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Kuwait, Pakistan, Jordan, Kazakhstan and Lebanon won their respective group matches in the men’s section while Thailand, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and UAE did likewise in the women’s section to keep their hopes alive for qualifying for the next stage of the FIP Asia Padel Cup organised by the International Padel Federation (FIP) together with the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) and Padel Asia at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on Saturday.In the men’s section, Kuwait and Bahrain match was a keenly contested one with Kuwait winning it 2-1 to open their campaign on an emphatic note.Bahrain which had won the first match against Indonesia have lost one and won one, while Indonesia the third team in the group have lost the only match they have played so far.On Sunday, Kuwait take on Indonesia which will decide which of the team will make it to the last eight stage by virtue of being the group leader.In Group B, Pakistan got the better of China 2-1 and will face Thailand in their second match, which will also decide the group qualifier. Earlier on Friday China had defeated Thailand in the same group. In Group C, Jordan defeated Saudi Arabia 2-1 to start their campaign on a winning note and will face South Korea, who had earlier lost to Saudi Arabia.Jordan has one win from one match, while Saudi Arabia has lost one and won another, while South Korea has lost the lone match they have played so far. The group leader will be decided on Sunday.In Group D, the Lebanon and Kazakhstan clash will decide the group leader, both the teams have won two of their matches in the group while Japan and Philippines have lost both their matches. The four group winners will join the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Australia, and Iran in the Final 8, scheduled from October 20 to 24. In the women’s section in Group A, Thailand were given a tight fight by the hosts Qatar but managed to overcome the spirited challenge 2-1.In the three-team group, Thailand and Lebanon have both won their first-round matches of the group and the group leader will be decided on Sunday when Thailand and Lebanon meet in the crucial tie which will decide which of the two teams qualifies for the quarter-final stage of the championship.In Group B, Indonesia registered their second successive win to remain on top of the group with an all-win record. On Saturday they defeated Bahrain 3-0 while on Friday they had defeated Kuwait 3-0.On Sunday, Kuwait take on Bahrain in the Group B.In the Group C matches, Saudi Arabia defeated Pakistan 3-0 while UAE edged past China 2-1. For Saudi Arabia this was their second successive win having won against China on Friday. UAE also won their second match of the group and the group leader will be decided after the match between Saudi Arabi and UAE.The two clash on Sunday, while China meet Pakistan in the other match of the group.The four group qualifiers from the three groups will be joined by Japan, Australia, the Philippines and Iran have already qualified for the last-eight stage by virtue of their FIP Rankings.Seventeen teams Bahrain, China, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Thailand, UAE, Qatar, Australia, and Iran competing in the men’s section in the week-long championship, while fourteen teams Bahrain, China, Indonesia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, UAE, Qatar, Japan, Australia, Philippines, and Iran compete in the women’s section.ResultsMen's sectionGroup A: Kuwait bt Bahrain 2-1Group B: Pakistan bt China 2-1Group C: Jordan bt Saudi Arabia 2-1Group D: Kazakhstan bt Japan 2-1Group D: Lebanon bt Philippines 3-0Women's sectionGroup A: Thailand bt Qatar 2-1Group B: Indonesia bt Bahrain 3-0Group C: UAE bt China 2-1Group C: Saudi Arabia bt Pakistan 3-0Order of play (Sunday 19th October)Men’s matchesGroup A: Indonesia vs KuwaitGroup B: Thailand vs PakistanGroup C: Jordan vs South KoreaGroup D: Lebanon vs KazakhstanGroup D: Japan vs Philippines Women’s matchesGroup A: Lebanon vs ThailandGroup B: Kuwait vs BahrainGroup C: Saudi Arabia vs UAE Group C: China vs PakistanAll matches start at 3.00pmVenue: Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex

Aiming to acquire global insights, play a role in policy discussions, and strengthen its international credibility, Commercial Bank has participated in the 2025 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Institute of International Finance (IIF) in Washington, DC.The reception, hosted by the Qatari Banks on October 15 was attended by HE the Minister of Finance, Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari; HE the Governor of Qatar Central Bank, Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud al-Thani; as well as Board members, CEOs and senior executives of Qatari banks.Commercial Bank was represented at these meetings by Board Member, Mohamad Ismail Mandani al-Emadi; Group CEO, Stephen Moss; Executive General Manager and Chief Marketing Officer, Eiman al-Naemi; Executive General Manager, Chief Wholesale and International Banking Officer, Fahad Badar; Executive General Manager, Treasury and Investments, Parvez Khan; and Senior AGM and Head of ALM, Omran al-Sherawi.Throughout these meetings, Commercial Bank explored new business opportunities and strengthened relationships with leading banks across the region and globally, showcasing its leadership in digital innovation.Moss noted: “The innovative solutions we introduce and steps we take to support the growth of Qatar’s financial sector are further strengthened by the knowledge and connections we gain at the annual IMF and IIF meetings. These gatherings give us access to best practices and insights that we bring back home to Qatar and implement in the best way possible.”

Flights have resumed at Bangladesh's main airport in Dhaka, airport officials said, six hours after a fire in the cargo section delayed flights and halted operations on Saturday.The first flight departed at 9.06pm (1506 GMT), officials told reporters.The fire has been completely brought under control, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism said in a statement."Steps will be taken to identify the source of the fire and implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future," the ministry added.Operations at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were suspended after the fire broke out in the cargo section of the airport, with around 37 firefighting units working to douse the flames.The army, navy, and air force also joined the fire service in efforts to bring the blaze under control.Kabir Ahmed, president of the International Air Express Association of Bangladesh, said it was too early to estimate the exact losses, but that the overall impact - direct and indirect - on imports and exports could exceed $1 billion.Both domestic and international flights were affected.An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Dhaka was diverted to Kolkata, and an Air Arabia flight from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates was directed to Chittagong, about 250km southeast of Dhaka.This is the third major fire reported in Bangladesh this week. A fire on Tuesday at a garment factory and an adjacent chemical warehouse in Dhaka killed at least 16 people and injured others. On Thursday, another fire burned down a seven-storey garment factory building in an export processing zone in Chittagong.The interim government said all recent fires across the country are under thorough investigation, with security forces working to protect lives and property.It said any evidence of sabotage or arson would be met with a swift and decisive response and that no criminal act or provocation would be allowed to disrupt public life or the political process.

The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law (NCIHL) discussed avenues for enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest and developing mechanisms for coordination and integration between both sides.This came during a meeting hosted by the NHRC at its headquarters in Doha, attended by a delegation from the NCIHL, led by its Vice-Chairman Faisal Mohammed Al Emadi, along with several officials from both entities.The meeting discussed the interrelation between international humanitarian law and human rights approaches, in addition to highlighting the efforts of the NHRC in this field, particularly concerning human rights in armed conflicts and support for vulnerable and marginalised groups.Both sides agreed to sign a joint cooperation agreement following a study of shared priorities and annual projects that could be implemented, contributing to the development of coordination mechanisms.They also agreed to form a joint technical team to draft the agreement, which will result in a clear executive agenda for implementing activities and events related to the protection and promotion of human rights.

The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) has concluded its three-day ‘Training Programme – International Commercial Courts: Practice and Procedure’.Held at QICDRC’s headquarters in Doha, the course gathered lawyers and legal professionals whose practice involves, or aspires to involve, appearances before international commercial courts.With the participation of The Rt Hon The Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, alongside QICDRC judges and senior legal representatives, the programme offered participants valuable first-hand perspectives throughout the sessions.Designed to provide participants with practical insight into international commercial litigation, the programme explored in depth the procedural framework governing commercial and regulatory proceedings, with particular reference to the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Civil and Commercial Court and Regulatory Tribunal.Through a dynamic mix of lectures, group work, and interactive workshops, participants gained experience applying legal principles to real-world case scenarios and cross-border disputes.The training covered a wide range of key topics, including commencing proceedings and urgent applications; jurisdictional disputes, defences, and counterclaims; evidence, hearings, and oral advocacy; judgments, orders, costs, and enforcement; appellate procedures; and practice before the Regulatory Tribunal.Ethical considerations in advocacy before international courts were also addressed, giving participants practical experience in applying common law principles within a global context.All participants received official certificates of participation signed by The Rt Hon The Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, president; and Faisal Rashid al-Sahouti, CEO of QICDRC, during a special awarding ceremony. QICDRC remains committed to advancing the professional development of lawyers in Qatar and the wider region.

Australian cricket fans may have their last chance to see India batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in action when the pair tour in the one day international (ODI) series starting in Perth Sunday.Boasting almost 600 ODIs between them, both 36-year-old Kohli and 38-year-old Rohit are active internationally only in the 50-overs format but their future beyond the three-match series is uncertain. Head coach Gautam Gambhir was tight-lipped when asked this week whether the duo might continue on under new captain Shubman Gill, who leads the ODI squad for the first time in Australia.Rohit and Kohli last played for India in the Champions Trophy final in March in which they beat New Zealand.If Australia is to be their last taste of international cricket, it will be in front of crowds packed with fans from the country’s booming Indian communities in Perth, Adelaide (October 23) and Sydney (October 25). A number of Test players in the Australia squad, including batter Travis Head and veteran pacemen, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, will use the series to loosen up for the Ashes.It will Starc’s first start in international cricket in the Australasian summer, having retired from T20s.Marnus Labuschagne, a late call-up to replace injured all-rounder Cameron Green, will hope to convert his hot red-ball form into white-ball runs to continue building his case for an Ashes recall.Labuschagne was dropped from the Test side for the tour of West Indies but has roared back into contention with centuries in his last two Sheffield Shield matches for Queensland.Green’s injury was diagnosed as “low grade” but Australia are not taking any chances with him ahead of the Ashes, which start in six weeks. “Cameron Green has been ruled out of the (India) series having experienced low-grade side soreness at training this week,” Cricket Australia said.“Green will complete a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes.”Round three of the domestic competition is due to start on October 28. Labuschagne will join the ODI squad once the current Sheffield Shield round finishes this weekend.Cricket Australia said Friday Green had been ruled out of the ODI series after having “low grade side soreness” in training and would likely return to play in Shield cricket.The all-rounder joins Pat Cummins on the sidelines, with the regular skipper struggling to shake off lower back bone stress which has put him in doubt for the start of the Ashes.Australia will also be without regular wicketkeeper Alex Carey for the Perth opener against India along with spinner Adam Zampa.Josh Philippe will be behind the stumps, while left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann gets a rare chance in the one-day side in Zampa’s absence.The ODIs precede a five-match T20I series starting in Canberra on October 29 as both nations tune up for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.

The State of Qatar affirmed that its commitment to strengthening international cooperation and multilateral action is rooted in its national policies and plans. This came in the statement delivered by a member of the State of Qatar's delegation participating in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Dana Younis Darwish, before the Second Committee of the General Assembly on Item 18 entitled 'Sustainable Development,' at the UN headquarters in New York. Darwish explained that the State of Qatar presented its fourth Voluntary National Review in July and affirmed its continuous commitment to take ambitious measures at the national level to implement its comprehensive vision for Qatar National Vision 2030. She pointed out that the State of Qatar has achieved many developmental accomplishments in the fields of education, digital transformation and innovation, healthcare, social inclusion and protection, and environmentally friendly facilities, adding that Qatar achieved 82 indicators across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals, in addition to achieving national health coverage exceeding 95% and ranking among the top 20 countries globally in wage equality. She affirmed that Qatar continues to work effectively with multilateral agencies to enhance international cooperation, respond to crises, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. She added that the presence of 14 UN offices at the UN House in Doha embodies this close cooperation with international organizations to achieve common goals. The State of Qatar continues its pioneering role in providing humanitarian and development assistance at the bilateral and multilateral levels, Darwish added, giving top priority to promoting and protecting the right to education, particularly in emergency situations, within its international development and relief programs. Darwish explained that Qatar spent approximately $4.8 billion in foreign aid between 2020-2024, the majority of which was directed to the least developed countries through pioneering initiatives such as the Education Above All program, which has reached more than 10 million children in 60 countries. The State of Qatar is also a major investor in the Accelerator Labs initiative, with a contribution exceeding $30 million, in partnership with the UN Development Programme, with the aim of finding community-based solutions to development challenges, she pointed out. Dana Younis Darwish reiterated the State of Qatar's unwavering commitment to strengthening efforts at all levels to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and meet people's aspirations for sustainable and comprehensive development.

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has approved a new global competition set up by Norway Chess that will crown a “World Combined Champion” across three time formats – Fast Classic, Rapid and Blitz, organisers said Wednesday.The tournament series, called the Total Chess World Championship Tour, will feature four events a year in cities around the world, with the overall winner taking the FIDE title.A one-off pilot event is scheduled for late 2026 before the full championship season begins in 2027.“We are looking for the total chess player – a versatile, tactically intelligent and technically skilled athlete who adapts to multiple time controls,” Norway Chess CEO Kjell Madland said. “It will be a game-changer, both for the players and the fans.”“We expect this (Total Chess World Championship Tour), to become one of the most prestigious events in the entire chess calendar,” said Madland.He said that the World Championships, which is held in the Classical format, and the newly-conceptualised Total Chess World Championship Tour will complement each other as it had been officially approved by FIDE.“The new championship will not replace or affect any existing FIDE World Championship titles,” he said.GAMES SHORTENED TO 45 MINUTESThe Fast Classic format shortens traditional games to 45 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move – part of an effort to make chess more appealing for broadcasters and online audiences.The launch comes months after former world champion Magnus Carlsen, also Norwegian, unveiled a separate “Freestyle Chess” tour, which uses a randomised starting position inspired by Fischer Random chess.That tour has not been sanctioned by FIDE, highlighting tensions between the world governing body and independent organisers seeking to modernise the sport. World number one Carlsen, the undisputed world champion from 2013-23, opted out of defending his title citing a lack of motivation and focused more on Freestyle chess and faster time controls, winning the Esports World Cup title this year.FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich welcomed the initiative.“We are always looking for ways to innovate and push the boundaries of what chess can be,” he said Wednesday.“This new tour complements the traditional World Chess Championship and will attract both existing fans and new audiences.”Carlsen also reacted positively to the move.“This seems like a well-thought-out step to further develop chess. Bringing multiple formats together under a single title will provide a more complete view of the players’ strengths, while the time controls suit today’s players and audience,” he said.Norway Chess said it was inviting potential host cities, investors and partners to join what it called a long-term collaboration with FIDE.The Total Chess World Championship Tour will offer a prize pool of a minimum of $750,000 for each of the first three locations while the fourth event will award at least $450,000 to a four-player field.

His Excellency the Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari participated in the meeting of Arab Finance Ministers, alongside Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group and several finance ministers.The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, now taking place in Washington, DC. The meeting comes as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation with international financial institutions, exchange views on global economic developments, and explore opportunities to support financial stability and promote sustainable growth in the region.It aims to highlight the achievements of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in addressing global and regional priorities, and explore opportunities for cooperation across several actionable economic and financial sectors – contributing to the empowerment of both regional and global economic growth.The meeting also shed light on the attractiveness of the investment environment in GCC countries and the creation of high-quality opportunities across various sectors. In addition, it addressed the economic and development policies expected to be adopted as part of joint GCC efforts in the coming phase.

Lusail International Circuit (LIC) has officially opened volunteer registrations for the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025, set to take place from November 28 to 30, 2025. From October 12 until 25, 2025, nationals and residents aged 18 and above are invited to apply for a chance to be part of Qatar’s most anticipated international sporting event of 2025.Building on the success of last year’s volunteer program — which saw more than 600 participants from 40 nationalities, with a split of 55% male and 45% female volunteers, including 210 students contributing across key operational areas.This year’s edition promises to be even larger and more engaging, offering a range of exciting roles and first-hand experience behind the scenes of Formula 1.Volunteers will have the opportunity to work across several essential departments, including Events, Marketing, Communication, Ticketing, Sustainability, Fanzone and more, supporting the seamless delivery of the race weekend. Each volunteer will receive specialized training and on-ground experience, gaining unique insights into event management, motorsport operations, and large-scale hospitality.The initiative reflects LIC’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and local empowerment, providing nationals and residents with a chance to contribute directly to Qatar’s growing motorsport landscape. Through the volunteer program, LIC continues to foster national talent, promote inclusivity, and strengthen the circuit’s position as a self-sustaining venue driven by the passion and participation of the community.Applicants can register through the official volunteer sign-up link (https://events.lcsc.qa/volunteer/public/register). Selected volunteers will be contacted after the closing date for onboarding and training sessions.The Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025 is set to offer hundreds of volunteers an unforgettable weekend filled with racing, entertainment, learning, and culture; presenting an opportunity to be part of something truly special.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al Yahya and his Omani counterpart, Badr Al Busaidi, discussed the latest regional and international developments via phone on Sunday. During the call, they also addressed the close bilateral relations between the two countries and the frameworks for strengthening and developing them in various fields.

The State of Qatar affirmed its commitment to strengthening its international partnerships within the framework of international cooperation and multilateral action, and to support the efforts of developing countries in implementing and achieving the 2030 Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals. This is achieved by directing partnerships with UN agencies to provide development and humanitarian assistance to countries facing development challenges and disasters beyond their capabilities, in addition to partnerships with the UN to implement the outcomes of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries (2022-2031). This came in the State of Qatar's statement delivered by Second Secretary of Qatar's Permanent Mission to the UN Talal Abdulaziz Al Naama before the General Debate of the Second Committee during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, at the UN headquarters in New York. The Second Secretary of Qatar's Permanent Mission to the UN explained that developing countries face many challenges that hinder the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, noting that the world is witnessing wars and armed conflicts that have caused humanitarian disasters, displacement, and the destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods, in addition to the multiple risks to the lives of the most vulnerable groups. He added that the world is also witnessing the devastating effects of climate change and the resulting shocks and disasters that threaten the lives of millions of people. There are also economic challenges represented by the debt burden, scarcity of development financing, difficulty with borrowing, and the digital divide. Al Naama added that the State of Qatar welcomed the adoption of General Assembly resolution 79/323, entitled the Sevilla Commitment, last August. This resolution affirmed the need to continue reforming international financing structures and improving their effectiveness and flexibility to address current and future challenges and crises, and to strengthen national efforts to achieve economic and social development by creating a favorable international economic environment and effective means of implementation that encourage comprehensive and sustainable economic growth, and to recognize the right to development so that no one is left behind. He stressed that Qatar is making rapid strides in implementing Qatar National Vision 2030, noting the launch of its third phase at the beginning of 2024, which aims to build a diversified and sustainable knowledge-based economy, utilizing digital technology, science and innovation applications, strengthening infrastructure, increasing productivity and stimulating the business environment, with a focus on human development, caring for the family as the basic building block of society, expanding healthcare and social protection services, protecting the environment and building capacity to confront the effects of climate change. Al Naama added that Qatar will host the Second World Summit for Social Development in November, providing an opportunity for high-level dialogue on accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Qatar will also co-host with the Republic of Brazil the first meeting of the leaders of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty as a key event on the sidelines of the summit. He affirmed the State of Qatar's support for the UN Secretary-General's initiative to reform the international organization, and renewed support for the UN Resident Coordinator System for the 2025-2026 period with a total of $1 million, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level and assist countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.