Why Trump is focusing on business deals on his Middle East trip
President Trump is yet to broker an end to the war in Gaza. So the first big trip of his second term will focus on big investments instead.
Saudi Arabia
The U.S. will resume Ukraine military aid and intelligence, as Kyiv approves ceasefire
The United States said it will resume sending military aid and intelligence to Ukraine, as Ukraine agreed to a Trump administration proposal for a monthlong ceasefire.
Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup — a controversial pick
FIFA's selection of Saudi Arabia to host the World Cup was celebrated in the kingdom but criticized by human rights groups, who fear residents, visitors and migrant workers will be at risk of abuse.
Hundreds of Muslim pilgrims died in heat-stricken Hajj
Collective prayers and struggles are core to Islam's Hajj, but heat took a toll this year: Hundreds died and thousands sought treatment for heat exhaustion.
5 years after Khashoggi's murder, advocates say the lack of justice is dangerous
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in October 2018. Those involved in his killing have largely avoided consequences, and Saudi Arabia continues to crack down on its dissidents.
Saudi man sentenced to death for tweets in harshest verdict yet for online critics
A retired teacher in Saudi Arabia a death sentence for his tweets criticizing the country's leadership to just a handful of followers, according to rights advocates and his family.
Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are among 6 nations set to join the BRICS economic bloc
Iran and Saudi Arabia are among 6 nations invited Thursday to join the BRICS bloc of developing economies. United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia are also set to join the bloc from 2024.
Ethiopia to investigate report of killings of its nationals at the Saudi-Yemen border
The Ethiopian government said it will investigate a report of killings of hundreds its nationals at the Yemen-Saudi border. A Saudi government official rejected the Human Rights Watch report.
China makes it harder for its Muslim citizens to go to Mecca, or anywhere else
Chinese Muslims take roundabout trips for their Hajj pilgrimage, trying to circumvent China's tightened surveillance at every turn — and possible arrest on their return, pilgrims and tour leaders say.
Standing where Prophet Muhammad gave his final sermon, 2 million Muslims perform Hajj
This is the largest pilgrimage since 2019, after which the Hajj was dramatically curbed due to coronavirus restrictions that limited the pilgrimage to just a few thousand people.