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Iran engaged with the United States through a Qatari mediator in New York and conveyed conditions including an end to the war on all fronts and a halt to what Tehran called US “acts of aggression,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told state news agency IRNA.Baghaei said Iran’s conditions also included an end to the naval blockade and economic warfare, and the release of Iranian assets, IRNA reported. Source link
New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne and spin all-rounder Michael Bracewell have returned to a 16-member squad for next month’s Twenty20 home series against India, the country’s cricket board (NZC) said on Wednesday.* New Zealand host India in five T20s, five one-day internationals (ODIs) and two tests, with the opening T20 in Christchurch on October 22.* Thirteen members of the squad that finished runners-up to India at this year’s T20 World Cup have been retained, with Bracewell and Milne returning after missing the tournament through injury.* Rachin Ravindra, who dislocated his right shoulder during a promotional shoot last week, has been ruled out of the T20 series but is expected to return for the ODIs.* Openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen are set to reunite for the first time since New Zealand’s run to the T20 World Cup final.* Fast bowler Ben Sears was unavailable for selection as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.* “We’re very fortunate with the depth that we’ve got to call upon, so we’ll look to use all 16 squad members throughout the series as we manage workloads,” coach Rob Walter said.* SQUAD: Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith. Related Story Source link
An Israeli airstrike killed at least two Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, local health officials said.Medics said the two men were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit a vehicle in western Khan Younis, in the south of the enclave. Two other people were wounded, they added. A spokesperson for the Israeli military confirmed the strike, saying it had struck a militant and that more information would be released later. No Palestinian militant group claimed the two dead men.Palestinian authorities say more than 73,000 people have been killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza. A US-brokered ceasefire agreed last year calls for the eventual reconstruction of the territory, but little progress has been made as negotiators have failed to agree terms for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its troops. Israeli airstrikes have continued. At least 1,400 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, according to the territory’s health officials, while the Israeli military says four Israeli soldiers have been killed Source link
Qatar’s shooting team secured another Asian achievement, winning two gold medals in the men’s skeet competition, both in the individual and team events, at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games currently being held in Japan until Oct. 4.The first gold medal was won by the Qatari skeet team, comprised of shooters Rashed Saleh Al Athba, Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and Ali Ishaq. The team topped the standings with a score of 353 targets, surpassing the Kuwaiti team, which finished second with 348 targets and won the silver medal. The Indian team came in third with 346 targets, earning the bronze medal.The Qatari team continued its success in the skeet competition, with Rashed Saleh Al Athba adding a second gold medal for Qatar by winning the individual title. His strong performance secured him first place against elite shooters from China, India, and Kuwait.Al Athba scored 34 targets in the final round, setting a new Asian record and winning the gold medal. China’s Lyu Jianlin took silver with 33 targets, while Chinese Taipei’s Lee Meng-Yuan finished third with 29 targets, earning the bronze medal.This achievement is another testament to the efforts of Qatari shooters and reflects the strong presence of the Qatari national team on the continental stage, following their gold medal wins in both the individual and team skeet events at one of the most prestigious competitions of the Asian Games.For his part, President of Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation Dr. Mishaal Al Nasr expressed his delight at the achievement of the Qatari shooters in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), emphasizing that winning two gold medals in skeet shooting represents a significant milestone for Qatari shooting and sports in general.Al Nasr congratulated the Qatari shooters on this achievement after winning two gold medals in the men’s skeet competition, both in the individual and team events. He dedicate this achievement to the wise leadership of the State of Qatar and to HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani.He added that Qatari youth are ready whenever they receive support, and this is the least they could offer to their country, which has never failed to support anyone. What has been achieved today confirms that Qatari shooting is on the right track, and that the support and attention given to the athletes yields achievements that raise Qatar’s flag at international events, he stated.The President of Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation affirmed that this achievement constitutes an incentive to continue working and exerting more effort during the upcoming events, praising the level shown by Qatari shooters, and their ability to deal with the strength of the competition and secure the top positions. Source link
Syrian President Ahmad Al Sharaa said Syria is laying the foundations for a new phase of state-building, with efforts focused on establishing new institutions, reshaping the country’s political and legal framework and restoring its place in the region.Speaking at an Atlantic Council event in New York, President Al Sharaa said Syria is building a new army and state institutions, reviewing existing laws, and drafting a new constitution.The Syrian President noted that Israel continues to carry out attacks, incursions, arrests, and bombardments inside Syria, stressing that the Golan is Syrian territory and that Damascus has chosen the diplomatic path to address these violations.Addressing the foreign military presence in Syria, Al Sharaa said the number of Russian bases has been reduced from around 170 bases to two, with the remaining bases converted into training facilities for the Syrian army. He added that the Turkish military presence was being regulated within legal frameworks.Al Sharaa also discussed Syria’s relations with the United States and regional countries, as well as issues related to reconstruction, economic recovery and investment. He stressed the importance of lifting sanctions and creating the conditions necessary for Syria to re-engage with the regional and international community. Related Story Source link
Qatari swimmer Ali Tamer has qualified for the final of the men’s 200-meter freestyle final at the 20th Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya 2026), after finishing fourth in the heats with a time of 1:48.66.Tamer delivered a strong performance in the heats to secure his place in the final, which brings together some of the top swimmers competing at the continental Games.The Qatari swimmer continues to make an impressive showing at the Games, following the notable performances he delivered in previous races, demonstrating his improving level and ability to compete at major continental events.Ali Tamer’s participation is part of the Qatari swimming team’s campaign at the Asian Games, where Qatar’s swimmers are seeking to put in strong performances and achieve commendable results.Tamer will look to maintain his strong form in the final and achieve the best possible result in the 200-meter freestyle, amid expectations of a highly competitive race among the swimmers. Related Story Source link
The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has won the FM Implementation in Large-Scale Projects award at the fifth edition of the MEFMA Awards of Excellence in Facilities Management (FM), organized by the Middle East Facilities Management Association (MEFMA).Kahramaa said the award reflects its leadership in adopting international best practices in facilities and asset management, while highlighting its success in harnessing digital transformation and institutional innovation to enhance operational efficiency and drive sustainability.The award recognized Kahramaa's Asset Tracking System project, which uses barcode technology and is integrated with the corporation's maintenance management system within its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The project spans more than 600 operational sites, including administrative buildings, power stations, water plants, customer service centers, data centers and other vital facilities. The system incorporates a verified database of more than 77,000 assets, helping streamline asset management, accelerate response and maintenance operations across Kahramaa's facilities, and advance the corporation's efforts to achieve operational sustainability. Kahramaa's General Services Department said the award reflects the collective efforts and advanced capabilities the corporation has developed in managing its facilities and assets. It added that the recognition strengthens Kahramaa's presence in specialized industry forums and demonstrates its ability to develop innovative operational models built around digital transformation, enhanced efficiency and operational sustainability.The award carries particular significance as the MEFMA Awards of Excellence in FM are a leading regional platform recognizing innovation, leadership and measurable impact in facilities management. The fifth edition, held in Dubai on September 17, featured 16 categories and recognized a record 35 winners and highly commended recipients from across the region. Source link
China’s 13-year-old swimmer Yu Zidi went fastest in the heats as she closes in on a hat-trick of Asian Games golds on Wednesday — and her team-mates say her stunning success is no longer a surprise.Yu has already won two golds in Tokyo in Games-record times and will go for a third title in the women’s 400m individual medley after posting the fastest time in qualifying with 4min 39.43sec. The schoolgirl has been the talk of swimming since becoming the youngest medallist in world championships history last year with bronze for China’s relay team aged just 12.She is shaping up to be a major medal threat at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Team-mate Zhang Yufei, a multiple Olympic gold medallist and world champion who was named the women’s MVP of the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, said nothing Yu does is shocking any more.”Everyone is thinking, ‘Wow, what will her next result be? What will she do in her next competition?’,” said Zhang, now 28.”Expectations have become bigger than surprise. I hope she can withstand that pressure.” Yu controlled her 400m IM heat from start to finish and topped qualifying 0.36sec ahead of Japan’s Mio Narita.Yu has already won the 200m butterfly and 200m IM events this week. Zhang, who won the 10th Asian Games gold of her career this week with China’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, said she was “quite shocked” when Yu first burst onto the scene.”I only see her at the domestic trials and major international competitions each year,” said Zhang.”But every time I see her compete, I can see that she has improved again, and that makes me very happy.”Yu’s success at the Asian Games has caused a sensation back home in China. Her back story, such as being spotted by chance by a swimming coach at a water park, and her struggle with interviews, has gone viral.Zhang believes Yu has the potential to become the standard-bearer of Chinese swimming. “I hope this young girl can continue to maintain this momentum and give Chinese swimming hope,” she said.”We also want to see just how far she can go in the future.” Related Story Source link
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi discussed GCC-European relations in New York with European Union Special Representative for the Gulf region Luigi Di Maio, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.During the meeting, the two sides discussed several issues of mutual interest, including the latest preparations for the second summit between the leaders of the GCC states and the leaders of the European Union, scheduled to be held next month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.They also discussed related matters, progress in implementing the outcomes of the first GCC-EU summit, and the mechanisms for carrying them out in a way that strengthens the strategic relationship between the GCC and the European Union.The two sides also exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments. Related Story Source link
Hosts Saudi Arabia will meet Kuwait in the opening clash of the 27th Gulf Cup kicks off at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah on Wednesday.Eight of the region’s leading sides will battle for supremacy with Hosts Saudi Arabia seeking a fourth title, while defending champions Bahrain, record 10-time winners Kuwait and four-time champions Iraq are among the teams hoping to emerge victorious.Saudi Arabia will look to make home advantage count as they target their first Gulf Cup title since 2003. They face Kuwait in their opening match, with Feras Al Brikan, Mohammed Kanno and Mohammed Al Owais among the key figures expected to lead their challenge.Saudi Arabia’s Greek coach Georgios Donis, while speaking ahead of the match, addressed the pressures that typically fall on the host nation. He said the Saudi national team has a blend of youth and experience. He also noted that three teams in the Gulf Cup have participated in the 2026 World Cup which reflects the strength of the competition.Kuwait’s Portuguese coach Helio Sousa also expressed his confidence in his players’ ability to go far in the tournament.Group A comprises Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and Oman while Group B includes Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.Iraq and Oman will get Group A underway before Saudi Arabia meet Kuwait later on Wednesday.Bahrain enter the tournament as defending champions after defeating Oman 2-1 in the 2024 final to claim their second title. Their title defence begins against Qatar, with the three-time champions boasting plenty of experience through the likes of Akram Afif, Almoez Ali and Hassan Al Haydos.Iraq will also have high expectations after lifting their fourth title in 2023, while Oman will be aiming to recover from the disappointment of finishing runners-up in each of the previous two editions.Kuwait, meanwhile, remain the competition’s most successful nation and will be eager to add to their record haul of 10 titles.The United Arab Emirates, winners in 2007 and 2013, will also be hoping to mount a strong challenge, while Yemen will look to spring a surprise against their more decorated rivals.The UAE face Yemen in Thursday’s opening Group B fixture before Bahrain take on Qatar.With the top two teams from each group to advance to the semi-finals, there will be little margin for error as the battle for supremacy begins in Jeddah. Related Story Source link