US President Joe Biden's administration has decided to lift the suspension of certain weapons transfers to Saudi Arabia, the State Department confirmed on Friday, reversing a three-year-old policy.
“The department is lifting its suspension on certain transfers of air-to-ground munitions to Saudi Arabia,” a State Department representative told The National, adding that new transfers would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
“This suspension was imposed in early 2021 following the administration’s announcement that it was ending support for offensive operations in the conflict in Yemen, including relevant US arms transfers.”
The Biden administration briefed Congress this week on its decision to lift the ban, a congressional aide told Reuters, which first reported the news.
“We take this action on the basis of continued Saudi adherence to the conditions of the April 2022 truce in Yemen, despite its formal expiration after six months,” the State Department representative said.
“Saudi Arabia has also been a key partner in seeking a durable resolution to the conflict in Yemen.”
Reuters cited a senior Biden administration official as saying that “the Saudis have met their end of the deal, and we are prepared to meet ours, returning these cases to regular order through appropriate congressional notification and consultation”.
Under US law, major international weapons deals must be reviewed by Congress before they are made final.
The decision comes amid heightened tension in the Middle East amid the war in Gaza. The threat level in the region has been rising since late last month, with Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah vowing to retaliate against Israel after Hamas's political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran.
The Biden administration also has been negotiating a defence pact and an agreement for civil nuclear co-operation with Riyadh as part of a broad deal that envisions Saudi Arabia normalising ties with Israel – although that remains an elusive goal.
"Saudi Arabia remains a critical security partner for the United States, particularly at a time of high regional instability," the State Department representative said.
Yemen was plunged into civil war in late 2014, with the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels seizing the capital Sanaa and ousting its internationally recognised government, which a Saudi-led military alliance moved to defend.
A UN-brokered ceasefire in 2022 has officially expired but the fighting has remained minimal amid ongoing negotiations. But since the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war, the Houthis have targeted international shipping lanes, attacking or capturing a number of vessels.
“We are regularly conducting air strikes to degrade Houthi capabilities, an effort that is continuing and will continue together with a coalition of partners,” the senior US administration official said.
“We have designated the Houthis as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, and we will have imposed sanctions and additional costs on the Houthi smuggling networks and military apparatus. This pressure will continue to build over the coming weeks.”
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Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
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Tips for entertaining with ease
· Set the table the night before. It’s a small job but it will make you feel more organised once done.
· As the host, your mood sets the tone. If people arrive to find you red-faced and harried, they’re not going to relax until you do. Take a deep breath and try to exude calm energy.
· Guests tend to turn up thirsty. Fill a big jug with iced water and lemon or lime slices and encourage people to help themselves.
· Have some background music on to help create a bit of ambience and fill any initial lulls in conversations.
· The meal certainly doesn’t need to be ready the moment your guests step through the door, but if there’s a nibble or two that can be passed around it will ward off hunger pangs and buy you a bit more time in the kitchen.
· You absolutely don’t have to make every element of the brunch from scratch. Take inspiration from our ideas for ready-made extras and by all means pick up a store-bought dessert.
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Nov 04-05: v Western Australia XI, Perth
Nov 08-11: v Cricket Australia XI, Adelaide
Nov 15-18 v Cricket Australia XI, Townsville (d/n)
Nov 23-27: 1ST TEST v AUSTRALIA, Brisbane
Dec 02-06: 2ND TEST v AUSTRALIA, Adelaide (d/n)
Dec 09-10: v Cricket Australia XI, Perth
Dec 14-18: 3RD TEST v AUSTRALIA, Perth
Dec 26-30 4TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Melbourne
Jan 04-08: 5TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Sydney
Note: d/n = day/night
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The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
