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☆ Nigeria defender Plumptre signs for Saudi Women's side Al-Ittihad
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Group B - Nigeria v Canada - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia - July 21, 2023 Nigeria's Ashleigh Plumptre in action REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - Nigeria defender Ashleigh Plumptre said she has joined Saudi Women's Premier League side Al-Ittihad following the expiry of her contract at Leicester City. She played for England at youth level before switching allegiance and making her Nigeria debut in 2022. "Grateful to have signed for Al-Ittihad," Plumptre said on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The Saudi women's top flight is gearing up for its second season, with eight teams vying for the title. Saudi men's Pro League teams have been spending huge sums to attract some of the best players from European clubs, including Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Persons: Nigeria's Ashleigh Plumptre, Hannah Mckay, Ashleigh Plumptre, Plumptre, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Saudi Women's Premier League, Al, Leicester City, England, Saudi, Saudi men's Pro League, Neymar, Saudi Arabia Crown, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Nigeria, Canada, Melbourne, Australia, Ittihad, Saudi Arabia, Bengaluru

The surprise deal, which would join the venerable PGA Tour and a rival Saudi-funded golf start-up, LIV, was announced in June. The Saudi sovereign wealth fund, called the Public Investment Fund, or PIF, is controlled by the Saudi government. The Saudi Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the subpoena, which names the Public Investment Fund's New York-based U.S. subsidiary, USSA International. This summer's announcement of the PGA-Saudi golf deal ended a legal battle between the two rivals. Blumenthal said available public records indicate the Saudi sovereign wealth fund has expanded its investments in the United States from $2 billion in 2018 to $35 billion now.

Persons: Sen, Richard Blumenthal's, al, LIV, ” Blumenthal, Blumenthal, “, ”, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Organizations: WASHINGTON, Saudi, PGA, Connecticut, Senate, PGA Tour, Public Investment Fund, Public Investment, United, Saudi Embassy, USSA, Crown Locations: United States, Saudi, York, San Francisco, Saudi Arabia

STAVANGER, Norway (AP) — The Norwegian king’s eldest child, Princess Märtha Louise, will marry her Hollywood partner, the self-professed shaman Durek Verrett, next summer, the couple announced Wednesday. The Norwegian princess can trace her ancestry back to Britain’s Queen Victoria. The couple, who toured the country in 2019 as “The Princess and The Shaman,” have created waves in Norway with their alternative beliefs. The wedding will take place on Aug. 24 in Geiranger, prized for its typical Norwegian scenery among mountains and fjords. Although Princess Märtha Louise is the first child of King Harald V, her brother, Crown Prince Haakon, who is two years younger than her, will succeed his father as king.

Persons: Princess Märtha Louise, Durek Verrett, King Harald V, “, ” Verret, Victoria, Märtha Louise, Norway’s, Crown Prince Haakon, wasn't, Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, ___ Jan M, Olsen Organizations: NRK Locations: STAVANGER, Norway, Norwegian, California, Geiranger, Bergen, Copenhagen, Denmark

☆ Thai hospitality magnate is 'very optimistic' about Thailand's tourism recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

© Marco Bottigelli | Moment | Getty ImagesThailand's tourism recovery is poised for recovery as diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia normalize and Chinese tourists return, according to American-born hotel tycoon William Heinecke. "We've seen the recovery of all Saudi tourism into Thailand. Now there's two flights a day from Saudi direct to Thailand," Heinecke, who is chairman of Thai hospitality company Minor International, said on the sidelines of the Forbes Global CEO Conference in Singapore. Return of Chinese tourists? Additionally, Heinecke said he expects Thailand to benefit when Chinese tourism is back in full swing.

Persons: Marco Bottigelli, William Heinecke, We've, Heinecke, Prayut Chan, Mohammad bin Salman Organizations: Minor International, Forbes Global, Conference, Thai, Saudi Arabia's Crown, Minor, Emirates, Qatar Airways Locations: Thailand, Saudi Arabia, American, Saudi, Singapore, Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, China

NEW DELHI (AP) — India and Saudi Arabia agreed Monday to expand trade and security ties, two days after their leaders and others attending a Group of 20 summit announced a new railways and port corridor deal that will link India, Middle East and Europe. The two leaders discussed issues ranging from energy security, trade and investment to defense, health care and food security, India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. The India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council, established in 2019, serves as a platform between the two countries to increase ties. During last week's G20 summit, India, Saudi Arabia, the United States, the European Union and other countries announced an ambitious rail and shipping corridor that will link India with the Middle East and Europe in a bid to strengthen economic growth and political cooperation. India views Saudi Arabia as one of its most important strategic partners in the Middle East.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Arindam Bagchi, Modi, ”, Prince Mohammed Organizations: DELHI, —, Indian, Saudi Arabia’s Crown, Partnership Council, Partnership, European Union, East . Trade Locations: — India, Saudi Arabia, India, Middle East, Europe, New Delhi, United States, East, Asia, West Asia

"I will match your offer and commit today to open an office," Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al Falih said after India's trade minister Piyush Goyal invited Saudi Arabia to set up an office of its sovereign wealth fund, Public Investment Fund (PIF), in GIFT City. Goyal also said he would suggest that his ministry starts an investment promotion office in Riyadh. During the Crown Prince's visit India and Saudi Arabia signed 50 initial pacts in various fields and agreed to form a joint task force for $100 billion in Saudi investment in India, originally announced by the Crown Prince in 2019. Half of the planned $100 billion is earmarked for a delayed refinery project along India's western coast, an Indian foreign ministry official said. He said Saudi Arabia is looking to invest in sectors including oil, gas, petrochemicals, new energy, technology, manufacturing and defence.

Persons: Amit Dave, Narendra Modi, Khalid Al Falih, Piyush Goyal, Prince Mohammed bin Salman's, Goyal, Crown Prince, Falih, Shivangi Acharya, Nidhi Verma, Blassy Boben, Ed Osmond, Susan Fenton Organizations: Gujarat International Finance Tec, REUTERS, Indian, Saudi Investment, Public Investment Fund, Crown, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Aramco, Thomson Locations: Gujarat, Gandhinagar, DELHI, Saudi Arabia, New Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, City, Falih, Delhi, Saudi, Riyadh, India, Indian, Maharashtra

☆ New Mideast corridor would include trains to India, Delhi says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman inspects the honour guard during his ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential palace in New Delhi, India, September 11, 2023. Asked about the proposals, Ausaf Sayeed, a secretary in the Foreign Ministry, spelled out that the corridor would include trains to India and not just links by port. Saudi Arabia is among the top exporters of petroleum to India. Sayeed said that new corridor will include ports, railways, better roads and also power, gas grids and optical fiber network. During their talks earlier in the day the Indian leader and the Saudi crown prince also discussed cooperation in space, semiconductors and collaboration in defence manufacturing as well.

Persons: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Stringer, Ausaf, Khalid Al Falih, Prince Mohammed bin Salman's, Sayeed, Shivam Patel, Krishn Kaushik, Ed Osmond, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Saudi, Crown, REUTERS, Foreign Ministry, European Union, United Arab, Initiative, Saudi Investment, Gulf Cooperation Council, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, East, South Asia, Indian, Delhi, United States, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Saudi

☆ Saudi Arabia is spending billions on sports, tech and everything in between for a post-oil world
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Saudi Arabia sparked international outrage in 2018 after Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, and continues to face accusations of human rights violations. Despite this, little has been able to stop Saudi Arabia from exerting more and more influence on the global stage. GettyImages/Unsplash/NeomLike many countries, Saudi Arabia's economy suffered when the pandemic struck in 2020, but the only way has been up since then. Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty ImagesBoth at home and far away, Saudi Arabia hasn't shied away from investing boatloads of cash. The total hit 32.2 million in May with a median age of 29, according to Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics.

Persons: Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, It's, Ahmed Jadallah, Saudi Arabia's, Sergio Garcia, Chris Trotman, LIV, Saudi Arabia hasn't, Yasir Al, Jasmin Merdan, Abdullah Al, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al, Saud, JOE KLAMAR Organizations: Service, Washington Post, Bank, IMF, REUTERS, Saudi Aramco, King, King Abdullah Economic City, Getty, Public Investment Fund, MBS, Newcastle United, LIV, PGA, Saudi, Reuters, Saudi Arabia's, Authority, Statistics, Gulf States Energy, United Arab Emirates, Arab League Locations: Saudi Arabia, Wall, Silicon, Gulf, Saudi, Istanbul, Gulf Kingdom, Ahmed Jadallah Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah, Jasmin Merdan Saudi's, Riyadh, Arab, Vienna, AFP, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar

☆ G20 welcomes African Union as permanent member at Delhi leaders' summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Flags of participating countries are pictured inside the International media center at the venue of the G20 leaders' summit, days ahead of its commencement in New Delhi on September 7, 2023. Money Sharma | Afp | Getty ImagesNEW DELHI — The African Union became the second regional grouping to be admitted to the Group of 20 leading industrialized and developing nations as a full permanent member, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Saturday at the start of the two-day G20 leaders' summit in Delhi. The widely-anticipated move underscores India's wide-ranging agenda to elevate the global multilateral forum's focus on the Global South in its presidency of the G20 this year. The 55-member bloc of African nations joins the European Union as only the second regional organization to become a permanent member of the G20. "It is in the spirit of together with all that India proposed permanent membership for the African Union in the G20."

Persons: Money Sharma, Narendra Modi, Modi, Azali Assoumani, Lula da Silva, Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron, Germany's, Olaf Scholz, Fumio Kishida, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Sergey Lavrov, China Premier Li Qiang Organizations: International, Afp, Getty, African Union, Indian, European Union, International Monetary Fund, Global, U.S, Canadian, Saudi Arabia's Crown, Russian, China Premier Locations: New Delhi, Delhi, India, China, —, Japan, Ukraine

NEW DELHI (AP) — The Saudi crown prince once vilified by President Joe Biden has been elevated from a fist bump to a hearty handshake. Biden smiled and shook hands with the crown prince, who is often referred to by his initials MBS, as the announcement wrapped up. The cordial greeting was a sharp contrast to the last time Biden and the crown prince met, just over a year ago, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. During that encounter, Biden awkwardly greeted the crown prince with a fist bump, a moment roundly criticized by human rights activists, who were already upset at Biden's decision to meet with the Saudi leader. Biden refused to speak to Prince Mohammed at the start of his administration.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Mohammed bin Salman, Narendra Mod, Bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, Fred Ryan, year's Biden, Prince Mohammed, ” Khashoggi Organizations: DELHI, Group, MBS, Indian, The Washington Post Locations: Saudi, New Delhi, India, East, Europe, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, U.S, Ukraine

☆ U.S., India, Saudi, EU unveil a massive rail and ports deal on G20 sidelines
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Global leaders announced a multinational rail and ports deal linking the Middle East and South Asia on Saturday on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi. Biden said it was a "real big deal" that would bridge ports across two continents and lead to a "more stable, more prosperous and integrated Middle East." A memorandum of understanding for the deal was set to be signed by the European Union, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S. and other G20 partners. The move comes amid U.S. efforts for a broader diplomatic deal in the Middle East that would have Saudi Arabia recognise Israel. From the U.S. viewpoint, Finer added, the deal helps "turn the temperature down across the region" and "address a conflict where we see it".

Persons: Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Joe Biden, Narendra Modi, Biden, Jon Organizations: Saudi, Saudi Arabian Crown, Indian, Global, Washington, European Union, United Arab Emirates Locations: Saudi Arabian, New Delhi, India, East, South Asia, U.S, Gulf, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Israel

As Telefonica's rivals slashed prices to attract internet users, the Spanish company also borrowed to invest in new mobile and internet networks. But the secrecy with which STC (7010.SE) built its stake did catch some observers off guard, the person said. Telefonica said it was informed Tuesday about STC'S investment, after the companies had become more acquainted in recent months. STC sought to keep the stake under wraps until it could buy at least 9.9% of Telefonica, the person said. Middle Eastern investors have been taking stakes in Spanish companies for some time.

Persons: Violeta Santos Moura, Jose Maria Alvarez, Pallete, Alvarez, Prince Mohammed bin Salman's, UGT, Morgan Stanley, Linklaters, Motaz Al Angari, Al Angari, pare, EFG Hermes, Nadia Calvino, Inti Landauro, Tomas Cobos, Amy, Jo Crowley, Pablo Mayo, John O'Donnell, Anousha, Elisa Martinuzzi, David Gregorio, Ros Russell Organizations: Spanish Telecom, REUTERS, Rights, Telefonica, STC Group, STC, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Foresight, Saudi, United Arab, Vodafone, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights DUBAI, MADRID, Silicon Valley, Saudi, Riyadh, Telefonica, Saudi Arabia, Spanish, Latin America, theocracies, United Arab Emirates, Iberdrola, Davos, Gulf, London

☆ Why Saudi Arabia is spending hundreds of millions on soccer stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Anuz Thapa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Soccer in Saudi Arabia has entered a new era — the era of having global superstars play on Saudi turf. "This is what we're doing by bringing household names like that to the Saudi league. Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, is the financial vehicle driving these high-priced transactions. "Saudi Pro League is the top men's professional soccer league in Saudi Arabia." Watch the video above to find out why Saudi Arabia is doubling down its investment in professional soccer and more.

Persons: Neymar, Ballon, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fahad Nazer, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Stefan Szymanski, Simon Chadwick Organizations: Soccer, Pro League, Saudi, CNBC, Public Investment Fund, Saudi Pro League, University of Michigan, Newcastle United, Critics, Skema Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Saudi Embassy, U.S, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Ahli

☆ Factbox: Who is attending the G20 summit in New Delhi?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

People stand infront of Nataraja, a statue of Hindu lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer, installed next to 'Bharat Mandapam', the main venue of the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, September 7, 2023. REUTERS/Altaf Hussain Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Leaders from the Group of 20 (G20) major economies kick off an annual summit meeting on Saturday to coordinate policy on food security, debt problems of vulnerable countries and climate action. Here is a list of those attending and some key leaders who are skipping the meeting in the Indian capital, New Delhi. G20 LEADERS:ARGENTINA'S PRESIDENT ALBERTO FERNANDEZ AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE BRAZIL'S PRESIDENT LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVABRITISH PRIME MINISTER RISHI SUNAK CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZINDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI INDONESIAN PRESIDENT JOKO WIDODOITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONIJAPANESE PRIME MINISTER FUMIO KISHIDA SAUDI ARABIA'S CROWN PRINCE MOHAMMED BIN SALMANSOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT YOON SUK-YEOLTURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDENEUROPEAN UNION: PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION URSULA VON DER LEYEN AND PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, CHARLES MICHELSPECIAL INVITEES:BANGLADESH PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH HASINAEGYPT PRESIDENT ABDEL FATTAH AL-SISIMAURITUIUS PRIME MINISTER PRAVIND KUMAR JUGNAUTHNETHERLANDS PRIME MINISTER MARK RUTTE NIGERIA'S PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU OMAN'S SULTAN HAITHAM BIN TARIK AL-SAID SINGAPORE PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG UAE PRESIDENT SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN ZAYEDOTHERS ATTENDINGU.S. Treasury Secretary Janet YellenThe heads of the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Health Organisation, the World Trade Organisation, the International Labour Organisation, the Financial Stability Board and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. NOTABLE MISSING GUESTSCHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING (represented by Prime Minister Li Qiang)MEXICAN PRESIDENT ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADORRUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN (represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov)Sources: Reuters, officials, state media and domestic mediaCompiled by Aftab Ahmed and Shivangi Acharya; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Shiva, Bharat Mandapam, Altaf Hussain, ALBERTO FERNANDEZ, ANTHONY ALBANESE, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, JUSTIN TRUDEAU, EMMANUEL MACRON, OLAF SCHOLZ INDIAN, NARENDRA MODI, JOKO, GIORGIA, FUMIO KISHIDA, FUMIO KISHIDA SAUDI ARABIA'S CROWN PRINCE MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN, CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, YOON SUK, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, JOE BIDEN, URSULA VON DER, CHARLES MICHEL SPECIAL, SHEIKH HASINA, ABDEL FATTAH, PRAVIND KUMAR, MARK RUTTE, BOLA TINUBU, HAITHAM BIN TARIK, LEE HSIEN LOONG, SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN ZAYED, Janet Yellen, XI JINPING, Li Qiang, ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ, VLADIMIR PUTIN, Sergei Lavrov, Aftab Ahmed, Shivangi, Sanjeev Miglani, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: REUTERS, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA BRITISH, FUMIO KISHIDA SAUDI ARABIA'S CROWN, CYRIL RAMAPHOSA SOUTH, TAYYIP ERDOGAN U.S, OF, EUROPEAN, CHARLES MICHEL SPECIAL INVITEES, ABDEL FATTAH AL, Treasury, United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Health Organisation, World Trade Organisation, International Labour Organisation, Organisation for Economic Cooperation, Development, Foreign, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, BANGLADESH, SHEIKH HASINA EGYPT, NETHERLANDS, SINGAPORE, LEE HSIEN LOONG UAE, MEXICAN, RUSSIAN

A man walks past an installation on a skywalk ahead of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, September 6, 2023. The plans for a sweeping, multi-national ports and rail deal would come at a critical time. It also comes as the Biden administration seeks a broader diplomatic deal in the Middle East that would have Saudi Arabia recognize Israel. The negotiations over a multi-country infrastructure deal were first reported by Axios. Beyond the diplomatic implications, officials said they hope such an infrastructure deal could reduce shipping times, cost, the use of diesel and make trade faster and cheaper.

Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, Joe Biden, Narendra Modi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Biden, Steve Holland, Trevor Hunnicutt, Heather Timmons, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, United Arab, Indian, Saudi Crown, Washington, Axios, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, U.S, Saudi Arabia, South Asia, United Arab Emirates, Europe, Israel

He learned Saudi Arabia's largest telecoms operator, STC Group, aimed to be Telefonica's biggest shareholder, with an interest of 9.9%. The move is a vote of confidence in Telefonica, burdened by billions of dollars in debt while STC gains expertise to modernize Saudi telecoms infrastructure. As Telefonica's rivals slashed prices to attract internet users, the Spanish company also borrowed to invest in new mobile and internet networks. STC sought to keep the stake under wraps until it could buy at least 9.9% of Telefonica, the person said. Middle Eastern investors have been taking stakes in Spanish companies for some time.

Persons: Violeta Santos Moura, Jose Maria Alvarez, Pallete, Alvarez, Prince Mohammed bin Salman's, UGT, Morgan Stanley, Linklaters, Motaz Al Angari, Al Angari, pare, EFG Hermes, Inti Landauro, Tomas Cobos, Amy, Jo Crowley, Pablo Mayo, John O'Donnell, Anousha, Elisa Martinuzzi, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Spanish Telecom, REUTERS, Rights, Telefonica, STC Group, STC, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Foresight, Saudi, United Arab, Vodafone, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights DUBAI, MADRID, Silicon Valley, Saudi, Riyadh, Telefonica, Saudi Arabia, Spanish, Latin America, theocracies, United Arab Emirates, Iberdrola, Davos, Gulf, London

[1/5] A Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) official catches a stray dog using a rod with a loop, near Indira Gandhi International Airport ahead of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, September 5, 2023. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) did not directly link the removal of stray dogs to the summit, stating that the canines are being picked up "only on an urgent need basis". Reuters' witnesses saw MCD teams capturing dogs using rods with a loop at one end. Sanjay Mohapatra, founder of the House of Stray Animals NGO, termed the action "needless". "If delegates see people feeding stray dogs, it will actually create a good impression of the country," he said.

Persons: Anushree, Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Justin Trudeau, Fumio Kishida, Ambika Shukla, Sanjay Mohapatra, Friendicoes, Geeta Seshamani, Anushree Fadnavis, Sakshi Dayal, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Indira Gandhi, Airport, REUTERS, Authorities, U.S, British, Canadian, Japanese, Reuters, Animals, Stray Animals, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, Delhi, Saudi

A view shows the construction of the King Abdullah Financial District, north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 11, 2016. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDUBAI, Sept 6 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects GDP growth in Saudi Arabia to slow further from the currently forecast 1.9% to reflect the latest extension of oil production cuts, an IMF official said, even as non-oil growth is seen remaining strong. But cuts to production this year and lower prices have hit oil revenues and will weigh on growth. The IMF forecasts non-oil GDP growth at 4.9% this year. The IMF said the outlook for Saudi Arabia was positive and that risks remained balanced.

Persons: King, Faisal Al Nasser, Mati, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Rachna Uppal, Yousef Saba, Andrew Cawthorne, Andrea Ricci, Nick Macfie Organizations: King Abdullah Financial District, REUTERS, Rights, Monetary Fund, Reuters, Saudi, IMF, Government, Thomson Locations: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rights DUBAI, Saudi, Aramco, Russia

[1/3] Traffic moves past the 'Bharat Mandapam', the main venue of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, September 5, 2023. U.S. President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are expected to be part of the gathering in New Delhi. For years, Ambani and Adani have competed across a wide range of industries from telecoms to media, and energy to finance. Adani Group has denied any wrongdoing. Reliance Industries, Adani Enterprises, Tata Sons, Bharati Airtel, Aditya Birla Group and the Indian government did not reply to emails seeking comment on the invitation.

Persons: Mandapam, Adnan Abidi, Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Narendra Modi, Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Justin Trudeau, Fumio Kishida, N, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Sunil Mittal, Ambani, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Modi, Adani, Sarita Chaganti Singh, Shivangi, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, British, Canadian, Japanese, Tata, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Industries, Adani, Hindenburg Research, Adani Enterprises, Tata Sons, Bharati Airtel, Aditya Birla Group, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, Saudi

☆ Saudi Arabia's STC Group acquires 9.9% stake in Telefonica
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Spanish Telecom company Telefonica is seen next to a traffic ligth at its headquarters in Madrid, Spain, May 12, 2021. REUTERS/Sergio Perez/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's STC Group has amassed a 9.9% stake in Spanish telecoms giant Telefonica (TEF.MC) for 2.1 billion euros ($2.25 billion) in shares and financial instruments, STC said on Tuesday. STC does not intend to acquire majority control of Telefonica, it added in a statement. STC is Saudi Arabia's largest telecoms operator and also owns subsidies and has stakes in companies operating in Kuwait and Bahrain. It is 64% owned by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the main engine of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 to wean the economy off its dependence on oil.

Persons: Sergio Perez, Prince Mohammed bin Salman's, Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro, Jonathan Oatis, Richard Chang Organizations: Spanish Telecom, Telefonica, REUTERS, Saudi Arabia's, Saudi, Public Investment Fund, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi, Europe

☆ Indonesia offers its first 'golden visa' to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, allowing him to skip airport lines and stay in the country for up to 10 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Indonesia has said OpenAI Sam Altman will get the country's first "golden visa." The visa allows the CEO to stay in the country for up to 10 years, along with several other perks. It's unclear whether Altman applied for the visa or plans to stay in Indonesia for long periods. AdvertisementAdvertisementIndonesia has granted tech titan Sam Altman the country's first "golden visa." According to a translation of the statement, Karim said the OpenAI CEO has an "international reputation and may bring benefits to Indonesia."

Persons: Sam Altman, Altman, Silmy Karim, Karim, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos Altman Organizations: Trump, Oprah Locations: Indonesia, Saudi, Jakarta, Bali

☆ Netanyahu Is Unilaterally Changing the U.S.-Israel Relationship - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Thomas L. Friedman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Because finding a way to balance the different interests of all four of these parties makes quantum mechanics look as easy as tic-tac-toe. Alas, though, this is not the version that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is trying to sell us. So, I want to appeal directly to President Biden and the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman: Do not let Netanyahu make you his useful idiots. You cannot have normalization with an Israeli government that is not normal. It will never be a stable U.S. ally or Saudi partner.

Persons: Biden, they’ll, It’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mohammed bin Salman, Netanyahu Locations: United States, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Saudi, U.S

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed Tuesday to extend their voluntary oil production cuts through the end of this year, trimming 1.3 million barrels of crude out of the global market and boosting energy prices. The decision “is aimed at strengthening the precautionary measures taken by OPEC+ countries in order to maintain stability and balance of oil markets,” Novak said. There was no immediate reaction in Washington, though U.S. lawmakers have criticized OPEC, Saudi Arabia and Russia over their past production decisions. The Saudi reduction, which began in July, comes as the other OPEC+ producers have agreed to extend earlier production cuts through next year. But Saudi Arabia also has to manage its relationship with Washington.

Persons: Joe Biden, Alexander Novak, ” Novak, Brent, Biden, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, Prince Mohammed, Vladimir Putin Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Brent, Saudi Press Agency, OPEC, Energy Ministry, Benchmark Brent, AAA, Labor, Washington, Washington Post, U.S Locations: DUBAI, United Arab, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Riyadh, Moscow, Saudi, United States, Ukraine, Washington, U.S, China, Israel, America, Iran, India

☆ G20 New Delhi summit 2023: Which countries and leaders will attend?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

A paramilitary soldier stands guard outside Le Meridien hotel during a rehearsal ahead of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, September 2, 2023. BRITISH PRIME MINISTER RISHI SUNAKSunak is expected attend the summit on his first official trip to India as Britain's prime minister. GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZScholz has said the upcoming G20 summit in India remains important despite the absence of Russia and China. SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSARamaphosa has expressed full support for India's G20 presidency while conveying his intent to attend the summit. BANGLADESH PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH HASINABangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to attend the G20 summit in New Delhi, according to Indian media reports.

Persons: Le, Adnan Abidi, JOE BIDEN Biden, Biden, XI, Li Qiang, Xi Jinping, Xi, VLADIMIR PUTIN, Sergei Lavrov, Vladimir Putin, Putin, JUSTIN TRUDEAU Trudeau, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, RISHI SUNAK Sunak, KISHIDA, ANTHONY ALBANESE, YOON SUK, YEOL Yoon, OLAF SCHOLZ Scholz, EMMANUEL MACRON, Modi, SAUDI ARABIA'S CROWN PRINCE MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN, CYRIL RAMAPHOSA Ramaphosa, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, ALBERTO FERNANDEZ Fernandez, BOLA TINUBU Tinubu, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, URSULA VON DER, CHARLES MICHEL The, SHEIKH HASINA, Sheikh Hasina, ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR, JOKO, Aftab Ahmed, Shivangi, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Criminal Court, ICC, BRITISH, AUSTRALIAN, SOUTH, Associated Press, SAUDI ARABIA'S CROWN, African Union, NIGERIA'S, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA Brazil, OF, EUROPEAN, CHARLES MICHEL The European Union, BANGLADESH, Thomson Locations: Le Meridien, New Delhi, India, DELHI, India's, Ukraine, U.S, RUSSIAN, Russia, South Africa, Africa, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Saudi, SHEIKH HASINA Bangladesh, Bangladesh, MELONI Italy

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece, August 25, 2023. A "mid-20th century approach cannot serve the world in the 21st century", Modi, who will host a summit of the Group of 20 big economies from next weekend, told the Press Trust of India news agency. "International institutions need to recognise changing realities, relook at their priorities," Modi said, adding it was critical to ensure the representation of voices. "India's G20 presidency also sowed seeds of confidence in countries of so-called third world." Modi, 72, said India's G20 presidency has led to the recognition that anti-inflation policies in one country do not harm others.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Stelios Misinas, Modi, Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, cryptocurrency, Arpan Chaturvedi, William Mallard Organizations: India's, Greek, REUTERS, Indian, United, Press Trust of India, . Security, African Union, Saudi Crown, Thomson Locations: Athens, Greece, DELHI, United Nations, U.S

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