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The Qatar Fund for Development is providing a grant for the $12m Qatar Square development in Tirana, which will include exhibition spaces, shops and a park.
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al-Nahyan will chair the new Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, which will act as a regulator and aim to attract investment into a sector which encompasses everything from self-driving cars to smart oil well technology and military weapons.
A rare by-election is being held in early September, following a court ruling to strip Mohammed Al-Hussaini of his seat in the Council of Representatives because he held citizenship of a second country.
Bahraini national security advisor gave fulsome backing to the four-year-old Abraham Accords, saying “We would encourage others to join”, while speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in the United States.
Air Vice Marshal Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was appointed deputy chief of staff of the Kuwait Army, via an emiri order.
Sheikha Mahra, a daughter of Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, posted a message on Instagram directed at her husband of just over a year, Sheikh Mana Al-Maktoum, saying “I divorce you”.
Five members of the public and a policeman were killed when three Omani brothers fired on worshippers in the Ali Bin Abi Talib mosque in Muscat in mid-July; the attack was later claimed by Islamic State.
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.
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.
Role: Former heir apparent Born in 1972, Sheikh Mishaal Bin Hamad Al-Thani is the low-profile eldest half-brother of Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.
Role: Equestrian interests Born in 1977, Sheikh Jassim Bin Khalifa Al-Thani is the youngest half-brother of Father Emir Shiekh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. He went into exile with his father, deposed Emir Khalifa Bin Hamad Al-Thani, in 1995.
Qatar’s ambassador to the United Nations Sheikha Alia Bint Ahmed Al-Thani has called on more women from the Middle East to pursue diplomatic careers, saying “we need to show our example when it comes to gender parity and empowerment of women.”
Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed has become only the second defence minister in the history of the country, taking over from his father, Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid who had held the post since the UAE was founded in 1971. It comes as part of a wider federal government reshuffle which included some significant changes for the education sector.
Umm Al-Quwain ruler Sheikh Saud Bin Rashid Al-Mualla has merged the emirate’s Municipality and Urban Planning departments, with Municipality chief Sheikh Ali Bin Saud placed in charge of the new body.
