sea coast off Hudaydah, Yemen, Nov. 20, 2023.

Analysis

Wary of Houthis, Gulf states fear blowback of US escalation in Yemen

The Houthis' identification with the Gaza conflict has also made it complicated for Gulf states to participate in operations against the group.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

In this handout image provided by the UK Ministry of Defence, a Royal Air Force Typhoon FRG4s is being prepared to conduct further strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen at RAF Akrotiri on Feb. 3, 2024 in Akrotiri, Cyprus.

US strikes on Yemen's Houthis, China stimulus drive surge in oil prices

Brent crude was up 1.3% to $71.53 a barrel on Monday morning compared to close on Sunday.

NYSE

Analysis

US stock plunge poses dilemmas for Gulf investors while exposing PIF, Mubadala risks

Middle East investors are bracing for steep losses and questioning about their long-term investments in America amid a drop in the US stock market.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Participants arrive to attend the annual Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh on Oct. 29, 2024.

UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia finance startups lead Forbes Middle East Fintech50

Some 119 fintech startups across the Middle East and North Africa raised $700 million in 2024, accounting for 30% of the total MENA startup funding for last year.

A shopkeeper prepares an order of traditional sweets for a customer in the capital Riyadh on March 27, 2023, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

AL-Monitor Riyadh: Ramadan Season in Saudi Arabia

TOPSHOT - People queue to visit statues of Pokemon characters displayed outside the Lotte World Tower in Seoul on April 26, 2024. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP) (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi group buys 'Pokemon Go' for $3.5 Billion: What we know

Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars on video games in recent years, but profitability remains a challenge in the adjacent esports industry.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler (L) is pictured with Saud Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in in Saudi Arabia on March 12, 2025.

Turkey’s defense chief deepens military ties, Syria cooperation in Riyadh

The Turkish defense chief’s visit to Jeddah comes ahead of an expected visit by the president.