Author: Mahdeehassan

RIYADH: The Saudi defense minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, and his Bulgarian counterpart, Dimitar Stoyanov, on Tuesday discussed the enhancement of military and defense cooperation between their countries. During their telephone conversation, the ministers explored opportunities to expand bilateral defense ties in ways that serve mutual interests, the Saudi Press Agency reported. They also discussed efforts to enhance regional security and stability, and exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet on Tuesday stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.It also called for the conditions in the Strait of Hormuz to be restored to those prevailing before February 28, with no fees or restrictions.The Cabinet rejected the use of these vital waterways as a means of exerting pressure, issuing threats, or harming the interests of states, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions.It also welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s condemnation of escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia…

JEDDAH: Some 37 Italian companies were in Jeddah for The Saudifood Show 2026, building on agri-food exports to Saudi Arabia that approached SR2.2 billion ($587 million) in the first 11 months of 2025. Seventeen companies exhibited food and beverage products at the show at the Jeddah Superdome, while 20 participated in Saudifood Manufacturing 2026, showcasing food-processing and packaging technologies. The dual presence reflects Saudi Arabia’s efforts to expand its food manufacturing sector under Vision 2030, with Italy positioning itself as both a supplier of food products and a provider of industrial expertise. Marco Bocchi, Italy’s consul general in Jeddah, told…

WASHINGTON: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US, Princess Reema bint Bandar, hosted a reception honoring Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the Kingdom’s candidate for director-general of the World Health Organization, on the sidelines of meetings of the Pan American Health Organization in Washington D.C. on Monday. A statement from the Saudi Embassy said the event was attended by Princess Maha bint Mishari, CEO of the Future Investment Initiative Institute, Vice Minister of Health Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Rumaih; senior Saudi health officials, diplomats, heads of delegation, and representatives of international organizations and institutions. The gathering highlighted Balkhy’s career in public and global health and…

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with the Chairman of the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Tom Cotton in Washington on Tuesday.The meeting addressed the latest political and security developments and ways to enhance Saudi-US cooperation in relevant areas, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Later, Prince Faisal met with the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Roger Wicker and its ranking member Jack Reed. Aspects of defense and security coordination and cooperation between the two countries were discussed.The meetings were attended by the Kingdom’s ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar.On Monday, Prince Faisal met…

JEDDAH: Jeddah Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi received Consul General of Palestine Ihab Medhat Al-Qishawi in Jeddah on Monday. During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed topics of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Meanwhile, Islamic Development Bank Group Chairman Muhammad Al-Jasser met with Algerian Minister of Finance and IsDB Gov. Mohammed Lamine Lebbou at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s annual meeting in Doha on Sunday.

RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman has invited UAE Vice ‌President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to visit the Kingdom on Tuesday. “His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defence, extended an invitation to his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the sisterly United Arab Emirates, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Presidential Court, to visit the Kingdom tomorrow, Tuesday,” the defense ministry said. Emirates News Agency confirmed that Sheikh Mansour would head to the Kingdom on Tuesday.

RIYADH: The Shaping Mega Projects 2026 summit opened in Riyadh on Monday, bringing together more than 300 delegates representing the developers, investors, contractors and delivery partners behind Saudi Arabia’s giga and mega projects. The three-day event comes as the Kingdom enters the critical delivery phase for its Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification. Investment, project delivery and procurement were at the center of discussions on the opening day, under the theme “Saudi Al-Mustaqbal: Turning Vision 2030 into Value.” Leaders from Diriyah Company, Red Sea Global, King Salman Park Foundation and the National Centre for Privatization and PPP (public-private…

MAUI, Hawaii: As Saudi Arabia accelerates its ambition to become a global hub for artificial intelligence, US tech company Qualcomm Inc. said it sees growing opportunities across the sector in the Kingdom, from sovereign AI data centers and industrial networks to robotics and smart manufacturing. Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii, Akash Palkhiwala, the company’s executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief operating officer, said sovereign data centers and industrial applications offered the biggest opportunities for growth identified by the company in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. “As you’re seeing…

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned on Monday the “continued provocative practices” of Israeli officials and extremist settlers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.The condemnation comes as Israeli authorities closed Maghariba Gate, one of the gates leading to the mosque’s compound, after 1,731 settlers stormed its courtyards on Monday.The settlers stormed the mosque in groups under the heavy protection of Israeli police and performed Talmudic rituals and prayers in its courtyards, WAFA News Agency reported.Extremist Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was among those who stormed the the mosque’s compound.The Kingdom reiterated its rejection of these violations of international law and the provocation they represent…