Page 24 - Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia reduces oil prices in sign demand recovery struggling
Aramco cut Arab Light to Asia to a discount against the benchmark oil price used by the Saudis for the first time since June
 "Saudi Arabia reduces oil prices in sign demand recovery struggling")
After Saudi, Bahrain to allow Israel flights to UAE over its airspace
Bahrain will allow all flights coming to and departing from the United Arab Emirates to cross through the island kingdom's airspace
 "After Saudi, Bahrain to allow Israel flights to UAE over its airspace")
Saudi Arabia breaks 72-year taboo with green light to Israeli flights
Saudi approved a UAE request to use the kingdom's airspace "for all flights coming to the United Arab Emirates and leaving to all countries," a consequential, if oblique outreach to Israel
 "Saudi Arabia breaks 72-year taboo with green light to Israeli flights")
US, Israel, UAE say accord a courageous step toward prosperous Middle East
In the joint statement, the UAE, Israel and the US have urged Palestinian leaders to "reengage with their Israeli counterparts in discussions aimed at achieving peace"
 "US, Israel, UAE say accord a courageous step toward prosperous Middle East")
Arab Parliament condemns Houthi drone attack on Saudi Arabia airport
The Cairo-based Arab Parliament has condemned a drone attack launched by the Houthi militias on Saudi Arabia's Abha Airport
Saudi Aramco discovers two oil, gas fields in north of Kingdom: Report
The nearby Abraq at-Tulul field has started producing 3,000 barrels a day of crude, 49,000 barrels of condensates and 1.1 million cubic feet of gas
 "Saudi Aramco discovers two oil, gas fields in north of Kingdom: Report")
World Bank pauses publication of Doing Business Report over data issues
Speculations on India's recent rise in ranking, but the World Bank says countries affected appear to be Azerbaijan, China, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates
 "World Bank pauses publication of Doing Business Report over data issues")
Saudi Arabia's June oil exports down 55% yoy, a drop of $8.7 billion
The value of Saudi Arabia's June oil exports was down 55% year on year, a drop of $8.7 billion, official data showed on Wednesday.
 "Saudi Arabia's June oil exports down 55% yoy, a drop of $8.7 billion")
Aramco sets up corporate development organisation to optimise portfolio
The organisation will be led by Senior Vice President Abdulaziz M. Al-Gudaimi and will start operations on September 13
Aramco suspends $10-bn China oil refinery venture as it plans capex cuts
Aramco plans deep cuts to its capital spending as it tries to maintain a $75-bn dividend amid low crude prices and rising debt
 "Aramco suspends $10-bn China oil refinery venture as it plans capex cuts")
Pakistan denies report of rift with Saudi Arabia over Kashmir issue
Foreign Office Spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have strong economic, political, security and military cooperation at all levels
 "Pakistan denies report of rift with Saudi Arabia over Kashmir issue")
Pak Army chief meets Saudi counterpart in attempt to smoothen strained ties
The meeting comes after the decade-long friendship between both countries took a sharp turn when Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi issued a blunt warning to Saudi Arabia
 "Pak Army chief meets Saudi counterpart in attempt to smoothen strained ties")
Pakistani Army chief visits Saudi Arabia to discuss bilateral ties
The details of their engagements in Saudi Arabia have not been released, but the two are expected to hold high-level meetings to iron out misgivings
 "Pakistani Army chief visits Saudi Arabia to discuss bilateral ties")
China grants country's 1st Covid-19 vaccine patent to domestic firm: Report
The paper cited documents published by China's National Intellectual Property Administration saying that the patent was issued on August 11
 "China grants country's 1st Covid-19 vaccine patent to domestic firm: Report")
Saudi Arabia's inflation rate surged to 6.1% in July on VAT hike
Consumer prices rose an annual 6.1% in July from 0.5% in June, data released by the General Authority for Statistics showed on Sunday
 "Saudi Arabia's inflation rate surged to 6.1% in July on VAT hike")
Pak denies rift with Saudi Arabia, says visit of Army chief pre-planned
Army spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar addressed the media in Rawalpindi where he was asked about a media report that General Bajwa was going to Riyadh to fix some irritants in bilateral ties
 "Pak denies rift with Saudi Arabia, says visit of Army chief pre-planned")
Mike Pompeo acted properly in approving arms sale to Saudi: Report
The report concluded that the law grants the secretary the discretion to decide what constitutes an emergency, something three previous administrations have done with respect to arms sales to Saudi
 "Mike Pompeo acted properly in approving arms sale to Saudi: Report")
Saudi Aramco says it still plans to pay $75 billion in dividends for 2020
Payouts to minority shareholders as pledged are protected for five years
 "Saudi Aramco says it still plans to pay $75 billion in dividends for 2020")
Saudi Aramco's profit falls 73%; sticks with dividend despite debt surge
The results cap a turbulent period for the world's biggest oil exporter. Prices briefly turned negative in the US in April as the virus battered the global economy and Aramco slashed hundreds of jobs
Saudi Arabia turns off oil tap for Pakistan over deferred payments
The development comes at a time when Pakistan faces a challenging situation as its IMF programme also remains technically suspended for the past five months
 "Saudi Arabia turns off oil tap for Pakistan over deferred payments")
