These increases were primarily driven by stronger oil prices earlier in June, although prices fell sharply during the last week of the month, marking a nearly 13% decline.
Currently, Brent crude is trading at around 69abarrel,whileU.S.crudeisatapproximately69 a barrel, while U.S. crude is at approximately 69abarrel,whileU.S.crudeisatapproximately65, both down from recent highs.
Analysts anticipate that if current trends continue, petrol and diesel rates could decrease by 5–10 fils per litre in August, providing some relief for residents after the July price hike.
However, any geopolitical events could impact these predictions and lead to a supply squeeze.
10th Local Dates Festival Kicks Off at Souq Waqif, Showcasing Qatar’s Agricultural Heritage
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10th Local Dates Festival Kicks Off at Souq Waqif, Showcasing Qatar’s Agricultural Heritage
The 10th edition of the Local Dates Festival was officially inaugurated at East Square, Souq Waqif, under the patronage of the Ministry of Municipality and the Souq Waqif Management.
The event showcases the richness of Qatar’s agricultural sector, with the participation of over 100 Qatari farms, and is scheduled to run until August 7, welcoming visitors daily from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and on Fridays and Saturdays until 10:00 PM.
Held in an environment that evokes Qatar’s cultural and agricultural heritage, the festival provides a platform for local farms to exhibit high-quality date varieties and related products.
The event aims to strengthen public appreciation for the role of dates in Qatari tradition and cuisine while promoting local agricultural production.
The opening ceremony was attended by several senior officials, including Eng. Fahad Mohamed Al Qahtani, Assistant Undersecretary for Agriculture and Food Security Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality, and Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Nama, representative of the Private Engineering Office.
Also present were Yousef Khalid Al Khulaifi, Director of the Agricultural Affairs Department, and Mohamed Abdullah Al Salem, Director of Souq Waqif and General Supervisor of the Festival.
Speaking on the occasion, Al Khulaifi noted the remarkable evolution of the festival since its inception in 2016, when only 19 farms participated.
He affirmed that this year’s participation of 116 farms underscores the growing commitment of Qatari farmers to enhancing the quality and variety of local dates.
Al Salem emphasized the strategic importance of Souq Waqif’s central location in Doha, which naturally attracts large visitor numbers, facilitating direct engagement between farmers and consumers.
He added that the festival venue was fully equipped by the Ministry to provide an optimal setting for both exhibitors and attendees.
Highlighting the economic and cultural value of the event, Al Salem revealed that last year’s edition recorded sales exceeding 240 tons of dates, expressing confidence that this year’s results will surpass that figure due to the superior quality of produce and increased farm participation.
The Local Dates Festival stands as a key initiative within Qatar’s broader efforts to promote agricultural sustainability and food security.
By encouraging innovation and quality improvement among local producers, the festival aligns with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, supporting national development while preserving heritage and fostering economic self-reliance.
UAE Banks to Stop OTPs via SMS and Email Starting July 25
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UAE Banks to Stop OTPs via SMS and Email Starting July 25
In a significant move to enhance digital banking security, UAE banks will begin phasing out one-time passwords (OTPs) sent via SMS and email starting July 25, 2025.
This transition follows new guidelines from the UAE Central Bank, which mandate that all banks switch to app-based authentication for both domestic and international transactions.
This decision addresses the growing security risks associated with SMS and email OTPs, which have become targets for cybercriminals using tactics like SIM swapping and phishing.
The complete discontinuation of these traditional methods is set for March 2026, with customers encouraged to utilize secure authentication technologies integrated within their bank’s mobile applications.
A bank spokesperson explained, “Customers can now complete online transactions easily by selecting the ‘Authentication via App’ feature in their bank’s smart application.”
During the transition period, SMS and email OTPs will still be available to select customers, but their use will gradually diminish over the next 20 months.
This initiative is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to modernize its financial infrastructure and bolster trust in digital banking.
Banks are urging users to update their apps and adapt to the new in-app authentication features to ensure a smooth transition.
