Latest Qatar News

Qataris decide whether to end limited voting for legislative seats in shadow of US election

Nov. 05, 2024 09:40 AM EST

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Qatar voted in a snap poll Tuesday to decide whether to end its limited voting for legislative seats, a measure likely to pass and end the country's short-lived experiment in electing members of the advisory Shura Council. Voting took place as...

Neymar picks up another injury in second game back from ACL tear

Nov. 04, 2024 17:24 PM EST

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Neymar picked up another injury on Monday in just his second game since returning from a 12-month absence as Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal defeated Esteghlal of Iran 3-0 in the AFC Champions League Elite. The Brazilian has only recently recovered from a torn...

Israel investigates leaks that appear to have bolstered Netanyahu as Gaza truce talks stalled

Nov. 03, 2024 16:23 PM EST

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli court on Sunday loosened a gag order on a case investigating leaks of classified information suspected to involve one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s media advisers. Critics say the leaks were aimed at giving Netanyahu political cover as Gaza cease-fire...

Here's a look at what came out of Blinken's 11th trip to the Middle East

Oct. 26, 2024 08:07 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken's weeklong trip to the Middle East ended unexpectedly in London on Friday, but the lack of a cease-fire breakthrough for Gaza came as no surprise to U.S. and Arab officials, who described the growing regional conflicts as a “nightmare.” ...

Defense contractor RTX agrees to pay more than $950 million to resolve bribery, fraud claims

Oct. 16, 2024 19:00 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — RTX Corporation, the defense contractor formerly known as Raytheon, agreed Wednesday to pay more than $950 million to resolve allegations that it defrauded the government and paid bribes to secure business with Qatar. The company entered into deferred prosecution...

EU and Gulf leaders held inaugural leaders' summit against background of Mideast turmoil

Oct. 16, 2024 15:12 PM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The leaders of the European Union and six Gulf nations held an inaugural summit Wednesday against a backdrop of turmoil in the Middle East and struggles to find a unified position on the war in Ukraine and relations with Russia. The summit, which lasted just a few...

Qatar's ruler says his nation will vote on abandoning legislative elections after just one poll

Oct. 15, 2024 10:54 AM EDT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Qatar's ruling emir said Tuesday his small, energy-rich nation will hold a referendum on ending a short-lived experiment in electing members of the country's advisory Shura Council. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani offered no immediate timeline...

FIFA urged to put more human rights scrutiny into 2034 World Cup deal with Saudi Arabia

Oct. 11, 2024 11:27 AM EDT

ZURICH (AP) — Two months before FIFA is set to confirm Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host, the soccer body was urged again Friday to allow independent scrutiny of the kingdom’s human rights obligations for the tournament. A group of law and human rights experts plus Saudi...

UK police say 40 women have made sex crimes claims against late Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed

Oct. 11, 2024 11:05 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) — Police in London said Friday that 40 more women have made allegations of rape or sexual assault against the late Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed since the BBC broadcast claims by several former employees of the London department store last month. The Metropolitan...

Iran's World Cup qualifier against Qatar is switched to Dubai after security concerns

Oct. 11, 2024 07:35 AM EDT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The Asian Football Confederation says an upcoming World Cup qualifying game won't take place in Iran because of escalating tensions in the region. The AFC switched the venue for the Oct. 15 soccer game between Iran and Qatar from the Iranian city of...