MUST-READS

• Jordan’s King Abdullah meets Saudi crown prince in Jeddah

  His Majesty King Abdullah and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the prime minister of Saudi Arabia, on Thursday held a meeting at Al-Salam Royal Palace in Jeddah, covering deep-rooted bilateral ties and regional developments, according to a Royal Court statement.

• Hilton confirms latest element of Saudi growth plan

  Hilton currently operates 16 hotels in Saudi Arabia and has another 51 under development. The company plans to expand its operations to more than 75 properties in the coming years, including the introduction of new brands such as LXR Hotels & Resorts (LXR Hotels & Resort Diriyah Gate), Canopy by Hilton (Canopy by Hilton Al Khobar Ajdan Waterfront, Canopy by Hilton Al Khobar the Avenues and Canopy by Hilton The Avenues – Riyadh), Embassy Suites by Hilton (Embassy Suites by Hilton King Abdul Aziz Road Makkah) and Hampton by Hilton (Hampton by Hilton Hafr al-Batin).

• Portraits of the Ancient Saudi Tribe Known as the Flower Men

  Omar Reda visited Asir, a southern province of Saudi Arabia known for its rich cultural heritage. The flower men are members of the Qahtan tribe and claim to be the descendants of Ishmael, son of Abraham. “The flower crowns are just one example of the unique traditions that are still practiced in this region,” Reda tells PetaPixel.

• Yemen stampede: At least 78 killed in surge for Ramadan donations | Reuters

  At least 78 people were killed in a stampede in the Yemeni capital Sanaa as residents gathered at a school to receive cash donations distributed by merchants during Ramadan, witnesses and the Houthi administration said on Thursday. Hundreds of people crowded to receive the alms, which amounted to 5,000 Yemeni riyals, or about $9 per person, two witnesses involved in the rescue effort told Reuters. "When the door opened, there was a big rush by people wanting to reach the school yard first and some people began falling on the steps leading to the entrance," one medic said.

• What the Russia-Iran Arms Deals Mean for the Middle East

  In the emerging arrangement between Russia and Iran to supply each other with weapons, the former has received hundreds of Iranian drones to rain on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure, while the latter looks set to get Russia’s advanced Su-35 fighter jet. On top of that, Moscow has reportedly funneled captured U.S. and other Western weaponry to Tehran.

• The Impact of the Saudi-Iranian Rapprochement on Middle East Conflicts

  On 10 March, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore diplomatic relations as part of a Chinese-sponsored initiative that appears aimed at reducing tensions across the Middle East. Crisis Group experts offer a 360-degree view of the implications for the region’s many flashpoints.

• Giving Iraq Stability and Progress: Treat the Causes of Iraq’s Governance and Development “Disease,” Rather Than Focusing on Its Violent “Symptoms”

  In broad terms, however, the American intervention failed in Iraq at the strategic and grand strategic levels. Other American military and counterterrorism efforts defeated its enemies in combat when, and if, the United States led or organized the fighting. The United States failed, however, to create a stable new government in Iraq, and to put the nation on a solid path to development. Like many other U.S. military victories, they treated Iraq’s violent symptoms and not the underlying disease of failed governance, failed development, and a lack of national unity.

• Saudi Arabia plans world’s richest T20 cricket tournament, Indian players eyed

  Speaking to Arab News last month Prince Saud bin Mishal al-Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Cricket Board, said the Kingdom is planning multiple leagues. He said: “There will be leagues on all levels, not just one league. We’ve developed great relationships with the ICC and the Asian Cricket Council, as well as some successful international cricket boards and big cricketers globally. “And then we hired experts to help us develop a model of a league. Of course, a lot of infrastructure and development are required, but we’ll announce when it’s time.” The presence of Indian players in a possible T20 league would virtually guarantee huge audiences and generate new interest in the sport.

• Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court asks Muslims to sight crescent moon on Thursday

  The Supreme Court has called on Muslims in Saudi Arabia to look out for the crescent of Shawwal moon on Thursday evening. In an announcement on Tuesday, the kingdom’s Supreme Court called on “whoever sights the crescent moon”, through binoculars or otherwise, to immediately report to the nearest court and register their testimony. Saudi Arabia's International Astronomy Centre on Sunday predicted that Eid Al Fitr should fall on Saturday, April 22 ― a day later than previously expected.

• Commentary: Saudi-Israeli normalization drifts further away as Riyadh courts Iran

  Netanyahu’s optimism on Saudi Arabia was met with skepticism by Israeli security officials. "The strangest thing," a former senior Israeli security source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, "is that despite all the writing on the wall and flashing red warning lights, Netanyahu continues to talk about ‘expanding the circle of peace’ and the option that Israel will soon add Saudi Arabia to the Abraham Accords, partially or completely."

• 10 of 16764 results<< 1 … 319 320 321 … 1,677 >>