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  • Apprehension in Iran as Trump returns to power

    Donald Trump’s political comeback has sparked a deluge of mostly negative reactions in Iran. Many in Tehran—including hardliners—have expressed resentment at his return to the White House. However, some view Trump’s victory as an opportunity for Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian to engage with the US.

  • Saudi Tourism officially launches coastal super-destination

    The Saudi Red Sea represents a pioneering effort in sustainable coastal development, encompassing a pristine 1,800-kilometre stretch of virgin coastline. This launch presents an extraordinary opportunity for superyachts, featuring cutting-edge infrastructure, dive sites, luxury accommodations and untouched natural landscapes.  Red Sea Global, NEOM, Amaala, Jeddah Historical and KAEC were among the coastal destinations that were present on the stand.

  • Trump’s return could signal new path for Israel, Gaza, Lebanon crisis

    “Trump doesn’t like geopolitics. He prefers geo-economics,” said Nicolas Michelon, CEO of Asia Intelligence Advisory. “He wants to do business deals. Wars are bad for business.” This transactional approach could significantly impact the ongoing conflicts, particularly as Trump seeks to address domestic American challenges through international dealmaking. “This was America’s first geopolitical election,” said Abishur Prakash, geopolitical analyst and founder of The Geopolitical Business Inc. “The solutions to the challenges facing Americans passes through the world stage, and in that setup, Middle East becomes not just important, but monumental to Trump’s efforts to solve the various challenges weighing on Americans.”

  • How are Saudi Arabia’s WTA Finals unfolding?

    "The venue looks amazing," world number two Iga Swiatek said. "It's my fourth WTA Finals so I can kind of compare. For now we didn't have any problems. It's all pretty smooth." Last year’s tournament in Cancun, Mexico was described as shambolic, with the venue only finished days before the tournament began. World number one Aryna Sabalenka felt "disrespected" 12 months ago but, asked for her initial impressions of this year's tournament, said: "I'm really happy to be here. "Such a beautiful place. Everything looks really good."

  • Saudi Arabia: A Strategic Partner for Global Manufacturing

    Saudi Arabia offers a strategic advantage to manufacturers that are looking for reliable, near-shore locations. The Kingdom is ideally positioned at the crossroads of three continents—within easy reach of Europe and on the doorstep of growth markets in the Middle East, India, Central Asia, and Africa. The region is already well-connected with air and sea links, and with a $147 billion government investment from Saudi Arabia into transportation and logistics infrastructure, the Kingdom is building seamless connections to global markets.

  • Crown Prince aspires to strengthen strategic US-Saudi ties in call with Trump

    During the call, the Crown Prince expressed Saudi Arabia's aspiration to strengthen the historical and strategic relations between the two countries. He wished progress and prosperity to the friendly American people under Trump's leadership. For his part, Trump expressed his thanks and appreciation of the Crown Prince for his congratulations and his warm feelings towards the American people. Earlier on the day, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman have sent cables of congratulations to Donald Trump on the occasion of winning the US presidential election.

  • The Rewards and Risks of Islamic Finance

    One of the most compelling features of Islamic finance today is its natural alignment with climate goals and sustainability initiatives. Islamic finance mandates that all investments adhere to principles of social responsibility and avoid activities harmful to society or the environment. This also conforms to the modern environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria used by investors worldwide. For instance, Islamic finance prohibits investment in industries such as alcohol, gambling, and weapons production, which can be seen as ethically questionable or harmful to societal well-being.

  • Saudi King, Crown Prince congratulate Trump on US election victory

    Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday congratulated Donald Trump for winning the US presidential election, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. In a cable sent to Trump, King Salman also praised the “historically close [bilateral] relations that everyone seeks to strengthen and develop in all fields.”

  • Saudi Bourse Plans to Dial Up M&A Amid Capital-Markets Push

    “M&A will play more of a role in our future than it has done in our past,” Lee Hodgkinson, chief strategy officer at Saudi Tadawul Group Holding Co., said in an interview in London. The company will aim for “digestible” and “strategically relevant acquisitions,” he said, without providing details of any potential targets. So far this year, $15.6 billion has been raised through stock sales on the bourse, including a mammoth offering from oil major Saudi Aramco, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

  • Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival Highlights Local Productions Depicting Social Change in Arab Galas Strand

    Films from Saudi Arabia form the core of the Red Sea International Film Festival’s Arab Spectacular five-picture strand, which features world premieres of a trio of new Saudi titles exploring societal changes in the kingdom. One case in point is “Hobal,” the new allegorical drama by Saudi director Abdulaziz Alshlahei (“The Tambour of Retribution”). The film follows a Bedouin family whose members are forced by its patriarch to live in isolation in the desert due to fear of an infectious disease during the 1990s when Saudi was starting to open up to the outside world.