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Ten Mauritanian anti-slavery activists were on Friday handed their freedom in a partial appeal court victory that left three of their fellow accused in jail, a judicial source said. An appeals court in the northern town of Zouerate acquitted three of the activists, while seven others were handed jail sentences that they have already served. Three others, however, must still...

An international rights group has warned of a new Egyptian bill to regulate civil society, saying that the proposed law amounts to a "death warrant" for relevant organisations. In a strongly-worded statement, London-based Amnesty International urged President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Friday not to sign the proposed law, calling it "draconian" and the "most repressive" for the authority it gives...

The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen's government against Houthi rebels declared a renewable 48-hour ceasefire to begin Saturday, it said in a statement on the kingdom's SPA news agency website. "It has been decided to begin a 48-hour ceasefire from 12:00 noon in Yemen's timing (0900 GMT) on Saturday," said the coalition statement, adding that the truce will be renewed if...

Ongoing controversy surrounding the conversion of the London Stadium from an athletics venue to a football ground is reportedlyproviding inspiration for Qatari World Cup planners on how 'not to plan' for the future, and best address legacy needs once the 2022 tournament is over. London’s 80,000 capacity Olympic Stadium was initially set to be reduced in size to become a...

15 November 2016 - The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), the organisation responsible for delivering the infrastructure required for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), the global trade union for construction workers, that will see them conduct joint labour and accommodation inspections on...

For much of the last six years since winning the hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup, Qatar appeared to be taking a slow and torturous path towards some degree of reform. Yet, in an increasingly conservative world in which human rights are put on the backburner, fears among rights and trade union activists that … For much of the...

In a remarkable public health achievement, Sri Lanka was today certified by the World Health Organization on having eliminated malaria, a life-threatening disease which long affected the island country. “Sri Lanka’s achievement is truly remarkable. In the mid-20th century it was among the most malaria-affected countries, but now it is malaria-free. This is testament to the courage and vision of its...

In the wake of the civil war currently destroying Syria, thousands of refugees have fled their homes to seek safety in Europe. That’s why billionaire philanthropist George Soros is contributing $500 million to organizations offering relief for migrants and refugees. “Governments must play the leading role in addressing this crisis by creating and sustaining adequate physical and social infrastructure for migrants and refugees....

The 62-year-old Hong Kong stuntman was beaming when Tom Hanks handed him the little gold statuette and congratulated him on his success. “Standing here is a dream,” said Chan at the podium. “After 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films, breaking so many bones, finally this is mine.” The Governor’s Awards is an annual ceremony in which...

Makkah, November 17 (QNA) - Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi said that the targeting of Houthi militias and forces of Ali Abdullah Saleh to Makkah Al Mukkaramah with ballistic missile on October 27, was a flagrant defiance and dangerous provocation to the feelings of the Islamic nation as a whole. Addressing an...

By James M. Dorsey Efforts to leverage Qatar’s 2022 World Cup hosting rights to create the soft power the Gulf state needs to punch above its weight and ensure a sympathetic hearing in the international community in times of emergency operate on the Leninist principle of two steps forward, one step backwards. Take events this month as an example. On the plus...

Qatar 2022 World Cup chief Hassan Al Thawadi says there will be alcohol on sale in certain areas at the competition. He also says they have learnt from some of the trouble in Marseille at Euro 2016 and will implement the correct security measures. Al Thawadi also tells BBC Sports editor Dan Roan of a "milestone" agreement with trade union BWI...

Le Monde has receipts from $3.5m payment to Papa Massata Diack • Former IAAF president Lamine Diack to return to Paris court on Monday A company founded by a former senior figure at the IAAF, the governing body of world athletics, reportedly received two payments totalling $3.5m days before Qatar’s failed bid to host the 2017 world championships and while it...

Dipti Nair Doha Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop opened the Australian Embassy at the Tornado Tower in West Bay on Thursday. The opening ceremony comprised a ribbon cutting and unveiling of a plaque commemorating this milestone in Qatar-Australia diplomatic relations by Bishop and Australia's first resident Ambassador to Qatar HE Dr Axel Wabenhorst. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Bishop emphasised on...