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☆ I went inside the secret room where flight attendants sleep on Qatar's Boeing 777 and was shocked at how big it was
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-16 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Like many widebody planes, the crew rest area is located in the back by the aft galley, so we had to trek past the luxurious QSuites and economy sections to get to the room. Taylor Rains/InsiderI toured the 'world's best' business class on Qatar's Boeing 777-200LR and I see why people fork out thousands of dollars to experience it

☆ Russia's Putin in Kazakhstan for meetings of regional bodies
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

ASTANA, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan on Thursday to attend meetings of several regional bodies, a Kazakh government source told Reuters. Putin is set to attend the summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) on Thursday alongside a number of Asian leaders, including Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan. Putin is expected to have two-way meetings with Erdogan and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. read moreRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Tamara Vaal; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Clarence FernandezOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Flight bookings to Qatar boom for World Cup, especially from Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Yousef Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Flight bookings to Qatar are booming for the soccer World Cup being held in November and December, with particularly strong demand from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as fans work round a shortage of accommodation in Doha, a study showed on Tuesday. The strong demand comes despite the requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test to enter Qatar. Air travel across the Gulf is set to benefit, with flight bookings to the region 16% ahead of 2019, and for the early stages of the World Cup 61% ahead, ForwardKeys said. FIFA, world soccer's governing body, has booked 80% of available rooms for players, guests and officials during the tournament, Qatar's World Cup organisers said. Qatar Airways and flydubai, working together, will operate some 54 flights a day between Dubai and Qatar, versus just six scheduled previously, OAG said.

☆ Mexico tells fans not to bring iconic 'Lucha Libre' masks to World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Angelica Medina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MEXICO CITY, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Mexico fans have been advised by their government not to wear their colourful 'Lucha Libre' wrestling masks at World Cup matches in Qatar to comply with local rules. The masks of classic fighters, such as 'El Santo' and 'Blue Demon', are popular among Mexico fans, who routinely wear them at international competitions such as the World Cup and the Olympics. However, Qatar's World Cup organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), told Reuters there was no policy prohibiting masks at the World Cup. "Full face masks, such as the famous Mexican wrestling masks, would obviously have to be removed for security reasons heading into a stadium," the SC wrote in an emailed statement. According to world soccer's governing body FIFA, Mexico will have one of the biggest fan contingents at the World Cup.

☆ Europe makes sharp U-turn from green energy - Qatar energy minister
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sept 29 (Reuters) - QatarEnergy CEO and state minister for energy Saad al-Kaabi said on Thursday that skyrocketing energy prices are "weighing painfully" on the global economy, dampening support for the transition to green energy. "Sadly, the growing economic burden has fizzled the euphoria over the series of energy transition plans, causing severe erosion in public support for reducing carbon emissions," Kaabi told a liquefied natural gas (LNG) conference in Japan. "Many countries particularly in Europe which had been strong advocates of green energy and carbon-free future have made a sudden and sharp U-turn. Analysts estimate Europe will need to import around 200 million tonnes of LNG over the next decade to phase out Russian gas. Kaabi stressed the need to invest in cleaner and renewable energies, including natural gas, to drive capacity and baseload capabilities.

☆ Exclusive: Qatar conscripts civilians for World Cup security
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The match is the first to take place at the stadium, which will host the World Cup 2022 final. The civilians were told they had been called up to assist with the World Cup and that it was their "patriotic duty" to do so, the source said. Asked for comment, a Qatari government official said in a statement that Qatar's national service program would continue as normal during the World Cup. The diplomats are expected to return to their posts after the World Cup. World Cup organisers intend to relax Qatar's strict laws limiting the public sale of alcohol, and will allow beer to be served near stadiums a few hours before matches kick off.

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker is tugged towards a thermal power station in Futtsu, east of Tokyo, Japan November 13, 2017. The global LNG market has more than doubled in size since 2011, ushering in dozens of new entrants and the expansion of smaller players in Asia. The capital needed to trade the market soared after benchmark LNG prices rose from record lows below $2 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) in 2020 to highs of $57 in August. LNG spot prices price stood at $40.50/mmBtu then. 'DIFFICULT TO COMPETE'High LNG cargo prices are also widening energy poverty globally as some cargoes, initially destined for poorer nations, end up being diverted to European buyers.

☆ Influential cleric Qaradawi, supporter of Arab Spring uprisings, dies
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Qatar's influential Egyptian-born cleric Sheikh Yussef Al-Qaradawi attends the opening session of a conference of Muslim scholars in support of Palestinian people in Doha May 10, 2006. REUTERS/Fadi Alassaad/File PhotoDUBAI, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Senior Muslim cleric Sheikh Youssef al-Qaradawi, a spiritual leader for the Muslim Brotherhood and defender of Arab Spring revolts, died on Monday at age 96, according to a post on his official Twitter account. He was highly critical of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as well as the Saudi leadership, fuelling a rift with Doha. In a tribute, Tunisian Islamist leader Rached Ghannouchi described Qaradawi as "committed to the principle of moderation within this great religion." However, some social media users appearing to post from Egypt and Saudi Arabia among other countries celebrated his death and accused him of sowing discord between Arab nations.

The company's chief executive Patrick Pouyanne travelled to Doha to sign a deal with QatarEnergy chief Saad al-Kaabi for the North Field South (NFS) expansion, saying that the deal came at a "perfect time" when world leaders particularly in Europe were seeking new LNG supplies. Qatar's North Field expansion project will boost its position as the world's top LNG exporter and help guarantee long-term supplies of gas to Europe as the continent seeks alternatives to Russian flows. He said he could not disclose the total cost of the NFS project as some onshore contracts had not yet been finalised. Qatar's North Field expansion plan includes six LNG trains that will ramp up its liquefaction capacity from 77 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 126 mtpa by 2027. It awarded contracts for the first phase of the expansion project, North Field East (NFE), which includes four trains, earlier this year.

He also provided UAE officials with sensitive information, including internal discussions within the Trump administration concerning the blockade of Qatar by the UAE, Mehta said. When he was asked by the FBI about his dealing with UAE officials and the actions he'd taken, Barrack "started lying" and "lied and lied again." Schachter argued that the feds were blowing up "meaningless, inconsequential acts," including Barrack praising the UAE as an "important ally" during a TV interview. "Barack Obama has said the same thing," Schachter told the jury. While Grimes did set up appointments for Barrack, including with UAE officials, he did so at his boss' request, Lowell said, adding that he’d also get Barrack his coffee and smoothies and babysit his kids.

☆ EXCLUSIVE Qatar planning for World Cup fans to avoid prosecution for minor offences - Sources
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterQatar's World Cup organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Leagacy, did not respond to a request for comment. "Remember, while you're in Qatar, you are subject to local laws," U.S. diplomat Morgan Cassell said in a YouTube video. While Qatari authorities have not confirmed this approach, special legislation taking effect during the tournament gives Qatar's World Cup security chief - known as the Gold Commander - significant leeway in tackling violations of Qatar's laws. Police plan tougher action when the safety of people or property is under threat, World Cup organisers told diplomats in a briefing a few months ago, several diplomats said. Security is just one challenge facing Qatar, the first Middle East country to host a soccer World Cup and the smallest nation to do so.

☆ England's FA calls for Qatar's migrant workers to be compensated
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachSept 21 (Reuters) - England's Football Association (FA) said on Wednesday families of migrant workers in Qatar who were injured or killed while constructing the infrastructure for this year's World Cup should be compensated. Qatar has faced intense criticism from human rights groups over its treatment of migrant workers, who along with other foreigners comprise the bulk of the country's population. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and FairSquare said on Tuesday FIFA's partners and World Cup sponsors must urge world soccer's governing body and the Qatari government to compensate migrant workers. The government of Qatar has said that its labour system is still a work in progress, but denied a 2021 Amnesty report that thousands of migrant workers were still being exploited. The World Cup begins on Nov. 20 and runs through to Dec. 18.

☆ Gulf central banks raise rates after Fed's third big hike in a row
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Central Bank of Bahrain is seen in Manama, October 27, 2013. The Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, lifted its repo and reverse repo rates by 75 bps to 3.75% and 3.25%, respectively. The UAE's central bank will from Thursday hike its base rate by three-quarters of a percentage point to 3.15%. Qatar's central bank will from Thursday increase its lending rate to 4.5%, deposit rate to 3.75% and repo rate to 4.0%. Bahrain raised its key policy interest rate on its one-week deposit facility to 4%.

☆ Banks keep European shares afloat
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/StaffSummarySummary Companies Bank stocks set to outperform European sectors for the monthFed expected to raise interest rates by 75bps on WednesdaySwedish c.bank surprises with full percentage point rate hikeSept 20 (Reuters) - European shares edged higher on Tuesday, boosted by banks, while expectations of another large interest rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve kept risk-taking bets in check. The pan-European STOXX 600 (.STOXX) index added 0.1%, after a soft start to the week, with banks (.SX7P) climbing 1.6% by 0759 GMT as lenders tend to benefit from a high interest rate environment. The U.S. central bank will likely deliver its third straight super-sized 75 basis point interest rate hike on Wednesday, toughening its stance on persistent inflation. "It's all about central banks this week and it looks like the traders are actually pricing in both the Fed's rate hike and the interest rate hike from the Bank of England," said Erik-Jan van Harn, macro strategist at RaboResearch. Shares of Bachem Holding (BANB.S) soared 9.0%, to the top of the STOXX index, after the Swiss biotech supplier signed two new contracts for peptides.

The logo of German energy utility company Uniper SE is pictured in the company's headquarters in Duesseldorf, Germany, March 10, 2020. REUTERS/Thilo SchmuelgenLONDON/FRANKFURT, Sept 19 (Reuters) - German utilities RWE (RWEG.DE) and Uniper (UN01.DE) are close to striking long-term deals to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar's North Field Expansion project to help replace Russian gas, three sources familiar with the matter said. Qatar Energy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Uniper told Reuters on Monday that it remained in talks with Qatar but had not reached a deal. read moreGULF TRIPAt the moment, the two utilities buy LNG from Qatar on the spot market.

☆ You can transfer Citi ThankYou points to 14 airline and 2 hotel partners, and the best programs can save you thousands of miles on flights to destinations like Hawaii
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-16 | by ( Dan Miller | Jasmin Baron | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +30 min

Citi® Double Cash Card — This card recently changed from earning cash back to earning Citi ThankYou points directly. Otherwise, with the Citi Rewards+® Card, Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card, and Citi® Double Cash Card, the ratio is 5:4 (1,000 Citi ThankYou points = 800 Wyndham points). Citi ThankYou points retail transfer partnersIn addition to airline and hotel transfer partners, Citi ThankYou has one retail transfer partner. How to transfer Citi ThankYou pointsTransferring your Citi ThankYou points is a fairly straightforward process. Citi transfer partners frequently asked questions (FAQ)Is American Airlines a Citi transfer partner?

☆ Al Jassasiya: The mysterious symbols carved in Qatar's deserts
▼ + stars: | 2021-11-22 | by ( Dimitris Sideridis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

On a desolate and windswept corner of Qatar’s northeastern coast, among the sand dunes of the barren desert, lies Al Jassasiya, the Gulf country’s largest and most important rock art site. Overall, archaeologists have found a total of some 900 rock carvings, or “petroglyphs,” at Al Jassasiya. Al Jassasiya, about an hour north of Qatar’s uber-modern capital and near the old pearling port of Al Huwaila, was discovered in 1957. “We have no direct clues about the motifs used in Al Jassasiya,” he said. Al Jassasiya is located just south of the popular Azerbaijani Beach, so an excursion there can also be combined with a relaxing day beside the sea.

Persons: Al Jassasiya, Jassasiya, Ferhan Sakal, ”, “, Dimitris, Doha’s Al Bidda, Al Huwaila, Holger Kapel, Hans Kapel, Dimitris Sideridis, Sakal, ” Frances Gillespie, Faisal Abdulla Al, Naimi, ” Gillespie Organizations: CNN, Qatar Museums, ”, “ Ships Locations: Gulf, Al, Qatar, Doha’s, Qatar’s, Danish, Al Jassasiya, ”, Sands

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