BAGHDAD // Perhaps no country has gone through more change since the last World Cup than Iraq, where in 2006 the tournament played out as the nation was gripped by intense sectarian bloodshed. Not so this year. About 50 men sprawled on plastic chairs, smoked water pipes and sipped tea as they watched Brazil play North Korea on an overhead television at a central Baghdad cafe on Tuesday night.
Private generators worked overtime to make up for frequent power outages and to keep the television and electric fans running as the night-time temperature soared above 32°C. Only one glitch: an interrupted satellite signal forced everyone to miss the first 10 minutes of the game. "We sat with our heads in our hands until they fixed it," said Ali Hatem, 24, with a laugh. "But it's worth it. This place is better than sitting at home where there isn't any electricity."
Ahmad Nouri, the cafe owner, scooped ice cream and ordered waiters to work faster as the sound of cheers mingled with that of dominoes slapping against tables.
"It makes me so happy to see people feel comfortable and enjoy the game," Nouri said. "We were deprived of this luxury during the last World Cup."
Four years ago, Iraq was in the grip of sectarian violence and people largely avoided public venues, fearing bombs or ambushes. Lighting a cigarette, Emad al-Zubaidi, 54, said, "People can breathe and see what's out there now."
Violence has dropped sharply, although Iraqi security forces stood guard near the cafe
"Don't worry!" Hatem said. "One day Iraq will be in the World Cup, and we will even host it!"
* AP
The fake news generation
288,000 – the number of posts reported as hate speech that were deleted by Facebook globally each month in May and June this year
11% – the number of Americans who said they trusted the news they read on Snapchat as of June 2017, according to Statista. Over a quarter stated that they ‘rarely trusted’ the news they read on social media in general
31% - the number of young people in the US aged between 10 and 18 who said they had shared a news story online in the last six months that they later found out was wrong or inaccurate
63% - percentage of Arab nationals who said they get their news from social media every single day.
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Jawan
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