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Netflix Inc has agreed to purchase the streaming and studio assets of Warner Bros Discovery Inc in a $72bn deal that’s likely to impact the entertainment industry for decades.Netflix, the world’s dominant streaming platform, has grown to have more than 300mn subscribers — and this would be its first meaningful acquisition. If the deal is approved, Netflix would swallow one of Hollywood’s largest and most venerable film studios.One major area of interest is the future of theatres, given that they’re not Netflix’s main distribution mechanism. Others are the fate of Warner’s chief executive officer, David Zaslav, and its HBO Max streaming service. Why is this deal happening? Streaming has changed the way movies and TV shows are distributed, and legacy media companies like Warner Bros have struggled to come up with their own online offerings as viewers and advertisers cancel cable TV and go to movie theatres less frequently.Zaslav engineered a 2022 merger between Discovery Inc and Warner, but the stock flagged until Paramount Skydance Corp made an unsolicited offer for the business. What’s going to happen to cinemas? In the past, Netflix put just a few films in theatres for limited runs, usually to qualify for industry awards such as the Oscars. It considers viewers at home its primary audience.Cinema United, the trade association for theatre owners, called the Netflix deal “an unprecedented threat to the global exhibition business.”Netflix is pledging to maintain Warner Bros’ current operations and “build on its strengths, including theatrical releases for films.”On a December 5 conference call with investors, Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the company will release about 30 films in theatres this year. His chief gripe with the standard industry release strategy is the time it takes films to move from cinemas to streaming. “I wouldn’t look at this as a change in approach for Netflix movies or for Warner movies,” he said. He added that film releases “will evolve to be much more consumer friendly to be able to meet the audience where they are quicker.” Who else was bidding for Warner Bros? Paramount kicked off the bidding with three unsolicited offers this past fall.In a December 3 letter to Warner Bros, lawyers working for Paramount said the auction process was tilted in Netflix’s favour and that the Warner Bros board may be neglecting its duty to shareholders. The wording of the letter suggested potential legal action. In response, Warner Bros said it “attends to its fiduciary obligations with the utmost care.”One option Paramount could still deploy is a hostile bid, taking its $30-a-share, all-cash offer directly to shareholders. But that could provoke a prolonged fight with Warner Bros. If Warner Bros accepts an offer other than Netflix’s, it would be required to pay Netflix $2.8bn, according to the terms of their agreement. That high breakup fee would be an additional cost for Paramount to consider if it continues to pursue the company. What will happen to HBO Max? While not specifically saying so, Netflix executives suggested that they will continue to operate HBO Max as a separate service, much the way Walt Disney Co offers both Disney+ and Hulu. Services are typically bundled together at discounted prices.Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters told analysts that there is a high overlap between Netflix and HBO Max subscribers, who he said generate a significant amount of revenue. He said that Netflix could offer different packages and pricing tiers, and sell HBO content more aggressively globally. Is Warner Bros CEO Zaslav staying around? The longtime media executive wasn’t present for Netflix’s announcement of the deal. Zaslav hasn’t commented publicly beyond the press release and a memo to staff. No specific roles have been determined for him in the combined companies, according to people familiar with the discussions.Warner Bros is continuing plans to spin off its cable-TV networks — including CNN, TNT and HGTV — into a new company, Discovery Global, that will be led by Warner Chief Financial Officer Gunnar Wiedenfels. The spinoff is expected in the third quarter of 2026. What kind of regulatory scrutiny will the Netflix deal get? Lawyers for Paramount argued in another strongly worded letter to Warner Bros on December 1 that its proposed merger was likely to be approved and a Netflix one “will never close.” The transaction merges two of the world’s largest streaming services and two of the biggest makers of films and TV shows. Hollywood stars and unions have already come out against the deal, as have both Democratic and Republican politicians.At the very least, the transaction faces a year or more of scrutiny by regulators in multiple jurisdictions, including the US Justice Department and the European Union, before it can close. Netflix, whose executives and lobbyists have already been spending time in Washington to win support, agreed to pay a $5.8bn breakup fee if their deal isn’t approved.“Our plans here are to work really closely with all the appropriate governments and regulators, but [we’re] really confident that we’re going to get all the necessary approvals that we need,” Sarandos said on December 5. How will this impact jobs? Netflix is targeting $2bn to $3bn in cost savings and other synergies in the first few years after the transaction. Most of that will come from reductions in general and administrative expenses, specifically support functions of the businesses where there is overlap, Peters said. 

His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani met on Saturday with Minister of Economy and Industry of the Syrian Arab Republic, Mohammed Nidal al-Shaar on the sidelines of the 23rd Doha Forum 2025, reports QNA. During the meeting, they reviewed co-operation relations between the two countries in the commercial, investment, and industrial fields, and ways to strengthen and develop them, in addition to discussing a number of topics of common interest.The two sides also discussed enhancing joint co-operation in the coming period, in a way that contributes to supporting and developing areas of co-operation between the two countries. 

Doha deciding to join the Olympic Games 2036 race wasn't an afterthought of any kind. For the last 30-odd years, the Qatari capital has carefully charted its journey using sports as a means to bring the entire Middle East region together. Not only that, Doha over the last three decades also built a purposeful narrative that sports spectacles like the FIFA World Cup, the Asian Games and World Championships can be successfully hosted and savoured by those investing heavily in the global sports industry.From hosting the then biggest edition of the Asian Games in December 2006 — welcoming more than 10,000 athletes and officials from 45-member countries of the Olympic Council of Asia — to staging the 2022 FIFA World Cup involving 32 teams, Qatar has proudly showcased its mighty sporting ambitions in front of billions of sports fans around the world.From opening the world's largest indoor sports facility — the Aspire Academy in 2005 — to constructing 8 state-of-the-art football stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar clearly has gone beyond the debate on what it wants to achieve through sports.Five years ago, Doha put together a hard-to-beat Asian Games bid for the 2030 edition. Now, the Qatari capital will welcome athletes for the 2030 Asian Games. This will be the second Asiad to be hosted in Doha. When Doha joined the 2030 Asian Games race, the Qatari capital’s bid file showed that it had 90% of the sports infrastructure ready in the country. That sealed the deal for Doha.Over the course of the last three decades, Doha has successfully hosted world championships in boxing, cycling, gymnastics, track and field, swimming, handball, table tennis, shooting, triathlon and football. In 2027, Qatar will host the FIBA World Cup. With Aspire Academy carefully picking and grooming young talent – that is nurtured by world-class coaches and trainers in various disciplines — Qatar is not only known for hosting events but developing athletes from a young age.With Qatar hosting round-the-year leagues in football, basketball, volleyball, athletics, handball, cricket, tennis, snooker and billiards, shooting, cycling, horse racing and showjumping, and many other sports, Doha continues to wave the lag of optimism and carry on the Olympic Movement with absolute conviction that sports have to be a way of life for those living in the country, region and around the world.Whenever Qatar has hosted top-flight championships, it has also attracted sports fans who use the hub of global air travel — the Hamad International Airport — to come and visit the country. With Qatar adding more than 35,000 hotel rooms for the 2022 FIFA World Cup alone, the tourism industry in the country has never been in a more buoyant mood than it is enjoying right now. With Qatar currently hosting the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 — just days after it hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup — Doha is abuzz with hundreds of thousands of regional and global visitors watching the matches live. Qatar welcomed more than a million fans for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.Sports fans don’t come to Qatar to just enjoy watching the games live. The fan stay — from within the region or elsewhere — is something they cherish. Traveling within Qatar is a royal luxury enjoyed by commuters. Apart from enjoying their stay in great hotels and dining at fabulous restaurants, visitors and residents use the state-of-the-art Metro system to significantly cut commute times and travel hours across the country.With youth turning to healthy lifestyles and following their favourite players on the pitch ever so much, Qatar has played a torch-bearer’s role in pushing its sports agenda for every country in the region and the rest of the Asian continent. Even in the broadcasting sector, Qatar’s beIN Sports Network is watched — with multiple language options — by millions of homes around the world, thanks largely to its spectacular sports coverage throughout the year, 24 x7.Doha’s bid for the 2036 Olympic Games delivers on every promise made by the Qatari leadership. With unmatched sporting infrastructure in the country, to A-grade travel logistics, to organisational skills learned from hosting world cups and championships, Doha is ahead of the game.Sports builds bridges and promotes a healthy lifestyle, and Qatar is leading the show on this front. Yet, the athlete and fan experience extends far beyond the pitch. Qatar’s cultural scene seamlessly blends deep-rooted heritage with modern innovation, anchored by landmarks like the Museum of Islamic Art and the vibrant Katara Cultural Village. By offering a world-class environment for both competition and cultural discovery, Doha 2036 promises an Olympic Games that will be remembered forever. 

Assistant Undersecretary for Security Affairs at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) Sheikh Nayef bin Faleh bin Saud al-Thani met Monday with Commissioner for European Affairs, Export Control, Security and Defence Industry at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Dr Robert Dieter. During the meeting, the two sides discussed areas of security co-operation between the two friendly countries.They further discussed ways to enhance the exchange of expertise to contribute to developing the security work system and supporting joint efforts. 

Qatari suppliers are stepping up with innovative, environmental and sustainable materials that improve building performance while reducing environmental impact to support Saudi Arabia’s strides in making energy-efficient and sustainable growth in the building industry a top priority, as it accelerates its Vision 2030 plan.Insulation, modular components, high-performance finishing materials, solar-integrated lighting, energy-efficient HVAC systems, water management solutions, and eco-friendly structural elements are among the wide range of energy-efficient solutions offered by Qatari businesses.These materials help developers create long-lasting, future-ready projects, lower energy costs, and comply with green building standards. Ensuring that these solutions reach the Saudi market effectively, collaboration between institutions is also driving sustainable construction in Saudi Arabia.Supported by Qatar Development Bank (QDB), the Qatar Exports Office in Riyadh serves as a hub connecting Saudi developers, contractors, and procurement teams with approved Qatari vendors. The office provides supplier verification, matchmaking services, and market insights, ensuring Saudi stakeholders can access trusted partners for sustainable building projects.Qatari suppliers have already demonstrated their ability to deliver durable, environmentally friendly solutions at scale, making them ideal partners for projects ranging from commercial complexes to major residential developments and infrastructure. These partnerships not only strengthen Qatar-Saudi economic ties in the construction sector but also advance the Kingdom’s sustainability objectives.Among the Qatari companies at the forefront of the collaboration are HP Industries, Central Ventilation Systems, Beyond Lighting, and Al Ruwais Plastic Factory. Complementing these efforts, other prominent players such as Seashore Group, Suhail Engineering Industries, and Gulf GRC further strengthen Qatar’s commitment to technological innovation and environmental responsibility.Together, these suppliers bring innovative, sustainable products that are well-suited to the Kingdom’s growing demand for green building materials, infrastructure resilience, and smart urban development. Many more Qatari companies stand ready to respond to the Kingdom’s evolving needs. Saudi entities interested in exploring partnerships with Qatari suppliers or identifying energy-efficient building solutions are invited to connect directly with the Qatar Exports Office.

The Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Rwanda Prudence Sebahizi affirmed that the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the Rwandan capital Kigali reflects the depth of relations between the two countries and represents an important milestone in enhancing co-operation across various fields, especially economic and investment sectors.Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Sebahizi stated that bilateral relations have grown so fast and "built on mutual trust and co-operation, in Rwanda and Qatar, we have been trading to each other, but we also have other development co-operation, especially on the side of investment. Currently, Qatar Airways is investing in RWANDAIR, and jointly they are investing in the new airport in Rwanda, which is a good opportunity for Rwanda to position itself as a logistic hub, given our geographic location and also our relations with the rest of African countries". He added: "Our trade has grown more than 30%, which is a good indication that we have a lot of potential to trade to each other.Rwanda has been exporting coffee to Qatar. But at the same time we do import petroleum products and fertilisers and we think there is much more aspects of cooperation, especially in logistics and also innovation and ICT". The Minister pointed out: "Recently, we have signed a number of MoUs covering different areas of collaboration like ICT, education, agriculture, innovation, and so many others.This gives us assurance that there will be growing investment, even if today we don't have the size of investment on record, the most expected investment is the current project of expanding Kigali International Airport, and also investment in RWANDAIR". Sebahizi explained that Rwanda is a promising investment and tourism destination due to its stability and business-friendly environment, having ranked highly in World Bank reports on ease of doing business, making it one of the leading regional destinations for investment in tourism, hospitality, and technology sectors. In terms of ICT, he said, " Rwanda has been leading in ICT over the last 25 years in the region and the continent.We are among the best countries in the world in terms of policy framework to promote ICT. Again, I see Rwanda as a hub for investing in ICT". He added that Rwanda's membership in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) enhances its position as a key economic and trade centre connecting regional and international markets, stressing that co-operation with the State of Qatar could contribute to expanding economic development prospects at both bilateral and regional levels.Regarding his vision for strengthening co-operation between the two countries, Sebahizi said: " We also see it as a very good opportunity in terms of cooperation, because there is a lot we can learn from each other, the two countries that have the same vision, that have visionary leaders.There is a lot we can learn from that high-level leadership and also that friendship the two countries are enjoying". Concluding his remarks, Sebahizi addressed Qatari investors, inviting them to explore the promising opportunities Rwanda offers, affirming that his country enjoys political and economic stability and adopts transparent legal and regulatory frameworks that ensure investor protection.

The Working Group of the Qatari-Saudi Committee on Economy, Trade and Industry, part of the Qatari-Saudi Co-ordination Council, held their meeting recently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The meeting was co-chaired by Mohammed bin Hassan al-Malki, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Qatar, and Rakan bin Waddah Tarabzoni, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Planning for International Economic Affairs of Saudi Arabia. Senior officials from both countries also participated.During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the strong relations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia and discussed ways to enhance economic, trade, and industrial co-operation to serve shared interests.Discussions focused on mechanisms to facilitate import and export procedures, promote bilateral trade, and strengthen co-operation in key sectors.The parties reviewed progress on joint initiatives, addressed existing challenges, and explored potential solutions.In addition, the committee examined its strategic objectives and pathways to deepen economic integration and bilateral co-ordination, in line with the national visions of both countries.

The Ministerial Committee for Standardization Affairs of the GCC countries, has adopted 14 new draft Gulf technical regulations and converted 25 existing technical regulations into Gulf standard specifications. It also withdrew 34 technical regulations to keep pace with international developments and technological advancements in the markets.This occurred during the Committee's tenth meeting yesterday in Kuwait, chaired by the Kuwait's Minister of Commerce and Industry, and attended by ministers, heads of national standardization bodies, and delegations from member states.At the beginning of the meeting,Chairman of the GCC Standardization Organization, Engineer Nawaf bin Ibrahim Al Mana, presented the organization's progress report for the period from April to September of last year. The report highlighted key achievements and projects implemented in the fields of standardization, conformity assessment, and metrology, as well as strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening Gulf economic integration and supporting the competitiveness of Gulf industries.The esteemed committee also approved the Gulf Standardization Organization's budget for the fiscal year 2026, along with adopting the updated organizational structure and strategic plan for the period 2026-2030.These decisions come within the framework of ongoing efforts to develop the Gulf standardization system and enhance its institutional integration, contributing to the realization of the GCC Standardization Organization's 2030 vision, which aims to raise the efficiency of the legislative framework supporting Gulf products and improve their competitiveness in regional and global markets.These results also reflect the commitment of the Ministerial Committee and the GCC Standardization Organization to continue joint Gulf action in the fields of standardization, quality, and conformity assessment, and to consolidate the GCC system's position in regional and international forums, in line with the GCC Vision 2030, which aims for sustainable industrial and commercial development and enhanced economic integration among member states.

Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) achieved a major milestone by reducing the time required to establish a company in the country to two days.After a meeting chaired by HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani to review the performance of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the third quarter, MoCI noted, “The number of active commercial licences rose by 6.79%. Additionally, 4,631 new non-Qatari companies were established.” The meeting reviewed the key achievements of the third quarter and discussed detailed performance indicators across the ministry’s sectors and administrative units.Participants also examined existing challenges and proposed solutions to strengthen the implementation of plans and programmes, improve efficiency, and enhance institutional performance and service quality.The meeting was attended by HE the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed bin Hassan al-Malki besides senior officials.MoCI said the Commercial Affairs Sector demonstrated significant progress across its key performance indicators. The number of new commercial registrations increased by 81.5% compared to the same period in 2024, while active main and subsidiary registrations grew by 18.1%.It said the ‘Single Window’ platform added five new electronic services in the third quarter, bringing the total to 13 since the beginning of 2025.It processed 72,500 transactions, 89% of which were submitted electronically, achieving a customer satisfaction rate of 94%.In the Industrial and Business Development Sector, the contribution of manufacturing industries to GDP reached QR13.44bn in the second quarter and QR26.84bn in the first half of 2025.During the third quarter, some 30 factories were evaluated under the Smart Industry Readiness Index.During the same period, the Ministry enhanced collaboration with the private sector to identify and address challenges, resolving 35% of reported issues.As many as 12 PPP projects were studied during the year—three more than in the previous quarter—while four new projects were launched and one awarded in the third quarter.The Consumer Affairs Sector also recorded “positive” results, MoCI said.The number of specialised licences issued increased by 30.87% compared to the third quarter of 2024, with the issuance period reduced to one day.Processing times for pricing requests of goods and services also decreased compared to previous quarters.The number of ration card beneficiaries rose by 2.61%, and the number of fodder distributors increased by 96.9% year-on-year.MoCI reviewed the safety levels and strategic reserves of essential commodities and fodder, and successfully resolved more than 8,000 consumer complaints.At the market monitoring level, MoCI conducted 73,747 inspection campaigns across all administrative units, underscoring its commitment to market regulation and consumer protection.The meeting highlighted several notable achievements, including the entry into force of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between Qatar and Türkiye on August 1, aimed to reinforce mutual trade relations and ease investment restrictions. The Ministry also launched an electronic platform for public-private partnership (PPP) projects and introduced 20 new e-services spanning specialised licensing, market monitoring, competition protection, consumer protection, and combatting commercial fraud.During the third quarter, the Ministry rolled out the Single Window’s ‘Sharikati’ on mobile application, alongside a voluntary review programme for merger and acquisition projects. The Ministry also secured first place and received the Golden Award in the 11th National Cyber Drill.Other key developments included merging the land, sea and air freight activities under a single commercial registration, introducing a temporary commercial licence for service providers in the Sealine area, publishing the updated Industrial Sectors Directory, and issuing a comprehensive guide on trade name procedures.MoCI also organised the Public–Private Dialogue Forum, strengthened its strategic partnership with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and exempted certain categories of citizens from fees for the issuance or replacement of ration cards.HE Sheikh Faisal emphasised the importance of maintaining a results-driven, efficiency-based approach, advancing digital transformation, and continuously improving services to enhance the competitiveness of national economy in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has issued a circular compelling operators of commercial, industrial, and public establishments to record the prices of commodities and services on the ministry's website through online services.The move is part of MoCI’s efforts to promote the business environment and ensure transparent pricing in the domestic market.The circular aims to enable operators to easily record and update price data via the website, contributing to the development of an accurate and up-to-date nationwide database of commodity and service prices, the ministry highlighted in a statement Sunday.The statement further indicated that this procedure supports digital transformation efforts and enhances the mechanisms for monitoring prices in the domestic market, fostering transaction transparency while maintaining a balance between the interests of businesses and consumers.In addition, MoCI stressed the importance of accuracy in the data submitted during the registration process, in accordance with the provisions of Law No 12 of 1972 regarding compulsory pricing and profit margin regulations and their amendments, particularly Articles (1), (6), (9), and (10), which govern suppliers' obligations in alignment with the law and its executive regulations.The ministry further noted that it will continue to co-ordinate with operators of commercial activities to streamline the registration process and ensure enforcement of the relevant measures, in pursuit of stabilising the market and safeguarding consumers' rights.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has launched 20 new electronic services on its official website as part of the 2024–30 digital transformation strategy. The initiative aims to achieve excellence in governmental service provision and enhance user experience through full digital transformation in line with National Vision 2030. Affirming that the launch of these e-Services marks a significant step towards comprehensive digital transformation, MOCI said this development contributes to faster transactions, streamlined procedures, and enhanced service quality, ultimately strengthening Qatar’s business environment and competitiveness regionally and internationally. The ministry said users can access the new e-Services via its website through the e-Services section, using the National Authentication System (NAS) to ensure data security and confidentiality. The initiative seeks to simplify procedures, accelerate transaction processing, and improve efficiency, thereby enhancing services for consumers and investors and strengthening institutional excellence in government service provision. The newly launched services cover a wide range of MOCI's activities, including specialised licensing, market monitoring for goods and services, and price assessment for commercial establishments. They also include services related to competition and consumer protection, and combating commercial fraud, such as product recalls, handling and tracking complaints, and enabling users to submit complaints electronically and monitor inspection activities. Additionally, the new services integrate directly with the General Authority of Customs to facilitate product registration after customs clearance. Users can also view company information, track applications, and monitor their status through this service. These e-Services serve all user categories interacting with the ministry, including companies with recalled products, citizens and residents reporting consumer law violations, and business owners registering goods and services.

Foreign investors' net investment in South Korean stocks reached its highest level in more than 1 1/2 years last month amid expectations of improved conditions in the chip industry, central bank data showed Wednesday. Offshore investors purchased a net $4.34 billion worth of local stocks in September, marking the largest amount since February 2024, when net investment stood at $5.59 billion, according to the data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). It marked the second consecutive month of net inflows in foreign securities' investment, following $180 million in August. Foreign investors also bought $4.78 billion worth of bonds in September, rebounding from a net selling of $770 million a month earlier. "Foreign investment was focused on the electronics sector amid expectations of better conditions in the semiconductor industry," the BOK said. "The growth in bond investment was driven by rising demand for mid- to long-term bonds." According to the Korea Exchange (KRX), its semiconductor index rose 26.8 %, from 3,780.05 on Sept. 1 to 4,792.07 on Sept. 30, while the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 9 % over the same period. The central bank also noted that the Korean won weakened against the US dollar in September, falling to 1,402.9 won from August's 1,390.1 won.