Japan doubled down on its commitment to host the Tokyo Olympics this year and flatly denied reports on Friday of a possible cancellation, in a move that is unlikely to temper public fears of holding the event during a global pandemic.08:55:35 AM
QU, CNA-Q sign pact for education, research
Qatar University (QU) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with College of the North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA-Q) for co-operation in the areas of education, training, programme development and research. 12:15:26 AM
Beijing launched mass Covid-19 testing in some areas on Friday, while Shanghai was testing all hospital staff as China battles its worst outbreak of the disease since March and families fret over reunion plans for the Lunar New Year amid new curbs.09:51:00 AM
Rescuers say at least two more weeks to free Chinese miners
Rescuers believe it could take at least another two weeks to free miners trapped underground in eastern China, dashing hopes of an imminent retrieval for a group that has already spent 12 days entombed by an explosion. 09:09:29 AM
Five die in Covid vaccine plant blaze; production unaffected
Five people died as a fire tore through a building in the world’s biggest vaccine manufacturing hub in India yesterday, but the company insisted that the production of drugs to counter the coronavirus pandemic would continue. 12:28:02 AM
Tunisians protested yesterday to demand the release of hundreds of young demonstrators arrested in several nights of disturbances, venting their anger also against the government’s handling of a deepening social crisis.12:20:06 AM
Tunisia seeks to stem wave of night-time street riots
Tunisia braced for further protests yesterday after hundreds were arrested in four nights of street clashes between riot police and disaffected youths in cities across the North African country. 01:16:12 AM
Iran commandos start drills near mouth of Gulf
Iranian army commandos and paratroopers started exercises near the mouth of the Gulf yesterday, the last full day of US President Donald Trump’s administration. 01:14:35 AM
The oil demand outlook for first quarter 2021 (Q1) appears murkier, with Europe’s demand for transportation fuel in particular expected to undershoot expectations given the lockdowns in place and slow pace of vaccine rollout, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has said in a review.11:09:17 PM
Kenyan bourse eyes incubator for record listings this year
The Nairobi Securities Exchange plans to expand the Kenyan market with four publicly traded companies and as many corporate bonds in 2021, in what could be its best year yet of new listings. 11:02:26 PM
A win at the FIFA Club World Cup 2020 would see Hans-Dieter Flick and Bayern Munich make history by becoming only the second team after Barcelona (in 2009) to win all six domestic and international titles up for grabs in one season.12:11:53 AM
Breakaway European Super League ‘would not be recognised’: FIFA
FIFA has gone on the offensive amid ongoing speculation about a European Super League, insisting that any breakaway by leading clubs “would not be recognised by either FIFA or the respective confederation” while players would risk being banned from the World Cup and other major tournaments if involv 12:09:15 AM
Malta’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Relations Evarist Bartolo highlighted yesterday the development of Qatari-Maltese ties in all fields,01:44:09 AM
Prof Dr Shamim Hanfi, renowned Urdu critic and scholar from India, and Prof Dr Moinuddin Aqeel, eminent author and scholar of Urdu literature from Pakistan, have recently been named winners of the Silver Jubilee Aalmi Frogh-e-Urdu Adab Awards.01:20:59 AM
Attire and adornment
Allah Says what means: “O children of Adam! We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness — that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember.” [Qur’an 7: 26] 10:47:48 PM
Hearing, speech impaired teen speaks through art
For Arjun Suvaraj drawing has been a tool for expressing himself ever since his childhood. With the passage of time, he has not only mastered his language but has also made it more creative and artistic. 09:10:08 PM
The second Aspire Lake Festival took spectators through half-hour ‘magical journey,’ featuring more than 40 artists and experts with a showcase of theatrical performances and fireworks displays at Aspire Park.07:42:17 PM
Newly opened Orbital Highway Phase-I, Qatar
Almost two-third of the ambitious Orbital Highway and Truck Route linking the newly constructed Hamad Port in Mesaieed with the Ras Laffan Industrial City on the northern side is ready now. 04:28:14 PM
The Khalifa International Stadium
The Khalifa International Stadium, which is hosting the Emir Cup final on Friday, will give spectators a new experience ... 12:08:25 PM