After a spate of arrests and executions for drug offences, Ibrahim, a dealer in Saudi Arabia, is not taking any chances.

"I don't deal with new clients or go to the clients myself," said the 37-year-old, using a pseudonym to protect his identity.

"They have to take on the risk," he told AFP from the Red Sea city of Jeddah, weeks after several of his customers were arrested.

Ibrahim is on the front lines of a war on drugs in Saudi Arabia, which has seen an influx of addictive amphetamine captagon flooding in from war-torn Syria and Lebanon.

After becoming a major market, Saudi Arabia is hitting back, ending a moratorium on the death penalty for drug cases and launching a zealous crackdown.&nbsp;

The result is at least 20 executions for drug offences since last year, according to an AFP tally, and a sharp rise in arrests.

At least two Saudi security officers have been killed in drug raids, including one last week, according to state media.&nbsp;

"Several of my customers were recently arrested in a private compound," said Ibrahim, who mainly sells captagon and hashish. "This never used to happen before."

Acts of violence committed by drug users prompted the crackdown, a security official told AFP.

They include a recent case in which a drug addict killed his parents by dousing them with fuel and setting them on fire, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the press.

<h2>Party pill</h2>

Across Jeddah, roadside billboards urge citizens to report any illicit drug activities to the authorities.

While alcohol is illegal in the conservative country, it is also believed to be the world's biggest market for captagon, which is used by wealthy Saudis as a party pill and by workers to stay awake during long shifts.

While previous anti-drug campaigns targeted smuggled shipments, mainly from Syria and Lebanon, the latest initiative is zeroing in on dealers and users within the country.

Apparently to provide a deterrent, a nearly three-year moratorium on executions for drug crimes was scrapped last year. Saudi Arabia is one of the world's biggest users of capital punishment, executing 147 people in 2022.

"In the last year to two years, we have seen an uptick in internal arrests and the use of the death penalty (in drug cases)," said Caroline Rose of the New Lines Institute think tank.

The shift from border seizures to arrests of dealers is partly due to "a focus on security issues surrounding captagon and a recognition of just how deep some of these networks go", Rose told AFP.

The campaign is also aimed at keeping drugs out of the hands of Saudi youth, the drivers of an ambitious reform agenda to diversify the oil-dependent economy. Fifty-one per cent of the 32.2 million population is under 30.

"Saudi Arabia is carrying out a huge economic project...and the youth are the main pillar of this project," said Sulaiman al-Oqaily, a Saudi political analyst.

<h2>Addiction on the rise</h2>

Rampant drug use is taking its toll, with more than 200,000 addicts in Saudi Arabia, according to health ministry figures cited by domestic media.

Growing numbers are seeking addiction treatment, mainly because they fear arrest, said Hamad al-Sheehan of the Rushd Specialized Center in Riyadh.

"After the recent campaign, the numbers have increased at the centre," the director of treatment said from his office, where at least 10 young men were waiting to be seen.

"We currently receive 1,000 people per month instead of only 100 previously."&nbsp;

He said that captagon and other methamphetamine-type drugs are among the most abused in the kingdom. Most of his patients are between 17 and 21 years old and half are women, he said.&nbsp;

If Sheehan's patients fear arrest, the crackdown is working, Oqaily said.&nbsp;

"The message is if you don't fear for yourself, you should fear the government," he said.

Last month, Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef warned drug dealers and smugglers that they will not escape.

"We are still at the beginning of the campaign," he said. 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

After a spate of arrests and executions for drug offences, Ibrahim, a dealer in Saudi Arabia, is not taking any chances. "I don't deal with new clients or go to the clients myself," said the 37-year-old, using a pseudonym to protect his identity.

After a spate of arrests and executions for drug offences, Ibrahim, a dealer in Saudi Arabia, is not taking any chances. "I don't deal with new clients or go to the clients myself," said the 37-year-old, using a pseudonym to protect his identity. "They have to take on the risk," he told AFP from the Red Sea city of Jeddah, weeks after several of his customers were arrested. Ibrahim is on the front lines of a war on drugs in Saudi Arabia, which has seen an influx of addictive amphetamine captagon flooding in from war-torn Syria and Lebanon. After becoming a major market, Saudi Arabia is hitting back, ending a moratorium on the death penalty for drug cases and launching a zealous crackdown. The result is at least 20 executions for drug offences since last year, according to an AFP tally, and a sharp rise in arrests. At least two Saudi security officers have been killed in drug raids, including one last week, according to state media. "Several of my customers were recently arrested in a private compound," said Ibrahim, who mainly sells captagon and hashish. "This never used to happen before." Acts of violence committed by drug users prompted the crackdown, a security official told AFP. They include a recent case in which a drug addict killed his parents by dousing them with fuel and setting them on fire, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the press. Party pill Across Jeddah, roadside billboards urge citizens to report any illicit drug activities to the authorities. While alcohol is illegal in the conservative country, it is also believed to be the world's biggest market for captagon, which is used by wealthy Saudis as a party pill and by workers to stay awake during long shifts. While previous anti-drug campaigns targeted smuggled shipments, mainly from Syria and Lebanon, the latest initiative is zeroing in on dealers and users within the country. Apparently to provide a deterrent, a nearly three-year moratorium on executions for drug crimes was scrapped last year. Saudi Arabia is one of the world's biggest users of capital punishment, executing 147 people in 2022. "In the last year to two years, we have seen an uptick in internal arrests and the use of the death penalty (in drug cases)," said Caroline Rose of the New Lines Institute think tank. The shift from border seizures to arrests of dealers is partly due to "a focus on security issues surrounding captagon and a recognition of just how deep some of these networks go", Rose told AFP. The campaign is also aimed at keeping drugs out of the hands of Saudi youth, the drivers of an ambitious reform agenda to diversify the oil-dependent economy. Fifty-one per cent of the 32.2 million population is under 30. "Saudi Arabia is carrying out a huge economic project...and the youth are the main pillar of this project," said Sulaiman al-Oqaily, a Saudi political analyst. Addiction on the rise Rampant drug use is taking its toll, with more than 200,000 addicts in Saudi Arabia, according to health ministry figures cited by domestic media. Growing numbers are seeking addiction treatment, mainly because they fear arrest, said Hamad al-Sheehan of the Rushd Specialized Center in Riyadh. "After the recent campaign, the numbers have increased at the centre," the director of treatment said from his office, where at least 10 young men were waiting to be seen. "We currently receive 1,000 people per month instead of only 100 previously." He said that captagon and other methamphetamine-type drugs are among the most abused in the kingdom. Most of his patients are between 17 and 21 years old and half are women, he said. If Sheehan's patients fear arrest, the crackdown is working, Oqaily said. "The message is if you don't fear for yourself, you should fear the government," he said. Last month, Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef warned drug dealers and smugglers that they will not escape. "We are still at the beginning of the campaign," he said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Saudi Arabia launches crackdown on drugs with raids, executions

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks on Friday in Paris, where the two leaders called for a "rapid end to the institutional political vacuum in Lebanon", stated the Elysee. 
 
In the meeting, it was expected that the French president will seek support from MBS, as he is known widely, in finding a solution to the leadership crisis in Lebanon. 
 
On Wednesday, Lebanese lawmakers failed to elect a new president for the 12th time, as the country faced the risk of a prolonged power vacuum due to bitter divisions between Iran-backed Hezbollah and its opponents.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/earthquake-of-magnitude-48-hits-france-605344">Earthquake of magnitude 4.8 hits France</a> 
 
A president's prolonged absence "remains the major obstacle to resolving the country's severe socio-economic crisis", stated the French presidency. 
 
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine was also discussed by the two leaders. Macron expressed his "profound concern in the face of Russia's war of aggression... its disastrous impact on the civilian populations and its repercussions on food security", his office stated. 
 
The president and Saudi&nbsp;crown prince "also reiterated their shared commitment to security and stability in the Near and Middle East and expressed their desire to pursue their joint efforts to bring about a lasting easing of tensions", it added. 
 
They intended to "develop and deepen the partnership between the two countries", stated Elysee. Paris was also ready "to support Saudi Arabia in strengthening its defence capabilities", the statement read.

WATCH |&nbsp;France shocked by a gruesome knife attack on toddlers

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-shocked-by-a-gruesome-knife-attack-on-toddlers-604545/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>MBS to attend Paris summit</h2>

The trip of the 37-year-old crown prince has been organised less than a year after he had last visited the Elysee Palace and highlights the warm relationship between Riyadh and Paris that has irked rights activists in the wake of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi's killing that took place in 2018. 
 
The crown prince is likely to stay in France for a long duration as he is also scheduled to attend a Paris summit on a New Global Financing Pact which has been hosted by Macron on June 22-23. 
 
MBS is also set to attend on Monday an official Saudi reception for the candidacy of Riyadh to host Expo 2030, a bid for which France's strong support is being sought by Saudi Arabia. 
 
The entourage of Macron had made it clear he will try to persuade his guest to take a stand on Ukraine. However, Saudi Arabia continues to maintain a cautious stance, as it avoids condemning the assault but emphasises the importance of the territorial integrity of Kyiv.&nbsp;

<main>
<section>
(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

You can&nbsp;now write for&nbsp;wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>
</section>
</main>

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks on Friday in Paris, where the two leaders called for a "rapid end to the institutional political vacuum in Lebanon", stated the Elysee.

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks on Friday in Paris, where the two leaders called for a "rapid end to the institutional political vacuum in Lebanon", stated the Elysee. In the meeting, it was expected that the French president will seek support from MBS, as he is known widely, in finding a solution to the leadership crisis in Lebanon. On Wednesday, Lebanese lawmakers failed to elect a new president for the 12th time, as the country faced the risk of a prolonged power vacuum due to bitter divisions between Iran-backed Hezbollah and its opponents. ALSO READ | Earthquake of magnitude 4.8 hits France A president's prolonged absence "remains the major obstacle to resolving the country's severe socio-economic crisis", stated the French presidency. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine was also discussed by the two leaders. Macron expressed his "profound concern in the face of Russia's war of aggression... its disastrous impact on the civilian populations and its repercussions on food security", his office stated. The president and Saudi crown prince "also reiterated their shared commitment to security and stability in the Near and Middle East and expressed their desire to pursue their joint efforts to bring about a lasting easing of tensions", it added. They intended to "develop and deepen the partnership between the two countries", stated Elysee. Paris was also ready "to support Saudi Arabia in strengthening its defence capabilities", the statement read. WATCH | France shocked by a gruesome knife attack on toddlers MBS to attend Paris summit The trip of the 37-year-old crown prince has been organised less than a year after he had last visited the Elysee Palace and highlights the warm relationship between Riyadh and Paris that has irked rights activists in the wake of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi's killing that took place in 2018. The crown prince is likely to stay in France for a long duration as he is also scheduled to attend a Paris summit on a New Global Financing Pact which has been hosted by Macron on June 22-23. MBS is also set to attend on Monday an official Saudi reception for the candidacy of Riyadh to host Expo 2030, a bid for which France's strong support is being sought by Saudi Arabia. The entourage of Macron had made it clear he will try to persuade his guest to take a stand on Ukraine. However, Saudi Arabia continues to maintain a cautious stance, as it avoids condemning the assault but emphasises the importance of the territorial integrity of Kyiv. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Macron, Saudi crown prince call for ‘rapid end to political vacuum in Lebanon’

The public investment fund, or pif, is making groundbreaking strides toward diversifying the nation's economy, in a bid to reduce reliance on oil sales. The PIF has announced the launch of Lifera, which is aimed at revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry. Lifera, created by the PIF, aims to attract local and international pharmaceutical and biotech companies to invest in drug manufacturing

Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund enters pharmaceutical

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived Saturday in Tehran, Iranian media reported, in his first visit to Iran since a landmark rapprochement following a seven-year rupture.

During his trip, the Saudi top diplomat is expected to meet with Iranian officials including Tehran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian before a news conference, state media said.

Saudi media have also reported a planned meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during Prince Faisal's first visit to the Islamic republic as foreign minister.

Sunni Muslim power Saudi Arabia severed relations with Shiite-led Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in the northwestern city of Mashhad were attacked during protests over Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-saudis-crown-prince-call-for-rapid-end-to-political-vacuum-in-lebanon-605391">Macron, Saudi crown prince call for ‘rapid end to political vacuum in Lebanon’</a>

The two countries agreed in March to mend ties and reopen their respective embassies, in a Chinese-brokered deal that has shifted regional relations.

Iran's government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi told local media Prince Faisal was expected to "take some measures" towards reopening the Saudi diplomatic mission in Tehran during the visit.

On June 6, the Islamic republic reopened its embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia.

Also watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Saudi has maintained a cautious stance

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-saudi-has-maintained-a-cautious-stance-605234/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Iranian Sazandegi daily reported on Saturday that the Saudi embassy would reopen in a hotel in Tehran before resuming its permanent location in the Iranian capital.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived Saturday in Tehran, Iranian media reported, in his first visit to Iran since a landmark rapprochement following a seven-year rupture.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived Saturday in Tehran, Iranian media reported, in his first visit to Iran since a landmark rapprochement following a seven-year rupture. During his trip, the Saudi top diplomat is expected to meet with Iranian officials including Tehran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian before a news conference, state media said. Saudi media have also reported a planned meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during Prince Faisal's first visit to the Islamic republic as foreign minister. Sunni Muslim power Saudi Arabia severed relations with Shiite-led Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in the northwestern city of Mashhad were attacked during protests over Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Also read | Macron, Saudi crown prince call for ‘rapid end to political vacuum in Lebanon’ The two countries agreed in March to mend ties and reopen their respective embassies, in a Chinese-brokered deal that has shifted regional relations. Iran's government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi told local media Prince Faisal was expected to "take some measures" towards reopening the Saudi diplomatic mission in Tehran during the visit. On June 6, the Islamic republic reopened its embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia. Also watch | Russia-Ukraine War: Saudi has maintained a cautious stance The Iranian Sazandegi daily reported on Saturday that the Saudi embassy would reopen in a hotel in Tehran before resuming its permanent location in the Iranian capital. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal in first Iran visit since detente

The battle for golf is over but there are still a number of issues that need to be resolved in the sport. Should Saudi Arabia compensate the golfers who stayed loyal to the PGA Tour amid the exodus to the LIV series?

Should PGA Tour loyalists be rewarded? | WION Sports Xtra

It seems that West Asia is the new go-to place for the two economic rivals -- the US and China. Saudi Arabia, West Asia's biggest economic power, in particular, is the at centre of the global rivalry.

Just days after hosting the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the oil-rich kingdom played host to the largest Chinese-Arab business gathering in Riyadh.

As per a Bloomberg report, the two-day business gathering, which ended on Monday, made two things clear to the world.&nbsp;

While Saudi officials spoke about integrating Chinese businesses into the Arab World, Chinese executives said they were ready to de-Americanise the oil-rich kingdom.

Speaking at the gathering, Saudi Arabia's investment minister Khalid al-Falih sought to place his country as a bridge between China and the larger Arab world.

"The time has come, in my view, for China to be a principal investment partner in the Arab world’s development drive," he said.&nbsp;

China's growing clout in the oil-rich West Asia is the result of the US reducing its focus on the region in the last decade.

Moreover, the recent thaw in the Saudi-Iran relationship, which was aided by the Chinese, has only consolidated China's position in the oil-rich but politically sensitive region.&nbsp;

China-Saudi ties&nbsp;

China is already the number one buyer of Saudi oil, which makes up 18% of the country's total oil purchases.&nbsp;

China is also Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner. Last year, the bilateral trade between Saudi Arabia and China stood at $116 billion.&nbsp;

However, Saudi Arabia has not been a major investor in China since&nbsp;its top sovereign wealth funds mostly opt&nbsp;for the US and Europe, where markets are deep and rules transparent.

But China seems determined to attract investments from Saudi Arabia and&nbsp;the larger Arab world. President Xi Jinping’s landmark trip&nbsp;to the kingdom in December 2022 was a clear indication of China's growing interest in the region.&nbsp;And the Arabs seem willing to do business with the Chinese.&nbsp;

"Now is the best time for Arab money to get into China because Arabs missed the first stage of the Chinese miracle," Karim Alwadi, co-founder of Beltway Group, which co-invests with Chinese companies in middle eastern infrastructure projects, told Bloomberg.&nbsp;

It seems that West Asia is the new go-to place for the two economic rivals -- the US and China. Saudi Arabia, West Asia's biggest economic power, in particular, is the at centre of the global rivalry.

It seems that West Asia is the new go-to place for the two economic rivals -- the US and China. Saudi Arabia, West Asia's biggest economic power, in particular, is the at centre of the global rivalry. Just days after hosting the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the oil-rich kingdom played host to the largest Chinese-Arab business gathering in Riyadh. As per a Bloomberg report, the two-day business gathering, which ended on Monday, made two things clear to the world. While Saudi officials spoke about integrating Chinese businesses into the Arab World, Chinese executives said they were ready to de-Americanise the oil-rich kingdom. Speaking at the gathering, Saudi Arabia's investment minister Khalid al-Falih sought to place his country as a bridge between China and the larger Arab world. "The time has come, in my view, for China to be a principal investment partner in the Arab world’s development drive," he said. China's growing clout in the oil-rich West Asia is the result of the US reducing its focus on the region in the last decade. Moreover, the recent thaw in the Saudi-Iran relationship, which was aided by the Chinese, has only consolidated China's position in the oil-rich but politically sensitive region. China-Saudi ties China is already the number one buyer of Saudi oil, which makes up 18% of the country's total oil purchases. China is also Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner. Last year, the bilateral trade between Saudi Arabia and China stood at $116 billion. However, Saudi Arabia has not been a major investor in China since its top sovereign wealth funds mostly opt for the US and Europe, where markets are deep and rules transparent. But China seems determined to attract investments from Saudi Arabia and the larger Arab world. President Xi Jinping’s landmark trip to the kingdom in December 2022 was a clear indication of China's growing interest in the region. And the Arabs seem willing to do business with the Chinese. "Now is the best time for Arab money to get into China because Arabs missed the first stage of the Chinese miracle," Karim Alwadi, co-founder of Beltway Group, which co-invests with Chinese companies in middle eastern infrastructure projects, told Bloomberg.

Exit US, enter China: Saudi Arabia woos Beijing as Washington DC's influence declines

In the world of oil trading, something unexpected is happening. Traders are paying less attention to Saudi Arabia's energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, despite his recent pledge to cut oil production to the lowest level in over a decade.

Traders ignore Saudi’s Energy Minister’s production cuts

Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday billions of dollars in investment deals between China and the Arab world, on the first day of the Arab-China business conference in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia and China join hands on security and sensitive technology

In a surprising turn of events, oil traders are displaying a lack of response to Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, and his recent pledge to reduce oil production to its lowest level in over a decade, Bloomberg reported.

Despite the prince's description of the move as a 'lollipop,' the initial price gains resulting from the announcement quickly dissipated, with Brent futures returning to their pre-announcement levels. This indifference from traders raises concerns about the effectiveness of the prince's strategy.

Understanding Factors At Play

Several factors contribute to the subdued market response. One key factor is the remarkable surge in Russian oil shipments, defying expectations of Western sanctions. The influx of Russian supply has diluted the impact of Saudi Arabia's production cuts, undermining their intended effect on global oil prices. Traders are showing little concern over the prince's measures in the face of this unexpected surge in supply.

Another significant factor dampening market sentiment is the persistent apprehension surrounding China's economic performance, which has long been a pillar of oil demand growth. Recent economic data from China has been weaker than expected, with the country's Purchasing Manufacturing Index falling to 48.8, the lowest level since December, when strict Covid-19 restrictions were in place.

Traders are increasingly worried that a weakening Chinese economy could lead to diminished oil demand, further adding to the bearish sentiment in the market. Beyond the specific challenges Russia and China pose, there are broader global worries regarding industrial production, a key indicator of diesel demand.

According to JPMorgan data cited by Bloomberg, manufacturing activity has been contracting worldwide for nine consecutive months cited by Bloomberg. Meanwhile, the US trucking industry is experiencing its weakest performance since September 2021. These factors have eroded traders' confidence and added to their reluctance to take risks in the current market environment.

The market's response, or lack thereof, to Saudi Arabia's production cuts, has raised doubts about the effectiveness of these measures in balancing supply and demand dynamics. Traders are eagerly awaiting tangible signs of market tightening before adjusting their positions. However, with stubbornly high oil flows and physical markets showing limited signs of tightening, the anticipated impact of the production cuts has yet to materialize.

Despite the prevailing market sentiment, there are investors cited by Bloomberg who remain hopeful for a tighter oil market in the second half of the year. They believe that increased buying of oil from the United States and Norway by China's Unipec and emerging market demand growth could lead to significant draws in oil inventories. Additionally, booming oil refining capacity in China and the Middle East could face challenges in meeting their crude oil requirements in the coming years, potentially supporting a future market imbalance.

As the market grapples with conflicting signals and economic uncertainties, the trajectory of oil prices remains uncertain. Traders and analysts closely monitor the interplay between global supply and demand factors, along with any developments in key economies such as China, to gain insight into the future direction of the oil market.

In a surprising turn of events, oil traders are displaying a lack of response to Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, and his recent pledge to reduce oil production to its lowest level in over a decade, Bloomberg reported.

In a surprising turn of events, oil traders are displaying a lack of response to Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, and his recent pledge to reduce oil production to its lowest level in over a decade, Bloomberg reported. Despite the prince's description of the move as a 'lollipop,' the initial price gains resulting from the announcement quickly dissipated, with Brent futures returning to their pre-announcement levels. This indifference from traders raises concerns about the effectiveness of the prince's strategy. Understanding Factors At Play Several factors contribute to the subdued market response. One key factor is the remarkable surge in Russian oil shipments, defying expectations of Western sanctions. The influx of Russian supply has diluted the impact of Saudi Arabia's production cuts, undermining their intended effect on global oil prices. Traders are showing little concern over the prince's measures in the face of this unexpected surge in supply. Another significant factor dampening market sentiment is the persistent apprehension surrounding China's economic performance, which has long been a pillar of oil demand growth. Recent economic data from China has been weaker than expected, with the country's Purchasing Manufacturing Index falling to 48.8, the lowest level since December, when strict Covid-19 restrictions were in place. Traders are increasingly worried that a weakening Chinese economy could lead to diminished oil demand, further adding to the bearish sentiment in the market. Beyond the specific challenges Russia and China pose, there are broader global worries regarding industrial production, a key indicator of diesel demand. According to JPMorgan data cited by Bloomberg, manufacturing activity has been contracting worldwide for nine consecutive months cited by Bloomberg. Meanwhile, the US trucking industry is experiencing its weakest performance since September 2021. These factors have eroded traders' confidence and added to their reluctance to take risks in the current market environment. The market's response, or lack thereof, to Saudi Arabia's production cuts, has raised doubts about the effectiveness of these measures in balancing supply and demand dynamics. Traders are eagerly awaiting tangible signs of market tightening before adjusting their positions. However, with stubbornly high oil flows and physical markets showing limited signs of tightening, the anticipated impact of the production cuts has yet to materialize. Despite the prevailing market sentiment, there are investors cited by Bloomberg who remain hopeful for a tighter oil market in the second half of the year. They believe that increased buying of oil from the United States and Norway by China's Unipec and emerging market demand growth could lead to significant draws in oil inventories. Additionally, booming oil refining capacity in China and the Middle East could face challenges in meeting their crude oil requirements in the coming years, potentially supporting a future market imbalance. As the market grapples with conflicting signals and economic uncertainties, the trajectory of oil prices remains uncertain. Traders and analysts closely monitor the interplay between global supply and demand factors, along with any developments in key economies such as China, to gain insight into the future direction of the oil market.

Oil Traders Remain Unimpressed with Prince Abdulaziz’s ‘Lollipop’ Show

Heavy clashes, gunfire, and shelling resumed in the Sudanese capital after the end of a 24-hour ceasefire between the two warring factions, on Sunday (June 11), as some residents have also reported air strikes.&nbsp;

The fighting that broke out between the Sudanese army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) chief Mohamed Hamdan Daglo has been going on for nearly two months now, and has since killed thousands and displaced millions.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Egypt has announced a new policy which would require all citizens of neighbouring Sudan to obtain visas before entering their border, said the foreign ministry, on Saturday, citing a crackdown on “illegal activities” including fraud.

<h2>What is happening in Sudan?</h2>

In a series of attempted and failed truces and ceasefires, the one that recently expired offered some respite to the residents in the capital city of Khartoum who were able to leave their houses and stock up on food and other essentials.

Additionally, people in the country have also said that the fighting has intensified in recent weeks including in the densely populated neighbourhood of Haj Youssef in Bahri.&nbsp;Bahri is one of three adjoining cities, along with Khartoum and Omdurman.

Notably, the ceasefire had been announced by the United States and Saudi Arabia mediators who said if they failed to adhere to it, it may break off mediation efforts.&nbsp;

This comes as several ceasefire agreements have been violated and both sides blamed each other for doing so. The mediators said they “share the frustration of the Sudanese people about the uneven implementation of previous ceasefires”.&nbsp;

<h2>Fighting continues after brief respite</h2>

The ceasefire ended at 6:00 am (local time) and as per reports only minutes later, on Sunday, the capital city was rocked with explosions from shelling and clashes. The artillery fire resumed in the north of Omdurman while clashes erupted in southern and central Khartoum, reported Reuters, citing residents.&nbsp;

The one-day lull was “like a dream” that evaporated, said Nasreddin Ahmed, a resident of south Khartoum, as per AFP. Similarly, Musab Saleh, a 38-year-old resident of southern Khartoum, said that the “truce made us relax a bit, but the war and fear are returning today,” reported Reuters.&nbsp;

<h2>Egypt toughens visa restrictions for Sudan</h2>

The Egyptian foreign ministry announced new visa restrictions for Sudanese citizens which has reversed the longstanding exemption for children, women and elderly men. According to the local monitoring group, at least 1,800 people have died due to the fighting, while more than 1.9 million have been displaced.&nbsp;

Thousands of people have fled Sudan and taken refuge in neighbouring countries,&nbsp;including&nbsp; Egypt where more than 200,000 people are reported to have fled since the conflict began. As per the new rules, those Sudanese who had previously been exempted from visas which included women of all ages, children under 16 and anyone over 50.

However, the ministry has stressed that the new requirements were not designed to “prevent or limit” the entry of Sudanese nationals but rather to stop “illegal activities by individuals and groups on the Sudanese side of the border, who forged entry visas” for profit.&nbsp;

It added, “Egypt has welcomed more than 200,000 Sudanese citizens since the start of the crisis…adding to the approximately five million Sudanese citizens who were already present (before the conflict).”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Heavy clashes, gunfire, and shelling resumed in the Sudanese capital after the end of a 24-hour ceasefire between the two warring factions, on Sunday (June 11), as some residents have also reported air strikes.

Heavy clashes, gunfire, and shelling resumed in the Sudanese capital after the end of a 24-hour ceasefire between the two warring factions, on Sunday (June 11), as some residents have also reported air strikes. The fighting that broke out between the Sudanese army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) chief Mohamed Hamdan Daglo has been going on for nearly two months now, and has since killed thousands and displaced millions. Meanwhile, Egypt has announced a new policy which would require all citizens of neighbouring Sudan to obtain visas before entering their border, said the foreign ministry, on Saturday, citing a crackdown on “illegal activities” including fraud. What is happening in Sudan? In a series of attempted and failed truces and ceasefires, the one that recently expired offered some respite to the residents in the capital city of Khartoum who were able to leave their houses and stock up on food and other essentials. Additionally, people in the country have also said that the fighting has intensified in recent weeks including in the densely populated neighbourhood of Haj Youssef in Bahri. Bahri is one of three adjoining cities, along with Khartoum and Omdurman. Notably, the ceasefire had been announced by the United States and Saudi Arabia mediators who said if they failed to adhere to it, it may break off mediation efforts. This comes as several ceasefire agreements have been violated and both sides blamed each other for doing so. The mediators said they “share the frustration of the Sudanese people about the uneven implementation of previous ceasefires”. Fighting continues after brief respite The ceasefire ended at 6:00 am (local time) and as per reports only minutes later, on Sunday, the capital city was rocked with explosions from shelling and clashes. The artillery fire resumed in the north of Omdurman while clashes erupted in southern and central Khartoum, reported Reuters, citing residents. The one-day lull was “like a dream” that evaporated, said Nasreddin Ahmed, a resident of south Khartoum, as per AFP. Similarly, Musab Saleh, a 38-year-old resident of southern Khartoum, said that the “truce made us relax a bit, but the war and fear are returning today,” reported Reuters. Egypt toughens visa restrictions for Sudan The Egyptian foreign ministry announced new visa restrictions for Sudanese citizens which has reversed the longstanding exemption for children, women and elderly men. According to the local monitoring group, at least 1,800 people have died due to the fighting, while more than 1.9 million have been displaced. Thousands of people have fled Sudan and taken refuge in neighbouring countries, including Egypt where more than 200,000 people are reported to have fled since the conflict began. As per the new rules, those Sudanese who had previously been exempted from visas which included women of all ages, children under 16 and anyone over 50. However, the ministry has stressed that the new requirements were not designed to “prevent or limit” the entry of Sudanese nationals but rather to stop “illegal activities by individuals and groups on the Sudanese side of the border, who forged entry visas” for profit. It added, “Egypt has welcomed more than 200,000 Sudanese citizens since the start of the crisis…adding to the approximately five million Sudanese citizens who were already present (before the conflict).” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sudan: Fighting resumes after 24-hour ceasefire expires; Egypt toughens visa rules

France forward Karim Benzema was officially unveiled as the new Al Ittihad player in front of 60,000 supporters inside the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium with the former Real Madrid player deciding to play his trade in the Saudi Pro League.

Karim Benzema unveiled as an Al Ittihad player in front of 60,000 fans in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is on a roll. From football to golf to boxing to F1, the Middle East nation is flexing its muscles big time. On Tuesday, within a matter of hours, the kingdom announced the signing of Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema as an Al-Ittihad player, while PGA Tour declared it was ready to merge operations with LIV Golf.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is on a roll. From football to golf to boxing to F1, the Middle East nation is flexing its muscles big time. On Tuesday, within a matter of hours, the kingdom announced the signing of Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema as an Al-Ittihad player, while PGA Tour declared it was ready to merge operations with LIV Golf. The day, in microcosm, showed the increasing influence of Saudi Arabia on global sports. However, the question arises, why is Saudi Arabia so eager to become the next sporting wonderland? Is it to earn more money or a bigger picture is in play? WION explores. Sportswashing to change perception? Sports has always been a source of soft power in the contemporary world and sports washing is a way to change the perception of the masses. Many termed the FIFA World Cup in Qatar as a sports washing event which managed to achieve the desired result. Despite being a graveyard of human rights violations, the Qatar WC has gone down as one of the best tournaments of all time with the majority forgetting the horrors leading up to it. Akin to Qatar, Saudi Arabia has had a dodgy human rights record. Experts believe that by making itself the pivot of everything sports, Saudi Arabia is hoping for a turnaround. The pace of this turnaround, however, has been truly astounding. The turnaround in Saudi Arabian football Tuesday (June 6) was a day of farewell, a last goodbye as Benzema made a callback to his first appearance at the storied pitch of Bernabeu. "Un, dos, tres, Hala Madrid!" said the striker before walking off. However, before it could dawn upon Madridistas that one of their all-time greats had left, images started circulating, showing Benzema holding a yellow-black Al-Ittihad jersey. It was a big, quick and efficient poach, especially considering a current Ballon d'Or holder was joining the five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo in the same country to play in the same league. Also read | Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema inks three-year deal with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad With murmurs growing around the potential move of Lionel Messi and N'golo Kante to Riyadh as well, Saudi Arabia sits on the cusp of a true cannon event. And don't be surprised if the deal goes through as the sovereign wealth fund of the country, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) recently bought 75 per cent of Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal - the top four clubs in the Saudi Arabia Pro League. The confidence to invest in the league stems from the Saudi Arabian national team's performance in the World Cup where it was the only team to defeat eventual champions Argentina. Kingdom develops interests abroad While the kingdom grows its football league, it has developed major interests outside as well. In 2021, a consortium led by PIF bought off Premier League club Newcastle United. Within a year of PIF making the purchase, Newcastle found themselves back in the Champions League after an absence of 20 years. The scary part? PIF is yet to spend a fraction of its $600 billion wealth on the club. If the success of Manchester City over the last decade serves any template of oil money catapulting a club to glory, Newcastle United surely has a beaming future ahead. Apart from football, Saudi Arabia has managed to attract Formula 1 and its growing legion of fans. The street circuit in Saudi Arabia has become a staple on the F1 calendar and it doesn't appear to be going away anytime soon. WATCH | Ibrahimovic retires, Benzema bids farewell to Real Madrid | WION Sports Extra × Cricket, IPL and future league In cricket, Saudi Tourism Authority became a sponsor of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year. The partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) meant it was the first time the IPL was sponsored by a government body of a foreign country. Aramco, one of the biggest companies in the world by market cap, sponsored the purple and orange cap in the tournament. Recently, reports have trickled in suggesting that the kingdom is planning to launch its own version of IPL which may dwarf its Indian counterpart in the money involved. In boxing, Saudi Arabia has already made inroads after it hosted the world heavyweight boxing championship bout between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua in 2019. More recently, the PPV fight between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury was staged in the capital city of Riyadh in February which attracted global eyeballs. Also read | Golf: PGA Tour agrees to merge with Saudi-backed rival LIV; deal to end all pending litigation A repeat of the past? The century of Saudi Arabia is truly here but a country attempting to hog the limelight away from European football rings a familiar bell. At the start of the decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out a long-term vision of transforming the Chinese Super League into a world-beater, capable of competing with the likes of Europe's big-five leagues. The dream was off to a solid start as star footballers and managers arrived on the mainland after being wooed with the moolah. The start, however, didn't materialise, as the enthusiasm around Chinese football petered out without a whimper. Although it is highly unlikely that Saudi Arabia may meet the same fate, the pull of European football remains strong as ever. A young, budding footballer moving to Saudi Arabia would still be considered a suicide move by the pundits and fans. However, the sport is changing and the kingdom is going out of its way to present itself as a true sporting destination. It remains to be seen what will happen, but the leader of the Arab world is leaving no stone unturned to avoid failure. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained | Golf, soccer, cricket and more - Is Saudi Arabia the next sporting wonderland?

Days after Saudi Arabia announced an oil output cut of 1 million barrels per day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Tuesday, his first bilateral visit to the kingdom as the top diplomat.

Days after Saudi Arabia announced an oil output cut of 1 million barrels per day, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Tuesday, his first bilateral visit to the kingdom as the top diplomat. A statement by the US State Department stated the two sides affirmed their shared commitment "to advance stability, security, and prosperity across the Middle East and beyond, including through a comprehensive political agreement to achieve peace, prosperity, and security in Yemen." Though there was no explicit mention of talks regarding oil during the meeting, it is expected that Blinken may raise the issue later during his three-day trip. Notably, in the lead-up to the meeting, Washington was asked to comment on the decision by the kingdom to slash oil production. At the time, Deputy State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel took a safe line and refrained from commenting anything substantial. “We believe that supply should meet demand, and we’ll continue to work with all producers and consumers to ensure that energy markets support economic growth and lower prices for American families,” Patel said at a briefing. “That’s what we’re focusing on.” Watch | Oil rises on Saudi plan to deepen output cuts × Washington also raised the human rights issue, adding that bilateral relations are strengthened by it. "The Secretary also emphasised that our bilateral relationship is strengthened by progress on human rights. The Secretary and the Crown Prince discussed deepening economic cooperation, especially in the clean energy and technology fields," the readout stated. Step towards rapprochement? Blinken's visit is being dubbed as the latest step towards rapprochement between the two nations, especially after US President Joe Biden, during his campaign trail, promised to make Saudi Arabia "the pariah that they are" and "make them pay the price" for Jamal Khashoggi's murder. Khashoggi, a former royal insider-turned monarchy critic, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Turkey in 2018, an operation allegedly ordered by the prince. Even as the president, Biden did no favours to the bilateral relations when he met MBS last year and took a provocative stance. "What happened to Khashoggi was outrageous... I just made it clear if anything occurs like that again they will get that response and much more," said Biden. Also read | Saudi Arabia announces further voluntary oil production cut of 1mn barrels per day "I was straightforward and direct in discussing it. I made my view crystal clear. I said very straightforwardly, for an American president to be silent on an issue of human rights is inconsistent with who we are and who I am," he added. The US might also be wary of the growing might of China in the region, especially after Xi Jinping managed to broker the restoration of diplomatic ties between regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Iran. Even as Blinken was visiting, Iran reopened its embassy in Saudi for the first time in seven years. The embassy had been closed after a row over Saudi's hanging of a Shia cleric. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Days after Saudi cut oil output, Blinken meets Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

In a significant development, the Saudi Ministry of Education has given the green light to incorporate earth and space sciences into the secondary school curriculum, starting from the academic year 1445 (2023-24), as reported by media outlets citing local sources.

This decision comes in the wake of the Kingdom's achievement in launching two Saudi astronauts to the&nbsp;International Space Station (ISS).&nbsp;Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi embarked on their space journey under the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) programme on 21 May as part of the Kingdom's first historic space mission.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-cabinet-approves-11-bn-revival-package-for-bsnl-report-601680">Indian cabinet approves third revival package of $11 bn for BSNL</a>

According to the Saudi Gazette, third-grade secondary students will begin learning Earth and Space Sciences in the second and third semesters of the upcoming academic year. This initiative has been incorporated into the new academic plan recently issued by the Ministry.

<h2>Fostering positive attitude&nbsp;towards space science&nbsp;</h2>

The inclusion of Earth and Space Sciences in the curriculum aims to cultivate positive attitudes toward space science among students. It will inspire students and will fill them with curiosity by capturing their imagination and inspiring them to explore the unknown.&nbsp;The study, as per media reports, will align with international academic standards and recent advancements in the field.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-american-father-sacrifices-life-saving-son-from-drowning-at-california-beach-601691">Indian-American father sacrifices life saving son from drowning at California beach</a>

Earth and Space Sciences can also be proven vital for future careers in fields like space exploration, robotics, and aerospace.

<h2>New opportunities for students&nbsp;</h2>

The addition of these subjects will also provide students with more learning opportunities in applied science disciplines and introduce new subjects such as data science, artificial intelligence, cyber security, and engineering.

Positive attitudes toward earth and space science can inspire students to pursue careers in technology and engineering, contributing to advancements in a varied number of areas, such as satellite communications, remote sensing, and propulsion systems.

The new course will introduce students to the fundamentals of earth and space sciences, exploring the interconnectedness between the Earth, atmosphere, space, water, and living organisms, a media report said.&nbsp;

Watch | Taylor Swift flaunts Rs 8K bangles from an Indian brand in her music video 'Karma'

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taylor-swift-flaunts-rs-8k-bangles-from-an-indian-brand-in-her-music-video-karma-601644/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

This course for secondary students will also cover critical natural phenomena in the universe, including solar and lunar eclipses, the moon, and celestial bodies.

By introducing earth and space sciences into the curriculum, Saudi Arabia aims to foster scientific curiosity and knowledge among its students. The course will prepare future minds for the challenges and opportunities presented by the ever-expanding field of space exploration.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

In a significant development, the Saudi Ministry of Education has given the green light to incorporate earth and space sciences into the secondary school curriculum, starting from the academic year 1445 (2023-24), as reported by media outlets citing local sources.

In a significant development, the Saudi Ministry of Education has given the green light to incorporate earth and space sciences into the secondary school curriculum, starting from the academic year 1445 (2023-24), as reported by media outlets citing local sources. This decision comes in the wake of the Kingdom's achievement in launching two Saudi astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi embarked on their space journey under the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) programme on 21 May as part of the Kingdom's first historic space mission. Also Read | Indian cabinet approves third revival package of $11 bn for BSNL According to the Saudi Gazette, third-grade secondary students will begin learning Earth and Space Sciences in the second and third semesters of the upcoming academic year. This initiative has been incorporated into the new academic plan recently issued by the Ministry. Fostering positive attitude towards space science The inclusion of Earth and Space Sciences in the curriculum aims to cultivate positive attitudes toward space science among students. It will inspire students and will fill them with curiosity by capturing their imagination and inspiring them to explore the unknown. The study, as per media reports, will align with international academic standards and recent advancements in the field. Also Read | Indian-American father sacrifices life saving son from drowning at California beach Earth and Space Sciences can also be proven vital for future careers in fields like space exploration, robotics, and aerospace. New opportunities for students The addition of these subjects will also provide students with more learning opportunities in applied science disciplines and introduce new subjects such as data science, artificial intelligence, cyber security, and engineering. Positive attitudes toward earth and space science can inspire students to pursue careers in technology and engineering, contributing to advancements in a varied number of areas, such as satellite communications, remote sensing, and propulsion systems. The new course will introduce students to the fundamentals of earth and space sciences, exploring the interconnectedness between the Earth, atmosphere, space, water, and living organisms, a media report said. Watch | Taylor Swift flaunts Rs 8K bangles from an Indian brand in her music video 'Karma' × This course for secondary students will also cover critical natural phenomena in the universe, including solar and lunar eclipses, the moon, and celestial bodies. By introducing earth and space sciences into the curriculum, Saudi Arabia aims to foster scientific curiosity and knowledge among its students. The course will prepare future minds for the challenges and opportunities presented by the ever-expanding field of space exploration. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Saudi Arabia launches Earth and Space Science studies for secondary students

Iran on Tuesday (June 6) reopened it embassy in Saudi Arabia for the first time in seven years. The move has reaffirmed a Chinese-brokered rapprochement between two formerly antagonistic powers in West Asia. The rapprochement is likely to change the equations in the region greatly. The Iranian mission has opened its embassy in its former premises in Riyadh's diplomatic quarter. The location is near Syria's embassy, the reopening of which is expected soon following Saudi outreach to Damascus.&nbsp;

"We consider today an important day in the relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Alireza Bigdeli said at the flag-raising ceremony.

"The cooperation between the countries is entering a new era."

Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restart their respective embassies in the month of March this year. Both countries resolved to work towards resuming ties. In 2016, Saudi Arabia had&nbsp;broken off relations with Iran following Iranian protests.

Watch | Iran missile launch likely to heighten western concerns

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-missile-launch-likely-to-heighten-western-concerns-601378/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

On its part, Saudi Arabia is yet to confirm when it will open its embassy in the Iranian capital of Tehran. It is also yet to decide who will be the ambassador. A Saudi delegation, however, visited the Iranian capital in April.

<h2>US secretary of state Antony Blinken in Saudi Arabia</h2>

The reopening of Iranian embassy coincided with a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Saudi Arabia. Blinken's visit to Saudi Arabia has come as the oil-rich kingdom has been establishing closer ties with Washington's rivals.

The ceremony at the embassy was also attended by Ali Al Youssef, director of consular affairs at the Saudi foreign ministry. 
 
The mission returns under the leadership of Alireza Enayati, Iran's former ambassador to Kuwait.

Saudi Arabia, a Sunni Muslim power, severed ties with Shia-led Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad were attacked during protests which erupted after Riyadh executed Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

After years of discord, the two Middle East heavyweights signed a surprise reconciliation agreement in China on March 10.

Since then, Saudi Arabia has restored ties with Tehran ally Syria and ramped up a push for peace in Yemen, where it has for years led a military coalition against the Iran-backed Houthi forces.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-claims-to-have-created-its-first-ever-hypersonic-missile-fattah-601277">Iran unveils its first hypersonic missile ‘Fattah’: Here's what we know</a>

Iran and Saudi Arabia have backed opposing sides in conflict zones across the Middle East for years.

Blinken is expected to meet the Saudi de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah during his visit, according to a US official. 
 
The top US diplomat is also due to attend a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Iran on Tuesday (June 6) reopened it embassy in Saudi Arabia for the first time in seven years. The move has reaffirmed a Chinese-brokered rapprochement between two formerly antagonistic powers in West Asia.

Iran on Tuesday (June 6) reopened it embassy in Saudi Arabia for the first time in seven years. The move has reaffirmed a Chinese-brokered rapprochement between two formerly antagonistic powers in West Asia. The rapprochement is likely to change the equations in the region greatly. The Iranian mission has opened its embassy in its former premises in Riyadh's diplomatic quarter. The location is near Syria's embassy, the reopening of which is expected soon following Saudi outreach to Damascus. "We consider today an important day in the relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Alireza Bigdeli said at the flag-raising ceremony. "The cooperation between the countries is entering a new era." Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restart their respective embassies in the month of March this year. Both countries resolved to work towards resuming ties. In 2016, Saudi Arabia had broken off relations with Iran following Iranian protests. Watch | Iran missile launch likely to heighten western concerns × On its part, Saudi Arabia is yet to confirm when it will open its embassy in the Iranian capital of Tehran. It is also yet to decide who will be the ambassador. A Saudi delegation, however, visited the Iranian capital in April. US secretary of state Antony Blinken in Saudi Arabia The reopening of Iranian embassy coincided with a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Saudi Arabia. Blinken's visit to Saudi Arabia has come as the oil-rich kingdom has been establishing closer ties with Washington's rivals. The ceremony at the embassy was also attended by Ali Al Youssef, director of consular affairs at the Saudi foreign ministry. The mission returns under the leadership of Alireza Enayati, Iran's former ambassador to Kuwait. Saudi Arabia, a Sunni Muslim power, severed ties with Shia-led Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad were attacked during protests which erupted after Riyadh executed Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. After years of discord, the two Middle East heavyweights signed a surprise reconciliation agreement in China on March 10. Since then, Saudi Arabia has restored ties with Tehran ally Syria and ramped up a push for peace in Yemen, where it has for years led a military coalition against the Iran-backed Houthi forces. Also Read | Iran unveils its first hypersonic missile ‘Fattah’: Here's what we know Iran and Saudi Arabia have backed opposing sides in conflict zones across the Middle East for years. Blinken is expected to meet the Saudi de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah during his visit, according to a US official. The top US diplomat is also due to attend a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iran reopens embassy in Saudi Arabia seven years after closing it over diplomatic rift

Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema will join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia after signing a three-year deal with Al-Ittihad, the Jeddah-based club confirmed on Tuesday.

"Benzema is here. A new tiger will roar. Welcome to Ittihad!," the club wrote on Twitter.

Benzema will join his former Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo in the Gulf kingdom after the five-time world player of the year moved to Al Nassr from Manchester United following last year's World Cup.

Lionel Messi, who is leaving Paris Saint-Germain after two seasons, has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.&nbsp; 
Senior officials from another Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal, have flown to France to try and seal a deal for Messi after the 35-year-old&nbsp;

Argentinian played his last game for PSG at the weekend, two sources with knowledge of the matter told AFP on Sunday.

The Saudi delegation plans to meet Messi's father and agent, Jorge, with the aiming of completing the signing as soon as possible.

The announcement regarding Benzema comes days after Real Madrid said that the 35-year-old Benzema was leaving the club after 14 seasons, the day after coach Carlo Ancelotti had insisted there was "no doubt" Benzema's future was in the Spanish capital.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Benzema is here 🤩✍️ 
A new tiger will roar 🐅 
Welcome to Ittihad!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Benzema2Ittihad?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Benzema2Ittihad</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/here2inspireKSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#here2inspireKSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/I3GEm90fRB">pic.twitter.com/I3GEm90fRB</a>
— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/ittihad_en/status/1666145308760211459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Benzema joined Madrid in 2009 from Ligue 1 side Lyon.

He made 648 appearances for Madrid and is second on Real's all-time goalscoring list with 354 -- only Ronaldo has more.

He has lifted five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and three Copas del Rey with Madrid.

But after a stellar 2021-22 season when he led Real to Champions League glory and was rewarded with the Ballon d'Or, he was troubled by injuries in the just-completed season and had to miss France's World Cup campaign in Qatar last year with a thigh problem.

Benzema held a goodbye ceremony at Real's training ground on Tuesday.

"It hurts me, because I had a dream in my head - to sign for Madrid, and finish at Madrid," he told an audience of his teammates and club officials.

"But sometimes life gives you other opportunities," he added.

Saudi Arabia has drawn up a list of more than 10 players who have won either the Champions League or the World Cup that it wants to lure to its league, a source close to the negotiations has told AFP.

The list includes Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and his France teammate N'Golo Kante. All are at the tail-end of their careers.

The world's biggest oil producer has ambitions to host the World Cup in 2030 or 2034 and is betting on sport to help revamp its austere image, which has earned accusations from rights groups that it is "sportswashing". 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema will join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia after signing a three-year deal with Al-Ittihad, the Jeddah-based club confirmed on Tuesday.

Real Madrid's Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema will join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia after signing a three-year deal with Al-Ittihad, the Jeddah-based club confirmed on Tuesday. "Benzema is here. A new tiger will roar. Welcome to Ittihad!," the club wrote on Twitter. Benzema will join his former Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo in the Gulf kingdom after the five-time world player of the year moved to Al Nassr from Manchester United following last year's World Cup. Lionel Messi, who is leaving Paris Saint-Germain after two seasons, has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. Senior officials from another Saudi Arabian club, Al Hilal, have flown to France to try and seal a deal for Messi after the 35-year-old Argentinian played his last game for PSG at the weekend, two sources with knowledge of the matter told AFP on Sunday. The Saudi delegation plans to meet Messi's father and agent, Jorge, with the aiming of completing the signing as soon as possible. The announcement regarding Benzema comes days after Real Madrid said that the 35-year-old Benzema was leaving the club after 14 seasons, the day after coach Carlo Ancelotti had insisted there was "no doubt" Benzema's future was in the Spanish capital. Benzema is here 🤩✍️ A new tiger will roar 🐅 Welcome to Ittihad!#Benzema2Ittihad#here2inspireKSA pic.twitter.com/I3GEm90fRB — Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) June 6, 2023 × Benzema joined Madrid in 2009 from Ligue 1 side Lyon. He made 648 appearances for Madrid and is second on Real's all-time goalscoring list with 354 -- only Ronaldo has more. He has lifted five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles and three Copas del Rey with Madrid. But after a stellar 2021-22 season when he led Real to Champions League glory and was rewarded with the Ballon d'Or, he was troubled by injuries in the just-completed season and had to miss France's World Cup campaign in Qatar last year with a thigh problem. Benzema held a goodbye ceremony at Real's training ground on Tuesday. "It hurts me, because I had a dream in my head - to sign for Madrid, and finish at Madrid," he told an audience of his teammates and club officials. "But sometimes life gives you other opportunities," he added. Saudi Arabia has drawn up a list of more than 10 players who have won either the Champions League or the World Cup that it wants to lure to its league, a source close to the negotiations has told AFP. The list includes Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and his France teammate N'Golo Kante. All are at the tail-end of their careers. The world's biggest oil producer has ambitions to host the World Cup in 2030 or 2034 and is betting on sport to help revamp its austere image, which has earned accusations from rights groups that it is "sportswashing". WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema inks three-year deal with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad

Iran is reopening its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia, after a seven-year-long closure and this comes after both the countries agreed to resume ties in the month of March in a Chinese broker deal.

Iran reopens embassy in Saudi Arabia, embassy reopened after 7-year closure | World News | WION

The fighting between Sudan’s warring factions has reportedly intensified after the expiration of the United States and Saudi Arabia brokered a ceasefire deal, on Monday (June 5). This also comes as the US has announced sanctions against both the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for provoking “appalling” bloodshed.&nbsp;

<h2>What is happening in Sudan?</h2>

As of Monday morning, Reuters citing residents has reported shelling in western areas of the Sundanese capital city of Khartoum after the rival military factions fought through the night. The fighting is now entering its eighth week with no signs of stopping after it intensified following the expiration of a US-Saudi Arabia-brokered ceasefire deal, late Saturday.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, witnesses, as per AFP, have reported “artillery fire” in eastern Khartoum and around the state television building which is in the capital’s sister city Omdurman. This comes after residents have also reported intense fighting across three major cities Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri.&nbsp;

As per reports, Sudan’s army said that it has brought in reinforcements from other parts of the country for “operations” in the Khartoum area. Meanwhile, speaking about the looting, a 37-year-old resident Mohamed Saleh told Reuters, “The neighbourhood where we live in the centre of Omdurman is looted publicly on a daily basis without anyone intervening to prevent it, with clashes and shelling continuing around us.”&nbsp;

Another resident told the news agency that in Khartoum East district, RSF troops have spread across the capital city and were in full control and looting “whatever they can get their hands on”.

According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, since the fighting first erupted on April 15 more than 1,800 people have been killed.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, residents have also reported worsening in Sudan’s far west region of Darfur. Citing activists who monitor the region, Reuters reported that at least 40 people have been killed while dozens more were wounded. On Monday, the RSF also released a video supposedly showing that it has taken over army headquarters in Kutum in North Darfur State.&nbsp;

Doctors Without Borders (MSF), on Friday, describing the dire situation in Darfur said “armed men shooting at people trying to flee, villages being looted and the wounded dying,” as quoted by AFP.&nbsp;

<h2>US sanctions Sudan’s industries, people&nbsp;</h2>

Last week, the US sanctioned&nbsp;Al Junaid Multi Activities Co Ltd and arms trader Tradive General Trading, two companies controlled by RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo and his family.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the US Treasury also sanctioned two major arms companies of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Defence Industries System and Sudan Master Technology.&nbsp;“The United States stands on the side of civilians against those who perpetuate violence towards the people of Sudan,” said US Treasury&nbsp;Secretary,&nbsp;Janet&nbsp;Yellen.&nbsp; 
 
This was in addition to the visa restrictions&nbsp;imposed by the US State Department&nbsp;against the&nbsp;leaders of the warring factions for “undermining” the country’s “democratic transition,” without naming them.&nbsp;

Additionally, the United Nations Security Council has extended its political mission in Sudan for six months after the Sudanese Army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan accused the UN envoy Volker Perthes of stoking the violence in the country and called for his removal.

However, the request was rejected by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who reiterated his “full confidence” in Perthes.&nbsp;So far, more than 1.2 million have been displaced within Sudan due to the conflict while 400,000 have fled to neighbouring countries, as per the UN.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The fighting between Sudan’s warring factions has reportedly intensified after the expiration of the United States and Saudi Arabia brokered a ceasefire deal, on Monday (June 5).

The fighting between Sudan’s warring factions has reportedly intensified after the expiration of the United States and Saudi Arabia brokered a ceasefire deal, on Monday (June 5). This also comes as the US has announced sanctions against both the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for provoking “appalling” bloodshed. What is happening in Sudan? As of Monday morning, Reuters citing residents has reported shelling in western areas of the Sundanese capital city of Khartoum after the rival military factions fought through the night. The fighting is now entering its eighth week with no signs of stopping after it intensified following the expiration of a US-Saudi Arabia-brokered ceasefire deal, late Saturday. Meanwhile, witnesses, as per AFP, have reported “artillery fire” in eastern Khartoum and around the state television building which is in the capital’s sister city Omdurman. This comes after residents have also reported intense fighting across three major cities Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri. As per reports, Sudan’s army said that it has brought in reinforcements from other parts of the country for “operations” in the Khartoum area. Meanwhile, speaking about the looting, a 37-year-old resident Mohamed Saleh told Reuters, “The neighbourhood where we live in the centre of Omdurman is looted publicly on a daily basis without anyone intervening to prevent it, with clashes and shelling continuing around us.” Another resident told the news agency that in Khartoum East district, RSF troops have spread across the capital city and were in full control and looting “whatever they can get their hands on”. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, since the fighting first erupted on April 15 more than 1,800 people have been killed. Meanwhile, residents have also reported worsening in Sudan’s far west region of Darfur. Citing activists who monitor the region, Reuters reported that at least 40 people have been killed while dozens more were wounded. On Monday, the RSF also released a video supposedly showing that it has taken over army headquarters in Kutum in North Darfur State. Doctors Without Borders (MSF), on Friday, describing the dire situation in Darfur said “armed men shooting at people trying to flee, villages being looted and the wounded dying,” as quoted by AFP. US sanctions Sudan’s industries, people Last week, the US sanctioned Al Junaid Multi Activities Co Ltd and arms trader Tradive General Trading, two companies controlled by RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo and his family. Meanwhile, the US Treasury also sanctioned two major arms companies of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Defence Industries System and Sudan Master Technology. “The United States stands on the side of civilians against those who perpetuate violence towards the people of Sudan,” said US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen. This was in addition to the visa restrictions imposed by the US State Department against the leaders of the warring factions for “undermining” the country’s “democratic transition,” without naming them. Additionally, the United Nations Security Council has extended its political mission in Sudan for six months after the Sudanese Army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan accused the UN envoy Volker Perthes of stoking the violence in the country and called for his removal. However, the request was rejected by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who reiterated his “full confidence” in Perthes. So far, more than 1.2 million have been displaced within Sudan due to the conflict while 400,000 have fled to neighbouring countries, as per the UN. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sudan: Shelling, looting continue as fighting worsens after ceasefire expires; US imposes sanctions

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to embark on a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia he has called for the normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel Lincoln is expected to arrive this evening in Jeddah in the next two days he will be in Riyadh for a ministerial meeting of the gulf cooperation Council the members of the 80 strong Coalition of countries fighting the Islamic State group they will also meet in Blinken's presence besides his diplomatic counterparts Lincoln is also expected to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Antony Blinken visits Saudi Arabia to rebuild strained ties

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news, top headlines and international breakings from all across the globe, stay tuned with Gravitas for more!

Gravitas Global Headlines: US-India security cooperation | Saudi-Iran embassy opening

As the global oil prices rose yet again on the World Environment Day, the debate around whether rising oil prices are good or not is back on the ground. Although high oil, gas, and coal prices on consumers are good for the environment as they lower demand. the effect of high prices on producers can be bad for the environment because they encourage increased supply. Oil prices rose after Saudi Arabia pledged to cut production by a further 1 million barrels per day from July.

Oil rises on Saudi plan to deepen output cuts

Oil prices experienced a significant boost, surging over 2 percent on Monday, following an unexpected announcement by Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, that it would&nbsp;slash its production by an additional 1 million barrels per day from July onwards.

Saudi Arabia's move is being seen as an effort to effectively countering the prevailing macroeconomic challenges that have weighed down the oil market. Following the announcement, Brent crude futures soared to $77.64 a barrel, marking a $1.51 increase. On the other hand, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed to $73.15 a barrel, representing a gain of $1.41, as per a Reuters report.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia's energy ministry announced on Sunday that the country's oil production would drop to 9 million barrels per day in July, down from around 10 million barrels per day in May. This reduction constitutes the kingdom's most substantial cut in years and adds to the broader agreement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, including Russia, to limit oil supply until 2024. The voluntary production cut by Saudi Arabia aims to combat the challenges faced by the oil market, which has been grappling with persistently low prices.

The unexpected announcement by Saudi Arabia has injected renewed optimism into the oil market.

Analysts predict that the additional cut, combined with the existing production limitations, could create a market deficit exceeding 3 million barrels per day in July. Consequently, this deficit is expected to drive prices higher in the coming weeks. Consultancy firm Rystad Energy told Reuters that there is a&nbsp;potential for a tighter oil market in the second half of the year, reinforcing the positive market sentiment triggered by Saudi Arabia's decision.

The Implications of the OPEC+ Agreement

The agreement among OPEC+ nations to extend production cuts until 2024 is seen as a collective effort to bolster oil prices. However, the impact of the production cuts&nbsp;may be limited due to adjustments made to quotas for certain countries. Russia, Nigeria, and Angola have already lowered their targets to align with their actual production levels, potentially diluting the overall impact of the cuts. Conversely, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been permitted to raise its output targets by approximately 200,000 barrels per day, reaching 3.22 million barrels per day. This decision has come at the expense of African nations, which have had their unused quotas reduced under the new agreement.

The number of operating oil rigs plummeted by 15 to a record low of 555 last week in the United States, according to the weekly report by Baker Hughes Co cited by Reuters. This decline reflects the industry's response to weaker prices, increased costs, and a shift toward prioritizing shareholder repayments over drilling activities. These factors have contributed to a slowdown in drilling operations since December.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Oil prices experienced a significant boost, surging over 2 percent on Monday, following an unexpected announcement by Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, that it would slash its production by an additional 1 million barrels per day from July onwards.

Oil prices experienced a significant boost, surging over 2 percent on Monday, following an unexpected announcement by Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, that it would slash its production by an additional 1 million barrels per day from July onwards. Saudi Arabia's move is being seen as an effort to effectively countering the prevailing macroeconomic challenges that have weighed down the oil market. Following the announcement, Brent crude futures soared to $77.64 a barrel, marking a $1.51 increase. On the other hand, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed to $73.15 a barrel, representing a gain of $1.41, as per a Reuters report. Saudi Arabia's energy ministry announced on Sunday that the country's oil production would drop to 9 million barrels per day in July, down from around 10 million barrels per day in May. This reduction constitutes the kingdom's most substantial cut in years and adds to the broader agreement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, including Russia, to limit oil supply until 2024. The voluntary production cut by Saudi Arabia aims to combat the challenges faced by the oil market, which has been grappling with persistently low prices. The unexpected announcement by Saudi Arabia has injected renewed optimism into the oil market. Analysts predict that the additional cut, combined with the existing production limitations, could create a market deficit exceeding 3 million barrels per day in July. Consequently, this deficit is expected to drive prices higher in the coming weeks. Consultancy firm Rystad Energy told Reuters that there is a potential for a tighter oil market in the second half of the year, reinforcing the positive market sentiment triggered by Saudi Arabia's decision. The Implications of the OPEC+ Agreement The agreement among OPEC+ nations to extend production cuts until 2024 is seen as a collective effort to bolster oil prices. However, the impact of the production cuts may be limited due to adjustments made to quotas for certain countries. Russia, Nigeria, and Angola have already lowered their targets to align with their actual production levels, potentially diluting the overall impact of the cuts. Conversely, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been permitted to raise its output targets by approximately 200,000 barrels per day, reaching 3.22 million barrels per day. This decision has come at the expense of African nations, which have had their unused quotas reduced under the new agreement. The number of operating oil rigs plummeted by 15 to a record low of 555 last week in the United States, according to the weekly report by Baker Hughes Co cited by Reuters. This decline reflects the industry's response to weaker prices, increased costs, and a shift toward prioritizing shareholder repayments over drilling activities. These factors have contributed to a slowdown in drilling operations since December. (With inputs from Reuters)

Oil prices get a 'royal' boost: Oil prices soar after Saudi's production cuts

India's import of cheap Russian oil reached a new high in may, surpassing the combined purchases from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab emirates, and the United States. According to data from energy cargo tracker Vortexa, India took 1.96 million barrels per day from Russia in may, 15% more than the previous high in April.

India's imports of Russian oil hits new high | World Business Watch

Saudi Arabia - the prominent member of the OPEC - has taken a decisive action of addressing the sliding crude prices to stabilise oil market. The kingdom plans to slash its oil supply by a significant one million barrels per day.

Saudi Arabia cuts supply to stabilise oil prices; oil-cut leaves investors guessing

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced a further voluntary oil output cut of 1 million barrels per day for July, with the possibility of further extensions, as stated by the country's energy ministry on Sunday.

These new production cuts are in addition to the existing cuts of 2 million barrels per day (bpd) and voluntary cuts of 1.6 million bpd, which were surprisingly announced in April and took effect in May.

Following seven hours of negotiations, OPEC+ reached an agreement on output policy. The alliance has decided to implement additional production cuts, reducing the overall production targets by a combined 1.4 million barrels per day starting from 2024, as per Reuters.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-landslide-claims-14-lives-in-sichuan-province-5-still-missing-600355">China: Landslide claims 14 lives in Sichuan province, 5 still missing</a>

The decision was reached in coordination with some OPEC+ members, according to the ministry's report. During the 35th ministerial meeting of OPEC Plus on June 4, 2023, the ministry confirmed that this voluntary reduction from the required production level was agreed upon.

Following a two-day meeting, OPEC and its allies have decided to implement further production cuts in response to declining oil prices and the potential for a surplus in supply.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/earthquake-of-magnitude-6-jolts-indonesias-maluku-600379">Earthquake of magnitude 6 jolts Indonesia's Maluku</a>

OPEC+, a coalition comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia-led allies, currently accounts for approximately 40% of global crude oil production, making their policy decisions influential in shaping oil prices.

As per a statement by OPEC, the 36th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting will be held on Sunday, 26 November 2023, in Vienna.

<h2>West accuses OPEC</h2>

Western nations have accused OPEC of manipulating oil prices and negatively impacting the global economy due to high energy costs. Additionally, there are concerns about OPEC's perceived alignment with Russia, despite Western sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

OPEC officials argue that the excessive money-printing by Western nations in the past decade has fueled inflation, compelling oil-producing countries to take action to protect the value of their main export.

Watch | Chinese astronauts return to Earth | East-Asian space race | World News

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-astronauts-return-to-earth-east-asian-space-race-world-news-600339/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Notably, Asian countries such as China and India have been major consumers of Russian oil exports and have refrained from joining Western sanctions against Russia.

While the April announcement initially boosted oil prices by around $9 per barrel to surpass $87, they quickly receded due to apprehensions about global economic growth and demand. As of Friday, the international benchmark Brent settled at $76.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced a further voluntary oil output cut of 1 million barrels per day for July, with the possibility of further extensions, as stated by the country's energy ministry on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced a further voluntary oil output cut of 1 million barrels per day for July, with the possibility of further extensions, as stated by the country's energy ministry on Sunday. These new production cuts are in addition to the existing cuts of 2 million barrels per day (bpd) and voluntary cuts of 1.6 million bpd, which were surprisingly announced in April and took effect in May. Following seven hours of negotiations, OPEC+ reached an agreement on output policy. The alliance has decided to implement additional production cuts, reducing the overall production targets by a combined 1.4 million barrels per day starting from 2024, as per Reuters. Also Read | China: Landslide claims 14 lives in Sichuan province, 5 still missing The decision was reached in coordination with some OPEC+ members, according to the ministry's report. During the 35th ministerial meeting of OPEC Plus on June 4, 2023, the ministry confirmed that this voluntary reduction from the required production level was agreed upon. Following a two-day meeting, OPEC and its allies have decided to implement further production cuts in response to declining oil prices and the potential for a surplus in supply. Also Read | Earthquake of magnitude 6 jolts Indonesia's Maluku OPEC+, a coalition comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia-led allies, currently accounts for approximately 40% of global crude oil production, making their policy decisions influential in shaping oil prices. As per a statement by OPEC, the 36th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting will be held on Sunday, 26 November 2023, in Vienna. West accuses OPEC Western nations have accused OPEC of manipulating oil prices and negatively impacting the global economy due to high energy costs. Additionally, there are concerns about OPEC's perceived alignment with Russia, despite Western sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. OPEC officials argue that the excessive money-printing by Western nations in the past decade has fueled inflation, compelling oil-producing countries to take action to protect the value of their main export. Watch | Chinese astronauts return to Earth | East-Asian space race | World News × Notably, Asian countries such as China and India have been major consumers of Russian oil exports and have refrained from joining Western sanctions against Russia. While the April announcement initially boosted oil prices by around $9 per barrel to surpass $87, they quickly receded due to apprehensions about global economic growth and demand. As of Friday, the international benchmark Brent settled at $76. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Saudi Arabia announces further voluntary oil production cut of 1mn barrels per day

Saudi Arabia has made a profession test mandatory for certain kind of employment visas for Indian Citizens. Which professions does the test cover? Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: Applying for a Saudi Visa? You may have to undergo this test

Rayyanah Barnawi, the first Arab woman astronaut, along with a team of two Americans and two Saudis, returned safely to Earth on Tuesday night, after spending eight days on the International Space Station as a part of the historic research mission.

Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al Qarni scripted history by becoming the first Saudi astronauts to go on a mission to the orbiting outpost.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, that was carrying the astronauts, made a parachute-assisted splashdown into the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Panama City, Florida, after a 12-hour return flight and smouldering re-entry descent through Earth's atmosphere.

The splashdown was telecast&nbsp;live by a joint webcast presented by SpaceX and Axiom Space, which is the company behind the mission.

The Axiom 2 crew was led by 63-year-old Peggy Whitson, who is a retired NASA astronaut and also holds the US&nbsp;record for most time spent in orbit, with 665 days in space over three long-duration missions to the ISS, including ten spacewalks. She now serves as Axiom's director of human spaceflight.&nbsp;

"That was a phenomenal ride. We really enjoyed all of it," Whitson radioed to mission controllers after the capsule splashed down.

Ax-2's assigned pilot was 67-year-old John Shoffner. He is an aviator, race car driver and investor from Alaska.

Rounding off&nbsp;the crew as mission specialists were the first two astronauts from Saudi Arabia to fly aboard a private spacecraft - Ali Alqarni, 31, a fighter pilot for the Royal Saudi Air Force; and Rayyanah Barnawi, 34, a biomedical scientist in cancer stem-cell research.

<h2>Rayyanah Barnawi bids emotional farewell&nbsp;to space station</h2>

Taking to Twitter, Barnawi bid an emotional farewell to the space station saying, "Every story comes to an end".

"Every story comes to an end, and this is only the beginning of a new era for our country and our region.. thanks to everyone who have helped us," she wrote.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
كلمات الوداع في نهاية رحلتنا العلمية <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D9%86%D8%AD%D9%88_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B6%D8%A7%D8%A1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#نحو_الفضاء</a> 🛰 
دموع الفرح والإنجاز هي الختام فالحمدلله على التمام🙏🏼 
 
“Every story comes to an end, and this is only the beginning of a new era for our country and our region.. thanks to everyone who have helped us” 🙏🏼 
BYE <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> 🛰… <a href="https://t.co/XxQnGB9hXx">pic.twitter.com/XxQnGB9hXx</a>
— RAYYANAH BARNAWI (@Astro_Rayyanah) <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Rayyanah/status/1663527128174829569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

<h2>Who is Barnawi, the first Arab woman to go on a space mission?</h2>

Axiom Space's biography highlights Rayyanah Barnawi's remarkable career. She was born in 1988 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and has a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences from Otago University in New Zealand and a Master of Biomedical Sciences from Alfaisal University in Saudi Arabia. She is a biomedical researcher with almost ten years of expertise in the study of cancer stem cells.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Rayyanah Barnawi, the first Arab woman astronaut, along with a team of two Americans and two Saudis, returned safely to Earth on Tuesday night, after spending eight days on the International Space Station as a part of the historic research mission.

Rayyanah Barnawi, the first Arab woman astronaut, along with a team of two Americans and two Saudis, returned safely to Earth on Tuesday night, after spending eight days on the International Space Station as a part of the historic research mission. Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al Qarni scripted history by becoming the first Saudi astronauts to go on a mission to the orbiting outpost. The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, that was carrying the astronauts, made a parachute-assisted splashdown into the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Panama City, Florida, after a 12-hour return flight and smouldering re-entry descent through Earth's atmosphere. The splashdown was telecast live by a joint webcast presented by SpaceX and Axiom Space, which is the company behind the mission. The Axiom 2 crew was led by 63-year-old Peggy Whitson, who is a retired NASA astronaut and also holds the US record for most time spent in orbit, with 665 days in space over three long-duration missions to the ISS, including ten spacewalks. She now serves as Axiom's director of human spaceflight. "That was a phenomenal ride. We really enjoyed all of it," Whitson radioed to mission controllers after the capsule splashed down. Ax-2's assigned pilot was 67-year-old John Shoffner. He is an aviator, race car driver and investor from Alaska. Rounding off the crew as mission specialists were the first two astronauts from Saudi Arabia to fly aboard a private spacecraft - Ali Alqarni, 31, a fighter pilot for the Royal Saudi Air Force; and Rayyanah Barnawi, 34, a biomedical scientist in cancer stem-cell research. Rayyanah Barnawi bids emotional farewell to space station Taking to Twitter, Barnawi bid an emotional farewell to the space station saying, "Every story comes to an end". "Every story comes to an end, and this is only the beginning of a new era for our country and our region.. thanks to everyone who have helped us," she wrote. كلمات الوداع في نهاية رحلتنا العلمية #نحو_الفضاء 🛰 دموع الفرح والإنجاز هي الختام فالحمدلله على التمام🙏🏼 “Every story comes to an end, and this is only the beginning of a new era for our country and our region.. thanks to everyone who have helped us” 🙏🏼 BYE @Space_Station 🛰… pic.twitter.com/XxQnGB9hXx — RAYYANAH BARNAWI (@Astro_Rayyanah) May 30, 2023 × Who is Barnawi, the first Arab woman to go on a space mission? Axiom Space's biography highlights Rayyanah Barnawi's remarkable career. She was born in 1988 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and has a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences from Otago University in New Zealand and a Master of Biomedical Sciences from Alfaisal University in Saudi Arabia. She is a biomedical researcher with almost ten years of expertise in the study of cancer stem cells. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Axiom-2 crew, including first Saudi Arabian woman in orbit, returns to Earth safely

A young women's rights activist in Saudi Arabia was detained and imprisoned for having Twitter and Snapchat profiles that supported recent social advances while also demanding greater fundamental rights within the kingdom.

In November 2022, Manahel al-Otaibi, a 29-year-old certified fitness instructor and artist who regularly promoted&nbsp;female empowerment on her social media handles was detained. Saudi officials accused Otaibi, among other things, of using the hashtag #societyisready to push for an end to male guardianship regulations.

Otaibi is still being held without being convicted or punished. Previously, public demands for core women's rights, such as inheritance rights and the opportunity to leave a marriage with an abusive spouse, have been ruled seditious.

The case is the latest in a series of arrests and imprisonments of Saudis for using social media profiles to promote change or question Saudi authorities. Salma al-Shehab, a Saudi woman and former PhD student at Leeds University, was condemned to more than three decades in prison by a terrorist court for having a Twitter account and following and retweeting dissidents and activists.

Otaibi's social media handles present her as a young and progressive woman who enjoys fitness, art, yoga, and travel, as well as championing women's rights.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/brics-backed-new-development-bank-invites-saudi-arabia-to-join-the-club-598674">BRICS-backed New Development Bank invites Saudi Arabia to join the club</a>

<h2>Accused of not wearing 'decent'&nbsp;clothes</h2>

As per&nbsp;court records, Otaibi is accused of not wearing "decent" clothing in addition to her usage of social media, which was reported to authorities by religious police. Her sister&nbsp;Fouz al-Otaibi&nbsp;was also accused of not dressing properly but was able to depart Saudi Arabia before her imprisonment. Maryam, another one of her&nbsp;sisters, is a well-known women's rights activist who was arrested, jailed, and subsequently freed in 2017 for challenging guardianship restrictions.

Khalid Aljabri, a Saudi expert and frequent commentator on US-Saudi relations, said: “Manahel’s case is an example of the hypocrisy and selective application of draconian laws by the Saudi government that hosts foreign Instagram models to promote tourism by posting pictures in swimsuits but jails Saudi women for posting photos without wearing Abayas.”

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's government has frequently targeted Twitter users as part of a broader domestic and international repression campaign, which includes&nbsp;planting spies inside the company to extract confidential user data about anonymous Twitter accounts perceived to be a threat&nbsp;to the royal family.

At the same time, the prince has a significant indirect stake in Twitter through the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

A young women's rights activist in Saudi Arabia was detained and imprisoned for having Twitter and Snapchat profiles that supported recent social advances while also demanding greater fundamental rights within the kingdom.

A young women's rights activist in Saudi Arabia was detained and imprisoned for having Twitter and Snapchat profiles that supported recent social advances while also demanding greater fundamental rights within the kingdom. In November 2022, Manahel al-Otaibi, a 29-year-old certified fitness instructor and artist who regularly promoted female empowerment on her social media handles was detained. Saudi officials accused Otaibi, among other things, of using the hashtag #societyisready to push for an end to male guardianship regulations. Otaibi is still being held without being convicted or punished. Previously, public demands for core women's rights, such as inheritance rights and the opportunity to leave a marriage with an abusive spouse, have been ruled seditious. The case is the latest in a series of arrests and imprisonments of Saudis for using social media profiles to promote change or question Saudi authorities. Salma al-Shehab, a Saudi woman and former PhD student at Leeds University, was condemned to more than three decades in prison by a terrorist court for having a Twitter account and following and retweeting dissidents and activists. Otaibi's social media handles present her as a young and progressive woman who enjoys fitness, art, yoga, and travel, as well as championing women's rights. ALSO READ | BRICS-backed New Development Bank invites Saudi Arabia to join the club Accused of not wearing 'decent' clothes As per court records, Otaibi is accused of not wearing "decent" clothing in addition to her usage of social media, which was reported to authorities by religious police. Her sister Fouz al-Otaibi was also accused of not dressing properly but was able to depart Saudi Arabia before her imprisonment. Maryam, another one of her sisters, is a well-known women's rights activist who was arrested, jailed, and subsequently freed in 2017 for challenging guardianship restrictions. Khalid Aljabri, a Saudi expert and frequent commentator on US-Saudi relations, said: “Manahel’s case is an example of the hypocrisy and selective application of draconian laws by the Saudi government that hosts foreign Instagram models to promote tourism by posting pictures in swimsuits but jails Saudi women for posting photos without wearing Abayas.” Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's government has frequently targeted Twitter users as part of a broader domestic and international repression campaign, which includes planting spies inside the company to extract confidential user data about anonymous Twitter accounts perceived to be a threat to the royal family. At the same time, the prince has a significant indirect stake in Twitter through the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Who is Manahel al-Otaibi? Saudi woman arrested for tweeting reform messages

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms - A SpaceX capsule on Monday (May 22) carrying the first Saudi Arabian female astronaut, alongside three others, docked with the International Space Station (ISS) as part of an Axiom Space-chartered private mission. The Dragon capsule, atop a Falcon rocket, took off from the Kennedy Space Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Sunday. It delivered the crew members of Axiom Mission 2 (AX-2) for a weeklong stay at the ISS.

First Saudi Arabian woman travels to space

The New Development Bank (NDB), established by the BRICS group of nations, is set to broaden its membership as part of its efforts to increase capital and counter the influence of Western-dominated multilateral banks, Bloomberg reported.

The bank, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, aims to diversify its members based on geography, development stages, and country size, Dilma Rousseff, the bank's president, said.&nbsp;

During the annual meeting held in Shanghai on Tuesday, Rousseff announced that Saudi Arabia is in discussions to join the bank, a move that would enhance the lender's financial strength.&nbsp;

The NDB was formed in 2014 as a counterbalance to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

Expanding NDB's Influence

As an institution open to any United Nations member country, the NDB has steadily expanded its membership. Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay became members in 2021, Egypt joined the multilateral bank in&nbsp;February this year.&nbsp;

Drawing on her experience as the former president of Brazil, Rousseff emphasised that new members will contribute resources to the bank, enabling it to diversify its portfolio and enhance its ability to mobilize funds. She acknowledged the crucial role multilateral banks play in developing countries, recognising the challenges they face in obtaining finance to address social and economic issues on a large scale.

In an apparent bid to accelerate the de-dollarisation of the world economy, Rousseff announced that the bank would finance more projects in local currencies. In doing so, she argued that it would strengthen domestic markets and shield borrowers from currency fluctuations.

Several countries in the global south -- the developing and less developed countries --&nbsp;have currencies that are not fully convertible within the current financial framework, causing their economies&nbsp;to suffer from sudden exchange rate fluctuations.&nbsp;

"The world is going through a transformation process, and it's not about one currency against another one," Bloomberg quoted Rousseff as saying during a press briefing in Shanghai.

Leslie Maasdorp, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the NDB, confirmed that the bank is on track to achieve its goal of financing 30 percent of its projects in local currencies by 2026. Currently, the bank allocates approximately 22 percent of project funding in local currencies.&nbsp;

The New Development Bank (NDB), established by the BRICS group of nations, is set to broaden its membership as part of its efforts to increase capital and counter the influence of Western-dominated multilateral banks, Bloomberg reported.

The New Development Bank (NDB), established by the BRICS group of nations, is set to broaden its membership as part of its efforts to increase capital and counter the influence of Western-dominated multilateral banks, Bloomberg reported. The bank, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, aims to diversify its members based on geography, development stages, and country size, Dilma Rousseff, the bank's president, said. During the annual meeting held in Shanghai on Tuesday, Rousseff announced that Saudi Arabia is in discussions to join the bank, a move that would enhance the lender's financial strength. The NDB was formed in 2014 as a counterbalance to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Expanding NDB's Influence As an institution open to any United Nations member country, the NDB has steadily expanded its membership. Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay became members in 2021, Egypt joined the multilateral bank in February this year. Drawing on her experience as the former president of Brazil, Rousseff emphasised that new members will contribute resources to the bank, enabling it to diversify its portfolio and enhance its ability to mobilize funds. She acknowledged the crucial role multilateral banks play in developing countries, recognising the challenges they face in obtaining finance to address social and economic issues on a large scale. In an apparent bid to accelerate the de-dollarisation of the world economy, Rousseff announced that the bank would finance more projects in local currencies. In doing so, she argued that it would strengthen domestic markets and shield borrowers from currency fluctuations. Several countries in the global south -- the developing and less developed countries -- have currencies that are not fully convertible within the current financial framework, causing their economies to suffer from sudden exchange rate fluctuations. "The world is going through a transformation process, and it's not about one currency against another one," Bloomberg quoted Rousseff as saying during a press briefing in Shanghai. Leslie Maasdorp, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the NDB, confirmed that the bank is on track to achieve its goal of financing 30 percent of its projects in local currencies by 2026. Currently, the bank allocates approximately 22 percent of project funding in local currencies.

BRICS-backed New Development Bank invites Saudi Arabia to join the club

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on Monday announced it had executed two Bahraini men after convicting them of having ties to a militant group. The kingdom said the men were part of a group that was looking to destabilise the two Mideast nations.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on Monday announced it had executed two Bahraini men after convicting them of having ties to a militant group. The kingdom said the men were part of a group that was looking to destabilise the two Mideast nations. The executed men have been identified as Jaafar Sultan and Sadeq Thamer. They were apprehended by the Saudi authorities in May 2015 and sent to solitary confinement for three-and-a-half months. After a court trial, the Specialised Criminal Court sentenced them to death in October 2021. According to the Saudi Press Agency, they were tried on terrorism-related charges over the smuggling of explosive materials into Saudi Arabia and participation in anti-government protests in Bahrain. ALSO READ | In a rare case, Saudi Arabia executes man during the holy month of Ramadan Amnesty condemns the conviction Amnesty International had previously criticised the sentencing, saying the two men did not receive adequate representation throughout the legal process. “Jaafar and Sadeq had no access to legal representation throughout their pre-trial detention and interrogation. According to court documents, they told the court that they were tortured and that their so-called confessions were extracted under duress," the rights group said in a statement. “In upholding these death sentences, Saudi Arabia’s judicial system has yet again displayed a chilling disregard for human rights. If the King ratifies their death sentences, their execution will constitute an arbitrary deprivation of the right to life," it added. Kingdom and increased instances of executions The kingdom has been infamous for its heavy-handedness in dealing with crime and terrorism charges. Despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's attempts to showcase a liberal side of Saudi Arabia to the world, the kingdom's capital punishment record paints a different picture. Ever since taking over the reins in 2015, more than 1,000 death sentences have been implemented under his regime. Since the beginning of the month, a total of nine people have been executed in the country. Cumulatively, 40 executions have taken place in Saudi Arabia in 2023. WATCH | Largest mass execution in recent memory: Saudi Arabia executes 81 men in one day × The death penalty is permitted in Saudi Arabia for crimes such as rape, murder, sedition, sorcery and drug trafficking. Last year in March, Saudi invited international attention after it executed 81 men in a single day for ‘multiple heinous crimes’, including terrorism. According to Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia stands fifth in the world in terms of the highest number of executions. The other four are China, Iran, Egypt and Iraq. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Saudi Arabia executes two Bahraini men on terrorism charges: Report

saudi-arabia

Saudi Arabia, News on Saudi Arabia, stories on Saudi Arabia, articles on Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia stories at Wion, Saudi Arabia news, Saudi Arabia latest news

saudi arabia