Saudi Arabia detains 113 al-Qa'ida militants

Saudi Arabia said yesterday that it has arrested 113 al-Qa'ida militants, including suicide bombers who had been planning attacks on energy facilities in the world's top oil exporter.- 25/03/2010, Middle East

Marine energy projects approved for Scotland

The seabed off the north coast of Scotland could be transformed into the "Saudi Arabia of marine energy" after seven power firms were awarded contracts for a landmark project designed to harness the area's potential for tidal energy and power up to 750,000 homes by 2020.- 17/03/2010, Green Living

Saudi Arabia to allow women lawyers in court

Saudi Arabia's Justice Minister says his department is drafting a law that would allow female lawyers to argue legal cases in court for the first time. Sheikh Mohammed al-Issa told reporters that the bill will be issued in the coming days as part of the Saudi king's "plan to develop the justice system". The law would mark a major step...- 22/02/2010, Middle East

Saudi sex braggart Mazen Abdul-Jawad gets no relief in court appeal

A Saudi appeals court has upheld a sentence of five years in jail and 1,000 lashes for a Saudi man who bragged about his sexual exploits on television, newspapers reported today. The court in Jeddah also confirmed a five-year travel ban for airline employee Mazen Abdul-Jawad, and sentences of two years plus 300 lashes for three friends who also...- 09/02/2010, Middle East

Internet censorship 'the new Berlin Wall'

The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has called for an unfettered internet and urged global condemnation of those who conduct cyber attacks, as China sought to contain tension with the US over the hacking and censorship of Google.- 22/01/2010, World Politics

Swine flu vaccination a must for UAE hajj pilgrims: report

The United Arab Emirates has said everyone going on the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia must be vaccinated against swine flu before leaving the country, a newspaper reported on Tuesday.- 10/11/2009, Health News

Paedophile rapist to be beheaded and crucified in Saudi Arabia

A man who kidnapped and raped five children, one of whom was left in the desert to die, has been sentenced to be beheaded and his body publicly crucified. Muhammed Basheer al-Ramaly, 22, from the northern city of Hail, in Saudi Arabia, will be executed at noon today. He will be beheaded by sword then his body tied to a wooden cross and his hea...- 04/11/2009, Middle East

Hajj pilgrims may be told to take swine flu vaccine

British Muslims may be required to provide flu vaccination certificates if they want to participate in the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca at the end of November, Saudi Arabia has warned. The pilgrimage, the largest and densest international gathering in the world, presents unique hazards for the spread of the swine flu virus. The H1N1 vaccine is the b...- 30/10/2009, Health News

Egypt to vaccinate hajj pilgrims against swine flu

Egypt will give swine flu vaccinations to citizens making the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Health Minister Hatem al-Gabali said in a report on Wednesday.- 22/10/2009, Health News

Hajj flights for Asia's Muslims starting this week

Across Asia many airlines are beginning services this week to ferry passengers to Saudi Arabia in time for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.- 19/10/2009, News & Advice

Saudi investment will not be quick fix for Liverpool

An associate of Saudi Arabia's Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud claimed yesterday that the prince could bid for a major stake in Liverpool, but has concerns about the club's debt and the relationship between its owners. The Liverpool co-owner George Gillett is due in Saudi Arabia next week to hold talks with the Saudi Royal. "His Highness'...- 09/10/2009, Premier League

Mystery as Iran nuclear scientist disappears

The disappearance of an Iranian nuclear scientist on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in June is raising questions about whether he defected and gave the West information on Iran's nuclear programme. Iran's foreign minister accused the United States of involvement in the disappearance of Shahram Amiri, who reportedly worked at a university linked t...- 08/10/2009, Middle East

Saudi company confirm Liverpool link

Saudi Arabian sports investment company F6 have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Liverpool to establish a number of football academies in the region, while chairman Prince Faisal bin Fahad bin Abdulla Al Saud also reiterated his desire to buy a 50% stake in the Premier League club. The deal signed with Reds co-owner George Gillett wil...- 28/09/2009, Premier League

Saudi closes broadcaster after sex confession

Saudi Arabia has closed the Jeddah office of a Lebanon-based television network after it aired an interview with a Saudi man speaking about his sexual escapades, a government spokesman said on Sunday. Mazen Abdul-Jawad, 32, was arrested last month in the Red Sea city of Jeddah after shocking Saudi Arabia, one of the most conservative countries in ...- 09/08/2009, Middle East

Ten Saudis seek asylum after princess is allowed to stay

Ministers are considering asylum applications for 10 Saudi Arabian nationals who claim they are at risk of persecution if they are forced to return to the Middle Eastern kingdom, it emerged last night.- 21/07/2009, Home News