KSRelief distributes relief aid in 4 countries 

KSRelief distributes relief aid in 4 countries 
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KSRelief distributed 900 food baskets in Pakistan. (SPA) 
KSRelief distributes relief aid in 4 countries 
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KSRelief provided 1,753 individuals in Sudan with 10 tons of food. (SPA)
KSRelief distributes relief aid in 4 countries 
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KSRelief distributed 968 food baskets benefiting 5,808 individuals in Ethiopia. (SPA)
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Updated 27 January 2023

KSRelief distributes relief aid in 4 countries 

KSRelief distributes relief aid in 4 countries 
  • The relief center delivered 900 packages, benefiting 6,300 people in Pakistan
  • 1,060 Syrian and Palestinian refugees received vouchers to buy winter clothes

DUBAI: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) has continued distributing food aid in flood-hit areas of Pakistan’s Punjab province. 

The relief center delivered 900 packages, benefiting 6,300 people, state agency SPA reported. 

Similar efforts were carried out in Sudan when KSRelief provided 1,753 individuals with 10 tons of food and 5,808 individuals with 968 food baskets in Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, host and Syrian and Palestinian refugee communities in Lebanon received vouchers in order to purchase winter clothing.

Saudi Arabia’s philanthropic organization, in cooperation with the Zakat Fund in Mount Lebanon, aided 1,060 refugees in its latest campaign.


Hollywood scriptwriter participates in Qur’an recitation contest

Hollywood scriptwriter participates in Qur’an recitation contest
Updated 26 March 2023

Hollywood scriptwriter participates in Qur’an recitation contest

Hollywood scriptwriter participates in Qur’an recitation contest
  • Palestinian-American Yasser Omar Shaheen wows viewers with melodic voice, distinctive recitation

RIYADH: Palestinian-American contestant Yasser Omar Shaheen, a Hollywood film and television scriptwriter, was a participant in the latest episode of the international Qur’an recitation and adhan competition.

Shaheen entertained the viewers with his melodic voice and distinctive recitation of the Qur’an.

The “Otr Elkalam” TV show, which is being supervised by the General Entertainment Authority and is broadcast on MBC1 and the Shahid digital platform, has a total prize pool of SR12 million ($3.2 million).

Shaheen said: “My life is a mixture of memorizing and reciting the Holy Qur’an and writing scripts in Hollywood, where I have supervised the production of more than 130 programs, produced 14 documentaries, and contributed to several shows on TV channels of Arab and Islamic countries.”

He enjoys teaching Muslim children the verses of the Qur’an and the rules of intonation in mosques in Dallas, Texas. Shaheen also works as a faculty member at San Jose University in California.

Several competitions resulted in his participation in “Otr Elkalam” and its first episode featured 32 contestants from around the world.

It also focused on last year’s winners of the Qur’an recitation and adhan competitions, Younes Gharbi from Morocco and Mohsen Kara of Turkiye, respectively.

The “Otr Elkalam” competition is designed to highlight the rich diversity of cultures in the Islamic world, and the vocal methods of reciting the Qur’an and raising the call to prayer.

More than 50,000 entrants from 165 countries were whittled down to 50 for the final stage, which is held in Riyadh.

Another selection process by the main jury then left 32 contestants, 16 for each competition.


Scheffler, McIlroy at their best to reach Match Play semifinals

Scheffler, McIlroy at their best to reach Match Play semifinals
Updated 26 March 2023

Scheffler, McIlroy at their best to reach Match Play semifinals

Scheffler, McIlroy at their best to reach Match Play semifinals
  • Scheffler, who lost in the final in his Match Play debut in 2021, now has won 10 straight matches
  • McIlroy won with a 12-foot birdie putt, the proper ending to a match that both said was a testament to the quality of golf required

AUSTIN, Texas: The golf was as good as it gets. Rory McIlroy made 17 birdies in the 36 holes he played Saturday. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler rallied with six birdies in his last nine holes to reach the semifinals for the third straight year.

A little luck never hurts in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. And as great as McIlroy played, he needed some of that, too.

McIlroy never led in his quarterfinals match against Xander Schauffele. They came to the 18th hole all square, and McIlroy slumped slightly when he saw his drive headed left toward the trees. Schauffele hit his shot and quickly picked up his tee.

Imagine their surprise. McIlroy came upon a golf ball behind a tree and figured it was his. Schauffele was walking behind him and was stunned when McIlroy kept going.

“He hit a worse drive than I did and he ended up fine,” Schauffele said.

He got no argument from McIlroy.

“I expected my ball to be Xander’s ball on 18 behind that tree, and I got fortunate that mine trundled down the hill and obviously made the chip shot a lot easier,” McIlroy said. “Look, you need a little bit of fortune in these things, and that was a bit of luck for me today.”

McIlroy won with a 12-foot birdie putt, the proper ending to a match that both said was a testament to the quality of golf required. Schauffele applauded all the pivotal putts McIlroy made to stay in the fight.

It was like that all over Austin Country Club. The final version of Match Play lived up to its edge-of-the-seat reputation, with wild turns of momentum until four players remained.

Sam Burns advanced by beating Patrick Cantlay in 17 holes and then overcoming an early deficit to beat Mackenzie Hughes of Canada, 3 and 2, to reach the semifinals.

Burns advances to meet Scheffler, his best friend on tour with whom he often shares a house when they’re on the road. Their last encounter was at Colonial last year, when Burns made a 45-foot birdie putt to beat Scheffler in a playoff.

Cameron Young looked as if he had an easy time, until it wasn’t. He was 3 up at the turn, missed a chance to go 4 up on the 12th and then had to go to the 18th hole before he could dispatch of Bay Hill winner Kurt Kitayama.

Scheffler, who lost in the final in his Match Play debut in 2021, now has won 10 straight matches. He was 2 down against J.T. Poston in the morning with five holes left when he birdied the 17th to square the match and won the 18th with a par.

He was 3 down against former Match Play champion Jason Day through seven holes in the quarterfinals when he battled back, taking his first lead with a birdie on the 13th and then pulling away. He closed it out with a wedge to 2 inches on the 17th.

Scheffler said he and caddie Ted Scott had a chat when Day went birdie-birdie-eagle on the front nine to go 3 up. The eagle came on a 5-wood from 282 yards to 5 feet on the par-5 sixth hole at Austin Country Club.

“Just ride out the heater,” Scheffler said. “I had to stay patient.”

Day began to struggle with allergies on the eighth hole, and then Scheffler had a heater of his own by making six birdies over their final nine holes.

McIlroy reached the quarterfinals by making nine birdies against Lucas Herbert, and it still wasn’t decided until the 18th hole.

“I got to beaten by the best player in the world probably playing the best golf of anyone in the world would today,” Herbert said. “Pushed him all the way to the end. I just didn’t feel like there was a hell of a lot more I could have done.”

Schauffele made seven birdies against McIlroy and it wasn’t enough.

“I needed to dig deep,” McIlroy said. “He’s one of the best players in the world. I knew I was going to need to produce something similar to this morning. I was 16 under for two rounds of golf. That shows the caliber you need to play out there.”

Next up for McIlroy is Young, who finished ahead of him at St. Andrews last year with a 31 on the back nine. Young has made 31 birdies and two eagles in his five matches this week. He won his group on Friday with a 5-and-3 win. He made it through Saturday morning with a 5-and-4 rout of Billy Horschel. He was on his way to another romp against Kitayama.

But he missed a 5-foot birdie putt on the 12th that would have put him 4 up. Kitayama won the next two holes with birdies. Young missed from 10 feet for birdie, 15 feet for eagle and 10 feet for birdie on the next three, all three putts burning the edge.

Ultimately, he only needed two putts from 15 feet on the 18th for the win. That was about the only easy part of his back nine.

“I don’t think I made a bogey today and I was biting my nails trying to win my match,” Young said. “I think it just shows you the quality of golf that’s played out here and how hard it is to get through even just one day like today, never mind that today was our fifth match.”

Day earlier on Saturday beat Matt Kuchar, leaving the 44-year-old American one match short of the tournament record. Kuchar leaves sharing the mark of 36 wins with Tiger Woods.

Now it’s Scheffler’s turn. Woods is the only player to win Match Play back to back. One day remains, and it feels like a long way to go.


voco Alkhobar redefines culinary experience this Ramadan

voco Alkhobar redefines culinary experience this Ramadan
Updated 26 March 2023

voco Alkhobar redefines culinary experience this Ramadan

voco Alkhobar redefines culinary experience this Ramadan

voco Alkhobar is all set for the holy month, with a variety of dining experiences planned for diners at its restaurants. The hotel is hosting a specially designed Ramadan tent, serving iftar and sahoor amid a warm, welcoming ambiance.
The hotel’s signature restaurants will offer a blend of traditional and mouth-watering cuisines comprising local and international gourmet delicacies served in a luxurious and spiritual setting. With the addition of the live cooking stations and an outdoor seating area, guests can expect to have a memorable iftar and sahoor experience with their family and friends. There is also a special Ramadan menu for residents who wish to have their meals in their rooms.
The hotel’s Horizon, Naya and Anardana restaurants are some of the finest restaurants in town, manned by acclaimed chefs with years of experience in the culinary arts and offering guests traditional delicacies with a modern twist. These include a wide variety of Middle Eastern and international dishes of high nutritional value, creating a sumptuous and memorable meal.

HIGHLIGHT

With the addition of the live cooking stations and an outdoor seating area, guests can expect to have a memorable iftar and sahoor experience with their family and friends.

The Horizon restaurant at voco Alkhobar takes diners on a culinary journey comprising a lavish buffet of classic cuisines, which can be enjoyed throughout the day after Ramadan. Guests can savor anything from Middle Eastern breakfasts and Belgian waffles, to Viennese pastries, freshly baked goods and healthy drinks, in addition to hot meals prepared to order. Those looking for good ol’ classics, can choose from an American burger with coleslaw and French fries, Italian spaghetti Bolognese or Indian tandoori chicken. A variety of drinks and beverages, including tea, coffee, juices and soft drinks, are also included.
The Lebanese Naya restaurant specializes in Middle Eastern cuisine, including hot and cold mezzes, kebabs, grills and other traditional slow-cooked meat dishes served with flavorful rice.
Meanwhile, Anardana offers a delectable lineup of Indian fare, bringing the varied flavors of the Subcontinent to Sharqiya. On the menu, there is something for everyone. From classic Indian curries to aromatic grilled kebabs, those with a penchant for rich and flavorful food are in for a treat.
M. Allaf, regional general manager of IHG Hotels and Resorts and general manager of voco Riyadh, promised an unforgettable iftar and sahoor experience for guests at voco Alkhobar.
He said the hotel will offer a range of authentic local and international flavors that suit all palates.
Allaf assured guests of a high-quality service and exceptional culinary delights that he said can be enjoyed in the company of family and friends.
voco Alkhobar’s restaurants have already become a rage in the city, thanks to dozens of high ratings and positive feedback, making the restaurants must-visit destinations for visitors to the region.
The hotel is known for its distinguished services and facilities, which include a swimming pool, five spa rooms, separate health club facilities for men and women, sauna and jacuzzi, in addition to the classic Moroccan bath. Business guests can benefit from the 11 conference rooms for meetings and events, fully equipped with state-of-the-art technologies. The luxurious Sultana Hall makes for an ideal venue for family celebrations.

 


India’s Rahul Gandhi says he won't stop asking Modi questions

India’s Rahul Gandhi says he won't stop asking Modi questions
Updated 26 March 2023

India’s Rahul Gandhi says he won't stop asking Modi questions

India’s Rahul Gandhi says he won't stop asking Modi questions
  • Gandhi’s Congress party has questioned investments made by state-run firms in Adani companies and the handover of the management of six airports to the group in recent years, even though it had no experience in the sector
  • Hindenburg’s Jan. 24 report eroded more than $100 billion in the value of the company’s shares

NEW DELHI: Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday he had been disqualified from parliament because he has been asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi tough questions about his relationship with Gautam Adani, founder of the Adani conglomerate.
Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party responded saying Gandhi had been punished under the law for a defamatory comment he made in 2019 and it had nothing to do with the Adani issue.
Gandhi, a former president of India’s main opposition Congress party who is still its main leader, lost his parliamentary seat on Friday, a day after a court in the western state of Gujarat convicted him in a defamation case and sentenced him to two years in jail.
The court granted him bail and suspended his jail sentence for 30 days, allowing him to appeal.
The defamation case was filed in connection with comments Gandhi made in a speech that many deemed insulting to Modi. Gandhi’s party and its allies have criticized the court ruling as politically motivated.
“I have been disqualified because the prime minister is scared of my next speech, he is scared of the next speech that is going to come on Adani,” Gandhi told a news conference at the Congress party headquarters in New Delhi.
“They don’t want that speech to be in parliament, that’s the issue,” Gandhi said in his first public comments since the conviction and disqualification.
Gandhi, 52, the scion of a dynasty that has given India three prime ministers, did not elaborate on why Modi might not like his next speech.
Gandhi’s once-dominant Congress controls less than 10 percent of the elected seats in parliament’s lower house and has been decimated by the BJP in two successive general elections, most recently in 2019.
India’s next general election is due by mid-2024 and Gandhi has recently been trying to revive the party’s fortunes.
“I am not scared of this disqualification ... I will continue to ask the question, ‘what is the prime minister’s relationship with Mr.Adani?’,” Gandhi said on Saturday.

OPPOSITION QUESTIONS
Modi’s rivals say the prime minister and the BJP have longstanding ties with the Adani group, going back nearly two decades when Modi was chief minister of the western state of Gujarat. Gautam Adani is also from Gujarat.
The Congress party has questioned investments made by state-run firms in Adani companies and the handover of the management of six airports to the group in recent years, even though it had no experience in the sector.
The Adani group has denied receiving any special favors from the government and government ministers have dismissed such opposition suggestions as “wild allegations”, saying regulators would look into any wrongdoing.
Congress, and its opposition allies have called for a parliamentary investigation.
“The life of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is an open book of honesty,” BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told a news conference called in response to Gandhi’s statements on Saturday.
“We don’t have to defend Adani, BJP never defends Adani, but BJP doesn’t target anyone either,” Prasad said, accusing Gandhi of habitually lying.
A former federal minister, Prasad listed international business deals the Adani group had signed when a Congress-led coalition government ruled India from 2004 to 2014 and its investments in Indian states ruled by Congress.
“So how is Adani group investing 650 billion rupees ($7.89 billion) in a state ruled by your party,” Prasad asked, referring to an announcement by the conglomerate in October that it would invest in the solar power, cement and airport sectors in the western state of Rajasthan, which is ruled by Congress.
Adani’s group is trying to rebuild investor confidence after US short-seller Hindenburg Research accused it of stock manipulation and improper use of tax havens — charges the company has denied.
Hindenburg’s Jan. 24 report eroded more than $100 billion in the value of the company’s shares.

 


Broadhead to the rescue as Wales draw Euro 2024 qualifier with Croatia

Broadhead to the rescue as Wales draw Euro 2024 qualifier with Croatia
Updated 26 March 2023

Broadhead to the rescue as Wales draw Euro 2024 qualifier with Croatia

Broadhead to the rescue as Wales draw Euro 2024 qualifier with Croatia
  • Wales have now gone nine games without a win but this result will doubtless feel like a victory for Rob Page’s men

SPLIT, Croatia: Debutant Nathan Broadhead proved an unlikely savior as Wales started life without Gareth Bale by snatching a 1-1 draw in a Euro 2024 qualifier against World Cup semifinalists Croatia in Split on Saturday.

Andrej Kramaric’s first-half strike looked like it would be enough to give group favorites Croatia a winning start to their campaign.

And the hosts were still in front until the third and final minute of stoppage time when Croatia failed to clear Connor Roberts’ long throw and substitute Broadhead squeezed the ball in at the far post.

Wales have now gone nine games without a win but this result will doubtless feel like a victory for Rob Page’s men.

There was no disguising the joy felt by the 24-year-old Broadhead, who now plays his club football for English third-tier side Ipswich following a January move from Premier League strugglers Everton.

“I got a bit overwhelmed to be honest, a bit emotional,” Broadhead told S4C. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long.

“We needed a point, we came here to try and win but to get a point is good as well. We are made up.”