Saudi Arabia’s state airline has suspended its direct flight service to Toronto, in an escalation of a diplomatic row between the two nations sparked by Canada’s call for the release of human rights activists detained in the kingdom.
The move follows Saudi Arabia’s freezing of all new investment and trade with Canada, the expulsion of the Canadian ambassador and the recall of the Saudi ambassador.
Canada’s foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, responded to the moves on Twitter, saying: “Canada will always stand up for human rights in Canada and around the world, and women’s rights are human rights.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The row between the two nations began on Friday, when Canada “expressed concern over the arrests of activists in Saudi Arabia, including prominent women’s rights campaigner Samar Badawi”, The Guardian reports.
Riyadh responded to Canada’s remarks, saying: “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia... will not accept interference in its internal affairs or imposed diktats from any country.”
The BBC reports that “at least 15 human rights defenders and women's rights activists critical of the Saudi government” have been detained since 15 May, and the whereabouts of several of those detained are currently unknown.
-
One great cookbook: ‘The Woks of Life’The Week Recommends A family’s opinionated, reliable take on all kinds of Chinese cooking
-
Digital addiction: the compulsion to stay onlineIn depth What it is and how to stop it
-
Can Trump bully Netanyahu into Gaza peace?Today's Big Question The Israeli leader was ‘strong-armed’ into new peace deal
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
Israel-US 'rift': is Trump losing patience with Netanyahu?Today's Big Question US president called for an end to Gaza war and negotiated directly with Hamas to return American hostage, amid rumours of strained relations
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
