World football's governing body FIFA on Friday announced its decision to suspend the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) until further notice "because of government interference". "In accordance with FIFA statutes, the clubs and representative teams of Iraq are no longer permitted to take part in international matches, whether friendly or competitive," read a statement on the FIFA website. "Furthermore, the IFA is deprived of its right to vote at any congresses held by international bodies and is no longer entitled to receive financial assistance." Despite FIFA's decision, Iraq's women's under-16 team will be allowed to compete in a youth tournament organised by the Norwegian football ...
Read Full Story
West African regional bloc ECOWAS Friday banned the transfer of arms by the 15 member states except for legitimate defence, security and peacekeeping operations, a senior official said. President of the Economic Community of West African States Commission Mohammed Ibn Chambas said the ECOWAS convention on small arms proliferation had come into force with its ratification by Benin. Other countries like Burkina Faso, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo had earlier ratified the convention in line with its provision requiring a minimum of nine out of the 15 members for it to be effective. Chambas said the convention "provides for a ...
Read Full Story
A UN panel on Friday blasted Iran for "serious, ongoing and recurring" human rights violations, including violence against protesters after the disputed June presidential elections. Members of the United Nations human rights committee adopted the damning -- but non-binding -- resolution by with 74 votes in favor, 48 against and with 59 nations abstaining. In a similar vote last year, before the disputed elections, Iran garnered slightly more support. One country who shifted support away from Iran was Saudi Arabia, which voted "yes" this year after voting "no" in 2008. The decision is being seen as a sign of Riyadh's irritation at alleged Iranian ...
Read Full Story
World football's governing body FIFA on Friday announced its decision to suspend the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) until further notice "because of government interference". "In accordance with FIFA statutes, the clubs and representative teams of Iraq are no longer permitted to take part in international matches, whether friendly or competitive," read a statement on the FIFA website. "Furthermore, the IFA is deprived of its right to vote at any congresses held by international bodies and is no longer entitled to receive financial assistance." Despite the decision, Iraq's women's under-16 team will be allowed to compete in a youth tournament organised by the Norwegian football ...
Read Full Story
A policeman died after being swept away by "biblical" floods in the scenic Lake District, officials said Friday as helicopters helped evacuate hundreds of stranded residents. The policeman had been missing since Thursday in Workington in the tourist-friendly region , hit by unprecedented rainfall which caused four bridges to collapse. "I'm very sad to have to report we've recovered a body on the beach of an individual," said Cumbria Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Graham, identifying the policeman as Bill Barker, 45. In Cockermouth, the town the worst hit by the floodwaters, helicopters winched people to safety and rescue boats negotiated streets turned into canals ...
Read Full Story
