Riyadh news stories on Newser

Hundreds Protest in Riyadh

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 16:33:05 CDT

More than 200 Saudis were allowed to protest outside the Interior Ministry today to demand the release of detainees in the largest demonstration in the capital since the regional outbreak of pro-democracy unrest. A massive show of force snuffed out a Facebook-based effort to stage unprecedented pro-democracy protests in Riyadh...

Karzai Seeks Saudi Help in Taliban Talks

Kevin Spak — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:18:12 CST

Hamid Karzai arrived in Riyadh today, hoping to secure Saudi Arabia’s help in peace negotiations with the Taliban. Karzai and his entourage will first make a pilgrimage to Mecca, then meet with King Abdullah tomorrow to discuss the reconciliation process. Abdullah has said his government won’t participate as a mediator...

In Saudi Arabia, a Hotel for Women

Eleanor Villforth — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:21:16 CDT

Saudi Arabia’s first hotel catering exclusively to women—right down to its plush spa—opened this week in Riyadh, the Independent reports. The conservative kingdom enforces strict Islamic segregation of sexes in public, but women can stay at the Luthan Hotel without a male guardian—nor any men on the...

Mystery Illness Kills Camels

Colleen Barry — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 11:10:46 CDT

In Saudi Arabia, hundreds of camels have suddenly died for unknown reasons—232 were counted in the last four days in the Dawasir Valley, 250 miles south of Riyadh, Reuters reports. The Agriculture Ministry denies that an infectious disease is behind the deaths and blames problems with animal feed. Owners...

The Kingdom's Got a Big Closet

Caroline Miller — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:35:54 CDT

Sodomy is a capital crime in Saudia Arabia, but that hasn't stopped a gay scene from flourishing there. Quite the contrary, writes Nadya Labi in the Atlantic. Men and women are so zealously separated that homosexual encounters are easier to pull off. One Syrian who moved to Riyadh seven years...

Saudi King Calls Iraq War Illegal

Peter Fearon — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 08:53:29 CDT

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia fired a warning shot at the Bush administration yesterday, calling Iraq “an illegal foreign occupation” and urging Arab leaders to unite to prevent U.S. domination of the region. The Saudis "are telling the U.S. they need to listen to their allies rather than...