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World number one Aryna Sabalenka stormed back from the cusp of defeat to beat Czech Nikola Bartunkova and reach the last four of the WTA event in Berlin on Friday.Sabalenka won 2-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 in sweltering conditions in the German capital in the traditional Wimbledon warm-up event."I was thinking 'wow, that's how it is to play against me'," a smiling Sabalenka said of her opponent's early dominance, adding: "I thought it was her match for sure... I was just trying to stay in the game."I think it was a lucky match. I somehow, miraculously, came back in that second set."Bartunkova, the world number 62, stormed to take the first set and led 4-0 in the second as a visibly frustrated Sabalenka struggled on serve and could not pose any kind of danger with her return.With elimination looming, the Belarusian suddenly clicked into gear, winning five straight games before taking the second set in a tiebreak.The heat began to wear on both players in the third set, with Sabalenka breaking her opponent three times but suffering two breaks herself before taking the match in two hours and 23 minutes. WORLD NO.1 TO FACE PEGULASabalenka will face American world number four Jessica Pegula, who beat close friend and podcast co-host Madison Keys 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (10/8) earlier on Friday.In their first meeting since Pegula ended Keys' title defence at the Australian Open in January, both players each broke serve once in the opening set and forced a tiebreak, which Pegula won.Pegula, a 2024 champion on the Berlin grass, ran out to a 4-2 lead in the second but Keys fought back to once again set up a tiebreak.Pegula triumphed 10-8 in the tiebreak to take the match and extend her winning run to seven without defeat over fellow Americans this calendar year.On the other side of the draw, wildcard Alexandra Eala continued her giant-killing run by defeating world number eight Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final four.Eala, who upset world number two Elena Rybakina in the last 16 on Thursday and Queen's Club champion Donna Vekic in the first round, won in one hour and 23 minutes.The 21-year-old world number 35 is the first player from the Philippines to break into the top 50 and will take on eighth seed Linda Noskova, who defeated Spanish wildcard Paula Badosa 6-1, 6-3 earlier on Friday. 

US law enforcement Tuesday said it had foiled a plot to attack the White House during a crowded mixed martial arts event attended by President Donald Trump and other top officials."Thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold," FBI Director Kash Patel announced on X.His post included a caption of a Fox News headline reading: "FBI disrupts alleged explosive-drone plot targeting White House UFC event, officials say."Trump on Sunday joined thousands of fans at the unprecedented White House fights, where a temporary arena dubbed "The Claw" was erected on the South Lawn.Fox News reported that five people had been taken into custody, according to unnamed US officials, with investigators identifying 23 people in a "potential network of plotters" who allegedly communicated in a Signal group chat.The plan allegedly would have involved using drones to hit buildings near the White House during the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contest, thereby prompting a mass evacuation that would "steer crowds toward a pre-staged sniper team," Fox News said.There were also allegedly plans to storm the White House gates with a "second wave," the report said.It was not clear if people involved in the alleged plot had taken any steps to carry out an attack. The White House is protected by intense surveillance, fencing, checkpoints, anti-air-attack capabilities, snipers and a permanent group of quick-reaction forces.Asked for further details about Patel's announcement, the FBI told AFP "we have nothing to add to the post at this time."The June 14 "UFC Freedom 250" event — which also fell on Trump's 80th birthday — was meant to kick off this year's festivities for the 250th anniversary of US independence.Fox News reported that the FBI learned of the threat on June 10."Protective intelligence cases are on the rise, and our teams work tirelessly behind the scenes to investigate threats, identify those responsible and ensure accountability," the US Secret Service said in a statement on X."In the days leading up to this weekend, our special agents, mission support personnel, and technical security teams worked around the clock to identify those responsible and hold them accountable," Secret Service Director Sean Curran said.Trump has faced several assassination attempts in recent years, most recently when a gunman attempted to storm a White House press gala he was attending in April.US Vice President JD Vance, who also attended the UFC event, said Tuesday morning in an appearance on Fox News that he had just learned about the alleged plot.Asked why the FBI revealed the foiled plot — a step it does not always take for various security reasons — Vance pointed to potential "scale of the planned attack."He described the alleged plan as a "coordinated planned terrorist plot" and cited the Trump administration's work to investigate funding and coordination networks of radical left-wing groups.Vance did not provide further details on who the alleged suspects were or their motivations, but nonetheless accused Democrats of fomenting violence with anti-Trump rhetoric."Everybody has a role to cut this stuff out, but I think a lot of my Democratic colleagues in Washington have got to look themselves in the mirror and say, 'why is so much of this political violence coming from our side of the spectrum?'" he said.The White House has repeatedly claimed that Trump critics and the media are responsible for rising political tension in the country. Opponents of Trump say the 80-year-old Republican's often inflammatory rhetoric against opponents, immigrants and the election system are to blame. 

Serena Williams stole the show at Queen's Club on Tuesday as the American icon made her eagerly-awaited return to competitive action nearly four years after her last match. The 44-year-old ‌mother of two announced last week she had been handed a ​wildcard to partner Canadian teenager ‌Victoria Mboko in the grasscourt WTA event and her re-appearance ‌on a London ⁠lawn has ‌been the talk of sport ever ‌since. Widely-regarded as the greatest female player of all time with 23 Grand Slam ⁠singles titles, Williams never officially retired, instead saying that she was 'evolving' away from tennis. But when she lost to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the U.S. Open in September 2022 and bade an emotional farewell, few thought she would return to write another chapter into a sporting story that has inspired millions. On Tuesday, a few miles down the road from ​Wimbledon where she won seven singles crowns, Williams stepped out in late afternoon sunshine in front of a packed stand to face Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe. Kitted out ‌in light pink, Williams looked ⁠business-like as she ​began her warm-up for the match, going through her routines as ​her incredible career record was read out. During evening doubles matches at Queen's, ticket holders usually drift off to enjoy the hospitality at the elite club, but there was not a vacant seat as the American strolled out on the pristine grass of the Andy Murray Arena. Even British number one Emma Raducanu's earlier opening singles was relegated very much to the under-card. "Let's go Serena" rang out from the stands as she belted away a typically aggressive volley in the opening game and there ‌was a clenched fist as she ‌and Mboko took the first ⁠game. One fan had made a special effort to witness the re-appearance of a ⁠trailblazer who once dominated women's ⁠tennis. Mukami Wambora, from Nairobi in Kenya, had never seen her in action but when she heard she was returning in London she booked a flight and managed to buy a ticket. "I missed out watching her play when she was in full swing. So it feels like a godsend that she's coming back ​because now and I can finally watch my favourite tennis player," she said as she walked in through the gates. "Serena will always be Serena, even when she didn't have good matches she was still on another level, and we've seen through her sister Venus that it's not about age it's about skill. They say form is temporary; class is permanent." Williams, who also won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with her older sister Venus, will also play doubles ‌in Berlin and ​is expected to be handed a wildcard for a remarkable Wimbledon return later this month.

Aligned with Visit Qatar’s ongoing campaign “Hala Summer”, Qatar Calendar has announced the entertainment and activation programme for the inaugural edition of Sneaker Con Doha.With Redbull as the official entertainment partner and M7 as the official partner, the event is taking place on May 29-31 at Hall 1 of the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC). Hosting “The Greatest Sneaker Show on Earth” in Doha for the first time, the three-day event will deliver an immersive celebration of sneaker culture, streetwear, music, sport, and entertainment as part of Qatar Calendar’s diverse annual events calendar. Spanning more than 7,000sqm, the event will feature seven dedicated zones offering visitors an engaging and interactive experience. These include the Kids Zone, Main Stage, Skater Park, DJ Booth, Basketball Court, Graffiti Roaming activations, and roaming entertainment areas, creating a vibrant atmosphere for sneaker enthusiasts, collectors, families and younger audiences alike. Daily activations will include live DJ performances, beatbox sets, breakdance and hip-hop performances, live music bands, mascot parades, graffiti artists, and roaming performances. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a range of interactive sporting competitions and watch basketball competitions held in collaboration with the Qatar Basketball Federation.Additional attractions will include live vintage car displays and a variety of food and beverage kiosks. The Doha edition will also feature a curated marketplace bringing together global, regional and local vendors offering rare sneakers, limited-edition releases, and streetwear collections. In addition, Sneaker Con Authenticated will provide on-site verification services. In addition to the entertainment line-up, the event will host a series of panel discussions between 5.40pm and 6pm daily, bringing together regional and international voices from the sneaker and streetwear industry to discuss trends, authentication, collecting culture, and the evolution of the global sneaker marketplace. Entry to Sneaker Con Doha is complimentary through pre-registration on Platinumlist.Visitors can also purchase a dedicated VIP Experience priced at QR500, which includes access for two persons to the VIP Lounge, hospitality services, and assistance from a trained personal shopper.Tickets and registration are available through Platinumlist via https://doha.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/sneaker-con-doha 

The Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2026 returns to Doha for its second year as an ATP500 event, following its debut season’s recognition as the ATP 500 ‘Tournament of the Year.’ This success reflects the strong partnership between ExxonMobil Qatar and the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF), a relationship built on a shared vision to excellence and developing local talent.ExxonMobil Qatar, the tournament’s title sponsor, welcomed fans back to its popular stand at the heart of the Public Village. A major attraction each year, the booth offers interactive experiences, from a full-size racing simulator to surprise meet-and-greets with top players making it a must-visit spot for fans of all ages.These opportunities for autographs, photos, and personal interactions at the booth have created countless memories for attendees.ExxonMobil Qatar extends the excitement to its own community. Employees enjoy the unique chance to take part in pre-match coin tosses, and young players gain inspiration from professionals during a special kids’ clinic hosted by QTF.“Our goal is to create meaningful connections with the community and celebrate the spirit of our collaboration,” said Rashid al-Hajri, Vice President and Public and Government Affairs Manager at ExxonMobil Qatar. “These shared experiences are central to our partnership with QTF and the tournament’s continued success.”The ExxonMobil booth also includes a dedicated space for Dadu, Qatar’s Children’s Museum. It is designed to give kids a fun place to learn about mangroves during the tournament, offering hands on activities that bring Dadu’s educational experience straight to families attending the event.As an industry leader in almost every aspect of the energy and petrochemical business, ExxonMobil’s focus goes beyond core business operations to positively impact communities where it operates. The company is dedicated to being a responsible corporate citizen, advancing industry solutions, and delivering energy to enhance livelihoods.The company plays an active role in community development and education initiatives particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as a key driver of economic growth and opportunity, aligning its efforts with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy. This commitment supports the creation of a skilled workforce that propels growth and opportunities for a sustainable future. 

Canadian Richard T. Lee continued to have the sharpest game at the LIV Golf Promotions event, taking a two-shot lead into the final day at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Fla.Lee, who led after the first ‌day Thursday before scores were reset for the final 36 holes ‌on Saturday and Sunday, shot ‍a 6-under 64 on Saturday after rounds of 64 and 66. He birdied par-4 holes Nos. ⁠2, 7 12, 14 and 15 ⁠as well as the par-5 No. 9 in his bogey-free round on Saturday."Honestly, I ‍don't think it would be comfortable for any player to have a two- shot lead on the last day," said Lee, who has two eagles, 13 birdies and just one bogey in his 54 competitive holes this week that included advancing out of both the first and second rounds. "I'll just put my hat on and just play my golf."Lee has carded two eagles, ‌13 birdies and a lone bogey in 54 holes this week.A three-way tie for second at 4-under consists of American Anthony Kim, South Africa's Oliver Bekker and Thailand's Jazz ‍Janewattananond.Kim posted the other bogey-free ⁠round of the ‌day, which featured birdies at Nos. 9, 13, 14 and 16.Bekker's round included a bogey at 14 and birdies at Nos. 3, 9, 13, 16 and 18. Janewattanond bogeyed the par-4 No. 3 as well as No. 10 but countered with birdies at No. 4, 5, 7, 9, 13 and 16.The top three finishers at the four-round event will be awarded full-season, wild-card spots for the 2026 LIV Golf League season, and each of the top 10 finishers plus ties will be exempt for the 2026 International Series co- sponsored by the Asian Tour.Lucas Bjerregaard of Denmark carded ​a 3-under 67 to be ‌alone in fifth. A two- time winner on the DP World Tour, he said earning full-time LIV Golf ⁠status would change his career."Where I ‍am in my career right now," the 34-year-old said, "it's probably that or retirement. Yeah, that would mean a lot for sure."Kim was among several players who received an exemption into the second round, while others began Thursday with a play-in round. The former wunderkind from California, now 40, returned from a 12-year hiatus from the ​game (2012-24) when he competed on the LIV circuit as a wild card in 2024, and again in 2025.But he was relegated at the end of the 2025 season and is trying to earn his way back."I have an opportunity to get one of those spots," said Kim, the only American to advance to the weekend, said on Saturday. "That's what I asked for coming into this week and put myself in good position. Now I've just got to go finish."Kim made ⁠an 8-foot birdie putt on his final hole Friday to make the cut on the number and make the 22-player field for the weekend. 

Qatar Philatelic and Numismatic Center, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, will participate in the Sharjah Stamp Exhibition, to be held in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, from Oct. 29-Nov. 2. The event is organized by the Emirates Philatelic Association in cooperation with Mega Mall Sharjah, with the participation of philatelic associations from the Gulf and Arab countries. The exhibition is held annually, and the Qatari center is always keen to take part in this cultural event that brings together stamp enthusiasts from across the region. The Center will be represented by a delegation that includes stamp and coin collectors from Qatar, as well as several members affiliated with the Center. The Center is dedicated to promoting and supporting the hobby of stamp and coin collecting, advancing it through scientific and artistic means, and providing suitable conditions for its development. The Center also works to facilitate engagement among its members and to strengthen cooperation and connections between philatelic and numismatic enthusiasts in Qatar and other countries.

The Qatar Event Show (QES) is set to transform the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre as a premier hub for innovation and collaboration within the events and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.The three-day event opening Tuesday, will bring together over 50 cutting-edge exhibitors and more than 2,000 delegates from across the region and the globe.According to the organisers, this world-class exhibition will showcase the latest advancements in event technology, alongside insightful conferences, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. QES is also described as a premier platform for discovering groundbreaking event tech, absorbing knowledge from industry pioneers, and forging connections with key decision-makers within the MICE sector.One of the highlights will be a talk, titled ‘Qatar’s Next Chapter: Unlocking Event Management Opportunities for the Future’. This session will explore how Qatar’s world-class infrastructure, its exceptional talent pool, and its forward-thinking strategic vision are cultivating a fertile ground for significant growth in event management.The ‘Association Events as Knowledge Diplomacy Tools’ panel will investigate how association-led events can transcend mere knowledge sharing to become powerful instruments of soft power and diplomacy. Participants could gain insights into how hosting international associations strengthens professional communities, fosters vital dialogue, and strategically positions destinations as leading thought leaders on the global stage.The programme also includes a presentation on ‘Building Legacy through Fan-Centric Programmes in Sporting Events’, offering a glimpse into strategies that create lasting impact beyond the roar of the crowd.A panel titled ‘Game Changers - Women Shaping the MICE Industry’ will celebrate and highlight the transformative contributions of women in driving progress within the sector.For those seeking to enhance attendee engagement, ‘The PlayTactic Way: Gamifying Events with Play and Impact’ will present practical approaches to gamification, transforming events into captivating, interactive experiences that foster connection and create memorable moments.The event will also host a masterclass titled ‘Project Management in Motion - Lessons from Qatar’s Global Stage’. Led by fischerAppelt, this session will dissect how Qatar’s landmark global events have set new benchmarks in project management excellence, offering practical strategies, tools, and behind-the-scenes insights for successfully delivering complex projects with precision and impact.Sustainability will be a key theme at the show as well, with a presentation on ‘Tourism and the Blue Economy: A Pathway to Climate Resilient Events in the 21st Century’. This session spotlights the symbiotic relationship between tourism and the blue economy in building climate-resilient events, highlighting how coastal and marine sustainability strategies are shaping the future of event planning.A Masterclass workshop, ‘Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Enabling Sustainability in the Events Industry’ will provide actionable insights for professionals aiming to reduce their environmental footprint through innovative tech solutions. From transparent blockchain applications to smart venue management, this workshop is set to equip attendees with practical tools for integrating sustainability into event operations.A fireside chat, ‘Reimagining Events: Modularity as a Path to Sustainability’ will examine how modularity in event design can enhance flexibility, minimise waste, and drive long-term sustainability, exploring innovative approaches to creating adaptable structures that meet the evolving needs of the industry.

Qatari swimmer Adam Morsi, won the gold medal in the 50-meter breaststroke event for the 13-14 age group, at the 4th edition of the Arab Aquatics Age Group Championships, currently being held in Morocco and running until September 1.Morsi completed the race in 31.23 seconds, setting a new Arab record.Swimmer Mohamed Mahmoud also won the gold medal in the men's 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 28.53 seconds, raising Qatar's tally to three gold medals at the championship.Meanwhile, swimmer Hamza Shaalan claimed the silver medal in the 50-meter breaststroke for the 17-18 age group, finishing in 29.13 seconds.The Qatari relay team also secured a silver medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, clocking a time of 7:55.80 minutes.The championship brings together athletes from 19 Arab countries. It includes competitions in swimming, water polo, and open-water swimming.