MUST-READS

• ISIL’s Attack Will Not Weaken the Regime in Tehran

  The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant resurfaced in the spotlight as it claimed responsibility for conducting twin bombings January 3 in Kerman in southeastern Iran. In doing so, ISIL proved it still is a force to be reckoned with, which may have been the motive behind the attack. The impact of the attack on the Islamic Republic, on the other hand, is more debatable: Did the attack undermine public confidence in the capabilities of security agencies, perhaps emboldening the internal opposition to rise against the regime; or contrariwise, did it rally Iranians around the flag against a terrorist enemy? If history is any indication, the latest ISIL attack, rather than weakening the regime in Tehran, may perhaps even strengthen it.

• Stronger Growth Expected in Saudi Arabia in 2024 Amid High Uncertainty

  As forecasters make their projections for the Saudi economy in 2024, they will have to assess whether the slowdown in non-oil growth and investment spending is temporary or longer lasting. They will also have to weigh the potential impact of several global, regional, and domestic uncertainties that could significantly affect the economy; the biggest relate to the global oil market, the ongoing conflict in Gaza, U.S. monetary policy, and the impact of domestic reforms.

• Emirates’ Clark Says Blowout Illustrates Boeing’s Quality Lapses

  Emirates President Tim Clark, a powerful voice in the aviation community as the biggest buyer of widebody aircraft, said the accident on a Boeing Co. 737 Max aircraft on Jan. 5 marks a setback for the manufacturer just as it seeks to improve operations.

  “They’ve had quality control problems for a long time now, and this is just another manifestation of that,” Clark said in an exclusive interview at his office in Dubai. “I think they’re getting their act together now, but this doesn’t help.”

• FC Barcelona Set To Receive Saudi Arabia Cash Windfall

  FC Barcelona will receive a much-needed cash windfall from Saudi Arabia, as highlighted by Spanish publications such as MARCA. Xavi Hernandez's troops head to the Middle East this week to get the defense of their Super Cup underway. The first piece of silverware in Xavi's reign was granted this time last year, when the Blaugrana beat bitter rivals Real Madrid 3-1 in the final thanks to a goal-and-assist masterclass from Player of the Match Gavi.

• Saudi Arabia Issues $12 Billion Bond as EM Nations Load Up

  The kingdom added to the almost $25 billion of bonds that developing nations had sold since the start of the year, the biggest of those being a $7.5 billion offering from Mexico. The Saudi deal is equivalent to more than half the fiscal deficit the government is projecting for this year. Many borrowers are seeking to lock in lower funding costs following a steep drop in US Treasury yields since October. While the Federal Reserve is widely expected to start cutting interest rates this year, pushing down yields even more, that probably won’t happen for several months.

• Saudi Arabia, tax and why it is expensive for players like Jordan Henderson to come home

  Last summer, the list of high-profile players leaving some of Europe’s biggest clubs to join the Saudi Pro League seemed to get longer by the day. What started with a multi-million-pound move for Cristiano Ronaldo in December 2022 expanded in the summer of 2023 to tantalising offers for the likes of Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, Roberto Firmino from Liverpool, Sadio Mane from Bayern Munich, Ruben Neves from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aymeric Laporte from Manchester City.

• Dakar Rally 2024: Why Saudi Arabia is hosting it and what you need to know

  The Dakar Rally takes place again this year across Saudi Arabia, with stages across the Kingdom's pristine and challenging desert landscape. The race has moved to the Kingdom and began January 5th, running until January 19th, and will pass Riyadh on January 13-14. Lucien will attend the festivities and race there in person. Richard gave a run-down of the race's challenges, vehicle classifications, and importance of Saudi Arabia as a host.

• LIV and PGA merger: what we know and where the game of golf is going in 2024

  The hosts discuss Lucien's One Big Thing, the PGA-LIV merger and the future of golf which hangs in the balance as a deadline for an agreement announced in 2023 between PIF and PGA passed with no concrete deal, other than to keep discussions going. The delay creates uncertainty for both pros and fans as the PGA season kicks off in Hawaii. Just weeks after top golfer John Rahm joined the LIV golf tour, 4-time champion Rory McIlroy walked back criticism of LIV players. "I think at this point, I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV golf at the start..."

• TikTok drives artist discovery in Saudi music industry

  Since its inception, music has been at the heart of TikTok, driving music and artist discovery and rediscovery in markets across the globe. This is particularly evident in Saudi Arabia, where TikTok has become a prominent platform for both musicians and their audiences. Thanks to the rising Saudi talents, both established and emerging artists that are unleashing their potential and making their voices heard, the music scene continues to create a resounding impact globally. TikTok’s widespread appeal lies in its role as an ever-evolving creative hub. Its innovative features that allow musicians to showcase their talents and interact with fans in real time, have contributed to its impressive growth in the Kingdom. With 48.8 billion views globally and more than 1.2 billion views in the MENA region in the last six months for #NewMusic and 17.8 billion views globally and over 968 million views for #TikTokMusic across the region in the past six months, these hashtags have become indispensable tools for music lovers and creators in Saudi Arabia across a range of musical genres and tastes, from rock to acoustic.

• Opening of the St. Regis Red Sea Resort in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

  St. Regis Hotels & Resorts today announced the opening of The St. Regis Red Sea Resort in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The captivating new address is the first private island to open in The Red Sea, one of the Kingdom’s luxury regenerative tourism destinations on the west coast of the country. Situated on the pristine Ummahat Island in the Al Wajh Lagoon, the resort is a destination-defining oasis with its avant-garde architecture, sustainable design details and bespoke service. “One of the world’s unexplored treasures, The Red Sea in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to become a coveted leisure destination,” said Jenni Benzaquen, SVP and Global Brand Leader, The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “With The St. Regis Red Sea Resort, we are introducing an iconic island address that represents the pinnacle of timeless luxury and pioneering design. We are proud to welcome The St. Regis Red Sea Resort to our growing portfolio and look forward to inviting guests to immerse themselves in this emerging destination.”

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