Connect with us

World

Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed meets Saudi foreign minister at Expo 2020 Dubai

Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan at Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed received a letter from Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two GCC countries, according to a statement from Dubai Media Office.

The letter also expressed wishes of good health for the United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa.

For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

Sheikh Mohammed conveyed Sheikh Khalifa’s greetings to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, wishing them good health and wellness.

Also in attendance was the diplomatic adviser to Sheikh Khalifa, Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammad al-Gergawi and Reem al-Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed also met President Carlos Alvarado Quesada of Costa Rica.

The meeting took place at the Costa Rica pavilion on Monday.

Peace forum launches at Expo

On Monday, Expo 2020 also saw the launch of the eight annual Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies – Abu Dhabi.

The three-day forum – under the theme ‘Comprehensive Citizenship: From Shared Existence to Shared Conscience’– includes UAE, regional and international participation.

The forum is highlighting the role of cooperation between nations and peoples of different religions in strengthening global peace and the well-being of societies, as well as emphasizing the commonalities that unite all people.

Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak al-Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, participated in the opening session, which was concluded by Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, President of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies – Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Nahyan said: “I commend this forum on the objectives it aims to achieve, under the title ‘Inclusive Citizenship’, which include promoting the values of tolerance, coexistence and human fraternity, as well as addressing related present-day challenges and collectively working on finding solutions to them.”

“These present-day issues relate to various topics, such as citizenship and national identity, education and healthcare, environment and nutrition, discrimination and prejudice, among others.”

“It is important that we collectively deepen societies’ knowledge of conflict resolution and combatting extremism and terrorism, in order to achieve peace and justice around the world. I also commend the strong message that this forum promotes, which is that dialog and tolerance are vital to achieve productive international cooperation.”

Read more:

Expo 2020 records 5.66 mln visits, boosted by UAE’s 50th National Day celebrations

Dubai’s ruler, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince launch UAE Rail Program to connect major cities

UAE rulers attend Golden Jubilee celebrations in Dubai

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

World

‘Dream come true:’ Fans react to WWE Night of Champions wrestling event in Jeddah


Fans in Saudi Arabia were treated to an extravaganza of acrobatic combat and shocking storylines when World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) held its Night of Champions event at Jeddah’s Superdome on Saturday night.

For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

The evening was full of action as Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn beat Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa to retain their tag team titles, with Zayn winning over scores of new local fans as he walked into the ring wearing a traditional Saudi thobe and introduced himself in Arabic.

Earlier in the show, Seth Rollins defeated AJ Styles to win the world heavyweight championship, and there were also appearances by WWE veterans Brock Lesnar and Triple H.

Al Arabiya English caught up with some of the fans at Jeddah Superdome after the event.

Danya Hamdi has been watching WWE since the age of 8. At 21, she finally had the chance to attend her first live event.

“It was amazing, to be honest,” she said. “It was the first time I came to a WWE event and it was fabulous… It was amazing, like achieving my dream.”

Hamdi, who lives in Jeddah, attended the event with her sister Reef and their mother.

Although she was not a fan of the professional wrestling league before Saturday night, Hamdi says that Sami Zayn’s donning of the thobe was enough to win over her mother.

“I was mind blown by his Arabic. I think my mom really liked it, and she doesn’t like WWE… she became a fan.”

32-year-old Basem Degnah first saw the WWE in the flesh at the 2018 Greatest Royal Rumble event in Jeddah.

Since then, he’s attended events in both the US and Saudi Arabia. But Saturday’s Night of Champions was a “historic day” to him.

“I think it’s one of those events that’s once in a lifetime.”

The Jeddah local who has been a fan of the WWE for more than 20 years said that his favorite match of the night was the opening championship fight between Seth Rollins and AJ Styles.

“I would never, ever imagine, if you asked me back in the 90s, that we would see these incredible superstars performing in front of us.”

“This is really, honestly, a dream come true to a lot of Saudi fans.”

Indian nationals Harpreet Singh, 30, and Parmaat Singh, 36, became fast friends when they spotted each other’s Sikh turbans in the crowd at the event.

Harpreet previously attended the Elimination Chamber event in February 2022, and plans to catch future shows when the WWE returns to Jeddah.

Both men said that the highlight of the evening was seeing longtime WWE superstar Brock Lesnar fight again, defeating Cody Rhodes.

Ali Ahmed, 25 and also from Jeddah, was so enthralled by the last match between Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens, that he almost lost his voice from cheering.

“It was like a dream. I didn’t believe it until I saw it in action,” he said.

Read more:

WWE championship in Jeddah will be a ‘great match’: AJ Styles

WWE returns to Saudi Arabia with King and Queen of the Ring in Jeddah

WWE Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon resigns after father’s return

Original Article

Continue Reading

World

Over 1,500 climate activists detained in Netherlands


More than 1,500 people were arrested during a protest by the Extinction Rebellion climate group in The Hague on Saturday, Dutch police said.

Activists blocked a section of a motorway in the centre of city during the afternoon, in protest against Dutch fossil fuel subsidies.

Police said they had used water cannon to disperse activists blocking a major road in the city, and arrested “a total of 1,579 people… 40 of whom will be prosecuted” on charges including vandalism.

For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

One of the activists bit a policeman during his arrest, police said.

Several Dutch celebrities were among the protesters, including Carice van Houten, best known for her role as Melisandre in the hit TV series “Game of Thrones.”

The Dutch news agency ANP reported that she was arrested but later allowed to return home.

It did not specify if she was among those who would be prosecuted.

The protests marks the seventh organized by Extinction Rebellion in this area of The Hague, but the highest number of people arrested so far, according to ANP.

Read more:

UN confirms Amazonian city of Belem as COP30 host: Brazil

France, Netherlands call for EU climate clampdown on private jets

NEOM’s green hydrogen plant will secure Saudi Arabia’s clean energy transition: CEO

Continue Reading

World

Sudan’s paramilitary RSF says it is ready to discuss extending truce


Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said on Saturday it is willing to discuss the possibility of extending a ceasefire agreement with the Sudanese army that is due to expire on Monday.

The RSF “declares its full readiness to continue talks during the last two days of the truce under the auspices of the Saudi-American mediation to discuss the possibility of renewing the ceasefire agreement and humanitarian arrangements,” it said in a statement.

The warring factions signed a seven-day truce last Monday to secure safe passage for humanitarian aid and lead to wider talks sponsored by the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Developing

Continue Reading

Trending