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Hamad International Airport has crossed a "record-breaking milestone" this August, serving over 5mn passengers in a single month for the "first time" in its history.This surge was achieved while maintaining the quality of every passenger’s journey, showcasing the airport as a bustling and rapidly growing hub that is resilient and steadfastly passenger centric.Hamad International Airport’s performance in August represents a 6.4% increase in passenger traffic compared to August 2024.Nearly 1.3mn of the 5mn passengers were point-to-point travellers, marking a 12% year-on-year growth in this category. This highlights the rising demand for direct travel from/to Qatar and showcases the strength of aviation as a key driver of the national diverse economy.The achievement for Qatar’s Hamad International Airport comes shortly after the release of the 2025 World Airport Traffic Dataset by Airports Council International (ACI) World, ranking the airport firmly among the world's busiest international airports.Drivers of Growth: Capacity expansion and strong airline partnerships have been central to this record. Qatar Airways increased frequencies to over 15 key destinations worldwide, providing enhanced connectivity through its hub.Other airlines partners also played a key role, with Virgin Australia launching new services to Doha, while Philippine Airlines and Air Arabia increased their capacity, offering even more travel options across regional and long-haul markets.Together, these developments have made traveling through Hamad International Airport smoother and more convenient for both transfer and local passengers.Passenger experience performance: The historic surge in volumes was matched by elevated passenger experience and consistently positive customer feedback.In August, passenger survey responses confirmed an impressive overall satisfaction score of 98%. Additionally, 92% of the survey participants rated the overall security processes at key touchpoints as excellent.With its expanding global network, strategic capacity investments, and customer-focused approach, Hamad International Airport continues to consolidate its position as one of the fastest-rising hubs in global air transport.

On the occasion of the International Day of Charity, observed annually on September 5, Taqat for Trading and Business Solutions reaffirmed its commitment to supporting humanitarian work in its various aspects through partnerships with leading regional and international humanitarian organisations, a statement said Saturday.Through its three flagship programmes – Edama, Emdad, and Relief Center – Taqat plays an active role in strengthening charitable efforts by participating in specialised exhibitions and events, such as the DIHAD humanitarian exhibition, an international platform for exchanging expertise and enhancing co-operation among humanitarian institutions.The general manager of Taqat for Trading and Business Solutions said: “At Taqat, we believe that supporting humanitarian work requires collective efforts and integrated roles. Therefore, we are keen to build strategic partnerships with major charitable and humanitarian organisations. Innovation and modern technology lie at the core of our vision to enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian initiatives and achieve tangible and sustainable impact.”He added that Taqat’s mission is to make a meaningful contribution to supporting the most vulnerable groups while promoting a culture of giving and solidarity in both local and international communities.As one of Taqat’s flagship programmes, the Relief Centre embodies this mission on the International Day of Charity. The centre offers a comprehensive digital platform that reshapes the humanitarian response to be faster, more accurate, and more integrated — linking data to decisions, the field to analysis, and amplifying the voices of affected communities. It strives toward a smart humanitarian response for a better life, preserving dignity and celebrating the true value of giving, the statement added.

The State of Qatar will be the guest of honor at the 26th edition of the Baghdad International Book Fair, which will take place from September 10 to 21.Qatar's participation in the fair underscores the country's commitment to supporting the Arab cultural movement and highlighting Qatari intellectual production in the fields of literature, poetry, thought, and the arts.It also reflects Qatar's prominent cultural standing and underscores the depth of fraternal ties between Qatar and Iraq.Qatar's cultural program at the fair includes intellectual seminars, lectures, and poetry evenings, in addition to performances by the Qatari folklore troupe, which will perform Ardha and other folk arts, reflecting the spirit of authentic cultural heritage.The Qatari pavilion will feature demonstrations of traditional crafts such as goldsmithing and wooden shipbuilding. Visitors will be able to watch and interact with craftspeople at work. In a statement, Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain stated that Qatar's participation in the Baghdad International Book Fair as the guest of honor reflects the deep fraternal ties between the two countries and their peoples.It also underscores the importance of culture, which is the ideal bridge for communication and the promotion of human dialogue. This participation, he said, reflects the Ministry of Culture's commitment to supporting the Arab cultural scene, enhancing cooperation with cultural institutions and publishing houses, highlighting the richness of Qatari intellectual production, and presenting a comprehensive image of Qatar that blends contemporary creativity with a rich cultural heritage.He explained that the Qatari pavilion in the fair features a design inspired by traditional Qatari architecture, embodying national identity and expressing the connection between the past and the present in a style that combines authenticity and the spirit of innovation.He noted that the pavilion offers a comprehensive cultural experience that goes beyond book displays, allowing visitors to explore the diversity of Qatar's cultural landscape, from literature, thought, and the arts to living heritage and traditional crafts.The Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture added that the Qatari pavilion will also host a photo exhibition featuring shots of Qatar's modern landmarks, traditional architecture, and scenes of daily life, in addition to the beauty of Qatar's land and marine environment.

HE Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali al-Jabr al-Nuaimi has said that the International Day of Charity was not merely a commemoration, but rather an opportunity to highlight noble human values and to showcase the vital role of charitable work in strengthening social cohesion and achieving sustainable development. In a statement marking the International Day of Charity, HE the Minister said that Qatar has established a leading global position in this field through pioneering initiatives, humanitarian projects, and impactful international partnerships whose positive outcomes have improved the lives of individuals in many parts of the world.The Minister of Social Development and Family praised all those working in the charitable and humanitarian sector, valuing their continuous efforts and generosity in spreading good and promoting solidarity among peoples. She also reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to continue supporting national and international initiatives that enhance the impact of charitable work and advance humanitarian progress, drawing on its authentic Islamic values. She emphasized that Qatar will remain a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for the entire world.

England manager Thomas Tuchel is adamant there is "no curse" upon his side as he looks to end their near 60-year wait for a major international trophy. England's only previous major title came at the 1966 World Cup on home soil, defeating West Germany in the final.England came close several times to ending the drought under Tuchel's predecessor Gareth Southgate, losing successive European Championship finals, as well as reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the last eight in 2022. England's women have enjoyed success under Sarina Wiegman, winning back-to-back Euros titles in 2022 and 2025, while the men's Under-21 side are also double European champions after backing up their 2023 title with victory in Slovakia in June."Not at all," Tuchel said when asked if he felt extra pressure due to the women's and youth teams' successes. "If it is something, then it is a good omen and I was so happy for Sarina and (Under-21 coach) Lee (Carsley) because they made it and they made an extraordinary effort and a huge success with back-to-back victories... It is possible (to win a trophy with England), there is no curse on English teams and it is a good omen and we will do our very best to follow their example."England face Andorra today in qualifying for next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, before taking on Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday. "I get a lot of tips, that's for sure, but always in a friendly manner," former Chelsea boss Tuchel said of his interactions with England fans. "Most of them just say, 'Bring it home, Thomas'. That's basically the task."Manchester City defender John Stones has withdrawn from the squad for the upcoming games with injury. Stones has not added to his tally of 83 caps since last October. "Unfortunately, John Stones just left," Tuchel said. "He came with minor issues, muscular issues, to camp and didn't progress as we thought and hoped he would. So, he left camp this morning (Friday) because we will not take the risk. Everyone else is available."Tuchel confirmed England captain Harry Kane will lead the side in the Andorra qualifier. "Yes. He (Kane) starts. There is no balance, the competition is on and it is World Cup season," he said.England only beat Andorra, a lowly 174th in the FIFA world rankings, 1-0 when the teams met in their initial qualifier in June. "We will face in both matches a deep block and a 5-4-1 for sure in the first match and it is the challenge to overcome that quickly and aggressively and play with more rhythm than we did in the first match (against Andorra)," said Tuchel.Latvia and Albania are the other two sides in Group K of European qualifying, with the group winners booking a place at the World Cup.

Al Rayyan Sports Club Thursday officially announced the signing of Serbian international striker Aleksandar Mitrovic from Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal. The high-profile move comes as part of Al Rayyan’s efforts to strengthen their squad ahead of the new football season.In a statement, Al Rayyan expressed their appreciation to Al Hilal and its board of directors, headed by His Highness Prince Nawaf bin Saad Al Saud, for their cooperation in completing the transfer. The club described the deal as a significant step in building a competitive team capable of challenging for top honours.Mitrovic, 29, is considered one of the most prominent goal scorers of his generation. Known for his physical presence, aerial ability, and clinical finishing, the Serbian forward brings with him a wealth of experience from top leagues across Europe and Asia, as well as the international stage.The striker began his professional career at Partizan Belgrade, where he won the Serbian league title. He later moved to Anderlecht in Belgium, shining as the league’s top scorer and helping the club win the Pro League title. Mitrovic then made the switch to England, playing for Newcastle United in the Premier League, before enjoying his most prolific spell at Fulham, where he became the club’s top scorer and played a key role in securing promotion to the top tier.Before joining Al Rayyan, Mitrovic spent a successful stint with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, where he won a domestic treble the Saudi Pro League, the King’s Cup, and the Saudi Super Cup. His individual numbers have been equally impressive across all clubs he has represented.At Al Hilal, Mitrovic scored 68 goals and provided 15 assists in 79 appearances. During his time at Fulham, he netted 97 goals in 173 matches, and he scored 44 goals in 90 games for Anderlecht. On the international stage, he is the all-time leading scorer for the Serbian national team, with 62 goals in 100 appearances.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with a consortium led by Qatar's UCC Holding, valued at over USD 4 billion, is intended to revamp Damascus International Airport based on state-of-the-art global standards, Chairman of the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Omar Al Hussari has said.In remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Hussari added that the MoU includes revamping the airport, increasing its capacity, modernising the infrastructure and ground services, in addition to deploying sophisticated operation systems.The project will constitute a paradigm shift in the Syrian airports systems and bolster the capacity of the civil aviation sector to keep up with the requirements of the upcoming phase, Al Hussari highlighted.Al Hussari stressed that the memorandum is a concrete step in strengthening the Syria-Qatar relationship, standing as a model of Arab cooperation in major strategic ventures. He affirmed that the next phase would shift from signing the memorandum to outlining a clear implementation plan, thereby ensuring that this partnership is converted into tangible projects that directly benefit travelers and the national economy.In connection with the projects undertaken by GACA, technical and economic studies are underway to convert Mezzeh Air Base into a civilian airport dedicated to private aviation and business travelers. The operational capacity of this base will be gauged not in terms of passenger numbers but by the volume of private flights and the quality of specialized services, thereby positioning it as a complementary facility to Damascus International Airport, he underlined.He further underscored that there is a strategic plan to expand the SyrianAir fleet through the modernization of existing aircraft and the acquisition of new planes, while GACA has opened the door for Arab and international carriers to operate within Syrian airspace and at its airports.Damascus International Airport currently serves 15 airlines, whereas Aleppo International Airport accommodates seven carriers. The measures broadly enhance competitiveness and elevate the level of services offered to travelers. These initiatives unfold amid a period of Arab and international engagement with Syria and the restoration of a huge portion of air traffic, contributing to reinstating the country to its natural position on the regional and global aviation map, Al Hussari underlined.As for the western sanctions, he evinced that the restrictions are still partial and hamper modernization processes, as well as securing spare parts and cutting-edge technologies.However, he said GACA has been successful in overcoming these impediments through forging cooperation with regional and global partners to secure practical alternatives in relation to maintenance, equipment, and technologies, noting that these partnerships helped proceed with the operation of aircraft and airports based on international safety standards.Al Hussari welcomed the recent decision taken by the US Department of Commerce to streamline the access of technology and spare parts to Syria, including civil aviation parts.The strategy of the upcoming period is based on making the civil aviation sector an economic driver and a major conduit, reinstating the nation to its position as a regional and global connection hub. This strategy includes modernization to have capacious airports, augmenting the national fleet, advancing air cargo services, and investing in training and qualifying manpower to ensure sustained development and keep abreast of the latest international standards, Al Hussari pointed out.Al Hussari further indicated that the projects and agreements underway represent practical steps toward advancing the Syrian civil aviation sector and reintegrating the country into the regional and global air transportation system.He affirmed that the coming period ought to witness a follow-up on the execution of these projects to ensure the achievement of GACA's objectives and the constant upgradation of this critical sector.

Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by 18 runs in a T20 international, thanks to half-centuries from Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran. Atal scored 64 and Zadran added 65, guiding Afghanistan to a total of 169 for five. Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf was the top bowler, taking four wickets for 27 runs. In their chase, Pakistan were held to 151 for nine. Despite a late surge from Haris Rauf, who hit 34 not out, steady bowling from Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad both taking two wickets ensured Afghanistan’s victory. Pakistan, who won both their matches in the tri-series, have now lost one match. Rashid Khan, Afghanistan captain, said Tuesday: “If you bowl in the right areas and with the bowling we have, it (169) was manageable and defendable.” When asked if it was a tactic playing different spinners each game, Khan said: “That is a kind of tactic. We have that bench strength. It is not just about the playing eleven. Whoever gets the opportunity can do the job. We decide based on the opposition and who might be useful on that wicket. We thought Noor and Ghazanfar would be more effective. “Quite pleased with the way they bowled and the lengths they bowled. Atal and Zadran are two great players, just the beginning for them. The way they are taking responsibility and reading conditions, they are doing it so well. They understand if we can keep wickets, we can score maximum runs.” Salman Agha, Pakistan captain, said: “I think 170 was gettable. Thought the bowlers did a good job. We lost too many wickets in the middle overs. After eight overs, we were going well but we lost many wickets (in the next 5-6 overs). When you lose that many wickets, it becomes very difficult.” BRIEF SCORES Afghanistan 169 for 5 (Zadran 65, Atal 64, Ashraf 4-27) beat Pakistan 151 for 9 (Rauf 34*, Nabi 2-20, Noor 2-20) by 18 runs

Keshav Maharaj took 4-22 as South Africa thrashed a woeful England side by seven wickets after dismissing the hosts for just 131 runs in the first one-day international at Headingley Tuesday.South Africa sent England into bat and the home side made a bright start as they reached 82-2 in the 14th over, before losing their last eight wickets for just 49 runs following an innings peppered with poor shot selections.Only Jamie Smith put up any sort of resistance with a fine 54 from 48 balls, but South African opener Aiden Markram smashed 86 in 55 balls to show the pitch was a good one as he shared a first wicket partnership of 121 in 18.1 overs with Ryan Rickelton (31 not out from 59 balls).The second match in the three-game series will be played at Lord’s Thursday. The teams will also contest three Twenty Internationals starting on September 10. “It was not a great start to the series, just one of those bad days and we will move on as soon as possible,” England captain Harry Brook said.“Everyone will hold their hand up and say we had a bad day. We could not get a partnership together. The ball held in the pitch a little, but they bowled really nicely.“We need to put that performance behind us now and get down to London.”England started brightly with successive fours in the opening over from Smith and despite Ben Duckett’s early dismissal, they appeared to be heading towards setting an imposing target. However, a tired-looking shot from Joe Root, after a long summer of cricket, saw him edge the ball for wicket keeper Rickelton to hang onto a juggling catch, signalling the start of a dramatic slump.Spinner Maharaj’s varying pace then bamboozled the batters as England were dismissed three balls shy of half of their allotted 50 overs. England’s debutant seamer Sonny Baker opened the bowling but finished with figures of 0-76 off seven overs.Markram was particularly brutal on him before he was the first of three wickets late in the chase for spinner Adil Rashid, who took 3-26.“It was important to start well,” South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said. “We were clinical with the ball, we were under pressure in the powerplay but still managed to get wickets.“With the bat, we could have been more clinical at the end but it should not take anything away from the chase, led brilliantly by Aiden. Fielding was good, caught well, trying to improve. The ball flies off on this square but good effort. We want to build on this momentum, quick turnaround. Lord’s might be different conditions so we’ll try to assess, but we’ve set our standard.BRIEF SCORESSouth Africa 137 for 3 (Markram 86) beat England 131 (Smith 54, Maharaj 4-22, Mulder 3-33) by seven wickets

The 32nd Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theater kicked off at the Cairo Opera House with the participation of renowned talents in the field from the region and the world, including Qatar. The opening ceremony saw the honoring of the Qatari writer and producer Hamad Al Rumaihi, in addition to ten notable talents in theater from both Arab and foreign countries, in appreciation for their contribution to the theater movement regionally and globally in acting, directing, criticism, and academic studies. The Festival will feature 13 Arabic shows, including the Qatari play "The Ninth Hour" by director Mohammed Al Mulla, which won seven awards in the 37th Doha Theatre Festival. The managing team behind the Festival announced that it will publish 11 books that document recent theatrical movements globally, with the goal of supporting the criticism movement and providing references for researchers and theater workers. The Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theater was first held in 1988. It is considered one of the most notable events in the field in the region and the world. It provides a platform to showcase plays from all around the world, opens doors for dialogue and cultural communication, and introduces audiences to theater trends.

South Africa will be without striker-bowler Kagiso Rabada for today’s opening One Day International against England at Headingley, captain Temba Bavuma revealed ahead of the clash.The 30-year-old is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered in Australia, where South Africa won a three-match ODI series last month.Matthew Breetzke, who has started his ODI career with four consecutive scores of 50 or more, injured his hamstring in the second of the ODIs against Australia and also sits out the opening clash against England as a precautionary measure.Teenage pace bowler Kwena Maphaka, 19, will also not play as Bavuma said his workload was being managed, but he could yet feature in the limited overs clashes in England. The three ODIs are followed by three Twenty20 internationals.“Kwena is an exciting player; he is still probably on the raw side, but that makes him even more exciting. He is a bit more awkward to face than other lefties, and he may have a role to play in these weather conditions,” Bavuma told a press conference Monday.Veteran pinch-hitter David Miller also misses out on the ODIs but is in the squad for the T20s. He remains in contention for the 2027 World Cup squad, added Bavuma.The 36-year-old has not played international cricket since the Champions Trophy in March and missed the tour to Australia because he was playing in the Hundred competition in England.“Any international commitments that occurred during the Hundred, David wasn’t available for. Unfortunately, he wasn’t part of our build-up for the ODIs. But then with the T20 stuff, the Hundred is done, he’ll fall back into the team,” the South Africa captain explained. “David’s still within the mix in the ODI stuff,” he added.Baker to make England debut in South Africa ODIPace bowler Sonny Baker will make his England debut in the first one-day international against South Africa today after impressing in the Hundred.The 22-year-old will line up alongside Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse in a three-man pace attack at Headingley.Baker took nine wickets in seven appearances for the Manchester Originals in the Hundred franchise competition, including a hat-trick against England white-ball captain Harry Brook’s Northern Superchargers last month.“He’s been awesome in the Hundred. We’ve seen him bowl at some of the best batters in the world and he’s had them on toast,” said Brook.The skipper praised Baker’s pace, ability to swing the ball and his bowling at the end of matches.“Quite a lot of people are excited to see where he goes,” he added. “It looks like he has quite a lot about him.”The team announcement came as England all-rounder Jamie Overton ruled himself out of contention for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, placing his red-ball career on hold.“After a great deal of thought I have decided to take an indefinite break from red-ball cricket,” the Surrey paceman posted on social media. “At this stage of my career, with the demands of cricket across a 12-month calendar, it’s no longer possible to commit fully to all formats at every level, both physically and mentally.”The 31-year-old won his second Test cap against India in late July and had a strong chance of featuring in the squad for the Ashes despite a mixed outing at the Oval. Brook was taken aback by Overton’s decision, saying: “I’m a little bit shocked to be honest. I’d heard rumours but I hadn’t heard it from him until today. It would have been nice to have him there in the Ashes. When he is fully fit and firing he bowls thunderbolts and he can whack it out of the park.”Overton was last month named in England’s white-ball squad to face South Africa but head coach Brendon McCullum has preferred Baker for the opening match. The first ODI in Leeds kicks off a three-match series against the Proteas, which is followed by three T20s.SquadsEngland team: Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (capt), Jos Buttler (wkt), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Sonny BakerSouth AfricaAiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper), Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.

Spinner Nasum Ahmed returned figures of 3-21 to help Bangladesh thrash the Netherlands by nine wickets in the second T20 international Monday as the hosts clinched the three-match series.Bangladesh bundled out the tourists for a paltry 103 and romped home to their target in 13.1 overs to take a 2-0 lead in the series in Sylhet.Bangladesh, who won a third successive T20 series, have kept their momentum ahead of the T20 Asia Cup starting September 9 in the United Arab Emirates.Left-handed opener Tanzid Hasan made 54 and put on an unbeaten 64-run stand with skipper Litton Das, who scored 18.But it was Bangladesh's bowlers who set up victory as Nasum, who came into the team as one of two changes, struck twice on successive balls in the third over.Dutch skipper Scott Edwards played out the hat-trick ball from Nasum but later fell for nine off left-arm quick Mustafizur Rahman.Opener Vikramjit Singh made 24 off 17 ball before he fell to pace bowler Taskin Ahmed and was one of just three batsmen to manage double figures.The wickets kept tumbling as the Netherlands survived just 17.3 overs after being invited to bat first.Number nine Aryan Dutt made 30 as he took the team past 100 before he was the last wicket to fall.Bangladesh started their chase briskly with Parvez Hossain Emon's 23 off 21, and after his departure Tanzid and Litton steered the team home.The final match of the series is on Wednesday at the same venue.BRIEF SCORESBangladesh 104 for 1 (Tanzid 54*, Emon 23) beat Netherlands 103 (Dutt 30, Vikramjit 24, Nasum 3-21, Mustafizur 2-18, Taskin 2-22) by nine wickets