After a 35-year ban, Saudi Arabia's first cinema will open in less than a fortnight. This is a momentous event in the history of the kingdom, whose populace of 32 million is largely made up of people under the age of 30. Having grown up in a country with few entertainment options, they are now being ushered into a new epoch where conservative strictures are being rapidly dismantled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Since he was appointed to his role last year, the 32-year-old crown prince has presided over the most substantial reforms in Saudi Arabia's history. The female driving ban is soon to be lifted and there is zero tolerance for corruption. Sweeping social reform has been accompanied by major plans to diversify the economy. Vision 2030, Prince Mohammed's blueprint for Saudi Arabia's modernisation, will see, among other things, the Red Sea coastline being converted into a tourist haven, the establishment of a $500 billion transnational megacity and the construction of an entertainment zone outside Riyadh.
Prince Mohammed's comprehensive three-week tour of the United States, coming on the heels of his hugely successful visit to Britain, has sent a clear signal to the world that Saudi Arabia is open for business. The crown prince held discussions with practically every business, political, entertainment and technology leader in the US. Every movement of his was freighted with symbolism. Dressed in a casual suit, he sipped coffee in a Manhattan Starbucks with former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. Corporate America took note that it was dealing with a new kind of leader. "The crown prince is always impressive when he sets out his vision for the [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia]", tweeted Goldman Sachs chief executive Lloyd Blankfein. In Seattle, he held discussions with Jeff Bezos, the chief executive of Amazon, which is seeking to invest in Saudi Arabia, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who are likely to play a key role in Prince Mohammed's ambitious plans for Saudi Arabia's digital transformation and knowledge-based innovation. In Nevada, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson briefed him on hyperloop technology, a promising transport option for the futuristic Neom city. The crown prince's meetings with the leaders of Apple, another potential investor, Google and Lockheed Martin in California gave an indication of the enormous opportunities that are opening up for businesses in Saudi Arabia.
Observers have been struck by Prince Mohammed's embrace of western media; no line of questioning was verboten in his interactions with journalists. The crown prince calmly laid out his vision for the future of Saudi Arabia – a nation brimming with energy and open to the world – while emphasising the ever-present threat posed by Iran's regressive regime to all these striving to take a leap forward. The world has a clearer idea, thanks to Prince Mohammed's visit to the US, of all that is possible in Saudi Arabia – and all that is at stake.
FIXTURES (all times UAE)
Sunday
Brescia v Lazio (3.30pm)
SPAL v Verona (6pm)
Genoa v Sassuolo (9pm)
AS Roma v Torino (11.45pm)
Monday
Bologna v Fiorentina (3.30pm)
AC Milan v Sampdoria (6pm)
Juventus v Cagliari (6pm)
Atalanta v Parma (6pm)
Lecce v Udinese (9pm)
Napoli v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
more from Janine di Giovanni
Company%20Profile
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Brief scores:
Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37
South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62
Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59
SPECS
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The%20Specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Results
5pm: Reem Island – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Farasah, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
5.30pm: Sir Baniyas Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: SSR Ghazwan, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Astral Del Sol, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Al Maryah Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Toumadher, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar
7pm: Yas Island – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Saadiyat Island – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,400m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Gary Sanchez, Ismail Mohammed
Company%20profile
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
Company%20Profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Company%20Profile
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Why%20all%20the%20lefties%3F
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Jawan
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAtlee%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Nayanthara%2C%20Vijay%20Sethupathi%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Stage 5 results
1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 3:48:53
2 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team -
3 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott -
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:00:04
5 Ilnur Zakarin (RUS) CCC Team 0:00:07
General Classification:
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 20:35:04
2 Tadej Pogacar (SlO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:01
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team 0:01:33
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:48
5 Rafał Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:02:11
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.