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That the legendary late head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp’s Quds Force, Qassim Soleimani, has not been forgotten following his January 2020 assassination by the United States was underlined by a 2 November tweet on Iranian Rahbar (Supreme Leader) Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Twitter account.

Manama continues to make efforts to enhance its credentials for freedom of religion, with King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa holding talks with the Indian Orthodox Church supreme leader Pope Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III at Al-Safriya Palace.

Qatar’s Municipal elections came and went in mid-March attracting a lot of international attention, generating some excitement within the country and laying down an important, if undramatic, landmark in the progress of political reform in the Gulf. The participation of women as voters and candidates was the critical issue.As one might expect, bearing in mind the small numbers of voters and candidates, the elections ran smoothly and the turnout of registered voters was high; some 90-95% in Doha and 60-75% in rural areas.

Ambassador Hunina Al-Mughairy has stepped down after almost 15 years in the United States. Al-Mughairy took up the post in December 2005, having previously worked as the representative of the Omani Center for Investment Promotion and Export Development in New York.

Sheikh Arhama Bin Saud Bin Khaled Al-Qasimi has been named director of the office of Ras Al-Khaimah Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi. Arhama had previously served as director of the crown prince’s media office.

The Industrialisation and Energy Service Company ("TAQA") announced the closure of its 100% acquisition of Al Mansoori Petroleum Services ("AMPS"), expanding TAQA's Well Solutions business internationally.

Saudi Princess Lamia Bint Majed Bin Saud was reappointed as a goodwill ambassador to the Arab world for the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) late February, for a second term (she was first appointed in 2020).

In contrast to the UAE’s public withdrawal from Yemen – where Emirati military forces formally pulled out last October, although it has retained a less widely publicised presence, notably on the islands of Socotra and Mayyun – Oman has steadily increased its influence in the worn-torn state.

The resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah’s government has been formally accepted by Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Dean Dilley’s firm Waltham has been retained (at $55,000/month) by the Qatar Embassy in Washington to provide legal counsel. This follows the embassy on 12 December dropping its longstanding relationship with Squire Patton Boggs (SPG), where Dilley also works. No reason was given for SPG’s dismissal; it has been a top law firm for the Qatari leadership since Father Emir Sheikh Hamad took over – playing a big role in tracking down funds taken abroad by his father Sheikh Khalifa after he was deposed in June 1995.

While America and Europe continue to present a united front in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the UAE’s more ambivalent stance continues to cause concern in western capitals – and has the potential to undermine, or at least complicate, the country’s diplomatic and commercial relations with the United States and its allies.

Sheikha Basmah Mubarak Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, wife of Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, held a lunch for around 25 female ambassadors and wives of ambassadors at Al-Rimiya Farm in Al-Abdali area.

A son of the late Saudi Prince Talal Bin Abdelaziz, Prince Mohammed Bin Talal, in early May married a daughter of Dr Khaled Al-Fadal. Mohammed's brothers include businessman Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal and Asir governor Prince Turki Bin Talal.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) said on 2 May that it would develop its liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Al-Ruwais Industrial City in Abu Dhabi, as the site offered “significant synergies” with its existing operations.

The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has said Qatar needs to make major improvements in its approach to tackling complex money laundering and terrorist financing cases.