Search Site

Trends banner

Eni profit falls due to dip in oil prices

Q2 net profit fell by 18% to $637 million.

Emirates NBD H1 profit $3.40bn

Total income rose by 12 percent in the same period.

ADIB H1 pre-tax profit $1.08bn

Q2 pre-tax net profit increases by 14 percent.

AstraZeneca to invest $50bn in US

Bulk of funds to go into a Virginia manufacturing center.

UAB net profit up by 50% for H1

Total assets increase by 11 percent.

Qatar emir praises Russia for ‘cooperation’ in preparing World Cup

Portugal's players arrive at the Hamad International Airport in Doha on November 18, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
  • Diplomats say Russia has largely been frozen out of preparations since its February invasion
  • No senior Russian officials are expected in Doha for the World Cup, but top US diplomat Blinken starts a two-day visit on Monday, the state department said

Doha, Qatar— Qatar’s emir on Friday praised Russia’s “cooperation” in preparing the World Cup in a call with President Vladimir Putin while US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is due in the Gulf state, official statements said.

Russia was barred from international football this year over its invasion of Ukraine and Qatar has criticized Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories, but Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani spoke with Putin, whose country organized the 2018 World Cup, two days before the tournament starts.

Diplomats say Russia has largely been frozen out of preparations since its February invasion.

Russia took part in an international security exercise for the World Cup last year.

A statement released by the emir’s office said Putin congratulated Qatar on the World Cup hosting.

It added that the emir thanked Putin for his message, “praising Russia’s cooperation in organizing this global event”.

No senior Russian officials are expected in Doha for the World Cup, but top US diplomat Blinken starts a two-day visit on Monday, the state department said.

Blinken will “recognize Qatar’s important contribution to international sports diplomacy as it hosts the World Cup,” said the US statement.

Blinken will be at the launch of the annual US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, meeting Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and other top officials.

He will also see the US team’s opening match against Wales on Monday.