Saudi Arabia

Hatoon al-Fassi, a Saudi professor and a leading advocate of women's rights, speaks at a political meeting for women in Riyadh.

World News

For Saudi Women, 'Baby Steps Into This World Of Democracy'

5:28pm December 02, 2015

by Deborah Amos

For the first time, women in Saudi Arabia are allowed run for office and vote. But they're still banned from driving and need a male guardian's permission to travel, work and pursue higher education.

Saudi Hay Farm In Arizona Tests State's Supply Of Groundwater

5:59pm November 02, 2015

by NPR Staff

A Saudi Arabian dairy company owns 15 square miles in Arizona — and 15 water wells — to make hay to send home to cows. Local farmers are just realizing their water is being exported overseas as hay.

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World News

Death Toll In Hajj Stampede Rises To 769

7:05am September 28, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Saudi Arabia announced the new figure, up from 717 on Friday. Meanwhile, Iran has said the tragedy is "not incompetence ... [but] a crime" due to lax security during the pilgrimage.

Muslim pilgrims and rescuers gather around people who were crushed by overcrowding in Mina, Saudi Arabia, during the annual hajj pilgrimage on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia Faces Criticism Over Hajj Stampede That Killed 700

8:44am September 25, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Iran accuses Riyadh of "incompetence" for the Saudi government's handling of security during the pilgrimage.

Saudi police and national guard are deployed to the area of a stampede in the Mina valley near the Saudi holy city of Mecca on Thursday. Officials say hundreds of people were killed.

World News

Stampede At Hajj Pilgrimage Near Mecca Kills Hundreds

9:55am September 24, 2015

by Bill Chappell

The stampede is being called the worst in 25 years. It occurred on a street in Mina, a large valley where thousands of pilgrims camp overnight.

Syrian citizens line up to apply for visas outside the German embassy in Beirut. Lebanon hosts more than 1 million Syrian refugees.

World News

Gulf States Fend Off Criticism About Doing Little For Syrian Refugees

11:22am September 20, 2015

by Deborah Amos

As domestic and international criticism mounts, Saudi Arabia and its peers are under pressure to review their policies toward migrants and refugees. They say they're already doing a lot to help.

Workers stand next to a collapsed crane that was blamed for 107 deaths at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy Muslim city of Mecca last week.

World News

Bin Laden Company Banned From Work In Mecca After Crane Disaster

2:58pm September 15, 2015

by Bill Chappell

A Saudi royal court says the Saudi Binladin Group, which has operated in the kingdom since the 1930s, can't pursue new projects until an inquiry is closed.

Mohamed Hashem, one of Saudi Arabia's best known musicians, plays the oud, a Middle Eastern lute.

An Art Scene Flourishes Behind Closed Doors In Saudi Arabia

3:14pm September 10, 2015

by Leila Fadel

There isn't much public space to be creative. Artists Arwa Alneami and Ahmed Mater are trying to change that. They host a salon where creative people gather and exchange ideas.

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President Obama meets Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz in Riyadh in January. The president is hosting King Salman at the White House Friday.

Obama To Reassure Saudi King Amid Concerns Over Iran Nuclear Deal

4:09pm September 08, 2015

by Michele Kelemen

To prove its support for Gulf Arab allies, the Obama administration is stepping up military sales to Saudi Arabia. The president hosts King Salman at the White House today.

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A Saudi company produced the first successful Arabic-language online video game, Unearthed: Trail of Ibn Battuta. It's an adventure tale based on the life of a 14th century Arab explorer.

World News

As Saudi Arabia's Love Of Online Gaming Grows, Developers Bloom

7:02am August 12, 2015

by Deborah Amos

In a conservative country where opportunities for entertainment are limited, online video games give Saudis the chance for some fun. With powerful female characters, they also convey social messages.

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