Celebrity causes
This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows a fire still burning at Saudi Aramco's North Jiddah Bulk Plant after an attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels ahead of a Formula One race in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, March 26, 2022. Authorities pledged Saturday that the F1 race would go on Sunday. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)
Perez on pole for Saudi Arabian GP day after nearby attack

By Jerome Pugmire Mar. 26, 2022 05:32 AM EDT

Britain's Andy Murray hits a backhand to Reilly Opelka of the United States during their match at the Sydney Tennis Classic in Sydney, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP Image via AP)
Unlike other sports stars, Andy Murray won't play in Saudi

By Rob Harris Jan. 14, 2022 12:14 PM EST

Canadian pop star Justin Bieber performs at a concert marking the end of Formula One, in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Justin Bieber performs at Saudi F1 race after boycott calls

Dec. 06, 2021 03:32 AM EST

A man runs in front of a Formula One countdown clock on the corniche walkway in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. The Formula One race takes place from Dec. 3-5 along the Red Sea city of Jiddah's coast, marking the first time the premier sporting event is held in Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Saudi critic's fiancee urges Justin Bieber to cancel F1 show

By Aya Batrawy Nov. 21, 2021 04:31 AM EST

FILE - This photo provided by Sayed ahmed Alwadaei, Director of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD), shows a drawing made in 2020 of Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton's racing car by 11-year-old Ahmed, with an appeal for help in saving his father from execution. Hamilton, the seven-time F1 champion, said Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, that Formula One is “duty bound” to raise awareness of human rights issues as the series closes its season in the Middle East. (Ahmed/BIRD via AP, File)
Hamilton: F1 'duty bound' to raise awareness of human rights

By Jerome Pugmire Nov. 18, 2021 01:12 PM EST

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, leads Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, during the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Hamilton-Verstappen rivalry is F1's best duel in years

By Jim Vertuno Nov. 03, 2021 02:49 AM EDT

FILE - Feb. 21, 2021, file photo Serbia's Novak Djokovic holds the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after defeating Russia's Daniil Medvedev in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. Players who haven't received a COVID-19 vaccination are unlikely to get a visa to enter the country for the Australian Open next January, according to the political leader of the state which hosts the season-opening major. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair, File)
Prospect of no jab, no visa for Australian Open tennis stars

By John Pye Oct. 19, 2021 01:30 AM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2020 file photo, Milo Ventimiglia arrives at the 25th annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. Ventimiglia will serve as honorary starter for the 105th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, waving the green flag and sending the field of 33 NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers on their epic quest for racing glory. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
This Is Indy: Ventimiglia named Indy 500 honorary starter

May. 28, 2021 11:29 AM EDT

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain attends the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix press conference in Sakhir, Bahrain, Thursday, March 25,2021. (Dan Istitene, Pool via AP)
Hamilton: F1 can't ignore race hosts' human rights issues

By Jerome Pugmire Mar. 25, 2021 02:57 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, center, talks with Georgia Tech's coach Geoff Collins, left, during the school's Pro Day football workout on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The Latest: 13 sports joins Willie Nelson for vaccine PSA

By The Associated Press Mar. 23, 2021 12:26 PM EDT

CORRECTS NAME In this undated photo supplied by Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, director of the London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD), Ahmed holds his drawing of Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton's racing car with his appeal for help in saving his father from execution. The 11-year old Ahmed is son of a Bahraini man on death row and at risk of imminent execution in Bahrain. BIRD has received letters from alleged torture victims in Bahrain, with pleas for seven-time F1 champion Hamilton to help political prisoners in Bahrain. (Photo by mother of Ahmed/BIRD via AP)
F1 star Hamilton vows to fight to improve human rights

By Jerome Pugmire Dec. 12, 2020 03:17 PM EST

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain participates in a media conference prior to the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix will take place on Sunday. (Mario Renzi, Pool via AP)
Hamilton praised for urging F1 to help improve human rights

By Jerome Pugmire Nov. 27, 2020 02:26 PM EST

An entrance sign for Kentucky Speedway is decorated with a banner honoring driver Jimmie Johnson before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, July 12, 2020, in Sparta, Ky. NASCAR's nicest guy will run his final race this week and close a remarkable career. Jimmie Johnson's record-tying seven Cup titles are well celebrated, but his charitable work goes less noticed. The Jimmie Johnson Foundation has donated more than $12 million to schools and programs since it launched. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Column: NASCAR's Johnson leaves lasting charitable mark

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 02, 2020 03:57 PM EST

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Styrian Formula One Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring racetrack in Spielberg, Austria, Sunday, July 12, 2020. (Joe Klamar/Pool via AP)
F1 star Hamilton raises right fist in fight against racism

By Jerome Pugmire Jul. 12, 2020 01:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 16, 2014, file photo, a student walks through empty seats inside Kenan Stadium at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., where preparations continue for the upcoming college football season. The crippling grip the coronavirus pandemic has had on the sports world has forced universities, leagues and franchises to evaluate how they might someday welcome back fans. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
The Latest: Saints' Thomas donates to help with medical debt

By The Associated Press Jun. 08, 2020 01:18 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2019, file photo, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, speaks during a news conference following the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas, Sunday,, in Austin, Texas. Driving around Formula One tracks without fans cheering loudly at Silverstone and Monza would literally feel “very empty” for world champion Lewis Hamilton. The first 10 races this season have been postponed or canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic, and if F1 does start this summer no fans can watch. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Hamilton a big sporting voice in Black Lives Matter movement

By Steve Douglas Jun. 08, 2020 09:05 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, March 7, 2020, file photo, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) talks with guard Donovan Mitchell, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, in Detroit. Both players have tested positive for the coronavirus. Gobert's test result forced the NBA to suspend the season. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
The Latest: AP source: Salary reductions for top NBA execs

By The Associated Press Mar. 26, 2020 01:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 14, 2019, file photo, Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses the trophy during the presentation after he defeated Switzerland's Roger Federer in the men's singles final match of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London. The All England Club says it plans to make a decision next week whether to postpone or cancel Wimbledon because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Laurence Griffiths/Pool Photo via AP, File)
The Latest: Hurricanes ask employees to take time off

By The Associated Press Mar. 25, 2020 02:43 PM EDT

- FILE - In this Wednesday, March 4, 2020, file image, F1 driver Max Verstappen of The Netherlands drives his car through one of the two banked corners during a test and official presentation of the renovated F1 track in the beachside resort of Zandvoort, western Netherlands. The iconic Monaco Grand Prix was added Thursday to a growing list of Formula One races to be postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The first seven races of the Formula One season have now been postponed, with Netherlands and Spain joining Monaco as the latest to be called off. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
The Latest: Packers helping provide $1.5 million for relief

By The Associated Press Mar. 23, 2020 07:17 AM EDT

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman lays down a bunt during a spring training baseball practice in North Port, Fla., Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
The Latest: Big South Conference cancels all spring sports

By The Associated Press Mar. 18, 2020 12:55 PM EDT