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Saudi Arabia

September 6, 2026

Riyadh 7:50 am

31°C

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

A man walks by Tadawul, Saudi Arabia's stock exchange, Riyadh, December 12, 2019.

Saudi Arabia’s ADES to launch IPO

ADES rebooted its plans for an initial public offering, having delayed it earlier in the year after the kingdom’s stock exchange experienced difficulties.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey, Saudi Arabia ink critical mineral cooperation deal

Green energy investments will have an important share in cooperation between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, said the Turkish energy minister.

Saudi stock

Analysis

Tadawul posts losses but Saudi markets remain fundamentally strong

'A bit of a correction' sheds some prior gains on the Saudi stock index, but professionals see reasons to keep investing in the kingdom.

Harry Clynch

By Harry Clynch

In London, reporting on Middle East economics

Got Talent Papercup

Middle East offers strong market for AI content dubbing

The region is ripe for translated content as Arabic is widely spoken and there is a strong appetite for digital media due to a young population.

A man walks past a power station on the outskirts of Beijing, April 7, 2005.

Analysis

US-Saudi nuclear cooperation makes sense because of China, not just Israel

The Biden administration plays the long game with China in the Middle East; prospects for a GCC gas grid; Hydrogen race is on in the Gulf.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia mulls Chinese bid to build nuclear plant

The news will irk Washington, which wants Riyadh to not be able to develop nuclear weapons.

A general view during MDLBEAST SOUNDSTORM 2021 on Dec. 19, 2021, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia's SRMG invests in music streamer Anghami, Spotify’s Middle East rival

Beirut-founded Anghami is the most popular music streaming platform in the MENA region, with 120 million registered users, up from 75 million in 2021.

Xi Jinping at BRICS

BRICS summit: which Middle East states could join powerful bloc?

China and Russia are seeking to expand the group and their global influence, and several MENA countries are in line to apply.

A general view shows office buildings at al-Raidah Digital City of the Saudi capital Riaydh on February 28, 2022.

Analysis

Saudi holdings of US Treasuries hit record low, signaling push to diversify from dollar

Saudi Arabia's stockpile of US Treasuries fell to $108.1 billion in June, the lowest point since December 2016.

By Salim A. Essaid

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi crown prince meets Iran's foreign minister in Jeddah

The sit-down between Mohammed bin Salman and Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is the highest-level meeting between Saudi and Iranian officials since their countries resumed ties in March.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian gives a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart in Tehran on July 31, 2023.

Iran FM in Saudi Arabia for first visit since resumption of relations

Top Iranian and Saudi military officials also met in Russia in a further sign of detente between the two regional rivals.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Saudi Arabia, China sign $1.33 billion in housing deals

The Saudi-China Business Forum represents the latest sign of increased Chinese interest in Saudi Arabia.