Emir receives phone call from Tunisian leader

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday received a telephone call from Tunisia’s President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki.

The Emir and the Tunisian president reviewed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them, as well as the latest developments in Palestine, particularly the Gaza Strip.

Emir, PM greet
Sudan president

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior  Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani have sent cables of congratulation to Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir on the successful surgery he underwent,  wishing him a speedy recovery.

 Qatar-Bolivia
ties reviewed

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a telephone conversation with President Evo Morales Ayma of Bolivia.  

Discussions dealt with bilateral relations between Qatar and Bolivia.

Pakistan embassy
to celebrate I-Day

A flag-hoisting ceremony will be held at the Pakistan embassy tomorrow to mark the Independence Day of Pakistan.

The embassy has invited all Pakistanis to attend the ceremony, which will be held at 7.30am. Guests are requested to be seated by 7.15am.

The embassy will be closed for consular services tomorrow.

Concern over fee
hikes by schools

A section of parents has reiterated the concern over fee hikes by schools, local daily Al Arab has reported.

They argued that the reasons submitted by schools to the Supreme Education Council to get their fee hike pleas approved were routine arguments used by officials annually to justify their stand, the report states.

The most common arguments put forward by the schools include high rents, inflation and development of laboratories. However, the parents claim that the figures pertaining to rents and inflation are exaggerated, adding that schools do not need to regularly develop their labs.

Meanwhile, Central Municipal Council vice-chairman Jassim al-Malki said rising expenses was a key issue and that some of the private schools hired qualified staff and spent a lot of money on modernisation.

However, these factors do not call for an annual rise in tuition fees to such an extent that parents find it difficult to bear the heavy expenses.

On the issue of rents, a citizen said lease agreements for many school buildings are entered into for 10 years and there is no justification for an annual increase in fees.

Duracell, HMC team up for charity

Duracell and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) have joined hands for a charity initiative titled “1 Pack = 1 Smile. Duracell will donate toys to children being treated at the HMC’s facilities in Qatar for every pack of Duracell TurboMax bought until August 30. Duracell TurboMax battery packs for the charity initiative is displayed at all major hypermarkets and supermarkets across Qatar.