News

Moderates in the Qatari community who have been supporting the Middle East peace process say they are in a quandary as Israel continues to violate human rights in Gaza and other Palestinian territories.

Qatari stocks continue to slide with analysts attributing the downswing to regional and global trends. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with local stocks. It is just that investor confidence is at a low-ebb in line with regional and international trends,” said an analyst asking not to be identified.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested two Arab residents involved in the circulation of counterfeit currency notes.

The Japanese Embassy will host a series of events for February and March here starting with an Ikebana Workshop.

Almost all the tables at the Shanghai Garden Chinese Restaurant have been booked for the Chinese New Year’s Eve on January 25. Restaurant manager Kaley Liu said: “All our round tables have been reserved in the VIP room and most of our tables outside have also been booked for the Chinese New Year Eve. The Chinese believe that a family should eat at a round table during the New Year,” said Kaley Liu, restaurant manager.

The Doha Players will perform the pop staple of American theatre, Grease, from February 12 to 21 at the American School of Doha, Fine Arts Theatre.

The Al Fakhoora Solidarity Campaign will intensify its activities to restore the education environment in the war-torn Gaza Strip. The Solidarity member Saleh Al Khulaifi (Qatar University) and Sarah Al Batchi (Qatar Foundation) told reporters here yesterday that the Solidarity will join hands with student organisation in the Arab world and global lobby for the protection of the lives of students and the educational institutions in Gaza. Al Fakhoora is a Student Solidarity campaign, led by

Qatari shares took a massive beating yesterday with the index of the Doha Securities Market (DSM) shedding 7.01 percent, or a huge 424.40 points, to close at 5,632.3.

The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani called yesterday for Arab countries to create a fund for Gaza’s reconstruction following 20 days of Israeli shelling that has left much of the Gaza Strip in ruins.

As the number of loan defaults has been increasing undeterred, some banks here have begun cancelling the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards of the defaulters, in a bid to force them to begin re-servicing their debts.