📢 Some personal news: Excited to re-join @FT as Saudi correspondent to cover the kingdom and the Gulf during these ~ interesting times ~ Please send tips, story ideas and more 📩 ahmed.alomran@ft.com

Saudi Arabia rejects Trump’s calls for displacing Gaza population, says kingdom’s position on establishment of Palestinian state “firm and unwavering”

🚨 New by me and @cornishft — Syria’s new leader visits Saudi Arabia in sign of regional power shift

The visit highlights a shift in the regional balance of power as the Gulf state steps in to take advantage of the weakening of Iran’s influence after Israel’s devastating offensive against Hizbollah, and the fall of Assad in Syria

Story link 🔗

🚨 New by me @FT — Saud housing minister acknowledges that soaring property prices in Riyadh have become a “concern” for the government, but says more supply is coming into the market to address the issue

🚨 Saudi Arabia welcomes the ceasefire agreement, calls for “complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the [Gaza] Strip and all other Palestinian and Arab territories, and the return of the displaced persons to their homes” —foreign ministry statement

More here >>

🚨 Aramco confirms our story about lithium project with Ma'aden, says commercial production expected to begin 2027

🚨 New by ⁦@lesliehook⁩ and me: Saudi Aramco to expand investments in lithium as it diversifies from oil

Syria flooded with Pepsi and Pringles as rulers open economy, @SarahDadouch reports

🚨 Saudi crown prince invites Joseph Aoun to visit the kingdom during a phone call to congratulate him on being elected president of Lebanon —SPA

More details on the huge logistical undertaking to build the infrastructure needed to host the largest sports event in the world in my story here 🔗

Rainy weather across the kingdom this week (SPA)

🚨 New by me @FT — World Cup award adds more pressure to Saudi Arabia’s construction challenge

Link to our story here 🔗