Qatar's Ministry of Interior (MOI) emphasized the importance of taking alerts sent via the mobile Early-Warning System seriously and following the instructions provided, noting their direct role in reducing accidents and enhancing safety for everyone. The ministry stated in a release Thursday that, recently, messages were sent through the system, coinciding with reduced horizontal visibility due to fog in much of the country, aiming to test the system’s efficiency, alert levels, and the speed of message delivery to the public under real conditions. **media[418874]** It explained that the Early-Warning System is an emergency notification tool used in emergency situations, where messages reach all devices even in silent mode, enabling the public to take necessary precautions in a timely manner. The ministry confirmed that this system is not used for routine notifications or awareness messages but is activated only under exceptional circumstances requiring urgent warning to protect lives and property

US President Donald Trump said he was considering a limited strike on Iran after ordering a major naval buildup in the Middle East aimed at heaping pressure on Tehran to cut a deal to curb its nuclear programme.The latest threat came after Iran's foreign minister said a draft proposal for an agreement with Washington would be ready in a matter of days following negotiations between the two sides in Geneva earlier this week.Trump had suggested on Thursday that "bad things" would happen if Tehran did not strike a deal within 10 days, which he subsequently extended to 15.Asked by a reporter yesterday whether he was contemplating a limited military strike, Trump answered: "The most I can say -- I am considering it."After the talks in Geneva, Tehran said the two sides had agreed to submit drafts of a potential agreement, which Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told US media would be the "next step". **media[419097]**"I believe that in the next two, three days, that would be ready, and after final confirmation by my superiors, that would be handed over to Steve Witkoff," he said, referring to Trump's main Middle East negotiator.Araghchi also said US negotiators had not requested that Tehran end its nuclear enrichment programme, contradicting statements from American officials."We have not offered any suspension, and the US side has not asked for zero enrichment," he said in an interview released yesterday by US TV network MS NOW."What we are now talking about is how to make sure that Iran's nuclear programme, including enrichment, is peaceful and would remain peaceful forever," he added.His comments stand in contrast to information relayed by high-ranking US officials, including Trump, who has repeatedly said Iran must not be allowed to enrich uranium at any level.Western countries accuse the Islamic republic of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, which Tehran denies, though it insists on its right to enrichment for civilian purposes.Iran, for its part, is seeking to negotiate an end to sanctions that have proven to be a massive drag on its economy.Economic hardships sparked protests in December that evolved into a nationwide anti-government movement last month, prompting a crackdown from authorities that left thousands dead, rights groups say.The two nations held an initial round of discussions on February 6 in Oman, the first since previous talks collapsed during the 12-day Iran-Israel war last June, which the US joined by striking Iranian nuclear facilities.Washington has pursued a major military build-up in the region in tandem with the talks, and both sides have traded threats of military action for weeks.On Thursday, Trump again suggested the US would attack Iran if it did not make a deal within the timeframe he laid out."We have to make a meaningful deal otherwise bad things happen," Trump told the inaugural meeting of the "Board of Peace", his initiative for the post-war Gaza Strip.Iran's ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, warned that US bases, facilities and assets would be "legitimate targets" if the United States followed through on its threats.Araghchi, however, insisted that "there is no ultimatum"."We only talk with each other how we can have a fast deal. And a fast deal is something that both sides are interested about," he said."We are under sanctions, (so) obviously any day that sanctions are terminated sooner it would be better for us," he said, adding Iran had "no reason to delay".Washington has repeatedly called for zero enrichment, but has also sought to address Iran's ballistic missile programme and its support for fighter groups in the region -- issues which Israel has pushed to include in the talks.The Israeli army said yesterday that it was on "defensive alert" regarding the situation with Iran, but that its guidelines for the public remained unchanged.Ratcheting up the pressure, Trump has deployed a significant naval force to the region.After sending the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and escort battleships to the Gulf in January, he ordered a second carrier, the Gerald Ford, to depart for the Middle East.Iranian naval forces also conducted military drills this week in the Gulf and around the strategic Strait of Hormuz in their own show of force.

The holy month of Ramadan continues to consolidate its position as a peak season for the gold market in Qatar, despite unprecedented global price levels for the precious metal, which have recently surpassed the $5,000 per ounce threshold for the first time in history. This year's Ramadan coincides with a historic surge in gold prices, driven by a complex interplay of geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions, and shifts in the monetary policies of major central banks toward easing cycles and diversification of reserve assets. These global developments have been directly reflected in local market prices, pushing retail gold rates in Qatar to record highs. Gold traders told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that demand has not been significantly undermined by the sharp price increases. On the contrary, growing awareness of gold’s role as a long-term investment and store of value has reinforced consumer confidence, even as some market participants anticipate adjustments in purchasing patterns among certain segments due to higher costs. This divergence highlights evolving consumer behavior under the influence of global economic uncertainty. In this context, Ali Salah Al Yafai stressed that Ramadan remains a key barometer of the vitality of the local gold market, noting that record price levels are unlikely to weaken demand and may instead strengthen confidence among a broad segment of consumers in gold as a reliable hedge against economic volatility. He explained that the price of 24-karat gold recently exceeded QR 595 per gram, compared with around QR 360 during the same period last year, while 21-karat gold stabilized above QR 520 per gram, up from approximately QR 315 in 2025. Despite the sharp increases, he noted that many buyers still consider current levels acceptable entry points, supported by expectations of continued upward momentum over the medium term. Al Yafai also highlighted a noticeable improvement in financial awareness among consumers, with gold increasingly viewed as a strategic long-term asset rather than merely a form of personal adornment. He anticipated stronger purchasing activity throughout Ramadan -- traditionally one of the most active seasons for gold sales -- particularly from the beginning of the month until the night of Garangao celebrations, affirming that demand has not been materially affected by global price surges. For his part, Jassim Ahmed Al Yafai expected demand to remain robust, especially during the first half of Ramadan, driven by sustained interest in traditional Qatari jewelry designs which are increasingly valued not only for their aesthetic appeal but also as family heirlooms passed down through generations. He pointed to a shift in consumer behavior toward combining traditional jewelry purchases with small gold bars or coins, reflecting a hedging approach that balances cultural preferences with investment considerations and liquidity needs, thereby offering greater financial flexibility to consumers. Conversely, Nasser Al Awlaqi ruled out a significant increase in overall sales volumes compared with previous years, attributing this to the rapid escalation in prices over a short period, which could weigh on the purchasing power of some consumer segments. He noted that the near doubling of gold prices per gram compared with a year earlier may encourage some buyers to reduce quantities or opt for lighter-weight pieces, emphasizing that retail demand tends to remain more sensitive to price fluctuations than investment-driven demand. Against this backdrop, Qatar's gold market enters the Ramadan season amid a complex set of factors that heighten uncertainty surrounding price trajectories, while simultaneously reinforcing gold's status as a safe-haven asset and dependable store of value. Despite global market volatility and the rapid pace of economic and monetary shifts, gold continues to maintain strong appeal among both consumers and investors, supported by seasonal demand rooted in social traditions and the cultural significance of the holy month. As a result, the precious metal remains a pillar of relative stability in the local market, even amid heightened global uncertainty