British Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in Saudi Arabia for an official visit on Wednesday, where he was expected to ask for an increase in Saudi oil production to counter the recent sharp rise in global oil prices.
On his arrival from the UAE, which he visited earlier in the day, Mr Johnson was received by the Deputy Governor of Riyadh, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz.
He later met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman also attended the meeting, SPA said, adding that Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic partnership council.
The two nations agreed to form a Strategic Partnership Council. No further detail on the purpose or membership of the council was given.
Saudi Arabia is the second largest oil producer in the world after the US, with Russia the third largest. The ongoing war in Ukraine has caused oil prices to rally and European nations are keen to move away from their dependence on Russian gas and oil.
Saudi Arabia and Britain share deep historical, cultural, trade links, with more than 200 joint ventures worth $17.5 billion between British and Saudi Companies, including in defence and clean energy.
Diplomatic ties are strong as their relationship dates back to 1848 when Faisal bin Turki, ruler of the Second Saudi State, asked for the support of the British Political Resident. The UK was among the first countries to recognise the country in 1926 and Saudi Arabia opened its first diplomatic embassy in London in 1930.
Currently more than 30,000 British citizens are estimated to be living in Saudi Arabia.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
On sale: now
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
Sunday:
GP3 race: 12:10pm
Formula 2 race: 1:35pm
Formula 1 race: 5:10pm
Performance: Guns N' Roses
