An Indian expatriate was killed in a road accident near the entrance to the Mesaieed Industrial City (MIC) on Monday evening when the vehicle in which he was travelling hit the rear of a trailer parked along the road.

The victim, identified as Martin Kottackal (32), was employed in a private firm, providing support services to construction projects.

Kottackal was travelling in a mini van, driven by one of his colleagues when the accident took place. The injured driver has been admitted to hospital, sources said.

Kottackal reportedly died on the spot. He was a native of Champanoor, near Ankamaly in Kerala’s Ernakulam district. He leaves behind his wife and two children.

 

Metro tunnel excavation to begin next August

The excavation of tunnels for the Doha Metro will begin next August using the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) ‘Lebretha,’ Engineer Saad al-Muhannadi, CEO Qatar Rail, told Al-Sharq daily. The first of 21 massive Lebretha is expected be put to work on the Red Line North of the Metro line soon.The assembly of Lebretha machine, which arrived in Qatar in 30 parts, will start in the West Bay station and will drill the western tunnel, while Al Khore TBM will drill the eastern tunnel upon arrival.

 

Seminar highlights Qatar-British relations

The Diplomatic Institute yesterday organised a seminar on the Qatari-British relations.

British Ambassador to Doha Nicholas Houghton addressed the audience which inclueded a group of Foreign Ministry trainees and staff.

The British ambassador noted that it was his first visit to the Diplomatic Institute since assuming his post in July 2013.

He spoke of the half-a-century old ties between Qatar and Britain, referring back to when British vessels docked in the Gulf in order to trade while on their way to or from India.

In 2010, Houghton said, the British government decided to boost ties with Qatar, noting that his country is trying to build a true partnership with Doha. He said relations between Qatar and UK are based on shared history and culture.

 

Civic inspectors find labourers’ accommodation in ‘family areas’

Doha Municipality officials and Ministry of Labour inspectors jointly carried out inspections of labour accommodations on May 4 which revealed violations regarding housing labourers in ‘family areas,’ local daily Arrayah reported.

The inspection was carried out at a number of areas where labourers were being housed. It was led by municipality officials with participation from inspectors of the Ministry of Labour.

The main goal of the joint campaign was to prevent the housing of labourers in designated ‘family areas’ and also to determine whether the requirements of proper accommodation for migrant workers were being met.

The officials noted that a number of violations to the Law No15 of 2010 were being made.

 

Minister meets Jersey leader, reviews relations

The Minister of Economy and Trade HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani yesterday met with Jersey’s Treasury and Resources Minister Philip Ozouf Jr.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed relations between the two countries and means of bolstering and enhancing them, particularly in the economic, trade and investment affairs.

 

Real estate sales top QR647mn in a week

Real estate transactions between April 27 and May 1 for the real estate sales contracts registered at the Ministry of Justice were worth QR647,033,130, the real estate registration department at the ministry said in its weekly report.

The list of properties that were traded by sale includes open plots of land, two-floor villas, annexes, houses and residential compounds, which are located in the municipalities of Umm Salal, Al Khor, Doha, Al Rayyan, Al Shamal, Al Daayen and Al Wakrah.

 

Zekreet Camp to be active today

The General Command of the Qatari Armed Forces yesterday announced that Zekreet Camp will be active today from 7am to 10am, and on height of the ground level (12m).

The Qatari Armed Forces General Command warns those who frequent the area to take precautions for their own safety.