Saudi Arabia’s young crown prince has reached into the daily affairs of some of his country’s biggest companies, yanking popular soap operas off the air and disrupting construction on the world’s tallest building. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is swiftly demonstrating his power over Saudi business interests, senior Saudi advisers said, after the detention of dozens of top businessmen, government officials and royal family members last year. The 32-year-old, who already controlled the military and foreign policy, forced some businessmen to make cash payments and give up control of their companies in exchange for their freedom. The government has quietly taken control of the country’s largest construction company, Saudi Binladin Group, and the Middle East’s biggest private broadcaster, MBC Group, people familiar with the takeover said. It is now assuming veto power over investment decisions by the kingdom’s most colorful business personality, Prince al-Waleed bin Talal, according […]