Alert teacher helps avert fire at school
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A major fire at Doha Modern Indian School at Abu Hamour was averted by an alert teacher early morning yesterday. The incident was reported around 6.15am. |
The teacher, staying in the school’s accommodation in the neighbourhood, saw smoke emanating from one end of a corridor while she was carrying out her daily safety inspection.
The alert lady immediately reported it to the security personnel on duty, who in turn informed the Civil Defence, said a senior school official.
The Civil Defence personnel rushed to the school with two fire engines, accompanied by an ambulance and a water tanker.
Meanwhile a number of children, mainly those who travel by school buses, had already arrived but were asked to wait outside the school building by the authorities.
“The Civil Defence teams carried out their duties impeccably in no time and on their instructions the children were given a holiday by the school authorities,” said the staff member. He added that the fleet of 45-odd school buses, accompanied by a teacher and a helper each, dropped every child back home safely later.
This is the second fire reported in a school in recent weeks.
Culture Minister holds talks with South African ambassador
HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari met South Africa’s ambassador to Qatar Dr Saad Cachalia in Doha yesterday.
During the meeting, they discussed the prospects of cultural co-operation between the two countries and ways to develop them, as well as the provisions of the proposed cultural agreement between the two sides. They also reviewed the cultural events to be held in Qatar and South Africa.
Doha to host Balkan-Arab relations conference
Doha is hosting the “Balkan-Arab relations” conference organised by the Forum of Arab and International Relations, in Katara on 19-20 November.
Dr Mohammed Hamid al-Ahmari, Director of the Forum of Arab and International Relations, will open the conference while former Bosnian president Dr Haris Silajdzic will deliver a speech at the opening session.
This conference will review the evolution of the Arab-Balkan relations over 3,000 years, which have witnessed various developments in different historical stages, reinforced by religious, political, and historical factors.
The conference aims to identify the major phases in the history of these relations by studying the various political, economic and cultural aspects.
NHRC chief meets Belgium envoy
Chairman of Qatar National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri met the ambassador of Belgium to Qatar Christophe Payot in Doha yesterday. They discussed ways to co-operate on issues of common interest.
Traffic woes fuel relocation demand of market
Some residents have called for shifting Souq Haraj from its current locality, Najma, to a less crowded area, local Arabic daily Al Sharq reports.
The market, which is known as a hub for a variety of affordable products, including used ones, is visited by a large number of people on weekends, leading to traffic congestion in the area. Besides, trucks and pick-ups load and unload furniture and other goods in and around the market as well as at the entry points, adding to the traffic woes, the report states.
People interviewed by the daily have stressed the importance of Souq Haraj, saying the prices charged by sellers there are lower than in malls. Due to this, many shoppers prefer going to this market in Najma to buy various types of goods, according to the report.
Speaking on the issue of relocating Souq Haraj, a trader said such a move might make it difficult for customers to visit the market. Its current location, he added, was a convenient one and people could easily reach the spot, the report adds.
34 violations by showrooms, rentals
Some 34 violations have been recorded against vehicle showrooms and car rentals in Bin Mahmoud for misuse of parking spaces and occupying pavements, local Arabic daily Arrayah has reported.
This was revealed by Ali Nasser al-Hajri, chief of the general control section in the Doha Municipality. The control section has been conducting a campaign along with the Traffic Department to detect violations pertaining to abandoned vehicles, misuse of parking spaces and occupying sidewalks, the report states.
Violations have also been recorded with regard to abandoned cars. The offending parties have been instructed to abide by the relevant laws and not commit such violations, the report adds.
