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The Palestinian Authority on Thursday slammed a decision by the United States to refuse visas for its officials to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week, a move which includes president Mahmoud Abbas.In a statement, the Palestinian foreign ministry called it “an unjustified measure that runs counter to efforts to rebuild trust, develop Palestinian-US relations, and create the necessary political climate for implementing the two-state solution and achieving peace and stability Source link
The Qatar Football Association (QFA) today announced the squad selected to represent the national team at the Gulf Cup, which will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from Sep. 23 to Oct. 6.Spanish head coach Julen Lopetegui has named a 24-player squad for the tournament, including three goalkeepers: Salah Zakaria, Meshaal Barsham and Mahmoud Abu Nada.The squad also includes Ahmed Alaa, Ahmed Fathy, Akram Afif, Ayoub Al Alawi, Edmilson Junior, Jassem Gaber, Sultan Al Brake, Tarek Salman, Assim Madibo, Issa Laye, Abdulaziz Hatem, Tahseen Mohammed, Naif Al Hadhrami, Mohammed Manaei, Homam Al Amin, Almoez Ali, Yousef Abdulrazak, Hashim Ali, Hassan Al Haydos, Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel.The draw for the 27th Gulf Cup placed Qatar in Group B, alongside the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Yemen.Qatar will begin its campaign against defending champions Bahrain in the opening round on Sep. 24 at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium. Source link
“This is not a single bad year, but a persistent decade-long signal,” said Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), presenting the agency’s latest State…
India said on Thursday it would continue buying oil from “diversified” suppliers, after US lawmakers approved sanctions designed to squeeze Russia over its war in Ukraine.The US legislation targets Russia’s energy and defence sectors, President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials, as well as Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions. It also gives President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas — including potentially China and India — in an effort to choke off revenue financing Moscow’s war. But India’s foreign ministry said it “remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people”. “It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics.” Moscow is one of New Delhi’s most important strategic partners and military suppliers. “The Indian side has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests,” the ministry added. India has navigated the energy crisis caused by the US-Iran conflict in part by turning to Russia, despite Moscow’s war in Ukraine and pressure from Washington and other Western capitals. Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks in New Delhi last week ahead of a BRICS summit. “This issue has been discussed at high levels in recent months with various US interlocutors,” the ministry added. “Its potential implications for not just the bilateral relationship but also the international energy market have been very clearly articulated by the Indian side Source link
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasized that adherence to international law and the Charter of the United Nations is a fundamental pillar for the maintenance of international peace and security and the protection of civilians in situations of armed conflict.This came in a speech delivered by Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dr. Abdulaziz AlWasil, during the meeting of the Security Council on Wednesday, on “Upholding International Law in Situations of Armed Conflict.”Saudi Arabia stressed the need to protect civilians, civilian objects, humanitarian and medical workers, respect the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of states, and avoid interference with their internal affairs.It stressed the importance of upholding international law without double standards and enhancing accountability for violations, which consolidates respect for international rules and principles. He also called for the primacy of dialogue and peaceful means, and supporting mediation efforts aimed at addressing and settling conflicts, and reducing their humanitarian and security repercussions. In conclusion, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its efforts to promote respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians, and to support international efforts aimed at achieving security and stability and settling disputes by peaceful means. Related Story Source link
A man walks past temporary wooden container huts being used to house athletes for the 2026 Asian Games at the Garden Pier in Nagoya (AFP) Accommodation for Asian Games athletes in Japan is “functional” and efforts are being made to deal with numerous complaints from disgruntled teams, a chief organiser told AFP. More than 17,000 competitors and officials are expected at the continent’s biggest sporting spectacular, which opens on Saturday in Nagoya. In a bid to cut costs, organisers are housing athletes and officials in temporary accommodation ranging from a cruise liner and wooden containers to hotel rooms. The plan has run into immediate problems, with South Korean officials branding the container huts the “worst ever” and saying the beds are too short.An official from another team told AFP that he entered the facility, took one look at the arrangement and booked a hotel room instead.Several countries have also complained about a shortage of accommodation. Speaking ahead of the opening ceremony, organising committee president Hideaki Omura said efforts are being made to ensure athletes are comfortable.”If there are different opinions then we will respond to them appropriately,” said Omura, who also serves as governor of Aichi prefecture. “At this point, while we are responding to individual opinions, we have been improving everything as issues arise and we will continue to respond that way.”Byeon Jun-hyeong, a player with South Korea’s men’s basketball team, posted a video on social media showing a leaking sink and soaked floor in his hut accommodation.He posted the caption, “Please help us”. Hundreds of athletes were briefly evacuated from their accommodation last week as record rainfall lashed Nagoya.About 2,000 people are supposed to stay in the huts. – Cruise control – Omura said plans for the huts, which were built this year, had been given a favourable assessment by a committee of former athletes, including Olympians.”We explained everything to them and had them take a look around, and they said it looked functional and good,” he said.About 4,000 athletes and officials will also stay on the Italian cruise ship Costa Serena, which arrived in Nagoya on Tuesday.Cruise ships have been used previously as accommodation at international sports events but never on this scale.The Asian Games are taking place at a time when typhoons are common in Japan, and Nagoya has experienced heavy rainfall in recent weeks.Omura said the priority was to keep athletes and officials on board safe. “We believe we can provide accommodation that guarantees athletes’ safety and allows them to deliver their best performance,” he said. – Slow sales – Athletes from 45 countries and territories will compete in more than 40 sports across over two weeks.Omura said ticket sales were going “fairly well”, especially for the marquee events.But he admitted that lesser-known sports had yet to capture the Japanese public’s imagination.That includes cricket, which is practically unknown in Japan. “India have a superstar cricket squad coming and Indian residents in Japan are saying, ‘I can’t believe we get to watch matches like this’, but ticket sales haven’t been very strong,” said Omura.”A lot of people in Japan have never seen cricket, so I really hope they take this chance and go and watch.”Events at the Games including basketball and football have been under way since last week. Omura said he was in attendance as the first action began when Qatar took on Iran in men’s basketball.After watching a physical contest, Omura said he hoped the Games would help Asia “reaffirm its bonds of friendship through sport”.”Iran and Qatar are in a situation where missiles are flying back and forth but they can still play basketball together,” he said.”Without the Asian Games you couldn’t have a game like that.” …
Turkiye Defence Ministry condemned a Houthi drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia and other actions by the group, calling for an end to such acts that threaten regional stability.The ministry said the continued Houthi threat in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab was negatively affecting not only regional security but also international maritime trade and global stability Source link
Israel has added a tender for 2,167 housing units to its E1 settlement expansion plan, Israeli rights groups said of a project that critics say endangers a future Palestinian state. The project would bisect the Israeli-occupied West Bank and cut it off from East Jerusalem, fragmenting the land Palestinians hope will form the heart of a state.The tender for 2,167 units is in addition to a tender for 1,234 units announced at the end of August, bringing the total number of housing units to 3,401, Israeli rights group Ir Amim said in a statement issued late on Wednesday. The decision was condemned by a representative for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday who said the E1 tenders were in violation of international law. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, an ultra-nationalist in the governing right-wing coalition, has said the plan would “bury” a Palestinian state. The tender is scheduled to open for bidding on October 25, two days before Israel is due to hold a parliamentary election. Ir Amim said the bidding date showed the government’s resolve to push ahead with the E1 project and “create an increasingly irreversible reality on the ground ahead of the elections.” The Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Source link
Lionel Messi runs under a light rain during the Campeones Cup final football match between Inter Miami CF and Mexico’s Cruz Azul ( AFP) Lionel Messi headed a goal and provided an assist as Inter Miami won the Campeones Cup on Wednesday, beating Cruz Azul 2-0 in the annual clash between Major League Soccer and Mexican Liga MX champions. It was Inter Miami’s first Campeones Cup triumph and came thanks to the Argentine superstar’s 100th goal for the reigning MLS Cup winners. A late Messi corner was headed home by Casemiro to seal the win. Victory gave 39-year-old Messi his first trophy of the year, two months after the heartbreak of losing the 2026 World Cup final to Spain with Argentina.After the game, Casemiro paid tribute to his illustrious teammate Messi. “We have to enjoy this because we don’t know how long we’ll have it,” the former Real Madrid midfielder said. “What he has done and continues to do for football is incredible… he remains the best. He proved it at the World Cup and continues to prove it in MLS.”Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said Messi deserved to win a record-extending ninth Ballon d’Or. “When you see him do things like this tonight, when you see him have the World Cup that he’s had… there is no one at 39 that’s doing that, and doing it at that level,” said Beckham.”So he deserves to be considered for the Ballon d’Or. In my opinion, he should win it.” Cruz Azul had the game’s first big chance, Jose Paradela’s shot saved at the near post by Miami goalkeeper Dayne St Clair.Miami’s opener came in the 24th minute. Though the goalscorer was no surprise, it was a rare Messi header that broke the deadlock.Luis Suarez crossed from the byline, and the 5-foot-7 Messi outjumped Willer Ditta with a diving header to give Miami the lead. Suarez nearly turned provider again in the 32nd minute. He received a sumptuous cross-field ball from Messi and scooped it up for German Berterame, whose dinked effort was cleared off the line.Early in the second half Messi appeared to have scored his 101st Miami goal, racing through one-on-one from a Suarez through ball and placing his shot in off the post, but was ruled offside.Cruz Azul should have equalized in the 67th minute, but substitute Gabriel Fernandez’s glancing header hit the post, and Casemiro blocked the follow-up shot. A Messi corner gave Miami the two-goal cushion, finding Casemiro, who nodded the ball low to the far post in the 81st minute.St Clair denied Cruz Azul a late consolation, saving well from a Paradela free kick. – New coach -The trophy came in new Inter Miami head coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez’s first game in charge.Argentine manager Gonzalez was appointed last month, but due to visa delays only took his first training sessions this week.The annual Campeones Cup pits the previous year’s MLS Cup winner against the winner of Mexico’s Campeon de Campeones.It was the eighth edition of the cup, which is always hosted by the MLS participant. Mexican teams had won the three most recent editions before Miami’s victory on Wednesday.Mexican giants Cruz Azul have still never won the Campeones Cup. They lost the 2021 final. Related…
Australia will reduce migration by curbing “visa hopping”, tightening rules on students and working holiday makers as well as cracking down on overstayers, its interior minister said Thursday, as the far-right surges in the polls.Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told the National Press Club in Canberra that immigration was “fundamentally a strength” for Australia, but accepted that housing pressures required changes. He denied his ruling Labor party was tightening visa rules in response to the rise of One Nation, which has become one of the country’s most popular parties this year with pledges to drastically slash migration. Business groups warned such cuts would cause economic damage. “We need immigration to soften enough that housing has a chance to catch up,” he said, while stressing the housing shortage was not caused by migrants. Net overseas migration — the net gain or loss to the population through movement to and from Australia — reached a peak of 538,000 in 2022 after a surge in arrivals when borders re-opened after the Covid-19 pandemic. Numbers fell to 292,100 in the year to March, data on Thursday showed. Source link