Amid rising costs, Saudi Arabia is scaling back Neom plans to focus on sports venues. The new city faces financial challenges, leadership changes, and scrutiny over human rights issues. AdvertisementSaudi Arabia is changing plans for mega-city Neom to cut costs and prioritize building for international sporting events. Governments and human rights groups have also scrutinized alleged human rights abuses, including of migrant workers building Neom. In July, Saudi Arabia rejected allegations that three men were sentenced to death because they criticized evictions to make way for the Neom project.

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Persons: —, Neom, Francois Nel Organizations: Service, Reuters, Games, NEOM Beach, Neom Locations: Saudi Arabia, New York City, Saudi