TOULON: French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that the Daesh organization in Syria and Iraq would be defeated militarily “in the coming weeks,” as he laid out plans for bolstering France’s defense capabilities.
“Today, thanks to the efforts of all the nations involved, the Daesh military organization in the Levant is almost completely defeated,” Macron said in a speech aboard a helicopter carrier in the southern port of Toulon.
“I’m confident that in the coming weeks we will achieve a military victory on the ground,” he said.
“I want us now to firmly commit with our partners to stabilization, reconstruction and aide to populations” after years of conflict, he said.
With many of its leaders dead and its fighters on the run, IS has now lost almost all the land it once controlled in Syria and Iraq.
France, which recently pulled out two of the 12 Rafale fighter jets it had been operating in the region, currently has about 1,200 personnel in the international coalition fighting the militants.
Macron said that although combat operations would continue, the country would “adapt” its contribution this year to developments, without providing details.
The French government has increased the 2018 defense budget by 1.8 billion euros, bringing it to 34.2 billion euros ($42 billion).
Macron reiterated his pledge to lift French defense spending to two percent of the country’s GDP by 2025, in line with the target agreed to by NATO members in 2014.
The increased spending will include a “renewal” of France’s nuclear arsenal during his five-year term, Macron said, calling nuclear deterrence “the keystone of our defense strategy for the past 50 years.”
Macron sees Daesh military defeat in Syria, Iraq within ‘weeks’
Macron sees Daesh military defeat in Syria, Iraq within ‘weeks’
LIV Golf’s Herbert in charge at Australian Open, Smith two back
- Smith, who finished second at last week’s Australian PGA Championship, is yet to win an Australian Open and has made no secret of his desire to do so
- In the women’s tournament, Australia’s Su Oh shared a one shot lead with South Korean teenager Yang Hyo-jin ahead of major winner Hannah Green
MELBOURNE: Lucas Herbert drained an eagle at the last in a flawless eight-under-par 63 Thursday to lead the Australian Open in Melbourne and upstage LIV Golf teammate Cameron Smith who trails by two.
In the women’s tournament, Australia’s Su Oh shared a one shot lead with South Korean teenager Yang Hyo-jin ahead of major winner Hannah Green.
Starting on the 10th, Australia’s Herbert sunk six birdies to no bogeys before his sensational eagle propelled him into the outright lead at the second event of the DP World Tour’s 2025 season.
He ended one clear of Rintaro Nakaro — Japan’s amateur champion in 2023 — and American Ryggs Johnson, with 2022 British Open champion Smith a shot further back in a four-way tie.
The mixed Australian Open involves men and women teeing off in alternating groups on the same courses.
Kingston Heath in Melbourne’s famous sandbelt region is the main venue across all four days with Victoria Golf Club also hosting play on the opening two days.
“I felt like there was a lot of shots left out there,” said Herbert, a three-time winner on the European circuit, after negotiating soggy fairways and soft greens.
“I feel like that with every round of golf, to be fair, but didn’t really think I holed that many. Just hit it quite nicely.”
Nakaro was the early pacesetter with eight birdies, but his round was spoilt by a bogey at the last.
“I’m surprised but very happy,” said the 21-year-old, who plans to turn professional next year.
Smith, who finished second at last week’s Australian PGA Championship, is yet to win an Australian Open and has made no secret of his desire to do so.
He was one-over after three, but then reeled off six straight birdies to remain in the hunt.
“I mean the greens are soft and there wasn’t much wind out there this morning, so a lot of those par-fives played really quite short whereas typically you get one hole into the wind or something like that,” he said.
“So yeah, I was just able to take advantage of that.”
At stake for the men is a place at next year’s British Open at Royal Portrush with the top three earning a spot.
Chilean defending champion Joaquin Niemann, Smith and Englishman Jordan Smith are already exempt.
Niemann, also on the LIV Tour, had a day to forget with 73 while Smith carded 70.
Australia’s Su shot nine birdies in her 66 to lead the women’s field alongside Yang, just 17.
But they have Green, a three-time winner on the LPGA Tour this year, breathing down their neck.
“I’ve worked really hard the last few months and felt like I was hitting the ball a lot better and just happy and proud,” said Su.
South African defending champion Ashleigh Buhai struggled to 73 to be seven adrift.
US embassy warns of security threat to Pakistani hotel in Peshawar, urges caution
- Serena is part of a luxury hotel chain frequented by foreign visitors, government officials
- Peshawar and other parts of KP have long been vulnerable to militant and extremist violence
PESHAWAR: The United States Embassy in Pakistan issued a security alert on Wednesday, warning of a potential threat to the Serena Hotel in Peshawar and advising American citizens to avoid the area until December 16.
The embassy said it had received credible security information and instructed US personnel to steer clear of the hotel, located on Khyber Road near the Peshawar Golf Club in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
“US citizens are encouraged to avoid the hotel and the area around it during this period and reconsider travel plans,” the alert said.
The advisory also reminded American citizens of the existing “Do Not Travel” warning for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province due to the persistent threat of militant violence, last updated on September 10.
The US mission outlined several actions for its citizens to enhance their safety, including leaving the vicinity of the hotel if found there unexpectedly, reviewing personal security plans, monitoring local media for updates and cooperating with authorities.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province bordering Afghanistan, has experienced a surge in militant activity in recent months, with security officials regularly warning of threats to public spaces and high-profile locations.
Pakistani authorities have yet to comment on the nature of the threat or any measures being taken to secure the area.
The Serena Hotel, part of a luxury hotel chain, is frequented by foreign visitors and government officials, making it a high-profile target in a region with ongoing security challenges.
The latest warning underscores persistent concerns about safety in Pakistan’s volatile northwestern region, which has long been a focal point of militant operations and has also witnessed sectarian clashes in recent months.
Record number of local golfers to take part in 2024 Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club
- Four Saudis, including Othman Almulla and Faisal Salhab, will participate in next week’s tournament
- Locals join Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Tyrrell Hatton and Bubba Watson in stellar line-up
RIYADH: For the first time in its history, the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers will feature an unprecedented line-up of Saudi Arabian players with four representatives from the Kingdom in the event, which takes place from Dec. 4-7 at Riyadh Golf Club.
Othman Almulla, Faisal Salhab, Saud Al-Sharif and Khalid Walid will take part in the competition, marking a groundbreaking moment for Saudi golf on a global stage. They are joined by Golf Saudi ambassador, the UK-born Shergo Al-Kurdi, who represents Jordan internationally.
Almulla, Saudi Arabia’s first professional golfer, has paved the way for the game’s growth in the Kingdom and remains a key ambassador for the sport. Before turning professional in 2019, he became the first Saudi golfer to win the Qatar Open and qualify for two professional events, the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic and the 2008 Qatar Masters.
“It’s an honour to be part of this milestone for Saudi golf, competing alongside my fellow countrymen on such a prestigious stage,” Almulla said. “The PIF Saudi International is a testament to the incredible progress golf has made in the Kingdom and the bright future ahead. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without Golf Saudi’s support, and I’m proud to represent Saudi Arabia while inspiring the next generation of golfers to elevate the game even further.”
Salhab turned professional last year and has represented Saudi Arabia at various international tournaments, including the Pan Arab Golf Championships. Attieh, meanwhile, made history in February 2024 at the International Series Oman when he became the first amateur player from Saudi Arabia to make the cut.
Almulla, Salhab and Al-Sharif are also Golf Saudi ambassadors, whose mission is to elevate the game in the Kingdom.
The growing number Saudi players, who will be competing alongside global superstars such as Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Tyrrell Hatton, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, reflect the targets set by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global golf destination.
Alongside the professional action, the Saudi International aims to encourage more individuals, particularly young Saudis, to take up the sport.
Through its Go Golf initiative, Golf Saudi offers three months of free lessons for all new golfers in the Kingdom, followed by 12 complimentary rounds, as well as discounted memberships and coaching. Golf Saudi is committed to expanding access to the sport for players at all levels and building a vibrant golf community in the Kingdom.
Trae Young inspires Hawks to victory over Cleveland
- Young put the game beyond the Cavs with a 39-foot three-pointer to make it 129-122 with 1:43 remaining just moments after he had turned the ball over
- Serbian Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a convincing 122-103 win at the Utah Jazz with 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists
- Led by Anthony Davis with 19 points and 14 rebounds, the Los Angeles Lakers ended the San Antonio Spurs four-game winning streak with a 119-101 victory
MIAMI: Eastern Conference leaders the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered their first home loss of the season with a surprise 135-124 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
Cleveland’s second loss of the season came afer a strong second half display from Atlanta with De’Andre Hunter scoring 26 points off the bench, Jalen Johnson adding 22 points and Trae Young contributing 20 with a career-high 22 assists.
Young put the game beyond the Cavs with a 39-foot three-pointer to make it 129-122 with 1:43 remaining just moments after he had turned the ball over.
Johnson said Young’s assists had been crucial to the victory and that he deserved more credit for his role on the team.
“He was really getting off the ball and finding everyone... a lot of people don’t necessarily talk about him even though he’s leading the league in assists, but they don’t talk about him as the playmaker,” Johnson said.
The win moves the Hawks to 8-11 on the season and Young said the team had shown what they were capable of.
“They are a really good team who have been playing well all year and I feel we have been a little inconsistent but the times that we have played well, we’ve played really well,” he said.
Donovan Mitchell scored 30 for Cleveland and Evan Mobley put up 22 points and 12 rebounds, but the Cavs missed out on a chance to become the first team to start with an 18-1 record.
Serbian Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a convincing 122-103 win at the Utah Jazz with 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Denver had come back from an early 12-point deficit with a 21-4 run midway through the game turning the contest in their direction.
The Houston Rockets needed overtime to beat the 3-14 Philadelphia 76ers, with Alperen Sengun scoring 22 points and claiming 14 rebounds and seven assists.
Half of Turkish center Sengun’s points came in overtime where the Rockets made sure of moving to 14-6.
“My teammates trusted me in overtime and I didn’t want to fail them,” Sengun said. “It was ugly but a win is a win in the NBA.”
James Harden scored 43 points for the Los Angeles Clippers as they beat the struggling Washington Wizards 121-96.
Harden scored 23 of his points in the first quarter and left the game late in the third quarter with the Wizards already condemned to their 13th straight defeat.
“We have to continue to find ways to win,” said Harden of the 12-8 Clippers.
“Defensively we need to do a lot better, sometimes we get a little too comfortable... we just need to continue to get better as a unit.”
The Miami Heat defeated the Charlotte Hornets 98-94, with Tyler Herro scoring 27 points and Duncan Robinson draining six three-pointers in the win.
“He’s a shot-maker, he’s not afraid of the moment,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Herro.
Bam Adebayo claimed 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Heat while LaMelo Ball had 32 points and 10 rebounds for Charlotte.
Miami’s star Jimmy Butler left the game in the third quarter with a tight back and did not return.
The Hornets were closing in on the lead but Herro made a 29-foot three-pointer and then grabbed Ball’s attempted pass to Brandon Miller for the crucial turnover.
Led by Anthony Davis with 19 points and 14 rebounds, the Los Angeles Lakers ended the San Antonio Spurs four-game winning streak with a 119-101 victory.
LeBron James helped with 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds while France’s Victor Wembanyama top scored for the Spurs with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite being without injured Slovenian star Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks had a comfortable 129-114 win over the New York Knicks with Kyrie Irving scoring 23 points.
Dennis Schroder top scored with 29 points as the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Phoenix Suns 127-117. Kevin Durant put up 30 points and 8 rebounds for the Arizona team.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and had 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the Oklahoma City Thunder in an impressive 105-101 win at the Golden State Warriors.
The Thunders lost forward Jalen Williams to an eye injury in the second quarter of the game while Stephen Curry was missing for the Warriors due to a knee injury.
New 10-day truce after over 110 killed in Pakistan sectarian feuding — officials
- Troops will be deployed at key locations in Kurram to enforce the ceasefire, compensation will be provided to victims’ families
- The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 79 people had been killed between July and October in sectarian clashes
PESHAWAR: Feuding communities in northwest Pakistan on Wednesday agreed to a new 10-day ceasefire, as the death toll from a week-long spate of sectarian violence rose to 111, officials said.
“A ten-day ceasefire between the warring parties in Kurram has come into effect as of today,” the office of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where the district is located, said in a statement.
The statement caps a day of continuing hostilities, with provincial officials saying that the death toll from the latest spate of violence had climbed to 111, including 79 Shias and 32 Sunnis. Another 88 people were injured.
Pakistan is a Sunni-majority country, but Kurram district — in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the border with Afghanistan — has a large Shiite population and the communities have clashed for decades.
The provincial minister’s office added that troops will be deployed at key locations in Kurram to enforce the ceasefire and compensation will be provided to the victims’ families.
“Negotiations will continue to ensure lasting peace,” the statement said.
The latest violence began last Thursday when two separate convoys of Shiite Muslims traveling under police escort were ambushed, and at least 43 people were killed.
Provincial officials brokered a seven-day truce this weekend but it did not hold.
Police have regularly struggled to control violence in Kurram, which was part of the semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas until it was merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018.
Last month at least 16 people, including three women and two children, were killed in a sectarian clash in Kurram.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 79 people had been killed between July and October in sectarian clashes.
