Saudi Arabia

Executions in Saudi Arabia in 2024 surpass 300 in record tally

Executions in Saudi Arabia have exceeded 300 in 2024, the kingdom’s highest ever toll, an AFP tally has disclosed.

Saudi Arabia abandons US defense pact over Palestinian statehood ‘stalemate’: Report

Riyadh has abandoned its pursuit of an ambitious defence treaty with Washington in return for normalising relations with Israel and is now pushing for a more modest military cooperation agreement, two Saudi and four Western officials have told Reuters.

Saudi Arabia accused of editing official Cop29 negotiating text: Report

A Saudi Arabian delegate has been accused of directly making changes to an official Cop29 negotiating text, according to a report.

Over 100 foreigners executed in Saudi Arabia this year

More than 100 foreigners were executed by Saudi Arabia in 2024, a tally by AFP revealed.

Saudi Arabia scales back Neom plans to focus on sports

Riyadh has scaled back some of its ambitious plans for Neom, the megacity it is building in the northwest of the kingdom, to prioritise sporting events set to be hosted in the city in the coming years, according to Reuters.

Saudi Arabia fails to win seat on UN Human Rights Council

Saudi Arabia has failed to win a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) after a vote for membership in the 2025-27 term.

Saudi King hospitalised for lung infection: Royal court

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has a lung infection and was set to undergo medical tests on Sunday night, the Royal Court announced in the latest update on the ageing monarch's health.

Senior Saudi royal calls on US to cut financial and military support to Israel

Prince Turki al-Faisal, a senior Saudi royal, has urged the US and the UK to do more to pressure Israel into ending its war on the Gaza Strip.

US lifts ban on bombs sale to Saudi Arabia

Washington will send a $750m shipment of bombs to Riyadh, ending an embargo imposed in 2022, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

US says to lift ban on offensive arms sales to Saudi Arabia

The administration of President Joe Biden has decided to lift a ban on US sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, the State Department announced on Friday, reversing a three-year-old policy to pressure Riyadh to wind down the Yemen war.

Saudi Arabia executes a person every two days this year: Report

Riyadh has executed 100 people since the beginning of 2024 to 15 July, the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR) has reported.

Syria passenger plane touches down at Saudi airport after over a decade hiatus

A passenger plane operated by Syria’s flag carrier, Syrian Airlines, has landed in the Saudi capital Riyadh – the first in more than a decade، as part of a thaw in diplomatic relations between Damascus and the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia ‘threatened’ G7 over seizure of Russian assets

The Group of Seven “likely” abandoned the West's plan to expropriate Moscow’s frozen central bank funds due to a “veiled threat” from Riyadh, Bloomberg has reported.

Saudi Arabia announces discovery of major oil, gas deposits

Saudi Arabia's energy minister has announced the discovery of seven oil and gas deposits in the kingdom's Eastern Province and Empty Quarter, the official Saudi news agency SPA reported.

Saudi Hajj minister sparks outrage over ‘political slogans’ remarks

Saudi Arabia's minister of Hajj and Umrah has faced a deluge of criticism after he stated "political slogans" would have no place during the Hajj, in an apparent reference to acts of solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel's ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

Saudi Arabia appoints first envoy to Syria in over a decade

Saudi Arabia has appointed its ambassador to Damascus for the first time since the kingdom closed its embassy in Syria in 2012, after violence gripped the country.

Aramco pays nearly $100bn in dividends as profits fall

Saudi Arabia’s oil company Aramco paid out dividends of nearly $100bn, despite the state-owned company’s annual profits tumbling from the record earnings raked in the year before.

Saudi Arabia executes 7 men in a day, highest number in years

Seven men were executed by Riyadh on Tuesday, the highest number put to death in one day since 81 were killed in March 2022 in Saudi Arabia.

Zelensky, MBS discuss Russia-Ukraine crisis during Ukrainian leader’s surprise visit to Saudi Arabia

President Volodymyr Zelensky has held talks in Saudi Arabia with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in an attempt to push for an end to the Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the return of prisoners of war from Russia.

Saudi FM believes Iran does not want a broader war

In an interview with FRANCE 24 on tensions in West Asia, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said his country was "concerned" about a regional war. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud added he doesn't believe that Tehran wants a broader conflict.

Saudi Arabia set to open first-ever alcohol store

Saudi Arabia is set to open the country's first liquor store in the capital Riyadh, catering exclusively to diplomats, breaking with decades of strict alcohol prohibition in the kingdom.

Analyst: U.S. strikes on Yemen come with go-ahead from Saudi Arabia

An Iranian foreign policy expert says the United States’ recent attacks on Yemen were carried out with the green light from certain regional countries, particularly Saudi Arabia.

Saudi crown prince canceled UK trip before welcoming Russian leader: Report

Saudi Arabia scrapped plans for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit London earlier this month, days before he hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Riyadh, the Financial Times has reported, citing UK government officials.

Syria appoints new envoy to Saudi Arabia after a decade

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has appointed Ayman Soussan, who has been serving as deputy foreign minister, as the country’s new ambassador to Riyadh, following the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries after more than a decade.

Saudi Arabia considering oil U-turn to secure defense pact with US: Report

Riyadh is willing to increase oil production early next year in exchange for a defense pact with Washington, the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing Saudi and US sources.

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