Saudi Arabia

World News

In Ways Big And Small, Saudi Arabian Women Are 'Pushing Normal'

4:44pm December 30, 2015

by Deborah Amos

It can be a provocative art show. Or teenagers going out for a walk. By law and tradition, Saudi women still face many restrictions. But they keep stretching the boundaries and the pace is picking up.

Candidate Sameera abu al-Shamat votes in Saudi Arabia's municipal elections on Saturday. Shamat did not win a seat.

World News

Saudi Women: Elections Are One Step Forward On A Long Road

7:56pm December 14, 2015

by Deborah Amos

Saudi Arabian women made history by voting and winning public office for the first time. But there are still many obstacles to an equal role in public life.

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Women walk out of a polling station after casting their votes for municipal elections in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia Elects Its First Women To Municipal Council

3:03pm December 13, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

Few women ran and few women voted during the elections, but many in the country see the victories as a turning point for women's rights.

A Saudi woman casts her ballot in a polling station in the coastal city of Jeddah Saturday, as women were allowed to vote in Saudi Arabia's elections for the first time ever.

World News

Saudi Women Cast First-Ever Votes – And Vie For Offices

9:11am December 12, 2015

by Bill Chappell

But if they want to vote, women will have to catch a ride: the conservative Islamic kingdom still forbids them from driving.

World News

Hey Iran, Saudi Arabia Has Some News For You

7:38am December 10, 2015

by Deb Amos

The kingdom launched a new Farsi website this week, but how will an Iranian audience react?

Saudi Independent developers showcasing their games at GCON2015.

World News

For Young Saudi Women, Video Games Offer Self-Expression

3:19pm December 09, 2015

by Deborah Amos

Saudi women gamers gather at an annual convention, dressing as their favorite characters and exercising freedoms they want to see more of in their lives.

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Yemeni men clear debris following an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition in the capital, Sanaa, on Nov. 29.

World News

Human Rights Groups Criticize U.S. Arms Sale To Saudi Arabia

3:07am December 09, 2015

by Deborah Amos

The U.N. is resuming peace talks on the war in Yemen. At the same time, the U.S. plans to sell more weapons to Saudi Arabia, even as civilian casualties from Saudi airstrikes in Yemen continue.

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Hatoon al-Fassi, a Saudi professor and a leading advocate of women's rights, speaks at a political meeting for women in Riyadh.

World News

For Saudi Women, 'Baby Steps Into This World Of Democracy'

5:28pm December 02, 2015

by Deborah Amos

For the first time, women in Saudi Arabia are allowed run for office and vote. But they're still banned from driving and need a male guardian's permission to travel, work and pursue higher education.

Saudi Hay Farm In Arizona Tests State's Supply Of Groundwater

5:59pm November 02, 2015

by NPR Staff

A Saudi Arabian dairy company owns 15 square miles in Arizona — and 15 water wells — to make hay to send home to cows. Local farmers are just realizing their water is being exported overseas as hay.

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World News

Death Toll In Hajj Stampede Rises To 769

7:05am September 28, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Saudi Arabia announced the new figure, up from 717 on Friday. Meanwhile, Iran has said the tragedy is "not incompetence ... [but] a crime" due to lax security during the pilgrimage.