The Department of Meteorology has forecast hazy conditions at first, becoming hot to very hot during the day inshore on Saturday. Offshore, hazy conditions are expected at times.Inshore winds will be variable initially, becoming mainly northwesterly to northeasterly at 3-12 knots, with gusts of up to 21 knots in some areas during the day. Offshore, winds will be variable at first, becoming mainly southeasterly to northeasterly at 3-13 knots.The sea state inshore will be 1 to 2 feet, while offshore it will range from 1 to 3 feet.Visibility is expected to range between 4 and 9 km both inshore and offshore.Area High TideLow TideMinMax------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Doha15:13 - **:**06:49 - **:**3342Dukhan07:06 - 18:5200:44 - 12:362941Messaid17:16 - **:**07:58 - **:**2941Wakrah16:08 - **:**07:35 - **:**3340Al Khor13:56 - **:**04:45 - 18:493343Ruwais01:54 - 14:1507:09 - 21:322937Abu Samra06:24 - 18:1500:02 - 12:362941Sunrise: 04:75 LTSunset: 18:22 LT------------------

Qatar has made significant strides toward becoming a largely cashless economy, with digital transactions increasingly dominating retail, e-commerce, government services and person-to-person payments.Such transformation aligns with the Qatar Central Bank (QCB)’s Financial Sector Strategy, which prioritises digitalisation, financial inclusion and innovation across the banking ecosystem.This comes as digital payment methods continue to gain popularity and wider acceptance across all user segments, supported by strong government initiatives, advanced financial infrastructure, widespread smartphone adoption and the rapid expansion of fintech services.According to QCB data, in April this year, the country's payment systems processed around 73.5mn transactions worth QR111.85bn, representing a 29% increase in transaction volume and a 77% increase in transaction value compared with the same period last year.In May 2026, payment transactions rose further to 81.1mn transactions valued at QR95.8bn, marking a 32% annual increase in volume.Card-based payments remain the dominant payment method across the country.According to QCB data, card transactions accounted for nearly 89% of all payment system transactions this year.In May 2026, card transaction volumes exceeded 72.3mn transactions, while their total value reached around QR24.4 bn.Point-of-sale (POS) transactions continue to drive growth, increasing from around 42.7mn transactions in May 2025 to 53.8mn transactions in May 2026, reflecting the widespread adoption of contactless cards and mobile wallet solutions throughout the country.Accordingly, consumer behaviour has shifted dramatically in favour of digital payments.A Visa survey released in January 2026 found that 62% of consumers in Qatar conduct most of their daily purchases using digital payment methods, including payment cards and mobile devices, meaning non-cash users currently outnumber consumers who primarily rely on physical cash by more than two to one.At the same time, the proportion of consumers using cash for everyday purchases has continued to decline, indicating that digital payment methods are becoming the default choice across retail categories.Further, research conducted in 2025 found that 57% of consumers in Qatar regularly use mobile payment solutions, while 60% use card payments and 61% use bank transfers.In addition, 74% of respondents expected to increase their use of digital payment methods, indicating strong confidence in the convenience and security of electronic transactions.Security perceptions have also improved considerably, with 71% of consumers expressing trust in digital payments and 98% reporting that they actively take measures to protect their online transactions.The launch of the country's centralised retail payment systems and instant payment infrastructure has enabled real-time transfers between bank accounts and e-wallets.These systems operate around the clock and support transfers using mobile phone numbers, aliases, QR codes, and digital wallets.The infrastructure significantly reduces transaction friction for consumers and merchants while enhancing interoperability among financial institutions operating in the country.Meanwhile, digital acceptance among businesses continues to expand.Industry estimates indicate that around 86% of merchants consider digital payment acceptance essential.Generally, electronic payment acceptance has been achieved across fuel stations, pharmacies, supermarkets, and major retailers.In addition, small and medium-sized enterprises are increasingly adopting standardised QR payment solutions supported by the QCB.Digital wallets have become increasingly popular among residents and visitors alike.Similarly, the QCB's Tahweel system continues to facilitate electronic account-to-account transfers.In April 2026, 4mn transfer transactions were made, with QR83.28bn transferred; compared with April 2025, there was a 193% volume increase in transactions, with the total value more than doubled.

Pakistan is exploring a path towards a resumption of stalled US-Iran talks over ending their nearly five-month-old war, three Pakistani sources said, following a push initiated by China.Exploratory discussions took place during a visit by Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni to Islamabad this week – his second within the last 10 days, the sources said.Momeni, who is considered close to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, met with Pakistani government leaders and army chief Asim Munir this week, according to Pakistani government statements.All three sources cautioned that the obstacles to any talks with the US remain high.Pakistan has found itself in an increasingly complicated situation as a potential future mediator.Earlier this week, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, a close ally of Islamabad that signed a mutual defence treaty with Pakistan last year.On Thursday the Houthis said they struck two Saudi oil tankers as part of their naval blockade, threatening to create a second chokepoint for global oil supplies alongside the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.Pakistan relies on Saudi financial support, and Islamabad has firmly condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.However, Islamabad is similarly dependent on Beijing, which has also been a key financial backer of Islamabad, and which has economic interests in finding a diplomatic solution to reopening key Middle Eastern trade routes.Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also discussed the new Middle East effort with Chinese officials when he visited China last week, all three Pakistani sources said.They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the issue publicly."The Chinese are unhappy because Iran's attacks on other Gulf states and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are hitting their interests," a Pakistani government official said.Disruptions in the Red Sea would hit another key trade route Beijing relies on.Dar and the Pakistani military's public relations wing did not respond to requests for comment.In a statement, China's foreign ministry said that "China supports the mediation efforts made by Pakistan and other parties”.It added that China will continue to "play an active role in restoring peace and tranquillity in the Middle East Gulf region as soon as possible”.Beijing is Iran's largest trading partner and primary buyer of its exported crude oil despite international sanctions on Tehran, benefiting from a steep discount on the energy source.A Houthi spokesman said yesterday that the rebels were not blocking traffic through the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait."There is no closure of Bab al-Mandab as some are suggesting," said Mohammed Abdusalam, who is also a top Houthi negotiator, adding that the rebel position was "limited to a maritime blockade that only affects the Saudi side".The rebels warned in a radio message to ships on Monday that they would target ships "belonging to (the) Saudi enemy" that do not comply with their blockade.According to data analysed by AFP on Wednesday, nine ships made a U-turn after the rebels announced their naval blockade, though some have resumed course.Despite the Houthi threats and course changes, traffic continues in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which has been key to Saudi exports after passage through Hormuz became fraught.After the Middle East war broke out, Saudi seaborne crude exports via the Bab el-Mandeb strait surged eightfold between March and mid-July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to data from maritime tracker Kpler.The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in June to move towards ending the war after mediation by Pakistan and Qatar.It was intended to provide a 60-day window for negotiations on a permanent agreement.However, indirect talks yielded no progress.Both sides blamed each other for violations, and the conflict resumed.The escalation has raised both the stakes and the hurdles for Pakistan's latest diplomatic efforts.A halt in attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations would now be a "pre-requisite for any talks to resume," said a Pakistani official.It's a message that Pakistan has conveyed to Iran, the official added.