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MES Indian School’s Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies recently held a motivational session, titled “Moral and Spiritual Guidance and Its Implications”, for students from Classes VII to XII at the KG Hall.Attended by around 260 students, the session aims to promote ethical values, personal responsibility, and inner growth, and featured two distinguished speakers. Dr Sulaiman Melpathur, a renowned motivational speaker from India, delivered an engaging address highlighting the importance of nurturing strong moral foundations during the formative years.He underlined how spiritual grounding can help young people develop resilience, purpose and compassion in an increasingly fast-paced world.The session also featured Wafi Shihad, an alumnus of MES Indian School and a youth mentor, who shared his inspiring journey from student life to becoming a positive role model within the youth community. The programme was co-ordinated by Usman Mayyeri, head of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies. Source link
Tourists take photos with their phones as they visit the Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca on August 1, 2025. Spain received a record 97mn foreign tourists…
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney meets with China’s President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, yesterday. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday agreed on a raft of measures from trade to tourism at the first meeting between the countries’ leaders in Beijing in eight years.The Canadian premier hailed a “landmark deal” under a “new strategic partnership” with China, turning the page on years of diplomatic spats, retaliatory arrests of each other’s citizens and tariff disputes.Carney has sought to reduce his country’s reliance on the US, its key economic partner and traditional ally, as President Donald Trump has aggressively raised tariffs on Canadian products.”Canada and China have reached a preliminary but landmark trade agreement to remove trade barriers and reduce tariffs,” Carney told a news conference after meeting with Xi.Under the deal, China – which used to be Canada’s largest market for canola seed – is expected to reduce tariffs on canola products by March 1 to around 15%, down from the current 84%.China will also allow Canadian visitors to enter the country visa-free.In turn, Canada will import 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) under new, preferential tariffs of 6.1%. “This is a return to the levels that existed prior to recent trade frictions,” Carney said of the EV deal.Welcoming Carney in the Great Hall of the People, Xi said China-Canada relations reached a turning point at their last meeting on the sidelines of the Apec summit in October.”It can be said that our meeting last year opened a new chapter in turning China-Canada relations toward improvement,” Xi told the Canadian leader.”The healthy and stable development of China-Canada relations serves the common interests of our two countries,” he said, adding he was “glad” to see discussions over the last few months to restore cooperation.Ties between the two nations withered in 2018 over Canada’s arrest of the daughter of Huawei’s founder on a US warrant, and China’s retaliatory detention of two Canadians on espionage charges.The two countries imposed tariffs on each other’s exports in the years that ensued, with China also accused of interfering in Canada’s elections.But Carney has sought a pivot, and Beijing has also said it is willing to get relations back on “the right track”.The Canadian leader, who on Thursday met with Premier Li Qiang, is also scheduled to hold talks with business leaders to discuss trade.Canada, traditionally a staunch US ally, has been hit especially hard by Trump’s steep tariffs on steel, aluminium, vehicles and lumber.Washington’s moves have prompted Canada to seek business elsewhere. Source link
US President Donald Trump has announced the formation of a Gaza Peace Council, a body outlined in a US-backed plan aimed at ending the war in the territory.In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said it was a great honor to announce that the council had been formed, adding that the list of its members would be revealed soon.He described it as the greatest and most distinguished council ever formed at any time or place. Trump said that, in his capacity as head of the Peace Council, he supports the newly appointed Palestinian technocratic committee and the national committee tasked with administering Gaza during a transitional period.He added that these Palestinian leaders were firmly committed to a peaceful future. The announcement comes shortly after the formation of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee to manage Gaza in the post-war period. The US-backed Gaza peace plan came into effect on October 10 and includes provisions for the deployment of an international stabilization force in the territory, as well as the training of Palestinian police units.According to the US Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, the second phase of the plan, which entered into force on Wednesday, focuses on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Source link
The Royal Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has undergone medical tests.The Royal Court said in a statement reported by the Saudi Press Agency that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud carried out medical tests today at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh. Source link
Al Gharafa consolidated their position at the top of the Qatar Stars League with a 2-1 victory over Al Arabi at Al Thumama Stadium Thursday.The Cheetahs made a flying start, taking the lead in just the second minute when Joselu headed home from a Yacine Brahimi assist. Al Arabi battled back and drew level in the 67th minute through Pablo Sarabia, who capitalised on a loose ball inside the area. Al Gharafa regained control late on as Jamal Hamed struck the winner in the 79th minute.Al Gharafa were reduced to 10 men six minutes from time after Joselu was shown a red card following a VAR review for violent conduct. The win lifted Al Gharafa to 31 points, eight clear of nearest challengers Al Sadd and Al Rayyan, who both have a game in hand. Al Arabi remained fifth on 20 points.Earlier, Al Duhail recorded a 2-0 win over Al Wakrah at Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium. After a scoreless first half, Algeria’s Adil Boulbina, returning to the side after his AFCON campaign in Morocco, opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 64th minute after being fouled by Mohammed Aiash.Al Wakrah responded with sustained pressure, but it was Al Duhail who struck again in the 83rd minute as Marco Verratti met a Youssouf Sabaly cross to double the lead.The result moved Al Duhail up to sixth on 19 points, while Al Wakrah stayed eighth with 16.“We secured three points and that’s the most important thing,” said Boulbina. “Everyone played and made the required effort. God willing, we will make a comeback in the league. After this victory, we will try to win every match to get back in the lead.”Friday, defending champions Al Sadd will look to extend their revival when they host Al Ahli at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. Al Sadd have won four matches in a row, including a dramatic 3-2 victory over Qatar SC last round, to climb to second on 23 points, level with Al Rayyan but ahead on goal difference. Al Ahli come into the match boosted by a 4-2 win over Al Shamal, which lifted them to ninth on 15 points.Al Rayyan face Al Shamal Saturday at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in another key encounter. Al Rayyan strengthened their title push with a 3-1 win over Al Sailiya to reach 23 points, while Al Shamal slipped to fourth on 21 after their defeat to Al Ahli.Elsewhere, Umm Salal meet bottom side Al Shahaniya Friday at Al Khor Stadium, with both teams in urgent need of points. Umm Salal are tenth on nine points, while Al Shahaniya remain last on goal difference despite holding Al Duhail to a draw. Related Story Source link
Rajagiri Public School (RPS) hosted its student-led charity carnival, Lumina 2026 on January 8, drawing crowds to the campus.The event was inaugurated by Dr Aju Abraham, member of the board of directors, along with admin director Jinsu Aju and principal Joshy Abraham, who commended the student council for their exemplary organisational efforts.Deputy head boy Gurshaan Singh and deputy head girl Ayisha Vengasseri led the planning and execution of the carnival, with contributions from students of Grade IX and XI.The carnival featured a wide range of cultural performances, games, activity stalls, and entertainment programmes.Select materials and services were outsourced to enhance the quality of offerings. The charity-focused event witnessed strong participation from parents, students, and teachers. In alignment with the school’s mission to nurture student leadership and social responsibility, all surplus funds after covering basic expenses will be donated to charitable organisations.The initiative stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of students, parents, faculty, and the school administration in creating an event that combined entertainment with community service. Source link
The Proteus, UK’s first truly autonomous full-size helicopter, flies as on the day it completed its maiden flight operating from Predannack airfield in Cornwall, Britain. The Royal Navy yesterday said its first full-sized autonomous helicopter, designed to track submarines and carry out other high-risk missions amid rising North Atlantic tensions, had completed its maiden flight. The British navy said the helicopter, named Proteus, had successfully completed a short test routine. Developed under a £60mn ($80.46mn) programme, it was key to defending Britain and Nato allies against what it called “evolving threats” in the North Atlantic. Source link
Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Thursday with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is visiting Beijing, to discuss bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors. According to China’s Xinhua news agency, President Xi said the two sides should strengthen their relationship along a path of stable and sustainable development for the benefit of both peoples, and build a new strategic partnership between China and Canada.He emphasized that the core of China-Canada economic and trade relations lies in mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. Prime Minister Carney, who met Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday, is also scheduled to hold discussions with business leaders to explore trade opportunities.Carney’s visit marks the first time a Canadian head of government has visited China in eight years. Source link
Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan looks on as he addresses the audience during a press briefing meeting to review the past year and to…