SAMA Governor: Establishing UAB Regional Office in Saudi Arabia will Support the Union

SAMA Governor Ayman al-Sayari
SAMA Governor Ayman al-Sayari
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SAMA Governor: Establishing UAB Regional Office in Saudi Arabia will Support the Union

SAMA Governor Ayman al-Sayari
SAMA Governor Ayman al-Sayari

The Union of Arab Banks (UAB) conference announced on Monday the establishment of a regional office in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) Governor Ayman al-Sayari confirmed the establishment of the regional office in Saudi Arabia, saying it will support the Union and provide needed services amid the recent economic developments, global political changes, and global state of uncertainty that impact the monetary policy developments.

The developments prompted many central banks to adopt strict monetary policies to curb the ongoing price rises.

Sayari explained that these strict policies led the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reduce its expectations for global economic growth to three percent during 2023, accompanied by high fluctuations in global markets and the increasing challenges facing emerging economies.

He pointed out that global economic challenges require a rigorous follow-up and analysis of the developments to ensure the ability to deal with their effects and develop the financial and banking systems, including financial technologies.

SAMA announced the launch of the annual conference, organized by the Union of Arab Banks in Riyadh, on Monday under the patronage of the Governor of SAMA.

During the five main sessions, the panel will discuss 21 economic and financial topics and organize a technical workshop.



Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Starbucks Workers Expand Strike in US Cities Including New York

Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Starbucks workers hold signs as they picket during a strike in front of a Starbucks to demand collective bargaining agreements in Burbank, California on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Starbucks workers have expanded their strike to four more US cities, including New York, the union representing over 10,000 baristas said late on Saturday.

The five-day strike, which began on Friday and initially closed Starbucks cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, has added New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis, Workers United said in a statement. It did not say where the New Jersey walkout was occurring.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.

Talks between the coffee chain and the union hit an impasse with unresolved issues over wages, staffing and schedules, leading to the strike.

The union is striking in 10 cities, also including Columbus, Denver and Pittsburgh, during the busy holiday season that may impact the company's Christmas sales.

Workers United warned on Friday that the strike could reach "hundreds of stores" by Tuesday, Christmas Eve.

Starbucks began negotiations with the union in April. It said this month it had conducted more than eight bargaining sessions, during which 30 agreements had been reached.

The company operates more than 11,000 stores in the United States, employing about 200,000 workers.