Saudi Arabia News in English - Expat Guide to Saudi Arabia

October 2, 2020

The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Two years ago, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed by Saudi agents at the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate, a murder that shocked the world. Here is a summary. – Never leaves consulate – The Washington Post columnist, who had taken refuge…

October 2, 2020

Mecca to reopen for limited pilgrimages after 7-month pause for virus

Saudi Arabia will reopen the Muslim holy places for the year-round umrah pilgrimage on Sunday, scaled back and with extensive health precautions, seven months after coronavirus prompted its suspension. The umrah, the pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time,…

October 1, 2020

Three dead in Saudi centres holding Ethiopian migrants: Amnesty

At least three detainees have died in Saudi facilities housing thousands of Ethiopian migrants who are enduring “unimaginable cruelty” during the coronavirus pandemic, Amnesty International said in a report Friday. Amnesty called on Saudi Arabia to release the migrants and…

September 29, 2020

Saudi says broke up Iran-trained ‘terrorist cell’

Saudi Arabia has said it arrested 10 members of a “terrorist cell”, some of whom underwent military and explosives training at Revolutionary Guard camps in Iran. Tehran on Tuesday denied the charges. Saudi security authorities said weapons and explosives stored…

September 29, 2020

In changing Saudi Arabia, first dog cafe delights pet lovers

Dog owners in Saudi Arabia can now enjoy a cup of coffee alongside their beloved pets at a new cafe — a first for the ultra-conservative kingdom. In Islam, dogs are considered unclean animals — unlike cats — and are…

September 28, 2020

G20 summit to be held virtually: Saudi hosts

Saudi Arabia said Monday it will hold the G20 summit virtually in November, instead of having leaders of the world’s richest nations converge on Riyadh as planned before the coronavirus crisis. The pandemic has forced all of the group’s meetings…

September 25, 2020

New York mayor boycotts Saudi summit on Khashoggi anniversary

New York city’s mayor has pulled out of a Saudi summit over human rights concerns, amid calls for a boycott of the event that coincides with the anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. Bill de Blasio, who announced his decision…

September 24, 2020

Saudi warns of ‘oil spot’ near decaying Yemen tanker

An “oil spot” has been observed in a shipping lane west of a decaying tanker off Yemen’s western coast, Saudi Arabia warned the UN Security Council in a letter released Thursday. The 45-year-old Safer, anchored off a Yemeni port since…

September 23, 2020

Saudi dissidents launch opposition party amid ‘repression’

A group of Saudi dissidents exiled in Britain, the US and elsewhere announced the launch of an opposition party on Wednesday, the first organised political resistance under King Salman’s rule. Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy that does not tolerate…