His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani took part in the National Sport Day activities held at Doha Golf Club on Tuesday morning. **media[415074]** HH the Amir played golf alongside players from various age groups, as well as members of the national golf team, underscoring His Highness's keenness to support the practice of sport, foster a culture of physical activity, and encourage members of society to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle **media[415076]**

Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United ‌Arab Emirates led regional states Monday in condemning Israel's move to ease settlement expansion and ‌widen its powers in the West ‍Bank, a step critics said went in the direction of annexing occupied land.Sunday's decisions by Israel's security cabinet will make it easier for ⁠Jewish settlers to buy land in the West ⁠Bank and give Israeli authorities more power to act in areas supposedly under full Palestinian control, two senior Israeli ministers ‍said.**media[415019]**One of them, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, said in announcing the decisions that the government would not allow the the idea of a Palestinian state.A joint statement by foreign ministers of Middle Eastern and some other Muslim countries, including Egypt and Turkiye, denounced the decisions as a violation of international law that would undermine the vision of a two-state solution as well as stability in the region.They said the moves meant to entrench Israeli settlement of the West Bank, displacing Palestinians and imposing unlawful Israeli sovereignty there. Annexing ‌the territory has long been a priority of far-right parties in Netanyahu's coalition.**media[415020]**Most nations have long backed the ⁠creation of a Palestinian state ‌alongside Israel as the best way to resolve the generations-old conflict and see the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, as the largest part of that future state.Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and Smotrich issued a joint statement explaining the decisions of the five-member security cabinet, which were not published in full.The security cabinet decided to repeal a law dating from Jordan's control of the West Bank before 1967 to make land registries public rather than confidential, and to remove a requirement for a permit from a civil administration office.They said these moves would make it easier for Jews to purchase land in the West Bank.Hagit Ofran from the Israeli settlement watchdog group Peace Now said the decision was barred by international law and represented a step towards annexation ​of the West Bank.**media[415021]**"The decision to ‌allow every Israeli the right to buy land in the West Bank without government approval, without inspection, is also another way of saying it's normal life. ⁠It's not occupied territories, it's like part of ‍Israel," she said.Annexation is opposed by US President Donald Trump, who last year said he would not allow Israel to carry out such a step."It's not going to happen," Trump, who is expecting Netanyahu at the White House for a meeting tomorrow, said in September.Katz and Smotrich also said the government had decided to expand monitoring and enforcement actions regarding water offences, damage to archaeological sites and environmental hazards to areas A and B of the ​West Bank.Under the Oslo interim peace accords of 1993, Area A was designated as under security control of the Palestinian Authority and Area B as under joint control with Israel. Most of the West Bank became Area C under full Israeli security control.Those changes could allow the Israeli military to carry out demolitions of Palestinian property and prevent Palestinian development not only in Area C but throughout the West Bank, Peace Now said in a statement.In Hebron, a West Bank city with extensive archaeological remains and a significant Israeli settler community, Palestinians voiced dismay at the decisions."It becomes easier to confiscate land, easier and faster to expand settlements and easier to ⁠demolish Palestinian homes," said Issa Amr, who heads an organisation in Hebron called Youth Against Settlements.

The Philippines has urged Qatar to expand its partnerships with Filipino exporters, noting that while the country counts more than 1,200 food exporters, only 250 currently supply the GCC market.Speaking at the Doha leg of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Outbound Business Matching Mission (OBMM) in the GCC during a B2B meeting with Qatar Chamber officials, Bianca Pearl R Sykimte, the director of the DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), said this gap “represents a vast opportunity for diversification and growth.”“With more than 1,200 food exporters, the Philippines has significant capacity. Yet GCC buyers, including those in Qatar, have so far tapped only 250 of our exporters, showing the vast opportunity to expand partnerships and diversify product offerings,” Sykimte pointed out during a presentation at the B2B meeting.Sykimte stressed that Philippine products “are well-positioned” to meet Qatar’s evolving consumer preferences, from premium tropical flavours to halal-aligned botanicals. She emphasised that the country’s exporters can deliver both novelty and authenticity to a competitive market.“Philippine ingredients such as ube, coconut, calamansi, and mango deliver exactly what today’s Qatari consumers are looking for — novelty, authenticity, and a distinctive taste experience that sets products apart in a competitive market,” she emphasised.Highlighting consumer trends, Sykimte noted that Qatari shoppers are increasingly drawn to plant-based, gluten-free, and clean-label snacks, areas where Filipino coconut-based treats and calamansi beverages align perfectly. Tropical flavours such as ube and pandan are already gaining traction across the region, she noted.“Qatari shoppers are increasingly choosing plant-based, gluten-free, and clean-label snacks. Filipino coconut treats like chips, rolls, and fruit-based snacks align perfectly with these preferences...we are already seeing ube-based products gaining traction across the region, proving their commercial viability,” Sykimte further explained.Beyond food, Sykimte announced that the Philippines is also positioning its botanicals in Qatar’s personal care market, where consumers value natural, halal-aligned, and climate-suited solutions. Ingredients such as moringa, pili oil, and rice bran oil were cited as tailored to the needs of Qatari consumers, including scalp care and hydration in hot climates, she noted.“Qatari consumers have specific needs shaped by climate and lifestyle, including sensitivity concerns, scalp care for women wearing the hijab, brightening and anti-pigmentation, hydration, and sensorial fragrance experiences. Filipino botanicals address these priorities.“Pili oil is an emerging premium ingredient recognised for deep hydration and barrier repair. It’s sourced from the pili tree, which grows abundantly in the volcanic soils of the Bicol region in the Philippines,” Sykimte also explained.Citing trade figures, Sykimte noted that Philippine agri-food exports to Qatar reached “$22mn” in 2025, with bananas accounting for “21%” and sauces and condiments contributing "about 14.7%.”“We believe these numbers can grow significantly if Qatar taps into the wider exporter base,” stated Sykimte, who also urged Qatari buyers to look beyond traditional categories and embrace the Philippines’ diverse offerings in food and personal care.