Latest news with #GulfState
Fox News
18-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Qatar dumped billions into US schools over last four decades: report
Qatar has dumped billions into U.S. universities over the last four decades, The Free Press reported. The Sunni Gulf State has made headlines after gifting President Donald Trump a splashy $400 million plane dubbed the "palace in the sky," and has recently hosted him as part of his whirlwind Middle East tour. The White House announced that Qatar agreed to invest $243.5 billion in U.S. businesses Thursday. Qatar has also served as a mediator between Israel and Hamas amid hostage and ceasefire negotiations since the terrorist group invaded the Jewish state on Oct. 7. Qatar, a monarchy ruled by the Al-Thani family, has seen a rapid reversal of fortunes in its international standing in recent years. In 2017, the small Gulf state — home to just 2.65 million people — was the subject of an economic and travel blockade launched by Saudi Arabia and other Arab states who accused it of being too close to Iran and sponsoring terrorism. But today, Qatar enjoys warm relations with the United States and is a major player in world affairs. The emirate is the biggest foreign funder of American universities, donating $4.7 billion between the years of 2000 and 2021, according to a 2022 National Association of Scholars Study, and has spent $6.3 billion on American colleges since the government began keeping records in 1986, The Free Press reported. Qatar even boasts an "Education City" that hosts branches of several elite American Universities. Northwestern University opened a journalism school in the wealthy gulf state in 2025, receiving over $600 million in funding from Qatar. Cornell's Qatar medical school, established in 2001, received nearly $1.8 billion from the country, Carnegie Mellon's Qatari extension received over $740 million from the oil-rich country, Texas A&M's Engineering school in Qatar received nearly $700 million in funding, Virginia Common Wealth University in Qatar received $100 million and Georgetown University in Doha received over $760 million from the monarchy. Georgetown University in Qatar awarded Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, mother of Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, its "President's Award" in April. Bint Nasser manages the Qatar Foundation which oversees education in the city. The Qatari royal praised Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar after he was assassinated by the IDF in Oct. 2024. "The name Yahya means the one who lives. They thought him dead but he lives. Like his namesake, Yahya bin Zakariya, he will live on and they will be gone," she posted on X. Multiple Hamas leaders, worth a reported $11 billion, reside in luxury hotels in Qatar. The Gulf state has long maintained that they host terrorist officials at the request of the U.S., in order to better negotiate between them and Israel. Critics have alleged that Qatar's deep-pocketed support of American universities has fueled the antisemitism crisis plaguing U.S. colleges. Fox News' Bret Baier asked Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani about the country's large investments in American universities Thursday. Al-Thani dismissed accusations that his country is trying to "buy influence" and instead said that the expenditures were made to provide an "American quality" education for people in the Middle East. "Throughout the last 25 years… you will always see Qatar by the side of the U.S. in many areas, in many things," Al-Thani said. Former President Joe Biden designated Qatar a major non-NATO ally in 2022. The emirate is home to a U.S. air force base which Qatar pays to maintain. Trump announced that Qatar will invest $10 billion into the base as part of its recent economic deal with the U.S. Qatar, Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, Texas A&M, Cornell and Virginia Commonwealth University did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
The Guardian
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Fifa breaching own human rights rules over Saudi Arabian World Cup, lawyers say
A group of leading lawyers has submitted an official complaint to Fifa, alleging the governing body has failed to follow its own human rights rules in relation to the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. The 30-page complaint has been filed via Fifa's official grievance mechanism and calls for immediate action in five areas. The complaint has been authored by Fifa's former anti-corruption adviser Mark Pieth, the Swiss lawyer Stefan Wehrenberg and the British barrister Rodney Dixon, who submitted a report to Fifa a year ago warning of the risks of awarding the tournament to the Gulf state. The complaint argues that the bidding process 'failed to ensure that human rights standards were met' and says: 'Fifa's decision to approve Saudi Arabia as the next host country now places Fifa, in accordance with its own policy, under an obligation to ensure that internationally recognised human rights are upheld in Saudi Arabia. 'To date there is no evidence that such steps have been initiated, let alone that Fifa has any intention of doing so. This complaint highlights these failings so that they can be rectified without delay.' The five areas outlined relate to freedom of expression and association; arbitrary arrests, mistreatment and the death penalty; judicial independence; migrants' rights; and women's rights. 'Fifa must develop a concrete and transparent action plan in collaboration with the Saudi authorities, rather than relying on the host state to act unilaterally,' the complaint says. 'This plan must incorporate minimum requirements … ensure their immediate implementation and establish robust mechanisms for ongoing monitoring. To date, no such steps have been initiated by Fifa.' This week Fifa faced criticism and demands for action over the treatment of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. Reports by Human Rights Watch and FairSquare highlighted the risks faced by those involved in the vast development projects commissioned by the Saudi regime under the direction of the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The reports said workers continued to face severe risks to life and criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the deaths of migrant workers. In response to Human Rights Watch, Fifa wrote a letter stating: 'Fifa seeks to play its part in ensuring strong protections for workers employed by third parties in the construction of Fifa World Cup sites. This work involves a close collaboration with its Saudi counterparts and engagements with relevant international labour organisations … we are convinced that measures implemented … can set a new standard for worker protection.' Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Fifa has been approached for comment.
The National
13-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Qatari cash 'not enough' for pay rise promised to Syrians
Gulf state's $29m a month pledge would cover just a fifth of 400 per cent salary increase for civil servants
Free Malaysia Today
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Trump says would be ‘stupid' to reject Qatari Air Force One gift
Donald Trump has long been unhappy with the current Air Force One jets, which entered service in 1990 under president George HW Bush. (AP pic) WASHINGTON : US President Donald Trump on Monday furiously rejected ethics concerns over his plans to receive a jet from Qatar to be used as Air Force One, saying it would be 'stupid' not to accept such a gift. 'It's a great gesture,' the 78-year-old billionaire told reporters at the White House when asked if the oil-rich Gulf state would expect anything in exchange. 'I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person (and) say 'no we don't want a free, very expensive airplane.'' Qatar's royal family has offered to donate a luxury 747-8 jumbo jet as Trump awaits the delayed delivery of two new presidential planes from Boeing. But the move raises huge constitutional and ethical questions – as well as security concerns about using a plane donated by a foreign power for use as the ultra-sensitive Air Force One. The US Constitution prohibits government officials from accepting gifts 'from any King, Prince or foreign State,' in a section known as the Emoluments Clause. Trump responded angrily when asked if he would use the jet in a personal capacity after he left the presidency. 'You should be embarrassed asking that question,' Trump told a reporter. 'They're giving us a free jet. I could say, no, no, no, don't give us I want to pay you US$1 billion or US$400 million, or whatever it is. Or I could say, thank you very much.' Trump said that instead it would be donated to his future presidential library as an exhibit, in the same way that Ronald Reagan's library holds a former Air Force One jet. 'Utmost transparency' Trump and the White House also claim the Qatari jet would be a gift to the US department of defence, which would also get around constitutional concerns. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted the White House would act with 'utmost transparency.' 'The Qatari government has graciously offered to donate a plane to the department of defence. The legal details of that are still being worked out,' Leavitt told Fox News. 'But of course, any donation to this government is always done in full compliance with the law, and we commit ourselves to the utmost transparency, and we will continue to do that.' Asked if there were concerns that Qatar would want something in return, Leavitt replied: 'Absolutely not, because they know President Trump and they know he only works with the interests of the American public in mind.' Qatar swiftly sought to downplay the uproar, saying the jet would not be a gift. 'The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar's ministry of defence and the US department of defence,' said Ali Al-Ansari, Qatar's media attache to Washington. Democrats however immediately slammed the plan. 'Any president who accepts this kind of gift, valued at US$400 million, from a foreign government creates a clear conflict of interest,' said a statement by four members of the Senate foreign relations committee. The statement by Senators Cory Booker, Brian Schatz, Chris Coons and Chris Murphy said it also 'raises serious national security questions, invites foreign influence, and undermines public trust in our government.' Trump has long been unhappy with the current Air Force One jets – two highly customised Boeing 747-200B series aircraft that entered service in 1990 under President George HW Bush. Earlier this year Trump said his administration was 'looking at alternatives' to Boeing following delays in the delivery of two new 747-8 aircraft. Trump also has a model of the future Air Force One in his handpicked red, white and blue colors on the coffee table in the Oval Office, in front of where he sits with foreign leaders. Trump already has his own private jet branded 'Trump Force One' which he used to fly around the US during the 2024 election campaign.
