Saudi Industry Minister Discusses Mining Cooperation with Jordanian Companies

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef holding talks in Jordan with Arab Mining Company chairman of the board Mohammed Ahmed Al-Shehhi - SPA
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef holding talks in Jordan with Arab Mining Company chairman of the board Mohammed Ahmed Al-Shehhi - SPA
TT

Saudi Industry Minister Discusses Mining Cooperation with Jordanian Companies

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef holding talks in Jordan with Arab Mining Company chairman of the board Mohammed Ahmed Al-Shehhi - SPA
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef holding talks in Jordan with Arab Mining Company chairman of the board Mohammed Ahmed Al-Shehhi - SPA

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef met in Jordan with Arab Mining Company chairman of the board Mohammed Ahmed Al-Shehhi to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation in the mining sector.
Alkhorayef and Al-Shehhi explored opportunities to leverage the mining resources available in both Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Eng. Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer, the vice minister of mining affairs, also attended the meeting, according to SPA.
During his official visit to Jordan, Alkhorayef also held meetings with officials from Jordanian companies operating in the mining sector.
In his discussions with officials from Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, they explored avenues of cooperation in phosphate extraction and production in light of Saudi Arabia's substantial phosphate reserves.
Additionally, the minister discussed cooperation with officials from the Arab Potash Company, reviewing the progress made in implementing the memorandum of understanding signed between the company and the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden). The deal aims to enhance collaboration in specialized fertilizers and products in both countries.
Alkhorayef’s visit to Jordan reflects the Kingdom's commitment to strengthen Saudi-Jordanian economic cooperation, particularly in the industrial and mining fields, exchange expertise, attract investments, and create jobs. These efforts aim to deepen the economic integration between Saudi Arabia and Jordan on multiple levels.



Starbucks Strike to Expand to over 300 US Stores on Christmas Eve, Union Says

Starbucks employees, union members and supporters strike outside of a Starbucks store which is closed down due to the strike on December 23, 2024 in New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
Starbucks employees, union members and supporters strike outside of a Starbucks store which is closed down due to the strike on December 23, 2024 in New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
TT

Starbucks Strike to Expand to over 300 US Stores on Christmas Eve, Union Says

Starbucks employees, union members and supporters strike outside of a Starbucks store which is closed down due to the strike on December 23, 2024 in New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
Starbucks employees, union members and supporters strike outside of a Starbucks store which is closed down due to the strike on December 23, 2024 in New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)

A strike at Starbucks' US stores will expand to over 300 stores on Tuesday, with more than 5,000 workers expected to walk off the job, before the five-day work stoppage ends later on Christmas Eve, the workers' union said.

Starbucks Workers United, representing employees at 525 stores nationwide, said more than 60 US stores across 12 major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Boston and Seattle, were shut on Monday.

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

The Christmas Eve strike on Tuesday was projected to be the largest ever at the coffee chain, the union added. "These strikes are an initial show of strength, and we're just getting started," an Oregon barista said in a union statement.

When asked for a response, a Starbucks spokesperson referred to a company statement it released on Monday.

It said that the vast majority of Starbucks stores will continue to operate and serve customers, adding that it expects a "very limited impact" to overall operations. Starbucks has over 10,000 company-operated stores across the US.

"We are ready to continue negotiations when the union comes back to the bargaining table", the company said.

The Seattle-headquartered firm had previously claimed that the union delegates prematurely ended the bargaining session.

Earlier this month, the workers' group rejected an offer of no immediate wage hike and a guarantee of a 1.5% pay increase in future years.

The union also said that Starbucks has yet to present its workers with "a serious economic proposal."