Culture

Saudi, UAE theaters to screen Barbie this week, despite earlier push to delay

The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar have changed the release date of the record grossing film for a second time to Aug. 10, and the film will open in Saudi Arabia Aug. 9.

United Arab Emirates

Saudi Arabia agrees to produce Turkey’s Baykar drones

Riyadh wants to boost its military might, especially with the prospect of its main rival Iran developing its nuclear enrichment capabilities.

Saudi Arabia

China 'participated actively’ in Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia

Pro-Kyiv Western countries had failed to secure China’s presence at previous Ukraine peace talks.

Saudi Arabia

Analysis

With Ukraine summit, Saudi Arabia boasts mediator role, courts West

One expert believes that the talks will also take Western pressure off the kingdom for its close alignment with Russia.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Arab moviegoers wait to see 'Barbie' as UAE, Saudi screenings loom

The summer box office hit is maintaining its delayed premier date of Aug. 31 in the UAE, Al-Monitor confirmed with Vox Cinemas.

United Arab Emirates

Saudi Arabia, UAE lead Forbes’ 2023 Arab family business ranking

Although Saudi Arabia and the UAE dominated the list, with 33 and 29 of the top 100 spots respectively, Egypt’s Mansour Group sat in first place, with the UAE’s Al-Futtaim Group in second and Saudi Arabia’s only female-led company, Olayan Financing Company, at third.

Saudi Arabia

Gulf investment in UK property expected to reach $3.2 B in 2024

Middle Eastern investors are capitalising on lower property valuations and those investors are likely to refinance when interest rates start falling, the Islamic bank said.

Legacy: Gulf

Saudi Arabia borrowing rate hits new high, posing risk to foreign investments

The Saudi Arabian Interbank Offered Rate climbed above an average of 6% in July, which was higher than the rate during the 2008 global financial crisis. 

Saudi Arabia

Israeli solar firm enters rare venture with Saudi business

Such partnerships are seldom seen, as Israel and Saudi Arabia do not recognise each other formally and the two countries have never established diplomatic relations.

Israel

Israel’s north-south rail project will link to Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu says

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is optimistic about the possibility of connecting Israel to the Saudi and wider Gulf rail network.

Israel

Analysis

Iran should be catalyst for Israel-Saudi normalization

Saudi-Israeli diplomatic relations could also give a financial and political boost to the moribund two-state solution.

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

In a first, Saudi Arabia seals deal with Brazil’s largest miner VBM

The Vale partnership will give Riyadh access to assets in Canada, Brazil and Indonesia.

Saudi Arabia