The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has issued a public tender to build a new 250-bed hospital near Qatar University, local Arabic daily Arrayah has reported.
Qualified contractors with experience in secondary and tertiary healthcare projects have been invited to submit their bids.
The facility will be spread over 62,000sqm. The project also includes an attached building and the construction of a car parking facility covering the basement and four storeys over 41,000sqm, providing 1,200
parking slots.
The new hospital will offer health services in various fields, such as internal medicine, gynaecology, general surgery, bone surgery and long-term medical care, among others.


FM receives phone call from French counterpart
HE the Foreign Minister Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah received a phone call from French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.
They reviewed the latest developments in the region, especially the crisis in Libya.
The two ministers, during the phone conversation, stressed their countries’ full support to the resumption of the Libyan national dialogue under the patronage of UN envoy to Libya.

Defence Minister meets ambassador of Belgium
HE the Minister of State for Defence Affairs Major General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah met Belgium’s Ambassador to Qatar Christophe Payot.
They discussed bilateral relations, focusing on military co-operation between the two countries and the means to enhance them. Non-resident military attache Colonel Jean Van Gils attended the meeting, as did a number of ranking officials from the armed forces.

Advisory Council holds meeting
The Advisory Council held its weekly session under the chairmanship of HE Deputy Speaker of the Advisory Council Issa bin Rabia al-Kuwari.
The council reviewed a draft law regulating the entry and exit of expatriates and their residency, and decided to refer it to the Internal and External Affairs Committee for a  report.
The Council also discussed the following reports:
1- A report by the Services and Public Utilities Committee on a draft law organising the registration of births and deaths.
2- A report on a draft law on the issuance of a unified guiding regulation for the control of substances that deplete the ozone layer in the GCC countries.

Court to hear Villaggio fire case closing arguments on June 15
The Court of Appeal has set June 15 as the date for hearing the closing defence arguments in the Villaggio fire case, local Arabic daily Arrayah has reported.
Nineteen people, including 13 toddlers, were killed in the fire that took place on May 28, 2012.
During the latest hearing in the case, a defence attorney argued that the wrong people were being held responsible for the incident and employees of the store where the fire started have not been held accountable, according to a source.
Four of the defendants were sentenced to six years in jail each by the Court of First Instance, while another person was given a five-year term.

Contracting company ordered to pay blood money
A Doha Criminal Court has ordered a contracting company to pay QR200,000 in blood money to the kin of an expatriate worker who was killed after an equipment fell on him at a worksite, local Arabic daily Al Watan has reported.
The court established that the company fell short of providing the necessary and legally required safety and security measures for its workers at the site.
Accordingly, such negligence resulted in the fall of the concrete pump on the said worker, causing him severe injuries that resulted in his death.

Minister honours participants of theatre workshop
HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari honoured the participants in a workshop on writing modern plays, which was held from May 10-June 8.
The Minister said in a speech marking the occasion that such a workshop helps create a new generation of talented theater writers.

Air India Express increases free baggage allowance
Air India Express has increased its free baggage allowance to 30kg all year round with immediate effect for all IX flights on Gulf-India routes, the airline said in a statement in Doha yesterday.
Tickets issued prior to June 5 are also entitled to 30kg of free baggage allowance.