BBC Worldwide has announced that CBeebies will launch as a linear channel in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) on April 1 for subscribers of the beIN DTH service.
This is the first time that CBeebies is entering the Mena market as a full channel and will be available exclusively on beIN.
CBeebies is a 24-hour channel and will be available in original English audio. It can be viewed on the beIN platform, channel number 134.
Yousef al-Obaidly, deputy CEO of beIN Media Group, said: “Our partnership with BBC enhances our kids’ entertainment portfolio even further. I am sure that the CBeebies content will be consumed by our subscribers throughout the region.”
Natasha Hussain, vice-president and general manager for the Middle East and Mediterranean region, BBC Worldwide, noted: “We have a fantastic line-up of brand new programmes for viewers in the Mena region, which we know will entertain and educate local pre-schoolers in equal measure.”
CBeebies will introduce the following key titles:
Go Jetters, which follows the adventures of Xuli, Kyan, Lars and Foz, as they travel the world with their teacher, mentor and friend, Ubercorn.
Hey Duggee, an animated series where Duggee, a big lovable dog, runs a club for pre-schoolers.  
Sarah and Duck Series 2, which follows the adventures of Sarah and her loud, quacky friend Duck, as they explore the world around them in unexpected ways.
Clangers, which is a contemporary version of the British classic animated television show narrated by award-winning actor, writer, presenter and comedian Michael Palin. Katie Morag Series 2, which follows the adventures of Katie Morag, who lives with her family on a beautiful Scottish island.

QDF vouchers for Ooredoo customers
Ooredoo and Qatar Duty Free (QDF) have re-launched their Scratch and Win Competition. Ooredoo customers can win QDF Shopping gift vouchers up to QR1,000 while buying Ooredoo Passport Card at QDF at Hamad International Airport before April 30.
Customers will then be given a special scratch card which offers them a chance to win one of three prizes, a discount of QR50 / QR100 / QR1,000 for purchases at QDF. A wide range of products, including perfumes, food, clothes and souvenirs are available at QDF. Ooredoo Passport Card customers get 100 roaming minutes for all incoming, outgoing calls, 1GB of roaming mobile data in more than 60 countries and an extra 1GB of roaming mobile data for use in the GCC region. The Ooredoo Passport works on all GCC networks and while roaming in GCC customers can enjoy 4G speeds in the UAE (Etisalat), Saudi Arabia (Mobily & STC), Bahrain (Batelco), Kuwait (Ooredoo Kuwait) and Oman (Ooredoo Oman), at no additional cost.

Cadillac Escalade models recalled
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Mannai Trading Company, has announced the recall of Cadillac Escalade 2011-2012 models.
The recall is to rectify a problem caused by the outer diameter of the ignition key cylinder exceeding the standard diameter.
The MEC said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicles’ defects and repair them.
The MEC will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. The MEC has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department through the following channels: Hotline: 16001, e-mail: info@mec.gov.qa

Maritime audit gets under way
HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti said yesterday that maritime transport in Qatar had been developing in all aspects in accordance with Shariah, which values the safety of lives and the conservation of the environment.  
He highlighted in particular the development in ports, building of ships and dry docks. The minister was speaking at the opening session of the International Maritime Organisation’s mandatory audit for member states.
HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi attended the session along with Qatar’s director-general of Public Security Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi, who also serves as chairman of the permanent committee for emergency in the Ministry of Interior.
Al-Sulaiti said that his ministry’s plans involved improving the shipping capabilities of its ports. He thanked the international mandatory audit team and stressed that the ministry was committed to all agreements with the International Maritime Organisation. he added that the ministry would co-operate with the audit team to help make their visit a success.

Court reviewing money laundering, theft case
A Doha Criminal Court has been reviewing the case of four Nigerian men accused of money laundering and stealing £27,000, local Arabic daily reported yesterday.
The defendants received money from their partners abroad through an electronic transaction to their accounts in banks in Doha.
The money was split into various amounts and credited into different accounts.
Then, they would transfer the money back into a bank account in Nigeria. For each operation they would get an income of 25% of the transferred sum.
The Public Prosecution’s investigations revealed that such dubious practices were meant to cover up the original source of the money, which is believed to be criminal and illegal operations.
The court has adjourned the case to further hear from the witnesses and give the lawyer of the defendants the opportunity to submit his defence argument.

Motorist fined for road crash, driving without licence
An expatriate Tunisian motorist was fined QR1,000 for causing the injury of another motorist. He was also fined QR10,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid driving licence.
Local Arabic daily Arrayah has reported that the man was also ordered by a Doha Criminal Court to pay a sum of QR14,000 in collaboration with the insurance company concerned to the injured person as compensation for damages.
The accident took place at the Industrial Area, when the defendant wrongly overtook the vehicle of the victim crashing into his vehicle and causing him a body disability of 7%. Then, it turned out the defendant did not have a valid driving licence.

Awqaf Ministry constructs two new mosques
The authority of mosques at Qatar’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) has built two new mosques.
The new mosques are part of the Ministry’s plan to increase their number in line with the rise in population.  
The two mosques were completed this month. The first mosque can accommodate up to 536 male and 57 female worshippers and has rooms for three Imams, among other facilities. The second mosque can accommodate up to 300 male and 66 female worshippers and has a room for an Imam.  
The authority is responsible for determining the needs of different areas for mosques.