Day: May 25, 2023

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Swiatek braced for tougher path to third Paris title

Poland’s Iga Swiatek dispensed any notion that she is primarily a claycourt specialist when she claimed her third Gland Slam title by winning last year’s U.S. Open.

But there is no disputing the red dirt is the perfect companion to her multi-faceted game and even less debate that Roland Garros remains her favourite playground.

As she approaches her 22nd birthday during the first week of the French Open, Swiatek enters as the favorite for a third title in four years in Paris, though she may encounter tougher opposition than her unstoppable campaign last year.

Swiatek’s affinity for clay is undeniable. In 2022, she dropped just one set en route to claiming the title at Roland Garros, reaffirming her status as a force to be reckoned with.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

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Bahrain drawn in Group D in AFC U23 Asian Cup

Bahrain has been drawn in Group D of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024.

The national team will take on Japan, Palestine and Pakistan on September 4-12

The hopefuls were divided into 11 groups – 10 groups of four teams each, with the last group containing three. Qatar, meanwhile, will play in the Qualifiers for exposure with their matches classified as friendlies.

To be played from September 4 to 12 this year, Group A of the Qualifiers will have hosts Jordan, Syria, Oman and Brunei Darussalam vying for the sole automatic ticket to the Finals.

Group B will see 2020 champions Korea Republic (H), Myanmar, Kyrgyz Republic and Qatar contesting with Vietnam (H), Singapore, Yemen and Guam the Group C cast.

Japan, the 2016 champions, are the top seeds in Group D with Bahrain (H), Palestine and Pakistan their challengers while 2018 champions Uzbekistan (H), Islamic Republic of Iran, Hong Kong, China and Afghanistan were drawn in Group E.

Group F will see 2013 winners Iraq, Kuwait (H), Timor-Leste and Macau doing battle with United Arab Emirates, India, Maldives and hosts China PR the Group G teams.

Hosts Thailand lead Group H with Malaysia, Bangladesh and Philippines also aiming for a place in the Finals while Group I will see Australia, Tajikistan (H), Laos and DPR Korea locking horns.

Defending champions Saudi Arabia (H), Cambodia, Lebanon and Mongolia were drawn in Group J while the three-team Group K will be a tussle between Turkmenistan, Indonesia (H) and Chinese Taipei.

The AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024 Finals are scheduled for April 15 to May 3, 2024.

DRAW RESULT

Group A: Jordan (H), Syria, Oman, Brunei Darussalam

Group B: Korea Republic (H), Myanmar, Krygyz Republic, Qatar

Group C: Vietnam (H), Singapore, Yemen, Guam

Group D: Japan, Bahrain (H), Palestine, Pakistan

Group E: Uzbekistan (H), IR Iran, Hong Kong, Afghanistan

Group F: Iraq, Kuwait (H), Timor Leste, Macau

Group G: UAE, India, Maldives, China PR (H)

Group H: Thailand (H), Malaysia, Bangladesh, Philippines

Group I: Australia, Tajikistan (H), Laos, DPR Korea

Group J: Saudi Arabia (H), Cambodia, Lebanon, Mongolia

Group K: Turkmenistan, Indonesia (H), Chinese Taipei

Source: Bahrain News Agency

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Hong Kong-flagged vessel briefly blocks Egypt’s vital Suez Canal

A Hong Kong-flagged ship briefly blocked Egypt’s vital Suez Canal on Thursday morning, authorities said, the latest such incident in the busy waterway.

According to Leth Agencies, a canal services company that oversees the waterway, the Xin Hai Tong 23 ran aground before dawn at the southern entrance to the canal, blocking four vessels.

The bulk carrier, measuring about 190 meters (625 feet) by 32 meters (105 feet), had set off for Suez from the Saudi Red Sea port of Duba.

Later in the day Thursday, it was at sea about 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) south of the canal, according to Marine Traffic, a vessel tracking firm.

Opened in 1869, the Suez Canal provides a vital link for oil, natural gas and cargo of Egypt’s top foreign currency earners.

In 2015, President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi ’s government completed a major expansion of the canal, allowing it to accommodate the world’s largest vessels.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

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Public Prosecutor to patronize workshop on electronic fraud

A roundtable themed “Electronic Fraud .. Challenges and Confrontation” will be held on May 29-30 under the patronage of Public Prosecutor Dr. Ali bin Fadhl Al Bouainain

The Public Prosecution Office and the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) will organize the event in cooperation with the Bahrain Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (BIBF) and the Judicial and Legal Studies Institute.

CBB Governor Rasheed Al Maraj, Information Affairs Minister Dr. Ramzan Alnoaimi and legal and judicial figures and technical experts will attend at the BIBF headquarters.

The event is in line with the role of the Public Prosecution in combating new crimes, in order to find the best ways to detect and address electronic fraud, and to develop effective mechanisms to overcome legal and technical problems that impede the decisive confrontation of these criminal activities.

The workshop is set to discuss other key topics, mainly the legal, technical and technological challenges in the context of investigating electronic fraud crimes, countries’ experiences and ways to confront them, in order to reach consensus on the necessary recommendations to overcome these challenges.

Source: Bahrain News Agency