Sports

FC Barcelona loan Mexican international Araujo to Las Palmas

Published

10 months ago

02/08/2023

JUBA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) — The heads of UN food and agriculture agencies wrapped up a three-day visit to South Sudan Tuesday, calling for increased investments in the country to avoid a catastrophic food crisis.

The heads of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Program (WFP), warned that the cost of inaction in addressing South Sudan’s complex food, climate, and insecurity crises will be felt in the loss of lives, livelihoods and futures for millions of people across the young nation.

Qu Dongyu, FAO director-general, said South Sudan has the potential to be the breadbasket of East Africa, but the climate crisis, poor agriculture infrastructure, instability, and economic shocks continue to disrupt agricultural and livestock productivity and food availability. “Investments and enabling policies that will improve on longer-term food security, resilience and climate adaptation are urgently needed,” Qu said in a joint statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

The three heads of the UN agencies including president of IFAD Alvaro Lario, and the executive director of WFP Cindy McCain visited communities who are grappling with the effects of severe weather events, which, coupled with a lack of infrastructure, are worsening the country’s humanitarian crisis, threatening farms and agro-pastoral livelihoods, and displacing communities.

Lario said South Sudan is a young country, full of potential, but right now families are relying on subsistence agriculture. According to Lario, with only 4 percent of farmland being cultivated, and 80 percent of its young people living in rural areas, there is an enormous opportunity to grow and develop agriculture and the food sector more generally.

“To do this we need to mobilize massive investments and implement best practices to combat food insecurity and adapt to climate change. This will also greatly improve rural employment. But we need to act now,” he added.

McCain said conflict, climate change, and soaring costs in South Sudan are causing some of the highest levels of hunger in the world.

“But just handing out food isn’t the solution. We must break the cycle and empower communities to plant the seeds of hope, opportunity, and economic development. With peace and stability, the potential of South Sudan is incredible,” McCain said. “However, WFP doesn’t even have the resources needed to feed those who are hungry today – we need the world to step up.”

The UN said the humanitarian emergency in South Sudan is caused by a combination of conflict, climate, and soaring food and fuel prices. And the situation is compounded by fighting in Sudan which has led to more than 190,000 people fleeing across the border to South Sudan, further straining already scarce resources.

During the visit, a new five-year partnership agreement was also signed to renew inter-agency cooperation which will see the agencies deepen their collaboration and coordination at global, regional and country levels to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 — Zero Hunger.

Under the agreement, the three Rome-based agencies will work on agrifood systems transformation, nutrition, gender equality and women’s empowerment, resilience-building youth, and climate change.

Source(s): Xinhua

Sports

Preview: League title battles for City, Arsenal

Published

15 hours ago

19/05/2024

LONDON, May 18 (Xinhua) — The Premier League title race goes to the wire in a dramatic last weekend in England, which will also see an emotional farewell at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium.

Although many questions have already been resolved before the final weekend in England, with Aston Villa claiming the fourth place in next season’s Champions League and Luton virtually confirmed as the third side to be relegated to the Championship due to their vastly inferior goal-difference to Nottingham Forest, the big question of who lifts the title is still in the balance.

Manchester City have a two-point lead over Arsenal and if they win at home to West Ham, they will lift the title for the fourth consecutive year, irrespective of Arsenal’s result at home to Everton.

However, if Pep Guardiola’s side lose or draw and Arsenal win, Arsenal would be Champions as they have a goal difference advantage.

Both sides have kept their nerve, traded blows and been unstoppable since they dew 0-0 in City’s Etihad Stadium in March, with eight consecutive wins each.

City’s 2-0 win away to Tottenham on Wednesday looks as if it could be the decisive moment, as they held on against a rival that had chances to take a point, but in the end, key saves from Stefan Ortega and the goals of Erling Haaland made the difference.

Ortega will be in goal on Sunday after it was confirmed that Ederson suffered a fractured eye socket making a save on Wednesday, and although West Ham coach David Moyes will no-doubt instruct his players to give everything in his last game at the club, anything other than a Man City win and another title would be a surprise.

Liverpool’s title challenge ran out of steam in the last weeks of the season and they will have to settle for third place in what will still be an emotional afternoon at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp steps down after nine seasons in charge.

Klopp brought the Champions League 2019 and the much-desired 2020 Premier League titles to Anfield and can expect an emotional 90 minutes at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The other main question to be resolved is who finishes sixth and has the chance to play in Europe next season. Chelsea’s run of four wins has given them a three-point lead over Newcastle United and Manchester United, and three points at home to Bournemouth would see Mauricio Pochettino’s side return to continental competition after a year on the sidelines.

A Bournemouth win at Stamford Bridge and a win for Newcastle away to Brentford would see Newcastle move into sixth place, however, Manchester United’s dreadful goal difference means they have no options even if they win away to Brighton.

Erik ten Hag’s side could still have the last laugh, however, if they beat Manchester City in next weekend’s FA Cup final, as that would give them the last Europa League spot.

Other games this weekend see Sheffield United end their difficult season at home to Tottenham, while Burnley also wave goodbye to the elite with a home game against Nottingham Forest.

Strictly speaking, Forest need a point to seal their survival, but they would need to lose 7-0 and Luton Town to beat Fulham 6-0 for Luton to swap places in the relegation zone.

The remaining game sees Crystal Palace at home to Aston Villa, with the home side aiming for their fifth win in six games as they end the season on a high.

Source(s): Xinhua

Sports

The table tennis star Dheema, first Maldivian athlete to qualify for Olympics

Published

2 days ago

18/05/2024

The table tennis star, Fathimath Dheema Ali, who will be partaking in the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, has received a warm welcome upon returning to Male’ City. Dheema showcased her exemplary skills amidst stiff competition from the finest table tennis players in South Asia and emerged victorious in the South Asia Regional Olympic Qualifications. Her triumph signifies a momentous milestone for the Maldives in the realm of international sports.

Upon arrival back to the Maldives, the Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu and senior officials of the ministry along with the President of Maldives Olympic Committee (MOC) Mohamed Abdul Sattar and key figures from the Table Tennis Association of the Maldives extended their heartfelt and warm welcomes to Dheema. The minister organised a special ceremony held in the Youth Centre, commemorating the groundbreaking achievement of Dheema.

Speaking at the ceremony, President of the table Tennis Association Ali Rasheed rejoiced, stating that Dheema’s historic performance marked a significant milestone in the history of the Maldives. Highlighting that this remarkable victory was a result of 10 years of her unwavering commitment and dedication, Ali affirmed that the administration and countries in which she received training played a pivotal role for her success. On this stance, he expressed heartfelt gratitude towards all who were engaged in assisting to ensure this significant opportunity was secured.

While Dheema successfully qualified for the Olympic Games, previously Maldivian athletes competed in the games in invitational (tripartite) opportunities provided. As such, Maldivian athletes have been actively participating and competing in athletics, badminton and swimming since 1988.

Source(s): PsmNews

Sports

Minister announces survey for 20-year sports development plan

Published

4 days ago

15/05/2024

Minister of Sports, Fitness, and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu has announced a special survey for the Maldives’ 20-year sports development plan.

The draft plan was developed in February and focuses on cultivating top athletes by training coaches in schools, hosting major tournaments in the Maldives, and expanding sports associations’ activities in the atolls.

At a press conference, Minister Rafiu highlighted ongoing collaboration with sports associations. He said that detailed work on the long-term policy is available on the ministry’s website. He also said that the survey is a critical part of the process and spans 22 pages and requires time for completion by each association.

Additionally, Minister Rafiu mentioned agreements with Malaysia for training athletes and administrators. He also said that discussions about the plan have taken place with France, and talks are ongoing with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Source(s): PsmNews