MUST-READS

• U.S. Oil Production Develops Massive Lead Over Russia And Saudi Arabia

  For the first time, global oil consumption surpassed 100 million barrels per day in 2023. The demand for gasoline, diesel, and kerosene has returned to or exceeded pre-2019 levels, although there are variations across different regions. Global gasoline consumption slightly exceeded its pre-COVID level at 25 million barrels per day, while kerosene, despite showing strong growth of 17.5% in 2023, has not yet returned to its peak levels from 2019.

• Foreign Minister Prince Faisal emphasizes significant progress in Saudi-Turkish relations

  Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized significant progress in Saudi-Turkish relations across political, economic, and security domains. During his official visit to the Republic of Türkiye, Prince Faisal announced the signing of a protocol to amend the minutes establishing the Coordination Council, with plans for the second coordination meeting in Riyadh soon. This reflects the leadership's commitment to advancing relations in all areas of mutual interest, he said.

• Senior senators warn Israel-Saudi normalisation is slipping away from US

  “It’s clear at this stage that none of this is going to work through Congress before the November elections,” Elizabeth Dent, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told MEE, referring to the Biden administration’s prospective agreements with Riyadh. Coons said that those watching for a deal would need to see a “prompt announcement” of one from the Biden administration in the coming days. It would also require Congress to come back into session during the summer.

• Who is Mohammed Deif, the Hamas military chief targeted by Israel?

  Israel has targeted Hamas’ military chief Mohammed Deif in a strike on a designated humanitarian zone in southern Gaza which killed at least 90 Palestinians. It is not clear yet if Deif was among the dead. But who is he? An elusive and powerful figure, Deif is understood to be one of the masterminds behind the October 7 attacks. He has led the Palestinian militant group’s armed wing for more than two decades. If his death is confirmed, Deif would be the highest profile Hamas leader killed since the war in Gaza began nine months ago. Israel has been seeking to dismantle Hamas following the October 7 attacks but with fighting ongoing and senior Hamas figures at large, that goal has seemed distant.

• Saudi Arabia’s environmental efforts helping to reduce dust storms

  The center’s Executive Director, Jamaan Saad Al-Qahtani, said dust storms are declining due to the country’s environmental initiatives, especially the Saudi Green Initiative, an ambitious national program of planting 10 billion trees within the kingdom. The natural reserves also prevent desertification, and recent favorable weather patterns have further aided vegetation growth.

• Saudi Arabia condemns assassination attempt on former US president Trump

  Saudi Arabia on Sunday condemned the assassination attempt against former US president Donald Trump. In a statement by the foreign ministry, the Kingdom stressed its “rejection of all forms of violence” and expressed its “complete solidarity with the United States of America, the former president and his family.”

• Thailand investment body opens first Middle East office in Saudi Arabia

  The Thai Board of Investment (BOI) officially inaugurated its office in Saudi Arabia to capitalize on investment potential and regional cooperation. This marks its first office in the Middle East, launched during the "Saudi-Thai Investment Forum" held in Riyadh on Sunday, with senior government officials and business leaders from both countries in attendance.

• Turkish President Erdogan receives Saudi foreign minister

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday received Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. “President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul,” said the country’s Communications Directorate on X. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who earlier Sunday had one-on-one talks with his Saudi counterpart, also attended the closed-door reception held at the Dolmabahce Palace Presidential Office.

• Why Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services are booming in UAE and Saudi Arabia

  In a recent study, Redseer Strategy Consultants shared that the use of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services is on the rise in the Middle East. Interestingly, the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) outscored their regional peers. Charting the growth of the BNPL industry in the region, Redseer notes that in 2022, one in 10 consumers was using BNPL services. But by 2023, this figure had doubled, with one in five consumers now using BNPL options for online transactions.

• Saudi Arabia Ramps Up Purchases of Dirtiest Oil Amid Scorching Summer

  Saudi Arabia is the region’s biggest buyer of fuel oil, a type of dirty product that’s left over after refineries produce transport fuels like gasoline and diesel. It also burns crude oil directly to produce electricity, which likely contributed to the kingdom’s exports dropping to a 10-month low of about 5.6 million barrels a day in June, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Fuel oil is mostly sold at a discount to crude since it’s heavier and more polluting.

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