Friday, November 6, 2026
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Bermudian Gymnasts Shine at Burlington Spring Cup

Gymnastics

Bermuda’s young gymnasts have made a significant mark at the Burlington Spring Cup in Ontario, Canada, with eleven athletes from the Bermuda Gymnastics Association showcasing their talent under coach Becky Wentling. The Bronze level saw remarkable success, with nine-year-old Emma Wright securing a brilliant first place all-around, highlighted by gold medals on the Beam and Floor. Seven-year-old Satya Tuzo-Smith also shone, taking second place all-around with a gold on Vault and silver on Beam, while Jodie Denton finished a creditable ninth. 

The Gold level also witnessed impressive performances, most notably from eight-year-old Maddie Pritchard, who achieved a clean sweep of first places across all apparatus in a dominant display. Samantha Tolosa finished fifth all-around, earning a bronze on Bars, while Fallon Wooley placed sixth. Ellise Leamey, Nicole Burrows, Sadie Hocking, and McKenna Redcliffe also competed with determination. In Level 6, Eva Wright finished tenth all-around, with a strong fifth-place finish on the Floor exercise. 

The collective achievements of these young Bermudian gymnasts at the Burlington Spring Cup underscore their dedication and the quality of coaching within the Bermuda Gymnastics Association. Their success in Canada is a testament to their hard work and brings considerable pride to the island’s sporting community, highlighting the bright future of gymnastics in Bermuda.

Augustus Dominates to Claim BPGA Match Play Title

Golf

Daniel Augustus has emphatically claimed the Bermuda Professional Golf Association’s 2025 Match Play Championship, securing a commanding victory at the scenic Five Forts Golf Course in St. George’s. 

Under overcast skies that provided ideal conditions for golf, Augustus faced Adam Perry in the much-anticipated 36-hole Championship match. From the outset, Augustus showcased his skill and unwavering consistency, ultimately proving too strong for his opponent, clinching the title with a decisive 7 & 6 victory. 

Augustus’s journey to lift the trophy was marked by impressive performances throughout the knockout stages. He navigated a challenging path, first overcoming talented youngster Arriek Douglas before defeating seasoned veteran Dwayne Pearman Sr., setting up the final showdown against Perry. In the final, Augustus’s game reached its peak, leaving Perry with no answer to his opponent’s consistent brilliance. This dominant victory firmly establishes Augustus as the BPGA’s 2025 Match Play Champion.

Double Disappointment for Bermuda Hockey in CAC Qualifiers

Both the men’s and women’s team defeated in Mexico

It proved to be a challenging day in Mexico for Bermuda’s national field hockey teams as both the men’s and women’s sides suffered defeats in their respective Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games Qualifying Tournament matches. 

The Women’s National Field Hockey team took to the field for a crucial encounter against Puerto Rico, hoping to build on their earlier efforts in the tournament. Despite a determined and spirited performance, the match ended in heartbreak for the Bermudian side. After battling hard, they succumbed to a narrow 2-1 defeat, with Puerto Rico snatching the victory with a late penalty stroke. The loss will be a significant blow to Bermuda’s hopes of advancing in the competition. 

Shortly after, the Men’s National Field Hockey team were back in action for their fourth match, facing Jamaica. Following their previous defeat to Venezuela, the men were eager to secure a positive result and get their qualifying campaign back on track. However, they too faced disappointment on the pitch, falling to a 2-0 defeat against a resolute Jamaican side. The loss compounds the challenges for the men’s team as they navigate the crucial qualifying tournament. 

These double defeats represent a setback for Bermuda’s aspirations in the CAC Games Qualifying Tournament. Both teams will need to regroup quickly and analyse their performances as they look to their remaining fixtures and the opportunity to bounce back and fight for qualification.

Liana De Medeiros Continues Strong Showing with Top Five in Toronto 5K

Liana De Medeiros hitting her stride at Toronto Marathon

Liana De Medeiros has once again underlined her burgeoning talent on the road racing circuit with an impressive performance in the 5K event at the prestigious Toronto Marathon. 

Facing a large field of 2438 participants, De Medeiros clocked a strong finishing time of 17 minutes and 56 seconds. This excellent effort saw her secure a notable 5th place overall in the race, a testament to her speed and endurance. 

Adding to her achievement, De Medeiros also finished as the second fastest female competitor in the event, highlighting her competitive edge within the women’s category. Furthermore, she claimed second place in the highly competitive Female 18-24 Age Group, further solidifying her potential as a rising star in road running. Her consistent strong performances in significant events like the Toronto Marathon suggest a bright future for the young Bermudian athlete.

Wednesday Sports Round-Up

The latest on Bermudian athletes in action both locally and overseas

The men’s field hockey team faced a tough test against Venezuela in C.A.C. qualifying, several record-breaking performances at the Middle School Inter-school Sports and Bill McNiven surged to the top of the leader-board in the I.O.D.. Regatta. The highlights from the latest sporting action.

Carigenetics to give away 100 Wellness DNA tests at Relay for Life event

They have partnered with CG Insurance and Prostate Awareness Bermuda to raised awareness on men’s health

CariGenetics, Prostate Awareness Bermuda and CG Insurance have partnered to give 100 complimentary Wellness DNA Tests to individuals participating in this year’s Relay for Life event, with an emphasis on men’s wellness.

The initiative celebrates the resilience of those affected by cancer and aims to empower them with personalised health insights for a holistic approach to their health and wellness.


The Relay for Life of Bermuda, scheduled for 9–10 May 2025, is a cherished community event
raising funds and awareness for cancer treatment and support services.

CariGenetics will have a booth with Prostate Awareness Bermuda (PAB), located at tent 57, where the free Wellness DNA Tests will be given away.

These tests analyse an individual’s genetic blueprint to provide customised guidance on various aspects of wellness like nutrition, fitness, skincare and even personality, helping participants understand the foods and activities that best suit their genetic makeup.

The aim is to provide long-term support for survivors, carers and the community in their journey toward
optimal health.

While health and wellness are important for everyone, men—particularly those of Caribbean ancestry—remain underrepresented in preventive health and genetic research.

By offering these tests during Relay for Life, CariGenetics and its partners hope to encourage more men to take proactive steps in understanding their unique health needs. Early insights can make a significant difference in disease prevention and long-term wellness.


John Payne, Founding Member of Prostate Awareness Bermuda said, “Too often, men put their health on the back burner, especially when it comes to prevention and personalised care.

“This partnership with CariGenetics and CG Insurance is a vital opportunity to empower men—particularly those affected by cancer—to take charge of their wellbeing through advanced and accessible genetic tools.”


Dr. Carika Weldon, Founder and CEO of CariGenetics, stated, “Relay for Life is a celebration of strength, resilience, and community. We are honoured to give back to those who have given so much of themselves. As many may know, my grandmother,
“Marie Gibbons, was lost to cancer in 2017. This for me is personal and I want to ensure those who have survived, are carers and family members can cater for their overall health and wellness as we push forward.

Through personalised insights from our wellness testing, we hope to support the cancer community in living their healthiest, fullest lives.”

Participants who wish to receive a complimentary Wellness Test can pre-register by completing a simple form at carigenetics.com and then visit the PAB booth during the event to take the test.

BHB appoints Dr. Anna Neilson-Williams new Chief of Staff

Dr. Neilson-William replaces Dr. Wesley Miller who retired last April

Dr. Anna Neilson-Williams has been appointed the new Chief of Staff of the Bermuda Hospitals Board after acting in the role Bermuda Hospitals Board for over a year.


She replaces Dr. Wesley Miller following his retirement in April 2024.


Dr. Neilson-Williams was previously the chief of psychiatry and recruitment to fill the post will begin.


She remarked, “A year acting in this role has given me a solid grounding in the issues we face at BHB, and I’m really looking forward to continuing some of the great programmes that are in motion, such as the integrated pathways for trauma, burns and the hospitalist service.”


Scott Pearman, CEO and President of the BHB said Dr. Neilson Williams has proven herself in this role for the last year and brings to it great leadership skills and a very well-rounded physician experience in mental health and primary care.

Dr.Neilson-Williams joined BHB in 2000 and served as acting chief of psychiatry from 2021. She is also a consultant psychiatrist, managing clients with a range of mental health conditions and patients on the psychogeriatric unit at MWI.

Dr Neilson-Williams is a graduate of The University of Glasgow and has a master’s degree in transcultural mental health with distinction through Queen Mary’s The University of London, UK.

She was recognised as a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2022 for contributions to the field of Psychiatry. 

She also has a diploma in leadership and management, and certifications in value-based healthcare through Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Public Mental Health Leadership through the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Dr. Neilson-Williams will report to CEO & President Scott Pearman.

Police address misinformation circulating about Legends shooting

Police urge the public not to spread unverified claims and ask for help locating injured suspect

The Bermuda Police Service issued the following media release.

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is aware of rumours circulating in the community, that a suspect believed to have been injured in the shooting incident at the Legends bar, Somerset Road, Sandys, on Thursday, May 1, 2025, has succumbed to their injuries.

Our investigations have found no evidence to substantiate these claims.

However, we urge that if anyone has been injured that the individual, or those who may be looking after them, contact us so that we might assist in helping that person obtain any medical care they require.

Alternatively, the individual should be taken directly to hospital, if their injuries are believed to be serious or life-threatening.

We are appealing to the public, should you have any information as to where the injured person is located or who might be assisting them, to please get in contact with Acting Detective Superintendent, (ADS) Jason Smith on, 717-0864 or, via e-mail at, jsmith2@bps.bm.

You may also provide the information anonymously by calling the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477. Another option would be to provide the information via the Community reporting portal at, portal.police.bm

Further, we ask that should you have any information about anyone you believe may have been involved in the incident at the Legends bar, that you do not share it on social media, especially with accompanying images.

Instead, please get in contact with ADS Smith or, share the information anonymously via Crime Stoppers or, at portal.police.bm

We again wish to thank the public for the assistance provided thus far as we continue to progress our investigations.

Britain set to strike first deal to cut Trump tariffs

The United States has been under pressure from investors to strike deals to de-escalate its tariffs

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands during a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House, February 27, 2025 in Washington, D.C., U.S. Carl Court/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

International news via Reuters:

The United States and Britain will announce a deal to lower tariffs on some goods on Thursday, the first such agreement since U.S. President Donald Trump sparked a global trade war with universal levies. 

In posts on Truth Social, Trump said he would hold an Oval Office news conference at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) on Thursday about a “full and comprehensive” trade agreement with Britain. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who describes the U.S. as an indispensable ally, is due to provide an update later on Thursday. The deal is likely to be narrow, with Britain securing lower tariffs on cars and steel, the two sectors hardest hit. 

“Because of our long time history and allegiance together, it is a great honor to have the United Kingdom as our FIRST announcement,” Trump said. “Many other deals, which are in serious stages of negotiation, to follow!”

The United States has been under pressure from investors to strike deals to de-escalate its tariff war after Trump’s often chaotic policymaking upended global trade with friends and foe alike, threatening to stoke inflation and start a recession. 

Top U.S. officials have engaged in a flurry of meetings with trading partners since the president on April 2 imposed a 10% tariff on most countries, along with higher tariff rates for many trading partners that were then suspended for 90 days. 

The U.S. has also imposed 25% tariffs on autos, steel and aluminium, 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and 145% tariffs on China. U.S. and Chinese officials are due to hold talks in Switzerland on Saturday. 

Starmer, who has struggled in government since he was elected last July with his centre-left Labour Party, has struck up a warm relationship with Trump and his government will celebrate becoming the first country to agree a deal.

Britain’s car industry exports luxury brands to the U.S. and the 25% tariffs had hit the industry hard. Jaguar Land Rover paused shipments of its cars to the U.S. for a month while it considered how to mitigate the impact. Shares in Aston Martin, which said it would split the cost of tariffs with its customers and limit shipments to the U.S., rose 8% on Thursday.

NARROW SCOPE 

A British official had said that the scope of any agreement was likely to be narrow, with Britain expected to secure lower tariffs on a tranche of steel and autos exports. 

In return, Britain is likely to agree to lower its own tariffs on U.S. cars and cut a digital sales tax that affects U.S. tech giants. 

It had refused to lower its food standards, which are closely aligned with the European Union, however Britain’s farming trade union has said that some U.S. producers do meet British standards by not using growth hormones or antimicrobial washes, and could be given greater market access. 

Starmer’s government has been walking a tightrope on trade, seeking as an independent country after Brexit to build new ties with the U.S., China and the EU without moving so far towards one bloc that it angers the others. 

There are also political threats on the domestic front.

Polling shows the government remains deeply unpopular after it cut support for pensioner’s energy bills and hiked taxes on households and companies, making any move to cut taxes on multi-national tech companies a big risk. 

POLITICAL RISK

Britain’s digital service tax, levied at 2% of UK revenue for online marketplaces, search engines and social media platforms, was introduced in 2020 in response to an outcry about tax avoidance by big tech. 

It was expected to raise about 800 million pounds ($1.1 billion) this year, with more than 90% coming from five big tech firms, according to a 2023 report by lawmakers. 

The status of the 10% “baseline” tariff imposed by Trump on most countries including Britain, or any threatened tariffs on the pharmaceutical industry, was unclear.

Parliament has said that Britain exported 7.2 billion pounds ($9.6 billion) worth of medicinal and pharmaceutical products to the U.S. in the year to September 2024, the second largest sector behind cars.

Economists and one FTSE 100 chief executive said the immediate impact of a tariff deal was likely to be limited for Britain but that trade agreements in general – it struck a free trade agreement with India earlier this week – would help to produce growth in the long run. 

“The American, Indian and other deals we can do will be really important to the long-term economic health of the UK but don’t expect them to result in overnight euphoria,” the CEO said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

JPMorgan economist Allan Monks said the upside would be limited if the 10% tariff stayed in place. 

“With the UK having broadly balanced goods trade with the U.S., a reasonably good political relationship, no real threat of retaliation from Westminster and extensive bilateral negotiations having taken place, it is not clear where the UK can go from here,” he said.

Additional reporting by James Davey and Paul Sandle; writing by Kate Holton; Editing by Toby Chopra

At Kremlin talks, Putin and Xi cast themselves as defenders of world order

China is Russia’s biggest trading partner and has thrown Moscow an economic lifeline

Members of the delegations, led by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, attend a welcoming ceremony before their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool

International news via Reuters:

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for joining celebrations to mark 80 years since the “sacred” victory over Adolf Hitler in World War Two, and said the two countries stood together now against “neo-Nazism”.

Xi’s presence at this week’s anniversary celebrations provides an important boost for the Kremlin leader, who has portrayed his war in Ukraine as a struggle against modern-day Nazis from the start.

Ukraine and its allies reject that characterisation as a grotesque falsehood, accusing Moscow of conducting an imperial-style invasion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony before their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool

“The victory over fascism, achieved at the cost of enormous sacrifices, is of lasting significance,” Putin told Xi on Thursday.

“Together with our Chinese friends, we firmly stand guard over historical truth, protect the memory of the events of the war years, and counteract modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism.”

Xi said the two countries, as world powers and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, would work together to counter “unilateralism and bullying” – an implied reference to the United States.

He said they would “jointly promote the correct view of the history of World War Two, safeguard the authority and status of the United Nations, resolutely defend the rights and interests of China, Russia and the vast majority of developing countries, and work together to promote an equal, orderly, multipolar, and inclusive economic globalisation”.

The two men spoke after approaching each other along a red carpet from opposite ends of one of the Kremlin’s most opulent halls and shaking hands in front of the cameras. Each greeted the other as “dear friend”.

POWERFUL GUEST

Xi is the most powerful of more than two dozen foreign leaders who are visiting Moscow this week to mark Thursday’s 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two – a celebration of huge significance for Putin.

Domestically, it offers him a chance to rally Russians in remembrance of a historic feat that is central to the country’s national identity. The Soviet Union lost 27 million people in World War Two, including many millions in Ukraine, which was also devastated.

On the world stage, Putin aims to cast himself alongside Xi as a defender of the international order, and to demonstrate that years of Western sanctions have failed to isolate Russia. 

Putin last week announced a unilateral three-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, beginning on Thursday. Ukraine has not committed to abide by it, calling it a ruse by Putin to create the impression he wants to end the war. Instead, it has declared its willingness to join a ceasefire lasting at least 30 days.

Both countries are under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to reach a peace deal, and Washington has threatened repeatedly to walk away from talks unless there is clear progress.

Ukraine targeted Moscow with drones for three days earlier this week, but the skies above the capital were calm on Thursday. With so many foreign leaders present, any attacks during the May 9 events could embarrass Putin and would likely draw a tough response from Moscow.

A Ukrainian military spokesperson told Reuters that Russian troops had continued to conduct assaults in several areas on the eastern front, despite the ceasefire. The air force said Russian aircraft had launched guided bombs on the Sumy region of northern Ukraine three times.

But the air force also said there had been no Russian missiles or drones in Ukrainian airspace since the Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire kicked in.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony before their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool

Chinese troops will take part in Friday’s military parade on Red Square, the centrepiece of the commemorations. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday urged countries not to send their militaries to participate, saying it would go against some countries’ declared neutrality in the war.

Xi has called for talks to end the conflict in Ukraine and has accused the U.S. of stoking it with weapons supplies to Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has in the past urged him to try to persuade Putin to halt the war.

Xi, whose country is locked in a tariff war with the United States, is expected to sign numerous agreements to deepen the “no limits” strategic partnership that Russia and China signed in 2022, less than three weeks before Putin sent his army into Ukraine.

China is Russia’s biggest trading partner and has thrown Moscow an economic lifeline that has helped it navigate Western sanctions. China buys more Russian oil and gas than any other country.

Reporting by Dmitry Antonov in Moscow, Kyiv and Beijing newsroom and Maxim Rodionov, Filipp Lebedev and Alexander Marrow in London, writing by Mark Trevelyan

Foreign workers a key driver of euro zone growth, say ECB economists

Foreigners accounted for half of the bloc’s labour force growth in the past three years

FILE PHOTO: A worker harvests white asparagus from a field in Salzbrunn near Beelitz, Germany, April 18, 2025. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo

International news via Reuters:

Foreign workers accounted for much of the euro zone’s economic growth since the pandemic and could help the bloc overcome the economic constraints of an ageing and shrinking labour market, a European Central Bank study concluded on Thursday.

Foreigners accounted for half of the bloc’s labour force growth in the past three years, helping to alleviate labour shortages and starting to make a greater contribution in higher skills jobs, too, as their education levels are improving, the ECB said in a blog post. 

FILE PHOTO: A worker moves baskets with assorted white asparagus in Schaepe near Beelitz, Germany, April 3, 2024. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo

“The influx of foreign workers in recent years has secured a robust growth in the euro area labour force, which has somewhat offset the negative demographic trends,” the blog post, authored by some of the ECB’s most senior economists, argued.

The ECB’s analysis runs counter to the political trends in much of Europe where parties seeking to cut immigration have seen a surge in voter support.

As the 20 nation bloc’s population continues to age and birth rates remain low, the labour force and thus economic growth is constrained, an issue foreign workers could help to address, the ECB blog added.

FILE PHOTO: A worker carries a box of freshly harvested white asparagus from a field in Salzbrunn near Beelitz, Germany, April 18, 2025. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo

Among the euro zone’s biggest economies, an influx of foreign workers made key contributions to labour force growth in places like Germany and Spain, while in France and the Netherlands, the contribution was notable but at a lower level.

In Italy, however, which has a relatively low labour participation rate, a greater use of domestic labour helped the economy, the ECB concluded. 

While there has been a notable rise in foreign workers, unemployment among them has also declined and this is primarily due to improving education levels, the ECB added.

Reporting by Balazs Koranyi; Editing by Toby Chopra

Saudi Arabia sits on fence over BRICS with eye on vital ties with US

The Saudi partnership with the United States remains central to its security

FILE PHOTO: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman announces a zero-carbon city called “The Line” to be built at NEOM in northwestern Saudi Arabia, January 10, 2021. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS

International news via Reuters:

Saudi Arabia has held off formally joining the BRICS bloc of nations despite attending a meeting in Brazil last week, two sources said, finessing an issue that could upset Washington as Riyadh seeks to seal deals with its U.S. ally.

The issue of BRICS membership has been diplomatically sensitive for Saudi Arabia since it was first invited to join in 2023, and remains so with President Donald Trump due to visit next week and Riyadh negotiating nuclear and technology deals. 

BRICS, founded as a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to counter Western dominance of the world order, has grown in recent years to include emerging economies such as the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Indonesia. 

But while the BRICS website shows Saudi Arabia – the world’s largest oil exporter – as a member, it has yet to join, according to the two sources, both with direct knowledge of Saudi policy.

Saudi Arabia’s government communications office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Brazil’s foreign ministry referred Reuters to the Saudi government when asked about the kingdom’s listed status as a member on the website. Brazil is currently presiding over BRICS.

Riyadh does not want to risk U.S. anger as negotiations are underway with Washington, one of the sources and a diplomat said.

Saudi Arabia sent its deputy foreign minister to the April 29 meeting in Rio de Janeiro, where ministers from the fast-expanding bloc failed to agree a joint communique. 

The kingdom’s ambivalence about BRICS membership lays bare its high-stakes balancing act between China, its biggest oil export customer, and Washington, its indispensable security and technology partner – a tightrope walk made ever more precarious by the deepening U.S.-Chinese divide.

“The Saudis still see tons of value in engaging with BRICS and its member states. They will keep double-dipping – or multi-dipping – with global partnerships as long as they can,” said Robert Mogielnicki, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

“I think the Saudi calculation is that what they may be able to get out of the U.S. outweighs what they could get from BRICS membership, at least over the short term.”

In January, Trump demanded that BRICS commit to not creating a new currency or supporting another currency that would replace the U.S. dollar, or face 100% tariffs against BRICS nations. 

SEEKING ALLIES

While the kingdom still favors its historic ally the United States, it is also seeking to nurture trade ties with China, the largest importer of Saudi crude. 

In February, Saudi Arabia exported goods worth 15.2 billion riyals ($4.05 billion) to China, marking a 20.6% increase from a year earlier, when trade amounted to 12.6 billion riyals, data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity show. Over the past five years, trade has grown at an annualised rate of 50.3%.

Total Chinese investment and construction contracts in Saudi Arabia between 2005 and mid-2024 reached nearly $71 billion, according to the China Global Investment Tracker, reflecting Beijing’s growing role in the kingdom’s economic transformation.

The Saudi partnership with the United States remains central to its security, investment and technology ambitions, even as it expands relations with rival powers like China and Russia. 

The U.S. is poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion, sources told Reuters last month, saying the proposal was being lined up for announcement during Trump’s visit. 

BRICS has sought to shift away from the dollar into other currencies. But a study by the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center last year showed the greenback remains the world’s primary reserve currency, and neither the euro nor the BRICS countries have managed to reduce global reliance on the dollar.

“While BRICS is a useful forum for airing grievances over American behaviour, it is not yet a body coherent enough to provide public goods on key issues like currency cooperation, security, or economic integration,” said Steffen Hertog, associate professor in comparative politics at the London School of Economics.

“Saudi feels like they have the leverage and they are enjoying the position,” said Saudi analyst Aziz Alghashian.

“They see it that the United States is still the main actor, but there are others that could also provide utility,” he added. 

($1 = 3.7509 riyals)

Reporting by Pesha Magid in Riyad, Maha El Dahan and Manya Saini in Dubai; additional reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; editing by Tom Perry and Mark Heinrich