Latest news with #BinSalman
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman invited to G7 summit in Alberta: sources
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been invited to attend the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, two government sources told CBC News. Bin Salman, known as MBS, is a powerful figure in the Middle East and his oil-rich country is seen as a key player in hopes of brokering peace as the deadly war in Gaza drags on. Sources with knowledge of the invite spoke to CBC News on the condition they not be named. The Saudi embassy has not confirmed whether bin Salman will make the trip to Alberta next week. Saudi Arabia is not a G7 member, but other world leaders are often invited for discussions at the annual summit. The Gulf kingdom has been a vocal supporter of the need for a Gaza ceasefire and the recognition of a Palestinian state. The U.S. has pushed for Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel amid the ongoing war in the region, but the prospect of formal ties still appears far away. Bin Salman was also invited to last year's G7 summit in Italy, but did not attend. Still, the crown prince's invite will likely anger human rights activists. Bin Salman has denied involvement in journalist Jamal Khashoggi's 2018 murder and has pointed to recent measures expanding women's rights as evidence his country is becoming more progressive and tolerant. However, human rights watchers push back on that argument, highlighting the ongoing suppression of dissidents and the country's treatment of migrant workers. Canada sanctioned 17 Saudi nationals linked to the murder of Khashoggi in 2018. Mexico's Sheinbaum joining summit Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed Monday she will make the trip and says she hopes to have a pull-aside conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. Her trip north comes as both Canada and Mexico grapple with Trump's persistent tariffs and economic threats, which have also stressed the Canada-Mexico relationship; Ontario Premier Doug Ford has suggested Canada go it alone with the U.S. on trade. "I have decided that I will attend the G7," Sheinbaum said in a statement Monday. "The foreign affairs minister is working on setting up bilateral meetings — it is likely that we will have one with Trump." Prime Minister Mark Carney's office has signalled he is hoping to reach a deal on tariffs and trade around the G7 meetings, taking place in Kananaskis, Alta., from June 15 to 17. The prime minister has also said he wants to make progress on bilateral issues with the U.S. before talks take place on the trilateral Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). A review of that deal is officially slated to start in 2026, although Mexican officials have suggested they expect a review to start earlier than that. Aside from leaders of G7 countries — Canada, the U.S., the U.K., France, Italy, Germany and Japan plus the European Union — the guest list is growing. The full list hasn't been made available by Carney's office, but last week the prime minister confirmed he had also invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (this year's G20 chair), South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte have said they will attend.
3 days ago
- Politics
Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman invited to G7 summit in Alberta: sources
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been invited to attend the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, two government sources told CBC News. Bin Salman, known as MBS, is a powerful figure in the Middle East and his oil-rich country is seen as a key player in hopes of brokering peace as the deadly war in Gaza drags on. Sources with knowledge of the invite spoke to CBC News on the condition they not be named. The Saudi embassy has not confirmed whether bin Salman will make the trip to Alberta next week. Saudi Arabia is not a G7 member, but other world leaders are often invited for discussions at the annual summit. The Gulf kingdom has been a vocal supporter of the need for a Gaza ceasefire and the recognition of a Palestinian state. The U.S. has pushed for Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel amid the ongoing war in the region, but the prospect of formal ties still appears far away. Bin Salman was also invited to last year's G7 summit in Italy (new window) , but did not attend. Still, the crown prince's invite will likely anger human rights activists. Bin Salman has denied involvement in journalist Jamal Khashoggi's 2018 murder and has pointed to recent measures expanding women's rights as evidence his country is becoming more progressive and tolerant. However, human rights watchers push back on that argument, highlighting the ongoing suppression of dissidents (new window) and the country's treatment of migrant workers. Canada sanctioned 17 Saudi nationals linked to the murder of Khashoggi in 2018. Mexico's Sheinbaum joining summit Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed Monday she will make the trip and says she hopes to have a pull-aside conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. Her trip north comes as both Canada and Mexico grapple with Trump's persistent tariffs and economic threats, which have also stressed the Canada-Mexico relationship; Ontario Premier Doug Ford has suggested Canada go it alone (new window) with the U.S. on trade. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum will travel to Alberta next week to meet with world leaders during the G7 summit. Photo: Reuters / Henry Romero I have decided that I will attend the G7, Sheinbaum said in a statement Monday. The foreign affairs minister is working on setting up bilateral meetings — it is likely that we will have one with Trump. Prime Minister Mark Carney's office has signalled he is hoping to reach a deal on tariffs and trade around the G7 meetings, taking place in Kananaskis, Alta., from June 15 to 17. The prime minister has also said he wants to make progress on bilateral issues with the U.S. before talks take place on the trilateral Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). A review of that deal is officially slated to start in 2026, although Mexican officials have suggested they expect a review to start earlier than that (new window) . Aside from leaders of G7 countries — Canada, the U.S., the U.K., France, Italy, Germany and Japan plus the European Union — the guest list is growing. The full list hasn't been made available by Carney's office, but last week the prime minister confirmed he had also invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (new window) . Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (this year's G20 chair), South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte have said they will attend. Catharine Tunney (new window) , David Cochrane (new window) · CBC News
West Australian
13-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Donald Trump news: US President announces $927 billion investment deal with Saudi Arabia in Riyadh
US President Donald Trump has announced a near trillion-dollar deal with Saudi Arabia that will see investments in energy security, defence, technology and critical minerals. Speaking from Riyadh, Mr Trump said the US-Saudi relationship had been the 'bedrock of security and prosperity' since 1945, when then US President Franklin Roosevelt met with then Saudi King Abdulaziz. 'Exactly eight years ago this month, I stood in this very room and looked forward to a future in which the nations of this region would drive out the forces of terrorism and extremism … and take your place among the proudest, most prosperous, most successful nations anywhere in the world as leaders of a modern and rising Middle East,' Mr Trump said. The deal, which includes a $US600 billion ($927 billion) commitment from Saudi Arabia in energy security, defence, technology and critical minerals. The deal is formed with commitments from companies including Saudi Arabian DataVolt, Google, Oracle, Salesforce, AMD, Uber, Hill International, Jacobs, Parsons, AECOM, GE Vernova, Boeing, AviLease, Shamekh Soluions, and LLC, just to name a few. Within the agreement is a near $US142 billion defence sale component which will see the US provide Saudi Arabia with 'state-of-the-art war fighting equipment and services from over a dozen US defence firms,' the White House said. 'The $US600 billion in Saudi investment in the United States builds on President Trump's record in 2017 of securing billions in commercial deals and agreements with Saudi Arabia for the defence, energy, technology, and infrastructure sectors,' the White House continued. Mr Trump opened his four-day Middle East trip by paying a visit to Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for talks on US efforts to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, end the war in Gaza, hold down oil prices and more. Prince Mohammed warmly greeted Trump on Tuesday as he stepped off Air Force One and kicked off his Middle East tour. The two leaders then retreated to a grand hall at the Riyadh airport for a coffee ceremony. Mr Bin Salman, who spoke before Mr Trump at the investment conference, said the aim is to raise the US-Saudi partnership to $US1 trillion across the military, security, economic and technological sectors. During the lavish investment forum, the Crown Prince was beaming as Mr Trump expressed his admiration for Mr Bin Salman. 'Before our eyes, a new generation of leaders is transcending the ancient conflicts and tired divisions of the past, and forging a future where the Middle East is defined by commerce, not chaos; where it exports technology, not terrorism; and where people of different nations, religions, and creeds are building cities together — not bombing each other out of existence,' Mr Trump said. 'This great transformation has not come from Western interventionists … giving you lectures on how to live or how to govern your own affairs. 'No, the gleaming marvels of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi were not created by the so-called 'nation-builders,' 'neo-cons,' or 'liberal non-profits,' like those who spent trillions failing to develop Kabul and Baghdad, so many other cities. Instead, the birth of a modern Middle East has been brought about by the people of the region themselves … developing your own sovereign countries, pursuing your own unique visions, and charting your own destinies. 'After so many decades of conflict, finally it is within our grasp to reach the future that generations before us could only dream about — a land of peace, safety, harmony, opportunity, innovation, and achievement right here in the Middle East.' Mr Trump posted an image along side Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after announcing the mega-deal. More to come...
Newsweek
06-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Satellite Images Show Palace Emerging at World's Biggest Construction Site
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Before-and-after satellite images reveal the ongoing progress of a lavish palace complex under construction along Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, part of the larger Neom megacity project, which is expected to cost $500 billion. These images showcase the transformation of the estate. The palace's development symbolizes the grandeur at the heart of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The aim of the overall project is diversifying the kingdom's economy away from oil dependency. However, the project's ambitious scale contrasts with the financial challenges the country is facing due to falling oil prices. Newsweek has reached out to Neom for comment. Why It Matters Saudi Arabia's economy has long relied on oil exports, leaving it vulnerable to fluctuations in crude prices. The recent drop from over $80 per barrel in January to around $60—a level far below the kingdom's break-even price—has sent ripples through the country's finances. As businesses prepare for an economic slowdown, the Neom megacity, with its transformative projects like The Line, represents Bin Salman's vision for economic diversification. What To Know Drag slider compare photos Between January 2019 and October 2024, a remote stretch of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast has transformed from barren desert into what appears to be a sprawling luxury palace complex. The 2019 satellite image, via Google Earth, shows a sparse outpost with a small pier and minimal development. By 2024, the area features a large palace, helipads, manicured gardens, a golf course, and extensive landscaping, including artificial lagoons and tree-lined roads. The coastline has been re-engineered, and multiple villas now dot the site. The Line Neom is designed to transform Saudi Arabia's economy by focusing on technology, tourism, and innovation rather than oil. One of its most ambitious elements, The Line, is a proposed 170-kilometer city that promises to be car-free and powered by artificial intelligence. However, the project has faced delays and escalating costs, with only a small section of the city expected to be completed by 2030. Last month, Giles Pendleton, Chief Operating Officer for The Line, released new on-site photos showing ground infrastructure visibly taking shape. The images reveal the 200-meter-wide city outline emerging from the desert—offering one of the clearest confirmations yet that physical work on Neom's signature linear city has begun. Ariel images of The Line's construction site, released in April 2025. Ariel images of The Line's construction site, released in April 2025. NEOM Economic Struggles Saudi Arabia has long been exposed to the boom-and-bust cycles tied to oil prices. The recent downturn in oil costs, driven by geopolitical tensions and global market fluctuations, is testing the kingdom's fiscal stability. Although the government has made strides in diversifying its economy under the Crown Prince, the persistent volatility in oil prices forces businesses to prepare for leaner times. Neom has also drawn international criticism for alleged human rights violations, particularly concerning the displacement of the Huwaitat tribe. Environmental groups have also raised alarms over the project's ecological footprint. What Happens Next This split image shows current construction progress (left) and the projected final layout (right) of The Line, a core development within Saudi Arabia's Neom project on the Red Sea coast. This split image shows current construction progress (left) and the projected final layout (right) of The Line, a core development within Saudi Arabia's Neom project on the Red Sea coast. NEOM As satellite images continue to document the progress of the palace, the future of Neom and Saudi Arabia's broader economic vision remains uncertain. With oil prices remaining well below expectations, the kingdom must navigate these financial challenges while striving to complete the Neom megacity and fulfill its broader diversification goals.
