Qatar boycott three years on: ‘Everyone loses’

In a diplomatic breakthrough, Saudi Arabia is set to open its borders and airspace to neighboring Qatar following a prolonged crisis.

With Qataris streaming into Saudi Arabia following the border re-opening, business owners in the al-Ahsa area say they are hopeful to see the economy boom again after "suffering economically" from the feud between Riyadh and Doha. Saudi Arabia shut its side of Qatar's only land border in June 2017 as part of a package of sanctions it said was a response to Doha's backing of radical Islamist groups and closeness to Iran. Qatar has always denied the charges.

The resumption of direct flights between Doha and Riyadh for the first time since 2017 is the latest step towards ending a multi-year rift between the two Gulf states.

Cairo and Doha have exchanged pledges to end their three-year rift and resume ties, according to Egypt's Foreign Ministry. Several allies of Saudi Arabia are in the process of reestablishing relations with Qatar.

Managers of Al Ahly and Bayern Munich, Pitso Mosimane and Hansi Flick, on Monday held their post-match pressers following Bayern's 2-0 victory in the Club World Cup semi-finals.

Beach volleyball stars Karla Borger and Julia Sude say Qatar is "the only country" where players are forbidden from wearing bikinis on court.

Sheikha Asma Al Thani, a Qatari royal is chasing her dream of becoming the first woman from the Middle East to complete the Explorers Grand Slam of summiting each continent's highest peaks and reaching the earth’s poles. Arriving in Kathmandu, Nepal on April 1, Sheikha Asma is expected to start her ascent in mid May.

Born in Qatar, Tala Abujbara didn’t even know what rowing was until she got to university in the States, but this summer, she will be representing the gas-rich nation in Tokyo in the women's single sculls event. Being a lone rower in a country mostly known for its desert landscape, aiming for a spot at the Olympics under the Qatari flag meant adapting from rowing in a team of eight to being on her own on the water.

The latest talks between the Afghan government and Taliban in Doha ended without significant progress Sunday even after the insurgents' supreme leader said he "strenuously favours" a political settlement to the conflict.

Qatar has longstanding ties with the Taliban. While this approach is criticized by some, others benefit from the country's contacts. Qatar's main interest is to cement its position as a regional mediator.

Just days ago, Beheshta Arghand made history by becoming the first female Afghan journalist to interview a Taliban official live on television -- now she's a refugee overcome by emotion appealing for help.

Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani says his country is working with Taliban to reopen Kabul airport "as soon as possible", during a joint press conference with his British counterpart Dominic Raab in Doha.