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“Forbes Middle East’s “30 Most Valuable Banks” index which covers seven markets, revealed that the 30 banks had a combined value of $581.1 billion, up 14 percent over the last 12-month period. Additionally, Gulf entities dominated this year’s ranking, with 26 of the 30 based in the Gulf Cooperation Council.” Saudi Arabia make up a third of Forbes Middle East’s 30 Most Valuable Banks [Arab News]

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Saudi Arabia Gets First Cannes Official Selection Slot With Drama ‘Norah’

Saudi Arabia has landed its first film in the Cannes Film Festival official selection with “Norah,” a drama by pioneering director Tawfik Alzaidi set in 1990s Saudi, according to reports. [more]

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Celebrating Eid al-Fitr in Pictures

in reuters.com: Muslims celebrate the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

Eid celebrations: Saudi Arabia embraces joy and unity

Via Rashid Hassan in arabnews.com: The festival of Eid Al-Fitr, a highlight of the Islamic calendar that marks the culmination of the fasting month of Ramadan, is being celebrated with religious fervor and joy across the Kingdom. Muslims throughout Saudi Arabia observed the auspicious Eid Al-Fitr prayers on Wednesday morning, 15 minutes after sunrise, in accordance with the Umm Al-Qura calendar.

Saudi Gazette - Thousands gather for Eid prayer at holy mosques

Saudi Arabia make up a third of Forbes Middle East’s 30 Most Valuable Banks

in arabnews.com: Saudi Arabia is home to a third of Forbes Middle East’s “30 Most Valuable Banks,” with a 25 percent annual rise in the Kingdom’s entities’ accumulative market value. The 10 Saudi entries on the list — the same number as in the 2023 ranking —have a combined weighting of $279.5 billion, according to a statement.

Al Rajhi Bank was placed top, having seen its market value grow by $21.7 billion over the last 12 months to hit $96.6 billion.

US Secretary of State to travel to Jordan, Israel after Saudi Arabia visit

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Israel and Jordan on a trip through Wednesday, the State Department announced, after...[via alarabiya.net]

Saudi, US top diplomats discuss Gaza crisis in Riyadh

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed on Monday the importance of reaching an “immediate ceasefire” in the...[By Ghinwa Obeid via alarabiya.net]

Saudi FM: Commitment to two-state solution only way to prevent Gaza war reoccurring

Only a real commitment to a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict can prevent the war in Gaza from reoccurring, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal...[By Zaynab Khoji via arabnews.com]

Saudi Arabia and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Announce Landmark Push to Eradicate Polio and Lift Millions out of Poverty

Saudi Arabia and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today pledged to work together to help protect 370 million children annually from polio and lift...[via reliefweb.int]

World Economic Forum Convenes Special Meeting in Riyadh on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development

With geopolitical upheavals and complex economic challenges destabilizing a fractured world, the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development...[via weforum.org]

Host Saudi Tells Global Economic Summit The World Has Failed Gaza

Saudi Arabia on Sunday said the international community has failed Gaza and reiterated its call for a Palestinian state at a global economic summit attended...[via barrons.com]

Saudi Finance Minister Warns Geopolitics Is Top Economy Risk

Jadaan also called on leaders to “do everything we can” to de-escalate, echoing comments more broadly made by Saudi government officials around...[By Joumanna Bercetche and Mirette Magdy via bloomberg.com]

Long-term plans of Saudi Vision 2030 support economic flexibility: Al-Jadaan

“Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives are on track at 87%”, the Saudi minister assured, indicating that there is still a bundle of challenges that requires modifying some projects, accelerating...[via eyeofriyadh.com]

Saudi Tadawul shareholders approve 23% dividend for 2023

Saudi Tadawul Group’s shareholders approved the payment of a cash dividend at 23% of capital, or SAR 2.30 a share, for 2023, during the...[via argaam.com]

What are the Saudi Festival Seasons?

The Saudi Seasons, a series of festivals held at different locations in the Kingdom throughout the year, attracts visitors from all over...[By Emilie Davies via linkedin.com]

Host Saudi tells global economic summit the world has failed Gaza

Speaking in Riyadh, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said the United States "is the only country capable" of preventing Israel's long-feared invasion of Rafah city in...[By Robbie Corey-Boulet and Haitham El-Tabei via al-monitor.com]

Graham expects Biden will have GOP support if he strikes Israel-Saudi deal

“I’m here on national television telling the Biden administration, if you can land this deal I think you’ll have a lot of Republican...[By Kelly Garrity via politico.com]

Saudi government mandates national dress for civil servants to showcase national identity

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new regulation mandating the national dress for government employees as a sign of pride in the country’s identity. According...[By Khitam Al Amir via gulfnews.com]

Middle East on alert for Iranian attack as Lufthansa suspends Tehran flights

The German airline Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), opens new tab on...[By Birgit Mittwollen, Riham Alkousaa, Ilona Wissenbach and Lisa Barrington via reuters.com]

Opinion: Israel’s strategic defeat and the resurgence of the Palestinian narrative

Israel’s strategic defeat is encapsulated not by the loss of a single battle but by the crumbling of its moral foundation and the narrative it...[By Adham Abu Selmiya via middleeastmonitor.com]

Opinion: The Greater Middle East Is A Ticking Time Bomb

“In fact, for many Egyptian political activists — whether those who led the (2011) revolution or were involved in earlier protests — their gateway...[By James M. Dorsey via eurasiareview.com]

Opinion: The Gulf states will not move against Yemen’s Houthis without decisive Western intervention

Mere strikes on the rebel group will not be sufficient to convince the Gulf states to join in any action in the quagmire that...[By Muhammad Hussein via middleeastmonitor.com]

Israel threatens to retaliate after Turkiye restricts trade ties

Israel’s foreign minister said that Turkiye has “unilaterally violated” trade agreements with its decision...[via middleeastmonitor.com]

Airbus Beats Boeing for Deliveries in 2024

Boeing’s deliveries of commercial aircraft have faltered in the first three months of the year, according to the company’s reports, published yesterday. The U.S....[By Anna Fleck via statista.com]