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The government has announced plans to draw up a comprehensive redevelopment for the capital’s old commercial hub, following a large fire in mid-June which destroyed dozens of businesses and left three people dead

Role: Qatar Olympic Committee president Born in the mid-1980s, Joaan is the third son of Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Sheikha Mozah.

The Trump Organization has struck a licensing deal with London-listed Dar Global over the development of the Trump Tower Jeddah. It is the second partnership between the two companies, following the Aida real estate project in Oman.

The Kuwaiti authorities are said to have come under pressure from Riyadh to support its economic restructuring strategy, including giga-projects such as MBS’ flagship city of Neom, at a time when other sources of inward investment into the kingdom have failed to match Saudi ambitions

In an unusual move for a Gulf country, Saudi Arabia has increased the retirement age by up to five years, with most Saudis now set to work until they are 65 before they receive a full pension.

Sheikh Fahd is the second-eldest son of Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani with his wife Sheikha Mariam Bint Mohammed Al-Thani.

Another lesser-known UAE royal has turned up touting business in Africa, with RAK ruling family member Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi signing deals to develop cable manufacturing and smart electricity meter plants in Zimbabwe and an investment agreement in Uganda.

Role: Al-Rayyan Sports Club president Born in 2000, Sheikh Al-Qaqa is former Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani’s youngest son with his third wife Sheikha Noura Bint Khalid Bin Hamad Al-Thani. His full brothers are Deputy Ruler Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikh Khalid and Sheikh Thani. 

Role: Qatar University assistant professor The most prominent of the Father Emir’s daughters with his first wife Sheikha Mariam, Dr Hessa Bint Hamad Al-Thani is assistant professor of education sciences at Qatar University and former dean of the College of Education.

Khalid Bin Salman held talks with defence minister Admiral Dong Jun and Central Military Commission vice-chairman Zhang Youxia in the Chinese capital on 25 June.

Energy giant Saudi Aramco has signed $25bn worth of contracts to expand its natural gas facilities in the kingdom, while also making a series of oil and gas discoveries in the Eastern Province and Empty Quarter, in a clear sign that the kingdom remains committed to fully exploiting its hydrocarbon reserves.

United Al-Saqer Group, best known for its car dealerships, has bought into UK visual effects studio DNEG – the second major UAE-UK media deal in a matter of months.

Potential deals in Australia and Rwanda would add to a portfolio that already includes stakes in British Airways, Cathay Pacific and China Southern, and is part of a strategy to boost traffic through Doha’s Hamad International Airport.

Role: Minister of state for interior affairs Sheikh Abdelaziz was appointed deputy commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) in 2017. In an early-2020 reshuffle, he was promoted to Lekhwiya commander and Ministry of Interior undersecretary.

Former health minister Massoud Pezeshkian, the only moderate allowed to run in the snap presidential election on 28 June, topped the ballot and secured a place in a run-off vote against hardliner Saeed Jalili. However, a new record low for turnout shows how disengaged most Iranians have become from the political process