The New Indian Express states that National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said that nothing can take away Jammu and Kashmir from India. This response from the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister comes a day after NC MLA Akbar Lone raised pro-Pakistan slogans in the state Assembly. Read More I
Saudi striker Saleh Al-Shehri out of remainder of Gulf Cup after injury in first match
Loss of the player, a standout performer recently, after picking up a muscle injury in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat by Bahrain is a significant blow
Updated 8 min 4 sec ago
Arab News
KUWAIT CITY: Saudi national team striker Saleh Al-Shehri has been ruled out of the remainder of the 26th Gulf Cup after sustaining a muscle injury during the Green Falcons’ opening match against Bahrain on Sunday.
Head coach Herve Renard made the decision to send Al-Shehri home from the team’s training camp after medical reports confirmed the injury will require treatment and rehabilitation.
Saudi Arabia suffered a 3-2 defeat in the match against Bahrain. The loss of Al-Shehri, a key player and standout performer for the team in recent months, will be a significant blow for the squad as they attempt to get their Gulf Cup campaign back on track against Yemen at Jaber Stadium in Kuwait on Wednesday.
During a training session on Monday evening, Renard divided the squad into two groups, with the players who started on Sunday focusing on recovery exercises in the gym while the remainder of the squad trained on the pitch at Al-Nassr Club Stadium.
Palestinian victims of Gaza conflict file case against British oil giant BP
Claimants accuse company of violating human rights laws, fueling Israeli war machine
Legal notice also accuses BP of complicity in alleged war crimes
Updated 37 min 24 sec ago
Arab News
LONDON: Palestinians affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza have initiated legal action against British oil giant BP, alleging its involvement in supplying crude oil to Israel facilitates human rights abuses.
The claimants submitted a legal notice accusing the company of violating international human rights laws and its own corporate policies, The Guardian reported on Monday.
At the heart of the dispute is the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, operated by BP, which carries oil from Azerbaijan through Georgia and Turkey to Israel. It reportedly supplies 28 percent of Israel’s crude oil, a critical resource for its military operations.
According to the claim, oil refined from the pipeline is being used to fuel jets, tanks and bulldozers.
“Israel relies heavily on crude oil and refined petroleum imports to run its large fleet of fighter jets, tanks and other military vehicles and operations, as well as the bulldozers implicated in clearing Palestinian homes and olive groves to make way for unlawful Israeli settlements,” the notice said.
“Some fuel from refineries goes directly to the armed forces, while much of the rest appears to go to ordinary gas stations where military personnel can refuel their vehicles under a government contract.”
The claimants want to take the case to a British court, citing BP’s UK headquarters and the claimants’ British ties.
The legal action argues that BP’s operations breach the UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which require companies to avoid contributing to human rights violations.
It also accuses BP of complicity in alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, drawing attention to findings by a UN commission that Israel has committed war crimes during the conflict in Gaza.
The lead claimants include Palestinians who have suffered devastating personal losses during the war, including a British citizen who has lost 16 family members in airstrikes. Others face dire humanitarian conditions, displacement and lack of access to essential medical care.
The legal team stressed the physical and psychological harm endured by the claimants, including amputations and loss of loved ones and said they hoped the case would set a precedent for corporate accountability in conflict zones.
BP has not issued a public response to the claims or responded to media requests for comment.
Spanish content creator immerses himself in Saudi lifestyle
Millions of viewers see another side of Saudi Arabia
Aims to build bridges and counter stereotypes
Updated 23 min ago
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
RIYADH: Spaniard Gus Franco moved to Saudi Arabia out of curiosity in early 2024 and soon fell in love with its rich culture, documenting his experiences and sharing his adventures with millions of viewers on social media.
Franco spoke to Arab News about how he had searched for accurate information about the Kingdom before his move, only to find media overshadowed by stereotypes.
To his surprise, he found the reality was “completely different” to the stereotypes, which inspired him to create his own content and change the narrative.
Gus Franco, Spanish content creator
“That’s how ‘Gus in Saudi’ was born: a project to showcase the Kingdom through a relatable lens,” he said.
“The results speak for themselves: almost 100 million views and followers from over 60 nationalities and countless messages from people saying they now want to visit or work here.”
The content creator and business consultant says his inspiration comes from things that catch his attention: traditions and places as well as Saudi and international followers who guide him through the city and his content.
Saudi Arabia stands out for its unique blend of tradition and modernity, which coexist in fascinating ways.
Gus Franco, Spanish content creator
“Saudi Arabia stands out for its unique blend of tradition and modernity, which coexist in fascinating ways. The pride in preserving traditions, combined with the excitement of Vision 2030, creates a dynamic and evolving atmosphere.
“My Arab followers have been incredibly supportive. They were the first to encourage me and help me refine my content. Even critiques are constructive and teach me about cultural nuances I hadn’t considered.”
Franco has become so fond of the Kingdom, that he is now writing a book inspired by his travels.
“I’ve grown attached to this country and feel that through my work, I can contribute to its image and progress... I still have many projects I want to develop. For instance, I’ve written a 400-page book about the country, which I’m still refining.”
From a small Spanish town to the bustling city of Riyadh, he said he has always had the urge to explore beyond his surroundings, taking over 100 trips globally to more than 150 cities.
“Living in the UK and Belgium shaped my curiosity about regions I knew less about, especially the Middle East.
“Saudi Arabia stood out for its rich traditions and rapid transformations. Thanks to a government program, I arrived nearly a year ago, and it’s been a journey of discovery and growth ever since.”
Franco says life in the Kingdom feels “both familiar and distinct”, noting the city layout, reminiscent of an American style, is car-centric, with social gatherings happening in specific “plazas” or “stirahas”.
He added: “Weekdays follow a structured rhythm of work, gym, and routine, while weekends come alive with vibrant and comforting activities: whether it’s having dinner at 2 a.m., grabbing coffee at 10 p.m., or heading out for a picnic (kashta) in the desert. These experiences add a unique charm to life in Saudi.”
Franco mentioned the rich history between Spain and Saudi Arabia, highlighting Al-Andalus, the Muslim-ruled area of the Iberian Peninsula, and strong family values.
“Both are peninsulas with cultures shaped by diverse influences. Growing up in southern Spain, I found it easy to relate to the warmth and social connections here...I’ve learned so much about Saudi culture, especially the role of religion and the importance of hospitality.
“Saudis are incredibly humble, generous, and welcoming. Trust and family are central to their lives, much like in Spain.”
In Spain, coffee is almost sacred, he added. “My brother and I can go through two or three coffee pots a day. In Saudi Arabia, coffee holds a similarly significant role, which made me feel at home instantly.”
During his time in the Kingdom, Franco said he learned about Saudi culture and the Arabic language organically through interacting with locals.
“I’ve never taken formal lessons, but now I can read, write, and have a vocabulary of over 1,000 words, even if my Arabic is still broken. Words like khalas, inshallah, alhamdulillah, and bismillah are part of daily vocabulary. They represent not just the language but also the deeper values I’ve come to appreciate.
“I still laugh when I think about the comments about being ‘heavy-blooded’ (dam thaqil) or ‘light-blooded’ (dam khafif). At first, I didn’t understand, but now I know it means whether you’re funny or not. It’s been a fun way to learn and connect with the humor here. Alhamdulillah!”
He said reactions to his content creation have been mostly positive, but not everyone fully understands the balance he tries to maintain between social media and real life.
“I know that sometimes it has bothered people close to me. It’s something I’ve learned to handle it better. Also, my mother’s opinion matters deeply to me. She’s always supported me and reminded me to stay grounded and take breaks when needed, which has been invaluable as I navigate this journey.
“Anyway, with my return home for holidays, I’m sure they’ll have plenty of questions about Saudi Arabia, Arabic, and my content. It will be fun to see their reactions!”
Although Franco’s time in the Kingdom may come to an end since his contract is ending soon, he is currently evaluating the options on the table.
“If I stay, I want to take my projects to the next level, increasing their impact and contributing even more to the country. If I leave, I’d like to remain connected to Saudi Arabia in some way.
“This country has become a part of me: culturally, professionally and emotionally. Vision 2030 is marked on my calendar, and I hope to be a part of its story.”
Franco said he would like to be remembered as someone who embraced Saudi culture wholeheartedly, built bridges between the Kingdom and the rest of the world, and showcased its warmth and social connections.
“I’d like to think of myself as a part of Saudi’s ongoing journey.”
Mozambique death toll from Cyclone Chido rises to 120
The cyclone not only ravaged Mayotte’s fragile infrastructure but also laid bare deep-seated tensions between the island’s residents and its large migrant population
Updated 39 min 49 sec ago
AFP AP
MUPATO: The death toll from Cyclone Chido in Mozambique rose by 26 to at least 120, the southern African country’s disaster risk body said on Monday.
The number of those injured also rose to nearly 900 after the cyclone hit the country on December 15, a day after it had devastated the French Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte.
The cyclone not only ravaged Mayotte’s fragile infrastructure but also laid bare deep-seated tensions between the island’s residents and its large migrant population.
Thousands of people who have entered the island illegally bore the brunt of the storm that tore through the Indian Ocean archipelago. Authorities in Mayotte, France’s poorest territory, said many avoided emergency shelters out of fear of deportation, leaving them, and the shantytowns they live in, even more vulnerable to the cyclone’s devastation.
Still, some frustrated legal residents have accused the government of channeling scarce resources to migrants at their expense.
“I can’t take it anymore. Just to have water is complicated,” said Fatima on Saturday, a 46-year-old mother of five whose family has struggled to find clean water since the storm.
Fatima, who only gave her first name because her family is known locally, added that “the island can’t support the people living in it, let alone allow more to come.”
Mayotte, a French department located between Madagascar and mainland Africa, has a population of 320,000, including an estimated 100,000 migrants, most of whom have arrived from the nearby Comoros Islands, just 70 kilometers away.
The archipelago’s fragile public services, designed for a much smaller population, have been overwhelmed.
“The problems of Mayotte cannot be solved without addressing illegal immigration,” French President Emmanuel Macron said during his visit this week, acknowledging the challenges posed by the island’s rapid population growth,
“Despite the state’s investments, migratory pressure has made everything explode,” he added.
The cyclone further exacerbated the island’s issues after destroying homes, schools, and infrastructure.
Though the official death toll remains 35, authorities say that any estimates are likely major undercounts, with hundreds and possibly thousands feared dead. Meanwhile, the number of seriously injured has risen to 78.
What We Are Reading Today: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
Murakami’s prose, understated yet richly evocative, guides readers through a narrative that oscillates between the real and the surreal
Updated 39 min 58 sec ago
MANAL AL-BARAKATI
Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami’s “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle” is an intricate, mesmerizing novel that weaves together the ordinary and the surreal, creating a tapestry of existential questions, hidden truths and unexpected journeys.
First published in 1994, the novel is often regarded as one of Murakami’s masterpieces, encapsulating his signature blend of magical realism, psychological depth, and cultural introspection.
At its heart is Toru Okada, an unassuming and somewhat disaffected man whose mundane life takes a sudden and dramatic turn when his wife, Kumiko, disappears. What begins as a straightforward search evolves into a labyrinthine journey, leading Toru to confront not only the mystery of Kumiko’s absence but also the darker forces of history, memory, and his own psyche.
Along the way, he encounters an eclectic cast of characters, each with their own enigmatic role to play in the unfolding story.
Murakami’s prose, understated yet richly evocative, guides readers through a narrative that oscillates between the real and the surreal. The novel’s structure mirrors this duality, as Toru navigates his increasingly strange reality while descending into dreamlike underworlds, mysterious wells, and symbolic landscapes.
These moments are imbued with Murakami’s distinctive sense of unease, where the boundaries of the tangible and intangible blur, leaving the reader questioning the nature of reality itself.
One of the novel’s great strengths is its ability to juxtapose the deeply personal with the historically and culturally significant.
While Toru’s story is intimate and introspective, it is interwoven with threads of Japanese history, particularly the atrocities of the Second World War. These historical narratives, told through the recollections of various characters, deepen the novel’s scope, turning it into a meditation on the lingering wounds of the past and their impact on the present.
“The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle” also delves into themes of connection and alienation, power and vulnerability, and the search for meaning in a world that often feels inexplicable. Toru’s journey is not just a physical quest but a spiritual and emotional odyssey, forcing him to confront the unseen forces that shape his life and the lives of those around him.
Murakami’s use of symbolism and recurring motifs — cats, wells, and the titular wind-up bird — adds layers of mystery and interpretive richness to the novel. These elements, coupled with the novel’s nonlinear structure and surreal interludes, create a reading experience that is both immersive and disorienting, drawing readers into a world that is as unsettling as it is beautiful.
For longtime fans of Murakami, “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle” is quintessential, showcasing the author’s ability to blend the banal with the extraordinary. For new readers, it offers an expansive introduction to his universe, though its complexity may require patience and reflection.
Ultimately, “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle” is a profound exploration of the human condition — its mysteries, its contradictions, and its quiet beauty. It is a novel that refuses to offer easy answers, instead inviting readers to embrace its ambiguities and immerse themselves in its layered, dreamlike world. Murakami has crafted a story that is as haunting as it is enlightening, leaving an indelible mark on those who dare to journey into its depths.
