In a significant tactical shift, Liverpool manager Arne Slot made the decisive choice to relegate star forward Mohamed Salah to the bench for the club’s pivotal Premier League clash against West Ham. This move, which contributed to a crucial 2-0 victory, marked the first time since April 2024 that the Egyptian international was omitted from the starting lineup in league play. The decision arrives amidst a dire run of form for the Reds, who have suffered nine defeats across their last twelve matches in all competitions. Slot publicly lauded Salah’s reaction to the demotion, characterizing the prolific scorer as a ‘top professional’ for his disciplined response. Despite winning the Golden Boot last season with 29 goals, Salah’s production has sharply declined this campaign, netting only four times in the Premier League. Slot acknowledged it was a ‘fair assumption’ that the player was displeased, noting such a reaction is normal for a player of his caliber. The manager further emphasized Salah’s critical future role with the club while confirming his imminent departure for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) beginning December 15th. His absence could extend until January 19th if Egypt reaches the final, potentially causing him to miss seven fixtures, including a high-stakes encounter with league leaders Arsenal. Currently sitting eighth in the table and trailing Arsenal by nine points, the defending champions now face the immediate challenge of fixtures against Sunderland and Leeds as they navigate a period of transition without their key attacker.
标签： Africa
非洲
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Emirati recalls standing behind Sheikh Zayed when UAE flag was raised for the first time
On the dawn of December 2, 1971, a profound historical transformation unfolded at Union House in Dubai as the United Arab Emirates flag ascended for the inaugural time, heralding the birth of a sovereign nation. Among the privileged few witnessing this seminal event was Khalifa Al Suwaidi, who accompanied the revered Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan on his momentous journey from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.
In exclusive recollections shared with Khaleej Times, Al Suwaidi delineated the pre-dawn departure from Abu Dhabi, emphasizing Sheikh Zayed’s remarkable composure amidst the epochal significance of the day. “I occupied the vehicle directly trailing Sheikh Zayed’s conveyance,” Al Suwaidi recounted. “His demeanor remained characteristically tranquil and contemplative, as though he visualized the nation’s entirety before its formal proclamation.”
The procession incorporated a strategically pivotal interlude at Jebel Ali—then an undeveloped desert terrain, now a globally consequential economic zone. Here, Sheikh Zayed engaged in profound discourse with his compatriots regarding the philosophical foundations of statehood. Al Suwaidi preserved the leader’s indelible declaration: “Today, we initiate national construction not merely upon sand, but upon mutual affection and collaborative endeavor.”
The culminating ceremony at Union House witnessed Al Suwaidi positioned mere steps behind Sheikh Zayed during the flag-raising ritual. “As Sheikh Zayed grasped the flagpole, profound silence enveloped the assembly,” he described. “Universal awareness prevailed that we observed the genesis of extraordinary historical developments. The flag’s ascent elicited visceral chills and emotional tears among attendees.”
Beyond the political implications, Al Suwaidi’s reminiscences illuminate Sheikh Zayed’s exemplary human qualities and leadership paradigm. “His consistent reverence toward all individuals—leaders, military personnel, and laborers alike—manifested his conviction that authentic unity originates from benevolence, reciprocal cooperation, and unified objectives.”
Five decades subsequent to this transformative occurrence, Al Suwaidi acknowledges persistent emotional resonance when observing the UAE flag aloft. The memory embodies not merely historical recollection but an enduring testament to visionary leadership and the nation’s extraordinary developmental trajectory.
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Devastating toxic spill seen as test of whether African countries will stand up to China
A catastrophic dam failure at a Chinese-operated copper mine in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province has unleashed an environmental disaster with far-reaching consequences for both human health and diplomatic relations. The collapse of the tailings dam at Sino-Metals Leach Zambia—a subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned corporation—released between 50,000 to 1.5 million tonnes of toxic debris into surrounding waterways, according to conflicting government and environmental assessments.
The toxic spill has contaminated Zambia’s longest river, the Kafue, a crucial drinking water source, while devastating local agriculture and fisheries. Heavy metals including arsenic, mercury, and lead have permeated farmland and water systems, creating immediate health risks and potential long-term ecological damage. Medical experts warn these contaminants can cause kidney damage, cancers, and gastrointestinal illnesses, with concerns that seasonal rains may distribute pollutants downstream toward the capital Lusaka.
Despite Chinese embassy claims that pollution remained contained and water acidity normalized, local testimony reveals profound impacts. Farmers report complete crop failure and soil contamination, while fishermen describe aquatic ecosystems devoid of life. Affected communities describe worsening malnutrition, health complications, and economic devastation.
The incident has triggered one of Zambia’s largest environmental lawsuits, with 176 farmers seeking $80 billion in damages from Sino Metals and NFC Africa. This legal action represents a critical test case for holding Chinese corporations accountable in Africa, where China maintains substantial economic influence through mineral extraction investments exceeding $1.7 billion in Zambia alone.
Complex power dynamics underlie the crisis, with Zambia owing China approximately $5 billion in debt while simultaneously engaging with American diplomatic and economic overtures. This triangular relationship may empower Zambian authorities to demand greater accountability, according to regional analysts.
Remediation efforts face significant challenges, with experts predicting complete environmental recovery could require over a decade. While Sino Metals has provided limited compensation to some households and promised restoration measures, implementation remains inconsistent. The Zambian government has mandated mitigation strategies including lime treatment and reforestation, but structural tensions between consultants and the mining company have delayed comprehensive cleanup operations.
The disaster highlights broader tensions in China-Africa relations, where Chinese investment provides crucial employment and infrastructure while facing accusations of neocolonial practices, environmental negligence, and failure to develop local workforce capabilities. As Zambia navigates this crisis, its handling may signal a new era of African agency in negotiating with global superpowers.
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‘We love you, UAE!’: Residents celebrate Eid Al Etihad in colourful parade
City Walk in Dubai transformed into a spectacular tapestry of international unity on Monday as thousands of residents gathered for the Eid Al Etihad parade, celebrating the UAE’s 54th National Day. The vibrant procession showcased an extraordinary display of cross-cultural harmony with participants from Russia, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, China, Turkey, and numerous other nations marching in unison while waving UAE flags and chanting expressions of affection for their host country.
The thoroughfares brimmed with enthusiastic spectators adorned in the UAE’s distinctive colors, enthusiastically recording the dynamic performances on their mobile devices. Attendees journeyed from across the emirates to participate in the festivities, creating an atmosphere of genuine international camaraderie.
Varvara Petrova, a Russian expatriate who accessorized with a traditional platok scarf, expressed how marching in the parade fostered a profound connection to the UAE. ‘Having resided here for four years, this procession demonstrates the nation’s remarkable inclusivity toward all nationalities,’ she remarked.
Mary Marisol, representing the Filipino community contingent, emphasized their heartfelt gratitude through chants of ‘We love UAE.’ She elaborated, ‘Our chants reflect genuine appreciation for everything this nation has provided us. The collective celebration created an immensely uplifting experience.’
Pakistani participant Bilal Ahmed highlighted the cultural fusion as the event’s defining characteristic. ‘Witnessing diverse nationalities marching together with authentic affection and brotherhood is uniquely Emirati. This unity exists nowhere else quite like this,’ he observed.
The parade featured an enthralling sequence of cultural presentations, commencing with an Indian community band delivering spirited musical performances. Filipino groups followed with energetic cheers praising the UAE, while Chinese performers captivated audiences with an elegant umbrella dance that elicited enthusiastic applause. Russian contributors added chromatic vibrancy in traditional attire, and Pakistani contingents waved their flags with evident pride. Turkish residents displayed dual flags symbolizing their dual allegiances.
Families with children clad in national colors frequently paused to photograph the multicultural displays. Ayesha Khan from Al Nahda brought her children specifically to demonstrate the UAE’s multicultural coexistence, noting, ‘This resembled an enormous international family gathering. My children were delighted seeing everyone united in celebrating the UAE.’
Throughout the event, resonant chants of ‘We love UAE’ echoed across City Walk, powerfully conveying the profound connection expatriates feel toward their adopted homeland.
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Carse says England bowlers have plans to tackle Head in Brisbane
England’s cricket team is refining specialized bowling strategies to neutralize Australian batsman Travis Head’s explosive form, following his match-winning performance in the Ashes opener in Perth. Fast bowler Brydon Carse confirmed the team has developed specific tactical plans regardless of Head’s batting position in the upcoming day-night Test at Brisbane’s Gabba ground.
Head’s extraordinary second-innings performance saw him score 123 runs from just 69 deliveries while opening in place of injured Usman Khawaja, recording the second-fastest century in Ashes history. His aggressive left-handed batting propelled Australia to an eight-wicket victory within two days, demonstrating remarkable offensive capabilities that England must counter to level the series.
Carse, who claimed five wickets during the Perth defeat, acknowledged Head’s ‘phenomenal knock’ while emphasizing England’s preparedness. ‘We’ve got set plans we’ll look to implement if he opens again,’ Carse stated. ‘He had an incredible day out that afternoon, but our mindset remains unchanged. Whatever batting order we face, we’ll stick to our disciplined approach.’
The England bowling unit faces additional challenges with concerns about Mark Wood’s fitness for the pink-ball Test. Carse emphasized the team’s adaptability to bowling under lights and the settled nature of their bowling group, noting his readiness to adjust to varying match situations. The 30-year-old bowler stressed the importance of role clarity within the bowling unit as England seeks to overcome their initial defeat in the historic rivalry series.
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James says 10-man Chelsea could have won against Arsenal
Chelsea FC demonstrated remarkable fortitude during Sunday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal, securing a 1-1 draw despite playing with reduced numbers for over an hour at Emirates Stadium. The London derby witnessed Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo receive a straight red card following a VAR review in the 38th minute for his challenge on Mikel Merino.
Despite this significant disadvantage, Chelsea stunned the home crowd when defender Trevor Chalobah connected with captain Reece James’ precision corner kick, directing a brilliant header into the net just three minutes after halftime. The Blues maintained their defensive discipline until the 59th minute when Merino redeemed himself by meeting Bukayo Saka’s cross with an equalizing header.
Chelsea’s resilience continued throughout the match as they created several scoring opportunities. Pedro Neto consistently threatened down the right flank, while substitute Liam Delap forced a crucial save from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya in the 78th minute. Captain James expressed immense pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing their dominant display against the current league leaders.
The result leaves Chelsea positioned third in the Premier League table with 24 points, trailing Arsenal by six points. Chelsea now prepare for their midweek fixture against Leeds United at Elland Road on Wednesday, carrying momentum from their impressive defensive performance against the league’s top side.
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Groundbreaking HIV prevention shots begin in Africa
A new era in HIV prevention has commenced across Southern Africa with the landmark public rollout of lenacapavir, a groundbreaking injectable medication demonstrating unprecedented efficacy against HIV transmission. The revolutionary prevention tool, administered just twice annually, has shown remarkable 99.9% effectiveness in clinical trials, positioning it as a functional equivalent to a powerful vaccine against the virus.
South Africa, Eswatini, and Zambia initiated their respective programs on World AIDS Day, marking the first real-world implementation of this long-acting preventive solution in low- and middle-income nations. The Wits University research unit in South Africa—where approximately 20% of adults live with HIV—spearheaded the rollout through an initiative funded by Unitaid, the United Nations global health agency.
The launch ceremonies featured significant public engagement, with dozens lining up for injections in Eswatini’s Hhukwini constituency amid celebratory songs and dances. Eswatini’s Prime Minister Russell Dlamini declared the development “a turning point in our national HIV response” that provides “fresh hope and a powerful tool to protect our citizens.”
Despite the enthusiasm, significant challenges remain regarding accessibility and cost. The medication carries a staggering $28,000 annual price tag per person in the United States, raising concerns about affordability in resource-limited settings. Under a current arrangement, manufacturer Gilead Sciences has committed to providing lenacapavir at no profit to two million people in high-HIV burden countries over three years through a US program.
Notably, South Africa—despite its participation in clinical trials—will not receive doses through this initiative due to ongoing policy disagreements between Washington and Pretoria. A senior US State Department official indicated that countries with substantial means should fund their own prevention programs.
Health advocates emphasize the critical need for expanded access throughout Eastern and Southern Africa, which accounts for 52% of the global HIV burden according to 2024 UNAIDS data. The region continues to face severe challenges, with Zambia reporting approximately 1.4 million people living with HIV and 30,000 new infections annually.
The future outlook appears promising, with generic versions expected to become available by 2027 through agreements between Unitaid, the Gates Foundation, and Indian pharmaceutical companies. These generic alternatives are projected to cost approximately $40 annually, potentially transforming HIV prevention accessibility across more than 100 countries.
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Stunning images reveal razor-sharp detail of Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot
Astronomical imaging breakthroughs have unveiled Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot with extraordinary clarity, revealing the massive storm’s intricate structure in razor-sharp detail. The stunning new photographs, captured from the Oukaimeden Astronomical Observatory in Morocco on November 30, showcase the gas giant’s atmospheric phenomena with remarkable precision.
Recent data from NASA’s Juno mission has fundamentally altered scientific understanding of Jupiter’s atmospheric dynamics. Contrary to previous assumptions, the planet’s storms penetrate dramatically deeper into its atmosphere than previously documented. While some tempests extend approximately 100 kilometers beneath the cloud tops, the colossal Great Red Spot plunges an astonishing 350 kilometers into the Jovian atmosphere.
The Astronomy Centre’s released images display unprecedented textural details, bright atmospheric features, and complex swirling patterns within the planetary system. These observations occurred during a lunar transit event, providing optimal viewing conditions for capturing the celestial spectacle.
This astronomical revelation continues a series of extraordinary celestial events observed throughout 2025. Earlier phenomena included Venus appearing in its crescent phase from UAE perspectives on March 23, when the planet reached surface conjunction at 9:18 AM local time. This positioning created a rare visual effect where Venus appeared as a slender crescent suspended 8.4 degrees from the Sun.
The current year has provided astronomers with multiple observational highlights, including a planetary parade featuring four visible planets and two requiring telescopic observation. Such alignments recall the extraordinary April 2022 event when Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn formed a straight-line alignment in the eastern sky—a configuration last witnessed a millennium earlier.
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Onana left out of Cameroon Afcon squad & coach sacked
Cameroon’s national football team has been plunged into administrative chaos just weeks before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, with head coach Marc Brys dramatically dismissed and several key players, including Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, excluded from the squad.
The Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), under president Samuel Eto’o, issued a comprehensive statement detailing multiple allegations of professional misconduct against Belgian coach Brys. The accusations include inciting players to defy federation authority, evading press conference obligations, failing to attend crucial meetings, and jeopardizing sponsor relationships. The federation further alleged Brys engaged in “active collaboration with unknown individuals within Fecafoot” and consistently refused to disclose his training programs.
Brys, originally appointed by Cameroon’s sports ministry in April 2024 against Eto’o’s objections, has been replaced by his assistant David Pagou. The experienced Cameroonian coach now faces the formidable task of preparing the squad for AFCON in Morocco, beginning December 21st, amid significant institutional conflict.
Pagou’s 28-man selection reveals notable absences beyond Onana, including team captain Vincent Aboubakar, Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and defender Michael Ngadeu. While Anguissa’s exclusion is attributed to a hamstring injury, no official explanations have been provided for the other omissions.
This coaching controversy represents the latest chapter in the ongoing power struggle between Fecafoot and Cameroon’s sports ministry. The conflict dates to Eto’o’s election in December 2021, when he immediately oversaw the dismissal of Toni Concecao despite the coach’s successful third-place finish in the 2021 AFCON. The pattern continued with Rigobert Song’s appointment under presidential instructions and subsequent dismissal after Cameroon’s poor showing at the last AFCON.
The current situation echoes previous tensions between Eto’o and Brys, including the Belgian’s temporary dismissal and reinstatement within a two-day period earlier this year following a heated confrontation with the federation president.
For Onana, this exclusion continues a turbulent relationship with the national team. The goalkeeper, currently on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor from Manchester United, was previously sent home early from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and lost his starting position during the 2023 AFCON after delaying his tournament arrival to play an extra club match.
Cameroon now faces a challenging Group F against defending champions Ivory Coast, Gabon featuring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Mozambique. Local analysts express concern about the team’s preparation, with Cameroonian football expert Njie Enow noting the practical difficulties of implementing a new playing system weeks before a major tournament.
The sports ministry, which funds the head coach position, has remained silent regarding Brys’ dismissal, leaving unresolved whether it will acquiesce to Fecafoot’s decision as the tournament approaches.
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Two former Khaleej Times staffers pass away in the same place on the same day
The media community in the United Arab Emirates is grieving the simultaneous passing of two former Khaleej Times employees, both of whom died from cardiac complications on the same day in their native Kasargod district in Kerala, India.
P.S. Seedi, who dedicated 31 years of service to the publication’s classifieds department from 1977 until his departure in 2008, succumbed to a heart attack at age 78. Remembered by former colleagues as exceptionally devoted to the organization, Seedi maintained strong connections with former coworkers long after his retirement. Former IT professional A. Abdulla of the Galadari Brothers Group recalled Seedi’s enduring concern for the newspaper’s circulation performance even years after leaving the company, describing him as perpetually cheerful and genuinely caring toward everyone in his orbit.
In a tragic coincidence, Bappu Valappil, who served as an office assistant in the KT newsroom from 1996 to 2004, also passed away due to cardiac issues on the same Saturday. Valappil was celebrated for his deep commitment to family and community service following his return from the Gulf region, where he built bridges across diverse religious communities through his social activism.
Suresh Pattali, Executive Editor of Khaleej Times, shared poignant memories of both individuals, noting Seedi’s lively engagement with state politics and Valappil’s quiet professionalism in monitoring breaking news developments. Both men leave behind grieving families—Seedi is survived by his wife and two sons, while Valappil is remembered by his wife, two sons, and daughter.
The dual loss has reverberated through the close-knit expatriate media community, highlighting the enduring bonds formed within the UAE’s journalistic institutions and the profound impact these dedicated professionals had on their colleagues and organization.