Latest from Khaleej Times
Khaleej Times
39 minutes ago
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
Syria: Residential areas evacuated by rescuers amid major forest fires
Syrian rescuers evacuated residential areas in Latakia province because of major forest fires, authorities said on Friday. Fires have spreading across large parts of Syria, particularly on the coast, for several days, with firefighters struggling to control them due to strong winds and a drought. Abdulkafi Kayyal, director of the Directorate of Disasters and Emergencies in Latakia province, told the state SANA news agency that fires in the Qastal Maaf area had moved close to several villages, prompting the evacuations. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Syria's civil defence warned residents of "the spread of rising smoke emissions to the northern section of the coastal mountains, the city of Hama, its countryside, and southern Idlib areas." "Our teams recorded losses in the orchards due to the widespread spread of the forest fire in several areas of the Latakia countryside," the civil defence added, calling on citizens to report anyone they suspect of starting fires. Syrian minister of emergency situations and disasters Raed al-Saleh said on X that he was following events and "we will exert our utmost efforts to combat these fires". With man-made climate change increasing the likelihood and intensity of droughts and wildfires worldwide, Syria has been battered by heatwaves, low rainfall and major forest fires. In June, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation told AFP that Syria had "not seen such bad climate conditions in 60 years", noting that an unprecedented drought was on course to push more than 16 million people into food insecurity. The country is also reeling from more than a decade of civil war leading up to the end of the iron-fisted rule of Bashar Al Assad in December. Kayyal said the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance was hindering the work of rescuers, along with strong winds spreading the fires.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Look: Giant red onion, size of baby's head, arrives in Dubai
An onion the size of a baby's head and weighing nearly 1kg has caught the attention of shoppers and restaurant owners at Dubai's Al Awir Market. Priced at Dh2.5 per kg, this massive onion is being sold at Bloom Market in Al Awir. 'I have been working in Al Awir for 18 years, and I have never seen an onion this big,' said longtime vendor Mohammed Yaseen, holding one up with both hands. 'It's almost the size of a face.' The giant onion, imported from China, is almost triple the size of regular onions that usually weigh between 100 to 200 grams. 'People come here out of curiosity. They look at it, take pictures, buy one, and then come back to take more,' Yaseen. 'Some just can't believe it's real until they touch it.' According to Yaseen, the onion has a high water content and a slightly different taste compared to regular onions. 'It's sweeter and milder. When people cut it, they don't cry,' he said. Because of its large size and juicy texture, the onion is gaining popularity among restaurant owners too. 'Chefs and restaurant buyers are buying it in bulk,' said Yaseen. 'They say it gives salads a better taste and works well for gravy too.' The unusual vegetable has turned into a bit of a local attraction at the market. 'One customer told me it reminded him of his childhood when vegetables were bigger and tastier,' Yaseen added. While not officially confirmed as the world's largest onion, it's certainly the biggest most Dubai shoppers have seen. And at Dh2.50 a kg, it's also turning out to be a good deal. 'It's not just the size. People love it because it tastes good and stands out,' Yaseen said.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
UAE unveils 2025 Emirati Women's Day theme to mark 50 years of female empowerment
The UAE on Saturday announced the official theme for Emirati Women's Day 2025: 'Hand in Hand, Celebrating the 50th' marking five decades since the establishment of the General Women's Union in 1975. Emirati Women's Day has become a key moment each year to reflect on progress, renew commitments to gender equality, and celebrate the achievements of women across the country. This year's celebration, set for August 28, aligns with the broader national initiative naming 2025 the Year of Community, launched by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The focus is on strengthening social bonds and recognising the vital role women play in national development. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The theme highlights the UAE's inclusive approach to women's empowerment, emphasising shared responsibility and unity across all sectors of society. It also honours the contributions of Emirati women over the years and reinforces the commitment to continue advancing their role in the country's future. The them was announced by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF). Since its founding, the General Women's Union has worked to empower women through programs rooted in national identity, community values, and social cohesion.
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Club World Cup: Saudi's Al Hilal miss out on semis after going down to Fluminense
Substitute Hercules struck a 70th-minute winner as Brazil's Fluminense defeated Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal 2-1 on Friday to reach the semifinals of the Club World Cup. A fine left-foot finish from Matheus Martinelli had put the Rio club ahead in the 40th minute but Al Hilal's Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo levelled six minutes into the second half before Hercules stole the show to the delight of the vast majority of the 43,091 crowd. Fluminense will take on Chelsea in the last four after the Premier League club beat Palmeiras 2-1 in the other quarterfinal. Al Hilal had pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament, beating Manchester City 4-3, to reach the last eight and Simone Inzaghi's side fought hard until the end to keep their adventure alive. They bow out of the tournament having been unbeaten through the group stage, including holding Real Madrid to a draw, and having truly made their mark on the world stage. There was a moment's silence before the kick-off in memory of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva, who died in the early hours of Thursday after their car veered off a motorway in Spain and burst into flames. Al Hilal's line-up featured two of Jota's Portugal team-mates in Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo. The first half was a tight and tactical affair with few chances until Martinelli opened the scoring when he picked the ball up from Gabriel Fuentes inside the box and span out to give himself space for a left-foot shot that rocketed past Yassine Bounou. Al Hilal went close to a quick response when Kalidou Koulibaly's header forced Fluminense's 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio into a fine save. The Saudi side were awarded a penalty when Samuel Xavier was ruled to have brought down Marcos Leonardo in the box but Dutch referee Danny Makkelie was eventually sent to the monitor where he overturned his own decision after seeing there had been no contact between the two players. After going in at the break trailing by a goal, Al Hilal came out strongly for the second half and drew level when Koulibaly headed a Neves corner down to Marcos Leonardo who poked home. Al Hilal's Brazilian full back Renan Lodi had a let off when his poor backpass fell straight at the feet of German Cano but the Fluminense striker's attempt to round Bounou was denied by the smart work of the Moroccan keeper. But the outcome was settled with 20 minutes remaining when half-time sub Hercules saw a shot from distance blocked but from the loose ball Samuel headed the ball back to the forward who raced into the box and fired past Bounou to make it 2-1. Al Hilal produced a flurry of corners and some intense pressure in the final minutes as they desperately sought a way to keep their dream alive but the Brazilians were good value for their victory. Work and commitment "We didn't have many chances but we made the most of them, the entire group worked and were committed," said Fluminense coach Renato Gaucho. "Our fans here in the USA and those in Brazil, they can be proud and I ask them to wear a jersey, in the mall, street, beach, wherever, wear that shirt — they should all be proud to wear that jersey," he said. The Fluminense coach was full of praise for the performance of his 40-year-old central defender Thiago Silva who ensured the Brazilians were able to withstand the second half pressure from Al Hilal. "Thiago Silva is huge for us, I worked with him 15 years ago, he is a coach on the pitch, very helpful and conveys calm and experience to the others. He is our captain and a leader and in hard matches like these against big clubs, its important to have people like him. He is key and fundamental," he said. Al Hilal coach Inzaghi said his side had been unfortunate to end on the losing side. "It has been a good World Cup for us but clearly we leave with a little bit of a bitter taste in our mouth because after what happened in that second half, we deserved much more," he said. "It was a tight match, decided by episodes, as happens in football. Fluminense are very well organised team that are having an excellent tournament," he added.
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
From Trump dance to 'big, beautiful bill': 4 key moments from the fourth of July celebrations
As fireworks lit up the night sky and parades rolled through American streets, the Fourth of July wasn't just about hot dogs and patriotic songs; it was also a day of high-stakes politics and unexpected moments. While families gathered to celebrate America's independence, President Donald Trump made headlines by signing a controversial bill — and then surprised many by hitting the dance floor during the festivities. From policy moves to public performances, here are four standout moments from July which have implications for Americans, along with citizens of other parts of the world. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Trump, Melania dance As fireworks lit up the sky over Washington DC, US President Donald Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump looked on from their viewing point at the White House. Trump donned a white cap, with his signature slogan, "Make America Great Again," gesturing to the words. But its not his cap or the fireworks that captured social media users' attention. In a rare scene, Trump and Melania danced together, swaying from side to side in unison, as they marked US Independence Day. Watch the video here: The US President was performing the "Trump Dance," which refers to the gestures he often makes while dancing to YMCA by the Village People, a song often heard at Make America Great Again rallies. 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Trump signed his long-unpopular bill on tax and spending, which he bills as a "big, beautiful" one into law on July 4, after Congress narrowly passed it the previous day. He hailed it as a "birthday present for America" and claimed the bill would "ensure the USA will remain the strongest country anywhere on this beautiful planet of ours" with the "strongest economy, border, and military." However, the bill was vehemently criticised by many, including friend-turned-foe Elon Musk, as it is expected to pile an extra $3.4 trillion over a decade onto the country's fast-growing deficits. It will shrink the federal food assistance program and force through the largest cuts to the Medicaid health insurance scheme for low-income Americans since its 1960s launch. It will also fund a mass migrant deportation drive, a signature promise of Trump's presidency. This bill, this one big, ugly bill — this reckless Republican budget, this disgusting abomination — is not about improving the quality of life of the American people," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said. After the bill was passed, Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, said it was "not only reckless — it's cruel." Tariff letters to 12 countries After a pendulum-like tariff announcement in April with Trump imposing taxes on several countries, and then announcing a pause on them, along with the infamous China-US economic faceoff, his latest wave of economic announcements coincides with US Independence Day celebrations. The US President said he had signed letters to 12 countries outlining the various tariff levels they would face on goods they export to the United States, with the "take it or leave it" offers to be sent out on Monday. The 90-day pause that Trump announced in April is set to end on July 9, and he said tariffs could be even higher than the earlier announced rates, with most set to go into effect August 1. The only trade agreements reached to date are with Britain, which reached a deal in May to keep a 10 per cent rate and won preferential treatment for some sectors including autos and aircraft engines, and with Vietnam, cutting tariffs on many Vietnamese goods to 20 per cent from his previously threatened 46 per cent. Many US products would be allowed to enter Vietnam duty free. A deal expected with India has failed to materialise, and EU diplomats on Friday said they have failed to achieve a breakthrough in trade negotiations. Diplomatic efforts Trump spoke on what he called a "final proposal" for a Gaza ceasefire, and said it would probably be known in 24 hours whether Hamas has agreed to accept the deal. On Tuesday, the US president had said Israel accepted the conditions needed to finalise a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas, during which the parties will work to end the war. A source close to Hamas said on Thursday the group sought guarantees that the new US-backed ceasefire proposal would lead to the end of Israel's war in Gaza. Trump also spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Vlodymyr Zelensky about a possible end to the Russia-Ukraine war. He said he was "very unhappy" as Putin just wanted to "keep killing people." Trump added that he may finally be ready to toughen sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, Trump said his call with Zelensky was "strategic"; the Ukrainian President said earlier that the two leaders had agreed to work to "strengthen" Ukraine's air defences.
