Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
The image Saudi Arabia hopes to achieve beyond the comedy festival
Saudi Arabia is working to reshape its global cultural image, but controversies over several acts in its comedy festival tied to the country's human rights record are underscoring the tension between the government's Vision 2030 ambitions and how...
Owner: American Government
Trump’s peace proposal is illegal under Israeli law
Trump’s peace proposal is illegal under Israeli law, something Netanyahu must know. Paragraph 9 of Trump’s Peace Proposal states in relevant part: “9. Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical...
Owner: David Horovitz & Seth Klarman
Gay Comedian Jessica Kirson Apologizes for Saudi Arabia Festival Appearance: ‘I Deeply Regret Participating’
Comedian Jessica Kirson, an openly gay woman whose sexuality has been a common thread through her performances for years, apologized for participating in the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. “I hoped that this could help LGBTQ+ people in...
Owner: Sharon Waxman
Welcome to the court of Jared Kushner: the fixer king is back
Center-right
The Times
·
There was an unusual sight this week: Jared Kushner back on the political front line. Donald Trump’s son-in-law was pictured holding court with Binyamin Netanyahu alongside the US president as they thrashed out the details of the administration’s...
Owner: Murdoch Family
Bangladeshi Beauty Queen’s Life Upended by Alleged Affair With Saudi Ambassador
Neutral
Sri Lanka Guardian
·
A former Bangladeshi beauty queen and activist says her life has been turned upside down after an alleged whirlwind romance with a Saudi diplomat ended in scandal, arrest, and public vilification. Meghna Alam, who rose to national prominence after...
Owner: Nilantha Ilangamuwa
PM, Fazl discuss Gaza situation, accord with Saudi Arabia
LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan has always stood by the Palestinians in their struggle for rights and will continue to support them in the future as well. The prime minister expressed these views during a telephonic...
Owner: Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman & Mir Javed Rahman
Forum for Graduates of Saudi Universities in Nigeria, other countries to begin Sessions on Sustainable Development
From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja The Forum for Graduates of Saudi Universities in Nigeria and Neighbouring Countries, will on Monday commence sessions on sustainable development in Abuja, under the patronage of Saudi universities. The Embassy of the...
Owner: Uzor Kalu Family
Bill Maher Shuts Down Dave Chappelle Claim That Saudi Arabia Allows More Free Speech Than the US | Video
Dave Chappelle’s recent claim that it’s “easier to talk here than it is in America” — here being Saudi Arabia, where the comedian was performing as part of the Riyadh Comedy Festival — is “not true,” Bill Maher told guest Louis C.K. Friday. “I...
Owner: Sharon Waxman
Louis C.K. defends Riyadh Comedy Festival appearance, while Jessica Kirson apologises for playing
Louis C.K. has defended playing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, while fellow comedian Jessica Kirson has apologised for her appearance. The controversial event is being held in the Saudi Arabian capital and also included on the line-up are Dave...
Owner: Lange Family
Trade and legal experts see up to 80% odds that the Supreme Court will rule against Trump’s global tariffs
Neutral
Fortune
·
The Supreme Court will likely agree with lower courts that ruled President Donald Trump can’t use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose broad tariffs, according experts surveyed by JPMorgan. The bank hosted a conference in...
Owner: Chatchaval Jiaravanon
Azerbaijan’s Shamakhi hosts International Barbecue Festival
On October 4, the opening ceremony of the International Barbecue Festival, organized for the first time in Azerbaijan, was held in the village of Meysari, Shamakhi city, APA reports. The festival, which was organized with the support of the...
Owner: Azerbaijani Government
Louis C.K. Says Performing at Riyadh Comedy Festival Is a ‘Positive Thing’ and ‘A Great Way to Get in and Start Talking’
Louis C.K. is defending his decision to join Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Comedy Festival. During a recent appearance on “Real Time With Bill Maher,” C.K. said the other comedians at the event were “really surprised” by the overwhelming response from the...
Owner: Jay Penske
Gaza, Trump, and the politics of the never-ending deal
Center-left
Dhaka Tribune
·
If peace in the Middle East were a stage play, then Washington has once again provided the theatre, the script, and the spotlight. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump rolled out what was billed as a “new proposal” to end the Gaza war....
Owner: Kazi Anis Ahmed
Bill Maher criticizes Dave Chappelle for remarks on free speech at Saudi comedy festival
Right-wing
Fox News
·
‘Real Time’ host Bill Maher criticized comedian Dave Chappelle on Friday for his comments downplaying free speech in America during his performance at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia last week. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News...
Owner: Murdoch Family
Saudi German Health boosts relationship with Mayo Clinic
Neutral
Trade Arabia
·
Saudi German Health (SGH), one of the region’s leading healthcare providers and a pioneer in advancing medical excellence across the Middle East and Africa, announced today a major expansion of its relationship with US-based Mayo Clinic. This move...
Owner: Anwar Abdulrahman & Ronnie Middleton
International barbecue Festival brings global flavors to Shamakhi
The town of Shamakhi is once again hosting the International Barbecue Festival, a two-day culinary celebration that began on October 4 in the village of Meysari, Azernews reports. Organized for the first time in Azerbaijan, the festival is...
Owner: Fazil Abbasov
Dave Chappelle Says Saudi Arabia Allows More Free Speech Than US: 'It's Easier To...'
Last Updated:October 04, 2025, 20:49 IST Dave Chappelle faces backlash after claiming free speech is easier in Saudi Arabia than the US at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, sparking criticism from Bill Maher and others online. Rapid Read Summarized by...
Owner: Reliance Industries & Warner Bros. Discovery
Louis C.K. Defends Joining Riyadh Comedy Festival Despite Saudi Human Rights Record
LOADINGERROR LOADING The comedian, who was accused in 2017 by five separate women of masturbating in front of them without consent — and became one of the most recognizable faces of the #MeToo movement — described the opportunity to perform in...
Owner: Buzzfeed Inc.
Dave Chappelle Jokes: 'It's Easier to Talk' in Saudi Arabia than USA After Charlie Kirk's Assassination
Comedian Dave Chappelle joked that it’s “easier to talk” in Saudi Arabia than in the United States while headlining the Riyadh Comedy Festival. While the comedian gave no specifics, the line was delivered in the context of conservative icon...
Owner: Larry Solov, Susie Breitbart and The Mercer Family
KAUST Unveils Kingdom-Wide Mathematics Talent Hunt
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Jeddah — King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has initiated the KAUST Mathematics Competition, a national contest designed to identify and nurture top mathematics talent among students in Grades 8 through 11...