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The Organising Committee of the 4th GCC Games – Doha 2026 has announced the completion of all preparations for hosting the highly anticipated regional event, scheduled to take place from May 11 to 22. Speaking at a press conference held at Al Wajba Hall at the headquarters of the Qatar Olympic Committee, in the presence of officials from the organising committee and media representatives, Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani, Head of the Marketing and Communications Committee, affirmed that Qatar’s hosting of the Games represents a natural extension of the journey of sports cooperation among GCC countries, reflecting the deep-rooted fraternal ties and shared values that unite the peoples of the region. He said: “This edition of the Games serves as an important platform to strengthen ties among the youth of the GCC countries and to promote noble sporting values, supporting the continued development of joint Gulf sports cooperation and reinforcing the role of sport as a bridge for communication and connection among nations.” He added that the Marketing and Communications Committee has worked on developing a comprehensive identity for the Games, inspired by the region’s culture and heritage, reflecting shared Gulf values while keeping pace with the expectations of diverse sports audiences, with the aim of delivering a distinctive organisational and marketing experience. Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani noted that a number of official sponsors and strategic partners have been announced, forming a key pillar in supporting the event through partnerships that enhance its public engagement and elevate its marketing and organisational value. He also revealed the official mascot of the Games, “Washeq,” which has been carefully designed as an interactive element reflecting the spirit of the event and strengthening audience engagement, particularly among youth. The Head of the Marketing and Communications Committee invited the public to attend the official opening ceremony, which will take place on May 11 at Al Shaqab, noting that the ceremony will mark a distinctive launch for the Games and reflect the level of preparations achieved. He concluded by emphasizing that work will continue in the coming phase to implement the marketing campaign across all its stages, ensuring strong attendance and engagement, and delivering a successful edition that reflects the stature of GCC countries and the aspirations of their peoples. The Mascot… A Reflection of Gulf IdentityFor her part, Maryam Al Mansoori, Head of Marketing and Sponsorship at the Organising Committee, stated that the selection of the official mascot “Washeq,” inspired by the desert caracal—one of the most prominent symbols of the Arabian Peninsula’s natural environment—was intended to embody the core values upon which the Games are built, most notably fair competition, discipline, and the spirit of Gulf participation, reflecting the slogan: “One Gulf, One Heart.” She explained that “Washeq” is closely linked to Gulf identity, representing an integral part of the region’s wildlife heritage, historically found across its vast deserts, valleys, and diverse landscapes. This choice reflects the deep cultural and natural ties among GCC countries and reinforces unity and a shared vision for the future. Al Mansoori added that the mascot symbolizes agility, precision, and adaptability, drawing inspiration from the desert environment known for its resilience and flexibility. Its composed appearance and calm nature reflect the professionalism and balance that the Games seek to promote. She noted that the mascot serves as a central element in the Games’ visual identity, contributing to a unified presence across various media platforms, official activities, and on-ground activations, while also fostering a strong emotional connection with audiences across the Gulf region. Qatar Delegation Completes Preparations for Participation in the GamesMeanwhile, Najla Al Khayareen, Head of the Qatari Administrative Delegation, confirmed that the national delegation has reached the highest level of readiness to participate in this major sporting event. She noted that all administrative and organisational preparations have been completed, alongside the provision of accommodation, transport, and logistical and technical support, ensuring optimal conditions for athletes to focus on their competitions. She added that Qatar will participate in 19 sports, noting that this group of athletes has been carefully selected to represent the country in the best possible way at this event, which represents an important milestone in preparation for upcoming competitions. Al Khayareen called on Team Qatar supporters to back the athletes and stand by them, emphasizing that fan support is a key factor in achieving the desired results. She expressed her wishes for success to Qatar’s athletes in delivering strong performances and presenting a distinguished edition that reflects the Gulf spirit. Official Sponsors and Strategic Partners AnnouncedThe Organising Committee announced the list of official sponsors and strategic partners of the Games, which includes Hamad International Airport, Msheireb Properties, Al Kass Channel, Suhail Industrial Holding Group, Kotinos, Bornan, Al Rayyan Water, Dynamic Sports, Al Jazeera Perfumes and The Look Company, as part of partnerships that support the delivery of the Games and enhance its public engagement and overall marketing value. The fourth edition of the GCC Games will feature competitions across 19 sports, including handball, table tennis, athletics, squash, padel, fencing, boxing, taekwondo, karate, swimming, billiards, snooker, basketball (5×5 and 3×3), shooting, archery, volleyball, equestrian, and bowling. Competitions will be held across 11 state-of-the-art venues, including Aspire Dome, the Women’s Sports Hall, Hamad Aquatic Centre, Qatar Sports Club, Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall, Al Gharafa Sports Club, Lusail Shooting Range, Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, Qatar Bowling Federation Hall, and Al Duhail Sports Hall. The inaugural edition of the GCC Games was held in Manama from October 11 to 22, 2011, with the participation of six GCC countries and approximately 1,500 athletes competing in 11 sports. Qatar finished third with 20 medals (7 gold, 11 silver, and 2 bronze). The second edition took place in Dammam from October 12 to 26, 2015, with five participating nations following Kuwait’s withdrawal, and around 1,500 athletes competing in approximately 15 sports. Qatar again finished third, winning 59 medals (21 gold, 22 silver, and 16 bronze). The third edition was held in Kuwait in 2022 from May 16 to 31, with six GCC countries and more than 1,500 athletes competing in 16 sports. Qatar placed fifth in the medal standings with a total of 52 medals (16 gold, 21 silver, and 15 bronze). Related Story Source link
Unidentified attackers hijacked an oil tanker yesterday off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden and directed it towards Somalia, the Yemeni coast guard said.According to the agency, the tanker EUREKA was seized off Yemen’s Shabwa province by a group who “boarded, took control of it, then steered it… in the direction of the Somali coast”. The coast guard, which is affiliated with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, vowed to investigate the attack.“The location of the tanker has been determined, and work is under way to monitor it and take the necessary measures in an attempt to recover it and ensure the safety of its crew,” it said, without identifying the crew’s numbers or nationality. According to the website Marine Traffic, the EUREKA is a Togolese-flagged oil products tanker that was reported to have been in the UAE port of Fujairah in late March.Piracy was rampant off the coast of Somalia in the 2000s, peaking in 2011 with hundreds of attacks, but was significantly reduced by international naval deployments and new tactics by commercial shipping.However, in recent weeks attacks have increased again, according to a report by the European Union naval mission deployed off the shores of the troubled east African country. Since February 28, shipping in the region has also been disrupted by the US-Israeli war against Iran, but there was no immediate indication that yesterday’s hijacking was related to the ongoing conflict. Source link
The Israeli military said yesterday that its forces damaged a “religious building” in south Lebanon, drawing condemnation from a Catholic charity, which identified it as a convent and denounced the “deliberate” targeting of a place of worship. The military said troops operating in the village of Yaroun had damaged a structure inside a religious compound while dismantling what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” in the area. “It was determined that during the forces’ operations to destroy terrorist infrastructure, one of the houses located in a religious compound was damaged,” the military’s Arabic-language spokesman, Colonel Avichay Adraee, said on X. “There were no visible signs indicating this was a religious building,” he continued. “Once clear identifying features were observed on another building in the compound, the forces acted to prevent any further damage to the compound.” Adraee justified the presence of troops in the area by citing multiple rocket attacks launched by Hezbollah from within the compound toward Israeli territory, as fighting continues in spite of a ceasefire. The French Catholic charity L’Oeuvre d’Orient said the troops had “destroyed” a convent belonging to the Salvatorian Sisters, a Greek-Catholic religious order with which the charity is affiliated.“L’Oeuvre d’Orient strongly condemns this deliberate act of destruction against a place of worship, as well as the systematic demolition of homes in southern Lebanon aimed at preventing the return of civilian populations,” it said in a statement. However, Israel’s foreign ministry denied that the site – which it described as “a monastery” – had been destroyed, saying on X that the site was “intact and safe”, posting a photograph of a two-storey house. The incident comes days after the military jailed two soldiers for 30 days for desecrating a statue of the Christ in the Christian village of Debl in south Lebanon, near the border with Israel. Israel has kept up deadly strikes on Lebanon despite the April 17 ceasefire that sought to halt more than six weeks of war between it and Hezbollah.The ceasefire text grants Israel the right to act against “planned, imminent or ongoing attacks”. Israeli soldiers are operating inside a “Yellow Line” running some 10km deep inside Lebanon’s border, where they are carrying out wide-scale detonations and demolitions of buildings. Related Story Source link
Fatima al-Safadi sits in her house with her grandchildren whose father was detained by Israel, in the southern Syrian village of Bayt Jinn, near the Israeli-annexed…
A Palestinian was martyred Sunday after being shot by Israeli occupation forces east of Gaza City.Israeli occupation forces continued to violate the ceasefire agreement by carrying out shelling and opening fire in various areas across the Gaza Strip.Israeli occupation artillery shelled Al-Tuffah neighborhood east of Gaza and renewed its targeting of areas in the eastern part of the city, while Israeli military vehicles opened heavy fire in the same area.The artillery shelling also struck the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, as gunfire and shelling continued in the eastern parts of Khan Younis in the south and in central areas of the Strip.Earlier today, a Palestinian child was martyred from injuries sustained when he was targeted by an Israeli drone in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.The death toll from the Israeli occupation offensive on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, has risen to 72,608 martyrs and 172,445 wounded. Source link
In the middle of a field filled with bright red poppies, Afghans frolic among the spring flowers in a tradition deeply rooted in the country’s north.Families flocked to the valleys of Shirin Tagab district, near the border with Turkmenistan, to be among thousands of flowers that appeared after abundant rain. “There has been a drought for almost 10 years. No flowers or greenery grew,” said Ghawsudin, who only uses one name.“This year has been very good, and God is merciful,” said the 79-year-old, who drove for three hours just to see the flowers. Mohammad Ashraf, a 35-year-old visitor, said he hadn’t seen so many poppies for more than a decade. “Now there are so many red flowers, and you see people come here for picnics,” he told AFP.The landscape in Shirin Tagab is brightened by the common poppy, not the opium poppy that authorities have banned. Many Afghans living in the north used to travel to see the poppies after celebrating Persian New Year, Nowruz, in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. The Taliban government, which applies a strict interpretation of Islamic law, has stopped such celebrations each spring.But the tradition of visiting the poppies, which are widely revered in poems and songs, has endured. Oriane Zerah, a photographer who published a book about Afghans and flowers, said they are an integral part of daily life. “As soon as an Afghan has a little space in their garden, they plant a flower. Even in displacement camps, there’ll be a flower somewhere. They put them on their pakol, one of their traditional hats, and there are desserts made with flowers,” she told AFP. The poppy has also been associated with wartime in the country, with the flower often placed on the coffins of fighters, according to Afghan writer Taqi Wahidi. “Dying in the path of the homeland, or in the path of religion and faith, was considered a kind of new resurrection and entry into a new life,” he told AFP.The same flower is widely used in countries, such as Britain, Australia and New Zealand, where people wear artificial poppies to remember those killed in past conflicts.Nowadays in Afghanistan, however, the poppy “symbolises vitality and freshness”, according to Wahidi.“At the same time that nature is renewed, human beings also want to bring new colours into their lives,” he said. Related Story Source link
A Palestinian child was martyred after succumbing to wounds sustained from a targeted Israeli occupation drone in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.WAFA news agency cited medical sources as saying that a drone dropped a bomb on a group of Palestinian citizens in the Qizan Abu Rashwan area south of Khan Younis, resulting in the child being hit and killed by shrapnel instantly before reaching the hospital, as well as wounding others.Meanwhile, medical sources in Gaza reported a worsening shortage of laboratory testing materials in laboratories and blood banks. The deficit reached 86% of the needs, while the stock of many of these materials have depleted.The same sources explained that blood gas testing materials have completely run out in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital laboratory, while the remaining quantities in other hospitals are sufficient for only a few days.The sources warned that the continuation of this shortage threatens medical follow-up procedures for patients, hinders surgical operations, and directly affects emergency and intensive care cases. Source link
US President Donald Trump announced that he intends to review an Iranian proposal aimed at ending the war, while expressing doubts about the likelihood of accepting it.In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump said he would soon examine the plan submitted by Iran, but voiced reservations about its viability, noting that Tehran had not yet paid a sufficient price for its actions.And at a press conference in West Palm Beach, he said he had reviewed the broad outlines of Iran’s response to the US proposal and expected to receive the final version later. Regarding military options, Trump did not rule out resuming operations against Iran, saying that such a move could happen, and suggesting that Tehran would need a long time to rebuild its capabilities if the confrontation continued.He also referred to what he described as a lack of clarity in Iran’s leadership structure, noting that the new supreme leader had not appeared since the outbreak of the war.On the domestic front, Trump called on the Democratic Party not to obstruct US actions toward Iran, describing current blockade measures as relatively moderate. This comes as Trump continues to reject Iranian offers to advance stalled negotiations, maintaining his position of imposing a tight blockade on Iranian ports. At the same time, Iran has responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz.The Iranian Fars News Agency reported Saturday that Tehran had submitted a 14-point response to the U.S. proposal to end the war, outlining its framework for ending the conflict and conveying it to the Pakistani side. According to sources cited by Fars, the response to Washington’s nine-point proposal included a clear roadmap for ending the war, along with an emphasis on Iran’s red lines. It added that the message was delivered through a mediator after passing through the usual decision-making processes within Iran’s relevant institutions and obtaining the necessary approvals.Meanwhile, the Tasnim News Agency reported, citing its sources, that Tehran responded to a US proposal that included a request for a two-month ceasefire, stressing that issues should be resolved within 30 days and that the focus should be on ending the war rather than extending the truce.Two days ago, Trump said he did not intend to seek approval from the United States Congress to continue any military action against Iran after the expiration of the 60 days allowed under the Constitution for military operations without legislative authorization. Source link
President of Algeria Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed Algeria’s readiness to contribute to efforts to resolve the crisis in Mali, in a way that would help restore security and stability, while emphasizing non-interference in the country’s internal affairs.During a regular meeting with representatives of local media, Tebboune said that Algeria is closely following developments in Mali with concern, expressing regret over what he described as a trajectory toward greater instability.He stressed that Algeria has not and will not intervene in Mali’s internal affairs, affirming that relations between the two countries are based on brotherhood and that Algeria has been and will continue to support Mali without seeking any special interests.He added that military solutions do not represent a way out of the crisis, noting that Malians are capable of overcoming the challenges they face. He also indicated that Algeria is ready to provide support if Mali requests it, with the aim of de-escalation and helping to overcome the crisis.The Algerian president also revealed that there have been indirect contacts between the two countries in recent times, amid escalating security tensions in Mali, which has recently witnessed increasing attacks by armed groups, further exacerbating instability in the Sahel region. Source link
The British Department for Transport announced that airlines will be allowed to combine passengers from different flights onto fewer aircraft as part of temporary measures aimed at reducing jet fuel consumption.The department explained that the new amendment allows for the merging of flights on routes that have more than one flight per day to the same destination, allowing passengers to be transferred to similar flights if there are vacant seats, instead of operating flights that may be not full or are threatened with cancellation.The move aims to reduce fuel waste resulting from operating aircraft with fewer passengers than their operational capacity, as well as to enhance the operational efficiency of airlines.The Department for Transport confirmed that these amendments also aim to enhance the stability of flight schedules and give travelers greater confidence in the regularity of travel.These measures come at a time when warnings are increasing about a possible shortage of jet fuel as the holiday season approaches, amid supply chain disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions and their impact on fuel supplies from the Middle East. Source link