Middle East Experience

The Jordanian government bypassed parliament and approved a controversial agreement signed between Jordan and the United States that regulates the status of US forces present in the kingdom, which raised much controversy.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Critics react to US-Jordan defense agreement

The United States is once again trying to help the Nile dam negotiations resume, this time leaning harder on the African Union.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: US pushes for progress on Nile dam talks

Russia expands its area of influence in the Maghreb as Tunisia and Algeria receive batches of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, raising questions about Moscow's motives.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Russia steps up vaccine diplomacy in Maghreb, North Africa

The Arab Coalition on Thursday thwarted a ballistic missile attack by the Iran-backed Houthi militia, which targeted civilians in Yemen’s Marib.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The Houthi militia offensive in Marib endangers the lives of millions of civilians,” the Arab Coalition said in a statement by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).The Coalition also said a launch pad used for launching missiles was also destroyed, according to SPA.On Tuesday, one civilian was killed and six others were wounded after a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi militia fell in the middle of a residential neighborhood in Marib, Al Arabiya reported citing local sources.The Houthis’ continued attacks on neighborhoods in Marib as well as its military escalation in the area puts millions of children and displaced families at risk, Yemeni Minister of Information Muammar al-Iryani said.Clashes between the forces belonging to Yemen’s internationally-recognized government and the Iran-backed Houthis have intensified in Marib this month.Marib is the last major northern stronghold for pro-government forces and is home to one of Yemen’s largest oil infrastructures.Al Arabiya English's Tamara Abueish contributed to this report.Read more:One dead, six wounded in Houthi ballistic missile attack on Yemen’s MaribUS lawmakers urge Blinken to re-designate Yemen’s Houthis as terrorist organizationUN team finds Yemen’s Houthis launched Aden airport attack that killed 22: Reuters
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Arab Coalition thwarts Houthi ballistic missile attack in Marib

OPEC+ oil producers have taken a cautious stance but the market’s recovery is far from complete, Saudi Arabia’s energy minister said on Thursday.“Last month we called for a cautious and restrained approach and fortunately we were proved right by subsequent events,” Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said as he opened an OPEC+ meeting.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The market now realizes that the OPEC+ cautious position was the correct course of action... The reality that remains (is the) global picture is far from even and the recovery is far from complete.”Read more: US Energy Secretary makes phone call to Saudi Arabia ahead of OPEC+ meet
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia calls for restraint at OPEC+ meet as market recovery far from complete

Saudi Arabia confirmed 590 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, the health ministry announced on Thursday, as numbers continue to rise.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Of the new cases, 238 were detected in the city of Riyadh, 111 in Mecca and 34 in Medina.An additional 386 recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 378,469 as of April 1. The death toll reached 6,676 after seven people died due to complications over the past 24 hours.The Kingdom had seen daily infections fall to below 100 in January from a peak of more than 4,000 in June.Authorities last week expanded COVID-19 vaccinations to all citizens and residents aged 16 and above. Starting mid-May, unvaccinated workers at food outlets, public transport, gyms, and salons would be required to take a PCR test every week.Saudi Arabia in January postponed the end of a ban on travel for its citizens and full reopening of entry points to May 17. In February, it suspended entry for non-citizens from 20 states except for diplomats and medical practitioners.With ReutersRead more:Lebanon no longer requires COVID-19 PCR test for vaccinated travelersRobots with virus-killing UV light to be tested on Swiss passenger planesOver 4 mln COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Saudi Arabia: MOH
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s daily COVID-19 cases near 600 as numbers continue to rise

Saudi Arabia announced a new peace initiative to end the 6-year-old war in Yemen at a time when there has been a military escalation and peace talks have stalemated.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Saudi peace initiative applauded internationally but downplayed by Yemenis

The Saudi-led coalition also said it destroyed one of the Houthis' ballistic missiles in Yemen.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Yemen's Houthis claim drone attack on Riyadh

Corona czar tells ‘Post’ protesters compared Pfizer vaccination in Israel to Nazi medical experiments.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Anthony Fauci to address COVID-19 and Holocaust

Egypt has received nearly one million coronavirus vaccines through the Covax facility..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Egypt gets hundreds of thousands of vaccines via Covax