Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Saudi Arabia braces for economic impact

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Thursday, May 7 | Daily Briefing [By: Karen Young on Wednesday, May. 6, 2020]( 1 [Saudi Arabia braces for economic impact]( Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council states must make dramatic cuts in spending, and not just on megaprojects, as unsustainably large annual deficits have arrived. 2 [Intel: US renews waiver for Iraq to import Iranian electricity after Kadhimi forms government]( The Donald Trump administration on Wednesday announced that the United States will renew a sanctions waiver for Iraq to continue importing Iranian electricity shortly after Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi managed to form a new government following months of political gridlock. Israel 3 [High Court greenlights Netanyahu’s unity government]( The High Court ruling of last night enables Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to go ahead with their deal and establish a unity government. 4 [Trump administration announces $225 million in emergency Yemen aid]( The Donald Trump administration announced $225 in emergency food aid for Yemen today, but the United States is still refusing to cooperate with the World Health Organization on vital programs. 5 [Qatar Airways to cut jobs]( The Gulf airline continues to fly to destinations worldwide while other regional carriers have stopped nearly all of their flights. 6 [Pentagon report: US military killed 132 civilians in conflicts in 2019]( While the number is lower than independent monitors claim, some have still recognized the report as a step forward in accountability. Israel 7 [US ambassador’s annexation comments please Israeli right]( Israel's political right is delighted by US Ambassador David Friedman's support for the nascent government's annexation plans. 8 [Yemen’s Houthis announce first coronavirus case]( While 21 previous cases had been reported in areas controlled by the internationally recognized government, the real figure in the war-wracked country is likely far higher. Palestine 9 [Palestinian woman leads fight against coronavirus, while others fall victim to domestic violence]( Women are taking the lead in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak in the Palestinian territories, while at the same the virus has brought more violence and suffering to some women. 10 [IRGC soldiers killed in Kurdish area of Iran]( Iranian media reported that unknown gunmen killed three IRGC soldiers in Iran's Kurdistan province. 11 [Intel: Trump administration to return acquitted scientist to Iran, paving way for potential prisoner swap]( The United States is expected to deport an Iranian professor acquitted of sanctions evasion. Iran 12 [Iran says it is exporting coronavirus diagnostic kits]( Iran announced the export of its first batch of domestically produced coronavirus diagnostic tests to Germany, saying it is receiving similar orders from other nations plagued by the pandemic. 13 [Intel: Biden vows to reopen Palestinian delegation in Washington]( Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on Tuesday that he would move to reopen the Palestinian delegation in Washington, which President Donald Trump closed in 2018. Iraq 14 [Iraq’s parliament approves government of new PM Kadhimi]( A new Iraqi government has been finally formed after months of deadlock and a political crisis that hit the country’s stability and economy. Egypt 15 [Terrorists in Sinai increase attacks during Ramadan]( The Egyptian army and security forces have been under attack this Ramadan, as in previous years. 16 [Qatar coup rumors leave trail to regional rivals]( An apparently doctored video made the rounds on Twitter Monday suggesting a coup was under way in Qatar. 17 [Bahrain eases coronavirus restrictions, allowing shops to reopen]( Beginning Thursday, shops and industrial businesses in the Gulf kingdom can resume business, though some restrictions remain in place. STAY CONNECTED [fb_icon_footer]( [twitter_icon_footer]( [instagram_icon_footer]( [rss_icon_footer]( CONTACT US [Support & Contact]( [Advertise](mailto:advertise@al-monitor.com) NEWSLETTERS [Subscribe]( TERMS OF USE [Visitor Agreement]( [Privacy Policy]( © 2020 Al-Monitor. All Rights Reserved. If you no longer wish to receive these emails you may [unsubscribe or manage your preferences]( at any time. Al-Monitor · 1850 K St NW · Suite 1225 · Washington, DC 20006 · USA