Royal visit reveals Saudi women's sheltered existence
The Duchess of Cornwall visited Saudi Arabia's first university for women, where women are paid to study without much prospect of a job.
Revolutionary step to give women a say in Saudi politics
Our perceptions of Saudi Arabia are hardly flattering, particularly when it comes to the treatment of women. But change is afoot.
In Profile: Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal
A look at the Saudi billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal.
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Amnesty International concerned by arms sales to Gulf countries
The human rights charity Amnesty International has raised concerns about the sale of British weapons to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia:
– Allan Hogarth, Head of Policy and Government Affairs, Amnesty International UKSelling arms to countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE should only be considered if there are absolutely watertight guarantees over them not being used to commit human rights violations.
Saudi Arabia has been the recipient of record-breaking arms deals involving the UK, yet these have been highly secretive and there’s been little or no follow-up over how the weaponry was used ...
In the past a large Saudi chequebook has apparently meant it could purchase weapons as well as silence over its own dreadful human rights record.
It’s time for David Cameron to end this deeply disturbing trade-off.
Death toll in Saudi fuel tanker blast 'rises to 22'
Saudi state television said 22 people have died and more than 110 people have been wounded in the explosion of a fuel tanker in the capital Riyadh.
The blast, which was caused by a traffic accident, caused widespread damage in the city:
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Aftermath of tanker explosion in Saudi capital
Emergency officials comb Riyadh explosion site
More than 100 emergency officials are combing the site of the industrial building explosion in the Saudi capital of Riyadh in a search for victims.
Survivor Kushnoo Akhtara, 55, who was at work in the building, which housed the operations of a heavy machinery distributor, when the blast occurred said "lots of people" were left under rubble.
– Kushnoo AkhtaraI was inside the building when the blast came. Then boom, the building collapsed. Furniture, chairs and cabinets blasted into the room I was in. My brother is still inside under the rubble. There are lots of people in there.
'At least 10 dead' after flammable tanker explodes in Saudi capital
At least 10 people have been reportedly killed after an industrial building was nearly entirely destroyed in an explosion caused by a tanker carrying flammable liquid crashing in the Saudi Arabian capital.
Reuters reported the latest death toll, quoting witnesses and TV reports.
Officials in Riyadh said the fuel truck smashed into a concrete flyover, causing the multi-storey industrial building to be almost levelled and damaging several nearby buildings.
Explosion in Saudi Arabian capital
An industrial building in eastern Riyadh, the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, was almost entirely destroyed by a large explosion on Thursday, a Reuters witness said.
The building was almost levelled by the blast, with one corner left standing, the witness said. Nearby vehicles were on fire and at least five fire engines were arriving at the scene.
The reason for the explosion was not immediately clear.
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Saudi Arabia orders citizens to leave Lebanon 'immediately'
Saudi Arabia orders citizens to leave Lebanon "immediately", according to the Saudi state news agency.
Obama: Prince Nayef 'dedicated himself to security of Saudi Arabia'
US President Barack Obama said Crown Prince Nayef, who had been next in line to rule Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, had for decades "dedicated himself to the security of Saudi Arabia as well as security throughout the region."
– Obama said in a statement issued while on a visit to his home town ChicagoUnder his leadership, the United States and Saudi Arabia developed a strong and effective partnership in the fight against terrorism, one that has saved countless American and Saudi lives. On behalf of the American people, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to King Abdullah, the royal family, and the people of Saudi Arabia.
Seen as a key ally for the West, Saudi Arabia has provided critical intelligence to foil al Qaeda plots, bankrolled pro-Western Arab governments and has supported Washington's attempts to isolate Iran.
Obama offers condolences to Saudis over Prince's death
The US President has offered his condolences to the people of Saudi Arabia following the death of Crown Prince Nayef. Mr Obama praised him for helping developing strong anti-terrorism ties with the United States.
Saudi Crown Prince Nayef, heir to throne, dies
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, next in line to rule the world's top oil exporter, has died just eight months after becoming heir to 89-year-old King Abdullah, the royal court said.
Analysts and former diplomats said the succession process was likely to be stable, however, with the king and a family council expected to start work on the appointment of a new crown prince, who would probably be another brother of King Abdullah.
"With deep sorrow and grief... King Abdullah mourns his brother... Crown Prince Nayef who passed to the mercy of God on Saturday outside the kingdom," said a royal court statement carried by state media.
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