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Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump affirmed at their summit in Tokyo to bolster cooperation on defense and the economy.On the security front, Takaichi and Trump are likely to have confirmed the importance of reinforcing the alliance's deterrence and response capabilities amid growing challenges posed by China and North Korea, while Washington is calling for allies to spend more on defense, Japan news agency (Kyodo) reported.Takaichi and Trump signed documents, including one on cooperation to secure and supply critical minerals, including rare earths, in an effort to enhance economic security, according to Kyodo.Takaichi described the Japan-US alliance as "the greatest alliance in the world."She is expected to stress her plan, pledged in her parliamentary speech last week, to increase Japan's defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product by March, two years ahead of the previously set goal of fiscal 2027, Kyodo added.Japan has been raising its defense budget significantly since the fiscal 2027 target was set when the government in late 2022 revised its long-term National Security Strategy, which Takaichi has vowed to update next year.The two sides are also expected to have affirmed the steady implementation of a trade agreement struck in July, which includes a Japanese commitment to invest $550 billion in key US industries such as semiconductors, critical minerals and shipbuilding as well as increased purchases by Japan of US agricultural and other products.Based on the bilateral deal, Trump lowered US tariffs on goods from Japan, reducing the levy on automobiles to 15 percent from the previous rate of 27.5 percent.Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Seoul next Thursday, the next stop on his Asian tour.

The State of Qatar emphasized the importance of the international community continuing to intensify its efforts to enhance cybersecurity and expand avenues of cooperation, particularly between developed and developing countries, in order to ensure the utilization and preservation of digital gains. Qatar stressed that cyberspace and its related uses provide vast opportunities for promoting economic development and achieving human well-being. This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani before the UN General Assembly's First Committee at its 80th session on Other Disarmament Measures and International Security, held at UN headquarters in New York. Sheikh Abdulrahman explained that progress in the digital and technological fields has offered smart and low-cost solutions to many development-related issues, while also enhancing social communication through modern and advanced networks. He noted that while such progress offers wide-ranging opportunities in various areas of technology, it also brings increasing cybersecurity risks, which now pose threats to all forms of digital activity — including attacks targeting vital telecommunications and digital infrastructure, resulting in serious material and moral damage, privacy violations, and obstacles to economic development efforts. He added that information security and cybersecurity have become major concerns for the international community — particularly for governments, public institutions, banks, financial bodies, and private sector entities. He pointed out that growing global awareness of these threats led to the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, which Qatar signed during the official ceremony held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Oct. 25, 2025. He further added that, as part of its efforts to exchange expertise and knowledge in the field of information and communications technology at both regional and international levels, the State of Qatar has continued its active participation in the meetings of the Open-ended Working Group on the Security of Information and Communication Technology (2021-2025), whose work concluded in July 2025, pointing out that the State of Qatar welcomed the group's consensus-adopted final report, expressing hope that its recommendations would be implemented to strengthen cybersecurity and international cooperation in the safe use of ICTs - including the future permanent mechanism on ICT security in the context of international security. He also noted that, reaffirming the State of Qatar's commitment to promoting responsible behavior in cyberspace, the National Cyber Security Agency organized a side event titled "Qatar's Successful Experience in Implementing the UN Norms for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace" on July 7, 2025, during the Eleventh Substantive Session of the Open-Ended Working Group. The event, he said, aimed to highlight Qatar's successful model in adopting UN cybersecurity standards through its achievements and implemented initiatives. The Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, referred to Qatar's participation in the Fourth Meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Cybersecurity, held on Sept. 8, 2025, in the sisterly State of Kuwait, during which the execution plan for the GCC Cybersecurity Strategy, as well as the framework for international cooperation among GCC member states in the field of cybersecurity were approved.

As the echoes of artillery subsided and the dust of war lifted from Gaza's skies, over two million Palestinians began the arduous journey of reclaiming the breath of life, following months of systematic killing, starvation, and destruction of all basic living foundations.The recent Israeli war spared no corner of Gaza, its firepower devastated infrastructure, halted economic activity, and turned homes and shops into silent rubble, leaving residents grappling with harsh realities that test their resilience amid unhealed wounds.With the initial days of the ceasefire, life began to stir slowly and unevenly in Gaza's markets that had remained empty of people and goods during the aggression, after commercial crossings were closed and the Israeli occupation blocked the flow of food and essential supplies.As the shelling ceased and some displaced families began to return, tentative attempts at economic recovery emerged, yet they face immense obstacles due to the ongoing Israeli blockade and restrictions on merchandise movement.Today, Gaza's markets seem to awaken from beneath the ruins. Partially destroyed shops opened their doors amid streets littered with debris, while merchants attempted to arrange what remains of their goods on worn tables, hoping to attract customers exhausted by poverty and soaring prices.Although some essential goods gradually returned to markets, most Palestinian families continue to struggle to meet daily needs due to skyrocketed prices, low income, and lack of liquidity.The war's flames destroyed everything sustaining Gazans' livelihoods, thousands of shops shuttered, small factories were brought to standstill, and purchasing power fell to unprecedented levels. Even after the ceasefire, suffering remains etched on citizens' faces, who endure daily struggles for a basic meal while standing in long queues for limited aid that barely covers their needs.Qatari News Agency (QNA) toured central and local markets where the scene reflected a mix of hope and pain. Some shops resumed operations after owners repaired what could be salvaged, while others remained closed, consumed by destruction or deprived of financial resources.Items previously absent during the war, vegetables, certain fruits, legumes, canned goods, and staples such as rice, oil, sugar, flour, and cleaning materials, began pouring into markets.Yet prices remain high compared to pre-war levels, having surged to dozens of times their original value during the aggression. Fresh and frozen meats, dairy, and eggs remain scarce due to continued Israeli restrictions that limit their entry to sufficient quantities.Khaled Abu Mar'a, a food trader in Khan Yunis, said the markets witnessed some kind of relative recovery after the war's end, though still far from the minimum required to restart the local economy.People tried to bring in essential goods through commercial crossings immediately after the ceasefire took effect, but the Israeli occupation still prevents the entry of meat, dairy, eggs, and milk in normal quantities. Only extremely limited amounts reached the enclave, which sustained high prices and made it difficult for citizens to meet daily needs, Abu Mar'a told QNA.He affirmed that people come to the markets with hope, but leave empty-handed, shocked by prices. Today, the citizen must choose between buying a little food or saving the remaining money for medicine or cooking fuel.In the popular market of Deir al-Balah, the elderly Aliyan Faris walks with heavy steps, inspecting bags of grains and loaves of bread in small shops partially reopened, attempting to purchase some food for his grandchildren who lost their father during the war. Yet, he ultimately returns empty-handed, as soaring prices and scarce funds have made acquiring necessities nearly impossible.During the war, Gazans lived almost without food, dreaming of a single loaf of bread. After the shelling ceased, they hoped things would improve, but the reality had changed little, Faris told QNA. Faris added that he lost his job, his source of income, and his shop that once supported his family. Today, he survives on aid, which is hardly sufficient.Faris's story mirrors that of thousands of Gazan families who encountered the same fate. Many live in tents or partially destroyed houses, struggling to endure poverty, hunger, and cold, while no real signs of economic recovery are evident. Despite the ceasefire, the Israeli occupation persistently blocks the entry of aid into Gaza.Director of the Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Ismail Al Thawabta, emphasized that since the ceasefire took effect, only 1,000 humanitarian aid trucks have entered the Strip out of 6,600 agreed upon.The average number of trucks entering daily does not exceed 89, out of 600 that should enter regularly, reflecting the ongoing strangulation and starvation policy imposed on over two million Palestinians in the embattled Strip, he tells QNA.He highlighted that these quantities are insufficient by far, underlining the urgent requirement for a steady flow of aid, including food, medical, and relief supplies, as well as fuel and cooking gas to maintain essential services such as water, electricity, and health.Economist Ahmed Abu Qamar stated that economic data indicate only 15 percent of the enclave's actual market needs have been met since the war began, highlighting the depth of the crisis and the occupation's persistent economic trickle as a tool of collective pressure.Aid trucks roll into the enclave in dribs and drabs, literally in the dozens, far below the 600 trucks required to meet basic needs. This substantial gap has caused severe price fluctuations, supply disruptions, and made the local market hostage to political and field dynamics, Abu Qamar added.He noted that the recent slight decline in some prices has not materially improved living standards, with poverty exceeding 90 percent and unemployment reaching around 83 percent, among the highest globally.The partial closure of crossings and delays in aid delivery continue to impede any chance of Gaza's economic recovery, which reels from structural distortion due to the blockade and repeated wars.In a recent report, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics confirmed that Gaza has been mired in a maelstrom of unprecedented unemployment two years after the Israeli war. During the onslaught, unemployment exceeded 80 percent, driving the number of jobless to record levels and deepening the social and humanitarian crisis.The report highlighted that the war decimated Gaza's economic infrastructure almost entirely, where factories and production facilities ceased operations, and transport, communication, and energy networks were damaged, making the resumption of economic life extremely difficult.Despite weeks passing since the ceasefire, Gaza continues to endure the consequences of an unfinished war: destruction remains evident, the economy paralyzed, and Gazans struggle to survive amid hunger, blockade, and a lack of prospects.Today, Gazans attempt to rise from beneath the rubble with bare hands and hearts heavy with hope, aware that the road to recovery remains long and arduous as long as Israel persists in its policies of economic strangulation and deprivation.In Gaza, the war may have ended militarily, but it continues to rage in daily life, where people struggle each morning to prove that life can emerge even from the ashes.

The 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related summits kicked off today in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability.' The summit will continue until October 28, with the participation of leaders of ASEAN member states, in addition to representatives from partner countries such as China, the US, Japan, and India.Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized in his opening remarks the importance of strengthening regional cooperation in addressing global economic and geopolitical challenges.He said rising competition and increasing uncertainty are not only testing ASEAN's economies, but also ASEAN's collective resolve to maintain faith in cooperation. ASEAN's strength lies in the conviction that respect and rationality still bind member states together, he added.During the summit, leaders will discuss a range of key issues, including enhancing regional economic integration, stimulating sustainable economic growth, improving connectivity among ASEAN countries, and enhancing cooperation in the fields of the digital economy, clean energy, and artificial intelligence.Progress made in implementing the 18 key economic goals under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship will also be reviewed.The ASEAN summit comes at a sensitive time, as the region faces economic and geopolitical challenges that require a coordinated response from the member state countries. The discussions and decisions taken are expected to contribute to strengthening ASEAN's role as a key axis of stability and prosperity in the Southeast Asian region.

Chinese and US delegations convened in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday for talks on economic and trade issues, according to Xinhua news agency.China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that both sides would hold consultations on key matters concerning China-US economic and trade relations, in line with the important consensus reached between the two heads of state during their phone calls earlier this year.The Chinese delegation was led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, accompanied by Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang and Vice Minister of Finance Liao Min. The US delegation was headed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.Bessent and He Lifeng are negotiating to ease the recently escalated trade measures imposed by both countries on each other. The discussions are also expected to lay the groundwork for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for next Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea.

The summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump will take place, but will likely be postponed to a later date, said Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Russian president's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries.In an interview with CNN, Dmitriev, who is visiting the US, said that the meeting between Putin and Trump had not been canceled, as the US president described it, and that the two leaders will likely meet at a later date."I believe Russia and the US and Ukraine are actually quite close to a diplomatic solution," the Russian envoy said.Last week, US President Donald Trump announced that he would meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Hungary to try to end the war in Ukraine, before later announcing the cancellation of the summit.

Minister of Labour of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mohamed Abdel Aziz Gibran discussed with His Excellency Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Obaidli, Board Member of the Qatar Chamber, ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the economic and investment fields and to encourage Qatari investors to enter the Egyptian market. The two sides also reviewed Egypt's labor law during the meeting and explored mechanisms to overcome challenges facing investors in the Egyptian labor market. During the discussions, he reviewed the latest amendments to the Egyptian Labour Law, which include the establishment of an emergency fund to support workers and struggling companies, as well as the creation of an entity dedicated to training and upgrading workers' skills. He noted that the new law aims to foster a stimulating work environment conducive to investment and to support a secure and stable investment climate in Egypt. The meeting also reviewed the outcomes of the Minister's recent visit to Qatar, during which he met with representatives of the Qatari private sector. The visit resulted in positive understandings aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of labor, training, and employment. For his part, Al Obaidli praised the deep fraternal relations between Qatar and Egypt, affirming the Qatar Chamber's keenness to expand cooperation between the two countries across economic, commercial, and investment domains.

Bolivians have elected Rodrigo Paz of the center-right Christian Democratic Party (PDC) as their new president, ending nearly two decades of rule by the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party.With 97% of ballots counted, Paz secured 54.5% of the vote in Sunday's run-off, according to figures released by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).Paz is scheduled to take office on November 8, succeeding outgoing President Luis Arce, who chose not to seek re-election after a five-year term marked by Bolivia's worst economic crisis in four decades.The country is currently grappling with a severe fuel shortage caused by collapsing gas exports and dwindling foreign currency reserves, which have pushed inflation above 23% and led to long queues at fuel stations.Paz's economic platform focuses on cutting government spending, particularly fuel subsidies, while encouraging private-sector expansion and implementing a model of "capitalism for all" based on decentralization and fiscal discipline before resorting to new borrowing.

Oil prices slipped in early Asian trading on Monday, weighed down by concerns over a potential global supply glut and renewed US-China trade tensions that have heightened fears of slower economic growth and weaker energy demand. Brent Crude futures fell $0.24, or 0.4%, to $61.05 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped $0.21, or 0.4%, to $57.33, erasing gains from the previous session. Both benchmarks declined more than 2% last week, marking a third consecutive weekly loss, following the International Energy Agency's warning of a growing supply surplus expected in 2026. Trade friction between the world's two largest oil consumers intensified after Washington and Beijing imposed additional port fees on vessels carrying goods between them — a tit-for-tat move that analysts say could disrupt global shipping flows and dampen demand for crude.

Qatar Chamber is participating in the 28th Arab-African Investment and International Cooperation Conference and Exhibition, which opened Sunday in Cairo. Board member and Chairman of the Food Security and Environment Committee, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Obaidly is representing the Chamber in the event, which addresses economic integration and opportunities for international partnerships. Held under the patronage of the League of Arab States, the conference serves as a strategic platform for fostering joint investments and forging international partnerships that support economic growth across Arab and African nations. The event brings together a high-level gathering of economic leaders, experts, policymakers, and investors from the Arab region, Africa, and the wider international community. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Al Obaidly said the conference comes at a critical time of economic momentum in the Arab and African regions, calling for enhanced cooperation and the establishment of meaningful public-private partnerships. He stressed that industry and investment are key engines of modern economies and essential pillars for sustainable growth. He also noted their strategic importance in addressing global economic challenges, diversifying economies, and creating job opportunities. Al Obaidly highlighted Qatar's strong focus on both industry and investment under its National Vision 2030, which aims to build a sustainable, diversified economy less dependent on hydrocarbons. He pointed to the development of advanced industrial and free zones, world-class infrastructure, and a range of investor-friendly policies in Qatar, including full ownership incentives, streamlined procedures, and broad support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Al Obaidly further noted the vital role Qatar's private sector plays in driving industrial and investment development, with Qatari companies successfully contributing to the country's production base and engaging in strategic projects both at home and abroad. He concluded by emphasizing the role of Qatar Chamber in supporting industrial investments, facilitating partnerships between Qatari and international business leaders, and promoting initiatives that enhance the business climate and attract investment.

The Qatar Chamber (QC) held on Tuesday the Qatari-Hungarian Business Meeting. The meeting was co-chaired by Mohamed bin Mahdi Al Ahbabi, QC Board Member, and Viktor Dombi, Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Region at the Foreign Economic Affairs Committee of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. His Excellency Eng. Ali bin Abdullatif Al Misnad, QC Board Member, also attended the meeting.Discussions focused on enhancing trade and economic relations between Qatar and Hungary, as well as exploring potential areas for cooperation and partnership between Qatari and Hungarian business communities, particularly in the sectors of construction, building materials, interior design, 3D architecture, smart furniture, digital architecture, and AI.Mohamed Al Ahbabi affirmed that the State of Qatar and the Republic of Hungary enjoy well-established relations across various fields, particularly in the economic and commercial domains. He noted that the volume of trade exchange between both countries reached about QR 375 million in 2024, highlighting the presence of several Hungarian companies operating in Qatar across diverse sectors, and the existence of numerous agreements signed between both nations in various fields.He emphasised that there is great potential for the private sectors of both countries to strengthen cooperation by establishing trade and investment partnerships that serve their mutual economic interests and help increase bilateral trade. He pointed out that there are many promising investment opportunities available in several economic sectors, especially those represented by the visiting delegation, including engineering, design, and construction.Al Ahbabi further noted that Qatar has developed an attractive investment environment in recent years, supported by modern legislation, world-class infrastructure, and incentives offered to foreign investors. These factors, he said, have made Qatar a preferred destination for international companies seeking stability and growth in the region.He invited the Hungarian business community to explore the vast opportunities offered by the Qatari market, particularly in industry, food security, tourism, renewable energy, technology, and logistics, among other promising sectors.His Excellency Eng. Ali Al Misnad affirmed that the Qatar Chamber welcomes cooperation between Qatari business owners and their Hungarian counterparts, noting the mutual interest of both sides in further developing their relations and expanding cooperation across various sectors, which will contribute to enhancing mutual investments and stimulating the volume of trade exchange.In turn, Viktor Dombi affirmed that Qatar has become a regional model of innovation and sustainability, praising the role of the Qatar Chamber in strengthening cooperation with the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and in promoting relations between the Qatari and Hungarian private sectors.Dombi highlighted the great potential and broad prospects for cooperation between companies from both sides across numerous sectors. He stressed the Hungarian side's commitment to supporting available cooperation opportunities and to overcoming any challenges that may hinder their development.He also expressed the Hungarian side's support for all initiatives aimed at enhancing partnerships between Qatari and Hungarian investors in fields such as agriculture, financial technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cosmetics, medical tourism, water management, and research.

Acting General Manager of Qatar Chamber (QC) Ali Bu Sherbak Al Mansouri, met on Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Chamber's headquarters, with the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the State of Qatar, Natalia Al Mansour. During the meeting, both sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation in the trade and economic fields, as well as the role of the Qatari private sector in promoting trade exchange between the two countries. The meeting also touched on the arrangements for holding the Qatar-Slovenia Business Forum in Doha in November, with the participation of a high-level Slovenian delegation, alongside a number of Qatari and Slovenian businesspersons and investors. Al Mansouri affirmed the Chamber's readiness to cooperate with the Slovenian side to further develop trade and investment relations between the two countries. He noted that trade exchange between both countries amounted to about QR 138 million in 2024, highlighting the mutual desire to enhance the role of the private sector in stimulating investments and boosting bilateral trade.