Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Saudi Arabia on Monday launched an ambitious programme which it hopes will attract $427 billion in investments in the industrial and logistics sectors, as the OPEC kingpin bids to reduce dependence on oil. To kickstart the 12-year programme, the Gulf state announced the signing …
Read More »From Twitter to hotels, Saudi’s sprawling business interests
Paris, France | AFP | Saudi Arabia’s global investment reach is impressive, stretching from stakes in Twitter and Uber to AccorHotels and Virgin Galactic — but the Khashoggi affair has thrown a harsh spotlight on its economic footprint. The following is a synopsis of the Kingdom’s investment portfolio. A 2017 …
Read More »Mukwaya warns of threat of youth unemployment at Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Janat Mukwaya has called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to visit Uganda and study youth and women programmes that can be adopted by member states. Speaking at the 4th Session of the Islamic Conference of …
Read More »Saudi Arabia says Qatar boycott to remain in place
Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Arab states that have cut ties with Qatar vowed Wednesday to maintain their boycott of the emirate, criticising its “negative” response to their list of demands to end the diplomatic crisis. Qatar appealed for “dialogue” to resolve the row while US President Donald Trump spoke to …
Read More »Iran, Qatar voice support for Saudi after Mecca bombing
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Both Iran and Qatar on Saturday voiced support for Saudi Arabia over a suicide bombing near Islam’s holiest site in Mecca despite their severed ties. “Iran… as always expresses its readiness to assist and cooperate with other countries to confront these criminals, who deal death …
Read More »Police foil ‘terrorist action’ in Mecca
Mecca, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Saudi Arabian police foiled on Friday a “terrorist action” against Islam’s holiest site, where millions of faithful from around the world have gathered, the state Al-Ekhbaria news channel said. Citing the Ministry of the Interior, it said 11 people were injured in the collapse of …
Read More »New heir to Saudi throne holds power beyond his years
New heir to Saudi throne holds power beyond his years Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Saudi Arabia’s hard-charging Mohammed bin Salman, named crown prince on Wednesday, holds unusual power for a man of just 31, so much so that diplomats nickname him “Mr Everything”. The son of King …
Read More »Saudi king’s son named crown prince: royal decree
Saudi king’s son named crown prince: royal decree Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Saudi King Salman on Wednesday named his son Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince, completing a gradual removal of powers from the previous prince Mohammed bin Nayef, 57, who has been fired. According to a royal …
Read More »PICTORIAL: Newly-accredited envoys present credentials to President Museveni
PICTORIAL: Five newly-accredited envoys to Uganda presented credentials to President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday at State House, Entebbe. This after related welcome ceremonies. Sara Hradecky, the new High Commissioner of Canada. “We urge Canada to join us in our efforts to support refugees,” said Museveni. Maria Erla Marelsdottir of Iceland. “Uganda hopes to …
Read More »Trump backs Saudi-led efforts to isolate Qatar
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | US President Donald Trump threw his weight behind efforts to isolate Qatar on Tuesday, backing Saudi Arabia and its allies after they cut ties with Doha over claims it supports extremism. In a surprise move against a key US ally, Trump suggested Qatar — …
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