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.

Qatar Museums (QM) has announced several exhibitions that will be presented across its cultural institutions throughout spring 2021. Members of the community can look forward to exhibitions covering a wider range of interests, including contemporary art, natural history and the art of collecting. On March 7, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art will open “Kader Attia: On Silence”, a major solo exhibition dedicated to the work of the artist over the last two decades, curated by Abdellah Karroum, Director of Mathaf, with Assistant Curator Lina Ramadan. The exhibition will feature a wide range of work across all media and include site-specific installations, sculptures, collages, drawings, video, and photography. On Silence explores themes of postcolonial trauma and the ensuing decades of psychiatric ‘repair’ at the social and individual level. The artist’s intention and curatorial approach is to provoke the viewer’s emotional and physical experience while encountering works placed at various levels in the museum galleries, seen from above, from underneath, and from within but rarely straight on. There will be two important commissions featured in connection with Doha. Launching in March at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) is Mal Lawal 3. Following the success of its previous editions in 2012 and 2014, Mal Lawal evolves in 2020-2021 to provide a platform that brings together private collectors and helps support and further establish the practice of collecting in Qatar. The collections showcased in 2020-2021 present the personal stories of the collectors and highlight their passion for art, culture and heritage. The largest solo survey to date of the work of the American artist Jeff Koons (b. 1955) in the Gulf region, Jeff Koons: Lost in America will be presented at QM Gallery AlRiwaq as part of the 2021 Qatar-United States Year of Culture. Organized by the renowned curator Massimiliano Gioni, the exhibition, which opens on March 28, will feature over 60 artworks drawn from the full span of Koons’ four-decade long career, including many of the artist’s major works such as Rabbit (1986), Balloon Dog (1994–2000) and Play-Doh (1994–2014). In Koons’ paintings and sculptures, everyday objects and industrial materials are transformed into engaging artworks that pose questions about desire and hope, the self and transcendence, individuality and the masses. Lost in America presents a panoramic view of American culture as seen through Koons’ own autobiography, beginning with his childhood in suburban Pennsylvania. Accompanied by texts compiled from interviews, statements and quotes collected throughout Koons’ career that guide the viewers through each gallery, the exhibition doubles as an expansive self-portrait. Works from many of Koons’ best-known series like The New (1980–87), Banality (1988), Celebration (1994–), Popeye (2002–2013) and Antiquity (2008–) will be displayed alongside recent works exhibited for the first time. NMoQ, in collaboration with ExxonMobil Research Qatar, will present a special exhibition on dugongs called “Seagrass Tales, Dugong Trail” launching on March 30. These shy marine mammals have inhabited the waters surrounding Qatar’s peninsula for more than 7,500 years. The Arabian Gulf is home to the world’s second-largest population of dugongs, after Australia. Recently, the largest herds in the world, comprising between 600 to 700 dugongs, have been recorded in Qatar. Holding both a special cultural and environmental significance, the dugong was chosen as the museum’s official mascot. Meanwhile, QM has three ongoing exhibitions namely “Grey Times” running at Fire Station Artist in Residence until July 24, “A Falcon’s Eye: Tribute to Sheikh Saoud Al Thani” at the Museums of Islamic Art until April 10, and “Splendours of the Ancient East: Antiquities from The al-Sabah Collection” at NMoQ until February 3.

Flower Festival at Souq Waqif was opened for visitors from today. The festival showcases many local nurseries and provides an opportunity for gardening enthusiasts to buy saplings of various flowers. The Flower Festival is organized by the Souq Waqif administration and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment represented by the Agricultural Affairs Department and the Public Parks Department. The festival will continue till February 9, 2021 and is open from 9am until 9pm in the western square of Souq Waqif.

Qatar University (QU) is planning to establish branches in a number of Asian and African countries, its president Dr. Hassan Rashid Al Derham announced on Monday. During its weekly meeting, Qatar’s legislative Shura Council along with the president of Qatar University discussed future plans to expand the state’s higher education institution building on the remarkable progress the national university has made in the Arab and International university ranking tables. Dr. Al Derham proposed a plan to establish multiple branches of the university in different destinations in the Asian and African continents by 2022. Qatar University ranked 245th globally and fifth among Arab universities according to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ranking 2021. Outlining the developments and achievements of the institution, Al Derham confirmed that “there are plans to develop technical research at the university, including the establishment of the Qatar University Technical Company.” He said that this project is in its final stages and is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The University’s president added that aside from empowering its research department, the QU is also working on enhancing its financial stability. During the discussions at the Shura Council, Dr. Al Derham also shed light on QU’s efforts to attract more Qataris to work at the university, paving the way through its Qatarization program. Members of the Shura Council highlighted the importance of equipping graduates with the qualifications needed for them to compete in the job market both domestically and abroad. “According to QS World University Ranking, Since 2014 Qatar University moved up 306 places. Over the eight considered years, the institution moved up six times and did not present negative performances. In the 2021 Edition, the institution performed among the top 21% in the QS World University Rankings,” QU said in a statement on its website. During the session, members of the council were also briefed on the development witnessed by the university in establishing faculties of medicine, pharmacy, dental medicine and health sciences.

Doha’s citizens and residents stated that the deceased man was a brigadier in the Qatari navy. Qatari citizen Muhammad Buhaza was buried at the Mesaimeer cemetery on Tuesday, hours after he was found dead at sea. Buhaza was declared missing after going on a fishing trip in the Thakira Sea on Monday when his boat and belongings were found abandoned. A search party was launched and his body was found at sea a day later. Residents of Qatar took to social media to mourn his death using the hashtag #محمد_بوهزاع [#MuhammadBuHaza]. According to several sources, Buhaza was a brigadier in the Qatari navy and made frequent trips out at sea. His nephew also told local Qatari newspaper, Al Sharq that his uncle went on the fishing trip alone. Local media personalities and activists said the deceased was known for his generosity and kindness and shared prayers for his family. “May God have mercy on Mohammad Buhaza and accept him in heaven with the martyrs. Our condolences to his family,” said prominent media personality Fahad Buzwair. Qatari Muslim preacher Ayed Al Qahtani also expressed his deep condolences on Twitter. “I ask God Almighty to have mercy on him and to make his grave a meadow in the gardens of Paradise. He was one of the most pious and humble men I’ve known,” said Al Qahtani.