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QUOTED
“Italy could be an energy hub on the Middle East to Europe route, thanks to its location in the Mediterranean and its interconnections with the rest of Europe. We know well Saudi Arabia’s capability in the production of renewable hydrogen and low-carbon derivatives such as ammonia,” Italian Energy and Environment Minister, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Saudi Arabia and Italy Sign Energy Cooperation Deal [Oilprice.com]
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TOP STORY
A recent study by scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), published in the journal Science, developed a new technology for directly extracting lithium from brine in oil fields and seawater, where lithium is present in extremely low concentrations. [more]
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MORE TOP STORYLINES
in alarabiya.net: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq al-Rabiah, said Monday that more than 18.5 million pilgrims from outside the Kingdom performed Hajj and Umrah in 2024. He highlighted recent advancements, particularly in enhancing visits to al-Rawdah al-Sharifah at the Prophet’s Mosque. By upgrading the workforce, streamlining the online booking process, and implementing a professional crowd management system, the number of visitors increased from 4 million in 2022 to over 13 million in 2024. The minister also unveiled an upgraded version of the “Nusuk” app, now offering 100 additional services designed to provide an integrated pilgrimage experience.
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Via Margaret Carrigan in artnet.com: Works by René Magritte, Fernando Botero, and Refik Anadol will headline Sotheby’s debut sales event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Featuring around 100 lots, the two-part auction on February 8 will be held at Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and include works by canonical artists from the West and pioneering Arab artists, as well as luxury items such as jewelry and watches, handbags, and sports memorabilia. The sale marks the first international auction in the kingdom’s history, according to the auction house. It will be a test of the strength of the Gulf art market amid increasing investment in the region. “Many of the artists that we are bringing have never been exhibited in Saudi before,” said Ashkan Baghestani, the Sotheby’s specialist heading up the sale, explaining that the house wants “to show a new audience what Sotheby’s can offer, giving a taste of the various fields and artists we represent at auction, and giving them exposure on a fresh and exciting platform.”
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Via Charles Kennedy in oilprice.com: Italy and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday signed a cooperation agreement in the energy sector, with an emphasis on renewable energy, hydrogen, and carbon capture, Italian Energy and Environment Minister, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, said while on a visit to Riyadh. Italy’s minister signed the agreement with Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh. The five-year cooperation agreement includes boosting bilateral cooperation in hydrogen production, renewables, and carbon capture and storage (CCS). The new cooperation deal will focus on clean energy and clean tech, including low-carbon hydrogen and green ammonia, according to the Italian government.
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MORE ON THE KINGDOM AND BEYOND
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Ongoing transformation in the global screen industry has created an opportunity for GCC countries to establish themselves as prominent players. As the industry grapples with...[By Tarek Matar, Karim Sarkis and Maansi Sagar via strategyand.pwc]
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The delegation consists of nine technical teams covering various sectors, including goods, services, investment, general provisions, e-commerce, intellectual property, government procurement, rules of origin, and...[via spa.gov]
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After years of regulatory uncertainty under both Democratic and Republican administrations, Trump has pledged to protect bitcoin ownership and encourage blockchain...[By Carla Sertin via agbi.com]
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68.1m international tourists visited the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries by the end of 2023, according to data issued by the Statistical...[via arabianbusiness.com]
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Since China is the US’s third-biggest export destination for food and agricultural products after Canada and Mexico, Beijing may retaliate by...[By Martin Keulertz via agbi.com]
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A recent analysis by Capital Economics highlights the consequences of these tariffs and their broader implications for global trade dynamics. The administration's agenda to...[By Issac John via khaleejtimes.com]
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Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy started 2025 on a high as business conditions improved substantially. This improvement was largely due to the fastest increase in total...[By Yara Abi Farraj via economymiddleeast.com]
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Some of the Kingdom’s prominent military branches are participating in the drills, including forces from the Presidency of State Security and the Saudi Arabian National...[via arabnews.com]
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Strategic inbound and domestic M&A activity in the region surged 88 per cent year-on-year to reach $36 billion during the first 10 months...[By Tala Michel Issa via arabianbusiness.com]
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The Saudi Arabia Council of Health Insurance (CHI) has announced penalties against several employers for failing to meet mandatory health insurance...[By Roxanne Libatique via insurancebusinessmag.com]
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Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday. The two leaders held an official session...[via arabnews.com]
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"Ultimately, we're going to see the seasonal dance: Gas prices are going to go up this spring regardless of tariffs or not, they're going to...[By Julie Hyman and Josh Lipton via yahoo.com]
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The IPO proceeds are to be deployed for funding the infrastructure, land settlements, and development of the MASAR Destination, a major Makkah redevelopment project valued...[via arabianbusiness.com]
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Figures from the General Authority for Statistics released in 2023 show that 63 percent of the Kingdom’s population is under 30 years old, and the government...[By Nadin Hassan via arabnews.com]
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Pakistan has signed an agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development to defer a $1.2 billion payment on the country's oil imports by one year,...[By Alex Kimani via oilprice.com]
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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has allocated $78 billion for defense spending in 2025, up from $75.8 billion spent in 2024, Governor of the General...[By Agnes Helou via breakingdefense.com]
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia is ready to go, but requires following through on...[By Laura Kelly via thehill.com]
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The UAE on Tuesday launched what it called the “world’s first” facility that can provide renewable energy at scale around the clock. Abu...[By Aarti Nagraj and John Benny via thenationalnews.com]
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Before I picked the name “eL Seed”—my real name is Faouzi, “F-A-O-U-Z-I," and the “I,” instead of putting a dot, I used to put a...[via csis.org]
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