Riyadh Prepares For G20 with Decisive Decision, Bold Measures

 Riyadh will host the G20 leaders’ summit on Nov.21-22 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Riyadh will host the G20 leaders’ summit on Nov.21-22 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Riyadh Prepares For G20 with Decisive Decision, Bold Measures

 Riyadh will host the G20 leaders’ summit on Nov.21-22 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Riyadh will host the G20 leaders’ summit on Nov.21-22 (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Few days before the annual summit of the leaders of the world’s largest economies, Riyadh is finalizing draft-decisions and recommendations that would be submitted by the G20. Those will be aimed at developing efficient solutions and bold action plans to enhance recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and restore growth to the global economy.

According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, the G20 secretariat's high-level meetings concluded that great efforts should be exerted to make the Riyadh summit “decisive” and capable of restoring hope and reassurance to the peoples of the world through a set of brave measures.

Work is currently underway to issue a strong and approved final statement for the G20 leaders’ summit, which would include commitments and pledges and underline the importance of solidarity and international cooperation to coordinate a unified response for the G20 members.

According to the information, the Saudi G20 presidency will hence highlight the following vision: “The health and economic challenges facing the world cannot be managed separately by every country. The world is interconnected, so there is a need to work together, while respecting the different views, circumstances and traditions.”

Riyadh will host the G20 leaders’ summit on Nov. 21-22, after a busy year that witnessed 180 conferences, including senior ministerial meetings and two summits.

Moreover, the Saudi Presidency of the G20 has taken rapid and unprecedented measures to protect the most vulnerable.

The G20 members have contributed nearly $21 billion to support health systems, develop a vaccine, and provide more than $14 billion to alleviate the debts of developing countries. This year’s presidency also saw the pumping of about $12 trillion to protect the global economy.



Salah Steers Egypt into Africa Cup Knockout Stages After VAR Denies South Africa Late Penalty

 Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah shoots from the penalty spot to score the team's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group B football match between Egypt and South Africa at Adrar Stadium in Agadir on December 26, 2025. (AFP)
Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah shoots from the penalty spot to score the team's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group B football match between Egypt and South Africa at Adrar Stadium in Agadir on December 26, 2025. (AFP)
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Salah Steers Egypt into Africa Cup Knockout Stages After VAR Denies South Africa Late Penalty

 Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah shoots from the penalty spot to score the team's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group B football match between Egypt and South Africa at Adrar Stadium in Agadir on December 26, 2025. (AFP)
Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah shoots from the penalty spot to score the team's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group B football match between Egypt and South Africa at Adrar Stadium in Agadir on December 26, 2025. (AFP)

Mohamed Salah scored again on Friday as Egypt's 10 men held on to beat South Africa 1-0 to reach the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah, who secured the Pharaohs’ opening win with a stoppage-time strike against Zimbabwe on Monday, did it again in Agadir and his penalty before the break secured progression from Group B.

But South Africa should arguably have been given a penalty in stoppage time when Yasser Ibrahim blocked a shot with his arm. After a long delay, the referee decided against awarding the spot kick after consulting video replays and Ibrahim sank to the ground in relief.

“We didn’t have much luck. We also had several refereeing decisions go against us,” South Africa coach Hugo Broos said.

Salah converted his penalty after he was struck in the face by the hand of the retreating South Africa forward Lyle Foster. Salah showed no ill effects from the blow and sent his shot straight down the middle while goalkeeper Ronwen Williams dived to his right.

There was still time before the break for Egypt defender Mohamed Hany to get sent off, after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Teboho Mokoena.

Goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy was Egypt’s key player in the second half.

“We gave our all in this match right until the end, and we also hope for the best for what comes next,” the 37-year-old El Shenawy said.

Earlier, Angola and Zimbabwe drew 1-1 in the other group game, a result that suited neither side after opening losses.

Egypt leads with 6 points from two games followed by South Africa on 3. Angola and Zimbabwe have a point each. The top two progress from each group, along with the best third-place finishers.

Zambia drew 1-1 with Comoros in the early Group A fixture after both lost their opening games, meaning the winner of the late match could be sure of progressing.


Draper to Miss Australian Open Due to Injury

 Jack Draper, of Great Britain, reacts after defeating Federico Agustin Gomez, of Argentina, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Aug. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP)
Jack Draper, of Great Britain, reacts after defeating Federico Agustin Gomez, of Argentina, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Aug. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP)
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Draper to Miss Australian Open Due to Injury

 Jack Draper, of Great Britain, reacts after defeating Federico Agustin Gomez, of Argentina, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Aug. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP)
Jack Draper, of Great Britain, reacts after defeating Federico Agustin Gomez, of Argentina, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Aug. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP)

Briton Jack Draper said on Friday he will not compete in next month's Australian Open, citing ongoing recovery from an injury.

Draper, 10th in the world rankings, was forced to withdraw from the second round of ‌the US Open ‌in August ‌due ⁠to bone ‌bruising in his left arm.

"Unfortunately, me and my team have decided not to head out to Australia this year. It's a really, ⁠really tough decision," the British ‌number one said in ‍a video ‍posted on X.

The 24-year-old ‍is targeting a February return alongside preparation for the defense of his Indian Wells title in March.

"This injury has been the most difficult ⁠and complex of my career," Draper added. "It's weird, it always seems to make me more resilient. I'm looking forward to getting back out there in 2026 and competing."

The Australian Open begins on January 18 in ‌Melbourne.


Perry Bamonte, Keyboardist and Guitarist for The Cure, Dies at 65

Perry Bamonte of The Cure performs at North Island Credit Union Amphitheater on May 20, 2023 in Chula Vista, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Perry Bamonte of The Cure performs at North Island Credit Union Amphitheater on May 20, 2023 in Chula Vista, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Perry Bamonte, Keyboardist and Guitarist for The Cure, Dies at 65

Perry Bamonte of The Cure performs at North Island Credit Union Amphitheater on May 20, 2023 in Chula Vista, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Perry Bamonte of The Cure performs at North Island Credit Union Amphitheater on May 20, 2023 in Chula Vista, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

Perry Bamonte, keyboardist and guitarist in The Cure, has died at 65, the English indie rock band confirmed through their official website on Friday.

In a statement, the band wrote that Bamonte died "after a short illness at home" on Christmas Day.

"It is with enormous sadness that ‌we confirm ‌the death of our ‌great ⁠friend and ‌bandmate Perry Bamonte who passed away after a short illness at home over Christmas," the statement said, adding he was a "vital part of The Cure story."

The statement said Bamonte was ⁠a full-time member of The Cure since 1990, ‌playing guitar, six-string bass, ‍and keyboards, and ‍performed in more than 400 shows.

Bamonte, ‍born in London, England, in 1960, joined the band's road crew in 1984, working alongside his younger brother Daryl, who worked as tour manager for The Cure.

Bamonte first worked as ⁠an assistant to co-founder and lead vocalist, Robert Smith, before becoming a full member after keyboardist Roger O'Donnell left the band in 1990.

Bamonte's first album with The Cure was "Wish" in 1992. He continued to work with them on the next three albums.

He also had various acting ‌roles in movies: "Judge Dredd,About Time" and "The Crow."