Rishi Sunak Accused of 'Rolling Out Red Carpet' as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to Visit UK

SKY NEWS: Sources have told Sky News the pair could meet in the autumn as the UK seeks to strengthen its ties with the oil-rich nation.

Rishi Sunak met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G20 summit in Bali last November
Rishi Sunak has been accused of "rolling out the red carpet" for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman just five years after the murder of a US-based journalist caused outrage around the world.

Sources have told Sky News that the crown prince has been invited to visit the UK and that the meeting will take place in the autumn.

Prince Mohammed, also known as MBS, was accused of ordering the assassination of the Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 - a charge he has denied and blamed on rogue agents.

The scheduled visit will be his first to Britain since the murder, which was widely condemned and saw him shunned on the world stage.

A Downing Street spokesperson declined to comment on reports of the meeting with the Saudi leader when approached by Sky News, while a source said there was currently "no date in the diary". » | Alexandra Rogers | Thursday, August 17, 2023

Rishi Sunak and Saudi crown prince hope to meet ‘at earliest opportunity’: Leaders discuss plans to ‘progress UK-Saudi cooperation’ amid reports that Mohammed bin Salman has been invited to UK this autumn »

Banned in Kuwait, ‘Barbie’ Sparks Delight, and Anger, in Saudi Arabia

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Denounced in some Middle Eastern countries for undermining traditional gender norms, the hit movie is finding an audience in Saudi Arabia, illustrating the region’s shifting political landscape.

The “Barbie” movie opened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday. | Ahmed Yosri/Reuters
On Friday night, Mohammed al-Sayed donned a pale pink shirt and denim overalls to join a friend at a movie theater in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, where the men settled in to watch a film about a doll on a mission to dismantle the patriarchy.

Similar scenes played out across the conservative Islamic kingdom last weekend, as women painted their nails pink, tied pink bows in their hair and draped pink floor-length abayas over their shoulders for the regional debut of the movie, “Barbie.” While critics across the Middle East have called for the film to be banned for undermining traditional gender norms, many Saudis ignored them.

They watched as the movie imagined a matriarchal society of Barbie dolls where men are eye candy. They laughed when a male character asked, “I’m a man with no power; does that make me a woman?” They snapped their fingers in delight as a mother delivered a monologue about the strictures of stereotypical femininity. Then, they emerged from the darkened theaters to contemplate what it all meant.

“The message is that you are enough — whatever you are,” said Mr. al-Sayed, 21, echoing the Ken doll’s revelation. » | Vivian Nereim, Reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Monday, August 14, 2023

Arrest of Saudi Scholar and Influencer Another Sign of Social Media Crackdown

THE GUARDIAN: Detaining of public health expert Mohammed Alhajji comes as a shock as he was seen as apolitical

Mohammed Alhajji in 2019. No reason has been given for the arrest of the academic, who got his PhD in the US. Photograph: Muslim World League
A prominent Saudi scholar and Snapchat influencer has been arrested by Saudi authorities in what experts said was evidence of the kingdom’s extreme crackdown on social media users.

The arrest of Mohammed Alhajji, a public health expert who completed his dissertation in the US, follows the disappearance and recent arrests of other prominent influencers for “crimes” that include the perceived criticism of the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and support for women’s rights.

Alhajji’s arrest was confirmed by two sources with close knowledge of the matter.

There was no indication or additional information about why the influencer – who was seen as apolitical and supportive of the Saudi government – was detained. » | Stephanie Kirchgaessner | Sunday, August 13, 2023

Saudis accused of using Snapchat to promote crown prince and silence critics: Critics say app – partly owned by a Saudi investor – promoting image of Mohammed bin Salman while critical voices are punished »

Ukraine "Peace Plan" Talks Kick Off in Saudi Arabia | DW News

Aug 5, 2023 | Officials from about 30 countries have been invited to participate in peace talks for Ukraine in the Saudi port city of Jeddah on August 5 and 6. They include three-fifths of the BRICS countries — Brazil, India and South Africa — as well as other nations in the Global South, such as Indonesia, Mexico, Zambia and Egypt. The governments of the United Kingdom and Poland, as well as representatives of the European Union have also confirmed their attendance. Russia has not been invited.

Talks begin in Saudi Arabia on how to end Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv seeks support of publicly neutral countries as China sends envoy and Moscow says it will ‘keep an eye’ on meeting »

Saudi Arabia Faces Claims of ‘Chefwashing’ as It Scrambles to Become a Fine Dining Hub

THE TELEGRAPH: Efforts to attract the world’s top chefs are overshadowed by a disturbing human rights crackdown

Celebrity chefs such as Wolfgang Puck and Jason Atherton have opened or announced plans to open restaurants in the Kingdom CREDIT: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images North America
Saudi Arabia’s tightening grip on the world of international sport over recent years is well documented – but it is not just footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo that are being lured to the once-hermetic kingdom.

The country is quickly establishing a name for itself as a high-end food and drink hub as it pushes to reshape its image and economy.

Celebrity chefs such as Wolfgang Puck and Jason Atherton, as well as big brands from London such as Scott’s of Mayfair, Sexy Fish, and Gymkhana, are just a few of those who have opened or announced plans to open restaurants in the country.

Yet as Saudi Arabia’s restaurant industry explodes, campaign groups warn the rapid influx of international chefs and restaurateurs could be used by the Kingdom to distract from its poor record on human rights.

“For years it’s been clear the Saudi authorities were willing to spend significant sums of money to sportswash the country’s appalling human rights record – and the gambit here seems to be that the glitzier end of the international catering business can achieve the same thing,” says, Peter Frankental, UK economic affairs director at Amnesty International.

…

Now, the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed Bin Salman al Saud – or MBS – has opened the country’s deep pockets to lure the world’s biggest chefs and restaurateurs, offering huge financial incentives to open up. » | Daniel Woolfson | Friday, July 7, 2023

UK Invites Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Visit

THE GUARDIAN: Saudi heir’s official visit would be first since he was accused of being behind killing of Jamal Khashoggi

Prince Mohammed visiting Paris last month, where he attended a climate finance summit. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has been invited to the UK on an official visit in late autumn, the first such visit by the heir to the Saudi throne since he was accused of masterminding the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist and dissident.

Numerous UK ministers have been to Saudi Arabia in the interim, and senior Saudi ministers have also come to the UK, including the foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

Prince Mohammed also spent nearly a week in Paris last month meeting the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and attending a climate finance summit.

News of the UK visit, first reported by the Financial Times, comes as Saudi Arabia tries to end the war in Yemen, and has opened up diplomatic relations with Iran. The US is seeking to persuade Saudi Arabia also to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel, but Riyadh, unlike its Gulf Arab allies the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, is resisting until there is progress on the Palestinian issue. » | Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor | Friday, July 14, 2023

Rishi Sunak 'invites Mohammad bin Salman to visit UK': The Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, would be visiting for the first time since the murder of Jamal Khashoggi »

Saudi Designer Mohammed Ashi Makes History as First Gulf Arab at Paris Haute Couture Week | AN

Jul 6, 2023 | Saudi designer Mohammed Ashi, founder of Paris-based label Ashi Studio, showcased his latest line on the official Haute Couture calendar in Paris on Thursday, becoming the first designer from the Gulf to join the hallowed ranks of couture designers who are featured at the event.

Saudi Crown Prince on THE LINE

Jun 27, 2023 | Saudi Arabia will continue to prove wrong doubters who do not think the Kingdom’s megaprojects, including THE LINE in NEOM, can be built, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says.

Abu Hilalain: Inside Saudi Arabia’s Crackdown on Captagon, an Arab News Documentary

Jun 26, 2023 | “Abu Hilalain: Inside the Kingdom’s Crackdown on Captagon”, Arab News’s debut documentary provides a revealing insight into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to combating the spread of Captagon. Drawing upon the deep dive investigation published by Arab News in February 2023, the film offers a rare opportunity to witness previously unseen footage and gain a behind-the-scenes perspective on the team’s intrepid reporting as well as Saudi Arabia’s determination to eradicate this menace.

Saudi Arabia Becomes Unlikely Sports Hub amid Sportswashing Accusations | 60 Minutes

Jun 26, 2023 | Saudi Arabia says its massive investment in sports is part of a larger strategy to transform its economy. Jon Wertheim investigates if it’s about transformation, or sportswashing human rights abuses.

Blinken's Visit to Saudi Arabia Isn't about Oil, Says Former US Ambassador

Jun 6, 2023 | Joseph Westphal, former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, discusses US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to the Kingdom.

Saudia Arabia: The West I ARTE.tv Documentary

Dec 16, 2021 | Saudi Arabia is reputed to be one of the richest and most conservative nations on the planet. But how do its citizens live today?

Saudia Arabia: The West I ARTE.tv Documentary
Available until the 20/06/2023

How Saudi Arabia Bought into Golf - BBC News

Jun 10, 2023 | The PGA Tour and DP World Tour have agreed to merge with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund [PIF] in a deal that ends the split in the game. The surprise announcement comes after a year of unprecedented disruption in the men's game following the launch of LIV Golf, which is funded by the PIF. It means pending litigation between the tours will be halted and they will move forward as part of the same enterprise. BBC analysis editor Ros Atkins explains why a surprise deal between golf’s two main tours and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has sent shockwaves through the world of men’s professional golf.

Why Saudi Arabia can afford to play a long game in bid to control sport: The kingdom’s astounding deal to control men’s golf is part of a patient, multibillion-pound strategy to change its global reputation »

From ‘Pariah’ to Partner, Saudi Leader Defies Threats to Isolate Him

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has repeatedly leveraged Saudi Arabia’s wealth and influence to overcome international condemnation of the kingdom’s human rights violations.

President Biden vowed during his quest for the White House to make the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, a “pariah” over the killing and dismemberment of a dissident. He threatened the prince again last fall with “consequences” for defying American wishes on oil policy.

Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator, called Prince Mohammed, the oil-rich kingdom’s de facto ruler, a “wrecking ball” who could “never be a leader on the world stage.” And Jay Monahan, the head of golf’s prestigious PGA Tour, suggested that players who joined a rival Saudi-backed league betrayed the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks — carried out by hijackers who were mostly Saudi citizens.

Now, their words ring hollow. » | Ben Hubbard, Reporting from Istanbul | Saturday, June 10, 2023

The LGBT Influencers Facing Arrest in Saudi Arabia • The Observers - France 24

Oct 25, 2022 | Under Saudi Arabia's restrictive cybercrime laws, even makeup tutorials or behaviour suggesting same-sex attraction can lead to arrest. Suhail al Jameel's photo on Twitter got him charged with sharing nudity online. TikToker Tala Safwan posted a conversation with a female friend and was accused of “suggestiveness that could have a negative impact on public morality". And Mohamad al Bokari was convicted of promoting homosexuality online and “imitating women”. Our Observer is a Saudi activist living in exile in the US. He told us more about how these LGBT influencers face danger and arrest by sharing their identities online.

Russian Weapons Manufacturers Hosted at Saudi Trade Event

THE GUARDIAN: Companies with direct links to Russian military set to attend, which is likely to heighten tensions with US

Seven sanctioned Russian companies, including a manufacturer of military helicopters deployed in the war in Ukraine, are visiting Saudi Arabia next week as part of a trade mission to increase business with the Gulf state.

Companies including weapons manufacturers with direct links to the Russian military, state corporations involved in the invasion of Ukraine, and the agency overseeing a Ukrainian nuclear plant in the country seized by the Russian military last year, are set to attend.

Saudi Arabia’s willingness to develop business ties with Russian companies sanctioned by western states for their role in the invasion of Ukraine is likely to cause further tensions in its already strained relationship with Washington. » | David Pegg, Manisha Ganguly and Stephanie Kirchgaessner | Friday, May 26, 2023

Ukraine's Zelenskyy Accuses Arab Nations of Turning [a] Blind [Eye] to [the] Russia[n] Invasion - BBC News

May 19, 2023 | Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused some Arab leaders of "turning a blind eye" to Russia's invasion of his country. Mr Zelensky made a surprise visit to the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia on Friday. Of the Arab League nations, only Syria has openly supported Russia's invasion. Other member nations have sought to maintain good relations with Moscow.

Saudi Arabian Academic on Death Row for Using Twitter and WhatsApp

THE GUARDIAN: Court documents reveal reasons for Awad Al-Qarni’s arrest – even though rulers are major investors in social media platforms

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman seeks to project a modernising image of his country.Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
A prominent pro-reform law professor in Saudi Arabia was sentenced to death for alleged crimes including having a Twitter account and using WhatsApp to share news considered “hostile” to the kingdom, according to court documents seen by the Guardian.

The arrest of Awad Al-Qarni, 65, in September 2017 represented the start of a crackdown against dissent by the then newly named crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

Details of the charges brought against Al-Qarni have now been shared with the Guardian by his son Nasser, who last year fled the kingdom and is living in the UK, where he has said he is seeking asylum protection.

Al-Qarni has been portrayed in Saudi-controlled media as a dangerous preacher, but dissidents have said Al-Qarni was an important and well-regarded intellectual with a strong social media following, including 2m Twitter followers. » | Stephanie Kirchgaessnerin Washington | Sunday, January 15, 2023

Former Twitter Employee Jailed for Spying for Saudi Arabia - BBC News

Dec 15, 2022 | A court in California has sentenced a former Twitter manager to three-and-a-half years in jail for spying on behalf of Saudi Arabia. Ahmad Abouammo handed over the personal details of critics of the Saudi government, including email addresses and phone numbers. In return, he received hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Saudi Prince Threatens the West on the Backlash to OPEC

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