Latest news with #SteveHarvey
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Murdered Saudi student lawsuit against Airbnb now in federal court
CHICAGO: A lawsuit filed in the Philadelphia courts against Airbnb Inc. by the parents of murdered Saudi Arabia student Alwaleed Algheraibi, 25, has been moved to the US federal courts, the family's attorney confirmed on Thursday. The case was recently removed at the request of Airbnb from the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (Pennsylvania State Court) to Federal Court in Philadelphia, also known as the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Attorney Steve Harvey explained that the defendant has a right to be in federal court based on the citizenship of the parties – Algheraibi was a Saudi citizen, while his killer, Nicole Marie Rodgers, is African American. The state lawsuit was filed on May 16, 2025, in the Philadelphia local courts by the victim's father and mother, Abdullah and Eiman Algheraibi, who live in Riyadh. Airbnb is based in San Francisco, California. The lawsuit alleges that a decision by Airbnb in October 2020 to change its policies to allow individuals younger than 21 to rent properties, created the circumstances in which the murder took place. Rodgers was only 19 years of age when she rented the property, even though the property owner complained to Airbnb at the time that she did not want to rent to someone under the age of 21. Had the policy not changed, Harvey argues in the lawsuit, Algheraibi would still be alive because the property owner would not have rented it to Rodgers. 'The parents of Alwaleed Algheraibi are suing Airbnb because they believe Airbnb should be held responsible for sending an Airbnb customer, 19-year-old Nicole Rodgers, to the house in Philadelphia where she brutally murdered their son for no apparent reason,' Harvey told Arab News. 'If it had not been for the Airbnb policy of forcing its hosts to accept guests under the age of 21, Alwaleed would be alive today. It was unreasonable for Airbnb to force the host to accept Rodgers. 'Airbnb knew or should have known that forcing hosts to accept guests as young as 18 could lead to problems, even serious problems like crime, violent crime, and even murder, not in every case or even in most cases but in some cases. This policy led to the death of an innocent young man.' According to the lawsuit, the property owner previously had one of her properties damaged by an 18-year-old Airbnb guest. In response, the owner told Airbnb that she did not want to host anyone under age 21, Harvey said. 'She was told that based on the discrimination policy of the platform that if she were to ask guests their age or choose not to host them based on age then they could flag her (the owner) for discrimination and remove her from the platform,' the lawsuit states. The property in question, a house, is located at 347 W. Hansberry Street in Philadelphia. Guests could stay in one of several individual rooms in the home and share common areas such as a bathroom. Algheraibi 'was not staying in the property through Airbnb, but instead was staying through an arrangement with the property manager, Gardith Edouard, a longtime Airbnb 'host,'' the lawsuit states. The killer, Rodgers, was staying in the property through an Airbnb booking on the third floor, while Algheraibi's room was on the first floor. Harvey said Algheraibi was in the US to get a degree in computer engineering from Chestnut Hill College, and was finishing his studies when he was murdered by Rodgers. 'Alwaleed was engaged to be married, and was looking forward to returning home to be with his fiance and his family. His family was expecting Alwaleed to come home in the coming months, but instead never saw him alive again. 'They suffer deep, even indescribable, anguish at the loss of their son in such a brutal, senseless, and avoidable, killing,' Harvey said. 'The evidence suggests that the killer lured Alwaleed to her third floor of the house on the pretense that she needed his help moving something out of her room. It's a tragic irony that this young man died because he had the kindness to lend a hand to a stranger.' Rodgers was convicted in 2023 and sentenced to 15 to 40 years in prison for the murder. Airbnb did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. Airbnb is one of the world's largest property renters, with more than 8 million active listings worldwide, according to its website.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
My Mother Became a Grandmother. Now I Understand Her.
When I became a mother, something was restored between my mother and me. This is partially owed to a deeper understanding of the sacrifice and commitment it takes to merely keep a child alive in the early days of their life. Getting up through the night to make sure they're still breathing, monitoring the distance between their head and the edge of a coffee table, and not looking away, not for even a second, when any body of water is near. But I was also introduced to a version of my mother of which I wasn't acquainted. She became supple in grandmotherhood. Less explosive, less cruel. Even though we live across the country, my daughter has a special bond with my mother. My daughter calls my mother Mama and it is the only word in which I can hear that she has roots in Texas as she elongates it, letting it savor on her tongue, Mawmuh. When I hear her laughing in her room, unable to catch her breath, I know she's on the phone with my mother. In the summers and on spring breaks, there is no place my daughter would rather be than beside my mother, starting each day with walks along Buffalo Bayou and watching the Mexican free-tailed bats emerge, hundreds of thousands taking flight above the water at dusk. Whenever my daughter and I visit Houston from our home in New York City, my mother picks us up from the airport. Our first stop is my grandmother's little blue house, tinted by the dust of the earth. The floors are cracked from the hurricane waters that disintegrated the tile. We peer through the screen door to see my grandmother sitting in her favorite chair, her readers pushed to the cliff of her nose as she works her crossword, while Steve Harvey's voice blares from Family Feud on the TV. At the sight of us, she gasps at the growth of her great-granddaughter before taking her into her lap, kissing her and telling her how much she loves her. I watch something unfurl in my mother's body and a smile of restitution takes shape, because my grandmother never said this to my mother when she needed it most. I recognize that smile because I wear it myself. Since my mother is retired now, she is able to engage in leisurely activities with my daughter that she never could with me. Back then, if she wasn't working, she was sleeping in preparation to return to work the next day. I don't suspect that my mother is conscious of the ways that she has failed as a mother, just as her mother did in many ways, or perhaps she is resigned to the inevitability of failure in motherhood as I have. I don't suspect this to be my mother's intention, but the yearnings of my childhood are satiated by the ways that she loves my daughter. It's something like a primal instinct, to go scavenging for ways to repair a fractured relationship with your mother. Desperately seeking soft moments so that you may extend forgiveness, even when she hasn't asked for it. The mother love is like that, insistent on finding a way, like water, always in pursuit of the lowest place to settle. Sometimes, morsels will do. I contend with the discomfort of holding pleasure and resentment at once. I see my mother's capacity for patience and understanding of the limitations of a child, and sometimes I become sullen. Why couldn't you give that to me when I needed it most? At the same time, I wonder if I am too scorned to accept it should she offer it to me now. And perhaps her ego is too fragile to risk extending it, only to be met with rejection. Sometimes it's easier to begin anew than to change direction. So my mother offers what she has left of love to my daughter, and I watch from the side and convince myself that it's enough to mend our fractured past. Something seems to soften inside of you when you become a grandmother. I imagine that once you've raised your own, lived to witness them become parents, you are then somewhat relieved of the daily mundane responsibilities that wears one thin. Grandmothers can simply love without abandon, without fear of making them irresponsible, making them weak, making them rotten. As a young woman, I began spending time with my grandmother without my mother, and in our intimate moments, I asked her questions that my mother would deem disrespectful to an elder – I asked her about her past. What her life was like as a cotton tenant in Louisiana, why she chose to migrate to Houston, what my mother's father was like and why she left him, why she left all the men she ever had children with and could only marry a man with whom she had none. My closeness with my grandmother is partially because I am seeking to find myself through her and partially because of who she gets to be with me. Exercising a part of herself that's been locked away as a means of defense. She, too, had never been told that she was loved, but she knew it's embrace from her grandmother who died when she was a teenager. And my mother was told for the first time that she was loved by her grandmother, who raised her, shared a bed with her, asked her about her dreams and told her that her life was worth something. Only with time do we begin to understand that our mothers didn't give us what we needed because they didn't quite have it to give yet. They couldn't tell us what we needed to hear because it had gotten lost in their throats somewhere. So when my grandmother tells my daughter that she loves her, she really means she loves me, and she loves my mother, and we each consider this sufficient. You Might Also Like 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
My Mother Became a Grandmother. Now I Understand Her.
When I became a mother, something was restored between my mother and me. This is partially owed to a deeper understanding of the sacrifice and commitment it takes to merely keep a child alive in the early days of their life. Getting up through the night to make sure they're still breathing, monitoring the distance between their head and the edge of a coffee table, and not looking away, not for even a second, when any body of water is near. But I was also introduced to a version of my mother of which I wasn't acquainted. She became supple in grandmotherhood. Less explosive, less cruel. Even though we live across the country, my daughter has a special bond with my mother. My daughter calls my mother Mama and it is the only word in which I can hear that she has roots in Texas as she elongates it, letting it savor on her tongue, Mawmuh. When I hear her laughing in her room, unable to catch her breath, I know she's on the phone with my mother. In the summers and on spring breaks, there is no place my daughter would rather be than beside my mother, starting each day with walks along Buffalo Bayou and watching the Mexican free-tailed bats emerge, hundreds of thousands taking flight above the water at dusk. Whenever my daughter and I visit Houston from our home in New York City, my mother picks us up from the airport. Our first stop is my grandmother's little blue house, tinted by the dust of the earth. The floors are cracked from the hurricane waters that disintegrated the tile. We peer through the screen door to see my grandmother sitting in her favorite chair, her readers pushed to the cliff of her nose as she works her crossword, while Steve Harvey's voice blares from Family Feud on the TV. At the sight of us, she gasps at the growth of her great-granddaughter before taking her into her lap, kissing her and telling her how much she loves her. I watch something unfurl in my mother's body and a smile of restitution takes shape, because my grandmother never said this to my mother when she needed it most. I recognize that smile because I wear it myself. Since my mother is retired now, she is able to engage in leisurely activities with my daughter that she never could with me. Back then, if she wasn't working, she was sleeping in preparation to return to work the next day. I don't suspect that my mother is conscious of the ways that she has failed as a mother, just as her mother did in many ways, or perhaps she is resigned to the inevitability of failure in motherhood as I have. I don't suspect this to be my mother's intention, but the yearnings of my childhood are satiated by the ways that she loves my daughter. It's something like a primal instinct, to go scavenging for ways to repair a fractured relationship with your mother. Desperately seeking soft moments so that you may extend forgiveness, even when she hasn't asked for it. The mother love is like that, insistent on finding a way, like water, always in pursuit of the lowest place to settle. Sometimes, morsels will do. I contend with the discomfort of holding pleasure and resentment at once. I see my mother's capacity for patience and understanding of the limitations of a child, and sometimes I become sullen. Why couldn't you give that to me when I needed it most? At the same time, I wonder if I am too scorned to accept it should she offer it to me now. And perhaps her ego is too fragile to risk extending it, only to be met with rejection. Sometimes it's easier to begin anew than to change direction. So my mother offers what she has left of love to my daughter, and I watch from the side and convince myself that it's enough to mend our fractured past. Something seems to soften inside of you when you become a grandmother. I imagine that once you've raised your own, lived to witness them become parents, you are then somewhat relieved of the daily mundane responsibilities that wears one thin. Grandmothers can simply love without abandon, without fear of making them irresponsible, making them weak, making them rotten. As a young woman, I began spending time with my grandmother without my mother, and in our intimate moments, I asked her questions that my mother would deem disrespectful to an elder – I asked her about her past. What her life was like as a cotton tenant in Louisiana, why she chose to migrate to Houston, what my mother's father was like and why she left him, why she left all the men she ever had children with and could only marry a man with whom she had none. My closeness with my grandmother is partially because I am seeking to find myself through her and partially because of who she gets to be with me. Exercising a part of herself that's been locked away as a means of defense. She, too, had never been told that she was loved, but she knew it's embrace from her grandmother who died when she was a teenager. And my mother was told for the first time that she was loved by her grandmother, who raised her, shared a bed with her, asked her about her dreams and told her that her life was worth something. Only with time do we begin to understand that our mothers didn't give us what we needed because they didn't quite have it to give yet. They couldn't tell us what we needed to hear because it had gotten lost in their throats somewhere. So when my grandmother tells my daughter that she loves her, she really means she loves me, and she loves my mother, and we each consider this sufficient. You Might Also Like 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine
What's On
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
Review: A day at Fahid Beach Club by Barbossa
Sun, sand, and marvellous Mexican fare… In Abu Dhabi, we love our islands. All 200 of them. 3 of 12 That said, a certain few have been in the headlines over the last little while. When you're talking thrills, it's Yas Island. Housing? Al Reem. The best beaches in the region, Saadiyat. A whole different world? Sir Bani Yas Island. The list goes on. But if you've been down a YouTube rabbit hole lately, chances are you'll have caught Steve Harvey and his signature grin in a new commercial by Al Dar Properties. In the video, he tells a motorboat skipper to 'Follow those kites!' before he finds himself on Fahid Island, to his pleasant surprise. Here's a closer look at Fahid Beach Club by Barbossa. It's been in town less than six months, and it's making waves. Images: supplied Getting there Fahid Beach Club by Barbossa is the capital's newest beach escape, and is right off Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street, when you're city bound from Yas Island/Dubai. It's a quick, sharp exit, and the space almost sprouts up from nowhere. When you plan to make a day of it, make sure you have a reservation first, and follow that up by arriving within 15 minutes of the scheduled time – otherwise, your reservation gets released and there's a long line of eager beach-goers that are waiting to snap it up. There's plenty of parking space, and as we glance out, more cars with Dubai plates pull in – the news of Fahid Beach Club's been doing the rounds. Check-in is quick and easy. First feel You're led into a bohemian space that opens with the centrepiece of it all, their bustling bar. Lively beats ring through the air – it's the weekend in Abu Dhabi. There's an almost rustic charm to it, but the space doesn't forsake the luxury this city's crowd's gotten so accustomed to. Whether you plan to sit at the bar, book a cabana, or flop down in a chair, you'll feel white sand in your toes within seconds. While Fahid Beach Club by Barbossa doesn't have a pool, it does have gorgeous open water with near-Maldivian hues. White sand and turquoise water is a combination like pizza and a cold one. Win. The experience itself A man picks up his pooch, strokes it, and sets it back down. Steps away, a family of four flops down in a cabana, leafing through a leatherbound menu of Barbossa's popular Mexican fare. Pet-friendly (until 7pm) and child-friendly (until 6pm), this spot delivers a laid-back beachside hangout beautifully, and everyone's invited, and welcome. Whether it's their fully-redeemable day-pass beginning from Dhs150, ladies' night under the stars on Friday from 9pm, or just sun-drenched weekend vibes that have you leaving your laptops and whiteboards behind in the city, Fahid Beach Club by Barbossa is an experience you'll savour. Three shiny Barbossa-branded food trucks, lined up side-by-side in a corner gleam in the sun, as servers pick up your order in double time. From truffle-fries to the Barbossa signature nachos (Dhs65) to their salmon poke bowl (Dhs65), you'll get all of your favourite Barbossa bites here, and like on Yas Bay, some stunning views to go with it all. There's a reason Barbossa won What's On Abu Dhabi's Best Independent Brunch award earlier this month, so we don't need to say too much more about the food itself. Our thoughts Can you relax with a glass of brut here? Indeed, you can. Will you spot a crab as you wade into the water? Quite possible. Fahid Beach Club by Barbossa revels in Abu Dhabi-esque manmade luxury, while staying true to what it fundamentally is – a beach. Look, we were hesitant about hitting the beach in April with the way the mercury's been yo-yoing of late. Fortunately, there was a breeze out, and the beach-goers came in droves. We're glad we went, and you will be, too. What's On verdict: Embrace your inner islander and head to this escape for a great day out on the beach. Fahid Beach Club by Barbossa, Al Fahid Island, Abu Dhabi, noon to 1am daily. Tel: (0)56 358 4458. @fahidbcbybarbossa
Leaders
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Steve Harvey Challenges Negative Portrayal of Muslims in US Media
The American actor, TV host, writer and producer, Steve Harvey, spoke about the true essence of Islam, debunking media narratives that link the religion to terrorism. Steve Harvey is a renowned comedian and a TV host. His most popular talk shows include 'The Steve Harvey Show' and 'Steve.' He is the author of some of the best-selling self-help books, such as 'Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man' and 'Act like a Success, Think like a Success.' US Media Polarization Speaking in an episode titled 'Do Headlines Cause Hate?' Steve Harvey addressed the negative portrayal of Islam and Muslims in the US media for political purposes. 'We in this country are guided by the media and our politicians. They take this polarizing, anything that is polarizing, to pick a side and they have chosen Islam and Muslims as a scapegoat in this new election. It's all over everything. They have chosen it as a way to polarize,' he said. Harvey revealed the main reasons behind these negative stereotypes of Muslims in the US. 'Our country operates off of fear. It's the fear of the economy crash, fear of death, fear of disease,' he noted. Debunking False Narrative The American actor and TV host explained how false narratives about Islam spread through media platforms. 'So now, here what happens. Every single story they can to get our eyeball to a TV set like you said earlier. It's about some wayward Muslim who is in a sect who has taken this beautiful faith and twisted it,' Harvey said. He also stressed that Islam is a peaceful religion and that the actions of some extremists do not represent the beliefs and practices of true Muslims. 'Cause nowhere in the Quran does it say to do any of this stuff. It don't say shoot nobody, it don't say crash no plane, it don't say nothing,' Harvey said. Short link : Post Views: 12
