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King Abdullah II hails Jordanian-American’s chemistry Nobel win

King Abdullah II hails Jordanian-American’s chemistry Nobel win
UC Berkeley chemistry professor Omar Yaghi poses in his lab at the University of California. (File/Reuters)
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Updated 27 sec ago

King Abdullah II hails Jordanian-American’s chemistry Nobel win

King Abdullah II hails Jordanian-American’s chemistry Nobel win
  • Omar Yaghi was born into a family of Palestinian refugees in Jordan

AMMAN: Jordan’s King Abdullah II hailed American-Jordanian scientist Omar Yaghi for winning the Nobel Prize in chemistry, along with two other researchers, on Wednesday.
Yaghi was born into a family of Palestinian refugees in Jordan. He won the award together with Susumu Kitagawa of Japan and UK-born Richard Robson for their discoveries on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
“Proud of Jordanian scientist Professor Omar Yaghi, for winning the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. His achievement is Jordan’s pride, and adds to Jordanians’ record of excellence in all fields, at home and abroad, proving they can make a difference wherever they are,” the king wrote on X.


Egypt defeat Djibouti to qualify for World Cup

Egypt defeat Djibouti to qualify for World Cup
Updated 10 min 5 sec ago

Egypt defeat Djibouti to qualify for World Cup

Egypt defeat Djibouti to qualify for World Cup
  • Egypt, who have competed at three previous World Cups, join fellow north African nations Morocco and Tunisia

CASABLANCA: Egypt became the third African country to book a berth at next year’s World Cup finals with an easy 3-0 win over Djibouti in Casablanca on Wednesday that secured them top place in Group A with one game remaining.

Egypt, who have competed at three previous World Cups, join fellow north African nations Morocco and Tunisia at the 2026 tournament in North America.

More to follow...


Macron, Jordanian crown prince discuss partnerships in Paris

Macron, Jordanian crown prince discuss partnerships in Paris
Updated 40 min 50 sec ago

Macron, Jordanian crown prince discuss partnerships in Paris

Macron, Jordanian crown prince discuss partnerships in Paris
  • Meeting addressed support for Syria and Lebanon to maintain their stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity
  • Princess Rajwa, Brigitte Macron attended part of the meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris

LONDON: French President Emmanuel Macron met Jordanian Crown Prince Hussein at the Elysee Palace on Wednesday to discuss ties between France and Jordan, along with recent regional developments.

The two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation and reviewed existing partnerships, according to Petra news agency.

The crown prince relayed King Abdullah’s gratitude for French efforts to end the war in Gaza and its role in rallying international support for the recognition of the state of Palestine.

He highlighted France’s role in fostering partnerships between the private sectors of both countries and its support for the Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination Project.

The meeting also addressed support for Syria and Lebanon to maintain their stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity, promoting calm in the region and reaching comprehensive peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

Princess Rajwa and French First Lady Brigitte Macron attended part of the meeting, Petra added.


La Liga confirm ‘historic’ Barcelona match in Miami

La Liga confirm ‘historic’ Barcelona match in Miami
Updated 41 min 15 sec ago

La Liga confirm ‘historic’ Barcelona match in Miami

La Liga confirm ‘historic’ Barcelona match in Miami
  • “With this match we take a historic step that projects La Liga and Spanish football into a new dimension,” said Tebas
  • The game was due to be played at Villarreal’s home stadium but will now take place at the Hard Rock Stadium

BARCELONA: Barcelona will face Villarreal in Miami in a La Liga match on December 20, the Spanish top flight said Wednesday, making it the first European league fixture to be played abroad.
Earlier this week, European football governing body UEFA said they opposed the idea of games being played overseas but would permit it on an exceptional basis, along with a Serie A match in Australia in February between AC Milan and Como.
“With this match we take a historic step that projects La Liga and Spanish football into a new dimension,” said La Liga president Javier Tebas in a statement.
“We understand and respect the concerns that this decision may generate, but it is important to put it into context — it is a single match out of the 380 that make up the season.”
The game was due to be played at Villarreal’s home stadium but will now take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in the United States, in Florida.
Villarreal will take measures to compensate season ticket holders after the game was moved.
“Villarreal season ticket holders will be able to travel for free to the match, and those who choose not to travel to Miami will enjoy a 30 percent discount on their season ticket price as part of the measures designed to reward their support and loyalty,” said La Liga.
In September a total of 18 fan groups from both teams involved expressed their “complete opposition” to the match taking place abroad.
La Liga have attempted to play matches overseas dating back to 2017 but the Spanish football federation (RFEF) frequently resisted, despite hosting the Spanish Super Cup in ֱ themselves.
Barcelona’s rivals Real Madrid have also expressed their disapproval at the decision to take a La Liga game abroad.
They said in August hosting the game in Miami would “alter the competitive balance” of the league and set an “unacceptable precedent.”


Motor racing-FIA list raises prospect of Ben Sulayem being re-elected unopposed

Motor racing-FIA list raises prospect of Ben Sulayem being re-elected unopposed
Updated 54 min 4 sec ago

Motor racing-FIA list raises prospect of Ben Sulayem being re-elected unopposed

Motor racing-FIA list raises prospect of Ben Sulayem being re-elected unopposed
  • The deadline for putting forward candidates for the WMSC list was September 29
  • Three potential candidates have stated their intention to stand against the Emirati

LONDON: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the head of Formula One’s governing body, could be re-elected unopposed in December after a list published on Wednesday left rivals seemingly unable to secure the necessary support to stand.
The International Automobile Federation named 29 people who are eligible for its World Motor Sport Council (WMSC), from which list each presidential candidate must draw a team of seven potential vice presidents for sport in order to progress to a vote.
Two must come from Europe and one each from South America, North America, Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East/North Africa.
South America has only one person on the list, however: Brazilian Fabiana Ecclestone, who is a current vice president for sport representing the continent and one of the most senior women at the FIA as well as being the wife of former F1 supremo Bernie.
The FIA said the absence of any other candidate from South America on the list could be due to no other member club putting anybody forward or to someone failing to secure the approval of the FIA nominations committee.
The deadline for putting forward candidates for the WMSC list was September 29.

THREE RIVAL CANDIDATES HAVE SIGNALLED INTENTION TO STAND
Africa has just two names on the list, Kenya’s Amina Mohamed and Rodrigo Rocha from Mozambique, and both have pledged allegiance to the incumbent with Rocha named on Ben Sulayem’s team.
Three potential candidates have stated their intention to stand against the Emirati, with American former Formula One chief steward Tim Mayer the main rival and first to announce his candidacy.
Two little-known female candidates — Swiss racer Laura Villars and Belgian model and journalist Virginie Philippot — have also put themselves forward more recently in media reports.
None of the three have so far named any members to their teams.
Ben Sulayem, who was elected in 2021 and has had a controversial first term as president, announced his running mates in September.
There was no immediate comment from Mayer, who will be attending next week’s US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, and is expected to meet the media then.
Candidates for the presidency must submit their complete lists by October 24 and cannot include a candidate already entered on another presidential list.
The election will be held on December 12 at the FIA General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.


Cristiano Ronaldo becomes football’s first billionaire, says Bloomberg

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes football’s first billionaire, says Bloomberg
Updated 08 October 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes football’s first billionaire, says Bloomberg

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes football’s first billionaire, says Bloomberg
  • The valuation includes his career earnings, endorsements, and investments

RIYADH: Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has become football’s first billionaire player, according to figures released Wednesday in the .

The 40-year-old Al-Nassr striker has been added to Bloomberg’s list of the world’s richest people, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion.

The valuation includes his career earnings, endorsements, and investments.

Bloomberg reported that Ronaldo earned more than $550 million in salary between 2002 and 2023, alongside lucrative sponsorships, including his decade-long deal with Nike, worth almost $18 million annually.

Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in 2022, reportedly becoming the highest-paid footballer in history. His contract, originally set to expire in June 2025, was recently extended by two years in a deal reportedly worth more than $400 million, which will keep him at the Riyadh club beyond his 42nd birthday.

Bloomberg compared Ronaldo’s earnings to those of his long-time rival Lionel Messi, noting that the Argentina and Inter Miami forward has earned over $600 million in pre-tax salary during his career.

Messi, who has been on a guaranteed annual pay of $20 million since joining Inter Miami in 2023, roughly 10 percent of Ronaldo’s income during the same period, is set to receive a stake in the MLS club upon retirement.