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  • Saudi discusses backing Syria’s transitional political process

    Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman yesterday announced that he had held a “productive meeting” with senior officials from Syria’s new administration, including the foreign minister, defence minister and head of general intelligence. In a post on X, Prince Khalid announced that he held discussions with Foreign Minister Assad Al-Shaibani, Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab regarding the latest developments in Syria. The talks focused on supporting the transitional political process to fulfil the aspirations of the Syrian people while safeguarding Syria’s security, stability and territorial integrity, as reported by Asharq News channel.

  • Saudi Arabia announces prequalified bidders for 2 GW/8 GWh battery storage tender

    The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has released a list of 33 prequalified bidders for its 2 GW/8 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) tender. The tender, structured as a build-own-operate model, attracted major international players including Masdar, ACWA Power, EDF, TotalEnergies, Jinko Power and more. Prominent companies from China, South Korea, and Japan also feature, including Samsung, the China Energy Overseas Investment Company, China Power Engineering Consulting Group International Engineering, and China Southern Power Grid International.

  • Assad’s fall spurs calls to revive Iraq-Syria oil pipeline

    The overthrow of the former Syrian president, Bashar Al-Assad, has brought calls for the revival of the now-defunct pipeline that once carried crude oil from Iraq to a Syrian port on the Mediterranean. Several Iraqi experts have urged their government to consider rebuilding the facility as an outlet for the Opec member’s oil exports to Europe.  An adviser to Iraq’s prime minister Mohammed Al-Sudani said there was a need for negotiations between the two Arab neighbours to set the groundwork for the pipeline’s resurrection. But other analysts disagreed with these calls, on the grounds that the situation in Syria is uncertain and Iraq’s oil exports to Europe have been falling in favour of Asian markets.

  • Gulf-UK trade deal has a sporting chance, minister says

    A finalised free trade agreement between the UK and Gulf Co-operation Council states could be on the home stretch, and the growing trade in sports equipment with the Gulf illustrates the need for it, a British trade minister has said. Trade policy minister Douglas Alexander highlighted the sports industry as “a great example of British expertise” and said “a trade deal with the GCC would build on our already strong trading relationship, make it easier and quicker for UK companies to export, and create exciting opportunities for UK businesses in the region”. The UK and the six-country Gulf bloc are thought to be closing to sealing an FTA, which could boost trade between the two sides by 16 per cent, potentially adding an extra £8.6 billion a year to the trade relationship in the long run.

  • War on Gaza: Netanyahu hindering deal again by changing demands, source says

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has returned to his “evasive approach” in the Gaza ceasefire talks, hindering negotiations, an Egyptian source has told the Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news outlet.  The source, who was described as “familiar with the negotiations,” said in the Wednesday report that the change in the Israeli positions surprised mediators and slowed recent progress made in the indirect talks with Palestinian movement Hamas.  Netanyahu submitted a new list of demands, which included modifications regarding the captives Israel wants to be released, as well as additional conditions related to the timeline for the army’s withdrawal during that phase of the proposed agreement, the source said. He added that talks were “proceeding very well” until the latest Israeli changes.

  • How Stealthy F-22 Raptors Learned to Take on Elusive Iranian Threats in the Middle East

    As America’s premier air superiority fighter, the F-22 was designed to take on advanced enemy aircraft, capable of maneuvering stealthily and cruising at supersonic speeds. But the dangers that most concerned Johnson and his Airmen included Iranian-designed drones and cruise missiles that Tehran and its proxies have employed during the most recent stretch of unrest in the Middle East. Though the drones posed less of a threat to the F-22s than a high-end Chinese fighter, downing them presented some challenges. Like the F-16s and F-15Es, the F-22s that have been deployed to the region in recent months have Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, which makes detecting drones easier, a senior U.S. defense official noted to Air & Space Forces Magazine. But it is still not an easy task. Not only were the drones very small, but their slow speed always made them hard to detect.

  • Israel allocates $150m to sway global opinion over Gaza genocide

    The 20-fold funding increase aims to boost Tel Aviv’s narrative and justification of its war against the besieged enclave while portraying the Palestinian struggle as “anti-Semitic” and as a form of “Nazi” terrorism aimed at eliminating Jews and to promote Islamophobia in European countries in an effort to paint the Palestinian struggle as no different from Daesh. The aim of such action is to end sympathy or support for the Palestinian cause and justify the genocide being orchestrated in Gaza.

  • Unstoppable Oman beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 to enter Gulf Cup final

    With temperatures at a chilly 18°C, the electrifying atmosphere was fueled by passionate supporters waving flags and chanting for their teams. Coach Rashid Jaber faced a daunting task, making last-minute changes due to injuries and yellow card suspensions. Still, his confidence in his squad proved well-placed as Oman battled fiercely from start to finish. The game started with Saudi Arabia in control, threading passes and creating early chances. Oman’s goalkeeper, Al Rushaidi, made a brilliant save from a stinging free-kick, keeping the scores level. Saudi’s dominance persisted through the opening minutes, with Oman struggling to find their rhythm.

  • Saudi Arabia orders removal of unlicensed hospitality venues from booking sites, warns of $266,000 fines

    This directive is part of a broader campaign aimed at improving adherence to licensing and classification standards within the hospitality sector. The ministry seeks to ensure that all facilities meet the conditions and requirements stipulated in the Tourism Law and its associated regulations. The ministry stressed that all tourist and private hospitality facilities must obtain or renew their licences before commencing operations. Operating without a valid licence will result in penalties, including fines of up to SR1m ($266,000), facility closure, or both. Violations may also be disclosed publicly.

  • Saudi Arabia launches humanitarian air bridge to Syria to deliver food, shelter and medical supplies

    Saudi Arabia on Wednesday launched a humanitarian air bridge to Syria, delivering food, shelter and medical supplies' The air bridge, established by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), aims to 'alleviate the effects of the difficult conditions currently facing the Syrian people', the official Saudi Press Agency reported. Others, including the European Union and Ukraine, have also announced aid for Syria, where the United Nations said seven out of 10 people need support. Riyadh's air bridge will 'be followed by another land bridge in the coming days,' said Abdullah al-Rabeeah, the head of KSrelief.