Saudi Arabia

Story gist: Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that U.S. relations with Venezuela’s interim president are very good and exceptional. Washington is pushing for a significant increase in Venezuelan oil production.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like CNN Arabic emphasize Trump’s positive tone on exceptional relations and oil benefits for Venezuela, portraying economic optimism. Center outlets like Monte Carlo International neutrally focus on Washington’s policy push for oil production increases, omitting personalities. Right-leaning Al Arabiya highlights recognition of Maduro as president juxtaposed with Trump’s praise for the interim leader, emphasizing potential contradictions without left or center critique of Maduro.

Story gist: Bangladesh holds its first national elections following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after a Gen Z-led uprising.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, no coverage provided. Center (BBC) frames as ‘democracy’s real test’ after Gen Z uprising, emphasizing youth activism and democratic stakes neutrally. Right-leaning (Okaz) highlights ‘first elections after Hasina’s ousting,’ focusing on leadership removal and implying potential instability, omitting uprising details.

Story gist: US forces withdrew from Al-Tanf base in southeastern Syria, transferring it to the Syrian army. This marks the fourth US base handover since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Bias summary: Left-leaning CNN Arabic emphasizes the Syrian army receiving the base from US forces, highlighting Syrian control. Center Monte Carlo International notes it as the fourth withdrawal since Assad’s fall, focusing on the pattern of US pullouts. Right-leaning Al Arabiya quotes CENTCOM stating they left Tanf but remain on high alert, stressing US vigilance.

Story gist: The Kremlin revealed the reason for restricting WhatsApp in Russia. The state app Max is promoted as its replacement.

Bias summary: No left-leaning outlets provided, omitting progressive perspectives on government tech controls. Center Euronews questions potential WhatsApp ban and notes Moscow pushes users to state app Max, using neutral inquisitive tone. Right-leaning Al Arabiya directly blames Kremlin for WhatsApp restrictions, emphasizing official culpability and state intervention.

Story gist: Oman officially determined the start date of Ramadan, becoming the first Arab country to do so.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets provided no coverage, absenting the story. Center outlets like BBC framed around global variations, highlighting countries with longest fasting days in Ramadan 2026. Right-leaning Al Arabiya emphasized procedural details of crescent moon sighting for Ramadan 1447 per Umm al-Qura calendar, focusing on official methodology.