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Nawwaf Bin Abdelaziz: Term extended, Turki Al-Faisal: Gaza comments, Princes: Marriages, Princess Al-Jauhara: Death, Al Sudairi: Death

Riyadh governor Salman has emerged as a key advisor in the crown prince’s efforts to reassert his role, as King Abdullah presses key princes into considering the future.

In parallel to an SR9bn ($2.4bn) upgrade of school facilities and teaching methods under the banner of the King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz Project for Developing Public Education (Tatweer), the Saudi Ministry of Education (MoE) is tackling the ideological roots of jihadist activity. MoE officials have confirmed that school pupils will be denied access to supposedly extremist

As Saudi security forces in Makkah and Medina remain busy preparing for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, securocrats continue to fret at the possibility of a major anti-western attack in Riyadh or Eastern Province. Memories of the recent interrupted reconnaissance

King Abdullah: Hosting Sarko, Mishaal Bin Abdelaziz: Bahrain visit, Nawwaf Bin Faisal Bin Fahd: European travels, Abdelaziz Bin Abdullah : Service extended, Khallid Al-Mishari: Marriage

What is happening in Ras Al-Khaimah? Five years after he was replaced by his half-brother Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, former Ras Al-Khaimah crown prince Sheikh Khalid Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi is employing PR companies and YouTube to signal his return to public life, promising a ‘pledge for progress’.

Amid a flurry of renewed speculation over the health of Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdelaziz – who flew from Jeddah to the United States for medical tests on 23 November – Allegiance Council chairman Prince Mishaal Bin Abdelaziz has begun informal soundings among senior royal family members about the future course of the succession. But the Al-Saud are divided,

King Abdullah: Reaching out in the United States, CP Sultan: Meets Orange prince, Bahraini King, Princes: Marriages, travel, Princes Adila: Healthcare

Bahrain-Saudi Arabia pipeline shows relations are good. Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) is planning a $2bn expansion of its Sitra refinery. Iran has signed a MoU with Turkey for the development of two phases of its South Pars gas field. International services company Petrofac has been awarded a KD147m ($543m) lump-sum contract by Kuwait Oil Company for a new gas pipeline.

Swiss investment bank Crédit Suisse has expanded its presence in Saudi Arabia after announcing it had taken a majority 55% stake in its Saudi Swiss Securities joint venture, which it renamed Credit Suisse Saudi Arabia (CSSA).

According to the latest Moody’s Investors Service report, Islamic finance is enjoying soaring demand, but requires more sophistication. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank chief executive Tirad Mahmoud has said that Islamic finance will continue to grow despite the current global financial crisis. Jeddah-based Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has announced plans to establish an Islamic bank. The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has agreed to lend Tunisia a $195m to build two gas turbines.

Saudi supertanker (VLCC) Sirius Star, carrying an estimated $100m worth of oil was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Kenya and headed towards the northern Somali coast. Bahrain’s Ebrahim Abdulaal Group of Companies (EAGC) has signed an MoU with London-based H Oil.

The Saudi Eurofighter purchase has given the European consortium a vital lead in the long-term market for the RSAF’s eventual replacement of some 178 strike aircraft by around 2020. Boeing may yet sell F-15s to the RSAF, but if the United States is betting on major sales in the Gulf, it is to Iraq and the UAE, not the Kingdom. France is also a player, with its hopes for major combat aircraft sales analysed by GSN in an article below.

Spontaneous celebrations began in Najran as news broke that hard-line governor Prince Mishaal Bin Saud Bin Abdelaziz had been removed by King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz after years of discrimination against the local Ismaili community. "The King has answered our calls for change and this is just the beginning. Najran has been celebrating since last night, firing guns in air and dancing in the streets," reported local resident Mohammed Al-Askar. The official Saudi Press Agency said Mishaal had been relieved of the governorship by royal decree "at his own request," the political signal was clear.

King Abdullah: Pakistani talks, CP Sultan: Return to Kingdom, Salman Bin Abdelaziz and sons: Meetings, Turki Al-Faisal: Speaking out in the States, Nayef Bin Abdelaziz: Iraq defence fence, Nayef Bin Abdelaziz: Pakistan hunting land, Mohammed Bin Yousef Al-Saud: Marriage