Power shifts as global economies change
Wall Street Journal Jan 3, 08 6:39 AM CST
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The surging price of oil from $10 a barrel a decade ago to a record $100 today is remaking the global economy and altering the balance of power across the world, according to the Wall Street Journal . If oil prices continue to climb, as many experts predict, US political power will decline as the economic clout of oil producers increases exponentially. The price of oil was holding near $100 today, driven by concerns about US fuel supplies and the dollar, Reuters reports.
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Popular scribe detained since Dec. 10, spurring fears of crackdown
New York Times Jan 2, 08 1:50 PM CST
(Newser)
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The Saudi Arabian government has confirmed that it is holding a prominent blogger for questioning, the New York Times reports today. Fouad al-Farhan, who discussed social issues as one of the few Saudis to blog in Arabic under his real name, was arrested Dec. 10 to be interrogated about “specific violations of nonsecurity laws” according to an Interior Ministry spokesman.
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City battles to live down TV show, competes to be movie location
Chicago Tribune Dec 24, 07 1:51 PM CST
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Dallas has tried for years to disassociate itself from 'Dallas,' the cheesy '80s soap opera that's so iconic that the fictional scheming oil baron JR Ewing is still the city's biggest celebrity—16 years after the show was canceled. So it's with considerable cringing that officials find themselves wooing the producers of the upcoming movie version to film in their city, instead of competitors Florida, Louisiana, and Saudi Arabia.
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Wireless routers set up at 70 holy sites for ancient Islamic ritual
Wi-Fi Planet Dec 22, 07 3:06 PM CST
(Newser)
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Muslim pilgrims had free access to Wi-Fi for the first time during the Hajj, which ended yesterday in Saudi Arabia. The short-term service, provided by two telecom firms, had 70 access points around holy sites and took only two months to assemble. Pilgrims say that online access helped them seek guidance without tracking down busy muftis, or legal experts, for information on Hajj rites, Wi-Fi Planet reports.
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Militants aiming to disrupt Muslim ritual nabbed
Al Arabiya Dec 22, 07 6:27 AM CST
(Newser)
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As millions of Muslims completed the annual Hajj pilgrimage yesterday, Saudi police said they'd arrested a group that had been planning attacks, Al Arabiya reports. An official said the al-Qaeda suspects, detained at cities across the country, had been intent on disrupting the ritual and causing "security confusion." Mecca itself was not believed to have been the terror plot's target.
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Male friend of raped woman also subjected to 'enough torture'
CNN Dec 19, 07 1:06 PM CST
(Newser)
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The companion to the Saudi rape victim who was convicted of a crime for being alone with him, and then pardoned after an international uproar, has himself been pardoned, CNN reports. Saudi Arabia's minister of justice confirmed this—and by implication revealed that the man, kidnapped along with the woman by the seven men who raped her, also suffered at the men's hands, and also faced charges—in a call to Saudi TV.
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Acts out of compassion, but still believes jail time, lashes were 'fair'
Al Jazeera Dec 17, 07 3:10 AM CST
(Newser)
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A young Saudi gang rape victim whose case sparked worldwide condemnation when she was sentenced to a lashing and jail time for violating Islamic law has been pardoned, Al Jazeera reports. King Abdullah pardoned the woman in the "interests of the people" and out of compassion for the victim, though he is still "convinced and sure that the verdicts were fair," an official said.
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$80 crude seems to be producers' new target; $3 gas isn't going anywhere soon
New York Times Dec 6, 07 10:33 AM CST
(Newser)
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OPEC’s decision yesterday not to boost oil production, despite prices hovering around $90 a barrel, underscores a new reality, the New York Times observes: the oil producers aim to keep prices nearly that high—say around $80 a barrel—a target unthinkable a few years ago. In the US, it means $3 a gallon at the gas pump isn’t going away any time soon.
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Hundreds arrested, oil attack foiled
BBC Nov 29, 07 4:52 AM CST
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Saudi Arabian security forces have arrested 208 suspected al-Qaeda militants reportedly plotting an attack on a major oil field, the BBC reports. Those busted included missile experts, assassination squads—and a 16-person "media cell" bent on promoting extremist ideology. The money men behind the militants were also nabbed.
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Prince about-faces, claims case is being used against country
Associated Press Nov 28, 07 11:46 AM CST
(Newser)
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Courts will take another look at the sentence of a gang-rape victim, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said yesterday, following an international outcry when the 19-year-old was handed a six-month prison term and 200 lashes. “What is outraging about this case is that it is being used against the Saudi government and people,” said Prince Saud al-Faisal.
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Saudis expected to boost output as prices close in on $100
Wall Street Journal Nov 26, 07 4:18 AM CST
(Newser)
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With oil prices poised to pass the $100 mark any day now, a pair of reports speculates that OPEC will cool the overheated market by boosting oil production, the Wall Street Journal reports. One consulting firm said OPEC, spurred by Saudi Arabia’s increased deliveries to the US, could up output by as much as 720,000 barrels a day.
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Had 'illegal affair,'
failed to tell fiancé
about attacks
CNN Nov 25, 07 7:23 AM CST
(Newser)
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Under international fire for sentencing a gang-rape victim to 200 lashes, the Saudi government yesterday said the woman violated Islamic law and caused the crime to take place by having an "illegitimate relationship" with a man not her husband. The rapists allegedly found the woman "in a compromising situation" with a man on a beach, CNN reports.
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Exiled Pakistani PM says he has no deal with Musharraf
Reuters Nov 25, 07 6:50 AM CST
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Troops today rounded up hundreds of supporters of exiled prime minister Nawaz Sharif as he was about to land back in Pakistan. Tens of thousands of activists were expected to greet Sharif as he returned, but soldiers were to keep them at bay. "Let's see what happens," Sharif said before boarding his plane in Saudi Arabia. A government official said an "understanding" was reached allowing him to return but Sharif said no such agreement existed.
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