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Qatar

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Qatar. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Doha

Head of State

Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani

Head of Government

Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

Palestinian armed fighters in Gaza during the handover of Israeli captives in October last year. Photo: dpa

Israel-Gaza war

Hamas says will dissolve its Gaza government when Palestinian body takes over

Militant group agrees to cede power to technocratic committee under Trump-brokered plan, but silence remains over disarmament.

12 Jan 2026 - 11:17AM

Banking & finance

OCBC, Bangkok Bank, First Abu Dhabi join US$14 billion offshore yuan scheme

29 Dec 2025 - 6:30PM

China-Russia relations

Russian LNG shipments to China surge 143% in November, overtaking Australia

23 Dec 2025 - 11:00AMvideocam

Israel

Ex-Israeli PM calls for Netanyahu’s resignation over ‘Qatargate’ affair

Naftali Bennett accuses the premier’s office of ‘treason’, alleging aides acted as paid agents for Qatar during wartime.

23 Dec 2025 - 1:46PM

Naftali Bennett and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: AFP

European Union

Opinion | As Doha Forum made clear, Europe is losing its seat at the table

Consumed by Ukraine, the EU has effectively retreated from global engagement. An urgent foreign policy recalibration is needed.

17 Dec 2025 - 5:30AM

Donald Trump

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

13 Dec 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

War and conflict

As I see it | Would the world be safer if the military were in charge of the US?

Capricious political leaders like Donald Trump and his defence chief may be more dangerous than responsible and battle-tested generals.

12 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM

US President Donald Trump speaks alongside his defence secretary Pete Hegseth in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on December 2. Photo: AFP

China manufacturing

China’s biotech firms may see ‘major breakthroughs’ within a decade. Here’s why

Strong manufacturing base a driving force behind overseas expansion, but industry leaders and analysts say hurdles remain.

11 Dec 2025 - 3:36PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza truce incomplete without ‘full withdrawal’ by Israel: Qatar PM

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani says Qatar and fellow truce guarantors are ‘getting together’ to advance the next phase of the deal.

6 Dec 2025 - 9:52PM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong’s religious communities unite in prayer to mourn Tai Po fire victims

Muslims and other faith groups express solidarity and sorrow for victims of deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court.

5 Dec 2025 - 7:29PM

The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong held a special prayer session at Kowloon Mosque in Tsim Sha Tsui to pay respect to the victims of the Tai Po fire. Photo: Dickson Lee

Middle East

Opinion | Why Gulf region’s dreams of aviation domination are built on sand

While Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Istanbul’s plans are already aggressively ambitious, Saudi Arabia’s extravagant vision seems like something from fantasyland.

5 Dec 2025 - 4:30PM

A plane prepares for take-off at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 05, 2023.

Africa

Trump praises African leaders, who sign his deal as fighting continues

‘Historic’ agreement aims to end conflict in eastern DR Congo and unlock access to the region’s critical mineral reserves for the US.

5 Dec 2025 - 4:44PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel receives body from Hamas, says Rafah crossing could soon open

The handover of the final two deceased hostages is an important condition of the first part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

4 Dec 2025 - 3:56AM

Russia

As Asia’s oil markets eye Ukraine-Russia peace deal, will prices fall further?

Oil prices have been falling in recent trading sessions on expectations of an imminent deal to end the war in Ukraine.

27 Nov 2025 - 5:46PM

Tanks belonging to Transneft, a Russian operator of oil pipelines, at an oil terminal in Ust-Luga, Russia. Photo: dpa

Pakistan

Can mediators prevent war between Afghanistan, Pakistan as tensions spike?

Prolonged proxy warfare could create space for terrorist groups such as Isis-K to regenerate and plot overseas attacks, analysts warn.

27 Nov 2025 - 5:36PMvideocam

Residents clear debris from houses destroyed in air strikes in Khost, Afghanistan, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

India

Economics above politics? India and Canada to resume trade agreement talks

While their ties plunged in 2023 over the death of a Sikh separatist, they are keen to restart trade talks due to US tariffs, analysts say.

25 Nov 2025 - 4:05PMvideocam

Icons and Influencers

Legacy of Vogue Italia’s Franca Sozzani honoured at inaugural Franca Fund Gala

Co-hosted by Anna Wintour, the event included a fundraising auction and drew guests including Gisele Bündchen and Miuccia Prada.

24 Nov 2025 - 5:17PM

China exports

China strengthens global drone dominance with record orders at Dubai Airshow

The country already dominates global patent applications for drones, one report shows, and manufacturers are rapidly expanding overseas.

24 Nov 2025 - 11:42PMvideocam

Workers prepare the EHang eVTOL EH126-S to fly in Guangzhou in southern China’s Guangdong province on November 3. Photo: AP

Fashion

Fashion Trust Arabia 2025: which emerging designers won at this year’s awards?

The awards honoured MENA designers, drew celebrities including Lindsay Lohan, and were hosted by Queen Latifah.

24 Nov 2025 - 11:22AM

Banking & finance

Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia set to launch US$1 billion fund, Paul Chan says

A ‘major Saudi development company’ will host a roadshow in Hong Kong next month to seek strategic partners, financial secretary says.

18 Nov 2025 - 4:58PM

Israel-Gaza war

UN Security Council approves Trump plan for the future of Gaza

There were 13 votes in favour of the Gaza resolution, but both Russia and China abstained.

18 Nov 2025 - 5:17PM

The Gaza Strip has been largely reduced to rubble after two years of fighting, sparked by Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Netanyahu faces backlash for leading Israel’s October 7 probe

Critics claim the probe lacks independence, and that Netanyahu is evading responsibility by overseeing the probe himself.

18 Nov 2025 - 3:04AM

A mask mocking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is placed on the street in Tel Aviv during a demonstrate against him and in support of establishing a state commission of inquiry into Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attacks. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Hamas tightens grip on Gaza despite Trump’s ceasefire plan

Hamas reasserts control in Gaza with price controls and fees, raising doubts over Trump’s transition plan and its promise to disarm and step down.

14 Nov 2025 - 8:39PMvideocam

Olympics

Opinion | Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area must seize chance to bid for 2036 Olympics

With the IOC having paused the bidding process, it is a good time to investigate the feasibility of hosting the event and to align stakeholders.

7 Nov 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Cathay Pacific

Hong Kong’s Cathay aims to buy back HK$6.96 billion stake held by Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways seeks to sell all 643.07 million shares following major partnership expansion with China Southern Airlines.

7 Nov 2025 - 12:20AM

Cathay says it plans to fund the deal with internal resources and existing credit lines Photo: Jonathan Wong

China's economic recovery

China’s digital competitiveness hits high amid trade-splintering worries: survey

China’s R&D and tech innovation boost its digital competitiveness, but geopolitical headwinds pose growth risks, according to Swiss academic institute.

4 Nov 2025 - 5:36PMvideocam

China has reached an all-time high of 12th place among 69 economies in terms of overall digital competitiveness, according to new findings by the International Institute for Management Development. Image: Shutterstock

Israel-Gaza war

Turkey and Muslim allies say Palestinian self-rule is key to Gaza’s future

Turkey hosts ministerial meeting to discuss US-brokered Gaza ceasefire and long-term solutions to the conflict.

4 Nov 2025 - 11:04AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | Diplomacy in the age of populism is fast, fickle and unbound by the rules of old

Swift, informal deals can quickly defuse crises, but without a new rules-based order, global stability is being held hostage to chance.

2 Nov 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

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Qatar

Hamas says will dissolve its Gaza government when Palestinian body takes over

Militant group agrees to cede power to technocratic committee under Trump-brokered plan, but silence remains over disarmament.

OCBC, Bangkok Bank, First Abu Dhabi join US$14 billion offshore yuan scheme

Russian LNG shipments to China surge 143% in November, overtaking Australia

Ex-Israeli PM calls for Netanyahu’s resignation over ‘Qatargate’ affair

Naftali Bennett accuses the premier’s office of ‘treason’, alleging aides acted as paid agents for Qatar during wartime.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | As Doha Forum made clear, Europe is losing its seat at the table

Consumed by Ukraine, the EU has effectively retreated from global engagement. An urgent foreign policy recalibration is needed.

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

As I see it | Would the world be safer if the military were in charge of the US?

Capricious political leaders like Donald Trump and his defence chief may be more dangerous than responsible and battle-tested generals.

China’s biotech firms may see ‘major breakthroughs’ within a decade. Here’s why

Strong manufacturing base a driving force behind overseas expansion, but industry leaders and analysts say hurdles remain.

Gaza truce incomplete without ‘full withdrawal’ by Israel: Qatar PM

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani says Qatar and fellow truce guarantors are ‘getting together’ to advance the next phase of the deal.

Hong Kong’s religious communities unite in prayer to mourn Tai Po fire victims

Muslims and other faith groups express solidarity and sorrow for victims of deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court.

Opinion | Why Gulf region’s dreams of aviation domination are built on sand

While Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Istanbul’s plans are already aggressively ambitious, Saudi Arabia’s extravagant vision seems like something from fantasyland.

Trump praises African leaders, who sign his deal as fighting continues

‘Historic’ agreement aims to end conflict in eastern DR Congo and unlock access to the region’s critical mineral reserves for the US.

Israel receives body from Hamas, says Rafah crossing could soon open

The handover of the final two deceased hostages is an important condition of the first part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

As Asia’s oil markets eye Ukraine-Russia peace deal, will prices fall further?

Oil prices have been falling in recent trading sessions on expectations of an imminent deal to end the war in Ukraine.

Can mediators prevent war between Afghanistan, Pakistan as tensions spike?

Prolonged proxy warfare could create space for terrorist groups such as Isis-K to regenerate and plot overseas attacks, analysts warn.

Economics above politics? India and Canada to resume trade agreement talks

While their ties plunged in 2023 over the death of a Sikh separatist, they are keen to restart trade talks due to US tariffs, analysts say.

Legacy of Vogue Italia’s Franca Sozzani honoured at inaugural Franca Fund Gala

Co-hosted by Anna Wintour, the event included a fundraising auction and drew guests including Gisele Bündchen and Miuccia Prada.

China strengthens global drone dominance with record orders at Dubai Airshow

The country already dominates global patent applications for drones, one report shows, and manufacturers are rapidly expanding overseas.

Fashion Trust Arabia 2025: which emerging designers won at this year’s awards?

The awards honoured MENA designers, drew celebrities including Lindsay Lohan, and were hosted by Queen Latifah.

Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia set to launch US$1 billion fund, Paul Chan says

A ‘major Saudi development company’ will host a roadshow in Hong Kong next month to seek strategic partners, financial secretary says.

UN Security Council approves Trump plan for the future of Gaza

There were 13 votes in favour of the Gaza resolution, but both Russia and China abstained.

Netanyahu faces backlash for leading Israel’s October 7 probe

Critics claim the probe lacks independence, and that Netanyahu is evading responsibility by overseeing the probe himself.

Hamas tightens grip on Gaza despite Trump’s ceasefire plan

Hamas reasserts control in Gaza with price controls and fees, raising doubts over Trump’s transition plan and its promise to disarm and step down.

Opinion | Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area must seize chance to bid for 2036 Olympics

With the IOC having paused the bidding process, it is a good time to investigate the feasibility of hosting the event and to align stakeholders.

Hong Kong’s Cathay aims to buy back HK$6.96 billion stake held by Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways seeks to sell all 643.07 million shares following major partnership expansion with China Southern Airlines.

China’s digital competitiveness hits high amid trade-splintering worries: survey

China’s R&D and tech innovation boost its digital competitiveness, but geopolitical headwinds pose growth risks, according to Swiss academic institute.

Turkey and Muslim allies say Palestinian self-rule is key to Gaza’s future

Turkey hosts ministerial meeting to discuss US-brokered Gaza ceasefire and long-term solutions to the conflict.

Opinion | Diplomacy in the age of populism is fast, fickle and unbound by the rules of old

Swift, informal deals can quickly defuse crises, but without a new rules-based order, global stability is being held hostage to chance.

Opinion | As Doha Forum made clear, Europe is losing its seat at the table