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☆ How Saudi Arabia's ruler used chaos in the Middle East to get what he wants from the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewPresident Joe Biden came to power having pledged to make Saudi Arabia's maverick new ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, a global pariah. Analysts say that MBS has navigated increasing regional and global chaos to emphasize Saudi Arabia's importance to Washington. Related storiesUS President Joe Biden gives a fist bump to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2022. AdvertisementSaudi Arabia's importanceBut global instability, economic change, and the war in Gaza have made clear to the White House Saudi Arabia's indispensability. Crown Prince Mohammed has condemned Israel's attack on Gaza but has not ruled out a normalization deal with Israel.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Mohammed bin Salman, Biden, Kamala Harris, Prince Mohammed, Crown Prince, Jamal Khashoggi, Giorgio Cafiero, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Mohammed bin Salman's, Saad Hariri, Khashoggi, He's, Mohammed Hamoud, Trump, Abraham, Israel, Jon Alterman Organizations: Service, Business, Crown, Democratic, MBS, Saudi, Gulf, Analytics, Saudi Arabia's, Royal, Anadolu Agency, White, White House Saudi, Abraham Accords, Israel, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Saudi, November's, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Istanbul, Washington, Gaza, Israel, Iran, West, Riyadh, Lebanese, Russia, China, Beijing, Ukraine, UAE, Bahrain, Palestinian, United States, Red, Jeddah

☆ Middle East wealth funds are scrambling to rescue their big bets on the future
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-08 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Go to newsletter preferencesSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. A particular focus for these funds built on the back of petrodollars has been to build ownership and influence in the tech sector. FETHI BELAIDOver the past week, PIF and Mubadala have been busy figuring out what to do when their unbridled ambitions for tech companies face reality. Reports from the Financial Times and Bloomberg have shone a light on efforts being made by the sovereign wealth fund to boost returns in European startups in which it has invested billions of dollars. AdvertisementSeveral of these nascent tech companies, such as the insurance firm WeFox, have been bruised by shifting sentiment in the markets in recent years.

Persons: —, Abu Dhabi's Mubadala, SoftBank's, ByteDance, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Peter Rawlinson, Lucid, John Keeble, Rawlinson, PIF, it's, Mubadala Organizations: Service, Saudi, Public Investment Fund, Business, PIF, Financial Times, Bloomberg Locations: Middle, petrodollars, Saudi, California

☆ The personal cybersecurity concierge is a new perk, and need, among the wealthy
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Ellen Sheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting wealthy individuals, making cybersecurity concierges a new must-have for the rich and their families, including executives. While companies are spending heavily on cybersecurity, personal and home devices are generally less protected, making them easier to crack. And despite their sizeable assets and growing threat of cyberattacks, family offices and wealthy families don't think of themselves as targets because hackings are rarely publicized. JPMorgan Private Bank offers cybersecurity help to its ultra-high net worth clients, along with lifestyle and travel services. "I think one of the misconceptions is that — particularly for family offices — 'we're small and nobody notices us.'

Persons: Bill Roth, Jeff Bezos, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Lauren Sanchez, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, It's, Bobby Stover, Ernst & Young, They're, Anwar Visram, HardTarget, Ileana Van Der Linde, I've, Visram Organizations: Saudi Crown, Ernst &, JPMorgan, JPMorgan Private Bank, Asset, Wealth Management, CNBC Locations: WhatsApp, Tinder

☆ Trump meeting with Netanyahu for first time since departing White House
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Alayna Treene | Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Former President Donald Trump is meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, the first such meeting between the two men since Trump left the White House more than three years ago. Trump, who often claims he was the most pro-Israel president in modern history, once touted his close, personal relationship with Netanyahu. Netanyahu called Trump the greatest friend Israel has ever had and heralded him for “unequivocally” standing by Israel during Trump’s tenure as commander in chief. In posting that engagement with Abbas, Trump was trying to “strike a balance” going into the meeting, Bahbah said, adding that he hopes Trump will come out of the Netanyahu meeting calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. “At the table, the most important question is asking the prime minister what he needs to win.

Persons: Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Harris, ”, Abraham, Israel, Biden, “, ” Trump, Axios, Qasem Soleimani, Netanyahu “, —, Keith Kellogg, he’s, Bishara Bahbah, Mahmoud Abbas, Bibi Netanyahu, Abbas, Bahbah, Lee Zeldin, ” Zeldin, Viktor Orbán, David Cameron, Andrzej Duda, Taro Aso, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, The Trump Organizations: CNN, Israeli, White, Trump’s, Democratic, Trump, Hamas, Israel, Fox News, Abraham Accords, Biden, Republican, Jewish Republican, Hungarian, British, Japanese, Saudi Crown Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Middle East, North Africa, Trump, Gaza, Arizona, Mar, New York

☆ Saudi Arabia's crown prince is probably not psyched that liberal ex-prosecutor Kamala Harris may be president: expert
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Hannah Abraham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Kamala Harris is the presumptive Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden exited the race. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Among them — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who one expert said would likely be wary of his presumed successor Kamala Harris. "A liberal presidential candidate like Kamala Harris, close to human rights activists will also be worrisome," said Mathew Burrows, a senior member of the research team at the Stimson Center think tank. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Harris, —, Joe Biden's, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Mathew Burrows Organizations: Democratic, Service, Saudi, Stimson, Business Locations: Saudi Arabia

☆ Esports World Cup: The new tournament in Saudi Arabia causing a big splash and division in the industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-06 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The Esports World Cup (EWC) – which began on July 3 – has brought together professional gamers, publishers and fans from across the world for an eight-week competitive gaming bonanza. To bring this on the similar scale as the largest traditional sports events and something that brings together the whole industry,” Reichert said. Discovery – CNN’s parent company – and the Esports World Cup Foundation agreed to a new partnership which includes Eurosport, CNN and other WBD platforms. “From my experience, there are a lot of people in [Saudi Arabia] that love their games, right to the top. “It’s probably unprecedented how quickly Saudi Arabia is moving ahead in its progression.

Persons: –, Ralf Reichert, ” Reichert, “, Gen.G, Mohammed Saad, Reichert, ”, Sam Mathews, It’s, it’s, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, sportswashing, SGG, Rod Breslau, “ It’s, ” Dana Ahmed, Manahel, Otaibi, Nick McGeehan, FairSquare, Mohamed bin Salman, Liquid’s, Steve Arhancet, Mathews Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, Riot, New York Times, Adidas, Warner Bros, Eurosport, Anadolu, Getty, EWC, EWC Foundation, Saudi, MBS, Fox News, Investment Fund, Gaming, Amnesty, Fnatic, “ Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, esports, “ Saudi Arabia, Breslau

☆ Russia has seen two terror attacks in just three months. Here’s what we know
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | Jerome Taylor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

In Dagestan, Russian security forces fought an Islamist insurgency in the mountainous region in the 2000s that spilled over from neighboring Chechnya, though attacks have become rarer in recent years. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with his election campaign confidants at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia March 20, 2024. ISIS-K attack on music venueThe coordinated attacks in Dagestan come just weeks after Russia suffered its worst terror attack in decades. For a leader who has long promised security and stability to Russians, the major attack on Russian soil was another powerful blow. In the aftermath of the March attack, Putin called for Russia to remain united.

Persons: Vladimir Putin’s, Putin, Ramzan Kadyrov, Jill Dougherty, Vladimir Putin, confidants, Evgenia Novozhenina, Bashar al, Assad, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Organizations: CNN, ISIS, Ukraine grinds, Russian Jewish Congress, Attackers, TASS, Russian Federation, Soviet, Hamas, Makhachkala Uytash Airport, Kremlin, Reuters, Saudi, Israeli, Central, Migrants, Kazakhstan — Locations: Russia, Russia’s, Dagestan, Moscow, Derbent, Makhachkala –, Makhachkala, Russian, Republic of Dagestan, Russia’s Caucasus, Caucasus, Soviet Union, Chechnya, –, Grozny, Ukraine, ”, Gaza, Israel, CNN Moscow, Reuters Russia, Iran, Soviet, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan

☆ Jared Kushner's post-White House deal-making included badly timed bet on Amazon aggregator
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +16 min

Kushner started Affinity in 2021, shortly after leaving his advisory role in the White House alongside his wife, Ivanka Trump. Neumann, who was ultimately ousted from WeWork by top SoftBank execs, introduced Kushner to Unybrands early the following year. Affinity's investment in Unybrands, which hasn't previously been reported, was one of the private equity firm's earliest deals. Following a continued slide, the company laid off roughly 10% of its staff in November 2022, according to people familiar with the matter. The House Oversight Committee launched an investigation into the investment in 2022, looking into whether Kushner's financial interests influenced Trump's foreign policy.

Persons: Jared Kushner, Alex Brandon, Kushner, Weeks, Ivanka Trump, Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, WeWork, Adam Neumann, Neumann, Unybrands, hasn't, —, Catterton, Jason Somerville, Somerville, it's, didn't, headcount, Donald Trump, Gary Cohn, Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, Jonathan Ernst, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Carolyn Maloney, Ron Wyden, Kushner didn't, Ulrich Kratz, Goldman Sachs, Kratz, Kushner's, Ian Brekke, Asad Naqvi, Bret Pearlman, Roger McNamee, Max Fink, Neumann's, Brekke, Naqvi, Pearlman, Fink, Shahar Azran, Eugen Miropolski, Robyn Laguette, Mark Goldfinger, Joe Biden, Lex, Jeff Bezos, Sam Altman, Ye, I've Organizations: U.S . Capitol, Capitol, Reuters, Affinity Partners, Companies, White House, Affinity, Saudi Crown, Unybrands, WeWork, CNBC, Amazon, BlackRock, Khosla Ventures, GW Partners, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, United Arab, Saudi Arabia's, Crown, Ritz Carlton Hotel, Saudi, Republicans, Crayhill Capital Management, Barclays, Goldman, Kushner, Investments II, Blackstone, Partners, Financial Services, CNBC it's, Israeli American Council, IAC, Getty, Kanye Locations: Washington, Amazon's, South Florida, Miami, Silicon Valley, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Unybrands, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Riyadh, Yemen, American, Austin , Texas, Gulf, Israel

☆ Saudi Arabia is seeking billions in Chinese investment for Neom. But it comes with a massive risk.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewAt a recent exhibition in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia showcased its futuristic vision for its planned Neom megacity. It was part of Saudi Arabia's drive to secure billions in new investment for the project, which is the centerpiece of Saudi ruler Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 strategy. China sees Saudi Arabia as not just a business opportunity but a way of undercutting the influence of its longtime Saudi ally, the US. AdvertisementIn April, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund-subsidiary Alat signed a deal with Dahua Technology, one of China's most important surveillance technology firms. "The main risk today to Saudi Arabia's tech cooperation with China is the growing China-US tech war.

Persons: —, Mohammed bin Salman's, Xi Jinping, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Yue Yuewei, Leonard Chan, Robert Mogielnicki, Abdullah Al, Crown Prince Mohammed, Alat, GREG BAKER, Camille Lons, Neom that's, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's, Biden Organizations: Service, Business, Saudi, Saudi Crown Prince, Getty, Hong Kong Innovative Technology Development Association, Gulf States Institute, Crown, Public Investment Fund, Dahua Technology, US, European Council, Foreign Relations, Saudi Arabian Crown, New York Times Locations: Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Riyadh, Xinhua, China, Washington, Neom, Riyadh Tower, Beijing, Israel

☆ Aramco share sale planned for summer could net Saudi Arabia a welcome $10 billion amid its Neom project struggles
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewSaudi Arabia looks set for a multibillion-dollar share sale in its state oil company, Saudi Aramco. AdvertisementThe government of Saudi Arabia remains the largest shareholder in Aramco, which is the world's largest oil company by market cap. AdvertisementThe kingdom has embarked on a number of "gigaprojects" as part of the 2030 plan, including its Neom megacity. But recent reports suggest Saudi Arabia has been seeking to borrow funds for the project, while also scaling back population estimates for The Line. In January, it said that its cash as of September had dropped to around $15 billion — the lowest level since December 2020, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Persons: —, Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Organizations: Service, Reuters, Business, Aramco, Saudi Aramco, Saudi, Public Investment Fund, Bloomberg, Street Journal Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco, Aramco, Saudi

☆ 7 quirky plans for Neom, from robot hotel clerks to swim lanes for commuters
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewSaudi Arabia has grand plans for its Neom megaproject. The city is part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 project , which plans to revolutionize the country's oil-dependent economy for a post-fossil fuel future. Swim lanes for commutersThe megacity is also considering including swim lanes for commuters, according to a Neom "style catalog" seen by Bloomberg. Neom planners are reportedly considering including canals with swimmable water, which would allow residents to swim to work or school. A robot and AI networkNeom has grand plans to be the most high-tech city in the world.

Persons: —, It's, Prince Mohammed bin Salman's, Jan Paterson, Neom's, Neom, Nadhmi Al, Nasr, Wayne Borg, Paul Marshall Organizations: Service, Business, Planners, Bloomberg, Wired, BBC Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Neom, Aqaba, Treyam, Neom's

☆ Brent oil gains after Iran's President dies, Saudi flags issue with King's health
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Brent crude futures extended gains on Monday, inching up amid political uncertainty in major producing countries after Iran's president died in a helicopter crash and the Saudi crown prince cancelled a Japan trip, citing health issues with the king. Brent gained 10 cents, or 0.1%, to $84.08 a barrel by 0454GMT, after rising to $84.30 earlier, its highest since May 10. He added that WTI prices may rebound further toward $83.50 after rising above the 200-day moving average of $80.02. Despite the volatility in the region, oil prices moved only slightly. "Continuity in Saudi strategy is expected regardless of this health issue," he added.

Persons: Brent, Ebrahim Raisi, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Tony Sycamore, Sycamore, Warren Patterson, Patterson, Saul Kavonic, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, Saudi, Saudi Arabian Crown, Iranian, IG, ING, The, of, Petroleum, Petroleum Reserve Locations: Fort Stockton , Texas, Saudi, Japan, East Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabian, China, U.S, United States, Washington

☆ Neom wants to build a 1,500-foot infinity pool that's almost 4 times longer than one in Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Saudi Arabia is planning to build the world's longest infinity pool in Neom's Treyam region. The plans dwarf Dubai's 393-foot-long infinity pool that's suspended between twin skyscrapers. AdvertisementSaudi Arabia is planning a spectacular infinity pool that will be almost 1,500 feet long. #Treyam #NEOM pic.twitter.com/syJG7hCZ34 — NEOM (@NEOM) March 20, 2024In a statement, Neom said the design "represents a harmonious fusion of contemporary design and minimal environmental impact while promising guests an unparalleled retreat to unwind and rejuvenate amidst breathtaking natural vistas." NeomIf completed, the pool would dwarf nearby Dubai's offering — a 393-foot-long infinity pool suspended between twin skyscrapers.

Persons: —, Neom, Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Organizations: Service, Planners Locations: Saudi Arabia, Treyam, Neom's Treyam, unwind, Aqaba, Neom's, Saudi

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long sought relations with Saudi Arabia, home of Islam’s holiest sites, as the move could domino across the wider Muslim world. The first component includes a package of agreements between the US and Saudi Arabia, another component has the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, and a third component for a pathway to a Palestinian state. The subsequent Israeli assault on Gaza, which has left the enclave in ruins and killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, may have changed the parameters of the deal for Saudi Arabia, analysts say. However, there has been no indication that the Biden administration would opt to bypass Congress for the bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia to pass. Saudi Arabia is rich in uranium deposits and has insisted on being able to enrich it domestically, which would be a first for an Arab state.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, Antony Blinken, ”, Blinken, Prince Mohamed bin Salman, Netanyahu, Biden, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Israel, Lindsey Graham, ” Graham, Firas Maksad, “, Jamal Khashoggi, ” Maksad, Crown Prince, Karen Young, Edward J, Markey Organizations: CNN, State, Saudi, State Department, Abraham Accords, Israel, MBS, Saudi Foreign, Republican, Senate, Bahrain, Biden, Strategic Outreach, Middle East Institute, Washington DC, Congress, Washington Post, Crown, Columbia University’s Center, Global Energy, Neighboring United, Democratic, Nuclear Weapons, NATO Locations: Saudi Arabia, United States, Israel, Iran, Russia, China, Palestinian, Gaza, ”, Riyadh, Saudi, Washington, Turkey, “ Saudi Arabia, Emirates, Bahrain, U.S

☆ Trump doesn’t rule out political violence if he loses, and other takeaways from his Time interview
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Steve Contorno | Kate Sullivan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Former President Donald Trump wouldn’t dismiss the potential for political violence from his supporters if he isn’t elected in November, suggesting it would depend on the outcome of the presidential race. “I don’t think we’re going to have that,” the presumptive GOP nominee told Time magazine. It always depends on the fairness of an election.”The remarks came in a wide-ranging interview with the magazine that published Tuesday. But pressed by the magazine in a later phone interview, Trump was less definitive about the future. Throughout his political career, Trump has regularly refused to accept the results of an election or commit to a conceding defeat.

Persons: Donald Trump wouldn’t, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Trump, they’ll, ” Trump, Texas Sen, Ted Cruz, Hillary Clinton, Trump baselessly, Ron DeSantis, “ Will, “, Joe Biden’s, “ Donald Trump’s, ” Biden, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Roe, didn’t, Netanyahu, – Trump, Netanyahu “, Soleimani –, Evan Gershkovich “, Alexey Navalny, Vladimir Putin, Navalny, Jamal Khashoggi, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, bin Salman Organizations: CNN, Time, Israel, Capitol, Texas, Florida Gov, Republican, Trump, Sunshine, Hamas, Capitol Hill, “, Wall Street, Kremlin, Saudi, CIA, United Nations Locations: Lago, Florida, Washington, Iowa, Florida , Texas, Arizona, Israel, Russia, American

☆ Saudi Arabia wants big spenders for the first part of its Neom megaproject
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Saudi Arabia plans to open the first part of its Neom megaproject this year. Saudi Arabia is pushing to distinguish itself in the high-end luxury market to compete with Dubai. AdvertisementSaudi Arabia plans to open the first region of its Neom megacity by the end of the year. Neom recently ended investor roadshows in China by confirming the luxury island resort would open this year, Arab News reported. A rendering of The Line, part of the Neom project planned by Saudi Arabia.

Persons: —, Neom, roadshows, It's, Marriott Bonvoy, Chadi, MDLBEAST, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Saudi Arabia hasn't, Ulrichsen, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Organizations: Dubai, Service, Arab News, Marriott, United, Rice, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Emirates, Saudi, Bloomberg, Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Sindalah, China, Saudi, Vives, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Crown, Gulf Kingdom

Sitting together last month, Graham and MBS spoke with Trump for roughly five minutes, two people familiar with the call told CNN. The call encapsulates how Trump looms over an agreement that US, Israeli and Saudi officials all see as vital to achieving lasting stability in the Middle East. Graham informed Biden officials of the call between MBS and Trump and says they understand why he wants to keep Trump in the loop. With the election looming and the region engulfed by turmoil over Israel’s war in Gaza, the window of opportunity is rapidly shrinking, people involved in the negotiations told CNN. “I think President Trump understands this is building on what he did,” Graham told CNN.

Persons: South Carolina Republican Sen, Lindsey Graham, Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, — Donald Trump, Graham, Joe Biden, Salman, Biden’s, Trump, Abraham, Biden, Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Evan Vucci, ”, ” Trump, “ They’re, That’s, “, ” Graham, Jamal Khashoggi, Sen, X.com Graham, Bibi Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, Jake Sullivan, Amos Hochstein, Antony Blinken, Jake, ” CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, South Carolina Republican, Biden Administration, Trump, Saudi, Abraham Accords, Saudi Crown, White, MBS, New York Times, Biden, Republican, Graham, Saudi Press Agency, Israel, President’s National, US Locations: Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Saudi, Palestine, Bahrain, UAE, Washington, Gaza, Riyadh, NATO, Palestinian

☆ Trump meets with foreign leaders looking to boost their relationships with GOP leader ahead of election
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Alayna Treene | Steve Contorno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In recent weeks, Trump, seizing the role of both an erstwhile diplomat and ascending opposition party leader, has extended welcomes to a series of foreign leaders at his homes in Florida and New York. It’s not unusual for foreign leaders to meet with the leader of the party that doesn’t control the White House – especially one with a serious chance of becoming commander in chief. Biden and his top envoys have also met and spoken with opposition leaders, something that has been a longstanding practice for US officials. Last week, Trump met with Poland’s Duda at Trump Tower, where the two discussed NATO spending over dinner. Trump, both while president and during his 2024 campaign, has called on NATO countries to spend more on defense.

Persons: Donald Trump, hasn’t, Trump, Andrzej Duda, David Cameron, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Taro Aso, It’s, Sen, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Biden, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Antony Blinken, Keir Starmer, Joe Biden, “ They’re, he’s, “, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, ” Biden, ”, Kim Jong Un, ” Trump, Brian Hughes, Viktor Orban, Putin, Javier Milei, Orban, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, Aso, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Lindsey Graham, Salman, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Poland’s Duda, Duda, meanwhile, Cameron, Karen Pierce, Cameron’s, Pierce didn’t, Queen Elizabeth II Organizations: CNN, Air Force, British, Saudi Crown, Middle East, Republican, UK Labour Party, US State Department, Biden, Trump, NATO, Conservative Political, Japanese, White, Liberal Democratic Party, Saudi, New York Times, South Carolina Republican, Hamas, The New York Times, Trump Tower, Republicans, Democrats, UK Locations: House, huddling, Florida, New York, Lago, Manhattan, Japan, China, North Korea, Berlin, United Kingdom, Israel, Poland, Belarus, Munich, Europe, America, Ukraine, Korean, United States, Palm, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, American, Russia, British, Washington

Their friendship was tested in 2017 when then President Trump supported a blockade of Qatar led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Before the Oct. 7 attack, the Saudis were in serious talks, led by the United States, to recognize Israel. 8 of 12 Israel has a major incentive to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, for its part, would benefit from direct access to the Israeli military and technology sector. In March 2023, China brokered a breakthrough, re-establishing ties between two of the region’s heavyweights, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, brandished, Jake Sullivan, —, frenemies, Israel, Netanyahu’s, Trump, Biden, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin, Prince Mohammed, Bashar al, Assad, Saddam Hussein, Jordan —, hesitantly, Abraham Organizations: of Friends, General Assembly, U.S, America, Hamas, United, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Crown, Arab League, Saudi Arabia, Red Sea, Iranian, Abraham Accords, United Arab, Palestine Liberation Organization, West Bank, Palestinian Authority, The, Trump, Biden, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations, New York, Facebook Locations: India, Persian, Israel, Europe, Iran, United States, U.S, East, China, Russia, Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Turkey Syria Lebanon Afghanistan Israel Iraq Iran Pakistan Egypt India Qatar Saudi Arabia Sudan Oman, Israel Yemen Turkey Syria Lebanon Afghanistan Israel Iraq Iran Pakistan Egypt India Qatar Saudi Arabia Arabian, Sudan, Sea Oman, Israel Yemen Ethiopia Turkey Syria Lebanon Afghanistan Israel Iraq Iran Pakistan Egypt India Qatar Saudi Arabia Arabian, Sudan Oman, Israel Yemen Ethiopia, Gaza, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Saudi, Tehran, Iraq, Assad, Lebanon, Lebanese, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Fatah, Israeli, Turkey, America

☆ Saudi Arabia's $500 billion Neom megacity is reportedly seeking new sources of cash
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Saudi Arabia's Neom is planning its first bond sale, Bloomberg reported. The issuance could take place later this year and raise up to $1.3 billion, per the outlet. AdvertisementSaudi Arabia's Neom project is set to issue bonds for the first time as its developers seek new funding sources, Bloomberg reported. The $500 billion desert megacity could raise up to $1.3 billion by selling Islamic bonds, or sukuk, the outlet reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources. The sukuk issuance may take place later this year, according to Bloomberg.

Persons: Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's, — Organizations: Saudi, Bloomberg, Service, Business

☆ Trump recently spoke to his old 'friend,' Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the NYT reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Former President Donald Trump recently spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, per the NYT. Trump once called the Saudi ruler "a friend of mine" whom he'd protected from congressional scrutiny. AdvertisementFormer President Donald Trump recently spoke to his old "friend" and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. Related storiesThat Trump has carried on his relationship with the Saudi ruler isn't too surprising. AdvertisementTrump also claimed that he'd protected the Saudi Crown Prince from congressional scrutiny following the brutal murder of American journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

Persons: Donald Trump, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump, —, Trump's, isn't, Jared Kushner, Jamal Khashoggi, Bob Woodward Organizations: MBS, Saudi Consulate, Service, The New York Times, White, The Times, Times, Representatives, Trump, Saudi, Trump Organization, Reuters, Business Insider Locations: Saudi, American, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Istanbul

☆ Saudi Arabia is building the world's first Dragon Ball Z theme park
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Visitors try out the latest version of Dragon Ball Z Kakarot at the 2019 Gamescom gaming trade fair in Cologne, Germany. Saudi Arabia is set to become home to the first-ever Dragon Ball Z theme park — a 5.3 million square foot entertainment venue announced as part of the kingdom's huge Qiddiya project. Five of the rides at the Dragon Ball Z theme park will be "world firsts," according to the release, one of which will be a 230-foot-high roller coaster called Shenron, named after the series' magical dragon. Vision 2030, the name of this project, a brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has also set a target of 150 million tourists visiting the kingdom annually by 2030. Tourism reached a record for the country in 2023 at 106 million, according to its tourism ministry — an increase of 56% from 2019.

Persons: Prince Mohammed bin Salman, It's Organizations: Toei Animation, Saudi, Public Investment Fund, Nintendo, Tourism Locations: Cologne, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Riyadh —, Riyadh, City

☆ Claressa Shields defeats Kelsey De Santis to make MMA history in Saudi Arabia
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Undefeated boxing champion Claressa Shields made history in another sport on Saturday, as she made her return to mixed-martial arts (MMA). The 28-year-old earned a split decision win over Kelsey De Santis in what was the first professional female MMA bout held in Saudi Arabia. In January, Hattan Alsaif made history as the first Saudi woman to join a global MMA promotion. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman previously said he doesn’t “care” about the country’s investment in sport being described as sportswashing. Shields and De Santis were fighting on the undercard of the PFL vs Bellator event, promoted by Bellator MMA and the Professional Fighters League.

Persons: Claressa Shields, Kelsey De Santis, “, Shields, Abigail Montes, Cooper Neill, De, Hattan Alsaif, LIV, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, De Santis Organizations: CNN, Saudi Pro League, Saudi, MBS, Fox News, PFL, Bellator, Bellator MMA, Professional Fighters League Locations: Saudi Arabia, De Santis, Saudi

NEW YORK (AP) — Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s former White House adviser and his son-in-law, defended on Tuesday his business dealings after leaving government with the Saudi crown prince who was implicated in the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. After Kushner left the White House, he started a private equity firm that received a reported $2 billion investment from the sovereign wealth fund controlled by Prince Mohammed, drawing scrutiny from Democrats. He dismissed the idea of there being any concerns about the appearance of a conflict of interest in his business deal. He also defended Prince Mohammed when asked if he believed U.S. intelligence reports that the prince approved the 2018 killing of Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist. Kushner said he had not seen the intelligence report released in 2021 that concluded the crown prince likely approved Khashoggi’s killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Persons: — Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s, Jamal Khashoggi, Kushner, Trump, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prince Mohammed, ” Kushner, Khashoggi, “, ”, Joe Biden Organizations: House, Washington Post, Saudi Arabia’s Crown, White, Nintendo, Microsoft, Trump Locations: Saudi, Miami, America, Istanbul, Florida

☆ Blinken holding crucial meetings in Israel as efforts to free hostages and halt Gaza fighting intensify
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel Wednesday for meetings with key government officials to press for a “humanitarian pause” as international and domestic US pressure to end the conflict in Gaza continues to mount. Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a little over an hour. He is meeting with Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Herzi Halevi and set to meet with other key officials. “There’s still a lot of work to be done, but we continue to believe that an agreement is possible and, indeed, essential. And we will continue to work relentlessly to achieve it,” Blinken said at a news conference in Doha Tuesday.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Herzi Halevi, “ There’s, ” Blinken, Biden, Joe Biden, ”, Netanyahu, ’, “ We’re, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prince, Israel, we’ll Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Doha Tuesday, State Department, Monday, Palestinian Authority, Saudi Crown, Doha Locations: Israel, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Iranian, Iraq, Syria, United States, Rafah, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, ”, Palestinian

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