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Saudi Arabia

September 4, 2026

Riyadh 2:36 pm

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Guests stand at the booth of Saudi artificial intelligence company Humain during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, on Oct. 29, 2025.

Saudi Arabia taps China’s MiniMax for Arabic AI model

The development signals that the kingdom continues deepening AI ties with China while simultaneously pursuing major US technology partnerships, keeping the Gulf state at the center of an intensifying technology race between the superpowers.

A commercial vessel passes through an international shipping lane off Yemen's Hanish Island in the Red Sea on July 27, 2026.

Saudi oil exports hit nine-year low as tanker attacks threaten recovery

The country’s oil exports were around 3 million barrels per day in August.

Latest News

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan set Mecca Alliance into motion

Mecca Alliance

Iraq reinforces Saudi border security amid militia tensions: What to know

Iraqi army troops patrol the Iraq-Saudi Arabia border

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

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

Francesco Schiavi

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

Sabena Siddiqui

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

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Tom Brady and head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, Turki al-Sheikh, unveil the flag football tournament in Las Vegas on Sept. 17, 2025.

Saudi sports push targets NFL with flag football series featuring Tom Brady

The Public Investment Fund is not yet investing in the National Football League amid restrictions on state entities, but is eyeing flag football as the sport grows in the region.

Head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Sept. 16, 2025.

Iran’s Larijani meets MBS, Saudi defense chiefs in Riyadh: What to know

The trip is Ali Larijani’s third since he returned to head the Supreme National Security Council and follows Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian calling for greater unity in the region.

A general view during the Red Sea International Film Festival 2024 on December 12, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Ernesto S. Ruscio/Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival)

Culture

Saudi Arabia dreams of Hollywood as $150M epic 'Desert Warrior' debuts

Backed by government funding, the kingdom aims to become a global filmmaking hub with the $150 million epic 'Desert Warrior' and other high-profile productions.

MURAT KOCABAS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

KFC’s Turkey relaunch tests Western brands’ resilience in Gaza boycott era

From KFC to Carrefour, the Middle East's consumer brand landscape is undergoing significant shifts as the two-year anniversary of boycotts linked to the Gaza war approaches.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Saudi Arabia's Bayan Sadagah (C-L) celebrates her goal during a friendly football match between Saudi Arabia and Bhutan at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz stadium in Abha on September 24, 2022. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia launches 24-hour women’s sports channel: What to know

The launch coincides with the start of the Saudi Women’s Premier League season, which will see the soccer competition broadcast nationally and globally for the first time.

Foreign laborers work on the construction of new luxury houses in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on April 13, 2019.

Saudi crown prince vows to ground soaring property prices: What to know

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman vowed to implement policies aimed at reducing real estate costs and providing a wider range of housing options.

Guests attend a policy dialogue on Embracing Emerging Opportunities in times of Economic Uncertainty during the 10th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, China, Sept. 10, 2025.

Hong Kong inks agreements with Gulf partners at BRI Summit

Some 36 business agreements covering finance, technology, logistics, professional services and education were set to be signed at the event.

A worker fits solar panels onto frames during construction at South Africa's first municipally owned solar plant, during International World Environment Day, on June 5, 2025, in Atlantis near Cape Town.

Saudi firm to pump $700M into economic zone developer in Africa

The kingdom's Vision Invest will invest in pan-African developer Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms, which will use the funds to expand across the continent and develop green industrial ecosystems.

An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) is parked in an aircraft shelter at Creech Air Force Base on November 17, 2015 in Indian Springs, Nevada.

Trump aims to crack Gulf's armed drone market with looser export restrictions

Washington's latest reinterpretation of the 35-nation MTCR agreement is expected to open the door for a potential major sale of advanced aerial weaponry to Saudi Arabia.