Saudi Arabia | DD News

March 3, 2026 8:07 PM

Iran war enters fourth day in ‘smoke and blood’ as markets slide

Explosions tore through Tehran and Beirut on Tuesday and financial markets around the world tumbled at the prospect of a prolonged disruption to global energy supplies from the U.S.-Israeli air war against Iran. Iranian drones slammed into the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia, causing minor damage and starting a fire, after previously hitting the mission in Kuwait. Washington responded by shutting those missions and ordering non-emergency government personnel and their families to leave countries a...

February 18, 2026 10:54 AM

Gulf countries begin Ramadan as Saudi Arabia confirms moon sighting

Gulf countries commenced the holy month of Ramadan on Wednesday after crescent moon sighting committees in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates confirmed the start of Ramadan 1447 AH on Tuesday evening. Authorities in Qatar and Kuwait also announced February 18 as the first day of fasting, aligning with astronomical calculations. In a statement, the UAE Presidential Court said the decision followed confirmation by the Moon Sighting Committee, convened in Abu Dhabi under the UAE Council for...

February 10, 2026 5:00 PM

India showcases indigenous defence capabilities at World Defence Show 2026 in Riyadh

India highlighted its growing indigenous defence manufacturing strength at the World Defence Show (WDS) 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth leading a high-level delegation to the global defence exhibition held on February 8–9. The Minister inaugurated the first-ever India Pavilion at the event, showcasing the manufacturing capabilities of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and private Indian defence companies. He also attended the opening cerem...

February 1, 2026 1:57 PM

India marks 77th Republic Day with reception in Riyadh

The Embassy of India in Riyadh hosted an official reception to mark the 77th Republic Day of India at the Cultural Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter on the evening of January 31, 2026. The event was attended by more than 700 guests, including resident ambassadors, senior Saudi government officials, representatives from business, think tanks, academia, media and members of the Indian diaspora. Dr. Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Sudairy, undersecretary for the Riyadh region, attended the event as chief g...

January 5, 2026 10:15 AM

GCC forces take part as Gulf Shield 2026 begins in Saudi Arabia

Gulf Cooperation Council forces have begun a major joint military exercise in Saudi Arabia aimed at strengthening collective defence and improving regional military coordination. The Saudi ministry of defence said the exercise, titled “Gulf Shield 2026,” brings together forces from all GCC member states, to enhance combat readiness and deepen joint operational integration. It said the drills are designed to improve coordination among participating forces and to raise the efficiency of joint...

December 18, 2025 10:41 AM

India and Saudi Arabia sign visa waiver agreement to strengthen strategic partnership

India and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral visa waiver agreement in Riyadh to facilitate official travels and boost bilateral exchanges under the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. The agreement was signed by Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan and Abdulmajeed bin Rashed Alsmari, deputy minister for protocol affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The agreement provides mutual exemption from short-stay visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special an...

December 5, 2025 3:03 PM

Saudi Arabia cuts January oil prices to Asia to five-year low

Saudi Arabia has lowered the official selling price of its Arab Light crude for Asian buyers in January to sixty cents a barrel above the Oman/Dubai benchmark, the lowest premium in five years. The move reflects growing signs of surplus in the global oil market. The premium has now fallen for a second month, down from one dollar for December. The weaker pricing comes as oil supplies rise worldwide. OPEC and its partners, led by Russia, have been increasing output, although eight members of the ...

November 25, 2025 10:09 PM

Saudi Arabia Eases Alcohol Curbs with New Stores

In a step toward social liberalization, Saudi Arabia is set to open two new alcohol stores in 2026, targeting non-Muslim foreigners. This expansion builds on a single Riyadh outlet launched last year for diplomats, now extended to holders of Premium Residency visas, granted to investors and skilled expatriates. One store will cater exclusively to non-Muslim staff at state oil giant Aramco in Dhahran, the eastern hub of the kingdom's energy sector. The second, in the bustling Red Sea port of...

November 19, 2025 4:31 PM

Cityscape Global Opens in Riyadh with $43 Billion in Deals Announced

Cityscape Global 2025 opened in Riyadh this week with $43 billion in real estate agreements announced during the first two days, underscoring Saudi Arabia's accelerating urban transformation and growing investor confidence in the Kingdom's real estate sector. The event, held under the theme "The Future of Urban Living," was inaugurated by Majed bin Abdullah Al Hogail, Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who emphasized Saudi Arabia's real estate growth and rising glo...

November 18, 2025 9:10 AM

Trump says ‘we’ll be selling’ F-35s to Saudi Arabia

President Donald Trump said on Monday he plans to approve the sale of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, speaking a day before he hosts Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a day of diplomacy. "I will say that we will be doing that," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "We'll be selling the F-35s." A sale would mark a significant policy shift, potentially altering the military balance in the Middle East and testing Washington's definition of maintaining Israel's "qualitati...