GT: QatarEnergy today announced the fuel prices for the month of January 2023.
As per the latest update:
Premium petrol will cost the same as in December 2022, amounting to QR1.95 per litre.
The prices for super grade petrol and diesel will remain the same as well in January. Super grade petrol will be QR2.10, and diesel will cost QR2.05 for the coming month.
The Ministry of Energy and Industry started pegging the fuel prices to the international market and from September 2017, it is QatarEnergy who announce the monthly price list.
Qatar Customs Foils Major Smuggling Attempt of Machine Gun Ammunition
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Qatar Customs Foils Major Smuggling Attempt of Machine Gun Ammunition
In a commendable display of vigilance and professionalism, Qatar’s Land Customs Department successfully thwarted an elaborate attempt to smuggle 300 rounds of machine gun ammunition into the country at the Abu Samra border crossing.
The operation was meticulously captured in a video released by the customs authority, revealing the seizure of 15 boxes containing AK47 rifle ammunition.
The contraband was ingeniously concealed within the vehicle, hidden beneath personal belongings in the central storage unit located between the driver’s seat and the front passenger’s area, demonstrating the lengths to which smugglers will go to evade detection.
Customs inspectors became suspicious of the vehicle’s behavior as it approached the border. One official remarked that the driver exhibited “unnatural” actions, prompting a thorough inspection that ultimately led to the discovery of the illicit cargo.
While the investigation remains ongoing, details regarding the individuals involved or any potential arrests have yet to be disclosed.
This successful interception not only reflects the effectiveness of Qatar Customs but also serves as a reminder of their critical role in safeguarding the nation against illicit activities.
UAE, Saudi, and Qatari Banks Boost Loans with Lower Interest Rates: Why?
Gulf Trick
UAE, Saudi, and Qatari Banks Boost Loans with Lower Interest Rates: Why?
Banks across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are ramping up their lending activities while reducing interest rates, following a trend of falling rates in the Gulf region.
Major institutions such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), and Saudi Arabia’s Al Rajhi Bank reported significant loan growth in the second quarter of 2025, with expectations for continued increases.
Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence indicates that Al Rajhi Bank led the charge with a 19.3% rise in lending, nearly tripling its growth from the previous year.
FAB also raised its full-year loan growth guidance after posting a 10.7% increase, while Emirates NBD reported a 14.3% rise in loans during the same period.
Qatar National Bank (QNB) saw its loan book expand by 9.4%, prompting an upward revision of its growth forecast.
Analysts anticipate that loan growth will remain strong throughout the year as central banks in the region are expected to align with anticipated rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve.
As lending increases, banks are also experiencing a rise in net interest income (NII). QNB reported a 10% year-on-year increase in NII, while Al Rajhi Bank’s NII surged by 25%.
Despite some variations in profits, the overall outlook for the banking sector in the GCC remains positive, with improved access to credit and competitive borrowing costs for residents anticipated in the coming months.
Qatar Weather: Local Clouds and Possible Rain Expected Today
Gulf Trick
Qatar Weather: Local Clouds and Possible Rain Expected Today
It’s still hot and humid in Qatar, but the Qatar Meteorology Department (QMD) indicates a possibility of local cloud formation and some rain in certain areas today, Thursday.
In the morning, expect hazy conditions, which may even turn misty in places. The daytime will be hot to very hot, with a chance of scattered clouds and localized rain.
Inshore winds are forecasted to blow from the southeast to northeast at 5 to 15 knots, with gusts reaching 25 knots in some areas during the day. Offshore, winds will be southeasterly to easterly at 6 to 16 knots.
Temperatures may reach up to 43°C across most of Qatar, with high humidity expected, especially at night.
Sea wave heights will range from 1 to 3 feet inshore and 2 to 4 feet offshore.
Visibility is anticipated to be between 4 and 9 kilometers both inshore and offshore.
On Sunday, August 3, heavy rain affected various regions in neighboring countries, particularly the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, following prolonged periods of extreme heat.
