QUOTED

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“Project Transcendence would aim to team up with large, established tech companies, with the Saudis offering help with infrastructure and capital. Ultimately, the amount invested could be $50 billion to $100 billion.” Saudis Plan $100 Billion AI Powerhouse to Rival UAE Tech Hub [Yahoo]

TOP STORY

Saudi Red Sea coastal tourism featured at World Travel Market

Red Sea Global

Saudi Red Sea coastal tourism project was a primary focus of Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at the November 5-7 World Travel Market in London, one of the largest annual gatherings of exhibitors and tourism professionals. [more]

 

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Perspective: Here’s what’s at stake in the Middle East under Trump’s second term

Via Mostafa Salem, Nadeen Ebrahim and Mick Krever in cnn.com: Ending the wars in Gaza and Lebanon and integrating Israel in the Middle East are likely to be at the top of the president-elect’s Middle East agenda, analysts said. “Netanyahu will face a much tougher president than he is used to in the sense that I don’t think that Trump would tolerate the wars in the manner that they are happening,” said Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative, adding that for Palestinians, it won’t make a major difference “because both administrations were totally biased” toward Israel. Trump doesn’t want those wars “on his desk as a burning issue” come January 20, when he is inaugurated, Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat, told CNN.

How are Saudi Arabia's WTA Finals unfolding?

Via Laura Scott and Sarah Dawkins in bbc.com: The venue looks amazing, world number two Iga Swiatek said. Its my fourth WTA Finals so I can kind of compare. For now we didnt have any problems. Its 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 years tournament, said: Im really happy to be here. Such a beautiful place. Everything looks really good.

The Rewards and Risks of Islamic Finance

Via Jamie Linsley-Parrish in jstor.org: 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.

 

MORE ON THE KINGDOM AND BEYOND

Saudi Arabia hits 900+ sports sponsorships in quest for influence

The study mapped 910 sponsorships in different sports and 1,412 positions in 207 Saudi entities, noting that the kingdom has significantly expanded its web of...[By Ed Dixon via sportspro.com]

 

France’s EDF, TotalEnergies awarded Saudi solar tenders during Macron visit

TotalEnergies will build an 0.3 gigawatt (GW) solar park in Saudi Arabia, while EDF Renewables will build...[By America Hernandez via reuters.com]

 

KAPSARC and Climeworks to explore feasibility of Direct Air Capture solutions in Saudi Arabia

The MoU outlines a roadmap to assess the deployment of new DAC systems in the Kingdom, focusing on availability of natural resources including subsurface CO₂...[via climeworks.com]

 

Saudi Arabia and World Bank Group to Establish a Global Knowledge Hub in Riyadh

The World Bank Group–Saudi Arabia Knowledge Hub (K-Hub) will serve as a platform for knowledge generation and exchange to drive greater development impact for countries....[via worldbank.org]

 

How French and Saudi architects are redesigning the cities of tomorrow

Saudi Arabia today is synonymous with megaprojects. Since the launch of the Vision 2030 reform agenda, the Kingdom has rolled out a range of major...[By Zeina Zbibo via arabnews.com]

 

Saudi Arabia announces 5 new initiatives worth $60 million at SGI Forum

Saudi Arabia unveiled five new initiatives, valued at $60 million (SR 225 million), reinforcing the Kingdom's leading role on climate and environment efforts. The initiatives were...[via saudigazette.com]

 

Saudi Arabia signs solar deals with France’s TotalEnergies

A separate power purchase agreement for the Kingdom’s Al Masa’a solar power plant project was signed between the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), French state-owned...[via alarabiya.net]

 

Crown Prince: Saudi Arabia provides $6B funding for 200 water projects

Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman inaugurated the “One Water Summit” in Riyadh on Tuesday evening in the presence of several presidents and...[via argaam.com]

 

FIFA, Clifford Chance Accused of ‘Whitewashing’ Saudi Human Rights Record in World Cup Bid

As FIFA approaches its December 11 vote to appoint the 2034 World Cup host, the football association is once again under fire for allegedly...[By Dario Sabaghi via law.com]

 

Saudi NEOM partners with CarbonCure and Gulf Cryo on low-carbon concrete push

Efforts to integrate carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technologies into construction in Saudi Arabia’s futuristic Neom city have taken a major step forward as CarbonCure...[By Anthony Wright via gasworld.com]

 

Saudi Arabia bets on tech to make deserts bloom

Saudi Arabia accounts for nearly 75 percent of Middle East investment in climate technology start-ups worldwide, according to a 2023 report by auditor PwC. But its...[via phys.org]

 

Saudi Arabia’s Neo Space Group to Acquire UP42 from Airbus

Saudi Arabia’s Neo Space Group (NSG) is making an acquisition in the Earth observation space, acquiring UP42 from Airbus Defence and Space. Terms of the deal were not disclosed in...[By Rachel Jewett via satellitetoday.com]

 

Locating EV Charging Stations to Enable Intercity Travel in Saudi Arabia

The development of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure presents a promising pathway to reduce transportation emissions, particularly when integrated with low-carbon...[By Ryan Alyamani and Thomas Gertin via kapsarc.org]

 

How FIFA helped pave the way for Saudi 2034

In October 2023, FIFA made a surprising move that effectively set the stage for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host a future FIFA World Cup...[via playthegame.org]

 

Aramco’s Diversification Strategy: Fueling Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030

Saudi Aramco is not only the largest oil producer globally but also the most profitable business, surpassing tech giants like Apple and...[By John Calabrese via agsiw.org]

 

France targets Saudi PIF’s ‘colossal’ investment power

During a three-day official state visit focused on boosting business ties, Mr Macron told a Saudi-French business forum in Riyadh that one of...[By Sunniva Rose via thenationalnews.com]

 

Macron announces France-Saudi partnership to co-host conference on creating Palestinian state

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday, December 3, that he and Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, would...[via lemonde.fr]

 

Saudi Arabia’s network of spending and influence detailed before getting 2034 World Cup from FIFA

More Saudi commercial deals are expected after the 2034 World Cup decision, either for the 2026 edition being played in North America or the revamped...[By Graham Dunbar via apnews.com]

 

Saudi energy minister sees net zero as scenario that ‘can never happen’

The minister said at the Saudi Green Initiative Forum in Riyadh that the world is currently going through a "reality check" on net zero...[By Rosemary Griffin via spglobal.com]

 

Macron: France, Saudi Arabia will co-chair conference on creating Palestinian state

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday that he and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman would co-chair a conference...[via alarabiya.net]

 

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...[via saudigazette.com]

 

Arab leaders congratulate Trump but wonder if he can end Middle East wars as promised

Arab leaders quickly congratulated Donald Trump on his U.S. presidential election victory. Some are hopeful he could bring an end to conflicts raging in the...[By Dale Gavlak via voanews.com]

 

Commentary: Why Trump’s Middle East policy will go to the highest bidder

Trump is widely seen in the Gulf as a man without a clear vision for the region. His regional policy will be determined by the...[By Andreas Krieg via amwaj.media]

 

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...[via amwaj.media]

 
 

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