TOPIC

/ location

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

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani speaks on the first day of the 23rd edition of the annual Doha Forum in Qatar on December 6. Photo: Reuters

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

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?

12 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM

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

Chinese biotech firms set to crack the global market within a decade, according to industry experts. Photo: Getty Images

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

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

The 2025 Fashion Trust Arabia award ceremony took place on November 21, in Doha. Photo: Handout

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

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

China’s private sector

Labubu maker Pop Mart pushes into Middle East with first Qatar store

The Chinese toymaker expects overseas revenue to surpass domestic sales by the end of this year.

30 Oct 2025 - 10:04PM

Pop Mart’s first store in the Middle East is at Hamad International Airport in Doha, capital of Qatar. Photo: Handout

Britain

UK seals US$11 billion Eurofighter sale deal with Nato ally Turkey

Britain’s defence ministry described the order, which involves 20 Eurofighter Typhoons, as the ‘biggest fighter jet deal in a generation’.

28 Oct 2025 - 2:56PM

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey in front of a UK Typhoon fighter jet at Tusas airbase in Ankara, Turkey. Photo: AFP

India

Why India’s Modi skipped Asean summit in Malaysia

Crucial state elections in Bihar and avoiding an ‘awkward situation’ with Trump among likely factors for Modi’s decision, analysts say.

27 Oct 2025 - 7:30PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong start-ups have ‘high hopes’ for Saudi trip as Paul Chan heads to FII

Hong Kong firms eye expansion, with finance chief leading a high-powered delegation to Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh.

27 Oct 2025 - 7:31AM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Qatar

.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

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

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.

Labubu maker Pop Mart pushes into Middle East with first Qatar store

The Chinese toymaker expects overseas revenue to surpass domestic sales by the end of this year.

UK seals US$11 billion Eurofighter sale deal with Nato ally Turkey

Britain’s defence ministry described the order, which involves 20 Eurofighter Typhoons, as the ‘biggest fighter jet deal in a generation’.

Why India’s Modi skipped Asean summit in Malaysia

Crucial state elections in Bihar and avoiding an ‘awkward situation’ with Trump among likely factors for Modi’s decision, analysts say.

Hong Kong start-ups have ‘high hopes’ for Saudi trip as Paul Chan heads to FII

Hong Kong firms eye expansion, with finance chief leading a high-powered delegation to Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh.

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