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The atmosphere inside the Lusail Sports Hall was electric Tuesday as the world’s elite youth table tennis talent descended upon Doha for the WTT Youth Contender Doha 2026. From January 19 to 22, the second leg of the prestigious five-part Qatar International Series delivered high-stakes drama and a podium-heavy performance for the home nation’s under-13 squad. The spotlight shone brightest on Qatar’s Rashal Laghraibi, who fought her way to a spectacular second-place finish in the Under-13 category. Laghribi’s path to the podium was clinical, but she ultimately met her match in the final against Egypt’s Malak Zaki, falling 3-0 in a high-speed clash that tested the limits of both competitors. The Qatari presence in the division was formidable throughout the bracket, as teammate Alia al-Baz secured a well-earned third place after an emotional rollercoaster of a tournament. Al-Baz provided the highlight of the quarter-finals, outlasting Egypt’s Zeina Farouk in a 3-2 thriller that brought the crowd to its feet, before eventually bowing out to Laghribi in the semi-finals. Ali al-baz On the boys’ side of the Under-13 bracket, Rabia al-Kuwari added more silverware to the national tally by clinching third place. Al-Kuwari’s valiant run ended in the semi-finals at the hands of Uganda’s Joseph Seba Tendera in a 3-1 battle. His teammate, Mubarak Marzouq, also came within striking distance of a medal but saw his journey halted in the quarter-finals by a powerful performance from Egypt’s Youssef Taher, who took the match 3-0. Rabia al-Kuwari While the local heroes grabbed the headlines, international heavyweights lived up to their billing. The field was bolstered by global icons like South Korea’s Lee Seung-soo, ranked third in the world, and his compatriot Hyo Wa-rim, the world number two, ensuring the level of play remained world-class. In the Under-17 girls’ category, Chinese Taipei’s Wu Ying emerged victorious in a grueling five-set final, defeating India’s Divyanshi 3-2. Meanwhile, the Under-17 boys’ title went to Iran’s Benjamin Faraji, who dominated Hong Kong’s Man Long in a 3-0 sweep. In the Under-13 boys’ championship match, Malaysia’s Ko Wei Yeo proved too strong for Uganda’s Joseph Seba Tendera, securing the title with a 3-0 victory. This tournament marks a pivotal moment in the broader Qatar International Table Tennis Series. With two events already in the books, the action is set to accelerate as the “Star Contender Youth” championship takes center stage from January 23rd to 25th. The entire series will reach its fever pitch with the concluding “Feeder” tournament, scheduled to run from January 27 to 31. As the final rounds for the remaining categories wrap up this Thursday, the world watches to see which of these young phenoms will carry their momentum into the next phase of this elite international circuit. Mohammed al-Rumaihi, a member of the Qatar Table Tennis Federation’s Board of Directors, Tuesday praised the performance of the Qatari national team players in the Contender Youth Championship. He noted that participation in this type of tournament hones the players’ skills and experience through interaction with players from different nationalities and schools of thought.He added: “The Al-Adaam champions have undergone many preparatory camps and have prepared well for the tournament, so these outstanding results have come about, and God willing, the future will be better.” Related Story Source link
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan walks with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival at the airport in New Delhi, India, yesterday. India yesterday signed a $3bn deal to buy liquefied natural gas from the United Arab Emirates, making it the UAE’s top customer, as the leaders of both countries held talks to strengthen trade and defence ties. The agreement was signed during a very brief two-hour visit to India by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They pledged to double bilateral trade to $200bn in six years and form a strategic defence partnership. Abu Dhabi state firm ADNOC Gas will supply 0.5mn metric tonnes of LNG a year to India’s Hindustan Petroleum Corporation for 10 years, the companies said. ADNOC Gas said the agreement brings the total value of its contracts with India to over $20bn. “India is now the UAE’s largest customer and a very important part of ADNOC Gas’ LNG strategy,” the company said.The United Arab Emirates is India’s third largest trading partner and Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by a government delegation that included his defence and foreign ministers. The two sides signed a letter of intent to work towards forming a strategic defence partnership, India’s foreign secretary Vikram Misri told reporters. …
Israeli forces advanced into and continued their attacks on towns in southern Lebanon. Field sources reported that Israeli forces blew up two houses in the town of Kfarkela after advancing close to the municipal center.Another Israeli force also blew up a house in the town of Markaba, near the town of Rabaa Thalathin.A ceasefire agreement in southern Lebanon came into effect on Nov. 27, 2014, stipulating the withdrawal of Israeli entity’s forces from border villages and towns in southern Lebanon within 60 days. Following this, the Beirut government agreed to extend the deadline until Feb.18, 2014. However, the Israeli army remains in five locations and continues its violations, which have exceeded 7,000 aerial violations and more than 2,400 military activities in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) area of ​​operations in southern Lebanon since last November Source link
The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) is preparing to stage the second edition of its annual Half Marathon in 2026, scheduled for Tuesday, 10 February, along Lusail Boulevard, coinciding with Qatar National Sport Day. The event reflects the QOC’s continued commitment to spreading sports culture and promoting an active, healthy lifestyle across all segments of society.The race features a wide range of thoughtfully designed categories to ensure broad participation. A 1-kilometre race is dedicated to children aged 6 to 14, while a 5-kilometre race is open to boys and girls aged 15 to 17. Open categories for men and women aged 19 to 39 will compete over distances of 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km, alongside similar categories for participants aged 40 and above. The competition also includes dedicated “Team Qatar ”categories for men and women aged 19 to 39, as well as 40 years and above, across the same distances of 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km, ensuring inclusive participation and a comprehensive sporting experience for all.The QOC Half Marathon 2026 will also host a Fun Run under the umbrella of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), in cooperation with the Qatar School Sports Federation, aiming to highlight the role of sport within the educational environment and further instill Olympic values among all participants.In this context, Ahmed Al-Jaber, Head of the Technical Committee of the QOC Half Marathon 2026 OrganisingCommittee, affirmed that the participation of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Qatar School Sports Federation represents a valuable addition that enhances the stature of the event and contributes to its promotion at both continental and international levels, while serving as a practical embodiment of the “Sport for Life” slogan. Al-Jaber also confirmed that representatives from the Olympic Council of Asia will take part in the Fun Run, in addition to attending National Sport Day activities and visiting Team Village at Al Sa’ad Plaza, which will serve as a vibrant hub for accompanying events and activities. The Half Marathon will be complemented by a diverse programme of sporting and recreational activities at Team Village, organised in collaboration with several national sports federations and supported by a range of partners. Leading partners include Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, the event’s host, ASICS, the renowned Japanese sportswear brand, Doha Bank, alongside the Ministry of Interior and Hamad Medical Corporation, with strong support from dedicated volunteers.The Organising Committee has renewed its invitation to all eligible categories to register via the dedicated link on the Qatar Olympic Committee’s official website, in accordance with approved terms and conditions. This comes as part of its ambition to expand participation, increasing the number of runners from 6,000 in the inaugural edition to 10,000 participants in the second edition, from within Qatar and abroad, further strengthening the event’s international and competitive character.The Organising Committee reaffirmed its determination to deliver a second edition that meets the highest organizational and technical standards, ensuring an outstanding sporting experience for participants, reinforcing a culture of physical activity within Qatari society, and supporting the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 toward building a healthy and active community. Source link
A shark mauled a surfer off an ocean beach in Sydney yesterday in the Australian city’s third shark attack in two days, authorities said. The surfer, believed to be in his 20s, was in a critical condition in hospital with serious leg injuries after the attack at a northern Sydney beach, police said. All of Sydney’s northern beaches were closed until further notice. The attack at North Steyne Beach in the suburb of Manly came hours after a shark bit a large chunk out of a young surfer’s board about 4kms north along the coast at Dee Why Point. That surfer was uninjured Source link
A seven-month-old infant girl died Tuesday due to the extreme cold in Gaza City, medical sources told Palestinian news agency (WAFA). With this death, the toll of children who have died in the Gaza Strip due to extreme cold since the beginning of winter rises to nine, amidst a shortage of aid and a lack of heating.The sources also highlighted that the incident reflects the severity of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, particularly for children and displaced families living in fragile tents unfit to withstand cold weather. Residents of Gaza face a lack of shelter and medical care, as well as insufficient heating due to fuel shortages, amid stormy, cold, and rainy weather conditions Source link
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe (centre) trains with teammates on the eve of the Champions League match against Monaco. (AFP) Kylian Mbappe has urged Real Madrid fans to refrain from singling out Vinicius Jr for the club’s woes, insisting the blame for their stuttering form rests on the entire team. The France forward appealed for unity ahead of Real’s Champions League clash at home to Monaco today, after tensions at the Santiago Bernabeu reached boiling point during Saturday’s 2-0 La Liga victory over Levante. “I understand the fans because we’re not doing things right,” Mbappe said. “What I didn’t like was that if they boo, they should boo the whole team. You shouldn’t single out one player. It’s not Vini’s fault that we’re playing the way we are now. That’s all I have to say: don’t go after one player. It’s our collective fault, and we have the character to change that on the pitch.” Despite Saturday’s La Liga win, which saw second-placed Real move within a point of Barcelona, who lost at Real Sociedad on Sunday, frustration spilled over at the Bernabeu, with the fans directing their anger at several players, including Vinicius. The Brazil winger was jeered throughout the match and particularly targeted during the starting lineup announcements, with heavy boos resonating in the stadium. The unrest follows a turbulent period for the 15-times European champions. Their defeat by Barca in the Spanish Super Cup final this month, coupled with a shock 3-2 Copa del Rey exit at second-division side Albacete, has left fans disillusioned. The dismissal of manager Xabi Alonso last week, seven months into his tenure, has further fuelled tensions. Reports of internal discord, including clashes between the coach and Vinicius, cast a shadow over Real’s beleaguered campaign and Alonso’s exit. Saturday’s scenes painted a picture of strain and vulnerability. Broadcast footage showed a visibly emotional Vinicius sitting on the stairs leading to the pitch, clearly affected after hearing boos during the lineup announcement. Mbappe, who was seen comforting the 23-year-old winger before the game, emphasised the importance of providing a supportive environment for Vinicius. “Vini, like you, like her, like everyone else, he’s a human being,” Mbappe said. “He’s an unbelievable talent, a great guy, and I’m fortunate to know him. We all need to protect him better. He’s not alone at Real Madrid, and we’re all with him. When he’s at his best, he’s one of the best players in the world. My job is to support him, look after him. When he’s happy, he’s a difference-maker, and that should be our collective focus.” Levante’s visit to the Bernabeu might have secured three points for Los Blancos, but the tense atmosphere underscored the lasting impact of recent disappointments. Despite Barcelona’s surprising 2-1 loss at Sociedad, giving Madrid the chance to close the gap, the Bernabeu faithful remain restless, demanding improvement from their players. Real have the opportunity to move closer to qualifying for the Champions League last 16 with a win over Monaco today that could be key to Arbeloa rediscovering their rhythm and encourage fans to offer the united backing the team needs. Related Story Source link
Firefighters search for more than 60 missingRescue efforts hampered by unstable structure and debriAnger rising over response speed, government orders inquiry Pakistani firefighters began pulling bodies from the smouldering remains of a sprawling Karachi shopping mall on Monday where more than 60 people were still missing after a massive fire that killed at least 21.The city’s biggest fire in over a decade started late on Saturday at Gul Plaza, which houses 1,200 shops in a multi-storey complex spread across an area larger than a football field. The blaze in Karachi’s historic centre raged for more than 24 hours before it was mostly extinguished. Rescue workers use heavy machinery to remove rubble from the Gul Plaza Shopping Mall in Karachi. – Reuters Videos showed flames ripping through the building as firefighters laboured through the night to put out the blaze. On Monday, they began cooling the structure and clearing twisted metal and debris strewn across the street, along with fallen air-conditioning units and shop signboards.Most of the building had crumbled by Monday afternoon; cranes demolished the remaining structure amid fears it might collapse.Qasir Khan said his wife, daughter-in-law and her mother had gone to the mall on Saturday evening and were among those still missing. Emergency personnel remove human remains from…
A blast at a Chinese restaurant in central Kabul yesterday killed at least seven people and wounded more than a dozen others, emergency services said. An AFP journalist saw police vehicles and an ambulance at the scene following the explosion on a street known for its flower sellers in the Shahr-e-Naw area. Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said the explosion occurred at the Chinese Noodle restaurant, which he said mainly served Chinese Muslims. “A Chinese Muslim, Ayub, and six Afghans were killed, and several others were wounded. The blast occurred near the kitchen,” Zadran said in a statement.The police spokesman, who said the cause was under investigation, had earlier said the blast hit a hotel. Italian NGO EMERGENCY said its hospital nearby had received “seven people dead on arrival”, with 13 others admitted to the surgical department. “Among the wounded are four women and a child,” Dejan Panic, the NGO’s country director, said in a statement.The owner of a flower shop, requesting anonymity for security reasons, said the blast happened at around 3.30pm (1100GMT) at the other end of the street from his business.He said he heard the “strong sound” of a blast in the crowded area.“It was an emergency situation. Everybody feared for his own life,” he said. “I could see at least five wounded.” Source link
Despite leaving Liverpool as one of the most highly regarded coaches in world football in 2024, Jurgen Klopp said he never thought of himself as among the game’s best. “I never considered myself a world-class coach,” Klopp told AFP and other media in an interview in Leipzig, “because I still had so many questions when I finished. I was like ‘how can I be world class with these questions still?” After starting out at Mainz, where he took the club to the top flight for the first time, Klopp moved to Dortmund, where he won two Bundesliga titles and reached the 2013 Champions League final. After signing with Liverpool in 2015, Klopp’s Reds won every trophy on offer, including Champions League and Premier League. In his new role as Red Bull’s global head of football, where he oversees a multi-club structure with teams including RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls and Paris FC, Klopp said that he wants to help coaches answer those questions. “My role with the coaches is to be the guy I never had. I sat in my office very, very, very often, very, very, very alone. A lot of people gave me advice and have great ideas… It’s great to have ideas, but it’s really not that easy to make the final decision. I want to be in moments when I know they are alone, or feel alone. I want to be there.” Klopp oversaw the firing of then-Leipzig coach Marco Rose, a long-time friend, in 2025 and said that being on the other side felt odd. “Grave-digger of the coaches – that’s a title I never wanted to win!” From taking Mainz to the Bundesliga to breaking Liverpool’s Premier League drought, Klopp improved clubs and players wherever he went. Often taking over with teams at a low ebb, the coach would try and put things in perspective. “How did I start a game? I would say ‘the worst news is you can lose it’ – so let’s try and win it… Do not try to avoid defeat – try to win.” The coach said he told his players: “Giving your all doesn’t mean you will get anything, but it’s your only chance to get something. That’s pretty much how you do it. We gave everything – and sometimes we got something.” Klopp said media and fans were too focused on results. “I never watch the goals back, because I want to understand the game to the left and the right of the result. I want to understand why it happened… Results are the result of the performance. So we worked on the performance and the results came later.” He said he “didn’t take any pride” out of trophy ceremonies and parades. “I love being a part of it, not in the middle of it. You might see pictures where someone gave me a trophy and I’d take it, but I didn’t need to touch it. For me, it was the journey that I loved. That gave me much more than the moment.” Klopp retains cult-like status at his former clubs, with fans remembering the German for his sideline antics and everyman appeal as much as his successes. RB Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schaefer told AFP that Klopp has brought the same presence into his new role, even if he is no longer on the sideline. “He has something that is unique. He has a god-given talent which everyone knows from his coaching jobs. He can catch people in five to 10 minutes.” Schaefer said Klopp plays an important role in player recruitment by “talking to families, talking to players about our vision, about our project. “You know if Jurgen Klopp is in the room.”Since stepping down at Anfield, Klopp has been linked to an array of high-profile coaching jobs, but he said that a return to the dugout is unlikely. “I don’t expect to change my mind, but I don’t know. “We’re building a house right now and my missus wanted to have a really big trophy room. There was another small room and I said ‘this is enough, because we know how many trophies we have, we will not add any.’ “It might sound arrogant, but I know I can coach a football team. But I don’t need to do it until my last day.” Related Story Source link