Saudi Arabia

In this photo made available by Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, center, talks with Gulf Arab leaders during the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December. Gulf Arab leaders and others in the Mideast met as part of a state visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Oil, human rights, security: Here's what's in store for U.S.-Gulf relations in 2023

11:19am January 12, 2023

by Aya Batrawy

Visiting Saudi Arabia last summer, President Biden tried to reassure Arab leaders of U.S. commitment to the region's security. But Gulf nations aren't necessarily rushing to side with Washington.

Muslim pilgrims walk around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual hajj pilgrimage, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on July 10, 2022.

Religion

Saudi Arabia says this year's hajj pilgrimage will return to pre-COVID levels

4:20am January 10, 2023

by The Associated Press

Before the pandemic, the hajj pilgrimage drew millions each year to Islam's holy city of Mecca, home to the cube-shaped Kaaba that observant Muslims pray toward five times a day.

Cristiano Ronaldo smiles before the start of Manchester United's match against Sheriff at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on Oct. 27.

Cristiano Ronaldo signs with a Saudi soccer club

5:52pm December 30, 2022

by The Associated Press

The announcement, a groundbreaking deal for Middle Eastern soccer, ends speculation about where he would go next. Ronaldo became a free agent after his contract was terminated by Manchester United.

China's leader Xi Jinping (center) walks with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman (right), following an official welcoming ceremony at the Palace of Yamamah in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday.

World News

China's Xi Jinping visits Saudi Arabia to assert power and rival U.S. influence

3:26pm December 08, 2022

by Aya Batrawy

China is looking to deepen ties with Saudi Arabia and meeting other Arab leaders months after President Biden visited the kingdom — and had rocky results.

Queue Listen Now

Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts in disappointment Tuesday during the World Cup group C soccer match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar.

Sports

Messi and Argentina lose to Saudi Arabia in one of the biggest World Cup upsets ever

9:15am November 22, 2022

by The Associated Press

Lionel Messi's quest to win the one major title to elude him had a shocking start in what may be his final World Cup, as Saudi Arabia scored twice in a five-minute span of the second half and won 2-1.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia takes his seat ahead of a working lunch at the G20 Summit, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia.

National

The U.S. moves to shield Saudi crown prince in journalist killing

3:46am November 18, 2022

by The Associated Press

The U.S. declaration that Saudi Arabia's crown prince should be considered immune from a lawsuit over his role in the killing of a U.S.-based journalist breaks from Joe Biden's campaign denunciations.

Attendees watch David Solomon, chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs & Co., on a screen as he speaks during a panel session at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022.

World News

Wall Street eager to strike deals with Saudi Arabia, despite political concerns

5:06pm October 25, 2022

by David Gura

U.S. executives and billionaire investors are mingling and making deals at a conference nicknamed "Davos in the Desert," even as the White House reevaluates relations with Saudi Arabia.

Queue Listen Now

Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's energy minister, speaks during a news conference after the 45th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting in Vienna, Austria, on Oct. 5.

World News

The White House accuses Saudi Arabia of aiding Russia and coercing OPEC oil producers

12:40pm October 13, 2022

by Jackie Northam

A major oil output cut by Saudi Arabia, Russia and other oil producers has drawn sharp accusations in Washington.

Queue Listen Now

A man walks past OPEC headquarters in Vienna on Tuesday on the eve of the 45th meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee and the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting. The in-person meeting of OPEC members led by Saudi Arabia and allied members headed by Russia will be the first in the Austrian capital since the spring of 2020.

Russia and Saudi Arabia agree to massive cuts to oil output. Here's why it matters

11:57am October 05, 2022

by Jackie Northam

The 2 million bpd cut in oil production was backed by Saudi Arabia and could benefit Russia. The OPEC+ meeting took place as much of the world is battling soaring energy costs and rising inflation.

Queue Listen Now

Boxes of dates are auctioned off by the tens of kilos at the Buraydah Date Festival in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 3, 2022.

World News

Get a peek inside this Saudi Arabian date festival

6:00am September 25, 2022

Saudi Arabia is one of the world's top producers and exporters of dates, and dozens of varieties are sold every year at the Buraydah Date Festival.

Queue Listen Now