Saudi Arabia

[phkrause]

Will Saudi Arabia finally allow a church on its soil?

For centuries, practicing Christianity has been forbidden in the Saudi kingdom. Leaving Islam is punishable by death. So, are reports true that things are changing?

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Articles...W6jkHiDpFAK2.99

[Gregory Matthews]

Read the full article.

The story that a Christian church would be allowed is denied.

[phkrause]

Saudi Arabia is spending billions to become a global gaming hub. Some fans don’t want to play

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia, the new home of some of soccer’s biggest stars and a co-owner of professional golf, is proving to be no less ambitious when it comes to another global pastime – the $180 billion-a-year video game industry.

https://apnews.com/article/saudi-gaming-esports-politics-rights-91eb312f7a48ed9848172c4dbe0de171?

[phkrause]

Officials say Saudi Arabia will host a Ukrainian-organized peace summit over Russia’s war in August

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia will host a Ukrainian-organized peace summit in early August seeking to find a way to start negotiations over Russia’s war on the country, officials said Sunday.

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-saudi-arabia-talks-ee8719ebcd6a0a541ce6a8670ae6bb09?

[phkrause]

Scoop: Trump privately urged to support Biden's Saudi deal

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has urged Trump to support the mega-deal President Biden is negotiating with Saudi Arabia, which could pave the way for a historic peace agreement between the kingdom and Israel, Axios' Barak Ravid reports.

Why it matters: The comprehensive deal could include a U.S.-Saudi defense treaty that would require support from two-thirds of the Senate, where many Democrats hold critical views of both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

• That could force Biden to rely significantly on Republicans, many of whom oppose his foreign policy but support Israel and the previous Arab normalization agreements known as the Abraham Accords.
• Vocal opposition from Trump — who brokered the Abraham Accords and forged a close relationship with Saudi Arabia as president — could deal a serious blow to Biden's chances of attracting Republican support.

What to watch: Biden departs tomorrow for the G20 summit in India, where the White House has not ruled out a meeting with MBS to discuss the mega-deal.

Driving the news: Graham briefed Trump about his talks with MBS after traveling to Saudi Arabia in April, the Republican senator and close Trump ally told Axios in an interview.

• "I told President Trump, listen, this is the natural extension of the Abraham Accords and if we can do it, let's do it. It doesn't matter how it gets done, on whose watch it gets done. It'd be a good thing for the stability of the Middle East and our own national security and President Trump deserves his fair share of credit," Graham said.
• Graham added that he told Trump it's "the highest sign of flattery" when a president replicates his predecessor's policy, and said Trump appreciated the message.

The intrigue: Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, the chief architect of the Abraham Accords, also urged the former president to support Biden's potential deal with Saudi Arabia, two sources with knowledge of the issue told Axios.

• Kushner's private equity fund Affinity is backed by $2 billion from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and just secured what is believed to be the first Saudi-sponsored investment in an Israeli company.

State of play: U.S. officials have previously told Axios that the Biden administration wants to complete its diplomatic push with Saudi Arabia before the 2024 campaign consumes Biden's agenda.

• But several outstanding issues remain, including the potential U.S.-Saudi defense treaty, support for a civilian nuclear program that would include uranium enrichment on Saudi soil and Israeli concessions to the Palestinians.
• U.S. officials notably avoided criticizing the Saudi government yesterday over its extension of oil production cuts, which could drive up gas prices and damage Biden ahead of the election.

[phkrause]

?? Saudi policy under scrutiny on 9/11 anniversary

The Biden administration's quest for a diplomatic mega-deal with Saudi Arabia produced an uncomfortable split-screen today with the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Why it matters: The sensitive balancing act with a government Biden once vowed to make a "pariah" reflects a debate over human rights concerns and strategic objectives that stands at the heart of the administration's foreign policy.

• Despite backlash over his fist bump with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last year, Biden exchanged a warm handshake with the Gulf leader at the G20 summit in India on Saturday.
• Biden, MBS and other G20 leaders together announced the creation of a major international infrastructure project, which comes as Biden officials work to secure a massive deal with Saudi Arabia that could include normalization with Israel.

Back home, as crowds were still gathered at 9/11 memorial services this morning, a White House spokesperson's celebration of Saudi Arabia's infrastructure investment was criticized as tone deaf.

Screenshot via X

The big picture: In 2021, Biden ordered the declassification of documents from the FBI's investigation into the Saudi government's ties to the 9/11 hijackers, partially fulfilling a request from the victims' families.

• Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) sent a letter to the Justice Department yesterday renewing their request for the "complete, unredacted records" of Saudi Arabia's role in the 9/11 plot.
• The bipartisan senators noted they have not received a single document since they first made the request in July — and hinted they'll be forced to consider subpoenas if DOJ does not comply.

[phkrause]

Saudi crown prince says in rare interview ‘every day we get closer’ to normalization with Israel

WASHINGTON (AP) — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a rare interview with Fox News on Wednesday that negotiations over Israel means the prospects of normalized relations between both countries “get closer” every day, but that treatment of Palestinians remains a “very important” issue to be resolved.

https://apnews.com/article/saudi-prince-us-politics-fox-a65f1e4c39ee2d83667aa433f59b59c8?

[phkrause]

Saudi Arabia reportedly suspends peace talks with Israel in the wake of war with Hamas

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Saudi Arabia is reportedly pausing normalization talks with Israel and the United States, a major diplomatic blow in the wake of Hamas’ invasion of Israel on Sautrday.

https://www.jta.org/2023/10/13/united-states/saudis-reportedly-suspend-peace-talks-with-israel-in-the-wake-of-war-with-hamas?

ps:Exactly what Hamas wanted or at least one of the things they wanted!!

[phkrause]

Saudi Arabia set to host 2034 World Cup after Australia decides not to bid

Saudi Arabia looks set to be the host of the 2034 World Cup after the only other country to have shown an interest in hosting — Australia — made a last-minute decision not to bid.

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/31/saudi-arabia-to-host-2034-soccer-world-cup-after-australia-declines-to-bid.html

[phkrause]

In 2023, the Saudis' stunning investments made the sports industry forget all about ‘sportswashing’ concerns At the dawn of 2023, the specter of Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on pro golf and other sports was a moral conundrum and a threat to the multibillion-dollar industry itself. It’s a different conversation now, virtually devoid of concern about the supposed menace of “sportswashing” and the line between right and wrong. The Saudis now also have big investments in or are eyeing Formula One racing, cricket’s Indian Premier League and pro tennis. Read more.

Key events: Two major events sparked the change: The PGA Tour announced intentions to get into business with the Saudi group behind rival LIV Golf, which it earlier labeled as a threat. Then Jon Rahm, the world’s third-ranked player and an early resister of LIV, signed a contract with them reported in the neighborhood of $500 million.   FIFA, soccer’s governing body, cleared the way for the Saudis to host the 2034 World Cup.   The Saudis are looking to invest some $5 billion into cricket’s Indian Premier League with an eye on expanding it into other countries.

Related coverage ➤ PGA Tour and Europe join forces with Saudi’s LIV Golf. Here’s what you need to know Saudi money could be headed to tennis next. Is it about sportswashing, women’s rights or both? Was it worth it? F1 race in Saudi Arabia raises questions

[phkrause]

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.

https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-exit-ban-us-citizenship-792dbba3a851624a83f927d80e557d5e?

[phkrause]

Restricted travel

For a long time, Saudi Arabia’s historic treasures were hidden behind a barrier to international visitors — especially women. But thanks to a series of reforms, some of those obstacles have been cleared. Here’s what it’s like to visit.

[phkrause]

Saudi Arabia stops 269,678 Muslims without Hajj permits from entering Mecca

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia stopped more than 269,000 people without permits for the annual Hajj pilgrimage from entering Mecca, officials said Sunday, as authorities crack down on illegal journeys into the city.

https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-hajj-muslim-pilgrims-mecca-permits-09b5191765d1d339af63e48b28e36daa?

 

[phkrause]

Saudi Arabia executes a journalist after 7 years behind bars. Activists say it was over his tweets

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A prominent Saudi journalist who was arrested in 2018 and convicted on terrorism and treason charges has been executed, the kingdom said. Activist groups maintain that the charges against him were trumped up.

https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-execution-journalist-aljasser-8d8a088a1c4290a3bae080d5152aa227?

[phkrause]

Executions in Saudi Arabia reach a record high mostly over drug cases, Amnesty says

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Executions in Saudi Arabia surged last year to a record high, Amnesty International said Monday, as activists increasingly warn about the kingdom’s use of the death penalty in nonviolent drug cases.

https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-executions-amnesty-report-65c045ef70efbec66b944e206a13c63b?

[phkrause]

Saudi Arabia quietly expands access to its only alcohol store for non-Muslim residents

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia has quietly expanded access to its only store that sells alcohol, allowing wealthy foreign residents to buy booze in the latest step in the once-ultraconservative kingdom’s experiment in liberalization.

https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-alcohol-kingdom-residents-d20dc5eeb20104bf03a1e82e2365d70e?