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Saudi Raids Net 136 Militants [Dec 2]
"Authorities in Saudi Arabia announced the arrest of 136 suspected militants, including a potential suicide bomber. The arrests were made over the last few months in several cities.. ..The only known attempted operation by Islamic militants this year was a foiled attack against the country's largest and most important oil facility.." [more]

Saudi's Naimi Says Oil Stocks Too High, Indicating a Supply Cut [Dec 2]
" Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali Al- Naimi said crude inventories are too high, indicating the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which supplies two out of every five barrels, should cut output. OPEC meets in Nigeria on Dec. 14 to decide whether it should cut production for a second time in as many months. The group decided in October to reduce output by 1.2 million barrels a day starting Nov. 1.. ..I agree that we have to take 100 million barrels out of the market,'' Naimi told reporters in Cairo today.." [more]

Saudi Doctors Begin Surgery to Separate Iraqi Conjoined Twins [Dec 2]
"A pair of Iraqi conjoined twin girls began separation surgery in the Saudi capital Saturday.. ..doctors
successfully separated the girls at the chest, liver and colon in surgery that began at 9:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) and which was expected to last 20 hours. 'The twins' condition is stable as the liver was separated without bleeding,' chief surgeon Dr. Abdullah al-Rabia said.." [more]

Saudi Index Declines as Investors Dump Stocks [Dec 2]
"The Saudi stock market led the decline with the Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) shedding 4.33 percent or 377.10 points last week as a result of a sell-off on the part of investors who feared prices could deteriorate further. The Saudi benchmark index closed the week at 8,324.43 points, down from 8,701.53 points previous week. TASI is currently about 50 percent lower than the year's start.." [more]

Iraq Fury Over Saudi Threat [Dec 1]
"Iraq's Shi'ite leaders yesterday said they were angered by a Saudi Arabian official saying that Riyadh would support the violence-wracked country's Sunni Arabs in the event of a US pullout. Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki said: 'We will not countenance any language interfering in Iraq on the pretext of defending sects'.." [more]

Saudi Government Allocates $2.1 Billion for Higher Education Projects [Dec 1]
"At the Sixth National Dialogue Forum held in Saudi Arabia, the minister of higher education announced that the government has approved $2.1 billion for higher education projects this year.. ..The minister also revealed that the ministry will set up a strategic plan to develop higher education, indicating that the reason behind this move is the emergence of a large number of fake degrees.." [more]

Daughter Highlights the Legacy of a King [Dec 1]
"The daughter of King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz, the second monarch of modern Saudi Arabia, has embarked on a mission to introduce the outstanding contributions of her father to the modern world. Princess Fahda Bint Saud unveiled plans to update an Arabic website about her father and launch its English version.. ..'It was also the outcome of my realisation that the younger generation knows very little about the life and achievements of King Saud,' she said.." [more]

Building Bridges of Understanding [Dec 1]
"Many have said there need to be bridges of understanding between the West and the Muslim world, but Muzzammil S. Hassan has created an American Muslim television network to do just that, and it is appropriately named Bridges TV.. ..The network now functions as a platform for a Muslim viewpoint in America’s marketplace of ideas.. ..For the first time in America, the estimated eight million American Muslims have a voice in the mainstream media. We have been able to present Arab and Muslim points of view.." [more]

Business Leaders to Discuss Regional Cooperation [Dec 1]
"More than 100 top business leaders from the Arab world will converge on Abu Dhabi today for a high-profile meeting of the Arab Business Council (ABC). The two-day event, beginning on Dec. 2, is also expected to draw top officials and ministers from the region. They will discuss the current geopolitical situation, which makes private-public cooperation more critical than ever before.." [more]

Opec Aims For ‘Fair and Stable’ Oil Price – Saudi [Nov 30]
"Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia said yesterday Opec was striving for a “fair and stable” oil price, which the producer group has signalled would be around $60 for US crude. Wary of high fuel stockpiles in the world’s biggest fuel consumer the US, some Opec ministers have raised the possibility of cutting output again in December, deepening a 1.2mn barrel per day reduction agreed last month. But a modest price rally that has taken US crude to $61 a barrel has assured some producers they have already done enough.." [more]

Saudi Ambassador to Give Policy Address, Dec. 7 [Nov 30]
"Prince Turki al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, will deliver a policy address at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, in Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall. The prince was appointed U.S. ambassador in July 2005 after more than two years as ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ireland. As ambassador to Washington, he has urged the Bush administration to increase its Middle East diplomacy and peacemaking efforts.. ..The event is sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.." [more]

Saudi Arabia, UAE Economies to Boom [Nov 30]
"..says Internationally respected demographic forecaster, Harry S. Dent. 'The Middle East and India are destined to become global economic powerhouses as populations steady or decline in Western Europe, the United States and other developed areas'.. ..He said China's spending wave would peak by 2015 and continue to slow until 2055 when it would actually begin to contract. By comparison India and Saudi Arabia would continue to grow before peaking around 2065.." [more]

MBC4 Launches I Matter, a New Forum for Arab Women [Nov 30]
"MBC4 this week announced the launch of a new initiative for young Arab women, I Matter. Created specifically to provoke intelligent, relevant and entertaining discussions in forums launched initially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I Matter reflects MBC4's commitment to its Middle East audience as a channel known for the latest and best-rated Western entertainment for Arab women.." [more]

Saudi Firm to Build Railway Track Mill [Nov 30]
"Saudi Arabian steel firm Al Tuwairqi is building the first modern manufacturing mill in the Middle East to produce steel railway tracks, a move industry experts say will answer pent-up railway demand in the region.. ..A plan, he said, by the Saudi government to establish a railway link between the Red Sea through the UAE to the Arabian Sea is evidence that the future in the Gulf includes railway transportation.." [more]

Rigid Interpretation of Religion Hampers Women’s Progress [Nov 30]
"Rigid religious interpretations by a segment of Saudi society and the lack of implementation of policy regarding the rights of women were identified as main hurdles to the progress of women in the Kingdom, who make up only 6.1 percent of the national work force. This message rang out loud and clear at the concluding session of the United Nations Development Program’s seminar titled, the 'Role of the Media in Human Development'.. ..Samar Fatany, a Jeddah-based radio journalist and one of the participants in the seminar, said she hoped that the event would “mark a constructive change toward development by confronting the rigid interpretation of Islam and discrimination against women.." [more]

SAMA Halts Licenses for Foreign Banks [Nov 30]
"The Kingdom’s banking regulator has ordered a temporary suspension of the plan to issue new licenses to foreign banks to operate in the country.. ..Commenting on the latest decision, Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Sibaie, told Arab News: 'This decision is essential in order to evaluate the experiment of permitting foreign banks in the Kingdom and know the extent of its advantage to the Saudi economy'.. ..that the presence of large number of banks in the Saudi market will make an adverse impact on the profitability of the domestic banks as the customers will be distributed amidst a greater number of banks.." [more]

Saudi Court Threat to Smoke Firms [Nov 29]
"Saudi Arabia has warned that it will sue global tobacco firms unless they pay the full cost of treating patients suffering from smoking-related illness. The Health Ministry said that it had already rejected a lower offer from the tobacco firms, though did not say what level of compensation it was seeking.. ..Health Minister Hamad al-Manie said: 'Representatives of tobacco companies have to pay both the patients and the health ministry for the costs of treatment'.." [more]

Journalists Say Saudi Media Dominated by Clerics [Nov 29]
"The extensive air-time given over to conservative clerics by Saudi state media is hampering the government's reformist message, Saudi journalists said yesterday. Religious scholars in Saudi Arabia have wide access to the media where they back conservative policies on gender segregation that have become the subject of fierce debate."Right now we are very much influenced by the dominant religious discourse," said Abdul Aziz Al Eid, a presenter on state television's Channel One.." [more]

Saudi Ambassador: Israel Key to End of Mideast Turmoil [Nov 29]
"Turmoil in the Middle East stems from the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and it will not cease until there is a resolution. That’s what Prince Turki al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, told a crowd of about 450 at the University of Scranton Tuesday night. During the public question-and-answer session that followed his address, Prince Turki said that solution involved Israel returning to its territorial orders resulting from the 1967 war.." [more]

Samsung Wins $214m Saudi Order [Nov 29]
"Samsung Engineering & Construction said it had won a 199.3 billion won ($214.3 million) order to build a petrochemical plant for Saudi European Petrochemical Company, known as Ibn Zahr. Samsung said it would build the polypropylene plant in Al Jubail, about 600 km east of the Saudi capital Riyadh, by September 2008. The plant will have the capacity to produce 500,000 tons of polypropylene per year.." [more]

Play Triggers Brawl as Islamists Storm Stage [Nov 29]
"A play criticising hardliners in Saudi Arabia descended into a brawl when angry Islamists stormed onto the stage.. ..As the play Wasati Bila Wasatiya (A Moderate without Moderation) began, a group of men surged forward to stop the performance.. ..Police fired shots into the air to break up violence which ensued, as the Islamists, students and actors threw chairs and attacked each other with sticks.." [more]

Saudis Halt Eurofighter Talks Over Graft Probe [Nov 29]
"Saudi Arabia has suspended commercial negotiations with the United Kingdom over the £10 billion (about Dh71 billion) purchase of a new fleet of Eurofighter Typhoons.. ..Mike Turner, chief executive of BAE Systems.. ..'We cannot speak on behalf of the two governments. But I do know we are not currently moving forward on finalising the Typhoon contract'.." [more]

Relatives of Gitmo Detainees Meet HRW Delegation [Nov 29]
"A delegation of lawyers representing Saudi detainees held at Guantanamo Bay has informed Human Rights Watch (HRW) officials here that the detainees are still receiving brutal and inhumane treatment.. ..Kenneth Rose, executive director of HRW, said part of the delegation’s mission here in the Kingdom was to receive information from the families of Saudi prisoners. He said the organization was pressuring the US government either to release the prisoners since no evidence against them exists — or to put them on trial.." [more]

Need for Educational Reform Stressed [Nov 29]
"A debate on the prominence of religious education and materials in the Kingdom’s schools was the focus of yesterday’s kick-off of Saudi Arabia’s Sixth National Dialogue.. ..Some of the participants calling for a reform to the Kingdom’s education system argued that religious teaching, even in science classes, is playing a hegemonic role, marginalizing the core curriculums required to learn and succeed.." [more]

Media Forum Focuses on Women [Nov 29]
"The status of women in the media and their negative presentation was the main focus of discussion on the second day of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) forum. UNDP economic adviser Wafa Al-Rasheed said that despite their participation in the media, women have a bleak future in media organizations in the Arab world.. ..The negative presentation of women in general in the Arab media was also addressed by Al-Rasheed and other articipants. Violence against women in the Arab media is also high.." [more]

BAE Admits Saudi Eurofighter Fear [Nov 28]
"Defence group BAE Systems has confirmed that its chief executive Mike Turner fears Saudi Arabia is delaying talks to buy 72 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. But BAE Systems would not be drawn on the reason for the delay, which press reports have suggested is due to Saudi anger at an ongoing corruption probe. The investigation by the UK's Serious Fraud Office is into a previous arms deal between Britain and the Saudis. Both the UK Ministry of Defence and the Saudis have declined to comment.." [more]

Saudi Finds Gas Field in the South [Nov 28]
"Saudi Arabia has discovered a gas field in the south of the kingdom that yielded 30 million cubic feet per day, Oil Minister Ali Al Naimi said. 'Saudi Aramco has discovered a new gas field south of Ghawar field ... On November 15 gas from the Najimaan-1 well flowed at a rate of 30 million cubic feet daily,'.. ..The well is 30 km south of Ghawar and has an estimated production capacity that may exceed 60 million cubic feet daily.." [more]

KIA Big Saudi Plans [Nov 28]
"KIA Motors aims to open 36 more outlets in Saudi Arabia in 2007, Arab News reported. The Korean carmaker wants to be able to offer its full range of KIA models in the kingdom. It has 22 branches at present. It might also open a technical institute to train Saudi nationals." [more]

Oil Prices Climb as Saudi Arabia Hints at OPEC Cut [Nov 28]
"World crude prices rose after oil kingpin Saudi Arabia suggested that OPEC might need to cut output further at its next meeting in December, analysts said. Traders also reacted to news on Monday that Iraq's main northern oil distribution centre was in flames after being struck by two mortar shells. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in January, won 62 cents to $59.86 per barrel in pit trading.." [more]

Saudi Clinic to Examine Sexual Assault Victims [Nov 28]
"A specialised clinic to conduct tests on those who were raped or subjected to sexual assault was opened at the medical centre here yesterday. Opening of the clinic, the first of its kind in the kingdom, is widely regarded as one of the steps being taken by the Saudi authorities to stem the rising number of sexual assault cases in the kingdom.. ..Dr Saeed Gharamullah Al Gamdi.. ..noting that medical tests of rape victims will be carried out only with the prior approval from a judge in the court.." [more]

Saudi Retail Business Academy to Open Soon [Nov 28]
"CEO and president of Al Faisaliah Group announced the opening of a retail business academy to prepare young Saudis for careers in retail business, Arab News reported. The CEO said that the retail academy would provide training programs for Saudis so they would be able to interact with customers. He also added that his group would make $133.336 million investment over the next five years to strengthen its presence.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Facing Housing Shortage [Nov 28]
"Saudi Arabia needs 95 to 125 billion Saudi riyals annually to provide 145,000 to 165,000 housing units to cope with an increase in population, officials said on Monday. Statistics show that the Kingdom's population could reach 35 million by 2020, which will certainly reflect upon the construction industry and labour market.. ..Studies indicate that in the next 15 years the Saudi labour force will jump from three million to 8.5 million, an increase of 170 per cent. Meanwhile only 22 per cent of Saudi citizens own their homes, while the majority of them are living in rented houses.." [more]

Sixth Dialogue Forum Kicks Off in Al-Jouf Today [Nov 28]
"The Sixth National Dialogue Forum will begin today in the city of Sakaka in the northern region of Al-Jouf. The three-day forum, entitled “Education: Reality and Development Methods,” has been organized and being run by King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center. Over 100 male and female participants have been invited to discuss educational issues.. ..the selection of education as the theme for this year’s conference was made following the recommendations of participants at previous forums. The question of the efficiency of the present education system was hotly debated, especially at the last three forums.." [more]

Crude Oil Rises on Report Saudi Arabia May Support OPEC Cut [Nov 27]
"Crude oil rose after Saudi Arabia's oil minister said his country may support a second cut in OPEC's output this year to prop up prices, which have fallen about 24 percent since July. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries may trim production next month after it agreed in October to reduce output by 1.2 million barrels a day to 'stabilize' prices.. ..Warm weather in Europe and the U.S. in pushing oil lower.." [more]

Sinopec-Saudi Refinery Deal to Boost Aramco Foothold in China [Nov 27]
"China Petroleum & Chemical Corp (Sinopec) is expected to sell a 25 pct stake in an east China refinery to Saudi Aramco in a deal that analysts said will give the Saudi company a major boost in China's fast growing market. They also said the tie-up with Aramco at a refinery under construction in Qingdao will allow Sinopec to limit some supply-side risks posed by the OPEC production quota.." [more]

In Saudi Arabia, AIDS Still a Stigma Despite Government, Activist Moves [Nov 27]
"Saudi Arabia's government has become more open about AIDS in recent years, publishing statistics about the number of infected Saudis, providing them with free medical care and urging compassion. But in this deeply conservative kingdom, strong social stigma is still attached to the disease, which most people link, correctly or not, to acts forbidden by their religion and sometimes punishable by death — homosexuality, pre-marital sex and adultery.. ..That complicates the work of health workers and activists who advocate spreading full awareness about protective measures.." [more]

Moody's Upgrades Nine Saudi Banks [Nov 27]
"Moody's Investors Service has upgraded the foreign currency deposit ratings for nine Saudi Arabian banks to A2/Prime-1. This follows an earlier similar rating action on Saudi Arabia's foreign currency bank deposit ceilings (A2/Prime-1). This reflects the marked improvement in the country's economic fundamentals, the agency said.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Undergo Major Industrial Changes [Nov 27]
"The Saudi-based National Industrialization Company (NIC) in collaboration with local and international companies will set up several multibillion riyal projects within the next two or three years, in a step that will change the industrial landscape of Saudi Arabia.. ..Petrochemical Industrialization Company (or Tasnee Petrochemicals) will be responsible for NIC's petrochemical developments through its joint venture Tasnee & Sahara Olefins Company.." [more]

Philippines Embassy Aided Four to Flee in Family Row [Nov 27]
"Mohammad Ameen Waliyuddin, Saudi ambassador to the Philippines, accused the Philippines embassy in Riyadh of facilitating the Filipino woman Rose, who is the wife of Saudi citizen Ali Al Saihati, to leave the country with her three children.. ..Waliyuddin said that he had met with the Philippines minister of foreign affairs to appraise him of the case and put pressure on the woman to return home.. ..The Philippines embassy in the Kingdom has so far not commented on the issue.." [more]

Alpha Tours in Major Saudi Foray [Nov 27]
"Alpha Tours, the Dubai-based destination management company (DMC), has expanded its operations in Saudi Arabia by taking over the management of 28 branches of Saudi Tourism Bureau (STB).. ..'We will serve both inbound and outbound travel to Saudi Arabia, which is gradually opening up for foreign tourists,' Aridi said. 'Under a new regulation, the Saudi authorities are going to allow tour operators to handle visas so that we'll be able to help process tourist visas in future'.." [more]

SCT in Aggressive Drive to Saudize Travel Industry Jobs [Nov 27]
"In an aggressive drive to Saudize 81 percent of travel and tourism jobs within three years, Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT), yesterday launched a major training program for Saudi graduates. Prince Sultan commended the training program and thanked travel and tourism firms for offering 3,000 jobs to young Saudis.. ..There are nearly 2,800 travel and tourism agencies operating in the Kingdom. Two years ago, the government forced these agencies to Saudize their jobs. As a result they suffered a cumulative loss of SR100 million.." [more]

Environment Friendly Investment [Nov 27]
"The alarm bells are beginning to ring louder of the consequences of unchecked economic growth on the world’s fragile environment.. ..For Saudi Arabian public and private sector businesses, this means one of the most important challenges facing their decision makers is that of keeping up on top of world technology events, and environmental management trends. Gone will be the days of pursuing bottom line profit in isolation to external pressures.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Becomes Leading Donor, Fighting Hunger Worldwide [Nov 26]
"The United Nations World Food Programme praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a major increase in its support in 2006 to help WFP fight hunger worldwide.. ..An increasingly significant donor to WFP operations, the Government of Saudi Arabia has contributed nearly US$31 million this year alone, a tenfold increase compared to 2005. Saudi individuals and associations have donated nearly US$10 million over the past two years.." [more]

US Seeks Saudi Help [Nov 26]
"US Vice-President Dick Cheney has sought Saudi help in dealing with Iraq's spiralling violence and other regional trouble spots where US policy is on the line -- Iran, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. Mr Cheney's meeting with King Abdullah on Saturday lasted only a few hours before he flew back to Washington, but it underlined the allies' concerns over Mideast upheavals many Arabs blame on US policies.. ..Saudi Arabia wants the US to help rein in Iraq's Shiite militias, blamed for sectarian attacks that had killed thousands.." [more]

UK's 76 BLN STG Eurofighter Deal with Saudi in Jeopardy [Nov 26]
"The government of Saudi Arabia is set to tear up its 76 bln stg agreement with Britain for Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and hand the contract to France if the Serious Fraud Office opens up secret Swiss bank accounts allegedly linked to members of the Saudi royal family, The Sunday Telegraph reported.. ..According to the newspaper Saudi Arabia is now considering buying the Rafale, made by France's national contractor Dassault.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Keen to Conclude Treaty for Avoidance of Double Taxation - Singapore [Nov 26]
"Saudi Arabia is keen to conclude a treaty for the avoidance of double taxation with Singapore. This point emerged during a meeting between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the Saudi Finance Minister. Mr Lee also met the Saudi Petroleum and Commerce Ministers on the third day of his official visit to Saudi Arabia. Singapore's relations with Saudi Arabia have prospered in recent years said Prime Minister Lee.. ..He said that is why he has a business delegation with him, and they have been briefed on the opportunities in Saudi Arabia by the team from the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).." [more]

Opec to Cut if Market is Unbalanced [Nov 26]
"Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said yesterday Opec would cut oil output again when it meets in December if recent supply curbs failed to balance the market. Oil prices were not a decisive factor, said the oil minister of the world’s top oil exporter and Opec’s biggest producer.. ..'The (oil) price is not an indicator, the indicator is stockpiles and the excess of supply over demand,' he said. 'The price is irrelevant, what is important is stability in the market and balance between supply and demand'.." [more]

Gold Demand Drops in Saudi [Nov 26]
"Saudi Arabia's third-quarter gold demand fell by 9 per cent to 33.9 tonnes compared with the same period in 2005 as high prices and a downturn in the local bourse dampened sales, the World Gold Council (WGC) said.. ..while gold jewellery demand in Saudi Arabia fell by 10 per cent to 31.6 tonnes in the third quarter, gold retail investment demand increased by 5 per cent to 2.3 tonnes. 'In Saudi Arabia, demand fell by 9 percent.." [more]

Cisco Saudi Arabia Tops Growth Globally [Nov 26]
"Cisco, the networking giant, has announced that Saudi Arabia is the leading adopter of Cisco technology across the world, posting a record growth in 2006. The announcement highlights Saudi Arabia's leadership as a technology adopter and the kingdom has been rated the fastest growing region in the world for the company.. ..Amr Al Dabbagh, governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (Sagia), congratulated Cisco on its achievement which proves, he said, that leading international companies operating in Saudi Arabia are getting the right attention, support and business facilities from Sagia in order to have successful investments in the country.." [more]

John Hopkins, MIT Offer Program for Gifted Students [Nov 26]
"Exceptional secondary students in the Kingdom will soon have an opportunity to participate in a six-week program at two of the most prestigious American universities, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and the Massachusetts Institute for Technology (MIT) in Boston. The program is under the auspices of the King Abdul Aziz & His Companions Foundation for the Gifted (KACFG). Expected to be held in the summer of 2007, it is part of collaboration efforts between KACFG and universities worldwide to identify gifted Saudi students and nurture their talents.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Mark Saud's Achievements [Nov 26]
"Saudi Arabia will commemorate the achievements of its second monarch, King Saud Bin Abdul Aziz from today. The King Abdul Aziz Dar of Riyadh will organise a three-day scientific seminar on the life and achievements of King Saud, who became king in 1953, succeeding his father King Abdul Aziz, founder of modern Saudi Arabia. The seminar, which kicks off today will be regarded as a tribute to one of the founders of modern Saudi Arabia.." [more]

The SUSRIS project -- an independent, private-sector information resource - offers objective, comprehensive news and information on the history, breadth and depth of the US-Saudi Arabia relationship.
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