Politics

Three days after the Senate Finance Committee shocked many of their colleagues in the House this week by unveiling a tax reform proposal that featured more than a few notable deviations from the House plan, Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady told Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday” that he would not accept the total elimination of the state and local tax deduction, a provision that has become one of the most – if not the most – controversial elements of the Trump tax reform package.

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri just concluded his first interview since what appears to be his forced resignation after landing in Saudi Arabia a week ago which began what many describe as a house arrest. "I was at my home [in Saudi] and not The Ritz," he explained during what regional outlets are describing as a very carefully controlled and choreographed interview.

Amid all of the chaos, coups, and corruption crackdowns in Saudi Arabia, and with declarations of war being dropped like confetti, the Tadawul All-Share Index is barely lower...

We first pointed out the 'odd' appearance of a panic-buyer in Saudi stocks just two days after the chaos erupted. But it has now been a week and it seems someone is extremely keen to keep up appearances that all is well in the 'market' for Saudi stocks....

The Arab League is set to hold an emergency meeting on Iran at Saudi Arabia's request, this according to Reuters and various regional sources, at a moment when Saudi fighter jets may be mobilizing for war in an attempted show of force. Egypt-based Ahram Online also reports further that the meeting will discuss "Iranian interference" in the region at League headquarters in Cairo, and other early unconfirmed reports indicate the meeting could come as early as next Sunday.

Three days ago, we reported that based on various unconfirmed media reports, Saudi King Salman - reeling from a just concluded purge that arrested some of the country's wealthiest and most powerful royals and officials - was set to elevate his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to the throne in as little as 48 hours. Speculation peaked when Al-Arabiya tweeted, then quickly deleted, details of the allegedly imminent ascension ceremony.