Joe Biden to phone Saudi King Salman ahead of Jamal Khashoggi report

President Joe Biden‘s administration will name Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the man who approved the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi when it releases an intelligence report on the journalist’s murder.  Four U.S. officials told Reuters the forthcoming declassified U.S. intelligence report – to which the CIA was the main contributor – assesses that … Read more

Saudi Arabia signs joint deal with Lockheed Martin after Biden froze arms sales to Middle East

Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) has signed an agreement to set up a joint venture with US firm Lockheed Martin to enhance the kingdom’s defense and manufacturing capabilities, the state-owned Saudi company said on Sunday. SAMI, which is owned by the Saudi state’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), will own 51 percent of the venture. ‘The … Read more

The Foster & Partners designs for Shurayrah, the gateway island to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea resort

Stunning renderings have been revealed for an island resort off the coast of Saudi Arabia that’s part of a Red Sea ‘giga-resort’ that will ultimately span 22 islands and six inland sites. The new designs are by renowned architect firm Foster + Partners and show its vision for Shurayrah, the gateway island to the enormous … Read more

Plane on fire in Saudi Arabia as airport ‘attacked by Houthi rebels’

A civilian plane has caught fire in Saudi Arabia after an airport was attacked by Houthis rebels, local media reports said on Wednesday. Yemen’s Houthi rebels are said to have targeted the Abha International Airport in the south-west of the country, causing a passenger plane on the tarmac to catch fire, according to the kingdom’s … Read more

Joe Biden to end US support for Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen

The White House said Thursday that President Joe Biden will end support for Saudi Arabia’s controversial war in Yemen – his first major foreign policy reversal.  President Barack Obama began support for Saudi Arabia and President Donald Trump ramped it up, but Biden will announce during his visit to the State Department that it’s ending. … Read more

Explosion above Saudi capital of Riyadh – days after missile targeting the city was intercepted 

Explosion above Saudi capital of Riyadh – days after missile targeting the city was intercepted Saudi Arabia has faced repeated missile attacks from Huthi rebels in Yemen An explosion rattled windows in Riyadh with some reported hearing two blasts On Saturday, the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a ‘hostile air target’ By Jack Newman For … Read more

Saudi Arabia reduced number of executions last year following changes to criminal laws 

The number of executions in Saudi Arabia dropped dramatically last year following the halting of executions for non-violent drug-related crimes. The Saudi government’s Human Rights Commission (HRC) said Monday it documented 27 executions in 2020. That’s compared to an all-time high of 184 executions the year before as documented by Amnesty International and Human Rights … Read more

Ice blankets the Sahara desert while snow falls in Saudi Arabia where temperature has dropped to -2C

What IS going on with the world’s weather? Ice blankets the Sahara desert while snow falls in Saudi Arabia where temperature has dropped to -2C The desert town of Ain Sefra in Algeria was blanketed with snow last Wednesday as temperatures hit -3C Photographer Karim Bouchetata captured the unusual sight in stunning images of sheep … Read more

Saudi crown prince addresses World Economic Forum from the desert

That’s one way to work from home! Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince MBS addresses World Economic Forum on a computer set up in the desert Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman set up a virtual office in the AlUla desert  The stunt appeared to be an effort to promote the region as a future tourist hub MBS … Read more

Saudi Arabia announces new eco-city with ‘zero cars, zero streets and zero carbon emissions’ 

Saudi Arabia announces new eco-city in the form of a 105-mile long LINE with ‘zero cars, zero streets and zero carbon emissions’ Saudi Arabia has announced a brand new 105-mile-long ‘zero carbon emissions’ eco-city The Line will have three layers, with one for ultra-fast transport, one for services and one for pedestrians  In a televised … Read more