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His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani discussed with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them in various fields. This followed a phone call His Highness the Amir held Thursday with the president. They also discussed the latest regional and international developments, particularly the current situation and the efforts being made to de-escalate tensions and establish stability. Both sides emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional issues, in a way that contributes to consolidating peace and security and achieving the region's interests.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani discussed Wednesday with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the latest regional and international developments of joint interest, particularly de-escalation, enhancing dialogue, empowering peaceful solutions, and supporting diplomatic efforts aiming to support security and stability in the region. This followed a telephone call His Highness the Amir held with Prime Minister Sharif. They also dealt with discussed bilateral relations and the means to enhance them.The Pakistan Prime Minister's Office (PMO) reported that Sharif appreciated Qatar’s constructive and proactive role in promoting peace, dialogue, and mediation across the region, and acknowledged its meaningful efforts to defuse tensions through diplomatic solutions. He assured the Qatari leadership that Pakistan would also continue to play a positive role in maintaining regional peace and stability.The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the current trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared resolve to further strengthen these time-tested fraternal bonds, the PMO noted. 

The Legal and Judicial Studies Center at the Ministry of Justice announced the launch of its Specialised Legal Training Plan for 2026, which encompasses the general track for continuous professional development, in addition to specialised legal training programmes tailored to various legal professions across the State.The programme aims to keep legal professionals abreast of legislative, judicial, and jurisprudential developments, while enhancing their skills in legal drafting and writing. This initiative seeks to develop the legal competencies of national cadres, strengthen institutional performance, and improve the quality of government services, in support of building national capacities capable of contributing to the achievement of Qatar National Vision 2030.Some 110 legal professionals are expected to benefit from the 2026 legal qualification programmes, including 94 participants enrolled in the twenty-third Legal Professionals Qualification Programme, and 16 trainees enrolled in the sixteenth Mandatory Training Programme for trainee lawyers.The programme's executive plan includes 118 specialised training courses, distributed across the programme's annual timeline at an average of eight courses per month. Legal trainees have been divided into four training groups, each receiving theoretical and practical instruction designed to equip them with the skills necessary to engage effectively and proactively with societal needs.On this occasion, the Legal and Judicial Studies Center Saturday organized an introductory meeting for all participants in the two training programmes, including legal professionals and trainee lawyers.During the meeting, Director of the Legal and Judicial Studies Center at the Ministry of Justice, Dr Abdullah Hamad al-Khalidi outlined the ministry's vision to prepare and qualify Qatari legal and judicial cadres to the highest standards of competence and professional excellence. He also highlighted the ministry's mission to train legal professionals by developing and updating their scientific and practical skills, and to prepare qualified candidates for appointment to the judiciary, the Public Prosecution, and various legal sectors.Dr al-Khalidi also delivered a comprehensive briefing to trainees on the programme's training tracks and objectives, which aim to equip participants with the scientific and practical expertise required to perform their legal duties with quality and efficiency. This, in turn, contributes to increased productivity and enables institutions to meet their legal needs. The briefing also emphasised the transfer of new knowledge and skills to enhance individual performance within their respective organisations, including the use of emerging technologies supported by artificial intelligence tools in the legal field.Participants further attended a detailed presentation outlining the general obligations to be observed during lectures, requirements for participation in workshops, practical applications, and field visits, as well as compliance and adherence requirements in accordance with the rules.The participants were also briefed on the attendance and leave system throughout the training period, the evaluation mechanism, and the assessment criteria upon which trainees are evaluated in line with approved standards and regulations, in addition to the rewards system granted to top-performing participants upon completion of the programme.Dr al-Khalidi emphasised the importance of the training programme in enhancing training outcomes and elevating the quality of the training curriculum, in a manner that aligns with national development priorities and with the Ministry of Justice's Strategic Plan 2025-2030, which underscores that development is founded on human capital, particularly those working within government institutions.OPT TRIMThe year 2025 witnessed a remarkable leap in legal training across various tracks and legal categories within different government entities. A total of 2,472 legal professionals were trained during the year through a range of programmes and training courses. According to official data published on the Ministry of Justice's website regarding its achievements in the past year, the number of training courses in 2025 increased by 14.6 %, while the number of beneficiaries of specialised and mandatory training programmes rose by approximately 24.78 %. Additionally, 77 legal awareness workshops were organised, marking an increase of 250% compared to the number of workshops conducted in 2024.Furthermore, new and diverse programmes and initiatives were introduced to broaden the segments of society reached by legal awareness efforts. Legal awareness video content achieved unprecedented levels of viewership and engagement, underscoring the importance of the educational and awareness-raising role of the legal programmes and activities implemented by the Legal and Judicial Studies Center at the Ministry of Justice. 

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud Thursday discussed regional and international developments of common concern. **media[399798]**This came during a phone call HH the Amir held with the crown prince. They also discussed fraternal relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen and develop them. **media[400045]**His Highness the Amir also discussed the latest regional and international developments with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan following a telephone call HH the Amir held Thursday with the UAE president. The call also dealt with the fraternal relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen and develop them.

Saudi Arabia is open to cancelling some projects in its Vision 2030 programme, the kingdom’s finance minister said, in some of the strongest public comments yet on the country’s willingness to backtrack on costly developments.“We have no ego — absolutely no ego,” Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan said in a briefing in Riyadh. “If we announce something and we need to adjust it, accelerate it and make it a priority more than others, or defer or cancel it, we will without blinking.”Saudi officials have widely telegraphed an ongoing review of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s multi-trillion dollar economic transformation plan that includes dozens of projects from desert ski slopes to gaming cities. But comments until now had mostly focused on delays or downsizing, rather than cancellation.The hardening in tone aligns with the newly-released Saudi 2026 budget statement, which puts emphasis on the push to spend more efficiently amid challenges stemming from low oil prices and persistent budget deficits.“Spending efficiency doesn’t mean cutting spending,” al-Jadaan said. “It means decreasing spending on some items to increase on others.”When Bloomberg asked if potential cancellation could include projects at futuristic desert city Neom, he said: “It’s for the Public Investment Fund to decide.”Several parts of Neom — a project that has long been at the heart of the Vision 2030 portfolio — are facing delays and construction challenges, Bloomberg has reported. That includes Trojena, the site racing against a deadline to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, and the Line, the 100-mile long skyscrapers set to undergo a strategic review for feasibility.The $1tn PIF, the entity tasked with driving the agenda to diversify the economy away from oil, is due to unveil an updated investment strategy in early 2026. That’s expected to include more of a focus on domestic companies and sectors including technology and tourism.Al-Jadaan mentioned in the Riyadh briefing that the Finance Ministry’s re-calibration exercise included collecting data from government agencies on their strategies and financing needs, then deciding a course of action based on relevance of projects to the diversification drive.The PIF is now doing “something similar to what we did, reprioritising and making sure that their initial plans, now that they have the details of these projects, are recalibrated to ensure that they’re delivering what they are meant to deliver,” said al-Jadaan, a board member.Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, said al-Jadaan’s comments on the potential cancellation of projects gives confidence that the government can pull back on capital expenditure, while noting that managing spending on investments with returns will remain critical.Farouk Soussa at Goldman Sachs Group Inc also welcomed the remarks, saying they show a willingness to adjust plans in line with economic and financial realities.“The more transparent they are, the more reassuring they can be that financial and economic considerations will trump the social and political drivers of investment, the more favourably markets are likely to view the investment environment.” 

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa has held discussions in Ramallah with Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen, focusing on political developments and the situation on the ground in Gaza, the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.Mustafa reiterated that the Palestinian Authority holds full mandate and sovereignty over all Palestinian territories, stressing that any future transitional arrangements must be co-ordinated directly with Palestinian institutions. His comments come as international actors explore post-conflict scenarios for Gaza.The prime minister welcomed global efforts to support relief, recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, highlighting the importance of the Arab-Palestinian recovery framework, which he said enjoys broad international backing.He also renewed his call for Denmark to recognise the State of Palestine, arguing that such a step would contribute to regional peace and stability.Rasmussen's visit is part of a wider European engagement with the region amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilise Gaza and revive political dialogue. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call with Kaja Kallas, who serves as the European Commission's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy relations. The call dealt with bilateral relations between Iran and the EU, as well as current regional and international developments.During the call, the two sides discussed the Iranian nuclear program, where they emphasized the importance of continuing contacts and consultations between Iran and the European parties regarding the issue.Regarding other developments, Araghchi pointed to Israel’s ongoing violations of international law, and its practices of violations, crimes, and assaults in the West Asia region, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon, stressing the responsibility of the international community to put an end to them.

His Excellency the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of National Archives of Qatar Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah chaired Thursday the 2nd meeting of the Board at the National Archives of Qatar premises. The meeting discussed the topics on its agenda, with Secretary-General of the Qatar National Archives Dr Ahmed Abdullah al-Buainain presenting the key achievements of 2025, in addition to discussing the latest developments, events and plans during the coming period to make appropriate decisions regarding them. 

Qatar took part in the High‑level Ministerial Meeting on Developments in Palestine, held Monday in Istanbul, Turkiye.HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi represented Qatar at the meeting. AFP adds: Gaza's future must be Palestinian-led and avoid any new system of tutelage, Turkiye and six of its top Muslim allies said after talks in Istanbul."Our principle is that Palestinians should govern the Palestinians and ensure their own security, the international community should support this in the best possible way -- diplomatically, institutionally and economically," Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said after the talks."Nobody wants to see a new system of tutelage emerge," he told a news conference.The talks involved top diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan and Indonesia."We've now reached an extremely critical stage: we do not want the genocide in Gaza to resume," Fidan added, saying all seven nations supported plans for the Palestinians to take control of Gaza's security and governance.He also expressed hope that reconciliation efforts between Hamas and the rival West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, "will bear fruit as soon as possible," saying inter-Palestinian unity would "strengthen Palestine's representation in the international community".Fidan said it was crucial that the emerging International Stabilisation Force that will monitor the Gaza ceasefire under Trump's plan, have a "mandate defined by a UN Security Council resolution and a framework for legitimacy".Washington is currently working with Arab and international partners to decide on the composition of the force, with Turkey hoping to play a role, despite fierce opposition from Israel."The countries we've spoken with say they will decide whether to send troops based on ... the ISF's mandate and authority," Fidan said."First, a general consensus needs to be reached on a draft, then it needs to be approved by the members of the Security Council."And it needs to be free from vetoes by any of the permanent (UNSC) members," he said of a blocking move frequently used by key Israel ally Washington.Israel has long viewed Turkiye's diplomatic overtures with suspicion over Ankara's close ties with Hamas.A Turkish disaster relief team, sent to help efforts to recover the remains of those trapped under the rubble -- including Israeli hostages seized by Hamas -- has been stuck at the border because of Israel's refusal to let them in, according to Ankara.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met in Cairo on Sunday with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss the latest regional developments, foremost among them the situation in the Gaza Strip.During the meeting, Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s efforts, in coordination with regional and international partners, to uphold the Sharm el-Sheikh peace agreement and ensure its full implementation as a prelude to initiating reconstruction and fostering stability in the Gaza Strip, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.The statement added that Abdelatty referred to the ongoing preparations to convene the Cairo Conference on Early Recovery, Reconstruction, and Development in Gaza, with broad Arab and international participation.On the bilateral front, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of convening the 10th Session of the Egypt-Lebanon Joint Higher Committee to further strengthen relations and enhance consultations on various issues of mutual concern.He also underscored Egypt’s keenness to advance economic and trade relations with Lebanon across all sectors, as well as to activate existing agreements and memoranda of understanding to give fresh momentum to the path of bilateral cooperation.

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty held talks in Cairo with his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger, focusing on regional developments — particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip — as well as ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.During the discussions, Minister Abdelatty emphasized the importance of fully implementing the agreement to end the war in Gaza and of initiating early recovery and reconstruction efforts.He also stressed the need to ensure the unimpeded delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip to meet the urgent needs of its population.In this context, Abdelatty expressed hope that Austria would actively participate in the upcoming international conference on early recovery, reconstruction, and development in Gaza, to be hosted by Egypt later this month, in a way that meaningfully supports the Palestinian people.Regarding bilateral relations, the Egyptian Foreign Minister reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to enhancing all aspects of cooperation with Austria and to strengthening coordination on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed in a phone call on Saturday with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, bilateral relations and regional and international developments. According to Iranian news agency (IRNA), the two sides exchanged views on the latest developments in Gaza, in light of the understanding reached to bring an end to the genocide. During the phone call, Araghchi expressed his deep concern over the blatant violations of the ceasefire agreement by the Israeli entity in recent days, which have resulted in the martyrdom and injury of dozens of Palestinians. He emphasized the responsibility of the ceasefire guarantors and the entire international community to prevent the continuation of Israeli killings and crimes. During the phone call, the Egyptian side was also briefed on Iran's perspective regarding the nuclear issue.