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☆ Dubai’s floods were made worse by climate change, scientists find
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Angela Dewan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Using scientific models, the team was unable to determine precisely how much more likely climate change had made the floods. Changing circulation patterns driven by global warming are also increasing rainfall intensity, the analysis noted. Global warming was the only remaining reason they could identify to explain the heavier downpour. However, the focus must be on slowing climate change, she added. “While we can’t stop El Niño, we can stop climate change,” Otto said.

Persons: Amr Alfiky, ”, Sonia Seneviratne, Mansour Almazroui, King Abdulaziz University’s, Friederike Otto, Niño, Otto said, El, ” Otto, Francois Nel, Sultan Al, Jaber, CNN’s Abbas Al Lawati Organizations: CNN, United Arab, United Arab Emirates, Global, Reuters “, Institute for Atmospheric, Science, King Abdulaziz University’s Center, Excellence, Change, Grantham Institute, International Energy Agency Locations: United Arab Emirates, Oman, El, Dubai, UAE, Dubai’s, Zurich, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, London, Paris, deadlier

☆ Saudi Arabia to chair UN forum on women’s rights and gender equality
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Jennifer Hauser | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A decision by the United Nations to appoint Saudi Arabia as the chair of a gender equality forum has been criticized by women’s rights advocates. The UN’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) unanimously appointed Saudi Arabia to chair its 69th session in 2025, according to the Saudi Arabia Mission to the UN. “The Commission on the Status of Women has a clear mandate to promote women’s rights and gender equality and it is vital for the chair of the commission to uphold this. “Saudi Arabia cannot prove its commitment to women’s rights merely by securing a leadership role in the commission. The Saudi government website “Saudi Vision 2030” says it aims for “a strong, thriving, and stable Saudi Arabia that provides opportunity for all.”The Saudi Press Agency added, “The Saudi Vision 2030 also included priorities and targets that focused on women’s full participation at all levels and investing their energies in a manner consistent with their enormous capabilities.”

Persons: Abdulaziz Alwasil, Tadros, ” Tadros, “, persecutes Organizations: CNN, United Nations, Saudi Arabia Mission, UN, Amnesty International, Rights Watch, Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, “ Saudi Arabia

☆ Saudi Arabia, Lagging on Women’s Rights, Is to Lead U.N. Women’s Forum
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Vivian Nereim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Saudi Arabia won an uncontested bid to lead a United Nations body dedicated to women’s rights for the 2025 session, bringing condemnation from human rights groups that argued that the kingdom had an “abysmal” record on women’s empowerment. On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the U.N., Abdulaziz Alwasil, was elected chairman of the Commission on the Status of Women, a U.N. body whose aim is to protect and promote women’s rights around the world. The Saudi state news agency wrote that the country’s new chairmanship “confirmed its interest in cooperating with the international community to strengthen women’s rights and empowerment” and highlighted strides the country had made toward greater social and economic freedom for women. But the decision drew scathing criticism from human rights groups. Amnesty International’s deputy director for advocacy, Sherine Tadros, said in a statement that Saudi Arabia had an “abysmal record when it comes to protecting and promoting the rights of women.” She argued that there was a “vast gulf” between the U.N. commission’s aspirations and the “lived reality for women and girls in Saudi Arabia.”

Persons: Abdulaziz Alwasil, “, Sherine Tadros, ” Organizations: United, Saudi, Amnesty Locations: Saudi Arabia, United Nations, Saudi

☆ Saudi Arabia, Russia and several OPEC+ producers extend voluntary crude supply cuts until end of June
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al-Saud gesture upon his arrival at the 8th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna on July 5, 2023Heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Russia, alongside several other key OPEC+ producers, will extend their voluntary crude supply cuts until the end of the second quarter. Saudi Arabia will stretch out its voluntary crude production cut of 1 million barrels per day until the end of the second quarter, the state-owned Saudi Press Agency said Sunday, citing an official source from the country's Ministry of Energy. Riyadh's crude production will be approximately 9 million barrels per day until the end of June, the announcement said. Back in November, OPEC+ countries had held a formal policy of collectively reducing their output by 2 million barrels per day until the end of 2024. Unlike formal policy changes, voluntary cuts do not require the group's unanimous consent during an official meeting and bypass the need to distribute production cuts or increases among OPEC+ members.

Persons: Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al, Saud, Alexander Novak, —, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Organizations: Saudi, Energy, OPEC, Organization for, Petroleum, Saudi Press Agency, country's Ministry of Energy, Tass, Moscow, Google, INA, Hamas, Saudi Energy Locations: Vienna, Saudi Arabia, Russia, OPEC, Riyadh, Moscow, Russian, Iraq, UAE, Iran, Gaza, China, Aramco

☆ Saudi energy minister pins Aramco's oil capacity halt on green transition
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Saudi energy minister Abdulaziz bin Salman on Oct. 5, 2022. And transitioning means that even our oil company, which used to be an oil company, became a hydrocarbon company. The Saudi energy minister on Monday qualified the decision was not made hastily and was the product of a continuous review of market conditions. "Why should we be the last country to hold energy capacity, or emergency capacity, when it is not appreciated? the Saudi energy minister said.

Persons: Abdulaziz bin Salman Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Aramco, Energy, International Petroleum Technology, Monday, of, Petroleum Locations: Aramco, Saudi, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Moscow

☆ Dream of the Desert: Saudi Arabia is launching its own luxury train
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

State-owned railway company Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) recently struck a 200 million Saudi riyals ($53.33 million) deal with Italian hospitality company Arsenale Group to launch the first luxury train in the Middle Eastern kingdom. The destination has made a number of high-profile tourism investments in recent years – a $500 billion model city in the desert of northwest Saudi Arabia among them. Now Saudi Arabia is getting on board with the slow travel movement in a big way by moving into the luxury train market. Arsenale S.P.A./Saudi Arabia RailwaysSaudi Arabia’s decision to enter the luxury train market comes as demand for high-speed trains and luxury “rail cruises” continues to increase around the world. Infrastructure investmentA rendering of Dream of the Desert, which will be the first luxury train in the Middle Eastern kingdom.

Persons: Paolo Barletta, ” Barletta, S.P.A, Joe Biden, Dolce, ”, Luigi Corradi, King, Khalid al, Falih, Arsenale S.P.A, Bashar bin Khaled Al Malik, Al Malik, CNN’s Lilit Marcus, Ben Jones Organizations: CNN, State, Saudi Arabia Railways, Saudi, Arsenale Group, SAR, Saudi Arabia Railways Saudi, Reuters, “ Orient, Accor, Ferrovie dello Stato, Speed Railway, King Abdulaziz International, Saudi Arabia’s Investment, Projects, Saudi Railway Company, Orient Express, Orient Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Arabia’s, Riyadh, Qurayyat, Jordan, Hail, Italy, France, Italy’s, Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, Venice, London, Kyushu

JERUSALEM (AP) — A liquor store has opened in Saudi Arabia for the first time in over 70 years, a diplomat reported Wednesday, a further socially liberalizing step in the once-ultraconservative kingdom that is home to the holiest sites in Islam. The store sits next to a supermarket in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, said the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a socially sensitive topic in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia remains one of the few nations in the world with a ban on alcohol, alongside its neighbor Kuwait and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has banned alcohol since the early 1950s. As Saudi Arabia prepares for a $500 billion futuristic city project called Neom, reports have circulated that alcohol could be served at a beach resort there.

Persons: Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, King Abdulaziz, Prince Mishari, Cyril Ousman Organizations: JERUSALEM, Washington Post, Workers, Saudi, Arab News, Saudi Research, Media, U.S . State Department, United Locations: Saudi Arabia, Islam, Riyadh, Saudi, haram, Islam . Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Jeddah, Mecca, Neom

☆ Cameroon Launches Malaria Vaccination Programme in Global Milestone
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - The global fight against malaria took a stride forward on Monday as Cameroon launched the world's first routine vaccine programme against the mosquito-borne disease that is projected to save tens of thousands of children's lives per year across Africa. After successful trials, including in Ghana and Kenya, Cameroon is the first country to administer doses through a routine immunisation programme that 19 other countries aim to roll out this year, according to global vaccine alliance Gavi. Around 6.6 million children in these countries are targeted for malaria vaccination through 2024-25. Rolling out the second vaccine "is expected to result in sufficient vaccine supply to meet the high demand and reach millions more children," the WHO's director of immunization, Kate O'Brien, said at the briefing. This R21 vaccine, developed by University of Oxford, could be launched in May or June, said Gavi's Chief Programme Officer Aurelia Nguyen.

Persons: Mohammed Abdulaziz of, Kate O'Brien, Aurelia Nguyen, Alessandra Prentice, Jennifer Rigby, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Reuters, World Health Organization, WHO, British, GSK, for Disease Control, Prevention, University of Oxford Locations: Cameroon, Africa, Ghana, Kenya

☆ Iranian and Hezbollah commanders help direct Houthi attacks in Yemen, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Luke Dray | Getty ImagesCommanders from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Lebanon's Hezbollah group are on the ground in Yemen helping to direct and oversee Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, four regional and two Iranian sources told Reuters. In his weekly news conferences, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has repeatedly denied Tehran is involved in the Red Sea attacks by the Houthis. Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam denied any Iranian or Hezbollah involvement in helping to direct the Red Sea attacks. The person said Iranian commanders had travelled to Yemen as well and set up a command centre in the capital Sanaa for the Red Sea attacks which is being run by the senior IRGC commander responsible for Yemen. Mohammed Hamoud | Getty ImagesAccording to two former Yemeni army sources, there is a clear presence of IRGC and Hezbollah members in Yemen.

Persons: Luke Dray, Washington, Nasser Kanaani, Houthi, Mohammed Abdulsalam, Saleh al, Samad, Mohammed Hamoud, Abdulaziz al, Sager, Adrienne Watson, Abdulghani, Abdulsalam, Bashar al, Assad, Ali Khamenei Organizations: Getty, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Hezbollah, Reuters, Hamas, Foreign, Guards, Gulf Research, White House, U.S, Sana'a Center, Strategic Studies, Iranian Guards Locations: Djibouti, Yemen, Iran, Gaza, Israel, Tehran, Sana'a, Saudi, Asia, Europe, Gaza ., Lebanese, Iraq, Syria, Iranian, Bab, Sanaa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Washington, Gulf, Islam

☆ Exclusive-Iranian and Hezbollah Commanders Help Direct Houthi Attacks in Yemen, Sources Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +9 min

By Samia Nakhoul and Parisa HafeziDUBAI (Reuters) - Commanders from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Lebanon's Hezbollah group are on the ground in Yemen helping to direct and oversee Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, four regional and two Iranian sources told Reuters. In his weekly news conferences, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has repeatedly denied Tehran is involved in the Red Sea attacks by the Houthis. Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam denied any Iranian or Hezbollah involvement in helping to direct the Red Sea attacks. The person said Iranian commanders had travelled to Yemen as well and set up a command centre in the capital Sanaa for the Red Sea attacks which is being run by the senior IRGC commander responsible for Yemen. According to two former Yemeni army sources, there is a clear presence of IRGC and Hezbollah members in Yemen.

Persons: Samia Nakhoul, Washington, Nasser Kanaani, Houthi, Mohammed Abdulsalam, Abdulaziz al, Sager, Adrienne Watson, Abdulghani, Abdulsalam, Bashar al, Assad, Ali Khamenei, Iryani, Mohammad Ghobari, Angus McDowall, David Clarke Organizations: Reuters, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Hezbollah, Hamas, Foreign, Guards, Gulf Research, White House, Sana'a Center, Strategic Studies, Iranian Guards Locations: Parisa, DUBAI, Yemen, Iran, Gaza, Israel, Tehran, Saudi, Asia, Europe, Gaza ., Lebanese, Iraq, Syria, Iranian, Bab, Sana'a, Sanaa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Washington, Gulf, Islam, Lebanon, Aden

☆ U.S. and allies must 'persuade countries, not dictate to them,' former UK PM Gordon Brown says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Wednesday that the U.S. and other powerful nations must "persuade countries, not dictate to them" in an increasingly multipolar world. Much of the conversation at this week's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, has focused on a breakdown of trust between populations and world leaders, and how to restore it. Allianz CEO Oliver Bäte told CNBC Tuesday that an "increasing detachment of the political elite from the working class" was the "number one risk for our societies." It's no longer neoliberal economics, it's more mercantilist economics, states doing their own thing, and protectionist trade policies have become 'in' and we've seen a retreat from globalization," Brown told CNBC on the sidelines of WEF. Brown told CNBC Wednesday that he still believes this should be the template for establishing lasting peace in the region, but that it is "incredibly difficult because nobody is trusting each other at the moment."

Persons: Gordon Brown, Oliver Bäte, Brown, Tony Blair, you've, we've, Netanyahu, Mahmoud Abbas, Ehud Olmert, Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Organizations: Economic, Allianz, CNBC Locations: Davos, Switzerland, WEF, America, Africa, Ukraine, Gaza, Israeli, Saudi, Israel, Palestinian

☆ U.S. crude oil falls below $70 a barrel, closing at the lowest level since June
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-06 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. crude declined 4% on Wednesday, closing at the lowest level since late June with retail gasoline prices hitting the lowest point since January just ahead of the holiday shopping and travel season. Meanwhile, U.S. data on Wednesday sent a mixed picture on demand with crude inventories falling while gasoline stocks rose. U.S. crude inventories fell by 4.6 million barrels for the week ending Dec. 1 but gasoline inventories rose by 5.4 million barrels, according to the Energy Information Administration. Several OPEC+ members announced the voluntary cuts last week after the group failed to reach a unanimous agreement on production targets. Tamas Varga, an analyst with PVM Oil Associates, said those reassurances have "fallen to deaf ears."

Persons: Brent, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Alexander Novak, Tamas Varga Organizations: West Texas Intermediate, AAA, Hamas, Wednesday, Energy Information Administration, Saudi Energy, PVM Oil Associates Locations: Washington , DC, U.S, OPEC, Moody's, Israel, Russia, Russian

☆ Oil prices steady amid OPEC+ cut doubts, Mid-East tension
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oil prices held steady on Tuesday amid uncertainty over voluntary output cuts by OPEC+ and as continued tension in the Middle East spurred supply concern. Oil prices had declined in the previous trading session as traders doubted that supply cuts by OPEC+ would have a significant impact, and as a stronger U.S. dollar weighed on commodity prices in general, said CMC Markets analyst Tina Teng. A stronger dollar typically makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, which could dampen oil demand. Saudi Arabia's energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, told Bloomberg in an interview on Monday that OPEC+ oil production cuts can "absolutely" continue past the first quarter if needed. Those incidents followed a series of attacks in Middle-Eastern waters since war broke out between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas on Oct. 7.

Persons: Tina Teng, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas, of, Petroleum, Bloomberg, Hamas Locations: Russia, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Israel, Red, Palestinian

The first option in the draft is listed as "an orderly and just phase-out of fossil fuels". The second option calls for "accelerating efforts towards phasing out unabated fossil fuels". "I don't think we're going to leave Dubai without some clear language and some clear direction on shifting away from fossil fuels," he added. China's fossil fuel emissions rose after it lifted COVID-19 restrictions, while India's rise was a result of power demand growing faster than its renewable energy capacity, leaving fossil fuels to make up the shortfall. "Leaders meeting at COP28 will have to agree rapid cuts in fossil fuel emissions even to keep the 2C target alive," he said.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, Jean Paul Prates, Patrick Pouyanne, Jennifer Morgan, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, David Waskow, Exeter, Pierre Friedlingstein, Kate Abnett, William James, Valerie Volcovici, Elizabeth Piper, Katy Daigle Organizations: REUTERS, Petrobras, European, Oxford University, Saudi Arabia's Energy, Bloomberg, World Resources, University of Exeter, Reuters, Thomson Locations: France, Montoir, Bretagne, Saint, Nazaire, DUBAI, COP28, Brazil's, United States, European Union, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Dubai, India, China, Paris

On Monday, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, energy minister and the key climate negotiator, for the kingdom, was a no-show at the Saudi Green Initiative. "The climate finance that they have pledged at this COP28 is simply not enough," said Pakistani activist Zaigham Abbas, whose country was devastated last year by widespread flooding. Elsewhere, France and Japan said they would support a move by the African Development Bank to leverage IMF Special Drawing Rights for climate and development. This year also features the biggest-ever representation of business at the annual U.N. summit, amid hopes for more private investment toward climate causes. "The scale of the climate crisis demands urgent and game-changing solutions from every industry," COP28 President Ahmed Al-Jaber said.

Persons: COP28, Johanna Geron, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Nicholas Stern, Mia Mottley, Antonio Guterres, Zaigham Abbas, Abu Dhabi, Ahmed Al, Jaber, Simon Jessop, Maha El, Al Sayegh, Alexander Cornwell, Elizabeth Piper, David Stanway, Katy Daigle Organizations: of, European Union, REUTERS, Companies, Saudi, United, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Green Initiative, Crown, Grantham Research, Asian Peoples ' Movement, Development, African Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, BlackRock, HSBC, Finance, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Dubai, Brussels, Belgium, Companies UAE, DUBAI, COP28, United Arab, Saudi Arabia, Sharm el, Sheikh, Egypt, Paris, China, Grantham, Barbados, France, Japan, Copenhagen, Abu

☆ OPEC+ oil producers head into meeting with quota unease and geopolitical risks casting a shadow
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Baselines, levels off which cuts and quotas are decided, have been a bone of contention within OPEC+, stalling talks amid UAE pushback in the summer of 2021. But accepting lower baselines would pose risks in the event of future output recoveries. The two countries' baselines for 2024 — and implicitly their production quotas — were due to be studied following assessment from three independent data providers. Two OPEC+ delegates, who could only speak anonymously because of the sensitivity of discussions, told CNBC Tuesday that a compromise had yet to be reached, as the clock ticks toward key meetings between OPEC, OPEC+ and their technical committee. The gatherings were initially scheduled as in-person meetings last weekend in Vienna, before a last-minute downgrade to virtual conferences.

Persons: Saudi Arabia —, —, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Organizations: of Petroleum, CNBC, UAE, Change, Saudi Energy Locations: OPEC, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Angola, Nigeria, Vienna

OPEC+ said after its last meeting in June that the 2024 output quotas of Angola, Nigeria and Congo were conditional on reviews by outside analysts. "The postponement of the meeting also shows there are some different views among the group participants." A view of logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) at their headquarters in Vienna, Austria, June 2, 2023. Saudi Arabia, Russia and other OPEC+ members have already pledged oil output cuts of about 5 million barrels per day (bpd), or about 5% of daily global demand, in a series of steps that started in late 2022. This figure includes a 1 million bpd voluntary reduction by Saudi Arabia and a 300,000 bpd cut in Russian oil exports, both of which last until the end of 2023.

Persons: Giovanni Staunovo, Brent, Leonhard Foeger, Alexander Novak, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Helima Croft, Croft, Nadine Awadalla, Nayera Abdalla, Ahmad Ghaddar, Vladimir Soldatkin, El, Alex Lawler, Jason Neely, Mark Potter, Kirsten Donovan, Deepa Babington Organizations: Oil, DUBAI, Organization of, Petroleum, REUTERS, Russian, Saudi Energy, OPEC, RBC Capital, Bloomberg News, Thomson Locations: LONDON, OPEC, Angola, Nigeria, Congo, Russia, Vienna, Austria, OPEC's Vienna, Saudi Arabia

☆ Oil group OPEC and its allies delay policy-setting meeting by four days
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Opec logo displayed on a smart phone with Opec seen in the background, in this photo illustration. It was not immediately clear whether the OPEC+ group would be holding a virtual or in-person meeting on Thursday, or whether ministers would still adjourn at the OPEC secretarial headquarters in Vienna. Earlier in the day, Bloomberg News issued a report saying the meeting of Sunday could be delayed amid Saudi dissatisfaction over the oil production levels of some countries. The upcoming meeting faced a challenging market environment, defined by depressed oil prices, a slower-than-expected Chinese demand recovery and petropolitics amid conflict in the Middle East. High interest rates and banking turmoil largely slumped oil prices in the first half of the year, before a sharp boost from several voluntary supply declines announced independently of OPEC+ strategy.

Persons: Jonathan Raa, Ice Brent, —, Abdulaziz bin Salman Organizations: Getty, of, Petroleum, Ice, OPEC Secretariat, Conference of, United, United Arab Emirates —, Bloomberg News Locations: Brussels, Belgium, OPEC, Vienna, Dubai, United Arab, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Israel, Iran, Venezuela

☆ Oil prices surge after falling below key threshold as report says Saudi Arabia plans to extend production cuts into 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

US and international oil prices jumped on Friday by more than 4% after a week-long slump. Saudi Arabia is considering prolonging production cuts into 2024, the Financial Times reported. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementUS and global oil prices surged on Friday following a week-long slump, as the Financial Times reported top producer Saudi Arabia is considering prolonging its production cuts into 2024. Falling oil prices would be the main driver of the cuts, but some members, the report said, are concerned about the Israel-Palestine conflict and the crisis unfolding in Gaza.

Persons: —, Brent, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salam Organizations: Financial Times, Service, West Texas Intermediate, FT, Saudi Locations: Saudi Arabia, OPEC, Vienna, Israel, Palestine, Gaza, Kuwait, Algeria, Iran

☆ Gulf bourses mixed as China pessimism offsets higher oil prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 12 (Reuters) - Gulf stock markets put in a mixed performance on Sunday as higher oil prices were offset by worries of faltering demand from China, the world's top crude importer. Oil prices - a major driver of Gulf financial markets - rose about 2% on Friday as Iraq voiced support for OPEC+ oil cuts ahead of a meeting of the group on Nov. 26. The retailer reported a third-quarter net loss of 202.9 million riyals ($54.1 million) compared to a net profit of 21.1 million riyals a year earlier. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (.EGX30) fell 1.7%, with Commercial International Bank (COMI.CA) down 2.5% and Misr Fertilizer (MFPC.CA) losing 4.6%. However, Credit Agricole Egypt (CIEB.CA) gained 3.7% as the lender reported a 121% jump in third quarter consolidated net profit.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hamad I Mohammed, Brent, Masraf Al Rayan, Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co, Md Manzer Hussain, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Bahrain Bourse, U.S, REUTERS, OPEC, Qatar, Saudi Telecom, Human Resources, Commercial International Bank, Misr, Agricole Egypt, Thomson Locations: Bahrain, Manama, China, Iraq, Saudi

☆ Saudi Arabia to sign deals worth over $500 mln with African nations -minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed al-Jadaan gestures during an interview with Reuters at the Ministry of Finance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 12, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri/File Photo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsRIYADH, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The Saudi Fund for Development will sign agreements worth 2 billion riyals ($533 million) with African countries, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said on Thursday during the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Conference in Riyadh. Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih later said at the same conference the kingdom's over $700 billion wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, will make some "game changing" investments in Africa. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, also at the conference, signed preliminary agreements with African countries including Nigeria, Senegal, Chad and Ethiopia on energy-related cooperation. ($1 = 3.7511 riyals)Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi; writing by Clauda Tanios and Yousef Saba; editing by Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mohammed, Ahmed Yosri, Mohammed Al, Jadaan, Khalid Al, Falih, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Clauda Tanios, Yousef Saba, Jason Neely Organizations: Reuters, Ministry of Finance, REUTERS, Rights, Saudi Fund, Development, Saudi Finance, African Economic Conference, Saudi Investment, Public Investment Fund, Saudi Energy, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rights RIYADH, Ghana, Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Chad, Ethiopia

Yemen’s Houthi militia claimed an attempted attack on southern Israel on Tuesday, saying it had launched a “large batch” of ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones toward Israeli targets. The Israeli military did not say who was behind the attacks. Last week, Abdulaziz bin Habtour, prime minister of the Houthi government, said the Houthis might attack Israeli ships in the Red Sea. Even the potential of Houthi attacks on southern Israel means that “Israel must now allocate capabilities that otherwise would have been used elsewhere,” Mr. Sobelman said. The Israeli military, in contrast, maintains high-tech air defense systems and is backed by staunch U.S. government support.

Persons: Yemen’s, Yahya Sarea, Sarea, Israel “, Israel —, ”, Ahmed Nagi, Abdulaziz bin Habtour, Farea, Yemen —, Daniel Sobelman, ” Mr, Sobelman, Nagi Organizations: U.S . Department of Defense, Lebanese, Hezbollah, Crisis, of, Chatham House’s, United Arab, Harvard Kennedy School’s, East Initiative, Iron, U.S Locations: Israel, Iran, Gaza, Palestine, Yemen, Sana, Saudi, Iraq, Red, East, North Africa, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Eilat, Iranian, Saudi Arabia

☆ Saudi Arabia, UAE leaders meet as Israel-Hamas war threatens to spill over
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Saudi state news agency SPA showed footage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, receiving UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Riyadh's airport. Public meetings between the crown prince and Sheikh Mohammed have been rare in recent years as the close allies competed for investment and regional influence. Sheikh Mohammed attended a summit between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Riyadh on Friday, Saudi and UAE state media said. Last year, Prince Mohammed and Sheikh Mohammed met when Prince Mohammed visited Abu Dhabi to offer his condolences on the death of Sheikh Khalifa, the UAE's previous president. Sheikh Mohammed also visited Jeddah last year, and the two leaders met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in November.

Persons: Prince Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed, Prince Mohammed, Abu, Sheikh Khalifa, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: Defence, United Arab Emirates, Gulf Cooperation Council, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, GCC, Thomson Locations: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Israel, East, Riyadh's, Riyadh, UAE, Iran, Gaza, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah

Unlike Russia, one of the world's top oil and gas producers, Israel has very modest energy production. But there is a risk the war could spread to major energy producers in the Middle East and affect oil and gas flows. Second, a deal being brokered by Washington to normalise relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which could see the kingdom increase oil output, could be derailed. Saudi Arabia told the White House it is willing to boost oil production early next year to help secure the deal, the Wall Street Journal reported last week. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak added on Thursday that current oil prices factored in the conflict and reflected the market's belief that risks posed by the clashes were not that high.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Brent, David Goldwyn, Rob Thummel, Janet Yellen, Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji, Joe Biden, Helima Croft, Biden, Ben Cahill, Prince Abdulaziz, Alexander Novak, Vladimir Putin, Natalie Grover, Ahmad Ghaddar, Alex Lawler, Laura Sanicola, Kirsten Donovan, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, U.S . State Department, Tortoise, Iran, U.S, Treasury, Iranian Oil Minister, RBC Capital Markets, Macquarie, SAUDI, Israel, Wall Street, Washington, Strategic, International Studies, Saudi Arabia's Energy, CNBC, OPEC, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Russia, U.S, Iran, Hormuz, Washington, Saudi Arabia, Strait, Riyadh, Moscow, United States, Tehran, Washington . Saudi Arabia, Saudi, OPEC, London, New York

Crude oil storage tanks are seen from above at the Cushing oil hub, appearing to run out of space to contain a historic supply glut that has hammered prices, in Cushing, Oklahoma, March 24, 2016. Prices pared gains after U.S. government data showed U.S. crude inventories (USOILC=ECI) rose by 10.2 million barrels in the last week to 424.2 million barrels, much higher than analyst expectations for a 500,000-barrel rise. U.S. crude output also hit a record 13.2 million barrels per day in the week, the data showed. Meanwhile, the IEA lowered its oil demand growth forecast for 2024, suggesting harsher global economic conditions and progress on energy efficiency will weigh on consumption. However, it raised its 2023 demand forecast to 2.3 million bpd from a forecast of 2.2 million.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Bob Yawger, Yawger, Giovanni Staunovo, Prince Abdulaziz, Novak, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Alexander Novak, Stephanie Kelly, Ahmad Ghaddar, Trixie Yap, David Gregorio, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: REUTERS, Brent, . West Texas, U.S, Mizuho, EIA, European Central Bank, UBS, Saudi Energy, IEA, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Cushing , Oklahoma, Lower U.S, Saudi, Israel, Russia, New York, London, Singapore

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