Saudi Arabia

Men attend Eid al-Adha prayers outside of the Shah-e-Dushamshera mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 21, 2018. (Rahmat Gul/AP)

August 21, 2018, 10:28 am

Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha as pilgrims conduct hajj rites

Some two million visitors will mark 'Feast of Sacrifice' celebration in Saudi Arabia, slaughtering livestock and distributing meat to the poor

By AP

Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca, on Arafat Day which is the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage early on August 20, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / AHMAD AL-RUBAYE)

From the WebAugust 20, 2018, 11:52 pm

At pilgrimage, Muslims blame Arab disunity for US embassy move to Jerusalem

As two million faithful gathered in Mecca, some said Trump wouldn't have recognized city as Israel's capital if Arab leaders had adhered to Quran, Reuters reports

Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque, before leaving for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on August 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

August 19, 2018, 9:25 am

Over 2 million Muslims kick off annual hajj pilgrimage

Saudi Arabia has invested billions to ensure worshipers' safety after deadly accidents such as 2015 stampede, as well as potential jihadist threats

By OMAR AKOUR

Mansour al-Amer, head of Saudi charity the Haji and Mutamer Gift Charitable Association, stands next to sleep pods in Mecca on August 16, 2018. (AFP Photo/Ahmad Al-Rubaye)

August 18, 2018, 6:51 am

Saudi Arabia tests Japan-inspired ‘nap pods’ for hajj

Free sleep capsules, smartphone apps are among new technologies the kingdom has rolled out for this year's 'smart' pilgrimage to Mecca

By Shatha YAISH

Muslim worshipers pray around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on August 16, 2018, prior to the start of the annual hajj pilgrimage in the holy city. (AFP/Ahmad Al-Rubaye)

August 17, 2018, 4:18 pm

2 million Muslims expected in Mecca this week for increasingly hi-tech hajj

Saudi authorities use technology and apps to overcome logistical challenges, helping pilgrims with everything from travel plans to medical care

By Shatha YAISH

Yemeni children vent anger against Riyadh and Washington as they take part in a mass funeral for children killed in an air strike the week before by a Saudi-led coalition, seen here in the northern Yemeni city of Saada ,August 13, 2018. (AFP)

August 14, 2018, 12:38 pm

Death toll of children in Yemen bus strike rises to 40, Red Cross says

56 youngsters among the 79 people injured in attack by Saudi Arabia-led coalition jets; mourners vent anger against Riyadh and Washington

By AFP

Tesla CEO and founder of the Boring Company Elon Musk speaks at a news conference in Chicago, on June 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

August 13, 2018, 9:28 pm

Musk says he’s talking with Saudi fund to take Tesla private

Tesla CEO says his tweet that funding for step has been secured came because he left meeting with 'no question' deal could be secured

By Tom Krisher

In this file photo from Sept. 15, 2015, Muslim pilgrims walk outside the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy, File)

August 8, 2018, 7:31 pm

Saudi Arabia crucifies Myanmar man convicted of murder

Courts found he broke into woman's home and stabbed her to death; also convicted of attempted rape, theft; execution endorsed by King Salman

By AP

A man stands outside the Canadian Embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh, on August 7, 2018, one day after Saudi Arabia said it was expelling the Canadian ambassador and recalling its envoy while freezing all new trade, in retaliation for Ottawa's vigorous calls for the release of jailed activists. (AFP/ Nasser al-Harbi)

August 8, 2018, 2:34 am

US, Europe seek answers from Riyadh but steer clear of Canada spat

Saudi Arabia asked for details on arrests of women activists, Washington calls on allies to find diplomatic solution to tiff

By AP

August 7, 2018, 12:24 am

Saudi Twitter account axed after seeming to threaten 9/11-style attack on Canada

Pro-government account apologizes for photo of plane flying toward Toronto skyline, says it was intended to symbolize Canadian envoy's return after expulsion

By TOI staff and Agencies

The Saudi Arabian Embassy is shown in Ottawa, Canada, on August. 5, 2018. Saudi Arabia has ordered Canadian Ambassador Dennis Horak to leave the ultraconservative kingdom within 24 hours after his nation criticized the recent arrests of women's rights activists. The Saudi Foreign Ministry also said it would freeze "all new business" between the kingdom and Canada. (David Kawai/The Canadian Press via AP)

August 6, 2018, 8:38 pm

Abbas condemns ‘Canadian intervention’ in internal Saudi Affairs

Analysts say the dispute between Riyadh and Ottawa shows Saudi Arabia won’t accept any outside criticism and will continue flexing its muscles abroad

By AP and TOI staff

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif holds talks with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (not pictured) at the Diaoyutai state guesthouse in Beijing on May 13, 2018. (AFP Photo/Pool/Thomas Peter)

August 6, 2018, 2:43 pm

Iran: It’s Trump, Netanyahu and Saudi prince who are ‘isolated,’ not us

Hours before US sanctions to be re-imposed on Islamic Republic, Foreign Minister Zarif accuses Washington of 'bullying and political pressure'

By Agencies and TOI staff

Illustrative: Forces loyal to the Saudi-backed Yemeni president flash their arms on a road at the entrance to Abyan province as they take part in an operation to drive Al-Qaeda fighters out of the southern provincial capital, on April 23, 2016. (AFP Photo/Saleh Al-Obeidi)

August 6, 2018, 2:18 pm

US allies in Yemen don’t defeat al-Qaeda, they pay it to go away instead

Investigation reveals Saudi-led coalition secretly paying jihadist fighters to leave town, often allowing them to keep weapons, equipment and looted cash

By MAGGIE MICHAEL, Trish Wilson and Lee Keath

In this file photo taken on March 8, 2012 political activist Samar Badawi of Saudi Arabia is presented with an International Women of Courage Award by the US Secretary of State and the first lady during a ceremony at the State Department in Washington, DC. (AFP PHOTO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / ALEX WONG)

August 6, 2018, 5:41 am

Saudi Arabia expels envoy after Canada calls for release of jailed activists

Kingdom also freezes trade after Ottowa says it is 'gravely concerned' over a new wave of arrests of women and human rights campaigners

By Anuj Chopra

In this image from video released by the CIA, Hamza bin Laden is seen at his wedding. The never-before-seen video of Osama bin Laden's son and potential successor was released November 1, 2017, by the CIA in a trove of material recovered during the May 2011 raid that killed the al-Qaeda leader at his compound in Pakistan.. (CIA via AP)

August 5, 2018, 4:49 pm

Osama bin Laden’s son married daughter of 9/11 lead hijacker — family

Hamza bin Laden now said to be a senior Al-Qaeda member who has urged followers to attack Israel

By TOI staff