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World Cup boom pushes some Qatar residents out of homes

Qatari landlords eyeing profit from the looming World Cup have been kicking out a growing number of mostly foreign tenants, sometimes with just a few days' notice.

More than one million football fans are expected to descend on the capital Doha during the November-December tournament, putting a strain on the tiny Gulf nation.

Landlords who have spotted an opening to increase rents "show no pity" and the market is dominated by "greed", said a representative of a real estate company, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The tiny Gulf nation expects more than one million visitors during the football World Cup

Over a barrel, Biden faces tough options with Saudis

Joe Biden has vowed consequences for Saudi Arabia over its explosive slash in oil output but, like previous US presidents irked by the kingdom, he may find constraints as he assesses options.

Biden endured criticism at home by traveling to Saudi Arabia in June and fist-bumping its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, despite earlier vowing to make him a pariah over human rights.

US President Joe Biden speaks to the press as he stops for ice cream in Portland, Oregon

Biden has 'no plans' to meet Saudi crown prince at G20 summit: US official

President Joe Biden has "no plans" to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at an upcoming G20 summit in Indonesia, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Sunday.

Stormy US-Saudi relations have seen new strain over Riyadh's recent support for oil production cuts, with Biden warning of unspecified "consequences."

The move last week by OPEC+ -- composed of the Riyadh-led OPEC cartel and an additional group of 10 exporters headed by Russia -- would reduce global output by up to two million barrels per day from November.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bumps fists with US President Joe Biden at Al-Salam Palace in the Red Sea port of Jeddah on July 15, 2022

LIV Golf president not 'hung up' on paying for TV air-time

The disruptive new LIV Golf circuit could pay for TV coverage temporarily as it tries to build a long-term presence, its president told AFP, adding that the tour's Saudi backers were looking a decade ahead or more.

LIV, whose luring of top players with record purses has enraged golf's establishment, is currently on a "roadshow" of US and international broadcasters, president and chief operating officer Atul Khosla said at the Jeddah Invitational.

US golfer Brooks Koepka is one of the world's top players to have committed to the breakaway LIV circuit

Month of anger in Iran over woman's death in hijab arrest

One month ago, a 22-year-old woman was pronounced dead after she had been detained by Iran's notorious morality police for alleged violations of the Islamic republic's strict dress code for women.

Mahsa Amini's death in hospital on September 16, three days after her arrest, sparked the biggest protests in Iran in years.

Young women and girls have defiantly removed their Islamic headscarves, or hijabs, in standoffs with the security forces that have left dozens dead, according to human rights groups.

Here is a timeline of the events:

- Sept. 13: Arrest -

A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran reportedly shows unrest in the capital Tehran on October 8, 2022

Harris, Blinken hail Iran protests in activist meetings

Vice President Kamala Harris and other top US leaders on Friday hailed women leading protests in Iran as they met activists originally from the country whose clerical leadership is waging a crackdown.

Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan each met with Nazanin Boniadi, the Iranian-born actress and human rights advocate.

Harris voiced "support for the brave women and girls leading peaceful protests in Iran to secure equal rights and basic human dignity," the vice president's office said in a statement.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Iranian civil society activists in the Thomas Jefferson Room at the State Department

Egypt mediates talks to develop Gaza offshore gas

As Israel and Lebanon moved to resolve a dispute involving offshore gas fields, Egypt has been working with Israeli and Palestinian officials to unlock natural gas production off Gaza's coast.

More than two decades since exploration began, the struggling Palestinian economy could reap huge benefits from natural gas reserves, and a Palestinian official has said an agreement may be imminent.

More than two decades since exploration began, the struggling Palestinian economy could reap huge benefits from natural gas

'Kind of sucks' - Koepka finally hits form as LIV nearly over

America's Brooks Koepka said it "kind of sucks" after he hit his best form in years on Friday just as the breakaway LIV Golf tour's first season is about to wind down.

In hot and windy conditions at Saudi Arabia's Royal Greens course, the four-time major-winner shot eight-under-par 62 to lead South Africa's Charl Schwartzel by two after the first round.

The Saudi-funded, 54-hole, no-cut invitational tour is making its debut on Saudi soil this week, ahead of the eighth and final event in Miami at the end of the month.

'Beginning of the end': Iran activists call for mass protests Saturday

Iranian activists called for fresh nationwide protests on Saturday over the death of Mahsa Amini, as the movement entered its fifth week despite a crackdown that has killed dozens.

Outrage over the 22-year-old's death on September 16, three days after she was arrested by Iran's notorious morality police, has fuelled the biggest wave of street protests and violence seen in the country for years.

Young women have been on the front line of the protests, shouting anti-government slogans, removing their headscarves and facing off with security forces in the streets.

Videos posted on social media indicated that protests continued at various points in Tehran and other cities nationwide over the last days

Israeli troops kill three Palestinians in West Bank incidents

Two Palestinians including a doctor were killed Friday in an Israeli raid in the flashpoint city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, an army spokeswoman said.

Hours later Israeli troops killed a Palestinian youth accused of firing shots at an Israeli settlement in the West Bank.

Dr Abdullah al-Ahmad "succumbed to a bullet wound that pierced his head, fired by the occupation (Israeli) soldiers", the ministry said in a statement following the earlier incident.

The mother (C) of Palestinian Mateen Debaya, killed early in the morning during an Israeli raid, mourns at his funeral in the flashpoint city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank