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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 woman in a bikini sits at a pool in Freiburg, Germany. Syrian authorities unveiled new clothing rules on Tuesday. Photo: dpa

Middle East

Syria decrees women must wear burkinis, ‘decent’ clothing at public beaches

The order drew concerns among some Syrians about their personal freedoms under the country’s new Islamist authorities.

11 Jun 2025 - 1:30AMvideocam

Singapore

Ong Beng Seng, Singapore F1 tycoon, to plead guilty in Iswaran case

11 Jun 2025 - 4:41PM

China travel

China expands visa-free entry

9 Jun 2025 - 2:57PM

Hong Kong society

How ‘crazy guys’ of Hong Kong football fan club Chi Sin Lo get their kicks

Members of Chi Sin Lo, which translates to ‘crazy guys’, say their cheerleading efforts have drummed up support for city’s football team.

10 Jun 2025 - 12:58PMvideocam

Local football fans attend a friendly match with Nepal held at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Elson Li

Asean

Opinion | Asean-GCC-China summit signals a redrawing of trade away from the US

The partnership offers a chance to reduce US reliance through new supply chains, trade agreements and regional production in critical sectors.

3 Jun 2025 - 6:46PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Qatar and Egypt to ramp up efforts to revive Gaza ceasefire talks

Hamas says it is ready to ‘immediately’ hold round of Gaza truce talks after recent negotiations appeared to hit a dead end.

2 Jun 2025 - 12:31PM

Asean

Opinion | Beyond trade, Asean-GCC-China summit heralds Asia’s cultural renaissance

The recent meeting in Kuala Lumpur transcended economics and geopolitics, representing a pivotal moment of inter-civilisational engagement.

1 Jun 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and China’s Premier Li Qiang at the Aseam-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26. Photo: Handout

Indonesia

Backlash in Indonesia as Danantara courts BlackRock amid Israel arms concerns

Critics say partnering with a firm that invests in arms suppliers to the Israeli military risks undermining Indonesia’s pro-Palestine stance.

29 May 2025 - 4:00PM

China-Middle East relations

China offers visa-free travel to 4 Gulf countries following landmark meeting

Passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain will be allowed to stay for up to 30 days under year-long trial policy.

28 May 2025 - 8:15PMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia eyes halal exports to Middle East in bid for new markets

Malaysia is touting its stringent halal certification process, recognised in over 47 countries, to cash-rich Gulf nations hungry for variety.

27 May 2025 - 3:37PMvideocam

Vitamin C bottles are seen in Malaysia carrying a halal decal, assuring customers the product was prepared according to proper Muslim rites. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can reassert its global edge in an uncertain world

The city’s vibrancy, uniqueness, connectivity and agility make it all the more relevant in a fast-evolving global economy.

26 May 2025 - 9:30AM

International Property

Capital from Hong Kong, mainland China sets sights on UAE property

Inquiries from Chinese buyers surge and Hong Kong’s Gaw Capital and Black Spade Capital make investments.

29 May 2025 - 3:27PM

Banking & finance

China equips Hong Kong with ‘toolbox’ to propel yuan amid de-dollarisation

Doubts about the dollar’s supremacy present a unique opportunity to accelerate the yuan’s internationalisation.

24 May 2025 - 12:39PM

United States

Outside In | How sustainable is a US economy heavily dependent on arms sales?

Trump’s Gulf tour and his proposed budget highlight a disproportionate US reliance on its military-industrial complex.

23 May 2025 - 9:43PMvideocam

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman receives US President Donald Trump at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 13. Photo: Reuters

United States

Opinion | With his ‘historic’ tour, Trump puts US power back in the Middle East

In reasserting the US in the centre of the Middle East’s strategic calculus, Trump also weakens the leverage and influence of Russia and China.

23 May 2025 - 5:30AM

President Donald Trump visits US troops at the Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar, on May 15. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Opinion | How Trump’s Middle East tour revealed Gulf states’ priorities

While the Gulf states seek benefits from Washington and Beijing, Chinese leaders must deliver more tangible support to secure recent gains.

22 May 2025 - 8:51AM

Donald Trump

US officially accepts Qatar luxury jet to serve as Trump’s Air Force One

The massive gift has raised both ethical and security concerns, with both Democrats and Republicans questioning the president’s decision.

22 May 2025 - 11:30AM

Donald Trump

Donald Trump Jnr says ‘maybe one day’ he could run for US president

‘That calling is there,’ he said when asked at an event if he would ‘pick up the reins’ after his father leaves office.

22 May 2025 - 8:24AM

Donald Trump Jnr speaks at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Asean

Asean, Gulf leaders to meet in Malaysia as region seeks new investment lifeline

Malaysia to host summit with Gulf Cooperation Council next week as Southeast Asian nations hope for new funding to offset US tariff shocks.

20 May 2025 - 5:00PM

Hong Kong society

‘Opportunity I could not let pass’: Hong Kong expats embrace life in Qatar

Despite facing cultural adjustments, Hongkongers are discovering unexpected benefits of relocating to Islamic country.

20 May 2025 - 10:30AM

Banking & finance

Hong Kong offers vital linkages in aiding Qatar-China investment growth, bank says

Standard Chartered’s Huen sees opportunities in financial services and technology as Qatar seeks to diversify from oil and gas.

19 May 2025 - 8:30AM

Doha skyline on May 13, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Israel starts Gaza ground assault after hundreds killed, no progress in talks

‘Complete families were wiped off the civil registration record by [overnight] Israeli bombardment,’ said a Gaza health ministry spokesman.

19 May 2025 - 1:26AMvideocam

Israeli soldiers move tanks around staging area near the border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Hong Kong’s pandas

Pandas in Qatar? Meet the Hongkonger helping Chinese national treasures thrive

Giant pandas Suhail and Thuraya live in one of world’s largest air-conditioned enclosures under care of former Ocean Park worker Cissy Kou.

18 May 2025 - 7:41PM

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza ceasefire talks resume as Israeli assault kills hundreds in 72 hours

Hamas official Taher al-Nono said the two sides were discussing all issues without ‘preconditions’.

17 May 2025 - 9:37PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

‘Reprehensible’: Hong Kong slams US senators behind latest sanctions bid

Cui Jianchun, Beijing’s top envoy in Hong Kong, also warns of impact of rising unilateralism and protectionism.

17 May 2025 - 10:25PM

The Hong Kong Judicial Sanctions Act, introduced to the US Senate this week, could lead to a mandatory review on whether to impose sanctions on 45 people under American law. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong trade bodies urged to learn from Qatar to enhance investor services

Hong Kong Productivity Council chairman joined city leader’s recent trip to Middle East and says he was impressed by Qatar Development Bank.

17 May 2025 - 10:01PM

The Qatar Development Bank is a wholly government-owned body. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong's national security law

Exclusive | Beijing supported Hong Kong’s subsidiary security legislation ‘for months’

Expected easing of China-US tension because of trade deal provided good timing for legislation to be passed by the end of the week, sources say.

21 May 2025 - 4:57PM

Middle East

Trump wraps up his Middle East tour with deals galore

The US president made scoring business deals a centrepiece of the first major foreign trip of his second term.

16 May 2025 - 5:17PM

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