Author: News Desk

Doha: The State of Qatar participated in the 38th session of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Conference for the Near East and North Africa (NENA), held in the United Arab Emirates via video conferencing. The Qatari delegation was headed by Assistant Undersecretary for Agriculture and Food Security Affairs Eng. Fahad Mohammed Al Qahtani. The conference reviewed progress on the organization’s programs for the 2024–2025 biennium and outlined priorities for the coming phase. Discussions prioritized sustainable agricultural development, climate change adaptation, and the strengthening of food supply chains, while seeking to foster innovation and mobilize financing…

Abidjan: HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire Mubarak bin Hussein Al Marri participated in the meeting of HE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire Niale Kaba, with Their Excellencies Ambassadors of the GCC countries, in the presence of HE Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saad bin Bakhit Al Qathami and HE Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates Ali bin Yousef Al Nuaimi. During the meeting, they discussed cooperation relations and several topics of mutual interest. Source: QNA

Washington: US President Donald Trump said that the United States will not lift the blockade it has imposed on Iranian ports unless an agreement is reached with Iran. In remarks, Trump said the US blockade on Iranian ports will not be lifted until a deal is reached. He added that Iran is losing $500 million a day as a result of the maritime blockade, calling it “a figure that cannot be sustained even in the short term.” The US maritime blockade on Iranian ports came into effect on the evening of April 13. Source: QNA

Doha: The world will celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day tomorrow, Tuesday, as the United Nations has designated April 21 of each year as a global day to highlight the use of creative thinking and technology towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. On this occasion, President of the Arab Federation for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Programming Dr. Badr bin Dalham Al Hajri confirmed in an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the Arab world is currently experiencing a delicate transitional phase between possessing the tools of the modern age and being able to employ them to produce real…

Highlights: Brasilia: A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil has revealed a possible explanation for the recurrence of colds in children. The study suggests that the rhinovirus, the primary cause of the common cold, may hide within the tonsils and adenoids without exhibiting any obvious symptoms. The study said that the virus may enter a latent state within the immune cells of these tissues, rather than remaining in the superficial layers of the nose and throat as previously thought. This allows it to persist for extended periods without causing symptoms. The researchers added…

Doha: The Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) has enrolled the first batch of volunteers in the specialized training program in search and rescue and disaster management. The program comes in the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Qatar Voluntary Center, a Ministry of Culture-affiliate, while training is run by the Qatar Search and Rescue Team. Highlighting the youth’s vital role in serving the nation, the program aims to prepare qualified national cadres in emergency response and crisis management, as to enhance readiness in dealing with disasters. Source: QNA

Brussels: The State of Qatar has participated in the ninth meeting of the Global Coalition for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting was attended by HE High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas and HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium, Maxime Prevost. Acting Charge d’Affaires of the Mission of the State of Qatar to the European Union, Sarah bint Ahmed Al Mohannadi represented the State of Qatar at the meeting. Addressing the meeting, Al Mohannadi voiced Qatar’s sincere gratitude…

Doha: The competitions of the Asian Beach Games will officially get underway, Tuesday, in the Chinese city of Sanya, which will host the event from April 22 to 30. The tournament will feature the participation of 1,790 male and female athletes representing 45 nations. The official opening ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, with a distinguished lineup of elite athletes competing across a wide range of disciplines. Team Qatar is aiming to deliver a strong presence and achieve notable results at this prestigious continental event. Qatar will be represented by a delegation of 34 athletes competing across 14 sports, including 3×3…

Doha: Vodafone Qatar (a Qatari public shareholding company) reported a 24 percent increase in net profit for the first quarter of this year, reaching QAR 201.3 million, compared to QAR 162.3 million during the same period last year. The company’s financial statements, published on the Qatar Stock Exchange website today, showed that earnings per share rose to QAR 0.048 for the three months ending March 31, 2026, compared to QAR 0.038 for the same period in 2025.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, King of Malaysia, received H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia, in the presence of His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Regent of Johor and Crown Prince of Johor, during His Excellency’s visit to Malaysia as part of his Asian tour, where discussions focused on enhancing sports cooperation and supporting the Olympic movement across the Asian continent. H.E. Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, also received H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, where the meeting addressed prospects for developing sports…