A Qatari student delegation sponsored by Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), is taking part in the 10th edition of the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) in Bhubaneswar, India, December 9-19, 2016. The delegation consists of ten students and supervisors will mark Qatar’s first participation and the first Arab participation in this international competition which began on December 9. At least 50 teams from various countries are coming together to compete and interact with each other.
Increase in sales of local farm products
The local agriculture products markets at Al Mazrouah, Al Wakrah, and Al Khor and Al Thakhira, recorded an increase in sales by around 13% during December 8-10, compared to the corresponding period from the week before.
The yards have been set up by the Agriculture Affairs Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) to promote local farms.
From December 8 to 10, a total of 25,200 boxes of vegetables were sold (11,400 at Al Mazrouah, 9,200 at Al Khor and Al Thakhira, and 4,900 at Al Wakrah). As many as 36,600 tonnes of fruits (15,500 tonnes at Al Mazrouah, 8,300 tonnes at Al Khore and 12,800 tonnes at Al Wakrah) were sold.
As for fish, 4,700 tonnes were sold with 3,300 tonnes at Al Mazrouah, and 1,400 tonnes at Al Khor and Al Thakhira. Besides, 103 trays of locally produced eggs were sold in addition to 1,395 domestic birds at the three locations.
Also sold were 164kg of honey, 16kg butter, and 292 heads of sheep and goats during the same period. The dates festival at Al Mazrouah recorded sales of 1,134kg of various types.
Qatar’s envoy to France presents credentials
Deputy Director of the Protocol Department at the French Foreign Ministry Jerome Cauchard has received a copy of the credentials of Qatar’s ambassador to France Khalid bin Rashid al-Mansouri.
Cauchard wished Qatar’s ambassador success in his mission and for bilateral relations further progress and prosperity.
BMW 3 Series, 5 Series & X5 model recalled
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), in collaboration with Alfardan Automobiles, has announced the recall of BMW 3 Series, 5 Series & X5 model year 2002-2005 over a potential defect in the gas generator of the driver’s airbag.
The MEC said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs.
The MEC will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
The MEC has urged all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department through the following channels: Hotline: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar
Emir condoles Indonesian quake victims
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani have sent cables to Indonesian President Joko Widodo condoling the victims of the earthquake which struck Indonesia’s Aceh province on Saturday.
Workshop on ‘countering terror financing’
The UK and Qatar are co-hosting a two-day workshop on ‘Countering Terrorist Financing’ in Doha from today, to encourage the introduction of commonality in the international response to financing of terrorism.
In a press statement, the UK embassy in Doha said the event is organised by Qatar’s National Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Committee and the UK’s Metropolitan Police National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit.
The workshop also aims to improve joint working and information exchange between domestic agencies and share best practice to equip delegates to respond effectively to terrorist financing risks.
The event will be opened by the UK Chargé d’Affaires Jacqueline Lawson-Smith and the chair of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Committee and Deputy Governor of the Qatar Central Bank, HE Sheikh Fahad Faisal al-Thani.
The topics to be discussed include methods to identify and monitor terrorist financing, and mechanisms to enhance the sharing of important information between the public and private sectors.
Delegates from a range of Qatari agencies are due to attend and speakers from UK include the National Crime Agency, Treasury and Revenue and Customs.
Minister meets US delegation
HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani met the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Anne Patterson, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Charles Rivkin, and their accompanying delegation in Doha yesterday.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry, the meeting reviewed bilateral relations between Qatar and the US, and discussed aspects of co-operation, especially in economic, trade and investment fields along with ways of developing them.
HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed al-Thani also met a delegation of businessmen and CEOs of leading US companies operating in various sectors.
