Saudi Arabia

2024 - 11 - 12

Neom: The Rise and Fall of Saudi Arabia’s Mega-Dream!

AI leadership - Disney - global trade - Israel-Gaza - Kenyan mothers - Mohammed bin Salman - Neom - Saudi Arabia

From CEO shake-ups to border disputes, Neom's dramatic saga captivates the world! Ready for some desert drama?

Saudi Arabia's ambitious NEOM project is the talk of the town, especially with the recent departure of its longtime CEO, Nadhmi al-Nasr. After six years at the helm of this staggering $500 billion desert development, al-Nasr's abrupt exit has left many questioning the future of what was once touted as a revolutionary city in the making. Tailored to be the centerpiece of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, NEOM aimed to attract innovation and investment into the Kingdom. However, with delays and rising skepticism about the mega-project's feasibility, the shake-up at the executive level marks yet another twist in this unfolding desert saga.

In the midst of this corporate turbulence, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman didn’t hold back, expressing his strong views at a recent summit by accusing Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza. This heightened political rhetoric has further put a spotlight on the region, as nations seek solidarity and shape their narratives amidst ongoing conflicts. Who would have thought a village in the desert and an ancient conflict would share the same headlines?

As if that isn’t enough drama, in a surprising turn, Disney also plans to cast its enchantment over the Kingdom by initiating a theme park in NEOM, showcasing the project’s potential appeal beyond its futuristic aims. Known for drawing crowds with its creative magic, Disney is a testament to the kind of partnerships Saudi Arabia hopes to foster amid a shifting global landscape. Add to this mix Nigeria's recent request for a $5 billion trade facility with Saudi Arabia, signalling the Kingdom's increasing influence in West Africa and hinting at the possibility of strategic alliances under the shadow of its megaproject dreams.

But not all stories come without struggles. In another twist, Kenyan mothers fighting for recognition of their mixed-descent children fathered by Saudi men highlight ongoing cultural complexities. These women unveil the realities of love and identity, illustrating that while deserts may appear desolate, they often conceal a plethora of human narratives. As NEOM becomes a symbol of Saudi ambitions, it also remains intertwined in a rich tapestry of human stories across the globe, proving that change often comes at unexpected intersections of progress and personal challenges. Armed with both opportunity and uncertainty, NEOM remains a statement of Saudi Arabia's quest to become a global innovator while wrestling with socio-cultural implications. And as the world fixes its gaze on the desert, one thing is clear: the saga of NEOM is far from over!

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

Neom mega-project boss abruptly replaced in Saudi Arabia (Financial Times)

Nadhmi al-Nasr leaves after six years in charge of $500bn desert development.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Saudi crown prince says Israel committing 'genocide' in Gaza (BBC News)

Mohamed Bin Salman was speaking at the opening of a summit of Muslim and Arab leaders in Riyadh.

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

Disney Breaks New Ground With A Castle In Saudi Arabia (Forbes)

Building blockbuster theme parks isn't for the faint-hearted. Casting a powerful spell requires a backer with deep pockets and one of Disney's latest ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Neom CEO departs as Saudi Arabia scales back mega-projects (The Guardian)

No reason given for departure of Nadhmi al-Nasr, longtime CEO of $500bn project launched by Mohammed bin Salman.

Nigeria Seeks $5 Billion Trade Facility From Saudi Arabia (BNN)

The West African nation wants a deal with the Saudi government on the facility, Nigeria's presidency said in a statement Tuesday after President Bola Tinubu met ...

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Image courtesy of "The Standard"

Fruits of Saudi Arabia love turn sour: Kenyan mothers fight for their ... (The Standard)

The children are of mixed descent; unrecognised back in their mothers' country while their fathers' countries do not know they exist.

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Image courtesy of "Consultancy-me.com"

Could Saudi Arabia become the next global biotech hub? (Consultancy-me.com)

Boston in the desert” – that is what some experts in the world of life sciences are calling Riyadh as Saudis strive to reach the level of Boston, ...

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Image courtesy of "Al Arabiya English"

Saudi Arabia's NEOM announces new acting CEO (Al Arabiya English)

Saudi Arabia's $500 billion mega project NEOM has appointed Aiman al-Mudaifer as acting CEO, the company issued a statement Tuesday on X.Following Nadhmi.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Saudi crown prince accuses Israel of committing 'collective genocide ... (CNN)

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has accused Israel of carrying out “collective genocide” in Gaza, in some of his strongest criticism of the ...

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Image courtesy of "GlobeNewswire"

Saudi Arabia Private Security Market is Poised to Secure Valuation ... (GlobeNewswire)

Financial institutions, including 30 banks with over 2,000 branches and managing assets worth $700 billion, are investing in sophisticated security systems. The ...

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Image courtesy of "The Punch"

Tinubu returns to Abuja after Arab-Islamic summit in Saudi Arabia (The Punch)

The President arrived at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Aiport, Abuja, around 8 pm on Tuesday and was received by his Chief of Staff, ...

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Image courtesy of "Business Insider"

Neom: Saudi Arabia parts ways with CEO of desert megacity (Business Insider)

Neom, Saudi Arabia's ambitious megacity project, is a key part of the kingdom's Vision 2030 scheme. Its CEO stepped down after six years in the role.

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Image courtesy of "Al-Monitor"

Saudi Arabia replaces CEO of futuristic mega-city NEOM (Al-Monitor)

Saudi Arabia announced Tuesday that it was replacing the chief executive of its futuristic mega-city NEOM as scepticism mounts over the Gulf kingdom's most ...

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Image courtesy of "BNN"

Saudi Arabia Replaces CEO Leading Development of Megacity Neom (BNN)

Saudi Arabia replaced the executive that was overseeing its plan to build the $1.5 trillion futuristic development known as Neom, in the latest sign that ...

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Image courtesy of "The Wall Street Journal"

CEO of Saudi Arabia's Futuristic City Project Neom Leaves Abruptly (The Wall Street Journal)

Longtime CEO Nadhmi al-Nasr left Neom, Saudi Arabia's marquee development, which has been plagued by delays, cost overruns and staff turnover.

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Long-time CEO of NEOM goes as Saudi Arabia scales back mega ... (Reuters)

Nadhmi al-Nasr, the long-time chief executive of the $500 billion NEOM mega-project at the heart of Saudi Arabia's drive to diversify away from oil, ...

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Image courtesy of "Middle East Eye"

Neom boss who bragged he ran employees 'like slaves' leaves ... (Middle East Eye)

Executive who said white people were 'top of the pecking order' and another who scuffled with an employee have also departed.

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Image courtesy of "Daily Nation"

I did not intend to kill… I'm banking on you, pleads Kenyan facing ... (Daily Nation)

Stephen Munyakho with his brother, Cyprian (left) during annual leave from his work station in Saudi Arabia, with their mother, Dorothy Kweyu.

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Image courtesy of "CNBCTV18"

Nadhmi Al-Nasr, the CEO of Saudi Arabia's futuristic city, departs ... (CNBCTV18)

The reasons behind his departure are unclear, but it represents a significant reshuffle atop Neom. The city, a Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman priority, ...

IHF | IHF D Licence Coaching Course proves a success in Saudi ... (IHF)

38 male coaches took part in the IHF D Licence course in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which took place between 27 and 31 October 2024 at the Saudi Arabian Handball ...

Saudi Arabia has no business lecturing on human rights (Israel Hayom)

This series of normalization agreements, established in 2020, initiated formal diplomatic ties between Israel and several Arab nations, aiming to foster peace ...

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Image courtesy of "The Media Line"

CEO of Saudi Arabia's Megacity Project Steps Down Amid Project ... (The Media Line)

Long hailed as a city of the future, Neom serves as the focal point of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ambitious Vision 2030 economic pivot from oil ...

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Image courtesy of "CNBC"

Saudi Arabia's Neom replaces its CEO amid reports of delays and ... (CNBC)

Neom's board of directors announced on Tuesday the appointment of Aiman Al-Mudaifer as acting CEO of the company following the unexpected departure of ...

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Image courtesy of "Global Times"

China supports Saudi Arabia, Iran in achieving lasting good ... (Global Times)

Saudi Arabia and Iran have engaged in constructive interactions at various levels, further strengthening reconciliation efforts and contributing ...

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Image courtesy of "Firstpost"

How Saudi Arabia's $1.5 trillion Neom megacity has had another ... (Firstpost)

Saudi Arabia's Neom, a $1.5 trillion mega-city project aimed at transforming the Kingdom's economy, has run into a new challenge.

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Image courtesy of "Business Insider"

Saudi Arabia aims for AI leadership despite Neom setbacks (Business Insider)

Saudi Arabia's ambitious plans for a futuristic city in the desert faced another setback. Meanwhile, it still wants to be an AI leader.

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Image courtesy of "Democracy for the Arab World Now"

Teneo's Propaganda Campaign and Subpoena Evasion: Shielding ... (Democracy for the Arab World Now)

Teneo, a global consulting and advisory firm, has contributed to and benefited from human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, in breach of its obligations under the ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Exclusive: Saudi Arabia prioritizes sports for NEOM plans as costs ... (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia has scaled back lofty ambitions for its NEOM gigaproject to prioritize completing elements essential to hosting global sporting events over the ...

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Image courtesy of "bizzbuzz"

Saudi Arabia's $1.5 trillion Neom megacity faces major setback (bizzbuzz)

Saudi Arabia's ambitious $1.5 trillion Neom megacity project, a crucial part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 for economic diversification, has encountered ...

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Image courtesy of "Global Taiwan Institute"

Economic Partnership and Technological Synergy: The Evolving ... (Global Taiwan Institute)

The bilateral relationship between Taiwan and Saudi Arabia has a long-standing history of converging interests that have endured political challenges.

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Image courtesy of "Africa Intelligence"

Sudan : Saudi Arabia resumes consular activities in Port Sudan (Africa Intelligence)

At a standstill since the start of the conflict in Sudan in April 2023, the Saudi Arabian embassy is expected to resume its consular activities at the start ...

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