tag

The International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza announced this morning that the Freedom Flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip was attacked by Israeli occupation forces. "The Israeli army attacked the Freedom Flotilla in international waters, 120 nautical miles (220 km) from Gaza," the committee said in a post on X. This comes after the Israeli occupation seized 42 ships belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla last Wednesday when they sailed in international waters toward Gaza. Hundreds of international activists were arrested on board and transferred to Ketziot Prison in the south, before the entity announced the start of their deportation.

Alfardan Group, one of Qatar’s most distinguished family-owned conglomerates, has announced a strategic evolution of its corporate identity.As part of this transformation, local operations within Qatar will now be managed under the newly branded Alfardan Corporation while international operations will be consolidated under Alfardan International, marking a clear distinction between domestic and global business activities.This pivotal change comes as the company continues to build on its rich heritage while accelerating its regional and international expansion plans.The rebranding reinforces the company’s ambition to build on its longstanding legacy and position itself for future growth across diverse industries.“Our new identity reflects both where we come from and where we are headed,” said Omar Hussain Alfardan, Managing Director of Alfardan Corporation and Alfardan International.He added: “Alfardan Corporation and Alfardan International mark a new chapter in our journey - one rooted in tradition yet driven by excellence, innovation, and global partnerships”.Despite the change in name, Alfardan’s core values and dedication to the highest standards of service, quality, and integrity remain unchanged.Alfardan has built a strong reputation over the decades through its diverse portfolio, which includes jewellery, exchange, property, automotive and heavy machinery, hospitality, investment, marine services, medical, and agriculture.This transition aims to strengthen the company’s unified brand identity within Qatar while amplifying its position in international markets.Furthermore, all existing operations and contracts under Alfardan Group will continue without any impact on business activities, ensuring the same distinguished standards of quality and service that the Group has long been known for.The new company identity will be gradually introduced across all official platforms, marketing materials, and communications, with full implementation in October 2025.

Ahead of the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix 2025, Lusail International Circuit (LIC) has launched the Qatar GP Educational Tour, a program that aims to empower youth by highlighting how LIC contributes to the development of motorsport in Qatar, while also creating pathways for youth to engage with its community and benefit from the activities it offers.The initiative is designed to connect students with the excitement and innovation of motorsport. Through it, students will gain a deeper understanding of the significance of LIC and its role beyond hosting world-class events. It aims not only to foster a passion for motorsport but also aligns with the broader objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.Kicked off on 25 September at Multaqa, Qatar Foundation, the tour is visiting universities and schools in Qatar until November 15 under the tagline “From the Track to Your Campus.” Through interactive experiences including VR pit stop challenges, STEM-based activities, quizzes, and photo opportunities, the programme gives students a hands-on introduction to the world of Formula 1.The initiative is rooted in education, designed to showcase the learning value of motorsport by connecting themes of technology, innovation, and real-world application directly to students. Through the Qatar GP Educational Tour, students will immerse themselves in a 1:1 virtual reality simulation of LIC, featuring the newly unveiled 2025 Qatar Grand Prix Show Car livery and the experience of being on one of the two tracks in the world that hosts all three premiere motorsporting events, including the Formula 1, MotoGP, and the Qatar 1812 km World Endurance Championship.Alongside this experience, they will take part in interactive activities—including quizzes and STEM-based challenges,enhancing knowledge not only about LIC itself but on how the teams in Formula 1 structured and the technicalities behind its races.The Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025 takes place from November 28–30 at LIC. Tickets are selling quickly, with discounts available for students and senior citizens, and free admission for up to four children under 12 when accompanied by a paying adult as part of the “Family Friday” offer for holders of General Admission Tickets. For more information about the pre-event activities and ticket sales, visit the circuit’s website.

The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has put the finishing touches to a challenging three-day route for the Qatar International Baja, taking place on November 6th-8th. The event is the seventh round of the FIA World Baja Cup, round three of the FIA Middle East Baja Cup and the sixth and penultimate round of the FIM Bajas World Cup. The iconic ‘Way to the World Cup’ landmark on Doha Corniche will be the backdrop for start and finish formalities for the first time. With a reputation as being one of the most demanding Baja events on the international calendar, the event offers tricky navigation, varied desert terrain and a mixture of gravel, rocky and sandy surfaces to ensure that drivers, navigators and riders are fully focused from the outset. Running under the chairmanship of QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, QMMF’s Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad and board member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari, the event runs to a traditional Baja-type format with a short Prologue determining the starting order for the first of two stages in a total route of 773.83km through the Qatar desert. Administration and technical scrutineering will be based at the Lusail International Circuit on Tuesday, November 4th and Wednesday, November 5th. The circuit will also host the pre-event press conference at 18.00hrs on November 5th. Competitors will then tackle the opening Prologue of 10.66km, located 31.51km from the Lusail International Circuit, from 12.30hrs (first car 13.45hrs) on Thursday, November 6th. Teams and members of the media will then transfer to Doha for the ceremonial start by the ‘Way to the World Cup’ landmark from 18.20hrs (bikes) and 19.00hrs (cars). In a route devised by Clerk of the Course Pedro Almeida, his deputy Rashid Al-Sulaiti and their team, the opening stage on Friday, November 7th will be split into three timed parts of 67.38km, 32.32km and 118.55km by a pair of non-competitive neutralisation sections. The first bike starts the stage at 07.45hrs (first car - 09.40hrs) with all competitors tackling the same stage. Second stage action on Saturday, November 8th will be split into five timed sections of 35.14km, 12.05km, 33.35km, 39.95km and 108.31km by four neutralisations. The first bike will be live on stage at 07.15hrs (first car - 09.10hrs). The stage will finish in the spectacular dunes of the Sealine area of southern Qatar for the first time since the event replaced the Qatar Cross-Country Rally in 2022. Competitors will then return to the Doha Corniche and the ‘Way to the World Cup’ landmark for the post-event press conference (19.30hrs) and the podium ceremony and prize giving from 20.00hrs. The Baja is now an established event in the FIA and FIM calendars. The X-Raid Mini JCW Rally 3.01 crew of Denis Krotov and Konstantin Zhiltsov are the defending champions in the FIA Ultimate category. Last year, Anja Van Loon and Floor Maten prevailed in the Challenger section in a Can-Am Maverick X3, João Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro topped the SSV standings in a Can-Am XRS Turbo RR and Abdullah Al-Rabban and Hassan Ali Obaid guided a Nissan Patrol to Stock honours. Emirati Mohammed Al-Balooshi (KTM) recorded his second win in four years on two wheels and Saudi Arabia’s Hani Al-Noumesi (Yamaha) won the quad class. Entries close at reduced rates on October 8th with a final cut-off set for October 22nd. Full details on the generous concessions being offered by the QMMF are available in the event’s Supplementary Regulations. Entrants in the FIA categories from the GCC will be offered a shipping allowance of $3,000, with international entrants receiving $6,000. Flight ticket allowances extend to $800 per GCC crew and $1,600 for overseas competitors. FIM entrants will receive $1,500 and $3,000 for shipping, respectively, and $400 or $800 towards air travel. Accommodation in a twin room for five nights with breakfast is available to FIA and FIM competitors, in addition to 5000 QAR start money for entries received before the first cut-off (2500 QAR – FIM) and 4000 QAR (2000 QAR – FIM) thereafter until the closure date. For further event information, competitors and teams can contact Davy Patterson, Competitor Liaison Officer (CRO), Email: [email protected] and WhatsApp: +44 7980 613944. For general information about the 2025 Qatar International Baja, contact the Qatar Motor and Motor Cycle Federation (QMMF), P.O. Box 8708, Doha, Qatar, Tel: + 974 443 79885, Fax: + 974 443 79732, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] and www.qmmf.com

Israeli navy intercepts last boat in Gaza aid flotillaBut new flotilla now on its wayIsraeli foreign ministry says four Italians deported, others in process of being deportedTens of Italians demonstrate in solidarity with flotillaFar-right minister describes activists as 'terrorists'The Israeli military intercepted the last boat in an aid flotilla attempting to reach blockaded Gaza on Friday, a day after stopping most of the vessels and detaining some 450 activists including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg.The organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla said the Marinette was intercepted some 42.5 nautical miles (79 km) from Gaza. Israeli army radio said the navy had taken control of the last ship in the flotilla, detained those aboard and that the vessel was being led to Ashdod port in Israel.In a statement, the Global Sumud Flotilla said Israeli naval forces had now "illegally intercepted all 42 of our vessels-each carrying humanitarian aid, volunteers, and the determination to break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza".However, in another attempt to challenge Israel's naval blockade, a new flotilla comprising 11 vessels was attempting to make its way to Gaza on Friday, organisers said, including a vessel carrying medics and journalists.A live-tracker shared by the organisers showed the boats sailing southeast in the Mediterranean between the Greek island of Crete and Egypt, while live footage from one of the boats showed activists chanting for a "Free Palestine".A camera broadcasting from the Marinette showed someone holding up a note saying "We see a ship! It's a war ship", before a boat is seen approaching and soldiers boarding. A voice is heard telling the people on board not to move and to put their hands in the air.An Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the boat's status. The flotilla, which set sail in late August, marked the latest attempt by activists to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of the territory.Israeli foreign ministry had said the flotilla was previously warned that it was approaching an active combat zone and violating a "lawful naval blockade", and asked organisers to change course. It had offered to transfer aid to Gaza. The Israeli foreign ministry on Friday said that four Italians had been deported. "The rest are in the process of being deported. Israel is keen to end this procedure as quickly as possible," it said in a statement. All the flotilla participants were "safe and in good health", it added.The Italian government identified the four Italians as parliamentarians who would fly back to Rome on Friday.Pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets in cities across Europe as well as in Karachi, Buenos Aires and Mexico City on Thursday to protest the flotilla's interception.On Friday, tens of thousands of Italians demonstrated, as part of a day-long general strike called by unions in support of the flotilla.During a visit to Ashdod on Thursday night, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was filmed calling the activists "terrorists" as he stood in front of them."These are the terrorists of the flotilla," he said, speaking in Hebrew and pointing at dozens of people sitting on the ground. His spokesperson confirmed the video was filmed at Ashdod port on Thursday night.Some activists are heard shouting "Free Palestine".Cyprus said one of the flotilla boats had docked in Cyprus with 21 foreigners aboard. Crew from the vessel, "Summer Time", said it was an observer mission carrying doctors and journalists."Nobody has the right to be a pirate of the sea and enforce whatever they want to do and I think we are equal," Palestinian crew member Osama Qashoo told journalists.Israel faced international condemnation and protest after it intercepted all of the 40 or so boats in the flotilla and detained more than 450 activists from different countries.Israel has faced widespread global condemnation over the war in Gaza, and is defending itself against charges of genocide in the International Court of Justice.

The Royal Grammar School Guildford Qatar (RGSGQ), one of the leading British international schools in Qatar, proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, marking a decade of nurturing the next generation of leaders and achievers within a vibrant, inclusive community. Since opening its doors in 2016, RGSGQ has carried forward more than 500 years of academic excellence from its parent school, the Royal Grammar School Guildford in the UK, while fostering an inclusive and forward-looking environment in Qatar. As part of a global family of schools spanning Dubai, Nanjing, Muscat, and most recently in Bengaluru, RGSGQ is united by enduring values of respect, scholarship, courage, inclusivity, integrity, and collaboration. Within this ethos, curiosity and character flourish—preparing students for both academic success and personal growth. Over the last ten years, RGSGQ has welcomed families from more than 40+ nationalities. The school delivers an enriched curriculum, combining a strong foundation in traditional academics with innovative teaching practices delivered by British-trained teachers that prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow. With smaller class sizes and a nurturing approach, the school ensures each child thrives, and feels supported and valued. Academic progress has been a hallmark of RGSGQ’s journey. Student achievements across IGCSEs, A Levels, and BTEC have consistently strengthened year after year. Graduates now study at major universities worldwide in disciplines such as medicine, engineering, business, aeronautics, and the arts. To honour the school’s 10th founding year, RGSGQ will host a series of celebratory events bringing together students, alumni, families, and staff. These occasions not only commemorate a successful decade but also reaffirm the school’s mission—to deliver an outstanding education that nurtures minds, builds character, and equips students to thrive in an ever-changing world. “This anniversary is not just about reflecting on how far we’ve come—it’s about celebrating the limitless opportunities ahead for our students. We are proud to carry the legacy of the Royal Grammar School Guildford as we continue shaping the leaders of tomorrow here in Qatar,” said Mrs Fiona Scott, Principal of RGSGQ. With a decade of distinction behind it, RGSGQ steps confidently into the future—committed to academic excellence, innovation, and community spirit.

Flotilla is latest attempt to break Israel's blockade of GazaOrganisers say unidentified vessels approached, military came on boardBoats had expected to reach Gaza on ThursdayIsraeli military personnel intercepted an international flotilla trying to deliver medicine and food to Gaza and boarded its boats as it approached the war-ravaged enclave.Some 20 unidentified vessels were seen approaching the flotilla earlier on Wednesday night, multiple people on board said, as passengers put on life vests and braced for a takeover."Our vessels are being illegally intercepted. Cameras are offline and vessels have been boarded by military personnel. We are actively working to confirm the safety and status of all participants on board," organisers of the flotilla said in a post on X.The Global Sumud Flotilla, which consists of more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, is trying to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, despite repeated warnings from Israel to turn back. It is within 90 nautical miles of the war-ravaged Strip, inside a zone that Israel is policing to stop any boats approaching.A live video feed from one of the boats in the flotilla showed passengers in life vests sitting on deck.It is not clear if all the boats had been intercepted or stopped. Some passengers said their vessels continued to advance.Organisers remained defiant. "We will not be intimidated by threats, harassment, or efforts to protect Israel's illegal siege on Gaza," they said in an earlier statement.The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment about intercepting the vessels.The Israeli foreign ministry earlier said its navy had reached out to the flotilla to warn it was approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful blockade, and asked them to change course.The ministry said that it reiterated the offer to transfer any aid peacefully through safe channels to Gaza.It is the latest sea-borne attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, much of which has been turned into a wasteland by almost two years of war. The flotilla had been hoping to arrive in Gaza on Thursday morning if it was not intercepted.This was the second time the flotilla was approached on Wednesday. Before dawn, the mission's organisers said two Israeli "warships" had approached fast and encircled two of the flotilla's boats. All navigation and communication devices went down in what one organiser on board described as a "cyber attack". A video post on the flotilla's Instagram page showed the silhouette of what appeared to be a military vessel with a gun turret near the civilian boats.Reuters confirmed that the video was filmed from the flotilla, but could not confirm the identity of the other vessel in the video or when the video was taken. Last week the flotilla was attacked by drones, which dropped stun grenades and itching powder on the vessels, causing damage but no injuries. Israel did not comment on that attack, but has said it will use any means to prevent the boats from reaching Gaza, arguing that its naval blockade is legal as it battles Hamas in the coastal enclave. Italy and Spain deployed naval ships to help with any rescue or humanitarian needs but stopped following the flotilla once it got within 150 nautical miles of Gaza for safety reasons. Turkish drones have also followed the boats.Italy and Greece on Wednesday jointly called on Israel not to hurt the activists aboard and called on the flotilla to hand over its aid to the Catholic Church for indirect delivery to Gaza - a plea the flotilla has previously rejected.At the press conference held by organisers on Wednesday, Francesca Albanese, the top UN expert on Palestinian rights, said any interception of the flotilla "would be yet another violation of international law, the law of the sea" since Israel had no legal jurisdiction on waters off Gaza.Israel has imposed a naval blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control of the coastal enclave in 2007 and there have been several previous attempts by activists to deliver aid by sea.In 2010, nine activists were killed after Israeli soldiers boarded a flotilla of six ships manned by 700 pro-Palestinian activists from 50 countries. In June this year, Israeli naval forces detained Thunberg and 11 crew members from a small ship organised by a pro-Palestinian group called the Freedom Flotilla Coalition as they approached Gaza.

Flotilla is latest attempt to break Israel's blockade of GazaActivists say Israeli vessels approached, jammed communicationsBoats expect to reach Gaza on Thursday, if not interceptedIsrael says flotilla has provocative, not humanitarian aimsThe international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza said Israeli vessels approached some of its boats and engaged in "dangerous and intimidatory manoeuvres" on Wednesday as it neared the Palestinian territory.The mission's organisers said two Israeli "warships" had approached fast and encircled two of the flotilla's boats, Alma and Sirius. All navigation and communication devices went down in what one organiser on board, Thiago Ávila, described in a press conference as a "cyber attack".The flotilla appeared to have recovered some communications. Israeli officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment."These hostile actions placed unarmed civilians from over 40 countries in grave danger," the flotilla said in a statement.The Global Sumud Flotilla consists of more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 people, among them parliamentarians, lawyers and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.It is the latest sea-borne attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, much of which has been turned into a wasteland by almost two years of war, to deliver food and medicine.The boats have reached within 120 nautical miles of Gaza's coast, inside an area that Israel is policing to stop any boats approaching.The flotilla said it would continue its course towards Gaza and expects to arrive on Thursday morning if not intercepted.It was unclear who operated the vessels that approached the flotilla. A video post on the flotilla's Instagram page showed the silhouetted outline of what appeared to be a military vessel with a gun turret near the civilian boats.Reuters confirmed that the video was filmed from the vessel Sirius because its rigging and lines matched file imagery of the boat. Reuters could not confirm the identity of the other vessel in the video or when the video was taken.Last week the flotilla was attacked by drones, which dropped stun grenades and itching powder on the vessels, causing damage but no injuries.Israel did not comment on that attack, but has said it will use any means to prevent the boats from reaching Gaza, arguing that its naval blockade is legal as it battles Hamas in the coastal enclave.Italy and Spain deployed naval ships to help with any rescue or humanitarian needs but stopped following the flotilla once it got within 150 nautical miles (278 km) of Gaza for safety reasons. Turkish drones have also followed the boats.Italy and Greece on Wednesday jointly called on Israel not to hurt the activists aboard and called on the flotilla to hand over its aid to the Catholic Church for indirect delivery to Gaza - a plea the flotilla has previously rejected.Israeli officials have repeatedly denounced the mission as a stunt."This systematic refusal (to hand over the aid) demonstrates that the objective is not humanitarian, but provocative. They are not seeking to help, they are seeking an incident," Jonathan Peled, the Israeli ambassador to Italy, said in a post on X.At the press conference held by organisers on Wednesday, Francesca Albanese, the top U.N. expert on Palestinian rights, said any interception of the flotilla "would be yet another violation of international law, the law of the sea" since Israel had no legal jurisdiction on waters off Gaza.Israel has imposed a naval blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control of the coastal enclave in 2007 and there have been several previous attempts by activists to deliver aid by sea.In 2010, nine activists were killed after Israeli soldiers boarded a flotilla of six ships manned by 700 pro-Palestinian activists from 50 countries.In June this year, Israeli naval forces detained Thunberg and 11 crew members from a small ship organised by a pro-Palestinian group called the Freedom Flotilla Coalition as they approached Gaza.

Khalil bin Ahmed al-Mohannadi, President of the Qatar, Arab and Asian Table Tennis Federations and First Vice-President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), has officially filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, to contest the ITTF presidential elections.Al-Mohannadi described the case as one of “fraud and violation of democratic legitimacy”, echoing media reports that labelled the election outcome the “steal of the century”.The elections, held in Doha in May, ended with al-Mohannadi leading 98–87 in votes cast by national federation representatives present in the hall. However, Swedish candidate Petra Sorling gained an unexpected 17-4 advantage through remote electronic voting, tipping the final result. Al-Mohannadi rejected the validity of the 21 electronic ballots, noting that the number had originally been set at 16. The sudden increase, he said, shocked the General Assembly.In a statement released by the Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) Tuesday, al-Mohannadi emphasised that the 2022 General Assembly in Doha — where 185 federations voted in person — reflected the true will of the membership. He stressed that administrative decisions or internal ITTF procedures should not override the democratic mandate, calling any such move “a violation of the essence of the electoral process and its credibility before the international sports community.”Responding to ITTF President Sorling’s recent remarks that “the file has been closed” and “the elections have been decided”, al-Mohannadi called the statements “misleading and inaccurate”. He pointed out that the ITTF’s internal arbitration decision is not final and remains under review by CAS.Al-Mohannadi underlined that the legal process will remain open until the ITTF General Assembly in London in 2026, where federations will again have the chance to vote. He pledged to pursue all available legal avenues “to defend transparency and protect the rights of member federations”, stressing that the dispute is not personal but “a legal and moral duty toward the global table tennis family”.He also warned against attempts to mislead federations into believing the case is settled, calling such claims a “deliberate distortion of legal reality”. He reaffirmed that the QTTA, alongside allied federations, will continue efforts until CAS delivers its final ruling.“Table tennis is bigger than any administrative or political dispute,” al-Mohannadi concluded, adding that safeguarding democratic legitimacy within the ITTF is “a collective responsibility to protect the future of the sport and its global reputation”.

South Korea on Tuesday reaffirmed its "consistent" goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. "Denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula is the consistent goal of the international community, including South Korea and the United States," South Korea's foreign ministry said. The ministry stressed that the UN has also been calling for North Korea to denuclearize through a series of Security Council resolutions, according to (Yonhap) news agency. Addressing a general debate of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday, North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong reiterated North Korea's position that it will never give up its nuclear program "under any circumstances." He said imposing denuclearization is "tantamount to demanding (North Korea) surrender sovereignty and its right to existence." The ministry said Seoul will continue its diplomatic efforts to achieve peaceful coexistence and mutual growth through comprehensive dialogue under close coordination with the US.

The Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah International Energy Awards for Lifetime Achievement will recognise six exceptional individuals at its 2025 edition at a high-profile ceremony in Doha on October 22.The awards honour global leaders for their outstanding lifetime contributions to the advancement of energy and sustainable development.Each honouree is carefully selected by an independent international committee of experts, ensuring that the Awards remain one of the most respected accolades in the industry.Previous winners of the award include His Excellency the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi; the 69th United States Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson; the creator of the Dated Brent benchmark (now the world’s most important crude oil marker) John Kingston, and Professor Michael Grätzel, a pioneer of molecular photovoltaics who first demonstrated that mesoscopic photosystems based on molecular light harvesters can efficiently convert light into electricity.Speaking ahead of the event, His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, Chairman of Al-Attiyah Foundation said:“As with all previous winners, the 2025 honourees — who will be revealed on the night — represent the highest standards of leadership and innovation in energy. Their lifetime achievements are not only remarkable in scale but also in their lasting influence on the global energy community. I look forward to initiating them to our alumni in the coming weeks.”The awards ceremony will take place at the Sheraton Grand Hotel Resort and Convention Centre, gathering over 300 of the most influential figures in the energy industry.The evening is sponsored by ExxonMobil, underlining the strong support of leading energy companies.Al-Attiyah Foundation’s member organisations include some of the world’s most prestigious and significant companies. Members of the Foundation are: QatarEnergy, QatarEnergy LNG, Woqod, Shell, QNB, Qatar Electricity & Water Co., Q-Chem, QAPCO (Qatar Petrochemical Company), Dolphin Energy, QAFCO (Qatar Fertiliser Company), ConocoPhillips, Qatar Cool, Gulf Helicopters, Marubeni, Sasol and JTA Holding.

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of the Sultanate of Oman on Monday received a verbal message from President of the Swiss Confederation Karin Keller-Sutter. This took place during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Special Representative of the Sultan of Oman Asaad bin Tariq Al Said and Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin, Vice President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, during his current working visit to the Sultanate of Oman. The meeting reviewed the relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Swiss Confederation, emphasizing the need for joint efforts to develop them, particularly in the economic, commercial, and investment fields.