Qatar on Tuesday announced its first major deal to send liquefied natural gas to Germany as Europe scrambles to find alternatives to Russian energy sources.

Qatar's Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi said up to two million tons of gas a year would be sent for at least 15 years from 2026, and that state-run QatarEnergy was discussing other possible deals for Europe's biggest economy.

Kaabi, who is also QatarEnergy's chief executive, said so many European and Asian countries now want natural gas that he did not have enough negotiators to cope.

Iran has for the first time reported that more than 300 people have died in over two months of protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.

The Islamic republic has deployed state security forces against what it labels "riots" that broke out after the 22-year-old died on September 16, three days after her arrest for allegedly breaching Iran's dress code for women.

All regions of the world saw water extremes last year -- both floods and droughts -- and billions of people had insufficient freshwater, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

Large areas of the planet recorded drier than normal conditions in 2021, the UN's World Meteorological Organization said in its first annual State of Global Water Resources report.

The report assesses the effects of changes in the climate, environment and society on the Earth’s freshwater resources -- limited supplies that are under growing demand -- so they can be managed better.

Israeli troops shot dead four Palestinians in the occupied West Bank Tuesday, Palestinian officials said, and a suspected car-ramming attacker was killed after wounding an Israeli soldier, Israeli medics and the army said.

The army confirmed its troops had fired on "rioters" who attacked soldiers in two separate clashes in the West Bank overnight.

A man carrying a rainbow flag and wearing a T-shirt with the words "Respect for Iranian Woman" on the back invaded the pitch during a match at the Qatar World Cup on Monday.

The man was on the field for about 30 seconds during the second half of the game between Portugal and Uruguay before being tackled and escorted off by security.

He also had the words "Save Ukraine" on the front of his T-shirt, in reference to the war-torn nation.

"We know what has happened around this World Cup... It's a normal thing to happen," said Portugal player Ruben Neves.

Police have smashed a huge drugs "super-cartel" that controlled a third of Europe's cocaine trade, arresting 49 people in various countries including six kingpins in the gang's hub in Dubai, Europol said on Monday.

The international operation codenamed "Desert Light" seized more than 30 tonnes of the white powder and led to arrests in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Spain, the European Union's police agency said.

United States coach Gregg Berhalter apologised on Monday for the furore triggered by a social media post depicting a modified version of Iran's flag as the two geopolitical foes prepared for their crunch World Cup showdown.

US Soccer sparked uproar over the weekend after posting an Iranian flag without its Allah symbol on the federation's social media feeds in what it said it was a gesture of solidarity with Iranian women protesters.

The French baguette, Algerian Rai music and Tunisia's harissa condiment are among this year's contenders for recognition as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, which started deliberations Monday in Morocco.

The United Nations' cultural agency is examining 56 proposals for items to add to its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage, including four in urgent need of preservation -- including the pottery of the Cham people of central Vietnam.

Hundreds of football fans gather in front of a huge screen in a Libyan park to watch the day's World Cup matches, a welcome escape in a country wracked by conflict.

Libya's public spaces agency has set up giant screens in parks across the capital Tripoli, allowing fans to watch matches for free under the autumn sun.

The biggest is in a seafront park next to the iconic Martyr's Square.

"It's a great initiative," said Walid al-Amari, a one-time parliamentary candidate who has watched every match since the tournament kicked off on November 20.

Saudi Arabia on Monday announced plans for a new airport in Riyadh intended to spur rapid growth in the capital while advancing the kingdom's ambitious aviation goals.

The airport, set to accommodate 120 million travellers by 2030 and 185 million travellers by 2050, will be named after 86-year-old King Salman and was announced by his son, 37-year-old de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.