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The Israeli occupation army has ramped up its military operations in the Al Mawasi area of southern Gaza, converting what was euphemistically known as a "humanitarian zone" into a lethal trap to lure the Palestinians and destabilize any place where they are present, transforming any shelter into a target within an extermination campaign that aims to efface Gazans, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor (Euro-Med Monitor) has reported.In a statement, Euro-Med Monitor confirmed that the occupation army directly launched firepower at the tents of the displaced people in Al Mawasi, resulting in unnecessary casualties in a daily repeated crime.It stressed that this Israeli firepower is unnecessary for military or security reasons. The displaced tents are coming under precision attack from snipers in this area, as well as air raids and oftentimes artillery shelling. "This area is euphemistically alleged to be a humanitarian zone, and over a million people are ordered to head to this area, the statement continued.The statement further explained that Euro-Med Monitor's legal team has documented repeated incidents of displaced tents being targeted directly throughout the past few days, which resulted in killing dozens of civilians and wounding others with varying degrees of injuries, in addition to destroying their tents and their remaining personal belongings in this last-resort area.The legal team has been monitoring multiple footage showing Israeli forces firing on Palestinians in displacement tents for amusement or competitive targeting. The footage indicates that the firepower was not zeroed in on a specific military target nor justified by any security or operational necessity, but rather exposes a deliberate pattern aimed at maximizing civilian casualties, destroying property, and eroding any sense of safety, the statement stressed. The team asserted that alongside the recorded gunfire, there have been dozens of incidents in which the displaced persons' tents were subjected to aerial and artillery strikes from Israeli gunboats or tanks, targeting civilians within so-called "humanitarian zones," which is literally a deliberate policy aimed at obliterating the very concept of protection, turning places that are supposed to serve as safe havens into hunting and bombardment grounds, where the displaced face the risk of direct killing or slow death from starvation, disease, and the collapse of the health system.Euro-Med Monitor warned against using displacement as a double weapon, stressing that thousands of families in Al Mawasi are experiencing extremely tough humanitarian conditions that lack the simplest life elements, amid a severe shortage of food, fresh water, and medicines, thereby exacerbating health risks and exposing the residents to epidemics and contagious diseases.Many of those displaced people are forced to live either in dilapidated tents or in the open without protection from heat, cold, or rain, amid an aggravated tribulation of children, the elderly, and women due to the lack of essential medical care and services, as these tents continue to punch way above their weight in the midst of no sanitation networks, making them incredibly unlivable and threatening the lives of thousands with slow death, Euro-Med Monitor warned. Euro-Med Monitor further explained that the continuation of this policy lays bare the fact that the Israeli occupation army is bent upon subjecting Gazans to only one of these options: either to die quickly through bombing and direct targeting, or die slowly through deliberate starvation and deprivation of key life essentials.It stressed that these acts are tantamount to a crime of genocide based on international law and expose a methodical orientation to imposing living conditions that aim to decapitate the Palestinians entirely or partially.

Australian Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) went for broke five kilometres from the summit finish to win stage 10 of the Vuelta a Espana Tuesday, repeating his stage six victory, while race favourite Jonas Vingegaard reclaimed the leader’s red jersey.Vine caught and overtook Spain’s Pablo Castrillo (Movistar) on the climb to the finish of the 175.3km ride from Parque de la Naturaleza Sendaviva to El Ferial Larra Belagua, raising two fingers as he crossed the line after his second individual stage win of this year’s race.The 29-year-old – mountains classification winner last year and this year’s leader of the category – also won two stages in 2022.“Winning is so, so hard, and it’s such an incredible feeling when it happens,” Vine said.“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to winning, because it’s just unbelievably hard.”Castrillo held on to take second spot, 35 seconds behind Vine, with the Spaniard’s compatriot and teammate Javier Romo finishing third.Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) had lost the red jersey to Norway’s Torstein Traeen (Bahrain Victorious) after stage six, but having begun Tuesday’s stage 37 seconds off the lead, he opened a gap to Traeen on the final climb to move 26 seconds ahead in the general classification.Following Monday’s rest day, Tuesday’s stage was a mostly flat ride, with one category three climb along the way before the category one finish, and any early breaks had all been quashed by the peloton.A group, which eventually included 30 riders, made the decisive break 72km from the end, and they were allowed to get away, though the leading group was whittled down as the race wore on.There were attacks from the breakaway, with Romo trying to get away, but when Castrillo made his move with seven kilometres remaining, the Spaniard looked set for victory, but Vine reacted and powered past the leader for another stage win.The riders in the strung out peloton were never going to contest the stage win, but the GC battle commenced on the final climb and Vingegaard, who had already closed the gap to Traeen by winning the previous stage, returned to where everyone expected the Dane to be.Vingegaard was part of a small group which began passing some of the breakaway riders towards the finish, and his 11th-place finish on the stage brings an end to Traeen’s time in the red jersey.

Second seed Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the US Open semi-finals Tuesday, demolishing Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-2 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.Alcaraz has yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows and he had the crowd in the palm of his hand as he fired off 28 winners and never faced a break point.Lehecka is one of the few players to beat Alcaraz this season, winning in the Doha quarter-finals, but was outclassed this time around and could only watch helplessly as the Spaniard’s forehand winner zipped by on match point.Alcaraz will play the winner of the match later between 24-times major winner Novak Djokovic and American fourth seed Taylor Fritz.Pegula cruises past Krejcikova into US Open semisAmerican Jessica Pegula reached her second straight US Open semi-final with a clinical 6-3 6-3 win over twice Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova Tuesday.Fourth-ranked Pegula had a dreadful run-up to the year’s final major but has flipped the script in New York, where she has yet to drop a set and fired off 17 winners to beat the unseeded Czech.Krejcikova recovered from injuries earlier this year and saved eight match points in a fourth-round thriller to reach the final eight but ran out of gas against the 2024 runner-up.Pegula will face the winner of the match between the defending champion and world number one Aryna Sabalenka and unseeded Czech Marketa Vondrousova.“I feel like I’m just really comfortable,” said Pegula. “It’s pretty crazy... 10 years ago I never thought I’d be good at this (and reach the final stages of a Slam) but I guess I am.”Krejcikova missed an overhead shot in the second game and was seen repeatedly rubbing her eyes as she struggled to deal with fatigue following two bruising back-to-back three-set matches, surrendering her serve with a double fault.She broke back when Pegula sent a backhand into the net in the seventh game but Krejcikova immediately handed the advantage back to the American by dropping her serve again.Pegula broke the Czech to love with a backhand winner down the line in the opening game of the second set.Playing in her first US Open quarter-final in four years, Krejcikova appeared to be heading for a swift defeat as she fell behind 4-1 with Pegula having secured the double break after the errors kept flying off her Czech rival’s racket.Although Krejcikova showed some signs of life as she regained one of the breaks in the sixth game, the effort only delayed the inevitable.Two double faults in the final game capped a miserable day for Krejcikova, while a beaming Pegula soaked in the roaring cheers from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd after wrapping up the lopsided win.Ruthless Sinner routs Bublik under the lightsDefending champion Jannik Sinner said he enjoyed the vibe of playing under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights after he continued his hardcourt Grand Slam run by hammering 23rd seed Alexander Bublik on Monday to make the US Open quarter-finals.The Italian came into the match on Labour Day seeking his 25th straight major match win on his preferred surface and never looked in danger against a tricky rival, bolting out of the blocks to win 6-1 6-1 6-1 on his night session debut this year.“It’s always special to go on Ashe to play,” Sinner said.“Night matches, they’re a bit different because there’s a bit more attention, I feel. It’s a different vibe, also around the court. It’s very loud. It’s also different to play.“It was the first time for me this year. It was nice. You have the good and the bad if you play in the evening. It’s very special and you feel very privileged to step onto court in the night on the biggest court we have.”A mere 81 minutes after the clash began, Sinner was back in the locker room after gaining revenge for a shock defeat by Bublik in the Halle final, his only loss to a player not named Carlos Alcaraz this year.“We know each other well. We’ve had some tough battles this year so we know each other a bit better,” top seed Sinner said. “He had a tough match last time (against Tommy Paul), finishing late. He didn’t serve as well as he does. I broke him in every set and it gave me the confidence to play well.”A double break helped Sinner build a 4-0 lead before Bublik could even get on the board, and the dominant 24-year-old chased down a drop shot to fire home a deep backhand winner that wrapped up the opening set with another break.Bublik’s attempts to disrupt Sinner’s rhythm with more drop shots proved futile but it was his service errors that left him trailing by two sets, before Sinner wheeled away to his eighth straight major quarter-final.Up next is a meeting with compatriot Lorenzo Musetti and Sinner said it would be a great occasion for Italian tennis.“It’s great to see. Italian tennis is in great form. We have so many players and different game styles,” he said. “Lorenzo is one of the biggest talents we have in our sport. I’m looking forward to this one. From an Italian point of view, it’s great to have for sure one Italian player in the semis. “I know that there are a lot of Italian players in the crowd. It makes everything special.”

Australia’s white-ball pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has retired from Twenty20 internationals six months out from the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka to focus on extending his career in Test and one-day cricket.The 35-year-old left-armer retires as the nation’s most prolific fast bowler in the format, with 79 wickets from 65 T20Is, second on the all-time Australia list to spin bowling teammate Adam Zampa.“Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority,” he said in a Cricket Australia statement Tuesday.“I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup, not just because we won but the incredible group and the fun along the way.“Looking ahead to an away Indian Test tour, the Ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I feel this is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns.“It also gives the bowling group time to prepare for the T20 World Cup in the matches leading into that tournament.”Starc was not included in Australia’s T20I squad released Tuesday for the upcoming series against New Zealand.Selectors chairman George Bailey said the rangy, swing-bowling maestro would be hard to replace.“His ability to impact early with the new ball and bowl clutch overs at the death (will be missed),” he told reporters Tuesday.“You don’t find many swinging it at 145km per hour. His fielding’s also outstanding.“We won’t replace him like-for-like, but we’ve exposed others to key roles – Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, and Xavier Bartlett.”Starc played a pivotal role in Australia’s first and only T20 World Cup title in 2021, taking nine wickets in seven matches in the United Arab Emirates.His retirement, 13 years on from his 2012 debut, is a big blow for Australia’s hopes of another T20 World Cup triumph next year and continues the winding-down of a golden generation of players.Following opening batsman David Warner’s retirement last year, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis have all retired from the one-day game. Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg praised Starc for making “significant sacrifices” to play for his country. “To allow the next crop of fast bowlers a clear path to the T20 World Cup early next year is another example of putting team first,” he said.Australia T20I squad vs New Zealand:Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Keshav Maharaj took 4-22 as South Africa thrashed a woeful England side by seven wickets after dismissing the hosts for just 131 runs in the first one-day international at Headingley Tuesday.South Africa sent England into bat and the home side made a bright start as they reached 82-2 in the 14th over, before losing their last eight wickets for just 49 runs following an innings peppered with poor shot selections.Only Jamie Smith put up any sort of resistance with a fine 54 from 48 balls, but South African opener Aiden Markram smashed 86 in 55 balls to show the pitch was a good one as he shared a first wicket partnership of 121 in 18.1 overs with Ryan Rickelton (31 not out from 59 balls).The second match in the three-game series will be played at Lord’s Thursday. The teams will also contest three Twenty Internationals starting on September 10. “It was not a great start to the series, just one of those bad days and we will move on as soon as possible,” England captain Harry Brook said.“Everyone will hold their hand up and say we had a bad day. We could not get a partnership together. The ball held in the pitch a little, but they bowled really nicely.“We need to put that performance behind us now and get down to London.”England started brightly with successive fours in the opening over from Smith and despite Ben Duckett’s early dismissal, they appeared to be heading towards setting an imposing target. However, a tired-looking shot from Joe Root, after a long summer of cricket, saw him edge the ball for wicket keeper Rickelton to hang onto a juggling catch, signalling the start of a dramatic slump.Spinner Maharaj’s varying pace then bamboozled the batters as England were dismissed three balls shy of half of their allotted 50 overs. England’s debutant seamer Sonny Baker opened the bowling but finished with figures of 0-76 off seven overs.Markram was particularly brutal on him before he was the first of three wickets late in the chase for spinner Adil Rashid, who took 3-26.“It was important to start well,” South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said. “We were clinical with the ball, we were under pressure in the powerplay but still managed to get wickets.“With the bat, we could have been more clinical at the end but it should not take anything away from the chase, led brilliantly by Aiden. Fielding was good, caught well, trying to improve. The ball flies off on this square but good effort. We want to build on this momentum, quick turnaround. Lord’s might be different conditions so we’ll try to assess, but we’ve set our standard.BRIEF SCORESSouth Africa 137 for 3 (Markram 86) beat England 131 (Smith 54, Maharaj 4-22, Mulder 3-33) by seven wickets

Al Arabi opened their 2025-2026 QSL Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Al Wakrah in the first round at Al Shamal Stadium Tuesday while Al Ahli and Al Duhail played out a goalless draw at the Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium.Al Arabi found the net through U-23 player Salem Reda in the 8th minute, Pablo Sarabia in the 41st, and Marwan Sherif in the 50th minute. Al Wakrah’s lone goal came from substitute Redouane Berkane in the 81st minute.Al Ahli and Al Duhail battled hard but weren’t able to break the deadlock, eventually settling for the stalemate.In the opening half, Al Ahli were a bit more forceful and even had a few chances but were not able to convert any.The second session saw Al Duhail push harder but luck eluded them as in the 54th minute an Adil Boulbina kick went on to hit the crossbar.The match was also marked by some rough tackles with Al Ahli picking up 4 yellow cards and Al Duhail 2.Today, four matches will be played, with Al Khor facing Al Bidda SC and Al Shahania taking on Al Sailiya in simultaneous kick-offs. Al Shamal will meet Umm Salal, while Al Rayyan will face Qatar SC in the day’s later fixtures.

Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Iwaya Takeshi met with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi on Monday in Kuwait, reaffirming a commitment to deepen their strategic partnership and collaborate on critical regional and international issues.In a press statement, the Embassy of Japan in Doha said minister al-Muraikhi expressed his desire to further promote bilateral co-operation under the strategic partnership. In response, minister Iwaya expressed his respect for Qatar’s diplomatic efforts towards the stabilisation of the Middle East, emphasising the importance of the strategic partnership with Qatar and his desire to further strengthen it.The two Ministers had a candid exchange of views on recent regional situations, including Iran, Gaza, and Syria. Minister Iwaya noted the importance of the fact that Gulf countries called on the parties involved to exercise restraint and to engage in dialogue during the exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran in June this year.He also mentioned the necessity of addressing the serious humanitarian situation in Gaza and acknowledged the diplomatic efforts of relevant countries towards the stabilisation of Syria, expressing his desire to continue close communication with Qatar.In addition, he emphasised Japan's consistent support for the ‘Two-State Solution’ and its desire to co-ordinate with Qatar. In response, minister al-Muraikhi explained Qatar’s position on the importance of dialogue towards regional stabilisation and thanked Japan's efforts, including the Conference on Co-operation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development and Japan’s long-standing support for Palestine.The two ministers also exchanged views on various international challenges, including their policies toward North Korea, as well as the nuclear, missile, and abductions issues. They confirmed to continue close communication to further strengthen bilateral relations.

As part of the State of Qatar's efforts to promote national industry and enhance local content in government procurement, the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), organised a dedicated meeting to present and discuss the draft Mandatory List of National Products, reports QNA.The meeting targeted owners and managers of Qatari factories as well as contracting companies, providing a platform for direct dialogue on the proposed implementation mechanisms, and offering an opportunity to gather feedback and insights from representatives of the industrial sector regarding activation opportunities and integration with government entities.This initiative reflects the commitment of the relevant authorities to empower national manufacturers to benefit from government procurement opportunities and to strengthen partnerships between the public and private sectors, contributing to the realisation of Qatar National Vision 2030 for a diversified and sustainable knowledge-based economy.

The new intake of medical students at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) have marked the beginning of their training by donning the white coat of the physician for the first time at a special ceremony.Each of the new medical students received their white coat and their first stethoscope at the Opening Exercises ceremony, a symbolic event that marks the point when students begin the four-year medical curriculum that will eventually lead to them graduating as doctors. This year there are 57 students enrolled on the first year of the medical curriculum.Of the 57 first-year students, 26 are men and 31 are women. Nineteen of the cohort are Qatari nationals. If successful in their studies, each student will be awarded the Cornell University MD degree.Dean of WCM-Q Dr. Javaid Sheikh said: "Pulling on the white coat of the physician for the first time is an important milestone in the career of any doctor, marking the point at which they take their first steps into a profession that demands technical excellence, compassion, and dedication. All of us at WCM-Q have great confidence the members of this cohort will excel and go on to become the next generation of leaders in medical science and innovation, driving our profession forwards into a bright future of enhanced patient care."The keynote address at the event was given by WCM-Q alumna Dr. Noor Al Khori, now senior attending physician at Sidra Medicine. Dr. Al Khori said: "As you feel the fabric slip onto your shoulders today, feel its magic. Feel the weight of the trust that is placed in you. Feel the weight of history. But also, feel the excitement of the adventures to come. Your white coat is a flag - a flag of humanity, of compassion, and of unwavering principle. It is a banner you raise for every patient, in every circumstance, declaring that here, in your care, dignity and kindness will prevail."

The Department of Islamic Research and Studies at the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs announced Tuesday the winners of the Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al-Thani Endowment Prize.Moroccan researcher Ismail bin Abdullah Al Hajj won the 15th edition of this global prize, which focused on social solidarity and its role in achieving community security.The first local edition of the prize on family cohesion and its role in childcare was shared by Dr. Omar Othman Al Khatib, Dr. Khalifa Ahmed Bu Hashim, and Layla Fadl Hamad Sada.During a press conference, Awqaf evinced that the decision to share this local edition came based on the findings of the prize's panel which affirmed that each researcher complements the other and constitutes a critical addition.Director of the Department of Islamic Research and Studies, Sheikh Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al-Thani, highlighted that the prize drew a major contest among 57 researchers hailing from Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, Morocco, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia.He further added that the prize's panel lauded the submitted research which were literally in a high degree of scientific excellence in terms of approach and objectivity, prompting the panel to significantly recommend verification from some research and further submission to the Book of the Nation Series to weigh the possibility of publishing them once the consent of research leads.Even if the prize has essentially opted for one winning dissertation for each level, it has incredibly succeeded in supplying the Arab Islamic Library with 57 outstanding research and books by approaching this bulk of research, as long as the leads who were not lucky to win will strive to publish and distribute them, Sheikh Dr. Ahmed said.He stated that the research department has selected "Artificial Intelligence and Technology Ethics in Islamic Thought: A Study of the Challenges of the Digital Revolution from an Islamic Perspective" as the theme for the 18th International Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al-Thani Endowment Prize, while the theme for the upcoming session of the local prize will be on "Financial Education for Children According to Islamic Methodology and Its Impact on Family Economy- Islam's Role in Building a Sound Financial Culture" for the 4th local prize, noting that Jan.1, 2028, ought to be the deadline for submitting research for both prizes.He pointed out that Jan.1, 2026, ought to be the deadline for receiving the research submitted to the 16th International prize on the Islamic jurisprudence of social relations in light of Qur'anic stories, along with the second edition of the local prize on social media and its impact on the cultural identity of the Qatari community.It has been determined that Jan.1, 2027, would be the deadline for receiving the researches submitted to the 17th edition of the international prize on the Islamic ummah and the post-globalization era: A foresight study, as well as the third edition of the local prize on the Friday Sermon and its role in reform: the Qatari society as a model, highlighted Sheikh Dr. Ahmed.Qatar News Agency (QNA) reached the Assistant Director of the Research and Studies Center at the Police Academy in Qatar, Capt. Dr. Khalifa Ahmed Bo Hashim Al Sayed, who evinced that his participation in the local prize came after he delved into the topic of family cohesion and its role in childcare: The Qatari society as a model.Al Sayed pointed out that his participation, which ranked first, has diligently revealed how tight-knit families can take care of children in the Qatari community through identifying the reality of family cohesion and care for children in terms of Sharia perspectives.Identifying the contemporary issues, modern methods, and a wide range of societal challenges, along with their impact on tight-knit families and taking care of children, was imperative, alongside the role of the whole-of-government approach, social centers, and scholars at home in preserving this cohesion, he underlined.Al Sayed noted that his study also discussed clarifying the impact of the tight-knit family in caring for children in many respects that include psychology, emotion, morality, education, and science.A field study was conducted using a descriptive-analytical approach, along with the preparation and distribution of a questionnaire to a random sample of 747 individuals from various segments of Qatari society, he said.He further elucidated that the findings were literally consequential, pointing out that the impact of diverse issues on family cohesion and caring for children in Qatar is almost high, based on social dispensation, as well as education and culture, emphasizing that this cohesion has an apparent and profound impact and comes based on the scientific, moral, and educational levels, as well as psychology and emotion.With respect to the recommendations of this study, Capt. Al Sayed evinced that they advocate for reconsidering the policies and measures in connection with job patterns in the Qatari community to preemptively avert the detrimental consequences arising from the long hours of work that could potentially affect familial relationships.The recommendations laser-focus on social collaboration with the nation's competent authorities, namely the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), in urging families to dedicate a limited time to their sons and daughters to use social media, Al Sayed outlined, noting that the recommendations stressed the importance of crafting a strategy that strengthens family cohesion and contributes to caring for children.In essence, the prize is the first and largest endowment-based prize in culture, advocacy, and Islamic thought in Qatar, supported by Awqaf to encourage research and develop a new generation of scholars, with a value of QR200,000 for both the international and local categories.Over nearly three decades, the prize has advanced pivotal contributions across diverse knowledge fields, addressing issues such as societal endowments, Islamic perspectives on the environment, family and education, heritage and nation-building, governance, dialogue, human rights, divine laws, communal obligations, transformative jurisprudence, citizenship, and development.

Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the upcoming 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly offers a timely opportunity to reaffirm global support for the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution, especially amid efforts spearheaded by Saudi Arabia and France.During the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ weekly press briefing Tuesday, Dr al- Ansari said Qatar has consistently committed to supporting multilateral action and strengthening the role of the United Nations in various international issues, stressing the importance of ensuring Palestinian presence in all international forums.He pointed out that there has been no response from the Israeli side to the ceasefire proposal in the Gaza Strip. He added what the Strip has witnessed in recent days has seen further escalation, particularly the dangerous step of occupying the densely populated Gaza City amid a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties, including hostages whom the Israeli government claims to be seeking to release.He noted that any alternative proposal remains contingent on a genuine will to reach an agreement, indicating that there has been intensive contact with the US and regional and international parties, but that these have not yet yielded anything new.The spokesperson emphasised that the priority is to end the humanitarian crisis, warning against linking the humanitarian situation in Gaza to the issue of prisoner and hostage exchanges, describing this as unacceptable blackmail and a violation of international law. Dr al-Ansari also indicated that Qatar, as a mediator, possesses no leverage other than pushing for an agreement and relying on international pressure and position.He noted that Israel’s move to occupy Gaza City and its threats to annex the West Bank have been met with increasing international condemnation, given that a Palestinian state is a reality established by UN resolutions, and that the international community, except Israel, unanimously recognises its legitimacy.He highlighted that the international stance has become clearer in its support for the rights of the Palestinian people and the two-state solution, considering that recent Israeli measures have weakened its position internationally, a point recently acknowledged by the US president.Dr al-Ansari also revealed the existence of contacts to develop new proposals that could contribute to reaching an agreement, stressing Qatar’s openness to all realistic solutions, noting that the only official offer on the table is the plan previously announced and approved by Hamas.In another context, the spokesperson discussed Qatar’s ongoing mediation efforts on a number of international issues, including the humanitarian role related to reuniting children affected by the war in Ukraine and Russia with their families.He affirmed Qatar’s support for all efforts aimed at ending the war, including the upcoming summit between Russia and Ukraine. Regarding the Arab Foreign Ministers’ meeting scheduled for Cairo Thursday, Dr al-Ansari said regional issues, especially the situation in Gaza, will feature prominently, emphasising the importance of these meetings in coordinating Arab positions.At the outset of the briefing, Dr al-Ansari addressed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ key activities during the week, including the work of the sixth session of the Joint Higher Committee between Qatar and Egypt, where HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met with Egyptian Prime Minister Dr Mostafa Madbouly.He also held a joint press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Dr Badr Abdelatty. He also met with Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov.In a related context, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al- Muraikhi led Qatar’s delegation to the 165th session of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and the second Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC countries and Japan.He met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Iwaya Takeshi, and also with HE Deputy Minister and Government Representative for Korean Nationals Overseas Protection and Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Jung Ki-hong. He noted that HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad met with HE Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria Peter Sands.She also held phone calls with HE Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Caretaker Government of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and with HE Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in the Caretaker Government of Afghanistan and Chairman of the Coordination Committee for Assistance to Earthquake Victims Mohammad Younus Akhundzada.Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, also noted that HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi received a phone call from HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Sudan Omar Mohamed Ahmed Siddiq.He highlighted that HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated Tuesday in the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia, where he delivered a speech at a high-level session and met with senior officials there.

Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Andrey Rublev in straight sets at the US Open Monday as the Canadian 25th seed reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final in three years.Auger-Aliassime retrieved a break in the first set before seizing control against the 15th-ranked Rublev, triumphing 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 for just his second win over the Russian in nine attempts.Also Monday, four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka of Japan crushed French Open champion Coco Gauff in straight sets. Osaka, a two-time US Open champion, Monday won 6-3, 6-2. The match was a repeat of the duo’s first meeting at the US Open in 2019, when Osaka overpowered the then 15-year-old Gauff in straight sets.Osaka is enjoying her best US Open showing since winning the tournament for the second time in 2020.The 25-year-old Auger-Aliassime backed up his win over third seed Alexander Zverev in the previous round and will play Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the last eight.Auger-Aliassime climbed as high as sixth in the world at the end of 2022 but had not made it to a major quarter-final since that year’s Australian Open. His deepest run at a Grand Slam came when he advanced to the semi-finals of the US Open four years ago.“It feels even better than the first time,” Auger-Aliassime said of returning to the last eight in New York.“I think the first time at 21 I was kind of on my way up. To have a few setbacks, injuries, struggles with confidence... to come back for a second time to the quarter-finals here, it feels much better.“It feels more deserved. I’m soaking in every moment here.”Also Monday, Australian eighth seed Alex de Minaur powered into the quarter-finals of the US Open with a straight-sets rout of Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi.De Minaur, who also reached the US Open quarter-finals last year, cruised to victory 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 in one hour 33 minutes.De Minaur has reached five Grand Slam quarter-finals before but never managed to progress beyond the last eight.“I’m super proud of what I’m doing,” De Minaur said. “Ultimately this is where I want to be - I want to be playing for big titles, I want to be in contention.”Fritz reaches quarters as Townsend loses epicDreams died by fractions of an inch and were reborn through sheer determination on a pulsating Sunday at the US Open, with Taylor Townsend’s heartbreaking exit contrasting sharply with Taylor Fritz’s steady march onward.Townsend’s three-hour odyssey against Barbora Krejcikova provided the day’s most compelling drama, the mother from Chicago saving eight match points before finally succumbing 1-6 7-6(13) 6-3 in a thriller that left even her four-year-old son AJ offering gentle consolation. “It was literally like a point here and there that made the difference,” said Townsend, tears still fresh after the longest tiebreak of the tournament.The 29-year-old’s anguish provided a stark contrast to Fritz’s businesslike 6-4 6-3 6-3 dismissal of Czech Tomas Machac, to fly the American flag as the country’s sole male survivor from the 23 who began the tournament.The Californian will carry the nation’s hopes of ending a 22-year major drought since Andy Roddick’s 2003 triumph. “It’s been a tough week for the guys,” Fritz admitted after reaching the quarter-finals of the US Open for a third year in a row. “I wasn’t expecting that. I’m happy to be here and happy to be the last one standing. Hopefully the crowd will get behind me and will me through it.”HISTORY MAKERAt 38, Novak Djokovic made history by becoming the oldest man to reach Grand Slam quarter-finals in all four majors in a single season, dispatching Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3 6-3 6-2 despite requiring treatment on his right shoulder during the match. “I don’t know how many more I’m going to have, so obviously each one is very special,” said the Serbian, who extended his all-time record to 64 major quarter-finals and now awaits Fritz. Djokovic leads their head-to-head 10-0.Swiatek breezes pastAlexandrova Laser-focused Iga Swiatek barely broke sweat as the former US Open champion methodically dismantled Russian 13th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3 6-1 and booked her return to the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam Monday.The 24-year-old’s crushing win on Louis Armstrong Stadium meant that she became the youngest woman to reach at least the quarter-finals of all four Grand Slams in a single season since 18-year-old Maria Sharapova managed the feat in 2005.