Curry Mile business owners slapped with huge fine over illegal shisha cafe
Three Rusholme business owners have had hundreds of thousands of pounds confiscated over an illegal shisha cafe which flouted the law for years.
Iraq Sport News
Switzerland fencing team turns away from Team Israel on medal podium at European championships
Trump said that he told Netanyahu to ‘be good to Gaza’ because ‘those people are suffering.’
Saudi woman elected as first female president of Arab Badminton Federation
JEDDAH: Mai bint Ubaid Al-Rasheed has become the first Saudi woman to be elected as president of the Arab Badminton Federation. The election was held on Friday during the organization’s general assembly on the sidelines of the Badminton World Federation’s annual congress in China. Al-Rasheed secured 10 votes in the poll, two more than Iraqi candidate Fann Shawqi Youssef, the ABF said in a statement. She will take over the presidency from Sawsan Hajji Taqawi, who had held the position since 2018. Al-Rasheed’s victory was widely hailed as a positive step in strengthening the role of Saudi women in regional sports leadership. During the vote, Tabash Al-Jilali of Algeria, Iyad Mahmoud from Syria, Samir Shaghouri of Lebanon and Yaqoub Al-Issa from Palestine were elected as committee members. Yazeed Al-Massoud was named secretary-general of the Arab Badminton Federation for the 2025–28 term. The statement said that the new leadership marked a step forward in strengthening Arab cooperation and advancing the sport of badminton both regionally and internationally. The ABF was established in Cairo in 1996.
Iraq boots Casas citing unpermitted exit as World Cup hopes hang by a thread
BAGHDAD: Iraq has sacked national team coach Jesus Casas Garcia after the Spanish manager left the country without permission, the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) said on Tuesday. “The association announces the termination of the contract of Spanish coach Jesus Casas Garcia and his technical staff due to their serious breach of contractual obligations, including leaving the country without official permission and failing to comply with invitations and warnings issued to them by the association. We officially informed FIFA with that decision,” the IFA said in a statement on its Facebook page.
Europa League anthem played by mistake before Villa-PSG in Champions League
A minute or so later, the more famous Champions League anthem was finally playedThis is Villa’s first season in the Champions League BIRMINGHAM, England: Call it being inexperienced in the Champions League.There was confusion before kickoff in the second leg of the quarterfinal between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday when the anthem for the second-tier Europa League competition appeared to be played by mistake as players from both teams lined up.A minute or so later, the more famous Champions League anthem was finally played at Villa Park — by which the players were almost ready for the kickoff. In the crowd was Prince William, the heir to the throne and a die-hard Villa fan.This is Villa’s first season in the Champions League.
Sharjah stun Al-Taawoun in late semifinal turnaround
SHARJAH: Sharjah scored twice in injury time on Tuesday to beat Al-Taawoun 2-1 on aggregate and move into the final of the AFC Champions League Two. Trailing from the first leg of the semifinal in Saudi Arabia, the team from the UAE were facing defeat until goals in the 94th and 99th minutes turned the tie on its head and broke Al-Taawoun hearts. The Saudi Pro League team have only themselves to blame as they could have been out of sight after 15 minutes. Seconds after the start, Sultan Mandash raced free of the defense only to pull his shot just wide. Then, in the third minute, a defensive slip from Cho Yu-min gave Musa Barrow a golden chance just outside the area, but with just Adel Al-Hosani to beat, the Gambian pulled his first-time shot just wide. Undeterred, the men from Buraidah continued to pour forward in a threatening fashion and were then given a penalty.
Chahal stars as Punjab defend IPL’s lowest total of 111 in ‘best win’
CHANDIGARH: Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal returned figures of 4-28 as Punjab Kings defended IPL’s lowest ever total of 111 to down holders Kolkata Knight Riders by 16 runs in a thriller on Tuesday. Kolkata looked to be cruising at 62-2 before Chahal cut through the chase with his leg-spin, and the side collapsed to 95 all out in 15.1 overs at Mullanpur, near Chandigarh. Punjab were earlier bowled out for 111 in 15.3 overs but Chahal and company turned the match on its head to better Chennai Super Kings’ record — they defended 116 against them (formerly Kings XI Punjab) in 2009. Kolkata’s Andre Russell attempted to pull off the chase from 79-8 when he hit two sixes and a four off Chahal but Punjab held their nerve. Arshdeep Singh sent back Vaibhav Arora and then fellow left-arm quick Marco Jansen bowled Russell to trigger wild celebrations in Punjab’s home ground. “I have coached a lot of games in the IPL and that might just be about the best win I ever had,” head coach Ricky Ponting said after the close contest. Kolkata skipper Ajinkya Rahane and impact substitute Angkrish Raghuvanshi put on 55 runs for the third wicket when Chahal broke through to get the captain back in the pavilion lbw. Ball tracker suggested the ball was outside the off stump, but Rahane did not take the review. “Pretty disappointed with the effort,” said Rahane.
Teammate: Lionel Messi wants to play in ‘26 World Cup’
MIAMI: Lionel Messi has a “desire” to help Argentina defend its World Cup title next year, Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez said. Messi, who turns 38 this summer, has not announced his plans for the 2026 tournament being held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was the Most Valuable Player of Argentina’s run to the championship at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Argentina has already qualified for 2026. In a recent interview with El Pais, Suarez was asked whether he and Messi had talked about retirement. “No, we do talk (about it).
Iraq boots Casas citing unpermitted exit as World Cup hopes hang by a thread
Iraq has sacked national team coach Jesus Casas Garcia after the Spanish manager left the country without permission, the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) said on Tuesday.