Qatar's telecommunications industry is in the midst of a shake-up, with domestic operator Qatar Telecom (Qtel) likely to lose both its mobile and landline monopolies while at the same time pursuing new markets abroad.

The increase in humidity and high temperature have made weather conditions more stressful across the country. The bad news is the weathermen see no respite from these conditions over the next several days.

A Qatari man, released from the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, returned home on Sunday, according to an Arabic daily. Jaralla Saleh Mohammed Kahla Al Marri who was received by close family members upon his arrival thanked the Emir, H H Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the government for their efforts leading to his release. The Pen

Speed kills is just a punch line that looks good on awareness billboards put up at busy traffic junctions all over the world. Tragically, this is true in Qatar too. The safety awareness campaigns held periodically by the traffic department, apparently, have had little impact on motorists from the younger age group.

AS the temperature begins to drop slightly at around half past five each evening, the noise of jet ski engines can be heard at a number of Doha’s marinas along the Corniche, as well as West Bay lagoon, as jet-skiers perform tricks to a mixed response from onlookers.

The Upper Criminal Court has given a resident a one-year suspended sentence and immediate deportation for stealing shoes from a mosque.

Music lovers and members from the Lebanese community here expressed shock and indignation at the mystery death of singer Suzan Tamim in Dubai earlier this week.

Indian premium carrier Kingfisher Airlines will be operating flights to Doha soon, a source told The Peninsula yesterday.

Qatar's territorial waters will turn into "Special Sea Area' with effect from today. With the country's coastal water getting the special area status, the ships entering into it will have to strictly comply with international pollution standards.

Artists participating in the Qatari Diar Art Symposium unveiled their finished masterpieces on the subject of Souq Waqif in an exhibition which started yesterday.