Libya’s international airports will be quite the busy hub for football’s elite, be they its fast risers or its traditional giants, over the next 48 hours.
Touching down in Benghazi on Thursday, two heavyweights of the European club game, Italy’s Inter Milan and Spain’s Atletico Madrid. Lifting off from a Tripoli runway a few hours earlier a more disparate set of professionals, employed in less glamorous leagues but quite possibly celebrating the greatest moment of their careers.
That last set of travellers are the national squad of Cape Verde, the archipelago nation who, should they beat Libya in the penultimate fixture of Africa’s group phase of World Cup qualifying, will feel truly they have touched the sky.
An astonishing underdog story is imminent: Cape Verde, with a population of less than 600,000, with a smaller land mass than any country to have reached the biggest tournament in the planet’s most popular sport, are three points from securing their ticket to the 2026 World Cup and have two fixtures, the first in Tripoli on Wednesday, to grasp them.
All of which puts Libya, and the grand ambitions of its football, under a potentially awkward scrutiny. The national team, the so-called Knights of the Mediterranean, have an outside chance still of keeping their World Cup dream alive from third place in a group that will send its top finisher directly to North America next summer and its runners-up into the scramble for a possible play-off route to the expanded 48-team tournament.
But Libya trail leaders Cape Verde by five points, and Cameroon by a single point. To keep the race alive into next week’s final round of matches, Libya, realistically, need to win on Wednesday.
Fail and they risk looking like mere valets to the long procession of VIP guests dropping in on them this week, bystanders to jubilant Cape Verde celebrations and, in Benghazi, to the two glamorous European clubs who will play a lucrative friendly at a very handsome new stadium and, by being there, endorse a message that Libya is ready and able to host major events.
Inter against Atletico, for the one-off Reconstruction Cup, is consequential less for its result than as a statement event that, its hosts hope, spreads the word that Libya is now a welcoming, safe and peaceful place.
Organisers call it “an initiative carrying a message of hope, renewal, and openness, a chance for Libyan youth to experience world-class sports up close, and to build bridges of sporting and cultural cooperation with Europe’s leading clubs".
Briefings from within Barcelona that Barca, the Spanish champions, had been slated to take part in the Reconstruction Cup but withdrew because they felt there were insufficient security guarantees run somewhat counter to that message. At the same time, Atletico quickly felt happy to step in.
While politically divided Libya does project greater stability than for much of the past 15 years, the image of its football suffered 12 months ago when the Nigeria squad, en route to Benghazi for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, reported being stranded at Bayda airport for more than 12 hours. The Confederation of African Football found Libya had breached competition rules on hosting responsibilities and awarded Nigeria a 3-0 default win.
That ended any hope of Libya reaching the 2025 Afcon. But with the grand opening of the 42,000 Benghazi International stadium in February and the appointment of one of Africa’s leading coaches, the Senegalese Aliou Cisse, as manager a month later, there were tangible signs of what Cisse calls “the vision” of the Libyan Football Federation.
“This country is full of talent and potential,” says Cisse, who guided Senegal to their first Afcon title in 2022, and whose intention is to shape Libya’s potential long-term. “I am a man for projects, for building through a generation.”
A spirited 1-0 win in Angola last month maintained the chase for a World Cup ticket. But whatever the result against Cape Verde, Libya will still look on with a little envy at their opponents, whose rise as a national team over the past 12 years, from their first Afcon, to the brink of a World Cup, is a story of efficient organisation.
Not least in their persuading so many Cape Verdean players from the country’s extensive diaspora to commit to the cause. A succession of Libya head coaches have struggled to persuade some of the prominent Libyan footballers at European clubs to answer international call-ups.
There are bound to be some envious glances, too, at the pair of European super clubs who roll into Benghazi. Inter, Uefa Champions League finalists twice in the past three seasons, may be without Lautaro Martinez, on duty with Argentina, their five players called up by Italy and another six serving other national sides, but the line-up will still be competitive and peppered with household names from Yann Sommer to Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Atletico may have four players away with Argentina, the world champions, another four with Spain, the European champions, but head coach Diego Simeone can still call on the likes of Antoine Griezmann.
There may also be wistful glances from Cisse and his players at Libya’s nearest neighbours. Morocco breezed to World Cup qualification, Tunisia have likewise already secured their place and Egypt and Algeria should confirm theirs this week.
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RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
THE%20SPECS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
UAE-based players
Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim
Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza
Secret Pigeon Service: Operation Colomba, Resistance and the Struggle to Liberate Europe
Gordon Corera, Harper Collins
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
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