(2021-02-03). Brent oil up boosted by Saudi's output cut from Feb. yenisafak.com Brent oil price hit its highest level in 12 months after pandemic-driven concerns over a supply glut were eased with massive output cuts of major oil producers.International benchmark Brent crude was trading at $57.84 per barrel at 0720 GMT for a 0.07% rise after closing Tuesday at $57.80 a barrel. This is the highest level since Feb. 24 last year when it traded at $57.80.American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded at $55.09 per barrel at the same time for a 0.60% increase after it ended the previous session at $54.76 a barrel.The voluntary cuts of 1 million barrels per day (bpd) of OPEC's de facto le…
(2021-02-03). Qatar Airways to cut costs by $1.2 bln after Gulf deal. yenisafak.com The reopening of Arab airspace to Qatari flights will decrease costs by around $1.2 billion, the executive chairman of Qatar Airways said. | "The reopening of airspace following the Gulf reconciliation will have a positive impact on the company's financial performance," Akbar al-Baker told the state television in an interview late Tuesday. | Last month, Qatar signed a reconciliation agreement with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt to heal their rift, which started in 2017. | The Saudi-led bloc accused Qatar of "supporting terrorism" and severed diplomatic and trade relations with Doha, whi…
(2021-02-01). Blinken says partnership with Riyadh must be 'consistent' with US values. middleeasteye.net 
Blinken says partnership with Riyadh must be 'consistent' with US values | US secretary of state decries killing of Jamal Khashoggi as 'abhorrent', and says administration is reviewing blacklisting of Yemen's Houthis | Mon, 02/01/2021 – 18: 32 | In interview with NBC, Blinken says Riyadh is an 'important partner' but Washington is reassessing ties with kingdom (AFP) | US Secretary of State Antony Blinken decri…
(2021-02-01). City-State or Empire? The United Arab Emirates Seeks dominance in the Horn of Africa. juancole.com By Usman Butt | — ( Middle East Monitor) — Since the 2011 Arab Spring the United Arab Emirates has been taking an active role in a number of hotspots from Egypt, Libya to Yemen. The Gulf nation has spent $26 billion annually on its defence budget since 2016 and this is expected to increase …
(2021-01-31). Former Italy prime minister under fire for interview with Saudi crown prince. middleeasteye.net 
Former Italy prime minister under fire for interview with Saudi crown prince | Matteo Renzi's conversation with Mohammed bin Salman and joke about Riyadh's low labour costs cause stir back home | Sun, 01/31/2021 – 12: 58 | Former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi interviews Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on 28 January 2021 (AFP) | Former Italy prime minister Matteo Renzi has come u…