RAMALLAH: Morocco’s support for the Palestinians during the Atlas Lions’ historic World Cup run shows the cause has not been “buried,” says Palestinian Football Association chief Jibril Rajoub.

Like several other Arab nations, Morocco has agreed to full diplomatic ties with Israel — but this has not stopped its players from making clear their loyalties regarding the decades-old conflict.

They unfurled a Palestinian flag on the pitch after their stunning Dec. 6 upset victory against Spain, and also after beating Canada during the group stage.

JERUSALEM: Legal advisers to Israel’s parliament and outgoing government on Wednesday criticized a bid by a far-right politician to give himself expanded powers as next police minister, warning that his proposed changes clashed with democratic principles.

Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Jewish Power party was promised the National Security Ministry, with authority over police, under a coalition deal with Prime Minister- designate Benjamin Netanyahu.

AMMAN: Shops in some Jordanian provincial cities shut on Wednesday in solidarity with thousands of lorry drivers who have staged several days of sporadic strikes in protest at high fuel prices, drivers and witnesses said.

Truck drivers have launched partial work stoppages and sit-ins over the last week, mainly in Jordan’s impoverished southern provinces, to demand that the government reduce diesel prices, saying mounting costs have led to losses for their businesses.

AZRAQ, Jordan: At a grocery store checkout in the Jordanian refugee camp of Azraq, Sameera Sabbouh stares wide-eyed into a scanner to pay for her shopping — her iris scan unlocking payment from a digital aid account with the help of block- chain technology.

Many of the nearly 40,000 Syrians who live in the camp recognize the convenience of the cashless, card-free payment method, which verifies recipients’ identity by referencing a UN database, but few said they like it.

AL-MUKALLA: A Yemeni Ph.D. holder who had just completed a degree at a university in Morocco has been found dead off the coast of Spain after the boat he was traveling in to reach Europe capsized.

Dhef Allah Al-Thaifani reportedly drowned when the vessel transporting illegal immigrants from Morocco overturned in waters adjacent to the Spanish city of Ceuta.

The incident has prompted fresh demands for an end to the conflict in Yemen and warnings to Yemenis not to attempt the dangerous crossing to Europe.