The Saudi Arabia’s narrative of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s death “that he was killed in a brawl following discussions with visiting officials in the consulate” has met with international skeptism as it contrasts with Turkish pro-government media reports that a Saudi hit squad, including an autopsy expert, traveled to Istanbul to kill Khashoggi and dispose of his body, which has not yet been found. The overnight statement, released by the state-run […]

In a country where women are denied some of the basic rights, the observance of Women’s Day is path-breaking. International Women’s Day is widely celebrated across the globe where people pledge their support for gender equality and celebrate the achievements of women and has become a regular event in the social calendar. Yet, many countries beyond this ambit and Saudi Arabia is one such nation where many basic rights are […]

A woman has won a seat on a municipal council for the first time in Saudi Arabia, after the kingdom lifted its bar on women taking part in elections.   Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi won a seat in Mecca province in Saturday’s vote.   Women have also won in several other regions in the country, including  Jeddah and Qatif, reports suggest.   The election was the first where women were […]

In a bizarre incident, a river – apparently not full of water- but with sand and pebbles was recently seen gushing through the Arabian desert. The ‘river of hail’ was captured in a video and was uploaded on YouTube by Latina News TV. The clipping has been reportedly recorded in Saudi Arabia’s Empty Quarter, the largest contiguous sand desert in the world. Notably, at one point, the individual capturing the […]

Saudi Arabia may start requiring people to prove they have a driving licence as a condition for getting married, apparently in order to limit the rising number of divorces. Under plans being studied by the kingdom’s justice ministry, possession of a driving licence could become a prerequisite for finalising a marriage contract, the Arab News daily reports. Couples may also be asked to attend mandatory “marriage training” before tying the knot. […]

United Nations: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday gave USD 100 million to the United Nations to support counter-terrorism efforts and called on other countries to do the same. The donation follows a USD 500 million Saudi gift to the UN effort to help Iraqi refugees fleeing a jihadist advance. “We have been stung by the evil of terrorism,” Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir told reporters. “We […]