• Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered at least 11 princes – along with numerous ministers – to be arrested in November. • Billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal, the richest man in the Middle East, according to Forbes, was among them. • The prisoners are currently being held in the five-star Ritz-Carlton Riyadh in Saudi Arabia’s capital city. • Prince Alwaleed was released from custody Saturday, and told Reuters that he hasn’t been charged with a crime following his months-long detention. The unusual captivity of the richest man in the Middle East has come to a close. Billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal was freed Saturday, NPR reported. He’d been a prisoner in the five-star Ritz-Carlton Riyadh since November 4, 2017, when Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman consolidated power by having 11 princes and numerous government ministers seized. … [Read more...] about The richest man in the Middle East has been released from house arrest in Saudi Arabia — see the luxurious Ritz Carlton where he was held captive for months
Saudi arabia
Saudi Arabia announces $1.5 billion in new aid for Yemen
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES—Saudi Arabia on Monday announced $1.5 billion (U.S.) in new aid for Yemen, where nearly three years of conflict have devastated the local economy and pushed millions to the brink of famine, causing what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.The kingdom said Monday the coalition it heads in Yemen would also “lead the expansion of additional Yemeni ports” to receive cargo and humanitarian assistance, ensure multiple daily flights of cargo planes carrying aid from Saudi Arabia to Yemen’s Marib province, and establish “safe passage corridors” to ensure transportation of aid to non-governmental organizations operating inside Yemen.The expansion of ports will be supported with up to $40 million from the Saudi-led coalition. The coalition said that it would also allocate up to $30 million to cover transportation costs of non-humanitarian shipments intended for the port of Hodeida, in … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia announces $1.5 billion in new aid for Yemen
Saudi Arabia begins screening films after decades-long ban lifted
Saudi Arabia began screening feature-length animated children’s films this weekend in a makeshift theater, after a 35-year-old ban on cinemas was lifted in the conservative Islamic kingdom.The first permanent theaters could open as early as March, part of a liberalizing reform drive that has already opened the door to concerts, comedy shows and women drivers over the past year.For now, the authorities are sponsoring temporary settings, like the state-run cultural hall in the Red Sea city of Jeddah equipped with a projector, a red carpet and a popcorn machine.“Until now, there is no infrastructure for movie theaters, so we are trying to take advantage of (alternative) venues to approximate the cinematic form,” said Mamdouh Salim, whose Cinema 70 brand organized the week-long screenings.“We tried to use these films to be a starting point as the first cinematic screening after the decision on Dec. 11 to permit movie theaters.”Cinemas were banned in the early … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia begins screening films after decades-long ban lifted
Shadows picked up by satellite images suggest Saudi Arabia under reported its oil stores last year
Satellite images of two major oil refineries in Saudi Arabia suggest reserves may have been higher than reported. Satellite technology allows the levels of oil in tanks to be estimated according to the shadows cast by their floating roofs. Saudi Arabia reported falling oil reserves last year and agreed as part of OPEC to extend production cuts into 2018. LONDON – New satellite imagery of two of Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refineries suggests the Kingdom may have under-reported its oil stores in the first half of 2017. Satellite images gathered by tech start up Bird.i suggest the level of crude oil held in two major refineries in Saudi Arabia, Ras Tanura and Yanbu, increased between January and June 2017. This is despite the Kingdom’s official figures that show supplies declined, and a commitment to reduce supply in the face of low prices. Bird.i collects and analyses satellite, drone and airborne … [Read more...] about Shadows picked up by satellite images suggest Saudi Arabia under reported its oil stores last year
Saudi Arabia is giving many of its citizens $3000 for free
Saudi Arabia plans to give its citizens $13 billion (50 billion riyals) in handouts to offset the increasing costs of living. State employees will receive monthly payments of 1,000 riyals (about $US266). The government also announced plans to cut perks to royal family members, which angered members of Saudi’s elites. Saudi Arabia plans to give its citizens 50 billion riyals ($13 billion) in handouts to offset increasing costs of living, Reuters reported Sunday. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has ordered the government to pay out 1,000 riyals (about $266) to state employees each month in 2018.“The allocation of 50 billion riyals for this decree indicates the leadership’s concern for the people’s comfort and quality of living,” Awwad bin Saleh Alawwad, the Minister of Culture and Information told local media.Roughly 1.18 million Saudis are employed by the … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia is giving many of its citizens $3000 for free