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Drivers were urged to settle traffic violations before travelling and avoid speeding, mobile phone use and sudden lane changes during a Ministry of Interior (MoI) webinar held online Wednesday.The Ministry of Interior’s Traffic Awareness Department highlighted several common mistakes made by drivers. It warned that traffic monitoring cameras can detect a wider range of violations than many motorists may realise.First Lt Meshal Ali al-Marri, a Traffic Awareness Officer at the Traffic Awareness Department of the General Directorate of Traffic, said drivers should not change their behaviour only when approaching a camera, but follow traffic rules throughout their journeys.“Be a good driver, be a disciplined driver,” First Lt al-Marri told participants during the awareness webinar on “Common Traffic Mistakes Among Drivers”.**media[498127]**The session highlighted that monitoring cameras can detect violations including failure to wear a seat belt, using a mobile phone while driving and sudden lane changes.“If you are a ramp driver, the camera can put a violation against you,” First Lt al-Marri said, also warning that suddenly changing lanes could be detected by the cameras.He said the cameras operate around the clock and are installed in various locations, including tunnels and traffic signals.“These cameras are working 24 hours and any type of mistakes you are committing, it should be according to the traffic violations,” he said.First Lt al-Marri stressed that the purpose of the monitoring system was not simply to issue fines, but to encourage safer behaviour.“The government has applied this system to save the lives of the people, not to give the violation amongst the pockets of drivers,” he said.He urged motorists not to wait until they see a traffic camera before becoming cautious, saying responsible driving should be maintained regardless of whether a camera is nearby.“Don't overspeed. Don't talk on the phone while you are driving,” he said, urging motorists to follow traffic rules consistently.The webinar also highlighted the consequences of leaving traffic fines unpaid before travelling outside Qatar. Participants were reminded that, under a measure implemented from September 1, 2024, individuals with unsettled traffic fines may be prevented from leaving the country until they settle the violations.The session noted that some fines may qualify for a 50% reduction if paid within 30 days, while certain violations are not eligible for the discount. Some cases may instead be referred to prosecution and subsequently to court.Participants were advised to check their own traffic records, as well as those connected to their companies where applicable, before heading to the airport.The advice also targeted company representatives responsible for drivers, with First Lt al-Marri stressing that authorised personnel must ensure their drivers follow traffic regulations.The webinar also explained that drivers who believe a violation was recorded incorrectly can challenge it through the relevant electronic service or by approaching the Traffic Department. Officials said photographic and video evidence is available for electronically recorded violations and that they can review cases reported in error.The Traffic Department also has an office at Hamad International Airport for paying fines. However, participants were advised to settle violations in advance to avoid delays or technical difficulties during travel.The webinar was conducted in an interactive format, with questions taken after each topic rather than being left until the end.First Lt al-Marri also called on safety officers and transport personnel attending the session to share the information with their colleagues and drivers.“Please take the notes and take the information we share with you, the tips we share with you, and share those tips with all your staff,” he said.The message running through the session was simple: safer driving should be a daily habit, rather than something motorists remember only when a camera is in sight. 

Qatar's General Tax Authority (GTA) has seized over 200 kilograms of tobacco products during an inspection campaign targeting a number of commercial establishments. In a press statement, the agency said its teams, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, identified violations involving tobacco products without approved tax stamps and excise goods unauthorised for sale. The campaign aimed to verify compliance with Qatar's Excise Tax Law and the regulations governing the circulation of excise goods. The GTA's Anti-Tax Evasion team took the necessary measures against the non-compliant outlets and documented the violations to initiate the prescribed legal proceedings. Tax stamps are distinctive markings affixed to excise goods covered by the tax stamp system to confirm payment of the tax due and verify that the goods may be legally traded. Trading these goods without approved tax stamps is prohibited under the provisions and procedures set out in the applicable legislation. The GTA reaffirmed its commitment to continuing inspection campaigns, in cooperation and coordination with the relevant authorities, to strengthen market oversight and combat the illicit trade in excise goods, helping improve compliance with tax legislation and protect public health. GTA also urged importers of cigarettes and other tobacco products to register on the "Dhareeba" platform under the excise goods track-and-trace system, noting that the import or circulation of any excise goods within the country is not permitted without valid and activated excise stamps, and comply with the relevant laws and executive regulations to avoid legal action.

Colonists stormed on Thursday the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, heavily protected by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF).WAFA news agency said that dozens of colonists, led by extremist colonist leader Yehuda Glick, stormed the eastern area opposite the Dome of the Rock and performed Talmudic rituals in the courtyards of the mosque.The blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque has been subjected to repeated incursions by colonists, under the protection of the IOF, amidst escalation and continuous violations against the Palestinians and their holy sites.

Qatar has cut the fee for registering a lease to a flat QR250 — down from a charge that could reach QR2,500 — under amendments to the real estate leasing law that take effect on September 3.The fee was previously calculated at 0.5% of the annual rental value, with a floor of QR250 and a ceiling of QR2,500. Law No 8 of 2026, which amends Law No 4 of 2008, replaces that formula with a single fixed charge.The settlement fee for certain violations tied to lease registration has also been reduced sharply, from QR5,000 to QR1,000, in a move aimed at drawing non-compliant parties into the system rather than into court.The law widens the jurisdiction of the Rental Disputes Settlement Committee (RDC) to cover all disputes arising from the landlord-tenant relationship, including cases and agreements previously excluded from the leasing law. Recourse to the committee is now mandatory before a lawsuit can be filed.Appeals against the committee's decisions will go to a single forum, the Court of Appeal, a change the Ministry of Municipality said would bring greater consistency to judicial interpretation in rental cases.A new provision, Article 20 bis, allows beneficiaries of public and private state property to register lease agreements struck with third parties within two months of signing. Those registrations are exempt from fees.The ministry said the provision resolves a long-standing practical problem: such tenants had no documented lease to present to government agencies and service providers that require one. Registration will also yield more accurate data on leased units, feeding into real estate policymaking and urban planning.Undersecretary of the Ministry of Municipality Ali bin Mohammed bin Ali al-Ali said the amendments were intended to build a more flexible and efficient regulatory environment, shore up confidence in the market and optimise the business climate, supporting the sector's stability and sustainable growth.He urged stakeholders to study the changes and use the grace period to bring their arrangements into compliance before the law takes effect.The lower registration fee would ease financial burdens, encourage registration and strengthen the stability of rental transactions while safeguarding the rights of landlords and tenants, he said.The ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the amendments form part of a continuing effort to modernise the legislative and regulatory framework governing the real estate sector, improve investment attractiveness and lift the efficiency of dispute resolution.

Iran’s foreign minister urged Brics nations Thursday ​to condemn what he called violations ‌of international law by the US and Israel, as diplomats from emerging economies ‌met for talks ⁠in Delhi in the shadow ‌of war in the Middle East.Foreign Minister ‌Abbas Araqchi accused US ally the United Arab Emirates of direct involvement in military operations against Iran, ⁠in a rare moment when Iranian and Emirati officials have been in the same room since the US-Israeli war against Iran began on February 28.Araqchi said Iran was a "victim of illegal expansionism and warmongering". He asked the Brics+ grouping — comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE — to resist "Western hegemony and the sense of impunity that the US believes it is entitled to"."Iran therefore calls upon Brics member states and all responsible members of the ​international community to explicitly condemn violations of international law by the US and Israel," he said.Later, he told the gathering that the UAE was "directly involved in the aggression against my country", the Iranian semi-official Mehr news agency ‌reported. The UAE was represented by its ⁠Deputy Foreign Minister Khalifa ​Shaheen al-Marar.In response to the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Tehran launched ​strikes on Gulf States including the UAE. Their differences could make it difficult for Brics, which operates by consensus, to agree on a joint statement.It was not immediately clear how or whether the UAE and other nations attending the Brics+ meeting had responded to Araqchi's remarks.DIVIDED PRIORITIESIndia, whose partnership with the UAE is deepening, is the Brics chair for 2026 and is one of the parties most affected by Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the war.The waterway usually handles about a fifth of global oil shipments, and its blockade has triggered one of the biggest supply disruptions in recent history. India, the world's third-biggest oil importer ‌and a big user of the ‌strait, has suffered big supply disruptions and lost ⁠sailors in attacks on ships in the Gulf.Although a ceasefire is in place, sporadic attacks have continued."Continuing tensions, risks to ​maritime traffic, and disruptions to energy infrastructure highlight the fragility of the situation," Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said. "Safe and unimpeded maritime flows through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, remain vital for global economic well-being."Without naming any sides, he also noted the "increasing resort to unilateral coercive measures and sanctions inconsistent with international law and the UN Charter"."Such measures disproportionately affect developing countries," he said. "These unjustifiable measures cannot substitute dialogue, nor can pressure replace diplomacy."In a visit to Beijing coinciding with the Brics meeting, US President Donald Trump discussed the Iran war with China's President Xi Jinping, and a White ‌House official said they agreed ​that the strait should be open, and that Tehran should never obtain nuclear weapons. 

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Wildlife Protection Department has launched a comprehensive field campaign to intensify on-the-ground monitoring, enhance environmental awareness among desert visitors, and to detect and address related environmental violations.**media[418223]**The campaign targeted the northern areas, including the wild meadows and desert areas. It focused on educating desert-goers about the importance of not making fires directly on the sand without using designated equipment. Participants were also reminded of the importance of disposing of waste only in designated areas and avoiding driving vehicles in restricted zones, as doing so degrades vegetation cover and damages surrounding environmental components. 

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Marine Protection Department has spotted a number of environmental violations during routine inspection campaigns carried out by the department across several areas of the country.The violations included the seizure of a boat that was caught hunting a number of seagulls, a violation of the environmental laws and regulations in force in the country. Accordingly, the ministry’s teams released the birds in their natural habitat.**media[414156]**The inspection tours also resulted in spotting of another boat using prohibited fishing gear, banned for use in fishing operations, which is considered a violation of the laws and regulations governing fishing activities and the conservation of marine resources.The Marine Protection Department patrols took the necessary legal measures against the violators in accordance with the applicable environmental protection laws, aiming at enhancing biodiversity, protecting wildlife from the risk of extinction, and sustaining the sustainability of the marine ecosystem.The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change renewed its call to marine, land environment users and fishermen to comply with environmental legislation and refrain from hunting endangered or prohibited wildlife. It further affirms its continued monitoring and follow-up of environmental violations and the taking of necessary measures to ensure the protection of the marine environment and its natural resources. 

The travel measures taken by the Israeli occupation at Rafah land crossing have laid bare grotesque violations of the freedom of movement and the fundamental rights of the civilians in the Gaza Strip, Gaza Rights Center said in a statement on Tuesday.The statement called for urgent intervention to end these tightened Israeli-imposed restrictions that marked day one of travel initiation through the crossing between the Gaza enclave and Egypt.The center stressed that these restrictions have obviously demonstrated full Israeli control over the ongoing process at this crossing, in a brazen violation of freedom of movement and fundamental rights.The Israeli occupation authorities have imposed direct control over the travelers' rosters, most of whom are patients and caregivers, approving only the travel of five patients from a total of five individuals, notwithstanding the critical medical conditions of those patients who are sorely in need of traveling abroad, the statement warned.It noted that these actions have literally disrupted the travel of the vast majority of those patients and deprived them of their rights to treatment and healthcare under international humanitarian law and human rights law.The center further emphasized that 12 returnees were subjected to grotesque violations and had been questioned for almost three hours. It held the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible legally for these abuses as the de facto occupying power controlling the crossings and individual movement.The center called on the European mission participating in the crossing arrangements to assume its legal and moral responsibility.The statement further stressed that any arrangements to administer this crossing must be purely civilian and humanitarian, totally separating the occupation's policies and its security and demographic objectives, thereby ensuring the fundamental rights of the population, foremost among them the right to a dignified life and freedom of movement.

A Palestinian girl was martyred Tuesday after being shot by Israeli occupation forces east of Gaza City.Local sources reported that the 11-year-old girl succumbed to her wounds after being shot by the Israeli army in the Zarqa area, northeast of Gaza City.This comes amid continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement. The Government Media Office documented 969 violations committed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip since the agreement came into effect on October 10.The death toll from the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has risen to 71,266 martyrs and 171,222 wounded.

One person was killed Thursday in an Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon, in a continued violation of the 2014 ceasefire agreement.Lebanese medical sources reported that the Israeli airstrike on the town of Majdal Selm in the Marjeyoun district resulted in the death of a Lebanese citizen.Earlier Thursday, two people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on eastern Lebanon.It is worth noting that a ceasefire agreement in southern Lebanon came into effect on November 27 of last year, stipulating the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from border villages and towns in southern Lebanon within 60 days. However, the occupation forces remain in five locations and continue their violations through shelling and targeting of villages.

Britain's foreign minister Yvette Cooper plans to introduce sanctions relating to human rights violations and abuses in war-torn Sudan, she said Tuesday, stressing the need for sustained efforts for a ceasefire. "I've instructed my officials to bring forward potential sanctions relating to human rights violations and abuses in Sudan," Cooper told lawmakers, amid global efforts to end the war in the east African nation.The conflict erupted in 2023 amid a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). RSF's recent takeover of Al-Fashir, one of Sudan's largest cities, has raised grave concerns about mass killings. Both sides have increasingly relied on drone strikes in recent months.Cooper said that the international community had turned its back on Sudan for "far too long". "We may need to make sure teams can get in to investigate these atrocities and hold the perpetrators to account," she said. Last year, Britain imposed sanctions on three businesses which it said were funding military groups behind the Sudanese war.

His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said that everyone has been following over the past twenty-four hours the challenges in Gaza and the violations that have occurred to the ceasefire agreement, adding that what happened yesterday was a major event that drew the attention of the media, but in reality, this was something expected during the ceasefire period, and it is something they have witnessed in their previous experiences with ceasefire agreements.His Excellency said, during a session on the State of Qatar's regional and international role and its joint mediation efforts to end the war on the Gaza Strip, organized by the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, that they have been engaging with both parties to ensure the continuation of the ceasefire, and the American engagement has, of course, been an essential element in this. He believe that what happened yesterday constitutes a violation, and they expect there would be a reaction to it, adding that fortunately, all the main parties recognize the need to preserve the ceasefire and adhere to the agreement.His Excellency affirmed that what happened yesterday in Gaza was disappointing and deeply frustrating, stressing that they are trying to contain it and immediately mobilized their efforts afterward, in full coordination with the United States. He pointed out that they have seen that the United States is also committed to the agreement.HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed the need to ensure that Palestinians live in safety, as well as Israelis, adding that the main objective of the disarmament process, is to end armed activity, create a political horizon for the Palestinian people, and establish a unified Palestinian entity that is the sole legitimate authority to bear arms.His Excellency stressed the importance of addressing the core issue and the root causes of the conflict itself, noting in this regard that they must create a political horizon and an appropriate political environment for both Palestinians and Israelis that enables them to reach an understanding and agreement on coexistence. This is what they are striving for, he said, stressing that they are seeking a two-state solution that puts an end to the suffering of both sides.Regarding the treacherous Israeli attack on the State of Qatar, His Excellency said this attack was shocking, adding it was not only shocking for them in Qatar, but for the entire world. If you look at where and how the attack took place, you will find that it occurred in a well-known residential neighborhood where negotiations usually take place, surrounded by schools, embassies, and other buildings, he explained, adding that the psychological impact of this attack on the Qatari people was very significant. He stressed that they still bear the responsibility as a state to protect citizens and ensure there are adequate security guarantees for them, in addition to ensuring that Qatar's role continues to have impact in ending the conflict and remains unaffected. He pointed out that Qatar has always taken the high road and consistently chosen diplomacy over any other option.His Excellency added that they have used all legal and diplomatic channels to ensure that this attack is not repeated and to protect Qatar and its people, after which they resumed the negotiations. What many people do not know is that the day after the attack, when His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani was speaking with the President of the United States of America Donald Trump, the President noted that this could represent an opportunity to put an end to the war in Gaza. His Highness the Amir was very optimistic about this possibility. Despite all the communication with the Israeli side at that time, Qatar remained engaged with the United States to ensure a resolution was reached, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said.His Excellency stated that they deeply value and appreciate the relationship that binds the State of Qatar and the United States, adding that the President, the Vice President, and the Secretary of State affirmed that they had no prior knowledge of the attack. His Excellency said that they respect what the US said and understand that this decision was made solely by the Israelis, but the idea that an ongoing mediation effort would be targeted in itself feels like a betrayal. On the very day of the attack, negotiations between Colombia and other parties were taking place only a few hundred meters from the site, as well as talks between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.His Excellency went on to say that the occurrence of this attack in Qatar, on Sept. 9, shocked the world. For a country engaged in so many mediation efforts to come under attack was something no one could have imagined, he said, adding that he believes the American side felt the same shock, and the President personally assured that he would not allow such an event to happen again, and that he would ensure all the security guarantees Qatar needs to continue its role."His Excellency added this attack clearly affected how the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) now views Israel. When the GCC countries witnessed this attack on one of their own members, the impression was clear - any country could be the next target.Regarding the State of Qatar's ongoing mediation efforts, His Excellency explained that they have found that Qatar's ability to act quietly and away from the spotlight gives them an advantage in contributing to the resolution of conflicts, and sometimes in preventing them, through calm diplomatic channels and behind closed doors. He emphasized that Qatar has become a responsible player in this field, and for them, mediation is not merely a political option but a deeply rooted principle in the constitution. Since the founding of the State by Sheikh Jassim, who always called for peace, communication, and dialogue, this has been Qatar's legacy. His Excellency said that they are proud that today Qatar is recognized as a global mediator, not only in the region, but also internationally. The trust Qatar has built over the years through its regional mediations has given its efforts a global dimension. They see this extending from Latin America to Africa and Asia, His Excellency added.On Afghanistan, His Excellency said that there is a camp within Afghanistan that wants to see the country open up to the world and build better relations with all its neighbors. He believe that, in the end, those who want to build a state that has a normal relationship with the international community will prevail. Fundamentally, efforts to change the situation in Afghanistan must be made by the international community in an encouraging, rather than punitive, manner. He explained that Qatar's approach is that instead of saying, 'Because you do this, I will punish you,' it should be the opposite when it comes to Afghanistan - 'If you do this, I will reward you for it.' This approach needs to change within the international community, His Excellency explained, adding that only then they might be able put Afghanistan on the right track.Regarding relations with the United States of America, His Excellency said that Qatar's interest lies in building and strengthening a strong relationship with the United States, noting that they have a solid economic partnership, a strong security and defense partnership, and a close partnership in the energy sector. These multifaceted partnerships are a priority for Qatar and must be maintained and protected, His Excellency said, adding that all their focus is on how to preserve the relationship between the State of Qatar and the United States, because it is an important country for Qatar, just as Qatar is important to the United States. Qatar hosts the largest US air base in the region, and in the energy sector, both of sides are among the world's largest suppliers of liquefied natural gas, His Excellency noted.Regarding Iran's role in the future of the region, His Excellency said Iran is a neighbor, and Qatar share with it the largest gas field in the world, in which it hold the majority. For Qatar, the stability of Iran is essential, he said, explaining that it is very important for Iran to be stable. To ensure this stability, they must think diplomatically about how to reach a solution through diplomacy, while also ensuring that the region remains free of nuclear weapons, while granting Iran the right to develop its peaceful nuclear program for energy generation or any other purpose within international law.His Excellency adding in this regard that they are sometimes concerned by the escalatory statements coming from either Israel or Iran, and they are working to engage with both the United States and Iran to ensure that talks between the two countries return to the right track. He believe that once serious negotiations between Iran and the United States begin, they can reach an agreement that would be better for everyone.