Bringing together Qatar’s myriad film initiatives under one banner, H E Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani officially launched the Doha Film Institute (DFI) yesterday. The institute, launched at the Cannes International Film Festival, expands the scope of Qatar’s international film ambitions and ventures.

Qatari Culture Minister Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari said Thursday the Gulf Arab emirate is willing to enhance cultural exchange and cooperation with China as part of the efforts to promote bilateral relations...He expressed the hope that with efforts from both sides, the exchanges and cooperation in the cultural field will be injected new momentum, which will in turn facilitate the all-round cooperation between the two countries.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has called for increasing interaction between the business communities of Pakistan and Qatar to explore areas of mutual cooperation between the two sides.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s speech at the opening of the U.S-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar (February, 2009) was interrupted with applause as the audience heard something unusual – at least in the last eight years: a firm criticism of U.S. government policy by a respected opinion leader from America.