Saudi Arabia executes 81 convicts in single day

Saudi Arabia on Saturday carried out the largest mass execution in its modern history, putting to death 81 people convicted of a variety of crimes including murder and membership of militant groups.

The state-run Saudi Press Agency announced Saturday's executions, saying they included those "convicted of various crimes, including the murdering of innocent men, women and children.

" The kingdom also said some of those executed were members of al-Qaida, the Islamic State group and backers of Yemen's Houthi rebels.