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☆ Jury weighs whether Trump ally Barrack was a foreign agent and lied about it
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Luc Cohen | Thomson Reuters | Reports On The New York Federal Courts. Previously Worked As A Correspondent In Venezuela | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Tom Barrack watches jury selection in a courtroom sketch in New York City, U.S. September 19, 2022. Tom Barrack, a private equity executive and onetime fundraiser for former President Donald Trump is charged with acting as a foreign agent without notifying the U.S. government as required. Barrack, 75, is also accused of obstruction of justice and making false statements to FBI agents in 2019 about his interactions with Emirati officials and their representatives. Barrack testified in his own defense during the trial, telling jurors he never agreed to be a UAE agent. Sam Nitze, a prosecutor, countered in a rebuttal that Emirati officials were "thrilled" at Barrack's comments about the country and its leaders during television interviews.

☆ Jury begins deliberating in Trump ally Barrack's 'foreign agent' trial
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Luc Cohen | Thomson Reuters | Reports On The New York Federal Courts. Previously Worked As A Correspondent In Venezuela | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

He argues that even when his interests aligned with the UAE's, he was acting on his own accord and not subject to Abu Dhabi's direction. Barrack's lawyers did not dispute that he had been in touch with Emirati officials and occasionally sought their feedback, but they said any impact on U.S. policy or public opinion was insignificant. Sam Nitze, a prosecutor, countered in a rebuttal that Emirati officials were "thrilled" at Barrack's comments about the country and its leaders during television interviews. He said the law was designed to make sure the U.S. government knew when someone was acting as a "mouthpiece" for a foreign government. Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York, Editing by William MacleanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Most Gulf central banks raise interest rates after Fed's move
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Hamad I MohammedDUBAI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Most Gulf states said on Wednesday they would increase their key interest rates after the Federal Reserve raised its key policy rate by three-quarters of a percentage point for the fourth straight time. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the region's two largest economies, both increased rates by 75 basis points. The Saudi central bank, also known as SAMA, lifted its repo and reverse repo rates to 4.5% and 4%, respectively. Bahrain also raised its main rate by 75 basis points while Qatar increased rates by between 50 and 75 basis points. The impact of higher interest rates among Gulf oil exporters in 2022 has so far been limited.

☆ Trump ally Barrack traded access for UAE money, prosecutors say as trial nears end
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Luc Cohen | Thomson Reuters | Reports On The New York Federal Courts. Previously Worked As A Correspondent In Venezuela | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Thomas Barrack, a billionaire friend of Donald Trump who chaired the former president's inaugural fund, exits the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., October 3, 2022. Abu Dhabi then invested $374 million from its sovereign wealth funds with Barrack, prosecutors say. "Mr. Barrack traded his political access for a long-term relationship with top UAE officials ... who controlled vast oil wealth," Ryan Harris, an assistant U.S. attorney, told jurors on Tuesday. Barrack himself took the stand last week, testifying that he never agreed to act at Abu Dhabi's direction or control. Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ How George Clooney and Julia Roberts spent their first big paychecks
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

George Clooney and Julia Roberts have been working in Hollywood for over three decades — but the stars of "Ticket to Paradise" and longtime friends can still recall the excitement of receiving their first paychecks like it was yesterday. Roberts, 55, celebrated her first big payday by buying a boombox, she told POPSUGAR during a recent joint interview with Clooney. "Oh, that's great," Clooney said of Roberts' big purchase. "I was living in a closet of my buddy's apartment with his grandmother," he told POPSUGAR. Roberts and Clooney have worked on six films together before: "Ocean's Eleven," "Ocean's Twelve," "Money Monster," "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" and "August: Osage County."

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☆ Issa Rae's best career advice: Don't be afraid of being labeled a 'difficult' person to work with
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Even right before her TV show "Insecure" premiered in 2016, Rae was "scared of being seen as difficult" to work with, she said at the Indeed FutureWorks 2022 conference earlier this month. In response, she sought guidance from other Black women she admired in the entertainment industry: Shonda Rhimes, Ava DuVernay, Debbie Allen and Mara Brock Akil. At the Indeed conference, Rae called it "the best career advice" she ever received. "I don't care how settled I may feel in my career, I don't care how much praise I get," she said. The advice Rae received from her career idols helped, she added: "I take away the fear of being labeled as [difficult].

☆ UAE stock markets ease as oil prices fall on China COVID curbs
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Md Manzer Hussain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 28 (Reuters) - Stock markets in United Arab Emirates ended lower on Friday as oil prices fell after top crude importer China widened its COVID-19 curbs. In Abu Dhabi, the index (<.FTFADGI>) dropped 0.1%, pressured by a 0.5% dip in the country's largest lender First Abu Dhabi Bank (<FAB.AD>), while Abu Dhabi Polymers Co Borouge (<BOROUGE.AD>) was down 1.4% after reporting more than 23% decline in third-quarter net profit. However, the index gained 5.5% this month, as it ended the week 1.7% higher according to Refinitiv data. "The Abu Dhabi stock market slowed down after yesterday's surge as traders moved to secure their gains. Major stock markets elsewhere in the Gulf region were closed.

After he received the request, Barrack said, he turned to employees at his private equity fund, Colony Capital, to draft Trump's remarks. Prosecutors allege that in doing so, Barrack was trying to cash in on his ties to Trump while acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the UAE. Barrack testified that one of the points of the energy comments was to reassure foreign governments after a blistering speech Trump had given about foreign policy, in which he bashed China and Middle Eastern countries. Barrack testified that he, indeed, ran the draft speech by his UAE contacts and wound up incorporating some of their suggestions. But Trump and his campaign essentially threw out that version of the speech, Barrack said, in favor of one he considered "imbecilic."

☆ Abu Dhabi geo data firm Bayanat draws bumper demand for IPO
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Yousef Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Bayanat, an Abu Dhabi-based provider of geographic data and analytics, said on Thursday it drew robust demand of 57.5 billion dirhams for its IPO. Bayant is offering 22.22% of its share capital at 1.1 dirham per share, valuing the stake at 628.6 million dirhams ($171.15 million). AI firm G42, which is backed by sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, will continue to own 77% of Bayanat. In the same year, Mubadala took an undisclosed stake in G42, which is chaired by the UAE's national security adviser. Dubai Islamic Bank was lead manager, First Abu Dhabi Bank was lead receiving bank and International Securities was the lead placement agent on the IPO.

☆ Trump ally Barrack can be questioned on Khashoggi comments, Saudi nuclear plans
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Luc Cohen | Thomson Reuters | Reports On The New York Federal Courts. Previously Worked As A Correspondent In Venezuela | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

While Barrack is not charged with acting as a Saudi agent, the country and the UAE are close allies. Cogan also said he would let prosecutors ask Barrack about a plan he pushed in the early days of the Trump administration to construct 40 nuclear plants in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East. Barrack is not charged with any crimes over the civil nuclear plan, which fell through. One of prosecutors' major charges is that Emirati officials provided input to Barrack on what Trump should say in the speech. Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Dubai's BitOasis signs deal with Mastercard for crypto-linked cards
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Neil Jerome Morales | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI, Oct 25 (Reuters) - BitOasis, a Middle East-focused cryptocurrency exchange based in the United Arab Emirates, said on Tuesday it had signed an agreement with Mastercard (MA.N) to launch payment cards linked to cryptocurrencies, they said in a joint statement. "Currently, cryptocurrency payments and cash-outs are considered cumbersome, with the overwhelming majority of merchants not accepting such payments directly," the statement said. "The partnership will address these pain points and further drive customer awareness and crypto adoption in the region." BitOasis, founded in Dubai in 2015, said in June it laid off nine of its staff, as the crypto sector faced a steep downturn and market turmoil. Reporting by Yousef Saba; Editing by David HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

They say Emirati sovereign wealth funds invested $374 million in Barrack's private equity firm Colony Capital, now known as DigitalBridge Group Inc (DBRG.N), in 2017 and 2018. Barrack's defense has argued his close relationship with Qatar shows he was not an Emirati agent. To prove Barrack was a UAE agent, prosecutors must prove he agreed to act under the Middle Eastern country's direction or control. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday night, Trump said he did not believe Barrack was a UAE agent, and that Barrack never spoke to him about speeches or "what to say on this subject." "Tom Barrack is a highly respected businessman whose DREAM was to see PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, a very good and noble thing," Trump wrote.

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☆ Trump ally Barrack to testify in own defense at 'foreign agent' trial
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Luc Cohen | Thomson Reuters | Reports On The New York Federal Courts. Previously Worked As A Correspondent In Venezuela | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies DigitalBridge Group Inc FollowNEW YORK, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Tom Barrack, a onetime fundraiser for former U.S. President Donald Trump, is expected to take the witness stand in his own defense next week in his trial on charges of being an illegal foreign agent for the United Arab Emirates. Barrack's lawyer Randall Jackson said in open court on Friday that Barrack would the stand Friday afternoon. Later, prosecutor Sam Nitze said he expected to take substantial time to cross-examine the current witness, former Barrack lawyer Brady Cassis, meaning Barrack would not take the stand Friday. Barrack, 75, has pleaded not guilty, as has his co-defendant Grimes. Even in instances where his interests and goals aligned with the UAE's, he was acting on his own volition, they said.

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage calculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's interest rates will affect your monthly payments. 30-year fixed mortgage ratesThe current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.92%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-year fixed mortgage ratesThe average 15-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.09%, an increase from the prior week, according to Freddie Mac data. Adjustable rate mortgages can look very attractive to borrowers when rates are high, because the rates on these mortgages are typically lower than fixed mortgage rates. Historically, adjustable mortgage rates tend to be lower than 30-year fixed rates.

☆ EU's top diplomat denies 'jungle' comments were racist
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The United Arab Emirates on Monday summoned the acting head of the mission at the EU delegation to the UAE, asking for explanation of what it said were racist comments made by Borrell. "The growth of this lawless world and disorder is what I meant when talking about the 'jungle'. My reference to 'jungle' has no racist, cultural or geographical connotation. Indeed and unfortunately, the 'jungle' is everywhere, including in Ukraine. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Kate Abnett; editing by Richard PullinOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

A helicopter flies over the downtown skyline, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, as seen from the Cleveland Clinic hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 20, 2020. ADQ, the smallest of Abu Dhabi's three main sovereign wealth funds, began in 2018 as a vehicle for holding state assets. ADQ and the UAE foreign ministry did not respond to emailed requests for comment. Among recent deals, ADQ launched a $300 million technology fund in March with Turkey's sovereign wealth fund to invest in venture capital funds and opportunities inside Turkey. "They are the ones that promote UAE economic diplomacy, its regional and global influence," he said.

See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage refinance rates todayMortgage type Average rate today This information has been provided by Zillow. See more mortgage rates on Zillow Real Estate on ZillowMortgage calculatorUse our free mortgage calculator to see how today's mortgage rates would impact your monthly payments. 30-year fixed mortgage ratesThe current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.92%, according to Freddie Mac. 15-year fixed mortgage ratesThe average 15-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.09%, an increase from the prior week, according to Freddie Mac data. Adjustable rate mortgages can look very attractive to borrowers when rates are high, because the rates on these mortgages are typically lower than fixed mortgage rates.

☆ Most Gulf markets in red ahead of U.S. inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 13 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf ended lower on Thursday, ahead of U.S. inflation data which is likely to shape the size of the Federal Reserve's next interest rate hike. read moreThe Saudi market could continue seeing negative performances while oil markets continue to show downside risk, said Farah Mourad, senior market analyst of XTB MENA. In Abu Dhabi, the index (<.FTFADGI>) eased 0.4%, with the UAE's biggest lender First Abu Dhabi Bank (<FAB.AD>) falling 1.3%. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index (<.EGX30>) retreated 0.5%, ending two sessions of losses, helped by a 0.8% increase in top lender Commercial International Bank Egypt (<COMI.CA>). Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Ateeq Shariff in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh KuberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Flight bookings to Qatar boom for World Cup, especially from Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Yousef Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Flight bookings to Qatar are booming for the soccer World Cup being held in November and December, with particularly strong demand from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as fans work round a shortage of accommodation in Doha, a study showed on Tuesday. The strong demand comes despite the requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test to enter Qatar. Air travel across the Gulf is set to benefit, with flight bookings to the region 16% ahead of 2019, and for the early stages of the World Cup 61% ahead, ForwardKeys said. FIFA, world soccer's governing body, has booked 80% of available rooms for players, guests and officials during the tournament, Qatar's World Cup organisers said. Qatar Airways and flydubai, working together, will operate some 54 flights a day between Dubai and Qatar, versus just six scheduled previously, OAG said.

☆ UAE, Oman to boost trade and investment ties
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI, Sept 28 (Reuters) - The UAE and Oman are exploring investment opportunities worth 30 billion dirhams and will increase bilateral economic cooperation in strategic sectors, according to a statement released during President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed's visit to the Sultanate. Considered one of the Gulf's weaker economies, increased trade and investment support from a regional heavyweight - the UAE is the Gulf's second biggest economy - will help the Sultanate progress with plans to diversify its economy away from oil. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterADQ and OIA have previously signed a 10 billion dirham investment partnership agreement. The UAE and Oman have committed to long term economic development plans to diversify revenue away from hydrocarbons. The UAE, through funds such as ADQ, has intensified regional investments in sectors seen as strategic to the domestic economy.

Marilyn Monroe is well remembered for her iconic movies from the 1950s. Below, we rounded up some of Marilyn Monroe's best movies, along with details on where you can stream them online. Marilyn Monroe has a supporting role as Claudia Casswell, a beautiful aspiring actress who doesn't have the talent for the industry. 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'A shot of Marilyn Monroe in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." Two of the Donahue children end up joining a show starring Victoria Parker, a successful performer played by Marilyn Monroe.

☆ The UAE is scrapping its Covid mask requirements after 2.5 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The UAE is doing away with its mandatory mask requirements in nearly all public indoor spaces after 2.5 years. The ruling officially applies to just the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, but the country's six other emirates, including Dubai, are expected to follow suit. Masks will now only be required in hospitals, on public transport, and in places of worship, NCEMA said. In Dubai, mask-wearing was required in public indoor spaces but permitted to be taken off while sitting, eating, drinking and performing physical exercise. By the summer months, enforcement in many of the other emirates had relaxed and it was common to see people in public places not wearing masks.

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