Saudi Arabia

Saudi Blogger Given 10 Years, Lashes for 'Insulting Islam'

Blogger given 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes and a fine after being convicted of insulting Islam".

Saudi Arabia Says it Dismantled a Major Terrorist Organization

Saudi Arabia says a major “terrorist organization” with links to extremist elements in Syria and Yemen has been caught.

Saudi Arabia Orders 'Anti-Islamic' Website Closed

A Saudi court orders the permanent closure of a liberal website for publishing "anti-Islamic content."

Saudi King Says Atheists Are Terrorists

Saudi King Abdullah issues series of new decrees defining atheists as terrorists.

Iran Calls Obama 'Two-Faced' On Saudi Rights

Tehran slams Obama's 'hypocrisy' for not raising Saudi human rights breaches during visit last week, accuses US and Israel of 'terror.'

Prime Minister Issues Scathing Attack on UN Human Rights Council

Netanyahu brands UNHRC a 'procession of hypocrisy'; council also under fire for whitewashing Saudi human rights abuses.

Imprisoned Saudi Princesses Give Emotional Plea for Help

Princesses allegedly locked in a Jeddah palace say royal family is starving them, call on world leaders to stop 'gender apartheid.'

Obama to Saudi King: There Will be No 'Bad Deal' with Iran

President Obama assures Saudi King Abdullah that the United States would not accept a “bad deal” with Iran.

Canadian Court Expels Saudi Man for Assaulting His Daughter

Court orders the expulsion of a Saudi Arabian man who was convicted of assaulting his daughter and threatening to kill her.

Peace Now Accused of Legitimizing 'Murderers and Rapists'

Far-left NGO slammed for taking part in anti-Israel parlay sponsored by some of the world's worst human rights violators.

U.S. Blasts Saudis for Barring American-Israeli Reporter

White House criticizes Saudi Arabia after it refuses a visa to an American journalist because he works for The Jerusalem Post.

US Hiding Report on Radical Saudi School Textbooks

Pressure on Obama, ahead of Saudi trip, to reveal extensive report on traditionally anti-Semitic textbooks kept under wraps since 2012.

Arab League Summit Backs Abbas's Stubbornness in Talks

Middle East Muslim countries declare refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, as they grapple with regional conflicts.

Saudi Cleric Claims: The Sun Revolves Around the Earth

Forget what you learned at school. A Saudi cleric recently said that the sun revolves around the Earth, citing the Koran as proof.

Saudi Arabia Releases Banned Names Registry

Banned names have Western, royal connotations.

Is the Saudi King Holding His Daughters Against Their Will?

UN receives complaints about Saudi princesses being held against their will, but it could be a while before anything is done.

Saudi Man Given 8 Years for Inciting Protests on Twitter

Saudi Islamist given 8 years for inciting "families of those arrested for security reasons to protest".

Saudi Arabia Blacklists Muslim Brotherhood, Syrian Jihadists

Saudi Arabia blacklists the Muslim Brotherhood and two Syrian jihadist groups as terrorist organizations.

Saudi Schools Ban Females Who Don't Wear a Face Veil

Education departments in Saudi Arabia ban females who do not wear a face veil from entering girls’ schools.

Saudi Arabia Gets First Female Newspaper Editor

The English-language Saudi Gazette appoints woman as its editor, a step forward in a country where women are repressed.

Obama to Visit Saudi Arabia in March

President Barack Obama will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with King Abdullah, amid tension in relations between the countries.

New Saudi Law: 20 Years for Belonging to Terrorist Groups

Saudi King decrees jail terms of up to 20 years for belonging to "terrorist groups", part of an effort to fight jihadists.

Livni Receives Compliments from Saudi Official

"I understand why you're Israel's negotiator," former head of Saudi intelligence tells Justice Minister at Munich conference.

Survey: Egypt Overtaking Saudis As Most Conservative

Survey of 7 Arab countries: Saudis think women should cover all but eyes in public, yet half for women choosing clothes.

First Female Lawyer in Saudi Arabia

Royal decree allows first female Saudi lawyer. She wears a full face covering, raising doubts of change amid poor Saudi rights record.

Kerry: Saudis Support Peace Efforts

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says he won Saudi support for his efforts to broker a deal between Israel and the PA.

Kerry: Israel-PA Deal Will be 'Fair and Balanced'

US Secretary of State continues Middle East tour, pushing PA-Israel peace deal to Israel's neighbors.

Kerry Announces Unplanned Visit to Saudi Arabia

Previously unannounced visit on Sunday intended for consultation on progress in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Saudis Pledge $3 Billion to Lebanese Army

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman announced the largest grant provided in Lebanon's history.

Iran Claims Saudi Delegation Met Netanyahu

In the latest claim about an Israel-Saudi relationship, Iran reports that a Saudi delegation flew to Israel and met high-ranking officials.

Saudi Arabia and Israel - Let's Not Get Carried Away

Saudi Official Shakes Hands with Israelis in Rare Meeting

Saudi Prince Turki Al-Faisal speaks with MK Meir Sheetrit at conference in Monaco, but refuses invitation to visit the Knesset.

Two Saudi Women Detained for Driving

Saudi activists say that police have detained two women in Riyadh caught breaking an official ban on females driving.

Report in Iran: Saudi Intelligence Head Met Mossad Chief

Citing a "well connected" source, Iran's Fars news claims the head of Saudi intelligence met in Geneva with Mossad chief Tamir Pardo.

Jordan Elected to UN Security Council

UN General Assembly elects Jordan to the Security Council seat that Saudi Arabia rejected.

Saudi Arabia Blamed for Iran Embassy Bombing

Reversing claim that Israel bombed Iranian Beirut embassy, Hezbollah leader attacks Saudis, also accuses them of Iraqi violence.

Putin Meets Saudi Intel Chief To Discuss Syria and Iran

Meeting in Moscow focuses on Syria crisis and Geneva 2 talks, 'positive dynamics' of Iran deal, signals closer relations between 2 nations.

Iran News Agency Claims Israel, Saudi Arabia Making 'Stuxnet 2'

Iranian news agency Fars claims Israel, Saudi Arabia in cahoots to sabotage nuclear program, amid rumors of partnership.

Saudi Arabia: Muslim Authority Threatens War Over Temple Mount

Saudi Arabia's highest Islamic authority blasts Israeli plans for Jewish prayer on Temple Mount, threatens 'religious war'.

Iran Wants 'New Page' with Saudis, UAE

Foreign Minister Zarif says he hopes to visit Saudi Arabia, and to end a dispute with UAE over islands.

Saudi Cleric: Women Driving Ban Protects Against Evil

The grand mufti of Saudi Arabia says the country's long-standing ban on women driving protects society from "evil".

Obama Calls Saudi King Amid Tense Relations

Saudi King receives a phone call from U.S. President Barack Obama, Iran deal likely discussed.

Saudis 'Lied To' by US, Pursue Independent Policy

Senior advisor to Saudi royal family says the US 'deceived' his country over Iran deal; Saudis to pursue 'independent' foreign policies.

Saudis Issue Positive Statement on Iran Deal

While reportedly furious with the US over the deal, Riyadh chooses a diplomatic public approach.

Saudi Court Sentences 20 for 2004 US Consulate Attack

Jeddah court sentences 1 to death, and 19 to prison; another 35 defendants due to be sentenced later this week.

Saudi Arabia: We Won't 'Sit Idly By' if West Fails with Iran

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UK warns the kingdom will take action if world powers fail to halt Iran’s nuclear program.

Saudi Arabia Urges Citizens to Flee Lebanon

Amid growing violence near Beirut, and in light of recent bombing, Riyadh urges all citizens to flee Lebanon.

Saudi Man Arrested For Giving Free Hugs

Man inspired by viral Youtube video tries giving free hugs, arrested by Saudi religious police for 'exotic practices.'

Iran-linked Group Claims Saudi Arabia Mortar Bombings

Iraqi Shi'ite militia claims mortar bombings on remote Saudi area. Group is closely linked with Iran.

Kerry: Deal 'Best Chance' to Stop Nuclear Iran

After meeting with defense officials, Kerry still backs precarious Iran deal, but also vows not to let Iran 'buy time.'

Saudi Arabia Denies Reports of Diplomatic Contact with Israel

Saudi spokesman says British report Sunday that the two countries were in negotiations over preventing a nuclear Iran was wrong.

Report: Israel, Saudi Arabia Plan Iran Strike

Israeli and Saudi officials are reportedly creating a contingency plan for a joint strike on Iran.

Ethiopian Infiltrators Surrender In Saudi Arabia Crackdown

Roughly 23,000 Ethiopians turn themselves in to authorities in Saudi Arabia following crackdown on illegal workers.

Saudi Arabia, Russia and China Elected to UNHRC

Irony: Countries with questionable human rights records win seats on none other than the UN Human Rights Council.

Putin Called Saudi King, Next US Ally Lost?

Russian President Putin calls Saudi King Abdullah, talk hints Saudi Arabia like Egypt abandoning US for Russia.

Analysis: US Rushing Iran Deal, Selling Out Allies

US-based analysts comment that America is rushing an Iran nuclear deal turning its back on allies, analyst notes nuclear arms race danger.

Two Killed as Saudi Government Cracks Down on Illegal Workers

Clashes between immigrants, police come a week after the end of an amnesty on illegal immigrants; one million deported in the past 3 months.

Will Jordan Replace Saudi Arabia on the UN Security Council?

UN diplomat says that Jordan will replace Saudi Arabia on the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term starting in January.

Report: Saudi Arabia to Obtain Pakistani Nukes as Last Resort

Evidence the Gulf state has a 'Plan B' in the event of Iranian nuclear proliferation, which could mark the start of a nuclear arms race.