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Women lack basics in crisis-hit Lebanon's crowded prisons

Nour is raising her four-month-old daughter in Lebanon's most overpopulated women's prison, struggling to get formula and nappies for her baby as the country's economy lies in tatters.

"I don't have enough milk to breastfeed, and baby formula isn't readily available," said the 25-year-old, who was detained eight months ago on drug-related accusations.

"Sometimes my daughter doesn't have formula for three days," she added, as green-eyed Amar wriggled on her lap.

Lebanese authorities have long struggled to care for the more than 8,000 people stuck in the country's jails.

Nour said she and her daughter shared a cell at the Baabda women's prison with another 23 people, including two other babies

Qatar emir says 'exceptional' World Cup delivered to fans

Qatar's ruler said Sunday that the Gulf state had delivered on a vow to hold an "exceptional" World Cup.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who gave Argentina captain Lionel Messi a traditional Arab cloak after his side won the trophy, paid tribute to the finalists and fans in a Twitter statement after the match.

"We have fulfilled our promise to organize an exceptional championship by Arab countries, which provided an opportunity for the people of the world to learn about the richness of our culture and the originality of our values," the emir said.

Honoured: Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani wraps a 'bisht' cloak around Lionel Messi

Qatar's migrant workers wary of life after the World Cup

Rasheed celebrated Argentina's World Cup win singing and dancing with dozens of other South Asian workers with a double landmark on his mind. Sunday was also International Migrants Day.

"Messi, Messi Messi," they chanted in a corner of Souq Waqif, the central market in the Qatari capital Doha where hordes of foreign fans have gathered throughout the World Cup.

Supporters in Doha's Souq Wafiq celebrate Argentina's first goal of the World Cup final

Brussels urges Belgians to quit Iran over arrest risk

Belgium's government called Sunday for Belgians in Iran to leave the country, mired in a violent crackdown on nationwide protests, because of the risk of arbitrary arrest and imprisonment.

"All Belgian visitors, including (dual) nationals, are at high risk of arrest, arbitrary detention and unfair trial. This risk also applies to people who are simply visiting Iran for tourism," the government said in a statement.

"In the event of arrest or detention, respect for fundamental rights and the safety of individuals are not guaranteed," the statement added.

The Belgian government announcement comes days after the news that Iran jailed aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele for 28 years

Ukraine Jews mark 'Festival of Lights' amid blackouts

War-weary Ukrainian Jews gathered on Sunday for prayer and candle-lighting ceremonies to kick off Hannukah, the so-called Festival of Lights, vowing to overcome blackouts caused by persistent Russian bombardment.

In the capital's iconic Independence Square, known as the Maidan, worshippers huddled together for warmth near what officials claimed was the largest Hannukah menorah -- a nine-branched candelabrum -- in Europe.

Ukrainian Jews marked the beginning of Hannukah with candle-lighting and a large menorah, amid blackouts caused by persistant bombardment

Memorial as Irish peacekeeper killed in Lebanon flown home

United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon took part in a memorial service Sunday as the body of their slain Irish comrade was repatriated, days after being shot dead in an attack.

Private Sean Rooney, 23, was killed and three others were wounded Wednesday after the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy came under fire near the village of Al-Aqbiya in the south of the Mediterranean country.

"Sean Rooney made the hardest sacrifice a soldier can do: giving his life while serving lasting peace in Lebanon," UNIFIL commander Major General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz said.

United Nations peacekeeping troops carry the coffin of Irish soldier Sean Rooney, who was killed on a UN patrol

Iraq torches giant haul of illegal drugs

Iraq on Sunday burnt some six tons of illegal drugs including vast piles of cannabis, captagon and cocaine, in what officials said was the largest destruction for over a decade.

Government officials, wearing white coveralls and face masks, piled the drugs in holes dug into the sand, doused them with fuel and set them on fire.

Health Minister Saleh al-Hasnawi, speaking at the event outside a military base near the capital Baghdad, said it was the first "destruction operation of this magnitude" since 2009.

Iraq on Sunday burnt some six tons of illegal drugs including vast piles of cannabis, captagon and cocaine

Egypt tycoon dies serving sentence for sexually assaulting minors

Egyptian businessman Mohamed el-Amin has died while serving a three-year sentence for trafficking and sexually assaulting girls at an orphanage he had founded, his lawyer and a lawmaker said Sunday.

The former media and real estate tycoon was transferred to hospital from prison "several months ago" and died "due to his illness", parliamentarian Mostafa Bakry said on Twitter.

Media mogul Mohamed el-Amin was sentenced to three years for sexually assaulting girls at an orphanage he had founded

Tunisia uncertainty after poll snub, calls for president to quit

Tunisia plunged into political uncertainty Sunday after voters overwhelming snubbed elections for a neutered parliament, as the main opposition alliance called on President Kais Saied to "leave immediately".

The move comes as Saied's government negotiates a nearly $2-billion package from the International Monetary Fund to bail out the North African country's crippled public finances.

A member of the Tunisian electoral commission counts votes after the ballot in which turnout fell below nine percent of eligible voters

Iran urged to free top actor who backed protests

Celebrities and rights groups called on Iran on Sunday to free actor Taraneh Alidoosti, one of the most prominent figures yet arrested in its three-month crackdown on protests.

Alidoosti, 38, was arrested on Saturday, official media said, after making a string of social media posts supporting the protest movement -- including removing her headscarf and condemning the execution of protesters.

The unrest was sparked by the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22, whom the morality police accused of violating the Islamic republic's strict dress code for women.

Iranian actor Taraneh Alidoosti, seen here speaking during a press conference for the film "Leila's Brothers" at the Cannes Film Festival in May, has been arrested in Tehran