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The Philippine embassy in Doha marked National Women’s Month by joining the Purple Wednesdays campaign Wednesday (March 25), highlighting its commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, while also observing Girl Child Week to promote the rights and welfare of young Filipino girls.In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the embassy said the celebration forms part of its efforts this March to recognise women and their contributions to society. Embassy officials and staff wore purple, symbolising women, justice, and dignity, in support of the #PurpleWednesdays campaign, a key feature of the Philippine National Women’s Month observance.**media[429282]**By participating in the initiative every Wednesday of March, the embassy underlined its commitment to building an inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to “rise and thrive.” The chancery was also illuminated in purple to further raise awareness and demonstrate solidarity with the global push for gender equality.Alongside the month-long celebration, the embassy joined the Philippines in observing the Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week, or “Girl Child Week,” from March 22 to 28. The annual observance, held every fourth week of March under Proclamation No. 759, s. 1996, complements National Women’s Month by highlighting the importance of safeguarding the rights and welfare of girls.**media[429281]**This year’s theme, “Katawan Ko, Karapatan Ko: Edukasyon Tungo sa Malaya at Ligtas na Pagpapasya” (My Body, My Rights: Education Towards Safe and Informed Choices), emphasises the role of education and access to information in empowering young girls to make informed decisions about their health and future.The embassy reiterated its commitment to raising awareness and ensuring that Filipino girls are equipped with the knowledge and support needed to make safe, empowered choices. It also called on the Filipino community in Qatar to take part in the observance by fostering open dialogue, advocating gender equality, and helping create a safe and nurturing environment for every girl child. 

China expressed deep shock and said it had lodged a protest Tuesday after a man described as a member of Japan's Self-Defense Forces broke into its Tokyo embassy and threatened to kill diplomats.The incident further soured relations between Beijing and Tokyo that have suffered since comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about the self-ruled island of Taiwan.Japan's national broadcaster NHK said the man had entered the heavily guarded embassy grounds on Tuesday morning and that a knife was later found at the scene.NHK, citing unidentified investigation sources, said no one was hurt but added that the man was "believed to be a member of the Ground Self-Defense Force".However, China's foreign ministry said the unidentified man had threatened to kill Chinese diplomats.A ministry spokesman told a scheduled news conference in Beijing that the intruder had scaled the embassy walls before he was apprehended."The individual admitted that his actions were unlawful and threatened to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel 'in the name of God'," spokesman Lin Jian said."The Chinese side is deeply shocked by this incident and has lodged solemn representations and a strong protest with the Japanese side," he said.Police in Tokyo could not be reached immediately for comment.Japan's Defense Ministry said it was aware of the incident but declined to comment further, citing an ongoing investigation.Lin demanded that Tokyo investigate the incident thoroughly.Ties between Japan and China have deteriorated since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Japan might intervene militarily in any Chinese attempt to take Taiwan.China, which regards the democratic island as part of its territory and has not ruled out force to annex it, was furious over the comments.It summoned Tokyo's ambassador and warned Chinese citizens against visiting Japan, with tourism numbers plummeting since then. 

Saudi Arabia informed Iran’s military attache, his assistant and three members of the embassy staff that they must leave the kingdom within 24 hours after being declared persona non grata, the Saudi foreign ministry said yesterday, citing what it described as continued Iranian attacks on Saudi territory. Saudi Arabia has come under attack by hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones since the start of US-Israeli war on Iran, the vast majority of which have been intercepted, authorities said. The ministry said in a statement that continued Iranian attacks would lead to further escalation and have “significant consequences” for current and future relations. On Wednesday, the Saudi foreign minister said the kingdom reserved the right to act militarily against Iran and any trust with Tehran had been shattered following recent attacks. Saudi Arabia and Iran re-established diplomatic ties in 2023 as part of an eff ort to calm tensions after years of enmity that saw them back opposing political and military factions in the region. The US-Israeli war on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent attacks on Gulf neighbours have disrupted oil and natural gas exports from the Middle East and forced production stoppages. The United Arab Emirates said yesterday it faced aerial attacks from Iran after the country warned its neighbour against allowing attacks from its territory on disputed islands near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. “UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran,” the defence ministry said in a statement explaining “the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones”. The Tasnim news agency reported the Iranian military’s operational command had warned the UAE “if any further aggression originates from its territory against the Iranian islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb in the Persian Gulf, Iran... will subject Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE to heavy strikes”. Authorities in the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which shares its name with the UAE’s sixth-largest city, said later yesterday the “sounds heard across parts of the city were the result of successful air defence interception operations”.

The ICAI Doha Chapter recently organised a high-impact technical session titled ‘Decoding 2026 Union Budget’, drawing participation from over 130 members and guests.Chapter chairperson Arun Somanath welcomed the gathering and outlined upcoming initiatives. This was followed by a detailed budget analysis session, graced by chief guest, Sandeep Kumar, deputy chief of Mission at the Indian embassy in Doha.Kumar shared his perspective on the broader economic vision of India. In his address, he emphasised that the 2026 Union Budget is a strategic roadmap and described it as a stepping stone toward achieving the vision of ‘Vikshit Bharat’ by 2047, underscoring the government’s long-term developmental priorities.ICAI past president R Bupathy’s keynote address provided a comprehensive analysis of the fiscal framework, revenue trends, and structural reforms embedded in the budget. He highlighted a significant milestone in India’s taxation landscape, stating that direct tax collections have now surpassed indirect tax collections.He noted that this is a healthy and positive indicator for a developing economy like India. Such a trend reflects improved compliance, widening tax base, and strengthening economic fundamentals, he also said.Chapter vice-chairperson Dewaki Nandan Tibrewal thanked all sponsors and members for their continuous support, which helps in reinforcing the chapter’s continued commitment to professional excellence and knowledge enhancement. 

Muslim women holding portraits of Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gather during a solidarity protest outside of the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur Sunday after the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei amid US-Israel strikes.  

The United States embassy will have "no further dealings" with the speaker of the Polish parliament after claims he insulted President Donald Trump, its ambassador said Thursday.Tom Rose said the decision was made because of speaker Wlodzimierz Czarzasty's "outrageous and unprovoked insults" against the US leader."We will not permit anyone to harm US-Polish relations, nor disrespect (Trump), who has done so much for Poland and the Polish people," Rose wrote on X.Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk responded the same day, writing on X: "Ambassador Rose, allies should respect, not lecture each other.""At least this is how we, here in Poland, understand partnership."On Monday, Czarzasty criticised a joint US-Israeli proposal to support Donald Trump's candidacy for the Nobel Peace Prize."I will not support the motion for a Nobel Peace Prize for President Trump, because he doesn't deserve it," he told journalists.Czarzasty said that rather than allying itself more closely with Trump's White House, Poland should "strengthen existing alliances" such as NATO, the United Nations and the World Health Organisation.He criticised Trump's leadership, including the imposition of tariffs on European countries, threats to annex Greenland, and, most recently, his claims that NATO allies had stayed "a little off the front lines" during the war in Afghanistan.He accused Trump of "a breach of the politics of principles and values, often a breach of international law".After Rose's reaction, Czarzasty told local news site Onet: "I maintain my position" on the issue of the peace prize."I consistently respect the USA as Poland's key partner," he added later on X."That is why I regretfully accept the statement by Ambassador Tom Rose, but I will not change my position on these fundamental issues for Polish women and men."The speaker heads Poland's New Left party, which is part of Tusk's pro-European governing coalition, with which the US ambassador said he has "excellent relations".It is currently governing under conservative-nationalist President Karol Nawrocki, a vocal Trump supporter.In late January, Czarzasty, along with several other high-ranking Polish politicians, denounced Trump's claim that the United States "never needed" NATO allies.The parliamentary leader called the claims "scandalous" and said they should be "absolutely condemned".Forty-three Polish soldiers and one civil servant died as part of the US-led NATO coalition in Afghanistan. 

Danish veterans Wednesday criticised the US embassy in Copenhagen for removing national flags put up in front of the mission to honour Danish soldiers killed in Afghanistan.The embassy later backtracked, and a US State Department spokesperson told AFP that "until an outlet reached out, we were unaware of why the flags were placed in planters outside the Embassy", noting they had been put up without coordination with the embassy.US President Donald Trump last week angered some allies by downplaying the role of non-US NATO troops in the Afghanistan war, saying in an interview that NATO troops "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines".In response, 44 Danish flags, which carried the names of the 44 Danish soldiers killed in Afghanistan, were put up on Tuesday in flower beds outside the US embassy in Copenhagen.A video published by Danish media showed embassy staff taking down the flags Wednesday morning.The embassy originally told Danish media that it had removed the flags because they had been put up without coordination with the embassy.In its statement to AFP, it also noted that "flags, banners, signs, and other items are sometimes left near the embassy" following demonstrations, and while not prohibited they are usually cleaned up by guard staff at the end of their shift.It said the flags placed there on Tuesday had been removed "in accordance with this policy".But politicians and veterans' representatives condemned the move."This was an unnecessary action, which has been perceived as a provocation by many Danes," Carsten Rasmussen, chairman of the Danish Veteran Association, told AFP.Many felt Trump's comments represented "a betrayal" of their brothers in arms, he added.'Completely unacceptable'Jens-Kristian Lutken, a Copenhagen city official representing the Liberal Party (Venstre), called the embassy's move and the questioning of Danish efforts in Afghanistan "completely unacceptable"."We have fought alongside the Americans in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, and we have lost many soldiers in Afghanistan - per capita, as many as the Americans have lost," he told broadcaster TV2.Following the news of the removal, new flags were put up on Wednesday.By Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of small Danish flags had been put up in the flowerbeds, TV2 reported.The embassy told AFP that "additional flags subsequently placed are currently in place and will remain so"."If the American ambassador is fully aware of what is going on in Denmark, then they will know what this is all about," Rasmussen told AFP about the original move to take down the flags."They will know that it seems like a provocation."The Danish Veteran Association is also planning a silent march towards the embassy on Saturday. 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) stressed the importance of protecting civilian and diplomatic buildings, as well as the residences of embassy staff, in accordance with the norms and conventions governing diplomatic relations, following damage to the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, as a result of shelling that targeted the city.In a statement, the Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to continuing efforts aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing its call for diplomacy, dialogue, and de-escalation amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions and the continued suffering of civilians.

The management and students of The Next Generation (TNG) School, Al Daayen Campus, have partnered with the embassy of Pakistan in Doha to promote environmental protection and awareness.Deputy head of mission Atiya Iqbal and community welfare attaché Osama Idrees visited TNG as part of the embassy’s “Green Drive” initiative, a tree-planting and environmental awareness campaign in Qatar, organised in recognition of Qatar National Day (QND).During the visit, TNG Al Daayen’s Student Council members and participants of the British Council’s “Your World Competition” presented their research and projects on environmental sustainability.Students highlighted the inspiration behind their work, the innovative solutions they proposed, and the impact they aim to create.The session featured a detailed and interactive discussion with the embassy representatives, where students asked questions and explored solutions to sustainability challenges, such as digital responsibility, food waste management, and plastic reduction.Senior students, along with the wider Student Council body, attended the event to observe and take forward these discussions across the student community.Their involvement aims to inspire peers and further strengthen a culture of environmental responsibility within the campus.Iqbal lauded the students for their passion, confidence, and clarity of vision.The event concluded with a tree planting activity led by the Pakistan embassy officials within the school premises. 

Invest Qatar, the Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar, and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) Monday entered into a strategic partnership aimed at deepening economic and investment co-operation between Qatar and Poland.This collaboration, formalised during the Poland-Qatar Investment Forum hosted by the Embassy of Poland in Doha, reflects a shared commitment to promoting mutual interests and unlocking new opportunities for businesses in both countries.The strategic partnership establishes the framework for exchanging information and data between both parties to support and strengthen investment flows between Qatar and Poland.Under the agreement, Invest Qatar will provide Polish companies with comprehensive support, including insights into Qatar’s business and regulatory landscape, guidance on investment opportunities, assistance with business setup and introductions to key stakeholders. The agency will also offer aftercare services to Polish firms already operating in Qatar, ensuring a seamless experience for new and existing investors.PAIH will support Invest Qatar in promoting business opportunities in Qatar to Polish companies, as well as refer interested investors looking to enter the market. Additionally, PAIH and Invest Qatar will collaborate to participate in joint events, workshops and conferences aimed at strengthening business exchange and bilateral investment between Qatar and Poland."This partnership with PAIH marks a new chapter in the long-standing relationship between Qatar and Poland that has been built on mutual respect, shared values and a commitment to progress. Through this collaboration, we aim to open new avenues for economic growth, support Polish companies to explore the wealth of opportunities available in Qatar and foster meaningful partnerships that drive innovation and long-term growth,” said Sheikh Ali Alwaleed al-Thani, chief executive officer, Invest Qatar.Łukasz Gwiazdowski, deputy chairman of PAIH, said it is pleased to join forces with Invest Qatar to support Polish companies in expanding their global footprint."This collaboration will not only facilitate access to new markets but also foster significant connections between our business communities. We look forward to working together to drive investment and create lasting value for both economies,” he added.This collaboration aligns with Invest Qatar’s commitment to position Qatar as a reliable long-term strategic partner to nations and businesses around the world while supporting its national economic diversification objectives. It also reaffirms the close and historic ties between Qatar and Poland, with diplomatic relations being established over 35 years ago.This is exemplified by the significant trade and commercial ties between the two countries, with trade reaching approximately QR4.2bn in 2024, and the presence of over 35 Polish companies operating across a variety of sectors in Qatar, including professional services, logistics and technology.

The British Embassy in Doha hosted its annual King’s Birthday Party Thursday. The celebration brought together senior representatives from Qatar and the UK to mark the enduring friendship between the two nations, while looking ahead to future collaboration across a range of sectors, a statement said.The evening reflected on the strong history of UK–Qatar relations and highlighted opportunities to expand partnerships in trade, defence, culture, education, and innovation.In his remarks, British ambassador Neerav Patel underscored the depth of the UK-Qatar relationship and the importance of people-to-people ties in sustaining it.“These people-to-people connections are the beating heart of our relationship. Through our work, friendships, creativity and commitment, we all help make this relationship thrive. We are proud of the living bridge between our countries.”The ambassador praised the quintessential role of Qatar in international diplomacy and global development under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and highlighted the great depth of cooperation with the UK across every major file.He also highlighted the launch of the British Community Foundation, a new non-profit initiative supporting the British community in Qatar and strengthening cultural exchange with Qatari society.This year’s theme invited guests to enjoy a journey 'From Tube to Tower,' showcasing iconic British motifs — from London red telephone boxes to classic fish and chips — bringing a slice of Britain to Doha, the statement added.

The Algerian embassy in Doha has marked the 71st anniversary of the outbreak of the glorious November 1, 1954 revolution. Addressing the ceremony on the occasion, ambassador Saleh Attia said his country is commemorating this year under the slogan “A Message to Generations.” The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Ibrahim bin Ali bin Issa al-Hassan al-Mohannadi, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Her Excellency Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Co-operation, His Excellency Ambassador Ibrahim Yousef Abdullah Fakhro, Director of the Protocol Department, HE Ambassador Nayef Abdullah al-Siddiqi al-Emadi, director of the Arab Affairs Department, Ambassador Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, ambassador of Eritrea and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. Ambassador Attia said: “This cherished anniversary, is considered a shining and honourable milestone in Algeria's history, and is a true testament to the greatness, patience, and unwavering resistance of the Algerian people against all forms of oppression, subjugation, genocide, and tyranny throughout 132 years of occupation. During this time, they made immense sacrifices, with over one and a half million martyrs who wrote the greatest epics of heroism and sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom, liberation, full independence, and the restoration of national sovereignty. He added: “I would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate and commend the glorious chapters of shared history that unite the brotherly Algerian and Qatari peoples, a history always founded on brotherhood, solidarity, and mutual support. I take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks, appreciation, and gratitude to His Highness the Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, for his noble and courageous stance, despite his young age at the time. He was a supporter of the Algerian Revolution during his school years, tirelessly collecting donations from his peers and mobilising support for the cause. His Highness was honoured with the Medal of the Glorious Algerian Revolution. **media[380678]** "Loyalty to the sacrifices of our righteous martyrs and our valiant and good mujahideen has been and will remain the main motivation for strengthening the path of building a sovereign and strong Algerian state, and the basic incentive for the growth and progress that our country is witnessing on all fronts and at various levels, in implementation of the programme of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, as efforts continue on the path of achieving sustainable development and investment in human resources and vital sectors such as education, health and housing, as the Algerian state pays great attention to its citizens, through allocating every year a huge budget for social transfers, which was estimated in 2025 at about $43bn.” The relations between Algeria and Qatar are deeply rooted and distinguished by their history, characterised by cordiality, respect, and continuous consultation, and witnessing ongoing development at all levels. This is evidenced by the numerous reciprocal visits of President Tebboune, and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, clearly demonstrating their will and determination to elevate these distinguished bilateral relations to the highest levels of strategic co-operation. In this context, the ambassador commended the momentum and dynamism of the political relations between the two brotherly countries and the continuous development reflected in the numerous official visits exchanged by the two leaders in recent years, in anticipation of the sixth session of the Algerian-Qatari High Joint Committee in the coming months.