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Qatar Charity (QC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health to construct a modern 400-bed hospital for women and children in Kandahar, funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD). The MoU was signed during an official ceremony held at the Ministry's headquarters, in the presence of HE Minister of Public Health of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, and Acting Charge d'Affaires at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Kabul, Mirdef bin Ali Al Qashouti, in addition to distinguished representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO). On the Qatari side, the MoU was signed by Director of QC's office in Afghanistan, Munim Shah, while Deputy Minister of Afghan Public Health, Dr. Muhammad Hassan Ghayasi signed the MoU on the Afghan side. Through this MoU, Qatar Charity aims to establish a fully equipped specialized hospital with a capacity of 400 beds, dedicated to providing healthcare services for mothers and children, as well as internal medicine.

The Social & Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) has signed a funding agreement with the Katara Cultural Village Foundation to sponsor the ninth edition of the Katara International Hunting and Falconry Exhibition "S'hail 2025."This marks the eighth consecutive year of the partnership, underscoring the vital role of the fund and companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange in supporting cultural and community activities. This aligns with the broader goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030.The exhibition is scheduled to take place from September 10 to 14, with the participation of 260 companies from 21 countries. Exhibitors will showcase a diverse range of products, including the latest innovations in hunting vehicle outfitting, hunting weapons, safari gear, and specialized falconry equipment.DAAM's consistent support for the exhibition since its second edition has been a cornerstone of its success. The event has grown beyond its local scope to become one of the most prominent cultural and heritage events in the region, serving as a leading platform for preserving the heritage of falconry on the global stage.Since its establishment in 2010, the DAAM Fund has launched numerous vital projects and initiatives across cultural, social, sports, and charitable sectors. Contributions from public shareholding companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange are a primary source of the fund's financial resources, making them essential partners in achieving community development.

Qatar Charity (QC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund, aiming to co-operate and co-ordinate on providing many services to workers in Qatar, meeting their humanitarian needs, and improving their quality of life.The agreement was signed by Faisal Rashid al-Fahida, assistant CEO for Programmes and Community Development at QC, and Kholoud Saif al-Kubaisi, executive director of the Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund, in the presence of officials from both parties.The MoU stipulates co-operation between the two parties to help humanitarian cases involving workers, propose joint projects for their benefit, and exchange consultations and information related to these cases, projects, and initiatives. These initiatives will provide appropriate services and support to workers, with the aim of creating a stimulating environment for them.In a statement on the sidelines of the signing of the agreement, al-Fahida said: “This agreement is not merely a joint framework, but rather a practical embodiment of Qatar Charity’s deep and ongoing commitment to workers, who constitute an integral part of the fabric of our society and represent a fundamental pillar in the growth and development of Qatar.”He added that, through this partnership with the Fund, QC seeks to achieve a qualitative leap in the level of services provided to workers and to intensify co-ordination with relevant authorities to ensure appropriate support in various fields.Kholoud al-Kubaisi stated that the MoU embodies a distinctive model of effective partnership between national institutions and leading humanitarian organisations in Qatar.The MoU represents a framework for co-operation in providing humanitarian services and social support for workers. It includes helping deserving cases, implementing joint projects that address their needs, and exchanging expertise and information to enhance work efficiency and ensure the achievement of desired results, the Fund official said.She also thanked QC for its constructive co-operation, as well as to all those who contributed to the preparation of the MoU, hoping that it would mark the beginning of a new journey of joint achievements that serve both workers and society.

Norway's $2tn wealth fund, the world's largest, has divested from US construction equipment group Caterpillar and from five Israeli banking groups on ethics grounds. The five banks are Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, First International Bank of Israel and FIBI Holdings, the fund said in a statement. The six groups were excluded "due to an unacceptable risk that the companies contribute to serious violations of the rights of individuals in situations of war and conflict," said the fund, which is operated by Norway's central bank. The companies did not immediately reply to requests for comment. The Israeli embassy in Oslo declined to comment. Prior to its divestment, the fund held a 1.17% stake in Caterpillar valued at $2.1bn as of June 30, its records showed. The stakes in the five Israeli banks were valued at a combined $661mn, also as of June 30, according to fund data. The news was announced when the Tel Aviv and New York stock exchanges were closed. Shares in Caterpillar were down 0.4% in pre-market trading at $430.61 per share Tuesday. FIBI Holdings shares were up 4%, putting them on course for their best day since early 2024. Hapoalim's stock was up 3.3% and Bank Leumi, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, and First International Bank of Israel were between 1.8% and 2.8% better off. The fund's ethics watchdog, called the Council on Ethics, said that "in the council's assessment, there is no doubt that Caterpillar's products are being used to commit extensive and systematic violations of international humanitarian law". Bulldozers manufactured by Caterpillar "were being used by Israeli authorities in the widespread unlawful destruction of Palestinian property," it said. The violations were taking place both in Gaza and the West Bank, the council said, adding that "the company has also not implemented any measures to prevent such use". "As deliveries of the relevant machinery to Israel are now set to resume, the council considers there to be an unacceptable risk that Caterpillar is contributing to serious violations of individuals’ rights in war or conflict situations." The council, a public body set up by the Ministry of Finance, checks that firms in the portfolio of the fund meet ethical guidelines set by Norway's parliament. The fund is invested in some 8,400 companies worldwide. It makes recommendations to the board of the central bank, which has the final say. The board agreed with the council's recommendation. The Norwegian fund said on August 18 that it would divest from six companies as part of an ongoing ethics review over the war in Gaza and developments in the West Bank, but declined at the time to name any groups until the stakes were sold. On the banks, the ethics watchdog initially scrutinised the Israeli banks' practice of underwriting Israeli settlers' housebuilding commitments in the region. On Monday, the council said that all the banks excluded had, "by providing financial services that are a necessary prerequisite for construction activity in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem ... contributed to the maintenance of Israeli settlements". Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7mn Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Many settlements are adjacent to Palestinian areas and some Israeli firms serve both Israelis and Palestinians. The United Nations' top court last year found that Israeli settlements built on territory seized in 1967 were illegal, a ruling that Israel called "fundamentally wrong", citing historical and biblical ties to the land.

Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) signed a loan agreement worth QR182mn with the Ministry of Finance of Tajikistan to support the Rogun Hydropower Plant Project, aimed at strengthening the country's energy infrastructure and driving sustainable economic growth.In a statement Sunday, QFFD said the agreement was signed during an official visit by a delegation led by Director-General, Fahad bin Hamad al-Sulaiti, in the presence of senior Tajik officials.The delegation also undertook a tour of the Rogun Hydropower Plant site to assess the implementation stages, reflecting QFFD’s continued dedication to supporting the successful achievement of the project’s developmental goals.This initiative reflects QFFD's strategic focus on energy as a key driver of sustainable development, fostering economic resilience and supporting long-term growth and prosperity in Tajikistan.