Expressway to be ready by year-end
The Dukhan Expressway will be completed by the end of this year.
The firm which is executing the project is working on a war-footing to finish its task as per the terms of the contract signed with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal).
The local daily Arrayah said in a report after visiting the worksite that thousands of persons including engineers and labourers are on the job. The 22km-long expressway will be 16m wide with four-carriageways on each side. There are two firms handling the project, one firm is in charge of 15kms while the other is in charge of 7kms.
The infrastructure work underneath the road will carry drainage and water pipes and pipes for electricity, telephone and Internet connections. All the requirements are being implemented simultaneously so as to avoid digging of the road in the future.
“Motorists, however, have to endure the present 5km long diversion which begins from the Rayyan petrol station and continues up to the western point where the expressway begins. This diversion is a difficult stretch because of the rough terrain. But motorists do not abide by the mandatory speed limit of 80km except at the points where they see the signboards,” said the report.
DFI hosts cinematography workshop
Doha Film Institute (DFI) is hosting a hands-on, intensive cinematography workshop, which will form part of the Gulf Film Development programme to help build the skills of novice filmmakers.
The seven-day programme, titled “AKKAS CINEMA: DFI Cinematography Workshop”, started on January 27.
Led by DFI’s resident director of photography, Thomas Hines, the workshop will cover all aspects of camerawork and lighting and contribute to strengthening the skill-sets of Qatari film technicians, and, in turn, improving the quality of their future films.
Part of DFI’s all-round education and training strategy, the cinematography workshop is set to become a regular feature through 2013. Having received almost 200 applications for the current workshop, 20 candidates were selected. DFI plans to offer similar workshops in the coming months, focusing on diverse aspects of cinematography.
Starting with the basics, the workshop will cover the roles of the camera crew, health and safety on-site, set-up and dismantling of equipment and the use of lighting with an emphasis on picture composition. The participants will also be provided with analyses and breakdown of filming and technical issues, including lighting, extra FX and the logistics of shooting.
Following the workshop, the participants will be invited to apply for the seven-day film challenge to demonstrate the skills they have learned.
QICDRC launches virtual service
The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) has officially launched a series of technological innovations that allow for cases to be conducted remotely, providing a platform for a virtual court service.
A new case management system supplied by ‘Visionhall’ allows documents to be filed at the court electronically and for cases to be assigned to judges remotely, effectively opening the court for business 24 hours a day and drastically reducing time and travel costs.
Witnesses, lawyers and even judges can take part in cases from across the globe via multi-channel video-conferencing and can even participate on the move via mobile phone or tablet.
“QICDRC is a modern business court designed for the needs of international modern businesses. Through the use of technology we are able to offer a global “virtual court” service where the parties do not have to be physically present in Doha, allowing businesses to control and present their dispute from wherever they are located,” QICDRC chief executive officer Robert Musgrove said.
Charity hands out surplus food to needy people
The Eid bin Mohamed al-Thani Charity Trust has during this month distributed food packets to 10,800 poor families and 11,200 low paid workers in Qatar.
A report in the local daily Arrayah said that the operation is codenamed “Save the Bounty” and is implemented by the Eid Charity staff as and when reports are received about surplus food being left over after any feast.
They visit the designated areas in especially equipped vehicles and collect the food and make them into packets for distribution to the poor and needy.
The Social Services director of the Eid Trust, Abdullah Nasser al-Kaby said that they distributed 21,555 ready-to-eat food packets among other items. “Thanks to the public at large who have understood the underlying purpose of this project which we implement as and when we are informed about the availability of leftovers of food. Whatever items we collect we process them in a hygienic manner and make them into packets before setting out for distribution. The Qatar Centre for Presentation of Islam has co-operated with us in this project” he said.