bloodsoaked

UNCERTAINTY looms over Saudi Arabia’s plans to build a high-tech mountain ski resort in the middle of the desert.

The project has met such substantial woes that the country is even reportedly in talks to relocate the 2029 Asian Winter Games.

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These games had been expected to take place in Trojena – in the futuristic city of NEOM in the north of Saudi Arabia.

But the project has faced substantial difficulties as the desert Kingdom scrambles to complete the resort in time, the FT has reported.

Trojena is planned to feature 30km of ski-runs – which will include the Asian Games’ 400m slope.

Snow for the ski slopes would be artificial, and would be pumped from the Gulf of Aqaba 200km away.

“Trojena will become one of the most dazzling destinations in NEOM and across the world,” says a NEOM spokesperson.

But for all the promise of a glittering, high tech future, NEOM’s many projects have been bogged down with delays and setbacks, with Trojena being no exception.

Amid construction woes, South Korea and China are reportedly being considered as alternate venues for the games.

But a source familiar with the project told the Telegraph: “The difficulties have been magnified by the schedule imposed on the project.”

Another said: “The Saudis are really committed to building something there.

“Maybe not on the scale that they have imagined in the first place.”

NEOM was announced as part of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s Project 2030 in 2017.

It came as part of a major push to wean the oil-rich nation’s economy off its reliance on fossil fuels.

As well as the ski slopes, it is expected to include The Line, Oxagon, Trojena, Sindalah and the Gulf of Aqaba Projects.

Yet human rights abuses and brutal conditions for workers looming over NEOM.

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As many as 21,000 are reported to have died during construction, but Saudi authorities have disputed this figure.

Human Rights Watch researcher Joey Shea previously told the Sun: “Unfortunately migrant workers in Saudi Arabia continue to face widespread abuses, some of which may amount to situations of forced labour, including at high profile gigaprojects.

“On NEOM, Human Rights Watch has found that ambitious targets set by Saudi authorities have tight and unrealistic deadlines which can lead employers to demand that workers continue to work under dangerous conditions.

“Migrant workers in Saudi Arabia experience illegal and exorbitant Recruitment Fees, limits to job mobility, obstacles exiting the country,  as well as serious health and safety risks.”

One NEOM worker previously told The Sun that the project’s management has “overspent quite a bit” since its announcement.

He said: “They were focusing on way too many things at the same time.

“They just wanted everything at the highest level possible. The biggest entertainment complex in the world. The biggest media studio in the region.

“No matter how much money you throw at the thing, it takes more than just money to make it work.”

Coronation Street has released a clip of the aftermath of a deadly assault on PC Craig Tinker who is covered in blood and barely alive, cradled by distressed neighbour Maria Connor

There’s heartbreaking scenes ahead on Coronation Street as Craig Tinker exits the ITV soap, and a horrifying new clip reveals just how gruesome the episodes will be.

A first look clip shows the moment an ambulance races to the scene to save the injured police officer, whose life is hanging in the balance. Craig is left blood-soaked and beaten, left to die after a violent assault.

He’s found by his distressed neighbour and family friend Maria Connor who desperately calls for help, while cradling the dying character in her arms. She urges him to stay awake in the heartbreaking clip, with blood seen pouring from his head, face and his ear.

Craig is incoherent and barely moving, while he attempts to tell paramedic Asha Alahan what happened to him. Suddenly he begins to lose consciousness, unable to keep his eyes open as he deteriorates.

Asha shouts out to her colleague to get oxygen for her injured friend, as she begs him to stay awake not wanting to lose him. Soon Maria is comforted by Sarah Platt, and the two women are left in tears over the horrific site of Craig’s injures, with it clear he’s in a bad way.

READ MORE: Coronation Street Craig Tinker’s death ‘revealed’ in first look at ‘horrific’ final scenes

Spoilers have revealed that Craig is rushed to hospital, with it confirmed he is left in intensive care with swelling on his brain. Just as Craig wakes up and tries to communicate what happened there’s horror, as he takes a turn for the worse.

Doctors rush in as he deteriorates, while Craig’s attack sends shockwaves across the whole street. Craig’s fate is being kept under wraps, while it has been confirmed the character is leaving the show.

Next week his final episodes will air, with actor Colson Smith bowing out of the role. It had been reported weeks ago that Craig would be killed off in heartbreaking scenes, while nothing has been confirmed by the show.

With it revealed that this is Craig’s final storyline and his “final fight”, will tragedy see the police officer lose his life? In a trailer released by the soap, his colleague DS Lisa Swain is heard emotionally saying: “If we knew today was our last day on earth, what would we do differently?” She chillingly adds: “There isn’t always more time.”

Colson shared his excitement over the episodes, saying: “I can’t wait for people to see Craig’s final scenes. It is exactly the exit I wanted for him and we are all really proud of what we filmed in those final weeks.

“It was actually great fun. I was walking around covered in fake blood for days and I was chuffed that I got to work with so many brilliant people in this final storyline.”

The actor had revealed earlier this year he was leaving the show after being axed. He posted online: “Autumn last year I was told that Craig Tinker’s time on the Cobbles is to come to an end in 2025. I’ve LOVED every single second of my 14 year stay as a resident on the greatest street in the world.”

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .