MIDEAST

Saudi Arabia Eyes Boosting Investment in Pakistan to Over $10 Billion

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It’s a strong commitment from Saudi Arabia, but likely to be subject to resumption of the IMF program, said Tahir Abbas, head of research at Karachi-based Arif Habib Ltd. “The investment would be in setting up a refinery in Pakistan, for which the government needs to complete modalities including finalization of refinery policy.”

Zelenskiy Meets With Biden as US Adds More Aid

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(Bloomberg) — Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived at the White House to a red-carpet welcome by President Joe Biden in the Ukrainian president’s first trip outside his country since Russia invaded on Feb. 24. He is scheduled to make an evening address to Congress before departing Washington. Before the two presidents met in the Oval Office, the … Read more

Iran Prison Inmate Dies, Adds to Concern of Protesters’ Safety

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The clash erupted in a wing for drug offenders, where prisoners also set fire to a number of blankets in the prison yard, Fazeli said, without elaborating on what set the conflict in motion. The prison is on the outskirts of the city of Karaj, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of the capital, Tehran.

Asia Stocks Picture Mixed on Fed View, China Woes: Markets Wrap

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“It’s a decent time to start considering sharpening your pencil and think about what is a good buy right now,” Terri Spath, founder and chief investment officer of Zuma Wealth Management, said on Bloomberg Television. She said that the coming slowdown in the US economy would be mild and that if there’s a shallow recession … Read more

Oil Edges Lower With China Unrest Rippling Through World Markets

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Oil’s recent leg lower is the latest twist in what’s been a tumultuous year, with volatility driven by the war in Ukraine, aggressive central bank tightening to combat inflation, and China’s relentless attempts to eradicate Covid-19. In recent days, European Union diplomats have been locked in talks over cap on Russian crude prices, with negotiations … Read more

Iran’s World Cup Team Shuns National Anthem to Back Protests

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At other sporting events, Iranian teams have also taken a stand. The men’s water polo team refused to sing during the Islamic Republic’s anthem at an event on Nov. 8. Iranian sportswomen have competed unveiled at international tournaments, for the first time in decades, drawing the ire of authorities. 

G-20 Provides Momentum on Key Climate Goal as Talks Near Climax

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G-20 leaders meeting in Bali, Indonesia agreed to pursue the target laid out in the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015, even as the energy crunch triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threatened to undermine it. That’s giving hope that it will inject much-needed momentum as the climate conference in Egypt enters its final days.

EU Piles Pressure on Iran as Tehran Sentences Protester to Death

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The penalties, which apply travel bans and asset freezes to 29 individuals and three entities, also target members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the commander of the Army’s ground forces, plainclothes Islamic militias and Press TV, an English-language news channel that’s owned and run by Iran’s state broadcaster.