Qtel has reduced international call charges for its customers using the Hala and the recently introduced Shahry Control services. The new tariffs, effective from today, are being offered on a permanent basis. Hala and Shahry Control users can now make international calls to all Asian and Middle Eastern countries at a reduced rate of 99 dirhams per minute.

A total of 7,745 foreigners had been deported because of failing the mandatory medical tests at the Medical Commission during the one year period between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, a senior official of the Commission has said.

ictQATAR’s Secretary General Dr Hessa Al Jaber is leading Qatar’s representatives at the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2010 (WTDC) in the Indian city of Hyderabad. 130 countries are participating in the conference at which Qatar aims to share its experiences in developing a vibrant ICT sector, helping shape the global ICT agenda and learning from other leading international experts.

Qatar is in the process of amending its commercial aviation law to effectively deal with various types of in-flight violations by passengers.

Al Jazeera yesterday announced a new initiative to promote Internet freedom and support online journalists.

Local bakeries will be banned from using plastic bags for packing hot bread within two months, CMC chairman Nasser Abdullah al-Kabbi said.

Qatar ranked fourth Sharjah’s trade partner in the GCC in 2009 with a trade exchange value of Dh1.1bn, according to Ali bin Salem Al Mahmoud, General Manager of the Sharjah Economic Development Department.