DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Israel Resists Grand Bargain as U.S. and Saudis Work on Security Pact
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Edward Wong | Vivian Nereim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Two years into President Biden’s term, his aides began negotiating with Saudi leaders to have the kingdom establish diplomatic relations with Israel. But when the Israel-Hamas war began last October, the talks withered. American and Saudi officials have tried to revive prospects for a deal by demanding more from Israel — a cease-fire in Gaza and irreversible steps toward the founding of a Palestinian nation. Now those officials say they are close to a final agreement on the main elements of what the Saudis want from the deal: a U.S.-Saudi mutual defense pact and cooperation on a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom. And Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, is expected to follow up when he goes to Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend.

Persons: Biden’s, Israel —, Antony J, Blinken, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jake Sullivan Organizations: Saudi, Hamas, State Department, White House Locations: Israel, Gaza, Palestinian, U.S, Saudi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

☆ Why Middle East travel is growing faster ‘than any other region’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Rym Bendimerad | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Last week, travel and tourism industry representatives from more than 150 countries gathered at the annual Arabian Travel Market trade show, held this year in Dubai. There, CNN’s Eleni Giokos spoke with Julia Simpson, president of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), about trends in tourism in the Middle East, and the challenge of making travel more sustainable. We are here in the Middle East — this is the first time I’ve been to the Arabian Travel Market — but what’s interesting is everyone’s telling me they have never, ever seen it this busy. Simpson: Well, the GCC and Middle East is growing faster than any other region. Visitors and delegates at the Arabian Travel Market.

Persons: CNN’s Eleni Giokos, Julia Simpson, I’ve, Simpson, Saud, you’ve, We’ve, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Travel, Tourism Council, Arabian, GCC, Gulf Cooperation, United, Visitors, Oxford Economics Locations: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al, Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, Saudi, Arabia, —, Saudi Arabia, Oman, East, UAE, Gaza, Egypt

☆ Neom's push for foreign investment is getting trickier after allegations of Saudi brutality
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Saudi Arabia needs foreign businesses to help it realize its Neom megacity project. The BBC reported that Saudi officials were given a license to use lethal force to clear land. But underneath the image is a far darker reality, say campaigners, which could threaten the foreign cash and expertise Saudi Arabia needs to realize its ambitions. Though his decision took place in 2022, it was given new urgency by a whistleblower giving more detail on how Saudi officials may have acted. Amnesty International said businesses ought to be wary of doing deals in Saudi Arabia and called for UK officials to push for an independent investigation into the Neom land clearances.

Persons: —, Malcolm Aw, Col Rabih Alenezi, Dana Ahmed, Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal al, Neom Organizations: BBC, Saudi, Service, UN, Telegraph, Amnesty International, Amnesty, Politico, The Atlantic Council, Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi

☆ Energy CEO said he canceled a $100M contract with Neom when he realized the Saudis were bulldozing villages to make space
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Malcolm Aw said he pulled out of a Neom contract because of alleged Saudi human rights abuses. AdvertisementA green energy founder pulled out of a $100 million Neom contract after he realized that the Saudis were bulldozing villages to make way for the megacity. AdvertisementHowever, satellite images analyzed by the BBC showed three villages, including schools and hospitals, were destroyed to make way for Neom. Aw's company uses solar energy for desalination, while most desalination plants burn fossil fuels and have been found to pollute oceans. "You know, we have the technology to solve the [green energy] problem that people are complaining about today.

Persons: Malcolm Aw, —, Neom, Mohammed bin Salman's, Aw, Col Rabih Alenezi, Abdul Rahim al, Aw Boon Haw, Fatima al, Shawarbi, there's Organizations: Solar Water, Service, Solar, Saudi, BBC News, BBC, Neom, UN, BI, Bloomberg Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Qatar, Neom

☆ Saudi Arabia needs peace in the Middle East for its $500 billion Neom megaproject to succeed
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia brokered a deal to re-establish diplomatic relations. Related storiesThe US and Saudi Arabia are in the final steps of a new agreement on security guarantees and civilian nuclear assistance, Reuters reported last week. Many of Neom's projects aimed at capturing the luxury tourism market are located along the Red Sea coast. Set to open next year, Neom's luxury island resort of Sindalah is advertised as an "exclusive gateway to the stunning Red Sea." Saudi officials are already fighting to combat claims that Neom is facing delays and setbacks.

Persons: —, it's, Israel, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Ulrichsen, Robert Mogielnicki, Mogielnicki, Neom Organizations: Saudi, Service, Neom, New York Times, Reuters, Rice, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Gulf States Institute, Bloomberg, Business Locations: Saudi, Dubai, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, Palestinian, Israeli, Red, Jeddah

☆ World Snooker Championship: The near-silent sport which has become the latest focus of Saudi Arabia’s imagination
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —No one dares speak louder than a whisper as nearly 1,000 people respectfully take their seats inside the dimly lit Crucible Theatre. They’ve come to witness the nerve-shredding, silently electric atmosphere of the World Snooker Championship. The World Snooker Tour (WST) – organizers of the World Snooker Championship – say the sport is watched by half-a-billion people around the world. The Crucible Theatre has been the home of the World Snooker Championships since 1977. Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of snooker should not be surprising, but moving the World Snooker Championship would be an emotional decision for many of its fans.

Persons: they’re, They’ve, Shaun Murphy, It’s, ’, they’ve, George Wood, Mike Watterson, Hossein Vafaei, –, it’s, ” Murphy, Young, Murphy, ” Ronnie O'Sullivan, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Ronnie O’Sullivan’s, O’Sullivan, ”, “, Steve Dawson Organizations: CNN, Crucible, CNN Sport, Sheffield, Crucible Theatre, ‘, Wembley, Snooker, Wimbledon, ”, Theatre Locations: Sheffield, England, Augusta, Saudi Arabia, “, Saudi, China

☆ Opinion | Israel and Saudi Arabia Are Trading Places
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Thomas L. Friedman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

But the other part of the deal, which is seen as critical to winning support in Congress, is for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel. There are a lot of “ifs” and “provided thats” in this equation that seem most unlikely today. As a result, the U.S. and the Saudis are considering finalizing the deal and taking it to Congress with the stated proviso that Saudi Arabia will normalize relations with Israel the minute Israel has a government ready to meet the Saudi-U.S. terms. Hopefully, though, if there can be a permanent end of fighting and a return of all Israelis taken hostage, Israel will hold new elections. And then — maybe, just maybe — the choice on the table for Israelis will not be Bibi or no Bibi, but Bibi or a credible pathway to peace with Saudi Arabia and the Palestinians.

Persons: Biden, Israel, “, Netanyahu, Bibi Organizations: U.S, West Bank, Palestinian, Saudi, New York, Facebook Locations: U.S, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, Gaza

☆ A new Saudi-US deal to reshape the Middle East is taking shape — but Israel can't join while it's still at war
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A new Saudi-US security deal is being negotiated, reports said. It resembles the deal that was forming before it was derailed on October 7 by the Hamas terror attacks. A deal dubbed "plan B" Israel is, for now, excluded because of its war on Gaza. AdvertisementThe US and Saudi Arabia are said to be drawing closer to a historic deal that could reshape the Middle East — by sidestepping the vexed issue of Israel's war in Gaza. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: —, sidestepping Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Business Locations: Saudi, Israel, Gaza, Saudi Arabia, Iran

☆ Dubai reveals massive plans for the world’s busiest airport
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

A mammoth airport in Saudi Arabia has already set records for size, but new plans in Dubai are ratcheting up the race to be the world’s busiest airport by passenger volume. Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport currently wears the crown as the largest airport in the world by area. “It will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport, and all operations at Dubai International Airport will be transferred to it in the coming years,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, said Sunday when outlining Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects’ strategic plan. The other, Dubai International Airport, was just ranked the No. Dubai AirportsAt present, Dubai World Central’s primary role is as a center for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul – “MRO” in industry parlance.

Persons: Saudi Arabia’s King, Atlanta’s, Jackson’s, It’s, Al Maktoum, Markus Mainka, That’s, ” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ”, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, X, Paul Griffiths, Abu Dhabi’s, Foster Organizations: CNN, Saudi, Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International, King Fahd, Atlanta’s Hartsfield, Jackson, Al, Al Maktoum International, Dubai International Airport, Dubai International, Dubai Aviation Engineering, Emirates Cargo, UAE, Emirates, Dubai Airports, Hamad International Airport, Kuwait International, Partners, Sharjah International Airport, Air Locations: Gulf States, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Bahrain, Hartsfield, Al Maktoum, Saudi, Qatar, Muscat , Oman, Gulf, Kuwait, British, Dubai’s, Sharjah

☆ Saudi Arabia wants big spenders for the first part of its Neom megaproject
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Saudi Arabia plans to open the first part of its Neom megaproject this year. Saudi Arabia is pushing to distinguish itself in the high-end luxury market to compete with Dubai. AdvertisementSaudi Arabia plans to open the first region of its Neom megacity by the end of the year. Neom recently ended investor roadshows in China by confirming the luxury island resort would open this year, Arab News reported. A rendering of The Line, part of the Neom project planned by Saudi Arabia.

Persons: —, Neom, roadshows, It's, Marriott Bonvoy, Chadi, MDLBEAST, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Saudi Arabia hasn't, Ulrichsen, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Organizations: Dubai, Service, Arab News, Marriott, United, Rice, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Emirates, Saudi, Bloomberg, Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Sindalah, China, Saudi, Vives, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Crown, Gulf Kingdom

Sitting together last month, Graham and MBS spoke with Trump for roughly five minutes, two people familiar with the call told CNN. The call encapsulates how Trump looms over an agreement that US, Israeli and Saudi officials all see as vital to achieving lasting stability in the Middle East. Graham informed Biden officials of the call between MBS and Trump and says they understand why he wants to keep Trump in the loop. With the election looming and the region engulfed by turmoil over Israel’s war in Gaza, the window of opportunity is rapidly shrinking, people involved in the negotiations told CNN. “I think President Trump understands this is building on what he did,” Graham told CNN.

Persons: South Carolina Republican Sen, Lindsey Graham, Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, — Donald Trump, Graham, Joe Biden, Salman, Biden’s, Trump, Abraham, Biden, Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Evan Vucci, ”, ” Trump, “ They’re, That’s, “, ” Graham, Jamal Khashoggi, Sen, X.com Graham, Bibi Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, Jake Sullivan, Amos Hochstein, Antony Blinken, Jake, ” CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, South Carolina Republican, Biden Administration, Trump, Saudi, Abraham Accords, Saudi Crown, White, MBS, New York Times, Biden, Republican, Graham, Saudi Press Agency, Israel, President’s National, US Locations: Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Saudi, Palestine, Bahrain, UAE, Washington, Gaza, Riyadh, NATO, Palestinian

☆ Saudi Arabia's oil giant boss speaks up for China, saying its massive production of solar panels and EVs helps affordability
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser praised China for making solar panels and electric vehicles affordable. Saudi Arabia is fostering closer ties with China and wooing Chinese investments and business partnerships. Unlike the West, Saudi Arabia is cozying up to China. "There are lots of opportunities for China to invest in Saudi Arabia," Alibrahim told the media outlet. In March last year, China brokered a détente between Saudi Arabia and Iran, prompting concerns over waning US influence in the Middle East.

Persons: Amin Nasser, Nasser, China's overcapacity, Janet Yellen, Olaf Scholz, China Nasser's, Faisal Alibrahim, Alibrahim, Jon Alterman Organizations: Saudi, Service, Saudi Aramco, World Energy, Financial Times, West, Nikkei, Aramco, Center for Strategic, International Studies, China Economic, Security Locations: China, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco, Saudi, Rotterdam, East Asia, Beijing, Saudi Arabian, Iran, United States

☆ Saudi Arabia is desperately trying to woo bankers to pay for its futuristic desert city
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Neom is hosting hundreds of prospective investors for on-the-ground tours, Bloomberg reports. Saudi Arabia's government has reportedly been worried about rising costs for the futuristic city. AdvertisementFor the first time, Saudi Arabia is inviting hundreds of private bankers this week to visit Neom, its futuristic — and cash-strapped — city in the desert, Bloomberg reported. Neom CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr will now show visitors the construction work on "The Line," the planned city between two mirrored skyscrapers. The tours will mark the first time a large group of financiers will be able to see anything of the futuristic city with their own eyes, as opposed to virtual renderings.

Persons: Neom, —, Nadhmi Al, Nasr, that's Organizations: Bloomberg, Service, AFP Locations: China, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Neom, —, Korea, Japan, Singapore, US, France, Germany

Their friendship was tested in 2017 when then President Trump supported a blockade of Qatar led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Before the Oct. 7 attack, the Saudis were in serious talks, led by the United States, to recognize Israel. 8 of 12 Israel has a major incentive to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, for its part, would benefit from direct access to the Israeli military and technology sector. In March 2023, China brokered a breakthrough, re-establishing ties between two of the region’s heavyweights, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, brandished, Jake Sullivan, —, frenemies, Israel, Netanyahu’s, Trump, Biden, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin, Prince Mohammed, Bashar al, Assad, Saddam Hussein, Jordan —, hesitantly, Abraham Organizations: of Friends, General Assembly, U.S, America, Hamas, United, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Crown, Arab League, Saudi Arabia, Red Sea, Iranian, Abraham Accords, United Arab, Palestine Liberation Organization, West Bank, Palestinian Authority, The, Trump, Biden, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations, New York, Facebook Locations: India, Persian, Israel, Europe, Iran, United States, U.S, East, China, Russia, Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Turkey Syria Lebanon Afghanistan Israel Iraq Iran Pakistan Egypt India Qatar Saudi Arabia Sudan Oman, Israel Yemen Turkey Syria Lebanon Afghanistan Israel Iraq Iran Pakistan Egypt India Qatar Saudi Arabia Arabian, Sudan, Sea Oman, Israel Yemen Ethiopia Turkey Syria Lebanon Afghanistan Israel Iraq Iran Pakistan Egypt India Qatar Saudi Arabia Arabian, Sudan Oman, Israel Yemen Ethiopia, Gaza, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Saudi, Tehran, Iraq, Assad, Lebanon, Lebanese, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Fatah, Israeli, Turkey, America

☆ Israel’s military chief says that Israel will respond to Iran’s weekend missile attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at Israel in the attack. Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said Monday that Israel is considering its next steps but that the Iranian strike "will be met with a response." Both men spoke at the Nevatim air base in southern Israel, which Hagari said suffered only light damage in the Iranian attack. The Iranian weapons also flew through Saudi skies, according to a map released by the Israeli military. Throughout the war, Israel has traded fire across its northern border with Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group, while Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Yemen have also attacked Israel.

Persons: Herzi Halevi, Israel, Halevi, Daniel Hagari, Hagari, Benjamin Netanyahu, Steve Scalise, Netanyahu, Jordan —, Halevia, Rishi Sunak, Emmanuel Macron, John Kirby, Kirby, Antony Blinken Organizations: Staff, Palestinian, Hamas, U.S, Seven, U.S . Central Command, Islamic, Hezbollah, Washington , U.S . National Security Locations: Gaza, Syrian, Damascus, Iran, Israel, U.S, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Britain, American, France, Saudi, Iranian, Iraq, Yemen, British, Paris, Washington , U.S

☆ Opinion: What does Iran really want?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Peter Bergen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“A modern, strong, peaceful Iran could become a pillar of stability and progress in the region,” former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger wrote in 2006. Iran introduced into the Iraqi war zone highly effective roadside bombs known as EFPs – Explosively Formed Penetrators – that wounded and killed hundreds of American soldiers. The official US Army history of the Iraq War concluded that Iran was the only winner of that war. Iran’s ‘cookie-cutter approach’Norman Roule was the top US intelligence official on Iran from 2008 to 2017. The withdrawal of the US troops from neighboring Iraq is a key goal of Iran, which exerts considerable influence over some Iraqi politicians.

Persons: Peter Bergen, Osama bin Laden, Shah, Henry Kissinger, Iran’s ayatollahs, Karim Sadjadpour, Sadjadpour, Reagan, bin Laden, bin, al, Saddam Hussein, –, Noam Chomsky, Iran’s, Norman Roule, Roule, propping, Bashar al, Assad, Christine Abizaid, ”, Trump, Obama, Donald Trump, ‘, Benjamin Netanyahu, hasn’t, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, hadn’t, Biden, Abizaid, Mohammed Shia Organizations: New, Arizona State University, Apple, Spotify, CNN, Saturday, East, CIA, US Army, Israel, US National Counterterrorism Center, US Treasury Department, ‘ Deemed, United Nations, Israel’s, Hamas, Iran, White, ISIS Locations: New America, Israel, Iranian, Damascus, Iran, United States, Palestine, ”, Lebanon, Beirut, Saudi, al Qaeda, Iraqi, Saddam, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Red, Suez, Gaza, New York, Damascus ”, Jordan

☆ Surging oil prices may challenge the Federal Reserve's inflation fight
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Mounting geopolitical tensions stemming from conflict in the Middle East and Eastern Europe have helped drive oil prices to five month highs, challenging the Federal Reserve's fight against inflation. U.S. crude oil gained 4.5% this week, touching $87 a barrel on Friday before settling at $86.91. Rising energy prices may affect the timing or magnitude of interest rate cuts, he said. The Federal Reserve is focused on bringing down core inflation, which excludes volatile energy and food prices. Escalating attacks are coming against a backdrop of an already tightening global crude market.

Persons: Brent, Bart Melek, Andy Lipow, Lipow, Bob Yawger, Yawger, Netanyahu, Manish Raj, White, Biden, John Kilduff, Kilduff, Melek, Saudi Arabia doesn't Organizations: Federal, American Automobile Association, West Texas, TD Securities, Lipow Oil Associates, Mizuho Americas, Valero, Philips, Marathon Petroleum, Velandera Energy Partners, Kyiv, JPMorgan, Financial Times, Again Capital, Bank of America, Saudi Locations: East, Eastern Europe, Iran, Israel, Ukraine, Damascus, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Russia, Saudi Arabia

☆ Trump recently spoke to his old 'friend,' Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the NYT reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Former President Donald Trump recently spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, per the NYT. Trump once called the Saudi ruler "a friend of mine" whom he'd protected from congressional scrutiny. AdvertisementFormer President Donald Trump recently spoke to his old "friend" and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. Related storiesThat Trump has carried on his relationship with the Saudi ruler isn't too surprising. AdvertisementTrump also claimed that he'd protected the Saudi Crown Prince from congressional scrutiny following the brutal murder of American journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

Persons: Donald Trump, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump, —, Trump's, isn't, Jared Kushner, Jamal Khashoggi, Bob Woodward Organizations: MBS, Saudi Consulate, Service, The New York Times, White, The Times, Times, Representatives, Trump, Saudi, Trump Organization, Reuters, Business Insider Locations: Saudi, American, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Istanbul

☆ Trump Spoke Recently With Saudi Leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Maggie Haberman | Jonathan Swan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Former President Donald J. Trump spoke recently with Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, their first publicly disclosed conversation since Mr. Trump left office in January 2021, according to two people briefed on the discussion who were not authorized to speak publicly about it. It was unclear what the two men discussed and whether it was their only conversation since Mr. Trump’s departure from the White House. Neither representatives for Mr. Trump nor an official of the Saudi government responded to requests for comment. If President Biden manages to clinch a trilateral megadeal — which would probably include a Saudi-Israeli peace agreement, an Israeli commitment to a two-state solution, a U.S.-Saudi defense treaty and U.S.-Saudi understandings on a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia — he will need support from two-thirds of senators to ratify the U.S.-Saudi treaty. Mr. Trump, as the presumptive Republican nominee in firm command of his party, could potentially either block any deal or greenlight it for congressional Republicans.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump’s, Biden, Saudi Arabia — Organizations: Mr, U.S ., Republican, Republicans Locations: Saudi, Israel, U.S, Saudi Arabia

☆ Regenerative tourism is the new gold standard for resort development. This destination on the Red Sea is leading the way.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Sponsor Post | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A development organization in Saudi Arabia is changing perceptions of how regenerative tourism can work. He took a different course: Building a vertically-integrated real estate company to deliver The Red Sea. Across its two larger destinations, The Red Sea and AMAALA, RSG is creating 120,000 new jobs, directly and indirectly. Destinations like The Red Sea and AMAALA aim to build a broader, more leisure-focused tourism sector. This article was created by Insider Studios with Red Sea Global.

Persons: John Pagano, Pagano, St Regis, RSG, RSG —, King Abdullah, I've, University of Prince Mugrin, We're Organizations: Red Sea, St, Ritz, Carlton Reserve, imminently, King, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, KAUST, Saudi, Hospitality, University of Prince, Tourism, Insider Studios, Sea Locations: Saudi Arabia, London, Bahamas, RSG, Central, Saudi, Red

☆ Live updates: Israel-Hamas war, Rafah offensive, Al-Shifa Hospital raid
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Deva Lee | James Legge | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

President Joe Biden is seen at a fundraising event in New York City on Thursday. Elizabeth Frantz/ReutersPresident Joe Biden said Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries are “prepared to fully recognize Israel” during remarks at an off-camera fundraiser Thursday night, according to reporters in the room. But look, I've been working with the Saudis and with all the other Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan and Qatar. They're prepared to fully recognize Israel, fully recognize Israel for the first time,” Biden said, according to reports from journalists in the room. We've got to get more food and medicine, supplies in to the Palestinians,” Biden said, according to reports.

Persons: Joe Biden, Elizabeth Frantz, Israel ”, I've, They're, ” Biden, Biden, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, We've, ” Locations: New York City, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Gaza, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar

☆ A 'Dragon Ball' theme park is Saudi Arabia's latest attempt to become the world's playground. Some fans aren't happy.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A huge new "Dragon Ball" theme park is coming to Saudi Arabia, the franchise owner said. AdvertisementA massive theme park devoted to "Dragon Ball" is due to be built in Saudi Arabia. The owners of the Dragon Ball franchise announced Friday that Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya Investment Company would begin building the only theme park in the world devoted to "Dragon Ball," the hugely popular manga series. On one "Dragon Ball" fan subreddit, the news was greeted with comments like: "I'd prefer not to give the Saudis my money." AdvertisementThe news of the theme park came only weeks after the death of "Dragon Ball" creator Akira Toriyama, who died on March 8 aged 68.

Persons: —, Goku, Mohammed bin Salman's, Dragon, Prince Mohammed, Jamal Khashoggi, Akira Toriyama Organizations: Service, Ball, Saudi, Qiddiya Investment Company, Human Rights Watch, Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Qiddiya City, Riyadh, Turkey

☆ Crude oil showing signs of a breakout as it tops $80. What traders say happens next
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. crude oil futures might be showing signs of a break out after topping $80 this week, though some analysts caution against reading too much into the move. The move higher came after the International Energy Agency forecast a crude supply deficit this year and Ukraine attacked several oil refineries in Russia. U.S. crude performed the same pattern this week, wiping out and closing above last week's intraday high of $80.67. U.S. crude has also held above its 200-day moving average of $78.13 a barrel almost all month, he said. As the market enters a supply deficit this year, Riyadh could start rolling barrels back on the market, Melek said.

Persons: Matt Maley, Miller, Tom Fitzpatrick, R.J, O'Brien, WTI, Brent, Fitzpatrick, Maley, Malley, Bart Melek, Melek, We're, Carter Worth, It's, it's, Worth Organizations: West Texas Intermediate, International Energy Agency, SPDR, Energy, TD Securities, U.S, Worth Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Riyadh, U.S, United States

☆ OPEC to Extend Oil Production Cuts Through June
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Stanley Reed | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Saudi Arabia, the de facto leader of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, said Sunday that it would extend cuts in oil production through June, noting that it was acting “in coordination with some” other states. The decision to keep output cuts in place was expected and appears intended to bolster what might otherwise be weak oil prices. Some analysts forecast that the supply of oil will exceed demand in the first half of this year. Without continued cuts, prices might sink. Saudi Arabia described the move as “precautionary.” Holding back oil production has “the aim of supporting the stability and balance of oil markets,” the kingdom said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Persons: ” Organizations: Organization of, Petroleum, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Press Agency Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Kuwait

☆ Jon Stewart Takes on ‘Something Light’: Israel and Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Trish Bendix | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“Look, the United States is Israel’s closest ally. Israel’s work emergency contact. Maybe it’s time for the U.S. to give Israel some tough moral love.” — JON STEWART“‘Hey, Israel, take it down a notch. But really, couldn’t the United States have told Israel that when we gave them all the bombs? This is like your coke dealer coming over with an eight ball and going, ‘Don’t stay up all night.’” — JON STEWART“Let’s just ask God.

Persons: Israel’s, ” — JON STEWART “ ‘, Don’t, ’ ” — JON STEWART “ Let’s, It’s, ” — JON STEWART “, Jordan —, ” — JON STEWART Organizations: Hamas, NATO, Treaty Organization Locations: United States, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Qatar

Search resuls for: "Saudis"

25 mentions found