RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will host the annual meetings and golden jubilee celebrations of the Islamic Development Bank Group in Riyadh between April 27 and 30, under the patronage of King Salman. This year’s meetings will take place under the theme “Taking Pride in Our Past and Shaping Our Future: Authenticity, Solidarity and Prosperity,” the Saudi…
RIYADH: The World Bank has raised its expectations for Saudi Arabia’s economic growth to 5.9 percent in 2025 from 4.2 percent predicted earlier in January. In its latest report the bank, however, revised its 2024 forecast for the Kingdom’s gross domestic product growth downward to 2.5 percent from an earlier forecast of 4.1 percent. Concurrently,…
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman discussed the military escalation in the Middle East on Sunday with his US counterpart during a phone call. The call comes after Iran launched a wave of missiles and attack drones against Israel overnight Saturday to Sunday. Prince Khalid and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin…
UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, held telephone discussions on Monday with regional leaders, including Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, and King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain. They addressed pressing regional issues, particularly the escalating crisis in the Gaza Strip, and the urgency of…
RIYADH: Payments made through point-of-sale terminals in Saudi Arabia experienced a notable 20 percent annual increase in February, totaling SR53.72 billion ($14.33 billion), the latest data showed. According to data released by the Saudi Central Bank, the largest portion of POS spending in February was allocated to beverages and food, comprising 15.7 percent of the…
RIYADH: Just a few short years ago, visitors to Saudi Arabia could never have imagined feasting on a plate of vegan tuna nigiri or a meatless shawarma. Thanks to new investments in agritech, these plant-based alternatives are now firmly on the menu. With the movement towards meatless eating gaining momentum in response to mounting environmental…
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Thursday received a phone call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Kingdom’s ministry said. The parties reviewed regional developments and ways to reduce the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. They also focused on issues of common interest, most notably Sudan, developments…
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday sent cables of congratulation to leaders of Islamic countries for Eid Al-Fitr. The cables were sent “based on the keenness” of the leadership to “communicate annually with the leaders of the Islamic countries on the blessed holiday,” the Saudi Press Agency reported. In…
Qatar’s Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs announced that Tuesday April 9th would be the last day of the holy month of Ramadan, making Wednesday April 10th the first day of Eid Al-Fitr. The Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs issued a statement after a…
The Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah will receive worshipers for Eid Al-Fitr prayers after completing preparations, the Presidency of Religious Affairs in Saudi Arabia has said. The Two Holy Mosques have been prepared with with a package of religious services “to enrich the experience of those visiting the mosques and…
