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☆ Oil alliance OPEC+ could extend production cuts this weekend as focus shifts away from Middle East tensions, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Thomas Coex | Afp | Getty ImagesThe oil-producing Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies could extend existing output cuts this week, delegates and analysts told CNBC, even as focus shifts from Middle East tensions to summer demand. OPEC+ producers are currently implementing a combined 5.86 million barrels per day of supply cuts. And then August is the peak month for tightness," Viktor Katona, lead crude analyst at Kpler, told CNBC. "However, I think that the market right now has priced in a full extension of the voluntary cuts. A high-inflation environment and tight monetary policy in turn reined in oil demand, but central banks have signaled readiness to lower interest rates in the second half of the year.

Persons: Thomas Coex, Viktor Katona, overproducers, Jorge Leon, Yemen's, Tamas Varga Organizations: Organization of, Petroleum, Afp, Getty, CNBC, Energy, Market Research, PVM Oil Associates, United Arab Emirates Locations: OPEC, Vienna, China, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Paris, Ukraine, Gaza, Red, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Guyana, Brazil, Canada

☆ Oil falls as Fed policymakers look to maintain rate cuts, gasoline stocks rise
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An oil pump jack at the New Harmony Oil Field in Grayville, Illinois, US, on Sunday, June 19, 2022. Oil prices fell early on Friday as investors responded to comments from U.S. Fed officials who said it was too soon to start considering rate cuts, and following a surprise build in U.S. gasoline stocks that weighed on the market. "I think it's too soon to really be thinking about rate cuts." Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil inventories fell 4.2 million barrels to 454.7 million barrels in the week ending on May 24, the Energy Information Administration said on Thursday, compared with expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.9 million-barrel draw. Stocks were up 2 million barrels for the week to 228.8 million barrels, the EIA said, compared with expectations for a 400,000-barrel draw.

Persons: Lorie Logan, Logan, Stocks Organizations: New Harmony Oil, Fed, Brent, U.S, West Texas, Dallas Federal, Energy Information Administration, EIA, of, Petroleum Locations: Grayville , Illinois, U.S, El Paso , Texas, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Russia

☆ OPEC to Meet Amid Signs of Waning Influence on Oil Prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Stanley Reed | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Over the past two years, the group known as OPEC Plus has agreed to a succession of cuts to oil output. The oil producers’ assumption has been that these trims would be temporary, but they have begun to take on an air of permanence as prices have been relatively subdued. Any relaxation of cuts would risk sinking prices in what looks like a soft market, analysts say. It is a frustrating situation for oil producers like Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, which could pump additional crude, bolstering their budgets. Saudi Arabia’s oil minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, who is expected to lead the meeting, relishes surprises, so other outcomes are possible.

Persons: That’s, ”, Richard Bronze, Mr, Bronze, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Organizations: Plus, United Arab Emirates Locations: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Saudi

☆ Opinion: How is Netanyahu still in power?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

View more opinion on CNNCNN —A recent visitor to Israel told me about a conversation in which he noted that Benjamin Netanyahu is the worst prime minister in modern Israel’s history. Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel are becoming increasingly isolated internationally, though experts say this could fortify the prime minister domestically. Israel’s longest-serving prime minister had been largely successful politically, but his personal style and alleged corruption turned many Israelis against him. Are there five courageous members of Likud willing to take the necessary action to move Israel beyond Netanyahu? That is unlikely to happen, however, as long as Netanyahu remains in power.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, CNN CNN —, Benjamin Netanyahu, “ Bibi, ”, Netanyahu, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, “, Israel, Brendan Smialowski, Israel’s, pariahs, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben Gvir, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, Biden, Benny Gantz, Netanyahu –, Gantz, Yoav Gallant, ” Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, CNN CNN, Frida Ghitis CNN, Israel, Palestinian Authority, Getty, West Bank, Trump, National Unity Party, Saudi Arabia ., Hamas, Twitter, Facebook Locations: Israel, Israel’s, Gaza, United States, Iranian, AFP, Washington, Iran, Saudi, Saudi Arabia

☆ Google, augmented reality startup Magic Leap strike partnership deal: Reuters
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Alphabet 's Google and augmented reality startup Magic Leap are forming a strategic technology partnership and working on building immersive experiences that blend the physical and digital worlds. Magic Leap said in a blog post on Thursday that the two companies have agreed to a partnership. The partnership would combine Florida-based Magic Leap's expertise in optics and device manufacturing with Google's technology platforms, Magic Leap said. Google is an investor in Magic Leap, which is majority owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Magic Leap and Google both declined to say whether the partnership was expected to yield a consumer AR device.

Persons: We've, Julie Larson, Green, Larson Organizations: Google, Meta, Apple, Reuters, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Samsung Electronics, Astra Locations: Florida

☆ China’s Xi Jinping calls for peace conference and ‘justice’ over war in Gaza as Arab leaders visit Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —Chinese leader Xi Jinping decried “tremendous sufferings” in the Middle East and called for an international peace conference as leaders from Arab nations visit Beijing this week amid mounting global concern over Israel’s war in Gaza. Justice should not be absent forever,” Xi said Thursday at the opening of a meeting between top diplomats from China and Arab states, also attended by several leaders from the region. Delegations from 22 Arab states joined that event at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, according to Chinese state media. China has recognized a Palestinian state since 1988. Thursday’s ministerial meeting is the first such gathering since China held its first joint summit with Arab leaders in late 2022 in Saudi Arabia.

Persons: Xi Jinping, ” Xi, Israel, Xi, ”, Abdel, Fattah, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Kais Saied, China “, Yun Sun, Fatah, Joe Biden, Jamal Khashoggi, Egypt’s Sisi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United Arab Emirates, States Cooperation Forum, Diplomats, Stimson, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, of Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, Gaza, “, Palestinian, Rafah, United States, Israel, Washington, United, Palestine, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Istanbul

☆ Saudi Aramco offers nearly $11.5 billion in new stock for sale
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Aramco will offer 1.545 billion shares in a price range between 26.70 and 29 Saudi riyals per share, according to a company filing. At the midpoint of that range, the sale would total nearly $11.5 billion. The sale represents a follow-on offering, after Aramco initially entered the public markets in 2019 and raised $29.4 billion in the world's largest ever initial public offering. Aramco lifted its base dividend for the fourth quarter to $20.3 billion, and boosted its performance-linked dividend to $10.8 billion. Saudi Arabia owns more than 82% of Aramco prior to the sale, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

Persons: Abdulaziz bin Salman, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, — CNBC's Spencer Kimball Organizations: Aramco, Plaza Conference, Saudi, Saudi Energy, Chevron, ExxonMobil, giga, Wall Street Locations: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia's, Aramco, Riyadh, Saudi, Neom

☆ Saudi Arabia Eyes a Future Beyond Oil
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Stanley Reed | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At a two-hour drive from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, rows of solar panels extend to the horizon like waves on an ocean. Looking out over 3.3 million panels, covering 14 square miles of desert, Faisal Al Omari, chief executive of a recently completed solar project called Sudair, said he would tell his children and grandchildren about contributing to Saudi Arabia’s energy transition. Although petroleum production retains a crucial role in the Saudi economy, the kingdom is putting its chips on other forms of energy. Sudair, which can light up 185,000 homes, is the first of what could be many giant projects intended to raise output from renewable energy sources like solar and wind to around 50 percent by 2030. Currently, renewable energy accounts for a negligible amount of Saudi electricity generation.

Persons: Faisal Al Omari, I’m, ”, Karim Elgendy Organizations: Middle East Institute Locations: Riyadh, Saudi, Washington

☆ Saudi Aramco to reportedly sell $10 billion to $20 billion worth of shares in new offering
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Members of media chat before the start of a press conference by Aramco at the Plaza Conference Center in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia November 3, 2019. Saudi Arabian state oil giant Aramco plans to offer a fresh sale of between $10 and $20 billion of its stock as soon as this week, the Wall Street Journal reported late Tuesday, citing individuals with knowledge of the matter. Aramco is the world's largest oil company in terms of both daily oil production and market cap. If the offering goes ahead, it would relieve some financial pressure on the kingdom, at least in the near-term, the Journal reported. Saudi Arabia in May forecast a budget deficit of 79 billion Saudi riyals ($21 billion) for the year, as well as a fiscal deficit in 2025 and 2026.The stock sale could still be delayed or canceled, the Journal reported.

Persons: chalked Organizations: Aramco, Plaza Conference, Wall Street Journal, Public Investment Fund, CNBC, Saudi Locations: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabian, Saudi

☆ Saudi Arabia is reportedly trying to plug a $21 billion deficit by selling bonds
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. Read previewSaudi Arabia plans to raise money by selling bonds as it presses ahead with massive spending projects, Bloomberg reported. Riyadh previously sold $12 billion of sovereign debt in January, while planned desert megacity Neom has also reportedly mulled issuing Islamic bonds in a bid to raise more cash. AdvertisementThe latest bond sale comes as Saudi Arabia presses ahead with Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 plan that seeks to diversify its oil-reliant economy. In February, The Wall Street Journal reported that Saudi Arabia had started borrowing to help fund Neom and other Vision 2030 "gigaprojects."

Persons: —, Goldman Sachs, Mohammed bin Salman's, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neymar, LIV, Tim Callen Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Business, Citigroup, BNP, Saudi Pro League, Street Journal, Gulf States Institute Locations: Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Washington, Saudi

☆ U.S. crude oil gains more than 1% as market looks to OPEC+ meeting on production levels
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. crude oil gained more than 1% on Tuesday after booking a loss last week as the market focuses on an upcoming key OPEC+ meeting. OPEC+ will hold a virtual meeting on Sunday to review its production policy. Deutsche Bank analyst Michael Hsueh said OPEC+ countries are unlikely to raise production given that the current price of Brent is closer to $80 per barrel than $90 per barrel. Tamas Varga, analyst with oil broker PVM, said he expects "no changes in production will be forthcoming" because the meeting is virtual. And the stabilization of U.S. production since September has given OPEC some room to maneuver, he said.

Persons: Michael Hsueh, Brent, Tamas Varga, Hsueh Organizations: Deutsche Bank Locations: OPEC, Saudi Arabia

☆ Elon Musk's xAI says it just raised $6 billion in funding, pulling in big bucks from Sequoia Capital and Saudi Arabia
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewElon Musk's xAI just took a critical step in building up its war chest to take on Sam Altman's OpenAI. The AI startup said in a blog post on Sunday that it had raised $6 billion for their Series B funding round. Related stories"There will be more to announce in the coming weeks," Musk said in an X post on Monday morning. AdvertisementThe mercurial billionaire said in a subsequent X post that xAI's pre-money valuation was $18 billion. Pre-money valuation was $18B — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 27, 2024Sunday's announcement marks the first time xAI has talked about its fundraising efforts.

Persons: —, Elon Musk's xAI, Sam Altman's OpenAI, Andreessen Horowitz, Musk, Elon, xAI, he'd, Altman, OpenAI Organizations: Service, Sequoia Capital, Saudi Arabia's, Business, Bloomberg, Financial Times, The New York Times, OpenAI, Microsoft, Google Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia's Kingdom

☆ Musk’s A.I. Firm Raises $6 Billion in Race With Rivals
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Jason Karaian | More About Jason Karaian | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, said on Sunday that it has raised $6 billion, helping to close the funding gap with OpenAI, Anthropic and other rivals in the red-hot industry. Mr. Musk, who founded xAI in July, said in a social media post the funding round valued the company at $18 billion, not including the new money. Investors included the Silicon Valley heavyweights Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital, along with Saudi Arabia’s Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. Investors and large tech companies like Google, Meta and Microsoft have poured billions into the businesses developing A.I. systems, which require huge amounts of processing power to generate text, sounds and images.

Persons: Musk, Andreessen Horowitz, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Organizations: Elon, xAI, Sequoia Capital, Saudi, Investors, Google, Meta, Microsoft

☆ 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

☆ Dubai Old Town: Dubai’s ‘soul’ is about more than historic buildings
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

So in 2016, Badran set up her own tour company, Wander with Nada, to “show a different side of Dubai” to travelers. Her bespoke private tours are designed to suit the interests of each visitor, but her favorite itinerary is Dubai’s “old town,” a group of small neighborhoods around Dubai Creek where the city began and Badran spent her childhood. Badran leads me through the narrow alleys around the Dubai Old Souk, home to stores run by Indian-origin families. Stores in Old Dubai Souk. “Dubai is about opening your mind,” Badran says, “and embracing this diversity that makes it unique.”

Persons: Nada Badran, Badran, “, ”, Nada, Rebecca Cairns, Al Maktoum, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Al Talli, There’s, —, it’s, ” Badran, Al Shindagha, Al, Djamel Boussaa, ” Boussaa, hasn’t, Rashid Haghaght, Al Karama, ” “ Organizations: CNN, “, United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Heritage, UNESCO, Al Shindagha, Trading Locations: Florence, Dubai, The, Arabian, “ Dubai, ”, Rome, Athens, Edinburgh, UAE, Oman, today’s Iraq, Bani Yas, Al Shindagha, Suadna, South, West Asia, Al, Saudi Arabia, Al Fahidi, Jordan, Deira, Isfahan, Old Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Rigga, Souk, Old Dubai Souk, Jebel Ali, Iran, India, China

☆ European stocks follow global markets lower as interest rate outlook weighs on sentiment
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, July 6, 2023. OPEC countries will hold a separate videoconference meeting that same day. OPEC+ was previously set to meet on June 1 in Vienna. The influential oil producers' alliance is currently slated to continue cutting 2 million barrels per day of crude output until the end of this year, under its formal policy. Market participants are closely watching whether these second-quarter voluntary cuts will be extended, while supply security concerns linger amid ongoing conflict in the oil-rich Middle East.

Persons: Nymex Organizations: Organization of, Petroleum, of, Coalition, CNBC, Saudi, Brent Locations: Vienna, Austria, OPEC, Saudi Arabia, Russia, London

☆ F1 dispute with Andretti Global draws in U.S. lawmakers
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Chris Hawes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Anna Moneymaker | Getty ImagesA dispute over whether to accept American motorsports giant Andretti Global as Formula One's 11th team is reaching boiling point. It's the latest twist in the Andretti saga, which started in October 2023 when the sport's governing body, the FIA, approved the American team's bid to join the grid. Three months later, F1, the sport's commercial arm, quashed the bid, arguing that Andretti wouldn't be competitive in 2025 or 2026. These new entrants would also be obliged to operate out of a region not currently represented by F1 teams. It isn't just in Washington where support for Andretti is growing, explained Andretti.

Persons: Mario Andretti, John James, Anna Moneymaker, Michael, Andretti, Stefano Domenicali, Domenicali, Tim Milne, Lewis Butler, Tim Cook, Red Bull's Max Verstappen Mike Segar, Zac Brown, it's, Fernando Alonso Organizations: Washington , DC, Andretti, Capitol, General Motors, Andretti Global, One's, Miami Grand, Liberty Media, NBC News, FIA, Formula, One, CNBC, Las Vegas, Prix, U.S, F1, United, Reuters Locations: Washington ,, U.S, Las Vegas, Saudi Arabia, United States, Americas, Austin , Texas, Washington, Miami

☆ Bella Hadid makes a statement with her keffiyeh-inspired dress at Cannes Film Festival
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Rosa Rahimi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Bella Hadid stepped out in a red keffiyeh-inspired dress at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday, in a nod to her Palestinian heritage. Bella Hadid is seen during the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Hadid’s dress is from the archives of Michael and Hushi, a New York-based brand founded by Michael Sears and Hushidar Mortezaie. Some on social media were quick to point out that Hadid’s dress was not technically a Palestinian keffiyeh, with the colors more closely resembling those used in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Hopefully we can all learn to stand in unity and love against genocide,” he wrote on Instagram.

Persons: CNN — Bella Hadid, Mohamed Hadid, Michael, Hushi, ”, Bella Hadid, Jacopo Raule, Hadid, Michael Sears, Hushidar, Carrie Bradshaw Organizations: CNN, Cannes, Cannes Film, Mortezaie, Google, City Locations: Palestinian, American, “, Palestine, Gaza, Bella, New York, Jordan, Saudi Arabia

☆ Raisi’s funeral is about a lot more than the late Iranian president
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Tamara Qiblawi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Unlike previous Iranian presidents, Raisi seemed content to serve as an empty vessel that carried out the reactionary policies of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the final arbiter on policymaking. So, when foreign dignitaries from a whopping 68 countries gathered for Raisi’s funeral on Thursday, they may not have been preoccupied with thoughts of the late president. Iranians follow a truck carrying the coffins of the late President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions during a funeral ceremony in Tehran, Iran. “This (funeral) is a way for countries to show the progress they have made in repairing relations with Iran,” said Parsi. He could also decide to change tack, opening it up so that Iran’s next president enjoys broad popular support.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi’s, Raisi, Ali Khamenei, Hassan Rouhani, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad –, Qassem Soleimani, Quincy Institute Trita Parsi, –, Ismail Haniyeh, Ebrahim Raisi, Majid Saeedi, Donald Trump, ”, Khamenei, “, ” Mohammad Ali Shabani, Amwaj.media, CNN’s Becky Anderson, that’s Organizations: CNN, Quincy Institute Trita, United Arab, Getty, Obama, country’s Guardian Council, Supreme Locations: East, Iran, ” Washington, Gaza, Tehran, Israel, Damascus, Turkey, India, China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Kuwait, Europe, Islamic Republic, country’s

☆ 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

☆ Neom axed a $1.5B project to make water for the city, report says — another blow to its grand ambition
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Neom canceled a desalination project worth $1.5 billion, according to a report. Enowa, a Neom subsidiary, told Meed it's water requirements had evolved. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA project to build a $1.5 billion water desalination plant in the Saudi Arabian desert city of Neom appears to have been scrapped. A consortium made up of Neom subsidiary Enowa, Japan's Itochu, and France's Veolia had agreed to develop the plant in December 2022.

Persons: Neom, Meed, —, Japan's Itochu Organizations: Service, Veolia, Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Neom

☆ Iran President Raisi: Days of funeral ceremonies begin as investigators probe helicopter crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Jessie Yeung | Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Funeral ceremonies are set to begin on Tuesday for the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi following his death in a helicopter crash, as authorities probe what caused the aircraft to smash into the side of a remote mountainside during foggy weather on Sunday morning. A helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi takes off on May 19, 2024, before the crash took place. There is no indication what might have caused the crash – and why so many senior Iranian government officials were traveling in a single, decades-old helicopter. A high-ranking delegation will go to the crash site in Eastern Azerbaijan, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency. Inside Iran, where many of the country’s restive youth population have grown tired of rule by conservative clerics, Raisi had a much more polarizing legacy.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, Ayatollah Khamenei, Mohsen Mansouri, Ali Hamed Haghdoust, Mansouri, Reza, Khamenei, “, ”, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Uraloglu, Iran’s, ’, Ayatollah Khamenei —, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong, Kim, Xi, Raisi’s, Azin, ” Xi, Putin, Russia, ” Raisi, Raisi Organizations: CNN, Wana News Agency, Reuters, Mehr, Iranian, Turkish Transportation, Infrastructure, TRT, Moj News Agency, AP, Kremlin, US Locations: Tabriz, Iran, Qom, Tehran, Mashhad, Turkey, Turkish, Eastern Azerbaijan, Israel, Korean, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, China, North Korea, Russia, Iranian

☆ Oil prices fall on fear of high U.S. interest rates depressing demand
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil storage drums stacked in the Keihin industrial area of Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, on Monday, April 15, 2024. Oil prices fell in early Asian trade on Tuesday, with investors anticipating higher-for-longer U.S. inflation and interest rates will depress consumer and industrial demand. "Fears of weaker demand led to selling as the prospect of Fed rate cut became more distant," said analyst Toshitaka Tazawa at Fujitomi Securities. Lower interest rates reduce borrowing costs, freeing up funds which could boost economic growth and demand for oil. OPEC+ could extend some voluntary output cuts if demand fails to pick up, people with knowledge of the matter previously told Reuters.

Persons: Toshitaka Tazawa, Philip Jefferson, Michael Barr, Raphael Bostic, Ebrahim Raisi, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mohammed Bin Salman, Fujitomi's Tazawa Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, Federal, Fujitomi Securities, Atlanta Fed, Reuters, Saudi Arabia's Crown, Iranian, Investors, Organization of, Petroleum Locations: Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, Saudi, OPEC

CNN —Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud has a lung inflammation and is receiving treatment, Saudi news agency SPA said, prompting the country’s Crown Prince to postpone a scheduled trip to Japan. King Salman, 88, was diagnosed with the inflammation after undergoing medical tests, and is being treated with antibiotics in Jeddah, SPA reported on Sunday. His son Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince and de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, scrapped plans to travel to Tokyo due to his father’s condition. Earlier on Sunday, bin Salman met with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in the eastern city of Dhahran, SPA reported. King Salman underwent surgery in 2020 to remove his gallbladder.

Persons: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al, Saud, Prince, King Salman, Mohammed bin Salman, bin Salman, Jake Sullivan, King Abdullah, Mohammed bin Nayef Organizations: CNN, Saudi, Japanese Foreign Ministry, US National Locations: Saudi, Japan, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tokyo, Dhahran, Gaza

☆ Saudi Arabia’s biggest-ever plane order isn’t going to Boeing
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Saudi Arabia’s national airline has placed an order for 105 Airbus airplanes in the largest-ever deal in the country’s aviation history — another win for troubled Boeing’s European rival. Saudia Group’s current fleet comprises 93 Airbus and 51 Boeing aircraft, according to its website. Al-Omar did not specify whether it was the number of airplanes ordered or the total value of the order that made it Saudi Arabia’s biggest-ever aviation deal. When asked by CNN about that, as well as the value of the deal, Saudia Group did not respond, while Airbus declined to comment. Despite having a backlog of orders amounting to more 5,600 commercial jets, worth $529 billion, Boeing cannot make planes quickly enough each year to turn a profit as it’s working to address its quality issues.

Persons: Ibrahim Al, Omar, ”, “ Saudia, ” Al Organizations: London CNN, Saudi Arabia’s, Saudia Group, Saudia, Future Aviation, Airbus, Boeing, CNN, Future Aviation Forum, Saudi, National Tourism Strategy, Max Locations: Saudi, Riyadh

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