Latest news with #Arabs
MTV Lebanon
9 hours ago
- Sport
- MTV Lebanon
It's More Than Just a Game
As Lebanese, we are known for being experts on every topic that matters to us. When basketball season is in full swing, it undoubtedly tops that list. We often find ourselves taking on the roles of coaches, strategists, and even players in spirit, whether cheering from the sidelines or watching from the comfort of our homes. Lebanese basketball is more than just a sport, it is a reflection of our energy, passion, and community spirit. Let's face it, basketball is more complex than it appears. It involves preparation, mental resilience, and emotional balance far beyond what unfolds on the court. In an exclusive interview with MTV's website, Al Riyadi head coach Ahmad Farran revealed the demanding reality of managing a high-level team amid intense public expectations. 'Even though our players are top-level athletes with impressive records, a lot happens off the court,' Farran said. 'We advise them to stay off social media on game days and the day before. It's hard because they're public figures. Social media helps with engagement but easily becomes a distraction. I deleted Facebook six years ago because it drained my energy and made it hard for me to concentrate.' This challenge is especially significant for younger players, who are still learning what it means to be professionals and how to protect their focus amid growing pressures. At the same time, fans contribute greatly to the atmosphere, both inspiring and sometimes overwhelming players through their passionate presence online and in the stands. Farran explained that the team's success goes beyond individual talent. 'We spend nine months a year together, often more than with our own families. Everyone plays a role in protecting team spirit, from coaches and administration to physical therapists.' Reflecting on his early years, he recalled how fans once assumed talent alone would bring victories. 'Success is about chemistry, trust, and discipline. We are not just individuals playing together, we are a team.' He also spoke about Lebanon's highly engaged basketball fans on social media. 'This enthusiasm makes our league stand out and attracts attention across Asia and the Arab world. But as Arabs, we are emotional and need to channel that positively. Cheering is welcome, but personal attacks on players cross a line.' 'In seven years of coaching, I have earned 25 titles. That is not just talent, it is pushing myself to grow constantly,' Farran said. He urged fans to be more considerate, especially with young athletes. 'After tough games, players need support, not criticism. I encourage them to focus on the game and tune out online noise. The journey is long, and they cannot let social media pressure shape how they see themselves.' This season, Farran said the fan atmosphere was remarkable. 'The crowds were incredible, even during derby matches. Many work quietly behind the scenes to support players mentally. I know athletes are seeing professionals to stay mentally strong, and I fully support that.' He closed with a clear message. 'Mental well-being deserves more attention. Coaches, staff, and players all need to prioritize it. It is essential for maintaining the positive image of Lebanese basketball.' In a separate interview, Sagesse player Jad Khalil spoke about his experience dealing with pressure and public attention. 'I always try to stay focused on the game,' Khalil said. 'Looking at stats or what people say throws me off. I have learned that when I enjoy the game, I perform best.' With over a decade of professional experience, Khalil has developed ways to cope. 'Pressure is always there, but how we respond matters. I use it to improve on the court without letting it affect my confidence or identity.' He avoids reading comments or replying to messages during high-pressure moments to stay focused. While online criticism was overwhelming early in his career, he now regularly sees a therapist to support his general mental well-being. To young athletes, Khalil offered encouragement. 'You improve every day. The road is long, so keep believing in yourself. Don't let the noise get to you.' To fans, he gave a heartfelt reminder. 'We are human just like you. Before saying something hurtful, remember athletes are people first. Things are improving from management to fan culture, but we still have a long way to go.' Khalil ended with a message of unity. 'Let's help each other by spreading awareness and creating a supportive environment. To the fans, thank you. You make the game what it is. Your support means everything.' Whether you are a player, coach, fan in the stands, or viewer at home, your role matters. Your enthusiasm, advice, and support shape the game's spirit. While we may not literally be players on the court, our collective passion makes us feel like part of the team. Lebanese basketball is more than just a game. It reflects our energy, passion, and community spirit. But that same passion comes with responsibility. A respectful, supportive environment is essential, not just for the future of the game, but for the mental and emotional well-being of the athletes who carry our expectations.
Jordan News
11 hours ago
- Business
- Jordan News
Tourism Revenue Hits $3.7 Billion in First Six Months of 2025 - Jordan News
Preliminary data released by the Central Bank of Jordan on Wednesday revealed an 11.9% increase in tourism revenue during the first half of 2025, reaching $3.677 billion. اضافة اعلان The data showed a 3.7% decline in tourism income in June 2025 to $619.2 million, attributed to geopolitical tensions in the region. Tourism revenue grew in the first half of 2025 from Asian nationals by 42.9%, Europeans by 35.6%, Americans by 25.8%, Arabs by 11.5%, and other nationalities by 43.0%. Meanwhile, income from Jordanian expatriates decreased slightly by 0.8%.
Daily Tribune
15 hours ago
- Science
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Participates in Key Arab Space Cooperation Meeting in Egypt
The Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by aerospace engineer Youssef Al Qattan from the Bahrain Space Agency, took part in the 11th meeting of the Arab Space Cooperation Group and the 4th "New Space Africa" conference. The events were hosted by the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt and saw wide participation from space sector experts across the Arab world and internationally. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Osairi, CEO of the Bahrain Space Agency, highlighted the importance of young Bahraini talent attending international conferences. He explained that involving young nationals in such forums is a key part of the agency's strategy to develop human capital. "Empowering our young people means giving them opportunities to represent Bahrain on global stages and to contribute to knowledge-based decision making," he said. Dr. Al-Osairi expressed pride in engineer Youssef Al Qattan's representation of Bahrain at the conference, which attracted many space agencies and industry leaders from around the world. "These opportunities showcase the new Bahraini generation's ability to engage with global challenges and offer innovative ideas in a vital sector like space. We will continue to support our national talents to be active players in regional and international space efforts." Engineer Youssef Al Qattan thanked both the Bahrain Space Agency and the National Center for Space Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi for nominating him. He emphasized how important such initiatives are for empowering distinguished young Arabs in the space field. "I am proud to represent Bahrain at this important scientific event. It gave me a valuable chance to learn about African countries' experiences in space and to explore youth-led initiatives in this field. Speaking about the Arab Satellite Project 813 allowed me to highlight the role of Arab youth in joint space programs and the importance of building scientific projects based on cooperation between nations. This experience is unforgettable, and I will share what I learned with my colleagues and the youth of Bahrain." The Bahrain Space Agency is committed to supporting and developing young national talents by nominating them for international events, conferences, and specialized training programs. This is part of the agency's strategic vision to build a sustainable and integrated space sector in Bahrain based on national expertise. Meanwhile, the Bahraini ambassador expressed pride in the growing cooperation between the two brotherly countries and discussed several initiatives and projects of shared interest
Irish Independent
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Taoiseach hits back after US ambassador to Israel says Irish have ‘fallen into a vat of Guinness' over Occupied Territories Bill
Yesterday, Mike Huckabee reposted on X an article from The Jerusalem Post that said the bill – which would ban imports of Israeli goods from occupied Palestine – 'could increase antisemitism and harm Jewish communities'. Mr Huckabee asked whether the Irish had 'fallen into a vat of Guinness', and said Ireland should call the Israeli Foreign Ministry and apologise. 'Did the Irish fall into a vat of Guinness and propose something so stupid that it would be attributed to act of diplomatic intoxication?' Mr Huckabee wrote on X. 'It will harm Arabs as much as Israelis. Sober up, Ireland! Call @IsraelMFA and say you're sorry.' Micheál Martin rejected the remarks, adding that what was happening in Gaza was 'beyond any moral compass'. 'The situation is very serious in Gaza, including an appalling loss of human life. Terrible war crimes are being committed,' Mr Martin said. 'Ireland has consistently condemned Hamas, and we equally condemn Israeli breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza. 'The slaughter of children must stop. The slaughter of innocent civilians queuing for food must stop. 'Ireland stands for peace and a political pathway forward.' Mr Martin was asked about the comments made by Mr Huckabee while speaking to reporters yesterday. He appeared to mistake the comments as coming from an Israeli representative. ADVERTISEMENT He strongly criticised the Israeli government, and said: 'Israel needs to focus on ending the war that is slaughtering innocent children and civilians. The Israeli ambassador, if that's who you're referring to, should concentrate on that, and should be apologising to the families of children who've been slaughtered. 'The time for this war to end is long past. We've condemned the behaviour of Hamas. I won't be subject to misinformation from the Israeli government or from the ambassador. It's not good enough.' Later, when clarification was sought on his comments, a statement from the Taoiseach was issued in which he said he rejected the comments made by Mr Huckabee. Mr Martin said the Government would not bow to pressure from the US to scrap the bill, which is currently undergoing scrutiny at the Foreign Affairs Committee. 'No, we are going ahead with the bill. I have said previously that there have been issues in terms of [also banning the import of] services, and the impact that might have on multinational companies based in Ireland, inadvertently,' Mr Martin said. 'We don't want companies that are based in Ireland, employing people, punished in any shape or form. 'That would be counterproductive in terms of the objective being to leverage pressure on Israel, not on Ireland.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
What role is Israel playing in the clashes between Druze and Bedouins in Syria?
Israel has demanded southern Syria be demilitarized. This has had the result of creating a vacuum in southern Syria. The government claims that it wants to protect civilians and restore order. Clashes in Syria between the Druze minority in Sweida and Bedouin tribesmen are the latest in a series of similar confrontations that have taken place since Syria's new government came to power in December 2024, replacing the Assad regime. The Druze in Syria have often sought to maintain some of their own autonomy in their region, a trend that increased during the Syrian civil war. The recent clashes have led Israel to carry out overflights in southern Syria, according to local witnesses in the country. In addition, reports said that the IDF had targeted armored vehicles in Syria amid the clashes. This is not the first time that has happened. In fact, this is at least the third time in the last six months that this similar cycle has played out. In essence, the way the cycle works is like this: Druze clash with local Arabs. Usually several people or up to a dozen people are killed, with victims on both sides. The government forces try to intervene. Typically, government forces oppose the armed Druze fighters who have also arrived on the scene. Israel then also threatens to intervene and sometimes carries out airstrikes or threats. Subsequently, the government says it has come to an agreement with the Druze. Commonly, the agreement is supposed to have the Druze accept government control. Generally, nothing changes, and in a month or two, there are new clashes. The Druze in southern Syria are armed with light weapons, such as rifles. They also possess other munitions and various types of military vehicles. These are leftovers from the Assad era. The Druze served in the regime's military like other Syrians, however, they also sought to arm themselves to protect their own interests. Most Druze live in the area of Sweida, also called Jebel Druze or Druze Mountain. The Druze have been wary of jihadist groups and persecution. Therefore, they have tended to prefer the Assad regime as long as it didn't oppress them too much. The regime was dominated by the Alawite minority and often tried to play groups off against each other in Syria. As such, the Druze were used by the regime. Druze in Israel and Lebanon also try to balance their interests with the state, achieving the same types of local autonomy while serving in the armed forces. What this means is that the Druze minority in Syria tends to be well armed and assertive. It also appears to be suspicious of other groups that may chafe against their autonomy, such as Bedouin and other Sunni Arab groups. According to North Press, a Syrian media outlet in eastern Syria, 'a Druze militia, early on Monday, held the Syrian transitional government responsible for the recent escalation and violent clashes in Sweida Governorate, southern Syria.' The report goes on to note that 'In a statement, the Men of Dignity movement, a self-defense militia established after the outbreak of the Syrian war to defend Sweida Governorate, called for de-escalation while emphasizing the mobilization of its members to defend the region.' The statement read, 'This dangerous tension the governorate is witnessing serves no party but rather threatens civil peace and paves the way for a state of chaos we reject for our people and our country.' The Druze claim that the government has not secured the road between Sweida and Damascus. The report claims 100 people have been killed and wounded. 'We hold the Syrian government primarily responsible for the current situation,' the statement noted, 'due to its failure to maintain security, its silence in the face of repeated violations, and its tolerance of affiliated factions interfering and siding with one group over another.' It also says 'Sweida was and will remain a land of dignity and coexistence. It will not be drawn into any sedition, but at the same time, we will not allow it to become an open arena for settling scores.' Syria's government believes a power vacuum has led to this chaos. Clashes come after Israel demands southern Syria demilitarized Israel has demanded southern Syria be demilitarized. This has had the result of creating a vacuum in southern Syria. The government claims that it wants to protect civilians and restore order. 'The [Syrian] Ministry of Interior also issued a statement, attributing the worsening security situation to the absence of active state institutions and the local community's inability to contain the crisis despite repeated calls for calm,' the report said. The Syrian Defense Ministry 'confirmed Monday the institutional vacuum that accompanied the outbreak of clashes in Sweida Governorate has worsened the state of chaos, in addition to the inability of official security or military institutions to intervene, which hindered the efforts exerted to calming down the situation there,' Syrian state media noted. 'We have followed with deep sadness and concern the bloody developments Sweida province has witnessed over the past two days, which left more than 30 deaths and nearly 100 injuries in a number of neighborhoods and towns,' the ministry said. 'In coordination with the Interior Ministry, we have deployed specialized military units to the affected areas, providing safe passages for civilians,' the report noted. The difficulty in resolving these issues will mean continued clashes are likely. The Druze will not want to hand over their weapons to the new government. The role of Israel is complex. The IDF has said in recent weeks that it has captured two cells near the Golan that were linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IDF has also carried out recent operations on Mount Hermon. These are areas the IDF moved to when the Assad regime fell. Some argue the IDF should intervene more in Syria. On the other hand, that could lead to more chaos in southern Syria. Iran and other enemies could exploit the chaos. Israel has held behind-the-scenes talks with Damascus, according to numerous foreign reports in recent months. Additionally, the US has supported the new Syrian government. Stability is the preferable option going forward. For that to happen, the Druze and Damascus will need to reach an agreement. Solve the daily Crossword
