Saudi Arabia suspends scholarships for thousands of Saudi students in Canada

[left-of-center2012]

Source: The Hill

Saudia Arabia has reportedly suspended all government-funded scholarships for Saudi students currently in Canada, just days after a member of the Canadian government called for Riyadh to release jailed civil rights activists.

Time Magazine, citing the Financial Times, reported that Saudi Arabia officials said Monday on state television that many of the 12,000 Saudi students and family members currently in Canada will be transferred to other countries. Those countries could include the U.S.

The move comes as tensions between Saudi Arabia and Canada continue to escalate in light of statements Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland made on Twitter last week.

Freeland called for Saudi authorities to release from prison human rights activist Samar Badawi, the sister of Saudi activist and writer Raif Badawi. Badawi is currently serving out a prison sentence.

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/international/400589-saudi-arabia-suspends-scholarships-for-thousands-of-saudi-students-in

[defacto7]

1. The Saudis are having just a wee bit of an overreaction.

I think...

(sarc)

[christx30]

3. They posted an ad showing a

Canadian airliner pointed at the Toronto skyline with a message that pretty much said, “mind your own business”. They later apologized for their tone deaf ad. I guess the “subtle” 9/11 foreshadowing got to them.

[defacto7]

4. These days apologies mean nothing.

They made their point.

[dembotoz]

2. School is about to start here

Bet they get their visas in record time.