Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) has announced its official working hours for the holy month of Ramadan, ensuring customers can continue to access banking services with ease and convenience. In line with its commitment to providing uninterrupted service, QIB has adjusted its branch timings while maintaining 24/7 access to its award-winning mobile apps and Internet banking platforms. QIB’s mall branches, including Al Gharafa (Q-Mall), Doha Festival City, Mall of Qatar, Tawar Mall, Place Vendôme, City Center, and Dar Al Salam, will operate from Saturday to Thursday in two shifts: 10am to 2.30pm and from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. On Fridays, these branches will be open from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. The rest of the branches, QIB Towers, Grand Hamad Street (Corporate Branch), Al Fanar, Old Airport Street, Al Rayyan, Al Sadd, C-Ring Tamayuz Centre, Al Khor, Salwa Road, Mesaieed, Industrial Area, Al Shahaniya, Al Jazeera Media Network, and QatarEnergy will operate from Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 2pm. Corporate and SME customers can access services at the Grand Hamad Street branch during the same hours, while cash and cheque transactions will be available at Salwa Road and Al Rayyan branches. Service centres located on C-Ring Road, Al Fanar, and the Wage Protection System (WPS) Centre in the industrial area will also follow adjusted Ramadan timings, operating from Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 2pm. The C-Ring Centre and the Wage Protection System (WPS) Centre will extend the hours into the evening from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. QIB continues to encourage customers to make the most of its comprehensive digital banking services via the QIB Mobile App, QIB Lite App for workers, and Internet Banking, ensuring seamless transactions anytime, anywhere. Similarly, Corporate and SME customers are encouraged to use the Corporate Mobile App and Internet Banking. Customers can also reach QIB’s 24/7 Call Centre at 4444 8444 and access a wide network of ATMs and cash deposit machines across Qatar. For more details, visit www.qib.com.qa

The United States is building a major force of naval and air assets in the Middle East, potentially setting the stage for a sustained military campaign against Iran. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Tehran with military action if ongoing talks do not reach a replacement for the nuclear deal the US president tore up in 2018, during his first term in office. In addition to the ships and warplanes being deployed in the Middle East, the United States has tens of thousands of troops deployed on bases throughout the region, some of which could be vulnerable to Iranian counter-attacks. Washington currently has 13 warships in the Middle East: one aircraft carrier — the USS Abraham Lincoln — nine destroyers and three littoral combat ships, with more on the way, according to a US official. The USS Gerald R Ford -- the world’s largest aircraft carrier — is currently in the Atlantic Ocean en route from the Caribbean to the Middle East, after being ordered there by Trump earlier this month. It is accompanied by three destroyers. It is rare for there to be two US aircraft carriers — which carry dozens of warplanes and are crewed by thousands of sailors — in the Middle East. The United States had two of the massive warships in the region in June last year when it targeted three Iranian nuclear sites during Israel’s 12-day campaign of strikes on Iran. The United States has also sent a large fleet of aircraft to the Middle East, according to open-source intelligence accounts on X and flight-tracking website Flightradar24. These include F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets, F-15 and F-16 warplanes, and the KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft that are needed to sustain their operations. Yesterday, Flightradar24 showed multiple KC-135s flying near or in the Middle East, as well as E3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft and cargo planes operating in the region. Trump ordered the Lincoln to the Middle East as Iran cracked down on protests that were initially driven by economic grievances, but which turned into a mass movement against the leadership. The leadership that took power after the 1979 revolution responded to the demonstrations with deadly force and has held onto power, with many opponents of the system looking to outside intervention as the most likely driver of change. Trump had repeatedly warned Iran that if it killed protesters, the United States would intervene militarily, and also encouraged Iranians to take over state institutions, saying “help is on the way.” US and Iranian officials held talks in Geneva on Tuesday aimed at averting US military intervention. Iran said following the talks that they had agreed on “guiding principles” for a deal to avoid conflict, but US Vice President JD Vance said Tehran had not yet acknowledged all of Washington’s red lines.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in co-operation with Mohseni Trading Stores, has announced the recall of beauty creams Aneeza Gold, Goree Beauty Cream, Goree Whitening Face Wash, Faiza Beauty Cream, Golden Pearl Beauty Cream, and Jiaoli Cream. The recall is due to the products containing very high levels of mercury, which may pose a serious risk to consumer health. The ministry has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department, which processes complaints, inquiries and suggestions through the following channels: Call Centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], ministry’s accounts on social media: @mociqatar, ministry’s Mobile App: MOCIQATAR (available on iOS and Android devices).