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His Excellency the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi met in Bangkok with Thailand's Vice-Foreign Minister, Vijavat Isarabhakdi. The meeting discussed bilateral co-operation and ways to strengthen and advance it, besides issues of mutual interest.

Her Excellency Minister of State for International Cooperation, Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, met Wednesday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Zambia, Mulambo Haimbe, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development, currently held in Doha.Discussion during the meeting focused on cooperation relations and ways to support and strengthen them, in addition to several issues of mutual interest.

Gold prices rose on Wednesday, as bargain hunters stepped in after bullion dropped to a near one-week low in the previous session, while focus was also on the US private payroll data for cues on future interest rate cuts.Spot gold rose 0.8% to $3,961.85 per ounce. Bullion fell more than 1.5% on Tuesday, hitting its lowest since Oct. 30.US gold futures for December delivery rose 0.2% to $3,970.10 per ounce.Bullion hit a record high of US$4,381.21 on Oct. 20, but has fallen close to 10 percent since then.Elsewhere, spot silver rose 1.2 percent to US$47.68 per ounce, platinum gained 0.1 percent to US$1,537.10, and palladium climbed 0.2 percent to US$1,394.75.

His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, met on Monday with the President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj, on the sidelines of the Second Global Summit for Social Development 2025, currently underway in Doha.The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and explored ways to strengthen cooperation between Qatar and Albania. They also exchanged views on issues featured on the summit's agenda, as well as other topics of mutual interest.The Second Global Summit for Social Development 2025 brings together heads of state, government representatives, and international organisations to explore strategies for promoting inclusive growth and advancing social welfare worldwide.

Gold prices declined on Monday, weighed down by a stronger US dollar as investors scaled back expectations for further Federal Reserve interest rate cuts following hawkish remarks by Chair Jerome Powell last week. Easing US-China trade tensions also pressured bullion.Spot gold fell 0.8% to $3,968.76 per ounce, while US gold futures for December delivery slipped 0.5% to $3,978.30 per ounce. The US dollar held firm near its three-month high reached last week, making the greenback-priced metal more expensive for holders of other currencies.The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates on Wednesday by 0.25 percentage point, marking its second rate cut this year, bringing the benchmark overnight rate to a target range of 3.75%-4.00%. Among other precious metals, spot silver dropped 0.5% to $48.41 per ounce, platinum eased 0.1% to $1,566.40, and palladium declined 0.6% to $1,424.88.

Fed widely expected to cut interest rate amid moderate inflationBank of Japan likely to maintain current policy rateTrump set to meet Xi at APEC summitThe US dollar rose to a more-than-two-week high against the yen on Monday at the start of a packed week of global trade negotiations and central bank meetings.The Australian dollar climbed as signs of progress in trade talks between the US and China bolstered demand for higher-yielding assets. The Japanese yen slid to record lows against the euro and Swiss franc.US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday, where the pair will decide on the framework of a trade deal hashed out over the weekend. And while Trump is travelling in Asia, the US Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut its policy interest rate after moderate inflation figures on Friday."Looking ahead we think that dollar firmness is likely to remain in the near term," Mahjabeen Zaman, head of foreign exchange research at ANZ, said on a podcast. "Fed cuts are fully priced in for October and December meetings. So if anything, any cautious communication from the Fed would likely be more supportive for the US dollar."The dollar rose 0.1% to 153.03 yen and touched 153.26, the strongest since October 10. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against select peers, was little changed at 98.90.The euro was steady at $1.163, while the common currency strengthened to as high as 178.13 yen, an all-time high. The Swiss franc reached 192.27 yen, also a record.Sterling strengthened 0.1% to $1.3327. The Aussie gained 0.4% versus the greenback to $0.6541.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said trade talks on the sidelines of a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur have eliminated the possibility of the US imposing 100% tariffs on Chinese imports starting November 1.Bessent also said he expects China to delay implementation of its rare earth minerals and magnets licensing regime by a year while the policy is reconsidered."We've obviously had a pretty risk-positive start to the week, given the weekend news on the various trade discussions," said Ray Attrill, head of foreign exchange research at National Australia Bank. "At the moment, I'd say positive risk sentiment is still, at the margin, playing negatively for the US dollar."Trump and Xi are due to meet on Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, to sign off on trade terms. Ahead of that, Trump visits Japan from Monday and will hold a summit the following day with the nation's new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi.The Fed is widely expected to lower its current benchmark interest rate of 4% to 4.25% by another quarter percentage point when it decides on policy on Wednesday, a view supported by tamer-than-estimated inflation data on Friday.With that rate move already factored into asset prices, markets are likely to be more sensitive to any forward-looking language from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, with the central bank expected to cut rates further at its next meeting in December.In Japan, the central bank is likely to debate this week whether conditions are ripe to resume rate hikes as worries about a tariff-induced recession ease.Most analysts expect the Bank of Japan to keep its policy rate steady at 0.5% at the October 29-30 meeting. Prime Minister Takaichi has called for BOJ cooperation in achieving inflation driven more by gains in wages.

Gold prices edged lower on Thursday, weighed down by a firmer dollar as investors looked forward to key US inflation data later this week for more cues on the interest rate path. Spot gold slipped 0.3% to $4,082.95 per ounce, while US gold futures for December delivery rose 0.8% to $4,097.40 per ounce. Prices have surged about 56% since January, touching an all-time high of $4,381.21 per ounce on Monday. The rally has been driven by a mix of economic uncertainty, expectations of interest rate cuts, and strong buying by central banks across the world. Spot silver fell 0.4% to $48.31 per ounce, extending its decline after reaching record highs earlier this month. Platinum slipped 1.4% to $1,598.65 per ounce, while palladium also dropped 1.4% to $1,438.47 per ounce.

South Korea's central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged Thursday to maintain financial stability amid a red-hot housing market and a weakening currency. In a widely expected decision, the Monetary Policy Board of the Bank of Korea (BOK) held its key rate steady at 2.5% during its rate-setting meeting in Seoul. But its policy room has been limited as surging home prices in Seoul and nearby areas have fueled household debt. The government has rolled out a series of measures to cool the real estate market. Most recently, the government designated 21 additional districts in Seoul as speculative zones, bringing all 25 districts in the capital under tougher regulations. The local currency has fallen well below 1,420 per dollar, its lowest level in months, amid the continued strength of the US dollar and uncertainties surrounding tariff negotiations with the United States, and a rate cut could further weaken the won and trigger capital outflows. The local currency opened at 1,431.8 per dollar Thursday, down 2 won from the previous session. Thursday's decision left the gap between South Korea's and the US' key interest rates at up to 1.75 percentage points. At its September meeting, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate.

Gold prices surged to a new record high above $4,100 on Tuesday, driven by growing expectations of US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts and renewed US-China trade tensions that spurred safe-haven demand. Silver also rallied to an all-time high. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $4,124.79 per ounce, after touching a record $4,131.52 earlier in the session. US gold futures for December delivery gained 0.3% to $4,143.10. The precious metal has climbed nearly 57% since the beginning of the year, breaking above the $4,100 mark for the first time on Monday. The rally has been underpinned by geopolitical and economic uncertainty, expectations of monetary easing, robust central bank purchases, and strong inflows into gold-backed exchange-traded funds. Spot silver advanced 0.3% to $52.49 per ounce, after earlier hitting $52.70. Among other precious metals, platinum rose 0.5% to $1,653.45 per ounce, while palladium added 1.6% to $1,498.25, its highest level since May 2023.

Gold and silver prices surged to new record highs on Monday, driven by strong safe-haven demand amid renewed trade tensions between the United States and China, as well as expectations that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates. Spot gold rose 0.7% to $4,044.29 per ounce, while US gold futures for December delivery advanced 1.6% to $4,062.50. Silver climbed 2% in spot trading to a record $51.52 per ounce, extending its recent rally. Gold, which yields no interest, has gained 54% so far this year, supported by anticipation of lower borrowing costs and increased geopolitical uncertainty. Among other precious metals, platinum rose 2.6% to $1,628.80 per ounce, while palladium gained 2.6% to $1,442.06.

His Excellency Minister of State for Interior Affairs, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohammed Al-Thani met Thursday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Paraguay Ruben Ramirez Lezcano, who is visiting the country. Discussion during the meeting dealt with several topics of mutual interest. The two sides also discussed ways to enhance cooperation and develop joint work mechanisms between the two friendly countries. Following the meeting, a bilateral agreement was signed between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Paraguay, stipulating mutual exemption from entry visa requirements for holders of ordinary passports. This agreement aims to strengthen bilateral relations and facilitate travel between the two countries. The agreement was signed for the State of Qatar by the Minister of State for Interior Affairs, and for Paraguay by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This agreement is part of the State of Qatar's efforts to strengthen its international relations and facilitate travel procedures for its citizens, contributing to supporting bilateral cooperation and cultural, tourism, and economic exchange between the two countries.

His Excellency Amiri Guard Commander Lieutenant General Staff Hazza bin Khalil Al Shahwani met on Monday at Barzan Camp with the Ambassador of the French Republic to the State of Qatar, Arnaud Pescheux, on the occasion of assuming his new duties. During the meeting, they discussed topics of mutual interest and ways to enhance and support them. Senior Amiri Guard officers were in attendance.