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

The State of Qatar has strongly condemned the Israeli occupation forces' interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, considering it a flagrant violation of international law and a threat to freedom of navigation and maritime security. In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the need to ensure the safety of all flotilla members and their immediate release. It also called for an urgent investigation into the incident and for those responsible to be brought to justice. The ministry reiterated the State of Qatar's call on the international community to assume its moral and legal responsibilities and firmly confront the Israeli occupation authorities' ongoing violations of international humanitarian law, and to ensure the safe, sustainable, and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into all areas of the Gaza Strip.

The State of Qatar participated in the fifth edition of the Global Cybersecurity Forum, under the theme "Scaling Cohesive Advancement in Cyberspace" on Oct. 1–2 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Qatari delegation was headed by His Excellency President of the National Cyber Security Agency Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki. The 2025 edition of the Forum brought together decision makers, senior government officials, and international experts to engage in a series of strategic dialogues and high-level meetings addressing cyberspace issues from a comprehensive perspective. On the sidelines of the Forum, the National Cyber Security Agency also participated in the Cyber Diplomatic Dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union. The program included a roundtable discussion on "Joint Collaboration in Cybersecurity between GCC Countries and the European Union on Combating Hybrid and Cyber Threats", where participants explored opportunities for developing strategic partnerships, exchanging expertise, and strengthening collective efforts to address emerging cyber challenges.

Israeli forces on Wednesday intercepted several vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian maritime mission aiming to break the blockade on the Gaza Strip. According to media reports, the intercepted ships were carrying dozens of activists and were ordered by Israeli forces to reroute to Ashdod port. The flotilla's organizers reported that the status of the activists and crew members aboard the seized vessels remains unknown. All individuals on the intercepted ships were reportedly detained by Israeli forces. Jawaher Chenna, a member of the Maghreb delegation of the flotilla, told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that contact was made with some Tunisian participants, who confirmed that three vessels - Alma, Syrus, and Adara- were intercepted, and the fate of those onboard remains unclear. The Sumud flotilla includes around 532 participants from more than 45 countries aboard nearly 50 ships that departed from Spain, Italy, and Tunisia.

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 Sixth Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit concluded Wednesday in Doha, following two days of sessions held under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani.The summit witnessed high-level participation from ministers, representatives of states, and international and regional organisations concerned with mental health, in addition to experts and specialists from across the globe.The Ministerial Summit adopted a number of key priorities aimed at supporting governments in translating commitments into national action plans that deliver tangible improvements in mental health care for their populations.These priorities align with the summit’s main theme, ‘Transforming Mental Health through Investment, Innovation and Digital Solutions’.HE the Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud stated, “The deliberations of the Ministerial Summit affirmed the shared commitment to improving mental health at national, regional and global levels.“The outcomes of this Ministerial Summit and the key priorities it identified will help to strengthen investment in mental health, innovation and digital solutions, equity and inclusivity, as well as cooperation and knowledge exchange. This will contribute to addressing major global challenges in mental health and achieving sustainable improvements in mental health services for all.”The Ministerial Summit featured a rich programme of sessions and events, including two panel discussions and six workshops, in addition to several side activities. Officials, policymakers and specialists discussed pressing mental health issues to develop strategies at a global level. The summit hosted 64 speakers, both local and international.At the closing session of the Ministerial Summit, it was announced that the Republic of Rwanda will host the next Summit during the coming year.The Ministerial Summit aims to address mental health as an integral part of public health, social justice and human rights, in line with the UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Mental Health and Human Rights, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

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

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

AlRayan Bank announced that it has been awarded the National Information Assurance (NIA) Certification by the State of Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA). Achieved to a high standard within a short timeframe, this milestone reflects the bank’s sustained focus on strengthening information protection and cyber resilience in the face of rising global threats. The certification ceremony took place at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha.Unlike traditional security standards that sit mainly within IT, NIA is a strategic, Qatar-tailored assurance framework that integrates cybersecurity across the entire enterprise, governance, processes, and frontline business functions. For AlRayan Bank, the certification represents a major step forward in safeguarding information assets, elevating security practices across every department, and contributing to the State’s national information security strategy in line with international best practice. It also signals independent assurance of the Bank’s cybersecurity maturity, deeper protection for customers, staff, assets, and shareholders, greater confidence among partners, strengthened resilience against evolving cyber risks, support for compliance with national and global standards, and the continued cultivation of a pervasive, organisation-wide security culture.Commenting on the achievement, Omar al-Emadi, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer at AlRayan Bank, said: “We are proud to receive the NIA Certification, a clear reflection of AlRayan Bank’s relentless focus on information protection and cyber resilience. This is a pivotal step in our journey to safeguard information assets and embed robust security practices across the bank. It also affirms our active contribution to Qatar’s national information security strategy, in line with global best practice. Above all, it embodies our steadfast commitment to protecting our customers’ and partners’ data, strengthening our ability to anticipate and counter cyber risks, and ensuring greater resilience and secure business continuity.”Al-Emadi added that the Bank extends its appreciation to the National Cyber Security Agency for its leadership and guidance in enabling AlRayan Bank to meet the certification requirements. Building on this foundation, the bank will continue to deepen trust with customers and shareholders through credible, stable, and secure digital banking services, making AlRayan Bank their first choice.

The Embassy of Finland in Doha has expanded its consular services with the opening of visa and residence permit (RP) application submission at the VFS Global Application Centre in Doha.The visa services were inaugurated by Finnish ambassador Juha Mustonen and VFS Global's operations head Avdhut Shelar, a statement from the embassy said.Ambassador Mustonen explained that with the opening of visa services at the VFS Global Application Centre, Finland opens its doors for Qatari travellers and residents to explore Finland, both during its snowy winters and cool summers. "Whether you're planning to chase the magical Northern Lights and enjoy winter family adventures, relax at one of Finland’s 188,000 lakes during endless summer nights, or travel to Finland for new business opportunities and innovation – the submission of Schengen-visa applications in Doha brings Finland and Qatar one step closer to each other.”Alongside the opening of visa application submission, the Embassy of Finland in Doha also launched it RP services and expanded consular services.Decision making on visa applications is the sole prerogative of the Embassy according to the Visa Code. Residence permit applications are processed by the Finnish Immigration Service, the statement said.Applications are received on appointment only at the VFS Global Application Centre: 1st Floor, Al Nuaimi Building,Next to Oqba Bin Nafie Metro Station, Airport Road, Zone 45, Doha, Qatar.

Represented by the Ministry of Transport (MoT), the State of Qatar is taking part in the 2nd edition of the Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference, which opened in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, on Tuesday.Multiple transportation and infrastructure government and private organizations, experts and specialists are participating in Global Rail 2025, which runs through Oct. 2.An MoT booth at the event is featuring mockups and visual presentations on Qatari public transportation and railways projects, as well as land transportation plans and strategies, including ITSs, environmental sustainability solutions, and the full electrification of public bus fleet to 100 percent by 2030.MoT booth visitors can also experience steering the Lusail Tram and virtually walking inside Doha Metro stations and trains with the VR technology provided by Qatar Rail team at the booth.Several Arab and GCC ministers have visited MOT booth, which also saw a large turnout from several officials, experts, and general visitors, who were impressed by the Qatari sustainable public transit model and the outstanding achievements in terms of smart infrastructure and projects.MoT continues its focus on creating a fully integrated, smart and sustainable transportation system to contribute to achieving the goals of the Qatar NDS3, MOT Strategy 2025-2030, and QNV 2030.

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