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☆ Kuwait's finance ministry says cyber attack hits one of its systems
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

DUBAI, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Kuwait's finance ministry said on Monday that one of its systems had suffered a cyber attack in the early morning but that the ministry continued to work normally. The ministry said in a statement that protection systems and procedures had been activated and "the level of the hacking attempt is being assessed." The salary transfers will not be affected, the ministry added. Reporting by Nayera Abdallah; Editing by Jon BoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nayera Abdallah, Jon Boyle Organizations: Thomson Locations: DUBAI

☆ PSG give Lee green light to join South Korea Asian Games squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 15 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain (PSG) have agreed to let midfielder Lee Kang-in join up with South Korea's Asian Games squad during the group stage, the country's football association (KFA) said on Friday. Teams are under no obligation to release players for the Asian Games as the tournament falls outside FIFA's official window. The Games, which were postponed from 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, run from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8 in Hangzhou, China. The men's soccer tournament begins on Sept. 19, with South Korea kicking off their campaign against Kuwait as they bid for a third straight gold medal. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Hyderabad; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lee Kang, KFA, Lee, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Paris St Germain, PSG, Korea's Asian, Ligue, PSG's Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Games, South, Real Mallorca, Thomson Locations: Paris, Hangzhou, China, South Korea, Kuwait, Thailand, Bahrain, Hyderabad

A general view of a crude oil importing port in Qingdao, Shandong province, November 9, 2008. Many of the newer, complex refineries in Asia prefer medium sour crude as it offers a higher yield of middle distillates such as diesel and jet fuel. ALTERED FLOWSThe higher prices for medium crude grades is impacting the ways in which crude is flowing around the world. China's imports from Brazil are expected to reach 29.07 million barrels in September, which would be the highest in three years, according to Kpler. While Saudi Arabia may have been successful in boosting oil prices, it is also disrupting the markets and altering physical crude flows.

Persons: Brent, China doesn't, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Moscow, Kpler, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Qingdao, Shandong province, LAUNCESTON, Australia, Asia, Saudi Arabia, OPEC, Russia, East, Kuwait, Brent, Dubai, Ukraine, India, Iraq, China, Iran, Islamic Republic, United States, Brazil

☆ Macy's-owned Bloomingdale's taps international exec Olivier Bron as its next CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Shoppers walk past a Bloomingdale's store in the SoHo neighborhood of New York, US, on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. With the move, the legacy retailer is adding an outside perspective and a dash of global flair to the higher-end department store. Bron, 46, is a French national who was most recently CEO of Central and Robinson department stores in Thailand. A 36-year veteran of Bloomingdale's, Spring became CEO-elect of the parent company Macy's in March. Macy's said Tuesday that it has tapped international retail executive Olivier Bron as the next CEO of its upscale department store, Bloomingdale's.

Persons: Bron, Tony Spring, Spring, Jeff Gennette, Macy's, Olivier Bron, Michael Gould, Beverly, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom Organizations: Bain & Company, Central, Robinson, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Beverly Hills Locations: SoHo, New York, Lafayette, Paris, Bron, French, Thailand, Dubai, Kuwait, Manhattan, New York City, Seattle, Macy's

☆ Portugal chalk up record win with 9-0 thrashing of Luxembourg
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 11 (Reuters) - Portugal enjoyed their biggest-ever win as they thumped Luxembourg 9-0 at Estadio Algarve on Monday to preserve their perfect record in Euro 2024 qualifying. Substitute Joao Felix secured the record victory with a goal two minutes from time after Goncalo Inacio, Goncalo Ramos, and Diogo Jota all scored twice. Portugal's previous record was 8-0, which they achieved three times - twice against Liechtenstein (1994 and 1999) and once versus Kuwait (2003). Portugal have won all six of their Group J matches under Roberto Martinez, who took over in January, scoring 24 goals with none conceded. The result matched the biggest-ever loss for Luxembourg, who have 10 points and are third, three points behind Slovakia.

Persons: Joao Felix, Goncalo Inacio, Goncalo Ramos, Diogo Jota, Ricardo Horta, Bruno Fernandes, Roberto Martinez, Tommy Lund, Ken Ferris Organizations: Estadio Algarve, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Thomson Locations: Portugal, Luxembourg, Kuwait, Slovakia, Gdansk

☆ 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

☆ Morocco earthquake: Foreign offers of aid arrive
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Sept 10 (Reuters) - Following are some of the offers of aid and support from foreign governments following the powerful earthquake that struck Morocco late on Friday. A unit from the Spanish Emergency Military Unit (UME) was set to fly to Morocco, Spanish television RTVE reported. FRANCEFrance stands ready to help Morocco but the government there has not yet requested it, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday. Separately, the Foreign Ministry said it was activating a fund of local government contributions to support solidarity actions. TAIWANTaiwan’s fire department said on Saturday it had put a team of 120 rescuers on standby to go to Morocco the moment they get instructions from Taiwan’s foreign ministry.

Persons: Jose Manuel Albares, Albares, ISRAEL Israel's Magen David Adom, Magen David Adom, Algeria's, Nawaf Al, Ahmad Al, Jaber, Frances Kerry, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: Interior, Catalunya Radio, Moroccan, Spanish Emergency Military Unit, Foreign Ministry, Orange, Crescent, Ministry of Health, Israel Defense Forces, Sunday, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Morocco, TUNISIA Tunisia, SPAIN, Spain, Spanish, FRANCE France, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Moroccan, ALGERIA Algeria, TURKEY, AFAD, Turkish, Turkey, KUWAIT, Jaber Al, Sabah, TAIWAN

☆ Foreign reactions and offers of aid in response to Morocco earthquake
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

[1/6] A general view of damage in the historic city of Marrakech, following a powerful earthquake in Morocco, September 9. ****OFFERS OF FOREIGN AID AND SUPPORTALGERIAAlgeria, which broke off ties with Morocco two years ago, said it would open its air space for humanitarian and medical flights to Morocco. TURKEYThe Turkish Foreign Ministry said Ankara was ready to provide all kinds of support "to heal the wounds of the earthquake in Morocco". Valerie Pecresse, president of the Paris region, said on X it was offering 500,000 euros ($535,000)in aid for Morocco. -------------**** ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN NATIONALSFRANCEThe French Foreign Ministry said its embassy in Morocco and the ministry in Paris have opened crisis centres "to respond to demands for information or help from our compatriots."

Persons: Abdelhak, Algeria's, Olaf Scholz, Antony Blinken, Valerie Pecresse, Benoit Payan, Jose Manuel Albares, Antonio Nogales, Eli Cohen, “, Israel's Magen David Adom, Magen David Adom, Kais Saied, Nawaf Al, Ahmad Al, Jaber, Marcel Ciolacu, NARENDRA MODI, VLADIMIR PUTIN, MOHAMMED VI, KRISTALINA GEORGIEVA, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, ANNALENA, EMMANUEL MACRON, FELIPE, Tomasz Janowski, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Turkish Foreign Ministry, UNITED STATES Secretary, French Foreign Ministry, Morocco, Cote d'Azur, Orange, Spain's, Moroccan, ISRAEL, Crescent, Ministry of Health, Israel Defense Forces, INDIAN, IMF, Bank, MINISTRY, Facebook, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thomson Locations: Marrakech, Morocco, ALGERIA Algeria, Moroccan, TURKEY, Ankara, AFAD, Turkish, Turkey, GERMANY, New Delhi, Germany, United States, FRANCE, France, Paris, Marseille, Marseille's, Occitanie, Corsica, Provence, Alpes, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, SPAIN, TUNISIA, Tunisian, KUWAIT, Jaber Al, Sabah, ROMANIA, TAIWAN, Algeria, Kingdom of Morocco, EMIRATES, German, Rabat

☆ 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

Saudi Arabia has spearheaded efforts to support prices, making large voluntary output cuts as part of a production deal agreed by the OPEC+ producer group comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia. Saudi Arabia's previous announcements have come ahead of its official selling prices, which typically emerge in the first week of the month. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, meanwhile, has said that Moscow had agreed with OPEC+ partners on the parameters for continued export cuts in October. Saudi Arabia and Russia could withdraw the cuts at any point, said OANDA analyst Craig Erlam, "but I can't imagine they'll be in any rush and risk sending the price tumbling again." The oil market is vulnerable to price spikes due to low inventories and underinvestment in new oilfields, a senior official at global commodities trading firm Trafigura (TRAFGF.UL) said on Monday.

Persons: Alexander Novak, Craig Erlam, Brent, Russell Hardy, Xi, John Evans, Stephanie Kelly, Paul Carsten, Natalie Grover, Mohi Narayan, Yousef Saba, Andrew Hayley, Jason Neely, David Goodman, Mike Harrison Organizations: Companies, U.S . Federal, of, Petroleum, Saudi, . West Texas, . U.S, Federal, Thomson Locations: Companies Saudi Arabia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, OPEC, Moscow, India, Kuwait, Jizan, Oman, China, ., New York, London, New Delhi, Dubai, Beijing

LONDON, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Oil prices were stable on Monday amid expectations that major producers would keep supplies tight, as hopes grew for the Federal Reserve to leave interest rates unchanged to avoid dampening the U.S. economy. Both contracts ended last week at their highest in more than half a year, after two previous weeks of losses. "Crude oil prices have been primarily driven by the anticipation of additional supply cuts from major oil-producing nations, Russia and Saudi Arabia," said Sugandha Sachdeva, executive vice president and chief strategist at Acme Investment Advisors. Saudi Arabia is expected to roll over a voluntary 1-million-barrel per day (bpd) cut into October. Saudi Arabia's previous announcements on its voluntary cut extension came ahead of its official selling prices, which typically come out in the first week of the month.

Persons: Sugandha Sachdeva, Sachdeva, Alexander Novak, Russell Hardy, Paul Carsten, Mohi Narayan, Yousef Saba, Andrew Hayley, Simon Clarence Fernandez, Jason Neely Organizations: Federal Reserve, Brent, . West Texas, Acme Investment Advisors, Saudi, Russia, Organization of, Petroleum, Reserve, PMI, Investors, Thomson Locations: U.S, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, Kuwait, Jizan, Oman, China, London, New Delhi, Dubai, Beijing

☆ Oil steady amid OPEC+ supply cut expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Mohi Narayan | Thomson Reuters | Reports On Everything How Asia S Fuel Use Recovers The Fallout Of To Tracking How The Global Energy Transition Impacts Refinery Expansion Plans | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW DELHI, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Oil prices were stable on Monday, amid expectations that major producers would keep supplies tight, as hopes grew for the Federal Reserve to leave interest rates unchanged to avoid dampening the U.S. economy. "Crude oil prices have been primarily driven by the anticipation of additional supply cuts from major oil-producing nations, Russia and Saudi Arabia," said Sugandha Sachdeva, executive vice president and chief strategist at Acme Investment Advisors. Sachdeva added, however, that the steady increase in U.S. oil production could limit further significant gains in price. Russia has already said it will cut exports by 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) in September, following a 500,000-bpd cut in August. "Because of the OPEC+ cuts, there's not sufficient supply (of sour crude) for all these complex refineries in India, Kuwait, Jizan, Oman and China," Hardy said.

Persons: Sugandha Sachdeva, Sachdeva, Alexander Novak, Russell Hardy, there's, Hardy, Mohi Narayan, Andrew Hayley, Simon Cameron, Moore, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Federal Reserve, Brent, . West Texas, Acme Investment Advisors, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: DELHI, U.S, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, India, Kuwait, Jizan, Oman, China, New Delhi, Beijing

☆ Cyprus police make more arrests as racism-fuelled violence spreads
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NICOSIA, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Police in Cyprus have made 20 arrests after a spate of racism-fuelled violence against migrants which erupted in the west of the island last week and spread to its southern city of Limassol in a weekend rampage. Last week Syrians living in Chlorakas, a village in western Cyprus, were targeted by hooded attackers in sporadic incidents over two days, leading to 22 arrests. Overnight Saturday to Sunday, three people from southeast Asia were attacked and robbed, state media said. Among the victims of the weekend's violence were a group of visitors from Kuwait, according to social media accounts of witnesses. "This isn't the Cyprus I was born, raised, had a family and am getting old in," he said.

Persons: Kyriakos Kouros, Michele Kambas, Ros Russell Organizations: Police, Migrants, Reuters, Turkish, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thomson Locations: NICOSIA, Cyprus, Limassol, Chlorakas, Asia, East, Africa, Turkish, Kuwait

☆ Kuwait appoints Fahd Al-Jarallah as finance minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CAIRO, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Kuwait on Sunday appointed Fahd Abdulaziz Al-Jarallah as finance minister, the state news agency said, following the resignation of his predecessor in July. Jarallah takes over from Manaf Abdulaziz Al Hajri who was in the role only since April this year. Oil Minister Saad Al Barrak had been acting finance minister after he resigned. Appointed as assistant undersecretary at the Ministry of Finance in August, Jarallah is a businessman who has served on the boards of the Commercial Bank of Kuwait and Noor Financial Investment Company. Among key reforms which have faced delays is a public debt law which would allow Kuwait to borrow from international markets, but which has faced opposition from members of parliament.

Persons: Fahd Abdulaziz Al, Jarallah, Abdulaziz Al Hajri, Saad Al Barrak, Muhammad Al Gebaly, Omar Abdel, Ahmed Hagagy, Rachna Uppal, Hugh Lawson, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Sunday, Oil, Ministry of Finance, Commercial Bank of Kuwait, Noor Financial Investment Company, Growth, International Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: CAIRO, Kuwait

☆ Bill Richardson, U.S. diplomat and troubleshooter, dead at 75
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Will Dunham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

As a congressman in 1994, Richardson visited reclusive communist-ruled North Korea to discuss a nuclear accord struck by Clinton. As Richardson was traveling to the country, North Korea shot down a U.S. military helicopter that had entered its territory, killing one pilot and capturing the other. Richardson stayed for weeks to negotiate, flying home with the dead pilot's remains while the surviving pilot was released soon thereafter. In 1996, Richardson negotiated the release of an American named Evan Hunziker, jailed on spy charges in North Korea. Richardson later attended a prep school in Massachusetts, where he became a star baseball pitcher with dreams of a professional career.

Persons: New Mexico Bill Richardson, Gus Ruelas, Bill Richardson, Richardson, Mickey Bergman, Bergman, Bill Clinton, you've, You've, Barack Obama, Obama, Danny Fenster, Clinton, Evan Hunziker, Saddam Hussein, Fidel Castro, William Blaine Richardson, Will Dunham, Lucia Mutikani, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: University of Southern California's Schwarzenegger Institute for State, Global, REUTERS, Rights, New, Richardson Center, U.S, Richardson, Democratic, U.S . House, Representatives, United Nations, Foreign Policy, Cuban, Citibank, Tufts University, State Department, Thomson Locations: New Mexico, Los Angeles , California, U.S, Chatham , Massachusetts, Mexican, American, United States, North Korea, Myanmar, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Cuba, New Hampshire, Iowa, Korean, Kuwait, Iraqi, Miami, Pasadena , California, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Massachusetts, Washington

☆ Lebanon approves 'Barbie' film for release after bid to ban it
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A boy stands near an advertising billboard of the movie 'Barbie' at a cinema theatre, as Lebanon approved the film to be screened in cinemas following an initial attempt to ban it, in Beirut, Lebanon September 1, 2023. REUTERS/Emilie Madi Acquire Licensing RightsBEIRUT, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Lebanon on Friday approved the "Barbie" film to be screened in cinemas following an initial attempt to ban it by its culture minister over claims it contradicts conservative values. Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi in turn asked General Security's censorship committee to review the film and give its recommendation. Kuwait has banned "Barbie" and supernatural horror film "Talk to Me" to protect "public ethics and social traditions", the state news agency said last month. Starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken, the movie sends Mattel Inc's (MAT.O) Barbie doll on an adventure into the real world.

Persons: Emilie Madi, Mohammad Mortada, Bassam Mawlawi, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Barbie, Ken, Mattel, Nour Hajjar, Maya Gebeily, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, General Security, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lebanon, Beirut, Rights BEIRUT, Kuwait, Lebanese

☆ Exclusive: US to send depleted-uranium munitions to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Although Britain sent depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine earlier this year, this would be the first U.S. shipment of the ammunition and will likely stir controversy. The use of depleted uranium munitions has been fiercely debated, with opponents like the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons saying there are dangerous health risks from ingesting or inhaling depleted uranium dust, including cancers and birth defects. While depleted uranium is radioactive, it is considerably less so than naturally occurring uranium, although particles can linger for a considerable time. The Wall Street Journal reported in mid-June the U.S. was considering sending depleted uranium rounds to Ukraine. Recent weapons aid packages for Ukraine have included artillery, air defense missiles and ground vehicles as Ukraine's counteroffensive grinds on.

Persons: Abrams, Kacper, Biden, Mike Stone, Jonathan Landay, Don Durfee, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: U.S . 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Abrams, International Coalition, NATO, International Atomic Energy Agency, Street, Presidential, Authority, Thomson Locations: Drawsko, Pomorskie, Ukraine, U.S, United States, Yugoslavia, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, Washington

[1/2] The logo of Italian energy company Eni is seen at the booth of Eni during the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit in Abuja, Nigeria February 10, 2020. Under the revised terms, Eni and Repsol can supply the state company with fuels, potentially helping Venezuela ease an intermittent scarcity that has led to long lines at gasoline stations in recent years. Eni and Repsol were not immediately available to respond to a Reuters request for comment. Crude received by Eni and Repsol under their swap deal has mostly been sent to Repsol's refineries in Spain. The field is run by the Petrosucre joint venture between Eni and PDVSA.

Persons: Afolabi, Repsol, PDVSA, Joe Biden's, Perla, Marianna Parraga, Francesca Landini, Pietro Lombardi, Mircely, Matt Spetalnick, David Holmes Organizations: Eni, Nigeria International Petroleum Summit, REUTERS, Companies, U.S . State Department, Kuwait Petroleum, Repsol, U.S . Treasury, PDVSA, Perla, Washington, Thomson Locations: Nigeria, Abuja, HOUSTON, Venezuela, Europe, Venezuelan, PDVSA's, Italy's Milazzo, Kuwait, U.S, Spain, Chevron, American, Venezuela's Gulf, Colombia, Milan, Madrid, Maracay, Washington

☆ India isn't over dependent on Russian oil, Indian energy minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"India doesn't get over dependent on anyone," Hardeep Singh Puri told CNBC's Tanvir Gill when asked if his country was too dependent on the Kremlin. Moscow has since leapfrogged to become India's leading source of crude oil, accounting for about 40% of India's crude imports. Hardeep Singh Puri India's Minister of Petroleum and Natural GasIndia is the world's third largest energy importer, and purchases more than 80% of its crude oil from international markets. Asked if India was getting a $15 or $30 discount per barrel on Russian crude, Puri said: "Yes, there have been discounts. According to data from S&P Global in July, India's crude oil sources come largely from Middle East and Russia.

Persons: Hardeep Singh Puri, CNBC's Tanvir Gill, India's, Puri Organizations: India's, Petroleum, Natural Gas, CNBC, P Global, Brent, U.S . West Texas, West Texas Locations: India, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Natural Gas India, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Middle East, U.S

☆ To Trump, Foreign Business Is Scandalous, Unless It’s His Own
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Peter Baker | More About Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After his fourth indictment, bringing his total count of felony charges to 91, former President Donald J. Trump last week posted a video online accusing President Biden and his family of being criminals. “The Biden crime family,” he claimed, had received millions of dollars from foreign countries. “I believe we have a compromised president,” Mr. Trump said, adding: “He’s a Manchurian candidate. That’s why Crooked Joe is letting other countries walk all over the United States.”For Mr. Trump, outrage is a selective commodity when it comes to presidential families taking millions of dollars from foreign countries. Unlike other modern presidents, Mr. Trump never gave up control of his sprawling business with its interests in multiple countries, nor did he forswear foreign business even as president.

Persons: Donald J, Biden, “, ”, ” Mr, Trump, Joe, Hunter Biden Organizations: Trump, Manchurian, White Locations: United States, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain

☆ Kuwait Airways plans to lease eight Airbus jets within 10 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Ahmed Hagagy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Kuwait Airways (KA.UL) plans to lease eight Airbus (AIR.PA) passenger jets within 10 years, Chairman Ali Aldokhan said on Sunday. The state-owned carrier is examining offers from leasing companies, and the contract duration for the leased planes, all Airbus 321 neo aircraft, will be between eight and 10 years, Aldokhan told a news conference. The plan to lease eight planes is in addition to Kuwait Airways' multi-billion dollar deal with Airbus in 2022 to buy 31 planes, 18 of which it has already received. The cost of jet fuel for Kuwait Airways has increased 38% year-on-year since the beginning of 2023, Aldokhan said. Kuwait Airways is in negotiations with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation on a discount mechanism to reduce the airline's jet fuel costs, CEO Maen Razouqi told the same press conference.

Persons: Ali Aldokhan, Aldokhan, Maen Razouqi, Ahmed Hagagy, Adam Makary, David Goodman, Susan Fenton Organizations: KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait Airways, Airbus, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, Tala, Thomson Locations: KUWAIT

☆ Asia's refiners face profit crunch as Kuwait cuts crude exports
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Muyu Xu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Lower Kuwaiti exports follow cuts from OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia that have pushed Brent prices close to $90 a barrel and left little wriggle room for Asia's refiners, reliant on the Middle East for more than two-thirds of crude imports. Chinese refiners, which have invested heavily in new plants designed to process sour oil, are especially exposed. Discounted oil from Russia has eased some of the pain, replacing some Kuwaiti supply, largely to China and India. Additionally, Kuwait's joint venture 230,000 bpd Duqm refinery in Oman is scheduled to start operation by end-2023, which could reduce Kuwaiti crude exports by a further 100,000 bpd to 200,000 bpd in 2024, the consultancies said. Formosa could replace Kuwaiti supply with grades such as Iraq's Basra Medium, Qatar's al-Shaheen and Oman crude, Lin said, adding it can also process U.S. light sweet crude.

Persons: Brent, Asia's, Janiv Shah, Sun Jianan, Al Zour, consultancies, KPC, Lin, al, James Forbes, Muyu Xu, Florence Tan, Sonali Paul Organizations: Kuwait Oil Tanker, Oil, Companies, Lower, Saudi, United Arab, Rystad Energy, P, Kuwait Petroleum Corp, Shenghong, Taiwan Formosa Petrochemical Corp, FGE, Dubai, Brent, Thomson Locations: Kuwait, Pier, Companies Kuwait, SINGAPORE, OPEC, Lower Kuwaiti, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, India, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Taiwan, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Oman, PetroChina's, Guangdong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Formosa, Basra, Shaheen, Brent, Dubai

☆ Climate change: Extreme water stress affects a quarter of humanity and it's poised to get worse
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Hafsa Khalil | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The biggest change in water demand will occur in sub-Saharan Africa according to the report, which projects a 163% increase in water demand by 2050. In North America and Europe, water demand has plateaued, helped by investment in water use efficiency measures. In the US, six states experience extremely high water stress, according to the report. People collect drinking water from in Cape Town on January 19, 2018, during a water crisis which saw the city nearly run dry. The report suggests various measures to prevent water stress spilling into a water crisis.

Persons: ”, Samantha Kuzma, “ I’ve, ” Kuzma, Will Lanzoni, Kuzma, “, Charles, Rodger Bosch, Dieter Gerten, – Organizations: CNN, Ocean Program, UN, Getty, Potsdam Institute, Climate Impact Research Locations: Bahrain, Cyprus, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Lake Mead, Boulder City , Nevada, East, North Africa, Africa, Saharan Africa, North America, Europe, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Charles Iceland, Cape Town, AFP, Vegas, Singapore

☆ Banned in Kuwait, ‘Barbie’ Sparks Delight, and Anger, in Saudi Arabia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Vivian Nereim | More About Vivian Nereim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Friday night, Mohammed al-Sayed donned a pale pink shirt and denim overalls to join a friend at a movie theater in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, where the men settled in to watch a film about a doll on a mission to dismantle the patriarchy. They watched as the movie imagined a matriarchal society of Barbie dolls where men are eye candy. They laughed when a male character asked, “I’m a man with no power; does that make me a woman?” They snapped their fingers in delight as a mother delivered a monologue about the strictures of stereotypical femininity. Then, they emerged from the darkened theaters to contemplate what it all meant. “The message is that you are enough — whatever you are,” said Mr. al-Sayed, 21, echoing the Ken doll’s revelation.

Persons: Mohammed al, Sayed, “ Barbie, ”, Barbie, “, Ken doll’s Locations: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. The drill is the latest in a flurry of Chinese activity in the Middle East, traditionally seen as the US’ backyard. According to the Wall Street Journal, the US wants Saudi Arabia to distance itself economically and militarily from Beijing in return. Four of the top 10 importers of US arms are Gulf Arab states: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE. Some of these purchases were driven by US restrictions on selling arms to Gulf states under the Biden administration, according to Alhasan.

Persons: ” Hasan Alhasan, “, Barack Obama’s, ”, Mohammed Baharoon, John Calabrese, …, ” Calabrese, CNN’s Becky Anderson, Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, Washington, Biden, Alhasan, China’s, Xi Jinping, ” Yun Sun, ” Alhasan, ” Baharoon Organizations: UAE CNN, United Arab Emirates, American, Washington, UAE, Middle East, International Institute for Strategic Studies, CNN, Asia Experts, East ., US, Dubai Public Policy Research Center, Middle East Institute, Wall Street Journal, China Program, China, Stimson Center Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, United States, China, China’s, Xinjiang, Ukraine, Gulf, Asia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen, Washington, Dubai, Russia, Saudi, Riyadh, Israel, Beijing, Europe, Arab, Qatar, Kuwait, Sun, “

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