NTP 2020: Ministry sets goals

Updated 08 August 2016
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NTP 2020: Ministry sets goals

RIYADH: The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has set goals to meet strategic challenges stemming out of the National Transformation Program 2020.
The municipal transformation program is based on four main parameters to improve the civic services, achieve transparency and integrity and comply with regulations. Minister Abdul Lateef Al-Asheikh said the program aims to achieve a balanced and sustainable urban development and improve the quality of life in all cities and regions of the Kingdom in a way that meets the expectations of both leadership and society. (AN)


Gauff fights back to beat Sabalenka to French Open crown

Updated 2 min 33 sec ago
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Gauff fights back to beat Sabalenka to French Open crown

  • The second-ranked American dug deep to claim a 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-4 victory
  • It was a second straight Grand Slam final loss for Sabalenka

PARIS: Coco Gauff battled back from a set down to beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a Grand Slam final for the second time with a dramatic victory in the French Open showpiece on Saturday.

The second-ranked American dug deep to claim a 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-4 victory and her second major title after also defeating Sabalenka at the 2023 US Open.

The 21-year-old more than made amends for her emotional 2022 final loss to Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros, outlasting Sabalenka over two hours and 38 minutes on Court Philippe Chatrier.

It was a second straight Grand Slam final loss for Sabalenka after her defeat by Madison Keys at the Australian Open in January.

Gauff was rock solid after falling a set down, while Sabalenka made 70 unforced errors in windy conditions in a match which followed a very similar pattern to Gauff’s victory at Flushing Meadows two years ago.

Belarusian Sabalenka was aiming to become the only current women’s player to win three of the four Grand Slam events after her US Open triumph last year and back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024.

But Gauff instead moved 6-5 ahead in their head-to-head record, proving the more consistent player in the first women’s Slam final between the world’s top two since Caroline Wozniacki beat Simona Halep in Melbourne in 2018.


Hajj pilgrims on Tashreeq day amid high temperatures, tight security measures

Updated 3 min 15 sec ago
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Hajj pilgrims on Tashreeq day amid high temperatures, tight security measures

  • Pilgrims are carrying out their stoning rituals amid soaring temperatures reaching 46 C
  • The Interior Ministry has reiterated its ongoing commitment to ensuring the protection and safety of pilgrims across Mina

MINA: Hajj pilgrims on Saturday began the ritual stoning of the devil, casting pebbles at the Jamarat, three stone pillars in Mina, on the first day of Tashreeq, which follows Eid Al-Adha.

The stoning ritual commenced with the smallest pillar, followed by the middle one, and concluded with Jamarat Al-Aqaba, the largest, in accordance with the practice of the Prophet Muhammad.

Pilgrims are carrying out their stoning rituals amid soaring temperatures reaching 46 C, according to the National Center for Meteorology. The center also forecast a further rise in temperatures by three degrees. However, the weather is expected to cool down with minimum temperatures reaching 31 C.

The Interior Ministry has reiterated its ongoing commitment to ensuring the protection and safety of pilgrims across Mina and within their camps. The ministry added that these efforts include managing pedestrian movement from the tents to the Jamarat area and during their journey to the Grand Mosque.

The ministry also urged pilgrims to continue adhering to the instructions that regulate their movement during the days of Tashreeq, emphasizing the importance of safety—particularly when circling the Kaaba, hastening between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwa, and performing the stoning ritual at the Jamarat in Mina.

For its part, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah called on pilgrims to adhere to the organizational guidelines and follow the designated Hajj schedules to ensure the smooth performance of rituals and to minimize the risk of heat exhaustion and sunstroke.

Speaking to Arab News, Mohammed Isaaq, a Pakistani pilgrim, said that his Hajj journey has been “exceptional” in every aspect.

“It is my first time performing Hajj, and everything around us is remarkably well-organized, allowing us to complete our rituals with ease and serenity. What an experience. I am deeply grateful to the Almighty for granting me the opportunity to be part of this Hajj season and to perform the rites in such a profoundly spiritual atmosphere,” he said.

On her way back from the stoning ritual, Naeema Yousuf, a Libyan pilgrim, said she cannot describe her feelings as she prepares to end her pilgrimage and return to her country “with no sins.”

She said: “Allah has promised us forgiveness, and we are hopeful he will accept our Hajj and forgive our sins. I am an elderly woman who only wishes to leave this world with no sins.”

She added: “I would like to thank all those here who have shown us kindness and care. May Allah reward you for the efforts and services you provide to your brothers and sisters who come from all over the world to perform Hajj.”

This year’s over 1.6 million pilgrims will continue their stay in Mina during the days of Tashreeq to complete the remaining rites of Hajj, with the option to depart after performing the stoning ritual on the second day for those who choose to do so.


Italy already fear missing yet another World Cup after Norway nightmare

Updated 22 min 53 sec ago
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Italy already fear missing yet another World Cup after Norway nightmare

  • Norway already had two wins under their belt in Group I before Friday’s match in Oslo
  • A 2-1 defeat at the San Siro in the first leg left Italy chasing the tie in Germany

OSLO: Italy’s World Cup qualification campaign has barely begun and already the country is worried about the shocking possibility of failing to reach the final tournament for a third consecutive time after a humiliating defeat by Norway.

Norway already had two wins under their belt in Group I before Friday’s match in Oslo, while Italy had yet to play, having been involved in the Nations League quarter-finals in March, losing out to Germany.

A 2-1 defeat at the San Siro in the first leg left Italy chasing the tie in Germany and they found themselves 3-0 down at the break before staging a second-half comeback to salvage a draw, and some pride.

It was the same story on Friday for Italy at the Ullevaal Stadium, at least as far as the opening act went. Norway roared into a 3-0 lead in the first half but this time there was no Italian fightback in a goalless second half.

“Enough!” screamed the Gazzetta dello Sport front page on Saturday, after Italy suffered their third loss in a four-game winless run, with the newspaper adding that for Italy the “World Cup is already at risk.”

Next year’s World Cup takes place in the United States, Canada and Mexico but in the two decades since Italy won the tournament for the fourth time, they have struggled to perform or, more recently, to even get there.

Berlin 2006 seems a lifetime ago now, with Zinedine Zidane sent off for his head butt to Marco Materazzi’s chest and Italy lifting the trophy after a penalty shootout win over France.

The next two World Cups saw Italy exit at the group stage, and while they triumphed at Euro 2020, on either side of that success they missed out on the World Cup after playoff defeats to Sweden and North Macedonia.

With Italy now playing catch-up and only the group winners qualifying automatically, La Repubblica’s front-page headline “Azzurri humiliated in Oslo, the playoff nightmare returns” hints at the frightening possibilities ahead.

Italy’s loss came less than a week after Inter Milan’s 5-0 mauling at the hands of Paris St. Germain in the Champions League final and on both occasions the tired-looking losers were outclassed by a hungrier, more creative side.

Italy manager Luciano Spalletti was spared following last year’s dismal Euros but is now under real pressure and nothing but a convincing win at home to Moldova on Monday will do, with media and fans increasingly calling for a change of leadership.


Reports: Bayern agree deal with Leverkusen to take Tah to Club World Cup

Updated 59 min 53 sec ago
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Reports: Bayern agree deal with Leverkusen to take Tah to Club World Cup

  • Tah’s contract with Leverkusen ran to the end of June, meaning he could only join Bayern on a free transfer from July 1
  • Any agreement to let Tah join Bayern before his Leverkusen contract ends would suggest pragmatism has won out at Leverkusen

MUNICH: Bayern Munich have reportedly agreed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen to take Germany defender Jonathan Tah to the Club World Cup.

Kicker magazine and other media outlets reported Saturday that Bayern, which had announced Tah’s signing “without a transfer fee” on May 29, have agreed to pay Leverkusen up to 4 million euros ($4.6 million) for the player to take a full part in the Club World Cup starting in the United States on June 14.

Tah’s contract with Leverkusen ran to the end of June, meaning he could only join Bayern on a free transfer from July 1 – unless the clubs came to an agreement beforehand.

There was little goodwill between the clubs after Bayern’s failed attempt to sign Tah – Leverkusen’s captain – last season, when Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro lashed out against Bayern’s Max Eberl. Bayern’s public pursuit of Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz this season further inflamed tensions between the rival clubs.

Any agreement to let Tah join Bayern before his Leverkusen contract ends would suggest pragmatism has won out at Leverkusen.

Real Madrid set the precedent by paying a reported fee of up to 10 million euros ($11.4 million) to get England right back Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his Liverpool contract one month before it was due to expire, so he could play at the Club World Cup, rather than waiting to sign him with a transfer fee.

Bayern will also need to reach agreement with Hoffenheim if they want to take Tom Bischof to the tournament.

Leverkusen face a summer of rebuilding following Xabi Alonso’s departure as coach, Tah and wing back Jeremie Frimpong ‘s departures for Bayern and Liverpool, respectively, and Wirtz’s expected transfer to Liverpool.

Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka suggested Friday he would be open to a switch amid reported interest from AC Milan, a change from his previous position.

Leverkusen hired former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag to replace the Real Madrid-bound Alonso, while they have also signed highly rated teenager Ibrahim Maza from second-division club Hertha Berlin, and 21-year-old defender Tim Oermann from relegated Bochum before promptly loaning him to Austrian champion Sturm Graz.

They also loaned promising midfielder Francis Onyeka to Bochum for next season in the second division.


‘Return to your country’ Kabul tells Afghans rebuffed by Washington

Updated 07 June 2025
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‘Return to your country’ Kabul tells Afghans rebuffed by Washington

  • US President Trump this week announced travel ban targeting 12 countries, including Afghanistan
  • Afghan PM assures nationals of protection even if they worked with US-led forces against Taliban

KABUL: The Taliban government on Saturday urged Afghans hoping to emigrate to the United States to instead return to Afghanistan, after Washington tightened entry conditions.

US President Donald Trump this week announced a travel ban targeting 12 countries, including Afghanistan, which his proclamation said lacked “competent” central authorities for processing passports and vetting.

Commenting on the ban on Saturday, Prime Minister Hassan Akhund urged Afghans to return to their country, saying they would be protected even if they worked with US-led forces in the two-decade fight against the Taliban insurgency.

“For those who are worried that America has closed its doors to Afghans... I want to tell them, ‘Return to your country, even if you have served the Americans for 20 or 30 years for their ends, and ruined the Islamic system’,” he said in a speech marking the Eid Al-Adha holiday, broadcast by state media.

“You will not face abuse or trouble,” he said, making reassurances that the Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada had “granted amnesty for all.”

After surging to power in 2021, Taliban authorities announced a general amnesty for Afghans who worked with the Western-backed forces and government. However, the United Nations has recorded reports of extrajudicial killings, detentions and abuses.

In the past four years, the Taliban government has imposed a strict view of Islamic law and restrictions on women which the UN says amount to “gender apartheid.”

Afghans fled in droves to neighboring countries during decades of conflict, but the chaotic withdrawal of US-led troops saw a new wave clamoring to escape Taliban government curbs and fears of reprisal for working with Washington.

The United States has not had a working embassy in Afghanistan since 2021 and Afghans must apply for visas in third countries, principally Pakistan which has recently ramped up campaigns to expel Afghans.

Since Trump returned to the White House in January, Afghans have gradually seen their chances of migrating to the United States or staying there shrink.

Trump administration orders have disrupted refugee pathways and revoked legal protections temporarily shielding Afghans from deportation starting in July.