Here’s a nice little scoop for you all.

China's largest commercial bank, The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) yesterday announced the launch of its operations here from the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC). This is the second institution launched by ICBC in the Middle East, following the establishment of ICBC (Middle East) in Dubai. At the QFC, ICBC Doha (QFC Branch) has been authorised to conduct the financial services listed under Category One, which covers a wide range of financial services including deposit-taking,

A four- day refresher course for selected professionals from the aviation sector in the Arab region kicked off here yesterday.

Jo Burgin, who went to an employment tribunal at the London Central Tribunal which ruled in favour of Al Jazeera English over claims it had discriminated against her, still has scope for appeal. However, it appears doubtful she may follow through.

Qatari athletes turned in excellent performances to bag medals in a heap and helped the hosts emerge at the top at the Arab Police Sports Championships conducted by the Arab Police Sports Federation (APSF) successfully last week.

Kimono, a Japanese dress, is becoming popular also in Qatar. The kimono trend is again resurfacing in the young generation of Japanese thanks to many designer brands, says a Japanese designer.

Gulf carriers, including Qatar Airways, are making the most of the shake-up in the aviation industry in Europe and North America, which is allowing for relatively easy recruitment of pilots.

Owner of the V boutique hotel brand, Baron Jean van Gysel de Meise, has said he hopes to open up to eight more V hotels in the Middle East, split between coastal and city locations. The next V (which stands for Vejer) hotel is scheduled to open is in Qatar. A V consisting of 18 luxury villas is also being built on Greece in Nakheel's World islands, plus he said he plans another V elsewhere in Dubai.