MUST-READS

• Apple announces retail expansion plans in Saudi Arabia

  The company is set to debut its online Apple Store in the summer of 2025, offering a complete range of products with Arabic service and support for the first time. From 2026, Apple aims to inaugurate the first of many flagship stores across the country. Apple is in the early phases of designing a store at Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Apple CEO Tim Cook said: “We’re excited to be expanding here in Saudi Arabia with the launch of the Apple Store online next year, and the first of several flagship Apple Store locations starting in 2026, including an iconic store at the stunning site of Diriyah coming later.

• UN pledges to address migrant labour rights as Saudi Arabia is set to host 2034 World Cup

  The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has pledged to ensure proper labour standards during tournament preparations, which will heavily rely on migrant workers. Two days before FIFA is set to officially confirm Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup, the United Nations’ top human rights official pledged on Monday to advocate for the proper respect of migrant labour standards during the tournament preparations. The kingdom’s plans include constructing eight of the 15 proposed stadiums from scratch and adding 175,000 hotel rooms relying heavily on migrant workers — primarily from South Asia — under a labour framework that human rights groups have criticised for inadequate protections.

• Saudi Arabia says Israel’s Golan buffer zone seizure confirms continued Israeli violation of international law

  Israel’s decision to seize Syrian-held areas in a UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights and its attacks on Syrian territory confirm continued Israeli violation of international law, Saudi Arabia said on Monday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday he had ordered the army to “seize” the demilitarised zone in the Syrian-controlled part of the Golan Heights after militants swept Syrian president Bashar Assad from power. A statement issued by the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said the move showed Israel’s determination to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring its security, stability, and territorial integrity.

• Saudi Arabia calls on international community to translate two-state solution into action

  “If the international community is interested in protecting what remains of the credibility of its rules and institutions, it must join hands with Saudi Arabia and regional countries that are serious about peace in order to translate words into deeds and embody the two-state solution on the ground. It is time for us to overcome the stagnation that has marred the peace process over the past years, and move from talking about peace to making peace,” he said while delivering a special keynote address at the 20^th session of the Manama Dialogue Forum 2024 on Saturday. “The crises and conflicts that occur in it have effects that extend beyond the borders of the region, affecting international security and stability, and posing a threat to the safety of the global economy. There must be a serious political will to establish peace, overcome crises, and respond to the requirements of development and economic integration.”

• Prince Saud bin Talal Launches First Hydrogen-Powered Bus in Saudi Arabia

  Al-Ahsa Governor Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr on Thursday inaugurated the trial of the first hydrogen-powered bus in Saudi Arabia. The bus boasts the ability to travel up to 635 kilometers on a single charge and has a capacity of 45 passengers. It will connect the city of Dammam with Al-Ahsa Governorate, covering a total distance of 359 kilometers daily as part of intercity transportation services operated by SATCO, a licensed company in the southern concession area.

• Imax CEO Richard Gelfond on Launching the Company’s First Arabic Film and Expanding Its Footprint in Saudi Arabia and the MENA Region

  In what amounts to a milestone for the Middle East, Imax has announced plans to release its first-ever Arabic-language feature film. It’s a comedy titled “Ambulance” led by Saudi star Ibrahim Hajjaj, whose 2023 wrestling movie “Sattar”is Saudi Arabia‘s highest grossing local title. The announcement was made by Imax CEO Richard Gelfond during the grand opening on Wednesday of a new Imax theater in the Saudi city of Jeddah, which featured screenings of “Gladiator II” and “Moana 2.” The event took place on the eve of the Red Sea Film Festival, which will open Thursday with Gelfond in attendance.

• UK’s Starmer to Push for Stronger Ties With UAE, Saudi Arabia in First Gulf Visit
  British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will begin a multi-day visit to the Gulf on Sunday, his first trip to the region since taking office, seeking stronger economic and defence ties with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. He will aim to boost investment and deepen defence and security partnerships, the government said in a statement on Saturday, describing the two Middle Eastern countries as "some of the UK's most vital modern-day partners." Starmer, elected to lead the world's sixth-largest economy in July, will arrive in the UAE on Sunday, where he is due to hold talks with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday. He will fly to Saudi Arabia later on Monday to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

• Apple announces Apple Retail expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  Apple today announced plans to expand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, starting with the launch of the Apple Store online in summer 2025. The online store will bring customers across Saudi Arabia new ways to shop Apple’s full range of products, with exceptional service and support directly from Apple in Arabic for the very first time. Starting in 2026, Apple will begin opening the first of several flagship Apple Store locations in Saudi Arabia. These retail stores will offer customers in the country even more ways to connect with Apple’s knowledgable team members and find the perfect products and services. As part of this expansion, Apple is in the initial stages of planning an iconic retail store coming to Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• New KAUST president: In Saudi Arabia, the possibilities are even greater

  Possibly the most exciting thing happening in Saudi Arabia at the moment is the energy generated by its youthful population, which is fully engaged in transforming the nation. Some two-thirds of Saudi Arabians are under 35 years of age, and there is a huge appetite for tertiary education, and the acquisition of the skill set the nation needs for its transformation. The work ethic of young people of all genders is high, and the energy manifested in the country's transformation is very impressive indeed. Why did I come to KAUST? For those unfamiliar with its journey, KAUST is an extraordinary university. Only 15 years old, it was endowed with significant resources by the late King Abdullah, with the mission to develop one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities in Saudi Arabia, using Caltech as a model. Its success has been remarkable. KAUST has attracted an international faculty, boasting a citation rate per faculty member that leads the world, along with outstanding students.

• Saudi Arabia’s mangroves take center stage on second day of SGI Talks

  Dr. Hilmi emphasized the role of marine and coastal habitats as carbon sinks – capable of sequestering up to ten times more carbon than forests – adding that they also provide added services to humanity in the form of natural resources, protection from coastal erosion, water filtration, and cultural value in the form of education and eco-tourism. Dr. Hilmi also elaborated on her work with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) where she works with Dr. Carlos Duarte to evaluate the value of Saudi Arabia’s mangroves. “I work with KAUST to evaluate the mangroves in Saudi Arabia, their carbon sequestration but also their co-benefits, these other ecosystem benefits I told you about” she added.

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