Editor's Note: Some linked articles may be behind subscription paywalls.
Read the latest news from around the Middle East Africa region.
Hotels in Qatar Balk at 24k Pound Fee To Show World Cup Games
While the event has already been subject to last-minute chaos related to hotels, the latest news from the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar is hotels in the country are unable to afford the large product fee to play soccer matches on hotel TVs, The Daily Mail reports. Broadcaster BeIN Sports is charging a 24,000 pounds sterling ($27,390) fee, which "a number of hotels in Doha" are refusing to pay.
"This will be seen as another added frustration for the loyal fans traveling to Qatar for the World Cup," Ashley Brown from the Football Supporters Association told the news outlet. "With entertainment options already limited, watching matches on TV with fellow fans from around the world should be one of the tournament highlights. Fans now face the possibility of rented villas, apartments, hotel rooms and other accommodation where they cannot watch games."
Johannesburg Struggles with Drought
The richest city in Africa — Johannesburg, South Africa — is currently in the midst of a drought so severe some hospitals are relying on water tankers, Bloomberg reports.
The news outlets reports: "Reservoirs across South Africa’s economic hub are either too shallow for water to be pumped to towers, or at critically low levels, Johannesburg Water said in a statement on its Twitter account on Tuesday. Supplies from Rand Water, the region’s main distributor, have been reduced because of electricity blackouts, it said."
Residents are being asked to reduce their water use to only the essentials.
Iran Gripped by Protests
The New York Times reports that, despite heavy governmental crackdowns, protests continue across Iran, spurred on by the recent death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Amini died in police custody after violating the country's law on head scares for women.
Iranian officials have pivoted to blaming outside forces — including the U.S. — for the protests.
“The recent incidents were orchestrated by America, the Zionist regime and the people on their payroll and Iranians who are traitors abroad,” Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Monday. “They have a big problem with an Iran that is strong and independent.”
Oil Prices Up as OPEC Ponders Production Cuts
Oil prices were on the upswing Tuesday as speculators looked forward to "a large cut in crude output" among Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries nations, Reuters reports. Sanctions on Russia continue to prop up oil prices, along with strong demand, as well.
"We expect a substantial cut to be made, which will not only help to tighten the physical fundamentals, but sends an important signal to the market," Fitch Solutions said in a note.
Brent Crude prices rose 4% from Monday to Tuesday, while U.S. crude futures rose 5% over the same period.