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WHAT THE WORLD

Iranian Woman Seeks Divorce Because Husband Is Too Generous

Too generous...with others.

Iranian Woman Seeks Divorce Because Husband Is Too Generous

During a recent family court appearance in Tehran, an Iranian woman requested that a judge certify an end to her three-year marriage on grounds that her husband is … too nice.

"He has passed the limits of kindness," the newspaper Jam-e Jam quoted the woman, Razieh, as saying.

The problem, more specifically, has to do with the husband's habit of giving out money. "We've often had financial problems, and yet he's been lending money to friends and acquaintances," Razieh reportedly said of her husband, Jahan.

"He just wants to make me suffer," she added. "He hasn't learned about responsibility in a marriage."

Jahan, in his defense, told the judge he had lent money "to just a few people." He said that Razieh had blown the issue out of proportion. "I feel she's jealous."

The husband claimed his wife flew into a rage upon finding out he had lent money to one of her friends, though it was not immediately clear if this was a man or woman.

Either way, Jahan said he would not oppose a divorce, as "she just wants me as her servant."

The judge asked the couple to reconsider, but they refused. He then instructed the bickering partners to attend a couple counseling session. Divorce is permitted under Iran's Islamic laws, but generally frowned upon socially. Picking up the check...? That's another story.

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Economy

Soft Power Or Sportwashing? What's Driving The Mega Saudi Image Makeover Play

Saudi Arabia suddenly now leads the world in golf, continues to attract top European soccer stars, and invests in culture and entertainment... Its "soft power" strategy is changing the kingdom's image through what critics bash as blatant "sportwashing."

Footballer Karim Benzema, in his Real Madrid kit

Karim Benzema during a football match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on June 04, 2023, in Madrid, Spain.

Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — A major announcement this week caused quite a stir in the world of professional golf. It wouldn't belong in the politics section were it not for the role played by Saudi Arabia. The three competing world circuits have announced their merger, putting an end to the "civil war" in the world of pro golf.

The Chairman of the new entity is Yassir Al-Rumayan, head of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. Add to this the fact that one of the major players in the world of golf is Donald Trump – three of the biggest tournaments are held on golf courses he owns – and it's easy to see what's at stake.

In the same week, we learned that two leading French footballers, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté, were to join Saudi club Al-Ittihad, also owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. The amount of the transfer is not known, but it is sure to be substantial. There, they will join other soccer stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo.

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