The newly formed ‘Qatar Sri Lanka Business Council’, which will work to improve bilateral trade relations significantly, was inaugurated at the Sri Lankan embassy in Doha. The council will serve as a platform to foster closer relationships between business communities in the two countries, as well as promote and develop mutual investments and bilateral trade opportunities.

The Outpatient Department of the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) received more than 1.4  million visits in the first half of 2024, and its laboratory conducted over 11 million tests, according to statistics. Data published by HMC shows 11,238 babies were born in the country at HMC hospitals during the period while its customer service helpline handled 759,603 calls.

More than 100 local farms will take part in the 9th Local Dates Exhibition, which will be held at Souq Waqif’s eastern square from Tuesday (July 23), until August 3. The exhibition, which will be held inside an air-conditioned tent, will be open to the public from 4pm to 9pm every day, except Fridays, when it will run from 4pm to 10pm.

Qatar Living is continuing its series on ‘tips to save money in the country.’ After focusing on effective ways to reduce food costs in the first part, we are now training our sights on tips to reduce monthly travel and transportation bills.

Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha appoints new General Manager.

Qatar’s real estate sector continued its strong growth in the second quarter of the year, witnessing deals worth QAR3.191bn for 808 real estate transactions, according to data released by the country’s Ministry of Justice. Doha Municipality (QAR1.113bn), Al Rayyan Municipality (QAR831m), and Al Dhaayen Municipality (QAR522m) were the most active in terms of financial value.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised Qatari citizens abroad to contact their respective airlines to confirm the status of their flights due to the global technical issues affecting flights at several airports. It also published a series of numbers that can be contacted in case of emergencies.

14 Qatari athletes — in five sporting disciplines, including track and field, shooting, weightlifting, beach volleyball, and swimming — will look to raise the country’s flag at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Triple world and reigning Olympic high jump champion Mutaz Essa Barshim and women’s 400M sprinter Shahad Mohamed are expected to carry the country’s flag at the Opening Ceremony.

The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM) will host an exhibition during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, showcasing Qatar's Olympic history from July 30 to August 25. The exhibition will feature over 19,000 artifacts, including items from Qatar's first Olympic participation in 1984 and 3,000 pieces borrowed from international museums.

The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM) will host an exhibition during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, showcasing Qatar's Olympic history from July 30 to August 25. The exhibition will feature over 19,000 artifacts, including items from Qatar's first Olympic participation in 1984 and 3,000 pieces borrowed from international museums.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has introduced an automatic renewal service for establishment registration via the Single Window platform. This initiative aims to enhance the business environment in Qatar, attracting local and foreign investors.

Qatar Insurance Company (QIC) received the "Mobile App of The Year in Qatar" award at the Insurance Asia Awards 2024 for its qd Drive app. The app enhances the digital experience for motorists, offering features like policy management, accident claims, and live updates.

Qatar's tourism sector is booming, with projections showing it will attract 4.5 million visitors in 2024 and 4.9 million by 2025. In early 2024, visitor numbers were up 35% compared to the same period in 2023. The tourism industry's growth is part of Qatar's broader strategy to enhance its economy and create jobs, aiming for 6 million visitors annually by 2030.

Ooredoo Qatar is collaborating with Qatar Airways and Cisco to redefining the aviation industry's digital landscape.

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Qatar has issued a reminder to people that smoking is banned in metro vehicles, stations, and all public transportation, with fines ranging from QR1,000 to QR3,000 for violators. This reminder is in adherence to Article 17 of Law No. 10 of 2016, which prohibits smoking in enclosed spaces to ensure public safety.

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Qatar has issued a reminder to people that smoking is banned in metro vehicles, stations, and all public transportation, with fines ranging from QR1,000 to QR3,000 for violators. This reminder is in adherence to Article 17 of Law No. 10 of 2016, which prohibits smoking in enclosed spaces to ensure public safety.

Lautaro Martinez scored an extra-time winner as Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 to win a record 16th Copa America title at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, USA, on Sunday. The game, marred by security and crowd issues, gave Argentina their third straight major tournament title after the 2021 Copa win and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 triumph.

Lautaro Martinez scored an extra-time winner as Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 to win a record 16th Copa America title at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, USA, on Sunday. The game, marred by security and crowd issues, gave Argentina their third straight major tournament title after the 2021 Copa win and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 triumph.

Spain lifted the European title for the fourth time in history after beating England 2-1 in a thriller at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, on Sunday. Nico Williams opened Spain’s scoring in the 47th minute before England equalised through Cole Palmer in the 73rd. Mikel Oyarzabal scored Spain’s winner in the 86th.

With just a month and a half left for the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics Games, Qatar’s iconic high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim has announced it will be his last appearance at the quadrennial event. He won bronze (later upgraded to silver) at the 2012 London Games, before taking silver in 2016 Rio and gold in Tokyo 2022.

Former US President Donald Trump, who is trying to win back the presidency from Joe Biden, was shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as the ‘subject involved’ in the attempted assassination.

Qatar’s Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal,’ represented by the Roads Projects Department (RPD), won 10 International Safety Awards from the British Safety Council for the fifth consecutive year. The department won eight prestigious awards from the British Safety Council in 2023, nine in 2022, four in 2021, and three in 2020.

Formula One will once again have six sprint race weekends next season, with Doha hosting the season’s final sprint race from November 28 to 30, 2025. This year, Doha’s Lusail International Circuit is slated to host the Sprint race from November 29 to December 1.

NPCI International has partnered with Qatar National Bank to introduce UPI payments in Qatar. The move is expected to benefit Indian tourists and local businesses in Qatar. The collaboration will help make monetary transactions easier and more convenient for Indians, one of Qatar's largest groups of visitors.

Qatar’s Hamad International Airport topped AirHelp’s list of the ‘World’s Best Airports 2024,’ which ranked 239 airports across 69 countries. HIA topped the list with 8.52pts while South Africa’s Cape Town Airport (8.50) and Japan’s Nagoya Chuba Airport (8.49) finished next.