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The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the attack that targeted a police post in the Bannu area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwestern Pakistan, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of a number of security personnel.In a statement, the OIC General Secretariat reiterated its firm stance rejecting terrorism and extremism in all their forms and manifestations.Pakistani authorities announced that at least three police officers were killed and others were injured in a car bomb attack followed by an armed clash targeting a security center in the Bannu area in northwestern Pakistan. Source link
His Excellency the Minister of Sports and Youth Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani inaugurated the official digital platform for the project documenting the history of Qatari football (1948-present), marking the launch of a landmark national initiative aimed at preserving the legacy of football in Qatar through a modern institutional framework that combines scientific methodology with digital innovation. The project reflects a firm belief that football in Qatar has long served as a social and cultural pillar that contributed to shaping public consciousness and mirrored the transformations of Qatari society across different historical periods. In this context, the initiative seeks to transform decades of sporting heritage, milestones, and iconic moments into a credible national archive that preserves the past while ensuring its continuity for future generations. Speaking during the launch ceremony, the chairman of the Committee for the Documentation and Archiving of Qatari Football History, Ali Dawood, said that the achievement was the result of sustained institutional work that began in August 2020, driven by the conviction that documenting the history of Qatari football is a national responsibility equal in importance to the achievements themselves, as it preserves and sustains them. He said that the committee focused on collecting, verifying, and archiving a vast body of historical material, including documents, photographs, oral testimonies, and rare footage, all reviewed according to rigorous scientific standards. Dawood added that documentation, research, and technical teams succeeded in building a comprehensive knowledge base that has been organised, indexed, and digitised to serve as a reliable national reference for researchers, media professionals, and future generations. He stressed that the accomplishment was the product of integrated teamwork carried out in accordance with the highest standards of quality and governance. He noted that the committee’s attainment of ISO 9001:2015 certification within a record period for a documentation project reflects its commitment to institutional excellence and sustainable professional practices. The committee adopted a comprehensive organisational structure comprising specialised teams in historical documentation, oral history, archiving, digitisation, verification, and review to ensure accuracy, governance, and quality outputs. Its work began with the collection of rare documents, photographs, and video materials, alongside recording testimonies of pioneers and key figures in Qatari football, followed by cross-referenced historical verification, digitisation of content, and the development of an interactive database based on the latest international standards. The committee stated that the project has reached an advanced stage, noting that the digital platform currently contains nearly 15 terabytes of historical data and content and continues to undergo expansion and updates. The volume of content is expected to nearly double during upcoming phases as part of a phased strategy designed to ensure the project’s comprehensiveness, sustainability, and status as a living national reference for the history of Qatari football. The committee also announced the publication of several specialised documentary books as part of the archiving project, covering pivotal milestones in Qatar’s football journey. These include publications on the early beginnings of football in Qatar, the national team’s participation in the Gulf Cup, and Qatar’s journey in FIFA World Cup tournaments, within a vision aimed at delivering verified knowledge content that combines historical narrative with scientific methodology. Among the publications is The Story of the Beginning, which documents the formative years of football in Qatar, tracing its emergence within early labour communities before spreading across Doha neighbourhoods and evolving into clubs, teams, and stadiums. Another publication, Qatar in the Gulf Cup: Legacy and Impact, chronicles Qatar’s participation in the Arabian Gulf Cup since the tournament’s inception, highlighting the technical, organisational, and fan-related transformations that accompanied its football journey within the broader Gulf sporting landscape. The book Qatar in the World Cup: Journey and Milestones documents the evolution of Qatari football from its early qualification attempts to the historic hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the national team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The publication offers both historical and analytical perspectives on a long journey marked by ambition, challenges, and achievement. Related Story Source link
In a rare personal message addressed to the island’s residents on Saturday, Dr Tedros confirmed he would travel to the Spanish territory to oversee the disembarkation…
From a small school field in a remote village to the grandest stage of international football, Abjol Ahmed’s journey has now become an inspiring reality. The Qatar-based expatriate has been selected as a volunteer for the FIFA World Cup 2026, marking a significant milestone in his life.Ahmed will serve as a hospitality volunteer at the iconic MetLife Stadium in the United States. The stadium is scheduled to host several key matches, including the final, making his role even more prestigious and memorable.This will be his second FIFA World Cup volunteering experience, having previously served successfully in an earlier edition of the tournament. His passion and long-standing commitment to volunteering have played a crucial role in reaching this remarkable stage.The upcoming World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, featuring an expanded format with 48 teams. Out of nearly 1mn applicants worldwide, only around 65,000 volunteers have been selected — placing Abjol Ahmed among a highly competitive and elite group.His journey, however, was not easy. From the initial application and selection process to interviews, shift assignments, and visa procedures, he navigated a long and challenging path. After successfully completing all stages, he is now fully prepared for his new mission.If all goes as planned, Ahmed is expected to travel to the United States in the first week of June. His achievement is not only a personal success but also a proud moment for his home country. Related Story Source link
The vessel arrived off the Canary Islands after weeks at sea at the centre of an international public health response triggered by a hantavirus outbreak that…
MES Indian School has recorded a commendable triumph at the recently concluded Tamil Literary Competition 2026, organised by Mahakavi Mandram, securing the highest number of prizes across multiple categories and bringing significant laurels to the institution.The prestigious event witnessed the participation of 126 students from various Indian schools across Qatar. Among them, 28 students from MES Indian School exhibited exceptional talent, determination, and academic excellence. Of these, an impressive 11 students emerged as prize winners.Among the achievers, Mohamed Arfan of Class 7 and Jeyasree of Class 3 secured first place in their respective categories. Ibrahim Jainullabdeen of Class 4 and Ankitha Sumesh Kumar of Class 5 earned second place honours, while Abijith Venkatesh of Class 6 secured third place.In the Class 8 category, Udaya Sumesh Kumar attained first place, followed by Karunya Krithi in second place and Hafsa Begam in third place.In the Class 9 category, Atheequr Rahman secured first place, with Kaviya Velmurugan and Rakshan Jeyabalan achieving second and third places respectively. Dr Hameeda Kadar, principal lauded the winners saying: “This outstanding accomplishment marks a significant milestone in the continued pursuit of excellence by MES Indian School and highlights the institution’s dedication to nurturing linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness among its students”.Jeyanthi Suresh, coordinator, along with Skylab Rani and Kirthika C, trained and mentored the participants toward this notable success. Source link
British paratroopers have dropped onto Britain’s most remote overseas territory, Tristan da Cunha, along with medics and medical supplies, after a case of suspected hantavirus was confirmed there.A team of six paratroopers and two military clinicians from 16 Air Assault Brigade jumped from an RAF A400M transport aircraft that flew 6,788km (4,218 miles) from RAF Brize Norton air base in Oxfordshire to Ascension Island then another 3,000km due south to Tristan da Cunha.Dropped alongside them on Saturday were oxygen supplies and other medical aid. The A400M was refuelled mid-flight by a supporting RAF Voyager. RAF A400 drops air assault paras and medical supplies into British Overseas Territory from Ascension Island to provide medical support to people. (Reuters) The operation is the first time the UK military has deployed medical personnel to provide humanitarian support via a parachute jump, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.The supplies were primarily destined for a British man who UK health authorities say was a passenger on the cruise ship that was hit by a hantavirus outbreak and which docked at the island between April 13 and 15. The WHO said the man reported symptoms compatible with hantavirus on April 28 and that he is stable and in isolation.”With oxygen supplies on the island at a critical level, an airdrop with medical personnel was the only method of getting vital care to the patient in time,” the Ministry of Defence statement said.Tristan da Cunha, home to only around 200 people, is halfway between South Africa and South America. It is the world’s remotest inhabited island, more than 2,400km and a six-day boat ride from St Helena, its nearest inhabited neighbour. It usually relies on a medical team of two people for its health needs, and is normally only accessible by boat as it has no airstrip.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were previously delivered by military plane on May 7 to Ascension Island, where another British man from the cruise ship had disembarked before being medically evacuated to South Africa.”The arrival of paratroopers, medical personnel and medical supplies from the sky has hopefully reassured the people of Tristan da Cunha,” said Brigadier Ed Cartwright, Officer Commanding 16 Air Assault Brigade. Related…
Olympic champion and crowd favourite Soufiane El Bakkali of Moroccan will make a welcome return to the Doha meeting when he competes in the 3000m steeplechase at the Khalifa International Stadium on June 19.El Bakkali, who backed up his Tokyo 2021 Olympic title with gold in Paris 2024, is also a two-time world champion (2022 and 2023). He came agonisingly close to make it a trio of global golds at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo but eventually finished second to New Zealand’s Geordie Beamish.The 30-year-old clocked a 3000m personal best of 7.33.87 in his last outing in Doha in 2023. It kick-started a year to remember as he ran a lifetime best of 7:56.68 in the steeplechase in Rabat later the same month and went on to record an unbeaten season of five wins in steeplechase finals from May through to September.“Doha feels like my second home and it means a lot to me to compete at this meeting where I’m privileged to have such great supporters,” said the 2022 Wanda Diamond League champion.“I faced some challenges last year, and although I came away from the World Championships with a silver medal I was disappointed. The support and encouragement I have had since then gives me great motivation and strength to move forward. I continue to set big goals and I am very disciplined in my approach. In the future, my ambition is to win the Olympic gold in LA, but the one that I dream of for now is to set a new world record in the 3000m steeplechase. Doha might come too soon, but to have the opportunity to race in this event with the backing of so many Moroccans will be special.”The Doha meeting was originally due to take place at the Qatar Sports Club on May 8 as the opening meeting of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League season. Due to the conflict in the Middle East, it has been rescheduled to take place at the Khalifa International Stadium (which is temperature regulated to allow athletes to compete safely in even hotter conditions).The Doha meeting is now the seventh meeting of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League. The series comprises 15 of the most prestigious events in global track and field across four different continents and begins in Shanghai/Keqiao on 16 May (as a result of the Doha Meeting being rescheduled). It concludes with a single final across two days in Brussels (4-5 September). Related Story Source link
‘Get well soon’ — these are the words that people who suffer with diabetes, heart disease or cancer hear too often. Not so if you suffer with obesity or overweight, where people closest to you will point the finger of blame, suggesting you should eat less, exercise more, and that you are just lazy. And yet, obesity, which affects over one billion people worldwide, and where in Qatar over 70% of the population are suffering with obesity and overweight, is as much a chronic disease as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. If anything, obesity is the root cause behind over 200 diseases, including physical, mental and mechanical (see references 1, 2, 3). Guidelines worldwide agree that obesity is a chronic, progressive and relapsing disease. Its impact on people will differ depending on the distribution and function of the fat involved. Our appetite is driven by our brain, which controls three aspects of eating — eating because you are hungry; emotional eating because you are feeling sad, or even eating for the pleasure of eating; and finally, the part of your brain that exercises control over emotional eating. Studies have shown that the link between the control part and the emotional part of eating is not working in people with obesity. Biology and brain have a big part to play in explaining the science behind obesity (see reference 4). Obesity has traditionally been assessed through measurement of the body mass index, which relates to height and weight, and where a measurement above or equal to 30 indicates obesity (see reference 5). New staging methods such as the Edmonton Obesity Staging take into consideration the complications of obesity as well. Like many other chronic diseases, obesity requires long-term management to ensure that the weight you lose stays off. Your body fights weight loss; if you thought losing those few kilograms was a challenge, then maintaining the weight loss is an even bigger challenge. Start your journey with your doctor — it's a partnership. Set short-, medium- and long-term goals, and not just for weight loss but more importantly for health gain. You will be part of a team who will give you dietary advice and encourage you to do regular physical activity. Your doctor might recommend using medication or other medical interventions. You may start to notice gradual and positive changes in your life, and the health improvements that you don't even see are as important. So remember, obesity is not simply due to an individual's choice or lack of willpower — it is a chronic disease. Seek treatment from a qualified healthcare professional and remember the focus is on long-term health gains.·The writer is Professor of Health Sciences, Medical Manager, Novo Nordisk, Qatar References:Prevalence of Obesity | World Obesity FederationWorld Obesity Atlas 2025Horn et al. Postgrad Med 2022;134:359–75.Lau D et al. Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guide-lines: The Science of Obesity. Available from https://obesitycanada.ca/guidelines/science.Adult clinical practice guideline | Obesity Canada Source link
South Korea's martial law scandal is set to loom large over local elections in June that will test whether opposition conservatives can rein in the power of the ruling party of President Lee Jae Myung.The June 3 contest for mayors and governors in South Korea's 16 cities and provinces is the first nationwide vote since Lee took power in a snap election last year after disgraced former president Yoon Suk-yeol, of the conservative People's Power Party (PPP), briefly imposed martial law in 2024.Yoon was sentenced to life in prison in February for masterminding an insurrection and faces at least seven other trials.Lee's Democratic Party (DP) already controls the presidency and parliament, so a strong showing in the local elections would leave the Democrats with the most political power of any single party since 2020.South Korea's right has been in disarray since the martial law bid and infighting over the issue has created splits within the PPP. The conservatives have barely a month to convince voters they are a credible alternative but analysts have predicted they are heading for a landslide defeat.Some of the right's prominent figures say the party should avoid internal conflict and try to put the Yoon scandal behind them.’In the end, when we fought among ourselves, we couldn't pay attention to the lives of the people,’ PPP leader and erstwhile Yoon supporter Jang Dong-hyeok said in an interview.’Now what we need to show is how we can unite and properly keep the ruling party and the Lee Jae Myung administration in check, and thereby protect South Korea's democracy and its future.’A spokesperson for the Democrats said the vote was about judging the ‘unresolved remnants of insurrection’ and building competent local governments to protect ‘real democracy.’The PPP currently controls 12 out of South Korea's 16 local governments but looks unlikely to hold on to the seats.Its approval rating stood at 21% in the last week of April versus the DP's at 46% and President Lee's at 64%, according to a survey by Gallup Korea.Lee's popularity has been buoyed by a chip-led stock rally and his response to the energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East, even though conservatives accuse him of using the courts and parliament to shield himself from criminal cases.SPLIT AMONG CONSERVATIVESFormer PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, who opposed Yoon's martial law and broke ties with him, is a vocal opponent of Jang. Han was expelled from the PPP over allegations of opinion manipulation and is running for parliament as an independent in Busan's Buk-A district in a by-election to be held alongside the local elections.He is facing both PPP and DP candidates in a three-way contest.Han told Reuters in an interview that he believed the PPP is controlled by a ‘small faction’ more interested in pleasing Yoon loyalists than winning back voters, and that he hoped to rebuild South Korea's conservative movement and return to the party.’The people have already crossed the sea of martial law,’ Han said. ‘The big problem is that conservative politics still has not crossed it.’He said the PPP could not credibly attack Lee while carrying Yoon's baggage.’When we criticise them, the attack that comes back is, 'Aren't you the party that declared martial law?'’ Han said. ‘That weakens everything.’Jang criticised Han's campaign as self-serving and said he was open to uniting with other conservatives excluding Han, whom he said bore great responsibility for the party's troubles.Shin Yul, a professor at Myongji University, said the Busan race would test the possibility of a conservative realignment as well as Han's own prospects to run for president in the future.If Han wins, Shin said, he could send ‘a clear new message’ to the struggling PPP and weaken the DP's argument that conservatives should be judged as an insurrection-linked force. Source link