Qatari FM meets Araghchi, Pezeshkian in Iran amid Gaza cease-fire talks The visit is the Qatari premier’s first to Iran since 2022, and it coincides with renewed efforts to reach a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Iran
Mossad director, US officials back in Egypt for talks on Philadelphi Corridor The Israeli delegation for the deal to release the hostages arrived in Cairo for talks with the Americans and Egyptians ahead of a potential summit this Sunday. Israel
US says Gaza cease-fire talks in 'end game' with new proposal Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel Saturday ahead of cease-fire negotiations that are set to resume in Cairo next week. Palestine
Analysis Pessimism prevails as Gaza cease-fire talks resume in Doha Negotiators are meeting in Doha for what the Biden administration has described as “final stage” Gaza cease-fire talks. But with Hamas refusing to participate and Israel driving a hard bargain, is there any reason for optimism? By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Israel’s Netanyahu vows to shut Al Jazeera after Knesset law The prime minister's pledge drew statements of concern and condemnation from the White House and the Committee to Protect Journalists. Israel
Middle East sees 23% drop in VC funding: Qatar, Bahrain, UAE hardest hit Qatar saw VC investments tumble by 57% to 43 million QR ($11.81 million), eclipsed only by Bahrain with an 82% drop. Qatar
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt among world's top arms importers: SIPRI Concerns about Iran drove Gulf states’ weapons imports, while imports by Morocco and Algeria fell in the past four years, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Saudi Arabia
Iran showcases Shahed drones, missiles at Qatar's defense exhibition This year’s Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference features Iranian drones, Russian warships and delegations from across Asia and Africa. Gulf
Gaza truce talks loom large as Qatar's PM visits US Strategic talks on the US-Qatari relationship are underway as Doha and Washington race to get a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. Qatar
Qatar to pump nearly $11B into French start-ups, funds until 2030 The new investments will target key areas, including the aerospace, energy, semiconductor, artificial intelligence, digital, health, hospitality and cultural sectors. Qatar
Qatari emir in France to discuss Gaza war, economic deals — and talk Mbappe Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has a wide-ranging agenda on his first state visit to Paris. Qatar
Qatar’s first VC fund of $1B expected to 'fuel startup ecosystem in region' The program has two objectives: to generate market-level commercial returns for Qataris and to develop a “vibrant VC and startup ecosystem” in line with the country's national development strategy. Qatar
Qatar places major bet on gas as Saudi Aramco scores new find in Jafurah Asian liquefied natural gas prices have fallen to a nearly three-year low as warmer winter temperatures have dampened demand. Qatar
Why did Qatar release former Indian officers accused of spying for Israel? The former India navy officers were originally sentenced to death, spiking tensions between the two countries. Gulf
India bets on Qatar again with 20-year LNG deal India is one of Qatar's top LNG customers, and the Gulf country is looking to expand its reach in Asia and Europe amid high export targets and increasing competition from the United States' expanding natural gas market. Qatar
Somali president visits Qatar, Egypt amid row over Somaliland-Ethiopia deal The tour comes after Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland signed a controversial deal that would give Addis Ababa access to the Red Sea. Somalia