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That’s the nightmare scenario that the UN is trying to avoid, in a call to all Member States to work together to avoid the cascading impacts…
His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, attended the closing day of the boys’ competitions at the 19th edition of the Schools Olympic Program, held today at Aspire Dome. The closing day was also attended by Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, President of the UAE School and University Sports Federation; Sheikh Dr. Saqer bin Salman Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain School and Collegiate Athletic Association; Hamad Abdullah Al Hamad, President of the Kuwait School Sports & Higher Education Federation; and Hasnae El Ayoubi, Executive Director of the International School Sport Federation. From the Qatari side, the event was attended by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee; His Excellency Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee; Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al-Buenain, Chief Executive Officer of the Doha 2030 Asian Games Organizing Committee and the Director General of the Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027; Abdulla Al Nuaimi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Aspire Zone Foundation and Abdulrahman Al Muftah, Executive Director of the School Olympic Program, along with a number of presidents of national sports federations. This year’s edition witnessed wide participation, with approximately 25,000 students from public and private schools competing across 21 sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, swimming, padel, fencing, table tennis, athletics, wrestling, taekwondo, shooting, karate, judo, boccia, chess, cricket, weightlifting, esports, rowing and the Mini Basketball World Cup.. The Schools Olympic Program was established in response to an initiative by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani with the Qatar Olympic Committee organizing the program in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Qatar School Sport Federation, and the Qatar Paralympic Committee. The Schools Olympic Program was first launched in the 2007–2008 season as a national initiative under the slogan “Sport and Health,” forming part of the legacy of the Doha 2006 Asian Games. The program aims to promote sports culture in schools, identify and develop young talent, and encourage healthy lifestyles among students. Related Story Source link
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer speaks to the media, on the day he attends a working lunch with EU ministers responsible for trade, in…
A supporter with the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) party election symbol painted on his body sits next to posters of West Bengal chief minister and…
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Europe needs Turkiye more than Turkiye needs it, adding that it must be recognized that the European Union will not be a global actor and center of attraction without Turkiye's accession.Erdogan pointed out at a press conference following a government meeting that his country was pushed off the EU accession negotiating table for purely political reasons, explaining that they did not find, in subsequent meetings with the Europeans, an encouraging picture that would overcome the current stalemate and move Turkiye-EU relations forward.He stressed that Turkiye, despite all the double standards to which it was exposed, persistently continued its efforts towards full membership, and that it is still intensifying its mutual contacts with the Union's institutions and countries.He added that closer ties would benefit Europe as a whole, stressing that Turkey is an integral part of the continent, and said that the country would pursue this path with patience and dignity, guided by the interests of its people.Turkiye has been an official candidate to join the European Union since 1999, and membership negotiations began in 2005, but the negotiations have been stagnant for about a decade. Source link
India condemned the recent airstrikes carried out by drones and missiles on Fujairah, on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates, which resulted in the injury of three Indian nationals.It described the act as “unacceptable”, calling for an immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure.Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs of India affirmed in a statement that India continues to stand for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation, so that peace and stability may be restored across West Asia.”We also call for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. India stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues,” the statement added.The Indian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates announced that three Indian nationals were injured in the attacks on Fujairah. It said that their condition is moderate and that they are receiving the necessary medical care in coordination with local authorities, after being injured in a fire that broke out in a petroleum industries area. Source link
No matter who you are or what kind of traveller you consider yourself to be, Hangzhou has a way of finding a place in your memory that lingers long after you leave. It is one of those rare cities where history does not sit behind glass in museums but flows gently through lakes, trees, bridges, and daily life. Often described as “paradise on earth,” Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, feels less like a destination and more like a mood—calm, poetic, and quietly confident. It is a city that has mastered the balance between ancient China and a rapidly modernising world, where tea gardens and temples exist within reach of gleaming towers and global innovation hubs.My journey to this remarkable city began in Beijing, a place that carries the weight of dynasties, politics, and monumental architecture. Leaving the Chinese capital, I shifted from imperial grandeur to something more fluid and reflective. The transition itself became part of the story, as I made my way to Beijing South Railway Station, a vast and efficient gateway that mirrors China’s obsession with precision and scale. From there, I boarded Train G743, a high-speed service bound for Hangzhou East, and what unfolded over the next few hours felt like a quiet introduction to the country’s modern soul.The train itself was a reflection of contemporary China at its best – sleek, punctual, and remarkably smooth. As it departed the station, the cityscape of Beijing gradually gave way to open land, industrial corridors, farmland, and then distant clusters of urban development that appeared and disappeared like fleeting impressions. Covering more than 1,200 kilometres in roughly four and a half hours, the journey did not feel rushed; instead, it felt effortlessly efficient, almost like time had been compressed without losing comfort. There was a meditative quality to watching China pass by through large windows, entire provinces unfolding like chapters in a book, each with its own rhythm, colour, and identity.What struck me most was not just the speed, but the sense of connection it created. In a matter of hours, one moves from the political heart of the nation to one of its most aesthetically refined cities, as if the country itself is designed to be experienced in gradients rather than distances.Arriving at Hangzhou East Railway Station, the atmosphere subtly shifted. The air felt softer, the pace calmer, and even the light seemed to carry a different tone. Hangzhou does not overwhelm you; it eases you in. The city is famously anchored by West Lake, and it does not take long to understand why poets, painters, and emperors for centuries have tried to capture its essence. West Lake is not simply a body of water; it is a living landscape where every season reshapes its personality. Mist drifts across its surface in the early morning, willow branches lean gently toward the water as if listening to it, and distant pagodas rise like quiet witnesses to centuries of change.The most memorable way to experience West Lake is undeniably by boat. Stepping onto a traditional wooden vessel, there is an immediate sense of slowing down, as though the modern world has agreed to pause for a while. The boat glides without urgency, and the city begins to dissolve into reflections. The water carries stories, some real, some legendary, and every turn reveals a new frame that feels almost deliberately composed. The silhouette of Leifeng Pagoda rising against the sky, the gentle symmetry of causeways stretching into the distance, and the subtle mystery of islands appearing and disappearing through light mist all combine into a scene that feels less like sightseeing and more like entering a painting that is still being created.As the boat moves further, the city becomes a distant outline, and what remains is a sense of stillness that is increasingly rare in modern travel. By sunset, West Lake transforms again, as golden light spreads across its surface and the sky reflects in soft gradients of orange and blue. It is in these moments that the lake fully justifies its reputation as one of the most beautiful landscapes in China, not because it demands attention, but because it gently holds it.Beyond the lake, Hangzhou reveals another layer through its food culture, which is deeply rooted in Zhejiang cuisine. Dining here is an experience shaped by subtlety rather than intensity, where flavours are refined, balanced, and carefully composed. West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce is a local classic, presenting a delicate balance of sweet and sour that reflects the culinary philosophy of the region. Shrimp prepared with Longjing tea leaves brings together two of Hangzhou’s most iconic exports—its cuisine and its tea culture—resulting in a dish that feels both innovative and deeply traditional.Meals in Hangzhou often extend beyond food itself. They are accompanied by tea, particularly Longjing (Dragon Well) tea, which is cultivated in the hills surrounding the city. Sitting in a tea house overlooking greenery, the experience becomes less about consumption and more about pause. The act of drinking tea here is almost reflective, a reminder that simplicity can be profound when placed in the right setting.Yet Hangzhou is not only about tradition and nature. It is also one of China’s most dynamic modern cities, and this dual identity becomes especially visible in its urban spaces. Raffles City Hangzhou stands as a striking example of this transformation. Architecturally bold and visually contemporary, it represents the city’s global ambitions without abandoning its cultural roots. Inside, the environment shifts into a curated blend of luxury retail, lifestyle spaces, and international dining. Walking through its corridors, one moves from traditional Chinese aesthetics just a few streets away to a cosmopolitan world of fashion, design, and innovation. It is here that Hangzhou reveals its confidence—not by replacing its heritage, but by layering modern life over it in a seamless way.What makes Hangzhou truly remarkable is this constant dialogue between old and new. Ancient temples are never far from modern business districts, and serene lakes sit within reach of cutting-edge technology parks. It is a city that does not force you to choose between past and future; instead, it allows both to coexist naturally. Source link
Iran hit several ships in the Strait of Hormuz Monday and set a UAE oil port ablaze, as President Donald Trump’s attempt to use the US Navy to free up shipping provoked the war’s biggest escalation since a ceasefire was declared four weeks ago.Trump’s new mission “Project Freedom”, which he announced on social media overnight to release ships stuck in the strait, was the first apparent attempt to make use of naval power to unblock the world’s most important energy shipping route.But at least in the initial hours Monday, the gamble appeared to have backfired, bringing no surge of merchant shipping through the strait while provoking a show of force from Iran, which had long threatened to respond to any escalation with new attacks on its neighbours.The US military said two US merchant ships had made it through the strait, without saying when. Iran denied any such crossings had taken place.The commander of US forces in the region said his fleet had destroyed six small Iranian boats, which Iran also denied. Admiral Brad Cooper said he “strongly advised” Iranian forces to keep clear of US military assets carrying out the mission.Iranian authorities, for their part, released a map of what they said was an expanded sea area now under their control, which went far beyond the strait to include swathes of international waters, including long stretches of the United Arab Emirates’ coastline on either side of the strait.South Korea reported one of its merchant ships had been hit by an explosion and fire inside the strait. The British maritime security agency UKMTO reported two ships had been hit off the coast of the UAE, and the Emirati oil company ADNOC said one of its empty oil tankers was hit by Iranian drones while trying to cross.”Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship. Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission!” Trump posted on social media Monday.After reported drone and missile attacks inside the UAE throughout the day, including one that caused a fire at an important oil port, the UAE said Iranian attacks marked a serious escalation and it reserved the right to respond.Trump has struggled to find a solution to the disruption of international energy supplies caused by Iran’s blockade of the strait, which carried a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas before the war.In the more than two months since Trump launched an air war against Iran alongside Israel, Tehran has largely blocked the strait to ships apart from its own. Since last month, the United States has imposed its own blockade of ships leaving and entering Iranian ports.The warring sides issued contradictory statements Monday about the initial impact of the new US mission, and Reuters could not independently verify the full situation there.But there was no immediate sign that large numbers of merchant ships were making new attempts to cross, and major shipping companies said they were likely to wait for an agreed end to hostilities before trying to sail through.In a post on X, US Central Command said some of its Navy guided-missile destroyers were inside the Gulf supporting the operation, and that two US-flagged merchant vessels had crossed the strait “and are safely headed on their journey”.It did not identify either the warships or the merchant vessels or say when any of those crossings had taken place.Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said no commercial vessels had crossed the strait in the past few hours, and that US claims to the contrary were false.Earlier, Iran said it had fired on a US warship approaching the strait, forcing it to turn around. An initial Iranian report had said a US warship was struck, but Washington denied this and Iranian officials later described the fire as warning shots.South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said there was a fire and an explosion onboard the Namu, a merchant ship operated by South Korean shipper HMM. Yonhap news agency reported that the government was checking intelligence indicating the vessel may have been attacked.The UAE, meanwhile, reported a fire at an oil installation in its port of Fujairah following an Iranian drone attack. Fujairah lies beyond the strait, making it one of the few export routes for Middle East oil that does not require passing through it.Oil prices jumped more than 5% in volatile trade as news of the increased Iranian attacks emerged.In his social media post announcing the new mission, Trump gave few details of what action the US Navy would take to get ships through the strait.”We have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” Trump wrote.In response, Iran’s unified command told commercial ships and oil tankers:”We have repeatedly said the security of the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands and that the safe passage of vessels needs to be coordinated with the armed forces … We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive US Army, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz.”The United States and Israel suspended their bombing campaign against Iran four weeks ago, and US and Iranian officials held one round of face-to-face talks. But attempts to set up further meetings have failed.Iranian state media said on Sunday that Washington had conveyed its response to a 14-point Iranian proposal via Pakistan, and that Tehran was now reviewing it. Neither side gave details of any US response.The Iranian proposal would postpone discussion of Iran’s nuclear programme until after an agreement to end the war and resolve the standoff over shipping. Trump said over the weekend he was still studying it but would probably reject it. Related Story Source link
Palestinian medical sources said that one person was killed and another seriously injured early Tuesday in an Israeli occupation airstrike targeting Gaza City.The sources said a Palestinian was killed and another critically wounded when an Israeli drone struck a group of people on Al Jalaa Street, north of Gaza City.Earlier, three Palestinians were killed and others were wounded in the occupation strikes on the central and northern parts of the Gaza Strip.The death toll from the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has risen to 72,612 people, with 172,457 injured, since Oct. 7, 2023. Source link
Cameron Young poses with the trophy after winning the Cadillac Championship. (Jeff Romance-Imagn Images) Cameron Young had it all working during the Cadillac Championship, and the result was another tournament title.Young shot a 4-under-par 68 in the final round and was never threatened on the way to a six-stroke victory Sunday outside Miami.Young finished as the wire-to-wire winner at 19-under 269 at Trump National Doral’s Blue Monster Course, where President Trump was in attendance.“I feel like I had different parts of the game working on different days,” Young said. “Today I drove it a lot better. First couple days I putted great and I drove it a little bit more all over the place. Thankfully I feel like I’ve got a lot of tools right now and throughout the week I was able to use different parts of the game to keep myself moving in the right direction.”World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler also posted 68 to finish as the runner-up for his third straight start. Ben Griffin (68) was third at 12 under.Australia’s Adam Scott (64), Austria’s Sepp Straka (66) and South Korea’s Si Woo Kim (70) all tied for fourth place at 11 under.Young has won two tournaments this year – this followed his breakthrough at The Players Championship in March – and three overall in his PGA Tour career. He didn’t make Sunday’s round complicated. “I think it was made easier by the weather forecast,” Young said. “We didn’t know exactly how the day was going to go, whether we would be starting and stopping. Started with a delay. It was just one of those times that I feel like that played into my hands and just being really accepting of what came next.”Korda rolls to RivieraMaya title for third win of ‘26Nelly Korda didn’t take long to return to the winner’s circle, posting a final-round, 3-under-par 69 to win the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba by four strokes Sunday in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.Korda continued her victorious ways at El Camaleon Golf Course seven days after capturing the Chevron Championship – the first major of the season and the third such title of her career – and returning to the No. 1 world ranking.Korda entered the day with a three-shot advantage and wound up four ahead of Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol (70). In third at 12 under was China’s Yu Liu (69), feel-good story Brianna Do (71) finished fourth at 10 under and Colombian amateur Maria Jose Marin (69) placed fifth at 8 under.“I think it was a perfect week after a major championship, too, where it felt like it was super relaxing but I knew that I needed to grind and I was here to work,” Korda said.“I’ve had such an amazing time. Yeah, I mean, emphasizing it with a win, at the end of the day that’s what I was coming here for.”Korda’s only scoring stretch amid two runs of pars came at the fifth through seventh holes. She holed an eagle at the par-5 fifth, then birdied the next two for a 4-under run.From there, it was 10 straight pars until cleaning up a bogey 6 at the 18th.“I guess there (were) two parts to my round,” Korda said. “Definitely on my front nine I had my A-game, and then on the back nine I wasn’t playing bad; just wasn’t hitting it close. And then I was kind of cruising and then golf humbled me on the last hole. Made my (second bogey) on the weekend.” Korda continued a thoroughly dominant season to this point. In six starts, she now has three victories and three second-place finishes. Source link