Riyadh

The new law appears to be in preparation for the historic lifting of the kingdom's driving ban on women on June 24. (Representational Image)

Saudi Arabia criminalises sexual harassment

The new law would introduce prison term of up to five years, maximum penalty of 300,000 riyals (USD 80,000).

30 May 2018 7:05 PM

Footage posted online showed the plane leaving a trail of flame along the runway as it skidded on its nose before screeching to a halt. (Photo: AFP)

53 injured as Saudi Arabian Airlines jet makes emergency landing

The Saudia aircraft was travelling from the Muslim holy city of Medina to Dhaka with 151 people on board, but had to be diverted to Jeddah.

22 May 2018 3:16 PM

The ex-CIA chief had arrived in Riyadh a day earlier, shortly after Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen fired missiles at Saudi Arabia’s southern city of Jizan, killing one person and underscoring what US officials said is a growing threat emanating from Iran. (Photo: AP)

Mike Pompeo, in Saudi Arabia, talks tough on Iran, Gulf dispute

Pompeo was meeting on Sunday with Saudi King Salman, whose country along with Bahrain and the UAE is embroiled in a row with Qatar.

29 Apr 2018 12:05 PM

The royal, who turns 30 on Sunday, this month oversaw her country's first Arab Fashion Week, headlined by Jean Paul Gaultier and Roberto Cavalli. (Photo: AFP)

Face of fashion Saudi princess turns heads in ultraconservative kingdom

Princess Noura bint Faisal Al-Saud, great-granddaughter of Saudi Arabia's founder, was named honorary prez of Arab Fashion Council in Dec.

27 Apr 2018 11:20 AM

Such projects are the brainchild of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a self-styled liberal change agent who is the chief architect of the sweeping 'Vision 2030' reform programme. (Photo: AP)

Saudi king Salman to launch 'entertainment city' near Riyadh

The 334-sq km project in Qiddiya would rival Walt Disney and include high-end theme parks, motor sport facilities and safari park.

24 Apr 2018 1:00 PM

Women are required to wear body-shrouding abaya robes and also cover their hair in public in parts of the ultra-conservative kingdom, which has some of the world's toughest restrictions on women. (Photo: Representational)

Saudi Arabia's women fitness centre shut over 'indecent' workout video

The video, which was circulated on social media, showed a woman with uncovered hair in a gym and kicking a punching bag.

21 Apr 2018 4:46 PM

The 32-year-old de facto ruler has overseen the most fundamental transformation in the modern history of the Gulf nation and sidelined all rivals after emerging as first-in-line last June. (Photo: AFP)

MBS's moderate Saudi: The liberal crown prince and his many reforms

The prince is the architect of a wide-ranging plan dubbed 'Vision 2030' to bring social and economic change to Saudi Arabia's economy.

06 Apr 2018 3:01 PM

‘We have religious concerns about the fate of the holy mosque in Jerusalem and about the rights of the Palestinian people. This is what we have. We don't have any objection against any other people,’ Prince Mohammed said. (Photo: File)

As Israel, Saudi draw closer, crown prince asserts 'right to own land'

Saudi Arabia - birthplace of Islam and home to its holiest shrines - does not recognise Israel.

03 Apr 2018 6:01 PM

The latest attack could further escalate the coalition’s military campaign. (Photo: Representational Image | AP)

Saudis intercept 7 Yemen rebel missiles in deadly escalation

The Iran-aligned Huthi rebels fired three missiles at Riyadh and four others at the southern cities of Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Najran.

26 Mar 2018 11:22 AM

The policy change, announced by the Saudi government on Thursday, also marks a major step away from the strict guardianship system that has ruled the country for decades. (Photo: Representational | AFP)

Saudi women now can open their own business without male permission

Saudi Arabia is pushing to expand country’s private sector, including expansion of female employment under a reform plan for a post-oil era.

19 Feb 2018 9:24 AM

Under Saudi Arabia's guardianship system, women are required to present proof of permission from a male ‘guardian’ - normally the husband, father or brother - to do any government paperwork, travel or enrol in classes. (Representational Image)

Guided without guardians: Saudi women can now own biz without male consent

The policy change, announced by the Saudi government on Thursday, also marks a major step away from the strict guardianship system.

18 Feb 2018 6:50 PM

A senior Saudi official said Prince Alwaleed was freed after he reached a financial settlement with the attorney general. (Photo: AFP)

Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal released after reaching financial settlement

Prince Alwaleed, who is in his early 60s, had described his confinement as a 'misunderstanding'.

28 Jan 2018 9:48 AM

Saudi Arabia in 2017 rounded up dozens of royal family members, current and former senior officials in a crackdown on corruption that has also strengthened the power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (Photo: File)

11 Saudi princes protesting austerity measures detained: report

They were also demanding compensation for a death sentence issued against a relative at the royal gathering.

06 Jan 2018 7:05 PM

In September, King Salman issued a decree saying women will be able to drive from June 2017 as part of an ambitious reform push in the conservative kingdom. (Photo: AFP/Representational)

Women on wheels: Saudi Arabia lifts ban on women driving

Its historic decision to allow women to drive from June 2017 has been cheered inside the kingdom and abroad.

17 Dec 2017 11:43 AM

Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world to impose a ban on women driving and its maintenance was seen around the world as a symbol of repression in the Gulf kingdom. (Photo: File)

Saudi women allowed to drive trucks, ride motorcycles from June

Women involved in road accidents or commit traffic violations will be dealt with at special centres that will be run by women.

16 Dec 2017 8:04 PM

Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman had set up the anti-corruption committee to check all the members from elite class. (Photo: File)

Most detained in Saudi purge agree to cash settlements for freedom

Dozens of high-profile figures including princes, ministers and tycoons are being held in Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton hotel.

06 Dec 2017 1:54 PM

The official, who is involved in the anti-corruption campaign, said Miteb was released on Tuesday after reaching ‘an acceptable settlement agreement.’ (Photo: AFP)

Price for freedom: Senior Saudi Prince pays USD 1 billion, walks free from graft charges

Miteb had been rounded up in a graft inquiry at least partly aimed at strengthening the power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

29 Nov 2017 2:50 PM

The summit is the first meeting of defence ministers and other senior officials from the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, which officially counts 41 members. (Photo: AFP)

Saudi Arabia begins first Islamic counter-terrorism summit

The alliance was announced in 2015 under the auspices of Prince Mohammed.

26 Nov 2017 6:37 PM

Saudi corruption purge leads to arrest of 201 for questioning

Authorities have frozen the bank accounts of the accused and warned that assets related to corruption cases would be seized.

10 Nov 2017 3:19 PM

With the purge, which analysts describe as a bold but risky power play, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appears to have centralised power to a degree that is unprecedented in recent Saudi history.(Photo: AFP)

Business will remain unaffected: Saudi Arabia reassures investors after purge

Authorities have frozen the bank accounts of the accused and warned that any assets related the corruption cases would be seized.

08 Nov 2017 4:25 PM