Lausanne, Switzerland | AFP | FIFA on Tuesday released a long-withheld report on alleged corruption in awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar after more leaks deepened the controversy surrounding the vote. World football’s governing body had previously declined to publish in full the 400-page report into awarding the …
Read More »Saudis stand tough as top Gulf diplomats in US for Qatar talks
Washington, United States | AFP | Top Gulf diplomats were in Washington Tuesday as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sought to help resolve the stubborn Qatar crisis, amid concerns that Saudi Arabia’s unyielding stance could foil the effort. With a one-week Saudi deadline looming for Qatar to meet …
Read More »REPORT: $2m sent to child of FIFA member before 2022 World Cup awarded
Berlin, Germany | AFP | A sum of $2 million was sent to the 10-year-old daughter of a FIFA official prior to Qatar being awarded the hosting of the 2022 World Cup, according to Bild. The German daily is publishing from Tuesday American independent investigator Michael Garcia’s report into alleged …
Read More »Iran, Qatar voice support for Saudi after Mecca bombing
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Both Iran and Qatar on Saturday voiced support for Saudi Arabia over a suicide bombing near Islam’s holiest site in Mecca despite their severed ties. “Iran… as always expresses its readiness to assist and cooperate with other countries to confront these criminals, who deal death …
Read More »UAE warns Qatar to accept demands or face ‘divorce’
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | AFP | The United Arab Emirates warned Qatar Friday that it faces “divorce” from its Gulf neighbours unless it takes seriously a list of demands including the closure of Al-Jazeera television. The Qatar-based broadcaster, a long-standing source of conflict between Doha and neighbouring countries …
Read More »US moves to reassure Qatar with arms sale, joint exercise
Doha, Qatar | AFP | The United States agreed a $12-billion warplane sale to Qatar and began manoeuvres with its military Thursday, re-affirming support for the emirate in the throes of a diplomatic crisis with its neighbours. A deal for the “state-of-the-art” F-15 fighters was signed by Qatar in Washington, …
Read More »Macron in Morocco to discuss Libya, Qatar
Rabat, Morocco | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron was in Morocco Wednesday on a 24-hour visit for talks on battling terrorism as well as the Libyan conflict and Qatar’s dispute with its Gulf neighbours. As he stepped off the plane for his first visit to Morocco since his election …
Read More »Iran has sent five planes of vegetables to Qatar
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Iran has sent five planes of vegetables to Qatar, Iran’s national carrier told AFP on Sunday, days after Gulf countries cut off air and other transport links to the emirate. “So far five planes carrying… vegetables have been sent to Qatar, each carrying around 90 …
Read More »RUSSIA: We’re getting tired of reacting to unsubstantiated banalities
Moscow says ‘zero’ proof Russian hackers involved in Qatar crisis Moscow, Russia | AFP | Moscow on Wednesday dismissed allegations that Russian hackers helped spark the diplomatic crisis around Qatar, after CNN reported that US officials believed they planted a false news story. “We’re getting tired of reacting to unsubstantiated …
Read More »Trump backs Saudi-led efforts to isolate Qatar
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | US President Donald Trump threw his weight behind efforts to isolate Qatar on Tuesday, backing Saudi Arabia and its allies after they cut ties with Doha over claims it supports extremism. In a surprise move against a key US ally, Trump suggested Qatar — …
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