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The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) honoured the winners of its research and medical competitions at the 6th International Primary Health Care Conference following the success across scientific, organisational, and community levels.The ceremony was attended by Dr Mariam Ali Abdul Malik, PHCC managing drector, alongside a number of officials and senior administrators, in recognition of the efforts of research teams, outstanding projects, and participating university students.Also present were Musallam Mubarak al-Nabit, assistant managing director, Administration and Corporate Services, PHCC; Dr Mohammed Ghaith al-Kuwari, assistant managing director, Strategy and Business Development at PHCC; Dr Zelaikha al-Wahedi, assistant managing director of Quality and Workforce Development at PHCC; and Dr Samya al- Abdullah, assistant managing director, Operations and Clinical Affairs, also participated in distributing awards and certificates to the winners.A total of 72 projects were evaluated over two stages, and the best were selected based on rigourous criteria. The project “Right Care in the Right Place” from Al Wakra Health Centre won the award for Best Project in Corporate Excellence and Efficiency, in recognition of its role in improving service efficiency and facilitating patients’ access to appropriate care. The award was received by Dr Ameena Ibrahim Fakhro, the health centre manager.In the category of Enhancing Clinical Outcomes, the project “Early Detection of Anaemia in 12-Month-Old Children” from Omar Bin Al Khattab Health Centre won, acknowledging its contribution to promoting children’s health through prevention and early detection.The award for Best Project in Patient Services Development went to “Optimal Utilisation of Antenatal Care Appointments” at Airport Health Centre, in recognition of its efforts to improve the patient experience and enhance the quality of care provided to expectant mothers.In the Community Engagement category, the scientific poster by Mahmoud Elthoukhy from Al Wakra Health Centre took first place, followed by Pinky Domingo in second, and Dr Taiba Silwan Aboud in third. Winners were chosen through electronic voting, reflecting broad community interaction with quality initiatives.The 6th IPHCC welcomed around 65 students from various health disciplines, representing three leading academic institutions: Qatar University, Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, and University of Doha for Science and Technology. This student participation brought a qualitative addition to the conference, infusing energy, diversity, and fresh perspectives that support the future of healthcare in the count. 

Qatar University (QU) celebrated the graduation of the 14th cohort of the Empower Generations Consortium, a national initiative dedicated to investing in Qatari talent in the fields of life sciences, health sciences, and scientific research.Established in support of Qatar National Vision 2030, the Consortium is a collaborative ecosystem led by QU, bringing together more than 13 partners from the health and education sectors, including the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), the official sponsor; Qatar Precision Health Institute; Qatar Foundation; Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC); the Ministry of Public Health; the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC); Sidra Medicine; Gannas Qatari Society; the Qatar Falcon Genome Project; and the Veterinary Medicine Center, along with two international partners: Fractal Up Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and the Africa Research Project (ARP).**media[386933]**The ceremony was attended by Prof Asma al-Thani, vice president for Medical Sciences and director of the Biomedical Research Center at QU, along with several university vice presidents, deans of health and medical sciences colleges, and representatives from the MoEHE. In her remarks, Fatima al-Obaidli, assistant director at the MoEHE, praised QU’s efforts and the Empowering Generations Consortium programmes for their role in enhancing students’ skills and preparing them for the future.**media[386934]**The 14th cycle of the Consortium began in November 2025 and continued for two weeks of separate training programmes for male and female students. A total of 23 high schools and 150 Qatari students participated in three projects: Health, the Genomics and Precision Medicine Project, and Qatar Scientists of Biodiversity. The programme concluded with separate recognition ceremonies for the female and male participants.**media[386935]**During the ceremony, Dr Abdulla al-Yafei, president's executive assistant for administrative operations at QU, delivered a speech highlighting the success of the 14th cycle. He noted that the programme received 620 applications, of which 150 were selected to join the specialised training across various fields. He recalled that the Consortium was established in 2013 to support Qatar National Vision 2030 and comprises 13 partners across the health, research, and education sectors.He added that the Consortium has significantly contributed to raising the number of Qatari students in the health and medical programmes at QU from 6% in 2013 to 43% in 2025. He also noted the Consortium ’s achievements, including published research in peer-reviewed journals, documented effectiveness through comprehensive databases, and multiple international awards. Dr al-Yafie reiterated QU’s commitment to empowering students through comprehensive hands-on training environments and expressed gratitude to all partners for their continued support.The event concluded with the presentation of honorary certificates to participating schools across Qatar and to the students, awarded by the MoEHE. 

A Chinese research vessel docked in the Cook Islands Saturday as it probed the Pacific nation's deep-sea mining potential, a fledgling industry of mounting interest to both Beijing and Washington. The Da Yang Hao docked in the palm-shaded port of Avatiu on a "scientific research cruise" through the tropical archipelago, the Cook Islands' Seabed Minerals Authority said. Huge areas of seabed around the Cook Islands are carpeted in polymetallic nodules, lumpy rocks studded with rare earths and critical minerals such as cobalt, nickel and manganese. The Cook Islands -- which lays claim to one of the world's biggest deposits of polymetallic nodules -- signed a contentious deep-sea mining cooperation deal with China earlier this year. "This cruise is about learning by doing," said Seabed Minerals Authority spokesman Edward Herman. "Our team is actively participating in all activities to build our knowledge and capacity in marine research." This included mapping the seabed with sonar arrays and dredging up sediment samples, said the authority. Fringed by sparkling lagoons, South Pacific nation the Cook Islands has opened its vast ocean territory for deep-sea mining exploration. **media[378966]** With existing supplies of critical minerals heavily exposed to trade disputes, both the United States and China have this year ramped up interest in the highly contentious industry. Critical minerals, such as cobalt and nickel, are in hot demand for electric vehicles, rechargeable batteries and advanced military technology. The United States secured its own agreement to pursue deep-sea mining research with the Cook Islands in August. Deep-sea exploration AFP photos showed the near-100 metre (330 feet) Da Yang Hao vessel cutting through the Cook Islands' sleepy main harbour before docking on Saturday morning. The ship was emblazoned with the logo of China's Ocean Mineral Resources Research Association, which is tasked with the exploration of seabed minerals. Chinese research vessels have been accused of carrying out surveillance and other military activities under the auspices of scientific work. Pacific island nation Palau, a staunch US ally in the region, in 2021 alleged that the Da Yang Hao had entered its exclusive economic zone without proper permissions. The Da Yang Hao arrives in the Cook Islands less than one month after a deep-sea research voyage backed by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. While exploration for deep-sea mining is far advanced, no company or nation has started production on a commercial scale. Critics fear deep-sea mining will smother marine life with waste and the noise of heavy machinery will disrupt oceanic migrations. International regulators are still trying to thrash out environmental rules governing the industry.