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Governor of the US State of West Virginia Patrick Morrisey walked back his statement in which he announced that two National Guard members had been killed in the shooting incident that occurred near the White House, saying that they were injured.Morrisey initially said that the guard members were from his state and had died, but he later walked that back, saying his office had received "conflicting reports" about their status."We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information," West Virginia Governor said in a post on X.US President Donald Trump said that the condition of the two National Guard members is critical.

The FBI said Thursday it had launched an international terrorism investigation after a gunman — identified as an Afghan national who served with US troops in Afghanistan — shot and critically injured two National Guard soldiers near the White House in Washington.The shooting, which officials described as an unprovoked, "ambush-style" attack, cast a grim shadow over the Thanksgiving holiday and triggered a hard-line, anti-immigrant response from President Donald Trump and some of his top law enforcement officials.In a brief video statement in which he called the shooting an "act of evil," Trump painted immigrants as an existential threat to national security and his administration ordered an immediate halt to the processing of immigration applications from Afghanistan."We must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here, or add benefit to our country. If they can't love our country, we don't want them," the president said.The US attorney for Washington DC, Jeanine Pirro, said the suspected assailant — identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29 — had been living in the western state of Washington and had driven across the country to the nation's capital.In what she called a "brazen and targeted" attack, Pirro said the gunman opened fire with a .357 Smith and Wesson revolver on a group of guardsmen on patrol Wednesday just a few blocks shy of the White House."One guardsman is struck, goes down, and then the shooter leans over and strikes the guardsman again. Another guardsman is struck several times," Pirro said.Both soldiers remained in critical condition on Thursday, while the suspected shooter was in detention in hospital. He was charged with three counts of assault with intent to kill — charges that Pirro said would immediately be upgraded to first-degree murder if one of the guardsmen died.Officials said they still had no clear understanding of the motive behind the shooting.CIA director John Ratcliffe said the suspect had been part of a CIA-backed "partner force" fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, and had been brought to the United States as part of a programme to evacuate Afghans who had worked with the agency.FBI director Kash Patel told reporters Thursday that officials were investigating any associates the suspect had either back home or in the United States."That is what a broad-based international terrorism investigation looks like," Patel said, without elaborating on what the precise terrorism motive might be.The incident brings together three politically explosive issues: Trump's controversial use of the military at home, immigration, and the legacy of the US war in Afghanistan.Trump has deployed troops to several cities, all run by Democrats, including Washington, Los Angeles and Memphis. The move has prompted multiple lawsuits and allegations of authoritarian overreach by the White House.In the wake of Wednesday's shooting, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced 500 more troops would deploy to Washington, bringing the total to 2,500. This despite a federal judge last week ordering a temporary suspension of the deployment on the grounds that it was likely illegal.The heads of the FBI, CIA and Homeland Security and other senior Trump appointees all insisted that Lakanwal had been granted unvetted access to the United States because of lax asylum policies in the wake of the chaotic final US withdrawal from Afghanistan under former president Joe Biden.But AfghanEvac, a group that helped resettle Afghans in the US after the military withdrawal, said they undergo "some of the most extensive security vetting" of any migrants.While Lakanwal had applied for asylum during the Biden administration, his application was approved under the Trump administration, the group said."This individual's isolated and violent act should not be used as an excuse to define or diminish an entire community," said its president, Shawn VanDiver.More than 190,000 Afghans have been resettled to the United States since the Taliban takeover, according to the US State Department. 

Qatar hosted Saturday the first Arab Cyber Exercise, held as part of the National Cyber Drill organized by the National Cyber Security Agency in its 12th edition under the theme "Cross-Border Attacks." The exercise, which brings together 21 Arab countries and the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers, aims to enhance joint co-operation among Arab states in the field of cybersecurity, strengthen collective action, and promote the exchange of expertise in a way that supports cyber readiness and digital security and stability in the region.On this occasion, General Director of the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), Ahmed Mohammed al-Hammadi stated that the nature of cross-border threats targeting the region's digital infrastructure has created a new security reality that requires specialised preparedness and proactive awareness.**media[384645]**Al-Hammadi emphasised that the scenario designed by the National Cyber Security Agency this year was crafted with great precision to account for the specific operational environments of official cybersecurity institutions and centers in each country.**media[384646]**He explained that National Cyber Drills in Qatar have been conducted since 2013 and serve as a benchmark for assessing the readiness of institutions and entities in responding to cyber risks. These exercises enhance institutional and economic development and have become an annual national practice and an important management tool aimed at identifying and addressing gaps, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of response and recovery strategies to minimize impacts on the society, the economy, and the sustainability of national stability.For its part, the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers affirmed the importance of the exercise in strengthening co-operation among Arab countries and exchanging expertise in cybersecurity as a strategic step toward advancing the region's cybersecurity ecosystem. The First Arab Cyber Exercise 2025 comes as part of a strategic approach to strengthening the joint Arab cybersecurity framework and confronting cross-border digital threats.

The 36th Annual Conference of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information (AFLI) will begin Sunday, at the Qatar National Library.The three-day conference, themed "Digital Justice and Arab Information Institutions: Strengthening Partnership, Sustainability, and Digital Transformation," will see wide participation from academic institutions, national and public libraries, and information professionals from across the Arab world.This year's conference aims to enhance the role of libraries in supporting equitable access to information, expand Arab cooperation, and bolster initiatives that unify efforts in digitization and sustainability. It also seeks to encourage Arab researchers to present rigorous and insightful studies that examine the region's experiences in achieving digital justice.The conference will address the digital divide related to language and culture through a comprehensive analysis of its challenges and opportunities. These studies will contribute to evaluating current efforts in the Arab world, offering practical recommendations to enhance Arabic digital content, solidify the principles of digital justice, and support the development of artificial intelligence applications that meet the growing needs of Arab societies.The conference is the largest annual Arab gathering of library and information professionals, bringing together experts, academics, and leaders of knowledge institutions to discuss the future of information and scientific research in the Arab world. More than 20 scientific sessions and workshops will showcase leading Arab experiences in artificial intelligence, open science, heritage digitization, and data governance.The first day of the conference includes an official opening ceremony followed by keynote sessions discussing the prospects for Arab publishing, achieving digital justice, and the transformation of information institutions toward the digital future. The accompanying exhibition, featuring organizations and institutions from various Arab countries, will also open.The event will feature 22 scientific sessions covering key themes in digital justice and the development of knowledge environments. Among these sessions are "Digital Justice and Universal Access to Knowledge in Information Institutions" and "Arab Efforts in Collecting and Making Intellectual Output Available and Developing Legislative and Regulatory Frameworks."It will feature presentations on digital justice experiences and practices through initiatives presented by the Qatar office, as well as a dedicated scientific session entitled "Sustainable Practices for Achieving Digital Justice," which will highlight mechanisms for ensuring sustainability in digital transformation projects and information equity practices.The conference will also include the presentation of the annual report of the AFLI, followed by the Federation's elections, as part of its concluding agenda aimed at strengthening professional governance and developing the framework for joint Arab action in the library and information sector.  

The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and the National Museum of Korea (NMK) are presenting the ‘Islamic Art: A Journey of Splendour’, which opened Saturday in Seoul, South Korea. The landmark collaboration marks the first comprehensive presentation of MIA’s world-renowned collection in South Korea, taking audiences on an extraordinary journey into the history of Islamic art and culture as it evolved in regions stretching from Spain to China.A press preview was recently held with the attendance of dignitaries and the directors and representatives of the MIA and NMK, including Qatar’s ambassador to Korea Khalid Ebrahim al-Hamar, MIA director Shaika Nasser al-Nassr, NMK director You Hong June, and Dr Mounia Chekhab Abudaya, deputy director of Curatorial Affairs at the MIA.On view through October 11, 2026, in the NMK’s World Art Gallery, the exhibition brings together more than 80 masterpieces spanning 1,400 years, including exquisite Quranic manuscripts, ceramics, glassware, textiles, scientific instruments, and objects from royal courts.It celebrates exceptional craftsmanship and creativity and the evolution of Islamic art across continents through trade, scholarship, and artistic innovation. “We extend our sincere gratitude to the National Museum of Korea for the partnership and warm collaboration that have brought this exhibition to life. Islamic Art: A Journey of Splendour reflects our commitment to nurturing cultural dialogue and mutual appreciation through the universal language of art.**media[384926]**“As we mark the 20th anniversary of Qatar Museums, this exhibition stands as a testament to our ongoing dedication to strengthening global exchange and understanding. Together, we celebrate the power of art to connect people and inspire understanding across borders,” said Shaika Nasser. The exhibition unfolds across three thematic sections that guide visitors through the spiritual, cultural, and artistic expressions of the Islamic world.It explores ‘Islam and Religious Art of Islamic World’, ‘The Embrace and Expansion of Islamic Culture’, and ‘The Islamic Courtly Culture and Manuscripts’. At the conclusion of the exhibition, visitors can experience a digitally reconstructed version of an 1817 Damascene reception room, recreated by MIA. Islamic Art: A Journey of Splendour will underscore the significance of Islamic art beyond its traditional geographic and cultural spheres, highlighting the shared values of craftsmanship, calligraphy, and heritage that resonate throughout the Islamic world and Korea.June said, “This exhibition is a meaningful opportunity to introduce Islamic art through our collaboration with the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha. I hope that visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the Islamic culture that flourished brilliantly across eras and regions, and that the exhibition will inspire reflection on the diversity of human cultures and the value of coexistence.” Curated by Abudaya and curator Kangmi Kwon, associate curator Hyeeun Kwon, and associate curator Youngwoo Kwon of NMK, the exhibition represents a rich collaboration between Qatar and Korea-based experts.**media[384927]**Abudaya delivered a lecture Saturday titled ‘A Journey of Splendour– Presenting Islamic Art from Doha to Seoul’ at the Education and Training Room of the NMK, and offered audiences a deeper understanding of the themes and highlights presented in Islamic Art: A Journey of Splendour. Islamic Art: A Journey of Splendour signals Qatar Museums’ ongoing commitment to cultural exchange and international collaboration through initiatives like Years of Culture, which connect Qatar with partner nations for ongoing exchange.It is also presented as part of Evolution Nation, an 18-month campaign honouring Qatar’s cultural journey over the past 50 years since the founding of the National Museum of Qatar, and 20 years since the founding of Qatar Museums.Curated by Qatar Creates, the national movement positioning Qatar as a global hub for art, culture, and creativity, Evolution Nation highlights both the nation’s cultural milestones and its aspirations for the future. For more information, visit https://mia.org.qa/en/calendar/islamic-art-a-journey-of-splendor/.

The "National Development Forum: Social Development Pillar," organised by the National Planning Council (NPC) under the theme "Sustaining Prosperity in Qatari Society," discussed key priorities in social development, including strengthening family cohesion, safeguarding cultural identity, promoting social integration, enhancing quality of life, and advancing cultural and social tourism as contributors to national progress.The panel featured Her Excellency Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr al-Nuaimi, His Excellency Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani, His Excellency Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim al Mahmoud, and His Excellency Chairman of Qatar Tourism Saad bin Ali al-Kharji.The session stressed that progress under the Third National Development Strategy is reflected not only in economic indicators but also in the resilience of Qatar’s social fabric. Speakers highlighted expanding family support, improving health and wellbeing, and strengthening cultural participation. His Excellency Secretary-General of the National Planning Council Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak al-Khalifa reaffirmed that Qatar National Vision 2030 places the family at the heart of sustainable development.

The first consultative session to prepare the National Human Rights Action Plan (2026-2030) convened in Doha Sunday. The session was attended by His Excellency the President of the Supreme Judiciary Council and President of the Court of Cassation Dr Hassan bin Lahdan al-Hassan al-Mohannadi, His Excellency the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali al-Mohannadi, His Excellency the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi, His Excellency the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi, Her Excellency the Minister of State for International Co-operation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad, and Her Excellency the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah al-Attiyah. Also attending were several officials and representatives of government agencies and national institutions, as well as a top tier of experts and representatives of civil society. The session is intended to weigh in on the key themes of this action plan, identify challenges and gaps, and listen to the attendees' views and feedback that would literally help prepare a holistic plan that reflects the community's needs and aspirations. **media[382705]** Overall, the session features deliberations that highlight the priorities for the upcoming period within the national framework for human rights. In her opening remarks, HE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairperson of the national committee for preparing the National Human Rights Action Plan Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad welcomed the participants, affirming that their participation underscores Qatar's enduring commitment to the values of human dignity, justice, equality, and the rule of law, values that essentially shape the essence of Islamic Sharia, Qatar's Permanent Constitution, and Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030). The preparation of this plan is neither a procedural action nor a tradition the world simply intends to pursue, but rather a national vision that expresses the collective will to bolster the system of rights and freedoms and the principles that place humans at the core of development and its aims, HE al-Misnad underscored. She added that from this position the plan, which needs invaluable contributions in terms of preparation and execution, represents a practical road map that primarily aims to transform values into legislation and policies and principles into measurable realistic practices, and at the end of the day human rights become a guiding approach in planning and crafting public policies in a variety of fields. **media[382706]** The move, she adds, comes in the wake of accelerating challenges the world is witnessing today in terms of climate change and digital transformation, as well as the resulting complexities that affect people’s lives and daily affairs. HE al-Misnad noted the Doha Political Declaration issued at the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025, which underscores the inextricable link between achieving social justice and reinforcing respect for human rights. The declaration, she said, calls for a rights based approach to shaping and advancing social policies, upholding the rule of law and good governance, ensuring unencumbered access to justice, and building effective institutions. It also emphasizes broadening community participation for all stakeholders so that development remains human centered, affirming that social protection is a right, not a largesse. This plan represents an opportunity to translate the substance of the Declaration at the national level and to embody the nation's commitment to social justice and the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs anchored in human dignity, justice, and solidarity both domestically and within the international community, she points out. She further noted that the committee responsible for drafting this plan is laser focused on ensuring that the drafting process is grounded in five core principles, chiefly the universality, indivisibility, complementarity, and interdependence of human rights. This is literally the approach that binds their promotion, protection, and fulfillment to the shared religious, human, constitutional, and international values that underpin them, and to transparency and openness in sharing information and assessing the current landscape with all its achievements and challenges, and to broad based partnership and community participation through the engagement of state institutions, civil society, the private sector, academia, the media, and all stakeholders, reaffirming the principle of leaving no one behind, she outlines. Al Misnad stressed that institutional integration is essential to ensure the effective execution of the agreed upon actions, supported by continuous follow up and periodic evaluation to refine performance and safeguard the sustainability of the gains that have been achieved. In addition, Her Excellency expressed her profound belief that these five principles serve as a springboard for crafting a realistic, actionable, and impact sustained National Plan, one that stands in lockstep with QNV2030, which places the human being at the core of development, and with the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, which foregrounds good governance, human empowerment, and the preservation of social justice within a balanced national framework. The aspiration is for this plan to emerge as a unifying document that captures the shared vision of both the nation and society and becomes a national role model rooted in rights based planning, Her Excellency noted. She elaborated that the success of these consultative sessions hinges on engagement, constructive criticism, unencumbered reflections, inspiring ideas, and insightful proposals. This collective input, she highlights, will flip the script from mere textual commitments to a results driven plan whose impact is concrete in people’s lives, not confined to rhetoric. Al Misnad extended her profound gratitude to all partners from ministries, governmental and national bodies, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector for their support and their engagement that is capped by success. Her Excellency further extended her profound gratitude to global partners for their steadfast engagement and for lending depth to this national endeavor, affirming that she looks forward to the outcomes of their constructive dialogue that confidently redound to the benefit of the cherished nation and valued society. Through collective effort, human rights are firmly anchored within the nation and the future of the coming generations is safeguarded, she stated. The assigned committee underscored that convening this session forms part of a participatory approach that reinforces transparency and ensures the broad inclusion of all relevant stakeholders in shaping the plan. This aligns with the Permanent Constitution of Qatar, QNV2030, the Third National Development Strategy, and international human rights standards. The committee noted that the session reconvenes Monday to continue discussions on the remaining pillars of this plan. It adds that additional thematic and forward looking sessions are held to guarantee the engagement of all segments of society in the formulation process, a step intended to ensure that no one is left behind and that the effort is capped by success in every conceivable way.

His Excellency the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the President of the National Planning Council (NPC), Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, attended Sunday the second "National Development Forum: Social Development Pillar," organised by the NPC under the theme "Sustaining Prosperity in Qatari Society" at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.The forum was attended by a number of ministers and senior officials, along with leaders from the private sector, representatives of civil society, and local and international institutions operating in Qatar.The forum constitutes a national platform for discussing the pillar of social development, and the role of family, society and national identity in supporting the path of national prosperity.

The biggest oil company in the United Arab Emirates has secured a key European approval that brings it a step closer to completing a €12bn ($14bn) takeover of Covestro AG, part of a global deals push to create a natural gas and chemicals leader.Abu Dhabi National Oil Co won a conditional European Union go-ahead for the proposed buyout after addressing regulators’ concerns around state subsidies. The European Commission said on Friday that an offer from Adnoc to maintain Covestro’s intellectual property in Europe, as well as concessions around state guarantees, had settled earlier concerns, with the commitments valid for 10 years.The deal will be the largest takeover of a European firm by a Middle Eastern company and marks the region’s ambitions in employing its hydrocarbon wealth to build international networks. Adnoc and regional rival Saudi Aramco are snapping up liquefied natural gas supply contracts to feed growing trading arms.The Gulf countries are betting that demand for natural gas and chemicals will continue to grow as inputs for power and building blocks for consumer goods like the plastics, packaging and lightweight materials that go into mobile phones, computers and cars. Adnoc’s offer would be a cash injection into an industry that’s suffering falling prices and slack margins, hurting profit across the chemicals sector in Europe.The planned purchase of Covestro would give Adnoc control over a German company that supplies materials for some of the world’s most prominent phone and carmakers. Adnoc would own Covestro through its investment unit XRG, set up in last year as the company’s international platform for natural gas, chemicals and energy solutions.A year ago, Abu Dhabi launched the high-profile energy investment firm hoping to deploy billions of dollars on deals around the world. The company had early successes with gas deals in the US, Africa and central Asia. XRG’s biggest effort yet fell apart in September when the firm dropped its planned $19bn takeover of Australian natural gas producer Santos Ltd. It bounced back with a deal announced last week to explore buying into an LNG project in Argentina.In July, the commission, the EU’s antitrust arm, opened a full-scale investigation into the Covestro deal under tough new foreign subsidies rules. EU officials warned at the time that Adnoc’s state funding may have given it an unfair advantage over rivals with less-deep pockets, concerns that were allayed during negotiations between the parties.“Commitments offered by Adnoc effectively address the potential negative effects by allowing market participants to access key Covestro patents in the field of sustainability,” EU competition chief Teresa Ribera said in a statement. “Clear, pre-defined access to these patents will enable others to innovate and advance research in an area that is critical for Europe’s future.”Adnoc also transferred to XRG its holdings in four subsidiaries listed on the Abu Dhabi stock exchange in September. The transaction will bolster XRG’s balance sheet by providing it with cash flows from companies with total market capitalisation of nearly $120bn.

Forest ranger Daouda Bamba is in no doubt about who the apex predator is in Ivory Coast's Comoe National Park, ravaged by war and unrest between 2002 and 2011. "The most dangerous animal here is man," the lieutenant said, while at the head of a 10-strong patrol on the lookout for hostile intruders. Founded as a big game reserve in 1926, Comoe long ranked among Africa's most beautiful natural parks. Tourists flocked by the thousands to catch a glimpse of its elephants, lions, leopards and herds of antelope and hippopotamuses. But that status came under threat during Comoe's lost decade, when the government abandoned the park during the west African country's two civil wars, leaving its rich fauna and flora at the mercy of looters and poachers. Yet while Bamba's militia still has to guard against the threat of unscrupulous humans, Comoe has made strides towards recovering from its close brush with destruction in the years since. On a rare reporting mission to the reserve in Ivory Coast's far northeast, near the border with militant-riven Burkina Faso, an AFP team saw antelopes frolicking, clans of barking baboons and families of warthogs with snouts to the ground across its vast and nigh-on-pristine expanse. "We're seeing lots of animals. The park's getting better," said Bamba, one of 160 rangers working for the Ivorian Parks and Reserves Office (OIPR) in Comoe. "Since we upped our game in 2016, the animals have been at peace. They don't run away all the time, which means they're not being hunted anymore." **media[381929]** However, the Kalashnikov slung over Bamba's shoulder, as well as the truncheons and tear gas grenades hanging from the rangers' belts, are hints that not all is well in paradise. "When we catch intruders, it often leads to a brawl," the lieutenant said. "Three major threats hang over the park," Bamba said, namely "poaching, illegal gold mining and unlawful livestock herding". Nearby, one of his deputies tinkered with a drone, a useful tool when tasked with detecting human activity across the park's 11,500 square kilometres. Often, however, the rangers have to resort to old-school means. "Our day-to-day is spent on foot. We're on the lookout for smoke from a fire, tracks from bicycles or motorcycles, or vultures circling overhead," said Bamba. In 2024, 125 people were arrested in the park, including 105 gold diggers and 18 poachers, according to the OIPR. Raynald Gilon's voice trembled as the old bushman remembered Comoe's glory days. "We had a fabulous era here. The wildlife was magnificent," said the grizzled Belgian, who has spent half a century guarding the park. Hyenas and red hartebeest roamed its sun-baked savannahs, while Nile crocodiles and fishing eagles alike plunged into the waters of the Comoe River, which gave the park its name. Comoe welcomed "up to 6,000 to 7,000 tourists each season, most of them Europeans who arrived here by plane", he remembered. At the park's northwest point, the dusty Kafolo Safari Lodge's crumbling stone entrance and abandoned blue-bottomed swimming pool serve as a reminder of that bygone age, long left to rot. When the crisis began in 2002, the park found itself deep within territory controlled by the rebels who were fighting to overthrow then-president Laurent Gbagbo. With the rangers forced to flee, the park was left exposed to the whims of the poachers, gold diggers and farmers. "It was a massacre, a real ransacking," lamented Raynald Gilon. "Everyone was taking part in the looting, including the rebels who claimed to be protecting it!" Within a year of the war's outbreak, Unesco added the park to its list of endangered World Heritage sites. "The Comoe park nearly died," he said. 'TARGET OF GREED' When Ivory Coast's crisis ended in 2011, the new government worked to fix the damage done, pouring funds into equipping and training up guards tasked with flushing out the poachers. "All of this allows us to really monitor the park and restore peace and quiet for the wildlife," said Commander Henri Tra Bi Zah, one of the park's managers. Those efforts bore fruit. In 2017, Unesco removed Comoe from its endangered heritage site list, in a first for an African park. Three herds of elephants have been spotted, with a total of 200 individuals, while the chimpanzee has made a comeback. Although the lion and the African wild dog are both believed to be locally extinct, leopards, spotted hyenas and even the caracal cat are a common sight in Comoe. Antelopes and buffalo number by the thousands. **media[381930]** That said, those hoping to catch a glimpse of the park's rarer beasts have to venture deep into the savannah, often while braving thick swarms of biting tsetse flies, the AFP team observed. While insisting that the "biggest problem" of illegal gold mining has been "contained", Commander Tra Bi Zah warned that the park "is still the target of greed because it is brimming with resources". Nearby villagers seem to be respecting the park's boundaries. "Hand on heart we can't enter. If they catch you in there, you'll go straight to jail," said a farmer from Bambela, whose hut lies just a few metres from the edge of the savannah. The OIPR even has hopes to revive tourism to make the park "a driving force for socioeconomic development" in the Ivorian northeast. Those hopes, however, are complicated by the park's proximity to Burkina Faso, which is locked in conflict with fighters linked to Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State group. Western governments have advised against all travel to the region as a result. That said, no militant has been arrested or even spotted recently in the park, according to security sources questioned by AFP. A new hotel has sprung up in Kafolo to welcome humanitarian workers, civil engineers or even the odd foreigner passing through, its walls adorned with hunting trophies from the big game era of yore. "The park is struggling to recover from the disaster... The revival is fragile," said local deputy Abdoulaye Karim Diomande. "But the OIPR is making great strides. The future looks bright."

Under the patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chairman of the National Planning Council, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani the "National Development Forum: Social Development Pillar" will be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center on Sunday.Organized by the National Planning Council (NPC) under the theme "Sustaining Prosperity in Qatari Society," the forum is part of a series of National Development Forums organized by the National Planning Council to foster open national dialogue on the priorities of the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030), contributing to the realization of the aspirations of Qatar National Vision 2030 into tangible national outcomes.The forum will be attended by their excellencies the ministers, senior officials and representatives from the private sector, civil society and local and international organizations operating in the State of Qatar. It will serve as a national platform to discuss the pillar of social development and the role of family, community, and national identity in supporting the path of national prosperity.A panel discussion at the forum will feature HE Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi; HE Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani; HE Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud; and HE Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, Saad bin Ali Al Kharji.This panel discussion will highlight the importance of developing a cohesive society where individuals enjoy a high quality of life and thrive on a spirit of participation and shared responsibility. The first theme of the discussion, "Continuing to Improve the Quality of Life for All Citizens and Residents," will review national efforts to enhance the quality of healthcare, expand social protection, support vulnerable groups, and promote active and healthy lifestyles for all.The second theme, "Strengthening Family and Community Cohesion for a Balanced and Resilient Life," will discuss the importance of family support policies and community initiatives that promote social cohesion and empower individuals to contribute to building a more resilient and balanced society.The third theme, "Preserving Qatari Culture and Identity in a Vibrant, Cohesive, and Open Society," will focus on the fundamental role of national culture, creativity, and heritage in strengthening Qatari identity and fostering a positive openness to the world. It will also highlight efforts to enhance Qatar's position as a leading cultural and tourist destination.HE Secretary-General of the National Planning Council, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa stated that the forum underscores the importance of the family as the cornerstone of building a cohesive society that achieves the desired social progress within an environment that ensures a high quality of life. He emphasized that Qatar National Vision 2030 and successive national development strategies have consistently placed social development and the family at the heart of their development policies.He affirmed that ongoing, structured community dialogue is a fundamental pillar of the National Planning Council's work, noting that social progress is the cornerstone of the nation's prosperity."Through the National Development Forum on the pillar of social development, we emphasize that social welfare is not an end in itself, but rather a foundation for sustainable prosperity and a key driver for achieving Qatar National Vision 2030," His Excellency added.This forum embodies the National Planning Council's commitment to fostering a culture of dialogue and partnership among all stakeholders in development, and to unifying national efforts towards a more prosperous and sustainable future, where comprehensive development is an investment in and for people.

The third season of the Al Shaqab League, Qatar’s premier showjumping competition – began Thursday. The championship is dedicated to nurturing young talent and elevating the standards of the national equestrian scene.The first day of Round 1, held at the Longines Indoor Arena, featured four exciting classes — Intro 2 (60 cm), Future Champions (110/115 cm), Junior Champions (120/125 cm), and Youth Champions (130/135 cm) — as riders competed under Optimum Time and Table A formats.Khalid Sanad al-Naimi, Event Director, at Al Shaqab, said: “The Al Shaqab League represents our enduring commitment to empowering Qatar’s emerging riders and providing them with a pathway to achieve excellence in equestrian sport. Each season reflects our vision of shaping a new generation of athletes who combine skill, discipline, and passion — embodying Al Shaqab’s mission to inspire, educate, and elevate.”Building on the success of its previous editions, the Al Shaqab League serves as a unique platform that bridges local development with global ambition, offering riders of all levels — from juniors and amateurs to professionals — the opportunity to compete, learn, and excel in a world-class environment that reflects the highest standards of the sport.This season will span four main rounds, with the first round also being held today and Saturday. The second round will be held on December 26 and 27, while the third round is scheduled for April 17 and 18, 2026. The final round will be held on May, 21 and 23, 2026.