- How a Saudi royal crushed his rivals in a 'shakedown' at the Ritz-Carlton: Royals and others held at the luxury hotel after a Nov. 4, 2017, roundup were subjected to extortion, psychological abuse and torture, U.S. officials say. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/mideast/how-saudi-royal-crushed-his-rivals-shakedown-ritz-carlton-n930396 3 comments politics