Saudi Arabia has demonstrated in words and deeds over recent months how transformation is sweeping through the country, spearheaded by a succession of reforms introduced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Only last week, it was announced that women no longer need consent from a male relative to start their own business. This follows previous initiatives to open up society, including relaxing its cinema ban. These moves have been matched by a crackdown on corruption. On Friday, in a further representation of the mood music, the country staged its first-ever jazz festival. This is a moment of profound change, an occasion when there is a clear vision that is being mapped into reality. Taken in isolation, the news that Saudi Arabia has broken ground on the site of the country's first opera house may seem like a small part of a broad narrative, certainly when put in the context of it being part of a $64 billion investment in the country's entertainment sector over the next 10 years. But its opening will provide some interesting possibilities, not just for the kingdom but for the region too.
It is now almost seven years since the Royal Opera House was inaugurated in Muscat with a season of productions that included Puccini's Turandot and Bizet's Carmen. Two years ago, Dubai Opera's grand opening was marked by a spectacular performance from Placido Domingo, one of the most well-known stars of today. Close to two years later, the venue continues to host an inspiring and diverse programme.
Once Saudi Arabia’s opera house opens its doors, touring companies will be able to map a proper regional tour of the Gulf, possibly taking in all three venues. We have seen in the past, in the sports of golf and tennis, in particular, how the establishment of “desert sweeps” have helped attract top performers to play for several weeks of competition across the region. It’s easy to see the same happening in our cultural calendar too. If it does, we will have plenty to look forward to.
A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
Match info
Huddersfield Town 0
Chelsea 3
Kante (34'), Jorginho (45' pen), Pedro (80')
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)
Engine 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch
Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm
Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est)
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
THE BIO:
Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.
Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.
Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.
Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.
Calls
Directed by: Fede Alvarez
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Karen Gillian, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
4/5
Sunday's games
Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm
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Sour%20Grapes
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
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Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Lyth 21, Lynn 20, McClenaghan 20 no
Qalandars 60-4 (10 ovs)
Malan 32 no, McClenaghan 2-9
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Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
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England v Spain, Saturday, 11.45pm (UAE)
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Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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Specs
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

