MUST-READS

• Tech-savvy Qatif grandmother keeps Saudi traditions alive for the social media generation

  Dressing in traditional clothing and glistening gold jewelry is the daily norm for Fatma Abdullah Al-Malak, a 72-year-old, tech-savvy Saudi grandmother from Qatif who is working hard to keep the spirit of local culture alive through her social media activity. She creates educational content about local heritage and traditions, including clothing and cooking, and shares it on Instagram. In one video, for example, she explains the traditional significance of the Alrdah, a cloak or robe that hangs loosely across the shoulders and is worn by women when they leave the house.

• Israeli siege plan for Gaza under scrutiny as U.S. demands urgent change

  The “General’s Plan” is being pushed by some members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, despite pushback from the Israeli military, human rights groups and the White House. On Sunday, citing international and U.S. law, top Biden administration officials gave Israel a month to reverse course or risk losing American military assistance.

• Saudi Arabia to Acquire Türkiye’s 5th-Generation KAAN Fighter Jet ?

  Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have recently strengthened their defense ties, marking a significant shift in their bilateral relations. This development was highlighted by a strategic summit in Jeddah in July 2024, where officials from both nations agreed to pursue high-value defense projects collaboratively. The two countries are exploring extensive technology transfer opportunities and joint production efforts, including the potential assembly of Türkiye's KAAN 5th-generation fighter jet in Saudi Arabia. This move aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to build a self-sustained defense industry through partnerships with established defense manufacturers.

• UN refugee agency says 25% of Lebanon under Israeli evacuation orders
  Israel, which began incursions into south Lebanon two weeks ago to battle Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, has issued military evacuation orders affecting more than a quarter of the country, the U.N. refugee agency said on Tuesday. The figures underscore the heavy price Lebanese are paying as Israel steps up its campaign to defeat Hezbollah and destroy its infrastructure in their one-year conflict.

• Saudi Arabian film sector can lead on innovation, says agent David Unger

  Speaking at a panel entitled ‘The Growth of International Content and Potential Investment Opportunities’ which took place during the second edition of Saudi Film Confex in Riyadh (October 9-12), Ungar described the energy of Saudi creatives as “like nothing I’ve seen anywhere in the world." “Hollywood has made films the same way for over 100 years, but digital technology has changed those rules,” he said. “That is what is exciting about a country like Saudi Arabia, because it has the support and enthusiasm of the government but it is not beholden by the old systems. It’s going to be AI first, mobile first, all of that innovation is going to come from here.”

• Iran’s intra-generational divide is widening

  Recent research by Dr Mansour Saei, a prominent Iranian communication scholar, unveils a society where parents and children increasingly inhabit parallel universes. The generation born between 1995 and 2010, dubbed Gen Z, is forging an identity that not only diverges from but often collides with the values and expectations of their elders.

• Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence partners with Elm for Al in public sector

  Established in 2021, SCAI is a PIF-owned company that was founded with the aim to positioning KSA as a global AI leader. The company builds AI applications, including in areas such as smart cities, healthcare, public transport, and sustainability. Together with Elm, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading IT consulting and technology companies, SCAI will develop AI use cases in the public sector, and develop prototypes and applications using Al technologies. Elm’s consulting business meanwhile will provide strategic advisory services to SCAI and to the Al offices of public sector institutions that are part of SCAI’s network.

• Saudi Arabia Aims For Global Hydrogen Leadership

  A formal announcement is expected soon. The news follows on a statement by PIF governor and Aramco chairman Yasir Al Rumayyan earlier this year, that Saudi Arabia wants to invest more in green hydrogen and have 15% of ‘blue hydrogen’ production globally. While a national hydrogen strategy first appeared in outline in 2020, the country has moved forward gradually under guidance of the Saudi Ministry of Energy. Its diverse hydrogen pathways include numerous initiatives of state oil company Saudi Aramco and affiliates and the new NEOM project.

• Saudi Arabia to funnel at least $10bn into low-carbon hydrogen via ‘new’ subsidiary: report

  And some investments from ESC are set to be made with state oil firm Saudi Aramco, which is currently tasked with delivering the kingdom’s ambitions to deliver 15% of the world’s blue hydrogen (made with fossil gas and carbon capture and storage). The obscure subsidiary has no visible web presence but appears to have been in existence since at least June last year, when PIF congratulated it on becoming a 6% shareholder in German electrolyser maker Thyssenkrupp Nucera, which is 50% owned by its holding company Thyssenkrupp AG.

• Saudi Arabia Said to Tee Up Multibillion-Dollar Bet on Hydrogen

  The kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, chaired by de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has created a company called Energy Solutions Co. to finance so-called green hydrogen power production, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private.  The Public Investment Fund expects the firm to invest at least $10 billion, the people said, though that number could grow significantly in years to come depending on demand for hydrogen and its investment pipeline. Some investments will be made with state oil producer Saudi Aramco, they said.

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