ISLAMABAD: Alice G. Wells, chief US diplomat for South Asian affairs, arrived in Islamabad Sunday on a four-day state visit, the US embassy in Islamabad said in a statement.
Wells — the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs — was received at the airport by foreign office and US embassy officials.
She has been on a tour of South Asia since Jan. 13 and has been to Sri Lanka and India prior to her arrival in Pakistan.
The US diplomat will meet Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi after her arrival and is also expected to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan and army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa during her visit, the statement said.
She will also interact with members of the civil society during her visit, it added.
Her visit will be centered on discussions regarding the peace process in Afghanistan, Pakistan-US bilateral relations and regional concerns.
Wells will also discuss the US-Iran tension and Taliban-US peace talks during her meetings with the Pakistani officials while the issue of newly authorized US military assistance and training for Pakistan will also likely come under discussion, according to the statement.
Wells’ visit to Islamabad comes immediately after Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi concluded his trip to the US where he interacted with senior United Nations and American officials in New York and Washington, and urged the US to help get Pakistan off the grey-list of global money laundering watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force.
Wells’ last visit to Pakistan was in August last year.
Alice Wells arrives in Pakistan on four-day visit
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Alice Wells arrives in Pakistan on four-day visit
- The top US diplomat visited Sri Lanka and India prior to her arrival
- US-Iran tension, Afgan peace process, military training for Pakistan on the agenda, US embassy says
Aryna Sabalenka powers into French Open fourth round
- The Belarusian dominated her opponent from the start and although she faced some brief resistance in the second set
PARIS: World number one Aryna Sabalenka’s French Open quest continued as she powered into the fourth round with a 6-2 6-3 victory against Serbia’s Olga Danilovic on Friday.
The Belarusian dominated her opponent from the start and although she faced some brief resistance in the second set, she easily set up a meeting with 16th seed Amanda Anisimova of the United States.
“I am super happy with the win, Olga is a fighter and I knew it would be a fight. She played like a top 10 player; pretty soon she will be in the top 10,” said Sabalenka.
Sabalenka started in ruthless fashion, racing to a 5-0 lead but Danilovic avoided the bagel by winning the sixth game on serve, going on to pull a break back.
The resurgence was shortlived, however, as Sabalenka wrapped up the opening set with another break of serve.
Danilovic put up a decent fight in the second set but there was no comeback on the cards as Sabalenka broke for 5-3.
The three-time Grand Slam champion wrapped it up with an unreturnable serve on a half-empty Court Philippe Chatrier – a common occurrence on early matches at the French Open.
Naif Alrajhi Investment, Aljazira Capital launch SR1.7bn fund
Naif Alrajhi Investment has formed a strategic partnership with Aljazira Capital to launch a closed private real estate investment fund. Valued at SR1.7 billion ($453.2 million), the fund will focus on the development of two high-impact real estate projects in Riyadh and Jeddah.
This partnership underscores the shared investment vision of both companies in the Saudi real estate market and their shared ambition to enhance its appeal by developing innovative, high-value projects. The fund will support the execution of two strategic developments in two of the Kingdom’s most prominent and dynamic cities.
In Riyadh, the fund will support the development of a luxury residential project in Al-Khuzama district, designed to offer a fully integrated residential environment. The project will feature a diverse range of private residences, premium services, and architectural designs aligned with Saudi Arabia’s modern vision. Strategically located near key landmarks in the capital, the project offers strong investment value and serves as an ideal choice for those seeking exceptional living in one of Riyadh’s most prestigious neighborhoods.
In Jeddah, the fund will support a mixed-use development in North Jeddah along King Abdulaziz Road. The project will feature residential and commercial towers, a luxury hotel, office spaces, retail outlets, and dining destinations. Designed to meet the growing demand for integrated, lifestyle-centric developments, the project combines living, working, and leisure in one strategic location. Its architectural design reflects Saudi Arabia’s vision to preserve and modernize the Kingdom’s identity, contributing to the evolving urban landscape of Jeddah in a contemporary and forward-looking way.
Naif Saleh Alrajhi, chairman and CEO of Naif Alrajhi Investment, said: “We are proud to partner with Aljazira Capital in developing two high-impact projects. Strategic locations were carefully selected, and the real estate offerings were designed based on thorough market research and trends, while ensuring alignment with the urban code and architectural identity of each region.” He added: “This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to developing distinctive real estate projects that enhance quality of life.”
Naif Al-Mesned, CEO and managing director of Aljazira Capital, said: “At Aljazira Capital, we remain dedicated to offering high-quality investment opportunities that align with our clients’ aspirations and respond to evolving market demands. The launch of this fund, in partnership with Naif Alrajhi Investment as a specialized real estate developer, reflects our strategy to diversify our investment offerings and reinforce our active presence in the real estate sector.”
Bandar Al-Hogail, head of real estate assets at Aljazira Capital, added: “The launch of this fund marks an important milestone in Aljazira Capital’s strategy to offer a diversified portfolio of high-quality real estate investment products.” He added: “Partnering with experienced industry specialists such as Naif Alrajhi Investment — the developer behind the fund’s projects — is a key factor in ensuring project success and achieving targeted returns.”
Naif Alrajhi Investment is one of the Kingdom’s leading investment groups, managing a diversified portfolio with a strong focus on the real estate sector. With a proven track record of success both locally and internationally, the company brings deep expertise and a strategic vision to developing real estate assets that meet the highest standards.
Driver charged with Liverpool football parade tragedy appears in court
- Prosecutors have charged him with dangerous driving and six serious offenses alleging grievous bodily harm
- The charges are related to two boys, two women and two men who were among the 79 people injured Monday during celebrations of Liverpool’s Premier League championship
LONDON: A driver charged with multiple counts of intentionally causing grievous bodily harm for ramming into a crowd of Liverpool football fans celebrating their team’s Premier League championship was ordered held in custody Friday at his first court appearance.
Paul Doyle, wearing a black suit, white shirt and gray tie, looked emotional as he spoke only to confirm his name, address and birth date in a hearing in Liverpool Magistrates’ Court. He did not enter a plea.
Doyle, 53, faces a charge of dangerous driving and six serious offenses alleging he caused or tried to cause grievous bodily harm. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison if he is convicted.
The father of three bowed his head as the charges were read. The counts are related to the injuries of two boys, two women and two men who were among the 79 people injured Monday. The victims ranged in age from 9 to 78, police said. Seven people remained hospitalized Thursday.
District Judge Paul Healey put an order in place restricting the publication of victims’ names.
Doyle was ordered to appear later in the day in Liverpool Crown Court.
The city had been celebrating Liverpool’s record-tying 20th title when Doyle turned down a street full of fans and joy quickly turned to tragedy. Police said they believed Doyle got past a road block by following an ambulance that was trying to reach a possible heart attack victim.
Videos showed the car hit and toss a person wrapped in a red Liverpool flag into the air and then swerve into a sea of people packed on the side of the road.
At least four people, including a child, had to be freed from beneath the vehicle when it came to a halt.
The driver was believed to have acted alone and terrorism was not suspected, Merseyside Police said. They have not disclosed an alleged motive for the act.
Kremlin expects Russia and Ukraine to discuss ceasefire conditions in Istanbul
MOSCOW: The Kremlin expects Russia and Ukraine to discuss the list of conditions for a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine next week in Istanbul, its spokesman said on Friday, praising the US role in mediating the talks.
Russia has proposed holding the second round of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2. However, Ukraine wants to see Russia’s proposals for a peace deal before it sends a delegation to Turkiye, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Friday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Russian delegation would be traveling to Istanbul and would be ready for talks with Ukraine on Monday morning.
“At the moment, everyone is focused on the direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations. A list of conditions for a temporary truce is being developed,” Peskov told reporters. He said the details of the memorandum will not be published.
Reuters reported earlier this week that Putin’s conditions for ending the war in Ukraine include a demand that Western leaders pledge in writing to stop enlarging NATO eastwards.
US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said earlier on Friday that Russia’s concern over the eastward enlargement of NATO was fair and the United States did not want to see Ukraine in the US-led military alliance.
Commenting on Kellogg’s statement, Peskov said that Putin has been consistently conveying Russia’s position on the inadmissibility of NATO’s eastward expansion.
“We are pleased that these explanations by the president are understood, including in Washington. And, of course, this is quite appealing to us in terms of the mediating role that Washington continues to play,” Peskov said.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian troops.
Mount Al-Fahlatain — where prophetic history meets pilgrimage tradition
- The sacred site has been documented meticulously by historians and travelers
- With an elevation of 1,084 meters, the mountain commands sweeping views across the surrounding plains
AlUla: Rising from the landscape north of Madinah, Mount Al-Fahlatain has served as a geographical beacon and spiritual waypoint for more than a thousand years.
The landmark, on the historic route to AlUla, bears witness to one of Islam’s most significant military expeditions — the Prophet Muhammad’s journey to Tabuk in 9 A.H.
The mountain’s name tells its own story. Two colossal rocks crown its summit, their silhouette resembling the horns of a bull — “fahl” in Arabic, giving rise to “Al-Fahlatain,” or “the two bulls.”
The sacred site has been documented meticulously by historians and travelers.
Ali Al-Samhudi’s work, “Wafa Al-Wafa Bi Akhbar Dar Al-Mustafa,” places the location precisely one day’s march from Madinah, describing twin peaks sheltering underlying rock formations. Firuzabadi reinforced its historical significance in “Al-Maghanim Al-Mutaba fi Ma’alim Taba,” cataloging it among the landmarks witnessed by the Prophet’s army on their way to Tabuk.
Mohammed Ibn Abdullah Al-Mawlawi provided additional detail in “Rihlat Al-Shita Wa Al-Sayf,” positioning the twin peaks on the mountain’s western flank alongside the main thoroughfare. Al-Suwaidi offered an alternative etymology in “Al-Nafha Al-Miskiyya Fi Al-Rihla Al-Makkiyya,” suggesting the name reflects the mountain’s solitary stance in the landscape, isolated like a bull among grazing camels.
Historian and Islamic history researcher Fouad Al-Maghamsi identifies Mount Al-Fahlatain — sometimes called Faifa Al-Fahlatain — as strategically positioned near Shajwa village, northwest of Madinah.
With an elevation of 1,084 meters, the mountain commands sweeping views across the surrounding plains, bordered by complementary ridges and highlands.
Al-Maghamsi said the site functioned as a vital rest station along the Syrian Hajj route, known as Darb Al-Hajj Al-Shami, earning local appellations including “Antar’s Fortress” and “Antar’s Stable.”
Archaeological evidence such as building foundations and service facilities suggests a sophisticated infrastructure designed to support the thousands of pilgrims and merchants who annually traversed these routes.
The Syrian Hajj route encompasses diverse terrain rich with sites linked to prophetic biography and pilgrimage heritage.
