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QTerminals Group has announced its continuing partnership as the event supporter for the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2024, scheduled from November 29 to December 1, 2024 at the Lusail International Circuit.This marks the second year of the partnership that will span three years from 2023 to 2025, reinforcing the group’s dedication to promoting major sporting events in Qatar and the region and elevating Qatar’s profile as a key player on the world stage."Building on our success from last year, we are eager to reconnect with the community once again this year, aligning with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 to promote a vibrant society and a diversified economy," said Neville Bissett, Group chief executive officer of QTerminals Group.Amro al-Hamad, executive director of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and chief executive officer of Lusail International Circuit said "together, we aim to elevate the Lusail International Circuit experience, bringing world-class events and facilities to Qatar while further strengthening the nation’s position as a hub for motorsport in the region."QTerminals Group operates Hamad Port, the group’s flagship facility and is dedicated to promoting community initiatives and sports activities both in Qatar and across its international operations in Ukraine, Türkiye and the Netherlands.In addition to motorsport, QTerminals is the long-term title sponsor of the QTerminals Qatar Classic Squash Tournament, the gold sponsor of the Qatar TotalEnergies Tennis Open and the official sponsor of The Minister of Transport Padel Championship Cup.Recently, QTerminals expanded its sports involvement by becoming the official training partner of Feyenoord Football Club in Rotterdam and the main partner of the Feyenoord Women’s football team from 2024 to 2027.

The British Council, the British embassy, and Katara – the Cultural Village have announced the programme for the ninth annual Qatar-UK Cultural Festival, from November 25 to December 6 across various venues including Katara and Doha Design District at Msheireb Downtown Doha.With themes of community and collaboration at its core, the festival will showcase a lineup of performances by leading UK and Qatari artists. This year’s festival also marks the British Council’s 90th anniversary, emphasising its presence in Qatar since 1972.Key events from the programme include Up to Us, a project exploring identity through clothing, featuring an exhibition, schools’ workshops, a film followed by a panel discussion on people from different communities living in Qatar.A live DJ set at Katara will feature Mo Ayoub from the Selector Radio show. A European Jazz Festival is to have Welsh band Huw Warren: Cowbois and Shepherds perform in partnership with European Union National Institute for Culture, Katara, and Welsh Government.In partnership with Tasweer Photo Festival, GREAT and Msheireb, the British Council launched ‘Great Stories Photography Competition’ - celebrating creativity and connection with big focus on people-to-people links.A series of podcast interviews with 90 influential stakeholders, celebrating the contributions that have shaped British Council’s success over the past 90 years, is also part of the itinerary.Katara general manager Prof Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, told a press conference yesterday: “This event celebrates the enduring friendship and cultural partnership between our nations, reinforcing Qatar’s role as a global cultural hub.”British ambassador Neerav Patel said: “This is a Festival for everyone. It showcases the power of art, music, photography and shared stories to link people of all ages and backgrounds. As we prepare for the first ever state visit by His Highness the Amir to the UK, I am delighted that we can all experience these vibrant connections between our two countries in particular. I also congratulate the British Council on 90 years of creativity and connection.”British Council Qatar director Dr Waseem Kotoub said: “As the UK’s cultural relations organisation, the British Council is dedicated to fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between nations.”

The British Council, the British embassy, and Katara – the Cultural Village have announced the programme for the ninth annual Qatar-UK Cultural Festival, from November 25 to December 6 across various venues including Katara and Doha Design District at Msheireb Downtown Doha.With themes of community and collaboration at its core, the festival will showcase a lineup of performances by leading UK and Qatari artists. This year’s festival also marks the British Council’s 90th anniversary, emphasising its presence in Qatar since 1972.Key events from the programme include Up to Us, a project exploring identity through clothing, featuring an exhibition, schools’ workshops, a film followed by a panel discussion on people from different communities living in Qatar.A live DJ set at Katara will feature Mo Ayoub from the Selector Radio show. A European Jazz Festival is to have Welsh band Huw Warren: Cowbois and Shepherds perform in partnership with European Union National Institute for Culture, Katara, and Welsh Government.In partnership with Tasweer Photo Festival, GREAT and Msheireb, the British Council launched ‘Great Stories Photography Competition’ - celebrating creativity and connection with big focus on people-to-people links.A series of podcast interviews with 90 influential stakeholders, celebrating the contributions that have shaped British Council’s success over the past 90 years, is also part of the itinerary.Katara general manager Prof Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, told a press conference yesterday: “This event celebrates the enduring friendship and cultural partnership between our nations, reinforcing Qatar’s role as a global cultural hub.”British ambassador Neerav Patel said: “This is a Festival for everyone. It showcases the power of art, music, photography and shared stories to link people of all ages and backgrounds. As we prepare for the first ever state visit by His Highness the Amir to the UK, I am delighted that we can all experience these vibrant connections between our two countries in particular. I also congratulate the British Council on 90 years of creativity and connection.”British Council Qatar director Dr Waseem Kotoub said: “As the UK’s cultural relations organisation, the British Council is dedicated to fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between nations.”

Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari reaffirmed that Qatar’s suspension of mediation efforts between the Israeli occupation and Hamas was due to the lack of seriousness of the parties involved in the negotiations. He clarified that this does not mean the closure of Hamas’ office in Doha. During the ministry’s weekly briefing, Dr al-Ansari emphasised that Hamas’ office in Doha remains open. He added that representatives of the movement were welcome in Qatar or in the case they choose to leave. He noted that if Qatar observes seriousness in reaching an agreement, it will not hesitate to play a pivotal role in alleviating the suffering in Gaza. He attributed the suspension of mediation efforts to the lack of genuine commitment from the parties involved and stressed that Qatar would not allow itself to be blackmailed during the mediation process.

The administration of US President Joe Biden has approved sending anti-personnel mines to Ukraine for the first time in another significant policy shift.The decision comes just days after the US gave Ukraine permission to fire long-range US missiles at targets in Russia, a shift that only occurred after months of lobbying from Ukraine, the CNN said, quoting US officials.The US expects Ukraine to use these anti-personnel mines to support defensive lines within sovereign Ukrainian territory, not as an offensive capability in Russia. Washington also sought assurances that Ukraine will try to limit the risk to civilians from the mines.The US has been providing Ukraine with anti-tank mines to handle Russias armored vehicles. Until now, the US administration had not provided Ukraine with anti-personnel mines over concerns about the enduring danger they may pose.In June 2022, the Biden administration pledged to limit the use of anti-personnel mines. In a statement, the White House said there was a "need to curtail the use of (anti-personnel mines) worldwide," adding that the US would no longer develop or export anti-personnel mines and would work to destroy all of its existing stockpiles.

More than 20 people were killed during an attempt by armed individuals to attack an upscale neighborhood in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.Deputy spokesperson for Haitis national police Lionel Lazarre said that over 20 people, suspected of belonging to criminal gangs, were killed while the police and residents responded to a nighttime attack attempt on the Petion-Ville, Delmas, and Canape-Vert neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince. Lazarre also mentioned that around 30 other people were injured during the operation.He noted that police forces intercepted armed individuals traveling in small trucks and seized weapons in their possession, including Kalashnikov rifles.In a related development, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said that it was suspending operations in Port-au-Prince due to violence and threats towards its staff from members of the police force. The organization confirmed that, since the attack on one of its ambulances last week, its vehicles have been repeatedly stopped by the police, and some of its staff members have been directly threatened with death."We are used to working in conditions of extreme insecurity in Haiti and elsewhere, but when even law enforcement becomes a direct threat, we have no choice but to suspend our projects," MSF's Haiti mission chief Christophe Garnier said.Over the past years, Haiti's police force has lost thousands of officers due to a lack of funding. In 2022, the country's government called for international support to help its police fight gangs. The UN Security Council later approved the deployment of a support mission in October, but only a small portion of the planned force has arrived so far.Haitian leaders are seeking to transform the UN mission into a peacekeeping force in order to secure more funding, as thousands of people have been killed in the gang conflict, and more than 700,000 people have been displaced, leading to worsening food insecurity.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic Roberto Alvarez met with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Dominican Republic Yasser Awad Al Abdullah.The meeting discussed aspects of cooperation between the two countries.

Weather inshore until 6:00 pm on Wednesday will be misty to foggy at places at first, and relatively hot daytime with some clouds, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather report, warning of poor horizontal visibility at places at first.Offshore, the weather will see some clouds at times, the report added.Wind inshore will be variable, at a speed less than 3 kt at first, becomes mainly southeasterly-southwesterly at a speed of 03-13 kt.Offshore, it will be variable, mainly southeasterly-southwesterly at a speed of 03-13 kt.Sea state inshore will be 1-2 ft; while offshore will be 1-3 ft.Visibility inshore will be 4-9/2 km or less at places at first, while offshore will be 5-10 km.

United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions Alexander Zouev praised the State of Qatar's dedication to honoring global efforts in combating corruption through the HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award.In his speech during the ceremony honoring the winners of the eighth edition of the award, hosted by the Republic of Costa Rica, His Excellency emphasized that Qatar's initiative significantly contributes to raising global awareness and fostering international cooperation to combat corruption. He noted that such efforts support justice, peace, and sustainable development. He also expressed his gratitude to Qatar, Costa Rica, and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center for organizing and hosting this timely global event.The UN official highlighted the close connection between corruption and organized crime, illicit exploitation of resources, human trafficking, and smuggling of goods. He stressed that corruption undermines human rights, particularly affecting women and youth, especially in fragile and conflict-prone areas. Corruption, he added, poses a threat to global peace and security and hampers economic growth and human development.Zouev noted that the United Nations Convention against Corruption adopted two decades ago, remains the only binding global legal instrument to combat corruption. He highlighted its pivotal role over the past 20 years in promoting transparency, integrity, and accountability, aiding efforts in peacebuilding and reconstruction. He also commended the implementation review mechanism of the convention for identifying gaps and providing technical assistance to countries.Furthermore, he pointed to intensified UN efforts to strengthen anti-corruption initiatives, including establishing a global task force on corruption and adopting unified positions to address this global issue. He emphasized the importance of tackling transnational threats in conflict environments.In conclusion, He underlined that the standards provided by the UNCAC offer a framework for restoring trust in public institutions. He stressed the importance of partnerships with entities like the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center in promoting good governance and the rule of law.

The State of Qatar called today on developed countries to fulfill their commitments regarding climate change, including reforming international financing systems and building on the achievements of previous COP summits. The country reaffirmed its efforts to protect the environment and combat climate change, highlighting sustainability as one of the pillars of its Qatar National Vision 2030.In Qatar's address to the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Nov. 11 to 22, HE Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie emphasized that climate change remains one of the most significant challenges facing the world, particularly developing nations. He noted Qatar's submission of its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2021, which detailed its achievements and future plans to address climate change.His Excellency highlighted the launch of the 2024-2030 Strategy by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, aimed at achieving a sustainable and balanced environment in line with development goals, fostering institutional and community collaboration, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030. The strategy also focuses on raising environmental awareness. His Excellency noted that the State of Qatar has launched its National Climate Change Action Plan, comprising hundreds of measures aimed at mitigating emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. This plan is underpinned by strict governance standards to monitor progress and address future challenges through 2030 and beyond. Additionally, His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar is bolstering investments in renewable energy projects.HE Dr. Al Subaie said that one of the more significant initiatives was the Qatar National Renewable Energy Strategy, in addition to major solar energy projects aimed at reducing the nation's carbon footprint. That's on top of the Tarsheed program, which has been instrumental in enhancing energy efficiency across various sectors. Internationally, the State of Qatar continues its role as a reliable supplier of clean energy by producing highly efficient liquefied natural gas (LNG), a low-carbon energy source.HE the Minister also highlighted Qatar's tangible progress in sectors such as electricity, water, infrastructure, and transportation. Key achievements include the operation of the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram as part of a sustainable public transport system and the replacement of over 70% of public transport buses with electric buses. Qatar also set a milestone by hosting the first carbon-neutral FIFA World Cup in 2022, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability across all levels. Furthermore, Qatar operates a sophisticated national air quality monitoring network, ensuring compliance with the highest environmental protection standards.In conclusion, HE Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie reiterated Qatar's consistent emphasis on the importance of international cooperation to address the climate crisis. Qatar reaffirms its commitment to the Paris Agreement and pledges to continue its active role in supporting international efforts to combat climate change, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

Ooredoo Group's upcoming landmark Digital Ecosystem Conference will kick off Wednesday, at the Ritz-Carlton, Doha.This first-of-its-kind event will bring together prominent policymakers, legal experts, industry leaders, academics and innovators.Keynote speakers include HE Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai and ITU Secretary General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.The event will address the essential policies and regulations needed to drive the growth of digital platforms and services in a rapidly evolving landscape.Under the theme "Legislation and Regulation to Drive a Successful Digital Economy", the event will cover vital topics such as policy frameworks for digital platforms, cross-border data protection, and the regulatory challenges presented by emerging technologies like AI and 5G.Ooredoo Group CEO Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo said: "Ooredoo has embraced its role as a digital enabler - not just as a telco but as a tech company - and we are committed to creating a sustainable, inclusive digital ecosystem. Through this Conference, we aim to position Ooredoo as a thought leader in the digital space, advocating for regulatory models that enable our digital infrastructure to reach its full potential in supporting the economy. Balanced policies are critical; while innovation is essential, so too is security, and this balance will drive opportunities for growth and investor confidence."This conference is expected to yield substantial insights and deliver tangible action points for investors and stakeholders, underscoring Ooredoos commitment to aligning with best practices that foster long-term growth.The presence of legal experts from government departments at the conference provides a unique opportunity to enhance regulatory knowledge, enabling them to improve legal frameworks that support digital transformation and economic development.

HE President of the National Cybersecurity Agency Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki met today separately with Minister of Telecommunications & Digital Economy in the State of Palestine Abdul Razzaq Al Natsheh and his accompanying delegation, and Minister in charge of Digital Economy and Innovation in the Republic of Djibouti Maryam Hamdou.The two meetings dealt with discussing bilateral cooperation in the field of cybersecurity between the State of Qatar on one side, and all of the State of Palestine and the Republic of Djibouti. The two meetings also discussed ways to enhance and develop the partnership in this field.