The PGA Tour abruptly ended its expensive fight with Saudi Arabia’s golf venture and now is joining forces with it, making a stunning announcement Tuesday of a merger that creates a commercial operation with the Public Investment Fund and the European tour.
There have been other recent headlines out of Saudi Arabia that had nothing to do with golf. That they caused little uproar is a sign of how intertwined and unremarkable Saudi business interests in sports, and in America, have become over the decades.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed
June 6, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived Tuesday in Saudi Arabia on a trip in which he plans to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid strained relations between Riyadh and Washington.
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Saudi Arabia will reduce how much oil it sends to the global economy, taking a unilateral step to prop up the sagging price of crude after two previous cuts to supply by major producing countries in the OPEC+ alliance failed to push oil higher.
Blinken takes aim at Israeli settlements; says US will press ahead with Israel-Saudi normalization
June 5, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that the expansion of Israeli settlements and ongoing demolitions of Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank are taking Israel further away from peace with the Palestinians.
Messi’s father says player ‘would like to return’ to Barcelona amid speculation over Saudi move
June 5, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Barcelona has not given up hope of seeing Lionel Messi returning to the club despite increasing speculation about a pending move to Saudi Arabia, and his father said Monday that his son prefers to go back to the Catalan club.
Iran to reopen its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia after a 7-year rift, state-run media say
June 5, 2023 GMTTEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s foreign ministry announced it would reopen its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia this week, restoring diplomatic ties after a seven-year rift, state-run media reported on Monday.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia has welcomed Venzuelan President Nicolas Maduro on an official visit, reaching out to yet another U.S. foe as the oil-rich kingdom engages in a flurry of diplomacy.
US, Saudi Arabia urge Sudan’s warring parties to agree to a new cease-fire, fighting continues
June 4, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Saudi Arabia and the United States urged Sudan’s warring parties Sunday to agree to and “effectively implement” a new cease-fire as fighting showed no signs of abating in the northeastern African nation.
Russian minister attends meeting of developing economies as bloc discusses adding Saudi Arabia, Iran
June 1, 2023 GMTCAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Thursday with China's deputy foreign minister and other top diplomats from the BRICS bloc of developing economies for discussions that included the group's possible expansion to include the major oil-producing nations of Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
White House imposing sanctions as Sudan’s warring sides fail to abide by cease-fire deal
June 1, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The White House announced Thursday that it will impose sanctions against key defense companies and people who "perpetuate violence" in Sudan as the warring sides failed to abide by a cease-fire agreement in the northeastern African nation.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia on Thursday executed a Nepali national after his conviction for stabbing a Saudi to death.
The state-run Saudi Press Agency reported the execution of Santa Bahadur Pune, saying it took place in the kingdom's Al-Jawf region.
Saudi fitness instructor Manahel al-Otaibi latest targeted in crackdown on dissent in kingdom
June 1, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A 29-year-old fitness instructor popular on social media in Saudi Arabia faces charges that could see her imprisoned over her posts, becoming the latest person targeted in a crackdown in the kingdom.
Who are the bride and groom in Jordan’s royal wedding?
June 1, 2023 GMTHe's heir to the throne in one of the oldest monarchies in the Middle East and a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. She's a Saudi architect with an aristocratic pedigree of her own.
Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, 28, and Rajwa Alseif, 29, are to be married on Thursday at a palace wedding in Jordan, a Western-allied monarchy that has been a bastion of stability for decades as Middle East turmoil has lapped at its borders.
The Middle Eastern country of Jordan is set to host its biggest royal wedding in years on Thursday as the country’s young Crown Prince Hussein exchanges vows with Rajwa Alseif, daughter of one of Saudi Arabia’s wealthiest and most influential families.
Sudan’s military says it has suspended its participation in talks with paramilitary rival
May 31, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Sudan’s military suspended its participation in talks with a paramilitary force it's been battling for weeks for control of the northeastern African country, a military spokesman said Wednesday.
Sudan army, rival force agree to extend truce after mediators show impatience with breaches
May 29, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Sudan’s warring sides on Monday agreed to extend a shaky cease-fire in their battle for control of the country, after two key international mediators signaled impatience with persistent truce violations.
Saudi Arabia executes 2 Bahraini men over militant activities; Amnesty called trial ‘grossly unfair’
May 29, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia said it executed two Bahraini men on Monday after being convicted of belonging to a militant group wanting to destabilize the two Mideast kingdoms. Amnesty International and other rights groups have criticized their trial as being grossly unfair.
CAIRO (AP) — The United States and Saudi Arabia called on warring sides in Sudan to extend a fragile cease-fire due to expire Monday, as weeks of fighting reached a stalemate in the capital and elsewhere in the African country.
Russia’s sanctioned interior minister visits Saudi Arabia just after trip by Ukraine’s Zelenskyy
May 23, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A top Russian official who faces sanctions in the West over Moscow's war on Ukraine visited Saudi Arabia and held talks with his counterpart in the kingdom early on Tuesday, state media reported.
Syria’s Assad arrives in Saudi Arabia for regional summit, sealing his return to the Arab fold
May 18, 2023 GMTJEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived on Thursday in Saudi Arabia to attend a regional summit that is expected to seal Syria's return to the Arab fold, marking his first visit to the oil-rich kingdom since Syria’s conflict began in 2011.
Arab foreign ministers welcome Syria’s return to the Arab League ahead of Jeddah summit
May 17, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Arab foreign ministers Wednesday in Saudi Arabia welcomed back Syria to the Arab League and called for a cease-fire in conflict-hit Sudan ahead of the organization's annual summit taking place in the kingdom.
Lawsuit filed against Twitter, Saudi Arabia; claims acts of transnational repression committed
May 16, 2023 GMTA humanitarian aid worker who used an anonymous Twitter account to mock Saudi Arabia about its economy has filed a federal racketeering lawsuit against the social media platform, the kingdom and a number of individuals alleging an attempt to silence critics overseas.
Back in the Arab League after 12 years, Syria urges group to invest in war-torn country
May 15, 2023 GMTDAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria on Monday called on Arab countries to invest in the war-torn nation, now again a member of the Arab League. The appeal from Syria's economy and trade minister came during an economic conference in Saudi Arabia ahead of a league summit in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia invites Syrian president to Arab summit
May 10, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Saudi Arabia has invited Syrian President Bashar Assad to the upcoming Arab League summit in the oil-rich kingdom, the Syrian president's office said on Wednesday. The news comes as Damascus continues to slowly return to the Arab fold, following a 12-year-period of political isolation.
Saudi Arabia, Syria to reopen embassies restoring relations
May 9, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Saudi Arabia and Syria will reopen diplomatic missions between the two countries now that relations have improved 11 years after the facilities were closed, the two nations foreign ministries said Tuesday.
Lionel Messi’s father says no deal agreed with a future club
May 9, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — With speculation over Lionel Messi’s potential next destination turning into a frenzy his father intervened Tuesday to say no deal has been agreed over a move to Saudi Arabia or return to Barcelona.
Column: Lee Westwood chose money and his European tour fate
May 9, 2023 GMTLee Westwood has every reason to be sad about the end of his European tour career.
Westwood once relished the memory of playing 20 tournaments in a row on the European tour schedule until he finally won his first career title in the Volvo Scandinavian Masters.
White House national security adviser meets Saudi prince
May 8, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden's top national security aide met Sunday night with Saudi Arabia's crown prince amid long-standing tensions between the White House and the kingdom.
Sudan envoys begin talks amid pressure to end conflict
May 6, 2023 GMTASWAN, Egypt (AP) — Sudan’s warring sides began talks Saturday that aim to firm up a shaky cease-fire after three weeks of fierce fighting that has killed hundreds and pushed the African country to the brink of collapse, the United States and Saudi Arabia said.
Biden dispatching top aide to meet with Saudi crown prince
May 5, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is dispatching one his top advisers to Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of the oil-rich kingdom, later this week.
AP Source: Lionel Messi set to leave PSG at end of season
May 3, 2023 GMTLionel Messi is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the season after two years with the French club, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
PSG suspends Messi for unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia
May 2, 2023 GMTLionel Messi was suspended by Paris Saint-Germain for taking a trip to Saudi Arabia without the club's permission, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The person would not specify the length of the suspension, though French media reported it to be two weeks.
UN envoy says Sudan’s warring sides agree to negotiate
May 1, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Sudan's warring generals have agreed to send representatives for negotiations, potentially in Saudi Arabia, the top U.N. official in the country said Monday, even as the two sides clashed in the capital of Khartoum despite another three-day extension of a fragile cease-fire.
In Arizona, fresh scrutiny of Saudi-owned farm’s water use
April 28, 2023 GMTIn rural Arizona’s La Paz County, on the state’s rugged border with California, the decision by a Saudi-owned dairy company to grow alfalfa in the American Southwest for livestock in the Gulf kingdom first raised eyebrows nearly a decade ago.
Iran urges Lebanese sides to reach agreement over president
April 27, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Iran’s foreign minister said Thursday that Tehran wants Lebanon's rivals to reach an agreement to elect a new president in the crisis-hit country that has been without a head of state since October.
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr holiday with feasts, prayers
April 22, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The holiday of Eid al-Fitr ushered in a day of prayers and joy for Muslims around the world on Friday. The celebration was marred by tragedy amid the explosion of conflict in Sudan, while in other countries it came against the backdrop of hopes for a better future.
Saudi foreign minister visits Syria as relations thaw
April 18, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Saudi Arabia's top diplomat arrived in the Syrian capital on Tuesday, the first official visit by an official from the kingdom in more than a decade, the Syrian government said.
The visit by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to Damascus follows that of his Syrian counterpart, Faisal Mikdad, to Riyadh last week.
Saudi-led coalition releases additional Yemen war prisoners
April 18, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A Saudi-led military coalition on Monday freed 104 more prisoners captured in Yemen's war, a unilateral release that followed an organized prisoner swap amid renewed diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict.
Saudi prince gives 4% Aramco stake to public investment firm
April 16, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia's crown prince announced Sunday the transfer of a 4% stake of the oil giant Saudi Aramco to a subsidiary of the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, further boosting its coffers as the kingdom tries to expand its economy beyond oil.
Red Cross: Yemen’s warring sides resume releasing prisoners
April 15, 2023 GMTSANAA, Yemen (AP) — Hundreds of detainees from Yemen’s conflict were released Saturday as part of a major prisoner exchange that began a day earlier, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.
No consensus on Syrian Arab League return after Saudi summit
April 15, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — After meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss Syria's political fate, a group of regional leaders promised Saturday to continue talks to reach a political solution to the Syrian conflict, but stopped short of endorsing its return to the Arab League.
Red Cross: Yemen rebels, Saudi coalition begin prisoner swap
April 14, 2023 GMTSANAA, Yemen (AP) — An exchange of more than 800 prisoners linked to Yemen’s long-running war began on Friday, the International Committee for the Red Cross said. The United Nations-brokered deal, in the works for months, comes amid concerted diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict.
Syria, Saudi Arabia move toward restoring embassies, flights
April 13, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Syria and Saudi Arabia said Thursday they were moving toward reopening embassies and resuming flights between the two countries for the first time in more than a decade.
The joint statement followed a visit by Syria's top diplomat to the kingdom, the first since Saudi Arabia cut off diplomatic relations with Syria in 2012.
Gulf nations Bahrain, Qatar to restore ties after boycott
April 13, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Gulf nations of Bahrain and Qatar agreed to restore diplomatic relations late Wednesday.
Bahrain had been the last holdout of four Arab nations that imposed a boycott on Qatar in 2017.
Syria’s rapprochement advances with Tunisia, Saudi Arabia
April 12, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Syria will reopen its embassy in Tunisia, state media reported Wednesday, as Syria’s top diplomat visited Saudi Arabia seeking to restore ties that have been severed for more than a decade.
Biden aide, Saudi prince see ‘progress’ toward Yemen war end
April 12, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke by phone with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday amid signs that the Saudis and Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen are making “remarkable progress” toward finding a permanent end to their nine-year conflict, according to the Biden administration.
Saudi diplomat: Talks with Houthis aim to revive Yemen truce
April 10, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen said Monday his trip to the Houthi-held capital of Sanaa was aimed at reviving a cease-fire and re-starting political talks to end the nine-year conflict.
Saudi officials visit Yemen’s capital for talks with rebels
April 9, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Saudi officials were in Yemen's capital Sunday for talks with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, as part of international efforts to find a settlement to Yemen’s nine-year conflict, officials said.
Saudi, Iran restore ties, say they seek Mideast stability
April 6, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Long-time Mideast rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia took another significant step toward reconciliation Thursday, formally restoring diplomatic ties after a seven-year rift, affirming the need for regional stability and agreeing to pursue economic cooperation.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro questioned about gifts of diamond jewelry
April 5, 2023 GMTBRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Former President Jair Bolsonaro underwent questioning Wednesday about diamond jewelry gifts when he was in power, as part of an investigation into whether he engaged in any irregularities in bringing the items into Brazil.
Egypt’s leader makes surprise visit to Saudi Arabia
April 3, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — The leaders of Egypt and Saudi Arabia met in the Gulf kingdom, officials said Monday, in the first face-to-face discussions between the two men in months as the North African country battles a domestic economic crisis.
Analysis: Saudi prince pivots to peace after years of war
April 3, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — In the years since Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman catapulted to power, it has been hard to find a controversy in the Middle East that doesn't somehow involve the 37-year-old heir to the throne.
Saudis, other oil giants announce surprise production cuts
April 2, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia and other major oil producers on Sunday announced surprise cuts totaling up to 1.15 million barrels per day from May until the end of the year, a move that could raise prices worldwide.
US Mideast envoy hopeful Saudi-Iran détente will help region
March 30, 2023 GMTKHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — The Biden administration is hopeful that warming ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia will help deescalate conflicts and crises across the Middle East, a senior U.S. diplomat said Thursday.
Saudi-backed Newcastle’s ownership called into question
March 28, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — The ownership of Saudi-backed Newcastle was under renewed scrutiny on Tuesday when Premier League chief executive Richard Masters was asked by a member of the British parliament if the league was investigating the club’s backers.
Saudi Aramco to invest billions in Chinese petrochemicals
March 27, 2023 GMTRIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil giant Aramco will invest billions of dollars in China's downstream petrochemicals industry, including the construction of a new refinery, the company said in deals announced Sunday and Monday.
Bolsonaro’s legal woes deepen with undeclared diamond gifts
March 25, 2023 GMTRIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Undeclared diamond jewelry brought into Brazil from Saudi Arabia has deepened the legal jeopardy of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. An investigation into two sets of jewels reportedly worth millions is only the latest scandal threatening the far-right politician.