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Al Khor Carnival remains closed for sterilization process. Th organisers said that the carnival will be closed till further notice as sterilization process is continuing. “Due to the large area of Al Khor Carnival, the sterilization process will continue and the closure will be extended until further notice for the sake of your safety and everyone's safety,” the organisers tweeted. As per earlier announcement the Al Khor Carnival, which is going on at the Al Bayt Stadium Park, will last till February 6. The entrance to the carnival is free for all, but you need to pay for certain shows, play areas and rides.

The Mar-a-Lago resort was purchased by the former US President in 1985 for $5-to-$10 million, with a value that now stands at $160 million. Prominent Qatari media personality and travel show host Ali Bin Towar Al-Kuwari paid a special visit to the luxurious Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where former US President Donald Trump is now residing. The influential Qatari received a “special invite” from the head of the former president’s office to visit his almost-century-old property. This is said to be his permanent home after leaving the White House. “I just finished with a meeting with former President Trump in the palace of the Mar Largo resort in Florida, and he had a distinguished conversation about the Gulf and Qatar, and in the end he asked me to send his regards to His Highness Sheikh Tamim, who is loved by the Americans as he said,” tweeted Al-Kuwari. In the pictures shared by Al-Kuwari on Instagram, Trump greeted him in a casual polo shirt and trousers, suggesting the meeting was somewhat informal. The breathtaking classically-embellished interior of the resort goes back to the1920’s, when Marjorie Merriweather Post built it. Trump purchased the Mar-a-Lago, which translates to “Sea to Lake” in Spanish, back in 1985 for at least $10 million and its value currently stands at $160 million, as estimated by Forbes. The Mar-a-Lago’s 110,000 square feet are covered with Spanish tiles, Italian marble and Venetian silks. It is also known as the “winter White House” as several US presidents spent their cold winters in it. Trump left the White House on January 20 after losing to Democrat President Joe Biden in the 2020 US elections. Source: Ali Bin Towar Al Kuwari

Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has reminded that the due date of sanitation charges is January 2021. The reminder was made at a time when the first bill with sanitation fees is about to be issued. “Sanitation fees will be due as of January 2021, and will equal 20 percent of the monthly water consumption bill issued by Kahramaa. The fees will be charged by Kahramaa for sanitation services provided by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal),” Kahramaa tweeted yesterday. For non-Qatari houses and all organisations, the fees for this service will be calculated as 20 percent of the value of the monthly water bill issued by the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa). Ashghal announced earlier to start charging fees for some of its services from individuals and establishments starting. The Authority has taken the decision under the provisions of Ministerial Resolution (No. 211) of 2019 on setting the fees for the services provided by the authority to establishments and individuals. The services include connecting facilities to the sewerage network, usage of the networks and providing permits for services related to the operation and maintenance of both drainage and roads networks. The foul water network services include the drainage of foul water from houses and organisations to the foul water network. This service is provided free of charge to Qatari houses.

Saffron, or the so-called "red gold" and the "flower of happiness", has many uses in our life. It is considered one of the oldest and most expensive spices in the world, as it is sold in grams as gold, and its production requires effort and patience throughout the year. In order to get one gram of dried saffron, this requires about 150 flowers to be harvested and extracted from them, but this difficulty carries behind it the many benefits of saffron. In a qualitative experience in Qatar, businessman Jaber Al-Mansouri proved that cultivating saffron - which is the most expensive spice in the world - can challenge the harsh climate, and establish itself within the modern plantations that invaded the desert environment in Qatar, and achieve production that covers an important space in local consumption, with The possibility of exporting in the future, according to Al-Jazeera Net. On his farm in Umm Al-Ashoush in the North region, businessman Jaber Al-Mansouri shows his happiness at inaugurating the first cut of red gold in Qatar, after 3 years he spent between studies and experiments, in an attempt to find the best and most effective saffron cultivation methods and ability to cope with the heat of the weather. Innovative agriculture, the latest watering technology and cooling conditions. Al-Mansouri relies in his experience cultivating saffron in two ways, the first is known as the hydroponic method, as the saffron bulbs that carry the flower directly onto the water grow without soil, and then the bulbs that carry the flower are kept in wooden boxes in a container that is re-routed and cooled by a conditioning system . And the second is by planting the bulbs in the soil, while providing water distillation techniques to keep them from drying out, and both methods require covered greenhouses that provide suitable cooling conditions. The first cut and after the first harvest of this purple flower at the Mansouri farm, today he was able to determine the most efficient and the most productive and cost-effective method, the least consuming energy throughout the days of cultivation, and the least needing conditions for cooling and water evaporation. The quality was estimated at 3 kilograms, after the bulbs were planted in 5 layers in a refrigerated container with an area of 150 square meters, while the cultivation in the soil achieved less production, with what it required of greater cultivation conditions. He told Al-Jazeera Net that the project experience he went through had already succeeded, and it is a pure Qatari achievement, and it is an experience that stimulates the owners of ideas to pay attention to the agricultural field to adopt this type of projects that enhance the production pillar and support the markets with distinctive Qatari products. He added that the Coronavirus pandemic inspired him to make this dream a reality by devoting more time to it, as Al-Mansouri found more time to find out about the growth processes of the saffron flower, and what it requires of great care and effort, indicating that he received offers from foreign companies requesting to import the crop from this product. Qatar's annual consumption of saffron is about 700 kilograms, and this figure is moving in an upward trend in view of the intensification of saffron use in a number of new products, whether food or medicinal. With the success of Al-Mansouri's experience, the success of betting on the role of the local product and the need to encourage it appears, in recent years, and in its direction towards achieving a large share of self-sufficiency in a number of products, the government of Qatar has provided more support for the owners of ideas produced in the agricultural field, by providing them with the necessary expertise and modern technologies. As well as granting project owners the required spaces for agricultural projects, and supporting them with fertilizers and medicines, which reflected positively on the contributions of the local product in strengthening the internal market and supporting the economy. Al-Mansouri does not hide his desire to break into other industries with saffron at its core, especially in the medical and cosmetic fields, but he is betting on supporting the competent authorities in Qatar and allocating support for companies that will go to this field, and accompanying them from the legal and marketing aspects, in a way that serves Qatar's vision National 2030 and its bets that support the Qatari economy locally and internationally. Source:Al Sharq Newspaper

Doha: Qatar Petroleum (QP) has announced the February 2021 fuel prices in Qatar. The QP website showed that premium petrol will cost QR1.45 per litre and super will cost QR1.50 per litre from tomorrow. The premium and super petrol prices saw an increase of 15 dirhams from January rates, which were 10 dirhams more than the December price. Diesel will also see a rise of 15 dirhams to QR1.45 per litre in February. In April 2016, the Ministry of Energy and Industry had started pegging the fuel prices to the international market and from September 2017, it is Qatar Petroleum who is announcing the monthly price list.

In an achievement which shows the efficacy of Qatar’s tourism strategy implemented in recent years, Doha has been ranked third ‘Trending Destination’ in the world in Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2021. Even during a topsy-turvy year, these destinations were on the upswing, growing in popularity, gaining positive reviews, and fuelling wanderlust in travellers eager to get back out there, Tripadvisor said on its website. In the category of ‘Trending Destinations’, Doha has been ranked at number three globally in Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2021. The Top 10 ‘Trending Destinations’ include Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Corsica, France; Doha, Qatar; Sanya, China; Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States; Queenstown, New Zealand; Tulum, Mexico; Natal, Brazil; Kas, Turkey and Guadeloupe, Caribbean. “The shining jewel of Qatar, Doha is a multicultural city, home to most of the country’s population as well as expatriate communities from a range of origins. Shopping abounds in the city’s plentiful malls, while the Corniche impresses visitors with picturesque architecture and dazzling views of the harbour. "Doha boasts myriad cultural facilities, including the futuristic Education City and the National Museum. Having hosted the 2006 Asian Games, the city is home to many sports complexes as well,” Tripadvisor writes. Visit Qatar also tweeted about the ranking recently saying, “Doha was ranked the 3rd trendiest destination in the world in Tripadvisor 2021 Travellers’ Choice Awards. Qatar was also ranked as the safest country along with providing the best healthc re in the region.” It is to be noted that Doha has also recently been declared as the second safest city in the world. In 431 cities covered in the report, Doha has been placed at number 2 in terms of safety and low crime rate. Doha secured 87.96 in safety index while its crime index is just 12.04, according to Numbeo’s Crime Index by City 2021. Numbeo, the world’s largest database of user contributed data about cities and countries worldwide, provides current and timely information on world living conditions including cost of living, housing indicators, health care, traffic, crime and pollution. In October last year, Doha had also been nominated in both leading business travel destination and sports tourism destination categories at the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA) 2020. A number of companies in Qatar’s travel, tourism and hospitality sectors had also been nominated in different categories of the awards which cover a broad spectrum including aviation, tourist attractions, hotels and resorts, meetings and events, travel agencies, tour operators and travel technology, among others.

Qatar has seen an 85 percent increase in the number of people admitted to hospital with Covid-19 complications. “We have seen an 85% increase this month compared to last month in the number of people admitted to hospital with Covid-19. It is more important than ever that people adhere to preventive measures,” tweeted the Ministry of Public Health along with a graph showing the spike. The ministry also reiterated the importance of adhering to preventive measures to avoid a new wave of infections. The preventive measures include: - Always wear a mask when you go outside your home. - Maintain at least 1.5m distance from others. - Avoid crowded places and limit time in enclosed spaces. - Wash your hands regularly.

National carrier aims to become first Mideast airline to trial the Digital Passport mobile app Qatar Airways is aiming to become the first airline in the Middle East to begin trialling the innovative new IATA Travel Pass ‘Digital Passport’ mobile app, in partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), from March. The trial will play an important role in the airline's vision to have a more contactless, secure and seamless travel experience for its passengers. The first phase of trials of the ‘Digital Passport’ will be rolled out on the airline’s Doha to Istanbul route, enabling passengers to receive Covid-19 test results and verify they are eligible to undertake their journey. It will also allow travellers to safely and securely share their verified 'OK to Travel’ status with the airline and other stakeholders, even before their arrival at the airport. IATA Travel Pass will also provide up-to-date information on Covid-19 health regulations helping travellers to ensure they meet the latest government entry requirements of their destination country. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar al-Baker said, “With the most rigorous and robust Covid-19 safety programme in existence within the global aviation community, we are focused on ensuring that Qatar Airways will become the first airline in the Middle East to begin trialling the ground-breaking IATA Travel Pass technology and we are committed to supporting the airline industry as a whole through IATA’s Industry Advisory Panel. “As an industry leader and the only 5-Star-rated global airline recently announced in the Skytrax Covid-19 Airline Safety Rating, we are commited to safeguarding the safety, health and wellbeing of our passengers, and ensuring an integrated, seamless customer experience at every point of their journey with us. “The IATA Travel Pass effectively acts as a ‘digital passport’ for travellers and is the latest tool in our fight against the spread of Covid-19, enabling passengers to securely and effortlessly navigate their travel plans, safe in the knowledge that their verified travel credential is based on the latest Covid-19 information, the strictest data privacy regulations and entry rules for the destination they will travel to. “We hope that by investing in this technology we are able to further encourage passengers around the world to have greater confidence in the safety of air travel and begin making future travel plans over the coming months.” IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said, “Qatar Airways is showing its industry leadership. IATA Travel Pass will verify testing or vaccination credentials of travellers, which is the key to unlocking travel without quarantine measures. “The Qatar Airways digital passport trial will help us build confidence among governments and travellers that IATA Travel Pass can securely and conveniently link traveller identities with their digital travel credentials. It will also help us prove that ICAO’s global standards for digital passports work. And it will highlight the need for governments to accelerate their work with industry to develop global standards for health certificates—a critical enabler to safely re-connecting the world.” Qatar Airways has become the first global airline in the world to achieve the prestigious 5-Star Covid-19 Airline Safety Rating by international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. This follows HIA’s recent success as the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a Skytrax 5-Star Covid-19 Airport Safety Rating. These recognitions provide assurance to passengers across the world that airline health and safety standards are subject to the highest possible standards of professional, independent scrutiny and assessment. For full details of all the measures that have been implemented onboard and in HIA, please visit qatarairways.com/safety

Brigadier Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah, Director of the Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Interior (MoI), has said that if the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management or the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announce new measures to contain COVID-19, the security departments are ready to implement those decisions. The Supreme Committee for Crisis Management and MoPH yesterday in a press conference disclosed an increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases in Qatar and the number of people hospitalised every week. While speaking to Qatar TV, Brig. Al Mufah said the campaign by the MoI to ensure that everyone adheres to the preventive measures issued by relevant authorities has not been halted, adding that the preventive measures are still being implemented. “We have been registering violations related to non-compliance with wearing masks in places where they are mandatory, and the limitations to occupants in vehicles,” Brig. Al Muftah said. “The pandemic has not ended globally, and all precautionary measures must be taken. Some people thought the pandemic had ended and neglected to take preventive measures, and this negligence was the reason for the high number of infections. “We count on the awareness of the community, and we hope that the preventive measures will continue as they were at the beginning of the pandemic, and we hope not to apprehend more people for violating the set protocols,” he said.

Here is a list of interesting things happening in and around Doha. Flower Festival The festival showcases many local nurseries and provides an opportunity for gardening enthusiasts to buy saplings of various flowers.The festival will continue till February 9, 2021 and is open from 9am until 9pm in the western square of Souq Waqif. DFI - Drive-in cinema Drive-in cinema invites audiences of all ages, featuring a selection of films from Disney classics to contemporary family favourites. Matilda: Thursday, January 28, 2021, 6:30pm The Breadwinner: Friday, January 29, 2021, 6:30pm Kiki’s Delivery Service: Saturday, January 30, 2021, 6:30pm Al Khor Carnival The festival entrance to the carnival is free for all and features fun rides, cultural activities, inflatable park and shopping for the entire family, the Al Khor Carnival will have special shows and visual displays. There will be a charge of QR10 for the rides and QR100 for special shows. When: On going till February 6, 2021 (12pm-10pm) Where: Al Bayt Stadium Grey times The exhibition is a collective display of the works of artists who took part in Fire Station’s latest Artist in Residence programme, and includes artwork created by alumni and faculty from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a Qatar Foundation partner university. When: Ongoing till July 24 Where: Fire Station’s Garage Gallery. “Process” exhibition This exhibition showcases varied collections of four diverse visual artists with different backgrounds. When: Ongoing until March 18 (Saturday to Thursday, from 9am to 7pm) Where: Katara Art Centre International Art Exhibition at Doha Festival City Celebrate international artworks by artists from around the world at International Art Exhibition, representing Qatar, Russia, Denmark and India among others. Where: Ground Floor, Doha Festival City When: On until February 28, 2021 Damascus, Levant Exhibition - Katara In cooperation with the Embassy of Syria in Doha, “Damascus, Levant” Exhibition by The Artist/ Salah Eddin Al Bizri Where: Building 18, Gallery 2 Doha When: On until January 29, 2021; 10am-10pm Marmi Festival 2021 The festival, organised by Qatar Al Gannas Society, Marmi Festival is considered one of the important features of the original Qatari culture. It presents various aspects of tradition and heritage, and this festival is aimed at reviving them among the new generations. Where: Mesaieed (Sealine) When: On until January 31, 2021; 4pm-8pm Mal Lawal 3 Cars Classic cars edition is exhibited at Mal Lawal 3, a unique platform that celebrates collecting and bringing together private collectors from Qatar to showcase their collectibles. This time the exhibition has cars from two established local car collectors. When: On until August 1; 9am to 7pm (Friday 1:30pm to 7pm) Where: National Museum of Qatar Torba Farmers Market The popular market is back at Ceremonial Court in Qatar Foundation with the Covid-19 precautionary measures in place. Offering a wide range of products including freshly-baked goods, fruits, vegetables, homemade preserves, syrups, and handicrafts, the market is a hit among the community. Where: Ceremonial Court in Qatar Foundation. When: Only on Saturdays from 8am to 5pm, until April Tasty Street Tasty Street Qatar, a drive-thru food festival organised at Katara with over 300 food kiosks. The event will be held until March 2021. Where: Katara Shakespeare Street When: Ongoing until 31 March 2021, (3 pm – Midnight)

The stage is set for the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival, which will feature a prestigious show with a huge prize money and wide international participation. The festival will be held at the Katara esplanade from February 2-6 under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. On Wednesday, a press conference was held at Katara where officials gave details of the event. The festival will be held amid Covid-19 precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the participants and attendees, in co-ordination with the Ministry of Public Health, Qatar News Agency said in a report. One of the highlights of the festival is the Title Show, a contest for purebred Arabian horses that will carry a prize money of QR13mn, one of the highest awarded for such an event. The press conference was attended by Katara general manager and chairman of the Organising Committee Prof Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, Title Show director Bader Mohamed al-Darwish and representatives of the companies and organisations sponsoring the event. Prof al-Sulaiti stressed the significance of the first edition of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival as it is being held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir. He said the festival embodies one of the oldest and most prestigious sporting events dedicated to the beauty of purebred Arabian horses, noting that Qatar is famous as a global centre for equestrian excellence and is a world leader in the ownership and breeding of purebred Arabian horses. He noted that Katara is organising the festival in co-operation with Qatar Equestrian Federation, Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club and Qatar Foundation. This stems from its constant and continuous keenness to host major international sports tournaments, and translates its effective partnerships with Qatari institutions, clubs and federations. These have culminated in the organisation of this "exceptional global event" with the participation of 30 countries from around the world. Prof al-Sulaiti added that the festival promotes Katara's position as an incubator for international championships, events and sporting events, and consolidates its role in preserving the rich heritage of the country in equestrian sport and ancient Qatari traditions related to it, in addition to strengthening the status of the purebred Arabian horse breed locally, regionally and internationally. What distinguishes the festival is that it combines the "pleasure of sport, the beauty of culture and the splendour of entertainment and tourism", he pointed out. Moreover, it features a high-profile international championship dedicated to the beauty of purebred Arabian horses, making it a unique global event. Prof al-Sulaiti thanked the sponsors of the festival, namely Nasser Bin Khaled Group, Ali Bin Ali Holding, Ahlibank, Vodafone, Qatar Airways, Qatar Insurance Group, Al Kass Channels and Qommunication. On his part, al-Darwish said the festival's activities will start on February 2, while the competitions will take place on February 4. The competitions are divided into three categories - the first for colts and fillies aged 1 year, the second for colts and fillies aged 2-3 years, and the third for mares and stallions aged 4 years and above, according to QNA.

When is National Sports Day? February 9 /2021 This public holiday in Qatar is celebrated annually on the second Tuesday in February. The main objective of the holiday is to promote a healthy lifestyle among Qatar's population. History of National Sports Day The first National Sports Day was held in 2012. It followed a decree issued in December 2011 by HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Deputy Emir, and Heir Apparent. The decree stated that the second Tuesday in February would be Qatar's National Sports Day. On the day, more than a hundred government ministries and private sector organisations organise a series of public events and encourage their employees to engage enthusiastically in sports activities. Activities range from football to basketball, tennis to taekwondo, cycling to swimming, with countless free sporting sessions and social competitions, available to all ages and abilities to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate in sport. Celebrating the National Sports Day highlights the role that sport plays a factor in creating a healthy community at both physical and psychological levels. The day is part of the Qatar National Vision 2030 initiative. Qatar is one of the few nations to dedicate a day for sports Anyway, The Ministry of Culture and Sports (MCS) announced health measures must be imposed for this year’s Sports Day. This year’s National Sports Day will be strictly held outdoors to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, the organising committee said on Tuesday. In a statement issued by MCS, the committee said no activities will be allowed indoors, saying all sports events must be held in the open air. This is to protect the health of participants, spectators, organsing committee members, staff and supporting personnel. Qatar celebrates the second Tuesday of February as National Sport Day, which falls on February 9 this year. The Ministry of Public Health said RT-PCR tests will be conducted for all those participating in activities that involve direct contact, including football, volleyball, basketball and others. No RT-PCR tests will be required for others taking part in activities where physical distance can be maintained, such as marathon, walking, cycling, boating, marine activities, athletics and more. Activities that are considered to be unsafe in terms of risking transmission of coronavirus will not be available without prior approval from the MoPH. Setting up tents and temporary stalls, the distribution of gifts and free food to the public, exhibitions and music shows will all be avoided at the 2021 event. Despite the health pandemic the committee encouraged people to take part in physical activities to maintain a healthy lifestyle while at the same time adhering to precautionary measures set in place. Qatar recorded a total of 4,223 current active cases on Tuesday, indicating a rise in infections compared to last week.