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The ​Philippines discovered cyanide on Chinese ‌boats operating around a disputed atoll in the South China ‌Sea, security officials ⁠from the ‌country said Monday.Authorities said laboratory tests ‌confirmed the presence of the highly toxic substance in bottles seized by ⁠the Philippine navy in operations at Second Thomas Shoal last year.Officials warned that the cyanide could have had serious consequences for marine life and weakened the reef supporting a warship that Manila grounded on the atoll to reinforce its maritime claim."We wish to underscore that the use of cyanide in Ayungin Shoal is a form of sabotage that seeks ​to kill local fish populations, depriving Navy personnel of a vital food source," Cornelio Valencia, National Security Council spokesperson, told a press conference using the Philippines' name for ‌the atoll.Valencia added that cyanide ⁠could damage the ​reef and "ultimately compromise" the warship's stability. The Chinese foreign ministry ​dismissed the Philippines' assertions, calling them a "stunt"."The Philippine side illegally harassed the Chinese fishing boats conducting normal fishing, grabbed the fishermen’s living supplies, and staged this so-called cyanide stunt. There is no credibility whatsoever to their story," foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Monday.The shoal is within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone and located 1,300km (808 miles) off mainland China, which refers to it as Renai Reef.The Philippines has accused China of disrupting resupply missions to troops on the ‌vessel, including a June ‌17, 2024, incident that turned violent ⁠and resulted in a Filipino sailor losing a finger. China has denied ⁠allegations of aggressive conduct during ⁠such encounters and accused the Philippines of trespassing in its waters.The June confrontation later led to a provisional understanding for resupply missions to the grounded ship. China and the Philippines held high-level talks last month over the South China Sea, exploring preliminary steps towards oil and gas cooperation, and confidence-building measures at ​sea, including communication between their coast guards.The Philippine foreign ministry said in a statement Monday the scope of the coast guard co-operation would be limited, and "does not contemplate co-operation in sensitive operational areas," adding that there had been no discussions on joint patrols.China claims nearly all the South China Sea, including areas claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.A 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal found Beijing's sweeping claims had no basis ‌under international law, a decision ​China rejects. More than $3tn in annual ship-borne commerce travels through the waterway. 

The Philippine Coast Guard unveiled Thursday its first dedicated command centre in the Spratly island chain, a flashpoint in the disputed South China Sea that has been the site of repeated confrontations with Chinese vessels.The headquarters of a newly established coast guard district, formerly overseen from neighbouring Palawan, will cover an area of about 68,000sq km (26,000 square miles).An AFP journalist travelling to the new command centre on Pagasa Island, known as Thitu in the Philippines, saw multiple Chinese Coast Guard vessels patrolling nearby waters. The vessels issued radio warnings to the plane carrying the journalist.Beijing claims the South China Sea in nearly its entirety, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.Pagasa will now have a commodore-level commander on site, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan told reporters after "activation" ceremony Thursday, along with a permanently stationed ship, more response vessels and an unspecified number of specialists."The establishment of the coast guard district here will also enhance the psyche, the mindset of each and every coast guard member, that... the defence of Kalayaan island group is a top priority," Gavan said, using the Filipino name for the Spratlys.The move will also include the dredging of a deeper port that will allow for the docking of coast guard vessels, which must currently ferry personnel to and from Pagasa on small boats.The far-flung Kota and Parola islands will also see their substations raised to full station status, coast guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said.The Pagasa upgrade, meanwhile, will mean a bigger budget for greater community assistance to the island's inhabitants, including more teachers and doctors, he said.Pagasa Island is home to about 400 Filipinos, mostly fishermen and their families, who China accuses of living there illegally.The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Thursday.The Philippines last month revealed plans to rename more than 100 island features in the Spratlys in a bid to reinforce its "sovereignty" in the South China Sea.China subsequently accused Manila of breaking international law while threatening unspecified measures to protect its own claims. 

Taiwan will strengthen its defences ‌of the Pratas as China steps up its activities ​around the islands which lie ‌at the top end of the South China ‌Sea, the minister in ⁠charge of ‌Taiwan's coastguard said Thursday.Lying roughly ‌between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong, the Pratas are seen by some ⁠security experts as vulnerable to Chinese attack due to their distance - more than 400km (250 miles) - from mainland Taiwan.The Pratas, an atoll which is also a Taiwanese national park, are only lightly defended by Taiwan, and its coastguard has that responsibility rather than the military. China claims the Pratas, and Taiwan, as its own territory.Kuan Bi-ling, head ​of Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council, said China was gradually expanding the maritime areas in which it carries out "grey zone harassment" - referring to non-combat operations designed to put ‌pressure on Taiwan such ⁠as coastguard patrols.Since last ​year, the number of Chinese government boats, which include the ​coastguard, has increased around the Pratas, whereas previously activity was concentrated around Taiwan itself and the Kinmen islands, which sit close to the Chinese coast, she added."From a political and strategic perspective, we have found that for them, seizing Dongsha would carry considerable strategic significance," Kuan said, using the name both Taiwan and China use for the Pratas.Taiwan has renovated the wharf on the main island and will regularly deploy vessels with greater operational capacity there, she added, ‌in comments to the Taiwan ‌Foreign Correspondents' Club."Dongsha is an ⁠excellent and highly important site for the development of an island defence ⁠system, and we currently ⁠have plans to develop this," Kuan said, without giving details.China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.In January, Taiwan said a Chinese reconnaissance drone briefly flew over the Pratas, in what Taiwan's defence ministry called a "provocative and irresponsible" move.Kuan said China's pressure campaign "lets down people ​on both sides of the Taiwan Strait", given it drains resources from other things such as rescuing mariners in distress.In time of war, Taiwan coastguard ships would be pressed into action, including its new Anping-class corvettes, which are based on the navy's Tuo Chiang-class warships and have space to install anti-ship missiles.Kuan said China was also giving Taiwan an opportunity to learn."As a result, we are accelerating our efforts to strengthen our ‌capabilities and to ​speed up the transition between peacetime and wartime readiness," she said. 

Ukrainian ​drones Tuesday struck Russia's ‌Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga for the fifth time in ‌10 days, ⁠and industry sources ‌told Reuters an oil loading terminal ‌was hit, likely adding to Russia's difficulties in exporting crude.Kyiv has stepped ⁠up attacks on Russia's oil export infrastructure over the past month, launching its heaviest drone strikes of the more than four-year war against the Baltic ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk.At least 40% of Russia's oil export capacity has been halted due to drone attacks, a disputed strike on a major pipeline and the seizure of tankers, according to ​Reuters calculations based on market data.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that some of Kyiv's allies had sent "signals" about the possibility of scaling back its long-range ‌strikes on Russia's oil sector ⁠as global energy prices ​have surged due to the Iran war.Regional governor Alexander Drozdenko said three people, including two children, were treated for injuries, and several buildings had been damaged in the overnight attacks.In a message on Telegram at 0409 GMT, he said air-raid alerts in the region had been lifted but gave no details on damage to the port.He later said that the aftermath of the attack on Ust-Luga had been "eliminated" or dealt with. He said the supply of hot water and heating to residential and other ‌units in the region were ‌restored.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called ⁠the strikes "terrorist attacks," adding that Russia was working on protecting its critical ⁠infrastructure."This doesn't mean these ⁠facilities can be 100% protected from such terrorist attacks. However, intensive work is being carried out, and this applies not only to the port... but to all other critical infrastructure facilities," he told a daily conference call with reporters.Three industry sources told Reuters Ukrainian drones struck crude oil loading facilities operated ​by Russian pipeline monopoly Transneft in the latest attack. Transneft did not immediately reply to a request for comment.Ust-Luga, on the south-eastern shore of the Gulf of Finland, is a sprawling complex of oil-processing facilities and export terminals handling crude oil and oil products.According to source-based data, the port exported 32.9mn metric tonnes of oil products last year. It typically handles about 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.Authorities say Ust-Luga ‌was hit on ​March 22, 25, 27, 29 and 31, forcing suspensions of export operations. 

A humpback whale struggling in shallow waters off Germany's northern Baltic Sea coast has become stranded for a third time, experts said Sunday, just hours after the animal had freed itself from a sandbank.The 13.5m (44-foot) long mammal was first spotted in the early hours of Monday on a sandbank near the city of Luebeck. It managed to free itself on Friday after a mechanical digger set up an escape route.However, it has run into fresh difficulty after swimming further east.After escaping a second sandbank late Saturday near Wismar, it was stranded once again Sunday."The prognosis as a whole doesn't look good," marine scientist Burkard Baschek told reporters on Sunday after conducting an assessment at the scene.Scientists say the whale's breathing frequency has reduced and that it is no longer exhibiting reactions to nearby vessels.For the moment no further rescue actions are planned but the government of the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania say there are also no plans to euthanise the whale.Experts still held out some hope that the animal may free itself again after gathering enough strength.However Baschek warned that its health had "considerably deteriorated" and that the risk of it becoming stranded yet again was high.Experts had hoped the whale would return to its natural habitat in the Atlantic through the North Sea.Humpbacks are rarely seen in the Baltic and the experts said it may have been following a shoal of fish or been distracted by the noise of a submarine. 

Major shipping companies are devising strategies for a return to the Suez Canal after more ‌than two years of disruptions due to security ‌risks in the ‍Red Sea.They have been rerouting vessels via longer, costlier routes around Africa ⁠since November 2023, following ⁠attacks on commercial ships by Yemen's Houthi forces, reportedly in solidarity ‍with Palestinians during warfare in Gaza. A ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025 has led some companies to explore resumption plans, although security remains a key concern. Below are the latest updates: MAERSK: The Danish shipping company said on Thursday it would resume sailings via the Red ‌Sea and Suez Canal for one of its services this month, after two vessels tested the route in December and earlier in ‍January.Maersk said its weekly ⁠service connecting ‌the Middle East and India with the US east coast will be first in the group's staggered return to the Suez route, starting on January 26 with a sailing departing Oman's port of Salalah. CMA CGM: The world's third-largest container shipping line, which has made limited Suez transits when security allows, will use the passage for its India-US INDAMEX service from January, according to a schedule published on its website. Two of ​its vessels sailed through ‌the Suez Canal in December, the authority that runs the waterway said at ⁠the time.CMA CGM ‍did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday. HAPAG-LLOYD: German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd will not adjust its operations in the Red Sea for now, a spokesperson said on Thursday shortly after Maersk said it would resume sailings there.The group's ​CEO said in December that the return of the shipping industry to the Suez Canal would be gradual and there would be a transition period of 60-90 days to adjust logistics and avoid sudden port congestion. WALLENIUS WILHELMSEN: The Norwegian car shipping group is still assessing the situation and will not resume sailing until certain conditions are met, a company ⁠spokesperson said in December.The Suez Canal is the fastest route ‍linking Europe and Asia and, until the Houthi attacks, had accounted for about 10% of global seaborne trade, according to Clarksons Research.The ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, in place since October last year, has renewed hope of normalising Red Sea traffic.The ceasefire has ended major combat in Gaza over the past three months, but both sides have accused the other of regular violations. 

Maersk will resume sailings via the ‌Red Sea and Suez Canal ‍for one of its services this month, the shipping group said on Thursday, marking a first step ⁠towards ending two years of ⁠global trade disruption due to attacks on ships by Yemeni Houthi rebels.The Danish ‍shipping group's share price fell more than 7% on the news, reflecting the likelihood of lower freight rates as vessels gradually return to the shorter Suez route.Shipping companies are weighing a return to the critical Asia-Europe trade corridor after vessels were rerouted in late 2023 around Africa following the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea in what they said was to show ‌solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.Maersk said its weekly service connecting the Middle East and India with the US east coast, known as MECL, will be first in the group's ‍staggered return to the Suez ⁠route, starting on January ‌26 with a sailing departing Oman's port of Salalah."This decision follows a continued stabilisation of conditions in and around the Red Sea, including the Suez corridor, as well as improved stability and reliability in the region," Maersk said in a statement.The Danish group on Monday said one of its vessels had tested the route as a ceasefire in Gaza raised hopes for normal shipping traffic. One Maersk vessel also made a voyage through Suez in December."Maersk has decided to implement a structural return to the trans-Suez ​route for all MECL service ‌sailings," the company said in a statement, adding the aim was to offer customers "the most efficient transit times".The Suez ⁠Canal is the fastest route ‍linking Europe and Asia and, until the Houthi attacks, had accounted for about 10% of global seaborne trade, according to Clarksons Research."Maersk has contingency plans in place should the security situation deteriorate, which may necessitate reverting individual MECL sailings or the wider structural change of the MECL service back to the Cape of Good ​Hope route," it said.German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd will not adjust its operations in the Red Sea for now, a spokesperson said, but added that the company was closely monitoring the situation and Maersk's move changed the situation.The ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, in place since October last year, has renewed hope of normalising Red Sea traffic.The ceasefire has ended major combat in Gaza over the past three months, but both sides have accused the other of regular violations. ⁠ 

Qatari driver Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah finished fourth in the prologue stage of the 48th edition of the Dakar Rally, which began in Saudi Arabia for the seventh consecutive year Saturday. The rally got underway today from the city of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast, with a 22-kilometre prologue stage. In the car category, five-time Dakar champion al-Attiyah recorded a time of 10:56.6 minutes to place fourth for Dacia Sandriders. Sweden’s Mattias Ekstrom made a quick start by leading a ‌Ford one-two, ‍the manufacturer’s first. The ⁠two-times German Touring Car (DTM) champion covered ‍the distance around Yanbu in 10 minutes 48.7 seconds in his Raptor, eight seconds faster than American teammate Mitch Guthrie. Belgian Guillaume de Mevius was ahead of al-Attiyah for Mini X-Raid. It ⁠was Ekstrom’s ‌third prologue success after 2023 and 2024 and his sixth Dakar special stage win. After taking his tally of Dakar stage wins to six, Ekstrom said: “I had a very good prologue, it was much more difficult than I expected from navigation and stones and, for me, this was a small stage and we did a very good job.” Saudi Arabia’s defending champion Yazeed al-Rajhi was sixth and 14 seconds off the pace for Toyota Overdrive. The prologue positions determine only the start order for today’s first proper stage, ​with the times ‌not carrying over but the 10 fastest drivers picking ‍their start positions among the first 16. In the motorcycle category, Spaniard Edgar Canet was fastest for KTM and became the youngest stage winner on two ​wheels at the age of 20 years nine months and 18 days. “I was super fast and super happy with this feeling. It’s the best way to start the rally,” said Canet. Defending champion and teammate Daniel Sanders of Australia was three seconds behind with American Ricky Brabec third for Honda. Canet will start 15th with Sanders 16th. Sanders was relieved to get his title defence up and running. “Happy to be here at the start line and get the prologue done. It was a lot faster than expected, but not so technical, so it was hard to make up time,” the said. “It was full gas the whole time, so I’m sure there were really close times. It’s good to get that out of the way and get into a stage Monday.” The total distance of the rally stands at 7,994 kilometres for cars and 7,906 kilometres for motorcycles, including 4,480 kilometres of timed stages for cars and 4,748 kilometres for motorcycles. The rally comprises 13 diverse stages, with the first competitive stage set to start tomorrow from the Bisha region, featuring a 305-kilometre special stage and a 213-kilometre liaison section. Subsequent stages will pass through Alula, Hail, Riyadh, Wadi Al-Dawasir, and Al-Hanakiyah, before the rally concludes in Yanbu on January 17 . The route includes two marathon stages. The first, in Al-Ula, covers 451 kilometres of timed sections for cars out of a total distance of 526 kilometres, while motorcycles will contest 417 competitive kilometres out of 492 kilometres. The route then continues to Hail, featuring 372 kilometres of special stages for cars and 356 kilometres for motorcycles. The second marathon stage will run from Wadi Al-Dawasir to Bisha, covering 418 kilometres of timed sections for motorcycles and 410 kilometres for cars, followed by stages measuring 421 kilometres for cars and 371 kilometres for motorcycles. 

Qatar's Milaha Group, in collaboration with Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri, held a workshop today titled "Underwater Innovation Forefront: Submarines, Drones and Dual-Use Integrated Solutions for Sea Defence and Strategic Infrastructures Resilience". The workshop showcased the latest technologies in submarines, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and autonomous underwater drones, highlighting applications for both defense and civilian purposes. Participants included officials and experts from Qatar's defense, energy, cybersecurity, and maritime sectors, as well as international representatives from Italy. Discussions focused on integrated command and control systems, dual-use solutions for maritime defense, and protection of strategic infrastructure, including undersea cables, energy platforms, and ports. The event also analyzed emerging threats to the maritime environment and explored advanced capabilities to ensure the reliability and continuity of offshore energy and critical infrastructure assets. Milaha Group CEO, Fahad bin Saad Al Qahtani, said the workshop aimed to analyze current threats to the maritime environment, present advanced technologies with defense and civilian applications, and strengthen cross-sector integration to safeguard the nation’s critical infrastructure. Al Qahtani emphasized Milaha's long-standing role in Qatar's maritime and energy sectors, noting that the company has been a strategic partner in national development since 1957 and continues to support the country's maritime and economic readiness. He described the collaboration with Fincantieri as a strategic step to combine Milaha's national expertise with Fincantieri's global capabilities in underwater systems and autonomous maritime platforms. Fincantieri presented its DEEP dynamic performance system during the workshop, an AI-powered integrated platform for underwater drones. The system, recently demonstrated at the Italian Navy's Support and Sea Trials Center in La Spezia, combines autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), early-warning sensors, launch and recovery solutions, and a dedicated management system to enable continuous monitoring and early threat detection in complex maritime environments. The workshop highlighted that 98% of global internet traffic relies on submarine cables, alongside power transmission systems that underpin national communications and energy security. Fincantieri emphasized its role as an underwater systems integrator, capable of designing, building, and operating all key components to bridge the gap between defense requirements and dual-use civilian applications. Rear Admiral Francesco Milazzo of the Italian Navy emphasized that the underwater domain is now a decisive arena requiring continuous innovation and synergies. He also highlighted the key role played by the Italian National Hub for Underwater (PNS - Polo Nazionale della Subacquea), as well as the Italian Navy's initiative to create a NATO Center of Excellence for the Underwater Domain. Meanwhile, Ambassador Massimo Marotti of the Italian National Cybersecurity Agency also highlighted the critical role of international cooperation and the partnership between governments and private players in addressing cyber risks that threaten underwater infrastructures.

Nestled on Spain’s eastern coast, along the sparkling shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Valencia captivates visitors with its serene rhythm of life and genuine charm. Gulf Times joined a press trip organized by Visit Valencia to experience this dynamic city where nature and modernity blend in perfect harmony.Among Valencia’s many attractions, its mild Mediterranean climate stands out as one of the most inviting. Even in winter, temperatures remain comfortably moderate compared to much of Europe.With sunshine gracing the city for most of the year, visitors can wander its streets, unwind on its beaches, and explore its rich historical heritage in ease. This pleasant year-round weather makes Valencia a destination for all seasons — not just summer.In the city center... a Spanish flavour and elegant European styleThe city features a unique urban character—a mix of classic buildings and lively streets full of cafés, restaurants, and luxury shops.The downtown area is a great opportunity for a genuine experience for lovers of international brands, where luxury fashion stores are found side by side with local shops that have an authentic Valencian character.**media[376847]**What makes the experience even better is that many of these shops and restaurants offer a welcoming environment for visitors, with menus in English and options suitable for all tastes.A visit to the largest aquarium in Europe: L'OceanogràficNo visit to Valencia is complete without heading to L'Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe, which is an architectural and scientific masterpiece at the same time.**media[376840]**Visitors can enjoy a magical experience among marine life, moving from one ocean environment to another through glass tunnels surrounded by sharks, dolphins, and giant turtles. It can be considered an educational and recreational destination suitable for families.Discovering the city in a different wayOne of the experiences that adds a special flavour to visiting the city is renting bicycles and riding through its streets. Valencia is a bike-friendly city, with dedicated paths that give visitors a unique opportunity to explore alleys, buildings, and small cafés that are hard to reach by car.One of the great advantages Valencia offers to visitors is the ease of renting cars. There are many rental offices in the city center and at the airport, with automatic cars available and online booking services.You can easily rent a car from Valencia and head to nearby tourist destinations like Barcelona, about 350 km away, and the capital Madrid, about 360 km away. Comfortable alternatives are also available, such as high-speed trains that connect Valencia to Barcelona and Madrid in just two to three hours, or intercity buses.This makes Valencia an ideal starting point for tourists who want to explore other Spanish cities easily and flexibly.The flavors of Valencia... between paella and Mediterranean cuisine**media[376845]**Valencia offers famous Mediterranean dishes, most notably the original Paella Valenciana, made from rice and seafood. While some restaurants stick to traditional ingredients, there are places that offer halal or vegetarian versions, expanding the options for all visitors.A promising destination waiting to be discoveredWhat sets Valencia apart from other Spanish cities is that it is less crowded than Barcelona and Madrid, yet no less beautiful or diverse. The city also stays alive at night, with markets, shops, and restaurants open until 10 PM.This gives visitors plenty of time to explore the city in a calm evening atmosphere, whether walking in the city center, having dinner at a fancy restaurant, or shopping from high-end brands after sunset.**media[376838]**This makes the experience more flexible and enjoyable, especially for visitors who prefer evening activities. Thanks to this balance, it is an ideal destination for tourists seeking a calm, rich, and safe European experience.**media[376843]**Valencia leaves an unforgettable impression on its visitors—with its mild climate, friendly people, and rich artistic and cultural character. It is a city that resembles a living painting, waiting for someone to discover its details.It is not just a tourist stop, but a complete experience worth telling.For more information about Valencia, visit:https://www.visitvalencia.com/en/what-to-see-valencia/valencia-three-days

Weather inshore until 6:00 pm on Tuesday will be relatively hot daytime and mild by night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather report. Offshore, the weather will be fine, the report said, warning of strong winds and high sea at North at first. Wind inshore will be northwesterly to northeasterly at a speed of 05 - 15 knots at first, gusting to 23 knot at places daytime. Offshore, it will be northwesterly to northerly at 05 -15 knots, gusting 22 knot at north at first. Sea state inshore will be 1 to 2 feet, rising to 4 feet at north at first, while offshore will be 2 to 4 feet, rising to 7 feet at north at first. Visibility inshore will be 4 to 10 km, while offshore will be 5 to 10 km.

The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) has unveiled “Lehmesa: Return by Moonlight”, an immersive exhibition that explores the life cycles, habitats, and ecological significance of Qatar’s sea turtles.The exhibition focuses on the endangered Hawksbill turtle, the only sea turtle species that nests on Qatar’s beaches, and reflects the nation’s natural endowment.The exhibition was inaugurated by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums (QM), in the attendance of QM chief executive Mohammed Saad al-Rumaihi, NMoQ director Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Thani and other dignitaries.Taking its name from the local term for a sea turtle, “Lehmesa” celebrates the resilience of the Hawksbill turtle, and reflects the nation’s commitment to protecting its biodiversity.On view from today until February 7, 2026, the exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of the NMoQ, a milestone that honours five decades of preserving and sharing the nation’s cultural and natural legacy.Through six immersive sections, “Lehmesa: Return by Moonlight” traces the Hawksbill’s journey from land to sea, offering visitors a sensory-rich experience inspired by Qatar’s coastlines, coral reefs, and marine habitats.Blending environmental science with creative interpretation, the exhibition features works by London-based artist Josh Gluckstein and encourages visitors to reflect on their role in sustaining the balance of the natural world.As part of the exhibition’s public programming, the NMoQ will host a series of events, workshops, and educational activities in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) and Qatar University.These initiatives are aimed at deepening public understanding of marine biodiversity and conservation, engaging families, students, and communities in hands-on learning experiences that highlight the importance of Qatar’s coastal ecosystems.“Lehmesa: Return by Moonlight” is 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 NMoQ.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.The exhibition explores the turtle within the context of Qatar’s identity, aligning with the Years of Culture initiative, which shares Qatar’s cultural heritage with partner nations.