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King Abdullah II ibn al-Hussein of Jordan met in Amman Sunday with His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani. HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs conveyed His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's greetings to the Jordan king and His Highness's wishes of good health, happiness and enduring progress and prosperity for the brotherly people of Jordan.King of Jordan entrusted HE the PM with his greetings to HH the Amir, wishing His Highness good health and happiness and the people of Qatar further development and growth. During the meeting, they discussed ways to support and boost bilateral co-operation between the countries, as well as various matters of shared interest.  

Amateur Jordan Smith sensationally upset a star-studded field to collect a Aus$1mn (US$670,000) prize by winning the pressure-packed "One Point Slam" ahead of the Australian Open.The innovative sudden-death contest at a sold-out Rod Laver Arena pitted 24 professionals led by Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff alongside 24 amateurs and celebrity wildcards.Each match consisted of one just point – win and you advanced, lose and you were out. The 16 top-seeded professionals had first-round byes before the competition morphed into a Grand Slam-style knockout from the last-32 stage onwards.Instead of a traditional coin toss, a game of "rock, paper, scissors" decided who served. Crucially, the amateurs were allowed two serves but any current ATP or WTA-ranked players only one.Australia's Smith, who qualified as the New South Wales champion, beat world number 117 Joanna Garland in the final, having upset Sinner and Amanda Anisimova along the way. Taiwan number one Garland beat Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios and Maria Sakkari."Coming in tonight, I was just happy to win one point," said Smith, who planned to buy a house with his winnings. "I was nervous, but I enjoyed being out here. Was a great experience."Top-ranked Alcaraz fell to women's world number 52 Sakkari, while three-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev was beaten by Anisimova before she was sent packing by Smith. Swiatek lost to Spain's Pedro Martinez.The amateur field comprised winners of eight state championship rounds played across Australia, along with eight others who came through qualifying this week. Eight wildcards went to celebrities, including Taiwanese singer Jay Chou."This event is the ultimate grassroots-to-Grand Slam experience," Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley told reporters. "The AO One Point Slam is tennis at its most exciting -- one point, one shot at glory. Fast, unfiltered and open to everyone."The Australian Open starts at Melbourne Park on Sunday with Sinner defending the men's title and Madison Keys the women's. 

Jordan has entered the Nobel community for the very first time. The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Professor Omar M. Yaghi, a scientist whose journey began with a simple childhood question: could the air around us hold the key to survival? His groundbreaking research into air-harvesting materials has now placed him at the forefront of global scientific innovation and opened new pathways for addressing the world’s most urgent climate challenges.The 2024 Scientific Innovation Award is presented to Professor Omar M. Yaghi, one of the world’s most pioneering chemists and the inventor of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Renowned for transforming a childhood curiosity into a breakthrough with global impact, he grew up in an environment where water was scarce and daily life demanded resourcefulness. He learned early that the air surrounding him was not empty,  it held untapped possibilities. As a child, he watched how his community adapted to deprivation and began asking questions few others thought to ask. What if the air itself could give us what the earth no longer could? What if we could extract water from dryness? “Science gives us tools to rewrite what we believe is possible. My childhood taught me that even the air around us can be a resource if we learn how to listen to it.” This curiosity guided him into chemistry and ultimately into the study of MOFs, crystalline materials with vast internal surface areas and extraordinary absorptive power. These structures, resembling microscopic sponges, can trap gases, filter pollutants and extract moisture even from extremely dry air. After decades of research, he succeeded in doing what once seemed impossible: finding a way to “catch air” and turn it into water. A vision born in childhood has now become a technology with profound global relevance.A breakthrough for a climate-challenged centuryMOFs (Metal Organic Frameworks) are now considered one of the most versatile material classes in modern science. Their ability to harvest water from the atmosphere positions them at the center of global conversations about sustainability and climate resilience. For water-scarce regions, the implications are immense. Devices built with MOFs can extract clean water even in desert climates with very low humidity. They can support rural communities, agriculture and emergency response without relying on traditional water systems.Beyond water harvesting, MOFs enable:• Carbon capture• Hydrogen storage• Air purification• Advanced filtration• Catalytic processes• Environmental remediationThese applications make the Nobel Committee’s decision clear. His research is not simply a scientific milestone; it is a blueprint for the future.In its citation, the Nobel Committee emphasized that his work “transforms global challenges into solvable problems through molecular design.”The laureate himself reflected on the origins of his journey:“I learned early that scarcity is not a limitation. It is an invitation to think differently.Air is not empty. It holds everything we need if we learn how to unlock it.”A historic first for Jordan and a notable moment for the Middle EastThis year’s Nobel Prize carries additional significance. Jordan has never before had a Nobel laureate. This award marks a major scientific milestone for the country and shines a spotlight on the intellectual potential emerging from the region. While other Middle Eastern nations including Egypt, Israel, Iran, Yemen and Palestine have been recognized in the past, the number of laureates remains small. Jordan’s entry into this global circle is therefore both historic and symbolic. It signals that scientific excellence from the Arab world is increasingly being recognized on the world stage.What this means for the Gulf regionFew regions face climate constraints as acutely as the Gulf. High temperatures, limited freshwater reserves and rapid development place enormous pressure on water systems. While desalination remains indispensable, its environmental and energy costs are high. MOF technology offers a powerful complement.1. Water SecurityAir-harvesting can decentralize and diversify water sources, delivering clean water without large infrastructure.2. Climate TransitionMOFs support carbon capture and hydrogen storage, aligning with national sustainability agendas across the Gulf.3. Scientific LeadershipInvestment in advanced materials research can position Gulf nations at the forefront of climate and water innovation.4. Economic DiversificationApplications across energy, environment and manufacturing support long-term transformation toward knowledge-based economies. The journey from a child who imagined how to “catch air” to a scientist receiving the world’s highest scientific honor is a reminder that innovation begins with imagination and courage. It shows that even the harshest environments can inspire ideas that reshape the world. As Qatar and the wider Middle East pursue sustainability, resilience and scientific excellence, this Nobel Prize is more than a personal triumph. It is a regional moment of pride and a global symbol of what becomes possible when curiosity meets determination.____________________________________________FACT: What Are Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs)?Definition:Highly porous crystalline materials that act like molecular sponges.Why they matter:One gram can contain internal surface area comparable to a football field.Key applications:• Atmospheric water harvesting• Carbon capture• Hydrogen storage• Air purification• Filtration and catalysisWhy the Nobel Prize?They represent a fundamental shift in material design with direct applications to climate, energy and water security.

Jordan and Iraq reached the FIFA Arab Cup quarter-finals Saturday after victories over Kuwait and Sudan respectively. Defending champions Algeria laid down a marker of their title credentials in a 5-1 thrashing of Bahrain, in a match where Redouane Berkane had a hand in four of the five goals.Egypt rescued a late point against the UAE in a thrilling 1-1 draw at Lusail Stadium, leaving both teams with work to do in their last Group C matches.Kuwait 1-3 JordanJordan booked their place in the quarter-finals with a largely dominant display to defeat Kuwait in their Group C contest at a bouncing Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. World Cup-bound Jordan caught Kuwait napping for the opening goal, tapping a free-kick from some 30 yards out to Mohannad Abu Taha, who unleashed a blistering drive beyond Sulaiman Abdulghafour with his defence still to organise their wall fully.Abdulghafour was much the busier of the two goalkeepers, and he was beaten again early in the second half as Saed Al Rosan converted following the latest in a series of Jordan corners, with Mahmoud Mardi’s deliveries proving a challenge.**media[390800]**With time running out, substitute Yousef Nasser’s header from Eid al-Rashidi’s delicious cross set up a frantic grandstand finish, before Ali Olwan’s penalty deep into added time finally settled the contest after he had burst clear and been felled by the keeper.Egypt 1-1 UAEEgypt avoided defeat against the UAE with a dramatic late equaliser as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Lusail Stadium in Group C match. In front of over 36,000 fans, the UAE took the lead in the 59th minute through substitute Lucas Caio. Egypt responded late, with Marwan Hamdi heading in the equaliser three minutes from time to secure a point for the Pharaohs.The draw left both teams in a difficult position. Egypt needed a win to recover from their opening-round draw with Kuwait, while the UAE were seeking their first points after losing to Jordan in the first round. This was the first Arab Cup meeting between the two sides.Group C also features Kuwait and World Cup 2026 qualifiers Jordan. Jordan currently tops the group with six points, followed by Egypt and Kuwait with two points each, while the UAE remains at the bottom with no points.Bahrain 1-5 Algeria**media[390801]**Qatar’s national team may be struggling at the Arab Cup, but the domestic Stars League has been providing plenty of talent in other teams that is absolutely flourishing. That’s certainly the case with the defending champions Algeria, with Qatar-based players having a hand in all five goals in their romp over Bahrain.The Fennecs raced to a 3-1 lead at the interval after Al Wakrah’s Redouane Berkane scored the opener and then teed up Al Duhail’s Adil Boulbina for the second. That came shortly after Bahrain had swept home a leveller in a frenetic period that produced three goals in just six minutes. Berkane was back at it again either side of the break, winning a penalty that Yassine Benzia dispatched in first half stoppage-time before grabbing his second shortly after the resumption.Substitute Yacine Brahimi, another Qatar-based player, then teed up Boulbina up for his second and Algeria’s fifth. The comfortable win maintained an unbeaten start for an Algerian side that face Iraq in the section finale on 9 December.Sudan 0-2 IraqIraq progressed to the last eight of the tournament as they held out against sustained Sudan pressure early in the match before snatching victory with two goals in the closing stages. After being on the back foot for much of the first half, Graham Arnold’s side edged their noses in front when Player of the Match Mohanad Ali seized on a poor defensive header from a free-kick to fire his side ahead. The passionate Iraq fans inside Stadium 974 were on their feet once again moments later as Amjed Attwan made sure of the victory with six minutes left. 

The Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Dr. Jaafar Hassan, landed in Doha on Monday for the second Global Summit for Social Development, scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 4 to 6.Upon his arrival at Hamad International Airport, Dr. Hassan and his accompanying delegation were welcomed by HE Ibrahim bin Yousef Fakhro, Director of the Protocol Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Zaid Mufleh Al Lawzi, Jordan's Ambassador to Qatar.

Jordan and Germany said on Saturday that an international force expected to support a future Palestinian police in Gaza under US President Donald Trump's post-war governance plan should have a UN mandate.Under the US-brokered ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, a coalition of mainly Arab and Muslim nations is expected to deploy forces in the Palestinian territory, which has been devastated by the war that broke out on October 7, 2023 with Hamas's attack on Israel.The so-called international stabilisation force is supposed to train and support vetted Palestinian police in the Strip, with backing from Egypt and Jordan, as well as secure border areas and prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas."We all agree that in order for that stabilisation force to be able to be effective in getting the job done, it has to have a Security Council mandate," Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said.Jordan, however, will not be sending its own forces to the Strip."We're too close to the issue and we cannot deploy troops in Gaza," Safadi said, adding his country was nonetheless ready to cooperate with the international force.Safadi was speaking at the IISS Manama Dialogue conference in Bahrain alongside his German counterpart Johann Wadephul, who also supported a UN mandate for the force, saying it would "need a clear basis in international law"."We understand that this is of utmost importance to those countries who might be willing to send troops to Gaza and for the Palestinians. Germany would also want to see a clear mandate for this mission," Wadephul said.The idea of the stabilisation force has drawn some criticism, with UN experts last month warning it would "replace Israeli occupation with a US-led occupation, contrary to Palestinian self-determination".The UN has mandated international peacekeeping forces in the region for decades, including UNIFIL in southern Lebanon, which is currently working with the Lebanese army to enforce a November 2024 ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Jordan's King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein discussed the fraternal relations between the two countries and the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories.This came during a phone call the Amir received Monday from the Jordanian king. The call also explored the latest updates in the US plan to end the war and ongoing efforts to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and ensure the protection of civilians.

Qatar Charity (QC) has provided educational supplies in Chad and Jordan, as part of its continued efforts to support education and provide learning opportunities for underprivileged children.The initiatives, backed by generous donors, coincide with the start of the new academic year and fall under the umbrella of the organisation’s ongoing ‘Education 2025’ campaign.In N’Djamena, QC distributed 1,000 desks and chairs to 10 educational institutions. The handover ceremony was attended by Loul Ali Choua, secretary general of the Ministry of Education and Civic Promotion, along with representatives of the beneficiary institutions.Choua praised the initiative, calling it “a generous contribution that reflects strong co-operation in supporting education, which is the foundation of development and the backbone of societal progress.” He called for a strategic partnership agreement with Qatar Charity to expand educational efforts nationwide.The project responds to the severe shortage of school furniture in Chad, where over 40% of primary schools lack desks and chairs, forcing students to sit on the ground or share seats.In Jordan, QC launched the first phase of a school bag distribution initiative, benefiting 120 female students in Jerash Governorate, who excel in memorising parts of the Holy Qur’an. The bags include essential supplies and stationery. A second phase is expected to distribute 500 more bags across other regions.Saleh bin Mohammed al-Marri, the general supervisor of Qatar Charity’s office in Jordan, said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to support education. Since 2016, the office has implemented over 187 educational projects, including scholarships, school renovations, and supply distribution.QC urges donors to continue supporting the ‘Education 2025’ campaign, which aims to provide school bags, meals, supplies, school rehabilitation, and scholarships for thousands of children worldwide. Contributions can be made via QC’s website, app, home collection service, contact centre (44290000), or through its branches and collectors.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani arrived on Wednesday in Amman, on an official visit to the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. HH the Amir was welcomed upon arrival at Marka International Airport by King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.Also, present were Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hassan, Speaker of the House of Representatives Ahmed Al Safadi, President of the Judicial Council Mahmoud Ababneh, President of the Constitutional Court Mohammad Ghazou, Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Al Safadi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Jordan Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al-Thani and Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Qatar Zaid Mufleh Al Lawzi, along with a number of Their Excellencies members of the government, ranking civilian and military officials, and members of the Qatari Embassy.HH the Amir was accorded an official reception ceremony upon his arrival.His Highness the Amir is accompanied by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and an official delegation.Four F-16 fighter jets from the Royal Jordanian Air Force escorted HH the Amir's plane as it entered Jordanian airspace, and artillery fired 21 rounds to welcome His Highness' visit.

The Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the State of Qatar. Zaid Mufleh Al Lawzi stressed that the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Amman reflects the depth of the historical and fraternal relations between the two countries. In exclusive remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Ambassador said that HH the Amir's visit to Jordan is significant, as it comes at a very sensitive regional time, noting the keenness of the leaderships of the two countries to continue coordination and consultation on various regional and international issues, foremost among which is the Palestinian cause. HH the Amir's visit embodies the depth of the historical relations between Amman and Doha, as the Palestinian cause has always been a major item on the foreign policy agenda of both countries, a clear consensus in support of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, he added.Ambassador Al Lawzi said that the visit will discuss bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to support and develop them, in addition to coordination and consultation on various issues of common interest, and efforts to open new horizons for cooperation for the benefit of the two brotherly countries. He stressed that economic relations between the State of Qatar and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan are fruitful, and that the two countries are bound by numerous trade and investment agreements. He explained that Qatari investments in Jordan exceed $1 billion across various sectors, including banking, the financial market, the real estate market, and renewable energy.Regarding the Israeli aggression on Doha on Sep. 9, The Ambassador Al Lawzi said that King Abdullah IIآ ibn Al Hussein of Jordan was among the first to call His Highness the Amir to condemn the brutal aggression and express absolute support for the State of Qatar and all the measures it takes to protect its territory, sovereignty, and the security of its citizens and residents.He added that the visit of Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II to the State of Qatar following the Israeli attack confirms Jordan's continued support for the State of Qatar, noting that on Sep. 15, the King met with HH the Amir on the sidelines of the emergency Arab-Islamic Summit held in Doha.He pointed out that the two countries have recently witnessed mutual official visits by senior Jordanian and Qatari officials, the signing of several bilateral agreements, and continued joint military cooperation and coordination. Regarding the Palestinian cause, the Ambassador said that there is a convergence in the positions of the two brotherly countries regarding the Palestinian cause, and support for the Palestinian people in achieving their just and legitimate rights, and establishing their independent and viable state, based on the two-state solution. Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the State of Qatar Zaid Mufleh Al Lawzi pointed out that the State of Qatar and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan have been working since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip to stop the war and end the suffering of the residents, and to reject the displacement process and unilateral actions by the Israeli occupation. He noted that the joint cooperation between Jordan and Qatar includes aid airdrops in the Gaza Strip, in addition to operating humanitarian aid convoys.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani left Doha on Wednesday, heading to the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on an official visit during which HH the Amir will meet with his brother King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. HH the Amir is accompanied by His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and an official delegation.

King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan arrived in Doha on Monday to participate in the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit scheduled to be convened today.King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and the accompanying delegation were welcomed upon arrival at Hamad International Airport by His Excellecy Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani and Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the State of Qatar Zaid Mufleh Al Lawzi.