Hundreds of Muslim pilgrims died in heat-stricken Hajj
Collective prayers and struggles are core to Islam's Hajj, but heat took a toll this year: Hundreds died and thousands sought treatment for heat exhaustion.
Saudi Arabia
5 years after Khashoggi's murder, advocates say the lack of justice is dangerous
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in October 2018. Those involved in his killing have largely avoided consequences, and Saudi Arabia continues to crack down on its dissidents.
Saudi man sentenced to death for tweets in harshest verdict yet for online critics
A retired teacher in Saudi Arabia a death sentence for his tweets criticizing the country's leadership to just a handful of followers, according to rights advocates and his family.
Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are among 6 nations set to join the BRICS economic bloc
Iran and Saudi Arabia are among 6 nations invited Thursday to join the BRICS bloc of developing economies. United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia are also set to join the bloc from 2024.
Ethiopia to investigate report of killings of its nationals at the Saudi-Yemen border
The Ethiopian government said it will investigate a report of killings of hundreds its nationals at the Yemen-Saudi border. A Saudi government official rejected the Human Rights Watch report.
China makes it harder for its Muslim citizens to go to Mecca, or anywhere else
Chinese Muslims take roundabout trips for their Hajj pilgrimage, trying to circumvent China's tightened surveillance at every turn — and possible arrest on their return, pilgrims and tour leaders say.
Standing where Prophet Muhammad gave his final sermon, 2 million Muslims perform Hajj
This is the largest pilgrimage since 2019, after which the Hajj was dramatically curbed due to coronavirus restrictions that limited the pilgrimage to just a few thousand people.
In a stunning move, PGA Tour agrees to merge with its Saudi-backed rival, LIV Golf
The merger will end all pending litigation between the parties, mending a burgeoning split in men's professional golf that remade the game in the last year.
Iran reopens its embassy in Saudi Arabia as the Gulf rivals restore ties
The reopened embassy could ease travel between the two countries as they work to resume direct flights, increase trade and restore business ties.
Saudi Arabia cuts oil production again to shore up prices — this time on its own
OPEC+ countries also agreed to extend oil production cuts they announced in April through the end of 2024, reducing production by more than 1 million barrels per day.