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Biden's initial confidence on Israel gives way to the complexities and casualties of a brutal war
Read full article: Biden's initial confidence on Israel gives way to the complexities and casualties of a brutal warPresident Joe Biden has said the Israel-Palestinian conflict can’t go back to the “status quo” before Hamas’ brutal surprise attack on Oct. 7 and Israel’s devastating response in Gaza.
Qatar becomes a key intermediary in Israel-Hamas war as fate of hostages hangs in the balance
Read full article: Qatar becomes a key intermediary in Israel-Hamas war as fate of hostages hangs in the balanceThe gas-rich nation of Qatar has become a key intermediary over the fate of more than 200 hostages held by Hamas militants after their unprecedented attack on Israel over two weeks ago.
FIFA urges World Cup teams to focus on soccer over politics
Read full article: FIFA urges World Cup teams to focus on soccer over politicsSoccer's top officials have urged the 32 teams preparing for the most political World Cup in the modern to focus on the game in Qatar and avoid handing out lessons in morality.
Qatar summons German envoy over World Cup rights criticism
Read full article: Qatar summons German envoy over World Cup rights criticismQatar has summoned the German ambassador over remarks by Germany’s interior minister, who appeared to criticize the decision to award the World Cup to the Gulf Arab nation because of its human rights record.
Qatar's emir lashes out at criticism ahead of FIFA World Cup
Read full article: Qatar's emir lashes out at criticism ahead of FIFA World CupQatar’s ruling emir has lashed out at criticism of his country over its hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, describing it as an “unprecedented campaign” targeting the first Arab nation to hold the tournament.
Germany secures more gas shipments as Scholz visits Gulf
Read full article: Germany secures more gas shipments as Scholz visits GulfGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz planted a tree at a mangrove park in the United Arab Emirates in a token nod to environmentalism during a two-day visit to the Gulf region focused mainly on securing new fossil fuel supplies and forging fresh alliances against Russia.
German leader seeks energy deals, alliances on Gulf trip
Read full article: German leader seeks energy deals, alliances on Gulf tripGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz has arrived in Saudi Arabia for the first stop of a two-day, three-country visit aimed at striking new energy deals and forging fresh alliances.
Qatar to boost investment in Spain by $4.9 billion
Read full article: Qatar to boost investment in Spain by $4.9 billionQatar has committed to investing 4.7 billion euros ($4.9 billion) in Spain as the European country launches an economic overhaul with its share of European Union pandemic recovery funds.
Ukraine asks Qatar, others to boost energy exports amid war
Read full article: Ukraine asks Qatar, others to boost energy exports amid warUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on energy-rich nations to increase their production of oil and natural gas to counteract the loss of Russian supplies amid sanctions over Moscow’s war on his country.
In opening of Winter Olympics, chances at politicking abound
Read full article: In opening of Winter Olympics, chances at politicking aboundFor all the talk of a diplomatic boycott, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has managed to attract a globe-spanning roster of presidents, royals and other dignitaries to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.
Austin to governors: Guard troops must get COVID-19 vaccine
Read full article: Austin to governors: Guard troops must get COVID-19 vaccineDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in letters to seven governors, is reaffirming the need for members of their states' Army and Air National Guards to get the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine or lose their Guard status.
White House: No 'gaming the system' on Supreme Court pick
Read full article: White House: No 'gaming the system' on Supreme Court pickThe White House says President Joe Biden will meet with Senate Judiciary Committee leaders on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court vacancy and the president’s promise to nominate a Black woman to the high court.
Biden names Qatar major non-NATO ally as energy crisis looms
Read full article: Biden names Qatar major non-NATO ally as energy crisis loomsPresident Joe Biden on Monday designated Qatar a major non-NATO ally, a largely symbolic honor but one that was meant to convey his administration’s gratitude for the tiny Persian Gulf nation’s assistance during last year’s U.S. evacuations in Afghanistan and assistance in ending last year’s Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Biden announced the designation during a meeting with the ruling leader of Qatar at the White House on Monday.
Saudi crown prince in 1st visit to Qatar after embargo ended
Read full article: Saudi crown prince in 1st visit to Qatar after embargo endedSaudi Arabia’s crown prince is in Qatar for the first time since the kingdom rallied other Arab states to end their yearslong rift and embargo on the tiny Persian Gulf country.
Lebanon's president discusses Gulf crisis with Qatar's emir
Read full article: Lebanon's president discusses Gulf crisis with Qatar's emirLebanon’s president has discussed his country’s economic meltdown and an unprecedented diplomatic crisis between Beirut and Persian Gulf nations with the Emir of Qatar.
Easing dispute, UAE announces reopening of borders to Qatar
Read full article: Easing dispute, UAE announces reopening of borders to QatarAl Thani's arrival in the kingdoms ancient desert city of Al-Ula on Tuesday was broadcast live on Saudi TV. Saudi Arabia announced the reopening of its airspace and borders with Qatar earlier this week. National carrier Qatar Airways said it had started to reroute some flights through Saudi airspace, with the first flight cruising over Saudi skies from Doha to Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday night. The four Arab states severed commercial and diplomatic ties with Qatar in 2017, accusing the country of cozying up to Iran and financing extremist groups in the region, charges that Doha denies. The boycott only pushed Qatar closer to Iran, for instance by forcing Qatar Airways to change routes through Iranian skies.
Gulf Arab leaders sign declaration to ease rift with Qatar
Read full article: Gulf Arab leaders sign declaration to ease rift with QatarSaudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told reporters after the summit that diplomatic relations would be restored in full with Qatar, although no time frame was given. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are primarily concerned about Qatar’s ties with Iran. The rift between Abu Dhabi and Doha has been deepest, with the UAE and Qatar at sharp ideological odds. Egypt’s foreign minister also attended the meeting of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which comprises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who spearheaded those deals, was at the summit for the signing of the Gulf declaration.
Saudi Arabia to lift Qatar embargo, easing the Gulf crisis
Read full article: Saudi Arabia to lift Qatar embargo, easing the Gulf crisisThe Saudi border, which Qatar relied on for the import of dairy products, construction materials and other goods, opened briefly during the past three years to allow Qataris into Saudi Arabia to perform the Islamic hajj pilgrimage. The rift between Abu Dhabi and Doha has been deepest, with the UAE and Qatar at sharp ideological odds. This year, Egypt’s president has also been invited to attend the summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which comprises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. “Saudi Arabia could frame a partial détente, which allows Qatari civilian planes to fly over Saudi airspace and de-escalates the information war, as proof of ‘new thinking’ in Riyadh,” Ramani said ahead of the announcement. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are primarily concerned with Qatar's close ties with regional foe Iran.
Bahrain's long-serving prime minister dies at age 84
Read full article: Bahrain's long-serving prime minister dies at age 84That style would be challenged in the 2011 protests by the island’s Shiite majority and others, who demonstrated against him over long-running corruption allegations surrounding his rule. Late on Wednesday, Bahrain's state-run news agency initially announced Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa would lead the Council of Ministers, typically the job of the island’s prime minister. Under an informal arrangement, Sheikh Isa handled the island’s diplomacy and ceremonial duties while Prince Khalifa ran the government and economy. But while other hard-line members of the Al Khalifa family actively pushed for a confrontation with Shiites, Prince Khalifa maintained contacts with those the government opposed. “Khalifa bin Salman could and did work with both Sunni and Shia, especially through his relations with Bahrain’s business community,” Diwan said.
Sheikh Nawaf sworn in as Kuwait's new ruling emir
Read full article: Sheikh Nawaf sworn in as Kuwait's new ruling emirThe new Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, center, performs the constitutional oath at the Kuwaiti National Assembly in Kuwait, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020. Kuwait's Sheikh Nawaf was sworn in Wednesday as the ruling emir of the tiny oil-rich country, propelled to power by the death of his half-brother after a long career in the security services. At age 83, Sheikh Nawaf is not expected to deviate from the diplomatic path charted by his predecessor, the late Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah. Sheikh Nawaf and other mourners sprinkled dirt atop the body as it was finally lowered into the soil. After the ceremony, Sheikh Nawaf, in his flowing robe, strode into a black Mercedes as groups of soldiers delivered a crisp salute.