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Saudi Arabia

September 6, 2026

Riyadh 5:31 am

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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

Men wearing thawbs walk past a billboard promoting the transition to renewable energies at the UNFCCC COP28 Climate Conference the day before its official opening on November 29, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The COP28 is bringing together stakeholders, including international heads of state and other leaders, scientists, environmentalists, indigenous peoples representatives, activists and others to discuss and agree on the implementation of global measures towards mitigating the effects of climate c

GCC’s renewable energy push pays off with Qatar, UAE taking lead

Several Gulf states rank relatively high on the World Economic Forum (WEF) Energy Transition Index, reflecting their efforts to transition toward renewable energy and reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

Beijing

China’s Baosteel ups investment in Saudi steel plate venture to $1B

A subsidiary of the world’s largest steelmaker, China Baeowu Steel Group, will have a 50% stake in a major new Saudi-based venture.

ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Why G7's economic policy toward Russia might alienate Saudi Arabia

The G7 has seized hundreds of billions of dollars in Russia’s frozen assets in response to Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 29: U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris wave to members of the audience after speaking at a campaign rally at Girard College on May 29, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Biden and Harris are using today's rally to launch a nationwide campaign to court black voters, a group that has traditionally come out in favor of Biden, but their support is projected lower than it was in 2020. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Middle East cheers Biden’s withdrawal, uncertain about Kamala Harris pick

Many people in the region were joyful about President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection, as they blame him for the crises including the war in the Gaza Strip.

Media image of a Lilium eVTOL jet, download July 18, 2024.

Saudia inks deal for electric flying taxis from Germany amid airline order spree

The agreement to purchase 50 jets, with an option for 50 more, was made with Lilium, headquartered outside Munich.

ACWA Power and China Southern Power Grid representatives.

Saudi-China energy cooperation strengthened by Uzbek wind project sale

Both Saudi Arabia and China are seeking to tap into Uzbekistan's and Central Asia’s energy potential.

In this picture taken on May 10, 2023, people attend the UAE Climate Tech Forum in Abu Dhabi. Faced with mounting pressure over planet-heating pollution, the Arab Gulf's energy giants are turning to humble tech start-ups as they search for ways to remove emissions while keeping oil flowing. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Tech investment slump reaching critical stage for cash strapped Middle East startups

Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greets Syrian President Bashar Assad during the Arab summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. Saudi Press Agency / Saudi Press Agency via AP

Saudi Arabia and Syria resume regular flights as thaw with Assad advances

The move signals a new step toward further developing the relations between the two countries.

An Airbus A330 of Saudi airline company, also known as Saudi Arabian Airlines, lands in Toulouse, on July 22, 2017.

As Boeing struggles, Airbus inks 4-aircraft deal with Saudi Arabia

The kingdom ordered four more of Airbus’ A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft for the Royal Saudi Air Force as Boeing's challenges mount in Gulf over safety issues.

Saudi and foreign journalists are pictured at the Future Investment Initiative forum at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on Oct. 29, 2019.

Middle East startups see funding fall by 34% in first half of 2024

Although startup funding levels have plateaued globally, MENA reported an increase in early-stage rounds and investor participation.

United Arab Emirates

Officers of the Directorate of Narcotics Control of Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry sort through tablets of Captagon.

Saudi's latest drug bust: thousands of narcotics tablets, 760 pounds of qat

Saudi Arabia is a major destination for the amphetamine Captagon, though seizures have decreased recently due to more enforcement in transit countries like Jordan, according to a recent report.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - MAY 4: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr celebrates after scoring the 2nd goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Nassr and Al Wehda at Al Awwal Park on May 4, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.(Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Culture

Saudi Arabia's soccer dreams tested as Vision 2030 goal posts move

2023 saw Saudi Arabia take the world of soccer by storm with record-breaking spending on new stars, but those hoping for a repeat performance in 2024 have so far been left disappointed.