Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) has opened an inquiry into the PGA Tour's agreement with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, citing concerns about the influence of the Saudi government and the risks posed by a foreign government entity assuming control over a cherished American institution. He has requested a slew of records related to the agreement from the two sports organizations to shed light on the behavior of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the PGA Tour's tax-exempt status, and any law enforcement investigations. The results of the inquiry and its implications for the agreement remain to be seen.
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The PGA Tour has recently come under fire for announcing a merger with LIV Golf, a Saudi-backed men's golf organization, prompting outrage from 9/11 Families United due to the Saudi government's involvement in the 2001 terrorist attacks. Terry Strada, chair of 9/11 Families United, has called PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan a “Saudi shill” and the Biden administration has been asked to comment on the merger. The PGA Tour has yet to respond to the criticism and the effects of the merger remain to be seen.
PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf have announced a historic merger, ending two years of disruption and distraction in the professional golf world. The deal is expected to bring a new level of competition and financial stability to the sport, and to the organizations involved. The merger comes after the PGA Tour was sued by LIV Golf last year for antitrust violations, and will end all litigation between the parties.
At a news conference in Vienna, Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman announced a 1 million barrel per day reduction in oil production, starting in July, to help stabilize the global oil market and prevent further price drops. This cut comes as the OPEC+ alliance agreed to extend earlier production cuts through next year, and Minister Salman noted that the cut could be extended and that the group “will do whatever is necessary” to ensure market stability.
Saad Ibrahim Almadi, a 72-year-old dual U.S.-Saudi national and retired project manager, has been released from prison in Saudi Arabia after more than a year of imprisonment for tweets critical of the Saudi crown prince. His son, Ibrahim Almadi, has expressed concern for his father's health and hopes he will be able to return home to Florida soon. The case has highlighted the kingdom's strict laws on freedom of expression, which have been criticized by human rights groups.
Saad Ibrahim Almadi, a 72-year-old dual US-Saudi citizen, has been released from prison in Saudi Arabia after being detained for over a year for tweets critical of the government. He is currently in Riyadh under a travel ban, and it is unclear if he will be able to return to the US. Neither Saudi nor US officials have yet to confirm Almadi's release.
A new report released by the House Oversight Committee has revealed that the White House under former President Donald Trump failed to report over 100 gifts given to him and his family by foreign governments between 2017 and 2020, valued at over $300,000. These gifts, which included a painting from the president of El Salvador and golf clubs from the prime minister of Japan, remain unaccounted for and have prompted the Biden administration to push for more transparency and accountability. The report’s authors have called for further investigation into the matter to ensure that all gifts from foreign governments are properly reported and accounted for.
The Biden administration has repatriated two Pakistani brothers who had been held without charges at the Guantanamo Bay military prison for two decades. The repatriation is part of the administration's ongoing efforts to reduce the number of detainees held at the prison and to close the facility. The U.S. has also transferred several detainees to other countries and released a Saudi man in March after 14 years of detention.