CAIRO: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has arrived in Egypt at the start of a regional tour that coincides with heightened regional tension and unease over the Trump administration’s Mideast policies.
His arrival Sunday came one day after Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes in Syria after intercepting an Iranian drone that had infiltrated its airspace and an Israeli F-16 was downed upon its return from Syria. It was the most serious Israeli engagement in Syria since the war there began in 2011.
In Egypt, as well as in Kuwait, Lebanon and Jordan — the tour’s other Arab stops — Tillerson will almost certainly hear misgivings about President Donald Trump’s recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
He visits NATO ally Turkey on the tour’s final stop.
US Secretary of State in Egypt at start of Mideast tour
US Secretary of State in Egypt at start of Mideast tour
Loli Bahia fronts Chanel’s latest jewelry campaign
DUBAI: Chanel cannot get enough of French Algerian model Loli Bahia. The French luxury house has tapped the model once again to front its latest campaign for the Chanel No. 5 jewelry collection.
The new pieces combine gold and diamonds to form the shape of the number five, a symbol closely associated with the brand’s identity. The collection includes rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings, all inspired by the enduring allure of the No. 5 brand.
In the campaign images, Bahia was seen wearing various pieces from the line, including number five-shaped drop earrings, a diamond pendant necklace, a gold bracelet featuring the numeral and matching rings. The designs incorporate both yellow and white gold and are detailed with diamonds.
Bahia has collaborated with Chanel on several occasions. Most recently, in January, she opened the runway show during Paris Haute Couture Week wearing an ensemble that combined the house’s signature tweed with pastel quilting.
The look featured a jacket with a quilted front panel in soft shades of pink, blue, yellow and green, contrasted with white tweed sleeves. The jacket was detailed with front pockets and Chanel’s signature buttons.
The in-demand model also wore a white tweed mini skirt, paired with a slim black belt featuring a gold buckle. The outfit was completed with two-tone Mary Jane heels in black and white, secured with gold buckle-adorned ankle straps.
In May 2024, she walked the Chanel Cruise 2024/2025 show in Marseille, France.
Bahia donned a green ensemble, composed of a knee-length pencil skirt paired with a matching top, layered over a white shirt boasting a hoodie collar.
That same year, in June, she walked for the brand during Paris Fashion Week as part of its fall/winter 2024-2025 collection unveiling.
She graced the runway in a two-piece ensemble comprising a tailored buttoned jacket complemented by a matching knee-length skirt in a delicate tweed fabric. Both garments were adorned with subtle black tassel details.
The model’s first campaign with Chanel was in 2022, when she was just 19 years old. It was Chanel’s Metiers d’Art spring 2022 campaign, shot by fashion photographer Mikael Jansson.
In the campaign, Bahia displayed the savoir faire of artisans via tailored jackets, logo-emblazoned leather gloves, wide-brimmed hats, embellished mini-dresses and ornate bangles, necklaces and earrings.
Gauff holds nerve to join Sabalenka in Italian Open third round
- Reigning Rome champion Alexander Zverev also strolled into the next round, beating Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-2, 6-1 in the last match of the day on center court
- Sinner will make his comeback from a three-month doping ban on Saturday when he takes on Mariano Navone in front of what will be a partisan crowd
ROME: Coco Gauff survived a scare at this year’s Italian Open, coming back from a set down to beat qualifier Victoria Mboko 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 as Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz both cruised through their opening matches.
World No.3 Gauff will play Magda Linette in the third round in Rome after prevailing despite being far from her best in a match which signalled more progress from her up-and-coming opponent.
Canadian Mboko played with a maturity which defied the 153 places separating her from Gauff in the world rankings in a prime-time clash on center court.
The 18-year-old has risen from 333 to 156 since the start of the year and the Foro Italico crowd quickly took to her confident, and powerful play.
Mboko had Gauff on the ropes in the first set, breaking the former US Open winner four times, but eventually gave way to her more experienced opponent who is one of the favorites for overall victory after losing to Sabalenka in the recent Madrid final.
“It was a tough match, Victoria came out playing some tough tennis, I knew she was going to do from watching some of her previous matches,” said Gauff.
“But overall I’m just happy that I was able to step up my game.”
Current world No. 1 Sabalenka swept past Russia’s Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour.
Sabalenka will play Sofia Kenin in the next round after the American beat another Russian in Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0.
The 27-year-old Sabalenka has reached the final of her last four tournaments, winning both in Madrid and in another 1000 series in Miami.
“I know that if I bring my best game and my fight spirit on court, I know that I can win this tournament,” Sabalenka told reporters.
Emma Raducanu got off to a flying start with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Jil Teichmann, a lucky loser who replaced Ekaterina Alexandrova following the Russian’s withdrawal with a shoulder injury.
Alcaraz got past Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 23 minutes in his first match since suffering a thigh injury in his Barcelona Open final defeat to Holger Rune last month.
The Spaniard showed some signs of ring rustiness with 22 unforced errors but saw off Serbian qualifier Lajovic and was positive about his comeback display.
“It was a great performance, a great level, which was surprising for me a little bit but I’m just really happy,” said Alcaraz.
Alcaraz will now face Laslo Djere, a 6-0, 6-3 winner over Alex Michelsen, in the third round as he eyes a potential final with world number one Jannik Sinner in the Italian capital.
Sinner will make his comeback from a three-month doping ban on Saturday when he takes on Mariano Navone in front of what will be a partisan crowd.
Alcaraz later told reporters that he would take it easy on his day off, keep an eye on Sinner’s match and go to watch his friend Patric play for Serie A football club Lazio against Juventus at the nearby Stadio Olimpico.
Reigning Rome champion Alexander Zverev also strolled into the next round, beating Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-2, 6-1 in the last match of the day on center court.
Home hope Lorenzo Musetti opened his week, his first in the top 10 of the men’s world rankings, with a 6-3, 6-2 win over qualifier Otto Virtanen.
Musetti, losing finalist in Monte Carlo last month, has the USA’s Brandon Nakashima next and could face Daniil Medvedev in the last 16 after the 2023 Rome champion easily saw off Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-2 to set up a third-round clash with Alexei Popyrin.
Ninth-seed Rune will play Corentin Moutet, who went through after fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert withdrew injured, in the third round after winning a thrilling match with Francisco Comesana 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss regional tensions after Indian strikes, Islamabad’s response
- The ongoing conflict between Pakistan and India has alarmed world powers and friendly nations
- There have been fears that the hostilities may turn into a full-blown war, if not intervened timely
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, has spoken with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and discussed with him escalating regional tensions, the Pakistani foreign ministry said on Saturday, following Pakistan’s retaliation to Indian military strikes on three of its air bases.
Pakistan said India conducted drone strikes on its Nur Khan, Murid and Shorkot air bases early Saturday, adding that most of them were intercepted by the country’s air defense systems.
India said Pakistan had overnight launched several high-speed missiles targeting multiple air bases and civilian infrastructure in the northern Indian state of Punjab and Indian-administered Kashmir.
The situation has alarmed world powers and friendly countries that the hostilities, sparked by a massacre in Indian-administered Kashmir, may lead to a full-blown war, if not intervened.
“Dar today spoke with the Foreign Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HH Faisal bin Farhan. The DPM/FM apprised him on the current situation in the region following last night’s Indian attacks and Pakistan’s subsequent response,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
“Both leaders agreed to maintain close contact.”
Tensions between the two neighbors escalated after India on Wednesday conducted missile strikes deep inside Pakistan, which officials said killed 31 civilians in multiple cities.
Drone and missile incursions and munition fire between the two sides have since killed around 20 more people, mostly on the Indian side, sparking diplomatic calls for restraint.
“Saudi FM expressed condolences over the loss of innocent lives and appreciated Pakistan’s measured and restrained response,” Islamabad’s foreign ministry said.
The statement came a day after Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir’s daylong visit to Pakistan, which followed his surprise stop in New Delhi for talks with Indian officials.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share close diplomatic and strategic relations. The Kingdom has extended significant support to Pakistan during prolonged economic challenges faced by Islamabad in recent years, including external financing and assistance with International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programs.
Saudi Arabia has also contributed to global peacemaking efforts by hosting talks and mediating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine.
New Delhi has accused Pakistan of backing the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. Islamabad denies it and has offered to participate in a credible, international probe.
Pakistan and India have fought multiple wars, including two of them over the disputed region of Kashmir, since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both rule the region in part but claim it in full.
New Delhi routinely accuses Pakistan of supporting armed separatist militants in Kashmir. Islamabad denies the allegations and says it supports the Kashmiri people diplomatically and politically.
Saudi foreign minister calls Indian, Pakistani counterparts to de-escalate tensions
- Faisal bin Farhan discussed escalating tensions between India and Pakistan
RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan has urged his Indian and Pakistani counterparts to de-escalate tensions and end military confrontations.
In two seperate phone calls on Saturday, Farhan has affirmed Saudi Arabia's stance to consolidate the security and stability of the region, as well as its strategic and strong relationship with both countries.
سمو وزير الخارجية الأمير #فيصل_بن_فرحان @FaisalbinFarhan يجري اتصالين هاتفيين بكل من معالي وزير الشؤون الخارجية في جمهورية الهند الدكتور سوبراهمانيام جايشانكار، ومعالي نائب رئيس الوزراء وزير الشؤون الخارجية في جمهورية باكستان الإسلامية السيد إسحاق دار. pic.twitter.com/rtc6BzhWGg
— وزارة الخارجية (@KSAMOFA) May 10, 2025
A look at troubled legacy of 1947 Partition creating India, Pakistan
- In August 1947, Britain divided Indian Subcontinent into two countries, Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan, but left the fate of then princely state Kashmir undecided
- Excitement over independence was quickly overshadowed by some of the worst bloodletting that left up to 1 million people dead as gangs of Hindus and Muslims slaughtered each other
NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan’s latest military conflict has expanded, days after India carried out airstrikes in Pakistan that followed an attack by gunmen on tourists in India-controlled Kashmir last month.
The two nuclear-armed rivals have exchanged artillery shells, gunfire, missiles and drones, killing civilians on both sides and raising concerns of a wider war.
The fresh round of confrontation is yet another escalation of a decades-long conflict over the disputed Kashmir region that began after a bloody partition of India in 1947.
Here’s a look at the troubled legacy of Partition that has dictated the future course of India-Pakistan relations:
PARTITION CREATED TWO NEW NATIONS
In August 1947, Britain divided the Indian Sub-continent, its former colony, into two countries — Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. The fate of Kashmir — then a princely state — was left undecided.
Excitement over independence was quickly overshadowed by some of the worst bloodletting that left up to 1 million people dead as gangs of Hindus and Muslims slaughtered each other.
IT DIVIDED MILLIONS OF FAMILIES
Creating two independent nations also tore apart millions of Hindu and Muslim families in one of the world’s largest peacetime migrations.
Many fled their homes and lost their property, never imagining that they would not be able to return.
At least 15 million people were displaced.
BOTH NATIONS LAY CLAIM OVER KASHMIR
Within months, both India and Pakistan laid claim over Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region.
Kashmir’s Hindu ruler wanted to stay independent, but local armed uprisings flared in various parts of Kashmir, along with a raid by tribesmen from Pakistan. It forced the monarch to seek help from India, which offered military assistance on condition that the kingdom link itself to India.
The Indian military entered the region soon after, with the tribal raid spiraling into the first of two wars between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. That war ended in 1948 with a UN-brokered ceasefire. Kashmir was divided between the two young nations by the heavily militarized Ceasefire Line that was later named Line of Control.
A UN-sponsored vote that was promised to Kashmiris would have enabled the region’s people to decide whether to be part Pakistan or India. That vote has never been held.
India and Pakistan fought another war, in 1965, and a limited conflict, in 1999, over Indian-controlled Kashmir.
INSURGENCY IN KASHMIR
Kashmiri discontent with Indian rule took root as successive governments reneged on a promise to allow a referendum while largely peaceful movements against Indian control were suppressed harshly.
By 1989, Indian-controlled Kashmir was in the throes of a full-blown rebellion.
India decries the rebellion as Islamabad’s proxy war and state-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies that.
Many Muslim Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle and support the rebel goal that the territory be united, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.
Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.
