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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

A plume of smoke rises from the site of a strike in Iran, Tehran, on Sunday. Photo: Xinhua

US, Israel war on Iran

After early anger, Gulf allies press Trump for final blow to Iran

The UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain are pushing hard for Trump to order a ground invasion of Tehran, according to a diplomat.

6 hours agovideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s Islamic republic will ‘collapse internally’, says Netanyahu

31 Mar 2026 - 6:36AMvideocam

Japan

Japan’s PM will mull top-level talks with Iran at ‘appropriate’ time

30 Mar 2026 - 9:54PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran targets Bahrain aluminium, 2 injured amid Hormuz closure

Most Gulf aluminium producers, which account for about 9 per cent of global supply, have been unable to ship due to Tehran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

29 Mar 2026 - 8:22PM

A building damaged in a reported Iranian drone strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Seef, Manama, Bahrain, on March 10. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Spy, steal and frighten: Iran-linked hackers open digital front in war

Spyware-laden shelter alerts, hacked hospitals and supply chain breaches highlight modern warfare’s digital shift.

29 Mar 2026 - 2:49PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

How Ukraine turned Iranian drone swarms in Gulf into a money-spinner

Zelensky’s Gulf tour secures defence agreements, offering Ukraine’s drone tech to Middle East nations facing Iranian threats.

29 Mar 2026 - 11:57AMvideocam

China trade

From chips to MRIs, Iran war puts helium users on edge

Fitch Ratings says helium prices have roughly doubled since conflict began.

27 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

A radiologist gives instructions to a patient about to undergo an MRI scan. Photo: Shutterstock

China-Middle East relations

Opinion | When it comes to the Persian Gulf, China’s top priority is economics

Beijing’s refusal to pick sides between Iran and other Gulf states affirms its strategic positioning rather than a desire to shift paradigms.

24 Mar 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | Look East? South Asia’s fate is far more intertwined with Middle East

Beyond oil, remittances and cultural ties, trade and defence pacts in recent years have added to strategic and security interconnectedness.

24 Mar 2026 - 9:04AMvideocam

Iran

With hacking of street cameras before and during war, who’s watching who?

For years, cybersecurity experts have warned that street cameras could be hacked. Now, AI advances help governments sift through footage.

24 Mar 2026 - 12:16PMvideocam

With surveillance cameras embraced by many nations, governments are increasingly aware of the risks of being hacked. Photo: Shutterstock

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong raises Iran, Israel travel alerts to black, expands amber warning

Amber travel alert expanded to include Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:49PM

Emergency response personnel work at the site of damage after Iranian missile barrages struck Dimona in southern Israel on March 21, 2026. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war delivers new stress to African economies emerging from older shocks

Afreximbank is implementing measures to give financial help to African countries dependent on fuel imports, bank president says.

23 Mar 2026 - 5:17PMvideocam

Indonesia

Indonesia will not pay US$1 billion fee for Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’: Prabowo

Indonesia’s president denies making any financial commitments and warns Jakarta will quit the board if it fails Palestinians.

23 Mar 2026 - 3:50PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Art March celebrations press on amid Middle East conflict disruptions

Flight cancellations via the region leave art fair participants juggling logistics, though organisers say impact remains limited.

23 Mar 2026 - 3:08PM

Art March brings Asia’s largest contemporary art fairs, Art Basel and Art Central, to Hong Kong with events across the city. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong arts hub strengthens global links with 12 new partnerships

West Kowloon Cultural District Authority signs MOUs with 12 international institutions from Australia, the UK, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.

22 Mar 2026 - 10:00PM

The MOUs from the last summit brought masterpieces from institutions such as the Palace of Versailles in France to Hong Kong. Photo: Sam Tsang

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war nears 3-front tipping point as Gulf energy hubs burn

Israeli strikes on the world’s largest gas field and Iranian attacks on Saudi and Qatari hubs threaten a global energy crisis.

21 Mar 2026 - 12:30PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Gulf states again under fire as Iran says still building missiles

After message that Iran’s missile industry ‘deserves a perfect score’, Revolutionary Guards’ spokesman is killed in strike.

20 Mar 2026 - 5:11PM

Malaysia

Some tourists in Malaysia make most of ‘extended’ holiday amid flight mess

Stranded European visitors in Malaysia navigate visa extensions and rebooking woes as the conflict shows no sign of easing.

20 Mar 2026 - 12:36PMvideocam

An Instagrammable spot in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Facebook/malaysia.travel.my

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Iran war revives pandemic-era shocks – and may go further

As war in Iran quickly reshapes energy flows, trade routes and political alignments, the crisis may mark the start of a more volatile new phase.

20 Mar 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Education in Hong Kong

Why the slow progress for Hong Kong’s university town?

University leaders urge government to clarify how much land they will get in Northern Metropolis megaproject, saying talks with potential partners can’t move forward.

20 Mar 2026 - 8:39AM

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Severely damaged’: how the US-Israel war on Iran is decoupling Gulf security

As confidence in America’s defence guarantee erodes, Gulf states are now weighing a more multifaceted strategy, analysts say.

19 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG hub is the world’s largest for liquified natural gas and has suffered extensive damage after being struck by Iranian missiles on Thursday. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

As war in Iran roils energy markets, Europe pays price of ‘dependency’

Governments are racing to respond, as oil and gas prices raise fears of a further spike in living costs.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

A man refuels his car in a petrol station in Villeneuve d’Ascq, north France, on March 11. Photo: Xinhua

China energy security

If the Iran war takes oil above US$120 a barrel, how bad could the shock get?

With major energy assets now coming under attack and the Strait of Hormuz still closed, analysts fear a longer supply shock.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong stock market

Recession fears grip markets as energy facilities under fire in Middle East

Risk-off mode takes hold as attacks bring crisis to ‘a more dangerous level for the global economy’, analyst says.

19 Mar 2026 - 7:30PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war prompts global energy rethink that favours China

Surging oil prices and supply disruptions are causing countries to reassess investment in nuclear and renewable energy – two key Chinese strengths.

19 Mar 2026 - 5:19PM

Flames rise after a March 7 strike on an oil depot in Tehran. Photo: TNS

Pakistan

Video | Pakistan to pause Afghan strikes for Eid

The decision was made at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.

19 Mar 2026 - 11:43AM

Hawkers selling toys and decorative items display Pakistan’s national flags at a market ahead of country’s Independence Day celebrations, in Lahore on August 10, 2025. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP)

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump threatens to ‘blow up’ Iran’s largest gas field as Gulf energy war explodes

Trump denies US involvement in Israel’s attack on the South Pars gas field that prompted Iran to target energy facilities across the Gulf.

19 Mar 2026 - 5:56PMvideocam

Pakistan

Pakistan announces 5-day pause on Afghan strikes for Eid

The temporary ceasefire comes after Monday’s hospital strike, the deadliest in an escalating conflict between the two neighbours.

19 Mar 2026 - 11:43AMvideocam

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Qatar

After early anger, Gulf allies press Trump for final blow to Iran

The UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain are pushing hard for Trump to order a ground invasion of Tehran, according to a diplomat.

Iran’s Islamic republic will ‘collapse internally’, says Netanyahu

Japan’s PM will mull top-level talks with Iran at ‘appropriate’ time

Iran targets Bahrain aluminium, 2 injured amid Hormuz closure

Most Gulf aluminium producers, which account for about 9 per cent of global supply, have been unable to ship due to Tehran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Spy, steal and frighten: Iran-linked hackers open digital front in war

Spyware-laden shelter alerts, hacked hospitals and supply chain breaches highlight modern warfare’s digital shift.

How Ukraine turned Iranian drone swarms in Gulf into a money-spinner

Zelensky’s Gulf tour secures defence agreements, offering Ukraine’s drone tech to Middle East nations facing Iranian threats.

From chips to MRIs, Iran war puts helium users on edge

Fitch Ratings says helium prices have roughly doubled since conflict began.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | When it comes to the Persian Gulf, China’s top priority is economics

Beijing’s refusal to pick sides between Iran and other Gulf states affirms its strategic positioning rather than a desire to shift paradigms.

Opinion | Look East? South Asia’s fate is far more intertwined with Middle East

Beyond oil, remittances and cultural ties, trade and defence pacts in recent years have added to strategic and security interconnectedness.

With hacking of street cameras before and during war, who’s watching who?

For years, cybersecurity experts have warned that street cameras could be hacked. Now, AI advances help governments sift through footage.

Hong Kong raises Iran, Israel travel alerts to black, expands amber warning

Amber travel alert expanded to include Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Iran war delivers new stress to African economies emerging from older shocks

Afreximbank is implementing measures to give financial help to African countries dependent on fuel imports, bank president says.

Indonesia will not pay US$1 billion fee for Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’: Prabowo

Indonesia’s president denies making any financial commitments and warns Jakarta will quit the board if it fails Palestinians.

Hong Kong’s Art March celebrations press on amid Middle East conflict disruptions

Flight cancellations via the region leave art fair participants juggling logistics, though organisers say impact remains limited.

Hong Kong arts hub strengthens global links with 12 new partnerships

West Kowloon Cultural District Authority signs MOUs with 12 international institutions from Australia, the UK, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.

Iran war nears 3-front tipping point as Gulf energy hubs burn

Israeli strikes on the world’s largest gas field and Iranian attacks on Saudi and Qatari hubs threaten a global energy crisis.

Gulf states again under fire as Iran says still building missiles

After message that Iran’s missile industry ‘deserves a perfect score’, Revolutionary Guards’ spokesman is killed in strike.

Some tourists in Malaysia make most of ‘extended’ holiday amid flight mess

Stranded European visitors in Malaysia navigate visa extensions and rebooking woes as the conflict shows no sign of easing.

Opinion | Iran war revives pandemic-era shocks – and may go further

As war in Iran quickly reshapes energy flows, trade routes and political alignments, the crisis may mark the start of a more volatile new phase.

Why the slow progress for Hong Kong’s university town?

University leaders urge government to clarify how much land they will get in Northern Metropolis megaproject, saying talks with potential partners can’t move forward.

‘Severely damaged’: how the US-Israel war on Iran is decoupling Gulf security

As confidence in America’s defence guarantee erodes, Gulf states are now weighing a more multifaceted strategy, analysts say.

As war in Iran roils energy markets, Europe pays price of ‘dependency’

Governments are racing to respond, as oil and gas prices raise fears of a further spike in living costs.

If the Iran war takes oil above US$120 a barrel, how bad could the shock get?

With major energy assets now coming under attack and the Strait of Hormuz still closed, analysts fear a longer supply shock.

Recession fears grip markets as energy facilities under fire in Middle East

Risk-off mode takes hold as attacks bring crisis to ‘a more dangerous level for the global economy’, analyst says.

Iran war prompts global energy rethink that favours China

Surging oil prices and supply disruptions are causing countries to reassess investment in nuclear and renewable energy – two key Chinese strengths.

.css-1t72pn8{color:#C79A00;}Video | Pakistan to pause Afghan strikes for Eid

The decision was made at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.

Trump threatens to ‘blow up’ Iran’s largest gas field as Gulf energy war explodes

Trump denies US involvement in Israel’s attack on the South Pars gas field that prompted Iran to target energy facilities across the Gulf.

Pakistan announces 5-day pause on Afghan strikes for Eid

The temporary ceasefire comes after Monday’s hospital strike, the deadliest in an escalating conflict between the two neighbours.

Opinion | When it comes to the Persian Gulf, China’s top priority is economics

Video | Pakistan to pause Afghan strikes for Eid