
-
UK readies to protect industry as US tariffs upend old order: Starmer
-
Research on multiple sclerosis wins 'Oscars of science'
-
Artist of 'distorted' portrait says Trump complaint harming business
-
India's Modi praises close Sri Lanka ties at holy tree
-
Verstappen wins Japanese GP to close championship gap on Norris
-
Red Bull's Verstappen wins Japanese GP from Norris
-
US storms, 'severe' flooding death toll climbs to 16
-
Rain complicates recovery in quake-hit Myanmar as death toll rises
-
Explosions as Ukraine capital under missile attack
-
The scientist rewriting DNA, and the future of medicine
-
'Anxious': US farmers see tariffs threaten earnings
-
Nostalgia fuels UK boom in vintage video game repairs
-
Snappy birthday: Germany's Leica camera turns 100
-
Bucks clinch playoff berth as West battle tightens
-
Czech beer culture eyes UNESCO listing as pubs take hit
-
Explosions as Kyiv under missile attack, says mayor
-
Weary Boutier still alive in LPGA Match Play after 45-hole day
-
Artificial glaciers boost water supply in northern Pakistan
-
Brooksby upsets Paul to reach Houston final
-
Thomas, Bednarek hit jackpot at Grand Slam Track meet
-
Rodman on target as USA beat Brazil in Olympic rematch
-
'Hands Off!' Anti-Trump Americans flood Washington
-
Harman leads by three at Texas Open
-
Barcelona draw to increase Liga lead after Real Madrid stumble
-
Ecuador mounts anti-drug op overseen by Blackwater founder
-
Pegula rallies to reach Charleston final
-
Nick Rockett flies to victory in magical Mullins Grand National
-
Ovechkin on the brink of the 'impossible'
-
Anthony, Bird to enter basketball Hall of Fame
-
'Phenomenal' Munster edge O'Gara's La Rochelle to reach Champions Cup quarters
-
Munster edge O'Gara's La Rochelle to reach Champions Cup quarters
-
Rahul, Jaiswal fire as Delhi and Rajasthan register big IPL wins
-
Aston Villa beat Forest for seventh straight win ahead of PSG trip
-
Jaiswal, Archer help Rajasthan thrash Punjab in IPL
-
Inter's title charge stalls after throwing away points at Parma
-
Real Madrid stumble at home to Valencia in Liga
-
Leading garment producer Bangladesh holds crisis talks on US tariffs
-
PSG win 13th French title ahead of Aston Villa Champions League clash
-
Nick Rockett storms to victory in the 'Mullins' Grand National
-
Despair and sadness follow death of Malian musical great Amadou
-
Arsenal held by Everton, Wolves push Ipswich closer to relegation
-
Lions contender Prendergast fires Leinster to Champions Cup quarters
-
Nick Rockett wins the 'Mullins' Grand National for father and son
-
Last-gasp Buendia goal keeps Leverkusen's Bundesliga title hopes alive
-
Video shows last minutes before Gaza aid workers' deaths, Red Crescent says
-
Zverev 'mentally' affected by Australian Open defeat
-
Rahul guides Delhi to third straight IPL victory
-
Arsenal draw at Everton to edge Liverpool closer to Premier League title
-
Senate Republicans move forward with Trump tax cuts
-
Sinner regrets 'unfair' doping ban as he prepares return to courts
SCS | -0.56% | 10.68 | $ | |
NGG | -5.25% | 65.93 | $ | |
BCC | 0.85% | 95.44 | $ | |
GSK | -6.79% | 36.53 | $ | |
CMSC | 0.13% | 22.29 | $ | |
JRI | -7.19% | 11.96 | $ | |
RIO | -6.88% | 54.67 | $ | |
AZN | -7.98% | 68.46 | $ | |
BCE | 0.22% | 22.71 | $ | |
RYCEF | -18.79% | 8.25 | $ | |
RBGPF | 100% | 69.02 | $ | |
CMSD | 0.7% | 22.83 | $ | |
VOD | -10.24% | 8.5 | $ | |
BTI | -5.17% | 39.86 | $ | |
RELX | -6.81% | 48.16 | $ | |
BP | -10.43% | 28.38 | $ |

Qatar urged to drop charges against assaulted World Cup worker
Rights groups are urging Qatar to drop a case against a Mexican World Cup employee who could be sentenced to jail and a flogging after she reported an assault and was then charged with unmarried sex.
In a case that has raised fears for women attending the tournament later this year, Paola Schietekat, 28, was left with bruises on her arm, shoulder and back after a male acquaintance forced his way into her Doha apartment and attacked her in June.
Schietekat, who has fled the country and could be sentenced in absentia, was charged with sex outside wedlock -- a crime in Qatar -- after her assailant told police the pair were in a relationship.
Breaking the "zina" laws, which criminalise unmarried sex, carries a potential sentence of up to seven years' jail and lashes. Officials say however the harsh punishment is rarely carried out.
Schietekat, who was working as a behavioural economist, went to the Mexican embassy in Doha with photos of her injuries and reported the assault to the police.
The woman, who said she was sexually abused as a teenager, said the investigation then turned on her, with police demanding a virginity test.
"For some reason I had become the accused," she wrote in a blog about the incident.
Human Rights Watch is demanding Qatar scrap the case against Schietekat ahead of a March 6 hearing, while world football body FIFA is monitoring the case.
"Qatari authorities should immediately drop these charges which are not recognised under international law... (and) investigate the physical assault she reported," said Rothna Begum, senior women's rights expert for HRW.
- Forced gynaecological examinations -
Qatar has been under close scrutiny as it prepares to host the first World Cup in the Middle East in November and December.
In October 2020, women passengers at Doha airport were forced to undergo invasive gynaecological examinations after a newborn baby was found abandoned. Authorities later apologised.
Schietekat said World Cup organisers helped her leave Qatar and that she is still employed by the organising committee.
Begum urged Qatar to repeal legislation that criminalises consensual sex between unmarried adults and establish better medical and legal support for sexual attack survivors, ahead of the World Cup.
"At major sporting events like the World Cup, the risk of sexual violence increases greatly because of the sheer number of people attending," she told AFP.
Qatari legal officials acknowledge the case could be dropped, while authorities have not commented publicly.
- 'Real risk' -
Qatar is expecting 1.2 million visitors for the November 21-December 18 tournament, including a record number of female fans.
Begum said Qatar's law on sexual relations was a "real risk" for women who could face prosecution like Schietekat.
"Police (in Qatar) often do not believe women who report violence in the first instance, particularly foreign women who are often seen as more sexually active," she said.
"Now you are going to get a lot more women coming to the country as fans and workers, and they are going to be a lot more vulnerable if the authorities do not believe them."
FIFA said it was "aware of the situation involving Ms Schietekat and it is of utmost importance to FIFA that, as a survivor of abuse, she receives all appropriate care and assistance". It added that it was in contact with Qatari organisers and officials.
Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe, a network of European fan groups, said women face "an increased risk of sexual assault" at all tournaments.
"It is a risk in any country but when it is in a country not capable of protecting the rights of victims then it is very worrying."
A.Taylor--AT