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Protesters calling for further government help to lower ​the cost of fuel ‌clogged up busy thoroughfares and motorways with parked lorries ‌and tractors across ⁠Ireland Wednesday, disrupting commuters and public transport ‌for a second successive day.Convoys of vehicles began converging on ⁠Dublin's city centre and other towns and cities on Tuesday, with protesters, including hauliers and farmers, complaining that a 250mn euro package to temporarily cut taxes on petrol and diesel did not go far enough to cushion the knock-on cost of the Middle East conflict."With the price we're paying for fuel, I'm ​probably two months away from my business folding," said Christopher Duffy, 46, an agricultural contractor who was part of a group blocking Dublin's main thoroughfare ‌of O'Connell Street that ⁠is calling for the ​price of diesel to be capped at a ​lower rate."It's not a lot to ask for really... We're just backed into a corner."Ministers said they would not agree to the protesters' demands to meet with them as they did not belong to representative groups with whom the government has been engaging on supports. Organisers pledged a third day of disruption today."We respect people's right to protest but what is not acceptable is people declaring that we will ‌turn O'Connell Street into a ‌car park," Prime Minister Micheal ⁠Martin told a news conference.The lining of tractors and trucks down ⁠O'Connell Street led to ⁠severe delays to bus services and the part suspension of one of the two tram lines that cross the city. Significant traffic delays were also reported at motorways leading into other major cities.Protests at two fuel depots blocking deliveries into the cities of Galway and ​Limerick had led to at least one forecourt running out of fuel, the head of the representative body for forecourt operators told national broadcaster RTE.Ireland's government welcomed a two-week ceasefire in the Iran conflict and expected it to lead to a fall in fuel prices soon."If they give us that phone call or that meeting, the streets of Dublin will be cleared. If they don't, ‌we'll stay as long ​as it'll take," said 61-year-old farmer and agricultural contractor John Dallon. 

Amidst confusion over the US-Iran talks, the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) Tuesday reopened after Eid holidays with a huge 141 points decline, knocking off about QR11bn in capitalisation.The transport, banking and industrials counters witnessed higher than average selling pressure as the 20-stock Qatar Index fell 1.37% to 10,150.7 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,320 points.The Gulf institutions were seen net profit takers in the main market, whose year-to-date losses mounted further to 5.68%.More than 72% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation eroded QR10.85bn or 1.78% to QR600.18bn mainly on large and small cap segments.The Arab individuals turned net sellers in the main market, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decrease.The domestic funds were seen bearish in the main bourse, which saw as many 0.04mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank and Doha Bank) valued at QR0.26mn trade across 29 deals.The Gulf retail investors were increasingly net sellers in the main market, which saw a total of 0.23mn sovereign bonds and sukuk valued at QR2.31bn change hands across six transactions.The Islamic index was seen declining slower than the other indices of the main bourse, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Total Return Index shed 1.37%, the All Share Index by 1.49% and the Al Rayan Islamic Index by 0.76% in the main bourse.The transport sector index tanked 2.81%, banks and financial services (1.71%), industrials (1.52%), insurance (1.3%), real estate (0.84%) and telecom (0.3%); while consumer goods and services gained 0.35%.As many as 39 declined, while 14 gained and one was unchanged in the main market.Major shakers in the main market included Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance, Estithmar Holding, Nakilat, Gulf International Services, Qamco, QNB, Lesha Bank, Baladna, Mosanada Facilities Management Services, Industries Qatar, Ezdan, Qatar National Cement, Mazaya Qatar and Gulf Warehousing.Nevertheless, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, Ahlibank Qatar, Doha Bank, Nebras Energy, Vodafone Qatar and Milaha were among the gainers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares appreciate in value.The Gulf funds turned net sellers to the tune of QR25.52mn compared with net buyers of QR27.87mn on March 18.The Arab retail investors were net sellers to the extent of QR15.47mn against net buyers of QR5.05mn last Thursday.The domestic funds turned net sellers to the tune of QR8.25mn compared with net buyers of QR138.22mn the previous trading day.The Gulf individuals’ net profit booking grew marginally to QR0.64mn against QR0.28mn on March 18.However, the local retail investors’ net buying increased significantly to QR74.01mn compared to QR40.84mn last Thursday.The foreign retail investors were net buyers to the extent of QR6.33mn against net sellers of QR0.3mn the previous trading day.The foreign institutions’ net selling decreased drastically to QR30.46mn compared to QR211.4mn on March 18.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the fourth straight session.The main market saw 23% contraction in trade volumes at 212.78mn shares and 41% in value to QR748.34mn but on 79% increase in deals to 55,923.In the venture market, a total of 0.05mn equities valued at QR0.1mn changed hands across 14 transactions. 

Qatar's civil aviation authority has declared the country's air transport sector remains under "full operational control" despite heightened regional tensions and unprecedented risks to airspace safety.In an interview with Qatar News Agency, Acting President of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) Mohammed bin Faleh al-Hajri said operations continue to be managed to the highest safety and efficiency standards, even as the region faces significant security challenges.Al-Hajri described a phased response to the crisis based on continuous risk assessment, which led to the partial reopening of Qatar's airspace on March 7 following an initial precautionary closure. Flights have since resumed on a limited basis using designated air corridors, under strict monitoring and in coordination with the armed forces.He said recent Iranian attacks had a "direct and tangible" impact on the region's aviation environment, including Qatari airspace, warning of sharply increased risks posed by drones, missiles, and debris from air defence systems, as well as hazards such as aircraft misidentification and operations in restricted or high-risk airspace zones.Authorities have treated Qatar's airspace as a highly sensitive operational environment, restricting flights to approved routes and carefully controlled capacities. Initial operations focused on evacuation flights and cargo services, with civil air traffic gradually increasing to maintain essential connectivity and supply chains. QCAA and Qatar Airways worked closely with national partners to assist stranded passengers and sustain cargo operations, ensuring the continued flow of essential goods into the country.A range of contingency measures were introduced, including revised emergency plans, tightened air traffic procedures, and expanded reliance on overseas maintenance providers. Qatar Airways was authorised to operate maintenance stations abroad to support 188 stranded aircraft. At Hamad International Airport, aircraft were repositioned to safer locations, firefighting units redeployed, and construction on one runway temporarily suspended.On airspace security, Al Hajri said QCAA had activated round-the-clock communication channels, increased inspection and patrol operations, and shared a regional regulatory document with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and neighbouring countries on managing airport security during conflicts. Risk information from civil aviation authorities in neighbouring countries and international organisations is continuously monitored to inform directives.He outlined an integrated risk management methodology underpinning all operational decisions, encompassing the identification of approved and closely monitored air corridors, continuous civil-military coordination, a prior approval mechanism for each flight, enhanced fuel planning, identification of alternative airports, special crew briefings, and the implementation of exceptional operational procedures.Securing Qatari airspace, he added, relies on a multi-layered system incorporating advanced radar, continuous airspace coverage, real-time flight tracking, and precise aircraft separation standards, all directly integrated with military authorities and joint operations centres through advance flight plan sharing.Emergency plans have been activated across all civil aviation sectors. In aviation security, evacuation plans were implemented, airport entry points reduced, and staffing brought to a minimum to avoid operational disruption. In air navigation, measures included immediate traffic management, flight diversion when necessary, regulated traffic through specific operational windows, and the activation of direct communication channels between all relevant parties. A guidance document on airspace management during emergencies was also issued, alongside an air circular on navigation emergency procedures to strengthen readiness within the Doha Flight Information Region.Al-Hajri stressed that the air traffic control system is operating at a high level of readiness, with comprehensive airspace coverage, accurate real-time tracking, improved aircraft separation procedures, and direct military integration — all of which, he said, contributed to managing the situation with high efficiency. He noted that QCAA periodically conducts exercises simulating emergency scenarios, including partial or total airspace closure, loss of communications, and operations under security or military restrictions, with lessons continuously incorporated to sharpen future readiness.Concluding his remarks, Al Hajri affirmed QCAA's round-the-clock monitoring of all developments and reiterated that the safety and security of civil aviation remains the state's top priority. All operational decisions, he said, are taken on the basis of precise professional risk assessment and in full coordination with the relevant national authorities. What has been achieved during this period, he added, reflects Qatar's ability to manage exceptional circumstances efficiently and professionally. 

Qatar Chamber, in co-operation with the General Authority of Customs (GAC), called on shipping companies operating in the country to register in the International Road Transport (TIR) system to ensure the continuity of commercial operations amid the current circumstances.  In light of the current challenges facing the country and the potential difficulties that the business sector may face in transporting goods, the chamber announced the provision of alternative solutions, along with distinguished customs facilities, for transporting goods and merchandise through the TIR system across the land border with Saudi Arabia utilising the fast track.  This is in addition to the speedy completion of customs procedures and transactions through the Al‑Nadeeb Electronic Customs Clearance System. Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani said the chamber has called on shipping and transport companies operating in the country to register in the e-TIR system to ensure the continuity of commercial operations amid the current circumstances in the country and the region.  He noted that the chamber issues TIR carnets, guarantees transport operations under the system, and provides transport operators with access to the e-TIR system in cooperation with the GAC through the Al-Nadeeb system.  TIR is an international customs transit system that allows goods to move from a country of origin to a country of destination in sealed load compartments under customs control throughout the supply chain, using a single international guarantee that eliminates the need for costly guarantees in each country of transit. It is noteworthy that Qatar joined the TIR Agreement in January 2019, with Qatar Chamber appointed as the national guarantor responsible for issuing TIR carnets.  The e-TIR system was implemented through the Al-Nadeeb system in integration with the TIR platform as of May 2025, allowing the required procedures to be completed electronically without the use of paper documents in export, import, and transit operations. The TIR system currently includes 76 countries worldwide and continues to expand as more countries seek to join. Qatar Chamber is the national guarantor responsible for the TIR system and an active member of the International Road Transport Union (IRU).

As the blue-and-white tram carriages rattle into a large square in the heart of Alexandria, doors creak open to a crush of passengers, many of whom can recite every stop by heart.However, the clatter of single and double-deck trams along this century-and-a-half-old line – a source of civic pride and transport alike for tens of thousands of daily commuters in Egypt's second city – is soon to be stopped.Next week, authorities are starting a sweeping renovation aimed at replacing the nearly 14km (nine-mile) line's worn but beloved trams with a digitally controlled light rail system, one of the latest projects in a broader push to revamp Egypt’s road and rail networks under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.**media[410676]**The National Authority for Tunnels says the renovations should roughly double current speed, cutting end-to-end travel time along a similar route by over half an hour, and boost passenger capacity.While some commuters welcome the renovation plan, others worry that construction could ensnarl narrow streets, that ticket prices could jump, or that works, planned over two years, might have to be extended.Some are mourning the loss of one of the Mediterranean city's most treasured features."It's not just a means of transport," said Fatma Hussein, 63, a retired agricultural engineer who has ridden the tram since her school days. "It's our memories... our history. You can develop it, but why stop it? Why deprive employees, students and the people who use it all the time?"Launched in the 1860s, the Raml line is a rare holdout of double-decker trams.Wide carriage windows frame Alexandria’s tree-lined streets, dilapidated apartment blocks and historic villas.With standard tickets costing just five Egyptian pounds (about $0.10), it also remains an affordable option for workers, students and pensioners amid rising living costs.Alexandrian novelist Alaa Khaled, who grew up near the tramline, recalls how he used to make rides into a game with his father, climbing between the tram's floors to see the city from different angles."Even now, I still take the whole journey and gaze at the villas and trees as a window onto the history of the city, or just sit down and read," he said.Architect and urban mobility specialist Yasmin Kandil said she worried that the light rail project, which includes elevating parts of the line to bypass intersections, will prioritise vehicles and speed while distorting the city's aesthetics.Residents' concerns have been fuelled by the recent suspension of the local Abu Qir rail line for conversion into a metro line, which commuters say worsened congestion and left travellers scrambling for alternatives.Authorities say they will deploy replacement buses during the construction of the light rail to limit disruption.The National Authority for Tunnels, which manages the tram and its renovation, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.The European Investment Bank is providing €138mn ($165mn) for the project and lists the total cost at about €592mn ($708mn).France’s development agency is also providing financing.Alexandria has another tram line, the City Line, which has newer trams and has yet to be slated for renovations.However, the loss of the Raml line will be "painful", said 52-year-old tram driver Mahmoud Ramadan, who has worked on the tram network since 1997 and said he met his wife on the job."Not everyone will understand," he said. "It's your home and your life for 30 years.” 

Electric vehicle sales rebounded strongly in Germany in 2025, official data showed Tuesday, with Chinese manufacturers making inroads from a low base in the EU's largest economy despite tariffs.EV sales rose 43.2% last year to 545,142 in total, the KBA federal transport authority said, representing 19.1% of all new cars sold.Chinese EV giant BYD — which last year overtook Elon Musk's Tesla to become the world's largest electric carmaker — saw its German sales rise over 700% to more than 23,000 cars, giving it 0.8% of the overall auto market."International vehicle manufacturers with affordable battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids have contributed disproportionately to growth in these segments," said Imelda Labbe, head of the VDIK foreign carmakers' lobby in Germany.The European Union in 2024 introduced higher tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars, alleging that they benefitted from unfair subsidies.That has not stopped sales of Chinese cars rising across the bloc, with the country's carmakers keen to crack foreign markets amid cut-throat competition at home.Rising EV sales are also some rare good news for Germany's beleaguered carmakers, which have invested heavily in the technology in recent years, and are seeking to comply with European Union environmental rules.Though the European Commission in December proposed scrapping a planned 2035 ban on new combustion-engine vehicles, carmakers would still have to cut emissions by 90% from 2021 levels under its latest plan, and need to see dramatic sales growth.The rise in EV sales last year comes after a fall of almost 30% in 2024 following the withdrawal of government subsidies, and Germany's electric car market is still smaller than optimists had hoped for."We haven't seen a real boom yet," EY analyst Constantin Gall said. "The hoped-for surge in e-mobility in Germany is proving to be much more protracted and difficult than expected."After the decline in the market in 2024, the government said in December it would introduce subsidies again.Some motorists will be able to benefit from €5,000 ($5,855) for the purchase of new EVs or hybrids so long as their components are largely made in Germany.But industry figures say that better charging infrastructure and cheaper power would be needed to really boost EVs and warned that the planned subsidy would have limited impact."The state subsidies will only be available to households on low and middle incomes," Gall said. "But it is high-earners who tend to buy new electric cars."Weak sales at home have compounded the challenges facing Germany's car industry.It was already contending with the costs of investing in EVs and cratering sales in key market China even before US President Donald Trump last year slapped tariffs on cars and auto parts.Volkswagen, Europe's largest carmaker, is in the process of cutting 35,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 under a deal reached with unions in a bid to slash costs.Overall car sales in Germany rose just 1.4% last year to about 2.9mn vehicles, the KBA said — roughly 750,000 fewer than were sold in 2019 before the Covid pandemic and Germany's economy sank into stagnation."The weak economy, increasing job insecurity and the multitude of political, social and economic crises are taking their toll," Gall said. 

His Excellency the Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Thani met Saturday with Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Lt Gen Kamel Wazir. Held on the sidelines of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) General Assembly meetings in London, the meeting discussed the two countries' bilateral co-operation relations in the fields of transport, shipping and ports.The two sides also reviewed ways to further enhance these relations, particularly with regard to maritime navigation.  

Qatar Tuesday participated in the 38th Session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Transport, in Cairo.The Qatari delegation was headed by His Excellency the Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Thani.The meeting discussed several topics on the areas of pan-Arab ground, maritime, air, and multimodal transportation, including regulating the road transportation of passengers and goods between and across Arab countries, creating a comprehensive Arab e-platform for road, rail, maritime and multimodal transportation, and unifying Hazmat transportation protocols.The meeting also discussed a study on approving the components of smart and sustainable transportation as a reference for developing transportation strategies, in addition to developing and sharing information on transportation, warehousing and logistics transportation strategies, promoting the use of clean energy in ground transportation, exchanging lessons learnt and expertise, and assessing the efficiency of goods and passenger transportation across the member states.

Syrian Minister of Transport Yaarub Bader met with Manager of Transport Global Practice for the Middle East & North Africa at the World Bank, Ibrahim Dajani. During the meeting, they reviewed several vital projects for developing the infrastructure and rail transport sectors in Syria, efforts to rehabilitate urban roads and improve transportation, as well as a strategic plan to modernize and rehabilitate the railway network.Both sides emphasized that these projects are crucial for sustainable development and achieving economic integration among Syrian governorates.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has announced a mandatory temporary suspension of all maritime navigation activities for vessel owners, following the discovery of a technical malfunction in the Global Positioning System (GPS), which may affect the accuracy of marine navigation devices and compromise sailing safety.In a circular issued Saturday, the ministry stated that the directive is to be enforced immediately upon issuance and will remain in effect until the technical issue is resolved. The ministry emphasised that this measure reflects its commitment to ensuring the safety of sea-goers and their secure return to ports.

Represented by the Ministry of Transport (MoT), the State of Qatar is taking part in the 2nd edition of the Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference, which opened in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, on Tuesday.Multiple transportation and infrastructure government and private organizations, experts and specialists are participating in Global Rail 2025, which runs through Oct. 2.An MoT booth at the event is featuring mockups and visual presentations on Qatari public transportation and railways projects, as well as land transportation plans and strategies, including ITSs, environmental sustainability solutions, and the full electrification of public bus fleet to 100 percent by 2030.MoT booth visitors can also experience steering the Lusail Tram and virtually walking inside Doha Metro stations and trains with the VR technology provided by Qatar Rail team at the booth.Several Arab and GCC ministers have visited MOT booth, which also saw a large turnout from several officials, experts, and general visitors, who were impressed by the Qatari sustainable public transit model and the outstanding achievements in terms of smart infrastructure and projects.MoT continues its focus on creating a fully integrated, smart and sustainable transportation system to contribute to achieving the goals of the Qatar NDS3, MOT Strategy 2025-2030, and QNV 2030.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) Strategy 2025-30 focuses on environmental sustainability and digital transformation to ensure modern and inclusive transportation, a senior official has said.While talking to Qatar TV, Sheikha Dana bint Abdullah al-Thani, the head of the MoT’s Strategic Planning Department, said that the ministry’s strategy takes into account elements of environmental sustainability and digital transformation to ensure modern transportation that serves everyone.The MoT recently launched the strategy under the slogan Reaching Beyond Horizons.It features an ambitious roadmap focused on developing the transportation and mobility industry in Qatar and enhancing its role in economic growth, sustainability and innovation.The strategy is based on the ministry’s vision of “an integrated, secure, resilient, and sustainable transport ecosystem” and mission of “driving the development of the transport ecosystem towards high logistic efficiency while supporting the pillars of Qatar National Vision”.“The strategy is not limited to infrastructure, but rather focuses on people first and makes daily transportation a smoother and safer experience,” Sheikha Dana said. “The strategy takes into account elements of accessibility to serve everyone with high quality and sustainable efficiency.”One of the most prominent expected impacts of the strategy is reducing traffic congestion and travel time, which are hindrances to traffic safety, through developing roads and activating integrated public transportation while providing multiple flexible transportation options.These include public and smart transportation and bicycles in addition to improving air quality by reducing emissions and encouraging clean transportation methods.The MoT official said that the new strategy includes 42 initiatives and 152 projects.Sheikha Dana added that it represents a comprehensive roadmap for developing the country’s transportation sector, enabling economic growth through supporting logistics services and strengthening the mobility of people and goods as well as customer-centric services in addition to enhancing the utilisation of existing services and infrastructure.The projects and initiatives also ensure sustainability and resilience through policies and technologies that support reducing emissions and developing human capital.Sheikha Dana said that the strategy covers various transportation sectors including land and maritime transport.“There are supporting projects in the areas of digital transformation, sustainability and capacity development,” she stressed. “In its first phase, a group of vital projects and initiatives will be launched.”