MUST-READS

• Saudi Prince and Putin Urge OPEC+ Compliance as Oil Prices Sag

  While oil prices have more than doubled since OPEC+ began curbing supplies -- initially by almost 10 million barrels a day -- Brent crude is still down 36% this year at around $42 a barrel.

• U.S., Saudi FMs meet for strategic dialogue event

  "The United States is preparing to acquire a 26-acre site for a new U.S. Embassy in Riyadh," Pompeo said in a prepared statement. "This project, along with the recent opening of a new consulate in Jeddah and the ongoing construction of a new consultant in Dhahran, represents a U.S. investment of over $1 billion."

  • Washington Times - Mike Pompeo urges Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel
  • Al-Arabiya - ‘New era’ begins in US-Saudi relationship, Pompeo tells Saudi Arabian FM
  • MSN - Pompeo gives Saudi Arabia credit for ‘the success’ of Arab-Israeli peace deals
• Two Americans Held Hostage by Iran-Backed Forces in Yemen Freed in Trade

  The deal secured freedom for Sandra Loli, an American humanitarian worker who was held hostage by the Houthis for about three years, and Mikael Gidada, a U.S. businessman who held for about a year, said Kash Patel, a deputy assistant to President Trump who worked on the deal.

• Saudi Arabia allows flights to 20 destinations

  The airline added the international flights available during October include seven destinations in Europe and the United States, six destinations in Africa, and five in Asia, in addition to two destinations in the Middle East and two to Arab countries.

• US fitness brand flexes muscles with Saudi expansion

  US-based Xponential Fitness has defied the economic crisis caused by coronavirus to open up six of its boutique studios in Saudi Arabia. The newly opened studios in Riyadh represent the brands – Club Pilates, Pure Barre, CycleBar, YogaSix and AKT – and are part of a franchise agreement signed last summer with the Ezdihar Sports arm of Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Company to bring more than 50 Xponential Fitness studios to the kingdom over the next few years.

• Top UAE official laments PA’s ingratitude after Abbas envoy rants on Israel ties

  Anwar Gargash slams Palestinians’ ‘lack of loyalty’ after Ramallah diplomat calls Emirati leader a ‘little dictator’ and says UAE, Bahrain have ‘become more Israeli than Israelis’

• Afghan forces launch counter assault after Taliban offensive overshadows talks

  Afghan security forces launched a counter offensive in the south against Taliban fighters, officials said on Tuesday, as fighting raged for a third straight day in a major insurgent offensive that has overshadowed peace talks.

• Amid Pandemic and Economic Crisis, Israel to Advance at Least 4,430 Settlement Units

  The Higher Planning Council (HPC) of the Civil Administration is set to convene to advance at least 4,430 settlement units in the West Bank in two consecutive meetings on 14 and 15 October. This will be the first time the HPC will have held such a hearing in eight months, and follows a declaration by Prime Minister Netanyahu on 1 October that he has instructed it to approve 5,400 units. It is set to make 2020 the highest year on record in units in settlement plans promoted since Peace Now began recording in 2012.

• Saudis blow hot and cold over flu vaccine as winter approaches

  Unlike a few other vaccinations, flu shots are not mandatory in Saudi Arabia. But guidelines from the Scientific Committee for Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination recommend that the public and health care professionals receive the vaccine every year, especially during flu season as the composition of the vaccine is modified annually.

• ‘Quarterback’ of Election Day intel effort reveals more countries seeking to influence American voters

  Evanina would only confirm that all three countries identified in the NCSC’s public statements – Russia, China, and Iran – have made attempts to penetrate the major campaigns and candidates this year, but he would not disclose whether those digital attempts this year were successful – only that the sheer number of attempts has soared.

• 10 of 60922 results<< 1 … 2,793 2,794 2,795 … 6,093 >>