Uber launches new feature for Saudi women drivers to choose passengers  

Uber has launched a new feature allowing female drivers in Saudi Arabia to block male passengers from hailing a ride with them.The “Women Preferred View” feature was launched in April,

New residency permit for skilled expats to reduce Saudi shadow economy: expert   9%

The new “Privileged Iqama” residency permit for skilled expatriates will help reduce unregulated financial activities in Saudi Arabia and attract new foreign investors from outside the

Saudi Arabia to tax e-cigarettes and more soft drinks   17%

Saudi Arabia has imposed a special tax on electronic cigarettes and sugary drinks, extending similar taxes introduced in 2017 as it seeks to reduce a budget deficit caused by low oil prices. The

Saudi Arabia calls urgent GCC and Arab League meetings as tensions in region rise  

Saudi Arabia has called for urgent meetings of the regional Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss escalating tensions in the Gulf, the Saudi official news agency said on Saturday.The Saudi Press Agency said King Salman had invited Gulf leaders and Arab states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent “aggressions and their consequences” in the region.Tensions have soared in the Gulf with the US deploying an aircraft carrier and bombers to the region over…

Saudi Arabia shuts major oil pipeline after Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels launch drone attacks   -4%

Drone attacks claimed by Iran-aligned Yemen rebels shut down one of Saudi Arabia’s major oil pipelines, further ratcheting up Gulf tensions after the mysterious sabotage of several tankers.Washington and Tehran played down tensions after trading barbs as the Americans sent an aircraft carrier group and nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to the region to counter alleged threats from Saudi arch-rival Iran.Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude exporter and OPEC kingpin, said two pumping stations had…

Saudi oil tankers hit by sabotage attacks as tensions in the Gulf soar  

Saudi Arabia said on Monday two of its oil tankers were damaged in mysterious “sabotage attacks” in the Gulf as tensions soared in a region already shaken by a stand-off between the United States and Iran.It came as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo scrapped a planned visit to Moscow to head to Brussels instead for talks with European officials on Iran.Tehran called for an investigation into the “alarming” attacks and warned of “adventurism” by foreign players to disrupt maritime security…

OPEC signals intention to keep limits on oil supply all year   13%

Saudi Arabia and other key producers in OPEC signaled their intention to keep oil supplies constrained for the rest of the year, while pledging to prevent any genuine shortages.

Oil rallies as Mideast tensions flare over Saudi pipeline attack   16%

Oil soared to a two-week high as Saudi Arabia accused Iran of ordering this week's attack on its key oil facilities, fueling tensions between two of the world's oil-producing superpowers.

Saudi prince says Iran ordered pipeline attack as tensions mount   -4%

Saudi Arabia accused Iran of ordering this week’s attack by Yemeni rebels on a key oil pipeline, stoking concerns that the world’s largest oil-producing region is edging toward another war. Crude prices rose.

Oil rises as drones strike Saudi pipeline and trade fears recede   -26%

Oil climbed as drones struck Saudi Arabia's main cross-country crude pipeline, while President Donald Trump said a trade deal with China is still within reach.

Family of Jailed Saudi Feminist Loujain Al-Hathloul: She Was Waterboarded, Flogged & Electrocuted   7%

It's been a year since women's right activist Loujain Al-Hathloul was detained and jailed in Saudi Arabia for leading a movement to lift the kingdom's ban on female drivers and overhaul its male "guardianship" system. Despite international outcry, she's been imprisoned ever since. During that time, her family says, she's been held in solitary confinement and faced abuse, including electric shocks, flogging and threats of sexual violence. The Saudi government has resisted calls from human rights groups and lawmakers from around the world to release Loujain and the other jailed activists. We speak with two of Loujain's siblings, Walid and Lina Al-Hathloul.

For foreign wives of Saudi Arabian men, legal limbo sometimes awaits   12%

For Teresa Malof, the ad seeking nurses to work in Saudi Arabia was a chance to reboot her life. She was 29, her mother had recently passed away and her first marriage had ended in divorce. So she would leave Cincinnati and spend a year working at Riyadh's King Fahad National Guard Hospital and...

Saudi Arabia, San Diego's Sempra Energy strike natural gas deal   5%

Saudi Arabia has made a deal with Sempra Energy to buy a stake in the San Diego-based company’s Texas liquified natural gas export terminal, giving the world’s biggest oil exporter a foothold in the fast-growing global gas trade.

The deal, which also includes an agreement to buy gas from the plant,...

Saudi Arabia wants to buy tons of American natural gas   16%

Saudi Arabia has placed a huge bet on American natural gas.

Thousands of Saudi students remain in Canada, despite Riyadh's pledge to axe scholarships  

Thousands of university students from Saudi Arabia remain in Canada despite being ordered out of the country by their government last August, and planning is underway to mitigate the impact on Canadian universities when those students graduate and are not replaced.   

U.S. Officials Work to Convince Divided Congress of Iran Threat  

American officials said Iran had threatened to target missiles at Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure to drive up oil prices and disrupt international trade.

Saudi Oil Infrastructure at Risk as Small Attacks Raise Potential for Big Disruption   -20%

Saudi Arabia spent heavily to protect its oil production lines but rapid changes in technology may mean ports and pipelines are increasingly exposed in the turbulent region.

Saudi Arabia calls urgent summit with Gulf and Arab League leaders  

Saudi Arabia has called for urgent meetings of the regional Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss escalating tensions in the region, the kingdom’s official news agency said on Saturday.

Exiled Palestinian democracy activist on Saudi Arabia's bid to silence dissidents  

Iyad el-Baghdadi is a Palestinian pro-democracy activist who lives in exile in Norway. Earlier this month, he was placed under the protection of the Norwegian security services after a CIA tip-off that he was under threat from Saudi Arabia. He spoke to FRANCE 24's Marc Perelman about his situation and the wider threat facing critics of Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia deposits $250M in Sudans central bank  

Saudi Arabia announced Sunday it had deposited $250 million in Sudan’s central bank as part of a support package for the country following the overthrow of longtime leader Omar al-Bashir. The Finance Ministry has deposited 937.5 million Saudi riyals into the central bank of Sudan, it said in a statement.

Saudi's Falih says sees no oil shortage, but OPEC to act if needed   8%

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said Saturday that he saw no oil supply shortage as global oil inventories are still rising, particularly from the United States, but OPEC will be responsive to the oil market's needs.