Saudi Arabia

Civilians facing catastrophe as 100,000 flee fighting - UN

Officials warned of a "full-blown catastrophe" if fighting does not end.

A further 334,000 people have been displaced within Sudan.

Fighting is continuing in the capital, Khartoum, between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), despite a ceasefire due to be in force.

Diplomatic efforts are being stepped up to try and get the warring parties to the negotiating table.

Ronaldo says his time in Europe is done

Ronaldo, who was a free agent following his acrimonious split with Manchester United in November, joined Al Nassr last week on a 2 and a half year deal estimated by media to be worth more than $338 million.

Reuters reports he was greeted by a sea of yellow and blue at Al Nassr's home ground Mrsool Park, where thousands of fans turned up to witness his unveiling.

After addressing a news conference, Ronaldo was seen meeting with his new team mates in the dressing room. He then made his way onto the pitch, fully kitted out in the club's colours.

Saudi Arabia explores common interests with Tonga

This is after Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Aqeel AlKhateeb paid a visit to the Island Kingdom to meet with the Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni and cabinet ministers in Nuku’alofa.

Tonga’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the visit was “to explore matters of common interest to the bilateral relations between the two countries and to pursue avenues to strengthen relations in all fields.”

AlKhateeb is the concurrent Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Saudi Fund for Development.

Nicklaus turns down $150 million to be face of Saudi golf series

Nicklaus, who counts a record 18 major titles among his 73 PGA Tour wins, said in an article on the Fire Pit Collectivewebsite that organizers of the series asked him to spearhead the big-money circuit.

"I was offered something in excess of $150 million by the Saudis, to do the job probably similar to the one that Greg (Norman) is doing," Nicklaus said in the report.

"I turned it down. Once verbally, once in writing. I said, 'Guys, I have to stay with the PGA Tour. I helped start the PGA Tour."

Saudi Arabia executes 81 men in one day

The group - including seven Yemenis and one Syrian national - were convicted of "multiple heinous crimes", including terrorism, state news agency SPA said.

Some were charged with belonging to the Islamic State group (IS), al-Qaeda or the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Rights organisations say many do not receive fair trials in Saudi Arabia, an allegation the government rejects.

According to SPA, the latest group had been tried by 13 judges and gone through a three-stage judicial process.

Justin Bieber urged to cancel Saudi show by Khashoggi's fiancee

The Canadian singer is among the stars set to perform at the kingdom's first Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah.

But Hatice Cengiz wrote an open letter to Bieber urging him to "send a powerful message" by pulling out.

Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi regime, was murdered at its consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.

He had gone there to pick up documents for the couple's wedding. The journalist's body was dismembered as Ms Cengiz waited outside.

Outrage as Saudi Arabia emerges as favourite to host Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury fight

The pair could also share about £95 million (NZ$183.6 million) in pay-per-view fees in a potential split with four major broadcasters as part of the biggest deal in British boxing history.

Saudi Arabia's main challengers are Shanghai and Singapore as promoters race to find a site after two-fight contracts to unify the world heavyweight titles were signed.

Logistical headaches of hiring and selling tickets for a 90,000 venue during the pandemic has all but ended hopes of the first fight taking place in London or Las Vegas.

Deadly attack at Aden airport as new government arrives

Aid workers and officials were among the casualties. But the prime minister said he and his cabinet were "fine".

The information minister accused Houthi rebels of a "cowardly terrorist act".

Yemen has been devastated by a conflict that escalated in 2015, when a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states launched a military operation to defeat the Houthis and restore President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi's rule.

Jamal Khashoggi murder: Saudi court commutes death sentences

Prosecutors said they were given 20-year jail terms after the journalist's family decided to pardon them.

However, his fiancée said the ruling made "a complete mockery of justice".

Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government, was killed inside the kingdom's consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul by a team of Saudi agents.

The Saudi government said the journalist was killed in a "rogue operation" and the following year Saudi prosecutors put 11 unnamed individuals on trial.

K-pop band perform in Saudi Arabia despite criticism

The boy band performed in front of a sell-out crowd at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh on Friday evening.

However they faced criticism for their decision to play in a country that has been condemned for human rights abuses.

BTS is one of the world's biggest acts - the first Korean pop group to reach number one on the US album charts.

Known for their meticulously choreographed dance style and boyish good looks, they boast a huge and devoted fan base.

The band had been invited to play in the country by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.