Qatar

Marine Gen. John Allen, the former top U.S. commander in Afghanistan testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 20, 2012.

National

FBI seizes retired general's data related to Qatar lobbying

11:43pm June 07, 2022

by The Associated Press

The seizure of data from the former leader of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan is part of a probe that has ensnared a former ambassador who pleaded guilty to charges of illegal foreign lobbying.

Afghan music students, teachers and their families disembark from their flight to Lisbon on Dec. 13. The group of more than 270 evacuees had been staying in Doha, awaiting resettlement in Portugal.

Afghan music students escaped the Taliban and are beginning their new lives abroad

11:21am December 20, 2021

Students and faculty with the Afghanistan National Institute of Music flew last week from Doha to Lisbon, where they will start their new lives and reconstitute their celebrated academy in exile.

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Taliban political office spokesman Muhammad Naeem Wardak spoke with NPR in Doha, Qatar, on Dec. 11.

What the Taliban really want from the world, in their own words

6:28pm December 15, 2021

"We want to prove to everyone forever that we respect humanity," Taliban spokesman Muhammad Naeem Wardak told NPR in Doha, Qatar. He also said women "must have the right to education and to work."

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Students from the Youth Winter Olympic Sports School perform ice and snow gymnastics during an event marking the 100-day countdown to the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, China, on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia and China are accused of using sports to cover up human rights abuse

8:08am November 29, 2021

by H.J. Mai

Saudi Arabia has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to stage high-profile sporting events. Critics say those investments are an attempt by the kingdom to cover up human rights violations.

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Gold medalists Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar shared the podium after the men's high jump at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium.

Mutaz Essa Barshim And Gianmarco Tamberi Share The Gold Medal In Olympic High Jump

5:26pm August 02, 2021

by Bill Chappell

After two star athletes could not outdo one another, an official said they could move to a "jump-off." They had another idea: why not share?

Qatar charity workers prepare food parcels for migrant laborers living under quarantine on April 16 amid the coronavirus pandemic in Doha. A restaurant better known for fine dining has lent its facilities to Qatar Charity to feed migrant workers, of whom

Migrants Are Among The Worst Hit By COVID-19 In Saudi Arabia And Gulf Countries

1:42pm May 05, 2020

by Ruth Sherlock

Even with stringent lockdowns, the coronavirus has spread through migrant communities in some Middle Eastern countries where foreign workers live in cramped quarters.

French former soccer great and former UEFA head Michel Platini, seen here in 2018, was detained Tuesday for questioning related to the inquiry into FIFA's awarding of the 2020 World Cup to Qatar.

Michel Platini, Europe's Former Soccer Boss, Arrested As Part Of Qatar Inquiry

7:05pm June 18, 2019

by Bill Chappell

Just four years ago, Platini was the powerful head of Europe's football association and was seen as the heir apparent to Sepp Blatter.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar face off during the AFC Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday.

Politics Stay Off The Soccer Field As Qatar Plays Saudi Arabia

8:05pm January 17, 2019

by Francesca Paris

Qatar beat its larger neighbor 2-0. In the background was a boycott organized by Saudi Arabia, which has accused Qatar of funding terrorism.

Qatar will officially exit OPEC on Jan. 1, the country's energy minister, Saad al-Kaabi, said at a news conference in Doha on Monday.

Qatar Will Pull Out Of OPEC, As Rift With Saudi Arabia Deepens

1:53pm December 03, 2018

by Bill Chappell

Qatar made the announcement early Monday — the same day it informed OPEC it is withdrawing from the group. The country says it wants to focus on producing natural gas.

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U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, seen during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, is urging easing economic sanctions against Qatar.

World News

Pompeo Urges Unity Among Gulf Countries, Pressure Against Iran

8:54pm April 29, 2018

by Alexis Diao

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is urging easing economic tensions with Qatar amid efforts by the U.S. to apply new sanctions against Iran.