Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign

Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign
Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe has unveiled a Ramadan campaign directed by Lebanese Sudanese auteur Dana Boulos and starring Saudi actress and filmmaker Sarah Taibah. (Instagram)
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Updated 26 February 2025
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Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign

Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign

DUBAI: Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe has unveiled a Ramadan campaign directed by Lebanese Sudanese auteur Dana Boulos and starring Saudi actress and filmmaker Sarah Taibah and Saudi Olympic rower Husein Alireza.

The cast is rounded out by Omani artist Mays Almoosawi, Kuwaiti visual artist Najd Al-Taher, Emirati film director Sarah Al-Hashimi, Kuwaiti DJ Cascou and Bahraini contemporary artist Salman Al-Najem.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Dana Boulos (@danaboulos)

 

Taibah shared behind-the-scenes photographs from the campaign shoot on Instagram, jokingly captioning the post “GCCCCC. The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries’ Cutest Creatives Crew, brought together by @loewe.”

The campaign promotes the brand’s Silver Capsule Collection, its first-ever release for Ramadan by designer JW Anderson. With the concept, creative direction, casting and production by Between Us Boys Studio, and post-production handled by DAHOUL Studio, the clip focuses on a clock ticking down until iftar, the meal that breaks a Muslim’s fast during Ramadan.

The Silver Capsule Collection released at select stores the Middle East and at Harrods in London, on Sunday.

The collection sees the brand’s signature bags get a Ramadan makeover; the Puzzle bag appears in vetiver crocodile, while the Flamenco clutch and Squeeze bag are offered in metallic textures with intricate beading. The ready-to-wear selection boasts silky belted pajamas, soft nappa leather sets, and day-to-night silk dresses.

Los Angeles-based Boulos, who directed the campaign, has worked on short films, music videos, and fashion commercials for the likes of Mercedes Benz, Glossier, and Farfetch.

For her part, Taibah shot to fame for her show “Jameel Jeddan,” the first Saudi show starring, written, and created by a Saudi woman.

The plot of the 2022 release was anything but typical. Strong-headed Jameel wakes up from a five-year coma and is forced to finish her last year in high school and rejoin a society she no longer associates with. As a coping mechanism, she begins to experience glitches in the form of an animated alternative reality.

Taibah is currently working on off-beat Saudi romcom “A Matter of Life and Death,” which she wrote. The film is being directed by Anas Batahaf and will star Taibah and Yaqoub Al-Farhan.


Al-Hilal face ban from 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup

Al-Hilal face ban from 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup
Updated 05 August 2025
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Al-Hilal face ban from 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup

Al-Hilal face ban from 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup
  • Al-Hilal had violated Article (59-3) of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations and was fined $133,000
  • The committee said the decision is subject to appeal

RIYADH: Holders Al-Hilal will be banned from the 2026-27 Saudi Super Cup if they qualify after withdrawing from this season’s four-team competition, the Saudi Arabia Football Federation’s (SAFF) Disciplinary and Ethics Committee said on Tuesday.

The decision came after Al-Hilal pulled out of the Super Cup, scheduled to be played from August 19-23 in Hong Kong, citing player fatigue following their Club World Cup campaign. They lost 2-1 to Fluminense in the quarter-finals on July 4.

“Al-Hilal refused to participate in the Saudi Super Cup for the 2025-2026 season after the official schedule for the competition was issued,” the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee said in a statement.

“As a result, the committee ruled that Al-Hilal had violated Article (59-3) of the Disciplinary and Ethics Regulations and fined the club 500,000 Saudi Riyals ($133,000) to be paid to the SAFF,” the statement added.

In addition to the fine, the club was banned from participating in the 2026-27 Super Cup and stripped of any financial awards allocated for this season’s competition.

The committee said the decision is subject to appeal.

Al-Hilal have been asked for comment.

They won the Super Cup by beating Al-Nassr last season for a record-extending fifth title.

The Saudi Super Cup is contested by the winners and runners-up of the King’s Cup and Saudi Pro League. Al-Hilal finished second in the 2024-25 Pro League behind Al-Ittihad.

Al-Hilal, who were due to face King’s Cup runners-up Al-Qadsiah in the Super Cup semifinals on August 20, have been replaced by AFC Champions League winners Al-Ahli.

Since Al-Ittihad won the Pro League and King’s Cup, the extra Super Cup spot was awarded to Al-Nassr — the third-placed team in the league — who they face in the semis on August 19.


UN says reports of possible expansion of Israeli Gaza operations ‘deeply alarming’ at session on hostages

UN says reports of possible expansion of Israeli Gaza operations ‘deeply alarming’ at session on hostages
Updated 05 August 2025
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UN says reports of possible expansion of Israeli Gaza operations ‘deeply alarming’ at session on hostages

UN says reports of possible expansion of Israeli Gaza operations ‘deeply alarming’ at session on hostages
  • Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar also spoke ahead of the session to highlight the plight of Israeli hostages

NEW YORK: The United Nations on Tuesday called reports about a possible decision to expand Israel’s military operations throughout the Gaza Strip “deeply alarming” if true.

UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca told a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza that such a move “would risk catastrophic consequences ... and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza.”

He continued: “International law is clear in the regard, Gaza is and must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state.”

He added that the UN had also been clear that there was only one path to ending the ongoing violence and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, through a full and permanent ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

“Life-saving humanitarian aid must flow into Gaza at scale and without obstruction, and civilians must be guaranteed safe, unhindered access to assistance. There is no military solution to the conflict in Gaza or the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” he said.

“We must establish political and security frameworks that can relieve the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, start early recovery and reconstruction, address the legitimate security concerns of Israelis and Palestinians, and secure an end to Israel’s unlawful occupation and achieve a sustainable two-State solution. 

“Israel and a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State, of which Gaza is an integral part, living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States,” he added.

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar also spoke ahead of the session to highlight the plight of Israeli hostages, during which he also said countries that had announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state in recent weeks had sabotaged a ceasefire deal with the Hamas terror group.

Britain, France, Canada, and several other countries said they would recognize a Palestinian state in September, some of them unconditionally and some depending on Israel’s actions in Gaza.

“There are countries that acted, also in this building, to pressure Israel instead of Hamas during sensitive days in the negotiations by attacking Israel, campaigning against Israel, and the announcement of a recognition of a virtual Palestinian state,” he said. 

“They gave Hamas free gifts and incentives to continue this war, they directly assassinated the hostage deal and ceasefire.

“Let me be clear, these countries prolonged the war. Hamas is responsible for beginning this war by invading Israel and committing the Oct. 7 atrocities.

“Hamas is also responsible for the continuation of this war by still refusing to release our hostages and lay down its arms. The international pressure must be on Hamas. Anything else only prolongs the war,” he added.


Witkoff to meet with Russian leadership in Moscow on Wednesday, source says

Witkoff to meet with Russian leadership in Moscow on Wednesday, source says
Updated 05 August 2025
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Witkoff to meet with Russian leadership in Moscow on Wednesday, source says

Witkoff to meet with Russian leadership in Moscow on Wednesday, source says
  • Officials in Washington provided few details of Witkoff’s schedule
  • “Witkoff will be traveling to Russia this week,” Bruce said

WASHINGTON: US special envoy Steve Witkoff will be in Moscow on Wednesday to meet with Russian leadership, a source familiar with the plan said on Tuesday.

Officials in Washington provided few details of Witkoff’s schedule.

“The president has noted, of course, that Special Envoy Witkoff will be traveling to Russia this week, so we can confirm that from this podium,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters.

“What that will entail, I have no details for you.”

Russia’s state-run TASS news agency, quoting aviation sources, said an aircraft believed to have Witkoff on board, had already left the United States.

US President Donald Trump, who has signaled frustration with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in recent weeks, has given him until this Friday to make progress toward peace in Ukraine or face tougher sanctions.


Cabinet appreciates positive results of international conference on Palestine co-chaired by Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the Cabinet session in NEOM on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the Cabinet session in NEOM on Tuesday. (SPA)
Updated 05 August 2025
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Cabinet appreciates positive results of international conference on Palestine co-chaired by Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the Cabinet session in NEOM on Tuesday. (SPA)
  • Cabinet welcomed announcements made by several participating countries of their intention to recognize the Palestinian state

RIYADH: The Cabinet on Tuesday expressed its appreciation for the positive results of the recently held High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.

The conference, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, was held between July 28-30 and aimed to catalyze concrete, time-bound, and coordinated international action toward the implementation of the two-State solution.

The chairs underlined the need to support Palestinian statehood, reinforce regional and international cooperation, and ensure respect for international law.

The Cabinet also welcomed announcements made by several participating countries of their intention to recognize the Palestinian state, Saudi Press Agency reported.

France, the UK, Canada, Portugal, Malta, and other countries have said they may recognize a State of Palestine at the UN in September.

The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom’s call on all UN member states to support the final declaration issued by the international conference, which constitutes a comprehensive and implementable framework for implementing the two-state solution, that would in turn achieve international peace and security and contribute to building the future of the region and its peoples.

The Cabinet is following up on the Kingdom’s comprehensive support for the State of Palestine and its people, particularly on the humanitarian front, by continuing to send shelter, medical, and food aid to the Gaza Strip through the Saudi air and sea bridges.

It also condemned in the strongest terms provocative practices by Israeli government officials at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and stresses Saudi Arabia’s demand that the international community halt these practices, which violate international laws and norms.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman briefed the Cabinet on the contents of letters received by King Salman and himself from the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his meeting with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.


Over 200 arrested as opposition party holds rallies to demand ex-PM Imran Khan’s release

Over 200 arrested as opposition party holds rallies to demand ex-PM Imran Khan’s release
Updated 05 August 2025
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Over 200 arrested as opposition party holds rallies to demand ex-PM Imran Khan’s release

Over 200 arrested as opposition party holds rallies to demand ex-PM Imran Khan’s release
  • The rallies, which marked the second anniversary of Khan’s arrest, aimed to secure his released and an audit of last general election
  • Pakistan’s election authorities deny election irregularities, while government accuses Khan’s party of trying to hamper economic growth

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition party on Tuesday held coordinated rallies across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province to demand the release of jailed ex-premier Imran Khan but failed to mobilize masses in the capital Islamabad and other key regions, with more than 200 arrested for violating restrictions on public gatherings.

The rallies marked the second anniversary of Khan’s arrest and came amid a 90-day “do or die” protest campaign the party launched in mid-July. The PTI leadership has pledged peaceful but sustained mobilization against what it calls politically motivated cases against Khan and other party leaders.

Police arrested more than 240 opposition party activists at the protests calling for the release of Khan, security and police officials told Reuters. Most of the detentions were made on Monday night and early Tuesday in the eastern city of Lahore, where the PTI had promised its biggest demonstration.

KP, a province the PTI has ruled since 2018, saw widespread mobilization on Tuesday. District-level convoys converged on motorway interchanges and city centers across the province, but there was no clue of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who was to supposed to lead the main gathering in Peshawar.

“At the call of their captain Imran Khan, the nation once again came out and proved that Imran will be there,” the PTI wrote on X on Tuesday evening.

Rallies were held in Swabi, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Mohmand, Battagram, Abbottabad, Upper Chitral, Shangla, Upper Dir, Mansehra and Kurram, among other areas.

“Free Imran Khan!” chanted supporters outside a Lahore courthouse, while smaller groups staged protests across the city, Reuters reported.

The federal capital of Islamabad and the nearby Rawalpindi city remained largely quiet, with heavy police deployments on main roads, while police fired teargas in the cities of Karachi and Muzaffarabad.

The protests followed a national call to action by PTI, which announced in July it would stage “do or die” demonstrations every week for 90 days to demand Khan’s release. The party’s leadership claims he is facing over 170 cases, including charges of corruption, sedition and terrorism, which they allege are part of a military-backed crackdown to keep him out of politics. The government and army deny the charges of political persecution.

The PTI ruled Pakistan from 2018 until 2022, when Khan was ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote. He was arrested in May 2023 and again in August 2023, and is currently imprisoned at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where he is serving sentences in multiple cases. He has also been disqualified from holding public office by Pakistan’s election commission.

The PTI has staged several protests in recent years to secure Khan’s release and demand an audit of the February 2024 general election, with a number of demonstrations resulting in clashes with law enforcers and in some cases paralyzing the capital Islamabad for days.

Pakistan’s election authorities deny the allegation of election irregularities, while the federal and Punjab governments have repeatedly warned in recent weeks that they would not tolerate any form of violence, accusing the PTI of trying to derail efforts for sustainable economic growth.

Khan’s party had always created “chaos,” Uzma Bukhari, a spokesperson of the Punjab provincial government, told a press conference on Monday.

“No political party can be barred from politics in Pakistan, but a terrorist organization disguised as a political party is not allowed to disrupt Pakistan’s peace.”