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The winners of Safari Hypermarket's second draw for MG cars were selected in the presence of Ministry of Commerce officials and Safari management representatives on July 24 at 10am at Safari Hypermarket, Salwa Road.The first prize winner, Kishna Ram (coupon No SND200062428) will get a Morris Garages RX 8 - 2024 model car.Second prize winners are Ziad A M (coupon No SND201137808), Agan Bahadur Ghatane (coupon No SND200409781) and Nabin Shah (coupon No. SND200045066), each will get Morris Garages MG5 - 2024 model cars.The third draw of this shop-and-drive-promotion will be held on September 8 at Safari Hypermarket, Al Khor branch. Anyone can participate in the promotion by entering the draw through the e-raffle coupon, which is available on purchase of items for just QR 50 from any of the Safari outlets.

School summer holidays will be extended by two weeks in southern Pakistan because of high temperatures, affecting more than 100,000 schools, an education official said.Pakistan is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions resulting from climate change, including heatwaves that are hotter and more frequent and monsoons that are heavier and longer."We decided to close schools for an additional 14 days for the children's well-being," Atif Vighio, a spokesperson at the education department in Sindh province, told AFP.Planned power cuts, also known as load-shedding, happen frequently in Pakistan due to an ongoing power supply crisis.The load-shedding varies from city to city, but in rural areas of Sindh they can last for more than 12 hours a day, leaving schools without fans."As a teacher, I am worried about how I will complete the curriculum, but as a mother, I am concerned about kids going to school in this heat," a public school teacher told AFP, asking for her name not to be used."It is the load-shedding we are worried about, not just the heat."The government has said more than 26mn children are out of school due to poverty.Pakistan struggled through a series of heatwaves in May and June, with temperatures peaking at more than 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of rural Sindh.Authorities in Punjab province, the country's most populous, started summer vacations in May one week early to protect children from the searing heat.The UN children's agency UNICEF said more than three-quarters of children in South Asia — or 460mn — are exposed to temperatures above 35C (95F) for at least 83 days per year.Despite contributing less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan has experienced severe weather-related disasters in recent years due to changing weather patterns.

The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) signed a grant agreement with the Municipality of Tirana, the capital city of Albania, to establish 'Qatar Square.' The agreement was signed by the Acting Director General of QFFD, Sultan bin Ahmed al-Aseeri, and Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj, in the attendance of Qatar's ambassador in Tirana Jabor bin Ali Hussein al-Dosari.To be built in the heart of the Albanian capital, the square will span an area of 23,700sq m, with a cost of €11mn.It will include several facilities and different spaces for celebrations, exhibitions, and events, along with various shops and gathering areas, in addition to a water purification system for the Lido River in order to sustain natural irrigation water for the surrounding park that will be constructed as part of the project.The project's design will be inspired by the traditional Qatari weaving craft of Sadu and its patterns to promote the beauty of Qatari culture and enhance bilateral cultural exchange and co-operation.The project has a long-term development goal of paving the way for the construction of 25,000 houses in the square's surroundings and providing job opportunities for the Albanian people, which will advance development in the country and vitalise the local labor market.Such projects reflect Qatar's essential role in helping other countries advance and develop on various fronts.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI), represented by the National Command Centre (NCC), has achieved a new milestone by receiving the Institutional Excellence Award for Geographical Information Systems (GIS) from the American Systems Research Institute (ESRI). Additionally, it received the Excellence Award in the field of Geospatial Intelligence for managing major events and activities.This recognition, according to a statement by MoI on X, was part of the ESRI International User Conference held in the US from July 14-17, attended by leaders of institutions from around the world. The awards were accepted by Brig. Arif Hassan Ibrahim, director of Technical Affairs at NCC and Ft. Lt. Saud Ali al-Marri, head of the Geographic Systems Technology Department.

Factories, offices and banks reopened in Bangladesh yesterday after a nationwide curfew enforced by the army was eased and relative calm prevailed following days of deadly violence.Rush-hour traffic returned to the capital Dhaka and broadband internet was largely restored, although social media continued to be suspended after student-led protests turned violent last week.Almost 150 people were killed as security forces cracked down on gatherings against quotas in government jobs that were reinstated by a high court order last month during an unemployment crisis.The quotas included reservations for families of fighters in the 1971 independence war.Students paused their protests on Sunday when the Supreme Court agreed to scrap most quotas and ruled that 93% of jobs should be open to competition.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government yesterday eased the curfew it had imposed four days ago to contain the violence that spread across the country."For now, all social media will remain shut," Zunaid Ahmed Palak, a junior technology minister, told reporters.People may have to wait until Sunday or Monday to get mobile internet, he said.As curfew eased, the garment and textiles industries, which supply to major Western brands, began reopening factories."All our factories have opened. Everything is going smoothly," said S M Mannan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.The stock exchange opened too, as well as banks, after remaining shut the past two days.Dhaka residents were out on the streets, some making their way to offices as buses also began running in some places.News websites, which had stopped updating since Friday, were back online.Data from hospitals showed at least 147 people have been killed and police said they have arrested nearly 3,000 for violence and arson.The government said curfew restrictions would be relaxed for seven hours today too, and offices would also be open from 11am to 3pm.Analysts say the student action has given fresh impetus to Hasina's critics - who accuse her of authoritarianism - months after she won a fourth-straight term in power in January in an election boycotted by the main opposition party."The informal federation of government critics appears deeper and wider than before the election, which presents a serious challenge to the ruling party," said Geoffrey Macdonald at the US Institute of Peace.The earlier 56% job quotas included a 30% reservation for families of the independence fighters, which critics said favoured supporters of Hasina's Awami League.Hasina's government had scrapped the quotas in 2018 but a high court ruling reinstated the them last month, which the government appealed in the Supreme Court.The quotas left fewer than half of state jobs open on merit amid an unemployment crisis, particularly in the private sector, making government sector jobs with their regular wage hikes and perks especially prized.Hasina has blamed her political opponents for the violence and her government said on Tuesday it would heed the Supreme Court ruling.

Relentless rain drenched the northern Philippines yesterday, triggering floods in Manila and deadly landslides as Typhoon Gaemi intensified the seasonal monsoon.Rescuers were deployed across the densely populated capital to help evacuate people from low-lying homes after downpours turned streets into rivers, trapping vehicles.People clutched flimsy umbrellas as they waded through thigh-deep murky water or used small boats and shopping trolleys to move around."The disturbance it caused is great. The waters reached the second floor of our house," Nora Clet, a resident, said.Restaurant employee Rex Morano said he was not able to work due to the "very high" floodwaters.A state of calamity was declared for Manila, unlocking funds for relief efforts, after the state weather forecaster warned of "serious flooding" in some areas.Government offices were shut and classes suspended, more than 100 domestic and international flights were cancelled, and tens of thousands of customers lost power because of the weather.Some shopping malls and churches offered temporary shelter to people affected."Many areas are flooded so we have rescuers deployed all over the city. There is an overwhelming number of people asking for help," Peachy de Leon, a disaster official in suburban Manila, said."We were told earlier the rain will not hit us, then the rain suddenly poured so we were quite shocked. There is an ongoing search and rescue now."More heavy rain was expected today.Landslides killed a pregnant woman and three children in Batangas province, south of Manila, and a woman and her five-year-old child in Pampanga province, north of the capital, police and disaster officials said yesterday.President Ferdinand Marcos yesterday ordered disaster response officials to ensure they had sufficient stockpiles of food for the hardest-hit areas because "their situation is critical".Typhoon Gaemi, which has swept past the Philippines made landfall in Taiwan later yesterday.Taiwan closed schools and evacuated thousands from their homes ahead of typhoon which authorities said could be "the strongest" to hit in eight years and has already killed two people on the island.

Abuissa Sports is immensely proud to have played a pivotal role in facilitating basketball training for 55 children from Gaza during a recent event. In collaboration with the EU delegation to Qatar, Generation Amazing, and other partners, we provided these resilient kids with an opportunity to learn and grow through the power of sports. Despite the immense challenges they face, their enthusiasm and energy were truly inspiring, offering a glimpse of hope and determination.This initiative is deeply personal for Abdulrahim Abuissa, the owner of Abuissa Sports and a member of the Qatar national basketball team with a Palestinian background. Abdulrahim's commitment to making a positive impact in both his communities is unwavering. He believes in the transformative power of sports to bring light and hope to those in need, and as long as these Gaza kids are in Qatar, he will be there to support them with whatever they need.Abuissa Sports is dedicated to expanding the basketball world in Qatar in ways that have never been done before. This event is a testament to our commitment to developing the game and building a strong, supportive community. We are a family of basketball enthusiasts, and we will continue to impact lives positively, nurturing talent, and fostering hope. Our mission is to provide a safe space for these kids to thrive, helping them see the light at the end of the tunnel during these difficult times for them and their families.Through our efforts, we aim to not only enhance the skills of these young athletes but also to instill in them the values of teamwork, perseverance, and resilience. This initiative reflects our broader goal of using basketball as a tool for social change, fostering connections, and building a brighter future for all.

The fearsome Komodo dragon, native to Indonesia and the world's largest living lizard, has a coat of iron on its razor-like teeth to help it kill its prey, scientists found in a study published Wednesday.A study led by researchers from King's College London, who carried out their work with advanced chemical and structural imaging, revealed protective iron coats in orange pigment found in the tips and serrations of Komodo dragon teeth."This feature has never been reported before in a carnivorous reptile," said the study published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.The researchers found iron-rich coatings most prominently on Komodo dragon teeth, although similar coverings were also found on the teeth of other living reptiles, including monitor lizards, crocodiles and alligators.The study said concentrated iron played "a crucial role in supporting serrated teeth" in the huge lizards, who use them to kill their prey.They prey on a range of animals from rodents to water buffalo and kill using a one-two punch of sharp teeth and a venomous bite.The researchers believe the iron coatings may have existed in carnivorous dinosaurs but were lost over time because they could not find evidence of them on the fossilised teeth of reptiles and dinosaurs closely related to Komodo dragons.Komodo dragons are found only in the national park of the same name and neighbouring Flores island. Only 3,458 adult and baby Komodo dragons are left in the wild, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.Thousands of tourists descend annually on the cluster of islands in the eastern part of Indonesia, the only place in the world where Komodo dragons can be seen in their natural habitat.The reptiles, which can grow to three metres (10 feet) in length and weigh up to 90 kilograms (200 pounds), are threatened by human activity and climate change destroying their habitat.

,Tehran said it summoned the German ambassador on Wednesday after the closure of an Islamic centre in Hamburg over alleged support for Lebanon's Hezbollah and links to Iran."Following the action of the German police which closed a number of Islamic centres, the German ambassador was summoned today to the ministry of foreign affairs," the ministry said in a statement on social media platform X.Germany's interior ministry said it had "banned the Hamburg Islamic Centre and its affiliated organisations throughout Germany to date, as it is an Islamist extremist organisation pursuing anti-constitutional objectives".It accused the centre of presenting itself as a purely religious organisation with no political agenda, but said its probe had found the contrary to be true.Iran's foreign ministry condemned Germany's "hostile action" and said it was "contrary to the fundamental human rights principles"."Unfortunately, what happened in Germany today is a clear example of Islamophobia and a confrontation to the teachings of the Abrahamic religions," it said.The ministry hailed "valuable and unforgettable services of Islamic centres, including the Hamburg Islamic Centre, in explaining the religious teachings of Islam, promoting the principle of dialogue and religious tolerance, as well as combating extremism."

Around 1,000 tourists were evacuated on Wednesday after a wildfire broke out in the southern Italian region of Puglia, firefighters said.Three Canadair water bombers and a helicopter were deployed to try to contain the blaze in a wooded coastal area in the Gargano sub-region."The fire is being tackled from the land and from the air," a fire service spokesman told AFP, confirming that around 1,000 tourists had been evacuated.According to reports, tourists from a complex near the bay of San Felice are among those moved.Puglia attracts tourists from around the world with its clear waters, white sandy beaches and distinctive architecture.The area hit by the fire is dominated by the Gargano National Park."The situation is critical," the mayor of nearby Vieste, Giuseppe Nobiletti, had earlier told reporters, according to the Corriere della Sera newspaper.He expressed concern that the winds were pushing the flames towards the tourist complex.After weeks of hot weather, fires have broken out almost daily across Italy, particularly in the south and on the islands.Two firefighters died last week fighting a blaze near Matera in Basilicata, a region that neighbours Puglia.

Qatar Museums and 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum opened on Wednesday 'Esports A Game Changer Exhibition,' a first-of-its-kind exhibition that explores the evolution of competitive gaming from its niche origins to a thriving cultural economy that supports mainstream megaevents. This exhibition will be on view from 24 July to 8 September 2024 in Residence Citeaux: 45, Boulevard Diderot, Paris, France and will be on view in Doha, Qatar, in 2025.Esports A Game Changer takes a sociological look at competitive gaming, defining it in relation to traditional sports and casual gaming, while looking at its governing organizations and economies. It also includes a history of esports, stretching back to the invention of the first electronic pinball machine a century ago, and presents snapshots of some of competitive gaming's biggest contemporary stars. The final part of the show looks at the future of esports in the gaming landscape and beyond, focusing on its societal, educational, recreational, and occupational implications.

The State of Qatar has condemned the Israeli Knesset's approval in first reading of a draft law designating the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as a terrorist organization.The State of Qatar deemed this move as a flagrant violation of international laws and norms, and an extension of the systematic campaign that aims to disband the agency, at a time when there is an increasing need for its humanitarian services due to the catastrophic consequences of the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.In a statement today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the necessity for the international community to stand resolutely against Israeli plans aimed at dismantling the agency and depriving millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon of its critical services.It underscored the State of Qatar's full support for UNRWA, stemming from its unwavering and supportive position for the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, foremost of which are the rights to establish their independent State on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.