PARIS: The uncle of Syrian President Bashar Assad is going on trial in Paris, accused of illegally using Syrian state funds to build a French real estate empire.
Rifaat Assad, a former Syrian vice president and brother to longtime leader Hafez Assad, has lived in Europe since his exile from Syria following a failed coup attempt in the 1980s.
Watchdog organizations filed a complaint in Paris in 2014 charging that the value of his French real estate holdings — some 90 million euros ($99.5 million) — far exceeds his known income.
French authorities have been probing his finances since then, and an investigating judge ordered him earlier this year to stand trial for money laundering.
Rifaat Assad denies the charges “completely,” Cedric Anthony-Btesh, a representative of the family, told The Associated Press on Monday.
The trial kicks off Monday afternoon. The 82-year-old will not appear in court himself for medical reasons, Anthony-Btesh said.
Syrian president’s uncle faces Paris money laundering trial
Syrian president’s uncle faces Paris money laundering trial
- Watchdog organizations filed a complaint in Paris in 2014 charging that the value of his French real estate holdings exceeds his income
- The 82-year-old will not appear in court himself for medical reasons
Eurovision lifts ban on Palestinian flags as scrutiny of Israel’s participation grows
- Fans will now be allowed to bring and display any flag that does not contain racist content, hate symbols
- Iceland, Spain and Slovenia have all raised concerns about Israel’s participation at this year’s contest
LONDON: Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest have lifted a ban on Palestinian flags for audience members, but maintained restrictions for participating artists, as pressure over Israel’s inclusion in this year’s event increased.
The change, confirmed by Danish broadcaster DR, marks a shift from the European Broadcasting Union’s longstanding rule prohibiting flags from non-competing countries and territories. That policy led to Palestinian flags being banned in previous years.
According to updated guidelines obtained by DR, fans will now be allowed to bring and display any flag that does not contain “racist and/or discriminatory content,” or symbols thought to incite hatred, violence, or linked to banned organizations.
In a statement to CNN, the EBU said the update seeks to “strike a balance to ensure that our audiences and artists can express their enthusiasm and identities,” while offering greater clarity for national delegations.
However, the relaxed policy applies only to the audience. Participating artists will still be restricted to displaying official national flags in all official Eurovision spaces, including the stage, green room, and Eurovision Village. Artists may show only the flag of the country they represent.
The revised policy comes amid growing criticism of Israel’s participation in this year’s contest to be held in Basel, Switzerland, with semifinals on May 13 and 15 and the final on May 17.
Officials in countries including Slovenia, Spain and Iceland have questioned Israel’s inclusion.
Icelandic Foreign Minister Porgerour Katrin Gunnarsdottir told a local outlet she found it “strange and actually unnatural that Israel is allowed to participate,” accusing the country of committing “war crimes” and “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza.
Despite these objections, the EBU has confirmed that Israel’s entry meets the competition’s rules. As with last year, large-scale protests are expected in Basel against Israel’s participation.
Despite pressure from pro-Israel organizations, Swiss authorities said demonstrations are permitted in principle, including those opposing Israel’s presence, provided they comply with public safety regulations.
Children broken in mind and body by Israeli ‘abomination’ in Gaza
- UN health chief: ‘How much blood is enough?’
- We can’t live like this, say Palestinians
GENEVA: Palestinian children in Gaza are being physically and mentally broken by two months of an Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid and incessant pounding by airstrikes, UN health chiefs said on Thursday.
More than 1,000 children had lost limbs, thousands had severe spinal cord and head injuries from which they would never recover and many were psychologically damaged, World Health Organization emergencies chief Mike Ryan said.
“We have to ask ourselves, how much blood is enough to satisfy whatever the political objectives are?” he said. “We are watching this unfold before our very eyes, and we’re not doing anything about it.
“We are breaking the bodies and minds of the children of Gaza. We are starving the children of Gaza. We are complicit. As a physician I am angry. It is an abomination.”
Israel has interrupted or blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza since the war began in October 2023, and imposed a total blockade on March 2. Since then the UN has repeatedly warned of a humanitarian catastrophe on the ground, with famine looming, and it said this week that acute malnutrition among Gaza’s children was worsening.
Meanwhile Israel continues to pound civilians in Gaza with daily airstrikes and artillery bombardments. Civil defense chiefs said at least 29 Palestinians were killed on Thursday. They included eight who died in an airstrike on the Abu Sahlul family home in Khan Younis refugee camp, four killed in another strike on Al-Tuffah in Gaza City, and others who died in an attack on a tent sheltering displaced people near the central city of Deir Al-Balah.
“We came here and found all these houses destroyed, and children, women and young people all bombed to pieces,” survivor Ahmed Abu Zarqa said after a deadly strike in Khan Younis.
“This is no way to live. Enough, we’re tired, enough. We don’t know what to do with our lives any more. We’d rather die than live this kind of life.”
Jordanian who attacked US businesses over Israel support sentenced
- Hashem Hnaihen, 44, targeted businesses in the Orlando area beginning in June of last year
WASHINGTON: A Jordanian man who vandalized businesses in Florida for their perceived support of Israel was sentenced to six years in prison on Thursday for threatening to blow up an energy facility, the US Justice Department said.
Hashem Younis Hashem Hnaihen, 44, targeted businesses in the Orlando area beginning in June of last year, causing more than $450,000 in damages, according to court documents.
“Wearing a mask, under the cover of night, Hnaihen smashed the glass front doors of businesses and left behind ‘Warning Letters,’” the Justice Department said in a statement.
The letters were addressed to the president of the United States and laid out a series of political demands, it said.
They culminated in a threat to “destroy or explode everything here in whole America. Especially the companies and factories that support the racist state of Israel.”
In one of his attacks, Hnaihen broke into a solar power generation facility in Wedgefield, Florida, and spent hours destroying solar panel arrays, the Justice Department said.
He was arrested on July 11 after another “warning letter” threatening to “destroy or explode everything” was discovered at an industrial propane gas distribution depot in Orlando, it said.
How Saudi schools are using AI to personalize learning and streamline administration
- AI tools help students with disabilities through speech-to-text, adaptive interfaces, and screen-reading technologies
- Educators’ roles are evolving as AI handles tasks like grading and performance tracking, freeing teachers to focus on mentoring
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia forges ahead with its Vision 2030 initiative, artificial intelligence is becoming a cornerstone of its education reform.
Across the Kingdom, AI technologies are reshaping classrooms — personalizing learning, streamlining administration and helping students of all abilities engage with their studies in new ways.
“AI technology has significantly changed the way many students, including myself, approach studying and managing coursework,” Abdullah Mohammed, a law student at Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University, told Arab News.
“Tools like AI tutoring systems and study apps have made learning more efficient, personalized and accessible.”
While Mohammed said AI tools have enhanced his learning experience, he also acknowledged the need for caution.
“Some AI tools provide quick solutions without much depth, so if I’m not careful, I might miss the critical thinking part of the learning process,” he said.
Ultimately, however, Mohammed said he is confident AI has better prepared him for the job market.
The strategic alignment between AI and Vision 2030 is clear, according to Abdulrahman Al-Motrif, professor of information technology and educational computing at King Saud University.
“AI supports the goals of Vision 2030 by enabling personalized learning, optimizing resource management and facilitating access to quality education regardless of geographic location,” he told Arab News.
“AI systems can analyze student performance in real-time, allowing educators to tailor instruction to individual learning needs, thereby enhancing student outcomes and supporting the Kingdom’s ambition to cultivate a future-ready workforce.”
Al-Motrif also highlighted AI’s role in promoting inclusive education.
“AI reinforces Vision 2030’s emphasis on equity, accessibility, and lifelong learning by reaching remote communities and students with special needs,” he said.
This demonstrates AI’s impact not just as a technological innovation, but also as a powerful force for social transformation.
Leading platforms like Alef Education and Classera are already putting this vision into practice. Using real-time analytics, they adapt content to each student’s learning style, proficiency and pace.
A study by Alef Education found that students using AI-enhanced platforms achieved a 25 percent improvement in academic performance over just one semester — strong evidence of AI’s ability to boost outcomes through personalized learning.
Crucially, AI is helping make education more accessible. In Saudi Arabia’s diverse learning landscape, tools such as speech-to-text software, adaptive interfaces and real-time assessments are opening doors for students with disabilities.
At King Saud University, collaborations with AI developers have produced tools for visually impaired students, converting written content into audio and using advanced screen-reading technology.
“AI has transformed the learning environment into a more interactive and engaging space,” said Al-Motrif. “Gamified learning platforms and intelligent tutoring systems provide immediate feedback and customized challenges.”
These innovations not only enhance academic performance, but also spark motivation and sustained engagement among learners.
AI is also streamlining back-end operations. Platforms like Madrasati now use AI to monitor attendance, track engagement and assess academic progress, freeing educators to focus more on teaching and mentoring.
Yet AI is not replacing teachers — it is redefining their roles.
“In AI-supported classrooms, educators serve as facilitators, mentors and human connectors in an increasingly digital ecosystem, using AI-generated insights to identify learning gaps,” said Al-Motrif.
Still, challenges remain. One significant obstacle is the shortage of Arabic-language content online — making up only 1.2 percent of global digital resources — which limits the effectiveness of AI systems trained on data-rich environments.
To fully realize AI’s benefits, Saudi Arabia must invest in digitizing traditional materials, promoting Arabic content creation and partnering with AI firms to develop language-specific algorithms.
Some institutions are already leading the way. Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University and King Abdulaziz University have adopted AI-powered systems to personalize instruction and track student performance, leading to higher satisfaction and retention rates.
These successes show that AI is not merely a technological upgrade — it is a catalyst for reimagining education.
By leveraging AI thoughtfully, Saudi Arabia has a unique opportunity to deliver high-quality, personalized and inclusive education while advancing its Vision 2030 goals.
But achieving this future will require more than just technology. It will demand investment, collaboration and a commitment to ensuring that innovation, pedagogy and policy move forward together.
With sustained effort, AI could become the foundation of a dynamic, future-ready education system — one that prepares all learners for the opportunities of the digital age.
Chilean soccer team Colo Colo to challenge ban imposed after two teenage fans were killed
- “It is a hard penalty for Colo Colo and we will appeal,” team president Edmundo Valladares said
- “We hope that we can overturn it, at least in part“
SANTIAGO: Chilean club Colo Colo said on Thursday they will appeal a ruling that they must play five home matches in continental competition without fans and that their supporters will be banned from the next five away matches.
South American soccer’s governing body CONMEBOL confirmed the bans Wednesday after two teenage fans were killed in a crush ahead of a Copa Libertadores match last month.
“It is a hard penalty for Colo Colo and we will appeal,” team president Edmundo Valladares said. “We hope that we can overturn it, at least in part.”
Two fans died before the start of a Copa Libertadores match between Colo Colo and Fortaleza of Brazil near Santiago’s Estadio Monumental on April 10. According to authorities, a group of fans attempted to force their way into the stadium and tore down one of the venue’s protective fences. The victims were reportedly trapped beneath them.
“Let’s also hope that this experience serves to ... make fans more aware,” Valladares added.
CONMEBOL also ruled that Fortaleza won the match 3-0 and Colo Colo must pay a fine of $80,000.
“The penalty is hard — it hurts us on the field if we lose 3-0 and the economic side also hits us. But we will present the best appeal possible,” Valladares said.
Colo Colo, the winningest club in Chile with 32 league championships, is last in its group in Copa Libertadores after the first three rounds.
