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Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani

The latest news and top stories on Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Known for his pivotal role in Qatar’s foreign policy and administrative leadership, he has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2016 and became Prime Minister in March 2023. He holds a background in economics and business administration, contributing to economic diversification and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. His work involves advising the Amir, leading the Council of Ministers and enhancing global relations. He has overseen significant mediation efforts in regional crises, including the Afghanistan peace process and the Gaza conflict and chairs the Qatar Fund for Development.

The closing ceremony of the Asian Games at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Japan. Photo: Robert Ng

The next Asian Games will be held in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Robert Ng

Hong Kong’s athletes were mostly made up of rugby sevens players and sailors at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium. Photo: Sam Tsang

The closing ceremony took place in front of rows and rows of empty seats at Paloma Mizuho Stadium. Photo: Robert Ng

The closing ceremony of the Asian Games featured musical performances and dancers. Photo: Robert Ng

Asian Games 2026

Asian Games close after 2 weeks of turmoil, record-breaking performances

Rugby player Cado Lee leads out remaining Hong Kong delegation at closing ceremony, which features customary handover to the next host, Doha.

4 Oct 2026 - 7:55PM

China-Middle East relations

Qatar’s PM vows to prioritise China’s energy supply amid Middle East tensions

8 Sep 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

China vows deeper cooperation with Qatar in energy and Middle East de-escalation

7 Sep 2026 - 9:52PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iranian leaders admit economic toll of war with US as trade drops 35%

With the war now at the six-month mark, the Trump administration has stepped up efforts to punish Iran financially with an ‘economic D-Day’.

29 Aug 2026 - 11:23AMvideocam

A woman holds up a poster mocking US President Donald Trump while others carry portraits of Iran’s slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, during a rally in Tehran on April 9. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Hormuz deal presses pause on Iran conflict, but fears of ‘forever war’ remain

Tehran is likely to stick to its guns in the hopes that the US midterms will bring about a Republican defeat, analysts say.

28 Aug 2026 - 1:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump sees progress as US and Iran hold talks in Qatar

Both sides agreed to establish a communication channel to report and record violations of their initial memorandum of understanding.

2 Jul 2026 - 7:45AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Ship runs aground in Strait of Hormuz, not using Iran-approved route: state TV

The vessel was described as a foreign container ship in a report apparently aimed at underlining Tehran’s claims to control the strait.

2 Jul 2026 - 2:53AM

Vessels are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Musandam, Oman, in June. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

US, Iran officials hold indirect talks in Qatar to try to end war: diplomat

US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are apparently not taking part in the technical talks. They met Qatar’s PM on Tuesday.

1 Jul 2026 - 11:55PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump, Tehran and a Qatari tanker transit: here’s what happened overnight

US leader calls Iran’s response to its peace proposal ‘totally unacceptable’, while a Qatari ship passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

11 May 2026 - 4:18PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran responds to US proposal, as Qatari tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz

The response, sent via Pakistan, focuses on ending the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon, and on the safety of shipping in the waterway.

11 May 2026 - 12:19AMvideocam

An Iranian walks past an anti-US and Israel mural in a street in Tehran on Friday. Photo: EPA

Pakistan

Pakistan seeks to shield Gulf states as US-Iran talks set to resume

A senior official involved in Islamabad’s diplomacy says it is trying to defuse the crisis ‘in any way we can’.

15 Apr 2026 - 10:50PMvideocam

US Vice-President J.D. Vance (centre) walks with Pakistan’s Field Marshall Asim Munir (left) and Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar after arriving for talks with Iranian officials in Islamabad on Saturday. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Israel-Gaza war

‘Plan B is war’: Gaza truce faces late April test despite Trump’s peace push

Observers say the unresolved question of Hamas’ disarmament leaves the fragile truce vulnerable to collapse.

20 Feb 2026 - 4:57PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

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