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Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina have made history as the first mothers ranked inside the WTA Tour’s top 10 at the same time, with the governing body hailing it as “an incredible moment for women’s sport”. Switzerland’s Bencic returned to the top 10 in January for the first time since stepping away from the court in September 2023 to give birth to daughter Bella. In the latest rankings released on Monday she was joined by Svitolina, mother of Skai, after the Ukrainian’s run to the semi-finals at the Australian Open last week. The WTA has made efforts in recent years to help players maintain their professional careers and become parents with its Family Focus Program. It includes ranking protection during pregnancy, postpartum support with a return to play and paid maternity leave. “Two mothers ranked inside the WTA’s Top 10 rankings for the first time is an incredible moment for tennis and for women’s sport,” said WTA chief executive Portia Archer. “Not only does this highlight the exceptional achievements of Belinda and Elina, it reaffirms the WTA’s commitment to creating an environment where mothers can continue to compete and succeed, at the very highest level of sport – or any profession.” Bencic and Svitolina both took advantage of the Special Ranking Rule for returning mothers. “Coming back to the WTA Top 10 one year after returning to competition after maternity leave is something I am incredibly proud of,” said Bencic, ranked nine. “Very few people know or have experienced how difficult that journey is, but my family, my team and I have put all of our energy, work and dedication into it to accomplish this goal.”Tenth-ranked Svitolina added: “It’s a dream to return to the WTA Top 10. “Doing it as a mother means so much to me. I’m proud of my fight and resilience.” Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek retained their spots as world numbers one and two in the rankings, with newly-crowned Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina jumping two places to three. Amanada Anisimova, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva and Jasmine Paolini fill out four to eight respectively. Source link
US skier Lindsey Vonn addresses a press conference ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 3, 2026. (AFP) Lindsey Vonn will attempt to defy the odds and compete at the Winter Olympics despite a ruptured knee ligament, the US ski icon insisting Tuesday that she will be at the starting gate when the women’s events get underway at the weekend. Vonn’s Olympic return after eight years, at the age of 41 and with a titanium implant in her right knee, has been one of the storylines of the Milan-Cortina Games. And she has been forced into another fightback after her other knee bore the brunt of a heavy crash in a World Cup downhill in Crans Montana, Switzerland, on Friday. After gingerly making her way into a press conference in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where the Olympic women’s alpine skiing events will be held, Vonn told reporters that she had “completely ruptured” her anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. She added that she had also suffered bone bruising and meniscus damage from her fall in a race which was abandoned early due to awful conditions which caused two other crashes. “Today I went skiing and considering how my knee feels, I feel stable, I feel strong,” said Vonn. “My knee is not swollen and and with the help of a knee brace, I am confident that I can compete (in the downhill race) on Sunday. “This is not obviously what I had hoped for… I know what my chances were before the crash and and I know my chances aren’t the same as it stands today. “But I know there’s still a chance, and as long as there’s a chance I will try.” The women’s programme gets underway with the downhill, the discipline in which Vonn won her sole Olympic gold in 2010 and in which she was hotly tipped to repeat the feat 16 years later. Vonn has finished on the podium in every World Cup downhill race this season, including two victories in St. Moritz and Zauchensee, and has claimed two more top-three finishes in the super-G. “I think this would be the best comeback I’ve done so far. Definitely the most dramatic, that’s for sure,” said Vonn. “I’ve been through a lot and this is, this is another amazing chapter. I don’t know if it’s the best chapter, but a pretty damn good comeback if I can pull it off.” Still going for medals Vonn’s has been in phenomenal form this season, against some skiers who are nearly half her age like Germany’s rising star Emma Aicher, and she insisted that she was still gunning for a fourth Olympic medal “to close out my career”. As well as the Olympic downhill, Vonn said she is aiming also to compete as previously planned in the team combined event on February 10 and the super-G two days later. “I know what my knee has felt like with previous injuries in the gym and what it’s felt like during all the physical tests. and I can say that I feel a lot better right now than I have in the past,” she said. “I feel a lot better right now than I did in 2019 for the World championships and I still got a medal there with no ACL and three tibial plateau fractures.” Her successes have been all the more remarkable because she only returned to alpine skiing in November 2024, five years after announcing the end of a stellar career which had taken her body to its very limit. She underwent surgery earlier that year to partially replace her right knee following persistent pain. But it could end up being her other knee which denies Vonn the chance of breaking her own record for the oldest Olympic medal winner in women’s alpine skiing. Vonn established that record by taking bronze in the downhill at the Pyeongchang Winter Games in 2018. “In the past, there’s always a moment where you break down and you realise… that your dreams are slipping through your fingers, but I didn’t have that this time,” said Vonn.“I’m not letting this slip through my fingers. I’m I’m gonna do it. End of story.” …
Al Duhail head coach Djamel Belmadi has underlined the importance of securing maximum points when his side takes on bottom-placed Umm Salal Wednesday at Al Khor Stadium in the Qatar Stars League.Al Duhail, last season’s runners-up, come into the match in sixth place with 20 points after being held to a 1-1 draw by Al Rayyan in the previous round. With the race for the top four intensifying, Belmadi stressed that his side must capitalise against teams lower down the table to remain in contention.“The difficulty of this match lies in the position of the opponent and the presence of a new coach,” Belmadi said. “Umm Salal will be fighting to escape their situation, and that requires us to play with full commitment and focus.”Belmadi also highlighted the challenges his team has faced this season, particularly a spate of injuries. Key absentees have included Brazilian defender Lucas Silva, captain Almoez Ali and first-choice goalkeeper Salah Zakaria, all of whom have missed significant periods.Despite the setbacks, Belmadi insisted Al Duhail are determined to push forward and finish the season as strongly as possible. Umm Salal, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the standings with nine points. The club recently parted ways with French coach Patrice Carteron and appointed Spaniard Ruben Albis, but results have yet to improve, with a 4-2 defeat to Al Arabi marking their third straight loss and 11th of the campaign.Albis acknowledged the scale of the task facing his side but said his players are determined to rise to the challenge. “We are facing a strong opponent with outstanding players, but every team has weaknesses,” Albis said. “Our focus is on mental and technical preparation, clear roles on the pitch and playing with character to fight for the three points.”Title race intensifiesMeanwhile, league leaders Al Gharafa will look to defend their narrow advantage at the top of the table. Al Gharafa, who have 31 points, face Al Sailiya on Thursday at Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium as they attempt to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to Al Sadd in the previous round. The loss denied them the chance to take a significant step towards a first league title since the 2009-2010 season.Al Sailiya, tenth on 12 points, head into the fixture buoyed by improved form, having beaten Qatar SC 2-1 before holding Al Shamal to a goalless draw.Al Sadd, just two points behind the leaders on 29, will aim to keep the pressure on when they host Al Shahaniya at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium Thursday. The defending champions have reignited the title race with six consecutive victories, including last round’s crucial win over Al Gharafa.Third-placed Al Shamal, on 25 points, face a tricky away test against an in-form Al Arabi at Al Thumama Stadium. Al Arabi climbed to fifth with 23 points after a 4-2 victory over Umm Salal, continuing an impressive run under coach Cosmin Contra.Friday’s fixtures include a high-profile clash between Qatar SC and Al Rayyan at Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium. Qatar SC moved up to seventh with 20 points after ending a five-match losing streak by beating Al Ahli, while Al Rayyan remain fourth on 24 points following their draw with Al Duhail.The round concludes with Al Wakrah hosting Al Ahli at Saud bin Abdulrahman Stadium. Al Wakrah sit eighth on 19 points after a commanding 4-0 win over Al Shahaniya, while Al Ahli are ninth with 15 points after back-to-back defeats. Source link
The International Swing on the DP World Tour reaches its midway point as a strong field has been assembled for the 29th edition of the Qatar Masters, which will be held from Wednesday through Sunday in Doha.This week’s host, Doha Golf Club (DGC), has staged the event in 26 of its 28 editions, becoming a regular and popular stop for players. This year’s field is headlined by Race to Dubai Rankings leader Jayden Schaper of South Africa and his nearest challenger, 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed of the United States.Andy Sullivan, Julien Guerrier, Daniel Hillier and Nacho Elvira will also be looking to continue their impressive starts to the season as they vie for the Mother of Pearl Trophy. The international stars will be joined by a trio of Qatari amateurs aiming to impress – Saleh al-Kaabi, Ali al-Shahrani and Daniil Sokolov.“Twenty-nine years is an incredible run and what we always do is work closely with our friends at the Qatar Golf Association and the Qatar Olympic Committee, whose support is so crucial,” said Tom Phillips, Head of Middle East at the DP World Tour, while addressing a press conference Tuesday.“Next year marks 30 years, which will be a huge landmark, and we look forward to reaching it and celebrating properly. This tournament continues to grow stronger every year. We have seven past champions teeing it up this week, along with three winners from the Race to Dubai so far this season. Another significant milestone will also be celebrated, as three-time major champion and 2003 winner Padraig Harrington is set to make his 500th DP World Tour start, which is remarkable. We are delighted to mark that achievement here,” he added.The course, however, may present a slightly different challenge this year, with several new and upgraded tee complexes – notably at the first, sixth, eighth, 13th and 15th holes – allowing greater flexibility in set-up while enhancing turf quality and visual definition.These improvements support a more strategic test for players while ensuring consistency across all tournament rounds. Operating in a desert environment, sustainability remains a core focus of course management, with DGC utilising warm-season turfgrasses selected for heat tolerance, reduced water demand and long-term durability.Irrigation practices are closely monitored and data-driven, ensuring water is applied efficiently and only where required, while ongoing soil health programmes help minimise inputs without compromising performance.“The forecast is looking very good. There may be a bit of wind on Thursday afternoon, but for the rest of the week conditions should be sunny with very light winds. We could see a little bit of rain over the weekend, but not very much,” said DP World Tour Senior Tournament Director Mikael Eriksson.“I have been coming here for around 12 years and I do not think I have ever seen the course in such immaculate condition. I received several messages from key players saying how grateful they are to be back and to see how much the course has improved over the past few years. We are looking forward to a very good and challenging week.”Speaking about the participation of Qatari players, Qatar Golf Association General Secretary Fahad Nasser al-Naimi expressed optimism. “We have three players from our national teams and they are in very good shape. This tournament is a significant opportunity for them and we truly hope they benefit from the experience,” he said.Al-Naimi also praised the strength of the field and confirmed that DGC is in perfect condition to host the event. “The Qatar Masters is one of the most significant sporting events held in Qatar. Once again, we have a strong 144-player field featuring many regulars from the circuit,” he said. Related Story Source link
This is occurring as the risk from pandemics, drug-resistant infections and fragile health services are on the rise, said the WHO Director-General.Addressing the WHO Executive Board…
The travel measures taken by the Israeli occupation at Rafah land crossing have laid bare grotesque violations of the freedom of movement and the fundamental rights of the civilians in the Gaza Strip, Gaza Rights Center said in a statement on Tuesday.The statement called for urgent intervention to end these tightened Israeli-imposed restrictions that marked day one of travel initiation through the crossing between the Gaza enclave and Egypt.The center stressed that these restrictions have obviously demonstrated full Israeli control over the ongoing process at this crossing, in a brazen violation of freedom of movement and fundamental rights.The Israeli occupation authorities have imposed direct control over the travelers’ rosters, most of whom are patients and caregivers, approving only the travel of five patients from a total of five individuals, notwithstanding the critical medical conditions of those patients who are sorely in need of traveling abroad, the statement warned.It noted that these actions have literally disrupted the travel of the vast majority of those patients and deprived them of their rights to treatment and healthcare under international humanitarian law and human rights law.The center further emphasized that 12 returnees were subjected to grotesque violations and had been questioned for almost three hours. It held the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible legally for these abuses as the de facto occupying power controlling the crossings and individual movement.The center called on the European mission participating in the crossing arrangements to assume its legal and moral responsibility.The statement further stressed that any arrangements to administer this crossing must be purely civilian and humanitarian, totally separating the occupation’s policies and its security and demographic objectives, thereby ensuring the fundamental rights of the population, foremost among them the right to a dignified life and freedom of movement. Related Story Source link
“This appeal is a call to stand with people living through conflict, displacement and disaster to give them not just services, but the confidence that the…
he Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip announced today that it has halted operations to recover the bodies of Palestinian martyrs from beneath the rubble and destroyed homes after its vehicles stopped operating due to the fuel shortage crisis in the Strip. Mahmoud Basal, who serves as spokesperson for the Gaza Civil Defense, told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the agency has suspended the movement of its vehicles because the minimum amount of fuel required for humanitarian interventions was unavailable, as the occupation has prevented the entry of the required fuel quantities into the Strip. He noted that the suspension includes missions to retrieve the bodies of martyrs fromunder the rubble, as well as the inability to complete tasks related to removing hazards from buildings at risk of collapse or partially destroyed as a result of Israeli shelling. He called on all international bodies, institutions, and humanitarian organizations to work toward supplying rescue teams, civil defense crews, and humanitarian workers with the fuel needed to operate vehicles and equipment, in order to ensure the continuity of humanitarian services in the required manner. In another development, Basal told QNA that civil defense crews no longer have sufficient capacity to respond to distress calls related to the weather-related emergencies that affected the Strip in recent days. Gaza is suffering from a severe fuel and energy crisis due to the Israeli occupation’s tightening of the blockade and the closure of all border crossings into the Strip. The situation has not changed even after the cessation of hostilities, as the entry of fuel, reconstruction materials, debris removal equipment, and essential humanitarian service supplies continues to be blocked. Source link
Barcelona will be without winger Raphinha for the Copa del Rey clash at second-tier Albacete today because of a thigh strain and coach Hansi Flick said something had to “change” regarding the Brazilian’s preparation.Raphinha’s injury, sustained in the win over Elche on Saturday in La Liga, is expected to keep him out for only a week, but Flick was notably upset by the issue. The winger missed two months with a hamstring injury earlier this season and is a key player for the Spanish champions. “To be honest I’m not happy with this, really, because he’s a very important player,” Flick told a news conference yesterday. “We have to see what we have to change and also what he has to change. We’ll speak about that in the next days because it’s important. “This is the important phase in the season, we need every player to be able to play and when he’s out, it’s not good.” Barcelona have not lost a match this season which Raphinha has started.Albacete defeated Real Madrid in the previous round of the competition, and Flick said he was not surprised. “This is why we love (cup games), there are sometimes unexpected results,” said the coach. “Of course it’s like that – they have nothing to lose, they have only to win.” According to Spanish reports German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, on loan at Girona, has suffered a hamstring injury which could keep him out for two months. “I didn’t speak with him but I’m very sorry for him, but we have to wait for the results and we’ll see what happened,” added Flick. Source link
US President Donald Trump announced a trade deal to reduce tariffs on India, sending Mumbai stocks soaring Tuesday, as he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to stop buying Russian oil over the war in Ukraine. Trump said he was cutting levies on Indian goods to 18 percent. He had previously imposed 25 percent ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on many products, plus an additional 25 percent for New Delhi's purchases of Moscow's oil. The deal eases months of tensions over India's oil purchases — which Washington says fund a conflict it is trying to end — and restores the close ties between Trump and the man he describes as ‘one of my greatestfriends.’ But while Modi thanked Trump for the ‘wonderful’ phone call and the easing of tariffs, he made no reference to Trump's assertion about halting Russian oil purchases. ‘Out of friendship and respect for Prime Minister Modi and, as per his request, effective immediately, we agreed to a Trade Deal between the United States and India,’ Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Trump said the United States would lower the reciprocal duty imposed on India during his waves of global ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs last year from 25 percent to 18 percent. A White House official told AFP that an additional 25 percent tariff Trump had slapped on India in August for its purchase of Russian oil would also be dropped. Trump added that Modi ‘agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the United States and, potentially, Venezuela. This will help END THE WAR in Ukraine.’ The United States has effectively been overseeing Venezuelan oil exports since toppling the South American country's leader, Nicolas Maduro, in a military operation in January. India had further agreed to buy more than $500 billion in US energy, tech, agricultural, coal and other products, Trump said, without giving further details. Indian investors welcomed the news, sending Mumbai's Nifty index up almost five percent at the open. Source link