After Impacting other sectors, now COVID-19 has also impacted the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The government has made COVID-19 shot mandatory for the pilgrims visiting Hajj.

Saudi Arabia: No COVID-19 vaccine, no Mecca tells government

Economic recovery is leading to weakening the prices of crude oil and this has become the major factor. Considering the same, OPEC+ will be holding a meeting discussing the crucial issues.

World Business Watch: Dramatic decrease in oil post Saudi Arabia cuts

The health ministry of Saudi Arabia has said on Tuesday that the country will only allow people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 to attend the Hajj pilgrimage&nbsp;this year.

Saudi Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah said "compulsory vaccination" would be required for all pilgrims planning to attend the five-day event in July.

Rabiah did not confirm the number of pilgrims that the Kingdom will receive this year, and whether the number will be limited internally, such as 2020, or will it witness wider participation.

&nbsp;“You must prepare early to secure the manpower required to operate the health facilities in Makkah, the holy sites and Madinah and the entry points for pilgrims for the 2021 Hajj season,” he said in an official circular.

“A vaccination committee must be formed for the Hajj and Umrah season, on which they have adopted the compulsory reception of the COVID-19 vaccine for participating healthcare workers,” he added.

Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims who are physically and financially able are expected to perform it at least once in their lifetime.&nbsp;

The pilgrimage would typically attract at least 2.5 million people from across the world.

Last year, pilgrims from outside the Kingdom were excluded from performing Hajj&nbsp;due to the coronavirus pandemic.

(With inputs from agencies)

The health ministry of Saudi Arabia has said on Tuesday that the country will only allow people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 to attend the Hajj pilgrimage this year.

The health ministry of Saudi Arabia has said on Tuesday that the country will only allow people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 to attend the Hajj pilgrimage this year. Saudi Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah said "compulsory vaccination" would be required for all pilgrims planning to attend the five-day event in July. Rabiah did not confirm the number of pilgrims that the Kingdom will receive this year, and whether the number will be limited internally, such as 2020, or will it witness wider participation. “You must prepare early to secure the manpower required to operate the health facilities in Makkah, the holy sites and Madinah and the entry points for pilgrims for the 2021 Hajj season,” he said in an official circular. “A vaccination committee must be formed for the Hajj and Umrah season, on which they have adopted the compulsory reception of the COVID-19 vaccine for participating healthcare workers,” he added. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims who are physically and financially able are expected to perform it at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage would typically attract at least 2.5 million people from across the world. Last year, pilgrims from outside the Kingdom were excluded from performing Hajj due to the coronavirus pandemic. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for Hajj this year, says Saudi Arabia

The Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the missile attack which Saudi Arabia led military collision has claimed it had thwarted on Saturday and threatened more attacks.

Houthi rebels claim Saudi Arabia missile attack, warn of more

President Joe Biden on Saturday (February 27) said his administration would make an announcement on Saudi Arabia on Monday, following a U.S. intelligence report that found Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Biden says announcement on Saudi Arabia will be released on Monday

Saudi Arabia-led millitary coalition said on Saturday that it thwarted a missile attack launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Loud explosions shook Riyadh on Saturday. Houthi rebels have intensified their efforts top capture Marib. The last stronghold held by Saudi-backed Yemeni government. Houthi rebels have Iran's backing. Yemen's some of the most richest oil fields are located in Marib.

The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a Huthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh, according to the official SPA news agency.

Fragments of missile scattered over several Riyadh neighbourhood. At least one home was damaged but no casualties were reported, said state-run Al-Ekhbariya television.

AFP correspondents in the Saudi capital reported hearing multiple loud explosions. The night sky lit up with a bright flash following the interception of a missile, state television footage showed.

Separately, the coalition said it intercepted six Huthi drones targeting the kingdom, including the southern cities of Khamis Mushait and Jizan.

Houthi rebels have not immediately claimed responsibility for any of the attacks. The rebels in past, have struck southern areas and have targetted Riyadh with missiles and drones.

The assaults came as Saudi Arabia hosted a Formula E championship on the outskirts of Riyadh, which state media said was attended by de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Houthi rebels have intensified cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia after the US delisted the rebels as terrorists.

The designation, imposed by the administration of former US president Donald Trump, had been widely criticised by aid organisations, who warned it would hamper their efforts to alleviate a humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

US President Joe Biden halted support to Saudi offensive operations in Yemen's war, which he called a "catastrophe" that "has to end". But he also reiterated US support for Saudi Arabia in defending its territory.

(With AFP inputs)

Saudi Arabia-led millitary coalition said on Saturday that it thwarted a missile attack launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Loud explosions shook Riyadh on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia-led millitary coalition said on Saturday that it thwarted a missile attack launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Loud explosions shook Riyadh on Saturday. Houthi rebels have intensified their efforts top capture Marib. The last stronghold held by Saudi-backed Yemeni government. Houthi rebels have Iran's backing. Yemen's some of the most richest oil fields are located in Marib. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a Huthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh, according to the official SPA news agency. Fragments of missile scattered over several Riyadh neighbourhood. At least one home was damaged but no casualties were reported, said state-run Al-Ekhbariya television. AFP correspondents in the Saudi capital reported hearing multiple loud explosions. The night sky lit up with a bright flash following the interception of a missile, state television footage showed. Separately, the coalition said it intercepted six Huthi drones targeting the kingdom, including the southern cities of Khamis Mushait and Jizan. Houthi rebels have not immediately claimed responsibility for any of the attacks. The rebels in past, have struck southern areas and have targetted Riyadh with missiles and drones. The assaults came as Saudi Arabia hosted a Formula E championship on the outskirts of Riyadh, which state media said was attended by de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Houthi rebels have intensified cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia after the US delisted the rebels as terrorists. The designation, imposed by the administration of former US president Donald Trump, had been widely criticised by aid organisations, who warned it would hamper their efforts to alleviate a humanitarian crisis in Yemen. US President Joe Biden halted support to Saudi offensive operations in Yemen's war, which he called a "catastrophe" that "has to end". But he also reiterated US support for Saudi Arabia in defending its territory. (With AFP inputs)

Houthi missile attack on Riyadh thwarted, says Saudi Arabia

US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that US will make "an announcement" on Saudi Arabia on Monday. US intelligence report on Saturday said that Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. However, White House played down Biden's statement on the announcement.

Asked about punishing the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, who is also known as MbS, Biden said: "There will be an announcement on Monday as to what we are going to be doing with Saudi Arabia generally."

Biden did not provide details.

But a White House official suggested no new significant steps were expected.

"The administration took a wide range of new actions on Friday. The president is referring to the fact that on Monday, the State Department will provide more details and elaborate on those announcements, not new announcements," the official said.

Biden administration faced some criticism that the president should have been tougher on the crown prince who was not sanctioned despite being blamed for approving Khashoggi's murder. Washington Post was especially forthcoming in its criticism.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-bidens-challenges-in-west-asia-366693">US President Joe Biden's challenges in West Asia</a>

Jamal Khashoggi, a US resident, wrote opinion columns for the Washington Post. He was critical of the Saudi regime and Mohammed bin Salman's policies. He was killed and dismembered by a team of operatives linked to the prince in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.

The Saudi government, which has denied any involvement by the crown prince, on Friday issued a statement rejecting the U.S. report’s findings and repeating its previous statements that Khashoggi’s killing was a heinous crime by a rogue group.

Among the punitive steps the United States took on Friday was the imposition of a visa ban on some Saudis believed involved in the Khashoggi killing and sanctions on others, including a former deputy intelligence chief, which would freeze their U.S. assets and generally bar Americans from dealing with them.

(With Reuters inputs)

US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that US will make "an announcement" on Saudi Arabia on Monday. US intelligence report on Saturday said that Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that US will make "an announcement" on Saudi Arabia on Monday. US intelligence report on Saturday said that Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. However, White House played down Biden's statement on the announcement. Asked about punishing the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, who is also known as MbS, Biden said: "There will be an announcement on Monday as to what we are going to be doing with Saudi Arabia generally." Biden did not provide details. But a White House official suggested no new significant steps were expected. "The administration took a wide range of new actions on Friday. The president is referring to the fact that on Monday, the State Department will provide more details and elaborate on those announcements, not new announcements," the official said. Biden administration faced some criticism that the president should have been tougher on the crown prince who was not sanctioned despite being blamed for approving Khashoggi's murder. Washington Post was especially forthcoming in its criticism. Also Read | US President Joe Biden's challenges in West Asia Jamal Khashoggi, a US resident, wrote opinion columns for the Washington Post. He was critical of the Saudi regime and Mohammed bin Salman's policies. He was killed and dismembered by a team of operatives linked to the prince in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. The Saudi government, which has denied any involvement by the crown prince, on Friday issued a statement rejecting the U.S. report’s findings and repeating its previous statements that Khashoggi’s killing was a heinous crime by a rogue group. Among the punitive steps the United States took on Friday was the imposition of a visa ban on some Saudis believed involved in the Khashoggi killing and sanctions on others, including a former deputy intelligence chief, which would freeze their U.S. assets and generally bar Americans from dealing with them. (With Reuters inputs)

US to make announcement on Saudi Arabia on Monday

Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels on Sunday claimed the attempted strikes that targeted neighbouring Saudi Arabia overnight and threatened more attacks, as fighting in the grinding civil war escalates.

Huthi fighters have intensified operations against the kingdom as air strikes by the Saudi-led military coalition pound rebel positions in the north of Yemen, in a bid to stop their offensive to seize the government's last northern stronghold of Marib.

Years of war have already pushed Yemen to the brink of famine.

Saudi Arabia -- which has been backing the Yemeni government against the rebels since 2015 -- said Saturday it thwarted a Huthi missile that targeted Riyadh.

"The operation was carried out with a ballistic missile and 15 drones... targeting sensitive areas in the enemy's capital of Riyadh," said Huthi spokesman Yahya al-Saree, according to the rebels' Al-Masirah TV channel.

"Our operations will continue and will expand as long as the aggression and seige on our country continues."

Fragments of the missile scattered over several Riyadh neighbourhoods, damaging at least one home but no casualties were reported, Saudi's state-run Al-Ekhbariya television said.

AFP correspondents in the Saudi capital reported hearing multiple loud explosions, with state television footage showing the night sky light up with a bright flash.

Separately, the coalition said it had intercepted six Huthi drones targeting the kingdom, including the southern cities of Khamis Mushait and Jizan.&nbsp;

Saree on Sunday claimed those attacks as well, warning residents in the region to "stay clear from all military airports and sites."

- 'Catastrophe' -

The Huthis have escalated cross-border attacks on the kingdom even after the United States delisted the rebels as terrorists, reversing a decision by the administration of former president Donald Trump.

The designation had been widely criticised by aid organisations, who warned it would hamper their efforts to alleviate a humanitarian crisis in Yemen.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden halted support to Saudi offensive operations in Yemen's war, which he called a "catastrophe" that "has to end".

But he has also reiterated US support for Saudi Arabia in defending its territory.&nbsp;

On Sunday, in the latest violence in Yemen, five civilians including a child were killed when their home was destroyed in a bombardment near the strategic rebel-held Red Sea port of Hodeida.

The warring sides traded blame over who was responsible, with the government accusing Huthis of firing a mortar bomb, and the rebels saying the explosion was caused by twin air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition.

Alongside the cross-border attacks, the Huthis are pressing ahead with a offensive to seize the government-held Marib region, where some of the country's richest oil fields are found.

Hundreds of fighters from both sides have been killed in recent ferocious fighting, government source say.

The Huthis now control most of the country's north and the government has been struggling to defend Marib province and the city, which lies some 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of the rebel-held capital Sanaa.&nbsp;

Yemen's conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, according to international organisations, sparking what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The UN on Monday hopes to raise $3.85 billion to support millions of civilians and prevent famine in the country.&nbsp;

Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels on Sunday claimed the attempted strikes that targeted neighbouring Saudi Arabia overnight and threatened more attacks, as fighting in the grinding civil war escalates.

Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels on Sunday claimed the attempted strikes that targeted neighbouring Saudi Arabia overnight and threatened more attacks, as fighting in the grinding civil war escalates. Huthi fighters have intensified operations against the kingdom as air strikes by the Saudi-led military coalition pound rebel positions in the north of Yemen, in a bid to stop their offensive to seize the government's last northern stronghold of Marib. Years of war have already pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. Saudi Arabia -- which has been backing the Yemeni government against the rebels since 2015 -- said Saturday it thwarted a Huthi missile that targeted Riyadh. "The operation was carried out with a ballistic missile and 15 drones... targeting sensitive areas in the enemy's capital of Riyadh," said Huthi spokesman Yahya al-Saree, according to the rebels' Al-Masirah TV channel. "Our operations will continue and will expand as long as the aggression and seige on our country continues." Fragments of the missile scattered over several Riyadh neighbourhoods, damaging at least one home but no casualties were reported, Saudi's state-run Al-Ekhbariya television said. AFP correspondents in the Saudi capital reported hearing multiple loud explosions, with state television footage showing the night sky light up with a bright flash. Separately, the coalition said it had intercepted six Huthi drones targeting the kingdom, including the southern cities of Khamis Mushait and Jizan. Saree on Sunday claimed those attacks as well, warning residents in the region to "stay clear from all military airports and sites." - 'Catastrophe' - The Huthis have escalated cross-border attacks on the kingdom even after the United States delisted the rebels as terrorists, reversing a decision by the administration of former president Donald Trump. The designation had been widely criticised by aid organisations, who warned it would hamper their efforts to alleviate a humanitarian crisis in Yemen. US President Joe Biden halted support to Saudi offensive operations in Yemen's war, which he called a "catastrophe" that "has to end". But he has also reiterated US support for Saudi Arabia in defending its territory. On Sunday, in the latest violence in Yemen, five civilians including a child were killed when their home was destroyed in a bombardment near the strategic rebel-held Red Sea port of Hodeida. The warring sides traded blame over who was responsible, with the government accusing Huthis of firing a mortar bomb, and the rebels saying the explosion was caused by twin air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition. Alongside the cross-border attacks, the Huthis are pressing ahead with a offensive to seize the government-held Marib region, where some of the country's richest oil fields are found. Hundreds of fighters from both sides have been killed in recent ferocious fighting, government source say. The Huthis now control most of the country's north and the government has been struggling to defend Marib province and the city, which lies some 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of the rebel-held capital Sanaa. Yemen's conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, according to international organisations, sparking what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The UN on Monday hopes to raise $3.85 billion to support millions of civilians and prevent famine in the country.

Yemen rebels claim Saudi strikes, threaten new attacks

The United States on Friday unveiled the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.&nbsp;

The Saudi prince "approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," the intelligence report said.&nbsp;

The report said it's "highly unlikely" that the murder of the journalist at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul could have taken place without Prince Mohammed's approval.&nbsp;

It also goes on to say that the killing is in line with the pattern of "the crown prince's support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad."

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-declassify-report-on-assassination-of-jamal-khashoggi-357888">Biden to declassify report on assassination of Jamal Khashoggi</a>

Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi administration who wrote for The Washington Post, was killed in October 2018 with his body cut into pieces

The Treasury Department said it was freezing assets and criminalizing transactions with a former intelligence official along with that of Rapid Intervention Force.

The report said the Rapid Intervention Force, an elite unit, "exists to defend the crown prince" and "answers only to him."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the "Khashoggi Act" which will bar entry of foreigners in the United States who threaten or harass dissidents or reporters and their families.&nbsp;

As many as 76 Saudi nationals were also blacklisted.&nbsp;

"We have made absolutely clear that extraterritorial threats and assaults by Saudi Arabia against activists, dissidents and journalists must end. They will not be tolerated by the United States," the secretary of state said in a statement.

<h2>Saudi Arabia rejects findings</h2>

Calling it "negative, false and unacceptable," Saudi Arabia rejected the intelligence report on the crown prince&nbsp;

"The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia completely rejects the .... assessment in the report pertaining to the Kingdom's leadership, and notes that the report contained inaccurate information and conclusions," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement as quoted by state news agency SPA.

 
&nbsp;

The United States on Friday unveiled the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The United States on Friday unveiled the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Saudi prince "approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," the intelligence report said. The report said it's "highly unlikely" that the murder of the journalist at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul could have taken place without Prince Mohammed's approval. It also goes on to say that the killing is in line with the pattern of "the crown prince's support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad." Also read | Biden to declassify report on assassination of Jamal Khashoggi Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi administration who wrote for The Washington Post, was killed in October 2018 with his body cut into pieces The Treasury Department said it was freezing assets and criminalizing transactions with a former intelligence official along with that of Rapid Intervention Force. The report said the Rapid Intervention Force, an elite unit, "exists to defend the crown prince" and "answers only to him." Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the "Khashoggi Act" which will bar entry of foreigners in the United States who threaten or harass dissidents or reporters and their families. As many as 76 Saudi nationals were also blacklisted. "We have made absolutely clear that extraterritorial threats and assaults by Saudi Arabia against activists, dissidents and journalists must end. They will not be tolerated by the United States," the secretary of state said in a statement. Saudi Arabia rejects findings Calling it "negative, false and unacceptable," Saudi Arabia rejected the intelligence report on the crown prince "The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia completely rejects the .... assessment in the report pertaining to the Kingdom's leadership, and notes that the report contained inaccurate information and conclusions," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement as quoted by state news agency SPA.

US report says Saudi Prince approved murder of journalist Khashoggi

Saudi Arabia is creating a consolidated balance sheet to understand 'how rich' the kingdom is. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why Saudi Arabia wants to demystify its finances.

Gravitas: How rich is Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia has allowed women to serve in the Armed Forces. Meanwhile, Iran has made Hijab compulsory for Cartoons. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how some Islamic nations are moving towards change while others are moving backwards.

Gravitas: Iran wants cartoons to wear Hijab

Fuel is on fire in India, touching Rs 100 a litre at some places. For the first time, it has hit a three-digit number. Before Sunday, oil prices were hiked every day for 12 days straight. &nbsp;&nbsp;

At Rs 100, oil in India was reportedly the costliest in South Asia. The Sensex fell by more than 1,000 points today. Oil wasn't the only reason for the falling stocks, but it was a major reason. Investors were spooked by the soaring prices. &nbsp;&nbsp;

There are also reports of fuel smuggling. A tanker carrying more than 1,000 litres of oil was held in Nepal last week. That's when prices in Nepal were around Rs 70 a litre. &nbsp;

The irony is Nepal gets its oil supplies from India. So, the question is why are Indians paying so much for oil? &nbsp;

The short and simple answer is taxes. Our oil taxes are abominably high. The long answer is more complex, it includes global oil prices and international politics. &nbsp; &nbsp;

A year ago, oil prices had hit negative territory less than zero. It was at the height of the pandemic. Now, the demand has increased. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-2-factors-are-dictating-how-much-you-spend-on-fuel-365528">WATCH|</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-2-factors-are-dictating-how-much-you-spend-on-fuel-365528/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Prices have shot up again. Where will they go from here? It depends on what oil producers decide and how the market responds. These two factors will dictate how much you pay for fuel. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Earlier this month, the price of oil recovered and returned to pre-pandemic levels. The lockdowns around the world had killed demand for oil. &nbsp;

Now, the world is out. So, the demand has revived and prices have gone up. &nbsp;

Right now, they are hovering around 60 dollars per barrel. Oil was selling at 20 dollars per barrel in April last year. So, the prices have tripled. &nbsp;

The brent-crude futures is the benchmark of the energy markets. It has risen by more than 50 per cent since October last year. It's proof of recovery. &nbsp;

The global prices are higher. So, a country like India, which imports more than 80 per cent of its fuel needs, must pay more to buy oil in the international market. &nbsp;

So far, so bad. What about the future? It depends on one meeting next month. The meeting of organisation of petroleum exporting countries (OPEC) and Russia. Together, they form a cartel and control the supply of oil into the global markets. &nbsp;

Now, this grouping has a problem as the two leading exporters, Saudi Arabia and Russia are at loggerheads with each other. One wants to increase supply, the other doesn't. &nbsp;

According to reports, Saudi Arabia does not want to increase oil supply and wants the prices to remain high. While Russia wants to increase supply. &nbsp; &nbsp;

It affects us. If Saudi Arabia has its way, supply will be limited but demand is increasing. So, prices will go up. If Russia has its way, supply will increase and there will be more oil in the market. So, prices could come down. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Reports say OPEC and its allies are withholding seven million barrels a day from the market. It's about seven per cent of the global supply. If all of this is released, global prices would fall, dramatically. But that isn't happening at the moment. &nbsp;

In recent months, some events have contributed to the jump in global prices. Saudi Arabia has cut production. In January, Riyadh decided to make an extra cut of one million barrels. It led to a spike in prices. &nbsp;

The winter storm in oil-rich Texas, US is another reason as the big freeze has knocked out 40 per cent of US's oil output. Production has been shut due to the icy weather for days now. Output has dropped by one to four million barrels per day. &nbsp;

The result of the shutdown was hike in oil prices. The global oil markets are nowhere close to a full recovery. But they have got a short-term boost.&nbsp;

Fuel is on fire in India, touching Rs 100 a litre at some places. For the first time, it has hit a three-digit number. Before Sunday, oil prices were hiked every day for 12 days straight.

Fuel is on fire in India, touching Rs 100 a litre at some places. For the first time, it has hit a three-digit number. Before Sunday, oil prices were hiked every day for 12 days straight. At Rs 100, oil in India was reportedly the costliest in South Asia. The Sensex fell by more than 1,000 points today. Oil wasn't the only reason for the falling stocks, but it was a major reason. Investors were spooked by the soaring prices. There are also reports of fuel smuggling. A tanker carrying more than 1,000 litres of oil was held in Nepal last week. That's when prices in Nepal were around Rs 70 a litre. The irony is Nepal gets its oil supplies from India. So, the question is why are Indians paying so much for oil? The short and simple answer is taxes. Our oil taxes are abominably high. The long answer is more complex, it includes global oil prices and international politics. A year ago, oil prices had hit negative territory less than zero. It was at the height of the pandemic. Now, the demand has increased. WATCH| Prices have shot up again. Where will they go from here? It depends on what oil producers decide and how the market responds. These two factors will dictate how much you pay for fuel. Earlier this month, the price of oil recovered and returned to pre-pandemic levels. The lockdowns around the world had killed demand for oil. Now, the world is out. So, the demand has revived and prices have gone up. Right now, they are hovering around 60 dollars per barrel. Oil was selling at 20 dollars per barrel in April last year. So, the prices have tripled. The brent-crude futures is the benchmark of the energy markets. It has risen by more than 50 per cent since October last year. It's proof of recovery. The global prices are higher. So, a country like India, which imports more than 80 per cent of its fuel needs, must pay more to buy oil in the international market. So far, so bad. What about the future? It depends on one meeting next month. The meeting of organisation of petroleum exporting countries (OPEC) and Russia. Together, they form a cartel and control the supply of oil into the global markets. Now, this grouping has a problem as the two leading exporters, Saudi Arabia and Russia are at loggerheads with each other. One wants to increase supply, the other doesn't. According to reports, Saudi Arabia does not want to increase oil supply and wants the prices to remain high. While Russia wants to increase supply. It affects us. If Saudi Arabia has its way, supply will be limited but demand is increasing. So, prices will go up. If Russia has its way, supply will increase and there will be more oil in the market. So, prices could come down. Reports say OPEC and its allies are withholding seven million barrels a day from the market. It's about seven per cent of the global supply. If all of this is released, global prices would fall, dramatically. But that isn't happening at the moment. In recent months, some events have contributed to the jump in global prices. Saudi Arabia has cut production. In January, Riyadh decided to make an extra cut of one million barrels. It led to a spike in prices. The winter storm in oil-rich Texas, US is another reason as the big freeze has knocked out 40 per cent of US's oil output. Production has been shut due to the icy weather for days now. Output has dropped by one to four million barrels per day. The result of the shutdown was hike in oil prices. The global oil markets are nowhere close to a full recovery. But they have got a short-term boost.

What led to hike in fuel prices?

Oil producers are getting benefitted but it's not enough as they are reporting staggering losses. The pandemic has triggered a crisis, a battle for survival in the oil sector.&nbsp;

A barrel of oil costs around 60 dollars. In April last year, it was 20 dollars. It is a three-fold jump. But it's not enough for oil exporters. They are still losing money.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia needs to balance its budget next year and it would like oil to sell at 68 dollars a barrel. &nbsp;&nbsp;

For Iraq, the ideal price should be 80 dollars per barrel. Will oil touch these levels? The answer depends on which projections you believe.&nbsp;

Golman Sachs says oil prices will see a 20 per cent jump this year. The World Bank, on the other hand, is not so optimistic.&nbsp;

It says oil prices are will remain below 50 dollars per barrel through 2022. It will put a big hole in the budgets of oil exporting countries. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-despite-a-price-jump-major-oil-exporters-are-losing-cash-365533">WATCH|</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-despite-a-price-jump-major-oil-exporters-are-losing-cash-365533/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The regional alliance of Arab states is already predicting a budget deficit. Last year, the deficit was a little more than nine per cent.&nbsp;

In 2021, it will be close to six per cent. The losses could grow in the future. Between 2020 and 2023, the deficit of GCC countries is set to touch $ 490 billion dollars.&nbsp;

The lack of alternatives to cover up losses, forced this bloc to borrow more in 2020. An estimate from last year suggests GCC government debt is set to surge by $ 100 billion dollars. &nbsp;

Major oil countries are still reeling from the pandemic shock. And they are losing money on every barrel they sell. The world's biggest oil producing companies too are losing billions. &nbsp;

This month, they have reported record annual losses.&nbsp;

US's biggest oil producer, Exxon Mobil, has suffered a loss of more than 20 billion dollars. The first annual loss in the company's history. Conoco Phillips lost 2.7 billion dollars. In the United Kingdom, energy group BP reported 5.7 billion in losses.&nbsp;

It is a sign. The world wants to wean itself away from oil. It will mean trillions of dollars of losses in the next 20 years for oil producers. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Around 40 countries, which rely on oil for most of their income, could see their revenues fall by 46 per cent on average. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A total of $9 trillion over the next 20 years due to international initiatives to meet the Paris Agreement’s emission targets. It means a total loss of nine trillion dollars.&nbsp;

Oil producers are getting benefitted but it's not enough as they are reporting staggering losses. The pandemic has triggered a crisis, a battle for survival in the oil sector.

Oil producers are getting benefitted but it's not enough as they are reporting staggering losses. The pandemic has triggered a crisis, a battle for survival in the oil sector. A barrel of oil costs around 60 dollars. In April last year, it was 20 dollars. It is a three-fold jump. But it's not enough for oil exporters. They are still losing money. Saudi Arabia needs to balance its budget next year and it would like oil to sell at 68 dollars a barrel. For Iraq, the ideal price should be 80 dollars per barrel. Will oil touch these levels? The answer depends on which projections you believe. Golman Sachs says oil prices will see a 20 per cent jump this year. The World Bank, on the other hand, is not so optimistic. It says oil prices are will remain below 50 dollars per barrel through 2022. It will put a big hole in the budgets of oil exporting countries. WATCH| The regional alliance of Arab states is already predicting a budget deficit. Last year, the deficit was a little more than nine per cent. In 2021, it will be close to six per cent. The losses could grow in the future. Between 2020 and 2023, the deficit of GCC countries is set to touch $ 490 billion dollars. The lack of alternatives to cover up losses, forced this bloc to borrow more in 2020. An estimate from last year suggests GCC government debt is set to surge by $ 100 billion dollars. Major oil countries are still reeling from the pandemic shock. And they are losing money on every barrel they sell. The world's biggest oil producing companies too are losing billions. This month, they have reported record annual losses. US's biggest oil producer, Exxon Mobil, has suffered a loss of more than 20 billion dollars. The first annual loss in the company's history. Conoco Phillips lost 2.7 billion dollars. In the United Kingdom, energy group BP reported 5.7 billion in losses. It is a sign. The world wants to wean itself away from oil. It will mean trillions of dollars of losses in the next 20 years for oil producers. Around 40 countries, which rely on oil for most of their income, could see their revenues fall by 46 per cent on average. A total of $9 trillion over the next 20 years due to international initiatives to meet the Paris Agreement’s emission targets. It means a total loss of nine trillion dollars.

Oil exporters report losses despite price hike

Is Saudi Arabia witnessing a "theological" shift? Social changes are slowly sweeping through the kingdom. After opening cinemas, allowing Christmas celebrations, letting women drive, and permitting them to attend concerts - the kingdom will now let women serve in the armed forces.

Saudi women can now join the Royal Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Armed Forces Medical Services.

It's a major step in the right direction for a country long curtailed by uncompromising religious police for decades. According to the Saudi Ministry of Defence, men and women can now apply for equal positions in the military through a unified admission portal.

Under this, women will be recruited as soldiers, lance corporals and sergeants. The candidates must be between the age of 21 and 40 and must be 155 centimetres tall. In addition, they must have a high school education and cannot be married to a non-Saudi man.

This move is part of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's Vision 2030 initiative where women are being allowed to advance in various fields. In the future, the Saudi establishment plans to relax the laws even further by letting women do most jobs that are reserved for men like waiting tables in restaurants and being cashiers at shopping malls.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-reaffirms-defence-partnership-with-saudi-arabia-in-face-of-houthi-attacks-364791" hreflang="en">US reaffirms 'defence partnership' with Saudi Arabia in face of Houthi attacks</a>

But whether Saudi conservatives agree to such reforms is tough to determine. While Saudi Arabia embraces progressive reforms, Iran seems to be heading in a different direction. Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran has issued a fatwa stating that women in cartoons must be depicted wearing a hijab.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/opinions-blogs/opinion-what-does-it-take-to-recontextualise-islam-in-saudi-schoolbooks-364712" hreflang="en">Opinion: What does it take to recontextualise Islam in Saudi schoolbooks?</a>

"Although wearing hijab in such a hypothetical situation is not required per sat, observing hijab in animation is required due to the consequences of not wearing the hijab", he recently said.

Since Iran's Islamic Revolution 40 years ago, women have been forced to don the hijab. Even though there are no laws compelling them to do so, government officials have set certain dressing standards for women like forcing them to cover their hair for the sake of modesty. Those who don't are often reprimanded, fined, even arrested.

Is Saudi Arabia witnessing a "theological" shift? Social changes are slowly sweeping through the kingdom. After opening cinemas, allowing Christmas celebrations, letting women drive, and permitting them to attend concerts - the kingdom will now let women serve in the armed forces.

Is Saudi Arabia witnessing a "theological" shift? Social changes are slowly sweeping through the kingdom. After opening cinemas, allowing Christmas celebrations, letting women drive, and permitting them to attend concerts - the kingdom will now let women serve in the armed forces. Saudi women can now join the Royal Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Armed Forces Medical Services. It's a major step in the right direction for a country long curtailed by uncompromising religious police for decades. According to the Saudi Ministry of Defence, men and women can now apply for equal positions in the military through a unified admission portal. Under this, women will be recruited as soldiers, lance corporals and sergeants. The candidates must be between the age of 21 and 40 and must be 155 centimetres tall. In addition, they must have a high school education and cannot be married to a non-Saudi man. This move is part of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's Vision 2030 initiative where women are being allowed to advance in various fields. In the future, the Saudi establishment plans to relax the laws even further by letting women do most jobs that are reserved for men like waiting tables in restaurants and being cashiers at shopping malls. Also read: US reaffirms 'defence partnership' with Saudi Arabia in face of Houthi attacks But whether Saudi conservatives agree to such reforms is tough to determine. While Saudi Arabia embraces progressive reforms, Iran seems to be heading in a different direction. Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran has issued a fatwa stating that women in cartoons must be depicted wearing a hijab. Also read: Opinion: What does it take to recontextualise Islam in Saudi schoolbooks? "Although wearing hijab in such a hypothetical situation is not required per sat, observing hijab in animation is required due to the consequences of not wearing the hijab", he recently said. Since Iran's Islamic Revolution 40 years ago, women have been forced to don the hijab. Even though there are no laws compelling them to do so, government officials have set certain dressing standards for women like forcing them to cover their hair for the sake of modesty. Those who don't are often reprimanded, fined, even arrested.

Saudi Arabian women can now join the armed forces

West Asia has been blanketed by snow. Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Palestine & Saudi Arabia are all reporting snowfall. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why this is proof of climate change.

Gravitas: Why its snowing in West Asia

The US has reaffirmed its "strategic defence partnership" with Riyadh in the face of increased attacks by Yemeni rebels. The move, however, came in a call from the Pentagon not the White House.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin condemned the Houthi attacks in a telephone conversation Thursday with his Saudi counterpart, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the official Saudi Press Agency and a Pentagon statement said.&nbsp;

Austin spoke with Prince Mohammed "to reaffirm the strategic defence partnership between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia".

"Secretary Austin reiterated recent changes in US policy toward the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, discussed the importance of ending the war," the Pentagon statement said.

The conversation came after the White House announced on Tuesday that President Joe Biden's first telephone call to Saudi leaders would be to King Salman, and not his son, the crown prince, who is the kingdom's de facto leader but has a tarnished reputation within Biden's Democratic Party.

"The secretary condemned the recent Houthi cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed his commitment to assisting Saudi Arabia in the defence of its borders." &nbsp;

The Huthi rebels have stepped up cross-border drone and missile attacks in recent weeks as they resumed an offensive to seize the Saudi-backed government's last major toehold in northern Yemen.&nbsp;

Although Biden has reached out to US allies in every corner of the world, he has yet to speak with Saudi leaders.

Two weeks after he was sworn in as president, Biden announced an end to US backing for Saudi offensive operations in Yemen's longstanding war, which he said had created a "humanitarian and strategic&nbsp;catastrophe."&nbsp;

Washington has also dropped the Houthi rebels from the US blacklist of terrorist organisations -- which was sharply criticised by relief organisations, who said it would seriously hinder aid shipments to the large swathes of Yemen controlled by the Huthis.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken already spoke earlier this month with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan, and raised the issue of human rights in the kingdom.&nbsp;

Yemen has been embroiled in a bloody power struggle since 2014 between its Saudi-backed government and Huthi rebels, killing over tens of thousands of people and displacing millions more.

These rebels control the capital Sanaa and most of the north.

(with inputs)

The US has reaffirmed its "strategic defence partnership" with Riyadh in the face of increased attacks by Yemeni rebels. The move, however, came in a call from the Pentagon not the White House.

The US has reaffirmed its "strategic defence partnership" with Riyadh in the face of increased attacks by Yemeni rebels. The move, however, came in a call from the Pentagon not the White House. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin condemned the Houthi attacks in a telephone conversation Thursday with his Saudi counterpart, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the official Saudi Press Agency and a Pentagon statement said. Austin spoke with Prince Mohammed "to reaffirm the strategic defence partnership between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". "Secretary Austin reiterated recent changes in US policy toward the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, discussed the importance of ending the war," the Pentagon statement said. The conversation came after the White House announced on Tuesday that President Joe Biden's first telephone call to Saudi leaders would be to King Salman, and not his son, the crown prince, who is the kingdom's de facto leader but has a tarnished reputation within Biden's Democratic Party. "The secretary condemned the recent Houthi cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed his commitment to assisting Saudi Arabia in the defence of its borders." The Huthi rebels have stepped up cross-border drone and missile attacks in recent weeks as they resumed an offensive to seize the Saudi-backed government's last major toehold in northern Yemen. Although Biden has reached out to US allies in every corner of the world, he has yet to speak with Saudi leaders. Two weeks after he was sworn in as president, Biden announced an end to US backing for Saudi offensive operations in Yemen's longstanding war, which he said had created a "humanitarian and strategic catastrophe." Washington has also dropped the Houthi rebels from the US blacklist of terrorist organisations -- which was sharply criticised by relief organisations, who said it would seriously hinder aid shipments to the large swathes of Yemen controlled by the Huthis. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken already spoke earlier this month with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan, and raised the issue of human rights in the kingdom. Yemen has been embroiled in a bloody power struggle since 2014 between its Saudi-backed government and Huthi rebels, killing over tens of thousands of people and displacing millions more. These rebels control the capital Sanaa and most of the north. (with inputs)

US reaffirms 'defence partnership' with Saudi Arabia in face of Houthi attacks

Two decades of snail pace revisions of Saudi schoolbooks aimed at removing supremacist references to Jews, Christians, and Shiites suggest a willingness to delete offensive language while keeping in place fundamental concepts of an ultra-conservative, anti-pluralistic, and intolerant interpretation of Islam.

In a break with the past, Human Rights Watch and Impact-se, an education-focused Israeli research group, reported for the first time in two decades of post-9/11 pressure on Saudi Arabia that the kingdom had made significant progress in revising textbooks.

The reports focussed on explicit references to other religions but noted that further revisions were needed to eliminate language that disparages practices associated with religious minorities, particularly Shiite Muslims and Sufis, sects viewed as heretic by ultra-conservatives.

“As long as the texts continue to disparage religious beliefs and practices of minority groups, including those of fellow Saudi citizens, it will contribute to the culture of discrimination that these groups face,” said Michael Page, Human Rights Watch’s deputy Middle East director.

“They removed some of the more offensive stuff like pictures of Shiite shrines that were called shirk (polytheistic) and they removed some offensive language, but the kernel is still there... They are trying to make the language less offensive but the whole idea is offensive,” added Human Rights Watch Middle East researcher Adam Coogle.

Implicit in the two reports’ conclusions, but at best only summarily mentioned, was the fact that the ultra-conservative interpretation of basic religious concepts as promoted by Saudi Arabia until the rise of King Salman and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, remain unaltered in the schoolbooks.

These interpretations relate to the ban on bida’a or religious innovation and shirk or polytheism as well as the rejection of supplication, a thinly veiled reference to the Shia practice of intercession.

Critics, including prominent Muslim scholars, argue that Saudi Arabia’s failure to address problematic concepts of Islam, that constitute the basis for ultra-conservative rejection of religious pluralism and supremacist and intolerant interpretations of the faith, call into question the kingdom’s projection of itself as a paragon of religious moderation and leader of the Islamic world.

The critics assert that the significant progress reported by Human Rights Watch and Impact-se constitutes part of Saudi Arabia’s effort to pre-empt pressure from the Biden administration as it recalibrates its relationship with the kingdom.

They also charge that the progress is designed to make Saudi Arabia, whose image has been tarnished by human rights abuse and the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, palatable to foreign direct investors as well as boost pressure on international companies to shift their regional operations from Dubai to the kingdom.

Scholars in Saudi Arabia took issue with the Human Rights Watch report. “I do not know why the world is so busy with us. Although their countries are full of things that need attention, revision, arrangement, and organization,” said political sociologist Widad al-Jarwan, adding that “even their curricula in the West are full of mistakes against” Muslims.

Indonesian Muslim scholars argue that the Saudi interpretation of ibadah, the rules governing worship, constitute an innovation by defining aspects of worship practised by a majority of Muslims in ways that are viewed by ultra-conservatives as beyond the pale.

“What matters is how the Saudis interpret the teachings related to how Muslims should treat anybody of a different sect or faith. The problem is how they believe the other should be treated. It doesn’t matter what they call me. It doesn’t matter if they call me a kafir, an infidel, as long as they truly believe that I should be treated equally. The problem is that the Saudis don’t really want to change their established system of beliefs,” said Yahya Cholil Staquf, a prominent Islamic scholar and secretary-general of Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama, the world’s largest Muslim movement.

Mr. Staquf was one of the major forces behind Nahdlatul Ulama’s charter of Humanitarian Islam that embraces the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and calls for reform of problematic or obsolete religious legal concepts that negate equal rights for all.

Ali al-Ahmad, director of the Washington-based Institute of Gulf Affairs that has long highlighted problems with Saudi textbooks, contended that “when it comes to bida’a and shirk, the Wahhabis are more guilty than other Muslims. Saudi Arabia will not be able to move forward with Wahhabism as its state religion. The concept of a state religion must be abolished before the country can move into the modern age.”

Mr Al-Ahmed’s comment goes to the core of the debate about religious reform in the Muslim world and whether states like Saudi Arabia without the lead and buy-in of civil society can achieve real and lasting change.

“There’s no civil society. There’s no dialogue. Zero,” Mr Coogle said.

Significant social reforms in recent years were primarily designed to cater to youth aspirations, enable economic diversification, attract foreign direct investment, and shore up the country’s tarnished image while ensuring state-control on the principle of absolute obedience to the ruler. They were not rooted in a recognition that the kingdom’s ultra-conservative mores were problematic in and of themselves.

Discussing the textbook revisions, Mr. Coogle noted that “it’s not like the Saudis looked at their textbooks and saw a problem. Other people didn’t like it and the Saudis are trying to quell those concerns.”

The stepped-up Saudi revision of schoolbooks was in part spurred by a draft bill in the US Congress that would require the Secretary of State to report annually “on religious intolerance in Saudi Arabian educational materials.” The draft was initially introduced in 2017 by a Republican sponsor who has since retired and reintroduced in 2019.

The Human Rights Watch report noted that although the revised schoolbooks no longer contain explicit references to Shia Islam, they still included harsh criticism of Shia practices and traditions, labelling them evidence of polytheism that threatens the existence of Islam.

A schoolbook for 4th-grade nine-year olds advised that adherence to such practices would lead to the cancellation of a person’s good deeds, God’s rejection of their repentance, and eternal damnation.

The practices include praying to saints and visiting tombs and shrines of prominent religious figures that are rejected by Wahhabism as a form of idolatry. They also involve the Shiite supplication to God via intermediaries as well as kneeling to anyone other than God, building mosques and shrines on top of graves, and wailing over the dead.

“Any Saudi who reads this will understand what it means,” Mr. Coogle said.

Saudi Shiites noted that all Muslim students, including Shiites, were required to use these textbooks even if they were perceived as offensive.

“The textbooks are written under the close supervision of leading Wahhabi clerics led by Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan,” one of Saudi Arabia’s most senior ultra-conservative clerics, Mr. Al-Ahmad said.

Mr. Al-Fawzan “views Islam as a Wahhabi-only religion. This vision is what is reflected in Saudi textbooks and other religious literature. This means that Shia Muslims, Sufis, other Sunni Muslims –are polytheists and deviants,” Mr. Al-Ahmad added.

Mr. Page cautioned that “as long as disparaging references to religious minorities remain in the text it will continue to stoke controversy and condemnation.”

By the same token, Saudi Arabia’s failure to address ultra-conservative interpretations of religious concepts that justify a rejection of pluralism and religious tolerance challenge the kingdom’s claim to be a leading voice of moderation – a pillar of the country’s quest to be recognized as a, if not the leader of the Muslim world in a new world order.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Two decades of snail pace revisions of Saudi schoolbooks aimed at removing supremacist references to Jews, Christians, and Shiites suggest a willingness to delete offensive language while keeping in place fundamental concepts of an ultra-conservative, anti-pluralistic, and intolerant interpretation of Islam.

Two decades of snail pace revisions of Saudi schoolbooks aimed at removing supremacist references to Jews, Christians, and Shiites suggest a willingness to delete offensive language while keeping in place fundamental concepts of an ultra-conservative, anti-pluralistic, and intolerant interpretation of Islam. In a break with the past, Human Rights Watch and Impact-se, an education-focused Israeli research group, reported for the first time in two decades of post-9/11 pressure on Saudi Arabia that the kingdom had made significant progress in revising textbooks. The reports focussed on explicit references to other religions but noted that further revisions were needed to eliminate language that disparages practices associated with religious minorities, particularly Shiite Muslims and Sufis, sects viewed as heretic by ultra-conservatives. “As long as the texts continue to disparage religious beliefs and practices of minority groups, including those of fellow Saudi citizens, it will contribute to the culture of discrimination that these groups face,” said Michael Page, Human Rights Watch’s deputy Middle East director. “They removed some of the more offensive stuff like pictures of Shiite shrines that were called shirk (polytheistic) and they removed some offensive language, but the kernel is still there... They are trying to make the language less offensive but the whole idea is offensive,” added Human Rights Watch Middle East researcher Adam Coogle. Implicit in the two reports’ conclusions, but at best only summarily mentioned, was the fact that the ultra-conservative interpretation of basic religious concepts as promoted by Saudi Arabia until the rise of King Salman and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, remain unaltered in the schoolbooks. These interpretations relate to the ban on bida’a or religious innovation and shirk or polytheism as well as the rejection of supplication, a thinly veiled reference to the Shia practice of intercession. Critics, including prominent Muslim scholars, argue that Saudi Arabia’s failure to address problematic concepts of Islam, that constitute the basis for ultra-conservative rejection of religious pluralism and supremacist and intolerant interpretations of the faith, call into question the kingdom’s projection of itself as a paragon of religious moderation and leader of the Islamic world. The critics assert that the significant progress reported by Human Rights Watch and Impact-se constitutes part of Saudi Arabia’s effort to pre-empt pressure from the Biden administration as it recalibrates its relationship with the kingdom. They also charge that the progress is designed to make Saudi Arabia, whose image has been tarnished by human rights abuse and the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, palatable to foreign direct investors as well as boost pressure on international companies to shift their regional operations from Dubai to the kingdom. Scholars in Saudi Arabia took issue with the Human Rights Watch report. “I do not know why the world is so busy with us. Although their countries are full of things that need attention, revision, arrangement, and organization,” said political sociologist Widad al-Jarwan, adding that “even their curricula in the West are full of mistakes against” Muslims. Indonesian Muslim scholars argue that the Saudi interpretation of ibadah, the rules governing worship, constitute an innovation by defining aspects of worship practised by a majority of Muslims in ways that are viewed by ultra-conservatives as beyond the pale. “What matters is how the Saudis interpret the teachings related to how Muslims should treat anybody of a different sect or faith. The problem is how they believe the other should be treated. It doesn’t matter what they call me. It doesn’t matter if they call me a kafir, an infidel, as long as they truly believe that I should be treated equally. The problem is that the Saudis don’t really want to change their established system of beliefs,” said Yahya Cholil Staquf, a prominent Islamic scholar and secretary-general of Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama, the world’s largest Muslim movement. Mr. Staquf was one of the major forces behind Nahdlatul Ulama’s charter of Humanitarian Islam that embraces the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and calls for reform of problematic or obsolete religious legal concepts that negate equal rights for all. Ali al-Ahmad, director of the Washington-based Institute of Gulf Affairs that has long highlighted problems with Saudi textbooks, contended that “when it comes to bida’a and shirk, the Wahhabis are more guilty than other Muslims. Saudi Arabia will not be able to move forward with Wahhabism as its state religion. The concept of a state religion must be abolished before the country can move into the modern age.” Mr Al-Ahmed’s comment goes to the core of the debate about religious reform in the Muslim world and whether states like Saudi Arabia without the lead and buy-in of civil society can achieve real and lasting change. “There’s no civil society. There’s no dialogue. Zero,” Mr Coogle said. Significant social reforms in recent years were primarily designed to cater to youth aspirations, enable economic diversification, attract foreign direct investment, and shore up the country’s tarnished image while ensuring state-control on the principle of absolute obedience to the ruler. They were not rooted in a recognition that the kingdom’s ultra-conservative mores were problematic in and of themselves. Discussing the textbook revisions, Mr. Coogle noted that “it’s not like the Saudis looked at their textbooks and saw a problem. Other people didn’t like it and the Saudis are trying to quell those concerns.” The stepped-up Saudi revision of schoolbooks was in part spurred by a draft bill in the US Congress that would require the Secretary of State to report annually “on religious intolerance in Saudi Arabian educational materials.” The draft was initially introduced in 2017 by a Republican sponsor who has since retired and reintroduced in 2019. The Human Rights Watch report noted that although the revised schoolbooks no longer contain explicit references to Shia Islam, they still included harsh criticism of Shia practices and traditions, labelling them evidence of polytheism that threatens the existence of Islam. A schoolbook for 4th-grade nine-year olds advised that adherence to such practices would lead to the cancellation of a person’s good deeds, God’s rejection of their repentance, and eternal damnation. The practices include praying to saints and visiting tombs and shrines of prominent religious figures that are rejected by Wahhabism as a form of idolatry. They also involve the Shiite supplication to God via intermediaries as well as kneeling to anyone other than God, building mosques and shrines on top of graves, and wailing over the dead. “Any Saudi who reads this will understand what it means,” Mr. Coogle said. Saudi Shiites noted that all Muslim students, including Shiites, were required to use these textbooks even if they were perceived as offensive. “The textbooks are written under the close supervision of leading Wahhabi clerics led by Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan,” one of Saudi Arabia’s most senior ultra-conservative clerics, Mr. Al-Ahmad said. Mr. Al-Fawzan “views Islam as a Wahhabi-only religion. This vision is what is reflected in Saudi textbooks and other religious literature. This means that Shia Muslims, Sufis, other Sunni Muslims –are polytheists and deviants,” Mr. Al-Ahmad added. Mr. Page cautioned that “as long as disparaging references to religious minorities remain in the text it will continue to stoke controversy and condemnation.” By the same token, Saudi Arabia’s failure to address ultra-conservative interpretations of religious concepts that justify a rejection of pluralism and religious tolerance challenge the kingdom’s claim to be a leading voice of moderation – a pillar of the country’s quest to be recognized as a, if not the leader of the Muslim world in a new world order. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion: What does it take to recontextualise Islam in Saudi schoolbooks?

Indian and Saudi armies will undertake joint bilateral exercise. According to sources the joint exercise will take place next year in Saudi Arabia. Security Cooperations and Intelligence sharing are important elements in this strategic partnership between the two nations.

Indian and Saudi armies will undertake joint bilateral exercise

Saudi Arabia said it foiled a Huthi drone attack on a southern airport Saturday just days before the new US administration is to stop designating the Yemeni rebels as a "terror" group.

Saudi air defences "intercepted and destroyed a drone rigged with explosives which had been launched by the Huthis against Abha airport," the Saudi-led coalition fighting the rebels said in a statement quoted by state television.

Abha airport was already targeted by the rebels on Wednesday, when a drone strike left a civilian aircraft ablaze.

The Huthis say that the airport, little more than 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the border, is a legitimate target as it has been used as a base for the coalition's widely condemned bombing campaign in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and its allies say that Huthi attacks on the airport amount to "war crimes" as the airport is heavily used by Saudis enjoying the milder climate of the mountains around Abha.

Wednesday's drone attack came hot on the heels of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's announcement that he would lift the terror designation of the Huthis imposed by his predecessor Mike Pompeo.

The designation had been widely criticised by aid organisations, who warned it would hamper their efforts to alleviate what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Despite nearly six years of Saudi-led military intervention, the Huthis remain in control of the Yemeni capital Sanaa and much of the north, and aid groups say they have little choice but to work with them.

The State Department condemned Wednesday's strike on the airport but Blinken said the terror designation of the Huthi movement would still be lifted as planned next Tuesday.

He said sanctions on individual Huthi leaders would remain in place.

"The United States remains clear-eyed about Ansarullah's&nbsp;malign actions and aggression," Blinken said, referring to the Huthi movement by its formal name.

Saudi Arabia said it foiled a Huthi drone attack on a southern airport Saturday just days before the new US administration is to stop designating the Yemeni rebels as a "terror" group.

Saudi Arabia said it foiled a Huthi drone attack on a southern airport Saturday just days before the new US administration is to stop designating the Yemeni rebels as a "terror" group. Saudi air defences "intercepted and destroyed a drone rigged with explosives which had been launched by the Huthis against Abha airport," the Saudi-led coalition fighting the rebels said in a statement quoted by state television. Abha airport was already targeted by the rebels on Wednesday, when a drone strike left a civilian aircraft ablaze. The Huthis say that the airport, little more than 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the border, is a legitimate target as it has been used as a base for the coalition's widely condemned bombing campaign in Yemen. Saudi Arabia and its allies say that Huthi attacks on the airport amount to "war crimes" as the airport is heavily used by Saudis enjoying the milder climate of the mountains around Abha. Wednesday's drone attack came hot on the heels of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's announcement that he would lift the terror designation of the Huthis imposed by his predecessor Mike Pompeo. The designation had been widely criticised by aid organisations, who warned it would hamper their efforts to alleviate what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Despite nearly six years of Saudi-led military intervention, the Huthis remain in control of the Yemeni capital Sanaa and much of the north, and aid groups say they have little choice but to work with them. The State Department condemned Wednesday's strike on the airport but Blinken said the terror designation of the Huthi movement would still be lifted as planned next Tuesday. He said sanctions on individual Huthi leaders would remain in place. "The United States remains clear-eyed about Ansarullah's malign actions and aggression," Blinken said, referring to the Huthi movement by its formal name.

Saudi foils new Houthi strike as US set to lift 'terror' tag

More than 2 million Yemeni children under the age of 5 are expected to endure acute malnutrition in 2021, four United Nations agencies said on Friday.

These agencies also urged stakeholders to end the years-long conflict that has brought the country to the brink of famine.

The UN report warned that nearly one in six of those kids -- 400,000 of the 2.3 million -- are at risk of death due to severe acute malnutrition this year, a significant increase from last year's estimates. Around 1.2 million pregnant or breastfeeding women in Yemen are also projected to be acutely malnourished this year.

The report also said a lack of funds was hampering humanitarian programmes in Yemen, as donor nations have failed to make good on their commitments.

In 2020, humanitarian programmes in Yemen received only USD 1.9 billion of the required USD 3.4 billion, the report said.

UNICEF estimates that virtually all of Yemen's 12 million children require some sort of assistance. This can include food aid, health services, clean water, schooling and cash grants to help the poorest families scrape by.

"Malnourished children are more vulnerable to diseases ... It is a vicious and often deadly cycle, but with relatively cheap and simple interventions, many lives can be saved," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Yemenis have suffered six years of bloodshed, destruction and humanitarian catastrophe. In 2014, the Iran-allied Houthi rebels seized the capital and much of the country's north.

More than 2 million Yemeni children under the age of 5 are expected to endure acute malnutrition in 2021, four United Nations agencies said on Friday. These agencies also urged stakeholders to end the years-long conflict that has brought the country to the brink of famine.

More than 2 million Yemeni children under the age of 5 are expected to endure acute malnutrition in 2021, four United Nations agencies said on Friday. These agencies also urged stakeholders to end the years-long conflict that has brought the country to the brink of famine. The UN report warned that nearly one in six of those kids -- 400,000 of the 2.3 million -- are at risk of death due to severe acute malnutrition this year, a significant increase from last year's estimates. Around 1.2 million pregnant or breastfeeding women in Yemen are also projected to be acutely malnourished this year. The report also said a lack of funds was hampering humanitarian programmes in Yemen, as donor nations have failed to make good on their commitments. In 2020, humanitarian programmes in Yemen received only USD 1.9 billion of the required USD 3.4 billion, the report said. UNICEF estimates that virtually all of Yemen's 12 million children require some sort of assistance. This can include food aid, health services, clean water, schooling and cash grants to help the poorest families scrape by. "Malnourished children are more vulnerable to diseases ... It is a vicious and often deadly cycle, but with relatively cheap and simple interventions, many lives can be saved," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Yemenis have suffered six years of bloodshed, destruction and humanitarian catastrophe. In 2014, the Iran-allied Houthi rebels seized the capital and much of the country's north.

Over 2 million Yemeni children may starve in 2021, UN says

In a significant development, Indian and Saudi Armies will undertake joint bilateral exercises. This will be the first such exercises of both the Armies together.

The Indian forces contingent will be travelling to Saudi Arabia for the exercises which will be taking place in the next financial year.&nbsp;

In December of 2020, in another significant development, Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane had visited Saudi Arabia. It was the first time any Indian Army chief had visited the West Asian country in what is a clear sign of growing ties between New Delhi and Riyadh.

The Army Chief during his Saudi Visit had visited Headquarters of Royal Saudi Land Force, the Joint Force Command Headquarters and King Abdul Aziz Military Academy. Saudi Arabia identifies India as one of the Kingdom’s Strategic Partner Countries under its 'Vision 2030’.

Last few years has seen increase engagement between the 2 countries. 2019 saw visit of Indian PM Modi to the country during which Strategic Partnership Council Agreement was signed. Earlier that year in February, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman had visited New Delhi. During the visit, Riyadh announced investments targeting a value of US $ 100 billion in India.

In a significant development, Indian and Saudi Armies will undertake joint bilateral exercises. This will be the first such exercises of both the Armies together.

In a significant development, Indian and Saudi Armies will undertake joint bilateral exercises. This will be the first such exercises of both the Armies together. The Indian forces contingent will be travelling to Saudi Arabia for the exercises which will be taking place in the next financial year. In December of 2020, in another significant development, Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane had visited Saudi Arabia. It was the first time any Indian Army chief had visited the West Asian country in what is a clear sign of growing ties between New Delhi and Riyadh. The Army Chief during his Saudi Visit had visited Headquarters of Royal Saudi Land Force, the Joint Force Command Headquarters and King Abdul Aziz Military Academy. Saudi Arabia identifies India as one of the Kingdom’s Strategic Partner Countries under its 'Vision 2030’. Last few years has seen increase engagement between the 2 countries. 2019 saw visit of Indian PM Modi to the country during which Strategic Partnership Council Agreement was signed. Earlier that year in February, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman had visited New Delhi. During the visit, Riyadh announced investments targeting a value of US $ 100 billion in India.

In a first, Indian, Saudi Arabia armies to undertake joint bilateral exercises 

Prominent Saudi Arabian women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was released from prison after nearly three years behind bars, said her family on Wednesday. Hathloul was detained in May 2018. She was sentenced to six years in prison in December that year. UN rights experts had called charges against her "spurious". She still faces a five-year travel ban ordered by the court

"Loujain is at home !!!!!!" her sister Lina tweeted.

Another sister, Alia, said Hathloul was at their parents' home in Saudi Arabia. She posted a picture of Hathloul smiling in a garden, looking much thinner and with grey streaks in her hair.

Hathloul had campaigned for women's right to drive and to end Saudi's male guardianship system. Rights groups and her family say that she was subjected to abuse, including electric shocks, waterboarding, flogging and sexual assault. Saudi authorities have denied the allegations. A court dismissed claims of torture saying evidence was lacking.

On Wednesday, Amnesty International said that Saudi Arabia should bring to justice "those responsible for her torture". It has also urged the authorities to ensure that no punitive measures like travel ban against Hathloul.

Saudi officials have not commented on her conviction or sentencing. There was no immediate comment on her release.

US President Joe Biden welcomed Loujain al-Hathloul's release from prison.

"Releasing her was the right thing to do," Biden said of Hathloul.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the development as well.

"But I think it is important that others who are in the same condition as her, who have been jailed for the same reasons as her, also be released and that charges be dropped against them," said Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

Hathloul, detained along with several other women's rights activists, was convicted on charges including seeking to change the Saudi political system and harming national unity.

Saudi Arabia's rights record came under global scrutiny after the 2018 murder of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents, which tarnished Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's image. The prince denied ordering the killing.

Agnes Callamard, the independent U.N. rights investigator who led an international probe into Khashoggi's murder, welcomed Hathloul's release but said in a Twitter post that "the cruelty" of Saudi rulers that "violated her most basic right to physical and mental integrity" should not be forgotten.

(With Reuters inputs)

Prominent Saudi Arabian women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was released from prison after nearly three years behind bars, said her family on Wednesday. Hathloul was detained in May 2018.

Prominent Saudi Arabian women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was released from prison after nearly three years behind bars, said her family on Wednesday. Hathloul was detained in May 2018. She was sentenced to six years in prison in December that year. UN rights experts had called charges against her "spurious". She still faces a five-year travel ban ordered by the court "Loujain is at home !!!!!!" her sister Lina tweeted. Another sister, Alia, said Hathloul was at their parents' home in Saudi Arabia. She posted a picture of Hathloul smiling in a garden, looking much thinner and with grey streaks in her hair. Hathloul had campaigned for women's right to drive and to end Saudi's male guardianship system. Rights groups and her family say that she was subjected to abuse, including electric shocks, waterboarding, flogging and sexual assault. Saudi authorities have denied the allegations. A court dismissed claims of torture saying evidence was lacking. On Wednesday, Amnesty International said that Saudi Arabia should bring to justice "those responsible for her torture". It has also urged the authorities to ensure that no punitive measures like travel ban against Hathloul. Saudi officials have not commented on her conviction or sentencing. There was no immediate comment on her release. US President Joe Biden welcomed Loujain al-Hathloul's release from prison. "Releasing her was the right thing to do," Biden said of Hathloul. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the development as well. "But I think it is important that others who are in the same condition as her, who have been jailed for the same reasons as her, also be released and that charges be dropped against them," said Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. Hathloul, detained along with several other women's rights activists, was convicted on charges including seeking to change the Saudi political system and harming national unity. Saudi Arabia's rights record came under global scrutiny after the 2018 murder of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents, which tarnished Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's image. The prince denied ordering the killing. Agnes Callamard, the independent U.N. rights investigator who led an international probe into Khashoggi's murder, welcomed Hathloul's release but said in a Twitter post that "the cruelty" of Saudi rulers that "violated her most basic right to physical and mental integrity" should not be forgotten. (With Reuters inputs)

Saudi Arabian women's rights activist Hathloul freed from jail: Family

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud about diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen. US State Department and Saudi state media said that the two ministers discussed the need ti find political solution to the war in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia leads a coalition that intervened in Yemen 2015 and backed government forces against Houthi rebels. UN has called the subsequent war the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.

Saudi state media and the state department said the two ministers also discussed the need to find a political solution to the war in Yemen.

On Wednesday, the Houthis said that they carried out drone attack on Abha airport in Saudi Arabia.

Blinken and al Saud "discussed joint efforts to bolster Saudi defenses against attacks on the Kingdom," the State Department said in a statement.

U.S. President Joe Biden last week named veteran U.S. diplomat Tim Lenderking as a U.S. special envoy to Yemen in a bid to step up American diplomacy to end the war.

The new administration in Washington has also announced an end to its support for Saudi-led military operations in Yemen.

(With Reuters inputs)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud about diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud about diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen. US State Department and Saudi state media said that the two ministers discussed the need ti find political solution to the war in Yemen. Saudi Arabia leads a coalition that intervened in Yemen 2015 and backed government forces against Houthi rebels. UN has called the subsequent war the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. Saudi state media and the state department said the two ministers also discussed the need to find a political solution to the war in Yemen. On Wednesday, the Houthis said that they carried out drone attack on Abha airport in Saudi Arabia. Blinken and al Saud "discussed joint efforts to bolster Saudi defenses against attacks on the Kingdom," the State Department said in a statement. U.S. President Joe Biden last week named veteran U.S. diplomat Tim Lenderking as a U.S. special envoy to Yemen in a bid to step up American diplomacy to end the war. The new administration in Washington has also announced an end to its support for Saudi-led military operations in Yemen. (With Reuters inputs)

Blinken speaks with Saudi foreign minister on Yemen war

A civilian plane was set on fire during an attack by Houthi rebels on an airport in Saudi Arabia. The information was released by Saudi-led coalition battling the rebels. The airport is located in southern part of the country.

"A cowardly terrorist attack by the Huthi militia on Abha international airport... A civilian plane within the airport grounds was exposed to a fire which was brought under control," state-run Al-Ekhbariya television cited the coalition as saying.

The attack has taken place at Abha International Airport. Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack.

State media said that that the fire was brought under control and that there were no casualties.

The Saudi-led military alliance intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from power in the capital, Sanaa.

The conflict, largely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been in a military stalemate for years.

The Houthis hold northern Yemen, from where they have often launched missiles and drones towards Saudi cities. The coalition has in the past responded with air strikes on Houthi military sites.

(With agency inputs, more details awaited)

A civilian plane was set on fire during an attack by Houthi rebels on an airport in Saudi Arabia. The information was released by Saudi-led coalition battling the rebels.

A civilian plane was set on fire during an attack by Houthi rebels on an airport in Saudi Arabia. The information was released by Saudi-led coalition battling the rebels. The airport is located in southern part of the country. "A cowardly terrorist attack by the Huthi militia on Abha international airport... A civilian plane within the airport grounds was exposed to a fire which was brought under control," state-run Al-Ekhbariya television cited the coalition as saying. The attack has taken place at Abha International Airport. Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack. State media said that that the fire was brought under control and that there were no casualties. The Saudi-led military alliance intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from power in the capital, Sanaa. The conflict, largely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been in a military stalemate for years. The Houthis hold northern Yemen, from where they have often launched missiles and drones towards Saudi cities. The coalition has in the past responded with air strikes on Houthi military sites. (With agency inputs, more details awaited)

Saudi Arabia: Passenger plane catches fire during Houthi rebel attack on airport

The world likes Joe Biden, but it is losing faith in America. These are the findings of a poll conducted in 12 countries in December 2020 — Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey and the United States.

Respondents in these countries say they support Joe Biden, but they don't trust America's ability to deliver. Another poll was conducted in Europe and they found that Biden's popularity or acceptability is undermined by pessimism against the US. Europeans believe the US Political system is broken and the world cannot rely on Washington to protect allies.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-has-the-post-american-era-arrived-362276/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Recent decisions offer some clues into Biden's thinking and they also offer insights into the problems Biden is not thinking about such as Afghanistan — no clear statement on America's longest-ever war.

Biden wants to remain tough on China. Recently, the US President gave his first interview.

He described the Chinese president Xi Jinping as "He's very bright. He's very tough. He doesn't have — and I don't mean it as a criticism, just the reality — he doesn't have a democratic, small bone in his body. But he is the question is, I've said to him all along, that we need to not have a conflict. But there's going to be extreme competition. And I'm not going to do it the way that he knows."

Two takeaways from that statement are that America isn't looking for a conflict with China but it does fear "extreme competition". Second, America wants to stop China from forcing its authoritarianism on the world. The question is how do you do that with a country like China without a conflict?

America's new secretary of state, Antony Blinken has said something similar. He had his first call with his counterpart in China and it wasn't pleasant. Blinken was quite straightforward. He told China that the US will hold Beijing accountable for its abuses in the international system and for its efforts to threaten stability in the Indo-pacific. During the call, Blinken said the US wants to raise issues of human rights in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong.

Blinken pressed China to condemn the military coup in Myanmar. Obviously, China won't take all of this lying down. So, it blamed America for the breakdown in their relationship and asking it to "strictly" follow the one-China policy on Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.

Not surprisingly, China refused to recognise the indo-pacific as well. The Chinese statement uses the phrase "Asia pacific" instead.

Where does team Biden stand on India?

The American president didn't mention India in his speech last week but the Biden administration has dropped some hints mostly on the quad — the quadrilateral alliance of India, the US, Japan and Australia. Reports say the US Has proposed a quad summit — an online meeting with the leaders of Australia, Japan and India.

America's national security adviser Jack Sullivan issued a statement last week, saying the quad is "Fundamental, a foundation upon which to build substantial American policy in the indo-pacific region". New Delhi has something to look forward to here, but it must also prepare for scrutiny especially on the issue of the farmer protests.

What about Iran?

President Biden has sent a clear message to Tehran that the sanctions won't be lifted. It will have to first comply with the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal and stop the enrichment of uranium. So, for now, Biden is keeping the Trump-era sanctions on Iran.

Iran's leader, Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei has rejected Biden's demand. "If they want Iran to return to its JCPOA commitments, America must completely lift sanctions, and not just in words or on paper," he said. "They must be lifted in action, and then we will verify and see if they have been properly lifted, and then return to these JCPOA commitments. This is the Islamic republic's definite policy." After that, he tweeted "The post-U.S. era has started"

This is a clear message to Washington that Khamenei wants the US to come to the table first.

West Asia remains a quagmire for America and Biden's first steps on Saudi Arabia won't make his job any easier.

Last week Biden put Saudi Arabia on notice. He declared the war in Yemen a “humanitarian and strategic catastrophe” and withdrew America's support to the Saudi-led coalition, meaning America will no longer support the Saudi offensive in Yemen, an end to the military aid, curbs on weapons supplies.

Reports say America could cut off supplies of munitions and spare parts to Saudi Arabia, stop maintaining the aircraft of the Saudi Air Force and limit sharing military advice. The US has also moved to de-list the Houthi rebels in Yemen as a terrorist organisation. Saudi Arabia has led a military intervention against the Houthis since 2015.

This is quite a shake-up after Trump's very successful peace deals between the Arabs and the Israelis.

The world likes Joe Biden, but it is losing faith in America. These are the findings of a poll conducted in 12 countries in December 2020 — Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey and the United States.

The world likes Joe Biden, but it is losing faith in America. These are the findings of a poll conducted in 12 countries in December 2020 — Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey and the United States. Respondents in these countries say they support Joe Biden, but they don't trust America's ability to deliver. Another poll was conducted in Europe and they found that Biden's popularity or acceptability is undermined by pessimism against the US. Europeans believe the US Political system is broken and the world cannot rely on Washington to protect allies. Recent decisions offer some clues into Biden's thinking and they also offer insights into the problems Biden is not thinking about such as Afghanistan — no clear statement on America's longest-ever war. Biden wants to remain tough on China. Recently, the US President gave his first interview. He described the Chinese president Xi Jinping as "He's very bright. He's very tough. He doesn't have — and I don't mean it as a criticism, just the reality — he doesn't have a democratic, small bone in his body. But he is the question is, I've said to him all along, that we need to not have a conflict. But there's going to be extreme competition. And I'm not going to do it the way that he knows." Two takeaways from that statement are that America isn't looking for a conflict with China but it does fear "extreme competition". Second, America wants to stop China from forcing its authoritarianism on the world. The question is how do you do that with a country like China without a conflict? America's new secretary of state, Antony Blinken has said something similar. He had his first call with his counterpart in China and it wasn't pleasant. Blinken was quite straightforward. He told China that the US will hold Beijing accountable for its abuses in the international system and for its efforts to threaten stability in the Indo-pacific. During the call, Blinken said the US wants to raise issues of human rights in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong. Blinken pressed China to condemn the military coup in Myanmar. Obviously, China won't take all of this lying down. So, it blamed America for the breakdown in their relationship and asking it to "strictly" follow the one-China policy on Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet. Not surprisingly, China refused to recognise the indo-pacific as well. The Chinese statement uses the phrase "Asia pacific" instead. Where does team Biden stand on India? The American president didn't mention India in his speech last week but the Biden administration has dropped some hints mostly on the quad — the quadrilateral alliance of India, the US, Japan and Australia. Reports say the US Has proposed a quad summit — an online meeting with the leaders of Australia, Japan and India. America's national security adviser Jack Sullivan issued a statement last week, saying the quad is "Fundamental, a foundation upon which to build substantial American policy in the indo-pacific region". New Delhi has something to look forward to here, but it must also prepare for scrutiny especially on the issue of the farmer protests. What about Iran? President Biden has sent a clear message to Tehran that the sanctions won't be lifted. It will have to first comply with the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal and stop the enrichment of uranium. So, for now, Biden is keeping the Trump-era sanctions on Iran. Iran's leader, Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei has rejected Biden's demand. "If they want Iran to return to its JCPOA commitments, America must completely lift sanctions, and not just in words or on paper," he said. "They must be lifted in action, and then we will verify and see if they have been properly lifted, and then return to these JCPOA commitments. This is the Islamic republic's definite policy." After that, he tweeted "The post-U.S. era has started" This is a clear message to Washington that Khamenei wants the US to come to the table first. West Asia remains a quagmire for America and Biden's first steps on Saudi Arabia won't make his job any easier. Last week Biden put Saudi Arabia on notice. He declared the war in Yemen a “humanitarian and strategic catastrophe” and withdrew America's support to the Saudi-led coalition, meaning America will no longer support the Saudi offensive in Yemen, an end to the military aid, curbs on weapons supplies. Reports say America could cut off supplies of munitions and spare parts to Saudi Arabia, stop maintaining the aircraft of the Saudi Air Force and limit sharing military advice. The US has also moved to de-list the Houthi rebels in Yemen as a terrorist organisation. Saudi Arabia has led a military intervention against the Houthis since 2015. This is quite a shake-up after Trump's very successful peace deals between the Arabs and the Israelis.

As Joe Biden takes over the US, does the world trust him?

Saudi Arabia’s combustible mix of religion, nationalism, and tradition as well as contradictions in the kingdom’s projection of itself as a driver of moderate Islam and major voice in combatting discrimination and racism spark heated debates on social media every now and then.

How the mix plays out will ultimately bring into spotlight the outcome of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to inject a significant dose of nationalism in a Saudi identity that historically has heavily been shaped by religion.

The contours of public engagement are evident in the contrast between passionate debates over issues such as a proposal to remove the sword from the Saudi flag and discussions of what constitutes Muslim holy land and the status of Jerusalem as Islam’s third-holiest city as opposed to far more cautious social media responses to changes in US policy as the Biden administration settles into office.

The debates suggest that Prince Mohammed’s endeavour is a work in progress.

Like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia has emphasised its desire to end the six-year-old conflict in Yemen in response to President Joe Biden’s halt to sales of arms that would be used in offensive operations in the war-ravaged country.

The kingdom has largely been silent about the State Department’s subsequent announcement that it was revoking the Trump administration’s designation of Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthis as terrorists.

The lack of debate about the Saudi response likely reflects popular sentiment in favour of an end to a military conflict that the Gulf states cannot win as well as an endorsement of Biden’s reiteration of the United States’ commitment to the security and stability of the kingdom.

It also reflects a keen understanding of what can and cannot be discussed in an environment in which the government tolerates no dissent or criticism of its policies. So does the lack of discussion of the government’s limited effort to evade being targetted by Biden’s insistence that his administration would make adherence to human rights a central plank of his foreign policy.

In an apparent gesture, Saudi Arabia last week temporarily released two US-Saudi dual nationals -- a journalist and a Shiite epidemiologist/writer -- incarcerated since 2019.

A Saudi court sentenced in December a US-Saudi medical doctor and popular religious motivational speaker Walid Fitaihi to six years in prison on charges that included illegally obtaining US citizenship. The court upheld a freeze on his assets as well as a ban on travel that includes his family.

At about the same, another court sentenced Loujain al-Hathloul, one of several detained women activists, to five years and 8 months in jail, 34 months of which were suspended. The court ruling sparked expectations that Al-Hathloul could be released next month.

By contrast, Saudis have been vocal when it comes to repeated reports that the UAE-backed Southern Transition Council (STC) in South Yemen maintains relations with Israel as well as the removal of TV personalities perceived to be critical of government policy.

Nationalism, as well as religion and tradition, appeared to be major drivers of criticism of a proposal by Saudi writer Fahd Al-Ahmadi to remove the sword from the Saudi flag in a bid to counter perceptions of Islam as coercive and violent.

“The sword is a symbol of our Islamic culture and we should not be ashamed,” countered one challenger who identified himself on Twitter as Abu Wisam.

Similar drivers were evident in responses to articles in Saudi daily newspaper Okaz suggesting that Mecca rather than Israel was the holy land and that Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, was originally in a village near Mecca.

Widely viewed as an attempt to reduce Saudi hesitancy to establish diplomatic relations with Israel by downgrading the religious significance of Jerusalem, responses ranged from endorsement to insisting on the need to fight the Jews no matter what to personal attacks.

Many responses seemed to starkly contrast with government efforts to project the kingdom as a bastion of tolerance that rejects ethnic and religious discrimination.

A US public relations firm last week distributed letters to the CEOs of Facebook and Twitter by Mohammed al-Issa, the head of the Mecca-based Muslim World League (MWL) that serves to propagate the kingdom’s projection of moderation.

“The MWL is calling for a zero-tolerance policy towards hate speech targeting Muslims or adherents to any religion and more robust procedures to see hateful content quickly removed … The MWL stands ready to begin an open and constructive dialogue with all social media companies so that we may together end the spread of hateful ideologies,” Al-Issa wrote.

The debates suggest that, despite significant progress in Saudi endeavours to remove hate speech from schoolbooks and the recent publication in Saudi media of op-eds penned by Israeli authors, the league may do well to help counter hate speech at home alongside projecting a kingdom as in the forefront of the fight against racism despite banning public religious expression by non-Muslims, including the opening of houses of worship.

A recent Israeli report on Saudi schoolbook reform suggested that amidst a battle for the soul of Islam waged by Middle East states, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran as well as Islamists, Muslim ultra-conservatives and external powers, competing for religious soft power “the efforts needed to induce deep change seem to remain herculean… The battle for the hearts and minds of people in the MENA (the Middle East and North Africa) region is far from concluded.”

If so, consistency in domestic policies as well as international projection is what is likely to separate the wheat from the chaff.

(A podcast version of this story is available on Soundcloud, Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spreaker, Pocket Casts, Tumblr, Podbean, Audecibel, Patreon and Castbox.)

(Dr James M Dorsey is an award-winning journalist and a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute.)

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Saudi Arabia’s combustible mix of religion, nationalism, and tradition as well as contradictions in the kingdom’s projection of itself as a driver of moderate Islam and major voice in combatting discrimination and racism spark heated debates on social media every now and then.

Saudi Arabia’s combustible mix of religion, nationalism, and tradition as well as contradictions in the kingdom’s projection of itself as a driver of moderate Islam and major voice in combatting discrimination and racism spark heated debates on social media every now and then. How the mix plays out will ultimately bring into spotlight the outcome of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to inject a significant dose of nationalism in a Saudi identity that historically has heavily been shaped by religion. The contours of public engagement are evident in the contrast between passionate debates over issues such as a proposal to remove the sword from the Saudi flag and discussions of what constitutes Muslim holy land and the status of Jerusalem as Islam’s third-holiest city as opposed to far more cautious social media responses to changes in US policy as the Biden administration settles into office. The debates suggest that Prince Mohammed’s endeavour is a work in progress. Like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia has emphasised its desire to end the six-year-old conflict in Yemen in response to President Joe Biden’s halt to sales of arms that would be used in offensive operations in the war-ravaged country. The kingdom has largely been silent about the State Department’s subsequent announcement that it was revoking the Trump administration’s designation of Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthis as terrorists. The lack of debate about the Saudi response likely reflects popular sentiment in favour of an end to a military conflict that the Gulf states cannot win as well as an endorsement of Biden’s reiteration of the United States’ commitment to the security and stability of the kingdom. It also reflects a keen understanding of what can and cannot be discussed in an environment in which the government tolerates no dissent or criticism of its policies. So does the lack of discussion of the government’s limited effort to evade being targetted by Biden’s insistence that his administration would make adherence to human rights a central plank of his foreign policy. In an apparent gesture, Saudi Arabia last week temporarily released two US-Saudi dual nationals -- a journalist and a Shiite epidemiologist/writer -- incarcerated since 2019. A Saudi court sentenced in December a US-Saudi medical doctor and popular religious motivational speaker Walid Fitaihi to six years in prison on charges that included illegally obtaining US citizenship. The court upheld a freeze on his assets as well as a ban on travel that includes his family. At about the same, another court sentenced Loujain al-Hathloul, one of several detained women activists, to five years and 8 months in jail, 34 months of which were suspended. The court ruling sparked expectations that Al-Hathloul could be released next month. By contrast, Saudis have been vocal when it comes to repeated reports that the UAE-backed Southern Transition Council (STC) in South Yemen maintains relations with Israel as well as the removal of TV personalities perceived to be critical of government policy. Nationalism, as well as religion and tradition, appeared to be major drivers of criticism of a proposal by Saudi writer Fahd Al-Ahmadi to remove the sword from the Saudi flag in a bid to counter perceptions of Islam as coercive and violent. “The sword is a symbol of our Islamic culture and we should not be ashamed,” countered one challenger who identified himself on Twitter as Abu Wisam. Similar drivers were evident in responses to articles in Saudi daily newspaper Okaz suggesting that Mecca rather than Israel was the holy land and that Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, was originally in a village near Mecca. Widely viewed as an attempt to reduce Saudi hesitancy to establish diplomatic relations with Israel by downgrading the religious significance of Jerusalem, responses ranged from endorsement to insisting on the need to fight the Jews no matter what to personal attacks. Many responses seemed to starkly contrast with government efforts to project the kingdom as a bastion of tolerance that rejects ethnic and religious discrimination. A US public relations firm last week distributed letters to the CEOs of Facebook and Twitter by Mohammed al-Issa, the head of the Mecca-based Muslim World League (MWL) that serves to propagate the kingdom’s projection of moderation. “The MWL is calling for a zero-tolerance policy towards hate speech targeting Muslims or adherents to any religion and more robust procedures to see hateful content quickly removed … The MWL stands ready to begin an open and constructive dialogue with all social media companies so that we may together end the spread of hateful ideologies,” Al-Issa wrote. The debates suggest that, despite significant progress in Saudi endeavours to remove hate speech from schoolbooks and the recent publication in Saudi media of op-eds penned by Israeli authors, the league may do well to help counter hate speech at home alongside projecting a kingdom as in the forefront of the fight against racism despite banning public religious expression by non-Muslims, including the opening of houses of worship. A recent Israeli report on Saudi schoolbook reform suggested that amidst a battle for the soul of Islam waged by Middle East states, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran as well as Islamists, Muslim ultra-conservatives and external powers, competing for religious soft power “the efforts needed to induce deep change seem to remain herculean… The battle for the hearts and minds of people in the MENA (the Middle East and North Africa) region is far from concluded.” If so, consistency in domestic policies as well as international projection is what is likely to separate the wheat from the chaff. (A podcast version of this story is available on Soundcloud, Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spreaker, Pocket Casts, Tumblr, Podbean, Audecibel, Patreon and Castbox.) (Dr James M Dorsey is an award-winning journalist and a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute.) (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion: Separating the wheat from the chaff Saudi moderation put to the test

He said the US would continue to provide defensive support to Saudi Arabia against missile and drone attacks from Iranian-backed forces.

Joe Biden announces end to U.S. support for Saudi-led offensive in Yemen

As many as 7,139 Indian prisoners, including undertrials, are lodged in various jails around the world, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia has the highest number of 1,599 Indian prisoners, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 898 and Nepal having 886 inmates, according to information provided by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan in Rajya Sabha.

"As per the information available with the ministry, the number of Indian prisoners in foreign jails as on December 31, 2020, is 7,139, which also includes undertrials," he said responding to a question.

He said due to strong privacy laws prevailing in many countries; the local authorities do not share information on prisoners unless the person concerned consents to the disclosure of such details.

"Even countries which share information do not generally provide detailed information about the foreign nationals imprisoned," he said.

Muraleedharan said Indian missions and posts abroad remain vigilant and closely monitor incidents of Indian nationals being put in jail for alleged violation of local laws.

"Missions and posts also maintain a local panel of lawyers where Indian community is in sizable numbers," he added.

According to the details provided by the minister, 548 Indians are languishing in jails in Malaysia and 536 are lodged in Kuwaiti prisons.

(With inputs from agencies)

As many as 7,139 Indian prisoners, including undertrials, are lodged in various jails around the world, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday. Saudi Arabia has the highest number of 1,599 Indian prisoners, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 898 and Nepal having 886 inmates, according to information provided by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan in Rajya Sabha.

As many as 7,139 Indian prisoners, including undertrials, are lodged in various jails around the world, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday. Saudi Arabia has the highest number of 1,599 Indian prisoners, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 898 and Nepal having 886 inmates, according to information provided by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan in Rajya Sabha. "As per the information available with the ministry, the number of Indian prisoners in foreign jails as on December 31, 2020, is 7,139, which also includes undertrials," he said responding to a question. He said due to strong privacy laws prevailing in many countries; the local authorities do not share information on prisoners unless the person concerned consents to the disclosure of such details. "Even countries which share information do not generally provide detailed information about the foreign nationals imprisoned," he said. Muraleedharan said Indian missions and posts abroad remain vigilant and closely monitor incidents of Indian nationals being put in jail for alleged violation of local laws. "Missions and posts also maintain a local panel of lawyers where Indian community is in sizable numbers," he added. According to the details provided by the minister, 548 Indians are languishing in jails in Malaysia and 536 are lodged in Kuwaiti prisons. (With inputs from agencies)

7,139 Indian prisoners lodged in foreign jails: MEA

In a move to tighten coronavirus restrictions amid a spike in infections, Saudi Arabia has shut down entertainment centres, including cinemas and suspended dine-in services at restaurants, on Thursday.&nbsp;

All events and parties, including weddings in banquet halls or hotels, have been suspended by the kingdom for 30 days, the interior ministry said in a statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency.&nbsp;

Not just this, the kingdom has halted 'all entertainment activities’, including cinemas and gaming parlours and suspended dine-in services in all restaurants and cafes for 10 days, it added. It also warned the suspension might get extended.&nbsp;

The measures, which will be implemented from 10.00 pm on Thursday (1900 GMT), are aimed at 'preventing the outbreak of a second wave' of the pandemic, the ministry said.&nbsp;

The announcement comes as Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah warned on Sunday about new coronavirus restrictions, which could be imposed if citizens and residents do not comply with health restrictions.&nbsp;

Till now, Saudi Arabia has reported nearly 369,000 coronavirus cases and almost 6,400 deaths, the highest among the Gulf Arab states.&nbsp;

From a peak of nearly 5,000 in last June, the daily infections dipped below 100 in early January.&nbsp;

However, new daily infections have tripled since then, with 306 cases reported by the health ministry on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia launched its coronavirus vaccination campaign on December 17 after receiving the first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.&nbsp;

The health ministry said the programme would roll out in three phases, starting with people over 65 and those with chronic ailments, or who are at high risk of infection.&nbsp;

But last month, the ministry said it was forced to slow the rollout due to a delay in vaccine deliveries.&nbsp;

In a move to tighten coronavirus restrictions amid a spike in infections, Saudi Arabia has shut down entertainment centres, including cinemas and suspended dine-in services at restaurants, on Thursday.

In a move to tighten coronavirus restrictions amid a spike in infections, Saudi Arabia has shut down entertainment centres, including cinemas and suspended dine-in services at restaurants, on Thursday. All events and parties, including weddings in banquet halls or hotels, have been suspended by the kingdom for 30 days, the interior ministry said in a statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency. Not just this, the kingdom has halted 'all entertainment activities’, including cinemas and gaming parlours and suspended dine-in services in all restaurants and cafes for 10 days, it added. It also warned the suspension might get extended. The measures, which will be implemented from 10.00 pm on Thursday (1900 GMT), are aimed at 'preventing the outbreak of a second wave' of the pandemic, the ministry said. The announcement comes as Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah warned on Sunday about new coronavirus restrictions, which could be imposed if citizens and residents do not comply with health restrictions. Till now, Saudi Arabia has reported nearly 369,000 coronavirus cases and almost 6,400 deaths, the highest among the Gulf Arab states. From a peak of nearly 5,000 in last June, the daily infections dipped below 100 in early January. However, new daily infections have tripled since then, with 306 cases reported by the health ministry on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia launched its coronavirus vaccination campaign on December 17 after receiving the first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The health ministry said the programme would roll out in three phases, starting with people over 65 and those with chronic ailments, or who are at high risk of infection. But last month, the ministry said it was forced to slow the rollout due to a delay in vaccine deliveries.

Saudi Arabia pauses entertainment stream to check virus’ surge

The United States has imposed a temporary freeze on two big arms deals with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates which were approved in the final weeks of the Trump administration, a State Department official said.

The nearly week-old administration has already signaled it plans to end support for the Saudi-led, UAE-backed offensive in Yemen, which is facing a humanitarian catastrophe. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-warns-china-over-expansionism-in-asia-359774">Also read | US President Joe Biden warns China over expansionism in Asia</a> 
 
A State Department spokesperson said the administration is "temporarily pausing the implementation" of a number of defense sales "to allow incoming leadership an opportunity to review."

"This is a routine administrative action typical to most any transition, and demonstrates the administration's commitment to transparency and good governance," the spokesperson said. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-and-suga-vow-to-strengthen-us-japan-alliance-359772" hreflang="en">Biden and Suga vow to strengthen US-Japan alliance</a>

The move is also aimed at "ensuring US arms sales meet our strategic objectives of building stronger, interoperable and more capable security partners."

The most high-profile sale is a $23 billion package of top-of-the-line F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates.

Former president Donald Trump's administration agreed to the sale -- the first of the stealth-capable planes to an Arab nation -- after the United Arab Emirates agreed to recognize Israel.

A potential halt to the sale could raise questions about whether the United Arab Emirates will continue its normalization with Israel, which Trump saw as a key foreign policy achievement.

Lawmakers of Biden's Democratic Party had voiced misgivings over the deal, fearing it would set off an arms race, but failed in the Senate to block the sale while Trump was in office.

The package to the United Arab Emirates also included unarmed drones, while the United States has been preparing major sales of munitions to Saudi Arabia.

Trump had explicitly backed arms sales on commercial grounds, saying that the Saudis were creating US jobs by buying from US manufacturers.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during his confirmation hearing that the Saudi offensive against Yemen's Huthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, has contributed to the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States has imposed a temporary freeze on two big arms deals with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates which were approved in the final weeks of the Trump administration, a State Department official said.

The United States has imposed a temporary freeze on two big arms deals with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates which were approved in the final weeks of the Trump administration, a State Department official said. The nearly week-old administration has already signaled it plans to end support for the Saudi-led, UAE-backed offensive in Yemen, which is facing a humanitarian catastrophe. Also read | US President Joe Biden warns China over expansionism in Asia A State Department spokesperson said the administration is "temporarily pausing the implementation" of a number of defense sales "to allow incoming leadership an opportunity to review." "This is a routine administrative action typical to most any transition, and demonstrates the administration's commitment to transparency and good governance," the spokesperson said. Also read: Biden and Suga vow to strengthen US-Japan alliance The move is also aimed at "ensuring US arms sales meet our strategic objectives of building stronger, interoperable and more capable security partners." The most high-profile sale is a $23 billion package of top-of-the-line F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates. Former president Donald Trump's administration agreed to the sale -- the first of the stealth-capable planes to an Arab nation -- after the United Arab Emirates agreed to recognize Israel. A potential halt to the sale could raise questions about whether the United Arab Emirates will continue its normalization with Israel, which Trump saw as a key foreign policy achievement. Lawmakers of Biden's Democratic Party had voiced misgivings over the deal, fearing it would set off an arms race, but failed in the Senate to block the sale while Trump was in office. The package to the United Arab Emirates also included unarmed drones, while the United States has been preparing major sales of munitions to Saudi Arabia. Trump had explicitly backed arms sales on commercial grounds, saying that the Saudis were creating US jobs by buying from US manufacturers. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during his confirmation hearing that the Saudi offensive against Yemen's Huthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, has contributed to the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. (With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden freezes controversial arms deals with Saudi Arabia and UAE

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