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☆ World Food Programme Pauses Distribution in North Yemen as Funds Limited
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Dec. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

RIYADH (Reuters) - The World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday it had paused general food distribution in north Yemen due to limited funding and disagreement with local authorities over how to focus on the poorest there. The fighting has abated over the last two years, easing what the United Nations has described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The WFP had already reduced rations in Yemen since 2022 due to critical funding gaps and global inflation that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The agency said it would continue other programmes, including nutrition and school feeding programmes to limit the impact of the decision. General food distribution would continue with a focus on the neediest in the areas controlled by the Saudi-backed government, it said.

Persons: Aziz El Yaakoubi, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Reuters, Food Programme, United Nations, WFP Locations: RIYADH, Yemen, Iran, Saudi, Aden, Ukraine

☆ Qatar emir calls on U.N. to force Israel into talks to end Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Buildings lie in ruin in Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, December 4, 2023. Qatar, where several political leaders of Hamas are based, has been leading negotiations between the Palestinian militant group and Israel. Those talks led to a truce that ultimately lasted for seven days before hostilities resumed on Friday. During the truce, Hamas released dozens of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and Israel allowed humanitarian aid to flow into the coastal strip. Sheikh Tamim said Qatar was working with both sides to repair the deal.

Persons: Athit, Israel, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, Thani, Sheikh Tamim, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Nayera Abdallah, Andrew Mills, Alex Richardson, Miral Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, Rights DOHA, . Security Council, Qatari, Doha, UN, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Qatar

☆ Saudi Arabia offers tax breaks for companies moving regional HQs to Riyadh
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan attends the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, 15 July 2022. The programme has so far attracted 200 foreign companies, Saudi Investment minister Khaled Al-Falih was quoted as saying. "The new tax exemptions granted on regional headquarters activities will give .... international companies in the kingdom more clarity of vision and stability," Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said, according to SPA. Foreign companies have scrambled to meet the Saudi condition to relocate their regional headquarters after the kingdom said in October the deadline will be enforced. Foreign firms have for years used neighbouring United Arab Emirates as a springboard for their regional operations, including for Saudi Arabia.

Persons: Finance Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al, Jadaan, Jan, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khaled Al, Falih, Mohammed Al, ” Jadaan, Aziz El, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Finance, Ministers, Central Bank Governors, Rights, United, United Arab Emirates, International, Saudi Investment, Saudi Finance, Games, , Thomson Locations: Saudi, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, Rights RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, United Arab Emirates

☆ Who are Yemen's Houthis? Iran-allied group threatens Red Sea shipping
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Galaxy Leader cargo ship is escorted by Houthi boats in the Red Sea in this photo released November 20, 2023. The U.S. military said on Sunday three commercial vessels came under attack in international waters in the southern Red Sea. On Oct. 31, the Houthis military spokesperson said the group had a "large number" of ballistic missiles and drones towards Israel. The Houthis fired these missiles at Saudi Arabia dozens of times during the Yemen war. In September, the Houthis displayed anti-aircraft Barq-2 missiles, naval missiles, a Mig-29 fighter jet and helicopters for the first time.

Persons: Houthis, Sanaa, Israel, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Maha, Tom Perry, Christina Fincher Organizations: Galaxy Leader, Houthi Military, REUTERS Acquire, U.S . Central Command, ARSENAL, Saudi, United Arab, Thomson Locations: Red, Iran, Israel, U.S, Houthi, Yemen, Islam, Saudi Arabia, YEMEN, Shi'ite Iran, Saudi, Aden, Sanaa, America, IRAN, Iranian, United Arab Emirates

☆ Britain's maritime agency reports possible Red Sea blast
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

RIYADH, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Britain's Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) on Sunday said that it has received reports of drone activity and a possible explosion in the Red Sea's Bab al-Mandab strait. UKMTO said the drone activity originated from Yemen, and called on vessels in the vicinity to exercise caution. An Israeli-linked cargo ship was seized last month by the Houthi group, an ally of Iran which controls Yemen's Red Sea coast. The group had previously fired ballistic missiles and armed drones at Israel, and vowed to target more Israeli vessels. Reporting by Ahmed Elimam Writing by Aziz El Yaakoubi Editing by David Goodman and Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bab, UKMTO, Reuters wasn't, Ahmed Elimam, Aziz El, David Goodman, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Maritime Trade Operations, Reuters, Palestinian, Hamas, U.S . Navy, Thomson Locations: RIYADH, Yemen, Israel, Israeli, Iran, U.S, Gulf, Aden

☆ Israeli-linked chemical tanker seized in Gulf of Aden, US official, vessel company say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Aziz El Yaakoubi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

RIYADH, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Unidentified armed individuals have seized a tanker carrying a cargo of phosphoric acid in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday, the vessel's managing company and a U.S. defence official said. It followed a seizure of an Israeli-linked cargo ship by Yemen Houthis, allies of Iran, in the southern Red Sea last week. The group, which also fired ballistic missiles and armed drones at Israel, vowed to target more Israeli vessels. "U.S. and coalition forces are in the vicinity and we are closely monitoring the situation," the U.S. official said. Central Park, a small chemical tanker (19,998 metric tons), is managed by Zodiac Maritime Ltd, a London-headquartered international ship management company owned by Israel's Ofer family.

Persons: Yemen Houthis, Israel's Ofer, rampaged, Aziz El Yaakoubi, William Schomberg, David Goodman, Louise Heavens Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, U.S, Zodiac Maritime, Liberian, Clumvez Shipping Inc, Britain's Maritime Trade Operations, Thomson Locations: RIYADH, Gulf, Aden, U.S, Central, Israel, Yemen, Iran, London, Somalia, Turkish, Tehran, Israeli, Gaza

☆ Israeli-managed vessel hit by suspected Iranian drone, US official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Aziz El Yaakoubi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

RIYADH, Nov 25 (Reuters) - A container ship managed by an Israeli-controlled company was hit by a suspected Iranian drone in the Indian Ocean, causing minor damage to the vessel but no injuries, a U.S. defence official said on Saturday. The Malta-flagged CMA CGM SYMI, recently renamed Mayet, was struck on Friday by an unmanned aerial vehicle, which appeared to be an Iranian Shahed-136 drone, in the northeast portion of the Indian Ocean, the official said, asking not to be named. Israel called the vessel's seizure an "Iranian act of terrorism". Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), which had rented Mayet, said it was aware a container ship was targeted in a possible security incident on Friday. The United States has blamed Iran for unclaimed attacks on several vessels in the region in the past few years.

Persons: Yemen's Houthis, Idan Ofer, Mayet, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Sybille de La, Maayan, Helen Popper Our Organizations: Eastern Pacific Shipping, Reuters, Dubai's, United, Britain's Maritime Trade Operations, Dubai Newsroom, Thomson Locations: RIYADH, Israeli, U.S, Malta, Iranian, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Singapore, Dubai's Jebel Ali, Oman's, United States, Tehran, Red, Paris, Jerusalem

☆ Mediator Qatar says truce in Gaza to start on Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike in north Gaza, as seen from southern Israel, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, November 23, 2023. Israel has said the truce could last beyond the initial four days, as long as the militants free at least 10 hostages per day. Ansari did not give details on how many Palestinian women and children will be released from Israeli jails on Friday or when this would take place. Qatar hopes to negotiate a subsequent agreement to release additional hostages from Gaza by the fourth day of the truce. "We all hope that this truce will lead to a chance to start a wider work to achieve a permanent truce," he said.

Persons: Alexander Ermochenko, Majed Al, Ansari, Cross, Andrew Mills, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Alex Richardson, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, REUTERS, Rights DOHA, Doha, International Committee, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Doha, Qatar

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani attends a joint press conference with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna (not pictured) at the Amiri Diwan, in Doha, Qatar November 5, 2023. It followed a report in the Washington Post published on Saturday that said a deal for the release of 50 hostages had been agreed. "The challenges facing the agreement are just practical and logistical," Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said at a joint press conference with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Doha. "The deal is going through ups and downs from time to time throughout the last few weeks. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said no deal had been reached yet.

Persons: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Catherine Colonna, Amiri, Imad Creidi, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman, Thani, Josep Borrell, Benjamin Netanyahu, Sheikh Mohammed, Andrew Gray, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Emelia Sithole, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Qatar's, French, REUTERS, Rights DOHA, Hamas, Washington Post, White House, Reuters, Qatari, European Union, Washington, Thomson Locations: Doha, Qatar, Palestinian, Israel, United States, Gaza

☆ Saudi crown prince calls for end of war in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the Arab League summit, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, May 19, 2023. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsRIYADH, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's crown prince called on Friday for an end to the war in Gaza. "We condemn what the Gaza Strip is facing from military assault, targeting of civilians, the violations of international law by the Israeli occupation authorities," Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman said during an African-Saudi summit held in the kingdom's capital, Riyadh"We stress on the need to stop this war and the forced displacement of Palestinians." Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi; Writing by Nayera Abdallahl; Editing by Alison WilliamsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Mohammed Bin Salman, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Nayera Abdallahl, Alison Williams Organizations: Saudi, Crown, League, Saudi Royal Court, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Bandar, Rights RIYADH, Saudi, Gaza, African, Riyadh

☆ 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

☆ US drone shot down near Yemen -officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - A U.S. military MQ-9 drone was shot down on Wednesday by Yemen's Houthis, two U.S. officials and the Iran-aligned Houthi movement said. While U.S. drones have been shot down by Houthis in the past, this incident comes at a particularly tense time in the region. The U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the drone, made by General Atomics, had been brought down off the coast of Yemen. In a statement, a Houthi military spokesperson said they shot down the drone in airspace over Yemeni territorial waters. Last month, a U.S. Navy warship intercepted four cruise missiles and more than a dozen drones launched by the Houthis from Yemen headed toward Israel.

Persons: Yemen's Houthis, General Atomics, Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Chris Reese, Rod Nickel Organizations: Houthis, U.S, Pentagon, U.S . Navy, Base Elmendorf, Thomson Locations: U.S, Iran, Washington, Israel, Yemen, Red, Richardson , Alaska

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 Acquire Licensing RightsRIYADH, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will implement its January 2024 deadline requiring international firms that wish to secure government contracts in the kingdom to locate their regional headquarters to Riyadh, the finance minister said on Wednesday. "The deadline is not new, and yes it will be implemented," Mohammed Al Jadaan told Reuters when asked whether the January deadline remained on track. Foreign firms have for years used neighbouring United Arab Emirates as a springboard for their regional operations, including for Saudi Arabia. While the government has given cash injections to the PIF in the past, Jadaan said cash transfers were "very limited" and were disbursed from surplus.

Persons: Mohammed, Ahmed Yosri, Jan, Mohammed Al Jadaan, Jadaan, Pesha Magid, Angus MacSwan, Josie Kao Organizations: Reuters, Ministry of Finance, REUTERS, Rights, United, Future Investment Initiative, Public Investment Fund, Saudi, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rights RIYADH, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa

☆ Saudi Arabia launches Esports World Cup - statement
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman speaks with FOX News Channel, in an interview aired September 21, 2023, Neom, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsRIYADH, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia said on Monday it was launching an annual Esports World Cup, which will include the most popular games in the world and have the largest prize pool in esports history. The competition will be held annually in Riyadh starting summer 2024, a statement from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said. Clubs will compete across games from various genres to become the ultimate Esports World Cup champion, the statement said. Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group, owned by sovereign wealth fund PIF, said last year it will invest 142 billion riyals ($37.8 billion) in initiatives aimed at making Saudi Arabia a global hub for gaming. "The Esports World Cup is the natural next step in Saudi Arabia's journey to become the premier global hub for gaming and esports, offering an unmatched esports experience that pushes the boundaries of the industry," the crown prince was quoted in the statement as saying.

Persons: Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Ros Russell Organizations: Saudi, Crown, FOX News, Saudi Press Agency, Handout, REUTERS, Rights, Saudi Crown, Clubs, Sports, Thomson Locations: Neom, Saudi Arabia, Rights RIYADH, Riyadh, Saudi

☆ Hyundai to build Saudi car plant jointly with Saudi wealth fund
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Hyundai Motor Company is pictured at the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 13, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsRIYADH, Oct 22 (Reuters) - South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group (005380.KS) will build a car plant in Saudi Arabia jointly with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Sunday. Hyundai Motor Group, the world's No. Yoon visited Saudi Arabia where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler. Yoon traveled with a delegation of business leaders including Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair E.S.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Chung, Prince Mohammed, Pesha Magid, Heekyong Yang, Aziz El Yaakoubi, John Stonestreet, David Holmes Organizations: Hyundai Motor, New York, REUTERS, Rights, Hyundai Motor Group, Public Investment Fund, South, Hyundai, South Korean, Saudi Crown, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Rights RIYADH, KS, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Riyadh, Gulf

☆ 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

☆ Chinese attendance at Saudi conference doubles as Riyadh courts Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Pesha Magid | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Saudi man's reflection is seen in mirror glass at the Future Investment Initiative conference, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 25, 2022. REUTERS/ Ahmed Yosri/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsRIYADH, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Around 300 Chinese "decision makers" are attending Saudi Arabia's flagship investment conference this year, organisers said on Thursday, double last year's attendance as Riyadh deepens its relationship with China despite U.S. concerns. In defiance of its key Western ally, Prince Mohammed invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit the kingdom and launched a Chinese-Arab summit. In August, the BRICs group of nations, which includes China, invited Saudi Arabia to become a new member of the bloc. Saudi Arabia is halfway through an ambitious economic transformation plan - Vision 2030 - to wean the economy off oil by creating new industries, generating jobs for citizens, and luring in foreign capital and talent.

Persons: Ahmed Yosri, Richard Attias, Attias, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Joe Biden, Prince Mohammed, Xi Jinping, ” Attias, Morgan, Jamie Dimon, Citi's Jane Fraser, Yoon Suk Yeol, William Ruto, Paul Kagame, Pesha Magid, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Christina Fincher Organizations: Future Investment Initiative, REUTERS, Rights, Saudi, FII Institute, Wall Street, Washington, Wall, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Kenyan, Rwandan, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rights RIYADH, China, Gaza, Asia

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives U.S. President Joe Biden at Al Salman Palace upon his arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2022. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took his first phone call from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi as Riyadh tries to prevent a broader surge in violence across the region. "Normalisation was already considered taboo (in the Arab world) ... this war only amplifies that," Saudi analyst Aziz Alghashian said. Asked about Raisi's call with the crown prince, a senior U.S. State Department official said Washington was in "constant contact with Saudi leaders". "The Saudis are still convinced the region, and Saudi Arabia itself, needs to shift toward regional cooperation and economic development.

Persons: Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Joe Biden, Ebrahim Raisi, Israel, Normalisation, Aziz Alghashian, Abraham, Jake Sullivan, Washington, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Raisi, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Antony Blinken, Alex Vatanka, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Tom Perry, Michael Georgy, Edmund Blair Organizations: Al, Saudi Royal Court, REUTERS, U.S, Hamas, normalisation, Saudi, Abraham Accords, United Arab Emirates, U.S . National Security, White, Saudi Foreign, Reuters, U.S . State Department, Middle East Institute, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Bandar, Iran RIYADH, Israel, Palestinian, Iran, Riyadh, U.S, East, Gaza, Gulf, Iranian, Palestine, Yemen, Lebanese, Tehran, Washington

☆ Former Hamas chief calls for protests, neighbours to join war against Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal gestures as he announces a new policy document in Doha, Qatar, May 1, 2017. REUTERS/Naseem Zeitoon/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDOHA, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal called for protests across the Muslim world on Friday in support of the Palestinians and for the peoples of neighbouring countries to join the fight against Israel. This is a moment of truth and the borders are close to you, you all know your responsibility," Meshaal said. On Saturday, Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip rampaged through parts of southern Israel, in the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel's history. "To all scholars who teach jihad... to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application (of theories)," Meshaal said.

Persons: Khaled Meshaal, Naseem Zeitoon, Meshaal, Jordan, Andrew Mills, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Hamas, Israel, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Doha, Qatar, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel, Gaza

The surprise Hamas attack has dealt a blow to U.S. efforts to broker a landmark normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia and complicated Washington's approach toward Iran, Hamas' longtime benefactor. “Quite simply, all efforts at normalization are on hold for the foreseeable future,” said Jon Alterman, head of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, contradicting the official U.S. government line. Khaled Elgindy, a former Palestinian negotiations adviser, accused the Biden administration of leading an Israeli-Saudi normalization process that mostly bypassed the Palestinians and their hopes of ending Israeli occupation. “That sort of neglect is part of why we're seeing what we're seeing,” said Elgindy, now at the Middle East Institute. The immediate challenge is preventing the war from spiraling into a broader conflict, administration officials say, especially preventing the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah from opening a second front on Israel's northern border.

Persons: Joe Biden, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Israel, ”, Jon Alterman, John Kirby, “, ” Jonathan Panikoff, government’s, Khaled Elgindy, Elgindy, Panikoff, –, Netanyahu, Jake Sullivan, Biden’s, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, David Brunnstrom, Steve Holland, Alexander Cornwell, Parisa, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Heather Timmons, Howard Goller Organizations: Hamas, White, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Center for Strategic, International, White House National Security Council, Middle East Institute, Saudi, The Atlantic, Hezbollah, West Bank, Reuters, Atlantic Council, Thomson Locations: Israel, Washington , U.S, Saudi, Gaza, Ukraine, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Hamas, Tehran, Israeli, Riyadh, Washington, Lebanese, IRAN, Dubai

☆ Adaptation Must Be 'Front and Centre' of Climate Agenda, UAE's COP28 President-Designate Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

RIYADH (Reuters) - The president designate of COP28, to be held in the United Arab Emirates later this year, Sultan Al Jaber, said on Sunday that adaptation must be "front and centre" of the climate agenda. “We live in a region of extreme heat, water scarcity and food insecurity. We are also suffering harsh climate impacts, from droughts to the devastating floods of Derna," Jaber said, speaking at the MENA Climate Week in the Saudi capital Riyadh“To deliver for our region we must put adaptation front and center of the climate agenda.”Jaber also said that donors must double adaptation finance and replenish the green climate fund. (Reporting by Maha El Dahan and Aziz El Yaakoubi; Writing by Rachna Uppal; Editing by Toby Chopra)

Persons: Sultan Al Jaber, Jaber, ” Jaber, Maha El Dahan, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Rachna Uppal, Toby Chopra Organizations: Reuters, United Arab Locations: RIYADH, United Arab Emirates, Derna, MENA, Saudi, Riyadh

Energy ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, the three largest members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), have gathered in the Saudi capital Riyadh for the U.N. MENA climate week. The UAE will host the COP28 climate summit scheduled to take place in Dubai between Nov. 30 and Dec. 12. He has argued for a more inclusive COP that brings the oil and gas industry into the climate debate and allows it to be part of the solution through decarbonisation initiatives. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman also said the industry should not be stigmatised and the world still needed hydrocarbons. "There is a case for us to be in oil and gas," he told the audience.

Persons: Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Ueslei Marcelino, Jaber, Suhail, Mazrouei, Sultan al, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Pesha Majid, Maha El, Toby Chopra, Barbara Lewis Organizations: UAE Industry, Amazon, REUTERS, UAE, Energy, United Arab, Organization of Petroleum Exporting, UAE Energy, Saudi Energy, Thomson Locations: Hangar, Belem , Para State, Brazil, RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Saudi, Riyadh, UAE, Dubai, OPEC, COP28

☆ First hydrogen train in Middle East to begin trials next week, Saudi energy minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Companies First Hydrogen Corp FollowRIYADH, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Minister for Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Sunday that the first hydrogen train in the Middle East will begin trials next week. "It will be on trial for next week, hopefully for the next few months.. We will have the first hydrogen train in the Middle East," the minister said, speaking at the UN MENA Climate Week in Riyadh. The minister also said that Saudi Arabia will be launching a "credible, transparent and adaptable domestic market mechanism" on Monday, without elaborating. Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi; Writing by Rachna Uppal; Editing by Toby ChopraOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Rachna Uppal, Toby Chopra Organizations: First Hydrogen Corp, Saudi Arabia's Minister, Energy, Thomson Locations: RIYADH, UN, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

☆ Adaptation must be "front and centre" of climate agenda, UAE's COP28 president-designate says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsRIYADH, Oct 8 (Reuters) - The president designate of COP28, to be held in the United Arab Emirates later this year, Sultan Al Jaber, said on Sunday that adaptation must be "front and centre" of the climate agenda. Adaptation means investing in ways to adapt to climate change like early warning systems, food systems and crop yields. The COP28 summit is scheduled to take place in Dubai between Nov. 30 and Dec. 12. Jaber was a controversial pick to lead the summit because his country is an OPEC member and a major oil exporter. He has argued for a more inclusive COP that brings the oil and gas industry into the climate debate.

Persons: Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Ueslei Marcelino, Sultan Al Jaber, Jaber, ” Jaber, Maha El Dahan, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Rachna Uppal, Toby Chopra Organizations: UAE Industry, Amazon, REUTERS, Rights, United Arab, Thomson Locations: Hangar, Belem , Para State, Brazil, Rights RIYADH, United Arab Emirates, Derna, MENA, Saudi, Riyadh, Dubai, OPEC

RIYADH, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is expected to tap the international debt markets to finance a projected budget deficit in 2023-2024, the finance ministry said, against a backdrop of lower oil prices and the country's extended oil production cuts. Both deficits are estimated at 161 billion riyals ($43 billion). Saudi Arabia is working to prepare an annual borrowing plan in accordance with a medium-term debt strategy and "access global debt markets to enhance the kingdom's position in international markets", the finance ministry said. This has pushed total revenue estimates for 2023 up to 1,180 billion riyals from an earlier projection of 1,130 billion riyals, the finance ministry said. Meanwhile, total expenditure is seen rising to 1,262 billion riyals in 2023, from an earlier estimate of 1,114 billion riyals, before slowing down marginally to 1,251 billion riyals in 2024.

Persons: Aziz El Yaakoubi, Jane Merriman Organizations: Saudi Aramco, Al, Thomson Locations: RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Saudi, Al Rajhi

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