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☆ FIFA wants us to think the World Cup is about showing 'humanity can live in peace together.' It's really about money — but I'll still watch.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Marguerite Ward | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup, hosted by Qatar, will begin Sunday. read a recent letter to World Cup teams signed by Gianni Infantino, FIFA's president. Telemundo's 2022 FIFA World Cup ad sales for its Spanish televising of the tournament hit "record revenue," a spokesperson said. Khalid Salman, the Qatar World Cup ambassador and a former footballer, said homosexuality is "damage in the mind" in an interview with the German broadcaster ZDF earlier this month. The 2022 World Cup is a cynical attempt at sportswashing.

[1/3] An undelivered Airbus A350 built for Qatar Airways is seen in storage at Chateauroux, France, September 3, 2022 as Airbus and the Gulf carrier remain locked in a contractual and safety dispute. The two leaders discussed the issue last December during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Doha, the French official told Reuters on Wednesday. The exchange marks the first confirmation that a bitter contractual and safety dispute spilled beyond the courtroom. A spokesperson for Qatar Airways could not immediately be reached for comment. The dispute marks a public divorce at the heart of the $150 billion jet industry with billions of dollars at stake.

☆ Some LGBTQ fans skip Qatar World Cup, fearing hostility
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

Instead, Niño de Rivera proposed at an Amsterdam stadium this summer and opted to skip the World Cup altogether. “It was a really hard decision.”Niño de Rivera’s concerns are shared by many LGBTQ soccer fans and their allies worldwide. An ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar, however, has described homosexuality as a “damage in the mind” in an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF. He publicly came out and has been lobbying to expand the conversation before the World Cup. “The World Cup can help change misconceptions, and we want fans to travel home with a better understanding of our country, culture and region.

☆ S&P upgrades Qatar's credit rating on shrinking debt burden
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 4 (Reuters) - Ratings agency S&P on Friday raised Qatar's long-term sovereign credit rating to "AA" from "AA-", citing improvements in the government's fiscal position. "Qatar's debt interest costs as a share of government revenue have fallen, and we expect them to remain low because the government is repaying maturing debt," the agency said in a statement. read moreS&P believes that higher oil prices should result in strong government surpluses in 2022-2023. read moreS&P said Qatar government's revenue stream will substantially increase by the North Field Expansion, which is part of the world's biggest gas field that Qatar shares with Iran. Reporting by Vansh Agarwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

CNN —England manager Gareth Southgate has a lot on his plate as the World Cup in Qatar grows ever closer. All this as he prepares for the first World Cup held mid-season. Moreover, this is a World Cup – starting on November 20 – which has been dogged by a number of human rights issues. It’s what we’re there to do.”On England’s chances of winning the World Cup, Southgate said: “There are some complications with how regular some of our important players are playing. That’s where you’ll always be judged as an international manager.”On their chances of winning the World Cup, Southgate adds: “There are some complications with how regular some of our important players are playing.

☆ Australian players call out Qatar's human rights record ahead of World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Australia's national soccer team spoke out against World Cup host Qatar's record on human rights and same-sex relationships in a video released on Thursday, adding to criticism of the country in the weeks ahead of the tournament. Qatar, the first Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup, has come under intense international pressure for its treatment of foreign workers and restrictive social laws. A separate statement from Football Australia, the peak soccer body, on Thursday acknowledged reforms but said the games had been associated "with suffering for some migrant workers and their families." Disquiet over the country's human rights record has led to calls for teams and officials to boycott the games. Australia will play against France, Denmark and Tunisia after the World Cup kicks off on Nov. 20.

☆ Qatar to suspend evacuation flights for U.S.-bound Afghan refugees while it hosts soccer World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Dan De Luce | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Julia-Ainsley-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Qatari officials have said they plan to suspend evacuation flights for Afghan refugees hoping to resettle in the U.S. while the country hosts soccer’s World Cup next month, according to refugee advocates, congressional aides and a source familiar with the Qatari government’s plans. Afghan refugees trying to book flights to Doha have received emails saying it’s not possible to reserve a seat until January, Afghans and advocacy groups said. Flights are continuing to operate at the moment but refugee organizations are worried the planes will soon stop flying out of Kabul. The Biden administration has not released up-to-date numbers on how many Afghans are in the pipeline for special immigrant visas. A State Department spokesperson said the U.S. has issued more than 18,000 special immigrant visas to Afghan applicants and their family members from January 2021 to Sept. 30, 2022.

☆ Qatar faced unprecedented criticism over hosting World Cup, emir says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Qatar has faced unprecedented criticism since winning the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, some of which amounted to slander, its ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, said on Tuesday. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterQatar, the first Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup, has come under intense international criticism for its treatment of foreign workers and restrictive social laws. Qatar expects 1.2 million visitors during the tournament, creating an unprecedented logistical and policing challenge for the tiny Gulf Arab state. Sheikh Tamim said hosting the World Cup was "a great test for a country the size of Qatar". The World Cup would allow Qatar to showcase its economic and institutional strength and cultural identity, he said.

☆ Russia's Putin in Kazakhstan for meetings of regional bodies
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

ASTANA, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan on Thursday to attend meetings of several regional bodies, a Kazakh government source told Reuters. Putin is set to attend the summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) on Thursday alongside a number of Asian leaders, including Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan. Putin is expected to have two-way meetings with Erdogan and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. read moreRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Tamara Vaal; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Clarence FernandezOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Exclusive: Qatar conscripts civilians for World Cup security
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The match is the first to take place at the stadium, which will host the World Cup 2022 final. The civilians were told they had been called up to assist with the World Cup and that it was their "patriotic duty" to do so, the source said. Asked for comment, a Qatari government official said in a statement that Qatar's national service program would continue as normal during the World Cup. The diplomats are expected to return to their posts after the World Cup. World Cup organisers intend to relax Qatar's strict laws limiting the public sale of alcohol, and will allow beer to be served near stadiums a few hours before matches kick off.

☆ Factbox: World leaders to attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau attend the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey. Jack Hill/Pool via REUTERSRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterLONDON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth's state funeral will take place in London on Monday and a host of world leaders, royalty and other dignitaries will attend. Countries that have not been invited include Syria and Venezuela because London does not have normal diplomatic relations with those states. Britain has also not invited representatives from Russia, Belarus or Myanmar after it imposed economic sanctions on those countries. Related ContentFactbox: Plans for Queen Elizabeth's state funeral on MondayFactbox: Comments from crowds in London on Queen ElizabethFactbox: World leaders to attend Queen Elizabeth's funeralFactbox: Order of service for Queen Elizabeth's state funeralWindsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth's home and now final resting placeWestminster Abbey - traditional church for royals in life and death(This story was refiled to correct spelling of first name of Belize governor general)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterCompiled by Farouq Suleiman and Kate Holton Editing by Deepa Babington and Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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