Saudi Arabia Eyes Billions of Dollars in Entertainment Investments
Reforms aim to capture a portion of the $20 billion currently spent overseas every year by Saudis seeking entertainment
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by Ibn Saud. The country is ruled under an "absolute monarchy," which is a form of monarchy in which one ruler has supreme authority that is unrestricted by any laws.
The country is ruled under the ultraconservative Wahhabi religious movement within Sunni Islam. Saudi Arabia hosts the two holiest places in Islam, the Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina.
It is a sovereign Arab state covering majority of the Arabian Peninsula, with a land mass of approximately 2,150,000 km2. The country has a population of 28.7 million people and the official language spoken is Arabic.
Petroleum was discovered on 3 March, 1938 in Saudi Arabia and has since become the world's largest oil producer and exporter. It is the only Arab country to be part of the G-20 major economies.
Turkey Planning International Investigation Into Khashoggi Murder
'We see how those who spoke of freedom of press are now covering this up after seeing money,' says Turkish official
Saudi Cleric Dies After Five Months in Prison for Dissent
Ahmed al-Amari, who previously served as a dean at Islamic University in Medina, was arrested in August in crackdown on people believed to be close to a religious scholar who published a book critical of the Saudi royal family
Saudi-led Coalition's Planes Pound Yemen's Capital
Escalation in fighting raises doubts about second round of UN-sponsored talks this month aimed at ending the nearly four-year war
Saudi Arabia Pumps Money Into Restive Shi’ite Quarter It Once Flattened
Riyadh hopes redevelopment in the old quarter of al-Awamiya will quell violence
U.S.-Saudi Relations Can't Move Forward Until MBS 'Dealt With,' Senator Graham Says
After meeting with Turkey's Erdogan, Republican Senator vowed further sanctions over the Khashoggi case, but gave no specifics concerning Saudi crown prince
Yemen Fighters Begin Prisoner Exchange Talks in Jordan as Part of UN Peace Efforts
Delegates from Iran-aligned Houthi movement and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government meet in Amman to discuss implementation of deal reached in UN-led talks
Explained In Major Reversal, Arab Nations Warming to Syria’s Assad
Gulf Arab nations, once the main backers of rebels trying to oust Assad, are lining up to reopen their embassies in Syria
Analysis A Runaway Teen Scored a Victory Over Saudi Crown Prince. But She's Not Free Yet
Saudi women are quietly rebelling against the kingdom on Facebook and Twitter. But even on social media, there are people who monitor, threaten, smear or arrest them
Canadian Refugee Agency Hires Guard for Saudi Teen Who Fled Family
A body guard was hired for Rahaf Mohammed, who was granted asylum in Canada, after receiving multiple threats online
Adviser Fired Over Involvement in Khashoggi Murder Remains Active in Saudi Court, Sources Say
Saud al-Qahtani, who has previously raised eyebrows for his influence in the kingdom, was dismissed as a top aid to the crown prince. Investigators say he gave Skype orders to the team inside the Saudi consulate
Pompeo in Riyadh: Saudis Assured Me of Accountability for Khashoggi Murder
Pompeo told reporters he had also raised a number of human rights issues with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, including women’s rights activists who have been detained and allegedly tortured for months
Yemen Military Intel Chief Dies of Wounds From Rebel Drone Strike
Maj. Gen. Mohamed Tamah among several senior commanders injured in attack, which killed five Yemeni soldiers
Saudi Teen Who Fled Family Welcomed as 'Brave New Canadian' in Toronto
Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun arrives at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, smiling and wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the word Canada in red, and a blue UNHCR cap
Runaway Saudi Teenager Leaves Thailand for Canada After Being Granted Asylum
Al-Qunun's flight came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed late Friday that his country had given the teenager asylum
Saudi Women to Be Told of Divorce by Text Message as New Law Combats Secret Divorces
The new law, that came into effect on Sunday, was seen as a way to end secret divorces and ensure women are fully aware of their marital status so they can protect rights such as alimony
Dozens of Private Jets Stranded in Saudi Airports After Corruption Crackdown
Saudi Arabian government says it aims to seize more than $100 billion in cash or assets
UN Refugee Agency Asks Australia to Take in Saudi Teen
Rahaf Mohammed al-Qanun's father arrived in Thaliand and asked to meet with his daughter ■ Australia said it would consider resettling her
Thailand Says Won't Deport Saudi Teen Seeking Asylum Back to Kuwait
'We will not send anyone to their death,' BBC quotes Thai immigration chief as saying ■ Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, barricaded herself in her Bangkok hotel room and called for help from the UN on Twitter
Saudi Woman Claiming to Flee Abuse by Family Held in Thailand
18-year-old Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, who apparently planned to seek asylum in Australia, said that Saudi and Thai officials told her she would be returned to her family, where she faces 'real danger'
Pompeo to Seek Update on Khashoggi Murder Trial in Upcoming Saudi Arabia Visit
A Saudi court recently held first hearing, in which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for five of 11 suspects in the case ■ Visit is part of U.S. secretary of state's Mideast tour, which will not include a stop in Israel
Saudi Arabia May Delay Soccer Club Privatization in Latest Setback to Economic Reforms
Head of soccer federation admits one of the pillars of government's Vision 2030 would take longer than expected
Saudi Arabia to Seek Death Penalty for Five Suspects Involved in Khashoggi Murder
11 suspects, some of whom are part of the Crown Prince Mohammad's entourage, appeared in their first court hearing for the murder of the dissident journalist by which the prosecution has requested evidence from Turkish investigators
Philippine Airlines Seeks Saudi Overfly Permit for Direct Route to Israel
Philippine official attributes move to successful visit to Israel by President Rodrigo Duterte ■ Israeli airlines not likely to receive similar rights due to decades-long rift between Jerusalem and Riyadh
Saudi Arabia to Build Entertainment Complex After Decades of Curbing Leisure Activities
Center will be developed in Riyadh by a company operating under kingdom's wealth fund and will feature sports activities, live shows, restaurants and cinemas
Netflix Bows to Saudi Arabia, Pulls 'Patriot Act' Episode on Khashoggi
In the episode, Hasan Minhaj called for the U.S. to 'evaluate its relationship with Saudi Arabia' in light of the murder
Analysis Sing All You Want, but Don't Dare Drive: How an Arab Singer Evoked the Wrath of Her Saudi Female Fans
Saudi women are furious with Ahlam Alshamsi, whose decision to nix concerts in the kingdom tells a bigger story about feminism and double standards in the Middle East
Trump, Syria and Saudi Arabia: The Stories That Reshaped the Middle East in 2018
This year saw Israel’s secret attack on Syria’s nuclear reactor go public and the Khashoggi’s murder threaten MBS' charm offensive, Haaretz sums up 12 months of proxy wars and regional politics
Saudi Arabia Taps New Foreign Minister in Attempt to Improve Image After Khashoggi's Murder
Kingdom is still trying to recover from the scandal caused by the dissident journalist's killing: King Salman reshuffles government, launches Saudi space agency
Opinion Caliph Erdogan? Why Turkey's President Is Quietly Courting Indian Muslims
Erdogan has good reason to invest in Indian Muslims: their support would boost his bid for leadership of the Muslim world. And as India's Hindu nationalist footprint strengthens, its Muslims may seek a powerful defender abroad