MUST-READS

• Houthis in Sanaa
  Houthi rebels take near-total control of Sanaa

  Observers say the Houthis' battlefield success reflects a major change in Yemen's political landscape, with traditional sources of power - Sunni Islamists, allied army generals and tribal chiefs - losing their grip as the central government gave in to the Shiite rebels to avert a full-blown civil war, according to Associated Press.

  • The Atlantic - Yemen: President Hadi's Gamble with the Houthis
  • Reuters - Yemen Cuts Fuel Prices Under Deal Between Shi'ite Rebels, Government
  • Al-Akhbar English - Yemen: Saudi Arabia recognizes new balance of power in Sanaa as Houthis topple Muslim Brothers
• Saudi Mobile Market
  Security, rival operators delay mobile newcomers’ entry to Saudi

  State security requirements and a lack of cooperation from Saudi Arabia's existing telecom operators have delayed the launch of two new mobile companies until later this year, their chief executives said. The national telecom regulator, trying to increase competition, instructed the kingdom's three mobile operators to each host a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), announcing winning bidders as long ago as June 2013.

• U.S. Legal Action
  If A Bank Can Be Liable For Terrorism, Are The Saudis Next?

  There are still big barriers to suing a sovereign nation in U.S. courts, including the opposition of the federal government. But firms including Motley Rice, the firm that helped win the Arab Bank case and in the 1990s broke down the legal walls protecting the tobacco industry, have convinced an appeals court in New York to allow their case against Saudi Arabia to proceed despite that nation’s strong protests it bears no blame for the terrorist attack that killed more than 2,000 Americans.

• Insurance Sector
  A.M. Best: Saudi Insurance Market Returning to Profitability

  Following the actuarial review of the medical and motor business segments, the main driver for growth has been price increases in these lines. The market has returned to profitability, producing SAR 169 million ($45.1 million) of market profit in the first half of 2014. However, many insurers still find the market environment challenging, with approximately half of market participants producing underwriting losses in the first half of 2014.

• U.S. Public Opinion
  Slightly Fewer Back ISIS Military Action vs. Past Actions

  Americans' 60% approval for U.S. military action against Islamic militants in Iraq and Syria, commonly known as ISIS, is slightly below their average 68% approval for 10 other U.S. military operations Gallup has asked about using this question format. Americans have been a bit less supportive of recent military actions after prolonged engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq.

• Travel Ban
  Barack Obama urges United Nations to set up global ban on fighters

  Barack Obama is to press the UN security council to pass a sweeping new resolution that would impose global travel bans on fighters intent on enlisting in overseas wars, and could lead to sanctions on countries that fail or refuse to implement the new regime.

• Yemen
  Houthi rebels sign deal with Yemen parties to form new government

  The accord aims to address a decade-old Shi'ite Houthi insurgency and a spate of bloodshed this month that posed a major threat to U.N.-backed efforts to stabilise the country, which neighbours oil giant Saudi Arabia and has also struggled to contain al Qaeda militants and southern secessionists.

• Hajj
  Saudi Arabia tightens security to keep Hajj pilgrims safe

  Saudi Arabia will rely on surveillance technology, a 60,000-strong security force, and private contractors to protect this year’s Haj after taking a hardline stance against Islamist extremism. While there are few signs that pilgrims are concerned about security, Saudi authorities are not taking any chances as they maintain a close eye on the threat posed by groups such as Al Qaeda and ISIL.

• Saudi-Iran
  Iranian talks with Saudi Arabia may signal thaw in relations

  Iran and Saudi Arabia have held their first foreign minister-level meeting since the 2013 election of President Hassan Rouhani, official Iranian media has reported, signalling a possible thaw in relations between the rival Gulf powers.

  • The National Interest - Opinion: Détente Denied: Why Saudi Arabia and Iran Can’t Move Forward
• Houthis in Sanaa
  Armed Shi’ite rebels push into Yemen’s capital

  Armed Shi'ite rebels pushed into Yemen's capital Sanaa after clashing with the army on the northwestern outskirts on Thursday, security sources and residents said, causing further instability after weeks of fighting and protests.

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