ARAFAT — Marking the pinnacle of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj, more than 1.6 million pilgrims started their main ritual of standing at Arafat on Tuesday afternoon after ascending the vast plains of Arafat earlier the day. Sheikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al-Hudhaifi, imam and khateeb of the Prophet’s Mosque, delivered the Arafat sermon at the grand Namira Mosque. The sermon resembles the famous farewell sermon of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when he performed his only Hajj. In his sermon, Sheikh Al-Hudhaifi affirmed that Hajj is a sacred obligation in which the highest expressions of familiarity, unity, cooperation, and…
Author: Editorial Team
SYDNEY — About 90 drones plummeted from the sky and into Sydney’s Darling Harbour during a popular winter light show, with footage showing devices splashing into the water close to crowds, prompting organizers to cancel the event. Vivid Sydney said “unforeseen technical difficulties” occurred during Monday’s 7.30pm performance, called Star-Bound, resulting in 89 drones falling into the water at Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour. No injuries have been reported. Organizers of Vivid Sydney, an annual three-week festival that features large light installations, said the malfunction on Monday evening, local time, was due to “unforeseen technical difficulties” and has cancelled two…
With Eid Al Adha just around the corner, UAE henna artists are seeing a distinctive shift in the kind of designs and patterns that customers want. Gone are the days when only heavy, elbow-length Arabic floral patterns ruled. This year, artists are reporting a decisive shift toward sleek, minimalistic designs, and an intriguing new player called ‘Hengua’. Fathima Afsal, a Dubai-based henna artist, has watched trends evolve over multiple Eid seasons. “Most youngsters now prefer minimal and elegant patterns instead of very heavy traditional styles,” she says. Wrist-length designs with finer detailing, jewellery-style motifs, and clean back-hand patterns are currently…
MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that her country will host the Iranian national football team during the upcoming FIFA World Cup, due to tensions with the United States. Sheinbaum said FIFA, the global football governing body, had approached Mexico about hosting Iran, after the US said it did not wish to do so. “We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico,” Sheinbaum said during her daily media conference on Monday. The Iranian squad will sleep in Mexico and travel to the United States on the days of its three World Cup…
DOHA — An Iranian delegation has traveled to Qatar as Tehran and the United States strive to agree on a deal to end a war that is roiling the global economy, hours before the US military announced what it said were “self-defense strikes” in southern Iran. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati were in Doha on Monday evening to discuss sticking points related to the potential deal to end the nearly three-month US-Israel war on Iran. . “There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we’ll see if…
Ahead of Eid Al Adha, the UAE cancelled interest accrued on debts of 2,339 low-income retirees across the country. The initiative, carried out under the directives of the nation’s President, amounted to more than Dh834 million. Implemented by the Debt Settlement Fund in cooperation with national banks and financial institutions in the country, the move targets retired citizens aged 50 and above with limited income. It aims to ease their financial burdens and consolidates the values of social solidarity and community stability. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Participating banks and financial institutions…
MADRID — Lamine Yamal has been included in Spain national football team’s World Cup squad despite injury concerns, while no Real Madrid CF player made the final selection for the first time in Spain’s history. The 18-year-old Barcelona star has not played since suffering a torn left hamstring on April 22, but Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente still named the teenage forward in his 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament. Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams was also selected despite recent hamstring issues, with De la Fuente insisting Spain remain confident both players will be fit for the competition.…
MIAMI — Lionel Messi sparked fresh injury concerns ahead of the FIFA World Cup after asking to be substituted during Inter Miami CF’s Major League Soccer clash against Philadelphia Union on Sunday. The Argentina captain appeared uncomfortable midway through the second half and was replaced in the 73rd minute after clutching the back of his left leg during the match in wet conditions in Miami. Messi walked normally as he headed straight down the tunnel, although the sight of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner leaving the pitch immediately raised fears in Argentina just weeks before the World Cup begins on…
The UAE imposes prison sentences of up to 15 years and fines of as much as Dh2 million on those involved in the illegal trade of endangered species, the Minister of Climate Change and Environment has said. Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak said the country operates a zero-tolerance policy on wildlife trafficking under its commitments to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). “Those involved in the illegal trade of wildlife and endangered species are not welcome in the UAE,” she said. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT…
ISLAMABAD — A speeding min bus collided with a passenger bus parked on a roadside in Pakistan’s northwest on Monday, killing at least 17 people and injuring 10 others, police said. The accident took place on the Swat Expressway in Mardan district. The crash occurred when a passenger bus traveling from Swat to Peshawar in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province developed a mechanical fault and stopped on the roadside.Passengers had stepped out of the vehicle and were waiting nearby when a mini bus lost control and plowed into the crowd and the parked bus.“At least 17 people have been killed and…