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Protests target Israeli team over Gaza conflictPM Pedro Sanchez expresses admiration for protestersPro-Palestinian protests forced the Vuelta a Espana cycle race to be abandoned at its finale on Sunday, with Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard declared winner as police sought to quell demonstrations against an Israeli team's participation.Protesters chanting "they will not pass" overturned metal barriers and occupied the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) route at several points in Madrid as police attempted to push them back."The race is over," said a spokesperson for the organisers, who also cancelled the podium ceremony, leaving Vingegaard celebrating in the back of his team car.Earlier, Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed "admiration for the Spanish people mobilising for just causes like Palestine" by protesting during the race.The demonstrations have targeted the Israel-Premier Tech team over Israel's actions in Gaza. Some riders had threatened to quit last week as routes were blocked, causing some falls.Seven Israeli chess players withdrew from a Spanish tournament starting on Friday after organisers told them they would not be competing under their flag, citing the Gaza conflict and expressing solidarity with the Palestinians.On Sunday in Madrid, more than 1,000 police officers were on duty as cyclists reached the final stage of the 21-day race - the biggest deployment since the Spanish capital hosted the NATO summit three years ago.Police held back a crowd of hundreds bearing placards and waving Palestinian flags for several hours as the cyclists snaked their way through towns and villages towards Madrid.As the riders drew closer to the capital, the demonstrators hurled plastic bottles and traffic cones, upended blue barriers and surged onto the road. Baton-wielding riot police fired smoke bombs to try to disperse them.PM Sanchez has repeatedly clashed with Israel over its war in Gaza, describing it as genocide.Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, last year recognised a Palestinian state, prompting an angry response from Israel, which said it amounted to a "reward for terrorism".This week, Sanchez announced a block on oil and arms to Israel. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused his Spanish counterpart of antisemitism and making genocidal threats.It is the first time one of cycling's Grand Tours has been prevented from completing its final stage by political demonstrators since the Vuelta in 1978 was halted by Basque separatists in San Sebastian.Health Minister Monica Garcia said the latest protests showed Spain was a "global beacon in the defence of human rights.""The people of Madrid join dozens of demonstrations across the country and peacefully bring to a halt the end of a cycling race that should never have been used to whitewash genocide," Garcia said in a post on Bluesky.A government source defended Sanchez's comments, saying: "The prime minister has shown his admiration for the Spanish people for being brave when others look the other way from the genocide in Gaza."

Oblique Seville and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden recorded their first major victories in winning the men's and women's 100m world titles Sunday, making it honours even between sprint powerhouses Jamaica and the United States.It was a good night in Tokyo for the Americans as two of their outstanding field athletes, Olympic champions Tara Davis-Woodhall and Valarie Allman, won the women's long jump and discus respectively.For Allman it filled a yawning space in her burgeoning medals cabinet -- a world title.There was a once-in-a-blue-moon ending in the men's 10,000m as Europe got the better of the cream of African distance running -- France's Jimmy Gressier took the honours.It was a first victory over the distance for a European since Somalia-born Briton Mo Farah in 2017 - he also won in 2013 and 2015. Italian Alberto Cova won the event at the inaugural edition of the worlds in 1983.Seville secured Jamaica's first men's world 100m title in 10 years leading home a Jamaican 1-2. The onwatching Usain Bolt did the sprint double at the 2015 worlds in Beijing.As Seville ripped his vest in celebration, teammate Kishane Thompson, who had to settle for silver as he did at the Olympics last year, embraced him.Olympic and defending world champion Noah Lyles was third.Seville had finished fourth in the two previous world finals but the 24-year-old said he had always retained belief in himself even if others had not."A lot of people are saying that I am panicking (in the last two finals). I don't know what they are talking about," he said."But I have proved myself that I am a champion and I hope that they can see that Oblique Seville is actually competitive and a warrior."Jefferson-Wooden succeeded her training partner Sha'Carri Richardson as world champion -- the latter finished fifth.Jefferson-Wooden -- who took bronze in the Olympic final last year behind Julien Alfred, who could only finish third on Sunday -- timed a new championship record of 10.61sec.The 24-year-old and Richardson are coached by the controversial former sprinter Dennis Mitchell, who served a doping ban as an athlete.Jefferson-Wooden said it had taken her some time to learn how to cope with the stresses and strains at major championships."I have been dreaming of this moment," she added."Instead of putting the pressure on myself and taking it as something overwhelming, I was just embracing it."That (change) was worth the gold medal tonight."She will bid to achieve the sprint double in the 200m later in the championships.'Felt incomplete'The race may be recalled in the years to come as the last individual global final contested by 38-year-old Jamaican legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who finished sixth.She said: "It's a surreal moment to know that 18 years ago I started as an athlete that wasn't sure what I wanted to do or who I was, and to be here in this moment continuing... to push the limits and finish on your own terms."Allman, twice a minor medallist at the worlds stamped her authority on the other finalists from the first throw of 67.63 metres and rammed home her superiority home in the fifth round with 69.48m.The former dancer raised her arms in celebration once victory was confirmed, and ran with a beaming smile to her coach in the stands."I didn''t realise before how much I wanted to become the world champion," she said."There was a part of me that felt incomplete."Allman, who took silver two years ago and bronze in 2022, conceded she had felt the pressure keenly going in to the final."The nerves hit me but now everything has fallen off my shoulders," she said."I keep looking at this medal and can''t believe it's real."Davis-Woodhall followed up Olympic gold with a long jump world title, outclassing the field with a leap of 7.13m.Gressier, 28, was like a terrier snapping at the heels of the Ethiopians on the final lap and the 28-year-old's final bite was the killer blow."This is a child's dream come true," he said.

Qatar driver Ghanim al-Madheed made a dominant start to the 2025 QTCC 2K Championship at the Lusail International Circuit, winning both races in Round 1 in his Lotus Elise. In Race 1, he claimed victory over 10 laps with a total time of 27:37.912, setting the fastest lap of 2:23.794 on lap six, while Abdulla Ali al-Khelaifi finished second and Palestine’s Omran Karama claimed third. Al-Madheed was even quicker in Race 2, stopping the clock at 26:24.163 and posting a best lap of 2:22.897 on lap eight to complete a clean sweep, with al-Khelaifi again in second place and Ali Emadadhi securing third. The second round of the championship will take place on September 26-27.

Jake Franklin clinched a commanding victory in Race 2 of the 2025 FIM MiniGP Qatar Round 4 at the Lusail Circuit, setting the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1:02.378 on his way to completing the 15 laps in 15 minutes 48.039 seconds.Mohammed Adel al-Mutawa secured the second place, finishing 9.654 seconds behind the race winner, while Anas Boukabache completed the podium in third place. Fadhili Kraemer and Oscar Browne rounded off the top five. The FIM MiniGP action returns for the final round on October 10-11.

The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) has hosted a dinner in honour of Swedish Minister for International Development Co-operation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa and his accompanying delegation.On the sidelines of the luncheon, both parties held a meeting to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral co-operation, particularly in trade and economic sectors, as well as exploring the investment climate and opportunities available in both countries. The discussions also addressed the role of the private sector in promoting mutual and joint investments and enhancing trade exchange.The minister was accompanied by CEOs and representatives of various Swedish companies operating across multiple economic sectors, including Swedish ambassador Gautam Bhattacharyya.QBA board members Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser al-Thani and Sherida al-Kaabi welcomed the minister and his delegation in the presence of QBA members Khalid al-Mannai, Ibrahim Jaidah, Ashraf Abu Issa, Yousef al-Mahmoud, Dr Mohamed Althaf, and QBA deputy general manager Sarah Abdallah.During the meeting, Sheikh Nawaf affirmed the QBA’s commitment to developing and expanding co-operation, partnerships, and knowledge exchange between the two countries, and exploring available investment opportunities.He noted that Qatari-Swedish relations have witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, particularly in the fields of technology, innovation, renewable energy, and healthcare. He also highlighted the Qatari private sector’s interest in strengthening partnerships with its Swedish counterpart, whether through joint ventures or the exchange of expertise and modern technologies, contributing to sustainable economic development in both countries.Sheikh Nawaf emphasised that Qatar and Sweden enjoy strong and rapidly growing relations, especially in commercial and economic fields. At the private sector level, there are numerous opportunities for partnership and collaboration between Qatari and Swedish companies, particularly in technology and innovation-driven sectors.The minister lauded the significant progress Qatar has achieved across various sectors. He noted that holding a business forum between entrepreneurs from both countries reflects a shared commitment to expanding co-operation to broader horizons. He also invited Qatari companies to invest in Sweden’s technology sector, pointing out that the country ranks among the top countries globally in innovation.

HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, also the President and CEO of QatarEnergy and Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, met in Baghdad on Sunday Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Prime Minister of Iraq, to announce the start of construction of the Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP) and Phase 2 of the Artawi Oil Field Redevelopment project (Artawi Phase 2 Project).The two projects represent the final major components of Iraq’s Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP), a multi-phase initiative aimed at enhancing the country’s energy infrastructure, currently being developed by the GGIP partners: QatarEnergy (25%), TotalEnergies (45%, operator), and Basra Oil Company (30%).The signing took place during a special ceremony held under the patronage of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and attended by HE al-Kaabi, Hayyan Abdul Ghani al-Sawad, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil, and senior Iraqi officials and executives from the three project partners.At the same ceremony, QatarEnergy and its partners, TotalEnergies and Basra Oil Company, signed a joint statement with the Government of Iraq, represented by al-Sudani, and the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, represented by al-Sawad regarding the GGIP, to reaffirm the strong partnership between the parties and their joint commitment to the successful execution of the various projects comprising the GGIP.Commenting on the occasion, HE al-Kaabi said: “This milestone marks a pivotal step in our shared journey with Iraq toward energy resilience and sustainability. The launch of the CSSP and the Artawi Phase 2 Project reflects our deep commitment to Iraq’s energy sector and economic growth.”HE al-Kaabi added: “We are proud to collaborate with TotalEnergies and Basra Oil Company on this transformative initiative, and we extend our sincere appreciation to the Iraqi leadership and authorities for their continued support and partnership in making this vision a reality.”The CSSP will process and transport 5mn barrels of seawater per day to the main oil fields in southern Iraq. It will significantly reduce freshwater abstraction from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, helping alleviate regional water stress and support agricultural sustainability.By freeing up 250,000 cubic metres of freshwater daily, the project contributes to Iraq’s long-term water security. The plant will be operated by the Basra Oil Company.The Artawi Phase 2 Project will increase oil production from the Artawi field to 210,000 bpd starting in 2028. Upon completion, the project will position Artawi as one of Iraq’s lowest-emission oil production sites.With total investments exceeding $13bn, the GGIP is designed to enhance the development of Iraq’s natural resources to improve the country’s electricity supply.It comprises a number of mega-projects for the recovery of gas that is currently flared at three oil fields in southern Iraq to supply electric power plants, the redevelopment of the Artawi oil field, the construction of a 1 GWac (1.25 GWp) solar farm and for the treatment of significant quantities of seawater to be used for pressure maintenance in a number of oil fields.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met Sunday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Abbas Araghchi, on the sidelines of the preparatory ministerial meeting for the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit, scheduled for Monday in Doha.Both sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, as well as regional developments - particularly the recent treacherous Israeli attack targeting Doha.HE Sheikh Mohammed affirmed that Qatar will take all necessary measures to safeguard its security and uphold its sovereignty in response to the brazen Israeli assault.For his part, the Iranian Foreign Minister reiterated his country's solidarity with Qatar, strongly condemning the attack as a blatant violation of international law and norms and a serious threat to the security of Qatar and the wider region.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, met Sunday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, Hakan Fidan, on the sidelines of the Preparatory Ministerial Meeting for the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit, scheduled for Moonday in Doha.They discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation relations between the two countries, as well as developments in the region - particularly the treacherous Israeli attack that targeted Doha.HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the State of Qatar will take all necessary measures to safeguard its security and uphold its sovereignty in response to the blatant Israeli attack.For his part, the Turkish Foreign Minister reiterated his country's solidarity with the State of Qatar, strongly condemned the Israeli attack, and categorically rejected any aggression that threatens the security and safety of the State of Qatar, as well as the stability of the region.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received on Sunday a phone call from the President of the Republic of Cyprus Dr. Nikos Christodoulides.During the call, the President of Cyprus expressed his country's solidarity with the State of Qatar and its strong condemnation of the Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings, stressing that such an act constitutes a flagrant violation of international laws and norms and poses a serious threat to the security of the State of Qatar and the countries of the region.For his part, His Highness the Amir affirmed that the State of Qatar will take all necessary measures to safeguard its security and sovereignty in the face of the treacherous Israeli attack. His Highness expressed gratitude to the President of Cyprus for his sincere sentiments and for Cyprus's valued solidarity with Qatar and its people.

The President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Doha on Sunday to take part in the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit, scheduled to be held on Monday.President Abbas and the accompanying delegation were welcomed upon arrival at Hamad International Airport by HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani and the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Qatar Fayez Majed Abu Al Rub.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi and his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, discussed Saturday via phone the Israeli aggression against Qatar, which they condemned as a violation of international law and an escalation that will only increase tensions and conflict in the region. The two ministers stressed their full solidarity with Qatar, affirming its security, stability, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its citizens.Al-Safadi and Fidan also emphasized the importance of the emergency Arab-Islamic summit to be hosted by Qatar on Monday, which aims to create a unified Arab and Islamic stance against the ongoing Israeli aggression that threatens regional security and stability.During the call, the ministers also discussed the latest developments in the region.They reaffirmed the need for coordinated efforts to halt the Israeli aggression on Gaza immediately, to reach a prisoner exchange agreement, and to ensure the immediate and sufficient delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, which is suffering from an unprecedented humanitarian disaster exacerbated by the ongoing aggression.

Qatar opened their 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship campaign with a determined performance but ultimately fell short against a strong the Netherlands side, losing 3-1 (25-18, 25-23, 26-28, 25-23) in their Pool B opener in Quezon City, Philippines Saturday.Despite the loss, Qatar pushed the European team to the limit, showing grit and composure especially in the third set, where they fought back to win 28-26 and extend the match.The Qatari squad matched the Netherlands in kill blocks (9 each) and committed fewer unforced errors (26 compared to 29), highlighting their discipline and defensive effort.Opposite Youssef Oughlaf led the scoring for Qatar with 17 points, while seasoned outside hitters Ribeiro Renan and Nikola Vasic chipped in with 11 points apiece.The Netherlands, however, made the difference from the service line, firing nine aces to Qatar’s two.They also edged Qatar in attack with 57 spike kills to 52.Dutch opposite Michiel Ahyi topped all scorers with 20 points, while Tom Koops sealed the victory with the match-winning point in the fourth set.Qatar now turn their focus to their next match against world powerhouse Poland tomorrow, followed by their final Pool B game against Romania on September 17.