BERLIN (AP) — The labor minister of Qatar, which faced intense scrutiny over its treatment of migrant workers in the run-up to last year's World Cup soccer tournament, was elected Monday as the president of the United Nations labor agency's annual conference.
Qatar’s prime minister reportedly meets with Taliban’s supreme leader in Afghanistan
June 1, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The supreme leader of the Taliban met in Afghanistan with Qatar's prime minister this month, the first-such publicly known meeting between the Taliban's reclusive leader and a foreign official, the Al Jazeera satellite news network reported Wednesday.
UN summit in Qatar on Afghanistan ends, another planned
May 2, 2023 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — A closed-door summit on Afghanistan ended Tuesday in Qatar without any formal acknowledgment of the Taliban-run government there, though the United Nations' chief said they would hold another meeting in the future.
Al Jazeera says long-held correspondent released in Egypt
May 1, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The satellite news network Al Jazeera said Monday that a correspondent for one of its channels held in Egypt since 2019 has been released from pre-trial detention.
Qatar to host 2027 World Cup in men’s basketball
April 28, 2023 GMTGENEVA (AP) — Qatar is going to host another World Cup, adding basketball to the sports portfolio of a tiny country with long-term Olympic hosting ambitions.
The International Basketball Federation picked Qatar to host the 2027 edition of its marquee men’s World Cup on Friday.
Lobby group launched for lower-ranked European soccer clubs
April 24, 2023 GMTEuropean clubs feeling left out of soccer's politics and marginalized by wealthy Champions League teams launched a new lobby group on Monday.
The Union of European Clubs met in Brussels with about 40 clubs – including six from Spain, five from England and four from Germany – and claiming to complement and not be a rival to the established European Club Association.
United Arab Emirates, Qatar edge toward reopening embassies
April 18, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday both acknowledged they are edging closer to reopening embassies in each others' countries after a yearslong boycott of Doha over a political dispute.
Gulf nations Bahrain, Qatar to restore ties after boycott
April 13, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Gulf nations of Bahrain and Qatar agreed to restore diplomatic relations late Wednesday.
Bahrain had been the last holdout of four Arab nations that imposed a boycott on Qatar in 2017.
Top EU official switches jobs as Qatar questions linger
March 29, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — A top European Union transport official who accepted free flights and accommodation in Qatar has been transferred to another post at his own request, the European Commission said Wednesday, but it remains unclear whether the man is suspected of any wrongdoing.
Rwanda frees Paul Rusesabagina of ‘Hotel Rwanda’ fame
March 25, 2023 GMTKIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Rwanda's government has commuted the 25-year sentence of Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the film “Hotel Rwanda” for saving hundreds of countrymen from genocide but was convicted of terrorism offenses years later in a widely criticized trial.
Building collapse in Qatar’s capital kills 1, search ongoing
March 22, 2023 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — A building collapsed Wednesday in Qatar's capital, killing at least one person as searchers clawed through the rubble to check for survivors, authorities said.
Qatar's Interior Ministry described the building as a four-story structure in Doha's Bin Durham neighborhood.
Qatar charges ex-finance minister with bribery, embezzlement
March 19, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Qatar announced Sunday the nation's former finance minister faces charges including bribery and embezzlement from his time in the post.
Ali Sharif al-Emadi was arrested in May 2021, with little about his case being made public.
Saudi Arabia places order for up to 121 planes from Boeing
March 14, 2023 GMTTwo Saudi Arabian airlines said Tuesday they will order 78 jetliners from Boeing and take options to buy 43 more in a major boost for the American aircraft manufacturer.
The order for Boeing 787s will be divided between Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier, Saudia, and a planned new airline called Riyadh Air, which Saudi officials introduced over the weekend.
Qatar’s top diplomat is sworn in as new prime minister
March 8, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Qatar's top diplomat was sworn in as the country's prime minister on Tuesday, replacing another member of the ruling family who had held the post since 2020, state news reported.
EU commission tightens rules after Qatar free travel uproar
March 7, 2023 GMTThe European Commission announced Tuesday that it is tightening rules that allow foreign governments or organizations to pay travel expenses for its staff, a day after the institution conceded that Qatar had provided free flights and accommodation to a top official without independent oversight.
EU watchdog seeks clarity about Qatar travel freebies
March 6, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s administrative watchdog is trying to find out how a top transport official was permitted to fly to Qatar with tickets paid for by the government there, as a major corruption scandal linked to the Gulf state roils the bloc's parliament.
FIFA rules panel stresses need for more added time in games
March 4, 2023 GMTThe 100-minute matches that became routine at the World Cup in Qatar are set to become routine in club soccer, FIFA’s rule-making panel said Saturday.
The panel known as IFAB stressed the need for accurate calculation of time added on for stoppages in play because of injuries, substitutions, time-wasting and goal celebrations.
Proposal urges FIFA to compensate World Cup labor in Qatar
March 1, 2023 GMTGENEVA (AP) — At an upcoming meeting of national soccer federations, FIFA will be urged to compensate migrant workers and families of those who died or were injured on World Cup projects in Qatar.
The issue will be raised by Norwegian soccer officials at the FIFA Congress meeting on March 16 in Rwanda, human rights group Amnesty International said Wednesday.
Medvedev beats Murray in final to win Doha on debut
February 25, 2023 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Daniil Medvedev won the Qatar Open on debut when he defeated Andy Murray 6-4, 6-4 in a final matchup of former No. 1s on Saturday.
Andy Murray saves 5 match points to reach Doha final
February 24, 2023 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Andy Murray saved five match points to beat Jiri Lehecka 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (6) and advance to the final of the Qatar Open on Friday.
The 35-year-old Murray reached his first ATP Tour final since June and will face former No.
Murray reaches semifinals in Doha, top seed Rublev loses
February 23, 2023 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Andy Murray reached the semifinals of the Qatar Open by beating French qualifier Alexandre Muller 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 on Thursday.
The 35-year-old Murray will next face Jiri Lehecka after the Czech player upset top-seeded Andrey Rublev 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.
Man United anticipates new owners and a fresh era of success
February 19, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — It has been a week to remember for Manchester United.
Swiatek sweeps aside Pegula to retain Qatar Open title
February 18, 2023 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Top-ranked Iga Swiatek successfully defended her Qatar Open title after beating No. 4-ranked Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-0 in the final on Saturday.
Swiatek broke Pegula for 2-0 and 4-2 but both times immediately lost her own serve.
Qatar-based bid for Man United confirmed on deadline day
February 18, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — A Qatar-based bid for Manchester United was confirmed Friday, with Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani promising to rid the iconic soccer club of debt and return it to its former glories.
Man United sale set to test UEFA rules on multi-club owners
February 17, 2023 GMTGENEVA (AP) — The sale of Manchester United is set to test European rules designed to protect soccer from the integrity risks of owners controlling multiple clubs.
Man United shares rise amid reported Saudi buyout bid
February 16, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — Shares of Premier League club Manchester United rose sharply Thursday ahead of the deadline for takeover bids and reported interest from Saudi Arabia.
Qatar’s emir watches as PSG stumbles in Champions League
February 15, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Making a rare visit to the Parc des Princes, the emir of Qatar watched first hand as Paris Saint-Germain came up short on Europe's biggest stage once again.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was in the stands as Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and the rest of an expensively assembled team lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich on Tuesday, putting the club in danger of another early exit from the Champions League.
From Qatar to Elon Musk, Man United sale rumors grow
February 14, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — The race is on to buy Manchester United and it will take deep pockets to meet an estimated price of $6 billion.
Domenico Tedesco appointed as Belgium’s new head coach
February 8, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Domenico Tedesco has been appointed head coach of Belgium's national team with a mission to rebuild in the aftermath of the Red Devils' World Cup disappointment.
The Belgian federation said Wednesday that the 37-year-old German-Italian, who previously coached Schalke, Spartak Moscow and Leipzig, has signed a deal until after the European Championship next year in Germany.
Qatar hires coach Carlos Queiroz through the 2026 World Cup
February 6, 2023 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Former Portugal and Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has worked at the last four World Cups and was hired on Monday by Qatar to aim for a fifth straight at the next edition hosted in North America.
Qatar boosts influence in Lebanon amid multiple crises
February 4, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Most wealthy Gulf Arab nations followed Saudi Arabia’s lead in recent years and ostracized crisis-hit Lebanon because of the growing influence of the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.
EU assembly lifts immunity of 2 lawmakers linked to scandal
February 2, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s parliament on Thursday removed the protective immunity of two lawmakers linked to one of the bloc’s biggest-ever corruption scandals, paving the way for them to be questioned by Belgian investigators.
Qatar Airways, Airbus reach settlement in A350 legal case
February 1, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Qatar Airways and Airbus have reached a settlement in a longstanding legal dispute over the safety of the A350 jetliner and billions of orders for other planes.
Saudi soccer influence grows by winning seat on FIFA Council
February 1, 2023 GMTSaudi Arabia added to its influence in world soccer on Wednesday, winning a seat on the FIFA Council and then being confirmed as host of the 2027 Asian Cup.
The election win at the Asian Football Confederation’s annual meeting followed Cristiano Ronaldo arrival last month to play in the Saudi league and longstanding speculation about a likely bid to host the World Cup in 2030 or 2034.
Feds drop lobbying probe of retired general, lawyer says
January 31, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has dropped its probe of retired four-star Gen. John Allen for his role in an alleged illegal foreign lobbying campaign on behalf of the wealthy Persian Gulf nation of Qatar, his lawyer told The Associated Press.
UN expert: Deaths of Bangladeshi migrants should be probed
January 31, 2023 GMTDHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — The countries where Bangladeshi migrant workers are employed, including former World Cup host Qatar, should thoroughly investigate all cases of deaths and human rights violations, a United Nations expert said Tuesday.
Arnold extends deal as Australia coach to 2026 World Cup
January 30, 2023 GMTSYDNEY (AP) — Graham Arnold is set to become the first coach to lead Australia's men's team at successive FIFA World Cups after signing a four-year contract extension that will take him through the 2026 tournament.
Qatar replaces Russian company in Lebanon gas exploration
January 29, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon, two international oil giants and state-owned oil and gas company Qatar Energy signed an agreement Sunday that the Qatari firm will join a consortium that will search for gas in the Mediterranean Sea off Lebanon’s coast.
Record-chasing Mbappé has Cavani’s PSG mark in his sights
January 26, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Kylian Mbappé can close in further on Paris Saint-Germain's all-time scoring record when his team hosts Reims on Sunday.
Mbappé's tally of 196 goals for PSG means he is only four behind Edinson Cavani's record for the club.
Qatar player banned after social media post during World Cup
January 19, 2023 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Qatar defender Abdelkarim Hassan was handed an indefinite suspension by the country’s soccer federation on Thursday reportedly following an altercation with a fan over social media.
Klinsmann ‘sad to see’ fallout from Reyna-Berhalter dispute
January 19, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Former United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann says the fallout from the public dispute between coach Gregg Berhalter and the family of young star Gio Reyna is “obviously not looking good” for U.S.
Key EU corruption suspect makes deal to earn leniency
January 17, 2023 GMTSTRASBOURG, France (AP) — The alleged ringleader of a European Union cash-for-influence corruption scandal linked to Qatar and Morocco has decided to reveal information about the affair in exchange for a lighter sentence, Belgian prosecutors said Tuesday.
Top EU lawmakers say no party immune to potential corruption
January 17, 2023 GMTSTRASBOURG, France (AP) — Senior members of the European Union’s parliament conceded Tuesday that a corruption scandal ravaging the assembly’s reputation could have happened to any political group, as Belgian prosecutors focus on lawmakers and an assistant from the main center-left bloc.
Scandal-hit EU political group starts damage limitation work
January 16, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The major center-left political group embroiled in a corruption scandal at the European Parliament will seek this week to insulate itself from more fallout in the cash-for-influence affair linked to Qatar and Morocco as Belgian justice authorities target its members.
Messi scores in 1st game after World Cup as PSG wins
January 11, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Lionel Messi scored in his first game since leading Argentina to the World Cup title as French league leader Paris Saint-Germain beat Angers 2-0 on Wednesday.
Scandal-hit EU assembly set to move on anti-corruption plan
January 11, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Spurred into action by a major corruption scandal, the European Parliament president wants to prevent former lawmakers from lobbying on behalf of businesses or governments soon after they leave office and to make public the names of current members who break assembly rules, a parliamentary official said Wednesday.
Yedlin, Zimmerman praise embattled US coach Berhalter
January 11, 2023 GMTSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — National team defenders DeAndre Yedlin and Walker Zimmerman praised U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter for bringing the Americans together at the World Cup in Qatar, even as he's currently under investigation by U.S.
New Portugal coach Martínez pledges to talk to Ronaldo
January 9, 2023 GMTLISBON, Portugal (AP) — Former Belgium coach Roberto Martínez was hired to lead Portugal's national team on Monday and pledged to respect Cristiano Ronaldo's history with the squad.
The Spaniard replaces Fernando Santos, who quit in December after Portugal’s elimination against Morocco in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Ronaldo set to face PSG, Messi in first game in Saudi Arabia
January 9, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s first game in Saudi Arabia is set to be against Paris Saint-Germain and a possible reunion with his career-long rival Lionel Messi.
Bayern Munich back in Qatar amid sponsorship uncertainty
January 6, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — The Bayern Munich team flew to Qatar on Friday for its winter training camp amid uncertainty over the club’s contentious sponsorship agreement with the Persian Gulf country.
State-owned Qatar Airways’ lucrative advertising deal is due to expire at the end of the season and there is pressure on the Bavarian powerhouse from its own fans not to extend it.
Morocco says EU ties under attack amid corruption scandal
January 5, 2023 GMTRABAT, Morocco (AP) — Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said Thursday that the north African country is the target of calculated media attacks and legal harassment aimed at undermining ties with the European Union, weeks after Belgian authorities implicated Morocco in a major corruption scandal.
Faruk Hadzibegic returns as Bosnia coach
January 4, 2023 GMTSARAJEVO, Bosnia (AP) — Former Yugoslavia international Faruk Hadzibegic has been reappointed as Bosnia-Herzegovina coach in place of Ivaylo Petev, the country's soccer federation said on Wednesday.
EU Parliament starts process to lift 2 lawmakers’ immunity
January 2, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The president of the European Parliament has launched an urgent procedure to waive the immunity of two lawmakers following a request from Belgian judicial authorities investigating a major corruption scandal rocking EU politics.
Uruguay striker Luis Suárez joining Brazil’s Gremio
December 31, 2022 GMTPORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) — Uruguay striker Luis Suárez is joining Gremio, the Brazilian club said Saturday.
The 35-year-old Suárez was a free agent after he left his boyhood club Nacional before the World Cup in Qatar.
MATCHDAY: Liverpool in ‘chasing’ mood, Madrid at Valladolid
December 29, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Friday:
ENGLAND
Liverpool will look to gain ground on the top four of the Premier League when it hosts Leicester. The Reds are in sixth place and manager Jurgen Klopp said “we are in a chasing mood definitely.” Liverpool beat Aston Villa 3-1 on Monday.
Court says EU corruption scandal suspect must remain in jail
December 22, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — A former European Parliament vice president suspected of being at the center of one of the European Union’s biggest corruption scandals is to be kept in prison for at least another month, Belgian prosecutors said Thursday.