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As government funding for the US Department of Homeland Security remains frozen in Congress, airports are running ‌food drives and accepting donations for security screeners enduring their second stretch without pay in the ​last six months. Transportation Security Administration officers ‌scrimped and pinched pennies during last year’s 43-day government shutdown, and many of those 50,000 ‌workers are still paying off debts as the current ‌funding lapse for the TSA’s parent agency, the Department ‌of Homeland Security, has stretched to five weeks. Those workers are six days away from missing a second full paycheck, but are being pressured to show up as screening times at some airports stretch on for hours. “The 43-day shutdown in the fall, a lot of TSA officers didn’t get paid for 50 days. So they’re not recovered from that and that was only two or three months ago,” said Kimberly Kraynak-Lambert, trustee of Pittsburgh’s local chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees union, which represents government workers. Airports and officials are scrambling to help TSA staffers make ends meet to forestall a sharp rise in absences ​from screeners, who earn an average of $61,000 annually, according to federal data. Rebecca Wolf, president of AFGE Local 1127, who represents TSA officers at 47 airports across several western US states, said struggling workers are taking on side gigs like ‌making Amazon deliveries or driving for Lyft and Uber. “Many have gone ​and applied for food stamps within their states,” she said. “I have a couple of officers ​in one of my states that they’re actually sleeping in their car and one has been evicted already.” DHS acknowledged the screeners’ hardships, with a spokesperson saying that “Democrats must reopen DHS now.” The union is alerting members nationwide to food drives and free pantries for groceries. Airports like Minneapolis-St. Paul and Phoenix are accepting donations such as gasoline gift cards, food, or essentials like baby goods. Seattle-Tacoma’s airport has opened a food pantry, while at Dallas Fort Worth International, supervisors are bringing food to checkpoints twice a week. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is giving out vouchers for one free meal per shift as TSA officers “continue to show up every day to protect millions of travellers, even as they face uncertainty at home,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, in ‌a statement. Screeners are also getting free ‌parking and public transport passes. It is unclear when funding will be restored. Democrats in Congress in February agreed to fund most of the government in exchange for withholding funds from DHS following the high-profile killings of two US residents in Minnesota by immigration authorities. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters on Friday that a bipartisan group of senators have narrowed the remaining issues in the DHS funding talks, but it is not clear when they will reach a deal. “A Transportation Security Officer selling plasma to keep the lights on is unconscionable. Tens of thousands of families turning to food banks because Congress refuses to do its ​job is a national disgrace,” said Everett Kelley, national president of the AFGE. Officials have noted that small US airports may have to shut due to a shortage of security screeners. So far, 366 TSA officers have quit their jobs since the shutdown began, according to DHS. Workers presenting letters from DHS to creditors asking for late fees to be waived or for payments to be deferred are finding less leniency this time around, said Kraynak-Lambert of Pittsburgh’s AFGE 332. Union officials say workers who call in sick must show proof with a note from a doctor. 

Nepal voted Thursday for a new parliament in a high-stakes showdown between an entrenched old guard and a powerful youth movement, six months after deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government.Key figures contesting for power include the Marxist former prime minister seeking a return to office, a rapper-turned-mayor bidding for the youth vote, and the newly elected leader of the powerful Nepali Congress party.Election commission officials collected ballot boxes after voting closed, with papers taken under guard to centres before counting."The voting process has been concluded peacefully and enthusiastically," Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari told reporters, saying turnout had been around 60% according to initial estimates.Some winners are expected to be published as early as today, but full results may take several days.It may then take time before a government is formed if, as many analysts expect, no party wins an outright majority."Nepalis have been waiting for change for so long, from one system to another," said Nilanta Shakya, 60, a retired engineer, who was among the first to vote at a college in the capital, Kathmandu."I hope there is a meaningful change this time," she added.Voters have chosen who replaces the interim government in place since the September 2025 uprising, in which at least 77 people were killed, and parliament and scores of government buildings were torched.Youth-led protests under a loose Gen Z banner began as a demonstration against a brief social media ban, but were fed by wider grievances at corruption and a woeful economy.Sushila Karki, the interim prime minister, said the vote was critical in "determining our future".The polls are one of the most hotly contested elections in the Himalayan republic of 30mn people since the end of a civil war in 2006.Thousands of soldiers and police have been deployed.The election saw a wave of younger candidates promising to tackle Nepal's dismal economy, challenging veteran politicians who have dominated for decades and argue that their experience guarantees stability and security."Today feels like a day of celebration," said Nirmala Bhandari, 50, a housewife, who danced in the street with friends for a video for social media, after casting her vote in Bhaktapur district outside the capital."I am hopeful that the country will get new leaders and that we will build a better nation."'Blood will bring change'Helicopters will be used to collect ballot boxes from snowbound mountain regions across Nepal, home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest.But all eyes will be focused on the hot farming plains south of Kathmandu, where all three prime ministerial hopefuls contested seats — a departure from past elections that focused on the capital.KP Sharma Oli, the 74-year-old Marxist leader ousted as prime minister last year and seeking a return to power, was challenged in the usually sleepy eastern district of Jhapa by former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician."This election must re-establish democracy and contribute to end non-political, anarchic and violent tendencies," Oli said after voting, insisting his party would win the largest number of seats.The Jhapa-5 constituency, with around 163,000 voters, will determine whether Oli secures his seat or whether Shah enters parliament.Shah, from the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), who queued to vote in Kathmandu dressed in a black suit and sunglasses, has cast himself as a symbol of youth-driven political change.Also in the race as aspiring prime minister is Gagan Thapa, 49, the new head of the country's oldest party, Nepali Congress, who has said he wants to end the "old age" club of revolving veteran leaders.After casting his ballot, Thapa told AFP that it is "the duty of the leaders" not to let the events of last September occur again.On social media, voters shared images of their ink-marked thumbs — alongside photographs of the September protests."At the Gen Z protest, people died — and their blood will bring change, we hope," said Tek Bahadur Aale, 66, who voted in Jhapa."We hope a government with good governance, no corruption, comes this time."More than 3,400 candidates are running for 165 seats in direct elections to the 275-member House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, with 110 more chosen via party lists. 

South African anti-apartheid activist Mosiuoa Lekota, who broke away from the African ‌National Congress to found ​a new ‌political party, died in the ‌early ⁠hours ‌of Wednesday morning, ‌his party said in a statement. ⁠He was 77 years old.Lekota died after a period of illness and had stepped back from active politics. He was a close ​ally of former President Thabo Mbeki and served as South Africa's ‌defence minister from ⁠1999 to ​2008. Lekota, nicknamed "Terror" for ​his fearsome skills on the soccer pitch as young man, quit in protest at Mbeki's ousting and was voted off the ANC's National Executive Committee after repeated criticism of Mbeki's successor, Jacob ‌Zuma.He co-founded ‌the Congress ⁠of the People (COPE) party ⁠in 2008. ⁠COPE won roughly 7% of the vote in the first national election it contested, in 2009, but its vote share has ​been below 1% at every national election since then.Lekota worked as a student activist during the 1970s. He served jail time on Robben Island with the country's liberation hero Nelson Mandela. islam 

Qatar Development Bank (QDB), in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), officially announced that Doha will host the ‘Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) Doha 2026’. The four-day event will take place on September 21-24, 2026, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC). The announcement follows the signing of an agreement between QDB and GEN on the sidelines of the 65th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The Doha edition is expected to attract more than 3,000 participants, including entrepreneurs, investors, experts, representatives of financial institutions, and government decision-makers from over 200 countries and organisations worldwide. Participants will engage in in-depth dialogue on entrepreneurship, investment, cross-border collaboration, sectoral innovation, startup growth pathways, and public policies that support sustainable growth. The event will be held in partnership with QDB’s Rowad Entrepreneurship Conference, building on its strong track record in supporting Qatar’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and reinforcing its position as the nation’s leading entrepreneurship event. QDB CEO Abdulrahman bin Hesham al-Sowaidi said: “We look forward to welcoming the global entrepreneurial community of leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors to participate in high-level international dialogue that translates into collaboration, co-ordination, and partnerships that stimulate economic development across the region and globally. This milestone further reinforces Qatar’s position as a hub for economic cooperation and innovation, and as a launchpad for innovative ideas and cross-border entrepreneurship.” GEN founder and president Jonathan Ortmans said: “Qatar brings together rare conditions: a clear strategic vision, recognised execution capabilities and an international positioning that fosters dialogue and co-operation. GEC Doha 2026 continues to underscore the role of the Congress as a global reference platform, capable of generating structured collaboration and concrete outcomes for entrepreneurial ecosystems.” In a statement announcing its partnership with QDB, the GEN emphasised Qatar’s constructive role in advancing economic development and supporting entrepreneurship through its strong capacity for strategic co-ordination among stakeholders, effective implementation of strategies, and ability to forge impactful partnerships. Through hosting the congress, Doha aims to contribute to the development of a global economic ecosystem in which entrepreneurship serves as a central pillar for co-operation, investment, and ecosystem growth. Hosting the global event reflects the significant progress Qatar has achieved in developing its entrepreneurship ecosystem and enhancing its competitiveness in attracting innovative projects and ideas, in line with the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy 2024–2030. The milestone builds on the success of the Rowad Entrepreneurship Conference at the local level. Its eleventh edition, held last year, recorded notable achievements and was recognised as one of the most prominent and impactful events supporting entrepreneurship at both the local and regional levels. Building on this momentum, QDB continues to leverage this pioneering experience by hosting one of the world’s largest entrepreneurship-focused events, opening new and unprecedented horizons for collaboration and coordination with the global entrepreneurial community. 

Vodafone Qatar has announced the commercial launch of its 5G Standalone (SA) network, which marks a significant leap forward in its digital transformation journey.The company has partnered with Nokia to deliver 5G SA in Qatar, and they are jointly showcasing two use cases, immersive video applications and Data Centre Fabric, at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Doha. The demonstrations showcase the capabilities of 5G SA for consumers and enterprises, which will further solidify Vodafone Qatar’s position as a leader in innovation.Visitors to MWC Doha can visit the Vodafone Qatar booth to view the two demos:Immersive 360 camera showcases, featuring Nokia’s 5G 360 camera and real-time eXtended Reality Multimedia (RXRM) software. The demonstration uses 5G SA to bring real-time, high-definition streaming capabilities to enterprises and consumers, enabling use cases like remote monitoring, immersive entertainment, virtual tourism, and enhanced security solutions.Data Centre Fabric is Nokia’s cutting-edge data centre networking solution that enhances the operator’s infrastructure with a highly scalable, resilient, and agile foundation. It will create a highly automated and programmable network environment, optimise resource utilisation and simplify management of Vodafone Qatar's operations.Ramy Boctor, Chief Technology officer at Vodafone Qatar, said: “The launch of our 5G Standalone network is a pivotal moment for Vodafone Qatar and for the nation’s digital future. By leveraging the full capabilities of 5G SA, we are not just offering faster speeds. We are enabling a new generation of services that will revolutionise industries, enhance daily lives and drive economic growth.“Our 5G network is at its most robust and extensive yet, and this, as part of our work to develop Qatar’s national digital infrastructure, is continuously opening up opportunities to embrace and deploy other emerging technologies.”Samar Mittal, vice president, MEA Market, Cloud and Network Services’ of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, said: “Nokia is proud to partner with Vodafone Qatar to launch 5G SA at MWC Doha.“This nationwide network modernisation project will enable Vodafone Qatar to deliver faster, more secure, and highly adaptable 5G services to consumers and businesses across the country, while preparing the network for next-generation innovations.”The 5G SA network, which incorporates Nokia’s autonomous network solutions and automated data centre fabric for the edge, will deliver dynamic network slices combined with intelligent automation, providing guaranteed performance, ultra-low latency, and enhanced security for specific consumer and enterprise applications and services.Attendees are invited to visit the Vodafone Qatar stand at MWC Doha to experience the future of connectivity and learn more about the transformative potential of 5G SA.

Ooredoo will participate as the Strategic Partner at the inaugural Mobile World Congress (MWC) Doha 2025, which will run until November 26 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).The event, organised by the GSMA in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), will mark the Middle East’s first-ever edition of MWC, bringing together global leaders in connectivity, innovation, and digital transformation.Under the theme ‘Empowering Intelligence, Connecting Futures’, Ooredoo will showcase its leadership in AI-driven innovation, 5G standalone deployments, and smart connectivity, reinforcing its pivotal role in building intelligent infrastructure that supports Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and the country’s National Digital Strategy 2030.Throughout the two-day event, Ooredoo will host a series of engaging sessions, including ‘How Telcos Use AI Internally’ and ‘Telecom as a Service through API Capabilities’.It will also present interactive demonstrations at its booth, showcasing AI applications, enterprise solutions, and next-generation connectivity, offering visitors a first-hand look at how digital intelligence is transforming businesses and driving innovation across industries.Ooredoo Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali bin Jabor bin Mohammad al-Thani said, “Building on the success of M360 Mena 2024, Ooredoo’s strategic collaboration with MWC Doha 2025 reflects our continued commitment to shaping Qatar’s digital future through the power of connectivity and intelligence.”

Members of Congress hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the US Capitol Wednesday, on the second day of a visit to Washington that has aimed to tout stronger-than-ever economic and security ties.President Donald Trump gave bin Salman a lavish welcome at the White House on Tuesday. A handful of Republican members of Congress, including House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, attended a black-tie gala dinner at the White House for bin Salman on Tuesday.Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sat near him during Tuesday's Oval Office meeting. Trump repeatedly said it was "an honour" to be friends with the Saudi leader, and the two men held hands. The crown prince arrived at Congress for a reception hosted by Johnson and attended by some Democrats as well as some of Trump's fellow Republicans.The meeting was not announced and the speaker's office did not respond to a request for comment. No similar meeting was held in the Senate. Neither Johnson nor Republican Senate Leader John Thune had the type of press opportunity, with photos and remarks, that is often held when world leaders visit the Capitol. Leaving the hour-long session with bin Salman, Mast said it had been a "fantastic" meeting that covered topics from Saudi Arabia's future internally, to Israel and Gaza, technology transfers, and efforts to thwart Chinese espionage."We covered just a lot of ground and covered a lot of ground with his royal highness at the White House last night as well," Mast told Reuters. Bin Salman, who agreed in the meeting with Trump to increase the kingdom's planned investments in the US to $1tn from $600bn, also attended an investment conference in Washington Wednesday that included CEOs from major US companies.The two sides also announced new agreements on arms sales, civil nuclear cooperation and artificial intelligence. Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, attended the House reception. Afterward, he called on the Trump administration to brief Congress on the agreements and questioned whether Trump's family businesses would benefit.Trump on Tuesday vehemently denied any conflict of interest with his family's Saudi investment interests.

The US government shut down early Wednesday for the first time in nearly seven years, after Congress (the primary constitutional institution in the US, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives) failed to pass a funding law to ensure the continued operation of institutions. Following the vote's failure on Tuesday, Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), informed federal agencies that they "should now execute their plans for an orderly shutdown." The US has previously experienced four government shutdowns that affected services for more than one business day, the most recent of which was during US President Donald Trump's first term in 2019. A federal government shutdown results in the temporary layoffs of hundreds of thousands of federal employees. Some workers, classified as essential, are required to continue working but will not receive their pay until the shutdown is resolved. In contrast, certain positions that are not funded by annual appropriations from Congress will continue to receive pay during this time. The current crisis involves $1.7 trillion in funding, amounting to one-quarter of the $7 trillion government's budget, with the largest remainder to health and retirement programmes and interest payments on the growing $37.5 trillion debt.

Qatar Post has received three prestigious international awards from the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the EMS Cooperative during the 28th Universal Postal Congress, currently taking place in Dubai, in the presence of senior officials and experts from the global postal sector.Qatar Post was awarded the "Gold Level in Performance" in recognition of its excellence in delivering international EMS services, as well as the "Customer Care Award" for outstanding performance in supporting customers across the global EMS network.The Gold Level is granted only to operators who meet the highest performance indicators and adhere to the strict technical standards set by the EMS Cooperative. The Customer Care Award was based on the efficient use of the UPU's i-Care system, with high responsiveness and quality handling of EMS inquiries.Additionally, Qatar Post received the "2025 Postal Security Group's Chairman's Award ", presented by the Universal Postal Union, in recognition of its outstanding efforts and leadership in developing postal security policies and implementing global best practices.These combined awards reflect Qatar Post's continued commitment to enhancing the quality of postal services, achieving sustainability, and advancing operational security both locally and internationally. They are part of a broader strategic vision aimed at reinforcing Qatar's position on the global postal map.

Qatar Chamber participated in the 14th World Chambers Congress in Australia's Melbourne.The biannual conference was held under the theme "Business, chambers, government: Partners for prosperity," with the attendance of 1,200 participants from a 100 countries. It featured 30 panel sessions with more than 80 speakers. Discussions centred on how fostering collaboration among businesses, chambers of commerce, and governments can effectively drive economic growth and prosperity.Qatar Chamber’s delegation, chaired by Chairman of Qatar Chamber and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC Qatar) Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, discussed ways to enhance co-operation with chambers of commerce worldwide, exchange experiences on best practices that support the private sector and promote inter-trade between countries.Sheikh Khalifa took part in the World Chambers Federation (WCF) Executive Committee meeting and the "Chamber Leadership Round Table: Strategic Dialogue on Global Trends." He also met with Governor of Victoria Professor Margaret Gardner AC where they discussed ways to enhance co-operation, particularly in economic and commercial fields.Additionally, Sheikh Khalifa held separate meetings with Philippe Varin, Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC); Rifat Hisarciklioglu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkiye (TOBB); Gennadiy Chyzhykov, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Lyall Gorman, Deputy President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Danny Pearson MP, Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, and Gonul Serbest, Commissioner for Victoria to Europe, the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa.The Chamber’s delegation held a meeting with a delegation of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Discussions during these meetings focused on enhancing co-operation between the Qatari private sector and its counterparts in these countries, as well as reviewing the business climate and investment opportunities.For his part, QC Board Member Mohamed al-Obaidli participated in a panel session titled "Investing in Stability: Building Trust and Fostering Investment Readiness in the Face of Sweeping Changes." Sheikha Tamader al-Thani, ICC Qatar Secretary-General and Director of International Relations and Chambers Affairs at Qatar Chamber, participated in the WCF General Council Meeting, the WCF Women’s Council workshop on "Building Effective Women’s Entrepreneurship Programmes: Why Chambers The Case for Championing Women Entrepreneurs," as well as the Best Chamber Innovative Project Competition.In addition, Ahmed Abu Nahya moderated a panel session titled "World Chambers Competition: Best out-of-the-box project."Sheikh Khalifa emphasised that the Qatar Chamber was keen to participate in this global conference, noting that Chamber had previously hosted its eighth edition in 2013.He highlighted Qatar’s key in supporting the flow of global trade and pointed out that the conference serves as a leading global platform, bringing together chambers from around the world to discuss best practices, exchange experiences, and review key achievements in international trade.The World Chambers Congress, organised by the ICC and its World Chambers Federation, is the largest and only international forum that enables chamber leaders and professionals to share best practices, exchange insights, develop networks, address the latest business issues affecting their communities, and learn about new areas of innovation from chambers around the world.Qatar Chamber’s participation as a platinum sponsor of the congress reflects its commitment to strengthening its presence in global economic forums, showcasing investment opportunities in Qatar, and fostering new partnerships with counterparts from around the world to serve the aspirations of the Qatari private sector.Through its pavilion at the congress, the Chamber highlighted Qatar’s investment climate and promoted avenues for co-operation and partnership between the Qatari private sector and businesses from the participating countries.

The President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), opened the FIA American Congress 2025 in Asunción to mark a new milestone for South American motorsport.The congress is a flagship event on the calendar of the FIA, the global governing body for motorsport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, bringing together delegates from 33 countries across the Americas.FIA President Ben Sulayem said: “The American Congress is the embodiment of what the FIA stands for, a globally connected Federation, leading the way in motorsport and mobility. We are elevating and innovating across our sectors and bringing together a passionate community to share knowledge and ideas.“Here in Paraguay, and across the Americas, mobility and motorsport are evolving rapidly. Major infrastructure projects are connecting regions and boosting trade, and this week marks a historic milestone for South American motorsport with the Rally del Paraguay joining the FIA WRC calendar for the very first time.“I want to extend my sincere thanks to the President of the Republic of Paraguay, Mr. Santiago Peña. for joining us on this special occasion, our hosts the Touring y Automóvil Club Paraguayo, and the city of Asunción for their warm hospitality.”Paraguayan President Santiago Peña said: “We are no longer the best hidden treasure of the continent, but a giant that is re-emerging with full force: people proud of their roots, its heroic history and convinced of its inevitable future of greatness.”“Over the next few days, you will be able to experience the legendary hospitality of Paraguay, a country full of caring people.”Spanning three days and hosted by the Touring y Automóvil Club Paraguayo (TACPy), the Congress is focusing on key themes including road safety and education, innovation in mobility and automotive technology, and the continued growth of motorsport in the region.The congress precedes the inaugural FIA WRC Rally del Paraguay, to be attended by President Peña and FIA President Ben Sulayem, in Itapúa from 28-31 August.