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The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), in collaboration with the National Planning Council (NPC), announced the launch of a national initiative aimed at developing an advanced system for data analytics and strategic decision-making, in partnership with Scale AI.The initiative forms part of a broader effort to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.The initiative focuses on building advanced analytical capabilities that enable the NPC and relevant government entities to gain deeper insights into development trends, analyse economic and social indicators, and develop predictive models that support more accurate and effective policymaking.This effort strengthens the State's ability to undertake medium- and long-term planning in a more informed, data-driven, and forward-looking manner.The initiative will also improve monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, support the assessment of demographic and economic shifts, and provide smart tools that help working teams understand development dynamics and test multiple scenarios before adopting them at the national policy level.Additionally, it allows for the integration of diverse data sources into a unified model that enhances the quality of planning outputs and increases the reliability of future forecasts."Integrating AI into national planning marks a new phase in the evolution of government operations, as we shift from traditional analytical approaches to intelligent tools that support faster and higher-quality decision-making,” said Eman Ahmed al-Kuwari, the director of the MCIT’s Digital Innovation Department. “This initiative aligns with the pillars of the Digital Agenda 2030, which emphasise responsible and effective use of AI across vital sectors."This initiative is part of a broader series of national projects aimed at building a smart data infrastructure and applying global best practices in planning, reinforcing Qatar's position as a leading nation in the use of AI to enhance government efficiency and support sustainable development. 

Two earthquakes, one measuring 4.9 and the other 4.3 on the Richter scale, struck Balikesir province in western Turkiye.According to Turkish Anadolu Agency (AA), the first quake occurred at a depth of 9.64 kms, and the second was at a depth of 7 km.Turkiye, which lies on a major global seismic fault line, experienced a devastating earthquake on Feb. 6, 2023, which claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people and caused widespread destruction of infrastructure in several provinces, in addition to thousands of injuries.

An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi Province on Tuesday.The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency reported that the quake’s epicenter was located 68 kilometers east of Buol Regency, at a depth of 10 kilometers.So far, there have been no reports of casualties or material damage resulting from the earthquake.Indonesia frequently experiences earthquakes due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where numerous tectonic plates meet, causing regular volcanic and seismic activity.

China on Sunday sent a new satellite into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in its southwestern Sichuan Province.The Gaofen-14-02 satellite was launched aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket and entered the planned orbit successfully.This satellite is capable of efficiently acquiring high-precision stereo imagery on a global scale, providing fundamental geographic information support for national economic development and national defense construction.The launch marked the 603rd flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale struck on Thursday the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean.The US Geological Survey (USGS) said that the epicenter of the earthquake occurred 83 km west of Kirakira, at a depth of 59.8 km.There have been no reports of casualties or material damage due to the earthquake so far.The Solomon Islands are located in a region known for seismic activity and strong earthquakes.

An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter Scale struck Papua New Guinea on Tuesday. The earthquake's epicenter was located 116 km south of Kokopo, at a depth of 42 km, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported. Papua New Guinea is highly prone to earthquakes as it lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for intense seismic and volcanic activity.

The second cycle of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's (MCIT) Scale Now – a growth programme designed to equip Qatar’s digital entrepreneurs achieve success on local, regional, and global levels and featuring as many as 13 high-potential firms from Qatar and beyond – is scheduled to conclude on November 15, 2025.The Cycle 2 – currently in the capacity building phase, with pilot and expansion plans in progress – has entities driving innovation across AI (artificial intelligence), Healthtech, EdTech, Gaming, Cybersecurity, ERP (enterprise resource planning), Retail, and Sustainability; said MCIT in a presentation made recently.The Cycle 2 has two AI companies Bilby, which provides AI-driven data analytics that evaluate public statements to predict future behaviour; and Khadoom, an on-demand AI-powered personal assistant platform that helps users outsource daily errands through messaging apps.It saw SEK Games, a Turkish game development studio specialising in free-to-play mobile games in the idle, arcade, and simulation genres; Adeer, offering a business management app that simplifies sales, inventory, finance, and tax operations for small and micro businesses; and ENABLE, providing an AI-driven retail platform that boosts revenue through customer loyalty and operational optimisation.On Cybersecurity, Cytomate delivers automated threat assessment and cyber defence solutions that reduce human error and enhance protection.The Cycle 2 has two Edtech firms as Ynmo, which offers a bilingual AI-powered platform that helps educators create personalised learning plans for children with disabilities; and Kamkalima, which develops Arabic literacy through interactive learning tools, AI features, and a comprehensive digital content library.The Cycle 2 has four Healthtech firms as Rhazes, providing a generative AI clinical assistant that supports doctors with real-time patient care guidance; and Dieture, offering a personalised meal subscription service that delivers customised, health-focused meals.It also had PhysioHome, connecting patients with licensed rehabilitation professionals for home-based therapy and care; and Shezlong, operating a secure mental health and psychotherapy platform for Arabic-speaking users in the Middle East and North Africa.On environment and sustainability, the Cycle 2 has Nafas, which offers AI-driven air quality management through hardware-as-a-service, helping buildings maintain healthy indoor environments efficiently.The Cycle 2 companies are currently participating in an intensive capability-building phase, combining specialised mentorship with targeted business acceleration.This phase focuses on four core areas such as Strategy, which encompasses growth mapping, market positioning, and competitive differentiation; Product (product-market fit, feature refinement, and scalability engineering); Operations (key performance indicators alignment, process efficiency, and resource optimisation), and Finance (forecasting, capital structure, and investor readiness).The programme’s capability modules turn ambition into execution, equipping founders not just to grow, but to lead sustainably."Following the capability-building stage, Cycle 2 will progress into pilot development and regional expansion planning, partnering with local enterprises and government entities to co-develop solutions, validate business models, and prepare companies for global scale," MCIT said.The Cycle 1 brought together six market-ready companies delivering solutions from digital payments and marketplaces to airport operations and immersive media.It saw Mzad Qatar, providing a multi-category marketplace with a digital auction platform that connects buyers and sellers; SkipCash, enabling businesses to implement secure online payment solutions through a streamlined digital platform; and EMMA Systems, delivering airport software that improves operational efficiency and data management.The Cycle 1 also saw ADGS, offering behavioural biometrics and predictive maintenance powered by proprietary AI models; SPONIX, providing immersive video solutions and virtual advertising that enable engaging real-time content during live events; and ClassTap, offering flexible access to more than 3,000 fitness studios and classes through a subscription platform.

An earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale struck the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, in Kamchatka Peninsula, eastern Russia. The US Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 24.9 km. In August, Russia's Kamchatka region recorded 50 earthquakes, one of which measured 6.5 on the Richter scale. The Kamchatka Peninsula lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a wide arc of volcanic activity.

An earthquake measuring 4.34 on the Richter scale struck on Sunday northeast the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) reported that stations of its national seismic network recorded an earthquake of 4.34 magnitude that struck the Arabian Gulf, 160 kilometers northeast of the city of Khafji, northeast of KSA. In June 2024, an earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale struck northwest of KSA.

An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck Papua province in Indonesia Sunday. The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said that the earthquake was located 35 km east of Sarmi district, at a depth of 40 km. There have been no reports of any material damage or human losses as a result of the earthquake so far. Indonesia is regularly exposed to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where many tectonic plates meet and cause frequent volcanic and seismic activity.

An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale struck Papua province in Indonesia Thursday. The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said that the earthquake was located 32 km east of Sarmi district, at a depth of 18 km. There have been no reports of any material damage or human losses as a result of the earthquake so far. Indonesia is regularly exposed to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where many tectonic plates meet and cause frequent volcanic and seismic activity.

An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter Scale struck Papua New Guinea on Wednesday. The earthquake's epicenter was located 66 km west of the city of Lae, at a depth of 58.5 km, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported. Papua New Guinea is highly prone to earthquakes as it lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for intense seismic and volcanic activity. In February 2018, a devastating earthquake struck the country, killing at least 100 people and triggering massive landslides that buried dozens of villages.