The Contagion Today

Tense Saudi Arabia bans protesting (By Emma Cowing) SAUDI Arabia has banned protests, sending a strong signal that the small demonstrations in the east of the country will no longer be tolerated "The kingdom's regulations totally ban all sorts of demonstrations, marches, sit-ins," the interior ministry said. It added that security forces would stop all attempts to disrupt public order.

Saudi Arabia bans all marches as mass protest is planned for Friday Extra troops are sent to north-east to quash any Shia protest as King Abdullah's regime gets jittery and oil prices soar in response to the region's continued unrest (By David Randall)

Youth to petition King for women's right to drive JEDDAH: Some Saudi youths have started a group on Facebook to petition King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to allow women to drive.

Pakistanis rally in support of Arab uprisings (Press TV) These demonstrators are angry at what they witnessed on their TV screens, the horrifying images of the brutal government crackdown on the pro-democracy protestors, on the streets of Libya, Yemen and Bahrain and they are supporting the regime change in Arab world.

'Al-Qaeda' attack raises tensions in Yemen (AFP) SANAA — Suspected Al-Qaeda gunmen killed four soldiers in Yemen on Sunday, a day after President Ali Abdullah Saleh refused to yield to protesters demanding his immediate resignation.

U.S. says citizens in Yemen should consider leaving SANAA (Reuters) - The United States told its citizens on Sunday to avoid traveling to Yemen and said those already there should consider leaving due to deteriorating security.

90 Dutch in Yemen urged to leave Over 90 Dutch nationals who are still in Yemen should leave the country as a precaution until the political and security situation stabilises, says the Dutch ambassador in Sana'a, Harry Buikema.

No Deal in Yemen: The President Says He Won't Go (TIME) The contest in Yemen became clearer on Saturday as the dusty confusion of street protests gives way to a political rivalry that is likely to leave democracy in the lurch. On Saturday, after days of equivocation, Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh officially rejected a last-ditch proposal by the political opposition to step down before the end of this year.

Suspected al-Qaida gunmen kill 4 soldiers (AP) SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Suspected al-Qaida gunmen killed four Republican Guard soldiers on Sunday in the mountainous central province of Marib, security officials said.

Thousands protest at Bahrain govt HQ MANAMA — Thousands of demonstrators massed Sunday at Manama's Al-Qudaibiya Palace, where Bahrain's cabinet meets, chanting slogans against the tiny Gulf state's government and King Hamad.

Thousands protest in Bahrain (Aljazeera) Demonstrators gather outside PM's office in capital, Manama, demanding premier step down and monarchy be overthrown.

Oman's ruler replaces two top ministers after protests (By Saleh al-Shaibany) MUSCAT (Reuters) - Oman's ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said replaced two key ministers Saturday in response to protests across the Gulf Arab nation calling for political reforms and jobs.

Protesters stage oil-field sit-in in Oman Protests demanding economic reforms by Oman's ruler have reached a key oil region in Oman, Government officials said.

Unrest in the Middle East and Africa -- country by country  (CNN Round UP)