Saudi Arabia’s merchandise imports rise 8 percent to $19.34bn in Jan

• Merchandise imports fell by 8 percent, or nearly SAR 6.4 billion, month-on-month (MoM).
• Saudi Ar.abia’s imports came mainly from China in January 2025, at SAR 19.2 billion (26 percent) of the total.

Saudi Arabia’s space economy reaches $8.7 billion in 2024

• The Saudi space market is projected to reach $5.6 billion by 2035, supported by space technologies, while the global space market reached $176 billion in 2024.
• The size of the space market reached $1.9 billion, according to the KSA Space Market 2025 report. Saudi space economy is expected to reach $31.6 billion by 2035.

US Pentagon chief says military ready to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear bomb

• US and Iranian diplomats opened indirect talks Saturday in Oman in an effort to resolve Western concerns about Iran's nuclear program.
• Trump said Wednesday that military action was "absolutely" possible -- in conjunction with Israel -- if the talks in Oman failed.

US-funded Arabic network ends broadcasts after Trump cuts

• But it has faced stiff competition from Al-Jazeera as well as Al-Arabiya, which is funded by Saudi Arabia, and more recently UAE-backed Sky News Arabia.
• The Trump administration, in part of a sweeping cost-cutting drive led by Elon Musk, in March said it was ceasing all financial transfers for US government-supported media.

‘Diriyah Tan’ unveiled to celebrate Saudi tourism hub’s rich heritage

Tesla’s first Saudi showroom opens

• Saudi Arabia is a key regional ally of Washington, and US President Donald Trump forged close ties during his first term with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
• However, demand for EVs is relatively low in Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter which enjoys bargain-basement fuel prices, with a liter costing just $0.62.

Mubadala Energy enters US energy market

• Through SoTex, Kimmeridge is building America’s first integrated gas independent to deliver low-cost natural gas from wellhead to water.
• The deal bolsters Mubadala Energy's growth plans to invest across the gas value chain in key energy hubs around the world.

Iraq signs deal with US firm to produce 24,000 MW of electricity

• The signing comes at the conclusion of a visit to Iraq by a high-level US delegation comprising of representatives from 60 private firms.
• Despite sitting on large reserves of petrol and natural gas, decades of conflict and instability have ravaged Iraq's energy infrastructure.

Qatar’s ‘Hit Show’ wins $12 million Dubai World Cup

• Hit Show, owned by Wathnan Racing, ridden by Florent Geroux, prevailed over eight top competitors in 2:03:50 minutes, earning $6.96m with a 0.64-length victory.
• The American horse Mixto, owned by Calumet Farm, came in second place, ridden by jockey Frankie Dettori and trained by Doug O'Neill, and received a cash prize of $2.4m.

Russia to hold talks with US in Riyadh Monday: Kremlin

• "From the Russian side, they will be attended by Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Senate's committee on international affairs, and Sergei Beseda, advisor to the head of FSB.
• Ushakov said he had confirmed this after talks with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. Both agreed to send "expert groups" for the talks, he added.