The story: Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti has reaffirmed the illegality of same-sex relationships in the Kingdom. Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh’s ruling rebukes a UN resolution that seeks to end discrimination in civic affairs based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Sheikh’s condemnation notably also follows Riyadh’s recent hosting of a large music festival, where some attendees were seen publicly displaying elements of queer culture.

The coverage: Saudi Arabia’s UN representative Abdullah Al-Mouallimi recently opposed a UN resolution that called on states to abolish laws that “discriminate…against citizens in their right to participate in public affairs including…sexual orientation and gender identity.“...