RAIF BADAWI

President Joe Biden is heading to the Middle East for the first time since taking office last year.

Saudi Arabia said it had executed a record 81 people in one day, exceeding the total number killed last year and sparking criticism from rights activists.

Rights groups say two Saudi women’s rights campaigners have been released from prison, three years after a sweeping crackdown by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman targeting female activists who’d peacefully advocated for greater freedoms

Prominent Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was summoned by security officials and informed of a supreme court decision that ultimately upholds her initial conviction.