MUST-READS

• Archeology
  Ancient Tomb Chiseled From a Solitary Rock in Saudi Arabia

  In the barren, desert landscape of northern Saudi Arabia, an ancient tomb half-carved from a single rock rises four stories tall from the arid plain. Known as Qasr al-Farid ("lonely castle"), the unfinished structure dates back to the first century A.D. during the rule of the Nabateans. Located near the pre-Islamic site Mada'in Saleh (also known as Hegra) about 1,400 kilometers to the north of capital Riyadh, Qasr al-Farid is one of 131 monumental tombs carved in the area centuries ago.

  • Tourism sector will provide 400,000 jobs in five years
• Makkah Projects
  73 percent of expansion work at Grand Mosque completed

  Al-Qurashi said the projects were in three stages and have been divided into three years. The first one, launched on Nov. 29, 2012, includes Al-Safa to Al-Fatah Gate, the second from Al-Fatah Gate to Al-Umrah Gate and the third stage from the King Fahd Gate to Al-Safa.

• Sandstorm
  Freak sandstorm wreaks havoc

  The high-velocity winds and poor visibility saw hundreds of passengers stranded at the airport. All incoming flights were diverted to neighboring countries including Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, sources said.

• Saudi-Sweden
  Saudi-Swedish relations back to normal

  Sweden said Thursday that relations with Saudi Arabia were back to normal, and that Riyadh would lift its temporary visa ban.

• Culture and Society
  Meet Big Hass, the Saudi hip-hop guru who is turning the tables

  It’s hard to believe that Hassan Ahmad Dennaoui – better known to his readers and listeners as Big Hass – has only been in the industry for four years. But during that time, the 35-year-old Saudi Arabian has turned himself from an army of one into a force to be reckoned with in the regional underground music scene.

• War in Yemen
  Intervention in Yemen: An Update from Saudi Ambassador Adel Al-Jubeir

  The operations are on going. We have targeted the air force, we have targeted air bases, we have targeted ballistic missiles, we have targeted heavy weapons depots, and we have tried our best to minimize collateral damage. \

• War in Yemen
  Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen is Morphing into Major War

  Much of the current air activity is centred on the King Khalid Air Base, to the east of Khamis Mushait in south west Saudi Arabia. Barely 120 miles from the border with Yemen, the base has clearly been constructed with Yemen in mind, and with the facilities to operate many, many more aircraft than would normally be deployed there – including at least 20 large aircraft shelters.

  • New York Times - Saudi Leaders Have High Hopes for Yemen Airstrikes, but Houthi Attacks Continue
• Iran Negotiations: Framework Agreement
  Obama’s Call with King Salman of Saudi Arabia

  The President called King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia today to discuss the political framework reached between the P5+1, the EU, and Iran on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

  • AP - Reaction From Around the World to Nuclear Deal With Iran
  • Asharq Alawsat - Iranians celebrate, Obama hails “historic” nuclear framework
  • Daily Star - Saudi king hopes Iran deal will strengthen world security
  • Reuters - Public Saudi welcome for Iran nuclear deal masks private unease
  • WSJ (paywall) - Arab Reaction to Iran Nuclear Agreement Reflects Region’s Sharp Divide
• Global Oil Markets
  Oil falls nearly 4% after Iran deal

  Brent oil fell nearly 4% on Thursday after a preliminary pact between Iran and global powers on Tehran's nuclear program, even as officials set further talks in June and analysts questioned when the Opec member will be allowed to export more crude.

  • Columbia - Oil Market Implications of the Parameters for a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreed to by the P5+1 and Iran
• U.S. - Egypt
  The Part of Obama’s Arms-To-Egypt Deal That Matters

  Little understood, but critically important, cash-flow financing is how the U.S. has provided security assistance to only two countries: Israel and Egypt. Essentially, it works as a credit card, allowing these countries to finance the purchase of American weapons with money advanced to them. President Obama has proposed taking away Egypt’s credit card and instead giving it a debit card, so the weapons purchases will be taken out of Egypt’s annual defense allocation.

  • Gulf News - Egypt militants kill 15 soldiers and two civilians in Sinai
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