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French far-right leader Marine Le Pen begins a crucial appeal ‌in Paris this week that will determine ‍whether she can run in the 2027 presidential election, after being barred from public office over a conviction for misusing EU funds.Le Pen, ⁠the long-time leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), ⁠was seen as a likely frontrunner in the 2027 race until she was found guilty last year ‍of misappropriating more than 4mn euros ($4.7mn) of EU funds and given a five-year ban from running for public office, effective immediately.Le Pen appealed, as did the RN and 10 others found guilty of diverting European Parliament funds. The hearing begins on today and should end on February 12.A ruling is expected before the summer, meaning her hopes of running in 2027 remain alive if her five-year ban is revoked or drastically curtailed.If she cannot run, Le Pen has said her protege, 30-year-old RN ‌party president Jordan Bardella, will do so in her stead.US President Donald Trump and senior members of his team voiced support for Le Pen after her conviction, and any move to stop her from running would likely be seized ‍on by them in their campaign to ⁠portray European courts and ‌officials as seeking to unfairly block far-right politicians from power.Trump officials last year held internal discussions about sanctioning French prosecutors and judges involved in barring Le Pen, four sources told Reuters, although those talks no longer appear to be active.The news, first reported by German magazine Der Spiegel, was denied by Under Secretary of State Sarah B Rogers on X on Thursday, describing it as a "fake story".A State Department spokesperson said: "We do not preview potential actions."French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said on Thursday the government would remain vigilant to potential US meddling after Peimane Ghaleh-Marzban, the president of the Paris judicial court, said any move against a French judge would "constitute an unacceptable and intolerable interference in the internal affairs of our country". Over the past year, the US has imposed sanctions against 11 International Criminal Court judges ​involved in cases against Israel.Le Pen's lawyers, Rodolphe Bosselut and Sandra Chirac Kollarik, declined to comment ahead of the trial.Following her conviction, Le Pen accused the judiciary ⁠of politically motivated targeting, echoing rhetoric used in ‍the US."In the country of human rights, judges have implemented practices that we thought were reserved for authoritarian regimes," Le Pen told French TV channel TF1 at the time.The judges explained in their ruling that they had decided to make the ban effective immediately "to avoid irreparable harm to democratic public order".Opinion polls indicated that most French people supported the ruling.The European Parliament's lawyer Patrick Maisonneuve said he hoped Le Pen and her co-defendants' convictions would be upheld, including ​more than 3mn euro awarded in damages to the European Parliament. The RN was also ordered to pay a 2mn euro fine, with half the amount suspended.Judges said in last March's ruling that, between 2004 and 2016, Le Pen and others had used funds destined for work at the European Parliament to pay staff who were actually working for the party.Le Pen said the way she and her co-defendants used the money was legitimate.Le Pen's legal woes appear to have benefited Bardella. A poll last autumn found Bardella would win the presidency, no matter who his opponent was in the second round. 

The Organising Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, in collaboration with the Qatar School Sports Association, announced Sunday the launch of the inaugural Basketball Mini World Cup, to be held in Doha across two seasons (2025–2026 and 2026–2027). This pioneering initiative marks the first of its kind in the Middle East. The announcement came during a press conference Sunday, attended by Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid al-Thani, Director of Sports Sector at the Qatar Olympic Committee and President of the Qatar School Sports Association; Mohamed Saad al-Mughaseeb, Director General of the Organising Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 and President of the Qatar Basketball Federation; Saadon Sabah al-Kuwari, Executive Director of the Sports Department at the Organising Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027; and Abdulrahman al-Muftah, Executive Director of the School Olympic Program; alongside senior officials and representatives from the Organising Committee, the Qatar School Sports Association, and local media. As part of the School Olympic Program, the tournament is being organised under the supervision of FIBA in partnership with the Qatar Basketball Federation. It will mirror the competitive format of the Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, offering a unique school-level simulation of one of the world’s premier sporting spectacles. In a remarkable prelude to the highly anticipated FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, the Mini Basketball World Cup will bring together 32 secondary schools from across Qatar competing under their official names in the first season from November 4, 2025, to April 2026, and under the names of the qualified national teams in the second season aligned with the 2026–2027 Olympic Program creating an inspiring simulation of the global tournament. The Mini World Cup aims to blend education and sport in a distinctive experience that brings students closer to one of the biggest international events ever staged in Qatar. It will offer young athletes a real taste of competition, while instilling values of teamwork, collaboration, and community service. A series of interactive activities will accompany the tournament, giving students and schools the chance to experience the journey of preparing for the World Cup, deepening their passion for basketball and appreciation of the sport’s cultural and educational legacy. Speaking on the occasion, Mohamed Saad al-Mughaiseeb stressed that the launch of the Basketball Mini World Cup represents a pioneering step: “For the first time in the Middle East, we are connecting our youth to one of the world’s greatest sporting events. This initiative offers them a unique opportunity that combines athletic challenge with meaningful educational experiences, nurturing their skills while instilling the values of excellence and teamwork.” Al-Mughaiseeb added that: “The ultimate goal of this tournament is to raise sporting awareness among students, link them to the legacy of basketball both in Qatar and internationally, and reinforce sport as a cultural, educational, and human value that inspires future generations.” For his part, Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid al-Thani said:” “Through this partnership, we aim for the tournament to leave a lasting legacy, encompassing state-of-the-art sports facilities, development programs for youth and juniors, and increased participation in sports across all segments of society, while ensuring the highest standards of organisation and providing an unforgettable experience for student-athletes.” Sheikh Khalifa emphasised: “We stand on the threshold of a global event eagerly awaited by millions. With the concerted efforts of our partners at both the international and local federations, and with your media support playing a pivotal role in conveying our message, we are confident that we will deliver a championship marked by exceptional sportsmanship and remarkable achievements.” The launch of the Basketball Mini World Cup underlines Qatar’s vision to enhance school sports, instil social and educational values through athletics, and nurture a generation capable of proudly representing the nation on the global stage.

Following the success of the 2025 Shell Eco-marathon Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Competition, Shell is proud to announce that it will once again host the event in Qatar in 2026, followed by the first-ever Shell Eco-marathon Global Championship in 2027.The 2025 edition, held at the Lusail International Circuit, marked the first time in the programme’s 40-year history that the event was hosted in the Middle East. The competition brought together over 60 student teams from 12 countries, showcasing cutting-edge innovations in energy-efficient vehicle design and reinforcing Qatar’s role as a regional hub for sustainability and STEM excellence.“Hosting the Shell Eco-marathon is more than a competition. It’s a platform for innovation, education, and global collaboration,” said Rob Maxwell – Managing Director and Chairperson of Shell Companies Qatar. “We are honoured to continue this journey in Qatar, where the spirit of ingenuity and sustainability thrives.”Both the 2026 and 2027 events will continue be held under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, and in collaboration with the Qatar Auto Museum. This continued partnership reflects Qatar’s deep commitment to empowering youth, advancing sustainable mobility, and supporting the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. “At Qatar Museums, we are committed to nurturing creativity and innovation, especially among the next generation,” said Mohammed Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Museums. “The Qatar Auto Museum Vehicle Design Award, first launched at the 2025 Shell Eco-marathon, embodies this mission by celebrating sustainable design and providing young people in Qatar with a platform to become future innovators and leaders. Through our collaboration with Shell, we are inspiring youth to think boldly about mobility, sustainability, and design excellence. This initiative also forms part of Evolution Nation, our 18-months long campaign of Qatar’s cultural journey, where creativity and innovation serve as powerful drivers of progress and a vision for the future.”The 2027 Shell Eco-marathon Global Championship will bring together top-performing teams from across the world, competing in multidisciplinary challenges that test not only engineering prowess but also creativity, collaboration, and environmental stewardship. Shell Eco-marathon continues to inspire the next generation of energy leaders by challenging students to design, build, and drive the most energy-efficient vehicles possible. With Qatar as host, the programme enters a new era of global impact and regional pride.

The Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 has taken a major step toward strengthening the cultural and heritage dimension of the tournament by signing a landmark cooperation and cultural partnership agreement with the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, the Qatar Basketball Federation, and the FIBA Foundation (the social and legacy arm of the International Basketball Federation).At the outset of the signing ceremony, Mohammed Saad al-Rumaihi, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Museums, and Mohammed Saad al-Mughaseeb, Director General of the Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 and President of the Qatar Basketball Federation, expressed their profound gratitude to His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, and Her Excellency HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums' Board of Trustees, for their unwavering support in advancing both the sporting and cultural sectors through the integration of culture and sport.The cooperation and cultural partnership agreement was then signed by Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Rumaihi and Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Mughaseeb, in the presence of Mr. Abdullah Yousuf Al-Mulla, Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Mr. Fahad Ibrahim Gumaa, Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Integration at the Organizing Committee, alongside guests and representatives of media outlets.This agreement seeks to create a comprehensive framework for collaboration and coordination, paving the way for educational, awareness, marketing, and documentation initiatives that showcase the legacy of basketball at both the local and international levels. It also reinforces Qatar’s standing as a premier global hub for sport and culture.Under the agreement, the partners will host joint exhibitions and showcases on basketball heritage at the 3-2-1 Museum, organize community and interactive fan events both inside and outside the museum, and deliver educational programs, school visits, and workshops exploring the history of the game and its leadership. The initiative will also document the history of basketball in Qatar through collections, digitization, and oral history, while granting access to FIBA’s historical archive for research purposes.On the promotional front, the partners will launch joint digital campaigns, develop commemorative merchandise, and create retail opportunities tied to the World Cup. As part of the legacy and artistic development strand, plans include building community courts decorated with art inspired by the 2027 World Cup, launching joint initiatives to develop coaches, and collecting and preserving memorabilia for future generations.On this occasion, Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Rumaihi said: We believe that sport and culture are powerful tools for encouraging community engagement and strengthening national identity. Through them, creativity flourishes, social cohesion is reinforced, and innovation grows , all of which are fundamental pillars for building a diverse, knowledge-based society.He added: “In this context, I wish to express my appreciation to our partners at the Qatar Basketball Federation and the Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 for this constructive collaboration. Together, we look forward to achieving great successes that will leave a lasting legacy for Qatar’s hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.”Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Mughaisib said: “This partnership connects our proud sporting history with our thriving present and bright future. The museum preserves our achievements and showcases our sporting heritage, while the tournament opens doors to a global legacy, highlighting Qatar as a leading sports destination. Through this collaboration, we aim to offer fans and visitors a one-of-a-kind experience that goes beyond the court—blending the excitement of sports with culture and knowledge, while inspiring future generations through events that celebrate basketball’s legacy.”At a press conference held on the sidelines of signing ceremony, Abdullah Yousuf al-Mulla, Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum told the media that the agreement plays a vital promotional, cultural, and educational role in introducing the world to Qatar’s rich culture and its proven ability to host major sporting events. He added that the museum serves as a strategic partner in advancing Qatar National Vision 2030 through programs, workshops, cultural sports exhibitions, and school visits that allow students to engage directly with global basketball stars.For his side, Fahad Ibrahim Gumaa, Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Integration at LOC, noted that this partnership aims to promote basketball and the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, while continuing to build collaboration and investment to connect people across the region and the world with Qatar’s sporting legacy. He highlighted that the initiative will also educate fans and showcase the memorabilia of legendary basketball players, as part of Qatar’s ongoing cooperation with FIBA.