Saudi arabia

Riyadh, Aug 7, 2020 -Online armies of self-styled Saudi patriots riding a wave of state-led nationalism attack critics and what they call "traitors" of the kingdom -- but their growing clout has left the government uneasy.Their rise has coincided with the ascent of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has overseen Saudi Arabia's shift from austere religion towards hyper-nationalism as he pursues an ambitious transformation of the petro-state.Trolls distorting political discourse are common in many countries, but Saudi Arabia's so-called cyber "flies" -- feisty defenders of state policy who often choose pictures of Saudi rulers as their avatar image -- are an increasingly powerful force.Their posts frequently tag Saudi security agencies, and their collective roar often leads to detentions, sackings and harassment.These "phantom accounts" were long thought to be linked to the government, arising as part of a policy driven by former royal court advisor Saud al-Qahtani.Qahtani, sacked … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia seeks to tame powerful cyber armies

By Collin EatonHOUSTON: Carlyle Group LP is in discussions with three companies that operate pipelines and terminals to sell a 25% stake in its Corpus Christi, Texas, crude oil export terminal for $625 million, according to a source familiar with the matter.Carlyle is also in talks with the three companies to jointly operate a crude oil pipeline from Houston to Corpus Christi, the source said. The identities of the companies could not be immediately learned.Carlyle and other companies are working to open at least eight facilities to export U.S. crude oil to global markets from the U.S. Gulf Coast. The United States is now producing more than 12 million barrels per day (bpd), more than Saudi Arabia and Russia. Last week, U.S. crude exports were near a new record at nearly 3.4 million bpd.A deal with one of the three companies, which operate facilities in Houston, could happen as early as Friday, according to the source.The joint-venture pipeline would carry crude from Houston to Corpus … [Read more...] about Carlyle in talks with pipeline firms to sell 25% stake in oil export project

The Saudi oil facility that had been secured after hectic backdoor lobbying with the royal family remained underutilised in the last fiscal year. The USD 769 million deferred payment facility on supply of oil was availed from Saudi government, according to the spokesman of the Petroleum Division. … [Read more...] about $3.2 billion oil deal between Pakistan, Saudi expires; Islamabad urges renewal

According to the charge sheets, all the foreigners have been booked for violating visa rules, violating government guidelines issued in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and regulations regarding Epidemic diseases Act, Disaster Management Act and prohibitory orders under section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure. … [Read more...] about 91 foreign Markaz attendees granted bail

MOSCOW: Russia's largest petrochemicals producer Sibur may use money from the country's National Wealth Fund to help finance the construction of its planned Amur Gas Chemical Complex, a company manager said on Tuesday.Sibur said in 2018 its plans to build a gas chemical complex in Russia's Far East would require initial funding of up to $8 billion, and that it was seeking Chinese investors for the project. China's Sinopec is set to take a 40 per cent stake.Construction may be completed as early as 2024."We are working with that option, but it's up to the government and those regulators who have the access to that type of money," Sibur management board member Alexander Petrov told reporters on a conference call about the possibility of drawing money from the state fund.Russia's National Wealth Fund, which held $174 billion as of July 1, has previously provided Sibur with $1.75 billion in funding for the construction of a petrochemical plant in western Siberia.Separately, the company's … [Read more...] about Russia’s Sibur eyes National Wealth Fund money for its Amur gas complex