Qatar

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.

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?

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

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

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 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.

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

Qatar has been isolated by neighboring countries in a heated diplomatic standoff. But Saudi Arabia has announced it plans to open its border to allow pilgrims from the tiny Gulf country.

The change, effective immediately, means that people from the U.S. and other countries are now able to enter Qatar "with no paperwork, no payment and no visas."

The U.S. secretary of state will also visit Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The latter has joined three other countries in isolating tiny Qatar. The shuttle diplomacy marks a shift in approach for Tillerson.

A group of four regional neighbors led by Saudi Arabia accuses Qatar of supporting terrorism. A Qatari spokesman counters that the demands are "about limiting Qatar's sovereignty."

The Gulf state blew past a Sunday deadline to meet a series of demand that from Saudi Arabia and its allies that Doha describes as an "affront to international law."