Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), valued at over $1 trillion, has invested $170 billion in the United States since 2017, targeting industries such as technology, entertainment, and transportation.

Riyadh

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), valued at over $1 trillion, has invested $170 billion in the United States since 2017, targeting industries such as technology, entertainment, and transportation. Major beneficiaries include Hollywood studios, Silicon Valley tech firms, and companies like Uber, Lyft, and Tesla, often through indirect or opaque investment channels.

These investments are part of Saudi Arabia's strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil and build soft power influence in the US. While the financial impact is significant, many US companies are reluctant to publicly acknowledge Saudi involvement due to potential public scrutiny and the need to balance social agendas with financial interests. The kingdom aims to double its global investments to $2 trillion by 2030.

Saudi investments quietly reshape America's economic future

Los Angeles loves a red carpet and it's being rolled out here in a big way for Saudi Arabia. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman back to Washington to shake hands for the cameras with Donald Trump. But the real handshakes happening here on the west coast, from movies to motors, semiconductors to sports, Saudi money has been pouring into the United States. Hollywood and Silicon Valley, big beneficiaries of a two-way relationship with huge amounts of cash coming through the PIF, that's Saudi Arabia's public investment fund, worth more than a trillion dollars, $170 billion spent in the U.S. since 2017. Think of an economy like Nigeria or Kuwait or Croatia, that's how much money Saudi Arabia is investing in the United States right now. MBS, as he's known, has been here before, last time meeting Google's bosses, defense company Lockheed Martin's chiefs and Virgin Galactic's Sir Richard Branson, many keen to meet him because Saudi Arabia has very deep pockets, investing billions all over the place, but it's not always a transparent process, especially if the money comes via venture capital. Recipients might not even know that Saudi Arabia is involved. Rideshare apps, Uber and Lyft have benefited at points, EV car makers like Tesla and Lucid too, plus chip companies through partnerships, AI, healthcare, cruise lines, a broad portfolio as the kingdom looks to a future after the oil that won't last forever. Two words here, soft power. With these investments that Saudi Arabia is trying to build up the necessary influence to ensure that America remains committed to Saudi security interests. A lot of media investments too, this place eats up cash. Live Nation, which puts on concerts for the likes of Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Madonna, was on the Saudi books at one point, so was Disney. Hollywood director Eric Fiege just got a billion dollars to launch a big studio and the boss of Comcast, which owns NBC Universal, in Saudi Arabia recently, reportedly to discuss building a theme park there. Hollywood's writing the stories, Riyadh is writing the checks. But here's the thing, despite companies either pitching for or receiving money from Saudi Arabia, very few of them actually want to talk about it. Off record, sure, but on the record, not a chance. This red carpet might be here metaphorically, but publicly, not so much. US companies with their social agendas have to also be mindful of not coming under public scrutiny for their investment portfolios. The crown prince has ambitions to modernize his country. Amounts of money we're talking about now, think that in 2030 they want to increase this to two trillion dollars globally, so we're going to see more. An idea designed in Riyadh, made in California. Phil LaVelle, Al Jazeera, Los Angeles.

Hopes for a strong G20 declaration on climate and debt relief are slim as South Africa readies to host the summit from Saturday (November 22). Global tensions and a boycott by the United States threaten to overshadow the gathering.

Johannesburg

South Africa readies for G20 despite U.S. boycott

At least one person is dead and three others were injured after an attack in the West Bank, Israeli forces said. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council backed the U.S. plan for Gaza. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio has the latest.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Tensions escalate as U.N. Security Council backs Trump's plan for Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump will host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, his first visit since Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in 2018. The crown prince has denied any involvement.

Washington

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visiting White House

The sale of the fighter jets is one of several major deals between the two countries expected to be announced during the visit.

Trump says he will sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia

The U.K. government has proposed a major overhaul of its asylum rules, making it easier to deport people and quadruple the amount of time it takes to become a permanent resident.

London

U.K. introduces tougher laws for asylum seekers

In a blistering opinion, a federal judge in Virginia accused Justice Department prosecutor Lindsay Halligan of misconduct, saying there was a "disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps."

Virginia

DOJ accused of 'profound investigative missteps' in Comey case

The United Nations Security Council has voted to adopt a U.S. resolution outlining President Trump's peace plan for post-war Gaza. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Holly Williams has the details.

New York

U.N. Security Council adopts U.S. resolution on Gaza plan

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford has arrived in the Caribbean, giving the United States the ability to strike inside Venezuela if President Trump gives the order. The U.S. has also sent thousands of troops to the region.

Trump 'won't rule out' sending troops to Venezuela amid rising tensions

President Trump now says Republicans should vote to release all of the files related to the federal investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. CBS News' Olivia Rinaldi and Nikole Killion have the latest on what could happen next.

Trump's Epstein files reversal comes amid pressure from allies

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called an explosion on a railway line “an unprecedented act of sabotage.” Donald Tusk did not say who he believed had carried out the attack, but a government minister said "foreign intelligence agencies" were responsible.

Warsaw

Railway line blast in Poland ‘unprecedented act of sabotage’

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy signed a landmark deal in Paris on Monday to buy 100 Rafale jets, drones, and air defense systems from France.

Paris

Ukraine signs deal with France for jets, air defense systems

The Federal Aviation Administration ended mandated cuts in domestic flights at 40 major U.S. airports, easing restrictions that had been imposed over air traffic control concerns during the federal shutdown.

FAA ends mandated cuts in domestic U.S. flights

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to oppose any attempt to establish a Palestinian state, a day before the UN Security Council will vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution on Gaza that leaves the door open to Palestinian independence.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Netanyahu insists there can be no Palestinian state ahead of UN vote

A Bangladesh court sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity on Monday (November 17), concluding a months-long trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year.

Dhaka

Bangladesh's ousted PM sentenced to death for protest crackdown

President Donald Trump now appears to support the release of all Jeffrey Epstein files as the House of Representatives readies for a vote on the matter. CBS News' Natalie Brand reports.

House vote on Epstein files expected Tuesday

In the latest round of the Trump administration's sweeping immigration raids, federal agents arrested 81 people in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday alone. In videos posted online, some who were detained said they do have legal status.

Charlotte

ICE detains dozens in Charlotte

If the bill passes, the U.S. Justice Department would be required to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as details about the investigation into his death in federal prison.

Trump calls on House Republicans to vote to release Epstein files

Chile heads to a December runoff after Sunday's presidential vote left no clear winner. Leftist Jeannette Jara and far-right José Antonio Kast will now face off in a race dominated by concerns over crime and migration.

Santiago

Chile leftists advance to next month's presidential runoff

Construction work of a concrete wall continued on the Israeli side of southern border with Lebanon, despite the Lebanese presidency's threat to complain to the U.N. Security Council over the wall's extension into Lebanese territory.

Israel constructs wall along Lebanon border

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro slammed planned joint military exercises by the United States and its ally Trinidad and Tobago as "irresponsible," with Washington increasing its armed presence in the Caribbean.

Caracas

Maduro denounces US military exercises

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated attempts to kill the effort to release federal files related to Jeffrey Epstein, House Republican leaders are planning to hold a vote this week on legislation to force the issue.

Claims Epstein emails mentioning Trump were 'selectively leaked'

President Trump says he has "sort of made up my mind" on whether to take military action in Venezuela. The comments come as America's largest aircraft carrier, the Ford, and other U.S. forces move within striking distance of the country. Charlie D'Agata has new details.

Trump says he's "sort of made up my mind" on Venezuela military action

President Trump says he will no longer support onetime close ally and Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene amid the ongoing fallout over the Epstein files. Willie James Inman reports.

Marjorie Taylor Greene 'threatened' by Trump supporters amid Epstein fallout

Flash flood warnings expanded on Saturday as rain hit wide swaths of California amid fears that the atmospheric river will intensify. Andres Gutierrez has the latest details.

Pacific Palisades

Rainstorm pummels California, triggering flash flood warnings

Large-scale protests at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, have drawn attention to environmental concerns and the preservation of the Amazon rainforest. Inside the summit, negotiations have been complicated by the absence of the United States.

Belém

Protesters block entrance to COP30 climate talks in Brazil

The UN climate talks in Brazil are facing increasing disruption from protesters. Thousands joined the "Great People's March" outside the conference venue to demand action on global warming instead of empty promises.

Thousands join protest at COP30 climate talks in Brazil

Air travel and other government services, including SNAP benefits, are returning to normal following the end of the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

Los Angeles International Airport

Flights begin to get back on track as shutdown ends

The U.S. military is expanding operations in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico amid its deadly boat strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, while the Trump administration weighs military action against Venezuela.

Trump administration weighs U.S military action in Venezuela

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced "Operation Southern Spear" in the Western Hemisphere as U.S. strikes continue in the region near Colombia and Venezuela. CBS News' Eleanor Watson reports.

Hegseth announces 'Operation Southern Spear'

The U.S. has approved the sale of $330 million worth of weapons to Taiwan as tensions rise in the region with China. CBS News' Nancy Cordes reports.

Breakdown