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The inaugural HH The Father Amir Prix got under way at Al Shaqab yesterday, marking a strong start to the four-leg international showjumping series. The opening tour brought together leading international and regional riders across the CSI1*, CSI2* and CSI4* categories, with a total prize fund of €538,000. Across the full series, prize money exceeds €3.3mn.Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly delivered an outstanding opening-day performance, claiming victory in the CSI4* 1.45m Faults and Time class aboard Boeckmanns Lord Pezi Junior after a clear round in 57.93 seconds. Italian rider Emanuele Gaudiano finished second in 59.04 seconds on Vasco, followed by Syria’s Ahmed Saber Hamsho in third on Frenchy in 59.42 seconds.Alsharbatly also topped the CSI2* 1.30m Special Two-Phase event with Dr Scarpo, producing another faultless ride. Egypt’s Mohamed El-Shenawy placed second on Camila in 38.49 seconds, while compatriot Abdullah Haitham finished third on Consagros in 38.65 seconds.“I’m pleased with how Boeckmanns Lord Pezi Junior performed today,” Alsharbatly said. “It was a smooth round and a positive start to the competition. We’ll take it step by step and stay focused for the rest of the tour.”Germany’s Janne F. Meyer-Zimmermann secured the CSI4* 1.40m Two-Phase title with My Lady Lavista after clear rounds in both phases. Qatar’s Rashid Tuwaim al-Marri placed second on Navarone in 27.78 seconds, while Italy’s Roberto Previtali finished third on Qashqai in 28.83 seconds. “It was a good day for us,” Meyer-Zimmermann said. “My Lady Lavista jumped very well, and we’re delighted to open Tour 1 with a win.”Gaudiano claimed the CSI2* 1.40m Two-Phase class aboard Diarouge Blue PS and also finished second with Aquino. Denmark’s Caroline Rehoff took third place on Polinis in 31.59 seconds. “Today was a positive start,” Gaudiano said. “Diarouge Blue PS felt focused and responsive, and we maintained a good rhythm in the second phase.”The CSI2* 1.25m Faults and Time event ended in a joint victory, with Jordan’s Ibrahim Hani Bisharat on El Nino Bull’s Eye Z and Egypt’s Yassin Khalifa on Camelija both posting clear rounds in identical times. Saudi Arabia’s Fahad al-Jaid finished third on Fatina in 60.80 seconds.In the CSI1* events, Saudi rider Hasan Alhadi won the 1.10m Special Two-Phase class with DSP Cessy. Egypt’s Abdelrahman Hussein placed second on Cox in 28.52 seconds, while Syria’s Sarah Al Masri finished third on Mazeltov in 29.30 seconds.Egypt’s Youssef Nassar topped the CSI1* 1.20m Faults and Time class aboard Orestes van het Tolhuis. Qatari rider Yaqoub Nasser Almas finished second on Hammond in 55.62 seconds, followed closely by compatriot Ibrahim Khalid Al Kuwari on Just in Time in 55.69 seconds.An opening ceremony marked the start of the event, featuring artistic performances under the theme “Where Nations Gather”, alongside a drone and light show and equestrian-themed activities across the venue.Competition resumes today with seven classes across the one-star to four-star categories. The first class begins at 9:15am, while the final CSI4* class, featuring 1.50m jumps and a jump-off, will take place at 5:45pm.The championship comprises four international rounds across one-star to five-star categories, in addition to events for junior and youth riders. The rounds will be held from January 2-4, January 8-10, January 22-24 and January 29-31, with the latter three also featuring qualifiers for the FEI Group VII Finals. Source link
Canada’s transport regulator has asked Air India to investigate an incident of a pilot who was removed from a plane before it was due to take off and found to be under the influence of alcohol, a person familiar with the matter said.Two breathalyser tests conducted by Canadian police at Vancouver International Airport showed the pilot was unfit for duty, the person said yesterday.The incident was labelled as a “serious matter” by Transport Canada in a letter to Air India and authorities are likely to pursue enforcement action, the person added.The person requested anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media. Transport Canada did not respond to an emailed request for comment outside regular working hours.In a statement, Air India said the flight from Vancouver to Delhi on December 23 experienced a last-minute delay due to the incident, adding that an alternate pilot was brought in to operate the flight. The airline said Canadian authorities raised concerns about the pilot’s fitness for duty but did not provide details.”The pilot has been taken off flying duties during the process of enquiry. Air India maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of applicable rules and regulations,” Air India said.”Pending the outcome of the investigation, any confirmed violation will attract strict disciplinary action in line with company policy.”The aircraft was a Boeing 777, a model that can seat up to 344 passengers, according to the websites of Flightradar24 and Air India.The letter from Transport Canada official Ajit Oommen has asked Air India to provide its findings and details of steps taken to prevent future occurrences by January 26, the person familiar with the matter said. Air India has been under intense scrutiny since the June 12 crash of a Boeing Dreamliner killed 260 people. India’s aviation regulator has flagged multiple safety lapses at the airline, which was previously owned by the government until 2022.Pilots at Air India, owned by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, have also come under scrutiny. This week, India’s directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) sent warning notices to four Air India pilots, flagging “serious safety concerns” related to regulatory compliance and flight crew decision-making.The DGCA said the pilots accepted an aircraft for operation last year despite prior knowledge of “repeated snags” and “existing systems degradations,” according to warning notices dated December 29.The aircraft is a Boeing 787 used for long-haul flights, according to Flightradar24. Earlier this year, the DGCA proposed tightened rules on alcohol testing for crew members, including one that would have a pilot lose their licence permanently after three positive tests. Current rules require post-flight breath-analyser examinations for each trip to be carried out at the first port of landing in India.Canadian rules state that a pilot cannot operate an aircraft within 12 hours of consuming an alcoholic beverage. Source link
A recent photo shows Palestinian patients leaving the Doctors Without Borders clinic, in the Al-Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City. International charity Doctors Without Borders or Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) yesterday condemned a “grave blow to humanitarian aid” after Israel revoked the status it needs to operate in Gaza for refusing to share Palestinian staff lists. Israel on Thursday confirmed it had banned access to the Gaza Strip to 37 foreign humanitarian organisations for refusing to share lists of their Palestinian employees.Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which has 1,200 staff members in the Palestinian territories, the majority of them in Gaza, said in a statement that “denying medical assistance to civilians is unacceptable under any circumstances”. The medical organisation argued that it had “legitimate concerns” over new Israeli requirements for foreign NGO registration, specifically the disclosing of personal information about Palestinian staff.It pointed to the fact that 15 MSF staff had been “killed by Israeli forces”, and that access to any given territory should not be conditional on staff list disclosure. “Demanding staff lists as a condition for access to territory is an outrageous overreach,” the charity said.MSF also denounced “the absence of any clarity about how such sensitive data will be used, stored, or shared”, charging that Israeli forces “have killed and wounded hundreds of thousands of civilians” in Gaza during the course of the war. It also charged that Israel had “manufactured shortages of basic necessities by blocking and delaying the entry of essential goods, including medical supplies”.Israel controls and regulates all entry points into Gaza, which is surrounded by a wall that began to be built in 2005. Felipe Ribero, MSF head of mission in the Palestinian territories, said that all of its operations were still ongoing in Gaza.“We are supposed to leave under 60 days, but we don’t know whether it will be three or 60 days” before Israeli authorities force MSF to leave, he said. Prominent humanitarian organisations hit by the Israeli ban include the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), World Vision International and Oxfam, according to an Israeli ministry list.The ban, which came into effect on December 31, 2025 at midnight, has triggered widespread international condemnation.Israel says the new regulation aims to prevent bodies it accuses of supporting fighters from operating in the Palestinian territories. MSF says it currently supports one in five hospital beds in Gaza and assists one in three mothers in the territory, and urged the Israeli authorities to meet to discuss the ban. Source link
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, attended the opening day of the inaugural HH The Father Amir Prix at Al Shaqab yesterday. HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, were also present on the occasion. Held over four rounds, the opening leg features CSI1*, CSI2* and CSI4* categories, offering €538,000 in prize money, and opened to a full house at Al Shaqab on its inaugural day. Source link
Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia have begun two-year terms as non-permanent members, replacing Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra…
US President Donald Trump said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that he is taking a larger daily dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend.“They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” Trump told the paper in an interview published on Thursday. “I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?” Trump, 79, is the second-oldest person to ever hold the presidency, following his Democratic predecessor President Joe Biden, who dropped his 2024 re-election bid amid questions about his fitness for the job and was aged 82 when he left office a year ago. Trump’s health has been in the spotlight in recent months due to bruises that have been spotted on his hands and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) exam that he was reported to have undergone in October, as well as instances where the Republican president closed his eyes during public events. Daily use of aspirin can lower the chances of heart attack or stroke for people over the age of 60, according to the Mayo Clinic, which says a low dose of aspirin is most commonly 81mg.The president’s doctor, Sean Barbabella, told the Journal that Trump takes 325mg of aspirin daily for cardiac prevention. The bruising is the result of him shaking so many hands, according to the White House, which said last month the MRI was preventative.His right hand shows persistent bruising, often covered with thick makeup and at times a bandage, and his ankles have appeared swollen. On occasion, Trump has clearly struggled to keep his eyes open, including during an Oval Office meeting with health representatives in November.Trump told the Journal that he wasn’t dozing, just relaxing.“I’ll just close. It’s very relaxing to me,” he said. “Sometimes they’ll take a picture of me blinking, blinking, and they’ll catch me with the blink,” he added.When asked about the MRI, Trump and Barbabella told the Journal that the president actually got a CT scan. Barbabella stated that the president’s doctors had initially said they would perform either an MRI or a CT scan but decided to do the latter “to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues”.It revealed no abnormalities, according to Barbabella. Yesterday Trump touted his “perfect health” and cognitive skills. “The White House Doctors have just reported that I am in ‘PERFECT HEALTH’, and that I ‘ACED’ (Meaning, was correct on 100% of the questions asked!), for the third straight time, my Cognitive Examination,something which no other President, or previous Vice President, was willing to take,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. Trump has based much of his political image on projecting vigour – whether through his frequent interactions with journalists, constant social media posting, or artificial intelligence (AI) memes depicting him as a superhero. Source link
Iran’s foreign minister denounced comments yesterday by Donald Trump as “reckless and dangerous” after the US president threatened to intervene on behalf of protesters taking to the streets in the Islamic republic.“Trump’s message today, likely influenced by those who fear diplomacy or mistakenly believe it is unnecessary, is reckless and dangerous,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X, insisting the protests were mostly peaceful and pointing to the US leader’s own deployment of the National Guard in US cities. Earlier, US President Donald Trump threatened to come to the aid of protesters in Iran if security forces fire on them, Reuters reported.“We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” he said in a social media post. The US bombed Iranian nuclear facilities in June, joining an Israeli air campaign that targeted Tehran’s atomic programme and military leadership. Responding to Trump’s comments, top Iranian official Ali Larijani warned that US interference in domestic Iranian issues would amount to a destabilisation of the entire Middle East.The comments came as a local official in western Iran where several deaths were reported was cited by state media as warning that any unrest or illegal gatherings would be met “decisively and without leniency”. This week’s protests over soaring inflation are so far smaller than some previous bouts of unrest in Iran but have spread across the country, with deadly confrontations between demonstrators and security forces focused in western provinces. State-affiliated media and rights groups have reported at least six deaths since Wednesday, including one man who authorities said was a member of the Basij paramilitaryaffiliated with the elite Revolutionary Guards. Trump did not specify what sort of action the US could take in support of the protests. Washington has long imposed broad financial sanctions on Tehran, in particular since Trump’s first term when, in 2018, he pulled the US out of Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers and declared a “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran. US presidents have been wary of engaging militarily in Iran, but in June, Trump ordered airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump at the time ruled out sending any ground force into the Islamic Republic.State television also reported the arrest of an unspecified number of people in another western city, Kermanshah, accused of manufacturing petrol bombs and homemade pistols.The deaths acknowledged by official or semi-official Iranian media have been in the small western cities of Lordegan and Kuhdasht. Hengaw also reported that a man was killed in Fars province in central Iran, though state news sites denied this. Source link
Usman Khawaja said Friday he will retire from international cricket after the fifth and final Ashes clash against England, leaving a legacy as Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer while lashing out at perceived “racial stereotyping” during his 15-year career.The 39-year-old will pad up for the last time, should he be selected, when the Test gets under way in Sydney on Sunday, ending months of speculation about his future.It would be an 88th Test for the classy left-hander, culminating a career where it began after making his debut at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2011, also against England.”The number one emotion is contentment. I’m very lucky to have played so many games for Australia the way I have,” Khawaja said. “I hope I have inspired people along the way.”I’m a proud Muslim coloured boy from Pakistan who was told that he would never play for the Australian cricket team. Look at me now, and you can do the same,” he added.Khawaja immigrated to Australia from Islamabad as a child, battling the odds to become the country’s first Pakistan-born, and first Muslim, national player.At one point, he was the only Asian first-class player in Australia and is credited as a role model who opened doors for others.”Usman has made a huge contribution to Australian cricket both through his outstanding achievements as one of our most stylish and resilient batters since his Test debut 15 years ago, and off field, particularly through the Usman Khawaja Foundation,” said Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg.”On behalf of Australian cricket I would like to thank and congratulate Usman for all he has achieved.”Khawaja’s foundation helps youths from refugee, immigrant, Indigenous, and poor socioeconomic backgrounds through introductory cricket programs and educational support.– ‘Attacked me’ –Khawaja, a qualified pilot, has plundered 6,206 runs in Test cricket with 16 centuries, averaging 43.39.He smashed a career-high 232 against Sri Lanka a year ago, but has not made three figures since.The current Ashes series has been a rollercoaster ride, with the veteran batsman coming under scrutiny.He injured his back in the first Test in Perth and was replaced as opener in the second innings by Travis Head who blasted a match-winning century.Khawaja did not feature in the next match at Brisbane and was omitted from the team for the third Test in Adelaide, only to get a lifeline when Steve Smith dropped out ill just before the toss.He came in at number four and hit 82 and 40 before making 29 and 0 in the fourth Test at Melbourne.”I’m glad I get to leave on amy own terms, with a little bit of dignity, and go out at the SCG where I love,” he said, while expressing frustration at how he was treated.”When I did my back (in Perth), I hurt my back and had back spasms and it was something I couldn’t control.”The way the media and past players came out and attacked me. I could have copped it for a couple of days but it went on for five days.”The way everyone came out at me about my preparation, ‘he’s not committed to the team. Only worried about himself. Playing a golf competition. He’s selfish, he didn’t train hard enough. He’s lazy’.”These are the same racial stereotypes (I thought we had moved past).”But obviously we haven’t fully moved past that. I haven’t seen anyone treated like that in the Australian cricket team before.”He nevertheless admitted the writing was on the wall during the current Ashes series.”Going into Adelaide and then not being picked initially for that game was probably a sign for me to say ‘all right, it’s time to move on’,” he said.Khawaja also played 40 one-dayers and nine Twenty20 internationals. Source link
“I felt betrayed by my body,” she told the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of an initiative to eliminate the disease. Cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer…
Islamic State-linked rebels killed at least 15 people in three villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Lubero territory, two officials said yesterday, keeping up a pattern of lethal attacks targeting mostly civilians. The Allied Democratic Forces began as an insurgent force in Uganda but has been based in the forests of neighbouring Congo since the late 1990s, and is recognised by Islamic State as an affiliate.Congo’s army and Ugandan forces have pursued operations against the ADF, but the group’s raids persist. Its latest attacks occurred on Thursday night in Lubero, part of North Kivu province. Nine civilians were killed in Kilonge, two civilians in Katanga and two civilians and two soldiers in Maendeleo, according to Macaire Sivikunula, chief of the Bapere locality where the villages are located.“The ADF rebels killed most of the victims with bladed weapons,” although they also exchanged gunfire with soldiers in Maendeleo, he told Reuters. Alain Kiwewa, Lubero’s military administrator, said yesterday afternoon that 16 people had been confirmed dead.An army spokesperson, Lieutenant Marc Elongo, said Congolese troops were “pursuing the enemy”, without providing details. Kakule Kagheni Samuel, head of civil society groups in Bapere, said the militants also burnt homes to the ground.The UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African country, known as Monusco, said in November that the ADF killed 89 civilians in a spate of strikes over the course of a week. And in September, the ADF claimed responsibility for an attack that claimed the lives of more than 60 civilians at a funeral in eastern Congo.Sivikunula said local officials were waiting for soldiers to secure the area before organising funerals for victims of the overnight attacks because “the ADF are cunning (and) can ambush civilians who try to organise this kind of activity.”The ADF violence is separate from the war between Congo and M23 rebels that killed thousands of people and displaced hundreds of thousands last year, prompting mediation. Source link