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Global News Podcast

Saudis to pull out of LIV Golf

4/30/202631 min

Saudi Arabia will withdraw its multi-billion dollar backing of LIV Golf at the end of the season, plunging the future of the series into further doubt. LIV was formed as a breakaway from the longstanding PGA tour, offering large sums to lure away some of golf's top players. The move was always seen as controversial - human rights groups accused Saudi Arabia of using sports sponsorship to distract from its poor human rights record. LIV says it hopes to attract new sponsors, though it's not clear who might be able to match the billions which Saudi Arabia's oil wealth had made available. Also: Relations between the US and Germany are tested over the war in Iran as President Trump and Chancellor Merz criticise one another; pro-Palestinian activists say at least 22 boats from a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza have been intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters near the Greek island of Crete; China introduces new restrictions on the use of drones, which include a near- total ban on flying them in Beijing; and a DNA study offers new clues on the fall of Ancient Rome.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

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Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Tristan Redman0:00

    This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

  2. Asma Khalid0:03

    [news music] Can a royal visit help fix the so-called special relationship between the US and the UK?

  3. Tristan Redman0:11

    This week King Charles is visiting America, but it's a tense moment for the US and the UK. I'm Tristan Redman.

  4. Asma Khalid0:18

    And I'm Asma Khalid, and we host the Global Story podcast from the BBC.

  5. Tristan Redman0:22

    We speak to the former British ambassador to the United States, who knows a thing or two about getting on the wrong side of President Trump.

  6. Asma Khalid0:29

    For more, listen to The Global Story on bbc.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

  7. Ankur Desai· Host0:34

    [news music] This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. Hello, I'm Ankur Desai. And at 15 hours GMT on Thursday the 30th of April, these are our main stories. Saudi Arabia is to stop funding the LIV Golf tour at the end of the season. LIV was formed as a breakaway from the longstanding PGA tour with billions of dollars offered to lure top players. President Trump has said his administration is considering reducing troops from Germany, appearing to be in retaliation for some critical comments by the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz. Pro-Palestinian activists say a flotilla of boats carrying aid to Gaza has been intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters near Greece. Also in this podcast, we hear about workers in Kenya who allege they had to view distressing images captured by Meta smart

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