Sep 29 Qatar confirms COVID-19 test requirements for World Cup fans By Graham Dunbar, Associated Press Fans going to the World Cup in Qatar must show a negative COVID-19 test when they arrive as part of the host nation's rules to combat COVID-19. About 1.2 million visitors to Qatar are expected for the tournament, which starts… Continue reading
Aug 22 Qatar detains workers protesting late pay before FIFA World Cup By Malak Harb, Associated Press An advocacy group says Qatar arrested at least 60 foreign workers who protested going months without their pay and deported some of them. The incident comes just three months before Doha hosts the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Continue reading
Jun 12 Brookings president resigns amid FBI probe on secret lobbying for Qatar By Alan Suderman, Jim Mustian, Associated Press Retired Gen. John Allen wrote in a letter to the think tank that he was leaving with a “heavy heart" but did not offer a direct explanation. Continue reading
Jun 06 WATCH: Blinken hosts a meeting with Qatari counterpart By Associated Press Blinken and Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said at the top of their discussion would be regional security issues but also they would focus on global challenges their countries were facing. Continue reading
Nov 12 Qatar agrees to represent U.S. interests in Afghanistan By Matthew Lee, Associated Press Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Qatari counterpart say Qatar will serve as the "protecting power" for the United States in Taliban-run Afghanistan. Qatar will handle consular services for American citizens. Continue reading
Oct 02 In modest step, Qatar holds its 1st legislative council vote The “experiment," as Qatari officials have described the vote, comes as the 2022 World Cup casts a global spotlight on the hereditarily ruled nation and generates pressure for reform. Qatar first introduced plans for the legislative elections in its 2003… Continue reading
Sep 18 Taliban replace ministry for women with 'virtue' authorities By Kathy Gannon, Associated Press It was the latest troubling sign that the Taliban are restricting women's rights as they settle into government, just a month since they overran the capital of Kabul. During their previous rule of Afghanistan in the 1990s, the Taliban had… Continue reading
Sep 12 Qatar sends high-level delegation to Afghanistan By Associated Press Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen tweeted Sunday about the high-level delegation, saying it included Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdur Rahman Al-Thani, the deputy prime minister who is also Qatar’s foreign minister. Continue reading
May 26 Qatar pledges $500 million for postwar construction in Gaza By Samy Magdy, Josef Federman, Associated Press Qatar has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian and development aid to Gaza in attempts to support past cease-fires with Israel. Continue reading
Jan 05 Gulf Arab leaders sign declaration to ease rift with Qatar By Aya Batrawy, Amr Nabil, Associated Press Saudi Arabia also said it was restoring full diplomatic relations with Qatar, although it was not clear how soon the step would be followed by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt. Continue reading