Saudi Arabia

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Saudis, UAE to Block BlackBerry Messages

Security concerns prompt crackdown

(Newser) - A telecommunications official says Saudi Arabia will block BlackBerry email, messaging, and Web access, joining neighboring United Arab Emirates in a move it says is prompted by security concerns because the devices operate beyond the government's ability to monitor their use. The move will take place later this month in...

Man Shackles Son 'Possessed' by Evil Female Genie

29-year-old has been constrained for 6 years

(Newser) - A Saudi man has chained his 29-year-old son in the family's basement home for more than six years, believing him to be possessed by "an evil female genie," reports the Daily Mail . The son, named "Turki," exhibited fits and convulsions and would speak in a woman's...

'Give Me the Freedom to Cover My Face'
 'Give Me the Freedom 
 to Cover My Face' 
LONDONER PLEADS:
Jul 19, 2010 2:02 AM CDT

'Give Me the Freedom to Cover My Face'

'Bans as oppressive as Islam demands'

(Newser) - A suffocating Islamic abaya at first triggered tears of "rage and shame" from Londoner Nesrine Malik, humiliated by the oppressively "cumbersome" and "sexist" garb she was ordered by her parents to wear in Saudi Arabia. But the face-covering clothing has since become a "comfort and delight,...

Story Murky, Iran Scientist Headed Home

But US officials say Shahram Amiri defected

(Newser) - The Iranian nuclear scientist who turned up in front of Iran's diplomatic mission in DC Monday night is headed back to Iran, but his story is no clearer. Shahram Amiri initially claimed he was kidnapped by CIA operatives in Saudi Arabia and held hostage in Tuscon for much of the...

Prince's Agitated Horses Delay Saudi Flight

Horses ultimately tranquilized for takeoff

(Newser) - Six Arabian horses owned by a Saudi Arabian prince became agitated in the cargo hold of a Saudi-bound plane today, delaying takeoff for more than an hour, officials at an Egyptian airport report. An EgyptAir pilot was forced to turn the plane with 189 passengers around on the runway because...

Saudis Open Skies for Israeli Hit on Iran

Riyadh will let Israel's planes fly over its territory, say sources

(Newser) - Saudi Arabia is giving Israel a free pass through its airspace for a bombing run on Iranian nuclear sites, reports the Times of London, citing defense sources in the Gulf. The move puts four key sites within range of Israeli bombers, and the Saudis have tested lowering their air defenses...

Saudi Woman Slugs Virtue Cop
 Saudi Woman Slugs Virtue Cop 
in case you missed it
May 22, 2010 2:00 PM CDT

Saudi Woman Slugs Virtue Cop

Mystery woman sends religious officer to hospital

(Newser) - A Saudi woman stopped by a virtue cop pulled off every feminist's dream: As her male companion mysteriously collapsed, she proceeded to give the cop a thrashing—to the point where he was taken to the hospital with bruising. The unnamed woman was strolling through an amusement park with her...

Toddler Hostages Rescued After 11 Months

Saudi forces free German siblings held by rebels

(Newser) - Saudi Arabia special forces have rescued two young German girls who were held by Yemeni rebels for almost a year. Anna and Lydia Hentschel, aged 3 and 5, are being treated in a Saudi hospital. The fate of their Christian missionary parents and baby brother, who were seized along with...

Hey, BP: Supertankers Could Clean Up Spill

 Hey, BP: Supertankers 
 Could Clean Up Spill 
It worked for Saudis
May 15, 2010 1:15 PM CDT

Hey, BP: Supertankers Could Clean Up Spill

They suck up vast quantities of polluted water; oil is filtered out in port

(Newser) - A former Shell Oil president has some advice for BP: Use supertankers to suck up the oil fouling the Gulf of Mexico. He says the Saudis used it in a hush-hush cleanup project after a spill in the early '90s dumped hundreds of millions of gallons. The Saudis "figured...

Conjoined Palestinian Twins Inseparable, Likely to Die

Girls had made it out of Gaza to Saudi Arabia

(Newser) - Saudi Arabia's health minister says conjoined Palestinian twins flown to Riyadh from the Gaza Strip cannot be separated and do not have long to live. The 2-week-old twin girls, joined at the chest, overcame immense obstacles to make it out of the Gaza Strip—including an Israeli blockade, rival Palestinian...

Talk-Show 'Sorcerer' Wins Saudi Reprieve

Lebanese man dodges beheading—for now

(Newser) - A TV talk-show host condemned to die by beheading for "sorcery" by a Saudi court has won a reprieve. Officials, however, gave no indication that his sentence would be commuted, or that he would be released. Ali Hussain Sibat offered predictions and advice on a call-in program in Beirut...

Saudis to Behead TV Host as 'Sorcerer'

TV talk-show host boasted of predicting future

(Newser) - A Lebanese TV host who boasted he could predict the future is to be beheaded tomorrow in Saudi Arabia for "sorcery." Dad of two Ali Hussain Sibat hosted a popular call-in TV program in Beirut in which he doled out advice and predicted the future. He was busted...

Saudi Arabia Arrests 113 Al-Qaeda Suspects

They were plotting attacks on oil facilities, say authorities

(Newser) - Saudi Arabia said today it has foiled several planned attacks on oil installations with the arrests of 113 suspected al-Qaeda militants in a months-long sweep. Many of the suspects had come to Saudi Arabia on visas to visit holy sites or by sneaking across its borders, but wanted to join...

Saudis to Allow Female Lawyers in Court

New law will allow them to argue family-related cases

(Newser) - Saudi Arabia is planning to issue a law “in the coming days” that will allow women lawyers to argue family-related cases in court, according to the country’s justice minister. Previously, female lawyers could only operate behind the scenes in court offices and government offices; now they’ll be...

Saudi Prince Held in London Murder

Royal arrested after aide found beaten to death in hotel

(Newser) - A Saudi prince has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man believed to have been part of his entourage was found battered to death in a 5-star London hotel. Detectives were called in after staffers found the body at the Landmark Hotel, the Telegraph reports. The victim, a...

Hillary Laughs Off President Palin Question

She wouldn't move, but she'd be visiting Canada 'often'

(Newser) - What’s on Saudi Arabia’s mind? American politics apparently. At a town hall-style meeting at Dar Al Hekma College in Saudi Arabia this morning, a student asked Hillary Clinton if she was scared by the prospect of Sarah Palin becoming president. “Would you consider moving to Canada or...

Saudi Police Begin Valentine's Day Crackdown

 Saudi Police Begin 
 Valentine's Day 
 Crackdown 
banned holidays
Feb 11, 2010 10:39 AM CST

Saudi Police Begin Valentine's Day Crackdown

The holiday, and any item invoking it, are banned

(Newser) - The Saudi religious police are cracking down on stores selling items that are red or in any other way allude to the banned celebration of Valentine's Day. A Saudi official says policemen are inspecting shops for red roses, heart-shaped products, and gifts wrapped in red, and ordering store owners to...

Saudi Preteen Seeks Divorce From 80-Year-old Husband

Human Rights Commission backing girl

(Newser) - A 12-year-old Saudi girl is seeking a divorce from her 80-year-old husband with the help of the state-run Human Rights Commission. The preteen was married last year to her elderly cousin against her and her mother's wishes in exchange for a $30,000 dowry. It's the first time the Saudi...

Karzai Seeks Saudi Help in Taliban Talks

Afghan president arrives in Riyadh

(Newser) - 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...

US Flexing Muscle in Gulf, Sends Message to Iran

It's beefing up defenses of Arab nations in the region

(Newser) - The US is ramping up military cooperation with Arab states in the Persian Gulf ahead of a possible showdown with Iran. The New York Times and the Washington Post weigh in with essentially the same story, both quoting anonymous administration and military officials. The strategy—which includes placing ships off...

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