Day: October 29, 2023

Brussels, European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell called on Saturday for a truce in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Strip.

In a post on “X” Borrell said, “Gaza is in complete blackout and isolation while heavy shelling continues,” adding, “Far too many civilians, including children, have been killed. This is against International Humanitarian Law.” Yesterday, the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution calling for an immediate permanent and sustainable humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip.

The draft resolution, submitted by about 50 countries, was approved by a majority of 120 votes in favor and 14 against, with 45 countries abstaining from voting.

Between Friday night and Saturday morning, Gaza witnessed a bombardment from several fronts, the heaviest since October 7, causing the complete destruction of hundreds of buildings, and coinciding with a limited ground incursion for the third day in a row, with a complete cutoff of communications and the Internet in the Strip, isolating it from the outside world.

The Gaza Strip has been subjected to a stifling blockade since 2007, but the Israeli occupation government has tightened the blockade on the Strip since the start of the aggression 22 days ago, to include cutting off electricity and water, and preventing the entry of basic materials and fuel.

The occupation warplanes have continued to launch raids on the Gaza Strip since October 7, resulting in the death of 7,650 citizens, including 3,195 children and 1,863 women, in addition to the injury of about 20,000.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha, Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) general index closed trading today, rising by 0.43 percent, or 40.21 points, to reach 9,359.51 points.

During today’s session, 209,663,345 shares were traded, with a value of QR 465,179,483.446, as a result of implementing 15,276 transactions in all sectors.

The shares of 21 companies rose during the session, while the prices of 24 other companies fell, and two companies maintained their previous closing prices.

At the end of the trading session, the market capitalization amounted to QR 550,276,571,168,50, compared to QR 550,490,770,492.720 in the previous session.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha, HE President of Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA), Dr. Saleh bin Mohammad Al Nabit, asserted that the official data and statistics constitute a national treasure that bears a strategic value, being one of the major components of infrastructure that underpins planning and decision-making at both corporate and national levels.

This came in his inaugural remarks before the First Doha Data Forum for comprehensive data systems and effective decisions, organized by PSA in collaboration with national and international partners.

Held under the auspices of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the forum aims to encourage the propagation of innovational culture through providing and adopting official statistics and data-based solutions to address national challenges in a variety of sectors. It also aims to bolster inclusiveness, ensure inclusion and participation of all relevant entities, in addition to maximizing the value of data and exploring new collection methods to be effectively analyzed, interpreted, and disseminated with the purpose of optimizing decision-making processes.

The organization of this forum comes in alignment with the recommendations of the 54th session of United Nations Statistical Commission convened in New York in March 2023, and in fulfilment of the rapid developments that surrounded the global scene known as accelerated evolutions and transformations, especially after the wide spread of Artificial intelligence (AI), HE President of PSA said.

He added that PSA should support the process of digital transformation in Qatar through equipping the national statistics system with inclusive, accurate and reliable data that primarily meet the needs of a variety of beneficiaries, simultaneously enabling the country to live up to its obligations towards achieving the national development goals, supporting the agenda of the sustainable development goals for 2030, as well as other international obligations.

His Excellency pointed out that the official statistics generated from PSA in collaboration with partners represent one of the core pillars of national knowledge, as the foundation upon which evidence-based and credibility-based policies are built and on which objective accountability and international comparisons are based, adding that these statistics are the reliable source of information that helps measure the accomplished progress in Qatar’s development goals.

Stemming from this, the interest in organizing this exceptional forum comes as an intellectual forum that brings together an elite of experts and professionals in statistics and data sciences, he said, adding that it represents an opportunity to envisage and think about ways to address emerging challenges and issues based on innovative solutions away from stereotypes and rigidities.

He pointed out that the forum strives to encourage innovation culture and ensure the inclusion of all relevant entities for all to benefit from the data potential and are able to address societal issues, promote the level of data, fostering partnerships and cooperation between various stakeholders, as well as build the capacity for better data management practices. (MORE)

Source: Qatar News Agency