The US president is in Saudi Arabia, the first stop on a regional trip that includes the United Arab Emirates and Qatar (but not Israel). His agenda is centred on business and billion-dollar deals (including weapons), relegating other issues to the margins. Economics and Saudi money overshadow human rights issues and environmental concerns linked to the Red Sea megaproject.
Bishop Berardi recounts Holy Week among Catholics in the Gulf, a ‘unique’ reality due to the multitude of rituals and languages. Expatriates in Saudi Arabia use the internet and television to follow the celebrations. Prayers for peace in the Holy Land, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. The meaning of the mission, which is ‘first and foremost personal conversion’.
According to Amnesty International's report, 91 per cent of known death sentences have been handed down in Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. There is no reliable data for China, North Korea and Vietnam since the information is treated as a state secret. Iran has experienced a boom in executions, partly to crack down on protest. Governments have weaponised the death penalty under the pretext of improving security.
Middle East Eye investigation: Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are linked through Kushner's Affinity Partners to UN blacklisted companies. Involved are banks and companies in telecommunications, transportation, energy, engineering and retail. Business in settlements stronger than solidarity with Palestinians.
The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) and the Saudi Film Commission (SFC) are set to work together to develop cooperation in the film industry. The two sides inked an agreement, based on a 2019 memorandum of understanding, to encourage cultural exchange, film co-production and technological innovation, with training and networking initiatives between industry professionals.
Saudi Arabia is at the crossroads of several global issues, from the war in Ukraine to the future of the Gaza Strip and Iranian nuclear power. Under the leadership of bin Salman, the kingdom has strengthened relations with Trump and defused tensions with Tehran. The game of normalisation with Israel and the internal challenge with the United Arab Emirates for hegemony in the Gulf.
