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Hossam Hassan's coaching career has not come close to emulating his record-breaking playing days, but the ‌fiery Egyptian could well change that on Tuesday if his team upset ‌Argentina at the ⁠World Cup. Hassan ‌was a prolific striker for Egypt, still ‌holding the record for the most goals and at one stage being the world's ⁠most capped international. He played at the 1990 World Cup, won the last of his three Africa Cup of Nations aged 39 and earned multiple medals in continental and Egyptian club football.He has had a controversial coaching career, however, with a high turnover of jobs and a prickly relationship with supporters and the press.Famously quick to lose his temper, there have been many altercations, most recently at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco when the crowd were getting on his back and he responded with dismissive gestures. But guiding Egypt to their first World Cup win in their fourth tournament ‌appearance since their first in ⁠1934, when they beat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver, and securing a last-32 win over Australia in Dallas has placed him now on a positive pedestal.Hassan would have been forgiven a satisfied smirk when Egyptian journalists greeted his entry into the post-match press conference with a hearty round of applause and preceded their questions with congratulations and fawning praise.Hassan, however, politely thanked them and responded in depth to each enquiry, detailing his battle plans and unwavering belief that his team would triumph. FIERY OUTBURST It contrasted with a fiery outburst after Senegal beat Egypt in the Cup of Nations semi-finals in January."Egypt is great. Some are jealous ⁠of our winning seven Cup of Nations and wanted us not to qualify for ⁠the final match," he asserted then, ⁠before being roundly told off on Egyptian television by pundits, who rejected any conspiracy theory.Many felt Hassan, whose identical twin brother Ibrahim sits alongside him on the bench, was an odd choice for the Egypt job two years ago, given a journeyman coaching career without any highlights, plus numerous fiery incidents.He had faced jail time for assaulting a photographer, who eventually dropped the case, and three years ago was fined for breaking a pitch-side VAR monitor.But while Hassan has proven surprisingly defensive in his tactics with the national team, there can be no arguing he has achieved results. Egypt were semi-finalists at the last Cup of Nations in Morocco and went through their World Cup qualifying campaign unbeaten."My genes do not accept defeat," he declared on the eve of the World Cup. At the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., Egypt held Belgium to a draw, ‌finished runners-up in their group and after edging Australia, now have a chance for their greatest win, against holders Argentina. 

It is far from certain that Hassan al-Haydos will start for Qatar at the FIFA World Cup, which begins on June 11. At 35, the veteran forward is more likely to be called upon from the bench, introduced in the closing stages to provide experience and composure when required. Yet al-Haydos' importance to the squad extends beyond the minutes he plays. Qatar's most-capped player, with 184 appearances and 41 goals, retired from international football in March 2024 after leading the country to back-to-back AFC Asian Cup titles. But a year later, following a request from head coach Julen Lopetegui, he returned to the national team setup to help Qatar navigate the final stages of their qualification journey and prepare for the nation's first World Cup appearance earned through competition rather than automatic qualification as hosts. "I am proud to have represented the national team for all these years. I will continue to live up to the trust placed in me by the people and the fans who have always supported the team," al-Haydos said after training in Santa Barbara, Qatar's base camp in Southern California. "The decision to retire from international football was not an easy one, and neither was the decision to return. At that time, however, I felt the team needed me, particularly in the dressing room, and that played a big part in my decision. As a player, the biggest difference now is the experience I have gained. Having gone through a World Cup in 2022, I believe I am better equipped to handle both the small details and the bigger challenges that come with a tournament of this magnitude." Al-Haydos believes Qatar are well prepared for the challenge ahead. "Our preparation did not begin with this training camp. It started the moment we secured qualification. Since then, everyone has been working to prepare the team in the best possible way and ensure we are fully ready for the World Cup," he said. "There are many qualities that athletes must possess, and they are not important only for me but for the entire team. One thing every young player, and the squad as a whole, must understand is the importance of maintaining a constant hunger for success - a desire for results, trophies and achievement. These are not just words. They must be reflected in your daily habits - how you train, how you eat, how you rest and how you conduct yourself every day." **media[453667]** Al-Haydos made his senior debut against Bahrain in a World Cup qualifier in 2008 and has been a central figure during the most successful period in Qatar's football history. He captained the team to their first Asian Cup title in 2019 and remained an influential member of the squad as Qatar retained the trophy in 2024. At club level, he has spent his entire career with Al Sadd, helping the Doha side win numerous domestic titles as well as the AFC Champions League in 2011. "I consider myself fortunate to have represented the national team for so many years. When I was young, wearing the national jersey was a dream. I have been lucky to play alongside outstanding teammates, both with the national team and at club level, and to learn from many great coaches throughout my career. Everything I have achieved is a blessing from God. But behind it all lies a great deal of hard work, sacrifice, time away from family and many challenges that people do not always see." Qatar arrive in North America carrying different expectations from those that surrounded their World Cup debut in 2022, when they became the first host nation to lose all three group matches. Since then, they have won a second successive Asian Cup title and secured qualification for the 2026 tournament, raising hopes of a stronger showing on the global stage. Qatar open their campaign against Switzerland in Santa Clara on June 13 before facing co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on June 18 and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle six days later. Al-Haydos is under no illusion about the task facing his side. "From my perspective, this is a very difficult group. Switzerland are among the strongest teams in Europe and the world. Canada will be playing on home soil in front of their supporters, and they are a strong side with excellent players. We know the challenge ahead of us will not be easy, but we believe in our chances. Right now, our full focus is on the opening match. The priority is to be ready, deliver a strong performance and achieve a positive result." 

A painting by the artist Hassan Boujassoum appears as a window open to a time when houses faced each other, and hearts did too.The work evokes a complete way of life, where the courtyard was a shared space, and the street a natural extension of the home.The work belongs to the genre of documentary realism, with an expressive touch in the simplification of forms and their definition with clear lines.The colours are vibrant but not garish, dominated by the warmth of the sand and earth, contrasted with the coolness and the blue of the sky, creating a comfortable visual balance.The light is diffused and relatively flat, without harsh shadows.The composition allows the eye to wander among the details as if walking through the neighbourhood. 

In his painting titled Kebab in Ramadan, artist Hassan Boujassoum evokes a vivid scene from his childhood Ramadan memories: a small shop lit in the evening, with children eagerly gathering around the kebab vendor.The moment seems ordinary, but it is, in reality, a complete social scene where the street becomes a meeting space.The subject of the painting, which the artist shared on his Instagram page, is not the food itself, but rather the longing for a time when distances were short, contentment was readily available, and joy was simple.The painting documents this scene as a collective memory.Stylistically, the work leans towards expressive realism, with saturated, warm colours and clear brushstrokes that give the surface vitality and a rich texture.The figures are distributed in a crowded composition that reflects the vibrancy of Ramadan life.The details are not photographic, but rather closer to an emotional record, where the spirit takes precedence over formal precision. 

His Excellency the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi met Monday with Indonesia’s ambassador to Qatar Ridwan Hassan, on the occasion of the end of his tenure. HE al-Muraikhi extended thanks to the ambassador for his efforts in supporting and strengthening bilateral relations, wishing him success in his new duties.  

The Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Dr. Jaafar Hassan, landed in Doha on Monday for the second Global Summit for Social Development, scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 4 to 6.Upon his arrival at Hamad International Airport, Dr. Hassan and his accompanying delegation were welcomed by HE Ibrahim bin Yousef Fakhro, Director of the Protocol Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Zaid Mufleh Al Lawzi, Jordan's Ambassador to Qatar.

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art opened “Resolutions: Celebrating 15 years of Mathaf Exhibition” and “we refuse_d” to the public Friday, honouring its roots in Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali al-Thani’s foundational collection and confronting the struggles of artists who face censorship and displacement.“Resolutions”, on view until August 8, 2026, explores the institution’s journey, showcasing four areas that cover its origins and impact on the region.The section “Infrastructure: Traces of a Legacy”, curated by Fatima Mostafawi, examines the museum as a complex case study rooted in the vision of artist and collector Sheikh Hassan.It details how Doha emerged as an artistic hub during the political turmoil of the 1990s and includes archival materials like letters, photographs, and video interviews that capture Sheikh Hassan’s role as both fellow artist and patron.The exhibition continues its self-examination with “Mathaf as Institutional Memory: An Exhibition History”, curated by Hadeel al-Kohaji, which chronicles the “kaleidoscopic range” of exhibitions the museum has hosted.This section utilises an elaborate timeline and backstage documents to foster a sense of institutional memory, valuing the museum’s publications, graphic design, and international partnerships.“Resolution” broadens its scope to the regional impact of art, featuring “Education: Art as Knowledge Creation”, curated by Noora Abdulmajeed.This underscores the foundational role of art education in cultivating revolutionary possibilities and knowledge circulation within the Arab world.“Representation and the Writing of History”, curated by Arthur Debsi, spotlights how artists in West Asia and North Africa used a shared visual language in the post-independence era to define a Pan-Arab ideology and continuous resistance, especially in relation to the occupation of Palestine.Addressing contemporary issues, “we refuse_d” exhibition, curated by Nadia Radwan and Vasif Kortun, brings together 15 artists whose practices explore refusal, endurance, and action.On view until February 9, 2026, this exhibition asks critical questions about how to persist, resist, and create under conditions of silencing, censorship, and displacement.Speaking to the media, Kortun said: “To see other people’s misery it’s not what we really wanted to do and we kind of turned the idea of refusal around its head... we know of the concrete cases of cancelations but what we don’t know is the untold, or unwritten or unknowable history of refusals and cancellations.”Among the highlights of this exhibition are Abdul Hay Mosallam Zarara’s *Untitled, from the Mahmoud Darwish series (2008), the newly commissioned installation *Resonance (2025) by Majd Abdel Hamid, Samia Halaby’s *Six Golden Heroes (2021), and Taysir Batniji’s early work *Untitled (1997).

HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim affirmed that the speech of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the inauguration of the first ordinary session of the second legislative term, embodies the wise leadership's vision for the future of the State. It reinforces the path of comprehensive development, consolidates institutional governance, safeguards the country's supreme interests, and reaffirms Qatar's steadfast commitment to supporting just peace in the region, particularly the Palestinian cause.HE Speaker of the Shura Council explained that His Highness the Amir's speech reflected the leadership's approach in promoting justice and national participation, and empowering Qatari citizens as both the focus and goal of development. He pointed out that the Shura Council will be guided by His Highness's directives to continue to work with a spirit of responsibility and develop legislation to meet the requirements of the next phase and serve the public interest.He further highlighted that the sublime speech addressed Qatar's firm stances on regional and international issues, stressing that the Council highly values the sincere efforts exerted by Qatar to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which would save innocent lives and establish a lasting peace that guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and enhances security and stability in the region.HE the Speaker also expressed gratitude to the members of the Shura Council for the trust they placed in him by electing him as Speaker of the Council. He reaffirmed that this trust is held in high regard and comes with great responsibility, emphasizing that constructive co-operation among members will be a cornerstone in carrying out their national duty to the fullest, enhancing the Council's legislative and oversight role, thereby contributing to Qatar's ongoing development and progress.HE Speaker of the Shura Council concluded his statement by emphasizing that the Shura Council will remain committed to the lofty directives contained in His Highness the Amir's speech and will continue to carry out its national duties with sincerity and responsibility, further elevating Qatar's regional and international standing and supporting its prosperous development process under the leadership of the Amir. (QNA)

Amnesty International on Monday denounced "systematic human rights violations" in Tanzania by authorities, which are said to be intensifying ahead of presidential polls that exclude opposition candidates.Current President Samia Suluhu Hassan was initially praised for easing restrictions imposed by her authoritarian predecessor John Magufuli, but as she seeks re-election in October 29 polls, she faces sharp criticism from the opposition and NGOs.Between January 2024 and October 2025, Amnesty documented widespread abuses such as "enforced disappearance and torture... and extrajudicial killings of opposition figures and activists".Amnesty's report reviewed by AFP was based on interviews with 43 people, including witnesses, victims, relatives of victims, NGO members and lawyers, along with analysis of images and publications.In September 2024, a senior official with the main opposition party Chadema, Ali Mohamed Kibao, 69, was abducted and found dead.An investigation was launched into his violent murder, but no progress has been reported, Amnesty denounced.The country's former ambassador to Cuba, Humphrey Hesron Polepole, who was also a government critic, disappeared this month.Authorities "have ramped up their clampdown on the civic space and the right to participate freely in elections through the passing of deeply flawed legislation", Amnesty's regional director for east and southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said in a statement.The Chadema party has been excluded from the elections for refusing to sign the Electoral Code of Conduct.Chadema leader Tundu Lissu, arrested in April, has been on trial for treason, a charge punishable by the death penalty.Luhaga Mpina, candidate for the third-largest party, the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT Wazalendo) was barred from standing.

HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim conferred with the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Professor Numan Kurtulmus, on the sidelines of the Global Parliamentary Conference on Counter-Terrorism and the Prevention of Violent Extremism, hosted by Istanbul. During the meeting, the Speaker of the Turkish National Assembly expressed his condemnation of the Israeli attack on the State of Qatar on September 9, considering it a form of state terrorism. He emphasized that targeting a safe civilian site in Doha represents a flagrant violation of international law and diplomatic norms. For his part, HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim emphasised the importance of activating the working mechanisms of the parliamentary group in support of Palestine, in light of current developments. He called for more countries from South America, Asia, and Europe to join this group, contributing to unifying parliamentary positions on the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and Israeli threats to the region. He also highlighted that a just and lasting solution is based on implementing the two-state solution and guaranteeing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. HE the Speaker of the Shura Council appreciated the distinguished fraternal relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye, stressing the Shura Council's commitment to continuing coordination and joint action to serve just causes and strengthen Arab and Islamic solidarity. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the existing parliamentary cooperation between the Shura Council and the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, and ways to enhance them to serve common interests. They also discussed prospects for parliamentary coordination in regional and international forums, particularly in the areas of counter-terrorism and supporting humanitarian efforts to enhance international peace and security. They stressed the importance of supporting the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, and unifying Arab and Islamic parliamentary positions in the face of Israeli aggression. HE Al Ghanim met with Head of Special Projects and Innovation Branch of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) Guadalupe Megre. The meeting reviewed areas of cooperation between the Shura Council and the UNOCT, particularly with regard to enhancing parliamentary participation in counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism efforts, and joint coordination in implementing programs and initiatives organized by the Office for Parliamentary Participation in Doha. The two sides also discussed ways to develop international parliamentary partnerships in capacity building and exchange of expertise, which would contribute to unifying global efforts to combat terrorism and support international peace and security.

HE Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor al-Thani Sunday announced a dramatic return to international power boat racing after an 11-year lay-off from the sport.The former Qatari offshore racer was a regular front-runner in the UIM Class One World Powerboat Championship and the American racing scene until he stopped competing at the end of 2014.His former British throttleman Steve Curtis MBE has continued to compete in the highest echelons of the American offshore racing scene and the duo will join forces for the 44th Annual Offshore World Championship at Key West in Florida on November 2nd-9th.With support from Qatar’s Ministry of Sport and Youth, the duo will revive the legendary Spirit of Qatar 96 racing hull name with a new boat and compete in the Extreme class.“Our last race together was in 2014 but we will be testing during the third week of October before heading to Key West,” enthused Sheikh Hassan.“The goal, of course, will be the podium and to set plans in motion for the 2026 season. It will be a new boat for us to run together but I am sure that Steve and I will settle in quickly.”One of many highlights for the duo during their former association with the Spirit of Qatar Team was obliterating the water speed record with a stunning second run of 244mph at the 26th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in central Missouri in 2014.The iconic Key West racing festival is fought out over three races.After the customary parade through the streets of Key West on Sunday, November 2nd, technical checks and registration is scheduled for Monday, November 3rd.Official testing will take place on Tuesday, November 4th with the first of the Extreme races for the Truman Waterfront Cup and the on-water fireworks taking centre stage on Wednesday, November 5th.Further testing is permitted on Thursday, November 6th before the second race for the Southernmost Continental Championship on Friday, November 7th.Numerous spectator-friendly events are planned in Truman Waterfront Park on Saturday, November 8th, before the final race for the Conch Republic Championship rounds off the action on Sunday, November 9th.