MUST-READS

• Arab reactions: Demise of Iran’s president, FM invites sympathy

  In the wake of the May 19 passing of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash near the border with Azerbaijan, the heads of Arab countries and non-state actors alike have expressed sympathy with Tehran. Some of the reactions, including from countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, reflect Raisi’s focus on fostering improved relations with Iran’s neighbors as his top foreign policy priority. Moreover, as the late president and his companions will be laid to rest, the Islamic Republic is set to host a number of foreign leaders

• Commentary: The Impacts of Raisi’s Death

  In the near term, the principal impacts will be domestic rather than international. The coercive power of the state in Iran is under the supreme leader, not the president. Still, Raisi was a trusted partner and ideological soulmate to the revolutionary clerical establishment. In fact, many expected him to be in the running for supreme leader after the incumbent, 85-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leaves the scene.

• Riyad Capital launches 1957 Ventures fund to drive Saudi fintech innovation

  Nadir Al-Koraya, CEO of Riyad Bank, stated, "The launch of the 1957 Ventures fund demonstrates Riyad Bank's unwavering commitment to driving fintech innovation and digital transformation; this fund builds upon our track record of supporting cutting-edge initiatives in this pivotal sector. By empowering startups and entrepreneurs, we fuel Saudi Arabia's economic growth and diversification, aligning with the bold ambitions of Vision 2030. While proud of our past impact, we recognise the vast potential still ahead and are dedicated to fostering sustainable growth."

• Crash of Ayatollah Khamenei’s Succession Plans

  Addressing a gathering of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers and their families, Khamenei urged the public “not to be concerned or anxious” and assured them there would be “no disruption in the work of government.”

• Saudia Group orders 105 A320neo Family aircraft to support Saudi Arabia’s aviation goals

  Saudia Group, represented by Saudia, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and flyadeal, the group’s low-cost carrier, has signed a firm order for an additional 105 A320neo Family aircraft. The order comprises 12 A320neo and 93 A321neo aircraft. This increases Saudia Group’s Airbus aircraft order backlog to 144 A320neo family aircraft.

• Saudi Arabia’s RSIFF hosts ‘Women in Cinema’ gala in Cannes

  Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) hosted the “Women in Cinema” Gala in partnership with Vanity Fair Europe in Cannes on Saturday, attracting celebrities from across the world.

• Saudi Arabia’s Treasured Mudflats

  Nestled along Saudi Arabia’s beautiful coastline and islands lies a remarkable ecosystem of mudflats. Found in shallow waters where the land meets the sea, mudflats are not mere patches of mud but thriving ecosystems, teeming with life. They are home to an array of unique and resilient species, each adapted to the challenging and ever-changing conditions of the intertidal zone. As the tides ebb and flow, the mudflats transform from exposed surfaces to shallow water pools, creating a dynamic environment rich in biodiversity.

• In Saudi Arabia, an all-women psychedelic rock band jams out as its conservative society loosens up

  “We didn’t know how people would react,” said Meesh, the band's bassist, who like other members asked to be identified by their stage names. “We believe strongly in self-expression. To our surprise, they really had open arms for us.”

  The band's name, Seera, can mean “life” or “biography” in Arabic. Band members say they try to embrace the multiple meanings one can draw from a word in the language in its sound, whether through the driving drums and cymbals or the synthesizer backing the guitars.

• ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Israel’s Netanyahu and Hamas leaders
  The International Criminal Court's prosecutor said on Monday he had requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defence chief and three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes.
  ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said in a statement issued after more than seven months of war in Gaza that he had reasonable grounds to believe the five men "bear criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

• Israeli troops push into Jabalia, airstrikes kill five in Rafah
  Israeli forces thrust deeper into the Jabalia camp in northern Gaza on Tuesday, laying waste to residential districts with tank and air bombardments, residents said, while Israeli air strikes killed at least five people in the southern city of Rafah.
  Simultaneous Israeli assaults on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip this month have caused a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people fleeing their homes, and sharply restricted the flow of aid, raising the risk of famine.

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