Saudi Economy Grows By Almost 10%, Strongest In More Than Decade
Good day from REEDNEWSARABWORLD for Monday, May 2, 2022!
Saudi Arabia's oil has sent the kingdom's economy spurting up like a geyser, rising almost 10% over this time last year. So when Pakistan's new prime minister Shehbaz Sharif visited, no problem to get an $8 billion financial aid package from Saudi Arabia. But then Sharif also an earful from protesting Pakistani supporters of his predecessor and foe, Imran Khan. Saudi police arrested five Pakistanis, and back in Pakistan, charges of blasphemy were filed against Khan and 150 of his supporters.
Yemen's new leader said the leadership council is respecting the Ramadan truce but the rebel Houthis aren't. The United Nations says Yemen needs an urgent $4.3 million because almost three-quarters of its population need assistance. SpaceX will fly a United Arab Emirates astronaut to the International Space Station for the country's first extended stay of six months, and Turkey wants to normalize relationships with Egypt after making progress with Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
And news from Iraq, Qatar, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan and More.
Saudi Arabia's economy grew by 9.6% in the first quarter of 2022, compared to a year earlier. Flash government estimates over the weekend showed that recovery in the oil sector is driving the strongest growth in more than a decade. Oil activity increased by 20.4% and non-oil activity by 3.7.%. The numbers mark the highest growth rate since 2011.
Reuters, Saudi Arabia's economy estimated to grow 9.6% in Q1, driven by oil.
Pakistan is getting an $8 billion financial package from Saudi Arabia. The package was negotiated by Pakistan's new prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, and his team, visiting Saudi Arabia where they were warmly received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The funds include doubling an oil loan, rolling over billions, and "it is likely that even more money will be provided to Islamabad.”
The News, Pakistan secures $8bn package from Saudi Arabia.
AFP, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to discuss extending term of $3b loan.
Supporters of the ousted former prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, jeered at his successor at one of Saudi Arabia's holiest sites, and charges were brought against Khan. Saudi police were reported to have arrested five of the protesters, and in Pakistan, a case of blasphemy was filed against Khan and 150 of his followers. The incident occurred when the new Pakistani prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, was visiting Saudi Arabia and arrived at the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. Videos showed Pakistani pilgrims shouting abusive language at Sharif and his delegation, and they were identified as supporters of Khan.
In Pakistan, Khan denied "asking anyone to carry out sloganeering at the sacred place," but Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said the incident was planned and that Khan will be arrested.
"They will not be forgiven for what they did. Imran Khan will be arrested, definitely. This man is bent on misleading the new generation."
The Telegraph, Sloganeering against Sharif in Saudi: Cops book Imran, 150 others.
The Independent, Imran Khan accused of blasphemy after new Pak PM called a 'traitor' in Saudi Arabia.
A nephew of Pakistan's former interior minister was arrested in connection with the Prophet's Mosque incident. Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, nephew of former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, was arrested at Islamabad airport. The uncle, Ahmed, confirmed his nephew's arrest and said he had just returned from performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia. In Medina, police arrested five Pakistani nationals in the incident, and a police spokesman said: "Their actions contradict the sanctity of the place and impact the safety of visitors and worshippers."
Khaleej Times, Pakistan: Former Interior Minister's nephew held in connection with Saudi incident.
The United States removed Saudi Arabia from a U.S. watchlist of countries considered weak in the enforcement of intellectual property rules. The U.S. Trade Representative's office took the Saudis off a priority list in an annual report, noting that the kingdom had tightened its intellectual property procedures.
Arab News, US removes Saudi Arabia from intellectual property protection concern list.
Yemen's new leader said his government is respecting the cease-fire but the rebel Houthis are disregarding it. Rashad Al-Alimi, president of Yemen's new leadership council, said: "We confirm our adherence to the truce, despite all Houthi militia's violations." The two-month truce started in early April, and the Houthis have been accused of violations, particularly in the resource-rich Marib province.
Arab News, Yemeni leader: We are adhering to the truce despite Houthi violations.
A United Nations team said Yemen needs $4.3 billion to aid its people. "The numbers this year are staggering," David Gressly, UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, said. "Over 23 million people, or almost three-quarters of Yemen's population, now need assistance."
I24News, UN: $4.3 billion needed to stop 'worsening' crisis in Yemen.
The United Arab Emirates is sending its first long-term mission to the International Space Station. The new mission will last six months, and the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced: "More than five years ago, the UAE sent the first Arab astronaut on a historic trip to the International Space Station. Today we announce a new cooperation between the UAE ands the United States of America to send an Emirati astronaut on the first long-term mission aboard the International Space Station." He called the agreement "a new milestone for the UAE space sector."
Saudi Gazette, UAE announces six-month space mission.
SpaceX will fly the UAE astronaut to the International Space Station and is expected to launch in 2023. A UAE astronaut has been to the space station once before, when Hazza Al Mansoori traveled aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in 2019 and stayed for eight days. The new mission, with the Texas company Axiom Space, will fly a UAE astronaut to the orbiting lab on SpaceX's Crew 6 mission, a full-duration mission expected to last six months.
Space, United Arab Emirates astronaut to fly to space station with SpaceX next year.
Kuwait expects to invest $750 million in Pakistan. Two units of the Kuwait Investment Authority applied for licenses to build a hydrogen plant and two smart cities. The two, Enertech Holding Company and Pakistan Kuwait Investment Company, are already working on a $200 million water pipeline in Pakistan.
Bloomberg, Kuwait seeks to invest $750 million in Pakistan projects.
Kuwait denied reports that an Iraqi naval vessel had entered its waters, following an accusation Kuwait was responsible for the death of an Iraqi fisherman. Kuwait's foreign ministry dismissed claims that circulated on social media and said the Kuwaiti coast guard had not detected any vessel in the area. The reports came after a member of Iraq's parliament claimed the Kuwaiti coast guard had assaulted Iraqi fishermen, one of whom reportedly died.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Kuwait denies Iraqi naval vessel deployed in its territorial waters.
Bahrain's F-16 jets will get more than a billion dollars worth of modifications. Total value of a new contract with the U.S. is $1.09 billion, and work is expected to be completed by November, 2024. Sixteen aircraft will receive new hardware.
Daily Tribune, Bahrain's F-16 jets to get $1.09 billion worth of modifications.
Qatar awarded a key contract for expansion of its North Field East liquefied natural gas production. QatarEnergy awarded the last contract in its first-phase expansion to a joint venture of Spain's Tecnicas Reunidas and China's Wisom Engineering to build handling, storage, and loading facilities.
Energy Intelligence, Qatar awards key contract for LNG expansion.
Turkey's foreign minister said the country wants to normalize relations with Egypt following progress with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said: "The process started with Egypt earlier, but it progresses a little slower. It started with the UAE and continued very quickly. Likewise with Bahrain. There was a process that started with Saudi Arabia; we had talks. This is part of our strategy to normalize our relations."
Al Arabiya, Turkey to normalize Egypt ties after 'progress' with Saudi Arabia, UAE: Cavusoglu.
Libya's interim prime minister Abdulhamid Al-Dbeibah said he will stay in office and defend the capital Tripoli if it is attacked. Al-Dbeibah said only parliamentary elections can resolve Libya's power struggle with the opposition government headed by Fathi Bashagha. Al-Dbeibah wants elections in June.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Dbeibah clings to power, vows to defend Tripoli.
Egypt freed three journalists. Ammer Abdel-Moneim, Hany Greisha, and Essam Abdeen were freed from pre-trial detention, after being held for 18 months in cases involving use of social media and claims they had joined the banned Muslim Brotherhood. The group was released pending completion of an investigation, and the journalists could still be tried in court.
The National, Egypt frees three journalists from detention.
The Suez Canal recorded its highest-ever monthly revenue. The canal authority said it received $269 million in ship transit fees in April, a 13.6% increase over the previous year.
Reuters, Egypt's Suez Canal records highest ever monthly revenue.
Tunisia's President Kais Saied will form a committee to write a new constitution. He said a national dialogue will be held with labor, lawyers, the trade industry and Tunisia's human rights leaders, and that the committee will conclude its work within a few days.
SABC News, Tunisia to form committee to write 'New Republic' constitution: President.
Sudanese security forces fired tear gas at crowds gathered in Sudan's capital of Khartoum on the third anniversary of the killing of protesters. The crowds blocked a major road intersection in the capital and laid out food to break the Ramadan fast. Just before sundown, security officers broke up the rally and chased demonstrators into side streets. Protesters also gathered in the cities of Madani, Kosti, and El Obeid.
Reuters, Protesters face tear gas on third anniversary of Sudan sit-in killings.
MORE: UNSC extends Libya mission amid US-Russia clash, Associated Press... Moroccan prisoner program aims to de-radicalize IS veterans, Associated Press... Libyan parliament criticizes Algeria for refusing to recognize Bashagha's govt, Asharq Al-Awsat... Six missiles land near oil refinery in Iraq's Erbil - statement, Reuters... Bahrain's king pardons 160 inmates on Eid al-Fitr, Asharq Al-Awsat... Work on $1.8 bn infrastructure projects under way in Bahrain, TradeArabia.
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Saudi Arabia's senior prince Turki Al-Faisal blamed U.S. President Joe Biden's de-listing of the rebel Houthis in Yemen from a terrorist list as a main reason the Saudis feel "let down" by the United States. Prince Turki, the former Saudi intelligence chief who served as ambassador to both Washington and London, said the U.S. and Saudi Arabia should be facing threats together, identifying the threats as Iran's influence in Yemen and the Houthi destabilization of international sea lanes.
Arab News, Frankly Speaking: Saudis feel let down by America, says Prince Turki Al-Faisal.
Turkey's president, short on cash and low in popularity, has given up on the case of Saudi Arabia's killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in order to turn the page, make amends, and get help from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The meeting between the two leaders, whose countries share a lot of baggage, came at a time when both countries are jockeying over how not to land on the wrong side of a new Iron Curtain coming down between the United States and Russia.
CNN, Why Saudi Arabia and Turkey are turning the page on the Khashoggi scandal.