tag

 The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change’s Wildlife Development Department has announced that falcon documents (passports) are now available for collection at its Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital office.  The initiative is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to improve public services, simplify falcon-related procedures, meet the needs of falcon owners, and enhance the quality of services for Qatar’s falconry community. The ministry said the service is available during official working hours, from Sunday to Thursday, between 8am and 1pm. The initiative aims to improve service efficiency, streamline procedures, and provide convenient service channels while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and legal requirements governing falcon-related transactions.  Accordingly, the ministry stressed the importance of preserving falconry as an integral part of Qatar’s cultural heritage and traditions, reaffirming its commitment to regulating falcon-related activities in accordance with applicable legislation and environmental requirements, balancing the preservation of this national heritage with the protection of wildlife and biodiversity. 

The falcon market at Souq Waqif is experiencing a noticeable surge in activity as the traditional falcon-hunting season gets underway, with prices ranging from around QR2,500 for some smaller birds to more than QR100,000 for rare, highly trained falcons.Falcon traders say demand has risen steadily since the season began last month, attracting seasoned falconers and younger enthusiasts.The value of a bird depends on various factors including its breed, size, speed, hunting ability, training, pedigree and performance in local and regional competitions.The market offers a wide selection of falcons, including farm-bred and wild birds, alongside a growing range of hunting equipment and veterinary products.Traditional accessories such as burqas, leashes, lures and hoods, alongside medicines, vitamins and other care products, are available from both local and international suppliers.The seasonal trade is also drawing visitors from outside Qatar, including falconry enthusiasts from Gulf countries, Iran, Germany, Kazakhstan and Pakistan.Trading activity is expected to remain strong through the hunting season, which continues until February.For traders, the opening weeks have brought a diverse supply of birds from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, as well as European markets including Spain, Germany and Russia.Further, wild falcons are expected to hit the market coming from Iran and Kazakhstan.Fahad al-Shammari, a falcon-shop owner at Souq Waqif, said the season had started strongly, with demand coming from falconers of different ages.His shop sources birds from Germany and a farm in Doha, in addition to wild falcons from Kazakhstan and Iran.He said Iranian birds, particularly mountain falcons and large wild saker and peregrine falcons, are currently attracting strong interest.Prices for large saker falcons range between QR15,000 and QR20,000, while mountain falcons are available from around QR3,000 to QR7,000.Peregrine falcons expected to reach the market soon are priced from around QR20,000.Al-Shammari noted the growing demand for locally made falcon equipment, particularly traditional hoods and other accessories.Locally produced medicines and treatment programmes are likewise gaining confidence among falconers, he said, with traders reporting results comparable to imported alternatives.Similarly, Abdulmalik, another Souq Waqif seller, said competition among shops has encouraged businesses to expand their services beyond sales, including falcon training, veterinary care and after-sales support.Interest is also increasingly coming from children and young people, highlighting the continuing appeal of falconry among a new generation.Prices vary significantly according to species and origin.Mountain falcons from Iran, for example, range from QR2,500 to QR7,000, while larger saker falcons can reach about QR17,000.Farm-bred saker falcons are generally priced between QR8,000 and QR15,000, while some smaller varieties start at around QR2,500.The most valuable birds can command considerably higher prices.A wild peregrine expected to arrive later in the season is estimated at QR50,000-QR60,000, depending on its size and characteristics.Meanwhile, falconers select different birds according to the type of hunting or competition in which they participate.Saker falcons are commonly associated with domestic hunting, while peregrines are favoured for some longer-distance pursuits.Major competitions impose specific requirements on the types of birds eligible to participate.Further, the season has generated a parallel market for locally crafted equipment.Handmade hoods, leashes, lures and other accessories are increasingly popular, with traders highlighting their quality, practicality and suitability for the local environment. 

The 10th Katara International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition (S’hail 2026) highlighted major advances in falcon healthcare as the event concluded over the weekend. Specialised exhibitors offered diagnostic tests, medical treatments, medicines, supplements and veterinary supplies that reflect the sector’s latest standards. The services underlined the growing emphasis on falcon health while reinforcing S’hail’s role as an international meeting point for heritage, culture, specialist expertise and modern hunting and falconry technology. Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital general supervisor Mohammed Thawab al-Qahtani told reporters that the hospital’s participation in the 10th edition reflects its commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare for falcons at the event, including medical services and examinations before sales are completed. “We are participating in the 10th edition of S'hail to provide healthcare for falcons and offer the medical services and examinations that allow owners to verify the birds' health status before finalising a purchase,” he said. Al-Qahtani said the hospital provides microscopic, imaging and laboratory tests, together with respiratory, digestive and blood assessments, to identify possible health problems before a bird is transferred to a new owner. Pre-purchase examinations, he continued, give buyers reliable information and greater confidence when deciding whether to acquire a falcon. Al-Qahtani said that falcon care has advanced significantly in diagnostic methods, treatment techniques and medical equipment. The hospital continues to follow the latest specialised practices, while preventative screening helps detect conditions that may not be immediately visible and supports early intervention. Pharma Veterinary Medicines is also marking its 10th appearance at S’hail, presenting medicines, feed and supplies for falcons and other birds. Company owner Mansour Rashid al-Nuaimi said that the exhibition remains an important platform for specialist suppliers to meet falconers, showcase products and strengthen their presence in the market. He said the company has taken part since the exhibition began, reflecting a long-standing relationship with an event that has grown into one of the region’s leading gatherings for hunting and falconry. Its products are designed to give falconers practical options for bird care and ongoing health maintenance. Al-Nuaimi also highlighted the company’s strategic partnerships and exclusive distributorships with specialised international manufacturers. As the exclusive agent in Qatar and the Gulf for several companies, Pharma supplies globally recognised products tailored to falcons and birds. Reliable, specialised products are increasingly important to falconers, al-Nuaimi said, adding that the company seeks to meet that demand through a varied portfolio suited to the local market. He described S’hail as a vital regional hub connecting companies, experts and enthusiasts, and offering a dedicated space for exchange across the hunting and falconry community. 

Dassault Aviation rolled out ​its latest long-range business ‌jet, the Falcon 10X, late on Tuesday as the French planemaker challenges North ‌American rivals at ⁠the top end ‌of the luxury aircraft market.The new $80mn jet ‌features the market's largest cabin and will be capable of linking cities like New ⁠York and Shanghai, Dassault said at a ceremony for suppliers and dozens of wealthy potential buyers at its Merignac factory in France.The launch of a new flying penthouse comes as planemakers compete to serve the ultra-wealthy and heads of state at the top end of the luxury jet market, though CEO Eric Trappier said corporations would make up the bulk of projected sales."The role of this airplane is ​to fly very long distances while ensuring maximum comfort and security," he told reporters.The twin-engine aircraft, originally expected in operation in late 2025, then 2027, will conduct a maiden flight "soon" and enter ‌service towards the end of ⁠the decade, Trappier ​said.Analysts have said the 10X's dinner party-sized cabin and marathon range could ​set up a closer three-way race against the largest models from Canada's Bombardier and General Dynamics' Gulfstream unit, both of which delivered about four times more jets in total than Dassault in 2025.Demand among wealthy travellers and corporations to fly private remains strong following an uptick during the pandemic.US aerospace firm Honeywell predicts 8,500 business jet deliveries worth $283bn over the next decade.Dassault declined to say how many orders it had received for its newest and most powerful jet, which will have a range of 7,500 nautical miles (13,900 km) and compete with Bombardier's Global ‌8000 and Gulfstream's G800.In a first for the French family-controlled company, which also makes Rafale combat jets, ⁠Dassault's new clean-sheet design comes with ⁠engines from Britain's Rolls-Royce.The Falcon 10X was first announced at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and is now being seen in public for the first time just as conflict erupts in the Middle East.Trappier said it was too early to gauge the impact of the conflict on the business jet industry, which depends on the Middle East for ​3% of its deliveries, according to Honeywell."There is no immediate impact, but there are risks," he said.Development of the Falcon 10X was delayed by the pandemic, which inflicted industry-wide pressure on supply chains.The smaller Falcon 6X entered service in 2023 after delays also blamed on the pandemic.Trappier declined to estimate future 10X output, saying this would depend on orders, for which he did not give a target. Analysts are watching to see if it ramps up more smoothly than the shorter-range Falcon 6X."With the Falcon ‌6X we really ​had supply chain problems and so we will learn from that experience," Trappier said. 

The Qatar Mobility Innovations Centre (QMIC) is supporting operational activities for the Arab Cup 2025, in partnership with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, through the deployment of its Smart Parking Management System powered by the Falcon-I platform.The system monitors parking lot occupancy in real time and provides operational teams with accurate live dashboards and predictive analytics, enabling data-driven decisions to reduce congestion, optimise parking utilisation, and to enhance the overall visitor experience.First piloted in 2021 and successfully utilised during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the system demonstrated its effectiveness in managing traffic flow and parking availability across tournament venues. Building on this success, the solution will once again play a key role in supporting parking operations during the Arab Cup 2025. 

The American space-technology company SpaceX conducted a dual-launch operation this week, dispatching two batches of Starlink Internet-satellites aboard two Falcon 9 rockets in the same launch window.In a statement, the company said the first Falcon 9 took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying 29 satellites into low Earth orbit. The first-stage booster successfully landed on a SpaceX drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean about 8.5 minutes after liftoff.Within the same launch window, a second Falcon 9 launched a further batch of 29 satellites. Its first-stage booster also achieved a successful drone-ship landing, while the upper stage deployed the satellites on schedule.These missions advance the Starlink network, a vast satellite constellation aiming to provide global Internet coverage; currently, thousands of satellites are already in orbit. SpaceX said such launches help maintain the constellation's frequent and rapid replenishment.The company described the flights as part of a "record pace" of Falcon 9 launches this year as it scales up capacity and reduces turnaround time between missions.

South Korea has launched its fifth homegrown military reconnaissance satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from a US space base in Florida, the country's Ministry of National Defense announced Sunday. The Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as scheduled and successfully placed the satellite into orbit about 14 minutes after liftoff, according to the ministry.According to Yonhap News Agency, the new satellite, equipped with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system, is the fifth and final satellite under South Korea's plan to deploy five spy satellites by the end of this year. The constellation aims to enhance real-time monitoring of North Korea and reduce Seoul's reliance on US satellite imagery.Operating a cluster of five reconnaissance satellites will enable the rapid and precise detection of potential North Korean military activities, the ministry said, noting that the system will reinforce South Korea's three-axis deterrence structure — which includes preemptive strike, missile defense, and retaliatory capabilities.Once all five satellites are operational, South Korea is expected to achieve round-the-clock surveillance, with the ability to observe North Korea roughly every two hours.South Korea launched its first military spy satellite in December 2023, equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors capable of capturing high-resolution imagery. It has since launched three more SAR-equipped satellites capable of collecting data in all weather conditions and at any time of day.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at 06:46 GMT, marking the company's 130th mission of the year and the rocket's 126th flight in 2025. About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the first stage of the Falcon 9 successfully landed on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean. This was the eighth launch and landing for the booster, designated B1090, which had previously supported several missions, including CRS-33, O3b mPOWER-E, Crew-10, Bandwagon-3, O3b mPOWER-D, and two earlier Starlink missions. The flight, designated Starlink 10-59, expands SpaceX's rapidly growing Starlink constellation, which now includes more than 8,500 satellites designed to provide global broadband internet coverage. In addition to the Falcon 9 missions, SpaceX has also conducted four suborbital test flights of its Starship rocket this year, with a fifth test scheduled for October 13.

The Kuwaiti and French Air Forces have carried out the joint air exercise "Swift Falcon" at the Ahmad Al-Jaber Air Base, attended by Kuwait's Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General (Pilot) Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, French Ambassador to Kuwait Olivier Gauvin, and senior military officers from both countries.In a statement carried by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Kuwait's General Staff said the exercise reflects the deepening military cooperation and exchange of field expertise between the two nations. The drill aims to strengthen combat readiness and enhance the ability to conduct joint operations with greater efficiency.Maj. Gen. Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah stressed the importance of advancing training and qualification programs, while reinforcing partnerships with friendly countries. He praised the participating forces for their high level of preparedness and coordination in implementing the training scenarios.

Al Abdulghani Motors, the authorised distributor of Toyota and Lexus in Qatar, marked the successful conclusion of the ninth edition of the Katara International Hunting and Falcon Exhibition – S’hail 2025 in its role as the event’s exclusive mobility partner.This marks Al Abdulghani Motors’ first participation in S’hail, underscoring its long-standing commitment to supporting Qatar’s cultural heritage and fostering deeper engagement with the local community, particularly those passionate about hunting and falconry.S’hail is one of the world’s leading events dedicated to falconry, hunting, and camping.It draws top local and international companies showcasing the latest technologies and specialised equipment tailored for hunting enthusiasts.These include advanced off-road vehicle outfitting, caravans designed for desert and safari adventures, as well as the newest falconry gear and camping innovations.“We are delighted to have made our debut at S’hail, an exhibition that truly embodies Qatar’s spirit and rich cultural legacy,” said Al Abdulghani Motors chief executive Abdulghani Nasser al-Abdulghani. “This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting initiatives that preserve and promote the cherished traditions of hunting and falconry on a global stage.”Blending innovation with cultural heritage, Al Abdulghani Motors unveiled a uniquely designed exhibition booth at S’hail 2025, inspired by Qatar’s desert landscapes.The booth featured a lineup of standout off-road models, including the Toyota Prado, the LX700h Overtrail, and a Land Cruiser 300 Hybrid.The booth also offered visitors a unique opportunity to explore the exceptional performance and advanced technologies of Toyota and Lexus vehicles.Additionally, a specially modified Toyota Land Cruiser 300, equipped with advanced technologies and exclusive enhancements tailored for hunting and outdoor adventures, was showcased at the main entrance of the exhibition.