tag

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani chaired the Cabinet's regular meeting, held on Wednesday morning at the Amiri Diwan.Following the meeting, HE the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi stated the following:At the outset of the meeting, the Cabinet commended the participation of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in the Sharm El Sheikh Summit for Peace, which was held on Monday in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. During the summit, His Highness participated in the signing ceremony of the agreement to end the war in Gaza, along with the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the President of the Republic of Turkiye, and the President of the United States of America.The Cabinet emphasized that His Highness's participation in the summit was the culmination of the State of Qatar's efforts, along with its partners, to end the war in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of its residents, and in adherence to its firm stance in support of the rights of the fraternal Palestinian people.The Cabinet voiced hope that the outcomes of the Sharm El Sheikh Summit for Peace would contribute to accelerating practical steps toward implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.The Cabinet extended its congratulations to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on Qatar's qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals.The Cabinet also congratulated the Qatari people, the national team, and its technical and administrative staff on this historic sporting achievement, which is proudly added to the country's list of achievements in various fields. It wished the team success in the upcoming stages of the tournament.On the other hand, the Cabinet voiced its sincere condolences to the families of the deceased Amiri Diwan employees who passed away while on duty in Sharm El Sheikh, praying for mercy for them, to inspire their families and loved ones with patience and solace, and a speedy recovery for the injured.The Cabinet then considered the topics on its agenda, where it decided to approve a draft law on international treaties and agreements, and refer it to the Shura Council. The draft law, which was prepared by the Ministry of Justice in light of Article 68 of the Constitution, aims to establish the general framework for regulating the procedures for concluding and joining international agreements and treaties, activating the roles of the competent authorities and clarifying the competencies, enhancing transparency and legal oversight, harmonizing national legislation with international obligations, and strengthening the state's position in its international relations.The Cabinet also approved a draft Amiri Decision on procedures for concluding international treaties and agreements and cooperation agreements in administrative and technical fields. The draft decision, prepared by the Ministry of Justice in coordination with the Council of Ministers Secretariat General, aims to establish executive procedures for the draft law on international treaties and agreements, define procedures for signing and joining, assign roles and responsibilities, strengthen mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of concluded agreements, and achieve maximum benefit from them in accordance with the purposes for which they were concluded.The Cabinet decided to join the agreement concluded under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of diplomatic training between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Diplomatic Institute) and the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania (Diplomatic Academy), a draft MoU for cooperation in the health field between the government of the State of Qatar and the government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, a draft agreement between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Kazakhstan on the transfer of convicts, and a draft MoU in the field of academic cooperation between the University of Doha for Science and Technology in the State of Qatar and Ankara University in the Republic of Turkiye.The Cabinet concluded its meeting by reviewing four reports and taking appropriate decisions regarding them. These include: the two annual reports for the years (2023, 2024) of the Permanent Committee for Industrial Area Affairs, the first semi-annual report for 2025 of the Permanent Water Resources Committee (PWRC), the national periodic report of the Ministry of Culture on the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions for the period (2020-2024), and a report on the results of the 11th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministers of Labour Committee (Kuwait - September 2025).

The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) announced that its president, Dr Salem Al-Naemi, has been awarded the honorary title of ‘International Ambassador for Social Responsibility’ by the Regional Network for Social Responsibility.The recognition celebrates Dr Al-Naemi’s exceptional and longstanding contributions to social responsibility and sustainable development, both nationally and across the Arab region, a statement said. The Regional Network for Social Responsibility is a professional non-profit organisation with global memberships in leading international institutions such as the UN Global Compact, the International Rehabilitation Organisation, and the International Union for Social Responsibility.Dr Al-Naemi was selected for the honour in recognition of his impactful leadership in embedding social responsibility principles within every institution he has served, it was explained.“This recognition is a reflection of the collective effort at UDST to champion social responsibility and sustainability,” Dr Al-Naemi said. “As educators and leaders, it is our duty to integrate these values into our academic and community initiatives, inspiring others to contribute to the well-being and development of society,” he added.During the ceremony in Doha, Prof Dr Ali al-Ibrahim, vice-president of the Regional Network for Social Responsibility stated that Dr Al-Naemi embodies the model of an academic leader who believes that education is not merely the transfer of knowledge, but a mission to build individuals, advance communities, and strengthen values.“Under his leadership, the University of Doha for Science and Technology has become a beacon of innovation, integrating education, social responsibility, and sustainability. Its initiatives have significantly contributed to national development, youth empowerment, and capacity building in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.”The recognition is part of the Network’s International Ambassadors for Social Responsibility programme, launched in 2014 to honour distinguished figures from around the world who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing social responsibility.With this accolade, Dr Al-Naemi joins a select group of Arab and international leaders recognised for their influence, dedication, and leadership in promoting ethical, inclusive, and sustainable practices at both the national and global levels, the statement added.

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour (MoL), Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman al-Thani, met with senior officials from Sweden’s labour sector during a visit aimed at enhancing bilateral co-operation and exchanging best practices in labour affairs. The meetings included discussions with Secretary-General of the Swedish Parliament, Ingvar Mattson; members of the Parliament’s Committee on the Labour Market; Director-General of the Swedish Work Environment Authority, Lars Loow; and Director-General of the Medlingsinstitutet, Irene Wennemo. The discussions focused on existing co-operation frameworks, strategies to improve the work environment, and ways to strengthen social protection systems for workers. Both sides explored mechanisms to deepen experience-sharing between Qatar and Sweden, especially in areas such as labour dispute resolution, occupational health and safety, and capacity building and training for labour sector professionals in Qatar.

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation met Monday with Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.During the meeting, the two parties discussed ways to enhance existing partnerships between EAA and Nigeria, to reduce the number of out-of-school children, and empower the youth through employment and training opportunities.

Qatar has expressed concern over escalating tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and the potential repercussions for regional security and stability.In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on both sides to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy, exercise restraint and work to defuse differences in ways that de-escalate the situation to achieve regional security and stability.The ministry reaffirmed Qatar’s support for all regional and international efforts to bolster global security and peace, underscoring its commitment to fostering security and prosperity for the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan.Saudi Arabia has also expressed concern over the tensions and clashes taking place in the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan.In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for restraint, avoiding escalation, and embracing dialogue and wisdom, which would help reduce tensions and maintain the security and stability of the region.The ministry affirmed its support for all regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability, and its continued commitment to ensuring security in order to achieve stability and prosperity for the Pakistani and Afghan people.

Qatar Foundation (QF)’s Pre-University Education has announced the opening of registration for the 2026 edition of its Akhlaquna initiative, including the Akhlaquna Award, which recognises youth and community projects that embody and promote ethical and human values in Qatar and beyond.Registration will continue until January 11, 2026. Applicants can apply across four established categories: the Junior Award (ages 7–14), the Youth Award (ages 15–18), Individual Contributions – Qatar, and Individual Contributions – GCC (ages 25–45). This year also marks the launch of a new category – the Al-Shabab Award – which aims to broaden participation and empower young people to showcase their initiatives.Al-Shabab Award highlights morally driven initiatives that create a positive impact on society. It is open to individuals and groups (aged 18–25), encouraging young people to present projects with a clear ethical dimension, whether developed individually or collaboratively.This year also marks the launch of the annual Akhlaquna campaign under the theme “Thank You”. The campaign seeks to foster a culture of gratitude, recognition, and meaningful appreciation, encouraging communities to practice thankfulness not only through words but also through actions and initiatives that strengthen social bonds.Ahmad Yousef al-Malki, project manager and member of the Akhlaquna team, said: “Over the years, the Akhlaquna initiative has become a cornerstone in encouraging ethical initiatives within our society. The initiative continues to provide a platform for highlighting and honouring projects that bring about positive change and inspire individuals to integrate moral values into their daily lives.”Speaking about this year’s campaign, al-Malki explained: “‘The theme of this year’s campaign, reflects QF’s vision of instilling a culture where gratitude and appreciation are not only expressed but also practised in ways that make a tangible impact. By promoting this value, we aim to strengthen relationships and encourage individuals to contribute positively to their communities.”“Our goal is to empower young people and the wider community to adopt ethical values as a guiding principle in their lives. By recognising and supporting them, we contribute to creating a growing impact that extends beyond the award itself, helping build a society where ethics and humanity shape our shared future.“We have high hopes for this edition, especially with the introduction of the new category. Our aim is to reach more young people committed to promoting ethical values and making a difference in their communities.“The Akhlaquna initiative aspires to leave a lasting legacy by encouraging ethical behaviour in society, inspired by the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and by honouring initiative leaders as role models for others.”As part of Akhlaquna activities, school visits and student engagement sessions were held across QF schools and beyond, introducing students to the award’s objectives and categories and encouraging them to participate with their ethical initiatives. These sessions also included the implementation of this year’s campaign, “Thank You”, through interactive and practical activities that strengthened the value of gratitude within the school environment and encouraged students to practice thankfulness in their daily lives, both inside and outside the classroom.More information about the Akhlaquna Awards is available at www.akhlaquna.qa

More than 20 world leaders to attendMediators to ink guarantee documentCaptives, prisoners to be freed MondayA Gaza ceasefire was holding for a third day Sunday, ahead of a proposed hostage-prisoner exchange and a summit aimed at charting a path to peace after two years of war.US President Donald Trump is among the more than 20 world leaders expected in Egypt's Red Sea resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh Monday for the Gaza peace summit co-hosted by his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. But neither Israel or Hamas will attend.Among those expected to attend are UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Jordan's King Abdullah II, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.Trump is due to arrive in Israel Monday to address the Knesset, the parliament, before traveling to Sharm El Sheikh for the summit.Egypt has said 21 nations will take part, with representation also expected from the EU and Arab League, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan, Indonesia, India and Germany, among others.Iran also said it received an invitation, but did not indicate whether it would attend.The mediating nations for the ceasefire deal in Gaza are to sign a document guaranteeing the agreement at the summit, a diplomatic source said."The signatories will be the guarantors -- (the) US, Egypt, Qatar and likely Turkiye," the diplomat said, after the Egyptian foreign ministry earlier said a document ending the war in Gaza was expected to be signed during the gathering.Israel expects all hostages held in Gaza to be freed early Monday, a spokeswoman for the prime minister's office said, adding that all surviving captives are to be released simultaneously."The living hostages are to be released together at one time to the Red Cross and transported among six to eight vehicles," Shosh Bedrosian told journalists.The initial stage of the ceasefire deal includes the release of 48 Israeli hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 Gazans held by Israel since the war broke out.An Israeli official said the Palestinian prisoners would be "released once Israel has confirmation that all of our hostages are across the border into Israel".A Hamas source close to the group's negotiating committee told AFP Sunday that it would not participate in governing post-war Gaza.More than 200 trucks carrying aid destined for Gaza, including six diesel fuel trucks and five carrying cooking gas, were unloaded Sunday at the Kerem Shalom crossing with the Palestinian territory.Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians poured back into a shattered Gaza City after the guns fell silent.

Pakistan rode on a brilliant 93 from Imam-ul-Haq to reach 313-5 after a brief fightback from South Africa on the opening day of the first Test in Lahore on Sunday.Shan Masood hit 76, but Haq missed out on his hundred and Pakistan slumped to 199-5 as four wickets fell quickly.Mohammad Rizwan, 62 not out, and Salman Agha, unbeaten 52 at the close, rebuilt the innings during an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 114 in the final session on a spin-friendly Gaddafi Stadium pitch.Rizwan hit two fours and two sixes in his 12th Test half-century while Agha had two fours and a six in reaching his 10th fifty.Pakistan dominated most of the first two sessions, but then had a mini-collapse from 163-1 to 199-5 as they lost four wickets for 36 runs, the last three without adding a run either side of the tea interval."We have batted us to a good position," said Haq, playing his first Test since December 2023."We must score over 400 to get us in a strong position. Regarding missing a hundred, that's always disappointing."Spinner Prenelan Subrayen trapped Masood lbw for 76, including nine fours and a six, to end a 161-run stand with Haq.Left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy then had Haq caught at short-leg by Tony de Zorzi, after a 236-minute knock that included seven fours and a six.Next ball - the last before tea - Muthusamy had Saud Shakeel caught and bowled to bring South Africa back into the game at 199-4.Local hero Babar Azam fell for 23, trapped leg-before by Harmer after the interval to make it 199-5 and leave a good 10,000 holiday crowd disappointed.South Africa could have been in a better position had they not dropped Masood on 61 and Haq on 72 with Subrayen the unlucky bowler on both occasions.South Africa spinner Simon Harmer hoped they could finish off the Pakistan innings quickly on day two."We had a good day and now need to take positives from today and keep Pakistan under 400," he said."That would be great because this pitch will take more spin as the match progresses," said Harmer, who had figures of 1-75.With the pitch likely to turn, Masood opted to bat after winning the toss and named specialist spin duo Noman Ali and Sajid Khan in the teamPakistan lost opener Abdullah Shafique leg before to pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada off the third ball of the day.South African captain Aiden Markram turned to his spinners in the sixth over and by lunch had used all three -- Subrayen, Harmer and Muthusamy.But there were no further dramas in the opening session as Pakistan reached 107-1 at lunch after Haq had brought up his 10th Test fifty.The two-match series is part of the new World Test Championship two-year cycle. South Africa won the title by beating Australia in June.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met Sunday with Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Qatar Walid Fahmy al-Faqi.The meeting discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries, as well as issues of mutual interest. The ambassador conveyed Egypt's condolences over the death of three members of the Amiri Diwan in a traffic accident in Sharm el-Sheikh while performing their official duties, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha, facilitated by the British embassy in Qatar, welcomed senior representatives from the UK’s Department for Transport, led by deputy director (International Relations) Simon Argyle, during an official visit to the showroom at The Pearl Island. The engagement served to further strengthen the longstanding relationship between the UK and Qatar, two nations united by a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and the advancement of ultra-luxury mobility. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha general manager Ayman Berjawi and his team provided the delegation an exclusive tour of the showroom, offering them a first-hand look at the marque’s latest portfolio, including the Rolls-Royce Spectre, the world’s first ultra-luxury electric super coupé. Spectre embodies the marque’s bold transition to electrification, combining effortless power, silent performance, and bespoke artistry. “We were delighted to welcome Mr Argyle and the delegation from the UK Department for Transport to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha,” Berjawi said. “This visit represents more than a meeting of minds; it is a reflection of our shared dedication to innovation, sustainability, and the enduring values of British craftsmanship.” “As we continue our journey towards an all-electric future, Spectre stands as a true expression of the marque’s vision for the future of ultra-luxury mobility,” he said. Argyle expressed his appreciation for the valuable insights and perspectives provided by the Rolls-Royce Doha team, particularly around electrification and the luxury automotive market. He commended the marque’s unwavering attention to detail, unique levels of personalisation, and leadership in sustainable innovation of both the vehicles and manufacturing operations, highlighting the development of the all-electric motor car, Spectre, and the environmental efforts at the home of Rolls-Royce. These qualities continue to define Rolls-Royce as the pinnacle of luxury, Argyle said, adding that the visit reaffirmed the enduring connection between the UK and Qatar, celebrating a mutual vision for progress, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of perfection.

The United States and Egypt's top diplomats reviewed preparations for a summit in Sharm El-Sheikh that will bring the two countries' presidents together with other leaders to discuss implementing the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal, likely Monday.US President Donald Trump and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi are expected to lead the summit, Egypt's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Saturday.Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday discussed arrangements for the gathering, including for "international participation in the Sharm El-Sheikh summit, as well as preparations for the implementation of the first phase of the (ceasefire) deal".Alongside the US and Qatar, Egypt has played a key role in mediating talks that eventually led to the latest ceasefire deal.French President Emmanuel Macron is set to travel to Egypt on Monday to back the deal, the Elysee Palace said, while Spain's Pedro Sanchez and Italy's Giorgia Meloni are also expected to attend.Earlier Trump had said he would meet a "lot of leaders" in Egypt on Monday to discuss the future of devastated Gaza.Israel has agreed to the truce plan put forward by Trump, and on Friday pulled troops back from several areas of Gaza, setting the clock in motion for hostages held by Hamas to be released within 72 hours.The head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Saturday he visited Gaza to discuss post-conflict stabilization and insisted no US troops will be deployed to the Palestinian territory.Admiral Brad Cooper wrote on X that he just returned from a trip to Gaza to discuss creation of a CENTCOM-led "civil-military coordination center" which will "support conflict stabilization."Meanwhile, Israel has begun transferring prisoners to two jails ahead of their release as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal.Under the truce deal Israel is supposed to release 250 prisoners, including some serving life sentences. In exchange, Hamas has until Monday to hand over its 48 remaining Israeli hostages -- living and dead.

More than 1 million had suffered power cuts in UkraineTwo killed, 20 people hurt, officials sayTransport delays and blackouts disrupt life in KyivRussia intensifies attacks on Ukraine's energyEmergency crews restored power to many parts of Ukraine after an overnight Russian drone and missile attack on Friday struck energy facilities, plunging large districts of Kyiv and other areas into darkness and cutting water supplies.In the latest mass attack targeting the energy system as winter approaches, electricity was interrupted in nine regions and over a million households and businesses were temporarily without power across the country.In southeastern Ukraine, a seven-year-old was killed when his home was hit and at least 20 people were injured.In Kyiv, an apartment block in the city centre was damaged by a projectile, while on the left bank of the Dnipro that divides the capital, crowds waited at bus stops with the metro out of action. People filled water bottles at distribution points."We didn't sleep at all," said Liuba, a pensioner, as she collected water. "From 2:30 a.m. there was so much noise. By 3:30 we had no electricity, no gas, no water. Nothing."Ukraine's energy ministry said more than 800,000 customers had at one point suffered power cuts in Kyiv.By Saturday morning, the private power company DTEK said electricity had been restored to most of Kyiv residents, but local problems remained. It said power had also been restored in areas outside the capital and in Dnipropetrovsk region in the southeast.Authorities reported Russian attacks in different parts of the country throughout Friday. An official in the northern Chernihiv region said one person was killed when a car belonging to the local energy utility was hit by a drone.Ukrainians are bracing for a tough winter, as the full-scale war launched by Russia's February 2022 invasion nears its fourth anniversary. Russia has intensified attacks on the energy system in recent weeks, striking power plants and gas production facilities, and local authorities are struggling with the scale of repairs."They can't demonstrate anything real on the battlefield... so they will attack our energy sector," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told reporters in Kyiv.Calling for more support from allies, he said that 203 main energy facilities in the country needed air-defence protection.Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk met G7 ambassadors and representatives of some of Ukraine's biggest energy companies to discuss how allies could help protect the country against further attacks and repair the damage."The blow is strong, but it is definitely not fatal," Zelenskiy said.Speaking later in his nightly video address, he said Putin had deliberately launched the attack when world attention was focused on the "valuable opportunity" to move towards Middle East peace after the ceasefire agreement in Gaza."This marks a new record of Russian depravity, to intensify terrorist strikes and target civilian lives at such a moment," he said.Ukraine's air force said it had downed 405 of 465 drones and 15 of 32 missiles in this attack. Ukraine's stretched air defences are no match for regular barrages on such a scale.According to Zelenskiy, Russia waited for bad weather to attack and the inclement conditions reduced the efficiency of Ukraine's air defences by between 20% and 30%.Russia said its overnight strikes were in response to Ukraine's attacks on Russian civilian facilities.Ukraine regularly launches drone strikes against Russia's military and oil installations, although they are generally on a far smaller scale. Kyiv says it wants to force Moscow to negotiate a peace deal in good faith.For many Kyiv residents, the day started with power cuts, disruptions in the water supply and transport delays."We had no power or water when I left my house. I can't get to work because the subway is not operating and buses are overflowing," Anatoliy, a 23-year-old student, told Reuters.Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said the assault was among the heaviest concentrated strikes on energy infrastructure and reported significant damage.Her deputy, Oleksiy Kuleba, said two million customers in Kyiv temporarily faced problems with water supplies.DTEK said its thermal power plants had suffered significant damage without providing details.