Saudi Arabia News in English - Expat Guide to Saudi Arabia

July 31, 2021

Doctors in Saudi separate Yemeni baby from twin

A team of doctors in Saudi Arabia has separated a Yemeni baby from her parasitic twin, authorities said, marking their 50th successful operation on conjoined twins. Aisha Ahmed Saeed was born fully developed but with an extended pelvis area and…

July 31, 2021

Super cruise ship sets sail from Saudi for first time

A super cruise ship has departed Saudi Arabia for the first time, setting sail for regional waters as the kingdom seeks to expand its tourism industry and diversify its oil-dependant economy. The MSC Bellissima, a vessel longer than three football…

July 30, 2021

Saudi Arabia to reopen to vaccinated tourists after 17-month Covid closure

Saudi Arabia announced Friday it would reopen its borders to fully vaccinated foreign tourists after a 17-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, the state news agency said. However, Riyadh did not announce any lifting of restrictions on the umrah,…

July 28, 2021

Saudi jails Sudanese journalist on ‘bogus charges’: HRW

A Saudi court handed a Sudanese journalist a four-year prison sentence on June 8 for social media posts critical of the kingdom, the group Human Rights Watch reported. Ahmad Ali Abdelkader, 31, was charged with “insulting state institutions and symbols”…

July 27, 2021

Saudis breaking Covid travel rules face 3-year exit ban

Saudi Arabia warned on Tuesday that citizens visiting destinations on its list of countries blacklisted due to Covid-19 will face three-year travel bans following their return. Those found to have travelled to restricted countries would face “hefty penalties… as well…

July 26, 2021

World reacts to Tunisia political turmoil

Tunisian President Kais Saied’s decision to suspend parliament and dismiss his prime minister sparked protests at home, where the biggest political party decried it as a “coup”. Foreign governments also voiced concern. Here are reactions from countries and organisations around…

July 24, 2021

Sixth Saudi site makes UNESCO heritage list

A sixth site in Saudi Arabia has been added to UNESCO’s world heritage list, the UN organisation announced on Saturday. Hima, in the Gulf state’s southwest, is home to one of the largest rock art complexes in the world. “New…

July 22, 2021

Saudi Arabia and UAE deny Pegasus spyware allegations

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have dismissed allegations they used Israeli-supplied Pegasus malware to spy on journalists and human rights activists. A statement by the UAE’s foreign ministry on Thursday said “allegations … claiming that the UAE is…

July 22, 2021

Saudi Aramco confirms data leak

Saudi Aramco said Thursday that company data had been leaked from one its contractors, but said it had “no impact” on the oil giant’s operations. Aramco, the kingdom’s cash cow and the world’s biggest energy company, did not respond to…