In a highly anticipated rugby showdown, Eddie Jones, the former coach of Australia, is set to face his old team for the first time since his resignation following their disappointing 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign. Now at the helm of Japan, Jones aims to continue his dominance over the Wallabies, a team he defeated nine times in ten encounters during his tenure as England’s coach from 2015 to 2022. Despite Japan’s winless record against Australia in their six previous meetings, Jones remains optimistic about his team’s chances. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match at Tokyo’s National Stadium, Jones acknowledged the unique emotions of facing his home country but emphasized his competitive drive. The 65-year-old coach will face a revamped Australian squad led by Nick Champion de Crespigny, who will captain the team in his third test. Regular skipper Harry Wilson will start on the bench, providing backrow cover. Australia’s head coach, Joe Schmidt, has opted to assess the team’s depth in this one-off test, resisting pressure to reintegrate Carter Gordon immediately after his return from the National Rugby League. Schmidt highlighted the threat posed by Japan, describing them as a tough and fast-playing team, especially on home soil. The Wallabies enter the match after a narrow 28-24 loss to New Zealand in the Rugby Championship, while Japan suffered a defeat to Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup final. Jones has made six changes to Japan’s starting lineup, including bringing in Michael Leitch and Ben Gunter to strengthen the back row. Leitch, a former captain, will earn his 90th cap, while Gunter, one of four Australia-raised players in the squad, starts at blindside flanker. The match marks the beginning of a challenging series for Australia, with upcoming tests against England, Italy, Ireland, and France in November.
作者： admin
-
Voters set to decide new Irish president
The Republic of Ireland is set to hold a pivotal presidential election on Friday, marking a significant moment in the nation’s political landscape. Voters will choose between two primary candidates, Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys, to succeed the incumbent President Michael D Higgins, who is concluding his second consecutive seven-year term. Although a third candidate, Jim Gavin, withdrew from the race due to a past controversy, his name remains on the ballot due to legal constraints, allowing votes cast for him to be transferred to other candidates if necessary. Polls will open at 07:00 local time and close at 22:00, with approximately 3.6 million eligible voters expected to participate. Catherine Connolly, an independent candidate, has garnered support from left-leaning parties, including Sinn Féin, while Heather Humphreys, a former government minister from Fine Gael, represents the coalition government. The vote counting will commence at 09:00 on Saturday, with the winner announced at Dublin Castle. The new president will be inaugurated on 11 November, following Higgins’ departure on 10 November.
-
Will the US government shutdown halt food stamps?
As the US government shutdown persists, millions of Americans reliant on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) face uncertainty over their food benefits. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned states on October 10 that prolonged shutdown could lead to ‘insufficient funds’ to pay full SNAP benefits by November. This has triggered widespread concern among low-income families who depend on the program for their monthly groceries. SNAP, which supports approximately 40 million Americans, provides an average of $6 per person daily, making it a lifeline for many households. Hilary Seligman, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, emphasized the program’s critical role in preventing families from choosing between rent and food. The shutdown has disrupted federal funding to states, delaying SNAP card reloads and processing. While a $5 billion contingency fund exists, it would only cover 60% of November’s benefits, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Political blame has intensified, with Republicans and Democrats accusing each other of causing the crisis. States like Pennsylvania have already issued warnings about potential benefit delays, further heightening anxieties among vulnerable populations.
-
Prince Andrew urged to testify to Congress over Epstein
A prominent Democratic representative from the House Oversight Committee has publicly urged Prince Andrew to appear before Congress to clarify his association with Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased financier convicted of sex trafficking. The lawmaker emphasized the necessity for the prince to provide a detailed account of his interactions with Epstein, whose crimes have sparked widespread scrutiny of his high-profile connections. This development underscores the growing pressure on Prince Andrew to address lingering questions about his involvement with Epstein, particularly as investigations into the latter’s network continue. The call for testimony highlights the broader implications of accountability for public figures linked to Epstein’s illicit activities.
-
Trump says he will decide whether Marwan Barghouti should be freed and will visit Gaza soon
In a recent interview with TIME Magazine, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed he is considering whether to pressure Israel to release Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian political leader imprisoned since 2002. Trump also announced plans to visit the Gaza Strip, marking a historic first for a sitting U.S. president. These statements come as Trump continues to tout his role in brokering a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, despite ongoing violations and unresolved issues. The ceasefire, part of Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, has been challenged by Israel’s refusal to open the Rafah border crossing and continued air strikes, as well as Hamas’s failure to disarm. Trump emphasized his pivotal role in halting the conflict, attributing the success to his willingness to take decisive actions, including a joint U.S.-Israel strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June. He also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, portraying him as the primary obstacle to peace. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has dispatched key aides, including Jared Kushner and Vice President JD Vance, to stabilize the ceasefire. Vance publicly condemned Israel’s recent moves to annex the West Bank, aligning with Trump’s pledge to prevent such actions. Trump also expressed skepticism about the Palestinian Authority’s ability to lead post-war Gaza, hinting at the need for a unifying figure like Barghouti. While Trump remains optimistic about expanding the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia, Riyadh has set conditions, including irreversible steps toward a Palestinian state. Trump anticipates Saudi Arabia’s participation by 2025, envisioning a peaceful Middle East free from threats.
-
Saudi Arabia sees role in Gaza as sidelining Hamas and funding PA, document reveals
Saudi Arabia has unveiled an ambitious strategy to play a pivotal role in stabilizing post-war Gaza, as detailed in an internal foreign ministry report obtained by Middle East Eye. The kingdom’s plan focuses on disarming and marginalizing Hamas while bolstering the Palestinian Authority (PA) through financial and logistical support. Central to this vision is the deployment of an international peacekeeping mission in Gaza, with Saudi Arabia and other Arab and Muslim-majority nations expected to contribute significantly. The report emphasizes the kingdom’s commitment to fostering stability in the Palestinian territories by reforming the PA to align with Palestinian aspirations for an independent, sovereign state based on the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital. Saudi Arabia criticizes Hamas for obstructing peace efforts and deepening divisions, advocating for its sidelining through progressive disarmament and international agreements. The kingdom also aims to enhance the PA’s governance by combating corruption, improving efficiency, and ensuring broader representation of Palestinian factions. Financial and technical support will be provided to help the PA deliver essential services, though specific funding details remain undisclosed. The plan includes organizing regional workshops and conferences to facilitate Palestinian national dialogue and integrate factions under the PA’s umbrella. Notably, the document does not mention Israel or specify whether Hamas will be included in these efforts. The report, dated September 29, aligns with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s call at the UN General Assembly for immediate international action to halt the conflict in Gaza. Earlier efforts by Saudi Arabia and France to broker a settlement included proposals for an international security force and Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. While the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in October incorporated some elements of this plan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE expressed dissatisfaction with their limited roles. As the region’s wealthiest states, they are expected to fund much of Gaza’s humanitarian relief and reconstruction. Meanwhile, U.S. efforts to normalize Saudi-Israeli relations face resistance, with Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich rejecting any deal contingent on the establishment of a Palestinian state.
-
Ajman Bank posts 32% surge in profit before tax for first nine months of 2025
Ajman Bank has announced a remarkable financial performance for the first nine months of 2025, with profit before tax soaring by 32% year-on-year to Dh414 million. This impressive growth underscores the bank’s operational strength and strategic focus on sustainable development. The results were reviewed during a Board of Directors meeting led by Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of Ajman Bank. Profit after tax also saw a substantial increase, rising 31% to Dh380 million. Total operating income reached Dh1.2 billion, while net operating income stood at Dh660 million, reflecting robust performance across the bank’s core business segments. Ajman Bank’s total assets grew by 23% since the end of 2024, reaching Dh28.0 billion, driven by a 20% increase in total financing to Dh18.5 billion. Customer deposits rose 14% to Dh20.6 billion, and shareholders’ equity increased 8% to Dh3.4 billion, highlighting the bank’s stable funding base and balance sheet expansion. Key financial metrics also improved, with Return on Equity (ROE) rising to 15.6% and Return on Assets (ROA) improving to 2.0%. The bank’s asset quality strengthened significantly, with the Non-Performing Loans (NPL) Ratio dropping to 7.7% and the Real Estate Ratio declining to 31.9%. Mustafa Al Khalfawi, CEO of Ajman Bank, emphasized the bank’s commitment to enhancing efficiency, optimizing its balance sheet, and expanding its digital ecosystem to drive sustainable growth. The bank also reaffirmed its dedication to Ajman Vision 2030 and the UAE’s broader economic transformation goals, including its Dh4 billion Sustainable Finance pledge by 2030 and Net Zero Emission target by 2050.
-
Israeli minister regrets ‘unfortunate’ remarks about Saudi Arabia
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has expressed regret over his controversial comments about Saudi Arabia, describing them as ‘unfortunate.’ In a video statement posted on X, Smotrich acknowledged the potential offense caused by his earlier remarks, in which he suggested that Saudi Arabia could ‘keep riding camels’ if it demanded an independent Palestinian state as a condition for normalizing relations with Israel. However, he also emphasized that he expects Saudi Arabia to refrain from offending Israel in return. Smotrich, a staunch advocate for annexing the occupied West Bank, reiterated his belief in Israel’s deep historical connection to the region, referring to it by its biblical names, Judea and Samaria. His comments sparked widespread criticism within Israel, with opposition leader Yair Lapid condemning the remarks and asserting that Smotrich does not represent the state. Former defense minister Benny Gantz also criticized Smotrich, accusing him of ignorance and a failure to understand his responsibilities as a senior government official. Saudi Arabia’s normalization talks with Israel, which were frozen following Hamas’s October 2023 attack and the subsequent Gaza war, remain a contentious issue in the region. The UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco normalized relations with Israel in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, but Saudi Arabia has yet to follow suit.
-
Trump says would pull US support if Israel annexes West Bank
In a recent interview with Time magazine, former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Israel, stating that the United States would withdraw its crucial support if Israel proceeds with the annexation of the occupied West Bank. Trump emphasized that such a move would violate his commitments to Arab nations, which have been pivotal in fostering regional stability. ‘It won’t happen. It won’t happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries. And you can’t do that now. We’ve had great Arab support,’ Trump asserted. He further stressed, ‘Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened.’
Trump also expressed optimism about Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements normalizing relations between Israel and Arab states, by the end of the year. ‘Yes, I do. I do,’ he replied when questioned about Riyadh’s potential involvement. He highlighted the resolution of Israel’s conflicts in Gaza and Iran’s nuclear program as key factors enabling this diplomatic progress.
Additionally, Trump revealed that he is considering whether Israel should release Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian prisoner from the Fatah movement, as part of broader peace efforts. Barghouti’s release has been a contentious issue in recent negotiations.
Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both cautioned Israel against annexation, with Vance labeling it a ‘very stupid political stunt’ and Rubio warning that such actions could jeopardize the fragile Gaza ceasefire. Despite these warnings, Israeli lawmakers have advanced bills that could pave the way for annexation, raising concerns about the future of U.S.-Israel relations and regional stability.
-
‘The mafia ain’t what it used to be’ – FBI’s gambling case highlights mob’s evolution
In a dramatic revelation that could rival a Hollywood script, U.S. authorities have exposed two sprawling illegal sports betting operations, describing them as \”reminiscent of a Hollywood movie.\” The schemes, allegedly involving NBA stars, high-tech cheating devices, and the American-Sicilian mafia, led to the arrest of 31 individuals across 11 states. The case highlights the mafia’s evolution from its violent 20th-century heyday to modern-day rackets focused on gambling, securities fraud, and online scams.