Saudi Arabia

07 June 2023; MEMO: US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, had an "open, candid" conversation with Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, in the early hours of Wednesday about a wide range of bilateral issues, a US official said.

The top US diplomat arrived in Saudi Arabia late on Tuesday for a much anticipated visit amid frayed ties due to deepening disagreements on everything, from Iran policy to regional security issues, oil prices and human rights, Reuters reports.

06 June 2023; MEMO: Iran is set to reopen its embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh today and its consulate in the port city of Jeddah tomorrow, months after the two regional rivals restored diplomatic ties severed seven years ago, Anadolu reported.

06 June 2023; MEMO: Saudi Arabia has welcomed Venezuela's President to the Kingdom on an official visit, hosting yet another adversary of the West as it carves a more independent foreign policy path.

According to the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, arrived in the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah late yesterday, greeted by Saudi officials.

05 June 2023; MEMO: Qatari Defence Minister, Khalid Al-Attiyah, yesterday discussed strengthening military relations with Saudi Arabia with the kingdom's Assistant Defence Minister, Talal Al-Otaibi.

The discussion came during a meeting that brought both officials together in Singapore.

The Saudi Defence Ministry said in a statement that the two officials had discussed "topics of common interest, as well as ways to enhance relations between both countries."

05 June 2023; MEMO: Members of the OPEC+ alliance yesterday agreed to implement a voluntary cut in oil production until the end of 2024 instead of the previous date scheduled for the end of 2023.

The members said in a statement that the voluntary cut is in addition to a mandatory cut of 1.4 million barrels per day, which will start early next year and continue for a full year.

31 May 2023; MEMO: Saudi Arabia has extended its 'Makkah Route Initiative' to Turkiye, making it easier for pilgrims from the country to plan and make their trips to the Islamic holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

01 June 2023; MEMO: The population of Saudi Arabia has reached 32.2 million, 42 per cent of whom are foreign nationals, with 63 per cent of Saudis under age 30, the country's general authority for statistics said on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

The median age of the total population is 29, according to a 2022 census, the first in 12 years, it added in a statement.

31 May 2023; MEMO: Real Madrid captain, French-Algerian star Karim Benzema has received a $214.5 million offer to join Saudi's Al-Ittihad Club.

The Spanish radio station, Cadena COPE, revealed that Benzema had agreed to join the Saudi club, which won the league title this year, starting next season.  Benzema is contracted with Real Madrid until 2024 but there are reports that the club would allow him to leave should he choose to accept the offer.

Makkah Mukarma, May 30 (APP): As the Hajj ritual draws near, the Pakistan Hajj Moavineen are diligently preparing exceptional facilities to cater to the expected surge of intending pilgrims traveling from Madinah to Makkah Mukarma.

Talking to APP, Sajjad Haider Yildrim Director of Moavineen e Hujjaj reassured that the local and Pakistan based Moavineen have been extensively prepared and adequately equipped to deliver comprehensive support to Hajj pilgrims.

RIYADH, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces on Monday agreed to a five-day extension of a cease-fire agreement they signed on May 20 after negotiations in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, Al Arabiya News reported.

The two sides stressed commitment to allowing safe passage of all civilians from conflict areas and protecting civilian supplies.