Latest news with #DPA
Qatar Tribune
18 hours ago
- Science
- Qatar Tribune
SpaceX's Starship explodes on test stand while preparing for launch
Berlin: A SpaceX Starship rocket exploded while preparing for its 10th test flight in Texas late on Wednesday, media reports said, as images of a dramatic fireball emerged. Starship 'experienced a major anomaly' while preparing for the test, SpaceX, which is headed by Elon Musk, posted on X. All personnel were safe and accounted for, the company said. 'Our Starbase team is actively working to safe the test site and the immediate surrounding area in conjunction with local officials. There are no hazards to residents in surrounding communities, and we ask that individuals do not attempt to approach the area while safing operations continue,' it said. Starship - the largest rocket system ever built - was first tested in April 2023, when it exploded after a few minutes. Later tests saw the upper stage reach space and land under control in the Indian Ocean. But since then, a number of tests have failed. (DPA)
Qatar Tribune
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
Czech star Kvitova to retire after US Open
PAMedia/DPA London Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has announced she intends to retire after the US Open later this year. The 35-year-old Czech returned to the tour in February following the birth of son Petr last summer and will play at Wimbledon for a final time after being given a wild card. Kvitova was a surprise winner of a maiden Grand Slam title at the All England Club in 2011, defeating Maria Sharapova in the final. The powerful left-hander's game proved perfect for grass courts and she added a second Wimbledon crown in 2014, while she also made the Australian Open final in 2019 and reached a career high of second in the rankings. She achieved both feats despite a shocking stabbing by an intruder at her home in late 2016 in which she suffered damage to tendons and nerves in her left hand, threatening her career. Writing on social media, Kvitova said: 'Growing up in my hometown of Fulnek and hitting the first tennis balls with my father on the local courts, I never imagined becoming a professional tennis player, being able to travel the world, and playing in the most beautiful stadiums around the world. 'I've been privileged to reach incredible heights over the past 19 years since becoming a professional tennis player. From winning my two Wimbledon Championships, bringing home six Billie Jean King Cup trophies for the Czech Republic, reaching the world #2 ranking and so much more. 'I have accomplished more than I could have ever imagined and I am so grateful to everything that tennis has given me all these years. It has taught me countless lessons, not only on the court or in the gym, but also in life. 'I would never be whom I am today without this beautiful sport, and everything it has given me both on and off the court. 'As with all phases in life, there comes a day that it is time for a new chapter, and that time for me has come now. I therefore wanted to share with you that 2025 is my last season on tour as a professional. 'I am excited and very much looking forward to soak in the beauty of playing The Championships, Wimbledon one more time, a place that holds the most cherished memories in my career for me. 'And while I am not entirely sure yet what my hardcourt swing in the US will look like, I am intending to finish my active playing career at the US Open in New York later this summer. 'While no such decision is ever easy to make, for me this is a happy moment! I will leave the sport with the biggest smile on my face - the same smile you've seen from me on and off court throughout my whole career.' Kvitova has found wins very hard to come by since returning to the match court in Texas following more than a year away. It took her five tournaments to register her first victory, which came against Irina-Camelia Begu on clay in Rome, but that so far remains her only win.
Qatar Tribune
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Iraqi pro-Iran leader threatens US with attacks
An Iraqi pro-Iranian leader on Thursday threatened the United States that its citizens and interests would be attacked if Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is targeted. 'If you touched a hair of the guardian of the nation, Imam Khamenei, you, your allies and filthy stooges would be the target of our hunt and fire across our Islamic region,' Akram al-Kaabi, the chief of Iraq's militant Harakat al-Nujaba (Movement of the Noble Ones) militia, said on the social media platform X. He vowed that neither the US military nor diplomats would be then safe. 'Actually, everyone holding your nationality in our region and all your direct and indirect interests would be legitimate targets for us,' al-Kabee added, addressing US President Donald Trump. In 2019, the US designated Harakat al-Nujaba and al-Kaabi as global terrorists. (DPA)
Qatar Tribune
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Putin and Xi criticise Israel's attacks on Iran, urge de-escalation
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have called for de-escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran, following a call between the leaders. The presidents showed a united front in their response to the escalating crisis on Thursday, after their shared geopolitical rival, the United States, indicated it had not ruled out joining Israel's strikes on Iran. During the call, Xi called for 'major powers' to help cool the conflict, in a thinly veiled reference to Washington. Russia, which has a strategic cooperation pact with Tehran, says it has been urging the US not to strike Iran, warning it would dramatically destabilise the region and risk a nuclear disaster. Following the call, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that Putin and Xi 'strongly condemn Israel's actions, which violate the UN Charter and other norms of international law', news agencies reported. Both leaders 'fundamentally believe that there is no military solution to the current situation and issues related to Iran's nuclear programme', he said, adding that a solution 'must be achieved exclusively through political and diplomatic means'. Putin has presented his country as a potential mediator in the conflict over Iran's nuclear programme, but so far he has not been taken up on his offer. Ushakov said that during the call, Putin reiterated his suggestion of mediating in the dispute, and Xi expressed his support, 'as he believes it could serve to de-escalate the current acute situation'. Chinese state media reported that, during the call, Xi had called for all parties, 'especially Israel', to 'cease hostilities as soon as possible to prevent a cyclical escalation and resolutely avoid the spillover of the war'. (DPA)
Qatar Tribune
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Zverev makes winning start in Halle after first aid effort
DPA Halle (Germany) Alexander Zverev breezed into the second round of the Halle Open on Wednesday, 6-2, 6-1 over American Marcos Giron, and also found time to help an injured spectator. Second seed Zverev brought a bag of ice to a woman to ccol her neck where she was hit by a part of an advertising board that had fallen from an upper tier. The 62-year-old woman was tended to by paramedics and taken to hospital for observation, but she appeared largely unhurt. 'This has never happened in the 32-year history of the tournament. We deeply regret the incident,' tournament director Ralf Weber said, promising the women a free ticket for the whole tournament next year as a small compensation. The match which was in the first set soon resumed, and Zverev won in 1 hour 19 minutes, with the help of 10 aces and 22 winners. He did not face a break point while breaking 43rd-ranked Giron four times. 'I hope the lady is OK. Something like that should of course not happen,' Zverev said post-match. 'Of course I am happy with the way I played. But the most important thing is that everyone here goes home healthy and happy.'
