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Abdulrahman Majid al-Qahtani with Joseph Kosseifi. Against mounting challenges facing print journalism and growing concerns over credibility in the digital age, the Qatar Press Centre (QPC) and the Lebanese Press Editors Syndicate explored avenues for closer co-operation during a meeting in Doha. The meeting brought together Abdulrahman Majid al-Qahtani, chairman of the Board of Directors of the QPC, and Joseph Kosseifi, president of the Lebanese Press Editors Syndicate, to discuss shared professional priorities and the future of journalism in the Arab world. Al-Qahtani outlined the QPC’s mission and activities, highlighting programmes aimed at developing media professionals and promoting higher professional standards. He noted that the centre has established a continuous professional development platform through seminars, dialogue sessions, and specialised events that address key challenges facing journalism at the regional and international levels. He also underscored QPC’s partnerships with media and academic institutions, designed to facilitate the exchange of expertise and keep pace with rapid transformations in the media industry. For his part, Kosseifi presented an overview of the Lebanese Press Editors Syndicate and its role in regulating journalistic work, defending journalists’ rights, and upholding professional and ethical standards. He also highlighted the syndicate’s efforts to modernise its work in response to evolving media realities, including issues related to press freedom and the protection of journalists. Discussions focused on common challenges, particularly the pressures confronting print journalism amid digital transformation, shifting media consumption patterns, and the spread of unverified information. Both sides stressed the need to safeguard the core mission of professional journalism in shaping public awareness, reinforcing accuracy and verification, and supporting informed public discourse. The two institutions also explored practical steps to strengthen co-operation, including joint training and professional development initiatives, the exchange of expertise, and the organisation of specialised meetings and dialogues to support Arab journalism in navigating current challenges. The meeting concluded with the exchange of commemorative plaques, underscoring the depth of professional ties and the importance of continued partnership between the QPC and the Lebanese Press Editors Syndicate. Related Story Source link
Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and his US counterpart Donald Trump discussed, in a phone call on Tuesday, developments related to Syria’s transitional phase, efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability, as well as prospects for bilateral cooperation in a way that serves regional and international stability. Syrian news agency ‘SANA’ reported that Al-Sharaa reaffirmed during the call Syria’s full commitment to its territorial unity and national sovereignty, and Syria’s determination to preserve its institutions and strengthen civil peace. He stressed the importance of unifying international efforts to prevent the return of terrorist organizations, foremost among them ISIS group. The Syrian President also stated that the “new Syria” is pursuing a policy of openness and extending its hand for cooperation with all international partners on the basis of mutual interests and mutual respect. He and the US President agreed on the necessity of prioritizing dialogue as a means to resolve regional disputes, with Al-Sharaa stressing that “active diplomacy” is the only path to overcoming the region’s protracted crises. The US President reiterated his country’s support for the aspirations of the Syrian people to build a unified and strong state. He welcomed the ceasefire agreement, describing it as a pivotal step toward ending the conflict, and commended the understandings related to the integration of military forces, including the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), into official institutions. On the economic front, the US President expressed Washington’s readiness to support Syria’s reconstruction efforts by encouraging investment and fostering an attractive environment for capital, affirming that Syria’s economic stability constitutes a cornerstone of stability in the Middle East Source link
The Saudi Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the Gaza Peace Council as a transitional mechanism to end the conflict and advance reconstruction, describing the move as part of broader efforts to promote regional security and stability. Meeting under the chairmanship of Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Cabinet also welcomed the Kingdom’s hosting of the World Economic Forum’s international meeting on cooperation and growth on April 22–23, highlighting its role in strengthening global economic stability and fostering dialogue between advanced and developing economies to address shared challenges. Source link
An Israeli occupation force advanced Tuesday into the road connecting the village of Al Samdaniyah Al Gharbiyah and Rasm Al Rawadi in the northern countryside of Quneitra, southwest of Syria. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said that an occupation force in three military vehicles set up a checkpoint on the road, while another occupation force entered the village of Al Samdaniyah Al Gharbiyah, with no information about arrests so far. The Israeli occupation continues its attacks on Syrian territory in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, the rules of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. Syria condemns these attacks and calls on the international community to take a firm stance to stop them. Source link
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a call on Tuesday that the Gulf monarchy would not allow attacks on Iran to be launched from its soil. Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud affirmed during the call the kingdom’s position on respecting the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and that the Kingdom will not allow its airspace or its territory to be used for any military actions against” Iran, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said in a statement. Source link
A boat carrying French tourists capsized off the shore of Oman on Tuesday, police said, killing three people and injuring two others. The boat overturned 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 kilometres) from Sultan Qaboos Port in the capital Muscat “carrying a group of 25 French tourists including the tour guide and boat captain, resulting in the death of three tourists and injuries to two others,” Omani police said in a statement on X. “Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident,” they added. Oman is increasingly attracting attention from international travellers, especially nature lovers drawn to its mountains and coastline. The country welcomed nearly four million visitors in 2024, with the government aiming to triple that figure by 2040 by focusing on sustainable tourism Source link
Tthe remains of the last hostage held in Gaza, Ran Gvili, had been identified and were being repatriated to Israel for burial.The announcement put an end to a lengthy process to locate and return the last of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas in October 2023. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday hailed the return of all those held captive “down to the very last”. The latest set of hostage handovers were part of the first phase of the US-backed ceasefire deal, which began on October 10 and aimed to stop the fighting in the Palestinian territory. Hamas said the return of Gvili’s body showed their “commitment” to the ceasefire, which entered its second phase earlier this month. Source link
The Arab League yesterday commended the effective role of Qatar in strengthening the joint Arab media work system, through following up on the implementation of the resolutions issued by the 55th session of the Council of Arab Information Ministers, which was held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab League in Cairo in November, especially with regard to strengthening the Arab media discourse supporting the Palestinian cause in the international media scene. This took place during a meeting between the Arab League Assistant Secretary-General for Media and Communication, ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi, and the ambassador of Qatar to Egypt and Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulrahman bin Mohammed al-Thani, at the headquarters of the Permanent Mission of Qatar in Cairo. Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi praised the constructive initiatives of the Qatar Media Corporation and its continued commitment to co-operating with the Media and Communication Sector (the Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Information Ministers), through its contributions in providing proposals and initiatives aimed at developing the Arab media strategy and developing media partnerships in accordance with the Arab media action plan abroad, and keeping pace with Arab media in the digital transformation and uses of artificial intelligence. The meeting discussed ways to enhance media cooperation and coordination to support joint Arab action and contribute to highlighting Arab issues, while emphasising the importance of developing media communication mechanisms and strengthening the role of Arab media in addressing current regional and international challenges. The Arab League indicated that the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the agenda of meetings scheduled for the next phase, starting with the 104th regular session of the Standing Committee for Arab Media and the 22nd regular session of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Arab Information Ministers, scheduled to be held in Kuwait from February 10-11. Source link
Dozens of colonists stormed on Monday the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces (IOF).Al-Quds Governorarete said in a statement that dozens of colonists stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque and performed provocative Talmudic rituals in its courtyards.According to the Palestinian Ministry of Religious and Endowments Affairs, colonists stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque 280 times under the protection of the IOF in the past year, during which they practiced Talmudic rituals on a daily basis. Related Story Source link
The number of victims of the Israeli occupation’s aggression against the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, has soared to 71,660 fatalities and 171,419 injuries.The enclave’s hospitals received three new fatalities, including a martyr whose body had been recovered, and 20 injuries in the past 24 hours, while several victims are still languishing under the rubble and on the streets, as paramedics and rescuers have been unable to reach them, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported in a statement Monday.The statement added that since last October, the fatality toll has reached 486 Palestinians, with 1,341 others wounded, while 714 bodies have been dug out from the rubble. Related Story Source link