Archive September 1, 2025

Djokovic storms into last eight despite injury worries

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Images courtesy of Getty
Emily Salley
journalist for BBC Sport

Novak Djokovic defeated Jan-Lennard Struff to reach the US Open quarter-finals, continuing his quest for the record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title in style.

The Serb raced to a dominant 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 victory in less than two hours despite receiving medical attention twice.

Questions remain about the 38-year-old’s physical condition despite the win as further proof of his pedigree.

Djokovic skipped the ATP Masters events in Toronto and Cincinnati for his first tournament since July when he lost in the Wimbledon semi-finals.

In his third-round victory over Britain’s Cameron Norrie, he struggled with a lower back injury and appeared worn out in his opening two matches in New York.

As he demanded a physical to treat a neck condition before experiencing a problem with his right forearm against German Struff, there were signs of wear and tear.

The seven-time world champion praised his serve for preventing trouble for him at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“Serving well is undoubtedly helpful. Djokovic said, “I think I had a great serving performance tonight as well as in the final round.”

I just saw the statistics, and I out-served one of the players this year with the most aces, so that’s a great stat.

That obviously makes my day-to-day on the court easier. Perhaps I shouldn’t put in as much effort or overtime than I should.

Djokovic wants to win the quarter-final as a birthday present for her daughter.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates his victory over Germany's Jan-Lennard StruffImages courtesy of Getty

Djokovic said his daughter Tara was upset that the quarter-final will take place on the same day as her birthday.

She complained that I was unable to attend the birthday party because she was upset. Please don’t remind me of that, Djokovic, who dedicates his violin performance to his daughter at the conclusion of each win.

If I’m here, I’ll try to win. At least I’m going to try to win her over and give her that kind of gift.

For her birthday party, I’m going to send some lovely presents as well as some lovely surprises.

Djokovic became the oldest player to reach the quarter-finals of all four Grand Slam events in a single season at the age of 94 days and 38 years old.

Djokovic responded, “I don’t know how many more I am going to have, so each one is very special,” when asked about the night session being played at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

There is less room for error in his quest for a stand-alone 25th major title as the years pass.

Before his opponent made a first impression on the scoreboard, he raced to a 4-0 lead with a double break before making the best of the first impression against Struff.

Djokovic called for the physio right away after winning the opening set 6-3, but his momentum seemed to have slowed down slightly as he appeared to struggle with his neck.

However, Djokovic persevered without real issues, winning four games in a row to take the lead in the second set after a slow start.

The four-time US Open champion was treated once more for a problem with his right forearm at the end of the set.

related subjects

  • Tennis

China’s Xi urges regional leaders to oppose ‘Cold War mentality’ at summit

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At a gathering of a security bloc that Beijing has hailed as an alternative to the Western-led international order, Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged regional leaders to oppose “Cold War mentality.”

As the world becomes “chaotic and intertwined,” Xi said in a speech to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit attendees on Monday.

Looking back, Xi said, “We have succeeded by cultivating the Shanghai spirit despite turbulent times.”

We must continue to follow the Shanghai spirit, keep our feet on the ground, forge ahead, and better carry out the roles of the organization as the world shifts and transforms.

The bloc should work toward the development of a “more just and equitable global governance system,” Xi said, calling for “equal and orderly multipolarization” of the world.

The Chinese leader stated that this year, Beijing would give member states 280 million yuan ($80 million) in aid, and a further 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) in loans to a SCO banking consortium.

“We must exploit the mega-scale market to improve the facilitation of trade and investment,” Xi said.

More than 20 world leaders are present at the two-day SCO summit, which kicked off on Sunday in Tianjin, China’s northern city, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which was founded in 2001, expanded to 10 permanent members and 16 dialogue and observer nations, beginning with six Eurasian nations and its founding in 2001.

Who is at risk as Welsh rugby consultation starts?

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Picture agency for Huw Evans
Chris Kirwan
Wales’ BBC Sport
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A consultation period on the future of rugby in Wales will begin in September.

This week, all four professional clubs will have a chance to explain why the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) shouldn’t cut two teams.

Before September 26th, representatives from the teams of Cardiff, Dragons, Scarlets, and Ospreys will have their say at separate meetings.

However, it remains to be seen whether anyone can divert the government’s “optimal” strategy.

The WRU board is scheduled to make a decision in late October, but the union insists nothing has been finalized and is ready to listen.

Additionally, there would be jobs.

All members of the backroom team, operations, and administration staff are subject to uncertainty.

In their most recent accounts, Cardiff listed 247 workers, including Scarlets, Ospreys, 119, and Dragons, but there will also be more in-house work in the clubs’ supply chains.

According to Llanelli Council, Scarlets alone account for more than 400 jobs.

The capital club of Cardiff

Cardiff celebrate a win against Munster at the Arms ParkPicture agency for Huw Evans

The mess was caused by Cardiff’s collapse in many ways.

A new professional rugby agreement (PRA) had been put in place by all four regions, but everything changed when Cardiff went into administration in April.

Scarlets and Ospreys renounced the agreement after the WRU intervened to save the capital city club.

Their adversaries’ skepticism may have been justified by WRU CEO Abi Tierney’s comments.

She said in August that “we didn’t make the decision when Cardiff became a government.”

I claimed that this was one of the factors we chose to bring Cardiff in-house due to “a lot of factual reasons, populations, pathways, number of clubs, etc..”

Therefore, it’s difficult to see a model in Cardiff where rugby is not practiced, but other people can.

The largest population base in Wales is in Cardiff, with an average attendance of 8,694 last season, which was the largest among the Welsh regions. They also have a lease with Cardiff Athletic Club, which they have until 2028.

Dragons are ambitious but perform poorly.

Rodney Parade before a Dragons game with flames next to the pitchPicture agency for Huw Evans

Rodney Parade hasn’t had much of Polish talent recently; the only trophy the club has ever won was the Premiership Rugby 7s despite two European semi-finals.

Due to their performance, Dragons would be in trouble because they finished 17 out of 22 years as the worst Welsh team, and they also came in behind by a small margin with just one win.

However, the club, under the leadership of owners David Buttress, David Wright, and Hoyoung Huh, believes they are in a strong position off the field. They’ve signed a new 10-year lease for Ystrad Mynach and are hiring a lot this summer.

The northern end of Rodney Parade is being planned with the goal of developing it. The football club Newport County also pays rent to the area, and there are other sporting events that Rodney Parade makes money off of.

The WRU has also recognized that Dragons have a number of well-known clubs in their area.

There are 73 clubs in Gwent, they have a rich history and have produced some amazing players, so there is no way I would be able to stand here and not have a professional club in Gwent without knowing I had done everything I could.

Ospreys take the field lead.

Ospreys wing Shane Williams on the run against Worcester in 2008Getty Images

Ospreys have won four league titles and the Anglo-Welsh Cup, making them the most successful Welsh side since regional rugby was first introduced in 2003.

In his first Wales team, Warren Gatland in 2008, he is renowned for naming 13 Ospreys players.

However, those star-studded “Galacticos,” along with All Blacks Justin Marshall, Marty Holah, and Jerry Collins, should have accomplished more.

Alun Wyn Jones, Shane Williams, Dan Biggar, Adam Jones, and James Hook are just a few of the stars that the area has produced. One of only two Welsh Lions players, Jac Morgan, and Gloucester’s Tomos Williams, flew to Australia this summer.

Ospreys also have a population in Wales’ second-largest city, and they have chosen to spend this 2025-26 season in Bridgend while renovating St Helen’s.

However, Swansea council has options if the WRU decision affects the city’s professional rugby program.

The Scarlets and the region, which were taken over by Y11 Sport &amp, Media in 2020, were on the verge of merging in 2019, but Cardiff and the region’s potential merger in 2023 was ruled out.

rich history of Scarlets

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel celebrates their win against Leinster with wing Tom RogersPicture agency for Huw Evans

Scarlets have so far been the most vocal opponents of the WRU plans, with politicians joining the protests from House of Luxury new investors and club fans.

This week, Llanelli Council will vote on a motion challenging the Union to save Scarlets, which “contributes millions of pounds” to the local economy.

The topic of discussion also relates to heritage and history, which includes two league titles, though the last one was in 2017, back in 2017.

Scarlets will be Wales’ only Champions Cup representative this year, winning averaging crowd of 6 666 in the previous year to reach the URC play-offs.

They have produced many players, including Stephen Jones, George North, and Jonathan Davies, but this summer was the first time in the region that they did not.

Part-timers Llanelli controversially withdrew from Premiership play in 2023, but the Scarlets’ path has been strengthened by their performances in Llandovery’s Super Rygbi Cymru and Carmarthen Quins.

Other choices: nothing or all?

The WRU’s formal consultation document did not specify the names of the two elite clubs that would be founded or what they would be called.

That leaves the possibility of creating two entirely new entities on the table.

Four clubs staying, with two receiving more funding and two being development sides, is one option, albeit the worst, in the union’s opinion.

Would a “smaller” pair’s supporters, owners, and players agree to do that in exchange for survival?

related subjects

  • Dragons
  • Welsh Rugby
  • Cardiff
  • Scarlets
  • Ospreys
  • Wales Sport
  • Rugby Union

Powerful earthquake rocks eastern Afghanistan, hundreds feared killed

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Developing a Story

Eastern Afghanistan was the victim of a magnitude 6. 0 earthquake, which left at least 10 people dead and an increase in the number of fatalities expected as information leaves awe in remote mountain villages.

Local sources reported significant damage reported across several districts in the mountainous regions on Monday at around midnight local time (GMT, Sunday).

At least 20 others were reported injured, according to the sources.

Meanwhile, the Afghan Information Ministry claimed that the earthquake had caused more than 250 fatalities and 500 injuries, according to the Anadolu news agency.

According to the report, the casualties occurred in the Kunar province districts of Nur Gal, Sawki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapa Dara.

The Nangahar province’s center, according to the US Geological Survey, was located 27 kilometers (17 miles) east of the city of Jalalabad. At only 8 kilometers (5 miles) of depth, it occurred.

A few moments later, a fourth magnitude tremor struck Nangahar’s Basawul region.

Aftershocks were felt into the morning, according to Al Jazeera’s Mohsin Momand, who was reporting from Kabul.

“Kunar province recorded the earthquake’s epicentre.” The province of Kunar has suffered a significant earthquake. Additionally, the government claims that Kabul and nearby provinces are sending in emergency teams. He said that the government is making a pledge to use all available resources to help the families that have been affected.

The earthquake’s impact was felt by Pakistan’s neighbors as well.

People in large areas of Pakistan, including those in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces, were reportedly woken up late at night by the tremor, according to Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, who was reporting from Lahore.

He claimed that Afghanistan’s earthquake’s devastation was likely to be significant because it had struck at a shallow depth.

On Monday, Taliban soldiers and civilians transport earthquake victims to an ambulance in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. [Stringer/Reuters]

“Kunar is a mountainous and impoverished region. The mud and rock-built houses there are extremely fragile. Given that this was shallow, they would not be able to withstand this particular earthquake. Additionally, it occurred late at night, when a large number of people were residing in their homes, according to Hyder.

“The situation there is quite dire, because hundreds of people are feared dead, which is obviously the main concern,” according to one report. These villages are spread out far apart. Access is also challenging, as landslides would have been inevitable as a result of such earthquakes. Therefore, any operation that is about to begin must occur at the designated time of day. That will present the biggest challenge, he continued.

Meanwhile, experts claim that the affected area is located in a region that is prone to large earthquakes.

At the confluence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, where the Indian plate is moving northward and sliding past some of Eurasia, said Chris Elders, an emeritus professor at Curtin University’s School of Earth at Planetary Sciences in Western Australia.

He claimed that it is a “quite a high population density and a very mountainous” area, which also frequently causes landslides.

He continued, “The hillsides will also shake and become unstable, and that’s what causes the landslide,” adding that “not only the buildings will shake and become unstable, but also the hills will also shake and become unstable.”

At least 2,400 people were killed by an earthquake in western Afghanistan in October 2023, according to the Afghan government.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un inspects new missile production line

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According to state media, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected a brand-new missile manufacturing process and production line.

His visit to the missile production line on Sunday came ahead of a s planned trip  to Beijing to observe a military parade alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development programs were developed in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and they are subject to severe international sanctions.

In response to Russia’s and China’s growing economic, military, and political support, experts and international officials claim that the sanctions have lost much of their impact.

According to Kim, the modernized production process will help boost the combat readiness of major missiles, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Monday.

To support Moscow in its conflict with Ukraine, North Korea has sent soldiers, artillery, and missiles to Russia.

The US’s cooperation with Japan and South Korea was also criticized by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which recently issued a trilateral joint statement warning of cybersecurity threats from Pyongyang.

The ministry “strongly denounces and rejects” the United States, Japan, and South Korea for using cyberspace as a “theatre of geopolitical confrontation and hostile propaganda,” according to a spokesperson in a statement released by KCNA.

The spokesperson added, using the initials of North Korea’s official name, “The more the US continues to perpetuate its anachronistic and malicious hostile acts against the DPRK through the intensified collaboration with its satellite countries, the more distrust and hostility will build up.”

Clashes in Australia’s Melbourne as thousands rally against immigration

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According to local media, police in the Australian city of Melbourne have used pepper spray and baton rounds in response to “violent clashes” between anti-immigration protesters and counter-demonstrators.

As thousands of people gathered in major Australian cities, including Sydney, Perth, Canberra, and Brisbane, to demand an end to what they termed “mass immigration,” the violence on Sunday occurred.

The rallies, which took place under the “March for Australia” banner, were “organized by Nazis,” according to Minister of Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly, who denounced the actions.

According to the SBS Network, about 5, 000 protesters, some of whom were draped in the Australian flag, and counterprotesters showed up in Melbourne, citing the police.

The police deployed the riot squad, which used pepper spray and baton rounds to keep the two groups apart, after violent clashes “multiple times,” according to the network.

According to SBS, at least six people were detained in the city on assault-related charges.

The violence in Melbourne was also covered by the Australian Associated Press.

The organization behind “March for Australia” claimed on its website and social media that “mass migration has torn at the bonds that held our communities together” and that its rallies aimed to “demand an end to mass immigration, something the majority politicians never have the courage to do: demand it.”

Critics expressed concern over the rise of right-wing extremism in Australia, where one in two people is either born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas.

Let’s not talk about this in a coy manner. They weren’t opposing immigration from “white Western nations,” according to Aly, the minister of multicultural affairs.

Aly told ABC News, “I would say to those who marched and who argued that they had those legitimate concerns that they were organized by Nazis. The purpose of them was to oppose immigration.”

The Nazi allegations were not made public by “March for Australia.”

According to The Age newspaper, Thomas Sewell, a well-known Australian neo-Nazi, was one of the speakers at the rally in Melbourne. He was one of a group of black men who later attacked a camp for indigenous protests in Melbourne, known as Camp Sovereignty, according to the ABC.

Four people were hurt, including a woman who was taken to a hospital, according to Camp&nbsp, Sovereignty’s organizers, according to a statement released. Police did not make any arrests until after the men had left, according to the organizers.

[Joel Carrett/EPA] Victoria Police separate counter-protesters from Flinders Street Station on Sunday during the “March for Australia” anti-immigration rally in Melbourne.

Police in Sydney estimated that between 5, 000 and 8, 000 people would attend the anti-immigration demonstration, while the Refugee Action Coalition, a community activist group, held a counter-rally.

Glenn Allchin, a protester for the March for Australia, stated to the Reuters news agency that he wanted an “slowdown” in immigration.

Allchin said, “It’s about our country bursting at the seams and our government inducting more and more people,”. Our children are battling to find homes, hospitals, and the lack of roads in our country.

Meanwhile, counterprotesters in Sydney displayed signs indicating that immigrants make up the majority of Australia’s population despite the presence of Indigenous people. A representative for the Refugee Action Coalition said in a statement that “our event shows the depth of disgust and anger about the far right agenda of March For Australia.”

A party spokesperson said that Pauline Hanson, the leader of a far-right Australian senator, and Bob Katter, the leader of a small populist party, attended a “March for Australia” rally in Queensland while a few hundred people were protesting in Canberra. The veteran lawmaker had threatened to speak at a press conference about Katter’s involvement with a “March for Australia” event in the days leading up to the rally when it was being discussed.

Katter had yelled at the reporter, “Don’t say that, because that irritates me, and I punch blokes in the face for saying that,” according to SBS.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, the deputy leader of the Australian Greens and antiracist spokesperson, said in a statement that “these rallies must be called out for what they are: racist fear mongering and hate.”

Faruqi also criticized the Labor government, claiming that it “must stop its racist dog-whistling against immigrants and refugees and stop bashing pro-Palestine protesters and instead concentrate on the urgent implementation of the National Anti-Racism Framework.”

Far-right organizations are becoming more organized and visible in Australia, according to previous warnings from Australia’s spy agency.

In Australia this year, following a string of anti-Semitic attacks on synagogues, buildings, and cars since Israel’s war in Gaza in October 2023, laws governing the Nazi salute and the display or sale of symbols associated with terror groups were passed.