Riyadh Hours Away From Hosting World’s Largest Economies Summit

Caption: Logo of the Saudi G20 meetings (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Caption: Logo of the Saudi G20 meetings (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Riyadh Hours Away From Hosting World’s Largest Economies Summit

Caption: Logo of the Saudi G20 meetings (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Caption: Logo of the Saudi G20 meetings (Asharq Al-Awsat).

In few hours, the Saudi capital will host the largest gathering of global economies. The G20 summit, under Saudi Arabia's presidency, will kick-off on Saturday in an event held virtually due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the G20 member-states have earmarked $11 trillion to protect the global economy from the repercussions of the pandemic, this year’s agenda, under the leadership of Saudi Arabia, revolves around two strategic axes that focus on restoring growth and eliminating the effects of the coronavirus crisis.

Saudi Arabia affirmed that it had taken, during its G20 presidency, immediate and exceptional measures to address the crisis by applying unprecedented measures.

In this context, 46 low-income countries have benefited from the measures taken by the G20 to confront the Covid-19, as the virus had extensive negative effects on all countries and individuals around the world.

The Kingdom believes that the G20 countries, individually and collectively, were quick to respond to the pandemic in order to protect lives and livelihoods and support the global economy.

The G20 states have pumped more than $11 trillion to support the global economy and bridge the financing gap in the global health system with another $21 billion, with the aim to enhance pandemic preparedness and response.

Minister of Finance Mohammad Al-Jadaan stated that the G20 summit, under the Kingdom’s chairmanship, was keen to strengthen international cooperation to support global economic recovery and to lay solid foundations for a strong, sustainable, balanced and comprehensive growth.

“We have a chance to recover from the pandemic and return in a stronger and more sustainable way, with greater social and economic inclusion,” he remarked.

For his part, Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said that the Kingdom’s hosting of the 15th session of the G20 leaders’ summit has proven its global role and efforts to achieve the goals of the G20.

“G20 countries have allocated $11 trillion to protect and support the global economy from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic,” he said, referring to the historic initiative to suspend debt payments of 73 countries in the world, worth $14 billion.



Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Chinese President over Earthquake Victims in Xizang

Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
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Saudi Leadership Offers Condolences to Chinese President over Earthquake Victims in Xizang

Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo
Joint photo of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud - File Photo

Saudi Arabia’s leadership sent cables of condolence to China following the earthquake that struck Baqen County in the Xizang Autonomous Region, expressing sympathy over the loss of lives.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of condolences to Chinese President Xi Jinping, expressing his deepest sympathies to the president, the families of the victims, and the Chinese people over the deaths, injuries, and missing persons resulting from the earthquake. He also wished for the safe return of those missing and a speedy recovery for the injured.

Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud also sent a cable to President Xi Jinping, conveying his heartfelt condolences and wishing for the safe return of those missing and a swift recovery for the injured.


Saudi FM, Brazilian Counterpart Discuss Regional and Int'l Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi FM, Brazilian Counterpart Discuss Regional and Int'l Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday.

During the call, the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them in various fields. They also discussed regional and international developments and several issues of mutual interest.


Coalition Intercepts Ballistic Missiles Fired Towards Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region

A fighter loyal to Yemen's internationally-recognized government fires a turret from the back of a pickup truck at a position along the frontlines against the Houthis around Mount al-Midan in Yemen's western Taiz province on October 26, 2026.  (Photo by Ahmad AL-BASHA / AFP) /
A fighter loyal to Yemen's internationally-recognized government fires a turret from the back of a pickup truck at a position along the frontlines against the Houthis around Mount al-Midan in Yemen's western Taiz province on October 26, 2026. (Photo by Ahmad AL-BASHA / AFP) /
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Coalition Intercepts Ballistic Missiles Fired Towards Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region

A fighter loyal to Yemen's internationally-recognized government fires a turret from the back of a pickup truck at a position along the frontlines against the Houthis around Mount al-Midan in Yemen's western Taiz province on October 26, 2026.  (Photo by Ahmad AL-BASHA / AFP) /
A fighter loyal to Yemen's internationally-recognized government fires a turret from the back of a pickup truck at a position along the frontlines against the Houthis around Mount al-Midan in Yemen's western Taiz province on October 26, 2026. (Photo by Ahmad AL-BASHA / AFP) /

The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen announced in an official statement that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi militia toward Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region early Tuesday morning.

Major General Turki Al-Malki, spokesperson for the Coalition also said that air defenses intercepted and destroyed four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched by the Houthi militia toward the Southern Region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Earlier, Al-Malki announced that air defenses had intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward the Eastern Region, SPA said.

On Monday, the Coalition said it had conducted a targeted military operation to destroy and neutralize legitimate military targets in areas under Houthi militia control. The operation targeted five tunnels used to store ballistic missiles, four missile launch platforms, and missile depots, in response to repeated attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Al-Malki, said the operation also focused on disrupting supply lines between areas under Houthi control and targeted the militia’s fortifications, personnel concentrations, and military equipment along front lines inside Yemen.