LONDON: The inclusion of a Palestinian flag emoji when users type “Jerusalem” has sparked controversy for Apple, with accusations of antisemitism leveled against the American tech giant. The issue emerged after a recent software update automatically suggested the Palestinian flag emoji, drawing criticism from British TV presenter Rachel Riley, an outspoken supporter of Israel. Caption … Read more
F1 Academy, F2 drivers hit positive notes for Alpine during tough Saudi Arabian Grand Prix JEDDAH: It is fair to say that Alpine have not had the best of starts to the Formula 1 season.An underwhelming opening weekend in Bahrain for Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon was followed, days later by sweeping changes at management … Read more
LONDON: Hopes are fading fast for the restoration of funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, which provides assistance to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and across the region, after reports that the suspension of US donations could be made permanent. Fourteen donors, including Germany, the UK, and the US, paused funding a little … Read more
GAZA STRIP: Prospects for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire dimmed on Sunday after the US signaled it would veto the latest push for a UN Security Council resolution and mediator Qatar acknowledged that separate truce talks have hit an impasse. Efforts to pause the over four-month-old war languish as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to reject international … Read more
CAIRO: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry left for Slovenia on Sunday to lead his country’s delegation at a meeting of the two nations’ Joint Ministerial Committee for Economic Cooperation. Ahmed Abu Zeid, spokesman for the ministry, said Shoukry would discuss with senior Slovenian officials various matters regarding bilateral relations and ways to enhance them. Shoukry … Read more
RAFAH, Palestinian Territories: The last time six-year-old Hind Rajab was heard from, she was surrounded by dead relatives and trapped in the family’s car after it came under fire in war-ravaged Gaza City.“She was scared, freaking out, and was wounded in her back, her hand and her foot,” said her grandfather, Baha Hamada, one of … Read more
LONDON: Kevin De Bruyne made his long-awaited return for Manchester City as the FA Cup holders thrashed Huddersfield 5-0 in the third round on Sunday. Belgium midfielder De Bruyne had been sidelined since tearing his hamstring during City’s Premier League opener against Burnley in August. He finally got back in action as a 57th minute substitute … Read more
As 2023 comes to a close, it is time to look back at the highlights of what has turned out to be momentous year for Saudi Arabian football. Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo It has to be. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner shocked the world by signing for Al-Nassr at the end of 2022. … Read more
Year in review: When crisis-wracked Syria defied the odds to return to the Arab fold LONDON: From a deadly earthquake in the country’s northwest and protests in its far south to a return to the Arab fold after more than a decade out in the cold, Syria has witnessed several major events and changes in … Read more
JENIN: Palestinian Mawaheb Marei is mourning a double tragedy — her relatives suffering and dying in Gaza, and the killing of her teenage son, a victim of Israel’s frequent raids in the occupied West Bank. “I wish I could wrap him in a coat,” Marei told AFP, like she had done every winter to keep … Read more