The United Arab Emirates (UAE) achieved a monumental milestone at the 2025 World Amateur Golfers Championships (WAGC) Grand Final in South Korea, securing its first-ever medal in the prestigious tournament. James Yeomans clinched the bronze medal in the Gross Overall Division, one of the most challenging categories, marking a historic moment for UAE amateur golf. The event, held on the scenic Jeju Island, saw 450 players from over 40 nations compete across four intense days of medal play. Team UAE, represented by a robust 30-player squad, celebrated its best-ever result, finishing 27th overall, with Yeomans’ achievement standing as the highlight of their campaign. The UAE’s participation has grown significantly, with the national program expanding from 20 finalists in 2023 to 30 in 2025, reflecting the burgeoning community of amateur golfers in the country. While Yeomans’ medal was the crowning glory, other UAE players, including Damien Flood and Victoria Johnson, narrowly missed podium finishes in their respective categories. The UAE’s WAGC journey continues with qualifiers for the next season set to begin on 23 November 2025 at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club in Ajman, which will also host the 2026 National Final. The 2026 WAGC Grand Final will take place in Desaru, Malaysia, with entries for qualifying rounds already open.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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UAE claim podium finish at Pan Arab Golf Championship as Morocco lift men’s title
The UAE showcased their golfing prowess with a commendable bronze-medal finish at the 2025 Pan Arab Men’s and Senior’s Championship, held at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia. The event, which marked the 50th anniversary of the Arab Golf Federation (AGF), saw Morocco clinch the Men’s Division title and Bahrain triumph in the Seniors category. A record-breaking 93 players from 13 nations competed in the Men’s Division, while 10 nations participated in the Seniors. The UAE’s Rayan Ahmad led his team to a standout performance, securing third place in the Men’s Team event. Morocco’s Youssef El Hali dominated the Men’s individual competition with a 16-under total of 200, narrowly edging out Egypt’s Issa Amr Abouelela, who closed with a spectacular 63. In the Seniors, Saudi Arabia’s Prince Khalid Al Faisal claimed the individual title by a single stroke over Bahrain’s Hamad Mubarak. The championship also featured the AGF’s General Assembly, where national representatives reviewed progress and elected a new Board of Directors, signaling a new era for Arab golf. Looking ahead, Ahmad is set to compete in the Faldo Junior Tour European Grand Final and the Tommy Fleetwood Pathway Series, aiming to build on his recent success.
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China advises citizens to avoid Japan travel over Taiwan row; airlines offer refunds
China has issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid visiting Japan, escalating tensions following controversial remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. The diplomatic row began on November 7 when Takaichi suggested in parliament that a hypothetical attack on Taiwan could justify a military response from Japan under the principle of ‘collective self-defence.’ Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, lies just 100 kilometres from Japan’s nearest island. In response, Beijing summoned Japan’s ambassador, while Tokyo reciprocated by summoning China’s envoy over an inflammatory online post, later removed, from a Chinese diplomat. China’s embassy in Japan warned on Friday that recent provocative statements by Japanese leaders have ‘severely damaged the atmosphere for people-to-people exchanges’ and posed ‘significant risks to the personal safety and lives of Chinese citizens in Japan.’ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese embassies in Japan have advised citizens to refrain from travelling to the country. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara criticized the advisory as ‘inconsistent with the promotion of a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship.’ Meanwhile, China’s major airlines—Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern—have offered full refunds for Japan-bound flights through December 31. Takaichi, a conservative and vocal critic of China, has since tempered her rhetoric but defended her remarks as consistent with Japan’s long-standing policy. The dispute highlights the fragile relationship between the two nations, which are key trading partners but often clash over historical grievances, territorial disputes, and military concerns. The U.S. has maintained strategic ambiguity on Taiwan, while Japan’s previous leaders avoided direct commentary on the island’s defence. The situation remains tense as both sides navigate the fallout from the escalating diplomatic feud.
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UAE: Think diabetes is expensive? Medical bills only 5% of real cost, study shows
A groundbreaking study conducted by the University of Birmingham Dubai in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) has unveiled the staggering hidden costs of diabetes in the UAE. While medical expenses account for a mere 5.7% of the total burden, the remaining 94.3% stems from indirect losses such as reduced productivity, missed workdays, early retirement, and premature deaths. These findings highlight the silent yet profound impact of diabetes on individuals, families, and the national economy. The study, led by Dr. Khalifa Elmusharaf, associate professor and director of the Public Health Programme at the University of Birmingham Dubai, projects a steady rise in diabetes cases over the next two decades. By 2050, over 1.3 million UAE residents are expected to be living with the disease, with annual deaths potentially reaching 5,920. The economic burden of diabetes in the UAE reached $19.5 billion in 2023, with projections soaring to $30.3 billion by 2050. The study also warns that across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the financial toll of diabetes could escalate to $1.5 trillion by 2050, driven primarily by lost productivity rather than medical costs. Dr. Elmusharaf emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in prevention and early diagnosis to mitigate the growing human and economic costs. ‘This study sends a clear message to policymakers that diabetes is silently draining our economies,’ he stated. The research underscores the necessity for comprehensive strategies to address this escalating public health crisis.
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Belgium held 1-1 by Kazakhstan in World Cup qualifying
Belgium’s path to the 2022 World Cup faced a stumbling block as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Kazakhstan on Saturday. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Rudi Garcia’s squad failed to secure the victory needed to confirm their qualification. The result leaves Belgium with one final opportunity to seal their spot in the tournament when they face Liechtenstein in their last qualifier on Tuesday. Currently leading Group J with a two-point advantage over North Macedonia, Belgium’s top-two finish in the group is already assured. The top 12 group winners from European qualification will automatically advance to the World Cup, while the remaining four spots will be determined through a playoff among the runners-up. Kazakhstan stunned Belgium early in the match, with 17-year-old Dastan Satpayev scoring in the ninth minute. Belgium equalized in the 48th minute through Hans Vanaken, who headed in a cross from Timothy Castagne. Despite playing with a numerical advantage after Islam Chesnokov’s red card in the 79th minute, Belgium couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity to secure a win. This draw comes as a surprise, especially after Belgium’s dominant 6-0 victory over Kazakhstan in September.
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UAE: Parents can set kids’ spending limit, restrict buying categories via new app
A groundbreaking app in the UAE is transforming how parents teach their children about financial responsibility while also addressing financial exclusion for the unbanked population. Botim Money, a platform already popular for money management, has introduced customizable controls that allow parents to set spending limits, restrict purchase categories, and provide access to prepaid, multi-currency wallets for their children. This innovative feature turns everyday transactions into valuable lessons in financial literacy. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO of Astra Tech, Botim’s parent company, emphasized that the app empowers parents to monitor and guide their children’s spending habits, fostering long-term financial discipline. Additionally, the app enables parents to build a credit history for their children, a feature set to roll out in future updates. This is particularly significant as many young adults struggle to access banking services due to a lack of credit history. Beyond family use, Botim is also tackling financial exclusion among the UAE’s blue-collar workforce. By offering virtual IBANs, remittance services, and borrowing options, the app provides millions of unbanked individuals with access to essential financial tools. Dr. Tariq highlighted that over 4 million people in the UAE are unbanked or underbanked, and Botim aims to integrate them into the financial ecosystem. The app’s long-term vision includes embedding AI-powered financial education directly into the platform, offering interactive lessons in multiple languages to enhance users’ understanding of budgeting, savings, and responsible borrowing. Botim is shifting its focus from being a super app to specializing in consumer finance, a strategy that has already tripled user engagement. With plans for international expansion, the company remains committed to making financial access and education more accessible, safer, and smarter for underserved populations.
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Bollywood couple Rajkummar Rao, Patralekhaa welcome baby girl on 4th wedding anniversary
Bollywood power couple Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa have joyfully welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on their fourth wedding anniversary. The couple shared the heartwarming news on Saturday, expressing their gratitude for the divine blessing. ‘The greatest gift God has given us on our 4th wedding anniversary,’ they wrote, marking the special occasion with immense happiness. The announcement was met with an outpouring of love and congratulations from fans and fellow celebrities alike, including Suniel Shetty, Sonam Kapoor, Dia Mirza, and many others. Filmmaker Farah Khan Kunder also extended her warm wishes, sharing glimpses from Patralekhaa’s baby shower. The event, attended by close friends and family, featured the couple dressed in matching yellow outfits, posing with a beautifully decorated cake, balloons, a giant teddy bear, and other festive elements. A group photo from the shower included notable Bollywood figures such as Huma Qureshi, Sonakshi Sinha, and Zaheer Iqbal. Rajkummar and Patralekhaa, who first shared the screen in the 2014 film ‘Citylights’, tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Chandigarh on November 15, 2021. On the professional front, Rajkummar has recently wrapped up filming for his upcoming movie, ‘Nikam’, adding another milestone to his illustrious career.
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Watch: Prophet’s mosque in Madinah soaked in rain; Saudi NCM issues red alert
The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, one of Islam’s holiest sites, experienced heavy rainfall on November 14, creating a serene atmosphere for worshippers performing the weekly Friday prayer. The Saudi National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued a red alert for Madinah on Saturday, warning of severe weather conditions. Similar alerts were issued for Makkah, where high-speed winds, reduced visibility, hail, and flash floods were reported. The Saudi General Directorate of Traffic urged motorists to exercise caution during the adverse weather. Earlier, mosques across Saudi Arabia conducted special rain-seeking prayers following a directive from King Salman bin Abdul Aziz. Similar prayers were held in Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, reflecting a regional tradition of seeking divine intervention for rain.
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Sino-foreign educators expand intl vocational training cooperation
In a significant move to bolster global vocational education, Sino-foreign officials and educators have pledged to deepen exchanges and cooperation. This initiative aims to cultivate interdisciplinary talents that align with the evolving demands of modern education, driven by increasing global collaboration. Fang Shusheng, an inspector at the Guangdong provincial department of education, emphasized the critical role of openness and cooperation in the education sector. He urged universities and colleges worldwide to adopt a broader global perspective to advance the internationalization of vocational education. Fang made these remarks at the Guangdong Province ‘Belt and Road’ Vocational Education Alliance 2025 Annual Activities held in Guangzhou. Ma Renting, president of Guangzhou Polytechnic University, highlighted the university’s extensive cooperative relations with over 20 countries and regions, creating a robust platform that spans major Belt and Road Initiative participants. He stressed the importance of Sino-foreign cooperative education in systematically cultivating professionals proficient in Chinese, familiar with the culture, and skilled in specialized technologies. Sounantha Souvanlasy, dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Health Sciences in Laos, noted the in-depth exchanges with Guangdong Food and Drug Vocational College, resulting in a basic cooperation agreement. This collaboration is expected to complement each other’s strengths, pursue common development, and extend educational cooperation in the medical and health field between China and Laos. The event, attended by over 200 representatives from 42 domestic and 15 overseas universities and colleges, along with 20 cooperative enterprises, featured keynote speeches, expert lectures, and round-table meetings. Seven cooperation projects were signed, covering university-university partnerships, university-enterprise collaboration, and international order-based training programs, aligning with the needs of international vocational education cooperation and industrial development directions. These agreements are set to expand the breadth and depth of Guangdong’s international vocational education cooperation.
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Japanese PM’s erroneous remarks on Taiwan continue to spark domestic outcry, stern Chinese warnings
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent comments on Taiwan have ignited a wave of domestic criticism and drawn stern warnings from China. Speaking at a Diet meeting last week, Takaichi suggested that Japan’s Self-Defense Force could exercise the right of collective self-defense if China were to use military force against Taiwan. Despite China’s strong objections and diplomatic protests, Takaichi has refused to retract her remarks, which imply potential armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait. Her statements have been labeled as both erroneous and dangerous by senior political figures and media outlets in Japan. Former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba criticized Takaichi’s comments as dangerously close to equating a Taiwan contingency with a Japan contingency, a stance previous governments had carefully avoided. Hiroshi Ogushi of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan demanded Takaichi revoke her remarks, emphasizing the gravity of such declarations. Ichiro Ozawa, another CDPJ member, warned that such rhetoric could lead to significant sacrifices for the Japanese people. Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama reiterated that Japan should not interfere in China’s internal affairs. Major Japanese newspapers, including the Nikkei and Yomiuri Shimbun, have also condemned Takaichi’s abandonment of ‘strategic ambiguity’ and her exploitation of security policy for political gain.