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Red Sea Global Launches First Island Golf Course in Saudi Arabia

The new course on Shura Island offers a unique golf experience that combines environmental sustainability with exclusive luxury - SPA
The new course on Shura Island offers a unique golf experience that combines environmental sustainability with exclusive luxury - SPA
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Red Sea Global Launches First Island Golf Course in Saudi Arabia

The new course on Shura Island offers a unique golf experience that combines environmental sustainability with exclusive luxury - SPA
The new course on Shura Island offers a unique golf experience that combines environmental sustainability with exclusive luxury - SPA

Red Sea Global (RSG) has officially opened Shura Links, the Kingdom’s first 18-hole golf course located entirely on an island, within the Red Sea destination.

The new course on Shura Island, according to a RSG press release issued on Tuesday, offers a unique golf experience that combines environmental sustainability with exclusive luxury.

Operated by Golf Saudi, the Par-72, 7,400-yard course winds through natural mangroves and golden sand dunes before running alongside the Red Sea coastline. Its design reflects the traditional links style of play while minimizing environmental impact, in line with RSG's standards, SPA reported.

On this occasion, Governor of the Public Investment Fund and Chairman of Golf Saudi Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan, said: “The opening of Shura Links marks a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s journey toward global leadership in sports and tourism. It embodies the aspirations of Saudi Vision 2030 and reaffirms the Public Investment Fund’s commitment to creating new economic opportunities that diversify the economy and enhance quality of life.”

He added: “With its unique location at the heart of the Red Sea, Shura Links is more than just a world-class golf course; it is a living embodiment of the Kingdom’s vision to transform this destination into a driver of luxury tourism and sustainable development for generations to come.”

CEO of RSG John Pagano commented: “Shura Links marks a new chapter in redefining global tourism through sustainability and innovation, while diversifying the portfolio of sports experiences we offer in line with Vision 2030.”

CEO of Golf Saudi Noah Alireza emphasized that Shura Links will serve as one of the first touchpoints in Saudi Arabia’s golf tourism journey. “It paves the way for the Kingdom to establish itself as a leading destination where natural beauty meets innovation and sustainability, inspiring golfers, investors, and travelers worldwide.”

According to SPA, at the heart of Shura Links lies its beach club, the social hub of the course. Inspired by the richness of local flora and wildlife, it provides panoramic views of all holes.

According to the release, Shura Links offers a range of exceptional facilities, including a family-friendly mini-golf course, an expansive practice ground with dedicated training areas, flexible 9- or 18-hole play options, and PGA-certified coaching programs.

"Shura Links is located on Shura Island, the beating heart of the Red Sea destination, which will begin welcoming guests in the coming weeks with the openings of SLS, Edition, and InterContinental resorts. A total of 11 world-class resorts will be launched on the island in the coming months, offering guests breathtaking natural scenery, luxurious amenities, and premium dining and shopping experiences." Said the release.

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Serena Williams Teams up with Muchova in Berlin Doubles

US player Serena Williams hits a shot during a practice session at the HSBC WTA tennis Championships at Queen's Club in west London on June 12, 2026. (AFP)
US player Serena Williams hits a shot during a practice session at the HSBC WTA tennis Championships at Queen's Club in west London on June 12, 2026. (AFP)
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Serena Williams Teams up with Muchova in Berlin Doubles

US player Serena Williams hits a shot during a practice session at the HSBC WTA tennis Championships at Queen's Club in west London on June 12, 2026. (AFP)
US player Serena Williams hits a shot during a practice session at the HSBC WTA tennis Championships at Queen's Club in west London on June 12, 2026. (AFP)

US tennis great Serena Williams, on the comeback trail nearly four years after retiring, will partner Czech Karolina Muchova in the doubles at next week's Berlin Open grass court tournament.

"We're going to play doubles. I'm pretty excited about it, it doesn't happen every day that such an amazing athlete, not only in tennis but overall in sport asks you to play tennis with her. I hope it's going to be fun," Muchova told a press conference in Berlin on Saturday.

Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, had retired after the 2022 US Open.

On Tuesday, the 44-year-old won her first doubles match at the Queen's Club in London alongside Canadian Victoria Mboko.

Mboko then injured her left knee, forcing her to retire from the singles and the doubles.

The 29-year-old Muchova, ranked 10th in the world, was runner-up at the 2023 French Open singles tournament.

The Berlin Open serves as a warm-up for Wimbledon from July 1-14.

Sports

Confident DR Congo Ready to Bring African Flair to World Cup After Long Wait

Omni Houston Hotel, Houston, Texas, US - June 11, 2026 DR Congo players arrive at the hotel in Houston ahead of the FIFA World Cup. (Reuters)
Omni Houston Hotel, Houston, Texas, US - June 11, 2026 DR Congo players arrive at the hotel in Houston ahead of the FIFA World Cup. (Reuters)
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Confident DR Congo Ready to Bring African Flair to World Cup After Long Wait

Omni Houston Hotel, Houston, Texas, US - June 11, 2026 DR Congo players arrive at the hotel in Houston ahead of the FIFA World Cup. (Reuters)
Omni Houston Hotel, Houston, Texas, US - June 11, 2026 DR Congo players arrive at the hotel in Houston ahead of the FIFA World Cup. (Reuters)

Jubilant singing and the raspy sound of vuvuzelas have created an unmistakingly African feel to Democratic of Republic Congo’s training in Houston, where supporters are confident their side can shine at the World Cup and have a message for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Congolese open their Group K campaign against Portugal in Houston on Wednesday, ending a 52-year wait to return to football’s main table after a single previous ‌appearance in 1974 ‌as Zaire.

On that occasion they lost all ‌three ⁠matches, scored no ⁠goals and conceded 14 times, but fans are confident there will be no repeat of that failure this time round, with Colombia and Uzbekistan also in the pool.

"I am really happy, man,” Dada Muzinga told Reuters. “It's a long time... I'm 40 years old but I have never seen the World Cup with my country. I am excited. I know it is going ⁠to be really good.”

Muzinga was wearing a clown ‌mask with bright red hair and ‌had words for Ronaldo, who is likely to line up for Portugal against the ‌Congolese.

“This message is to Cristiano Ronaldo. We don’t want no penalties, ‌no red cards (like in the opening game). We want to play to the end. We will see who wins the game.”

Claude Byiringiro, 24, a local teacher, stood transfixed as he watched the Congolese players train. “I follow the team and ‌I am really excited it is happening here in Houston,” Byiringiro said. “I feel like we have a ⁠good squad, the ⁠chemistry is getting better. Hopefully we can go far this time.”

“These are the players you grew up watching on TV and now you get to see them represent your country and not only that, you get to see them live. The way they move the ball, it’s amazing. It feels unreal. It hasn’t hit me yet. I’ve been trying to take videos for memories.”

Asked how far the Congo team could go in the tournament, a shout went up, “All the way to the final”, followed by cheers from the throng of fans.

The team's participation is a welcome bright spot during an Ebola outbreak in Congo that as of Friday had 676 confirmed cases and claimed 136 lives.

Sports

FIFA Faces Protests in Toronto Over Israel Ties Ahead of Canada World Cup Match

]Protesters hold a banner reading "Kick Israel Out of FIFA", ahead of Canada's World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June 12, 2026. (Reuters)
]Protesters hold a banner reading "Kick Israel Out of FIFA", ahead of Canada's World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June 12, 2026. (Reuters)
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FIFA Faces Protests in Toronto Over Israel Ties Ahead of Canada World Cup Match

]Protesters hold a banner reading "Kick Israel Out of FIFA", ahead of Canada's World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June 12, 2026. (Reuters)
]Protesters hold a banner reading "Kick Israel Out of FIFA", ahead of Canada's World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June 12, 2026. (Reuters)

Protesters unfurled a massive red banner on top of the World Cup logo near a busy highway in Toronto on Friday, denouncing FIFA's association with Israel, hours before Canada's first game.

Demonstrators donning shirts that read "Jews for a free Palestine" mounted a nearby embankment ‌and dropped the ‌banner with the message "Kick Israel out of ‌FIFA". ⁠

The banner was ⁠visible to commuters on the Gardiner Expressway - one of Canada's busiest - on their way to the home team's opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Toronto stadium.

Other actions organized by a group of activists included demands for the release of prominent Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, who was captured ⁠by the Israeli military in Gaza in ‌late 2024.

Faisal Ibrahim, a spokesperson ‌for the activists, accused FIFA of being complicit with Israel's actions against ‌Palestinians.

"FIFA not only turns a blind eye to the ‌Israel Football Association's playing of games on illegally occupied West Bank and Syrian territory, it actually actively broadcasts those games, thereby normalizing occupation and erasure, which makes FIFA an active and complicit participant," ‌he told Reuters.

In March, global football's ruling body said it would take no action ⁠against Israeli clubs ⁠accused by the Palestine Football Association of competing while allegedly based in Palestinian territory, citing the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under public international law.

Israel's war in Gaza has killed tens of thousands, caused a hunger crisis, and led to assessments of genocide from scholars and a United Nations inquiry.

Israel strongly denies genocide accusations and calls its actions self-defense after Hamas-led fighters killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in an October 2023 attack.

UN experts have also appealed to FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations to suspend Israel from international football.