KSA

LIV Golf CEO urges trust in Saudi PIF funding commitment.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil told CNBC Tuesday that as a funding cliff approaches, the organization has to trust Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will back the golf venture through the rest of the season as it has promised.

“I can say they’ve been terrific partners so far, and you have to take an incredible organization like PIF at their word,” O’Neil said. “They’ve been very public about funding us through the season, so we are full steam ahead.”

PIF is set to pull its funding from the golf league at the end of 2026 schedule, CNBC reported in late April. PIF Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan also stepped down from his position as LIV Golf chairman.

The organization began an investor roadshow last month, seeking to raise up to $350 million from stakeholders to continue its operations.

But recent media reports suggested PIF could pull its money earlier than planned, raising doubts about whether the league could even finish out its season.

When asked about those reports, O’Neil said the players, management and advisors are “locked in.”

Asked if he can guarantee that the four remaining tournaments on this year’s schedule will take place, O’Neil said that what he “can guarantee is a heck of a return if you come invest in this business.”

He added that the organization now needs to be “disciplined and very, very value-creative” in order to be sustainable.

“I think we have a very, very special opportunity to create tremendous value,” O’Neil said.

So far, O’Neil said, he’s had five formal meetings to discuss interest in funding the organization, with 18 more planned for this week. He said the response has “been positive” and that he hopes to end the fundraising process this summer.

“While we have incredible business momentum, what we don’t have is a lot of time, so we’re very urgently out there talking to those who are interested,” he said

CNBC

KSA

Saudi Arabia begins planning for 2027 Hajj season

Saudi authorities have begun early preparations for the 2027 Hajj season, with officials recommending stronger operational planning, closer coordination among agencies and greater preparedness to further improve services for millions of pilgrims.

The recommendations emerged from a series of three-day discussion sessions organised by the Mecca Principality Agency for Hajj and Umrah Affairs, in cooperation with the Hajj Projects Management Office of the Pilgrim Experience Program. Representatives from 60 government entities involved in serving pilgrims at the holy sites took part.

The sessions were held under directives from and Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hajj and Umrah, and under the supervision of Prince Saud bin Mishaal, Deputy Emir of Mecca .

Participants reviewed the outcomes of the 2026 Hajj season and developed recommendations aimed at building on its achievements. The proposals focused on enhancing operational plans, strengthening proactive measures, improving integration and coordination among participating agencies, and promoting a clearer understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities.

The discussions also examined ways to achieve the highest levels of operational readiness, including mechanisms to anticipate and address potential challenges while maintaining high standards of service for pilgrims.

KSA

Saudi bans travel to 3 African countries over Ebola

Saudi Arabia has suspended travel by its citizens to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, and halted the issuance of visas and entry for travellers arriving from the three countries as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the Ebola virus.

The measures also apply to travellers arriving through third countries if they have stayed in any of the three affected countries during the 21 days before entering the kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said on Thursday.

The Public Health Authority (Weqaya) said Saudi Arabia’s health surveillance and epidemic response system was operating continuously in coordination with domestic and international authorities to protect public health and help prevent the cross-border spread of infectious diseases.

Saudi Arabia has also stepped-up precautionary measures for travellers arriving from neighbouring countries affected by the outbreak, including Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and the Republic of Congo, by enhancing health screening at entry points, disease surveillance and early response procedures.

Weqaya said the overall public health situation in the kingdom remained stable and that no confirmed or suspected Ebola cases had been recorded since the preventive measures were introduced.

The authority said it would continue monitoring regional and international epidemiological developments around the clock and update its recommendations as the outbreak evolves, while maintaining all necessary health measures to strengthen preparedness and safeguard public health.

KSA

Aramco resumes Ras Tanura oil loading after 4 months

Saudi Aramco resumed oil loading on Friday at its Ras Tanura terminal in the Gulf ‌after a near four-month halt, shipping data from LSEG showed.

Two Very Large Crude Carriers were seen loading crude at the terminal, while another waited nearby, the data ⁠showed. Each VLCC is capable of loading 2 million barrels of oil.

The Saudi energy major last loaded a cargo from the Ras Tanura port for China on March 8, the data ‌showed, ⁠and had to divert all its exports to the Red Sea port of Yanbu after an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz ⁠during its war with the U.S. and Israel prevented ships from entering the Gulf.

Middle Eastern producers ⁠have been ramping up output and exports after the United States and Iran ⁠struck an interim dealto halt the war.

(Reuters)