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He received the news of Sinwar’s death with “deep sadness and pain because (Sinwar) is a noble resister” – and predicted he would soon be replaced. For Abu Fares, one of hundreds of thousands prevented from returning to their homes, Sinwar’s death is just a continuation of a brutal war. Palestinians say they remain skeptical over whether Sinwar's death will shift Israel's war, which has laid waste to swathes of Gaza. Omar Al-Qatta/AFP/Getty ImagesAround 70% of Palestinians killed by Israel’s strikes are women and children, according to the Hamas-run Government Media Office (GMO). Mahmoud Jneid, also displaced in Deir al-Balah, said the world’s focus should rest on civilian suffering – not Sinwar’s death.

Persons: Deir, Gaza CNN — Abu Mohammed, Mohammed, Yahya Sinwar, Sinwar’s, Gaza – Mohammed, ” Mohammed, ”, Israel’s, Sinwar, Omar Al, Majdal, “ Sinwar, Israel, “, Benjamin ) Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Akram Dabbour, –, ” Dabbour, that’s, Mustafa Barghouti, ” Barghouti, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Abu Fares, Suha Al Turk, Balah, Mahmoud Jneid, ” Jneid Organizations: Gaza CNN, Israel, CNN, Getty, Israel Defense Forces, Amnesty International, CUNY Institute, Ministry of Health, UN, Shifa, Media Office, Hamas, Amnesty Locations: Gaza, Deir al, Rafah, Jabalia, AFP, Al, Ashkelon – Sinwar, Israel, Gaza's Al, Nazla, Jabalya, Gaza City

☆ Israel-Hamas War in Gaza: Latest News and Updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Aaron Boxerman | Adam Rasgon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

Image Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, center, has threatened not to renew the provision, which makes it easier for Israeli banks to work with Palestinian banks. But many called the West Bank’s current economic predicament the most difficult yet. Before the war, Mahmoud Abu Issa, 53, was earning over $2,000 a month — an enviable salary in the impoverished West Bank — as a construction worker in Israel. If Palestinian banks want to offer shekel accounts, they must maintain links with Israeli banks and rely on them to process shekel transactions. Since 2017, Israel’s Finance Ministry has issued the waiver indemnifying the Israeli banks, according to Lilach Weissman, a spokeswoman for the ministry.

Persons: Bezalel Smotrich, Smotrich, Israel, Biden, Mr, Smotrich —, —, Menahem Kahana, Mahmoud Abu Issa, “, Abu Issa, Mohammad Rabee, Shadi Abu Afifa, ”, Abu Afifa, Jake Sullivan, Lilach Weissman, Akram Jerab, Eytan Fuld, Azzam, Shawwa, Rawan Sheikh Ahmad Organizations: West Bank, Palestinian Authority, Palestinian, Agence France, Mr, Palestinian Authority’s Finance Ministry, Israel’s Finance, Quds Bank Locations: Gaza, Bank, U.S, Israel, Hebron, ”, Palestinian, Palestine

☆ Some Gazans Say U.S. Campus Protests Give Them ‘Hope’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Hiba Yazbek | More About Hiba Yazbek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Thousands of miles away from the campus protests that have divided Americans, some displaced Palestinians are expressing solidarity with the antiwar demonstrators and gratitude for their efforts. “Thank you, American universities,” read one message captured on video by the Reuters news agency. “Thank you, students in solidarity with Gaza your message has reached” us, read another nearby. The protesters have been calling for universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel, and some have vowed not to back down. “I’ve lived my whole life in Gaza Strip and I’ve never felt hope like now,” said Ms. Owda.

Persons: ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Mohammed al, Akram al, Bisan, “ I’ve, I’ve, Owda, Nader Ibrahim Organizations: Reuters, Columbia University, Al, Azhar University Locations: Rafah, Gaza, United States, Israel, America, London

☆ In its latest terror response, Russia is no longer attempting to disguise the brutality of its state security
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Their state appeared designed to create an impression of aggression and brutality, showing the consequences of crossing the Russian authorities. Though the brutality of Russia's security services has long been known, never has it been so brazenly paraded, say analysts. "It was no secret that Russian security agencies torture people, mutilate suspected terrorists and generally practice all known ways of extracting information. AdvertisementThe abuse of terror suspects in Russia has been documented before. But the treatment of the Moscow terror suspects seems to mark a new milestone in the normalization of brutality by officials in Putin's Russia.

Persons: —, Mukhammadsobir Faizov, Dalerdzhon, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin, Vladimir Putin, Mirzoyev, Rajabalizoda, Fariduni, mutilate, Anton Barbashin, Akram Azimov, Abror, lionized, Andrei Soldatov, Russia's Wagner, Kenneth Roth Organizations: Service, Business, CNN, Nazi, RFE, Human Rights Watch, St, New York Times, UN, Moscow ISIS, Kremlin, Human Rights Locations: Moscow, Tajikistan, Russia, St Petersburg, Ukraine, Putin's Russia

If no party wins a majority of 169 seats, the one with the biggest share can form a coalition government. The vote was overshadowed by violence, an unprecedented national shutdown of all mobile phone services and allegations of vote rigging. Pakistan’s national human rights body said there was no excuse for the hold-up and expressed concern about the lack of transparency. DEALS, DEALS, DEALSNo party won a majority of National Assembly seats. She accompanied her father at rallies, giving fiery and uncompromising speeches, and escorted him on polling day when he went to cast his vote.

Persons: hadn't, Imran Khan's, Salman Akram Raja, hasn’t, Nawaz Sharif, kingmaker, Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto, Zardari, Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif’s, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, Benazir’s, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Maryam Nawaz, Bilawal, Maryam, Shehbaz, Hamza Organizations: —, National Assembly, U.S, Union, Court, Fair, PTI, Pakistan People’s Party, Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League Locations: LAHORE, Pakistan, — Pakistan, Lahore, Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan, Punjab province

☆ Iraq's Nujaba Says It Will Continue Attacks on U.S. Forces
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The Iran-backed Iraqi armed group Nujaba said on Friday it will continue launching attacks on U.S. forces in the region until the Gaza war ends and U.S. forces exit Iraq, days after another major Iran-backed group said it was suspending such attacks. Iraq's shadowy Kataib Hezbollah said on Tuesday it would pause attacks on U.S. forces, a decision that followed the killing of three U.S. soldiers in a drone attack in Jordan near the Syrian border that Washington blamed on Iran-back militants. Part of Iran's so-called "Axis of Resistance," the umbrella group has claimed more than 150 attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria since the Gaza war began. In 2020, the U.S. killed Iran Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and Kataib Hezbollah leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a drone strike at Baghdad airport. The strike came days after the U.S. blamed Kataib Hezbollah for the killing of a U.S. contractor.

Persons: Nujaba, Akram al, Ebrahim Raisi, Iran Quds, Qassem Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al, Kataib, Timour Azhari, Jana Choukeir, Michael Georgy, Nick Macfie Organizations: IRI, Iran, Iran Quds Force Locations: BAGHDAD, Iran, U.S, Gaza, Iraq, Jordan, Washington, Syria, Israel, Tehran, Baghdad, Dubai

On Wednesday the White House said it believes an umbrella group of militants called Islamic Resistance in Iraq was behind the drone attack in Jordan. He stopped short of assigning exact blame on Kata’ib Hezbollah, the most powerful Iran-backed militia in Iraq, saying it was not the only group responsible for previous attacks on US bases. On Friday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said his country will not initiate a war but will “respond strongly” to bullies. In a sign of a possible effort to quell the tensions, Kataib Hezbollah, announced on Tuesday the suspension of its military operations against US forces in the region. “We are announcing the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces (US troops) - in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government,” Kataib Hezbollah said in a statement.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Lloyd Austin, ”, ” Austin, We’re, ” John Kirby, “, ” Kirby, Ebrahim Raisi, ” Kataib, Akram Al Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, National Security Council, White, Hezbollah, US, Free Hezbollah Brigades Locations: Iraq, Syria, Iran, Jordan, Israel, Gaza, Tehran, United States, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iranian Hormozgan province

☆ Iran-backed militia in Iraq vows to continue attacks on US forces as White House mulls military action
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Mostafa Salem In Abu Dhabi | Aqeel Najim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Al-Kaabi said that attacks against the US won’t stop until American troops withdraw from Iraq, and Israeli military operations cease in Gaza, according to a statement on Friday. The US believes an umbrella group of Iran-backed militants called Islamic Resistance in Iraq was behind the strike on the Jordan base and is now preparing to respond. On Friday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said his country will not initiateany war but will “respond strongly” to bullies. The US has meanwhile carried out a series of strikes in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Yemen’s Houthis have also continued to attack US interests despite multiple airstrikes by US and UK forces.

Persons: Biden, Akram Al, Kaabi, ”, Ebrahim Raisi, “, Yemen’s Houthis Organizations: CNN, US, Al, American Locations: An Iran, Iraq, States, Jordan, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Syria, Yemen, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iranian Hormozgan

☆ Wounded and dead overwhelm southern Gaza hospital
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Arafat Barbakh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] People mourn next to the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes at Nasser hospital, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip December 2, 2023. REUTERS/Fadi Shana Acquire Licensing RightsGAZA, Dec 3 (Reuters) - In southern Gaza's Nasser Hospital, a young man cradled the lifeless body of his brother then reached out to try to grab a medic running past him in the corridor. More than 15,500 people have been confirmed killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict, according to Gaza's health ministry. Elsewhere in Khan Younis, families gathered at funerals. Reporting by Arafat Barbakh in Gaza Writing by Maggie Fick; Editing by Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nasser, Khan Younis, Fadi Shana, Israel, Akram el, Arafat Barbakh, Maggie Fick, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Palestinian, Hamas, Reuters, Nasser Hospital, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Khan, Israel

☆ 'King Kohli' enters 50-overs GOAT debate at run-laden World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Amlan Chakraborty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Initially, Kohli was part of batting's "Fab Four" alongside England's Joe Root, Australia's Steve Smith and New Zealand's Kane Williamson. While others have faded somewhat recently, Kohli has been burning brightly, and pulling ahead of his peers. The elegant right-hander ended that drought in September last year and has been at his prolific best at the current World Cup, where he is the runaway top-scorer with 711 runs from 10 matches including three centuries. "And to do it on the biggest stage - in the World Cup Semi-final - and at my home ground is the icing on the cake." Congratulations emperor," the bowling great wrote after Kohli's Mumbai masterclass.

Persons: India's Virat Kohli, Devon Conway, Tim Southee REUTERS, Adnan Abidi, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, Zealand's Kane Williamson, Tendulkar, RICHARDS, Viv Richards, Kohli's, Sachin, Richards, Wasim Akram's, Amlan Chakraborty, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Cricket, ICC Cricket, New Zealand, Wankhede, Rights, Tendulkar's, West Indies, International Cricket Council, Thomson Locations: India, New, Mumbai, Rights AHMEDABAD, Pakistan, Ahmedabad

On Tuesday an Israeli strike at the Jabalia refugee camp in north Gaza killed dozens of people according to hospital authorities, leaving a moonscape of craters. In Khan Younis, Farida Abu Azzam was taking her husband to hospital for his cancer treatment. In a shelter for displaced people in a U.N. school in Khan Younis, Salwa Najar stood by her son Majed's bedside, wiping his face. A cousin had taken them to Hilal Hospital in Khan Younis, the biggest city in the southern part of the tiny enclave. "Gaza hospitals are crowded with injured people who are filling the hospital beds," she said.

Persons: Mohammed Al, Masri, Nasr, Khan Younis, Israel, Farida Abu Azzam, Akram al, Qara, Salwa Najar, Majed's, Najar, puffy, Nahed Abu Taeema, Nidal al, Angus McDowall, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Turkish Friendship, Hospital, Nasser Hospital, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Hamas, Khan, Egypt, Khan Younis

☆ Pakistan probes distributors of Roche cancer drug after patients go blind
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Mubasher Bukhari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLAHORE, Pakistan, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Pakistan said on Monday it was investigating two local distributors of Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche's (ROG.S) Avastin cancer drug after 12 diabetic patients injected with the drug went blind. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) said the health authorities in Punjab, the most populous province, had launched the investigation into local use of the drug Avastin, which is licensed for use in Pakistan. On its website, Roche said Avastin was approved in more than 130 countries, including the United States, to treat several types of cancer. Cancer drug Avastin, when used at much lower doses, is similar to eye drug Lucentis and is used in many countries as a low-cost option to treat certain blindness-causing conditions. In its statement, Roche said: "Avastin is not approved for any use in the eye.

Persons: drugmaker Roche, Arnd, Javed Akram, Akram, Roche, Avastin, Alam, Mubasher Bukhari, Ariba Shahid, Ludwig Burger, Miral Fahmy, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, Reuters, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Basel, Switzerland, Rights LAHORE, Pakistan, Swiss, Punjab, United States, counterfeits, Avastin, Lahore, Karachi, Frankfurt

Derna, Libya CNN —It’s quiet at the Tartoba cemetery outside the Libyan city of Derna, despite the presence of dozens of volunteers. The school principal volunteered at his town’s cemetery after the floods struck Derna last week. Close to 4,000 people have perished in Derna after heavy rainfall and two collapsed dams caused ferocious floods, according to WHO figures. Akram al-Kawwash (left) and Abdallah al-Sheikh have not been able to find the bodies of their family members in Derna. He searched the wreckage, hoping to find his family members, but he found only the bodies of neighbors and a few survivors.

Persons: Libya CNN —, Mohamed el, ”, Sarah Sirgany, ” Sharwy, Akram al, Abdallah al, Sheikh, “, ” Abdallah al, ” Kawwash Organizations: Libya CNN, CNN, WHO Locations: Derna, Libya, Libyan

☆ From right-wing backlash to Apple's TV play — these 3 big questions will dominate conversations at the Cannes Lions.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Lauren Johnson | Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

This year's Cannes Lions ad festival is taking place as advertisers are reeling from major shifts. The Cannes Lions organizers said that none of the three execs have been confirmed as speakers. Generative AI must boost creativity without stealing jobsThe rapid rise of generative AI took the advertising and media worlds by storm. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hobnob with the company that kicked off the generative AI storm last November. Simon Cook, Cannes Lions CEO, told Insider that top executives from ChatGPT developer OpenAI like chief operating officer Brad Lightcap will attend the festival.

Persons: Twitter's Elon Musk, Linda Yaccarino, Oliver Schusser, Michael Kassan, he's, execs, Bud Light, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Bud, Busch, Fura, Leslie Klein, Sir Martin Sorrell, David Droga, Nick Law, Simon Cook, Brad Lightcap, Huge's, Elon Musk, Ben Hovaness, They've, Jon Williams, Akram Chetibi, Craig Atkinson Organizations: Cannes Lions, Apple, Twitter, Netflix, Hollywood, UTA, Target, Bud Light, Anheuser, Busch, Accenture, Cannes, Apple News, Carlton Hotel, Omnicom Media, Amazon Web Locations: Cannes

☆ Show's over already for host Qatar's World Cup team
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

DOHA, Qatar— The show is over already for the Qatar team, which was eliminated Friday from the World Cup less than a week after it opened the tournament and launched the first version of soccer’s biggest event in the Middle East. Becoming the quickest host nation team to depart the tournament in the 92-year history of the World Cup, Qatar can’t qualify for the last 16 no matter what happens in its last game against Netherlands. Friday’s performance by Qatar was a little, but not much better for a squad that all plays in the local league and is missing the kind of top talent that is present in almost every World Cup team now. “Efficiency efficiency, efficiency. The ball dribbled away from Khoukhi and Dia lashed it in for his first World Cup goal.

☆ Hosts Qatar on verge of exiting World Cup after Senegal loss
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Philip O'Connor | Anita Kobylinska | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Summary Hosts Qatar lose 3-1 to Senegal in second group gameMuntari scores Qatar's first-ever World Cup goalQataris could go out of tournament later on FridayDOHA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - The World Cup hopes of Qatar were left hanging by a thread after a 3-1 loss to Senegal that leaves them bottom of Group A and facing elimination just five days after they opened the tournament with a 2-0 loss to Ecuador. With Qatar defending well, it was going to take either a moment of magic or a catastrophic mistake for Senegal to break the deadlock and unfortunately for Qatar defender Boualem Khoukhi it turned out to be the latter. Muntari reduced the deficit in the 78th with a bullet header from Mohamad's cross for Qatar's first ever goal at a World Cup in their debut tournament but Senegal were unruffled as they continued to out-muscle their opponents in midfield. "Expectations were set to give a good performance and organise a good World Cup, and that is the case," he told a news conference, praising his players for their efforts. First, though, they must meet the Netherlands in what will almost surely be their final game at this event.

☆ Analysis: Qatar’s lack of attacking intent puts them on World Cup precipice
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Nick Said | Anita Kobylinska | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

With the Dutch to come in their final group game on Tuesday, they needed a win against Senegal but from the first whistle there seemed little in the way of attacking intent. It was an issue in their opening 2-0 loss to Ecuador that Qatar coach Felix Sanchez tried to fix. On the rare occasions Qatar did mount attacks at 2-0 down, they created chances, with Ghana-born forward Mohammed Muntari scoring the country’s first ever World Cup goal that proved a consolation only. But over the 90 minutes they invited Senegal onto them instead of trying to impose themselves on the game. How Qatar approach their final game against Netherlands will be telling – will it be a case of going out in a blaze of glory, or with a whimper?

☆ Senegal lead Qatar at halftime in pivotal World Cup group game
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

DOHA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Boulaye Dia gave Senegal a 1-0 lead over Qatar at the break in their World Cup Group A clash at the Al Thumama Stadium on Friday, a game in which both sides could do with a victory after losing their opening fixtures. The Qataris were denied a penalty when Senegal's Ismaila Sarr appeared to bundle over playmaker Akram Afif towards the end of the first half, but they were punished when Boualem Khoukhi made a mess of his clearance and Dia pounced to score. Reporting by Philip O'Connor; editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Jakobs makes first start for Senegal in Qatar showdown
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Defender Ismail Jakobs gets his first start of the tournament for Senegal and Meshaal Barsham gets the nod in goal for Qatar as the two sides meet in their second Group A game at the 2022 World Cup. Senegal manager Aliou Cisse swaps Jakobs in for the injured Cheikhou Kouyate and Pape Abou Cisse is replaced by Famara Diedhiou, while Qatar boss Felix Sanchez makes three changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Ecuador. TEAMS:Qatar: Meshaal Barsham, Pedro Miguel, Abdelkarim Hassan, Ismail Mohamad, Hassan Al-Haydos (captain), Akram Afif, Karim Boudiaf, Homam Ahmed, Assim Madibo, Boualem Khoukhi, Almoez Ali. Senegal: Eduoard Mendy, Youssouf Sabaly, Kalidou Koulibaly, Abdou Diallo, Nampalys Mendy, Famara Diedhiou, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Ismail Jakobs, Krepin Diatta, Ismaila Sarr, Boulaye Dia. Reporting by Shady Amir, additional reporting by Nick Said and Philip O'Connor; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Qatar and Ecuador stick with trusted lineups
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AL KHOR, Qatar, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Hosts Qatar's top scorer Almoez Ali and fellow striker Akram Afif lead the line against Ecuador in Sunday's World Cup opener as coach Felix Sanchez stuck with stalwarts from a settled squad that has had longer than most to bond and prepare. Experienced midfielder Hasan Al-Haydos, who can also play on the wing, took the captaincy for the World Cup debutants and 2019 Asian Cup winners at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt stadium. Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro also named a predictable lineup, with Moises Caicedo anchoring the midfield and top scorer Enner Valencia leading the attack as captain. Ecuador: Hernan Galindez; Felix Torres; Piero Hincapie; Pervis Estupinan; Romario Ibarra; Michael Estrada; Enner Valencia; Angelo Preciado; Gonzalo Plata; Jhegson Mendez; Moises Caicedo. Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ World Cup guide: Teams and players to watch
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Doha, Qatar CNN —In just over 24 hours, Qatar 2022 will burst into life as the host nation takes on Ecuador in the opening game of the World Cup. Tournament favoritesOnly eight nations have ever won the men’s World Cup, many of which are among the favorites this time around. After being knocked out by England in the Euro 2020 semifinals, the team waltzed through World Cup qualification, winning nine of its 10 matches and conceding only three goals. In addition to making its World Cup debut, Qatar is a relatively unknown quantity with most of its players spending their careers in the nation’s top league. He will be an important player in Japan’s World Cup campaign and has already been dubbed the ‘Japanese Lionel Messi’ back home.

☆ Unfancied Qatar and Ecuador eye best chance for early points
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Andrew Cawthorne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The more daunting prospects of African champions Senegal and perennial powerhouse the Netherlands await them next. Qatar had longer than most squads to bond during European camps, beat several Central American sides in recent friendlies, and draw self-belief from their 2019 Asian Cup title. "Obviously, I'm not talking about Qatar winning the World Cup, but competing at a good level against those three teams is our challenge," said coach Felix Sanchez. They boast some more recognisable names than the Qataris, including Premier League midfielder Moises Caicedo and veteran striker Enner Valencia. Ecuador, too, will be relieved just to be walking out after they faced possible expulsion over an accusation of fielding an ineligible player.

[1/6] A Palestinian worker collects newly made egg trays, manufactured from recycled paper waste in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, November 10, 2022. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu MustafaGAZA, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Cheaper, stronger, available and environmental - for Gaza chicken farmers seeking to deliver eggs unbroken, there is everything to like about trays made from recycled paper waste. Chicken-farm owner Mohammad Abu Mustafa said an advantage of Amour's product was its availability, as well as its price and quality. "The imported is weak but the local is strong," Abu Mustafa said. Citing security concerns with Gaza's Islamist Hamas rulers, Israel and Egypt maintains restrictions along their frontiers with the enclave.

☆ Qatar relying on playmaker Afif to pull the strings
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Qatar's main playmaker Akram Afif is perhaps the World Cup host country's greatest asset and worry wrapped up in one. During the Asia Cup tournament in 2019, which Qatar won, Afif's assists supplied most of the nine record-setting goals Almoaz Ali scored. The moves that Afif sets up are so critical to Qatar's success that if something goes awry and Afif is not on the pitch everything could unravel. Afif was born in the Gulf Arab state where his Tanzanian-born father of Somali descent was playing for prominent local club Al Ittihad. The Qatar World Cup is Afif's big opportunity to play on the world stage and, perhaps, to draw the attention of scouts and clubs beyond the Gulf Arab state, Hashim said.

☆ World Cup the test of Qatar's expensive bid to develop homegrown talent
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It's the most important... We're not asking them to (win) the World Cup," he added. Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, brother of Qatar's ruling emir, established Aspire in 2004 to develop homegrown players -- six years before Qatar's national team automatically qualified for the 2022 World Cup when it was named host country. Since June, Sanchez has taken Qatar's players to training camps in Spain and Austria. The mixed performance suggests the Gulf Arab state are no heavyweights - the team might not stand a chance against their other World Cup Group A opponents Senegal and the Netherlands. "We won't be able to tell if that's a good thing or a bad thing until after the World Cup."

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