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☆ Neom, Saudi Arabia's high-tech desert city, is heading for a dialed-down first stage as costs soar
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

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.

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

☆ Neymar returns from ACL injury after more than a year on the sidelines
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( Jamie Barton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Brazilian soccer star Neymar made his return to the pitch more than a year after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee, playing 20 minutes for Al-Hilal on Monday. The 32-year-old was introduced as a substitute in the 77th minute of the team’s 5-4 AFC Champions League Elite win against Al Ain on Monday. “I’m so happy,” the Brazilian said to Al-Hilal’s media department following his return on Monday. Neymar controls the ball during the AFC Champions League Elite match between Al Ain and Al-Hilal on October 21. His contract with Al-Hilal, which is top of the league having won all seven of its games, expires in June 2025.

Persons: Neymar, Germain, Nicolás de, Nicolás de la Cruz, “, ”, Santos, He’s, Rafael Leão, ” Neymar, Francois Nel Organizations: CNN, Al, Monday, AFC, League Elite, Al Ain, Saudi, Paris Saint, Copa, CONMEBOL, Venezuela, AFC Champions, Elite, Saudi Pro League Locations: Brazilian, Hilal, Paris, Brazil, Uruguay, Nicolás de la, Santos, Portuguese, Al Ain, Al

☆ Mental health and the Olympics: How the USOPC is preparing for the toll on athletes
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Nicole Auerbach | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +10 min

AdvertisementThere are no surgeries or physical rehabilitation plans to address mental health challenges. Phelps has made mental health a huge focus in retirement, trying to help others avoid the feelings he endured. Bartley, who has worked with the USOPC since it created a mental health task force in 2020, said that her main goal over the past four years has been building out the organization’s infrastructure for therapy for mental health needs. Now, there are 15 psychological service providers — meaning those qualified to work on mental health, mental performance or even sleep. What does it mean to make the Olympic Games or not make the Olympic Games?

Persons: Simone Biles, ” Biles, “, ”, Jess Bartley, Michael Phelps, Cameron Spencer, Phelps, Caeleb Dressel, couldn’t, Bartley, ” Bartley, Dressel, Gretchen Walsh, raved, Lydia Jacoby, Tom Pennington, ” Jacoby, He’d, ” Dressel, I’m, it’s, Biles, “ She’s, Cecile Landi, ” “ She’s, ” Simone Biles ’, Jamie Squire, Dana O’Neil, Dan Goldfarb, Tim Clayton, Corbis, Francois Nel Organizations: Paris Games, Tokyo Games, U.S, Olympic, Paralympic Committee’s, Games, Olympic Games, Paris, Tokyo, Athletic, Tokyo Summer, Beijing Winter Games Locations: Tokyo, Alaska, it’s, France

☆ Andy Murray to retire as he says Paris Olympics his 'last ever tennis tournament'
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

(Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)Andy Murray has announced his retirement, saying the Paris Olympics will be his "last ever tennis tournament". The three-time Grand Slam champion, who is the only man to have won two Olympic golds in the sport, made the announcement in a post on X. The 37-year-old memorably ended a long wait for British tennis when he won Wimbledon in 2013, having been beaten in the final the year before in emotional scenes. He repeated the success in 2016 having won his first grand slam at the US Open in 2012. After losing in the Wimbledon doubles a few weeks ago, he said he was ready to call it a day.

Persons: Andy Murray of, Jamie Murray of, Rinky Hijikata, John Peers of, Francois Nel, Andy Murray, Sir Andy, Jamie, Murray, Emma Raducanu, Roger Federer, hasn't, Dan Evans, Roland Garros, He's, Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper, Katie Boulter Organizations: John Peers of Australia, Wimbledon, England Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Murray's Olympic, Thursday's, Team GB Locations: ENGLAND, Andy Murray of Great Britain, Jamie Murray of Great Britain, London, England, Paris, Rio

☆ Soccer union launches legal action against FIFA over fixture congestion
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Sammy Mncwabe | Samuel Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —FIFA is facing a legal challenge over the world governing body’s “unilateral” decision to set the international match calendar – notably an expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup – unions representing soccer players said in a statement on Thursday. CNN has reached out to FIFA for comment on the legal action. As their union, we have a duty to intervene and to enforce their legal rights as employees. Manchester City lift the Club World Cup trophy in 2023 - the competition is set to expand from seven teams to 32 in 2025. Francois Nel/Getty ImagesIn addition to the larger Club World Cup, all three European club competitions will be expanded to 36 teams for the 2024/2025 season.

Persons: –, ”, David Terrier, “ It’s, Maheta Molango, “, Molango, Gianni Infantino, ” Infantino, Francois Nel, Vinícius Júnior, Ballon d’Or, Ronaldinho, Vinícius Jr, Jude Bellingham, Wayne Rooney –, David Beckham Organizations: CNN, FIFA, FIFA Club, English, ’ Association, des, FIFPRO, European Court of Justice, of Fundamental, Commerce, PFA, World League, of Football, FIFA Congress, Manchester City, Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Manchester United Locations: FIFPRO Europe, Europe, United States, Brussels, FIFPRO, Bangkok, Manchester, Real Madrid, Brazil, Madrid, England, Bellingham

☆ Dubai’s floods were made worse by climate change, scientists find
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Angela Dewan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Using scientific models, the team was unable to determine precisely how much more likely climate change had made the floods. Changing circulation patterns driven by global warming are also increasing rainfall intensity, the analysis noted. Global warming was the only remaining reason they could identify to explain the heavier downpour. However, the focus must be on slowing climate change, she added. “While we can’t stop El Niño, we can stop climate change,” Otto said.

Persons: Amr Alfiky, ”, Sonia Seneviratne, Mansour Almazroui, King Abdulaziz University’s, Friederike Otto, Niño, Otto said, El, ” Otto, Francois Nel, Sultan Al, Jaber, CNN’s Abbas Al Lawati Organizations: CNN, United Arab, United Arab Emirates, Global, Reuters “, Institute for Atmospheric, Science, King Abdulaziz University’s Center, Excellence, Change, Grantham Institute, International Energy Agency Locations: United Arab Emirates, Oman, El, Dubai, UAE, Dubai’s, Zurich, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, London, Paris, deadlier

☆ Oleksandr Usyk missed the birth of his daughter before Tyson Fury pulled out of blockbuster fight
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Oleksandr Usyk has revealed that he missed the birth of his daughter before Tyson Fury pulled out of their blockbuster fight due to injury. Usyk and Fury had been due to fight on February 17 to crown the undisputed heavyweight champion, with all four of the division’s belts on the line. The winner would become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. And their February fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, looked like boxing fans would finally get their wish and see an undisputed heavyweight champion crowned. But weeks before the bout, Fury sustained an injury while sparring in training camp above his right eye which required stitches, resulting in the delay.

Persons: Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, Usyk, Fury, “, ” Usyk, Anthony Joshua, Francois Nel, Lennox Lewis, It’s, Francis Ngannou –, –, “ I’m, ” Organizations: CNN, British, WBC, WBA, WBO, BBC Locations: Spain, Ukrainian, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine

☆ Lewis Hamilton says he’s fulfilling ‘childhood dream’ by joining Ferrari
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said that he’s fulfilling a “childhood dream” by joining Ferrari in 2025 in his first social media post since his sensational move away from Mercedes was announced on Thursday. “It’s been a crazy few days which have been filled with a whole range of emotions. But as you all now know, after an incredible 11 years at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, the time has come for me to start a new chapter in my life and I will be joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2025,” Hamilton said on his social media channels on Saturday. “I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfil another childhood dream. The 39-year-old Hamilton, who shares the record for the most F1 world titles with Michael Schumacher, joined Mercedes in 2013 after beginning his career with McLaren in 2007.

Persons: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, “ It’s, ” Hamilton, “, Carlos Sainz, Will Buxton, Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, ”, “ Mercedes, we’ve, I’m, Toto, Wolff, Niki, Lauda, Francois Nel, ” Hamilton’s, George Russell Organizations: CNN, Ferrari, Mercedes, PETRONAS F1 Team, Scuderia Ferrari, Sky Sports, McLaren, Arrows, Scuderia Locations: Spanish, British

☆ FIFA 2030 World Cup to be hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with opening games in South America
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal shoots past Jawad El Yamiq of Morocco during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Morocco and Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, the world governing body of soccer announced Wednesday, with the three opening matches to be played in South America. The tournament will be the first World Cup to be held across three different continents. Opening games will be held in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, and all six hosting countries' teams will be automatically qualified to compete.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo, Jawad El Yamiq, Francois Nel Organizations: FIFA World, Qatar, Al Locations: Morocco, Portugal, Doha, Qatar, Spain, South America, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay

☆ Lewis Hamilton criticizes ‘completely unacceptable’ comments from Red Bull’s Helmut Marko about Sergio Pérez
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The 80-year-old Austrian later apologized for his remarks, and Pérez, speaking ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, said that he had also received a personal apology. “It’s completely unacceptable what he said,” Mercedes driver Hamilton, who has long spoken out against racial discrimination in Formula One, told Sky Sports when asked about Marko’s comments. “I think it just highlights firstly the work that still needs to be done. When you have a personal relationship with someone, I think it’s a feeling you’re going to have.”CNN has contacted Red Bull for comment. Verstappen is aiming to win a record-extending 11th consecutive race in Singapore on Sunday, though he said this week that he doesn’t think Red Bull is as competitive on street circuits compared to other tracks.

Persons: CNN — Lewis Hamilton, Red Bull, Helmut Marko, Sergio Pérez, Marko, Max, Sebastian, Vettel, “ It’s, ” Mercedes, Hamilton, ” Marko, Francois Nel, “, Pérez, Verstappen, ” Organizations: CNN, Red, Reuters, Sky Sports, Belgian, Prix Locations: American, Austrian, Singapore

☆ Saadiyat: The 'island of happiness' just off Abu Dhabi
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Chris Dwyer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Jon Arnold Images Ltd/Alamy Stock PhotoWhile Abu Dhabi itself is home to bombastic contemporary architecture, Saadiyat – an easy 20-minute drive from downtown and Abu Dhabi International Airport – is a natural wonderland, edged by small sand dunes. Elevated boardwalks protect them from beachgoers – part of a conservation project led by Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort and its inhouse marine biologist. Department of Culture and Tourism Abu DhabiOpen year-round, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is home to a Gary Player signature 18-hole golf course. Luc Castel/Getty ImagesInaugurated in 2017, The Louvre Abu Dhabi is France’s largest cultural project abroad. Louvre Abu Dhabi isn’t the only highbrow place on Saadiyat – behind the dunes there are two world-class educational institutions, too.

☆ A Ramadan etiquette guide for non-Muslims
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Saeed Ahmed | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

If your Muslim co-worker takes a pass, understand. You don’t have to know when it begins …Ramadan isn’t like Christmas or Thanksgiving, as in everyone knows exactly when it’ll fall. … but please be a little flexibleHow we determine when Ramadan begins is decidedly old-school: You have to physically see the moon (even though there are apps for that). You can say ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ …There’s no “war on Christmas”-level controversy surrounding the greeting (it means “Happy Ramadan”). Your Muslim co-worker will appreciate the thoughtfulness.

Persons: It’s, you’re, Francois Nel, it’s, Iftar, Ulet Ifansasti, Ramadan, ”, We’ll, Mubarak ’ … Organizations: CNN, TED, Getty Locations: United States, Al Noor Mosque, Sharjah, UAE, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Manila, Philippines, AFP

☆ The US may have lost in the World Cup, but soccer is more popular than ever in America
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Harry Enten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +36 min

The Atlas Lions made history as the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal. They made history as the first all-female refereeing crew for a men's World Cup match. It was Morocco's first World Cup win since 1998 — and its third-ever at the tournament. Less spoken about is that they also rate better on television than the men do in the World Cup. We’ll just have to wait and see, though with the US, Canada and Mexico hosting the 2026 World Cup, soccer isn’t going away anytime soon.

☆ Kylian Mbappé is reaching speeds of 22 miles per hour at the World Cup. Can anyone stop him?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Ahead of its World Cup quarterfinal against France, England has a problem to solve. But the 23-year-old has showcased more than just clinical finishing at the World Cup, terrorizing opponents with his phenomenal speed and ability to get behind the defensive line. “I do understand what I need to do and that’s obviously to stop him,” Walker told reporters this week. It will be an intriguing encounter at the Al Bayt Stadium, pitting two of the World Cup highest-scoring teams against each other. I’m sure he’s going to be the best midfielder in the world.”With some of the best players of the tournament going toe-to-toe, this quarterfinal has all the ingredients of a World Cup classic.

☆ World Cup quarterfinals: Morocco on the verge of history against Portugal as Kylian Mbappé’s France face England
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The Moroccans have become the darlings of the World Cup. At the first “Arab” World Cup, they became the first Arab nation to qualify for the quarterfinals of the World Cup and, as the first African side to qualify for the quarterfinals in over a decade, they represent so much more than just their own nation. Born in Madrid, Achraf Hakimi scored the goal to knock Spain out of the World Cup. No team has scored more than Portugal’s 12 at the World Cup, but will the unstoppable Portugal be able to beat the immovable Morocco? Mbappé has already surpassed Cristiano Ronalo's World Cup goal scoring record and is level with Lionel Messi on nine.

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo dropped to bench as Portugal thrashes Switzerland to reach World Cup quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —No Cristiano Ronaldo, no problem for Portugal as it produced a dynamic display to thrash Switzerland 6-1 and reach the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022. The superstar striker was dropped from the starting lineup on Tuesday by Fernando Santos but the bold decision paid off for the Portugal manager. Either way, the news of his absence from the starting lineup was the major talking point ahead of the crunch game. The decision to drop him from the starting lineup was truly vindicated with Portugal looking far more threatening in attack. With all his experience, though, Ronaldo can still have a role to play in Portugal’s World Cup campaign but it’s yet to be seen whether that’s from the bench or in the starting lineup.

☆ Superyacht rentals, private jets and a soccer-themed hotel: Dubai is cashing in on the Qatar World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A yacht that can be rented to watch the World Cup while sailing around Dubai is docked in Dubai harbor on November 1, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup football tournament. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, in August called Dubai "the major gateway" to the World Cup and predicted it would see more tourists than Qatar itself. Getty Images | A general view of the West Bay area ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at on November 18, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. "Its tourism infrastructure and straightforward entry requirements make it a convenient base for World Cup fans." Dubai, meanwhile, as a city has more than 140,000 hotel rooms, according to hotel data firm STR.

☆ Qatar World Cup: 'Our dreams never came true.' These men helped build Qatar's tournament, now they are struggling to survive.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Aimee Lewis Pramod Acharya Sugam Pokharel | Aimee Lewis | Pramod Acharya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +31 min

It will be a historic event, the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East, but one also mired in controversy. He had dreamed of watching World Cup matches from the rooftop of the hotel he had helped build. In Qatar, migrant workers can now change jobs freely without permission from their employer. However, a number of European federations have issued a joint statement saying they would campaign at the tournament on human rights and for a migrant workers center and a compensation fund for migrant workers. The motto for Qatar’s bid team in 2010 was ‘Expect Amazing.’ In many ways, this year’s World Cup has replicated that maxim.

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