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The Qatar Chess Federation concluded the Qatar Foundation (QF) Primary Schools Championship 2026, organised in co-operation with the QF for Education, Science and Community Development. The tournament featured 47 male and female players representing six schools.In the boys’ category, Nasser Faisal al-Thani of My Academy and Ibrahim Tutonji of Qatar Academy Doha shared first place with 5.5 points each. Abdulrahman al-Saifi of My Academy secured second place with 5 points, while Arman Ramjan finished third with 4.5 points, tied with Ahmed al-Hawaj of Qatar Academy Msheireb. In the girls’ category, students from Qatar Academy Doha Primary School claimed the top three positions. Sofia Zubertska won first place, Aisha Abdulaziz al-Khalifa finished second, and Munira al-Muhannadi took third place. In the team competition, Qatar Academy Doha Primary School secured first place. Hamad al-Tamimi, executive director of the Qatar Chess Federation, presented a commemorative shield to Sarah al-Hajri, director of Student Affairs and Community Service at QF, in recognition of her efforts in supporting the successful partnership between the two organisations. The championship was held under the co-operation agreement between the Qatar Chess Federation and QF, which aims to introduce chess into schools and academies under the QF umbrella, expand participation among young players in local competitions, and increase the number of registered and internationally rated players. Al-Tamimi lauded the collaboration between the federation and QF, noting that the tournament showcased promising talent among students and helped advance key objectives, foremost among them promoting chess culture in QF’s primary schools. Source link
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. (AFP/File Photo) China said yesterday President Xi Jinping would visit North Korea on a two-day trip from June 8, his first in nearly seven years as Beijing looks to reassert ties with Pyongyang, its only formal treaty ally. Xi will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern, China’s foreign ministry said. “Both sides will use the visit as an opportunity to promote greater development of China-North Korea relations in keeping with the times,” spokesperson Mao Ning told a press briefing. Beijing has worked to draw Pyongyang back into its fold after the Covid-19 pandemic froze exchanges and Kim deepened ties with Moscow by sending troops and weapons to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The two countries signed a co-operation and mutual assistance treaty 65 years ago, legally binding each to provide the other with military support if they came under attack. “The message implicit from the Chinese side is… we are still the principal actor when it comes to North Korea,” said John Delury, a senior fellow of the Asia Society. “One of the audiences is Russia.”Yesterday’s announcement by the international department of the ruling Chinese Communist Party follows Xi’s summits in Beijing last month with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kim was a guest at a massive military parade in Beijing last September, travelling to the Chinese capital on his signature green armoured train. Passenger train services between the capitals resumed in March, after a six-year suspension ushered in by the pandemic, while Air China later restarted flights between them.Bookings, however, have been limited to some business travellers and exchange students, with Chinese tourists still excluded.Xi’s visit to Pyongyang will be his first overseas this year. The 72-year-old, who makes fewer trips abroad, last travelled internationally in late October to Republic of Korea, where he also met Trump. Trump met Kim three times in his first term and has previously said he would be open to meeting the North Korean leader again.“At the symbolic level it is important for Xi to keep tabs on what’s going on in Pyongyang,” said Delury, who said Xi visiting both Koreas within a year would be a “big win” for the peninsula. “There’s a kind of symmetry that the Chinese like to keep up” regarding the two Koreas, he added. Republic of Korea views the trip solely as high-level bilateral exchanges unaligned to Moscow, an official from the presidential Blue House said. “We do not interpret this as a co-ordinated move by the three countries, nor are we sure how it would be linked to the US-China summit,” the official said.Seoul expects Beijing to continue its constructive role on peninsula issues, the Blue House said. Since Xi became China’s top leader in 2012, he has visited North Korea once, and its southern neighbour twice. He also visited Pyongyang in 2008 as vice-president, meeting its then leader Kim Jong-il, the father of the current leader. Kim called for an “exponential” expansion of Pyongyang’s atomic arsenal this week when he visited a new factory to make nuclear material, KCNA said.Experts have linked Kim’s site visit to the impending meeting with Xi. Before his September visit to Beijing, Kim inspected plans for a new intercontinental ballistic missile, the “Hwasong-20”. Source link
Clubs whose players go to the World Cup, or appeared in qualifying, will receive increased compensation this summer, FIFA, the governing body of world football, announced on Friday.FIFA said it had increased the amount of money in its Club Benefits Programme to $355 million (306m euros). It had already announced last September that it planned this increase of 70 percent from the amount distributed for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.While FIFA does not give total revenue figures for the World Cup, it estimates that its total revenue this year will be 56 percent up on 2022, and for the four years to 2026, a period which includes an enlarged Club World Cup in 2025, it will have taken in 72 per cent more than in the previous cycle.On the other hand, this World Cup is bigger. The field is increased from 36 teams to 48, the number of matches will rise from 64 to 104 and the competition will stretch over 39 days, against 29 last time.Furthermore, clubs will be compensated for appearances in World Cup qualifying for the first time.The total fund is divided into three parts.A total of $250 million is reserved for compensation for players at the finals. FIFA calculated that the minimum payment per player will be $5,000 per day spent at the World Cup, “although the final figures will be confirmed after the conclusion of the tournament”.These payments, FIFA said, “will be calculated on a per-player, per-day basis, taking into account both squad inclusion and the duration of each player’s involvement”.Another $100 million is earmarked for qualifiers.FIFA calculates it will pay $2,362 for each player in a match-day squad for the 905 qualifying games and for 10 friendlies for each of the three host nations, which did not need to qualify.The remaining $5 million will pay administrative costs with any balance “allocated to the benefit of global club football”.”This is another benefit from the expanded FIFA World Cup – providing more support across the entire football ecosystem to the clubs that provide all the players who compete to shine on the global stage,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the press release explaining the programme.The payments are based on a player’s club registration when squads are announced but there are provisions for players who switch clubs during the tournament and for replacement players. Related Story Source link
Alexander Zverev moved to within touching distance of a long-coveted maiden Grand Slam title, as the German fought past 26th seed Jakub Mensik 7-5 6-2 3-6 6-3 on Friday to reach the French Open final again.The 29-year-old, who has lost three major finals, including one at Roland Garros two years ago, has been sharp throughout in Paris this time and faces the winner of the all-Italian clash between 10th seed Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi.’I knew that it would be my toughest challenge. I managed it and I won, so I'm happy,’ said Zverev, who became only the fifth active player to reach multiple Roland Garros title clashes.’It's amazing the way he (Mensik) played these last two weeks, he beat so many unbelievable players. He started playing amazing in the third set, stepping up his level, but this is a Grand Slam with best-of-five-set matches.’Things happen and your opponents will play better. You have to deal with it. I hope to play another great match on Sunday.’A tight opening set on a sun-kissed Court Philippe Chatrier tilted Zverev's way when he struck a backhand crosscourt winner in the 11th game to bring up a break point, and he nudged ahead with a delicate shot that Mensik sent into the net.The world number three sent down a powerful ace to pocket the first set and asserted himself with an early break at the start of the second set, as the 20-year-old Mensik's level briefly dipped in his maiden Grand Slam semi-final.Mensik sat with a towel over his head during a changeover and his troubles deepened after the restart, when Zverev took his game up a few notches and sealed a double break, before comfortably doubling his lead in the match.After a long medical timeout for a neck issue, Czech Mensik mixed his booming serve with deft drop shots to break for a 4-2 lead en route to winning the third set, but Zverev powered through the next with no drama to prevail. Source link
If the French Open women's final appears on paper to be a mismatch between a teenage prodigy and an unheralded qualifier, Poland's Maja Chwalinska has spent the past fortnight proving appearances can be deceiving.Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva arrives at Saturday's showpiece as the overwhelming favourite after bulldozing her way through the draw, dropping only 12 games in her last three matches and looking every inch a future Grand Slam champion.Yet across the net will stand a player whose improbable run has become one of the stories of the tournament.Chwalinska travelled to Paris ranked 114th in the world and had to win three qualifying matches to reach the main draw. Nine victories later, the 24-year-old finds herself one win away from one of the most unlikely Grand Slam titles of the Open Era.Andreeva, who reached the Roland Garros semi-finals as a 17-year-old two years ago, believes her growing maturity has helped transform her from a precocious talent into a genuine title contender.’I'm getting closer, I'm getting older, a little bit more mature every match I play, a little bit more experienced,’ Andreeva told reporters.’So I think that now I'm able to approach every match differently and try to really focus on the opponent that I'm going to play against and the game plan that I'm going to have to use on the court.’The Russian's relentless baseline power and ability to dictate rallies have overwhelmed opponents throughout the tournament and she has looked increasingly comfortable with the expectations that accompany her rapid rise.But Chwalinska offers a completely different challenge. CHWALINSKA CAPTIVATES SPECTATORSIn an era dominated by power hitters, the left-handed Pole has captivated spectators with a game built on variety, touch and tactical intelligence.Against Russian Diana Shnaider in the semi-finals, Chwalinska struck 33 winners while committing only 17 unforced errors in more than two hours on court.She repeatedly disrupted the rhythm of the match with drop shots, mixed heavy spin with precise angles and ventured to the net whenever opportunities arose.Her performances have earned rave reviews from some of the sport's biggest names.’What fascinates me about Chwalinska's game is her creativity, her joy for playing, her feel for the ball,’ six-times Grand Slam champion Boris Becker said after her semi-final victory.’Tennis can still be played, not just worked at. Nobody demonstrated that better than Chwalinska today.’The German great believes the Pole deserves her place on the biggest stage.’Nothing against Shnaider, who also had a great tournament, but I think the right player is in the final.’Former world number one and three-times French Open champion Mats Wilander has been equally impressed.’She played so intelligently. It's very refreshing to see someone with this style of play,’ the Swede said.’Most players rely primarily on power, but Chwalinska uses spin, drop shots and understands the game incredibly well.’Only one qualifier had previously reached a Grand Slam final in the Open Era – Emma Raducanu at the 2021 US Open, a tournament the Briton went on to win. Source link
India coach Gautam Gambhir told struggling Rishabh Pant on Friday to stick to his natural attacking game after removing him as vice-captain for the one-off Test against Afghanistan.KL Rahul will be Shubman Gill's deputy for the match starting on Saturday in New Chandigarh in place of Pant.Wicketkeeper-batsman Pant has scored 3,476 runs at an average of 42.91 in 49 Test matches, since his debut in England in August 2018.But the 28-year-old stepped down as captain of Lucknow Super Giants last week, the team having finished last in the IPL.The usually flamboyant Test match star scored just 312 runs from 14 innings in this year's IPL, at a strike rate of 138.05.’The responsibility is to play for India – the rest, everything else, is a by-product,’ Gambhir told reporters on the eve of the Test.’When you start playing for India, you don't think about being a vice-captain. You think about doing good for India.’Gambhir said that no player is told to ‘play a completely different game than his natural game’.’We will not tell him to 'curb your game', but in international cricket, it is very important to play the situation, to read the situation,’ Gambhir added.Gambhir's Test record as India coach is unimpressive with 10 defeats, seven wins and two draws in 19 matches.India suffered a 2-0 defeat to South Africa at home in November in their most recent Test outing.They were also whitewashed in 2024 by New Zealand on home soil. COACH TAKING POSITIVESGambhir is taking positives though from the 2-2 Test series draw in England last year, and performances against the West Indies.India won 2-0 at home in October.’We all know how well this young team played in England, and then we won against West Indies,’ he said, admitting that the South Africa series still ‘hurts’.’These are young boys,’ he said. ‘I think we have got enough talent to turn it around, and I am very hopeful that we will give ourselves the best chance to win the World Test Championship.’The match is not part of the World Test Championship cycle, but is a key game for Afghanistan who played their debut five-day game in India in 2018.Afghanistan, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, have since played 12 Tests and won four.’We're fully focused on this Test match,’ coach Richard Pybus said.’Our focus is on, cliche as it sounds, is really our control – it's what we need to do.’ Source link
Nepal have qualified for the men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games. Nepal, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Oman have qualified for the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games, set to be held in Japan in September and October.Nepal and Malaysia finished top of Group A in the qualifying tournament in Singapore, while Hong Kong and Oman led Group B.With Qatar withdrawing from Group A before the start of the tournament, Nepal secured top spot after winning both their matches, while Malaysia qualified with victory over China in their opening fixture.Hong Kong and Oman remained unbeaten in Group B and will face off to decide the semi-final matchups, with the winner taking on Malaysia and the loser meeting Nepal.They will join Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who qualified automatically as Asia’s Full Member nations, along with hosts Japan.The men’s competition will begin on September 24, with the final scheduled for October 3. Related Story Source link
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has suggested a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the more than four-year-long conflict.In an open letter carried by Ukrinform, Zelenskyy said the proposal to end the war “must be done honestly, with dignity, and with guarantees that the war will not be reignited”. Zelensky said the proposed meeting could take place in a third country that traditionally served as a venue for international negotiations, suggesting Switzerland, Turkiye, or countries of the Arab world. He added that his country was ready to implement a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiation process, noting that international partners, including the United States, could help monitor compliance with a truce. Yet, Zelenskyy stressed Kyiv would pursue fighting for its existence if Russia rejected the proposal. “If you do not personally come to the conclusion that it is time to end this war, Ukraine will continue fighting for its existence.” In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia welcomed the idea of a meeting and stated that Zelenskyy could travel to Moscow at any time. However, Peskov noted that President Putin had not yet reviewed the open letter and would be briefed on it soon.The exchange comes as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict remain stalled. Putin has previously reiterated Moscow’s position that any long-term settlement must address what it describes as the “root causes” of the war, including Russia’s security concerns. Source link
Last month’s drone attack on the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant was a “serious compromise of nuclear safety, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Friday, adding any such attack “is unacceptable, a no-go, taboo.” The May 17 attack hit an electricity facility at the plant, risking potentially shutting it down, and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned that “attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes are unacceptable”. “The strike caused a fire in an electrical generator located outside the inner site perimeter of the NPP (nuclear power plant), prompting the need for emergency generators to provide power,” Grossi told an IAEA board meeting in Vienna. The meeting was held at the request of Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. During a visit to the plant last Tuesday Grossi said the attack could have interrupted the external power supply. On Friday he hailed the “professionalism and alertness” of the IAEA-trained on-duty team at the site who he said were able to “respond promptly and effectively to the unthinkable: a direct impact caused by a drone with an explosive payload.” He said the IAEA would closely support the plant to ensure its safety, having during his visit said that the plant had been the victim of a “very carefully targeted operation” by attackers seeking to cause a major incident. In any case, “the incident was a serious compromise of nuclear safety and undermined several of the IAEA’s seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict,” Grossi said. Source link
Data centres, the global infrastructure powering AI, could consume 945 terawatt-hours of electricity annually by 2030 – nearly triple the combined annual electricity use of Pakistan,…