NEW DELHI: Muslim teachers said on Tuesday they would appeal a verdict by a court in Uttar Pradesh, which has effectively banned Islamic schools in India’s most populous state. Last week’s ruling scraped a 2004 law governing madrasas in Uttar Pradesh, with the Allahabad High Court saying it violated India’s constitutional secularism and ordered that … Read more
JERUSALEM: Muslims worshippers flocked to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound for the second Friday prayer of Ramadan under the heavy presence of Israeli police, a sign of lurking tensions in the holy city.“We feel lucky to be at Al-Aqsa while hundreds of thousands are deprived of access to it,” said Mustafa Al-Sheikh, a 62-year-old Palestinian who … Read more
LONDON: Ahmed’s plans for his eagerly anticipated first child were shattered when the Israeli military bombed his home in Sabra, in western Gaza, on Oct. 26 last year. In his telling, among the possessions destroyed in the attack was a nursery that he and his wife had lovingly decorated. “All the preparations we made to … 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
Putin is poised to extend his rule in highly orchestrated vote even as Russians quietly protest MOSCOW: Russians crowded outside polling stations at noon Sunday on the last day of a presidential election, apparently heeding an opposition call to protest against President Vladimir Putin in a vote that offered them no real alternatives after he … Read more
PARIS: Kylian Mbappe returned to the starting lineup and took just 14 minutes to score as Paris Saint-Germain beat Nice 3-1 to reach the French Cup semifinals on Wednesday. He started the past two league games on the bench as part of coach Luis Enrique’s rotation policy, which most observers accept involves leaving out Mbappe … Read more
PARIS: Bayer Leverkusen and West Ham go into Thursday both needing positive results to reach the quarterfinals of the Europa League after failing to win their first-leg ties. A stoppage-time Patrik Schick equalizer spared Leverkusen’s blushes last week in Baku, and also maintained their unbeaten record this season, after Qarabag took a shock 2-0 lead … Read more
MIAMI: PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan said Tuesday talks with the Saudi Arabian backers of LIV Golf were “accelerating” but was tight-lipped on how the proposed joint venture between the two bodies would work. Speaking to reporters ahead of this week’s Players Championship, Monahan said negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) were progressing. … Read more
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia artist Laila Al-Jindan is not shy about using bold colors and an expressionist style in her paintings and collages as she attempts to interpret the country’s heritage and transformation. “At the same time, I always make sure to reflect Saudi traditions and culture in my paintings in a modern way. I believe … Read more
Eddie Howe sets ambitious Newcastle United target with Joelinton deal top of priority list NEWCASTLE: Persuading key man Joelinton to pen a new Newcastle United deal is a “priority” for Eddie Howe, even with chief negotiator Dan Ashworth out of the Magpies’ exit door. The Brazilian has been a huge miss in the Newcastle midfield … Read more