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Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Saudi Arabia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Capital
Riyadh
Head of State
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Head of Government
Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud
Rare earths have become a point of contention in the US-China relationship, particularly after Beijing imposed export controls on the minerals following Washington launching its trade war in April. Photo: Reuters
US-China trade war

Why Greenland’s rare earth riches cannot end US dependence on China’s minerals

Danish territory boasts vast critical mineral deposits – but mining and processing them extremely challenging, analyst says.

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Donald Trump

As US carrier fleet sails near Iran, Trump faces ‘no easy levers’ against Tehran

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SCMP Highlights

Okinawa loses longevity crown, Malaysian athlete threatened: 7 Asia highlights

India

Why India’s focus on Middle East is on trade despite defence ties with UAE

A potential defence partnership agreement between India and the UAE has fuelled speculation of more rival blocs emerging in the region.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) welcoming Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, at New Delhi airport on January 19. Photo: EPA
Middle East

‘Anything can happen’: Saudi-UAE rift risks tearing Middle East apart

The Gulf neighbours have turned from friends to foes, fighting proxy wars across the region and forcing global powers to pick a side.

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World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

‘For the world’: Trump launches his Board of Peace that some see rivalling UN

The US president signed the board’s charter at a ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

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Malaysia

‘Khalwat’: divorced couple arrested for sharing hotel room in Malaysia

The offence applies to unmarried Muslim couples found in private seclusion and is punishable by fines, jail terms or caning.

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A couple lie in bed. Religious anti-vice officers in Johor caught a divorced couple in a hotel room together. Photo: Shutterstock
Middle East

Yemen’s leaders meet in Saudi Arabia after defeat of UAE-backed group

Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of smuggling an opposing leader to Abu Dhabi through Somalia, after the Saudi-backed government charged him with treason.

Malaysia

Missing Malaysian actress Nadia Kesuma dies of heart attack in Saudi

Family and friends confirmed the death of the star, who was on a pilgrimage trip to the Gulf kingdom.

Pakistan

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia plan defence deal to counter chaos in Middle East

Iran’s neighbours are worried that the US’ increasingly erratic behaviour may pose a risk to regional power balance and trade, analysts say.

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A protester waves the Iranian flag outside UN headquarters in New York during a Security Council meeting on Iran on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan’s next-generation fighter jet project gets boost as European rival stalls

Germany, France and Spain have put their project on hold, prompting speculation that some may turn to the Japan-UK-Italy programme.

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Delegates look at the GCAP sixth-generation fighter jet concept design at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. Photo: AFP
Iran

US says Iran halted 800 protester executions after Trump warnings

White House cites direct pressure for the stay of executions, as Gulf allies scramble to de-escalate threats of a US military strike on Iran.

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Pakistan

Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as orders soar for JF-17 jets

The jets, co-produced with China, proved their worth during the India-Pakistan tensions, when they destroyed an S-400 air defence system.

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Iran

Trump vs Iran: Gulf allies fear US ‘help’ may unleash chaos

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are urging against military action, even as the US president teases that ‘help is on its way’.

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Iraqis burn an image of US President Donald Trump on Tuesday during a rally held in Basra in solidarity with Iran’s government. Photo: Reuters
China's military weapons

Chinese arms exporters may be the big winners in any Pakistan-Saudi JF-17 talks

But observers also expressed doubts over a reported potential deal proceeding, citing US security concerns and potential F-35 sales.

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A Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Block 3, pictured carrying Chinese PL-15 missiles. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong firm aims to build 30,000 modular flats a year with Saudi partner

AluHouse and Saudi Arabian partner will build factory to produce prefabricated flats and meet rising demand for homes in the Middle East.

US-China relations

Chip sales to China part of US plan to build its own digital silk road: official

Jacob Helberg tells Consumer Electronics Show audience that Gulf partnerships will help to stall Chinese AI advances.

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Yemen

US allies Saudi Arabia, UAE risk a split in Middle East over competing visions

A ‘new order’ is emerging as Abu Dhabi-backed separatist allies clash with pro-Riyadh governments in the region.

Southern Transitional Council security personnel guard a checkpoint in Aden, Yemen, on Monday. Photo: Reuters
China energy security

China’s reliance on energy imports

US actions in Venezuela highlight China’s dependence on foreign oil and show why geopolitical risks are spurring its efforts to lower energy imports even as its economy grows.

US-Venezuela conflict

Who wins – and who loses – if the US seizes control of Venezuela’s oil?

Impact on China may be limited thanks to diversified import markets – but Canada, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the EU could face setbacks.

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Yemen

Pro-Saudi forces regain province from separatists: Yemen presidential council

Rashad al-Alimi said forces had successfully retaken positions in the resource-rich Hadramout province, which borders Saudi Arabia.

Saudi-backed forces that took control of the Second Military Region Command on the outskirts of Mukalla, the capital of Hadramout, where the UAE-backed STC recently launched an offensive to seize the resource-rich province. Photo: AFP
Yemen

Yemen’s separatists announce constitution, UAE withdraws all its troops

The proposed constitution for an independent nation in the south comes as the conflict in Yemen pits Saudi Arabia against the UAE.

A video claiming to show Saudi airstrikes targeting Southern Transitional Council positions in Sayoun, Yemen. Photo: UGC/Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Angelina Jolie visits Egyptian side of Gaza’s Rafah crossing

‘What needs to happen is clear: the ceasefire must hold and access must be sustained, safe and urgently scaled up,’ the actress said of Gaza.

Middle East

7 dead as Saudi jets strike UAE-backed forces in ‘peaceful’ Yemen operation

Separatists report 7 air strikes minutes after pro-Saudi forces announced a ‘peaceful’ bid to retake camps, accusing Riyadh of deception.

Middle East

Saudi-UAE rivalry explodes into view after strike in war-torn Yemen

Gulf powers Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are at odds over rival factions and a deepening struggle for regional pre-eminence.

Damaged military vehicles, allegedly sent by the United Arab Emirates to support Southern Transitional Council separatist forces, following an air strike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition in the port of Mukalla, southern Yemen on December 30. Photo: AFP
Middle East

Saudi Arabia sets executions record in 2025, putting 356 people to death

The surge comes amid Riyadh’s ongoing ‘war on drugs’ and marked the first time more foreigners were executed than Saudis in a calendar year.

Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh. Rights groups say the death penalty undermines the country’s efforts to present a modern image to the world. Photo: Shutterstock
Luxury Hotels

11 exciting luxury hotel openings in 2026, from London and Florence to Kyoto

These ultra-luxe stays and unique experiences span the globe, from the US and Latin America, to Africa and the Middle East.

Autonomous vehicles

How Chinese robotaxi giants are steering Middle East towards a driverless future

WeRide, Baidu and Pony.ai expand operations in the Middle East as UAE promotes clean energy and reduces dependence on oil and gas.

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