logo
Who is Nadeen Ayoub, first Miss Palestine in Miss Universe after decades of absence? Fans warn: ‘Israel will target her'

Who is Nadeen Ayoub, first Miss Palestine in Miss Universe after decades of absence? Fans warn: ‘Israel will target her'

Time of India2 days ago
Nadeen Ayoub is set to make history as Palestine's first representative at Miss Universe in decades. The Dubai-based model's participation has generated widespread excitement, but some fans have also voiced concerns, warning that her appearance could draw political attention from Israel. Her debut is a landmark moment for Palestine on the global pageant stage. Before we dive into all the concerns online, let's take a look at who Nadeen Ayoub is.
Who is Nadeen Ayoub?
Nadeen Ayoub is a Dubai-based Palestinian-Canadian model, wellness coach, and humanitarian. She became the first Palestinian woman to win a major international beauty pageant when she was crowned Miss Earth Water in 2022.
Raised in Palestine, the U.S., and Canada, Ayoub has a degree in literature and psychology and is a certified wellness and nutrition coach. She focuses on women's health, environmental awareness, and challenging stereotypes about Palestinians and Arabs. She also founded Olive Green Academy, which supports sustainability and empowers Palestinian women through education and digital media.
Internet feels Israel is going to target her
The Israel-Palestine conflict is a long-standing territorial and political dispute with deep historical, religious, and humanitarian roots. Amid rising tensions, many online speculate that Palestine's participation in Miss Universe could draw negative attention from Israel.
Taking to Reddit, one wrote, 'Israel is going to target her now.' Another added, 'I never paid attention to Miss Universe but why didn't they let Palestine participate earlier?.'
A third went on to add, 'We'll need air defenses around the competition, wouldn't want a certain country air striking the contestants.'
When is Miss Universe 2025?
The 74th Miss Universe pageant is set for November 21, 2025, at the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi Province, Thailand. While the event will take place in the morning local time, it will be broadcast in North America on the evening of November 20, 2025. This will be the third year in a row that the pageant is held in November.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Four members of Gujarat music band killed in mini bus-truck collision in MP
Four members of Gujarat music band killed in mini bus-truck collision in MP

News18

timean hour ago

  • News18

Four members of Gujarat music band killed in mini bus-truck collision in MP

Agency: PTI Shivpuri (MP), Aug 16 (PTI) Four members of a Gujarat-based music band were killed and 11 other persons were injured on Saturday in a collision between a mini bus and a small truck in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, police said. Members of the music band had performed at a programme in Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and were returning to Gujarat when the accident occurred around 6 am on National Highway 46, around 30 km from the Shivpuri district headquarters, Station House Officer (SHO) Arvind Chari told PTI. He said the bus driver lost control of the wheel, leading to the bus veering into the wrong lane and colliding. The deceased included Hardik Dave (37), a singer, Raja Thakur (28), Ankit Thakur (17), and Rajendra Solanki (47), all members of the band, the SHO said. He said the injured persons have been admitted to hospitals. A preliminary investigation suggests that the driver of the mini bus with 17 people onboard might have dozed off due to fatigue as the troupe was travelling non-stop from Varanasi since 5 pm (Friday), Chari said. The bodies of the four victims have been handed over to their families, who are transporting them to Gujarat. Chari said the condition of the two critically injured persons is stable now. 'We are waiting to record the statement of the injured driver after his condition improves and is able to speak," the SHO said. PTI LAL ARU NSK view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Tight security as Libyans vote in key municipal elections after unrest
Tight security as Libyans vote in key municipal elections after unrest

First Post

time2 hours ago

  • First Post

Tight security as Libyans vote in key municipal elections after unrest

Libyans cast their votes on Saturday in the second phase of municipal elections, held under tight security after irregularities, arson attacks, and armed assaults disrupted the process. People line up to vote during municipal elections in Tripoli, Libya, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Yousef Murad) Hundreds of thousands of Libyans are voting Saturday in the second phase of municipal elections, held under tight security after incidents and irregularities forced delays at several stations. The elections are seen as a test of democracy in a nation still plagued by division and instability after years of unrest following the NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime leader Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. Polling took place in around 50 municipalities, including the capital Tripoli, with some stations opening at 9:00 am (0700 GMT) to serve 380,000 registered voters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A heavy police presence was deployed in the west by the Tripoli-based unity government. Since Kadhafi's overthrow, Libya has been split between the UN-recognised government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and its eastern rival, backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar. After a first phase in November across 58 cities, the vote was initially scheduled in 63 municipalities – 41 in the west, 13 in the east and nine in the south. The High National Election Commission (HNEC) had to suspend elections in 11 municipalities, mostly in Haftar-controlled areas, due to 'irregularities' including unexplained halts in voter card distribution. On Saturday, the commission also announced the postponement to August 23 of elections in seven more municipalities, mostly in the west, including four in the Zawiyah area, as well as Surman and Sabratha. The delays followed Friday arson attacks that destroyed electoral materials in Zawiyah and Sahel al-Gharbi, 45 kilometres (28 miles) from Tripoli. And on Tuesday, the electoral body said a group of armed men attacked its headquarters in Zliten, some 160 kilometres east of Tripoli. It made no mention of any casualties, although the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said there were some injuries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'These attacks, on the eve of polling day, threaten the conduct of the ongoing municipal elections and the broader democratic aspirations of the Libyan people,' UNSMIL said. 'Such criminal acts represent another grave assault on the electoral process and a blatant attempt to disenfranchise citizens, undermine their right to choose their representatives, and obstruct the democratic process,' the mission added. For Tripoli resident Esraa Abdelmomen, 36, a mother of three, the municipal elections were 'very important' because they determine who would manage the government-allocated funds. Following Kadhafi's fall in 2011, Libya held its first free elections in 2012 to select 200 members of the General National Congress. That was followed by nationwide municipal elections in 2013 and legislative polls in June 2014, which were marred by renewed violence and very low turnout. In some western municipalities, residents are voting in a local election for the first time since 2014.

Kyivstar CEO says Russia-Ukraine peace deal would boost value after historic US listing
Kyivstar CEO says Russia-Ukraine peace deal would boost value after historic US listing

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

Kyivstar CEO says Russia-Ukraine peace deal would boost value after historic US listing

By Gianluca Lo Nostro and Leo Marchandon A peaceful resolution to the war between Russia and Ukraine would boost the value of Ukrainian mobile operator Kyivstar "quite significantly", its CEO Oleksandr Komarov said on Friday ahead of the company's stock market listing in New York. Kyivstar's shares will begin trading on the Nasdaq later on Friday, becoming the first Ukraine-based company listed on a U.S. stock exchange. The listing coincides with a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, a meeting closely watched by Ukraine and European nations as a potential turning point in peace negotiations. "We will be the best asset for the international investment community to invest in Ukraine, to invest in the Ukrainian recovery, to invest in the Ukrainian support," Komarov told Reuters in an interview. Komarov said the company chose Nasdaq, where its parent VEON is also listed, over London or Warsaw because it was even more important to "strengthen the link between the United States and Ukraine rather than between Ukraine and Europe." The company has deepened its U.S. ties during the conflict, appointing former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to its board and signing a deal with Elon Musk's Starlink for satellite services. Kyivstar is the biggest mobile operator in Ukraine with 24 million subscribers. Founded in 1994, it became part of Veon in 2010. Apart from telecoms, it owns digital health platform Helsi and ride-hailing firm Uklon. VEON has pitched the listing as an opportunity for foreign investors to bet on Ukraine's reconstruction. But its success hinges in part on a peace deal being achieved. Komarov said that the first few weeks of trading will be extremely volatile. When asked if the outcome of the IPO depends on political developments, he said the volatile external environment was already incorporated in Kyivstar's valuation. Kyivstar, which has been given a pro forma valuation of $2.3 billion, carried out the listing by merging with fintech entrepreneur Betsy Cohen's special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The company raised $178 million. Reuters earlier reported Kyivstar expected up to $200 million. VEON will retain a majority stake in the mobile operator. Komarov said his firm's Nasdaq debut showed what Ukrainian companies could accomplish by accessing international markets and that prominent Ukrainian businessmen have spoken to him in recent months to hear about Kyivstar's listing strategy. "This is one of the dimensions of our integration into the Western world that should be developed and should be supported," he said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store