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The Saudi Ministry of Health announced that it has provided over 1,206,000 health services to pilgrims since the start of the 1447 AH Hajj season until the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, as part of the health system’s efforts to enhance the quality of medical services provided to pilgrims.The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz bin Hassan Abdulbaqi, stated that the health services provided to pilgrims reached 1,206,035, within the framework of integrated plans aimed at improving access to healthcare and maintaining the health of pilgrims, in line with the objectives of the “Health Sector Transformation” and “Serving the Pilgrims” programs stemming from the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.He explained that the number of beneficiaries of health center and urgent care services reached 49,931, while emergency departments received 41,782 cases, outpatient clinics saw 14,501 patients, and 4,901 cases were admitted to hospitals.He added that the healthcare system performed 29 open-heart surgeries and 251 catheterizations, in addition to 337 various surgical procedures.He noted that medical teams efficiently handled 466 cases of heat exhaustion within a field system designed for rapid response and enhanced medical intervention efficiency, in addition to receiving over 1,082,000 calls through the unified call center (937).The Saudi Ministry of Health affirmed its continued efforts, in accordance with proactive plans and an integrated healthcare system, to ensure the provision of advanced and safe medical care for pilgrims during the Hajj season. Source link
In an atmosphere of deep reverence and unity, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Doha, in collaboration with the Indonesian Muslim Society in Qatar (IMSQA), once again organised Eid al-Adha prayers in Doha.The spiritually significant gathering drew approximately 1,000 Indonesian nationals residing in Qatar. The strong turnout reflected the enthusiasm of the Indonesian community, with worshippers travelling from various parts of the country to collectively observe one of the most important occasions in the Islamic calendar. The Eid gathering was organised to foster harmony and solidarity among worshippers within the Indonesian community in Qatar. The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Qatar expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude to all parties whose support contributed to the successful organisation of the event. Special thanks were extended to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, and Tariq Bin Ziyad School for providing the facilities and assistance necessary to ensure the prayers were conducted in an orderly and solemn manner.The ambassador also conveyed heartfelt gratitude to members of the Indonesian community in Qatar for their enthusiastic participation. He noted that moments of collective worship not only strengthen bonds among Indonesians living abroad, but also offer comfort and a sense of home to members of the diaspora.IMSQA stated that the Eid prayer gathering was organised to foster harmony and solidarity among worshippers, particularly within the Indonesian community in Qatar. The organisation expressed hope that the spirit of Eid al-Adha would continue to inspire peace, unity, and mutual support among Indonesian Muslims in the country.The Eid al-Adha prayers concluded with a warm gathering among members of the Indonesian community, providing an opportunity for attendees to reconnect, exchange greetings, and strengthen the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity while living overseas.The Indonesian Embassy in Doha expressed hope that the spirit of unity and devotion fostered during the Eid celebration would continue to strengthen the Indonesian community in Qatar and further reflect the enduring friendship between Indonesia and Qatar. Source link
Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina lost his second-round match to unseeded Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante in four sets. (AFP) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina found himself without a coach at the French Open after his mentor Mariano Puerta abruptly quit via text message and flew to Miami without warning, leaving the Spanish 21st seed to fend for himself at Roland Garros. The bizarre coaching breakup occurred after Davidovich Fokina’s gruelling five-set victory over Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in the first round, following what was reportedly a heated discussion between player and coach. “After the match against Dzumhur, we had lunch and after that I went to cool down a little bit. He said he was feeling bad, he was going to the hotel,” Davidovich Fokina explained to reporters. “In the afternoon, like two-three hours later, he texted me a message (saying) that he will not continue… He didn’t say nothing to anybody to the team, he just took the flight and flew to Miami without saying a word to us. I heard he did this a couple of times before with other players, so it seems normal for him. I will not go behind him if he decides to leave and not continue till the end of the tournament. Not my problem, he’s an adult (who) made his own choices.” The former Argentine player previously coached Christian Garin and Brandon Nakashima. Without his coach’s guidance, which Davidovich Fokina said “probably affected me subconsciously”, he went on to lose his second-round match to unseeded Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante in four sets yesterday. The Spanish player revealed that Puerta had even blocked his and his wife’s phone numbers, despite insisting there was no tension between them and that there was no fight that had led to the coach’s mysterious exit. “The thing is we didn’t fight, everything was normal. In the match, everything was normal. We were very communicative during the match against Dzumhur,” he added. “I don’t know what to say because it was strange. But nothing can surprise me anymore. I have (seen) a lot of things through my career, so this is another thing. I thought that he was a very good person and after that I discovered he did this a couple times before with other players.” Related Story Source link
Lionel Messi has been diagnosed with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring by his Major League Soccer club Inter Miami after he made an abrupt exit…
Ireland players train ahead of their friendly match against Qatar. Hosts Ireland would be putting all their experienced players out against Asian champions Qatar in the international friendly at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin today. The match serves as a key preparation for either side ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada and Mexico. Ireland’s head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, while speaking about his team selection on eve of the match, said, “Given the time we have, more or less, this is the only day we have a proper training with everybody ready and fit. So, we will go for an experience tomorrow. “We’ll start with the ones that have been with us before. It gives us another week to prepare the younger guys for the Canada match. Hopefully, we can give some of them some time on the pitch tomorrow, but given this is a strong Qatar team going for the World Cup – and I know them quite well – I know we need experience when we play them tomorrow. So, we go for that.” Qatar’s Akram Afif during a training session in Dublin. Meanwhile, Qatar, who arrived in Dublin in the early hours of Wednesday, will also be looking to test their probables against Ireland and to fine-tune selection. Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui has a provisional 28-player squad, which would be reduced to 26 players before FIFA’s June 2 deadline. Following the match in Dublin, Qatar will travel to Los Angeles in the United States for their final warm-up fixture against El Salvador on June 6. Ireland defender Seamus Coleman, 37, is also in the spotlight and joked about being in the squad. “Yeah, it’s funny because the manager put up some profiles of staff and players yesterday and the date of birth beside it, and I was like, ‘Oh my God!’ I couldn’t believe it. But I love it.” He added: “I love getting to know them, I love trying to help them in any way. These are the lads now that are trying to help keep me young because you’re still competing and you’re still trying to keep up the pace with them. But it’s great to see so many young faces in the squad and I’m sure that’ll help us a lot in the future going down the line when they get some experience with the team.” On his Ireland future, the winger said, “I think if we’d gotten to a World Cup maybe things would be different, but I spoke to the manager and he said if I can be fit and well and performing, he would like to have me around. So as soon as the carrot of Ireland got dangled in front of me, that became a massive factor in my decisions. I’m looking forward to the two games now in the summer and having a break and kind of seeing where I go to next, or where I stand after that,” the former Everton captain said. Related Story Source link
The Horwitz Bishop Rapid chess tournament was held at Palestinian School in Abu Hamour, with young talents showcasing their skills across multiple age categories.In the Under-8 category, Rithik Lineesh emerged champion ahead of Ayan Biddappa and Hanvika Srithagna, who finished second and third respectively. Shlok Nirav Bavisi and Adinad Anand completed the top five standings.Mohamed Azam clinched the Under-10 title followed by Neavin Raghunathan in second place and Aadhavan Rajasekar in third. Dhrish Jibin and Dakshit Karthikeyan secured fourth and fifth positions respectively. In the Under-12 section, Chidambaram Chockalingam took top honours ahead of Rehaan Kannan and Edwin Idiculla Sanju. Rohan Sai Suresh finished fourth, while Swarit Tejas Mehta claimed fifth place.The tournament was conducted by Horwitz Bishop Chess Academy in a seven-round Swiss-System format under the supervision of Chief Arbiter Jaise Joseph and Deputy Chief Arbiter Rayan Joseph Jaise. The arbiting panel also included Ismath, Sreekanth, Jibin, Tijo, Sanju, Sanika and Vikas. Related Story Source link
Muslims stoned the devil yesterday in the climactic ceremony of a haj pilgrimage. From dawn, crowds of pilgrims gathered in the valley of Mina, southeast of the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia, to throw pebbles at concrete pillars symbolising the devil.The pilgrims have been contending with searing desert heat as they perform the days-long, mostly outdoor rituals, with temperatures reaching 44C in Makkah and Mina yesterday.Saudi authorities ramped up anti-heat measures including giant fans, mist sprayers, cooled floors and trucks distributing drinking water.More than 1.7mn people are taking part in the haj this year, slightly up from 2025 despite the Middle East war.Despite the physical challenges, many were overjoyed to complete the pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means to do so.”I can’t believe I’ve finished the haj rituals,” Iraqi pilgrim Adnan Hamad, 58, told AFP, as his daughters looked on.”Every step was enjoyable despite the extreme hardship.”On Tuesday, pilgrims prayed atop Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) delivered his last sermon.They then spent the night under the stars at Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and Mina, where they collected pebbles for the stoning.After this ceremony, the pilgrims return to Makkak for a last circumambulation of the Holy Ka’aba.The haj’s last day is also the start of Eid al-Adha. Source link
Novak Djokovic extended his latest bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title with a four-set victory over Valentin Royer in the French Open second round on Wednesday, but women’s second seed Elena Rybakina crashed out of the tournament. Elsewhere, four-time champion Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina both eased into the last 32 with straight-sets wins. Djokovic had to come from a set down in his opening match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and was pushed hard again by another Frenchman in Royer, before finally sealing a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (7/9), 6-3 win after three and three-quarter hours on Court Philippe Chatrier. “I hope I won’t play any more French players for the rest of the tournament,” said the third seed, who has been tied on 24 Grand Slam titles with Margaret Court since winning the 2023 US Open, with a wry smile. Djokovic, who beat world number one Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open last four earlier this year, cannot meet the red-hot title favourite until the final at Roland Garros. Djokovic powered through the first two sets, although world number 74 Royer, born just 5km from Roland Garros, showed much more resistance in the third before extending the match in a brilliant tie-break. The Serb, who twice failed to consolidate breaks of serve in the third set, made no such mistake in the fourth as he belatedly booked his place in the next round on his fifth match point. Czech Jakub Mensik, the only player other than Djokovic to beat Sinner this year, needed eight match points before eventually downing Mariano Navone 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (13/11). Rising Spanish star Rafael Jodar reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time, seeing off James Duckworth 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 7-5. Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva celebrates after her stunning win over Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina at the French Open in Paris. (Reuters) Australian Open champion Rybakina blew a one-set lead to exit in dramatic fashion, slumping to a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10/4) loss to Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva. It is Rybakina’s earliest departure from any tour-level tournament since the 2025 Miami Open and first defeat in the opening two rounds of a major since the 2024 Australian Open. “I couldn’t find the balance. I couldn’t find the right shot, and it was clearly just too many mistakes,” said the Kazakh world number two. Starodubtseva will face China’s Wang Xiyu for a place in the last 16. She has already matched her previous best run at a Grand Slam event, when she lost to Jasmine Paolini in the French Open third round as a lucky loser 12 months ago. “Honestly, hard to describe, I’m super happy,” said world number 55 Starodubtseva after beating a top-10 opponent for the first time in her career. “I’m super proud of myself that I was able to do this today. It was a tricky third set but I got it done in the end.” Swiatek, Svitolina through Swiatek, looking to regain the title she last won in 2024, saw off battling Czech youngster Sara Bejlek 6-2, 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier. The third-seeded Pole will next face compatriot Magda Linette, who beat former winner Jelena Ostapenko in three sets, as she bids to preserve her record of having always reached the second week at Roland Garros. “Usually the weather is quite different here, but it doesn’t matter,” said Swiatek after spending 93 minutes on court on another boiling hot day in Paris. Swiatek is playing at a first Grand Slam tournament since linking up with Rafael Nadal’s former coach Francisco Roig. Svitolina, who beat Swiatek en route to the Rome title, beat world number 126 Kaitlin Quevedo 6-0, 6-4. The Ukrainian seventh seed ended an eight-year wait for her fifth WTA 1000 trophy at the Italian Open to underline her credentials as a contender in Paris. She struggled through her first-round tie, edging out Hungary’s Anna Bondar in a deciding-set tie-break on Monday, before watching her husband Gael Monfils’ final French Open match in the night session. But Svitolina raced out of the blocks this time, quickly taking control against Quevedo. The Spaniard competed better in the second set until a break in the ninth game helped Svitolina wrap up victory. Svitolina, who reached her fourth career Slam semi-final earlier this year at the Australian Open, will next play Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch. Second round Results (x denotes seeding): Men: Alex de Minaur (AUS x8) bt Alexander Blockx (BEL) – walkover; Jakub Mensik (CZE x26) bt Mariano Navone (ARG) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (13/11); Nuno Borges (POR) bt Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2; Andrey Rublev (RUS x11) bt Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG) 6-1, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5); Novak Djokovic (SRB x3) bt Valentin Royer (FRA) 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (7/9), 6-3; Rafael Jodar (ESP x27) bt James Duckworth (AUS) 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 7-5; Thiago Agustin Tirante (ARG) bt Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP x21) 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1, 6-3; Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) bt Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 – retired; Karen Khachanov (RUS x13) bt Marco Trungelliti (ARG) 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7/4); Jesper de Jong (NED) bt Federico Cina (ITA) 6-3, 6-1, 6-3; Quentin Halys (FRA) bt Ugo Humbert (FRA x32) 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (10/8) Women: Elina Svitolina (UKR x7) bt Kaitlin Quevedo (ESP) 6-0, 6-4; Tamara Korpatsch (GER) bt Wang Xinyu (CHN x32) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3; Peyton Stearns (USA) bt Daria Snigur (UKR) 6-4, 6-0; Belinda Bencic (SUI x11) bt Caty McNally (USA) 6-4, 6-0; Marta Kostyuk (UKR x15) bt Katie Volynets (USA) 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-3; Viktorija Golubic (SUI) bt Alycia Parks (USA) 6-2, 6-2; Magda Linette (POL) bt Jelena Ostapenko (LAT x29) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2; Iga Swiatek (POL x3) bt Sara Bejlek (CZE) 6-2, 6-3; Marie Bouzkova (CZE x27) bt Francesca Jones (GBR) 6-0, 7-6 (7/3); Wang Xiyu (CHN) bt Hailey Baptiste (USA x26) 5-4 – retired; Yuliia Starodubtseva (UKR) bt Elena Rybakina (KAZ x2) 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10/4) Related Story Source link
IndiGo cuts around 7%-10%, Air India 22% of June-July planned domestic flights; Air India cites high jet fuel prices for temporary domestic route reductions; reductions highlight Indian aviation’s vulnerability to external shocks despite market growthIndiGo and Air India, India’s two largest airlines, have sharply cut their planned domestic flights for June and July, sources familiar with the matter said, as the industry grapples with a rise in jet fuel costs in the wake of the Iran war.IndiGo has cut around 7%-10% of its planned domestic flights for the period, while Air India has cut 22%, the sources said, marking a significant pullback by the two carriers that together control around 90% of India’s domestic air passenger market.The sources declined to be named as they were not authorised to share the information.The cuts could tighten seat availability on some domestic routes and keep fares elevated during the busy summer travel period, even as airlines try to avoid flying loss-making services.The Iran war-driven surge in jet fuel prices has blindsided the aviation industry. Fuel can account for up to 40% of airlines’ operating expenses, forcing them to raise fares and cut unprofitable flights.Air India said in a statement that it had “temporarily rationalised operations on certain domestic routes” between June and August.”These adjustments are driven by the sustained impact of high fuel prices on overall operations. Air India will continue to monitor demand and operating conditions closely, with a view to restoring frequencies as conditions stabilise,” a spokesperson for the airline added.Passengers affected by the changes would be offered places on alternative flights, complimentary date changes or full refunds, the spokesperson added.IndiGo did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The airline operates over 2,200 daily flights, including international.Air India’s cuts follow reductions to its international routes, which have created room for foreign airlines to add more flights to and from India. IndiGo had cut some long-haul flights prior to the war, citing operational constraints and airport congestion.The reductions also underscore the vulnerability of India’s fast-growing aviation market to external shocks, even as carriers are set to receive new jets in the coming years. Air India recently logged a record annual loss of more than $2bn, also battered by Pakistan’s ban on Indian carriers from its airspace and a strong US dollar. The airline is owned by the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines. Source link
EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / TOPSHOT — Members of the Palestinian civil defence inspect the wreckage of a vehicle targeted by an Israeli strike as bystanders…