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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed on Thursday the agreement on the first phase of the peace plan presented by US President Donald Trump.Modi expressed hope that the release of the hostages and increased humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza would bring much-needed relief, paving the way for lasting peace in the region.US President Donald Trump announced earlier today that Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) had signed the first phase of the peace plan. He expressed his thanks to the mediators from the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Republic of Turkiye.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday welcomed the announcement by US President Donald Trump of an agreement to cease the war on the Gaza Strip, withdraw Israeli occupation forces, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, and facilitate a prisoner exchange. President Abbas expressed hope that these efforts would be a prelude to reaching a permanent political solution, as announced by President Trump, leading to an end to the Israeli occupation of the State of Palestine and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He also commended President Trump and all mediators for their significant efforts in reaching the agreement, affirming the State of Palestine's readiness to work with relevant mediators and international partners to ensure its success, in order to achieve stability and a lasting and just peace in accordance with international law. President Abbas stressed the need for all parties to commit to the immediate implementation of the agreement, including the release of all hostages and prisoners, the entry of urgent humanitarian aid through United Nations organizations, the prevention of displacement or annexation, and the commencement of the reconstruction process. He reiterated that sovereignty over the Gaza Strip belongs to the State of Palestine, and that the connection between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip must be achieved through Palestinian laws and government institutions, through a unified Palestinian administrative committee and Palestinian security forces, within the framework of a single system and law, and with Arab and international support.

The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said that an agreement had been reached to end the war on the Gaza Strip, allow the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces, the entry of aid, and a prisoner exchange. The movement said in a statement that after responsible and serious negotiations conducted by the movement and the Palestinian resistance factions regarding the proposal of US President Donald Trump in Sharm El Sheikh, with the aim of reaching an end to the war of genocide against the Palestinian people and the withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip, an agreement was reached stipulating the end of the war on Gaza, the withdrawal of the occupation, the entry of aid, and the exchange of prisoners. Hamas expressed appreciation for the mediation efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye, as well as President Trump's efforts seeking to end the war permanently and for the withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip. The movement called on President Trump and various Arab, Islamic, and international parties to oblige the occupation government to implement the full requirements of the agreement and not allow it to evade or delay in implementing what was agreed upon. Earlier, Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had signed the first phase of the peace plan.

US President Donald Trump said today that ongoing negotiations between the United States and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to end the war in the Gaza Strip and secure the release of prisoners are making rapid progress. In a statement posted on his social media platforms, Trump said the talks have been very successful and proceeding quickly, adding that technical teams are expected to meet again in Egypt later today to finalize the details of the agreement. He noted that the first phase of the agreement is scheduled to begin this week, urging all parties to move swiftly to end the suffering and achieve peace. The US President said the agreement his administration is seeking to conclude between Israel and Hamas represents a great deal for Israel, welcoming Hamas's response, which included its acceptance of several key provisions of the 20-point US proposal. The plan includes a cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Trump stressed that his plan aims to end the conflict and restore stability to the region. However, he warned that he would completely eliminate Hamas if it refuses to relinquish power and hand over control of the Gaza Strip, as stipulated in the agreement. This development comes amid intensified regional and international diplomatic efforts, led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, to reach a comprehensive agreement that would end the ongoing war in Gaza, pave the way for reconstruction, and establish lasting humanitarian and political stability in the Strip.

QatarEnergy has entered into an agreement with Shell to acquire a 27% participating interest in the North Cleopatra block offshore Egypt.Under the terms of the agreement, which is subject to approval by the Egyptian government, Shell will retain a 36% participating interest as operator. The other participating interest holders are Chevron (27%) and Tharwa Petroleum Company (10%).Commenting on this agreement, HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida al-Kaabi,the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, said: “We are pleased to secure this additional exploration acreage, which further expands our upstream exploration activities in the Arab Republic of Egypt.”Minister al-Kaabi added, “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and our partners in the block for their valued support and cooperation. We look forward to working together and delivering our exploration objectives.”The North Cleopatra block is located offshore Egypt in the frontier Herodotus basin and is north and adjacent to the North El-Dabaa block, where QatarEnergy holds a 23% participating Interest. The North Cleopatra block covers an area of over 3,400 square kilometers in water depths of up to 2,600 meters.

The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, stressed that educating children in Gaza must be part of any agreement to end the war in the Strip. Lazzarini said on X platform, "The education of children must be part of any agreement to end the war in Gaza. The proposed plan must offer some hope to more than 660,000 children out of school for the third year." "Bringing them back to learning should be a collective priority to promote lasting peace and stability," he added. "With its unique workforce, UNRWA has the expertise, the infrastructure and the know-how to support a phased return to formal education of children in the war-torn enclave once a ceasefire is in place." Lazzarini explained that before the war, UNRWA provided education in its schools to more than 300,000 children. He called on member states to support UNRWA in safeguarding its mandate and work so that it can continue to make a tangible difference in the lives and futures of Palestinian children. "Without education, children risk falling prey into the cycle of exploitation or extremism," he added. Lazzarini concluded his statement by reaffirming the need for a "ceasefire now." The US President announced a plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip through a comprehensive agreement that guarantees the uninterrupted delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid to the Strip, the prevention of the displacement of Palestinians, the release of hostages, the establishment of a security mechanism that guarantees the security of all parties, a full Israeli withdrawal, the reconstruction of Gaza, and the establishment of a just peace process based on the two-state solution, under which Gaza will be fully united with the West Bank in a Palestinian state in accordance with international law, as this is the key to achieving regional stability and security.

Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI) and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday, as part of the efforts to strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions and the healthcare sector in Qatar. The agreement aims to establish a strategic framework for collaboration in scientific research, training, capacity building, and support for continuing education programs, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Health Strategy 2024-2030. In a statement, DI said the MoU seeks to explore opportunities for cooperation between the two parties through specialized training courses, hosting DI students in practical training programs within PHCC, and developing joint research projects that contribute to producing impactful scientific publications addressing healthcare issues at the national and regional levels. It also provides for the possibility of recruiting outstanding DI graduates to work at PHCC and outlines plans for joint participation in relevant national and international conferences and forums, DI added. The MoU was signed by Executive Director of the PHCC's Workforce Training and Development, Laila Al Jasmi, and Dean of the School of Economics, Administration and Public Policy at DI, Dr. Ayhab Saad, in the presence of representatives from both institutions. Commenting on the signing, Dr. Ayhab Saad said: "The signing of this memorandum represents a strategic step towards building strong bridges of collaboration between higher education and the healthcare sector in Qatar. At the DI, we believe that investment in scientific research is an investment in the health and well-being of society. This partnership reflects our commitment to graduating cadres capable of making a real impact and enhancing the quality of healthcare and education in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 For her part, Al Jasmi emphasized that the agreement reflects PHCC's commitment to strengthening the capabilities of its medical and administrative staff through the latest training methods. This, she noted, will help reduce medical errors, improve patient experiences, and accelerate the delivery of services. She added that the five-year renewable MoU is built on five main pillars of cooperation, the first of which is professional training and development. This includes short- and long-term training programs in areas such as strategic leadership, performance indicators, human capital management, and specialized consultancy, Al Jasmi added. She indicated that the agreement also provides PHCC employees with the opportunity to enroll in postgraduate programs (master's and PhD) offered by the DI, thereby contributing to the raising of the level of academic qualifications of its workforce.

The Ministry of Municipality and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) today signed a strategic partnership agreement to enhance the role of the 'LifeHub' project, the pioneering project in Msheireb Downtown Doha. The project represents a unique interactive educational center that embodies Qatar's national vision of building a more sustainable future based on innovation and human progress. The partnership agreement was signed on behalf of the Ministry of Municipality by Assistant Undersecretary for Public Services Affairs Eng. Abdullah Ahmed Al Karani, and on behalf of Weill Cornell Medicine—Qatar by Dean of the College Dr. Javaid Sheikh, in the presence of a number of senior officials from both sides. On this occasion, Al Karani affirmed that the Ministry of Municipality is adopting the latest technologies and innovations to develop smart solutions to contemporary challenges, and is continuing to develop its infrastructure and services to provide a sustainable environment that supports human health in the country. He pointed out that the 'LifeHub' project will contribute to enhancing community participation in sustainability efforts and moving forward towards a safe, healthy, and sustainable country, for the benefit of current and future generations. He added that the Ministry seeks to expand its partnerships with national institutions on issues related to its mandate, such as recycling, public hygiene, agriculture and greening, and food safety and security, contributing to raising community awareness, particularly among students and youth. For his part, Dr. Javaid Sheikh said that the strategic partnership with the Ministry of Municipality will help expand the project and highlight opportunities to harness technology and artificial intelligence to serve sustainability, human health, and environmental protection. He emphasized that 'LifeHub' will serve as an inspiring educational and dialogue platform for Msheireb visitors. The project builds on WCM-Q's success during Expo 2023 Doha, where the LifeHub pavilion attracted more than 70,000 visitors and provided an interactive experience on the role of innovation and technology in addressing global challenges. LifeHub Msheireb is located in The Z-07, a 1,634-square-meter building, and includes an educational area for the Ministry of Municipality, designed according to the latest interactive standards. The project is scheduled to open to the public in the fourth quarter of 2025, serving as an educational beacon that highlights the convergence of health, technology, and sustainability in Msheireb.

The United Nations has reinstated international sanctions on Iran, effective early Sunday, after the UN Security Council granted reactivation under the "snapback" mechanism of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. This move is aimed at intensifying pressure on Tehran over its nuclear activities.Germany, France, and the United Kingdom — the so-called European "E3"--issued a joint statement saying they had triggered the snapback following what they described as Tehran's failure to meaningfully engage with diplomatic demands. They called on Iran to avoid further escalation and urged full compliance with Security Council resolutions and renewed cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).According to the E3, Iran's recent proposals during negotiations were deemed "very limited" and insufficient to avert the reimposition of sanctions, which took effect at midnight GMT after the 30-day deadline expired.The restored sanctions encompass a broad range of restrictions, including an arms embargo, freezing Iranian assets abroad, bans on nuclear cooperation, and constraints on ballistic missile development and certain energy exports.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the move, stating that the Security Council's action demonstrates the international community's unwillingness to accept Iranian threats. He reaffirmed that diplomacy remains open and emphasized that accountability will follow for Tehran's conduct.Earlier, a Russian-Chinese draft resolution to delay the sanction's reimposition for six months was rejected by the Security Council, effectively allowing the snapback mechanism to take effect. Russia condemned the decision, calling it a blow to diplomatic efforts with Iran.Responding to the developments, Iran recalled its ambassadors from Germany, France, and the UK for consultations in protest of the reactivation of the snapback mechanism.

Hamad International Airport has signed a significant Sister Airport agreement with Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX), reinforcing Qatar-China ties and further expanding passenger and cargo connectivity between the Middle East and China. The MoU was signed at Routes World 2025 in Hong Kong by Hamad Al Khater, Chief Operating Officer of Hamad International Airport, and Chen Fanhua, Deputy General Manager of Shenzhen Airport Group and Board Chairman of Shenzhen Airport Co., Ltd. The agreement, signed between MATAR, the Qatar Company for Airports Management and Operation, and Shenzhen Capital Group, operator of Shenzhen Bao'an, establishes a strategic framework for collaboration. Focus areas include exchanging market insights, coordinated route planning, and technology adoption, leveraging their shared strength as innovation hubs, to strengthen connectivity for passengers and trade flows between China, the Middle East, and beyond. Hamad Al Khater, Chief Operating Officer of Hamad International Airport said: "By linking Doha and Shenzhen, with shared values in technology and service excellence, we are creating smarter, more sustainable journeys for future travelers while advancing stronger economic and cultural ties between our nations." Chen Fanhua, Deputy General Manager of Shenzhen Airport Group, said: "Hamad International Airport is a leading hub in the Middle East, and partnering with it represents a meaningful step in Shenzhen Airport's journey toward internationalization. As one of the gateways of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen Airport is committed to expanding its global network and enhancing its hub functions. Through this partnership, we will work hand in hand with Hamad International Airport to provide passengers with more seamless and convenient travel experiences, open new opportunities for trade and tourism, and deliver sustainable value to passengers, airline partners, and the broader economies of both regions." Hamad International Airport connects to nine Chinese cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Chengdu as well as Hong Kong. These cities are connected to more than 120 global destinations through Doha. From January to August this year, Qatar's airport has served over 1.1 million passengers from these Chinese cities. At Routes World, the global aviation summit for route development and connectivity, Hamad International Airport engaged with airline partners best positioned to strengthen Qatar's global network, enhance passenger and cargo flows, and drive demand for Doha as a destination. The airport showcased its robust hub performance and its point-to-point passenger growth, reinforcing its position as a strategic connector between Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Recent milestones underscore the momentum of Qatar and China's successful aviation partnership. In October 2024, Shenzhen Airlines launched thrice-weekly Doha-Shenzhen flights, its first Middle East route and Doha's ninth Chinese destination. A testament to growing ties between Qatar and China, Qatar Airways recently announced the expansion of its codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines. Starting 16 October 2025, Qatar Airways will share code on China Southern's three weekly direct flights between Beijing Daxing and Doha. Similarly, China Southern will be expanding its "CZ" code on Qatar Airways-operated flights beyond Doha to 15 destinations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. China Southern will further extend its code to flights between Doha and four major Chinese cities of Chengdu, Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai, subject to Chinese government approval. This latest agreement between Hamad International Airport and Shenzhen Bao'an builds on its recent Sister Airport MoU with Beijing Daxing International Airport, further strengthening Qatar's strategic aviation links with China.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that ongoing talks have been taking place for four days with leaders from countries in the region to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, stressing that the negotiations would continue until a successful agreement that achieves peace is reached. Trump said on his Truth Social platform that the discussions included leaders from several Islamic countries and that the Palestinian movement, Hamas, was fully aware of these negotiations, adding that the Israeli side has been informed of all their details at every level. He noted that optimism was higher than at any time in decades of conflict and that there was genuine willingness and strong enthusiasm to reach a historic agreement, with all parties eager to move beyond what he described as a dark period of death and destruction. Trump expressed pride in being part of these negotiations, saying they must secure the release of hostages and establish lasting peace. Speaking separately to reporters at the White House, he said he was very close to reaching an agreement on Gaza, stressing that any deal would be contingent on the return of hostages and an end to the war. He described his talks with European and Arab leaders as productive and constructive.

The State of Qatar signed an Open Skies Air Services Agreement with the Solomon Islands on the sidelines of the 42nd Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly. ‏The agreement was signed by Mohamed bin Faleh Al Hajri, In Charge of Managing Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, and HE Frederick Kologeto, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communication and Aviation of the Solomon Islands. ‏Under the agreement, designated carriers from both countries may operate unlimited passenger and cargo flights with full traffic rights, further enhancing bilateral cooperation, especially in air transport.