2 days ago
PARIS (AP) — The Dakar Rally in January will start in Portugal and finish in Morocco after being moved from Saudi Arabia because of the Middle East conflict.
Organizers announced the new route on Friday. They canceled the race in Saudi last weekend but reaffirmed it will return to the kingdom in 2028.
The Dakar, the world's biggest off-road race, returns to Africa for the first time in 20 years.
It will run from Jan. 9-23. The Algarve will hold the prologue and first stage and Morocco will hold the other 11 stages, going as south as outside Dakhla with a return north to finish in Marrakech.
Organizers said the route was 7,824 kilometers with 4,341 of those special stages, which was close to recent editions. Each special will range from 350 to 500 kilometers.
#dakar #race #hold
Organizers announced the new route on Friday. They canceled the race in Saudi last weekend but reaffirmed it will return to the kingdom in 2028.
The Dakar, the world's biggest off-road race, returns to Africa for the first time in 20 years.
It will run from Jan. 9-23. The Algarve will hold the prologue and first stage and Morocco will hold the other 11 stages, going as south as outside Dakhla with a return north to finish in Marrakech.
Organizers said the route was 7,824 kilometers with 4,341 of those special stages, which was close to recent editions. Each special will range from 350 to 500 kilometers.
#dakar #race #hold
2 days ago
Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick helped Al-Nassr to a 5-3 win against Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League and took the Portugal striker to 985 career goals.
With the game evenly poised at 2-2 following goals from Angelo Gabriel and Sadio Mane for for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo secured the win for his side by scoring three times in 15 second-half minutes.
His Portugal team-mate Joao Felix contributed four ***** ists, including for two of Ronaldo's goals.
It was the 67th hat-trick of the 41-year-old's career as he continues to chase another milestone in a glittering career.
He has scored seven of his hat-tricks for Al-Nassr - along with 44 for Real Madrid, 10 for Portugal and three each at Manchester United and Juventus.
#nassr
With the game evenly poised at 2-2 following goals from Angelo Gabriel and Sadio Mane for for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo secured the win for his side by scoring three times in 15 second-half minutes.
His Portugal team-mate Joao Felix contributed four ***** ists, including for two of Ronaldo's goals.
It was the 67th hat-trick of the 41-year-old's career as he continues to chase another milestone in a glittering career.
He has scored seven of his hat-tricks for Al-Nassr - along with 44 for Real Madrid, 10 for Portugal and three each at Manchester United and Juventus.
#nassr
2 days ago
Portugal and Morocco will host the 2027 Dakar Rally the organisers announced on Friday after it was moved from Saudi Arabia following repeated attacks on the kingdom by Yemen's Houthis.
The drivers, motorcyclists and truck drivers will tackle the prologue and first special stage in Portugal followed by 11 stages of the gruelling rally -- covering almost 8,000 kilometres with 4,341km of specials -- in Morocco.
It is the first time since 2007 that the gruelling multi-stage rally, created in 1978, returns to Africa.
"Although it has been moved, the 49th edition of the Dakar will still meet the sporting standards which has always made the event the most demanding of endurance rallies," said race director David Castera.
"Despite the short amount of time we have had we have put together a real Dakar.
#first #stage #gruelling #time
The drivers, motorcyclists and truck drivers will tackle the prologue and first special stage in Portugal followed by 11 stages of the gruelling rally -- covering almost 8,000 kilometres with 4,341km of specials -- in Morocco.
It is the first time since 2007 that the gruelling multi-stage rally, created in 1978, returns to Africa.
"Although it has been moved, the 49th edition of the Dakar will still meet the sporting standards which has always made the event the most demanding of endurance rallies," said race director David Castera.
"Despite the short amount of time we have had we have put together a real Dakar.
#first #stage #gruelling #time
2 days ago
news
Al Nassr superstar dazzles in 15-minute spell in 8-goal thriller against Al Kholood, leaving boxing legend Oleksandr Usyk in awe
It was a recommendation from one GOAT to another.
Boxing legend Oleksandr Usyk was among the spectators as Cristiano Ronaldo produced another masterclass on Thursday night, scoring a sensational 15-minute hat-trick to inspire Al Nassr to a thrilling 5-3 victory against Al Kholood.
And the undefeated world heavyweight champion, who knows a thing or two about sporting greatness, was suitably impressed, telling the Saudi Pro League that he considers Ronaldo "an alien".
#kholood #ronaldo #boxing
Al Nassr superstar dazzles in 15-minute spell in 8-goal thriller against Al Kholood, leaving boxing legend Oleksandr Usyk in awe
It was a recommendation from one GOAT to another.
Boxing legend Oleksandr Usyk was among the spectators as Cristiano Ronaldo produced another masterclass on Thursday night, scoring a sensational 15-minute hat-trick to inspire Al Nassr to a thrilling 5-3 victory against Al Kholood.
And the undefeated world heavyweight champion, who knows a thing or two about sporting greatness, was suitably impressed, telling the Saudi Pro League that he considers Ronaldo "an alien".
#kholood #ronaldo #boxing
3 days ago
Forever Young, who last year made history as the first ***** anese horse to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, vies for a rare repeat in the showpiece of the $34 million racing extravaganza at Keeneland on Saturday.
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi sounded a confident note after the well-traveled five-year-old enjoyed a "perfect gallop" on the Lexington, Kentucky, track on Wednesday in his final tuneup for the 1 1/4-mile, $7 million race.
"The horse is moving beautifully," Yahagi said. "I'm very satisfied. There is no concern about the horse's condition. He is very fresh."
Forever Young was installed as the 2-1 early favorite after drawing the fifth post, and Yahagi acknowledged that the challenge facing the two-time Saudi Cup-winner and jockey Ryusei Sakai is somewhat different this year as they try to follow Tiznow in 2000 and 2001 as the only repeat Classic winners.
"I think the quality of the rivals is the same as last year, but our position this year is quite different from last year," Yahagi said. "Last year, we have to take on the challenge to win the Breeders' Cup Classic. But this year, I think we are in the position that everybody is targeting us, so it's not quite easy to defend the ***** le."
#yahagi #young #repeat
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi sounded a confident note after the well-traveled five-year-old enjoyed a "perfect gallop" on the Lexington, Kentucky, track on Wednesday in his final tuneup for the 1 1/4-mile, $7 million race.
"The horse is moving beautifully," Yahagi said. "I'm very satisfied. There is no concern about the horse's condition. He is very fresh."
Forever Young was installed as the 2-1 early favorite after drawing the fifth post, and Yahagi acknowledged that the challenge facing the two-time Saudi Cup-winner and jockey Ryusei Sakai is somewhat different this year as they try to follow Tiznow in 2000 and 2001 as the only repeat Classic winners.
"I think the quality of the rivals is the same as last year, but our position this year is quite different from last year," Yahagi said. "Last year, we have to take on the challenge to win the Breeders' Cup Classic. But this year, I think we are in the position that everybody is targeting us, so it's not quite easy to defend the ***** le."
#yahagi #young #repeat
3 days ago
Boxing's biggest star, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, will look to become a two-time super middleweight champion when he challenges Christian Mbilli for the WBC ****** le on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
It has been over a year since Alvarez lost his undisputed crown courtesy of a tremendous performance from Terence Crawford — and that means it has been a year since Alvarez last held a world ****** le.
For a fighter who was champion for seven straight years — from 2018-25 — not having a world ****** le is an unnatural feeling for the Mexican, but it has been Alvarez's reality since being outclassed by Crawford more than 13 months ago.
Hours before Crawford's win over Canelo, Lester Martinez held Mbilli to a draw on the undercard. Mbilli, the WBC interim champion, was upgraded to full champion shortly after and has now landed the golden ticket as it were — an opportunity to upset the sport's commercial king.
Canelo Alvarez wants to prove he has plenty left.
#alvarez #mbilli #title #held
It has been over a year since Alvarez lost his undisputed crown courtesy of a tremendous performance from Terence Crawford — and that means it has been a year since Alvarez last held a world ****** le.
For a fighter who was champion for seven straight years — from 2018-25 — not having a world ****** le is an unnatural feeling for the Mexican, but it has been Alvarez's reality since being outclassed by Crawford more than 13 months ago.
Hours before Crawford's win over Canelo, Lester Martinez held Mbilli to a draw on the undercard. Mbilli, the WBC interim champion, was upgraded to full champion shortly after and has now landed the golden ticket as it were — an opportunity to upset the sport's commercial king.
Canelo Alvarez wants to prove he has plenty left.
#alvarez #mbilli #title #held
13 days ago
Growing security concerns in the Middle East have cast doubt over several major combat sports events scheduled in the region. Recent missile and drone attacks targeting critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, have raised questions about whether upcoming sporting events can proceed as planned.
According to DW News, Ansar Allah, the Yemeni movement commonly known as the Houthis, has repeatedly targeted Riyadh airport. The report cited an October 10 attack that killed 12 people and injured around 300, adding to concerns about security in the region.
The uncertainty has also put the UFC's rumored December 5 Fight Night in the spotlight. The card is expected to feature Israel Adesanya against Shara Magomedov, but speculation has emerged that the event could be canceled or moved elsewhere. Dana White, however, has offered a different outlook, suggesting the UFC is still moving ahead with its plans for the Middle East.
The December 5 card is not the only UFC event attracting attention amid the regional tensions. UFC 333 is scheduled for October 24 in Abu Dhabi, where Alexander Volkanovski is set to defend his featherweight **** le against Movsar Evloev.
Boxing has also been caught up in the uncertainty. Canelo Alvarez's planned October 31, 2026, fight against Christian Mbilli in Riyadh could face complications, with prominent boxing figures, including WBC champion Sebastian Fundora, voicing concerns about security following the airport attacks.
#concerns
According to DW News, Ansar Allah, the Yemeni movement commonly known as the Houthis, has repeatedly targeted Riyadh airport. The report cited an October 10 attack that killed 12 people and injured around 300, adding to concerns about security in the region.
The uncertainty has also put the UFC's rumored December 5 Fight Night in the spotlight. The card is expected to feature Israel Adesanya against Shara Magomedov, but speculation has emerged that the event could be canceled or moved elsewhere. Dana White, however, has offered a different outlook, suggesting the UFC is still moving ahead with its plans for the Middle East.
The December 5 card is not the only UFC event attracting attention amid the regional tensions. UFC 333 is scheduled for October 24 in Abu Dhabi, where Alexander Volkanovski is set to defend his featherweight **** le against Movsar Evloev.
Boxing has also been caught up in the uncertainty. Canelo Alvarez's planned October 31, 2026, fight against Christian Mbilli in Riyadh could face complications, with prominent boxing figures, including WBC champion Sebastian Fundora, voicing concerns about security following the airport attacks.
#concerns
27 days ago
The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) dropped by almost 800,000 barrels last week, and the Trump administration moved forward with plans to sell another 40 million barrels in the coming months.
New data released on Monday by the US Department of Energy showed the US energy backstop sitting at 283 million barrels, down from 283.77 million the week prior.
That leaves about two weeks of US oil consumption in the reserve amid widespread worries about global stockpiles, which the head of Saudi Arabia's state producer on Monday called "scarily thin."
Amin Nasser, chief executive of Saudi Aramco, added at an Energy Intelligence Forum in London on Monday that releasing stockpiles will buy economies some time but won't fix the imbalances that have developed between supply and demand.
Yet these withdrawals in the US could soon accelerate after the Trump administration unveiled a request for bids from companies to buy up to 40 million barrels of crude oil from the SPR, with the aim of having the companies return those supplies "with additional premium barrels." The solicitation process is ongoing, and it's unclear if companies will agree to those terms.
#Companies #saudi #week
New data released on Monday by the US Department of Energy showed the US energy backstop sitting at 283 million barrels, down from 283.77 million the week prior.
That leaves about two weeks of US oil consumption in the reserve amid widespread worries about global stockpiles, which the head of Saudi Arabia's state producer on Monday called "scarily thin."
Amin Nasser, chief executive of Saudi Aramco, added at an Energy Intelligence Forum in London on Monday that releasing stockpiles will buy economies some time but won't fix the imbalances that have developed between supply and demand.
Yet these withdrawals in the US could soon accelerate after the Trump administration unveiled a request for bids from companies to buy up to 40 million barrels of crude oil from the SPR, with the aim of having the companies return those supplies "with additional premium barrels." The solicitation process is ongoing, and it's unclear if companies will agree to those terms.
#Companies #saudi #week
28 days ago
October 4, 2026 / 7:08 AM EDT / CBS News
The FlyDubai alleged attempted hijacking was likely a lone-wolf attack, an early investigation by Israel shows, according to people familiar with the matter.
The investigation is still in full swing and all avenues are still being explored, the people familiar told CBS News.
The flight Wednesday from Dubai to Tel Aviv was approaching Israel when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the flight captain and attempted to crash the aircraft, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, passengers on board the plane and the flight captain have said.
The captain was able to fight off the co-pilot long enough to unlock the **** pit door. A group of Israeli passengers and FlyDubai staff then overpowered the co-pilot, and two off-duty pilots who were on the flight managed to gain control of the aircraft and make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
#Israel
The FlyDubai alleged attempted hijacking was likely a lone-wolf attack, an early investigation by Israel shows, according to people familiar with the matter.
The investigation is still in full swing and all avenues are still being explored, the people familiar told CBS News.
The flight Wednesday from Dubai to Tel Aviv was approaching Israel when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the flight captain and attempted to crash the aircraft, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, passengers on board the plane and the flight captain have said.
The captain was able to fight off the co-pilot long enough to unlock the **** pit door. A group of Israeli passengers and FlyDubai staff then overpowered the co-pilot, and two off-duty pilots who were on the flight managed to gain control of the aircraft and make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
#Israel
29 days ago
Updated on: October 2, 2026 / 9:51 PM EDT / CBS News
Days after a FlyDubai co-pilot made a violent attempt to crash the passenger aircraft and was subdued by passengers and other crew members, questions about his motive continued to swirl.
The flight Wednesday from Dubai to Tel Aviv was approaching Israel when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the flight captain and attempted to crash the aircraft, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said. The captain was able to fight off the co-pilot long enough to unlock the ***** pit door. Passengers then overpowered the co-pilot, and two off-duty pilots who were on the flight managed to gain control of the aircraft and make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
There were 174 people on board the plane. No passengers were seriously injured in the incident. The pilot sustained stab wounds in the attack. Saudi authorities said two crew members were hospitalized with unspecified injuries, and the co-pilot remained in custody on Thursday.
The co-pilot of the flight has not yet been publicly identified, although multiple sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News on Friday that his name is Hamam al Hamami.
#aircraft
Days after a FlyDubai co-pilot made a violent attempt to crash the passenger aircraft and was subdued by passengers and other crew members, questions about his motive continued to swirl.
The flight Wednesday from Dubai to Tel Aviv was approaching Israel when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the flight captain and attempted to crash the aircraft, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said. The captain was able to fight off the co-pilot long enough to unlock the ***** pit door. Passengers then overpowered the co-pilot, and two off-duty pilots who were on the flight managed to gain control of the aircraft and make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
There were 174 people on board the plane. No passengers were seriously injured in the incident. The pilot sustained stab wounds in the attack. Saudi authorities said two crew members were hospitalized with unspecified injuries, and the co-pilot remained in custody on Thursday.
The co-pilot of the flight has not yet been publicly identified, although multiple sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News on Friday that his name is Hamam al Hamami.
#aircraft
1 month ago
(Bloomberg) -- Barely six weeks out from the midterm elections, housing costs that many Americans have long said are too high are looking even more out of reach.
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#buyers
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#buyers
1 month ago
Americans have paid about $97 billion more for fuel since the Iran war started in late February, roughly $740 extra per household, according to CNN. President Trump says prices will come down after the midterms. The CEO of Chevron just said publicly he does not see how that happens quickly.
Mike Wirth, Chevron's chairman and chief executive, spoke at a University of Texas at Austin energy conference on September 11. He told the audience that the mechanisms that helped absorb the oil supply shock earlier in the conflict have largely been used up, and that prices are more likely to rise than fall over the next few months.
When the U.S.-Iran conflict began, the oil market had several ways to handle the disruption. Countries could release crude from strategic reserves. Commercial inventories could be drawn down. The U.S. eased restrictions on sanctioned crude stored on vessels at sea. Those measures helped limit the initial price spike.
"Those have largely now played out," Wirth said. The energy system no longer has the buffers it had when the war began.
The loss of flexibility became more acute after attacks knocked out a major Saudi crude pipeline that had been bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. That single disruption put an estimated 2.5 million barrels of oil per day in limbo, tightening a market that was already running short on supply.
#crude #prices #energy #conflict
Mike Wirth, Chevron's chairman and chief executive, spoke at a University of Texas at Austin energy conference on September 11. He told the audience that the mechanisms that helped absorb the oil supply shock earlier in the conflict have largely been used up, and that prices are more likely to rise than fall over the next few months.
When the U.S.-Iran conflict began, the oil market had several ways to handle the disruption. Countries could release crude from strategic reserves. Commercial inventories could be drawn down. The U.S. eased restrictions on sanctioned crude stored on vessels at sea. Those measures helped limit the initial price spike.
"Those have largely now played out," Wirth said. The energy system no longer has the buffers it had when the war began.
The loss of flexibility became more acute after attacks knocked out a major Saudi crude pipeline that had been bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. That single disruption put an estimated 2.5 million barrels of oil per day in limbo, tightening a market that was already running short on supply.
#crude #prices #energy #conflict
1 month ago
The United States warned Saturday that hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthis could "escalate rapidly" after a missile attack targeted Riyadh for the first time since the Yemen conflict resumed.
US President Donald Trump cut short a weekend at Camp David, a secluded presidential complex in rural Maryland, to return unexpectedly to the White House on Saturday.
The White House gave no explanation for the early return, which comes as a new threshold was crossed in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who control a large part of Yemen and are fighting government forces backed by a coalition led by Riyadh.
Loud explosions rang out twice on Saturday in the Saudi capital, where AFP journalists saw a fuel tank bearing the logo of oil giant Aramco on fire near the airport.
"This military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly," the US State Department warned, adding American citizens outside the Middle East should "seriously reconsider travel to and through the region".
#saturday #arabia #riyadh #white
US President Donald Trump cut short a weekend at Camp David, a secluded presidential complex in rural Maryland, to return unexpectedly to the White House on Saturday.
The White House gave no explanation for the early return, which comes as a new threshold was crossed in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who control a large part of Yemen and are fighting government forces backed by a coalition led by Riyadh.
Loud explosions rang out twice on Saturday in the Saudi capital, where AFP journalists saw a fuel tank bearing the logo of oil giant Aramco on fire near the airport.
"This military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly," the US State Department warned, adding American citizens outside the Middle East should "seriously reconsider travel to and through the region".
#saturday #arabia #riyadh #white
1 month ago
(Bloomberg) -- A federal judge suggested a court-appointed "neutral" overseer could allay concerns that the Justice Department might use a long-standing US fund to revive plans to compensate supporters of President Donald Trump as victims of government "weaponization."
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1 month ago
(Bloomberg) -- The first junk-bond offering for a data center tied to Meta Platforms Inc. attracted demand more than four times the deal's size, with juicy yields helping to lure investors.
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#bloomberg #meta #month
1 month ago
A column of black smoke has been seen near Riyadh's international airport hours after air raid alerts were issued in the Saudi capital.
It was the first time residents had been given an alert and urged to stay indoors since a recent escalation in the conflict with Iran-backed Houthi militants in neighbouring Yemen.
A number of apparent explosions have since been heard in the capital and major problems reported at King Khalid International Airport, with the tracking website FlightRadar24 reporting long delays and cancellations.
One report suggested a fuel tank had been set on fire near the airport. There has been no official comment from Saudi authorities.
An AFP journalist reported that firefighters could be seen trying to extinguish the flames of a burnt-out fuel tank belonging to state oil and gas company Aramco.
#since
It was the first time residents had been given an alert and urged to stay indoors since a recent escalation in the conflict with Iran-backed Houthi militants in neighbouring Yemen.
A number of apparent explosions have since been heard in the capital and major problems reported at King Khalid International Airport, with the tracking website FlightRadar24 reporting long delays and cancellations.
One report suggested a fuel tank had been set on fire near the airport. There has been no official comment from Saudi authorities.
An AFP journalist reported that firefighters could be seen trying to extinguish the flames of a burnt-out fuel tank belonging to state oil and gas company Aramco.
#since
1 month ago
Saudi Arabia warned of a "hostile aerial threat" and issued a string of emergency alerts across the kingdom, including in its capital, late Friday and early Saturday.
Also Saturday, Iran's state TV reported that a man was executed after being convicted on charges of spying for Israel's intelligence agency Mossad.
Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Saturday. Full coverage is available here.
Saudi Arabia warned of a "hostile aerial threat" after issuing emergency alerts, and at least one explosion was heard in Riyadh.
The alert in Riyadh was the first for the Saudi capital since the latest escalation with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
#arabia #riyadh
Also Saturday, Iran's state TV reported that a man was executed after being convicted on charges of spying for Israel's intelligence agency Mossad.
Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Saturday. Full coverage is available here.
Saudi Arabia warned of a "hostile aerial threat" after issuing emergency alerts, and at least one explosion was heard in Riyadh.
The alert in Riyadh was the first for the Saudi capital since the latest escalation with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
#arabia #riyadh
1 month ago
The State Department's approval of two potential arms sales to Saudi Arabia totaling $5.75 billion, including JDAM-ER munitions and AGT-1500 tank engines, offers a modest but meaningful data point for two very different defense players. For The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), the potential sale represents an additional international defense opportunity as the company continues working through margin pressure elsewhere. For Honeywell Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:HONA), the package reinforces a stable business line while the firm tackles its first quarter as a standalone public company.
The State Department approved a potential $5 billion sale of JDAM-ER guidance kits and bombs to Saudi Arabia, along with a separate potential $750 million deal for AGT-1500 tank engines. The JDAM package consists of 5,004 KMU-572 and 5,000 KMU-556 JDAM guidance kits and 5,004 BLU-111 and 5,000 BLU-117 bombs. Boeing has been identified as the principal contractor for the JDAM-ERs, with Honeywell handling the engines. The State Department said the sales would strengthen Saudi Arabia's airborne defense capabilities and improve interoperability with U.S. and Gulf partner forces.
Boeing stands to gain only modestly from the deal, given its roughly $85 billion Defense, ******* e and Security backlog. International orders already account for 27% of that total. The segment reported a second-quarter operating loss, largely due to charges tied to the VC-25B (Air Force One) program. That makes mature, lower-risk munitions programs such as JDAM-ER a more dependable part of the portfolio, though the deal is unlikely to have a meaningful impact on margins. For Honeywell Aerospace, the contract is smaller, but the AGT-1500 fits within its established defense propulsion business. It also adds to the company's international defence business, which makes up about 30% of its total Defense and ******* e revenue.
Honeywell Aerospace is owned by 74 hedge funds as of Q2 2026, which is consistent with Honeywell (NASDAQ:HON) hedge fund ownership prior to the spinoff. Unlike Honeywell, the number of hedge funds holding Boeing stock dropped from 99 at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2026 to 90 at the end of Q2 2026.
Neither potential sale is large enough to have a meaningful impact on either company's short-term results by itself. Still, each supports a different investment story. For Boeing, the potential sales add to international defense exposure if finalized, as its defense unit continues dealing with fixed-price losses. For Honeywell, they support the steady flow of high-margin legacy revenue across its broader defense franchise.
#international #saudi
The State Department approved a potential $5 billion sale of JDAM-ER guidance kits and bombs to Saudi Arabia, along with a separate potential $750 million deal for AGT-1500 tank engines. The JDAM package consists of 5,004 KMU-572 and 5,000 KMU-556 JDAM guidance kits and 5,004 BLU-111 and 5,000 BLU-117 bombs. Boeing has been identified as the principal contractor for the JDAM-ERs, with Honeywell handling the engines. The State Department said the sales would strengthen Saudi Arabia's airborne defense capabilities and improve interoperability with U.S. and Gulf partner forces.
Boeing stands to gain only modestly from the deal, given its roughly $85 billion Defense, ******* e and Security backlog. International orders already account for 27% of that total. The segment reported a second-quarter operating loss, largely due to charges tied to the VC-25B (Air Force One) program. That makes mature, lower-risk munitions programs such as JDAM-ER a more dependable part of the portfolio, though the deal is unlikely to have a meaningful impact on margins. For Honeywell Aerospace, the contract is smaller, but the AGT-1500 fits within its established defense propulsion business. It also adds to the company's international defence business, which makes up about 30% of its total Defense and ******* e revenue.
Honeywell Aerospace is owned by 74 hedge funds as of Q2 2026, which is consistent with Honeywell (NASDAQ:HON) hedge fund ownership prior to the spinoff. Unlike Honeywell, the number of hedge funds holding Boeing stock dropped from 99 at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2026 to 90 at the end of Q2 2026.
Neither potential sale is large enough to have a meaningful impact on either company's short-term results by itself. Still, each supports a different investment story. For Boeing, the potential sales add to international defense exposure if finalized, as its defense unit continues dealing with fixed-price losses. For Honeywell, they support the steady flow of high-margin legacy revenue across its broader defense franchise.
#international #saudi
1 month ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Silver (SI=F) December futures opened at $65.76 per ounce on Friday, September 18, 2026, down 0.5% from Thursday's close but more than $2 higher than yesterday's opening price. Silver prices surged this morning, reaching $67.47 as of 7:05 a.m. ET.
Until today, silver prices bounced around the $63 to $64 range, but broke out of those bookends by a wide margin this morning. Today's opening price set the highest opening price of the week, and silver is surging this morning, hitting a high of $67.89.
The Fed's decision to raise rates for the first time in three years, combined with the ongoing restoration of Saudi Arabia's key East-West pipeline, has prompted inflation concerns to fade among investors.
And oil prices are responding as well. Wednesday morning, Brent crude (BZ=F) prices were over $107 a barrel. Yesterday at this time, prices were at over $99 a barrel, and this morning, they're $98.51 as of 7:05 a.m. ET.
#disclosure
Silver (SI=F) December futures opened at $65.76 per ounce on Friday, September 18, 2026, down 0.5% from Thursday's close but more than $2 higher than yesterday's opening price. Silver prices surged this morning, reaching $67.47 as of 7:05 a.m. ET.
Until today, silver prices bounced around the $63 to $64 range, but broke out of those bookends by a wide margin this morning. Today's opening price set the highest opening price of the week, and silver is surging this morning, hitting a high of $67.89.
The Fed's decision to raise rates for the first time in three years, combined with the ongoing restoration of Saudi Arabia's key East-West pipeline, has prompted inflation concerns to fade among investors.
And oil prices are responding as well. Wednesday morning, Brent crude (BZ=F) prices were over $107 a barrel. Yesterday at this time, prices were at over $99 a barrel, and this morning, they're $98.51 as of 7:05 a.m. ET.
#disclosure
1 month ago
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Gold (GC=F) December futures opened at $4,381.60 per troy ounce on Friday, September 18, 2026, down 0.4% from Thursday's closing price. Gold is moving upward this morning at $4,421.40 per troy ounce as of 6:46 a.m. ET.
Gold prices have held in the $4,300 range since last Friday, but this morning they broke above $4,400, hitting a weekly high of $4,439.80.
The Fed's decision to raise rates for the first time in three years, combined with the ongoing restoration of Saudi Arabia's key East-West pipeline, has prompted inflation concerns to fade among investors.
Oil prices continue to move lower as a result. On Wednesday at this time, Brent crude (BZ=F) prices were over $107 a barrel. Yesterday morning, prices were at over $99 a barrel, and this morning, they're $98.46 as of 6:39 a.m. ET.
#morning #prices #ounce #barrel
Gold (GC=F) December futures opened at $4,381.60 per troy ounce on Friday, September 18, 2026, down 0.4% from Thursday's closing price. Gold is moving upward this morning at $4,421.40 per troy ounce as of 6:46 a.m. ET.
Gold prices have held in the $4,300 range since last Friday, but this morning they broke above $4,400, hitting a weekly high of $4,439.80.
The Fed's decision to raise rates for the first time in three years, combined with the ongoing restoration of Saudi Arabia's key East-West pipeline, has prompted inflation concerns to fade among investors.
Oil prices continue to move lower as a result. On Wednesday at this time, Brent crude (BZ=F) prices were over $107 a barrel. Yesterday morning, prices were at over $99 a barrel, and this morning, they're $98.46 as of 6:39 a.m. ET.
#morning #prices #ounce #barrel
1 month ago
The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday granted Paramount Skydance's request to allow Middle Eastern royal families to hold a substantial stake in a merged Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery.
Foreign investors, including the sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, are slated to indirectly own nearly 50% of the equity in David Ellison's proposed mega-studio. That will give them a hefty stake in CBS, CNN, Comedy Central, HBO and two historic Hollywood film studios.
Paramount also asked the commission, led by President Trump's appointee Brendan Carr, to allow the foreign investors to eventually take on an even bigger stake because the company expects that it will need more capital to run the merged entity after closing the highly leveraged deal.
The FCC's Media Bureau granted Paramount's petition. Ellison needed FCC approval because the deal will change the ownership structure of CBS.
As part of the Communications Act of 1934, Congress placed restrictions on foreign ownership of broadcast outlets because of concerns about national security. Current rules prevent foreign investors from owning more than 25% of a company that holds a U.S. broadcast license — unless the FCC determines that foreign ownership would serve a public interest.
#stake
Foreign investors, including the sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, are slated to indirectly own nearly 50% of the equity in David Ellison's proposed mega-studio. That will give them a hefty stake in CBS, CNN, Comedy Central, HBO and two historic Hollywood film studios.
Paramount also asked the commission, led by President Trump's appointee Brendan Carr, to allow the foreign investors to eventually take on an even bigger stake because the company expects that it will need more capital to run the merged entity after closing the highly leveraged deal.
The FCC's Media Bureau granted Paramount's petition. Ellison needed FCC approval because the deal will change the ownership structure of CBS.
As part of the Communications Act of 1934, Congress placed restrictions on foreign ownership of broadcast outlets because of concerns about national security. Current rules prevent foreign investors from owning more than 25% of a company that holds a U.S. broadcast license — unless the FCC determines that foreign ownership would serve a public interest.
#stake
1 month ago
The temporary closure of the key onshore pipeline Saudi Arabia uses to bypass the Strait of Hormuz has added another shock to an oil market already struggling with six months of Middle East supply disruptions.
And the damage now appears to be more extensive than initially believed.
Three pumping stations along Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline were damaged in last week's attack, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing satellite imagery and industry sources. Earlier ***** sments had identified damage at two stations. Three sources told Reuters that repairs could take five to six weeks, although partial pumping could resume sooner.
Before the attack, the system was moving between 4 million and 5 million barrels per day (bpd), equivalent to roughly 4%–5% of global oil supply. Its total capacity is around 7 million bpd, including approximately 2 million bpd supplied to refineries.
Saudi Arabia shut the pipeline following multiple attacks on September 10. Satellite imagery previously published by MizarVision showed extensive fire and structural damage around pumping stations along the route.
#million #pumping #arabia
And the damage now appears to be more extensive than initially believed.
Three pumping stations along Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline were damaged in last week's attack, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing satellite imagery and industry sources. Earlier ***** sments had identified damage at two stations. Three sources told Reuters that repairs could take five to six weeks, although partial pumping could resume sooner.
Before the attack, the system was moving between 4 million and 5 million barrels per day (bpd), equivalent to roughly 4%–5% of global oil supply. Its total capacity is around 7 million bpd, including approximately 2 million bpd supplied to refineries.
Saudi Arabia shut the pipeline following multiple attacks on September 10. Satellite imagery previously published by MizarVision showed extensive fire and structural damage around pumping stations along the route.
#million #pumping #arabia
1 month ago
US stocks rebounded on Thursday as oil prices edged lower and a Fed rate hike on Wednesday offered some relief that the central bank was working to contain inflation.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose 0.6%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) climbed 1.1%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) jumped 1.7%, rebounding from a post-Fed-hike slump on Wednesday.
Stocks recovered as investors **** sed Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh's hawkish rhetoric, which **** ysts said helped restore the Fed's credibility on inflation. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points for the first time in three years and projected one more rate hike this year.
The decision drew the ire of President Trump, who called for lower interest rates and said he had spoken with Warsh ahead of the FOMC meeting. "You might as well vote with the board because it's not going to matter," Trump said he told Warsh.
Oil prices, meanwhile, ticked lower as US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, which has become a key alternative route for oil stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, would be restored soon. Brent crude (BZ=F), the global benchmark, changed hands at $104 per barrel.
#reserve #Trump
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose 0.6%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) climbed 1.1%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) jumped 1.7%, rebounding from a post-Fed-hike slump on Wednesday.
Stocks recovered as investors **** sed Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh's hawkish rhetoric, which **** ysts said helped restore the Fed's credibility on inflation. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points for the first time in three years and projected one more rate hike this year.
The decision drew the ire of President Trump, who called for lower interest rates and said he had spoken with Warsh ahead of the FOMC meeting. "You might as well vote with the board because it's not going to matter," Trump said he told Warsh.
Oil prices, meanwhile, ticked lower as US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, which has become a key alternative route for oil stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, would be restored soon. Brent crude (BZ=F), the global benchmark, changed hands at $104 per barrel.
#reserve #Trump
1 month ago
Democrats' wary optimism about the midterms gave way to growing confidence this week.
The party has seen strong post-Labor Day polls in key battlegrounds - and even in traditionally red areas. Recent escalations in the war in Iran, including an attack on a major pipeline in Saudi Arabia, mean the rising gas prices bedeviling Republicans will not be going down anytime soon. Republicans have not been able to bring prices under control more generally. And President Donald Trump's unpopularity is at near-record levels.
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Considering all this, Democrats now think conditions are right for the party to retake control of the House and possibly the Senate later this year.
"If the election were held today, we would win the majority," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (New York) said in an interview with The Washington Post.
#labor
The party has seen strong post-Labor Day polls in key battlegrounds - and even in traditionally red areas. Recent escalations in the war in Iran, including an attack on a major pipeline in Saudi Arabia, mean the rising gas prices bedeviling Republicans will not be going down anytime soon. Republicans have not been able to bring prices under control more generally. And President Donald Trump's unpopularity is at near-record levels.
Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post.
Considering all this, Democrats now think conditions are right for the party to retake control of the House and possibly the Senate later this year.
"If the election were held today, we would win the majority," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (New York) said in an interview with The Washington Post.
#labor
1 month ago
President Donald Trump's administration says it has approved the sale of nearly 50 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a policy shift for the US that has raised concerns from some members of Congress.
Saudi Arabia has sought for years to buy the world's most advanced warplane, equipped with stealth technology that allows it to evade enemy detection.
Washington had resisted, partly because it supplies F-35s to its ally Israel, which is guaranteed under US law to receive top-of-the-range American weapons compared with those its regional neighbours can access.
Congress has 30 days to scrutinise or attempt to block the $24bn (£17.8bn) sale to Riyadh, which is the largest customer for US weapons.
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, a Democrat, opposed the sale on Thursday.
#saudi
Saudi Arabia has sought for years to buy the world's most advanced warplane, equipped with stealth technology that allows it to evade enemy detection.
Washington had resisted, partly because it supplies F-35s to its ally Israel, which is guaranteed under US law to receive top-of-the-range American weapons compared with those its regional neighbours can access.
Congress has 30 days to scrutinise or attempt to block the $24bn (£17.8bn) sale to Riyadh, which is the largest customer for US weapons.
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, a Democrat, opposed the sale on Thursday.
#saudi
1 month ago
Saudi Arabia's oil supply crisis is rapidly becoming Europe's problem.
The September 10 attacks on Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline struck the system at multiple locations and damaged at least one pumping station, forcing Riyadh to shut down the Kingdom's critical alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.
The 1,200-kilometer Petroline can carry around 7 million barrels per day from Saudi Arabia's eastern producing regions to Yanbu on the Red Sea. Since the war effectively closed Hormuz, it has become one of the most important pieces of energy infrastructure in the world.
Kpler estimates the pipeline had been moving roughly 4 million bpd around Hormuz before the attack. A prolonged outage could ultimately threaten 3.5–4 million bpd of Saudi crude exports. The figure is below Petroline's nameplate capacity because Saudi Arabia can still export some crude from eastern terminals such as Ras Tanura, despite the severe constraints on Gulf shipping.
The immediate problem is storage.
#hormuz #crude
The September 10 attacks on Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline struck the system at multiple locations and damaged at least one pumping station, forcing Riyadh to shut down the Kingdom's critical alternative to the Strait of Hormuz.
The 1,200-kilometer Petroline can carry around 7 million barrels per day from Saudi Arabia's eastern producing regions to Yanbu on the Red Sea. Since the war effectively closed Hormuz, it has become one of the most important pieces of energy infrastructure in the world.
Kpler estimates the pipeline had been moving roughly 4 million bpd around Hormuz before the attack. A prolonged outage could ultimately threaten 3.5–4 million bpd of Saudi crude exports. The figure is below Petroline's nameplate capacity because Saudi Arabia can still export some crude from eastern terminals such as Ras Tanura, despite the severe constraints on Gulf shipping.
The immediate problem is storage.
#hormuz #crude
1 month ago
The Fed raised rates 25 basis points today, pushing the funds rate to 4% as major indices sold off in anticipation.
Brent Crude surged to $109 and WTI hit $106 as renewed Middle East fighting and a Saudi pipeline shutdown drove energy prices higher.
Bitcoin dropped nearly 4% to $76,180 after the Clarity Act crypto regulation bill failed in the Senate by a single vote, 50-49.
Read More: Avoid these 13 retirement mistakes before they derail your future (sponsor)
Futures are trading higher as the Federal Reserve's reckoning day has arrived. Interest rate futures tracked by CME FedWatch show a 92% chance of a 25-basis-point increase in the Fed funds rate today. That will push the funds rate to 3.75% to 4%. In addition, market watchers expect two more rate hikes over the next year to tackle sticky inflation, exacerbated by the war with Iran and rising oil prices.
#funds
Brent Crude surged to $109 and WTI hit $106 as renewed Middle East fighting and a Saudi pipeline shutdown drove energy prices higher.
Bitcoin dropped nearly 4% to $76,180 after the Clarity Act crypto regulation bill failed in the Senate by a single vote, 50-49.
Read More: Avoid these 13 retirement mistakes before they derail your future (sponsor)
Futures are trading higher as the Federal Reserve's reckoning day has arrived. Interest rate futures tracked by CME FedWatch show a 92% chance of a 25-basis-point increase in the Fed funds rate today. That will push the funds rate to 3.75% to 4%. In addition, market watchers expect two more rate hikes over the next year to tackle sticky inflation, exacerbated by the war with Iran and rising oil prices.
#funds
1 month ago
(Bloomberg) -- Gold was steady as high oil prices continued to fuel inflation concerns and keep interest-rate hike bets a near-certainty ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decision later Wednesday.
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#Gold #year #rises
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#Gold #year #rises
1 month ago
Some refiners in ******* an this week rushed to buy Oman's crude for earlier loadings after Saudi Arabia shut down its key pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, traders with knowledge of the purchases told Bloomberg on Wednesday.
Late last week, Saudi Arabia was forced to temporarily shut down the East-West oil pipeline following drone attacks launched from the territory of Iraq close to the Iranian border on Thursday. The shutdown of the pipeline is a precautionary measure, after the attacks resulted in a number of injuries, the world's top crude oil exporter said.
The 750-mile-long East-West pipeline became Saudi Arabia's vital oil route to bypass the Strait of Hormuz after the Middle East conflict started and Hormuz was closed to shipping traffic. Thanks to the East-West pipeline, the Kingdom has managed to re-route most of its crude loadings from the western ports in the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
Apart from announcing the shutdown of the pipeline and condemning the attacks, Saudi Arabia has not officially updated the market either on the extent of the damage or the timelines for repairs.
The repairs could take three to five weeks, two regional officials briefed on the matter told The ******* ociated Press.
#hormuz #strait
Late last week, Saudi Arabia was forced to temporarily shut down the East-West oil pipeline following drone attacks launched from the territory of Iraq close to the Iranian border on Thursday. The shutdown of the pipeline is a precautionary measure, after the attacks resulted in a number of injuries, the world's top crude oil exporter said.
The 750-mile-long East-West pipeline became Saudi Arabia's vital oil route to bypass the Strait of Hormuz after the Middle East conflict started and Hormuz was closed to shipping traffic. Thanks to the East-West pipeline, the Kingdom has managed to re-route most of its crude loadings from the western ports in the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
Apart from announcing the shutdown of the pipeline and condemning the attacks, Saudi Arabia has not officially updated the market either on the extent of the damage or the timelines for repairs.
The repairs could take three to five weeks, two regional officials briefed on the matter told The ******* ociated Press.
#hormuz #strait
2 months ago
US stocks fell for a second day in a row on Tuesday as investors braced for the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision on Wednesday and monitored the fallout from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's essay on AI safety fears.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) declined 0.8% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) dropped 0.7%. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) tumbled more than 0.4%.
Oil prices ticked back up, with Brent crude (BZ=F) and WTI crude (CL=F) changing hands at $108 and $105 per barrel, respectively. Prices have remained elevated since Saudi Arabia shuttered its East-West pipeline and the Iranian-backed Houthis launched fresh attacks in the Middle East.
Bond yields have also shot up as investors await the next Fed policy decision. The yield on the 10-year note (^TNX) hovered around 5%. The move follows the key interest rate briefly rising overnight to its highest intraday level since 2007, underscoring concerns about rising borrowing costs, global deficits, and inflation.
The Federal Open Market Committee began its September meeting on Tuesday, with traders overwhelmingly expecting a rate hike. The release of the so-called dot plot, along with Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh's press conference, could offer investors clues about the prevailing winds in the Fed's monetary policy.
#federal
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) declined 0.8% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) dropped 0.7%. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) tumbled more than 0.4%.
Oil prices ticked back up, with Brent crude (BZ=F) and WTI crude (CL=F) changing hands at $108 and $105 per barrel, respectively. Prices have remained elevated since Saudi Arabia shuttered its East-West pipeline and the Iranian-backed Houthis launched fresh attacks in the Middle East.
Bond yields have also shot up as investors await the next Fed policy decision. The yield on the 10-year note (^TNX) hovered around 5%. The move follows the key interest rate briefly rising overnight to its highest intraday level since 2007, underscoring concerns about rising borrowing costs, global deficits, and inflation.
The Federal Open Market Committee began its September meeting on Tuesday, with traders overwhelmingly expecting a rate hike. The release of the so-called dot plot, along with Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh's press conference, could offer investors clues about the prevailing winds in the Fed's monetary policy.
#federal