tag

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the country's sovereign wealth fund, has invested in d-Matrix, a pioneer in generative AI (artificial intelligence) inference for data centres.Valued at $2bn and bringing the total raised to date to $450mn, d-Matrix will use the new capital to advance their roadmap, accelerate global expansion and support multiple large-scale deployments of the world’s highest performing, most efficient data centre inference platform for hyperscalers, enterprise, and sovereign customers.The oversubscribed round attracted leading investment firms across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. The funding was co-led by a global consortium including BullhoundCapital, Triatomic Capital, and Temasek, and welcomed new investors including QIA and EDBI, alongside follow-on participation from M12, Microsoft’s Venture Fund, as well as Mirae Asset, Industry Ventures, and Nautilus Venture Partners.d-Matrix's full-stack inference platform combines breakthrough compute-memory integration, high-speed networking, and inference-optimised software to deliver 10× faster performance, 3× lower cost, and 3–5× better energy efficiency than GPU-based systems.This step-change in performance and efficiency directly addresses growing AI sustainability challenges. By enabling one data centre to handle the workload of ten, d-Matrix offers a clear path to reducing global data centre energy consumption while enabling enterprises to deliver cost-efficient, profitable AI services without compromise.“From day one, d-Matrix has been uniquely focused on inference. When we started d-Matrix six years ago, training was seen as AI’s biggest challenge, but we knew that a new set of challenges would be coming soon,” said Sid Sheth, chief executive officer and co-founder of d-Matrix.“We predicted that when trained models needed to run continuously at scale, the infrastructure wouldn't be ready. We've spent the last six years building the solution: a fundamentally new architecture that enables AI to operate everywhere, all the time. This funding validates that vision as the industry enters the Age of AI Inference,” he added.Investor confidence reflects d-Matrix’s differentiated technology, rapid customer growth, and expanding network of global partners — including the recently announced d-Matrix SquadRack open standards-based reference architecture with Arista, Broadcom, and Supermicro.A strong product roadmap featuring 3D memory-stacking innovations and a customer-centric go-to-market strategy further establishes d-Matrix as a cornerstone of the new AI infrastructure stack.

With the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 underway, fans were treated to a robust Fan Zone that featured a number of local businesses, artists and community groups. Located in Aspire Zone Competition Complex, where 104 matches are taking place in the biggest edition of the youth tournament to date, the Fan Zone brought together tens of thousands of fans to enjoy the football festival-like atmosphere at the venue. **media[381182]** As part of a community-focused initiative, the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 Local Organising Committee (LOC) brought on board more than 20 home-grown brands to participate at the Fan Zone, offering them free space at the venue. **media[381179]** “The U-17 World Cup is more than just a football competition. The tournament provides us with a platform to celebrate the wonderful talents in our community. From home-grown restaurants to student artists, the Fan Zone celebrated the diversity and richness of Qatari culture and the different communities that call this country home,” Hassan Al Kuwari, LOC Executive Director of Marketing, Promotion and Commercial. **media[381181]** Mama Rozie, a popular restaurant specialising in authentic Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine, is among the many food outlets who are taking part in the Fan Zone. Owner Febrariska Armen sources ingredients and partnerships locally whenever possible, collaborating with Qatari startups and local suppliers to keep the operation deeply rooted in the community. **media[381183]** "We're here because the Indonesian community is passionate about football, and the organisers recognised that. Our aim is to introduce fans to Indonesian and Malaysian culture through food, and we feel honoured to be a part of this tournament, where different cultures come together,” said Armen. **media[381180]** At the Fan Zone, Qatar Foundation (QF) is showcasing its students' diverse talents through interactive workshops and cultural performances. In addition, QF Pre-University Education has also provided a mobile sensory room, a quiet, controlled space equipped with assistive technology and specialised staff. This dedicated space ensures that fans with sensory needs, including children with autism, can fully enjoy the tournament experience. **media[381186]** "We wanted to demonstrate that community engagement means everyone," said Haia Alnaimi, Community Outreach Initiatives and Programs Manager, Special Schools and SEN Services at QF. "Our student community represents children with different abilities, and each of them are on a different path to success. This Fan Zone is the perfect platform to celebrate that diversity while building confidence amongst families that there are equal opportunities for everyone." **media[381185]** As a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Fan Zone also featured a number of local gyms that provided fans with the opportunity to take part in fitness activities. Huriya Dance, part of the Qatar-based Honor Wholeness Institute, has been engaging with spectators through dance sessions, fitness challenges and stage performances. Nada Karhani, Manager of Huriya Dance, said: "Football ignites passion in everyone, and it is through dance, that we celebrate that passion. Whether fans are cheering for their teams, waving flags, or walking through the streets, there’s a form of dance in everything - it is a universal language. That's why we are here, to channel that collective energy and create moments of pure joy that fans will remember long after the final whistle." **media[381187]** The Fan Zone also features a mini football pitch where community-based academies are competing in a U-12 tournament that mirrors the participating teams from the U-17 competition. Dozens of children have taken up the opportunity to show off their football skills as they look up to older players on their way to stardom. At the heart of the Fan Zone is a robust lineup of community-based artists and performers. A total number of 880 artists are taking part in the program, showcasing cultural and folkloric performances. The Fan Zone will continue to operate on match days only from 1:30 PM until the final whistle, as the tournament advances to the next rounds. Entertainment will take place from 4PM-8PM. Upcoming highlights include film screenings in partnership with the Doha Film Festival, running between the 14-15 November. The Round of 32 will take place on 14-15 November at the Aspire Zone. Tickets can be purchased exclusively from www.roadtoqatar.qa.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has issued a circular requiring pharmaceutical companies to print essential information about human medicinal products in Braille on their outer packaging. Implementation will be introduced gradually and will become compulsory for all pharmaceutical products available to the public from November 2027.The requirement stipulates that the name of the medicine, its active ingredient and strength must be printed in Braille in both Arabic and English.The MoPH has also issued the Guideline on the Braille Requirements for Labelling Information of Medicinal Products for Human Use, which defines the technical and regulatory standards for implementation.Dr Ghanim Ali Al Mannai, Assistant Undersecretary for Healthcare Regulatory Affairs at the MoPH, affirmed that this measure forms part of the Ministry's efforts to enhance medication awareness across all segments of society, and to facilitate safe access to and use of pharmaceutical products by people who are blind or visually impaired. He noted that this aligns with the priorities of the National Health Strategy (NHS), which seeks to improve population health and wellbeing, deliver excellence in healthcare services and patient experience, and promote quality, key enablers and sustainability.Dr Al Mannai added that the Ministry also aims to ensure the safe use of medicines and to improve access to information about medical products for people with visual impairments.He further explained that the Pharmacy and Drug Control Department at the MoPH will monitor implementation at all stages of pharmaceutical product registration, including new registrations, renewals, and modification requests. Compliance will also be verified during inspection and regulatory visits carried out by the Department's teams to pharmacies and drug warehouses.

The volume of real estate trading in sales contracts at the Department of Real Estate Registration at the Ministry of Justice during the period from Nov. 2-6, 2025 reached QAR 762,952,804.Meanwhile the total sales contracts for residential units in the Real Estate Bulletin for the same period is QAR 48,009,657, bringing the total trading value for the week to approximately QAR 810.962 million.The weekly bulletin issued by the Department shows that the list of real estate properties traded for sale has included vacant lands, houses, residential buildings, a residential complex, a commercial building, and residential units.Sales were concentrated in the municipalities of Al Shamal, Al Rayyan, Doha, Al Wakrah, Umm Salal, Al Daayen, and Al Khor and Al Dakhira, and in the areas of Lusail 69, Al Wukair, The Pearl, Al Khuraij, Al Sakhama, and Al Mashaf.The volume of real estate transactions in sales contracts registered with the Real Estate Registration Department at the Ministry of Justice reached more than QAR 426 million during the period from Oct. 26 to Oct. 30.

His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani received a written message from the Prime Minister of Romania Ilie Gavril Bolojan, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways to support and develop them.HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received the message during his meeting on Thursday with the Ambassador of Romania to the State Nicusor Daniel Tanase.

His Excellency Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met Thursday with the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the State of Qatar Ioannis Ioannidis on the occasion of the end of his tenure.HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs extended thanks to the Ambassador for his efforts in supporting and strengthening bilateral relations, wishing him success in his new duties.

His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met on Thursday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ghana Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who is currently visiting the country. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and ways to support and enhance them, in addition to discussing a number of topics of common interest.

The world celebrates World Diabetes Day on Nov. 14 each year, with the aim of raising global awareness to combat the disease and its complications, as well as focusing on ways to prevent it and manage it after diagnosis.This year's World Diabetes Day centers around a global call for various sectors to participate in and support the "Diabetes in the Workplace" initiative.The global rise in diabetes is seen as a developmental and social challenge rather than merely an individual health crisis. International reports reveal alarming figures regarding the disease's prevalence and the proportion of undiagnosed individuals, along with the increasing economic costs associated with it.According to the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of adults living with diabetes worldwide has surpassed 800 million, more than quadrupling since 1990. Most of them are between the ages of 20 and 79 worldwide. It is estimated that about 43% of people with diabetes are unaware of their condition, putting them at risk of serious complications, even though the disease can often be managed early. Projections also indicate that nearly 81% of people with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries.Statistics show that in 2024, global diabetes-related health expenditure surpassed USD 1 trillion.According to international data, the geographical distribution of the disease is uneven. Low- and middle-income countries bear a greater burden in terms of the number of people affected and the proportion of untreated cases. The economic cost is also catastrophic, placing a heavy strain on the health systems of these countries. This means that diabetes is not merely a health issue but also a challenge that impacts the economies of many nations.Many specialists indicate that changing lifestyles are among the main causes of diabetes, manifested in factors such as weight gain, lack of physical activity, and changes in dietary habits. The rise in cases alongside these factors suggests that the fight against the disease is not only a medical one but also requires a comprehensive societal culture and broad scientific awareness.Regarding the efforts made annually by the Qatar Diabetes Association to support people with diabetes, Executive Director of Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) Dr. Abdullah Al Hamaq told Qatar News Agency (QNA) in an exclusive statement that the Association organizes more than 50 awareness activities each year. These include workshops, seminars, early screening campaigns, and camps for children with diabetes or at risk of developing it.He added that the Association provides direct support to over 3,000 patients annually through educational programs, psychological support, and nutritional guidance, in addition to national campaigns, such as "World Diabetes Day" and "Steps Towards Health," to raise community awareness. The Association also collaborates with schools, universities, and various workplaces to promote a culture of prevention and healthy management of the disease, he added.Dr. Al Hamaq said that awareness and knowledge of diabetes and its potential complications have notably improved locally in the State of Qatar, especially among young people, however, challenges remain regarding adherence to treatment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.On a global scale, he noted that awareness is increasing, but diabetes complications, such as heart and kidney diseases, remain prevalent due to inadequate follow-up or delayed diagnosis.The Executive Director of Qatar Diabetes Association explained that recent scientific advances in diabetes prevention focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, engaging in regular physical activity, and following a balanced diet. As for management after diagnosis, he said that rapid developments include continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices and new medications, such as SGLT2 and GLP-1 inhibitors, which improve blood sugar control and reduce complications.QDA's Executive Director Dr. Abdullah Al Hamaq recommends that individuals with Type 1 diabetes adhere to their insulin regimen, undergo continuous monitoring, and receive psychological support. He also advises those with Type 2 diabetes to modify their lifestyle, take oral medications or injections, and follow up regularly.He added that the proper approach to living with the disease, across different cases, lies in maintaining a balance between nutrition, physical activity, and treatment; along with essential psychological and social support, particularly for children and adolescents, in addition to ensuring regular medical checkups to adjust treatment as needed, as well as self-education about the disease and its complications.Regarding the complications that affect the organ functions of the affected person, and thus their activity and productivity, Dr. Al Hamq said that complications for the heart are represented by an increased risk of coronary heart disease, for the kidneys by the development of chronic kidney disease, for the eye by retinopathy which may lead to vision loss, for the nerves by peripheral neuropathy which affects movement and sensation, and for the skin and wounds complications are represented by slow wound healing and an increased risk of infection.Executive Director of Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) Dr. Abdullah Al Hamaq concluded his statements to QNA regarding global scientific and medical efforts aimed at finding a cure for diabetes, saying that so far there is no approved definitive cure that achieves a complete cure for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. However, he pointed out that there are promising research in the field of stem cells and pancreatic islet transplantation, and this may contribute to changing the future of treating the disease, noting that this is still in the experimental stage.Among the solutions and recommendations drawn from the reality of the disease's spread at the international level are focusing on early diagnosis and improving primary care systems, especially in developing countries, implementing community awareness campaigns about healthy lifestyles and prevention of Type 2 diabetes, in addition to developing policies that support equitable access to medicines, insulin, and all means of care, as well as doubling international efforts to support research and maintain public health as part of development plans. Among the goals that specialist physicians seek to achieve are raising awareness about the impact of diabetes on society, encouraging early diagnosis, supporting those affected, raising awareness of ways to prevent diabetes or delay its onset through following a healthy diet, with the necessity of exercising physical activity, strengthening the role of the family in health education about the treatment of diabetes and the prevention of its complications, in addition to increasing awareness of the warning signs of its infection, as well as providing medicines, technologies, support, and care to all diabetic patients who need them.According to specialists, the numbers the disease has reached worldwide today were unexpected decades ago, which means that this reality urges everyone to take action. Diabetes does not wait, and its complications and consequences do not delay. The globally available data provide sufficient evidence and an urgent warning of the need to accelerate national and international efforts in this field.

The Department of Meteorology has warned of expected thundery rain, accompanied by strong wind at places.According to the department's daily weather report, inshore conditions until 6:00 pm on Thursday will be hazy in some areas at first, becoming moderate in temperature and partly cloudy, with a chance of scattered rain that may be thundery at places.Offshore, the weather will be partly cloudy with a chance of scattered rain may be thundery at times in northern areas, accompanied by strong wind and high seas.Inshore winds will be variable, mainly northwesterly to northeasterly at 3 to 13 KT, gusting to 25 KT with thundery rain. Offshore, winds will be variable, mainly northeasterly to southeasterly at 3 to 12 KT, gusting to 25 KT with thundery rain.Sea state inshore will range from 1 to 2 feet, rising to 5 feet with thundery rain, while offshore it will range from 1 to 3 feet, rising to 8 feet with thundery rain.Visibility inshore is expected to range between 4 and 9 km/3 km or less at times, while offshore visibility will range between 5 and 9 km/3 km or less with thundery rain.

Qatar Museums (QM) and the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) announced the launch of the NMoQ Metaverse Pilot Project, marking a major step in digital cultural innovation.This initiative, developed in collaboration with Cisco, and in turn, with Web3 implementation partner droppGroup, presents a live and intelligent museum experience that integrates immersive 3D environments, augmented and extended reality, and artificial intelligence.The project aims to place Qatar at the forefront of integrating metaverse and AI technologies to enhance museum engagement, while exploring new technologies intended to promote access to culture.By embracing innovation, QM demonstrates its role as a pioneer in cultural transformation and experimentation while supporting the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.The platform also introduces new opportunities for accessibility and remote learning, allowing students, researchers, and educators to engage with Qatar’s cultural heritage in new ways.In a press statement, NMoQ director Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Thani said: “With the NMoQ Metaverse Pilot Project, we are extending this mission into the digital realm, allowing audiences everywhere to walk through our galleries, engage with our collections, and encounter Qatar’s history in immersive and interactive new ways.“This initiative ensures that NMoQ continues to be not only a guardian of heritage, but also a frontrunner in shaping how museums engage with the world.”QM noted that this project is part of Cisco's Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) programme in Qatar. Active in Qatar since 2019, CDA is Cisco’s strategic programme designed to accelerate the nation's digitalisation agenda and generate new value for its citizens, businesses, and the country as a whole.Through public and private partnerships, the programme focuses on leveraging innovative digital solutions to address national challenges across key sectors such as national infrastructure, education, and smart communities.Through the pilot, visitors can explore digital twins of three galleries: The Archaeology of Qatar, The People of Qatar, and Life in Al Barr (The Desert). Twenty-two curated objects are presented with interactive augmented reality features, detailed descriptions, and direct links to the museum’s online collection.The experience is enhanced by Murjana, NMoQ’s customised digital mascot, who provides bilingual narration in Arabic and English with intelligent, personalised guidance. Accessible on mobile devices, desktops, tablets, and VR headsets, the platform also introduces new opportunities for remote learning, allowing students and educators to engage with Qatar’s cultural heritage in new ways.“QM has consistently demonstrated strategic vision in leveraging technology to advance cultural preservation and global engagement, in alignment with Qatar's national digital ambitions. This initiative is a direct testament to that forward-thinking approach,” said Cisco Qatar general manager Hasan Khan.

Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates brings together global thinkers and students for a thought-provoking conversation on whether hard work and talent still determine who rises, or whether “earned success” conceals deeper inequities.Daniel Markovits, Guido Calabresi, professor of law at Yale Law School, argues that the system meant to promote fairness has instead entrenched inequality.“Meritocracy has become the principal obstacle to equality of opportunity, at least in the rich countries of the world,” he says, warning that competition built on elite education and inherited advantage has replaced real mobility.Bryan Caplan, professor of economics at George Mason University, offers a contrasting view. “Meritocracy is pretty real if we actually had open borders where anyone could work anywhere,” he says. For Caplan, prosperity depends on personal responsibility and freedom of movement, not structural intervention.From a human-centred perspective, Dr Poornima Luthra, associate professor at Copenhagen Business School, challenges the idea that opportunity is equally accessible.“Meritocracy is a belief, a system where people are assumed to have opportunity solely on merit,” she says.“In reality, people experience bias and discrimination across many aspects of their identity.”Offering a global outlook, Parag Khanna, founder and CEO of AlphaGeo, sees potential in redefining meritocracy. “Meritocracy can work if the most qualified people are making decisions about the shape and direction of society,” he says, citing governance models that reward expertise and mobility.Adding their voices, students from universities across Qatar reflect on how these ideas resonate with their generation. Sundus Saeed, 26, a social sciences student at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, says, “The system often ensures that people stay out, and if someone rises, hurdles are placed in their way to maintain the status quo.” Carl Jambo, 22, studying international economics at Georgetown University in Qatar, takes an opposing view, saying: “Meritocracy gives you the platform to prove yourself, an individual against the world.”

Qatar participated in the annual meeting of the Africa and Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC) of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), held in Abu Dhabi, Wednesday. CEO of the Qatar Financial Markets Authority, Dr Tamy bin Ahmad al-Binali, represented Qatar at the meeting. In a post on the social media platform X, the Authority said the discussions addressed several key issues, including cybersecurity challenges facing securities markets, regional integration of capital markets, and the experiences, initiatives, and lessons learned by member states, as well as future challenges. A workshop held alongside the meeting also explored the transition toward the use of tokenized digital assets (Tokenisation) in financial markets, examining whether this technology represents a natural step in market development or poses challenges to traditional regulatory systems. **media[381104]** Participants further discussed emerging trends in sustainable finance and how environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations have become integral to the global financial system. The discussions also touched on how financial markets are being reshaped to align with these new standards. On the sidelines of the meeting, Dr al-Binali met with Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Emmanuel Givanakis. The two officials exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral co-operation, particularly in capital markets and financial services. They also reviewed key global developments in the sector and explored prospects for future collaboration.