Latest Saudi Arabia government News
Indonesia is admitted to the BRICS bloc of developing nations
SAO PAULO (AP) — Indonesia has been admitted as a full member of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, the group's presiding country, Brazil, announced Monday. Indonesia’s candidacy was endorsed by BRICS leaders in August 2023, according to the foreign ministry of Brazil, which...
Saudi Arabia presses Florida man to give up US citizenship over critical tweets, family says
WASHINGTON (AP) — Saudi Arabia has forced a Florida retiree to try to renounce his American citizenship after jailing him over social media posts critical of the kingdom’s crown prince, according to the man’s son. The retiree, 74-year-old Saad Almadi, is one of at least four...
What Assad's fall has revealed about Syria's trade in the stimulant drug Captagon
BEIRUT (AP) — Since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, industrial-scale manufacturing facilities of the amphetamine-like stimulant Captagon have been uncovered around the country, which experts say fed a $10 billion annual global trade in the highly addictive drug. ...
2034 World Cup visitors will live in 'a bubble' and not see real life, Saudi rights activist says
LONDON (AP) — Soccer fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a “bubble” during the tournament that does not reflect real life there, a Saudi rights activist warned on Thursday. After FIFA confirmed the kingdom as the 2034 tournament host on Wednesday, the...
FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host despite human rights concerns
ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed Wednesday by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize yet for massive spending on global sports driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi bid was the only...
Trump Organization leases brand to 2 new projects in Saudi Arabia
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Trump Organization said Monday it has leased its brand to two new real estate projects in Saudi Arabia just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. It will partner with Dar Global, a London-based luxury real...
World Cup hosting decisions set to kick off a decade of scrutiny on Saudi Arabia and FIFA
GENEVA (AP) — The inevitable result has been clear since last year: Saudi Arabia will be confirmed by FIFA as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday. The 2030 World Cup also will be awarded to a six-nation, three-continent project led by co-hosts Spain, Portugal Morocco. It gives a...
Head of UN human rights promises advice to FIFA and Saudi Arabia over 2034 World Cup issues
GENEVA (AP) — Two days before FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host, the United Nations’ top human rights official pledged Monday to try to ensure migrant labor standards are “properly respected” around the tournament. Saudi Arabia is the only candidate and...
Saudi Arabia's network of spending and influence detailed before getting 2034 World Cup from FIFA
GENEVA (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s growing influence and massive spending in global sports ahead of being confirmed by FIFA as the 2034 World Cup host was detailed on Monday in a report that cited risks to good governance off the field. More than 900 sponsor deals — more than...
Two US senators urge FIFA not to pick Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host over human rights risks
GENEVA (AP) — Two United States senators urged FIFA on Monday not to pick Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host next month in a decision seen as inevitable since last year despite the kingdom’s record on human rights. Democrats Ron Wyden of Oregon and Dick Durbin of Illinois...
