The Ministry of Culture has meticulously sought to present various facets of Qatar's history and heritage through a myriad of cultural events as part of the ongoing National Day celebrations, which will continue until Dec. 18 at Darb Al Saai in Umm Salal.For the first time in 2024, the Ministry has introduced a new event under the title Sana Qatar, aimed at highlighting various aspects of Qatar's history and heritage. This unique initiative showcases a range of documentary films, interactive games, and large-scale display screens, all contributing to a dynamic and immersive experience for attendees.In his speech to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Sana Qatar event supervisor, Anas Al Shayji, highlighted that the event is a digital art exhibition that focuses on immersive video experiences, utilizing advanced display technologies and awe-inspiring digital content. It enables the audience to engage with a new realm of artistic exploration, moving beyond passive observation to create a deeper and more personal connection.He added that the exhibition communicates cultural, social, and technological messages, offering a unique space where art and creativity converge, serving as a significant platform for contemporary artistic expression, in addition to showcasing Qatar's vision of merging creativity with cutting-edge technology, while simultaneously fostering imagination and introducing aspects of Qatari history.Al Shayji highlighted that the exhibition comprises three distinct sections, each dedicated to showcasing the history and progress of the nation through digital displays on expansive screens adorning the event's walls. The first section, titled From the Qatari environment, invites children to draw images inspired by animals and birds native to Qatar, which are then scanned and projected onto the large electronic screens.The second section, known as the coffee section, is designed in an extremely modern fashion, reflecting the technological aspect of the exhibit, offering visitors a spatial journey akin to navigating the electronic universe, with the third section, titled Al Baraaha, largely comprising of three-dimensional screens, where three short films about Qatar are presented: from Qatar, the sea, and the sword.He indicated that the title of the exhibition, Sana, meaning radiant light, symbolically alludes to the remarkable cultural renaissance currently unfolding in the State of Qatar.

HE Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah Thursday inaugurated Rawdat Al Hamama Public Park, which features the longest air-conditioned outdoor track in the world with a length of 1,197 meters, with the aim of encouraging the public to practice jogging and walking.The Public Works Authority (Ashghal), in coordination with the Public Parks Department at the Ministry of Municipality, executed this project that serves the residents of Al Kheesa and the surrounding areas.The park can receive up to 10,000 visitors daily and it features the largest plant clock in Qatar, in addition to 8 service kiosks, a 500-spectator open amphitheater, and separate prayer rooms and bathrooms for men and women.The opening ceremony was attended by HE President of Ashghal, Eng. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Meer; Assistant Undersecretary for Public Services Affairs, Eng. Abdullah Ahmed al- Karani; and Director of the Public Parks Department, Mohammed Ibrahim al-Sada along with a lineup of officials from the Ministry of Municipality and Ashghal.In remarks during the opening, Mohammed Ibrahim al-Sada stressed that the opening of Rawdat Al Hamama Public Park reflects the great attention that the Ministry of Municipality pays to establishing and developing world class public parks and gardens, to be a healthy, recreational and sporting outlet for families, adding that the park is remarkable addition to the recreational facilities in Qatar, and contributes to enhancing the services provided to the public.Al-Sada pointed out the increase in the number of public parks in Qatar, from 56 in 2010 to 147 in 2024, a 163 % increase, while green spaces increased from 2,614,994 square meters in 2010 to 18,049,246 square meters in 2024, bringing the individual's share of green space from 1.0 square meters in 2010 to 5.6 square meters in 2024.He explained that the Ministry of Municipality's public parks, "plazas" and green spaces on the Corniche have exceeded 3 mn square meters, noting that the total number of trees and shrubs planted across the country within the 'Ten mn Trees Initiative' reached 840,000 trees and shrubs, creating about 500,000 square meters of green spaces.Rawdat Al Hamama Public Park is a sustainable and environmentally friendly model that enhances the quality of life and contributes to humanising cities, as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability and develop recreational infrastructure in Qatar, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, which seeks to achieve green and sustainable cities.The Park extends over a total area of 176,000 square meters, including 138,000 square meters of green spaces that makes 80 % of the total area.It has 1,042 trees of 21 local and international species, and features modern facilities including an automatic irrigation system using 100 % treated water.

HE Minister of Finance Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari announced that Qatar's total expected revenues for the 2025 fiscal year budget are estimated at QAR 197 billion, reflecting a 2.5 percent decrease compared to the 2024 budget revenues.HE the Minister emphasized that Qatar continues to adopt a conservative approach in estimating oil and gas revenues, with an average oil price of USD 60 per barrel. This approach aims to enhance financial flexibility and ensure spending stability.He stated, "The anticipated oil and gas revenues for 2025 are QAR 154 billion, down from QAR 159 billion in the 2024 budget, marking a 3.1 percent decrease." Additionally, he noted that non-oil revenues for 2025 are estimated at QAR 43 billion, remaining unchanged from 2024 levels.On the expenditure side, HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari highlighted that total expenditures are projected at QAR 210.2 billion, a 4.6 percent increase compared to 2024. He added that the expected budget deficit of QAR 13.2 billion will be financed through local and external debt instruments, as required.The Minister underlined that allocations for the health and education sectors stand at QAR 41.4 billion, accounting for 20 percent of the total budget. This allocation underscores Qatar's commitment to enhancing human capital development and improving public service quality. Furthermore, strategic sectors such as trade and industry, research and innovation, tourism, digital transformation, and information technology have been allocated significant resources to support economic diversification and sustainable development efforts.Allocations for salaries and wages are set to rise by 5.5 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching QAR 67.5 billion. Current expenditures will see a 6.3 percent increase, while secondary capital expenditures are expected to grow by 7.7 percent. Meanwhile, major capital expenditure allocations will experience a modest 1.4 percent increase to ensure the ongoing implementation of strategic and developmental projects.HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Minister of Finance, will provide further details on Qatar's general budget for the 2025 fiscal year during a press conference scheduled for Sunday.