JERUSALEM: Israeli police arrested the Palestinian minister for Jerusalem affairs early Friday for allegedly violating an Israeli ban on Palestinian political activities in east Jerusalem.
Fadi Al-Hidmi was arrested at his home near the Mount of Olives. His office circulated surveillance camera footage showing police searching his home with dogs. It said they confiscated 10,000 shekels (around $2,750). It was the fourth time he has been arrested.
Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally. The Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state. Israel views the entire city as its capital.
Israel bars the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank, from operating in east Jerusalem or carrying out any political activities there.
Palestinian officials said Al-Hidmi was working to assist residents as part of their response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Israel targets (those) who work for Jerusalem, even at such critical moments as we work to save our people’s lives from COVID19,” Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh tweeted, referring to the illness caused by the virus. “We demand his immediate release.”
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Al-Hidmi was arrested “on suspicions of Palestinian activities in Jerusalem.” He said police searched the home and confiscated documents as well as “large sums of money.”
He said the arrest was not connected to any efforts to combat the pandemic.
Israel has reported more than 7,000 cases and at least 36 deaths. The Palestinian Authority has reported 143 cases and one death in the territories it administers in the West Bank. Both have imposed sweeping lockdowns to try and slow the spread of the virus.
The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients, who recover within a few weeks. But it is highly contagious and can cause severe illness or death, particularly in older patients or those with underlying health problems.
Israel arrests Palestinian official in east Jerusalem
https://arab.news/yse7j
Israel arrests Palestinian official in east Jerusalem
- Palestinian officials said Al-Hidmi was working to assist residents as part of their response to the coronavirus pandemic
- Israel bars the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank, from operating in east Jerusalem or carrying out any political activities there
Toney double sends perfect Al-Ahli into knockout stages in Asia
- Al-Ain had the better of the chances until Toney came off the bench in the second half and made the difference with two fine finishes
- Riyad Mahrez floated over a free-kick from the left and Toney sent the perfect header into the bottom corner to give Eisa no chance
AL-AIN: Ivan Toney scored twice to give Al-Ahli a 2-1 win at Al-Ain on Monday, taking top spot in their AFC Champions League Elite group with five wins from five and a place in the knockout stages with three group games remaining. It also condemned Al-Ain, the holders of the trophy, to their fourth defeat in five matches.
Al-Ain had the better of the chances until Toney came off the bench in the second half and made the difference with two fine finishes
In the first half, Al-Ahli’s best effort came on the stroke of half-time as Roberto Firmino burst into the right side of the area only to pull his shot just wide of the near post.
Before then Al-Ain had come closer. The dangerous Moroccan Soufiane Rahimi had forced a save from Edouard Mendy and soon after the former Chelsea goalkeeper had to get down well once more to deny Kodjo Laba.
Early in the second half, Franck Kessie drew a rare save from Khalid Eisa but it was Mendy again in action just after the hour as he had to leap high to push a header from Kouame Kouadio that was heading in.
The deadlock was broken 20 minutes from the end with a goal made in the English Premier League. Riyad Mahrez floated over a free-kick from the left and there was Toney, who had been on the pitch for just a few minutes, to send the perfect header into the bottom corner to give Eisa no chance.
It almost got worse seconds later as Firmino fired home a rocket from the edge of the area but the flag went up for offside in the build-up. It did not matter as Toney added a second with another beauty, and another top-class assist from Mahrez who curled one into the box from the right for the England striker to half-volley home.
Al-Ain pulled a goal back in the 93rd minute thanks to a thunderous strike from Kaku from the edge of the area but it was not enough to stop Al-Ain crashing to a third defeat against Saudi Arabian opposition in the space of a few weeks after losing 5-4 to Al-Hilal and then 5-1 to Al-Nassr.
Al-Ahli, however, go marching on in Asia and with their firepower will take some stopping.
Egypt says 17 missing after Red Sea tourist boat capsizes
- Governor Amr Hanafi said that some survivors were rescued by an aircraft, while others were transported to safety aboard a warship
CAIRO: Egyptian authorities said 17 people including British nationals and other foreigners were missing after a tourist yacht capsized off the country’s Red Sea coast on Monday, with 28 others rescued.
The vessel, which was carrying 31 tourists of various nationalities and a 14-member crew, sent out a distress call at 5:30 am (0330 GMT), said a statement from Egypt’s Red Sea governorate.
An AFP tally confirmed that tourists involved in the incident include nationals from the UK, China, Finland, Poland and Spain.
The “Sea Story” embarked on Sunday on a multi-day diving trip from Port Ghalib near Marsa Alam in the southeast, and had been due to dock on Friday at the town of Hurghada, 200 kilometers (124 miles) north.
Governor Amr Hanafi said that some survivors were rescued by an aircraft, while others were transported to safety aboard a warship.
“Intensive search operations are underway in coordination with the navy and the armed forces,” Hanafi added in a statement.
Authorities have not confirmed the nationalities of the tourists.
Beijing’s embassy in Egypt said two of its nationals were “in good health” after being “rescued in the cruise ship sinking accident in the Red Sea,” Chinese state media reported.
The Finnish foreign ministry confirmed to AFP that one of its nationals is missing.
Polish foreign ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski said authorities “have information that two of the tourists may have had Polish citizenship.”
“That’s all we know about them. That’s all we can say for now,” he told national news agency PAP.The Red Sea governor’s office did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment about the possible cause of the accident.
According to a manager of a diving resort close to the rescue operation, one surviving crew member said they were “hit by a wave in the middle of the night, throwing the vessel on its side.”
Authorities in the Red Sea capital of Hurghada on Sunday shut down marine activities and the city’s port due to “bad weather conditions.”
But winds around Marsa Alam had remained favorable until Sunday night, the diving manager told AFP, before calming again by morning.
By Monday afternoon, it became increasingly “unlikely that the 17 missing would be rescued after 12 hours in the water,” he said, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
The Marsa Alam area saw at least two similar boat accidents earlier this year but there were no fatalities.
The Red Sea coast is a major tourist destination in Egypt, a country of 105 million that is in the grip of a serious economic crisis. Nationally, the tourism sector employs two million people and generates more than 10 percent of GDP.
Dozens of dive boats criss-cross between coral reefs and islands off Egypt’s eastern coast every day, where safety regulations are robust but unevenly enforced.
Earlier this month, 30 people were rescued from a sinking dive boat near the Red Sea’s Daedalus reef.
In June, two dozen French tourists were evacuated safely before their boat sank in a similar accident.
Last year, three British tourists died when a fire broke out on their yacht, engulfing it in flames.
Global leaders gather in Riyadh to shape future of non-terrestrial networks
- Event welcomed renowned researchers in technology and investment alongside regulatory authorities at both local and global levels
- With over 120 countries represented this year, the forum reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in technological innovation and collaboration
RIYADH: The international Connecting the World From the Skies forum kicked off on Monday, bringing together ministers, industry leaders, experts and CEOs from leading companies specializing in non-terrestrial networks.
Under the patronage of Abdullah Al-Swaha, minister of communications and information technology and chairman of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, the event welcomed renowned researchers in technology and investment alongside regulatory authorities at both local and global levels.
In his opening speech, CST Governor Mohammed Al-Tamimi emphasized the forum’s significance as a vital platform for advancing NTNs in alignment with sustainable development goals, particularly addressing the challenge of space debris.
He also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment, in partnership with global stakeholders, to connecting the unconnected.
As part of these efforts the CST, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union, conducted a groundbreaking study aimed at harnessing communication services to reduce the global digital divide.
The Saudi Space Agency also announced the launch of the “Centre for Space Futures,” the first of its kind within the network of Fourth Industrial Revolution Centers affiliated with the World Economic Forum.
Al-Tamimi said Saudi Arabia took pride in being one of the first nations to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for NTNs, including the regulation of direct-to-device communications, spectrum allocation for high-altitude platforms and global space sustainability frameworks.
A key highlight of the forum was the announcement of the winners of the international Competition on Non-Terrestrial Networks for 6G, launched by the CST in collaboration with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
This year saw 17 countries take part with 114 research papers submitted, 77 percent of which came from researchers and academics.
The CST is also highlighting its recent technical experiments in NTNs, including the pioneering Seamless D2D Connectivity trial, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The forum is a key pillar of the NTN program, launched by the CST in 2021. The inaugural forum, held in 2022, attracted more than 3,000 participants.
With over 120 countries represented this year, the forum reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in technological innovation and collaboration.
Saudi Pro League partners with Word Football Summit for WFS Asia show in Riyadh
- Set to take place on Dec. 2-3 at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, the event will bring together more than 2,000 industry leaders
LONDON: The Saudi Pro League, Asia’s top-ranked football league, and the World Football Summit announced on Monday a strategic partnership ahead of the WFS Asia 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
Set to take place on Dec. 2-3 at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, the event will bring together more than 2,000 industry leaders to discuss and shape the future of football business.
“We are delighted to partner with the World Football Summit,” said Omar Mugharbel, CEO of the Saudi Pro League.
“This collaboration serves as a platform to welcome the global football industry to Saudi Arabia, fostering opportunities for shared growth and mutual prosperity. From our humble beginnings with just eight teams to becoming Asia’s top-ranked league today, our journey highlights the transformative power of football in driving both sporting excellence and societal progress,” he added.
Jan Alessie, co-founder and director of the World Football Summit said the SPL’s success in recent years has been rooted in three key pillars: nurturing young talent, securing world-class international players, and improving club governance.
This evolution aligns seamlessly with WFS Asia’s mission to drive innovation in football business, making the event a natural platform for the SPL to share its insights and experiences.
“The Saudi Pro League’s evolution represents one of the most remarkable stories in modern football,” he said.
“Their commitment to developing local talent while attracting global stars has created a unique model that deserves industry-wide attention. This partnership will provide invaluable insights for football executives worldwide,” he added.
The key themes for the 2024 edition of WFS Asia are the integration of cutting-edge technology in football and the innovation of fan engagement strategies to enhance the sport’s appeal and accessibility.
Additionally, the summit will emphasize the development of sports tourism, showcasing football’s potential to drive economic growth. Sustainability in football will also take center stage, highlighting environmentally conscious practices within the industry.
The event will further spotlight the growth of women’s football and the importance of youth development programs, reinforcing the Kingdom’s dedication to inclusivity and nurturing future talent.
Princess Rajwa visits art gallery in Amman with Queen Rania
- Visit marks another public engagement in Princess Rajwa’s calendar
- Naqsh Collective was founded in 2009 by two sisters, Nisreen and Nermeen Abudail
DUBAI: Saudi-born Jordanian royal Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein visited Amman-based art gallery Naqsh Collective on her first joint engagement with her mother-in-law Queen Rania, on Sunday.
“Exquisite local designs, handcrafted with love. Had a lovely time with Rajwa at the Naqsh Collective workshop yesterday,” Queen Rania’s team posted on Instagram shortly after the visit.
The pair posted in front of an artwork titled “Wall Runner” at the gallery, which presents design works and artworks.
Naqsh Collective was founded in 2009 by two sisters, Nisreen and Nermeen Abudail. The gallery has participated in national and international events such as Milan Design Week, Amman Design Week, Design Days Dubai, and Saudi Design Week.
The visit marks another public engagement in Princess Rajwa’s calendar. Last week she attended a ceremony marking the inauguration of the first ordinary session of the 20th parliament in Amman, her second public appearance since the birth of her first child this summer.
The royal showed off an elegant black ensemble for the occasion, complete with an oversized belt by Dior and pumps by Chloe. The look was finished off with the Goji mini bag in black by Jill Sander.
Princess Rajwa was photographed alongside Queen Rania, who showed off a red look courtesy of Maison Valentino and Altuzarra.
Princess Rajwa made her first public appearance since the birth of Princess Iman bint Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II at a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match in October.
The royal welcomed her first child, Princess Iman, with Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah on Aug. 3.
Jordan’s King Abdullah posted a tribute to his granddaughter on social media to mark the occasion. Translated from Arabic, the post read: “I thank God for giving us our first granddaughter Iman bint Hussein. I congratulate beloved Hussein and Rajwa for their newborn.”
Princess Rajwa, who celebrated her 30th birthday in April, is the daughter of Saudi businessman Khalid bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al-Saif, who died in January this year, and his wife, Azza bint Nayef Abdulaziz Ahmad Al-Sudairi.
