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Guardiola Vows to Continue to Speak Up for Victims of Global Conflicts

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 1, 2026 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 1, 2026 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Guardiola Vows to Continue to Speak Up for Victims of Global Conflicts

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 1, 2026 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 1, 2026 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts. (Action Images via Reuters)

Pep Guardiola said he will continue to use his platform as Manchester City manager to speak up for victims of global ​conflicts and violence.

Guardiola was speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of City's League Cup semifinal second leg against Newcastle United, five days after he voiced support for children in the occupied Palestinian territories at a charity concert in Barcelona.

"Never, ever in the history ‌of humanity ‌have we had the information ‌in ⁠front ​of ‌our eyes watching more clearly than now," Guardiola told reporters on Tuesday in Manchester.

"The genocide in Palestine, what happened in Ukraine, what happened in Russia, what happened all around the world - in Sudan, everywhere," he said, referring to the ⁠Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

"What happened in front of us? Do you ‌want to see it? It's ‍our problems as human ‍beings. It's our problems."

He said society must ‍work collectively to improve.

"Look what happened in the United States of America, Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed. Tell me how you can defend ​that," Guardiola said. The fatal shootings of the two US citizens by federal immigration ⁠agents sparked widespread protests in the United States.

"When I see the images, I am sorry it hurts. That is why in every position I can help speak up to be a better society, I will try and will be there. All the time. It is for my kids, my families, for you.

"There is not a perfect society, nowhere is perfect, I am ‌not perfect, we have to work to be better."

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Saudi Basketball Team to Begin Participation at Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

Saudi Basketball Team to Begin Participation at Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games
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Saudi Basketball Team to Begin Participation at Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

Saudi Basketball Team to Begin Participation at Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

The Saudi national basketball team will begin participation in the 20th Asian Games, "Aichi–Nagoya 2026," on Thursday, when it faces Korea at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan. The game is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Saudi time and 4:00 p.m. local time in Nagoya.

The match marks the opening game of Group A in the basketball competition, which also includes host Japan and Indonesia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Saudi team arrived two days ago at a training camp organized by the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee in Fuji, Japan, as part of its preparations for the Games.

The Saudi delegation's preparations in Fuji will continue until October 3, with athletes from basketball, athletics, mixed martial arts, swimming, karate, fencing, squash, weightlifting, wrestling, taekwondo, and jujitsu participating in the camp.

The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to officially open on September 19 and run through October 4, with 45 National Olympic Committees expected to participate.

Sports

Rybakina Takes Top Ranking, Gauff Battles Into US Open Semis

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan (L) shakes hands with Qinwen Zheng of China after winning their Women's Singles Quarterfinals match of the US Open Tennis Championships in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 09 September 2026. EPA/SARAH YENESEL
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan (L) shakes hands with Qinwen Zheng of China after winning their Women's Singles Quarterfinals match of the US Open Tennis Championships in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 09 September 2026. EPA/SARAH YENESEL
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Rybakina Takes Top Ranking, Gauff Battles Into US Open Semis

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan (L) shakes hands with Qinwen Zheng of China after winning their Women's Singles Quarterfinals match of the US Open Tennis Championships in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 09 September 2026. EPA/SARAH YENESEL
Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan (L) shakes hands with Qinwen Zheng of China after winning their Women's Singles Quarterfinals match of the US Open Tennis Championships in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 09 September 2026. EPA/SARAH YENESEL

Elena Rybakina ensured she will leave the US Open as the new world number one following her victory over China's Zheng Qinwen on Wednesday, while 2023 champion Coco Gauff recovered from a slow start to set up a semi-final clash with the Kazakh.

A day after Ben Shelton took out defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the latest-finishing match at Flushing Meadows, Alexander Zverev wrapped up the action in double-quick time by thumping Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2 7-5 6-1.

The German top seed will take on Karen Khachanov in the next round after the Russian went through when Alexander Blockx retired while trailing ⁠6-2 7-5 3-2.

With ⁠Aryna Sabalenka (top seed), Rybakina (second), Jessica Pegula (third) and Gauff (fourth) all through to the final four, it marks the first time all four top-seeded women have reached a Grand Slam semi-final since Wimbledon in 2009.

Zheng had earned a reputation as a comeback artist at Flushing Meadows but ran out of gas on Wednesday, losing 3-6 6-1 6-4 as Rybakina chipped away at her defenses after overcoming early mistakes at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"It's tough to find words," ⁠said Rybakina, who will dethrone Sabalenka at the top of the world rankings on Monday. "It wasn't maybe the highest level but I'm glad I pushed through."

US fan favorite Gauff then got off to a dreadful start before recovering to beat Russian fifth seed Mirra Andreeva 2-6 7-6(7) 6-2.

Gauff improved her level dramatically as the match wore on, drawing inspiration from compatriot Frances Tiafoe's recovery from two sets down the previous evening as she saved two match points in the tiebreak.

"Elena - she's the new world number one so it's going to be a tough match," Reuters quoted Gauff as saying. "I'm looking forward to the battle. These are the moments you live for."

Zverev started his campaign with back-to-back ⁠five-set matches and made ⁠another sluggish start against his Dutch opponent.

"I think you saw in the first two rounds, I really didn't play well," Zverev said.

"In other tournaments I'd be out in the first round, but here I can fight back and play best of five sets, play 4-1/2 hours ... I'm definitely happy to be in the semi-finals."

The French Open champion was on the brink of losing the second set but held firm and faced little resistance thereafter to ease into his third New York semi-final.

With 23 Grand Slam match wins this year, Zverev surpassed Boris Becker's German men's record of 22 from 1989.

His next opponent Khachanov has made the final four at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2022 and can look forward to a rematch of their Tokyo Olympics final when Zverev won the gold medal.

Sports

Carrick Confident Man Utd Can Go Far in ‘Magical’ Champions League

09 September 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick (L) with Jonny Evans in action during a training session at Carrington Training Center, ahead of Thursday's UEFA Champions League soccer match against Sabah FK. (dpa)
09 September 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick (L) with Jonny Evans in action during a training session at Carrington Training Center, ahead of Thursday's UEFA Champions League soccer match against Sabah FK. (dpa)
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Carrick Confident Man Utd Can Go Far in ‘Magical’ Champions League

09 September 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick (L) with Jonny Evans in action during a training session at Carrington Training Center, ahead of Thursday's UEFA Champions League soccer match against Sabah FK. (dpa)
09 September 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick (L) with Jonny Evans in action during a training session at Carrington Training Center, ahead of Thursday's UEFA Champions League soccer match against Sabah FK. (dpa)

Michael Carrick believes Manchester United are strong enough to compete with Europe's best on their return to the Champions League for the first time in three years.

Carrick earned his position as permanent United boss after leading the Red Devils to third place in the Premier League in his interim spell last season.

Having secured a place in Europe's elite club competition, United kick off their league phase campaign on Thursday when they face Azerbaijani champions Sabah at Old Trafford.

"It's a magical competition. It's where we all want to be. When you're out of it, you realize how special it is and when you're in it, you want to make the most of it," Carrick told reporters on Wednesday.

"I think we've all seen some special, special nights and felt some special things in this competition over the years. It's the best competition to challenge yourself and to push against the best.

"We're delighted to be here, but we're not here to just enjoy the occasion. We're here to do business and go as far as we possibly can."

In two of their last three appearances in the Champions League, the three-time European champions have crashed out at the group stage and have not progressed beyond the last 16 since 2019.

United have also made a slow start to the Premier League season, taking just four points from fixtures against Hull, Ipswich and Everton.

However, many of their better performances under Carrick have come against stronger opposition.

United beat Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea in the second half of last season.

"I think we're capable of doing some really good things in this competition and going further down the line in this competition," Carrick said.

"Certainly not getting ahead of ourselves because some part of it is a new experience for some of the players.

"But the boys are used to playing European football for the most part in different competitions and we'll take that forward and we've got a squad that's strong enough to compete."

In contrast to the record-setting spending by many of their Premier League rivals, United were only able to strengthen their midfield in the transfer window.

United benefited last season from only playing 40 games -- their lowest total since the 1914/15 campaign.

Carrick, though, said his players had to embrace the challenge of a heavier workload.

"We play Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday and it's what we're here for. It's about managing the group and having trust in everyone able to play," he said.

Benjamin Sesko is in contention for his first start of the season after coming off the bench to score in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Everton.

Carrick confirmed Matthijs de Ligt is also nearing a comeback after nearly a year out with a back injury.