Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira controls the ball during a Germany friendly against Australia on Wednesday night. Thomas Fre / EPA / March 25, 2015
Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira controls the ball during a Germany friendly against Australia on Wednesday night. Thomas Fre / EPA / March 25, 2015

Sami Khedira ready to ‘spice up my career and evolve’ with Real Madrid exit



Germany midfielder Sami Khedira on Wednesday said he will leave Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of the season.

“There is nothing more to say than what I told the sports magazine (Kicker), when there’s anything more, I’ll say it,” the 27-year-old said after captaining Germany to a 2-2 friendly draw with Australia in Kaiserslautern.

Having joined Real in 2010 from Stuttgart, Khedira won last season’s Champions League with the Spanish giants and has been linked to Bundesliga side Schalke.

"This is not a decision against Real, I just want to spice up my career and evolve," Khedira told Thursday's edition of Kicker.

“There is absolutely no agreement with anyone or a preference at the moment.”

Premier League sides Chelsea and Arsenal have also been linked to the Real star, who was denied a place in last year’s World Cup final after suffering an injury in the pre-match warm-up having played a key role in their 7-1 demolition of hosts Brazil in the semi-finals.

“Until the last day of my contract, I will give everything for this jersey,” he told Wednesday’s edition of Spanish newspaper Marca.

“I love Real Madrid and it will be hard for me to leave this club,” added Khedira, who has made 17 appearances for Real in all competitions this season.

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A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

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Europe’s rearming plan
  • Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
  • Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
  • Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
  • Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
  • Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

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Manchester City 6 Huddersfield Town 1
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Huddersfield: Stankovic (43')

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday

Second leg

Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm

Game is on BeIN Sports

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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France 3
Umtiti (8'), Griezmann (29' pen), Dembele (63')

Italy 1
Bonucci (36')

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Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

Rating: 3.5/5

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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
Company profile

Name: Steppi

Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic

Launched: February 2020

Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year

Employees: Five

Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings

Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution