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Newcastle United urges fans not to wear Arab ‘head coverings, robes’ costumes

Newcastle United Football Club issued a statement urging fans to not wear Arab head coverings or robes following the club’s Saudi-backed PIF takeover.While the gesture was widely acknowledged as positive, the club stated that it may be viewed as “culturally inappropriate” and offensive to some.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“A number of supporters have recently attended St. James’ Park wearing associated head coverings and robes,” the statement read.“No one among the new ownership group was in any way offended by the attire of the fans who chose to celebrate in this way. It was a gesture that was acknowledged as positive and welcoming in its intent. However, there remains the possibility that dressing this way is culturally inappropriate and risks causing offense to others,” the club stated.“All visitors to the club are, as always, encouraged to wear whatever is the norm for their own culture or religion, continuing to reflect the broad and rich multicultural communities and groups from which the club proudly draws its support,” the statement added.The three-party Saudi-led consortium that purchased Newcastle United on October 7 includes: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), venture capital and private equity firm PCO Partners and RB Sports and Media.“Following the completion of the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test, the club has been sold to the consortium with immediate effect,” a statement from the Premier League read.“All parties have agreed the settlement is necessary to end the long uncertainty for fans over the club’s ownership. The Premier League has now received legally binding assurances that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not control Newcastle United Football Club.”Read more:‘We can dare to hope again’: Reaction to Newcastle takeover by Saudi Arabia’s PIFSteve Bruce leaves Newcastle by mutual consent following Saudi PIF takeoverPIF chief Yasir al-Rumayyan cheered by Newcastle United fans after club takeover
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Newcastle United urges fans not to wear Arab ‘head coverings, robes’ costumes

US holds three ‘successful’ test rocket launches for hypersonic weapons program

The US Navy and Army held three “successful” tests on hypersonic weapon component prototypes on Wednesday that will inform the development of new weapons, the Pentagon said on Thursday.The Sandia National Laboratory ran the tests from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia which should “inform the development of the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) and the Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) offensive hypersonic strike capability.”For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Pentagon said the test comprised of three precision sounding rocket launches containing hypersonic experiments and “demonstrated advanced hypersonic technologies, capabilities, and prototype systems in a realistic operating environment.”“This test is a vital step in the development of a Navy-designed common hypersonic missile, consisting of a Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB) and booster, which will be fielded by both the Navy and Army with individual weapon systems and launchers tailored for launch from sea or land… The Navy and Army will continue to work in close collaboration to leverage joint testing opportunities,” the statement said.The Navy and Army will conduct a flight test of the common hypersonic missile in fiscal 2022, which started on October 1.Hypersonic missiles, like traditional ballistic missiles, can fly more than five times the speed of sound (Mach 5). But they are more maneuverable than their ballistic counterparts and only need a low trajectory in the atmosphere, making them harder to defend against.The Pentagon’s hypersonic test comes days after the US expressed concern over the Financial Times report which said that China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August.China denied the report saying instead it was a routine spacecraft check.The Financial Times, quoting five unnamed sources familiar with the matter, reported last Saturday that China launched a hypersonic missile that completed a circuit around the planet before landing, missing its target.The Pentagon had said earlier in the month that wanted defense contractors to cut the ultimate cost of hypersoinc weapons because they cost tens of millions per unit.Read more:US ‘very concerned’ by reports of China’s nuclear-capable hypersonic missile testChina tested new space capability with hypersonic missile: ReportChina denies report of hypersonic missile test, says tested space vehicle
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US holds three ‘successful’ test rocket launches for hypersonic weapons program