The Public Works Authority (Ashgal) has confirmed that construction work along F Ring Road, which includes two intersections with traffic signals, is set to be completed before the year-end.

According to a local daily, road works along the intersection of F Ring Road and Al Muntazah Street are in progress, including the development of a tunnel along the main F Ring Road (first level) and construction work along Airport Road (second level).

Another road work involves an intersection on F Ring Road with Najma Street extension. This also includes construction of infrastructure utilities, development of service utilities, installation of traffic signals at the new intersections, and relocation of the underground pipes.

Ashgal added that other infrastructure works include construction of three pumping stations for sanitary water, connection of power lines, communications systems, and streets lights, and establishment of smart transportation systems.

 

Residents complain of accumulating construction debris

Several residents of Al Nasiriya, Al Gharafa and Azgawa have complained that debris and waste left behind by contractors executing infrastructure works in these areas are causing them a lot of inconvenience, local daily Al Sharq has reported.

They point out that the streets have not been paved after completion of the works and waste generated by the drainage project has not been removed as well. The residents say it is difficult for them to enter or exit these areas due to the accumulation of waste and excavation in some places, besides inadequate lighting, according to the report.

The residents have urged the authorities concerned to instal street lights, clear the waste and restore the streets to their original condition. They have also criticised some of the companies that have carried out the works, alleging that they have caused serious damage to the streets and pavements and left them in such condition on completion of the work, the report states.

Further, the residents have said the municipal authorities should strictly monitor the companies, which should not be paid their dues unless they clear the sites and restore them to their original condition, the report adds.

 

Golden Carnival at Joyalukkas showrooms

Jewellery retail chain Joyalukkas has announced the Joyalukkas Golden Carnival to coincide with the peak summer shopping period in Qatar.

Shoppers will get a chance to win “dream prizes” on making purchases worth QR500 at any of the Joyalukkas showrooms across the country.

“With the addition of mega winnings of 12 BMW 3 Series cars and 2kg gold, we now hope to also make our customers’ dreams come true. For this summer, we have planned exquisite collections with best prices so that shoppers during this season get the best value for their money,” said Joy Alukkas, chairman and MD, Joyalukkas Group.

The Joyalukkas Golden Carnival will continue until August 2 and, in addition to the 12 BMW cars and 2kg gold, customers are also being offered a “zero deduction” scheme.

Customers can exchange their old jewellery with zero deduction in rate or weight against the purchase of new jewellery. Joyalukkas has also introduced a host of new summer collections and designs in gold, diamond, polki, pearl and precious stones to meet the demands and expectations of summer shoppers.

“Our objective is to make this summer special for every shopper at Joyalukkas,” said John Paul Joy Alukkas, executive director.

 

Online shopping sites must obtain licences: experts

Experts and business women have highlighted the importance of safe shopping online at commercial websites, local Al-Arab Daily reported.

They called for registration and licensing of such sites by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce to ensure that online shopping remains safe.

Many people prefer to shop online since it is easy to buy goods at competitive prices. However, shoppers would feel more comfortable if such websites obtained licences from the ministry.

Such a move would also guarantee the protection of consumers’ rights and protect online shoppers from fraud.

Experts told Al-Arab daily there are dangers to shopping online because of the existence of certain malware programs used by Internet hackers.

 

FM attends conference in Athens

HE the Foreign Minister Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah led Qatar’s delegation to the third joint meeting between Arab foreign ministers and the European Union, which was held in Athens yesterday. The meeting discussed issues of mutual concern between Arab countries and the EU. It also discussed illegal immigration as well as disarmament and creating a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

HE Dr al-Attiyah met Arab League Secretary General Dr Nabil al-Arabi, Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Hamad al-Sabah, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and his Lithuanian counterpart Linas Linkevicius  on the sidelines of the meeting. Latest developments in the Middle East were discussed.

 

Indian embassy emergency helplines

The Indian embassy has announced helplines to attend to any labour and consular emergency of Indian nationals in Qatar.

The labour helplines: P S Sasi Kumar, deputy chief of mission/welfare officer, 44255704, 55572871 (mobile), e-mail:dcm.doha@mea.gov.in; Sarup Singh, assistant labour officer, 44255714, 33451607 (mobile), e-Mail:labourofficer@qatar.net.qa.

Consular helplines: Suneel Thapliyal, second secretary (consular), 44255708, 55568571 (mobile), e-mail:hoc.doha@mea.gov.in; A K Datyal, attaché (consular), 44255725, 33769361, e-mail:cons.doha@mea.gov.in; Manoj Kumar, attaché (consular), 44255711, 44255713, 33775900 (mobile), e-mail:cons.doha@mea.gov.in

Qatar calls for protection of journalists’ rights

Qatar has called for protection and promotion of journalists’ rights.

Addressing a panel discussion on the safety of journalists in Geneva yesterday, Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva HE Faisal bin Abdullah al-Henzab said: “We emphasise the responsibility of states to protect journalists and to ensure a safe environment for the performance of their work, and not to take any measures to limit their freedom.” 

He highlighted Qatar’s interest in sponsoring  media freedom and the  defence of journalists which, he said, was reflected in a variety of events and activities, notably the establishment of the Doha Centre for Media Freedom in 2007.

 

Indian embassy emergency helplines

The Indian embassy has announced helplines to attend to any labour and consular emergency of Indian nationals in Qatar.

The labour helplines: P S Sasi Kumar, deputy chief of mission/welfare officer, 44255704, 55572871 (mobile), e-mail:dcm.doha@mea.gov.in; Sarup Singh, assistant labour officer, 44255714, 33451607 (mobile), e-Mail:labourofficer@qatar.net.qa.

Consular helplines: Suneel Thapliyal, second secretary (consular), 44255708, 55568571 (mobile), e-mail:hoc.doha@mea.gov.in; A K Datyal, attaché (consular), 44255725, 33769361, e-mail:cons.doha@mea.gov.in; Manoj Kumar, attaché (consular), 44255711, 44255713, 33775900 (mobile), e-mail:cons.doha@mea.gov.in

 

National library hosts symposium

Qatar National Library (QNL), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, jointly with World Digital Library (WDL), has hosted the 2014 WDL Arab Peninsula Regional Group Symposium on heritage preservation and awareness. 

The two-day symposium, entitled “Preserving Cultural Heritage Content Training  – A legacy for the future,” took place at the Qatar National Convention Centre and attracted more than 40 participants  including  senior representatives, professors and librarians from a number of libraries and universities.