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A tourist leaves hotel Lisboa while a member of staff cleans the steps during the Chinese New Year holiday in Macau on Friday. (AFP) Tourists queue to climb Monte Fort during the Chinese New Year holiday in Macau on Friday. Source…
The death toll from the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023 has risen to 72,070 martyrs, in addition to 171,738 injured.The Ministry of Health in Gaza stated today that hospitals across the Strip received, over the past 48 hours up to this moment, one martyr and 10 injured individuals.It added that a number of victims remain under the rubble and on the roads, as ambulance and civil defense crews are still unable to reach them.The ministry further reported that the total number of casualties since the ceasefire last October has risen to 612 martyrs and 1,640 injured, while 726 bodies have been recovered. Source link
The sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will celebrate tomorrow the anniversary of Founding Day, observed annually on February 22, commemorating the establishment of the First Saudi State by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in 1727 (1139 AH).Founding Day is a deeply rooted national occasion for every Saudi man and woman, marking a pivotal moment in the Kingdom’s history.The journey began in Diriyah, reflecting pride in the historical depth of the Saudi state and its enduring approach over nearly three centuries, built on justice, unity, and development, positioning the Kingdom as a leading nation regionally and globally.Saudis take pride in this rich legacy, from the First Saudi State founded by Imam Muhammad bin Saud, through the Second Saudi State established by Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Saud, to the unification of the Kingdom by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, who laid the foundations of its modern renaissance. His sons, the Kings who followed, continued this path up to the prosperous era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with the close follow-up of HH Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.Founding Day provides an opportunity to recall three centuries of history and the solid foundations of governance, security, unity, and service to the Two Holy Mosques. It differs from the Saudi National Day, which marks the naming of the country as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia nearly nine decades ago.Among its key objectives are honoring the Kingdom’s deep roots, the strong bond between leadership and people, and the unity, stability, and security achieved across the country. The occasion comes as the Kingdom continues to realize successive achievements through clear development plans stemming from a comprehensive national vision. Today, the Kingdom is witnessing an era of sustainability, growth, and development, achieving tangible leaps and unprecedented progress across various fields domestically and internationally.These accomplishments have strengthened its political, economic, and cultural standing, enhanced its role in the global economy, positioned it among the world’s top twenty economies, the strongest economy in the Middle East, and the largest oil exporter globally.In December, on the occasion of approving the Kingdom’s general budget for fiscal year 2026, HH Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that Saudi Vision 2030 will enter its third phase in 2026, calling for intensified implementation efforts, accelerated achievement, and expanded growth opportunities to ensure sustainable impact beyond 2030.He noted that the structural transformation since the Vision’s launch has boosted non-oil growth, maintained inflation at comparatively lower global levels, improved the business environment, and strengthened the private sector’s role as a key development partner.He added that private sector contribution reached 50.3 percent of real GDP.HRH the Crown Prince stressed continuing programs and initiatives to develop infrastructure and enhance the quality of essential services for citizens, residents, and visitors.Vision 2030 places citizen empowerment, economic diversification, and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s global leadership at its core. It is built on three pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation, implemented in three five-year phases, each building on the previous one.The first phase focused on broad structural, economic, financial, and social reforms; the second accelerated progress in priority sectors; and the third aims to sustain transformation and capitalize on new growth opportunities.Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom is undergoing a new phase of development and reform, advancing major projects expected to reshape the domestic and international landscape and usher in a new era of progress and prosperity.The Vision’s achievements have improved the Kingdom’s international rankings economically, demographically, and technologically.Politically, Saudi Arabia is regarded as a key pillar for regional and international stability, supported by its global standing and balanced diplomatic approach.Marking this national occasion, cities across the Kingdom are hosting cultural and artistic events from north to south, with various ministries and institutions organizing activities that reflect the Kingdom’s deep historical roots and enduring identity since its founding in 1139 AH (1727). Related Story Source link
Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes carried out yesterday by land and sea on Sidon area in southern Lebanon and on towns in the Bekaa Valley in the east.In a statement issued by the Lebanese Presidency on Saturday, Aoun said the strikes constitute a new violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and a clear breach of international commitments. He added that they reflect a disregard for the will of the international community, particularly United Nations resolutions calling for full compliance with Resolution 1701 in all its provisions.He described the continued attacks as “a clear act of aggression” aimed at undermining Lebanon’s diplomatic efforts with partner and friendly nations, foremost among them the United States, to consolidate stability and halt Israeli hostilities against Lebanon.The Lebanese president renewed his call on countries sponsoring regional stability “to assume their responsibilities to immediately stop the attacks and exert pressure to ensure respect for international resolutions,” in a manner that preserves Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and prevents further escalation and tension in the region.The Israeli strikes carried out yesterday on southern Lebanon and parts of the Bekaa Valley left at least 10 people dead and several others injured. Related Story Source link
Wang Xindi won the freestyle skiing men’s aerials at the Winter Olympics yesterday, strengthening China’s dominance in the discipline and bringing another gold medal into the family. The victory came two days after Wang’s wife Xu Mengtao retained her Olympic title in women’s aerials, and the couple could be set for more glory in today’s mixed team final.“We celebrated her gold, but I was also quick to refocus on to my own event”, he said. “We’ve battled together for years, but we’re also professionals.” He said Xu, a five-times Olympian with a record number of World Cup victories, sometimes shares “pointers” with him, “but also doesn’t want to say so much. But in my heart, I also understand what she wants to say.” The couple’s Milano Cortina double-act adds to China’s Beijing 2022 tally of two gold medals in men’s and women’s aerials and silver in mixed teams. Yesterday, world champion Noe Roth of Switzerland won silver, while another Chinese freeskier, Olympic first-timer Li Tianma, got bronze. “We knew we (Chinese) had an advantage because of the quality of our squad. We were pretty confident of winning a gold today, it’s just down to who performs on the day,” Li said. All four Chinese competitors made it to the final, from an initial pack of 24, including defending champion and five-times Olympian Qi Guangpu, who came sixth. Qi, who is 35, said it was the end of his Olympic career, even if Wang urged him not to retire and hailed him as a role model. The new Olympic champion took top spot with a remarkable score of 132.60, out of a maximum of 150. Roth was close behind on 131.58, while Li got 123.93. The field was whittled down over four rounds held in snowy, overcast conditions in the Alpine resort of Livigno, leaving six competitors, four from China and two Swiss – with Roth joined by compatriot Pirmin Werner – to contest the final run. “I want to thank myself for not giving up,” Wang said. “For my dedication. When things were hard, when I was down … I’d like to give myself a big hug.” American Quinn Dehlinger had to pull out before the start, due to a knee injury suffered during training. Aerials is a gravity-defying discipline that has been part of the Winter Games since 1994. Athletes jump off a near vertical ramp, launching themselves in the air and performing complex aerobatics, reaching speeds of up to more than 65 km per hour. They are judged on height, distance, style, degree of difficulty and landing. Netherlands’ Rijpma-de Jong grabs 1,500m gold Dutchwoman Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong won the women’s 1,500 metres at the Milano Cortina Games yesterday, securing the first Olympic gold of her career and her nation’s third speed skating title of these Games. Norway’s Ragne Wiklund took silver, while Canada’s Valerie Maltais claimed bronze to round out the podium. Rijpma-de Jong – who finished behind now-retired Dutch great Ireen Wust and Japan’s Miho Takagi to take bronze in this distance at Beijing 2022 – stopped the clock at one minute 54.09 seconds, earning her second medal of these Games after winning silver in the team pursuit. She finished 0.06 seconds ahead of Wiklund. Competing at her fourth Olympic Games, the 30-year-old Rijpma-de Jong joins Jutta Leerdam and Femke Kok as Dutch speed skating champions at Milano Cortina. Considered one of the favourites in the distance after finishing second behind Takagi in the 2025-26 ISU Speed Skating World Cup standings, Rijpma-de Jong was drawn in the penultimate pairing. She skated in the outer lane, with American Brittany Bowe alongside her in the inner lane. Once she crossed the line, all eyes turned to Takagi, who set off in the 15th and final pair with the Czech Republic’s Nikola Zdrahalova, but the 31-year-old Japanese great could only manage the sixth-fastest time. Source link
A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea on Saturday, according to the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ).The agency reported that the quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. As of now, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or significant structural damage.Papua New Guinea is situated along the “Ring of Fire,” a vast arc of seismic and volcanic activity encircling the Pacific Ocean. The region is one of the most geologically active on Earth, accounting for roughly 90 percent of the world’s active volcanoes. Source link
Feb 19, 2026; Pacific Palisades, California, USA; Rory McIlroy lines up his putt on the 18th green during the first round of the The Genesis Invitational…
Cuba’s Minister of Public Health, Jose Angel Portal Miranda, warned on Friday that the country’s healthcare system is nearing collapse, citing the impact of US sanctions on oil supplies to the island.In remarks carried by local media, Portal Miranda said Cuba’s already strained healthcare system is “approaching the brink of collapse” as a result of US restrictions on fuel shipments. He argued that the sanctions “are no longer merely paralyzing the island’s economy but are now threatening basic human safety.”The health minister noted that it is impossible to damage a country’s economy without affecting its population, warning that the situation could endanger lives, particularly as some five million people suffer from chronic illnesses and depend on regular access to medication and treatment.He pointed out that among them are 16,000 cancer patients in need of radiotherapy and 12,400 others undergoing chemotherapy, reiterating that economic pressure inevitably carries humanitarian consequences.Cuba’s healthcare system had already been grappling with long-standing shortages of supplies, personnel, and medicines amid the island’s broader economic crisis. However, the situation has worsened in recent weeks. Ambulances are struggling to secure sufficient fuel to respond to emergencies, hospitals are experiencing recurring power outages, and flights carrying vital medical supplies have been suspended. The government says it is currently unable to refuel aircraft at its airports. Experts and some international leaders have warned that Cuba may be on the verge of a humanitarian crisis if conditions continue to deteriorate. Source link
Jessica Pegula shook off a first-set stumble to beat fellow American Amanda Anisimova 1-6 6-4 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships yesterday, reaching the eighth WTA 1000 final of her career. World number six Anisimova took less than half an hour to win the first before building a 3-1 lead in the second set. But Pegula held her nerve and broke Anisimova three times in a row to win the second set, before securing victory in the decider. In the final today, Pegula will take on Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina who beat world number four Coco Gauff in the second semi-final. Svitolina won 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 in the three gruelling sets. “It’s not like we have really easy matches … we had a lot of cat and mouse points and they mostly went my way so that was good,” world number five Pegula said after her fifth straight win over Anisimova. Anisimova, who reached the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open last year, yesterday frustrated Pegula with aces throughout the match. But Pegula, who won only six of her 16 service points in the first set, drew her opponent into longer rallies as she plotted her comeback. Pegula made Anisimova run back and forth with short slices and won the second set with a powerful backhand, as Anisimova’s hasty return went long. An exhausted Anisimova found the net while attempting a drop shot, setting up Pegula’s break point to take a decisive 3-1 lead in the third set. Source link
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – Carabao Cup – Semi Final – Second Leg – Manchester City v Newcastle United – Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain – February…