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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURED STORIES

Quick facts on Destiny Etiko who just released a ‘curvy’ photo from her holiday in Qatar

  • Born on August 12, 1989, in Udi, Enugu State, Nigeria
  • Breakthrough movie: ‘Idemili’
  • She  attended primary and secondary schools in Enugu.
  • Studied Theatre Arts at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

Films she has played roles:

  • Airline Babes (2012) as Martha
  • Angelina (2013) as Helen
  • Native Fowl (2014) as Chibuzor
  • Idemili (2014) as Ekemma
  • Madam 10/10 (2015) as Kellis
  • Fear of a Woman (2016) noted
  • 3 Days to Wed (2016)
  • The Storm (2016)
  • Evil Seekers (2017)
  • Tears of Regret (2018)
  • The prince & I (2019)
  • Heart of Love (2019)
  • My sisters love (2019)
  • Poor Billionaire (2019) as Ujunwa
  • Virgin goddess (2019)
  • Queen of love (2019)
  • The Sacred Cowry (2019)
  • The Return of Ezendiala (2019)
  • Barren Kingdom (2019)
  • Honorable Ladies (2019)
  • Pains of the Orphan (2019)
  • Clap of Royalty (2019)
  • The Hidden Sin (2019)
  • Family Yoke (2019)
  • King’s Word (2019)
  • Sound of Evil (2019)
  • My Private Part (2019) as Stella
  • Power of Royalty (2019)
  • Sunset of Love (2019)
  • London Prince (2019)
  • Woman of Power (2019)
  • Living in Poverty (2020)
  • Hour of Victory (2020)
  • Wrong turn (2021)
  • The Cab Ladies (2021) as Regina
  • 3 Can Play (2022) as Ada
  • Wanted by All (2022) as Ifenkili
  • Widows money (2022)
  • Daughters of Eagle (2022)
  • Love Chase (2023) as Beatrice
  • Loved and Lost (2023) as Camila
  • City Girl (2023) as Babyna
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BUSINESS

Tinubu to Qatar businessmen: We will remove obstacles to investment in Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has assured global investors that his administration would remove all obstacles hindering ease of doing business in Nigeria.

The president gave the assurance at the Nigeria-Qatar Business and Investment Forum held in Doha on Sunday.

He urged genuine investors to report to him directly, any official who obstructed progress or asked for bribe in the course of any dealings in Nigeria.

The president said that Nigeria was ready for serious business as his administration would deal with entrenched interests that had been undermining investors’ confidence in the country’s economy.

Tinubu pledged to remove all bottlenecks standing in the way of profitable and legitimate enterprise.

“I am here to give you the assurance that reforms are going on; forget about whatever you heard in the past.

“Whatever is the obstacle or problem that some of you might have experienced, it is in the past, because there is no obstacle in the future.

“Do not offer a bribe to any of our people, and if it is requested or taken from you, report to us. You will have access to me.

“Nigeria will no longer be defined by the past, but by what we do now and moving forward. Do not let perceptions become a hindrance to your will to invest.

“Nigeria is serious about revolutionising investment promotion. We are removing obstacles today and we are going to continue to remove all obstacles.

“We have done so much within nine months. And I am assuring you, it is free entry, and free exit. Your funds will flow smoothly into and out of our country,’’ Tinubu further assured.

He noted that the war against corruption and insecurity in Nigeria had been strengthened with the appointment of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, as National Security Adviser.

“My responsibility is to tell you that Nigeria is open for business, and to assure you that your investments are safe in our hands.

“We have men and women of great reputation here. And we believe we can forge a good committee that will advance our discussions to fruitful conclusions.

“A nation is an artificial entity unless there are good people to drive it. People build great nations and we have great people. We are ready,’’ President Tinubu stressed.

He observed that Nigeria possesses vast opportunities in various fields.

“We have oil and gas; we have solid minerals. I do not see why we cannot become prolific partners in exploring iron ore, as well as steel production, and energy across the board.

“I am here to give you assurances in all spheres: tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and in many other opportunities that abound around us.

“Do not be the investors who miss out on the golden opportunity we present,’’ the president admonished.

In his remarks, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani, the Qatari Minister of Commerce and Industry, said Qatar looked forward to exploring opportunities in Nigeria, owing to its large market.

He said Qatar was prioritising new investments in low carbon initiatives, mineral products, petroleum chemicals, industry, and consumables.

“We look forward to working with our Nigerian counterparts to achieve our joint objectives in these sectors,’’ the minister said.

Tinubu was accompanied to the event by governors, ministers, Ribadu and by members of the Nigerian business community.

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FEATURED STORIES POLITICS

Tinubu’s visit: Nigeria signs multi-sectoral agreements with Qatar

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday witnessed the signing of agreements between Nigeria and Qatar in various sectors of the economy.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement, said the signing, which held in Doha, Qatar, was also witnessed by the Emir of that country, Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani.

The agreement, according to Ngelale, will open opportunities for mutual cooperation in pivotal sectors of education, enterprise development, investment promotion, youth empowerment, mining, tourism and sports.

Tinubu assured his host of Nigeria’s preparedness to welcome investors into the country, citing the ongoing reforms that favoured innovation, return on investments and multiculturalism.

“Our greatest strength is our people. Our strength lies in the capacity of Nigerian youths.

” They have energy, talent and self-belief.
” They are quality partners for Qatari industry.

”They are educated and reliable, and they are proactively seeking to add value wherever they are.

” A few cannot give a bad name to the many. Nigerian youths are ready to be unleashed for the mutual benefit of both nations.

“We have seen clearly the rapid pace and thorough quality of Qatar’s development process. It is impossible not to be moved by what you have accomplished.

” The leadership in the country has proven its mettle, and we are here to gain deeper insight.

“There is nowhere in the world where you will find return on investment at the level of what you will see in Nigeria. A massive market of over 200 million skilled Nigerians, always industrious and ready to work.

“We face some short-term turbulence at the moment, but we have a government today that reflects the dynamism and talent of the Nigerian people.

” We are implementing the right solutions.

” This team works collaboratively with each other and our partners,” the president said.

Al Thani, on his part, said he was open to Nigeria’s investment push, recalling his journey to Nigeria in 2019 due to his belief that the country is an important and strategic ally on its own and in regional affairs.

“I have no doubt about the great capacity of the Nigerian people. Everywhere in the world, they are known for their brilliance and hard work.

” We only need to ensure that this is happening inside of Nigeria rather than outside.

”The investments we have made around the world have been very fruitful.

” This is because we take our time and study opportunities before we invest the commonwealth of our people.

“Mr. President, I am very encouraged by your actions and your passion to create new opportunities.

” We are very open to this, and follow-up is everything at this point. The will is there for both of us, but we must follow up.

”I will send a team of officials to Nigeria after Ramadan, and we will advance discussions on what some of the actionable investment opportunities are,” the Qatari leader said.

Tinubu immediately named the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun as the team leader of the government team that would interface with Qatari authorities in investment identification and implementation.

During the bilateral deliberations, the president enabled a brief presentation to the Emir by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, who spoke in details about the high-grade of several minerals, including lithium.

Alake spoke about derivable potential across the country with an emphasis on imminent opportunities for local mineral processing and value-additive industry in the sector.

The bilateral engagement was followed by a closed-door meeting between the two Heads of State before they proceeded to the signing ceremony for seven bilateral agreements across multiple sectors.

The seven agreements signed include cooperation agreement in the field of education and regulation of employment of workers with the Government of Qatar.

Also signed was the agreement on establishment of a joint business council between the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture.

Agreements were also signed in the field of youths and sports, tourism and business events and a memorandum of understanding on combating illicit trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

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BUSINESS NEWS & LIFE

Alake pledges mineral data to aid Qattari businessmen eyeing  Nigerian lithium 

Comprehensive data on the pattern and quantity of energy mineral Lithium are available at the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency for businesses interested in  establishing lithium companies in Nigeria.
Solid Minerals Development Minister Dr. Oladele Alake made this disclosure in Doha, Qatar on Saturday at a meeting with Qatari businessmen on the sidelines of the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Arab country.
This is contained in a statement by Kehinde Bamigbetan , Special Adviser to Hon.Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
Responding to enquires on the quality of Nigerian lithium by Qatari business mogul Sheikh Shahid Jawad at the meeting held at the prestigious Sheraton Doha, Alake said mineral exploration initiated by the Federal Government has identified locations where lithium occurs in commercial quanties in high grades.
To buttress the disclosure, Dr Alake recalled that on a visit to Australia, he was presented with samples of rock composites from Nigeria  with high grade lithium content confirmed by laboratory analysis.
He said it showed that the quality of Nigerian lithium has been recognised by the global mining sector.
Encouraging Qatari businessmen to visit the country and witness the immense opportunities in mining, Alake said the Nigerian government has put in place generous, investor- friendly policies to facilitate business.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of Solid Minerals Development Fund, Mrs Fatimah Shinkafi urged investors to explore opportunities in mining infrastructures.
Giving the example of Vale, a mining company in Brazil that invested in trains to ease the transportation of minerals from the Mines to the processing towns, Shinkafi said while the government will continue to provide transportation facilities to the Mines, mining companies that recognise the significance of transportation to their future cost control will invest wisely by supplementing government’s efforts.
Also giving the Minister the update of its activities in the Mining sector, the Vice- chairman of the Qatar- Nigerian Chamber of Business, Muhammed Santuraki said the chamber was formed in 2017 to build business relations between both countries.
Recalling a recent visit to a gold mine in Nasarawa State, Santuraki observed the existence of good roads for the haulage of minerals to the ports.
Other businessmen at the top- level meeting weŕe Sheikh El Jouneid, Chief Executive Officer, ETCC Qatar and Aminu Dahiru, chairman, Asdub Oil & Gas.
March 2, 2023
[3/2, 4:42 PM] Tope Amaaa: Honourable Minister of Solid Mines Development , Dr.Oladele Alake (fourth left), Vice Chairman, Qatari-Nigeria Business Chamber, Muhammed Santuraki, Executive Secretary,  Mrs Fatimah Shinkafi, Sheikh El Jouneid, Chief Executive Officer, ETCC Qatar, Sheikh Shahid Jawad and Aminu Dahiru
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FEATURED STORIES POLITICS

Leaked memo: Presidency debunks claims about Tinubu’s planned visit to Qatar

The Presidency on Saturday in Abuja debunked insinuations that Qatari authorities had stopped the scheduled state visit by President Bola Tinubu to the country.

Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated that the state visit would still hold between March 2 and March 4.

Onanuga explained that a leaked memo focused on a private sector-led Business and Investment Forum to be held on the margins of the president’s state visit.

“We are aware of a leaked diplomatic correspondence between the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Abuja and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding President Tinubu’s visit between March 2 and March 3, 2024.

“The leaked diplomatic paper by mischief makers about an investment forum is not in any way a snub on Tinubu by the Qatari government.

“The business meeting is being put together by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Qatar’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

“Business people from Nigeria planned to engage their counterparts from Qatar on commercial and investment opportunities available in both countries,’’ Onanuga stated.

He added that NACCIMA and Qatari Chambers of Commerce and Industry were collaborating to take advantage of the president’s visit to Doha.

He stated also that the collaboration was to mobilise the business communities from the two countries to explore opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

They also planned to explore opportunities in manufacturing, agro-business, construction, real estate, ICT, renewable energy, solid minerals and service sector, among others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the leaked memo stated that the Qatari authorities had turned down Tinubu’s request to visit and hold a business and investment forum in Doha.

The leaked memo indicated that a letter from the Qatari government to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday stated that it would not be able to welcome President Tinubu.

It stated that Qatar’s position was based on the lack of a legally-binding agreement between Qatar and Nigeria for the promotion of investments.

“​The letter sent to the foreign affairs ministry on Feb. 22 reads: “the embassy has the honour to inform that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar apologises that it will not be able to hold a business and investment forum as proposed by the Nigerian side.

“This is because there is no agreement signed between the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Investment Promotion and Protection,’’ Onanuga stated.

He stressed that President Tinubu was expected to proceed to Qatar on the state visit as scheduled.

​He added that during the visit, the Nigerian leader would engage in high-level bilateral discussions with the Qatari leader on important matters, covering diplomatic and economic issues.

“It is incorrect to insinuate that the Qatari authorities have snubbed the Nigerian leader over a business and investment forum which is tangential to the state visit.

“President Tinubu and His Highness Al-Thani are both committed to maintaining and building on the existing cordial and special relationship between Nigeria and the State of Qatar​,’’ Onanuga also stated. ​

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NEWS & LIFE

OIC selects Nigeria as special delegate to halt Gaza conflict

The Federal Republic of Nigeria has been selected by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League as part of a special delegation mandated to initiate immediate international action to halt the ongoing war in Gaza.

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, in a statement said the message was communicated to Nigeria by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

 

Tuggar said the the decision was taken in furtherance to the resolution adopted at the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Israeli aggressions against the Palestinian people, which took place in Riyadh on Saturday.

 

According to the minister, the resolution that bears Nigeria in the inclusion in the peace team states the following:

 

“Assign the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in its capacity as the presidency of the 32nd Arab and Islamic Summit, along with counterparts from Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Palestine.

 

“Any other interested countries, and the Secretary-General of both organizations to initiate immediate international action on behalf of all member states of the OIC and the Arab League to formulate an international move to halt the war in Gaza.

 

” To pressure for a real and serious political process to achieve permanent and comprehensive peace in accordance with established international references.”

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria was invited for the emergency joint Arab-Islamic summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh to discuss the war taking place in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories.

 

At the summit, Tuggar said Nigeria stood firmly with the two states solution prescribed by the UN to help bring a stop to the Israeli, Palastinian war.

 

Tuggar said Nigeria was ready to work collectively to bring and end to the violence and find lasting solutions to the war.

 

According to him, Nigeria welcomes the intervention by the OIC to emphatically add it’s voice to the call for an end to the violence and loss of lives of innocent civilians.

 

Tuggar said the disproportionate use of force against the people of Gaza begs the question “how many more must die to avenge the act of aggressor.”

 

He said the war against the people of Gaza cannot be contemplated in the same breath of the “Just War Doctrine” and has to stop for the sake of humanity.

 

“Where is the rule of law.

 

“Today live in a dated driven world, and the question is where is the evidence that the violence melted out by Israel on Gaza is having any effect on Hamas.”

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FEATURED STORIES SPORTS

Qatar 2022: The upsets, inconsistencies of group stage

By Kayode Adebiyi

In the buildup to this year’s FIFA World Cup, football enthusiasts somewhat exhausted all possible superlatives to qualify the Qatar 2022 edition of the greatest round leather game showpiece.

The ongoing Qatar 2022 is the first World Cup staged in the Middle East and is by far the most expensive, with the country coughing out something in the region of $300billion to host the event.

The tournament has also been dubbed the most innovative in terms of technology, the most controversial, the most disruptive for players and the least-exciting for travelling fans.

However, as soon as the referee blew his whistle for the kickoff of the opening match in Group A between the hosts and Ecuador attention shifted to the excitement and passion the World Cup brings with it.

As 16 countries have confirmed their places in the Round of 16 knockout stage, we look at major talking points that defined the Group Stage of the tournament.

Giant killers and upsets

During the last World Cup in Russia, the only major upset in the group stage happened in Group F, where Germany exited the tournament after suffering 1:0 and 2:0 defeats to Mexico and South Korea respectively.

ALSO READ: Oliseh lists 8 qualities of Ghana’s player, Kudus
This year, there were at least three major upsets. In Group C, lowly-rated Saudi Arabia shocked one of the tournament’s favourites and FIFA third-ranked team, Argentina.

When Lionel Messi opened scoring for Argentina in the 10th minute of the game, football enthusiasts thought it was going to be goals galore.

However, Saleh Alshehri and Salem Aldawsari scored in the 48th and 53rd minutes to shock Messi and his fellow super stars which incudes. They held on to record one of the greatest upsets in world football.

Just when football enthusiasts thought that was a one-off, they were treated to another surprise in Group C, as Japan came from behind to seal a memorable victory against another tournament favourite, Germany.

Die Mannschaft thought they had banished the ghost of 2018, but the Blue Samurai’s 2:1 victory brought a bitter taste of déjà vu. The Germans were eventually bundled out of the tournament.

Football fans all over the world were still processing those two results when another underdog struck yet again in Group F.

Belgium, ranked second-best team in the world, were humiliated 2:0 by one of Africa’s representatives, Morocco, ranked 22nd. Morocco ended up topping the group while Belgium exited the tournament.

It was the Atlas Lions’ first World Cup victory since they defeated Scotland 3-0 at France ’98, 24 years ago.

That Morocco were able to conquer star-studded Red Devils with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco, Thibaut Courtois, Youri Tielemans, Axel Witsel, Eden Hazard, Leandro Trossard shows that the era of underdogs in football is gone.

Artificial intelligence at work

Qatar 2022 has been deservedly praised as the most technologically innovative edition of the FIFA World Cup.

One specific moment which succinctly captured the essence of technology in the group stage was during Group match between Cameroon and Serbia.

Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar’s 63rd-minute goal was hurriedly adjudged offside by the assistant referee.

However, Aboubakar almost casually chipped the ball over the Serbian goalkeeper. Video assistant referee (VAR) checked, using the new semi-automated offside technology to award the goal.

This new technology uses 12 dedicated cameras beneath the stadium roof to track the ball and up to 29 data points for each player, 50 times per second, to calculate their exact position on the pitch.

The 29 collected data points include all limbs and extremities relevant for making offside calls, thereby offering support for both video match officials and on-field referees.

Qatar 2022 balls too have high-tech sensors powered by a small battery charged before every game. Any time the ball is kicked, headed or thrown, the system picks it up at 500 frames per second.

The 12 local positioning system (LPS) cameras installed around the stadium then receive and process data from the ball in real time.

Johannes Holzmüller, FIFA Director, Football Technology and Innovation, said about the technology:

“…We still refer to the system as ‘semi-automated offside’ as the video match officials have to validate the proposed decision and then inform the on-field referee.

“By using the exact same data to create a 3D animation for in-stadium fans and TV viewers, fans will receive a quick and accurate visualization of the offside situation.”

Inconsistent officiating, long stoppage time

Even with the deployment of innovative technology to assist referees in making correct decisions, there were noticeable inconsistencies at the group stage.

For instance, Abdulrahman Al-Jassim, the referee in charge of the game between Wales and USA was seemingly out of his depth when he showed USA players Sergiño Dest and Weston McKennie yellow cards before the 15-minute mark.

The inconsistency in decisions also triggered England coach, Gareth Southgate, to submit a report to English FA a report for transmission to FIFA seeking clarity over perceived penalty inconsistencies at the tournament.

Recall that England were denied what appeared to be a clear spot-kick when Harry Maguire was grabbed by Rouzbeh Cheshmi early on in their 6-2 win over Iran.

The referee later intervened in a similar situation resulting in Mehdi Taremi scoring a last-gasp penalty.

It appears that one of the tournament’s biggest talking points has been the officiating, in which many fans believe has not been applied with same logic across the board.

There are other examples, such as the handball by a Tunisian player against Denmark, which was a potential game-winning penalty kick, denied by referee Cesar Ramos.

Fans all over the world were also wondering why stoppage times have been so long. But FIFA says it in intended to increase the amount of time the ball in in play and compensate goal celebrations, fouls and time wasting tactics by teams.

The Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, said before the tournament that, “the issue of matches with fewer than 50 minutes of actual playing time is something that has been going on for a while now.

“People want to watch football, more football. And we, FIFA and IFAB (International Football Association Board) have been asked to do something about it for years.”

As the tournament enters into the more crucial state of Round of 16, football enthusiasts worldwide keenly await the drama, thrills and frills associated with the beautiful game.

Adebiyi writes for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

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FEATURED STORIES SPORTS

Sensational Senegal clinch first African victory of this World Cup

Mueez Ajao

– Host nation Qatar are perilously close to crashing out of the World Cup after they slumped to a 3-1 defeat by Senegal at the Al Thumama Stadium on Friday, despite Mohammed Muntari netting the country’s first-ever World Cup finals goal.

– A win or a draw for Netherlands against Ecuador, who beat Qatar in the tournament’s opening game, later on Friday will see the Qataris become the first side mathematically eliminated from the competition.

– The opening-night nerves were nowhere to be seen as Qatar quickly got to grips with Senegal and they should have had a penalty when Ismaila Sarr bundled over Akram Afif, but Spanish referee Antonio Mateu waved away their pleas and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not intervene.

Also Read: Spectacular is the adjective as Qatar stages World Cup opening

– 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.

– His attempt to clear a routine low pass into the box by Krepin Diatta went disastrously wrong as he went to ground without making proper contact with the ball.

– Khoukhi’s fluffed effort allowed Dia to pounce, and the 26-year-old striker needed no second invitation to rattle the ball in at the near post to give Senegal the lead.

– With the Qatari crowd thinned out somewhat at the start of the second half, Famara Diedhou doubled Senegal’s advantage with a brilliant glancing header from an Ismail Jakobs corner in the 48th minute.

– Muntari reduced the deficit in the 78th with a bullet header from Ismail Mohamad’s cross but Senegal substitute Bamba Dieng swept home his side’s third to consign Qatar to the bottom of Group A with no points, while their group rivals all have three.

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Uncategorized

FIFA tells World Cup organisers to allow rainbow colours as agreed

Football’s ruling body FIFA has urged World Cup organisers in Qatar to allow rainbow coloured items in the stadiums, sources have told dpa.

FIFA had said before the tournament that the colours, a symbol mainly for the LGBTQI+ community, would be allowed in the eight stadiums for the tournament.

But fans from various teams have said that such items, including flags, armbands, sweatbands and bucket hats, were confiscated by security personnel at the stadiums in the first days.

ALSO READ: German FA to take legal action against FIFA’ after OneLove armband failure

The Welsh FA had said Thursday that the items would be allowed for Friday’s game against Iran, and that venue operators had been told to act according to the rules set before the tournament.

Homosexuality is a criminal offence in Qatar but officials have said that everyone is welcome and they would respect the rules set by FIFA.

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FEATURED STORIES SPORTS

BREAKING: Saudi daze Argentina, score two great goals

Saudi Arabia have proved that they are not in Qatar to sell guguru and epa – pop corn and groundnut.

They have neutralised Messi’s lone goal for Argentina in their ongoing opening game at Qatar, as they scored in the early moment of the second half.

In the first half, Agentina hit Saudi’s net four times but three of the goals were offside.

ALSO READ: BREAKING: Saudi frustrating Argentina as Messi’s gang score 3 offside goals in 35 minutes