Qatar payment systems hit 70.9 million transactions worth QR150.910bn in March
Doha, Qatar: Qatar witnessed a total value of transactions across various payment systems worth QR150.910bn with total number of transactions reaching 70.964 million in March 2026. The recent data from the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) highlights notable shifts in the country’s payment ecosystem, with s»»»
Abu Dhabi to Amman flights now easier with Air Arabia’s new service
Abu Dhabi: Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has announced the launch of direct flights to Amman Civil Airport (ADJ) in Jordan, with the new service set to begin on May 1, 2026. The route will operate three times a week between Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi and Amman Civil Airport, offering passenger»»»
Large quantities of products without excise stamps discovered in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
The Tax Service officials in Kyrgyzstan have uncovered violations related to the illegal circulation of excisable products in Chui and Jalal-Abad regions. The agency’s press service reported. Tobacco products without excise stamps were found in a store in Kant town. More than 5,500 packs of cigaret»»»
Al Rayyan clinch Gulf Club Champions League title
Doha, Qatar: Al Rayyan delivered a strong second-half performance to thrash Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab 3-0 in the final and lift the Gulf Club Champions League (GCCL) trophy at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium yesterday. David Garcia, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Roger Guedes scored in the second half to delight the»»»
‘WBCD crowns Qatar’s efforts in spreading knowledge and awareness’
Doha: The world marks World Book and Copyright Day (WBCD) on April 23, an annual observance established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) to celebrate books and authors and recognise their contribution to cultural progress, intellectual development, an»»»
Ehsan expands reach and services to empower Qatar’s elderly community
Doha, Qatar: The Centre for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan) continues to advance its mission of empowering senior citizens across Qatar through an integrated vision focused on inclusion, accessibility, and active participation in society. In an interview with Qatar TV, Salem Hussein Al-»»»
Minister of Environment and Climate Change meets Georgia’s Ambassador
Minister of Environment and Climate Change H E Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie met yesterday with Ambassador of Georgia to the State of Qatar H E Varlam Avaliani. During the meeting, they discussed opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of environment, »»»
Joint Qatari, Egyptian exhibition opens in Doha
Doha: Al Markhiya Gallery has opened a joint exhibition featuring works by prominent Qatari artist Yousef Ahmed and late Egyptian artist Hazem El Mestikawy at the Fire Station: Artists’ Residence. The exhibition presents 15 works by Ahmed and 12 by El Mestikawy, with both artists drawing inspiratio»»»
Saudi scientists revive endangered fish after 30-year absence
RIYADH: After three decades of absence, the critically endangered Arabian Bream is being brought back from the brink through a joint breeding program between the National Center for Wildlife and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. The effort has achieved a 90 percent survival rate a»»»
Awqaf Ministry strengthens human rights efforts, disability support in Q1 2026
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has reinforced its commitment to human rights and the empowerment of persons with disabilities through a comprehensive package of initiatives and streamlined measures implemented during the first quarter of 2026. This effort reflects the Minist»»»
My playlist: Rising Saudi hip-hop star Alshaikh selects favorite tracks
DUBAI: Abdullah Alshaikh (who goes by his family name only) is one of the rising stars of the Kingdom’s hip-hop scene. He released his debut EP, “Karma — The Rise of the Ascent,” on MDLBEAST Records on April 22. “I get my inspiration for my music from my city, Jeddah,” Alshaikh tells Arab News. “My»»»
ASEAN chair urges Myanmar to free more prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi
MANILA: The Philippines, this year’s chair of the regional bloc ASEAN, on Friday encouraged more prisoner releases in Myanmar, including ousted former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and described a recent amnesty as a positive step toward an inclusive national dialogue. “We reaffirm our commitmen»»»
Dubai’s Al Habtoor takes Lebanon to international court — here’s why
Dubai: Dubai-based Al Habtoor Group has initiated international arbitration proceedings against the Lebanese Republic, escalating a long-running dispute over its investments in the country. The UAE conglomerate said late last night that it has formally filed a Request for Arbitration with the Inter»»»
Qatar, Mauritania discuss cooperation
Minister of State for Interior Affairs H E Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohammed Al-Thani met with Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to the State H E Mohamed Mohamed Abdullah Bebane. During the meeting, cooperation between the two countries in the security fields were reviewed, an»»»
1,777 building permits issued in Q1 2026
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality has released its latest statistics on building permits and technical affairs for the first quarter of 2026, highlighting sustained momentum across the construction and urban development sectors. According to the report, a total of 1,777 building permits wer»»»
Qatari investments support Syria’s economic reforms, says Syrian Minister of Finance
Damascus: Syrian Minister of Finance H E Mohammed Yasser Barnieh affirmed that cooperation with the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) in the project to assess the financial and banking sector represents an important strategic step in a qualitative transformation phase that the Syrian economy is wit»»»
Community College, Qatar Scientific Club sign MoU to advance expertise and innovation
Doha, Qatar: Reflecting a shared commitment to integrating the roles of academic and scientific institutions across Qatar, the Community College of Qatar (CCQ) and the Qatar Scientific Club (QSC) have signed a memorandum of understanding. It aims to strengthen joint collaboration in technical train»»»
Industrial turnover falls 3.3% in first two months
Total industrial turnover (domestic and foreign markets) fell, in nominal terms, by 3.3% in the first two months of this year compared with the same period in 2025, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS) data.The decline was driven by negative developments in the extractive industr»»»
Hormuz Crisis Throws Spotlight on World's Largest 'Chokepoint' - the Malacca Strait
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced policymakers in Asia to face questions over the security of other maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Malacca, which is the world's busiest waterway for international trade. Importance of The Malacca Strait The 900-km (550-mile) long Malacca »»»
A 60-Day Deadline Could Pressure Trump on Ending the Iran War
Washington - Robert Jimison Over nearly eight weeks of war in Iran, Republicans in Congress have turned back repeated efforts by Democrats to halt the operation and force US President Donald Trump, who began the conflict without congressional authorization, to consult with lawmakers on the military»»»
Arab artists on display at the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
Etel Adnan ‘Untitled’ The late Lebanese-American artist and writer was renowned for her use of bold colors in her paintings. “(Her) vibrant compositions unfold through rich, geometric fields of color, reflecting a dynamic interplay between abstraction and her deep-rooted engagement with landscapes »»»
Central Asia, EU pledge deeper cooperation on water and energy
Central Asian countries and European partners pledged to deepen cooperation on water and energy challenges exacerbated by climate change, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES2026). Central Asia is amo»»»
Kazakhstan proposes regional ‘Green Shield’ to combat desertification in Central Asia
Kazakhstan has proposed a regional “Green Shield of Central Asia” initiative to combat desertification and dust storms, positioning it as a long-term ecological strategy rather than a one-off tree-planting campaign, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026. »»»
Central Asian countries commit to stronger action on air pollution at Astana summit
Central Asian governments pledged to step up efforts to tackle air pollution, with officials calling for deeper regional cooperation and greater international support at a ministerial dialogue in Kazakhstan’s capital. Offi»»»
Central Asia, EU pledge deeper cooperation on water and energy
Central Asian countries and European partners pledged to deepen cooperation on water and energy challenges exacerbated by climate change, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES2026). Central Asia is amo»»»
Kazakhstan proposes regional ‘Green Shield’ to combat desertification in Central Asia
Kazakhstan has proposed a regional “Green Shield of Central Asia” initiative to combat desertification and dust storms, positioning it as a long-term ecological strategy rather than a one-off tree-planting campaign, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026. »»»
Central Asia, EU pledge deeper cooperation on water and energy
Central Asian countries and European partners pledged to deepen cooperation on water and energy challenges exacerbated by climate change, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES2026). Central Asia is amo»»»
Kazakhstan proposes regional ‘Green Shield’ to combat desertification in Central Asia
Kazakhstan has proposed a regional “Green Shield of Central Asia” initiative to combat desertification and dust storms, positioning it as a long-term ecological strategy rather than a one-off tree-planting campaign, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026. »»»
Central Asia, EU pledge deeper cooperation on water and energy
Central Asian countries and European partners pledged to deepen cooperation on water and energy challenges exacerbated by climate change, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES2026). Central Asia is amo»»»
Kazakhstan proposes regional ‘Green Shield’ to combat desertification in Central Asia
Kazakhstan has proposed a regional “Green Shield of Central Asia” initiative to combat desertification and dust storms, positioning it as a long-term ecological strategy rather than a one-off tree-planting campaign, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026. »»»
Kazakhstan proposes regional ‘Green Shield’ to combat desertification in Central Asia
Kazakhstan has proposed a regional “Green Shield of Central Asia” initiative to combat desertification and dust storms, positioning it as a long-term ecological strategy rather than a one-off tree-planting campaign, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026. »»»
Central Asian countries commit to stronger action on air pollution at Astana summit
Central Asian governments pledged to step up efforts to tackle air pollution, with officials calling for deeper regional cooperation and greater international support at a ministerial dialogue in Kazakhstan’s capital. Offi»»»
Central Asia, EU pledge deeper cooperation on water and energy
Central Asian countries and European partners pledged to deepen cooperation on water and energy challenges exacerbated by climate change, officials said at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES2026). Central Asia is amo»»»
Saudi Arabia, Switzerland Sign Agreement on Reciprocal Protection of Investments
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of Investment Fahad Al-Saif have participated in the Saudi-Swiss Investment Roundtable Meeting in Jeddah, which was followed by the signing of an investment agreement between the two countries. The meeting took pla»»»
Dubai Police move against drivers risking lives
Dubai: Dubai Police have arrested several motorists for reckless driving that endangered public safety, underscoring the emirate’s firm zero-tolerance stance on traffic violations. Authorities also released a video showing a series of accidents and dangerous driving incidents, highlighting the seve»»»
Cabinet of Ministers to form portfolio of 200 major investment projects - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan intends to compile a portfolio of 200 major investment projects. A government working group led by Special Representative of the President for Special Assignments Bakyt Torobaev has completed regional visits, during which initiatives proposed by local authorit»»»
Saudi Team Successfully Separates Filipino Conjoined Twins in Highly Complex Surgery
The specialized medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program achieved on Thursday a new medical milestone by successfully separating the Filipino conjoined twins Klea and Maurice Ann following a highly complex surgical procedure, considered among the most challenging cases worldwi»»»
Sadyr Japarov holds talks with Vladimir Putin - | 24.KG
On April 23, Sadyr Japarov held talks with Vladimir Putin as part of his working visit to the Russian Federation. The press service of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic reported. They discussed issues of Kyrgyzstan — Russia interaction, with a particular focus on deepening trade and economic coo»»»
Live updates: Trump orders U.S. military to ‘shoot and kill’ Iranian boats mining Strait of Hormuz – Ya Libnan
Share: An IRGC boat off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran .President Trump orders U.S. military to ‘shoot and kill’ Iranian boats mining Strait of Hormuz[File: Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA via Reuters] The U.S. also boarded another tanker it said was involved in smuggling Iranian oil, as the intensifying »»»
Offshore wind farms take shape along Rhode Island's coast, even as Trump wants to stop them
OFF THE COAST OF RHODE ISLAND: Offshore wind turbines roughly three times the height of the Statue of Liberty were spinning off the coast of Rhode Island on Thursday, sending clean electricity to the region. Wind farms are taking shape and operating along the East Coast, even as President Donald Tr»»»
Friday Sermon, April 24, 2026: ‘Whoever betrays our homeland is not one of us’
First Sermon (Khutbah One) All praise is due to Allah, who has commanded fidelity and trustworthiness, and has forbidden treachery and betrayal. I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship but Allah alone, without partner—Glory be to Him—“He does not guide the plan of the treacherous” (Q»»»
Trump’s Iran gambit leaves APAC region ‘Quad’ dead in the water
For years, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue - the so-called “Quad” linking the United States, Australia, India and Japan - has been presented as a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific stability. The Quad was never a formal allia»»»
Trump’s Iran gambit leaves APAC region ‘Quad’ dead in the water
For years, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue - the so-called “Quad” linking the United States, Australia, India and Japan - has been presented as a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific stability. The Quad was never a formal allia»»»
Trump’s Iran gambit leaves APAC region ‘Quad’ dead in the water
For years, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue - the so-called “Quad” linking the United States, Australia, India and Japan - has been presented as a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific stability. The Quad was never a formal allia»»»
Trump’s Iran gambit leaves APAC region ‘Quad’ dead in the water
For years, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue - the so-called “Quad” linking the United States, Australia, India and Japan - has been presented as a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific stability. The Quad was never a formal allia»»»
Trump’s Iran gambit leaves APAC region ‘Quad’ dead in the water
For years, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue - the so-called “Quad” linking the United States, Australia, India and Japan - has been presented as a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific stability. The Quad was never a formal allia»»»
Trump’s Iran gambit leaves APAC region ‘Quad’ dead in the water
For years, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue - the so-called “Quad” linking the United States, Australia, India and Japan - has been presented as a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific stability. The Quad was never a formal allia»»»
Trump’s Iran gambit leaves APAC region ‘Quad’ dead in the water
For years, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue - the so-called “Quad” linking the United States, Australia, India and Japan - has been presented as a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific stability. The Quad was never a formal allia»»»
Trump’s Iran gambit leaves APAC region ‘Quad’ dead in the water
For years, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue - the so-called “Quad” linking the United States, Australia, India and Japan - has been presented as a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific stability. The Quad was never a formal allia»»»
Trump’s Iran gambit leaves APAC region ‘Quad’ dead in the water
For years, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue - the so-called “Quad” linking the United States, Australia, India and Japan - has been presented as a cornerstone of Indo-Pacific stability. The Quad was never a formal allia»»»