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GeneralJune 3, 2026

Saudi, Jordanian FMs discuss over phone joint efforts to restore regional security

RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan received on Wednesday a phone call from Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi. During the call, the ministers discussed the latest developments and their joint efforts to restore the region's security and stability. Prince Faisal and Safadi expressed their condemnation of the brutal Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait. They denounced Iran's violation of the sovereignty of Kuwait and Bahrain, and Tehran’s undermining of efforts aimed at de-escalating current tensions.

Saudi Gazette1 min read

GeneralJune 3, 2026

British court to pronounce Thursday final verdict in Saudi student Al-Qassim murder case

LONDON — A British court has postponed final verdict in the murder case of Saudi student Mohammed Al-Qassim until Thursday. Earlier on Wednesday, the Crown Court in Cambridge decided to defer the sentencing hearing in the murder case until Thursday, June 4, following the conclusion of arguments and the presentation of submissions by both the defense and the prosecution. The defense is seeking a reduced sentence. During the hearing held on Wednesday, the defense lawyer continued efforts to secure a lighter sentence for the convicted individual, citing a number of legal arguments and case-related circumstances. Meanwhile, the victim’s family and the Saudi community in Britain continue to await the court’s final ruling. During the trial, the convicted man confessed to possessing a knife at the time of the incident but denied the murder charge. However, the trial concluded with his conviction in the case, leaving the determination of the sentence length pending the court’s decision, which is scheduled to be announced on Thursday. The British court is to pronounce the final judgment following months of investigations and judicial proceedings related to the killing of the Saudi student. The murder case has attracted widespread attention both within and outside Saudi Arabia. Earlier in March this year, the jury at the Crown Court convicted Chaz Corrigan, the main defendant, of premeditated murder. This ruling came after two weeks of continuous sessions held by the jury to examine all the evidence presented by the prosecution against the culprit. The jury then rejected the defendant's claims and justification that the incident was an act of self-defense. The penalty for premeditated murder is life imprisonment as a mandatory sentence under British law. However, the judge can determine the term to range between 25 and 30 years during the hearing before pronouncing the jail term, depending on other factors considered by the panel of judges. The evidence produced by the prosecution at the court’s trial session included visuals of stabbing and the defendant's escape from the scene, captured by surveillance cameras.The 20-year-old Al-Qassim was stabbed to death in a park south of Cambridge on Aug. 1, 2025 while he was on a 10-week study assignment in Cambridge. Al-Qassim, who hails from Makkah, died instantly after receiving a single stab wound to the neck measuring 11.5 centimeters deep. The 21-year-old main defendant faced charges of premeditated murder and possession of a sharp weapon in a public place.

Saudi Gazette2 min read

GeneralJune 3, 2026

IMF praises Saudi economy’s resilience and ability to adapt swiftly to crises

RIYADH — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) experts highlighted that the Saudi economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience amid the repercussions of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, supported by its strong structural fundamentals and diversified oil and logistics infrastructure. At the conclusion of its Article IV consultation mission, the IMF noted that the Saudi authorities’ proactive measures effectively alleviated maritime traffic congestion in the Strait of Hormuz by swiftly rerouting shipments through the East-West pipeline and Red Sea ports, in addition to utilizing Saudi Aramco’s foreign reserves. In April, the IMF projected Saudi Arabia’s economic growth at 3.1 percent for 2026, reflecting a 1.4 percentage point reduction compared to its January forecast. The Fund emphasized that the Kingdom remains among the countries least affected by the Iranian conflict, thanks to the availability of alternative export routes. Furthermore, the IMF raised its GDP growth forecast for 2027 by 0.9 percentage points to 4.5 percent, assuming that energy production and transportation activities return to normal levels in the coming months.

Saudi Gazette1 min read

GeneralJune 3, 2026

South Korean foreign minister emphasizes improving bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia

RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a written message from South Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun. The message is pertaining to further improving bilateral relations between the two countries. South Korea’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Kang Shin-chul handed the message to Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, undersecretary for multilateral international affairs and general supervisor of the ministry's agency for economic and development affairs, during their meeting at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday. During the meeting, they reviewed joint cooperation between the two friendly countries. They also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Saudi Gazette1 min read

GeneralJune 3, 2026

Saudi non-oil private sector growth at its fastest pace in three months

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector activity posted growth at its fastest pace in three months during May, signaling a strong recovery from the slowdown recorded in March. Companies attributed this rebound to the restoration of normal business conditions following earlier disruptions linked to the regional conflict, the resumption of previously suspended work contracts, and stronger domestic demand. The Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia’s Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 52.8 points in May 2026, representing a 2.5 percent increase and reflecting a notable improvement in the business environment. The non-oil private sector recorded stronger performance in May, with the index indicating a sharp increase in output driven by firmer domestic demand and more stable supply chains. However, growth in new orders remained modest amid another steep decline in exports. Business optimism also remained subdued, while rising input costs continued to exert significant upward pressure on output prices. According to the report, the index remained well below its long-term historical average of 56.8 points, with some companies reporting that ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region had continued to restrain the pace of growth. Despite the strong increase in output, demand conditions appeared relatively muted in May. New orders expanded overall, but the rate of growth was modest and remained significantly below the long-term trend. Improved economic conditions and the resumption of projects supported activity, although these gains were partially offset by subdued customer spending and persistently intense competitive pressures. External demand also remained weak, with new export orders declining sharply for the third consecutive month. This downturn was attributed to shipping disruptions, higher freight and fuel costs, and ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Saudi Gazette1 min read

GeneralJune 3, 2026

Al-Khereiji visits Yemen embassy to offer condolences on the death of former President Hadi

RIYADH — Deputy Minister of Saudi Foreign Affairs Waleed Al-Khereiji offered his condolences on the passing of former President of Yemen Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi in Riyadh on Wednesday. During his visit to the Yemeni Embassy to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, Al-Khereiji expressed his deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of the deceased and to Yemen, its leadership, and people.

Saudi Gazette1 min read