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☆ Wife of Sen. Bob Menendez Draws Scrutiny in Federal Probe
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Corinne Ramey | James Fanelli | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Bob Menendez has been a U.S. senator since 2006 and is chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Federal prosecutors investigating U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez are examining whether his wife received gifts or services from individuals who sought favors from the New Jersey politician, according to people familiar with the matter. The U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York has subpoenaed associates of Mr. Menendez’s wife, Nadine Arslanian , whom he married in 2020, the people said. Subpoenas issued in recent months have asked for information about both Ms. Arslanian and Mr. Menendez, according to the people.

☆ Tanker Pacific Zircon struck by projectile off coast of Oman, shipping company says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

DUBAI, Nov 16 (Reuters) - The Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping company said on Wednesday it was investigating an incident involving its tanker Pacific Zircon, which had been struck by a projectile off the coast of Oman. The vessel was carrying gas oil and only minor damage was reported to the vessel's hull with no spillage of the cargo or injuries among the crew, the company said. Reporting by Maha El Dahan; Writing by Nadine Awadalla; Editing by Louise HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Iran strikes dissident sites in Iraqi Kurdistan, two dead - officials
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Local officials and security sources said the attacks had struck targets near Erbil and Sulaimaniya. The Revolutionary Guards have attacked Iranian Kurdish militant opposition bases in Iraq's Kurdish region since the death of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16 triggered nationwide unrest. Iran has accused Iraq-based Kurdish militants of fomenting the unrest and threatened strikes against armed Iranian Kurdish dissidents. In an attack by the Guards in September, 13 people were killed and 58 were wounded near Erbil and Sulaimaniya. A media and public relation official with the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), an exiled Iranian Kurdish opposition party, told Reuters two of its fighters were killed in attacks on four of its offices.

Setting out what he said were Saudi Arabia's steps to produce cleaner energy and reduce its carbon footprint, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said: "The world is hoping to crucify us." Instead, he said, Saudi Arabia would be holding the rest of the world to account. Among Saudi Arabia's contributions, he said Saudi Arabian state oil producer Aramco (2222.SE) had the lowest methane emissions by any measure. Saudi Arabia is also working on producing hydrogen using renewable energy and aims to be the lowest cost producer, Prince Abdulaziz said. "You need to invest to decarbonise existing resources like oil and gas while building your renewable sectors.

☆ Iran should not be allowed to play at World Cup, says former FIFA President Sepp Blatter
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Nadine Schmidt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter thinks Iran should be barred from the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, a Swiss paper and online news website quoted him as saying Friday. Swiss outlet ‘Blick’ showed a video of the former FIFA President at a talk at its publisher’s headquarters on Thursday. Meanwhile, soccer player Sardar Azmoun risks missing out on being selected for the World Cup after criticizing the government. Football and the World Cup are too big for it,” Blatter said of Qatar, the first country in the Middle East to host the tournament. The World Cup starts on November 20 with Iran starting its campaign against England on November 21.

☆ Georgia county removes 2 poll workers after social media posts emerge showing them at the January 6 attack on the US Capitol
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( John Haltiwanger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Two poll workers were removed from their duties in Georgia's largest county on Tuesday. Facebook posts surfaced showing the poll workers at the deadly January 6 riot at the US Capitol. One post, shared with the Washington Post, read: "Mike Pence is a traitor." The poll workers, a mother and son, were removed shortly before voting started. Gabriel Sterling, the chief operating officer in the office of the Georgia Secretary of State, confirmed to CNN that the poll workers were removed.

☆ Matt Hancock 'I'm a Celebrity' appearance sparks new U.K. anger at politicians
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Hyder Abbasi | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

After the news broke Tuesday that he would be participating in the show, Hancock was swiftly suspended from the ruling Conservative Party and subjected to a mix of public anger and ridicule. In West Suffolk, the area in East England that Hancock represents, the local Conservative Party association said it was “disappointed" by his bid for prime-time TV stardom. Hancock will not be the first lawmaker to appear on "I'm a Celebrity...Get me out of Here!" She was also suspended from the Conservative Party for appearing on the program but was later readmitted and served as a minister in Johnson's government. But Street also said he could see how Hancock appearing on the program could help him with voters.

☆ Saudi's SNB to hold Credit Suisse stake for at least two years, chairman says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Saudi National Bank's (1180.SE) investment in Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) is tactical rather than strategic, its chairman said on Wednesday, adding that the Saudi lender expects to hold its stake in the Swiss bank for at least two years. SNB announced in October that it was taking part in Credit Suisse's capital raising and committed to investing up to 1.5 billion Swiss francs ($1.5 billion) to take a stake of up to 9.9%. Chairman Ammar Al Khudairy, speaking to Al Arabiya TV, said majority government-owned SNB would not consider selling its stake in the Swiss lender in the short-term. When asked whether the bank would raise its stake above 9.9%, Khudairy said there was no plan to do so. He also said the Saudi lender did not seek a seat on the Credit Suisse board.

☆ Steer clear from pot stocks as short-term excitement dwindles, Bernstein says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In the short-term, yes, as Canada goes through growing pains and US legalization efforts are patchy at best," Sarwat said in a Tuesday note to clients. "However, in the long-term we see both meaningful and underappreciated growth in the US (with or without legalization) and continued growth in Canadian cannabis spending," she added. Canada has a total addressable market of C$8.5 billion by 2027, which is more than double 2021's estimate of C$4 billion. Ultimately, she said the buzz is gone for companies on the Canadian stock market but there is some potential in U.S. stocks. She also said Cronos was fairly valued, having strong topline growth due to edibles that counterbalances negative earnings.

☆ Former heavyweight boxer charged with trafficking 22 tons of cocaine worth $1B through U.S. ports
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A former heavyweight boxer from Montenegro was charged by the U.S. Department of Justice on Monday with trafficking in 22 tons of cocaine worth over $1 billion, most of which was part of one of the largest cocaine seizures in American history. The complex operation required knowledge of each ship’s crew, route and location data, and that there was room to store drugs in shipping containers that were already aboard, prosecutors said. According to court papers, Gogic oversaw the logistics, coordinating with crew members, Colombian traffickers and European dockworkers to benefit himself and his Balkan-based cartels. He maintains his innocence, and had come to the U.S. for a boxing convention in Puerto Rico.”At least eight Gayane crew members have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges. According to online records, Gogic was a boxer from 2001 to 2012, winning 21 bouts and losing four with two draws.

☆ UK former health minister Matt Hancock suspended over jungle reality show
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Paul Sandle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Matt Hancock, the former health minister who led Britain's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, was suspended by the ruling Conservative Party after he signed up for jungle-based reality television show "I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here". Hancock backed Rishi Sunak to become prime minister, but he was not rewarded with a ministerial position, and reports said he does not expect to serve in government again. Sunak's spokesman said the prime minister believed lawmakers should be working hard for their constituents while Britain was facing a cost of living crisis. Hancock is not the first politician from former Prime minister Boris Johnson's government to appear on the show, which attracts more than 10 million viewers. Nadine Dorries also had the whip suspended when she took part in 2012.

☆ Egypt's currency slides to record low after new FX regime unveiled
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CAIRO, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Egypt's currency slid by more than 14% to a record low against the dollar on Thursday, Refinitiv data showed, after the central bank said it had moved to a "durably flexible exchange rate regime" and raised interest rates by 200 basis points. Egypt is trying to secure a new loan from the International Monetary Fund after its economic woes deepened due to the war in Ukraine. The fund has long been urging Egypt to allow greater exchange rate flexibility. Shortly after the central bank statement was issued, the pound weakened rapidly to around 22.5 to the dollar from an opening level of 19.67, data from Refinitiv showed. The central bank said it would continue to announce inflation targets "along the predetermined disinflation path that began in 2017".

☆ IMF and Egypt reach $3 bln, 46-month deal, IMF representative says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

CAIRO, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Egypt have reached a $3 billion funding deal that will run over 46 months, the IMF's representative in Egypt, Ivana Holler, said on Thursday in remarks aired on state TV. The state television's translator had said the agreement would last six months but an IMF statement published shortly after outlined it would last 46. Reporting by Mahmoud Mourad, Enas Alashray Nadine Awadalla; Writing by Lina Najem; editing by John StonestreetOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/3] A helmet with logo of Saudi Aramco is pictured at the oil facility in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia October 12, 2019. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/FilesRIYADH, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Oil giant Saudi Aramco launched a $1.5 billion fund to support an inclusive global energy transition on Wednesday while Saudi officials said the switch from hydrocarbons could take decades, necessitating continued investment in conventional resources. What we need is an optimal, realistic transition plan," Aramco CEO Amin Nasser told a business forum, where he announced the new fund managed by Aramco Ventures. Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan told the FII gathering that thinking around the global energy transition has "now became more realistic that actually transition will take... possibly 30 years", and that conventional resources remained important to ensure security of supply. Saudi sovereign wealth fund the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has established five regional investment companies in Jordan, Bahrain, Sudan, Iraq and Oman, PIF said on Wednesday, following a similar move for an investment subsidiary in Egypt.

☆ Energy transition could take 30 years, Saudi finance minister says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

DUBAI, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's finance minister said on Wednesday the energy transition away from fossil fuels would take years, possibly 30 years. Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan was speaking at Saudi Arabia's flagship investment conference FII. Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi and Rachna Uppal in Riyadh and Nadine Awadalla in Dubai; Writing by Yousef Saba; Editing by Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

SummarySummary Companies Saudi minister says emergency stocks used to manipulate marketsSays kingdom remains most reliable and stable oil supplierSays we are for Saudi Arabia, not with or against anyone elseRIYADH, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Tuesday some countries were using their emergency stocks to manipulate markets when their purpose should be to mitigate any shortages of supply. The comment appeared to be a criticism of U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to sell oil from the nation's emergency oil reserve as he tries to lower gasoline prices ahead of mid-term elections on Nov. 8. "It is my profound duty to make clear to the world that losing (releasing) emergency stocks may be painful in the months to come," the Saudi minister told the Future Initiative Investment (FII) conference in Riyadh. The prince said Saudi Arabia had chosen to be "the maturer" party when asked about how to get the energy relationship with the U.S. back on track. Is there any room for we are for Saudi Arabia and the people of Saudi Arabia," he said.

☆ Qatar faced unprecedented criticism over hosting World Cup, emir says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Qatar has faced unprecedented criticism since winning the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, some of which amounted to slander, its ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, said on Tuesday. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterQatar, the first Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup, has come under intense international criticism for its treatment of foreign workers and restrictive social laws. Qatar expects 1.2 million visitors during the tournament, creating an unprecedented logistical and policing challenge for the tiny Gulf Arab state. Sheikh Tamim said hosting the World Cup was "a great test for a country the size of Qatar". The World Cup would allow Qatar to showcase its economic and institutional strength and cultural identity, he said.

SummarySummary Companies OPEC+ oil output cut led to U.S., Saudi spatSaudi Arabia and U.S. "solid allies" – ministerBig Wall St turnout at flagship Saudi investment summitRIYADH, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia decided to be the "maturer guys" in a spat with the United States over oil supplies, the kingdom's energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Tuesday. "We keep hearing you 'are with us or against us', is there any room for 'we are with the people of Saudi Arabia'?" Biden pledged that "there will be consequences" for U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia after the OPEC+ move. JPMorgan Chase & Co Chief Executive Jamie Dimon, speaking at the gathering, voiced confidence that Saudi Arabia and the United States would safeguard their 75-year-old alliance. It recovered the next year, attracting leaders and businesses with strategic interests in Saudi Arabia, after which the pandemic hit the world.

☆ Engie CEO: Winter 'quite comfortable' from gas standpoint
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Companies Engie SA FollowRIYADH, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The situation for this coming winter in terms of security of gas supply is "comfortable", the chief executive of France's leading gas importer Engie (ENGIE.PA) said on Tuesday. "Today the situation for this winter is actually quite comfortable from the gas standpoint," Catherine MacGregor told the annual Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh. "The situation of the security of supply in Europe is something we've been working on extremely hard even before the war broke out." Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting By Aziz El Yaakoubi and Hadeel Al Sayegh, writing by Nadine Awadalla and Maha El Dahan, Editing by Louise HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Johnson previously enjoyed high levels of popularity until losing credibility in the final months of his premiership. Gleb Garanich | ReutersLONDON — Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not take part in the contest to replace outgoing leader Liz Truss. Johnson is believed to still be popular in the grassroots of the wider Conservative Party despite many Tory MPs being firmly against a return. "There is a very good chance that I would be successful in the election with Conservative Party members — and that I could indeed be back in Downing Street on Friday. How the contest worksTruss' successor will once again be decided by a Conservative Party leadership contest drawn from a short-list of candidates.

☆ Saudi, China agree to strengthen energy cooperation -SPA
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Saudi Arabian Oil Co FollowDUBAI, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and the director of China's National Energy Administration Zhang Jianhua on Friday said they would strengthen their ties in the energy sector, the Saudi state news agency SPA reported. The officials spoke in a teleconference call and stressed the importance of stable long-term supplies to crude oil markets, SPA said. The Saudi minister reaffirmed earlier on Friday from New Delhi that OPEC+ is doing the right job to ensure stable and sustainable oil markets. Prince Abdulaziz and his Chinese counterpart agreed to continue cooperation efforts to maintain stability in oil markets, SPA said, adding that the Kingdom continues to be China's most reliable partner and supplier of crude oil. He had earlier this week spoken with the trade minister of Japan, another key client, and discussed strengthening cooperation on energy.

☆ With UK leader Liz Truss quitting, here are the top contenders to replace her
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

"Given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party," she said in a brief speech Thursday afternoon. Here are the main contenders for the top job:Rishi SunakRishi Sunak, Britain's former finance minister and Truss' main opponent in this year's Conservative Party leadership race, is now seen as a favorite to replace her. Britain's former finance minister Rishi Sunak was Liz Truss's main opponent in this year's Conservative leadership race. Penny MordauntFormer Defense Secretary Penny Mordaunt surged to prominence during the summer's leadership race, before finishing in third place to Truss and Sunak. Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt is seen as a consensus candidate who could unite a splintered Conservative Party.

☆ UAE says OPEC+ output cut was correct decision, no politics behind it
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Maha El Dahan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"We fully trust and believe in the technical credibility of OPEC and OPEC+. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"I would like to reiterate that there is nothing political about any decision we take in OPEC." Coming ahead of November mid-term elections in the United States, the move drew sharp criticism from the Biden administration which said there would be "consequences" for U.S. ties with Riyadh. The United States has stressed that the cut would boost Russia's foreign earnings and blunt the effectiveness of sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine. Mazrouei said the OPEC+ decision stabilised prices, rather than increasing them, adding that it was lack of stability that was driving investors away.

☆ Recession or not, investments in this sector have shown resilience in tough times
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +13 min

Boston Beer has an average analyst rating of hold and 8% downside to the average price target, according to FactSet. "In a recession, beer tends to gain about one percentage point of share from spirits. How to play the space With that mindset, you shouldn't alter your long-term investments because of a potential recession, Sarwat said. Its average price target is buy. Duckhorn also has an average rating of buy, with 30% upside to the average price target.

☆ The career rise of Nadine Macaluso, from modeling and marrying the 'Wolf of Wall Street' to divorcing him and becoming a family therapist
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-16 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Nadine Macaluso started her career as a model to support herself before she met her ex-husband. While married to Jordan Belfort, Macaluso gave up modeling and started a maternity company. After leaving Belfort, Macaluso found her path to therapy through meditation and earned her Ph.D.Get the latest tech news & scoops — delivered daily to your inbox. Macaluso, 54, was played by Margot Robbie in Martin Scorsese's 2013 film, "The Wolf of Wall Street," which was adapted from Belfort's autobiography of the same name. Later in their marriage, Macaluso started her own maternity company.

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