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Under the theme “Solidarity Rising: Global Alliance for Inclusive and Innovative Development”, the UN will mark UN Day for South-South Co-operation today, highlighting the vital role of South-South and triangular co-operation in scaling up proven, impact-driven solutions. The 2026 observance marks a major milestone with the launch of the Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Co-operation, a voluntary mechanism co-ordinated by the UN Office for South-South Co-operation (UNOSSC). The alliance brings together member states, UN entities, multilateral financial institutions, academia, and the private sector to expand the implementation of successful development models. Triangular co-operation involves South-led partnerships supported by developed nations or multilateral organisations to implement joint development initiatives. The initiative precedes the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly (September 18-28), which UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted aims to revitalise global cooperation and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Rooted in the founding of UNOSSC in 1974 and the 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action, this framework complements traditional North-South development aid while strictly adhering to principles of national sovereignty, non-conditionality, equality, and mutual benefit. Commenting on the strategic value of the initiative, Assistant Professor of International Affairs at Qatar University Dr Abdullah Bandar al-Otaibi told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the Alliance arrives at a critical juncture marked by rising debt, climate pressures, and shrinking development funds. He emphasised that the platform allows developing nations to translate their expertise into concrete projects while leveraging third-party financing and retaining full ownership over their developmental priorities. Dr al-Otaibi noted that Gulf economies, particularly Qatar, are uniquely positioned to combine financing, investment, and knowledge transfer across key sectors. The most immediate beneficiaries will likely be food security, water management, clean energy, and digital technology, spanning areas such as drought-resistant agriculture, desalination, renewable energy efficiency, e-governance, and artificial intelligence applications in health and disaster management. Addressing potential hurdles, Dr al-Otaibi explained that while securing continuous funding remains a challenge, the primary obstacle lies in adapting successful solutions to varying institutional, legal, and local environments. He concluded that ultimate success should not be measured merely by financial commitments or signed agreements, but by sustainable impact, such as job creation, technology localisation, private investment, and the ability of projects to thrive long after initial funding ends, transforming developing nations from passive recipients of solutions into active producers. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), economist Dr Abdullah al-Khater emphasised that the primary economic value of the Global Alliance for South-South Cooperation lies in bridging the gap between demand and supply by linking expertise, capital, and market needs through a unified, effective network. Dr al-Khater explained that the platform provides incentives for real participation rather than symbolic membership. By creating direct channels of communication among funding institutions, investors, and projects, the alliance dramatically reduces search costs, time, and effort. It builds trust by allowing entities to transparently evaluate partners, review historical project performance, and access vital market intelligence that previously posed barriers to development finance. While noting that the network will require time to fully mature, Dr al-Khater highlighted that economic demands and market indicators will guide its direction. He stressed that adopting modern technology will minimise capital expenditures and improve returns, offering clear performance metrics for investors. To prevent the platform from becoming a political or promotional venue, he urged for transparent reporting, competitive performance tracking, and the active inclusion of the private sector as a neutral, market-driven third party, backed by specialised managerial oversight. The launch comes amid rapid growth in South-South economic engagement. Global South-South trade reached USD6.8tn in 2025, with over half of developing nations’ exports now directed toward other developing economies, up from 38% three decades ago. Furthermore, intra-developing foreign direct investment flows have quadrupled since the 1990s, capturing 32% of global FDI between 2020 and 2023, underscoring the shift toward a more interconnected and self-reliant Global South. (QNA) Source link
Yemen’s Houthis seized a strategic Red Sea island yesterday after capturing territory along the coast, sealing their takeover of a vital shipping corridor linking Europe and Asia. The development is likely to deepen the Middle East war’s impact on international commerce, months after the strategic Strait of Hormuz was blockaded by Iran, which hailed its Yemeni allies’ advance yesterday. After a week-long offensive that has left hundreds dead, the Houthis appeared to be in control of territory along the Yemeni side of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the southern gateway to the Red Sea and, in turn, the Suez Canal. A local official with Yemen’s government said yesterday that the Houthis had “completed their takeover of the Bab al-Mandab area and Mayyun Island”, while a witness said gunmen were “deploying along the Bab al-Mandab shore and are driving around in military vehicles”. Source link
The San Francisco 49ers thrashed the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 Friday in the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Australia, quarterback Brock Purdy throwing for three touchdowns to dismantle this season’s heavily hyped favorites.Much of the pre-game talk had surrounded the two California-based teams’ wildly different approaches for navigating the epic flight and 17-hour time zone difference to Melbourne and its iconic 100,000-capacity cricket stadium. The Rams had jetted in just the morning before.How far that affected the game will be debated. But reigning MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford and star off-season acquisition Myles Garrett undoubtedly looked sluggish up against their San Francisco counterparts, who arrived a week earlier to acclimatize.Purdy put on a clinical performance, shrugging off a poor early interception to find Demarcus Robinson with a 39-yard touchdown pass, before finding the dangerous Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel in the end zone to seize the game.”Just so proud of this team. Hey, we embraced going to Australia — 15-hour flight, we’re here the whole week. It was a grind, but we did it,” said 49ers tight end George Kittle.The Rams entered this new NFL season as the clear favorites to win a Super Bowl being held at their SoFi Stadium home in Los Angeles in February, with a formidable defense bolstered by Garrett. 100,021 FANS AT THE MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUNDBut the giant 100,021 crowd packing into the Melbourne Cricket Ground — the seventh-biggest ever for a regular-season NFL game, despite an unusual morning kickoff time to accommodate US television audiences — skewed toward San Francisco.”I love when they (Rams) came out and they were booing. We was out here for a week. We enjoyed the city. I don’t think you can fly 16 hours and be ready to play,” 49ers receiver Samuel told Australia’s Channel Seven.The Niners started brightly, swiftly forcing a Rams punt and then driving to the red zone and taking an early field goal.The Rams briefly sparked to life with Matthew Stafford’s 41-yard pass to Puka Nacua.At 2nd & goal, Stafford handed the ball to Kyren Williams, and the running back sprinted through the heart of the Niners’ defensive line for touchdown.Purdy then threw a poor pass that was easily intercepted by Quentin Lake, prompting the Rams defense to pull out a “jet lag” celebration, lying down and pretending to nap in the endzone.The Niners did not seem to appreciate the taunt. Renardo Green snaffled an interception off Stafford, and a long drive resulted in a Demarcus Robinson touchdown from a 39-yard Purdy sling. ‘NO EXCUSES’It meant San Francisco took a slender lead into halftime, as play paused for a Jonas Brothers concert on a game broadcast globally by Netflix.San Francisco immediately picked up where they left off, some powerful running by Christian McCaffrey taking them back to the red zone.Evans — the veteran receiver acquired from Tampa Bay this summer, and a constant dangerous target in the first half — grabbed a short touchdown pass for 17-7.Another long pass to Nacua advanced the Rams, who reached 1st & goal, but they could not convert the critical chance and yielded a turnover on downs after a resolute 49ers goal-line stop.In the ensuing 99-yard San Francisco drive Samuel grabbed a third touchdown pass from Purdy, who paused and scrambled to his right before picking out his man for 27-7.With barely three minutes remaining, Stafford was strategically withdrawn by coach Sean McVay. The Rams’ attention swiftly turned to the flight home.”I make no excuses. Whether you want to say it’s about travel, whatever. We just weren’t good enough,” said McVay.”I didn’t coach good enough, and we’ll look at it and we’ll move forward.” Related Story Source link
A child places a flower near inscribed names in one of the reflecting pools at the 9/11 Memorial during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, in New York City, on September 11, 2026 Source link
Iran’s foreign ministry said the country would meet with Gulf states in Oman on Monday to discuss the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which the Islamic republic has blockaded during the Middle East war. “This meeting is intended to promote better understanding among the countries of the region and help strengthen shared regional security,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday, adding: “Iraq and other littoral Persian Gulf states” will participate. Source link
* Rybakina overcomes home favourite Gauff in three sets* In-form Sabalenka sees off Pegula in first semi-final Elena Rybakina overpowered Coco Gauff 3-6 6-4 6-4 in a fierce U.S. Open semi-final on Thursday to secure a title showdown with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and stay on course for a third Grand Slam crown.Sabalenka eliminated top-ranked American Jessica Pegula 7-5 6-2 to move one victory away from a third straight title at the year’s final Grand Slam, a feat last achieved by Serena Williams in New York from 2012 to 2014.Rybakina already knows she will leave Flushing Meadows as the new world number one and can deliver another body blow to the Belarusian by denying her a fifth major title.”She’s an unbelievable player, she played really well today, so I definitely need to step up my game,” said Rybakina, who beat Sabalenka in the Australian Open final in January.”I must serve better than I did today and stay aggressive.”Gauff absorbed relentless pressure and stayed strong from the back to draw errors from the Kazakh, breaking in the sixth game and taking the first set in front of a roaring crowd that included former first lady Michelle Obama.”I felt in the first set that it was a very good start and it was one break, but of course, there are nerves,” a relieved Rybakina said after reaching her maiden U.S. Open final.”Coco’s a great player, it’s always tough to play against her … it’s very difficult to dictate the rallies. I just took a deep breath and just had a positive talk with myself to try and show some good tennis.” RYBAKINA COOL UNDER PRESSURERybakina capitalised on some sloppy play by the fourth-seeded American in the second set to level the match at one set apiece and silence the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, before ramping up the intensity in the decider.The 27-year-old gained control with her power and broke to go 5-3 ahead in the decider, before Gauff hit back with a break of her own, but the American’s comeback bid faltered when she could not hold serve and Rybakina broke to close out the win.Gauff’s defeat, coupled with that of compatriot Jessica Pegula in the earlier semi-final, means that no American woman will have played in a Grand Slam final this year, marking the first time this has happened since 2006.”I know you guys wanted Coco to win, but it was a real battle,” Rybakina told the crowd.”A few moments went my way and in the end, I tried to stay focused and aggressive and win the match.” SABALENKA FINDS HER GROOVEEarlier on Thursday, Sabalenka took her time to find top gear but once she hit her stride there was no stopping her.Third seed Pegula had no answer to the Belarusian’s power and allowed mistakes to creep into her game in the second set.”I was so desperate for the win, I wanted it badly,” said Sabalenka, who will play in the final for a fourth straight year.Sabalenka is bidding to join Williams and Chris Evert as the only women to win three straight U.S. Opens in the Open Era, which began in 1968.”You guys are the best, your respect for me is priceless,” Sabalenka told a the crowd after beating Pegula.”I know you wanted her to win but thank you for being so respectful to me.” Related Story Source link
Elena Rybakina said she will not put extra pressure on herself before Saturday’s U.S. Open final against Aryna Sabalenka, with the second seed viewing the showdown as another chance to test herself against a rival who pushes her to the limit.Rybakina rallied to beat Coco Gauff 3-6 6-4 6-4 in a thrilling semi-final on Thursday to earn a title clash with defending champion Sabalenka and take a step towards her third Grand Slam crown.The pair have played two previous Grand Slam finals, with Belarusian Sabalenka defeating Rybakina in the 2023 Australian Open decider before the Kazakh levelled the score at Melbourne Park in January.”It’s an important match, and since it’s a final, I feel like it doesn’t matter who’s on the other side,” said Rybakina, who will take over as world number one from Sabalenka on Monday.”I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, because we’re very close in the rankings. Even if something goes wrong in the final, I’ll still have other opportunities and other tournaments until the end of the year.”We push each other when we play these matches, and you can clearly see on what you need to work more. I think that’s great that you play against someone who pushes you to the limit.”Rybakina credited her team for helping her maintain her strong form this season after her Australian Open triumph.”It definitely helps. There’s been a lot going on in the previous year outside of the court,” the 27-year-old said.”I think now all of my focus is on tennis. I can’t always perform at my best, there’s always ups and downs, but I think we’ve been doing a very good job, right decisions in certain situations, because every day is a challenge.”I’m not getting younger, and physically always some things come up. So just all things put together and also experience for the past years on tour have led to these kinds of results.” Related Story Source link
The head-to-head record of Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, who meet in the US Open women’s final on Saturday:Aryna Sabalenka (BLR x1) v Elena Rybakina (KAZ x2)Sabalenka leads 10-7 (year, winner, venue, round, surface, score)2026 Aryna Sabalenka Miami Open SF Hard 6-4 6-32026 Aryna Sabalenka Indian Wells Final Hard 3-6 6-3 7-6 (8/6)2026 Elena Rybakina Australian Open Final Hard 6-4 4-6 6-42025 Elena Rybakina WTA Finals Riyadh Final I.hard 6-3 7-6 (7/0)2025 Aryna Sabalenka Wuhan Open QF Hard 6-3 6-32025 Elena Rybakina Cincinnati Open QF Hard 6-1 6-42025 Aryna Sabalenka Berlin Ladies Open QF Grass 7-6 (8/6) 3-6 7-6 (8/6)2024 Elena Rybakina WTA Finals Riyadh RR I.hard 6-4 3-6 6-12024 Aryna Sabalenka Mutua Madrid Open SF Clay 1-6 7-5 7-6 (7/5)2024 Elena Rybakina Brisbane International Final Hard 6-0 6-32023 Aryna Sabalenka WTA Finals Cancun RR Hard 6-2 3-6 6-32023 Elena Rybakina China Open Beijing QF Hard 7-5 6-22023 Elena Rybakina Indian Wells Final Hard 7-6 (13/11) 6-42023 Aryna Sabalenka Australian Open Final Hard 4-6 6-3 6-42021 Aryna Sabalenka Wimbledon 4th RD Grass 6-3 4-6 6-32021 Aryna Sabalenka Abu Dhabi Tennis Open QF Hard 6-4 4-6 6-32019 Aryna Sabalenka Wuhan Open QF Hard 6-3 1-6 6-1 Related Story Source link
Fans light flares during the UEFA Champions League football match between Slavia Prague and Lens in Prague, on September 10, 2026. (AFP) Dutch football matches will be abandoned if fireworks are used in the stands under a new agreement between the KNVB, the Public Prosecution Service and Justice and Security Minister David van Weel, Dutch media reported.The move follows an incident during SC Cambuur’s league match against Feyenoord in Leeuwarden last month, when visiting supporters threw fireworks, leaving several fans with burns, hearing damage and eye injuries.”From now on, the rule is: if fireworks are used, the match is over immediately and the entire stadium can go home,” Van Weel told Dutch newspaper AD.The match was halted for around 20 minutes in the first half after Feyenoord fans in the away section lit large numbers of red flares and threw fireworks. Some were aimed at sections housing Cambuur supporters, while one exploded on the pitch just a few metres from Feyenoord goalkeeper Tjark Ernst.Cambuur later said five fans were injured. Source link
H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Vice Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, participated in the Women in Basketball Forum, hosted by FIBA in the German capital Berlin on Friday, bringing together leading figures, decision-makers and representatives from the sports, media and business sectors. Al Buenain took part in a panel discussion titled “Beyond the Game: Building a Legacy for the Next Generation,” which explored future opportunities for basketball, ways to expand opportunities for women and girls in sport, and the role Qatar’s hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 can play in supporting the development of the game and creating a sustainable legacy in Qatar and across the region. During the session, Al Buenain stressed that hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 represents an opportunity that goes beyond staging a major global sporting event, contributing to the growth of the game, encouraging future generations to take up basketball and broadening participation in Qatar and across the region. He said: “Qatar 2027 is not about proving that Qatar can host another major sporting event; Qatar has already demonstrated that, repeatedly, over the past two decades. The real opportunity now is to show what happens when world-class infrastructure, experience and innovation come together, and stay together, long enough to become a lasting, mainstream legacy for basketball, for this region, and for the next generation.” He also stressed that the true measure of the tournament’s success goes beyond the event itself to what it leaves behind once the final buzzer sounds. He highlighted the importance of building on Qatar’s world-class infrastructure, experience and capabilities, and leveraging the hosting of the tournament to support the long-term development of basketball, broaden opportunities for participation, and establish a lasting legacy for the game in Qatar, across the region and for future generations. The Women in Basketball Forum explores the opportunities shaping the future of women’s basketball through a series of sessions and discussions addressing key drivers of growth across the sports ecosystem, including investment, leadership, media, fan engagement and commercial innovation, while highlighting the growing role of women’s basketball in shaping the future of sport. Source link