Latest Saudi Arabia government News
Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria since 2012
BEIRUT (AP) — Saudi Arabia on Sunday announced the appointment of its first ambassador to Syria since severing ties with Damascus in 12 years, marking an ongoing thawing in relations since the war-torn country was readmitted to the Arab League over a year ago. Faisal al-Mujfel's...
Human rights experts urge FIFA to scrutinize Saudi Arabia before 2034 World Cup vote
DUBLIN (AP) — FIFA was urged by international lawyers Wednesday to uphold its own policy and scrutinize Saudi Arabia’s human rights record before picking the kingdom to host the men’s 2034 World Cup. A 22-page document was delivered to FIFA headquarters in Zurich on behalf of...
Saudi Arabia's national carrier orders more than 100 new Airbus jets as it ramps up tourism push
Saudi Arabia's national airline ordered more than 100 new Airbus jets, a reflection of the kingdom's ambitious drive to lure more tourists. Saudia Group, which represents the Saudia airline and its budget carrier Flyadeal, said Monday that it ordered 105 aircraft from the French...
In Saudi Arabia, an all-women psychedelic rock band jams out as its conservative society loosens up
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Leaning into the microphone in Saudi Arabia's capital, Nora let loose a primal scream. Guitars wailed and drums throbbed behind her as part of a set with her bandmates during a recent show. The performance by Seera, an all-women psychedelic rock band...
US national security adviser, Saudi Arabia's crown prince meet to discuss 'semi-final' security deal
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — President Joe Biden's national security adviser met early Sunday with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss what the kingdom described as the “semi-final” version of a wide-ranging security agreement between the countries. ...
Independent UN experts say radical Saudi Arabia scholar held for years should be tried or released
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A radical Sunni scholar whose criticisms of Saudi Arabia's government and the West drew praise from the l ate al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden should be immediately tried or released from a yearslong arbitrary detention by the kingdom, independent experts...
Saudi Arabia confirms a fitness influencer received an 11-year sentence over 'terrorist offenses'
JERUSALEM (AP) — Saudi Arabia confirmed in a letter to the United Nations that a female fitness instruction who was popular online received an 11-year prison sentence but did not specify any of her alleged “terrorism offenses.” Though the kingdom insisted the case had nothing...
Top diplomat Blinken will visit the Mideast again this coming week. What can he achieve this time?
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken is returning to the Middle East on his seventh diplomatic mission to the region since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began more than six months ago, the State Department said Saturday. Blinken is traveling to Saudi Arabia on Monday,...
Saudi Arabia's King Salman enters hospital for routine examinations, state media say
JERUSALEM (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s 88-year-old King Salman entered the hospital Wednesday for what state media described as “routine examinations.” The state-run Saudi Press Agency did not elaborate other than to say that he would be at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah....
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia call for a cease-fire in Gaza, saying efforts so far are insufficient
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday called for an immediate cease-fire and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on a visit to Islamabad, said that international efforts toward a cease-fire...