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All eyes in Perth are on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as the two India stalwarts prepare for the opening one-day international against Australia Sunday, marking the first national team outing for the pair since winning the Champions Trophy in March.India’s new ODI skipper, Shubman Gill, told journalists Saturday that he had had numerous conversations with his predecessors who had retired from the shortest and longest forms of the game, about how to take the team forward.“Definitely very exciting – big shoes for me to fill carrying over the legacy (Virat and Rohit) left for us,” the 26-year-old said.“These are the kind of players when I was a kid, I used to idolise them. The kind of game that they used to play, the kind of hunger that they had is something that inspired me. It’s a big honour to lead such legends of the game and learn from them.”Gill has already captained at T20I and Test level, but the upcoming three-match series will be the first time he has led in ODIs, where he averages nearly 60 with the bat.“I think in front of a difficult situation, I wouldn’t shy away from getting any suggestions or advice from them,” he said.“How they converse and what kind of communication or messaging they had with the players is something that helped me get the best out of myself. That’s the kind of captain I would want to be, where all my players feel very secure in the job they have to do.”Australia captain Mitch Marsh acknowledged that India’s two returning batsmen are partly responsible for an expected bumper crowd at the 60,000-seat Perth Stadium, which is nearing a sell-out despite a forecast of rain.“A lot of people are going to come and watch them. If it is their last time on Australian soil, I hope they enjoy it,” the 33-year-old said, before cheekily adding that he would prefer “not too much good cricket from them”.The Perth local, who struck two hundreds and averaged 70 across white-ball formats against South Africa and New Zealand in recent months, dead-batted any suggestion that continued goodform might prompt a Test recall ahead of the Ashes series this summer.“I’ve got tickets for day one and two, I haven’t asked the wife yet, but that’s about as much thought as I’ve given it.”

Al Shahania secured a thrilling 3-2 win over Al Khor in their Round 5 clash of the QSL Cup at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Saturday. Ali al-Muhannadi scored the winner for Shahania in the 77th minute after both sides were locked 2-2 at half time. Shahania had opening the scoring in the 19th minute through Jawad El Jemili while Pelle van Amersfoort put the side 2-0 ahead scoring off a penalty kick in the 27th minute. Al Khor hit back through Abdulrahman al-Harazi in the 42nd minute, and a minute later Sofiane Hanni got the equaliser. But al-Muhannadi struck to help Al Shahania gain the three valuable points. The second win of the tournament took Al Shahania’s tally to 7 points while Al Khor also remain at 7 points. Al Shamal thrash MarkhiyaAl Shamal thumped Al Markhiya 5-0 at the Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium. Shamal got their opening goal in the eighth minute through Naim Sliti. They doubled their lead in the 23rd minute as Younes El Hannach scored. Alex Collado added a third in the 45th minute. An own goal from Markhiya’s Ahmad Ismal (75th minute) added to Shamal’s scoreline. Mohamad Omar hit one home in added time (90+1 minute) to make it 5-0 for the winners. This was Al Shamal’s first win of the tournament and took their tally to 5 points while Al Markhiya remain on 4 points. Mesaimeer, Lusail draw Mesaimeer and Lusail played out a 1-1 draw at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Mesaimeer’s Abdulkader Zoukh scored in the 12th minute, capitalising on some defensive errors by Lusail. The goal was the only difference between the sides for quite a while until Tamim al-Jabri secured the equaliser for Lusail in the 72nd minute to push them to four points in the standings, while Mesaimeer advanced to five points. Al Rayyan, Al Waab share points Al Rayyan and Al Waab played out a 2-2 draw at the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium. Al Waab took an early lead through Abdulrahman Sheikh Khan, who struck in the fifth minute to give his side a 1-0 advantage at halftime. Al Rayyan turned the game around early in the second half, with Brazilian forward Wesley Da Silva scoring twice in quick succession — in the 54th and 58th minutes — to put the Lions ahead. However, Al Waab snatched a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time when Mohammed Abu Shanab capitalised on a goalkeeping error to make it 2-2. With the result, Al Rayyan moved to 10 points, while Al Waab reached 6 points in the group standings.

The Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS) and the Qatar Scouts and Guides Association (QSGA) participated Saturday in the 2025 Global Jamboree on the Air and Internet (JOTA-JOTI) through a dedicated radio station set up at the Qatar Amateur Radio Society headquarters under the special call sign (A71AJOTA).The global camp marks the 68th edition of JOTA and the 29th of JOTI, offering 48 continuous hours of interaction among scouts worldwide in a unique experience that blends technology, friendship, and global scouting culture.In his remarks, HE Shura Council Member and QARS Vice President Dr. Ahmed bin Hamad Al Mohannadi emphasized the society's annual commitment to such international events that foster global communication among amateur radio enthusiasts.He noted that the society's participation aims to promote cultural exchange, allowing scouts and radio amateurs to project their voices from Qatar to the world, encouraging year-round engagement and knowledge sharing.He added that amateur radio clubs worldwide showcase the latest advancements in radio technology and highlight the role of amateur radio in connecting people across borders. JOTA-JOTI utilizes two communication systems including amateur radio and the internet.QARS Secretary Saba'an Mismar Al Jassim stated that the society is marking its 15th consecutive year of participation in this official international event organized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement.He explained that JOTA is a global event where scouts of all ages from various countries connect via amateur radio stations, enabling and encouraging global communication among scouts, enriching their educational experience, and strengthening their sense of belonging to the global scouting movement.Scout leader Ahmed Khamis Al Yousef, Scouting Activities Consultant at the QSGA expressed pride in Qatar's participation in the global camp, affirming that interaction with scouts worldwide broadens participants' horizons and instills values of understanding and peace.Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Yousef described the event as a global gathering of scouts and guides, facilitating the exchange of experiences and communication across cultures.He noted that participant selection is based on thorough preparation and the selection of outstanding scouts from both public and private schools, with language skills playing a role in enabling communication across different regions. Some scouts interact with peers from the Arab world, while others engage with scouts from around the globe in various languages, creating a diverse platform for cultural exchange.Media Officer Buthaina Dasmal Al Kuwari from the QSGA emphasized the importance of media coverage for such events, as it reflects the pioneering role of Qatari scouting in global forums.She noted that Qatar's first participation in JOTA-JOTI dates back to 1996 during the maritime camp in Al Khor, marking a deeply rooted legacy in the history of Qatari scouting.

HE the Minister of Finance, Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari met separately with the Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ahmed Shide; the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Jamshid Kuchkarov; and the Minister of Oil and Gas of the State of Libya, Dr Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadiq.The meetings were held on the margin of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, held in Washington, DC. During the meetings, bilateral relations were discussed, areas of joint co-operation were explored, and key economic, investment, and trade developments were discussed, in addition to a number of topics of common interest.

Following the “remarkable” success of the inaugural ACT Summit held in Dubai in May, Novo Nordisk Qatar, under Ebn Sina Medical Company hosted the second edition of ACT Summit (Advancing Cardio-Metabolic Treatment) in Doha on October 17 and 18.Ebn Sina is a subsidiary of Aamal Company.The two-day scientific summit gathered over 350 healthcare professionals specialised in obesity and diabetes management from more than 12 countries, including Qatar, other GCC countries, Pakistan, Iraq, and Kazakhstan.The event focused on addressing the pressing issues surrounding cardiovascular kidney metabolic complications of Type 2 diabetes and obesity, emphasising the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to enhance patient outcomes and improve long-term weight loss; glycaemic control and the complications of obesity and diabetes; and exploring the role that the semaglutide therapies may play in combating these diseases.Renowned healthcare Professionals from Qatar and worldwide including Germany; USA; Canada and Italy shared cutting-edge insights into emerging treatment strategies and the importance of continuity of care in obesity starting from adolescence to adulthood, clinical innovations, and new models of integrated care.Manvendra Singh, General Manager, Novo Nordisk Qatar, stated:“ACT Summit reinforces Novo Nordisk’s commitment to advancing cardio-metabolic education and empowering healthcare professionals with the latest scientific insights. Hosting this event in Doha reflects Qatar’s growing role as a regional hub for medical excellence and collaboration.“As Qatar and the region continue to face high rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, ACT Summit is vital. Together, we are committed to strengthening the healthcare landscape and improving patient outcomes through innovative, science-driven solutions.Rashid al-Mansoori, CEO, Aamal Company added: “I am pleased to take part in this important summit and address a distinguished audience from the medical sector. We are proud that Aamal’s subsidiary Ebn Sina Medical, continues to partner with leading global innovators like Novo Nordisk.“The ACT Summit 2 demon-strates our shared dedication to elevating medical education and supporting Qatar’s vision of improving public health outcomes.”Throughout the two-day event, participants engaged in plenary discussions, case-based learning, and interactive workshops exploring the interconnection between obesity, diabetes, and cardio-renal complications.The summit concluded with a shared call to action — to advance integrated care and accelerate collaborative solutions to reduce the regional burden of cardio-metabolic diseases.

Australian cricket fans may have their last chance to see India batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in action when the pair tour in the one day international (ODI) series starting in Perth Sunday.Boasting almost 600 ODIs between them, both 36-year-old Kohli and 38-year-old Rohit are active internationally only in the 50-overs format but their future beyond the three-match series is uncertain. Head coach Gautam Gambhir was tight-lipped when asked this week whether the duo might continue on under new captain Shubman Gill, who leads the ODI squad for the first time in Australia.Rohit and Kohli last played for India in the Champions Trophy final in March in which they beat New Zealand.If Australia is to be their last taste of international cricket, it will be in front of crowds packed with fans from the country’s booming Indian communities in Perth, Adelaide (October 23) and Sydney (October 25). A number of Test players in the Australia squad, including batter Travis Head and veteran pacemen, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, will use the series to loosen up for the Ashes.It will Starc’s first start in international cricket in the Australasian summer, having retired from T20s.Marnus Labuschagne, a late call-up to replace injured all-rounder Cameron Green, will hope to convert his hot red-ball form into white-ball runs to continue building his case for an Ashes recall.Labuschagne was dropped from the Test side for the tour of West Indies but has roared back into contention with centuries in his last two Sheffield Shield matches for Queensland.Green’s injury was diagnosed as “low grade” but Australia are not taking any chances with him ahead of the Ashes, which start in six weeks. “Cameron Green has been ruled out of the (India) series having experienced low-grade side soreness at training this week,” Cricket Australia said.“Green will complete a short period of rehabilitation and is tracking to return to play in round three of the Sheffield Shield to continue his preparation for the Ashes.”Round three of the domestic competition is due to start on October 28. Labuschagne will join the ODI squad once the current Sheffield Shield round finishes this weekend.Cricket Australia said Friday Green had been ruled out of the ODI series after having “low grade side soreness” in training and would likely return to play in Shield cricket.The all-rounder joins Pat Cummins on the sidelines, with the regular skipper struggling to shake off lower back bone stress which has put him in doubt for the start of the Ashes.Australia will also be without regular wicketkeeper Alex Carey for the Perth opener against India along with spinner Adam Zampa.Josh Philippe will be behind the stumps, while left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann gets a rare chance in the one-day side in Zampa’s absence.The ODIs precede a five-match T20I series starting in Canberra on October 29 as both nations tune up for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.

Former Real Madrid centre-back Alvaro Mejia moved to Qatar in 2014 to play for Al Shahania SC. Six years later, he became assistant coach at the same club, and then took over as head coach in February 2022.It was less than nine months ago, in January 2025, that Mejia signed a contract with the Qatar Football Association, and for the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup, he will coach the nation’s U-17 squad on home soil.With preparations well underway, Mejia spoke to FIFA about his decade-long career in the nation, his experiences in Qatar and what is to come in Group A against Italy, South Africa and Bolivia in Qatar's eighth appearance in the competition.Excerpts from his interview fifa.com:Q: What was it like going from club football to coaching Qatar's U-17 team? Did the call come as a surprise?Mejia: Yes, it was a surprise. I'd been at Al Shahania for ten seasons. It's where I call home, and I felt really settled there. I wasn't expecting the call, but when the challenge presented itself, it was a wonderful opportunity personally and for the country.This is a valuable experience for the Qatari players, who I think can gain a lot from it because it's challenging on every level. I jumped at the chance and was really excited about it. These last few months have been a whirlwind of non-stop work to get in the best possible shape for an international tournament featuring the best teams and promising young stars.Q: What was your experience of Qatar's footballing growth leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2022?Mejia: It was a beautiful process. We went through all the changes, from the facilities and stadiums to urban development, hotels and sports complexes. All the work that went into hosting such a major tournament took a gigantic effort.The country now occasionally hosts the Asian Cup, the Gulf Cup, and many other sporting events. The city changed so much with all that infrastructure being built for the World Cup 2022, but it was really beautiful once the construction was over. It was a special World Cup for everyone, and even more so because it was held in a single city. Everything took place within a few kilometres, with a metro system that worked beautifully. The 2022 World Cup was an outstanding event for all the football-loving fans who came along.Q: Does the same apply to this U-17 World Cup?Mejia: The facilities are second to none. For instance, the Aspire Zone grounds are within walking distance of each other, making for a festival-like atmosphere around the FIFA U-17 World Cup. It's a wonderful experience for young, talented players to compete in a World Cup, as well as the fans who get to see the whole thing within a 50-metre radius. Anyone who loves football will enjoy this kind of event. It will also bring benefits to the country as a whole. We're looking forward to getting started.Q: You'll be up against Italy, South Africa, and Bolivia in the group stage. Do you have a target in mind for Qatar?Mejia: We're just excited. This U-17 World Cup is a massive challenge. We are aware of Qatar's position, how strong the opposition will be, and what a huge challenge this is. We're going into it full of excitement, and our target is to get as far as we possibly can, bearing in mind that we'll be up against Italy, one of the best teams in the last European Championship. It's lovely to feel excited about doing the right thing and giving players this kind of experience. These types of matches at such a young age will help them grow. We're putting in the hard work to make sure we're as motivated and prepared as possible.Q: How do you work with the players?Mejia: We've tried to put into practice our original idea, but we've had to make some changes. The demands of the competition force you to adapt in certain circumstances, but we've been working with them over the last few months to get them tournament ready. Our aim is to feel comfortable on the ball. We know our opponents will try to put us in different situations, so we need to be prepared and try to get used to them. We want to be able to deal with whatever each match throws at us and adapt our style of play to the tournament itself.

Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari has participated in a session titled "Beyond Sharm El-Sheikh: The Gulf Amidst Conflicts in the Middle East," as part of the Mediterranean Dialogues 2025 Forum, held in Naples, Italy. Dr al-Ansari addressed the most prominent political and security challenges facing the region in the wake of recent developments, stressing the importance of the Gulf role in consolidating regional stability and promoting dialogue and diplomacy. He said that the Israeli attack on Doha last September marked a turning point in the GCC states' approach to collective security, prompting a reassessment of regional and international partnership priorities and enhanced security co-ordination in the face of growing threats. Regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, following the signing of the ceasefire agreement during the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit, Dr al-Ansari stressed that any future political or security arrangements must be based on international legitimacy and reflect the will of the Palestinian people, within the framework of a comprehensive vision for a two-state solution as the only path toward a just and comprehensive peace. He said that Qatar, despite security challenges, continues to uphold its role as a peacemaking force and effective mediator in the region, placing at the top of its priorities the promotion of political dialogue and support for the humanitarian response, particularly in the Palestinian issue. He highlighted the importance of Qatari-Gulf, American, and European partnerships in enhancing regional security, noting that the current phase requires multilateral co-operation to confront crises and prevent their escalation, in a manner that maintains regional stability and serves the interests of the people.

Ten civilians were killed and a dozen more were wounded late Friday in a Pakistani strike on a border province in western Afghanistan, an official at the Paktika provincial hospital said."In the airstrike on Urgun district, 10 civilians were killed and 12 others wounded," he told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that two children were among the dead.Earlier Friday, a senior Taliban official accused Pakistan of breaking a 48-hour ceasefire that had brought two days of calm to the border, and warned that Kabul would "retaliate."

More than a year of siege in the western Sudanese city of El-Fasher has forced some civilians to turn to animal skins for food as the country's war grinds on.El-Fasher is the last major holdout in the vast western Darfur region against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), at war with the regular army since April 2023.With the RSF's nearly 18-month siege cutting off humanitarian aid to the city -- home to 400,000 trapped civilians -- El-Fasher has run out of almost everything."After not eating for three days, three of my neighbours and I roasted cowhide," said Salah Abdallah, 47."Even then, it was difficult to get firewood to light a fire."Soup kitchens, until recently run by volunteers, have closed for lack of supplies.A civilian group documenting the civil war's abuses, the El-Fasher resistance committee, posted a video on social media on Wednesday showing rolls of animal skin sizzling on a small wood fire."The people of El-Facher are now eating cowhide to survive because there isn't even any animal fodder left," the committee wrote.Livestock feed, once used as a meal of last resort, has become scarce and exorbitantly priced.On X, a user who shared the video said they were "old skins" used to stave off hunger.Since August the RSF has stepped up its artillery and drone bombardments in an attempt to take the strategic city.In recent weeks the paramilitaries have seized control of several sectors of El-Fasher, and are wearing down the army's last strongholds bit by bit.After fleeing his Awlad Al-Rif neighbourhood in El-Fasher, which fell to the RSF in recent weeks, Salah Adam found refuge in a reception centre in the city's Daraja Oula quarter."My family left the city three months ago. I stayed behind to keep an eye on our home," the 28-year-old university student explained."In the first two days after the soup kitchens shut down, I shared one bowl of corn porridge without salt with another family," he said, adding that he had not eaten since Wednesday."I will leave the city, no matter the danger."According to satellite images analysed by Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab, the RSF have dug nearly 68 kilometres of earthwork embankments around the city. A corridor just three to four kilometres wide is the only exit.The war in Sudan was triggered by a power struggle between two former allies: General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army commander and de facto ruler of Sudan since a 2021 coup, and General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, head of the RSF.The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions and pushed nearly 25 million into acute hunger.According to the United Nations, more than one million people have fled El-Fasher since the war began, accounting for 10 percent of all internally displaced people in the country.Among them is Ibrahim Osman, who now lives in Tawila, around 70 kilometres west of the city."I had decided not to leave it at all, despite the never-ending bombardment, but the fear of dying of hunger pushed me to leave," the 36-year-old said.The population of the city, once the region's largest, has decreased by about 62 percent, the UN's migration agency said.If El-Fasher falls to the RSF, the paramilitaries will have control of the entire Darfur region, where they have sought to establish a rival administration.The army holds the country's north, centre and east, while the RSF holds sway in the west and parts of the south.

Qatar and Bhutan have signed a joint communiqué establishing diplomatic relations.The communiqué was signed at the Qatar's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York by HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani, Qatar's Permanent Representativeto the UN, and Bhutan's Permanent Representative Pema Lektup Dorji.Following the signing ceremony, the two sides affirmed their desire to strengthen and develop friendly and co-operative relations between both countries.They emphasised the importance of being guided by the principles of the Charter of the UN and international law, respecting and promoting international peace and security, equality among states, and due respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a collective effort to advance sustainable development through education, education leaders and key stakeholders from across the Arab states concluded in Beirut Wednesday the ESD-NET Arab Region 2025 Regional Workshop. The two-day high-level strategic meeting aimed to accelerate the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into national education systems and to strengthen regional collaboration to drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Hosted by the Unesco Regional Office in Beirut, in partnership with the Unesco Regional Office in Doha, the workshop serves as a key milestone in supporting Arab member states to operationalise the ESD-NET Global Network framework. It focuses on confirming the ESD-NET Terms of Reference, finalising the 2026–2027 Regional Roadmap, and aligning collective efforts to mainstream sustainability within education systems in the region. "This workshop is a new beginning towards a green and sustainable Arab education. Unesco, through its offices in Beirut, Doha, and its headquarters in Paris, is fully committed to supporting countries in this journey — strengthening education systems, empowering teachers, developing curricula, and building strong partnerships with communities and the private sector," said Maysoun Chehab, officer in charge of the Unesco Regional Office in Beirut. This gathering builds on the momentum generated by the 2025 ESD-Arab NET webinar series, which mobilised governments, civil society, the private sector and academic institutions to strengthen the ESD ecosystem in the Arab region. A key highlight of the workshop was the official launch of the Arabic language versions of the Greening Education Partnership’s resources, including the Green Schools Quality Standard and the Greening Curriculum Guidance. “These important resources will support countries in transforming learning environments and curricula to be more climate-responsive and action-oriented," said Salah Khaled, director of the Unesco Regional Office for the Gulf states and Yemen.