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Qatar Airways has ordered 20 more Boeing 777-9 planes, expanding its order book for the US manufacturer’s 777X family of jets to 94.The national airline’s significant order of Boeing 777X aircraft, which is considered the world’s largest and most fuel-efficient twin-engine jet, was announced on the second day of the Farnborough International Airshow.The announcement also includes a commitment for 40 additional GE9X engines and spare engines, as well as a long-term services agreement.According to Boeing, Qatar Airways helped launch the 777X programme and now has on order for 60 777-9 passenger airplanes.Qatar Airways is also the inaugural launch customer for the 777-8 Freighter and has 34 of the next generation cargo jet on order.On the first day of Farnborough Airshow 2024, Qatar Airways showcased Qsuite Next Gen, the latest version of the ‘World’s Best Business Class’, which will be featured on the 20 additional order of the Boeing 777-9 aircraft, amongst other aircraft.The highly-anticipated Qsuite Next Gen includes updated features such as movable monitors with Bluetooth connectivity, companion suits with window views, larger lie-flat and double beds, lockable drawers, touchscreen passenger control unit and more.Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Badr Mohamed al-Meer said: “Qatar Airways is proud to announce an expansion to the existing Boeing 777X aircraft order with an additional 20, totalling 94 Boeing 777X aircraft.“We, as the ‘World’s Best Airline’, are an industry leader and operate one of the youngest fleets, offering unparalleled innovation and quality. Keeping an eye on the future, we continue to ensure that all Qatar Airways passengers are only met with the best products and services available in the industry.”Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope said: “Qatar Airways is a leader in our industry, and we are honoured the airline added 20 more 777-9 jets to its large Boeing order book. We appreciate their confidence that Boeing’s market-leading widebody family will provide outstanding fuel efficiency and a superior passenger experience for its global operations.”GE Aerospace President and CEO, Commercial Engines and Services, Russell Stokes said: “We are pleased to extend our partnership with Qatar Airways to support the airline’s commitment to an excellent customer experience and best-in-class efficiency. To Page 5The GE9X is the world’s most powerful and most fuel-efficient turbofan and we look forward to continuing to support the growth of the Qatar Airways family with this technology.”Qatar Airways continues to lead the industry with one of the youngest fleets and this latest addition to the Boeing 777X order ensures future passengers a seamless journey on our ever-growing network of over 170 destinations worldwide.“Based on the popular Boeing 777 family and with advanced technologies from the 787 Dreamliner, the 777X programme is designed to set new standards of efficiency, environmental performance and passenger experience.“The 777-9 is the largest in the family and will help operators open new growth opportunities with capacity for 426 passengers in a typical two-class configuration and a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510km),” Boeing said.Earlier this month, Boeing began certification flight testing for the 777-9, which will offer a new level of passenger comfort with a spacious cabin, better humidity, a quiet environment and increased natural light.In addition to the 777X family, Qatar Airways has 12 787 Dreamliner and 25 737 MAX aircraft on order, Boeing said yesterday.Boeing’s 2024 Commercial Market Outlook forecasts that twin-aisle jets such as its 777X and 787 Dreamliner will make up 44% of the region’s fleet across Middle Eastern operators over the next 20 years.

Palestinian residents of eastern neighbourhoods of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip fled their homes yesterday as Israeli tanks advanced deep into the area after Israel ordered the population to evacuate.The tanks pushed into the Khan Younis town of Bani Suhaila and several districts nearby were bombed for a second day, forcing tens of thousands of civilians to seek refuge elsewhere.Gaza health officials said Israeli military strikes since Monday killed at least 80 Palestinians in the Khan Younis area — adding to a death toll of more than 39,000 in nearly 10 months of warfare, according to Gaza authorities’ figures.Many of the newly displaced families said they had to spend the night in the streets as they searched in vain for a space as western Khan Younis and central Gaza areas were overcrowded.UN officials described scenes of despair as Israeli airstrikes hit the area.“The situation is impossible,” the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said on X.“People are exhausted from the continuous displacement and unliveable conditions & they are trapped in increasingly small & overcrowded areas,” it said.Residents in Khan Younis said tanks remained stationed deep inside Bani Suhaila, east of downtown Khan Younis. Soldiers were seen searching inside the town’s main cemetery, while others commandeered roofs of high-rise buildings, firing their guns toward the western areas from time to time, residents said.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in Washington this week, told families of hostages held in Gaza that a deal that would secure their release could be near.Months of efforts mediated by Egypt and Qatar to reach a ceasefire gained momentum in recent weeks under a proposal outlined by Biden in May.

Vice-President Kamala Harris opened up a marginal two-percentage-point lead over Republican Donald Trump after President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign and passed the torch to her, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found.The poll, conducted on Monday and Tuesday, followed both the Republican National Convention where Trump on Thursday formally accepted his party’s nomination and the Biden announcement on Sunday he was leaving the race and endorsing Harris.Harris, whose campaign says she has secured the Democratic nomination, led Trump 44% to 42% in the national poll, a difference within the 3-percentage-point margin of error.Harris and Trump were tied at 44% in a July 15-16 poll, and Trump led by one percentage point in a July 1-2 poll, both within the same margin of error.While nationwide surveys give important signals of American support for political candidates, just a handful of competitive states typically tilt the balance in the US Electoral College, which ultimately decides who wins a presidential election.The most recent poll results underscored the rationale for Biden dropping out of the race and for Harris replacing him on the ticket.Some 56% of registered voters agreed with a statement that Harris, 59, was “mentally sharp and able to deal with challenges,” compared to 49% who said the same of Trump,

The inaugural SkillFest is transforming Msheireb Downtown Doha into a hub of artistic expression, showcasing the rich heritage of Qatar alongside cutting-edge contemporary art.The festival, running until August 15, offers residents and visitors a unique and engaging experience. It features a diverse range of activities, catering to all ages and interests.Interactive workshops designed to inspire and engage participants in various artistic and cultural crafts take centre stage. Renowned Qatari and regional artists and artisans share their expertise through masterclasses, while engaging workshops for children foster the next generation of creative talent.It is learnt that this event underlines Msheireb Properties’ commitment to promoting Qatari culture and showcasing the remarkable talent within the community. The festival also serves as a platform for local artisans to connect with the public, share their passions, and inspire others.Msheireb Galleria provides a selection of curated offerings at various zones throughout the summer, including Food, Play, Treasure Hunts, and Splash zones.The SkillFest Market, bustling with activity from 11am to 3pm and between 4pm and 10pm, features more than 20 local vendors who showcase and sell their unique handcrafted products. Visitors can also immerse themselves in a photography exhibition, featuring stunning wildlife photographs by renowned Qatari photographer Azzam al-Mannai.Msheireb Galleria, a central hub of the festival, takes visitors to ‘a world of excitement’ at its Arcade Zone, where they can explore a giant immersive maze and enjoy a mix of retro and modern games.SkillFest extends beyond Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), with events taking place at Place Vendome, Mall of Qatar, and West Walk. This nationwide initiative, supported by Visit Qatar, aims to celebrate local and sustainable arts and crafts inspired by Qatar’s marine environment.Festival-goers also have the chance to examine more than 100 works by 74 designers, design studios, and collections at the “Arab Design Now” exhibition – on view until August 5 at M7. This captivating display underlines the diversity and talent within the Arab design world, spanning from architectural installations to textiles, furniture, and graphic design.

The 9th Local Dates Exhibition started at Souq Waqif yesterday with the participation of more than 110 local farms featuring several local varieties.Organised by Souq Waqif Management in co-operation with the Agricultural Affairs Department of the Ministry of Municipality, the exhibition also showcases date products such as syrup, cakes, juices and ice cream. Also, the ministry has set up counters to display date farming techniques.Souq Waqif director Mohamed Abdullah al-Salem said that the exhibition marks an increase in the number of participating farms and customers year after year while becoming an ideal venue for marketing local dates. He noted that the response from the farmers and the customers is positive.Ahmed Salem al-Yafei, head of the Agricultural Extension and Services Department at the Ministry of Municipality, said the growing number of participating farms and visitors bear witness to the good response evoked by the annual exhibition. Al-Yafie said a special exhibition of figs and almonds will be held at the exhibition on Thursday.The festival is held in the eastern square of Souq Waqif in an air-conditioned tent. To run until August 3, the exhibition is open to the public from 4 pm to 9 pm. On Friday, the festival is held from 4 pm to 10 pm.The annual festival features all Qatari varieties of dates including Al Khalas, Al Khenaizi, Al Shishi, Al Barhi, Al Saqai, Al Razizi, Nabt Saif and Al Lulu.Last year, the sales witnessed a record 220 tonnes and the authorities expect to exceed this number in this edition due to the high quality of Qatari dates.In the 9th edition, the organising committee has set conditions for participation. The dates must be good, clean and free of infections, insects, and impurities. A team of specialists from the Agricultural Affairs Department takes samples of the wetlands of the participating farms for examination and analysis in order to ensure that they are free of toxic substances and any remaining traces of pesticides.

Team Qatar is partaking in the English-language World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC 2024 Serbia) taking place from July 16-26 in the Czech Republic and Serbia, with large international participation.WSDC 2024 Serbia is set to be held in two stages, the first is pre-championship friendly training rounds held in the Czech Republic to gain participants with international experience and familiarise them with the event.The second stage will be held in Belgrade, Serbia, where young leaders from all over the world will meet at the WSDC 2024 Serbia to address the most prominent issues and offer compelling solutions.Team Qatar consists of young nationals who have represented Qatar in previous international events. The team is divided into two, the main one includes Amira Ishaq, Mira Khaled, Maryam Kafoud, Fatima al-Muhannadi, and Al-Anoud al-Kaabi. The trainee team are Abdullah al-Muhannadi and Mohamed Khaled who won the best speaker award in a local championship recently held in Doha.The national team qualified for the knockout rounds after winning six rounds out of eight. It underwent a training programme for nearly a year and participated in all local championships as well as a number of international championships held remotely.Team Qatar members highlighted the importance of participating in the WSDC 2024 Serbia and affirmed their readiness for the championship after achieving positive results in previous confrontations with the strongest teams.They also expressed their joy at being selected to be part of Team Qatar and representing their country on this global stage.They added that participating in such events helps gain many life experiences such as enhancing social relationships and learning about different cultures around the world.They expressed their gratitude to the QatarDebate Center for selecting them as well as training and equipping them with the necessary tools and skills which has been proven to be impactful with the constant success achieved.QatarDebate Center is participating in the exhibition accompanying the WSDC 2024 Serbia by introducing Qatar’s culture and the centre’s programmes. It will display national attire as well as hand souvenirs and gifts to its visitors.Qatar hosted the 22nd WSDC in 2010, making it the first Arab country to host the event.

Qatar has participated in the preparatory conference for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Sustainable Development, which is being held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. Qatar's delegation to the conference was headed by Qatar's ambassador and its Permanent Representative to the African Union Saad bin Mubarak al-Nuaimi. The conference discussed progress made and gaps in the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and identified actions needed to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Katara Summer Camp continues to attract visitors on its third day, including children in different activities within the camp's diverse programmes.The camp offers educational, recreational and cultural activities to develop children's skills and enhance their intellectual, creative and social abilities.The Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) aims for children to take advantage of the summer holidays, since it helps in bettering their self-discipline and individual responsibility, and gives them an opportunity to expand their circle of friends.Katara Summer Camp programmes are held in partnership with the Qatar Red Crescent Society by training participants in first aid, in addition with Al Jazeera Media Institute where its trainer Iman al-Obaidi presented a workshop on self-confidence.These activities helped participants learn life skills in an entertaining and interactive way. This helped in developing their social abilities as well as increasing their knowledge and understanding of key topics. They additionally took part in an air rifle shooting event, competitions and cultural games. Today's programme will include a trip to Al Shaqab to learn about horses and their important role in Qatar's society.

HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid al-Khater recently visited the Qatar Charity (QC) office in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Qatar's ambassador Meshal bin Ali al-Attiyah along with their accompanying delegation.The visit, according to an official statement from QC, underscores the humanitarian and developmental co-operation between Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It emphasises Qatar's commitment to enhancing international partnerships in education, social development and supporting initiatives that promote cultural exchange between nations.The purpose of this visit was to familiarise themselves with the projects and activities implemented by the QC in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Qatari delegation was received by Hassan al-Nuaimi, general supervisor of the office and Mohamed Oushan, the office director. A presentation was given highlighting the history of QC in Bosnia and Herzegovina, its projects and the sectors it supports.Honouring studentsHE the Minister honoured the resident students at the Doha Al Khair residence for female students under QC on the graduation of the fifth batch for the academic year 2023-2024. This project is a significant initiative providing a supportive environment for female students to complete their studies.HE the Minister praised the pioneering project for female students in Bosnia and Herzegovina and QC’s efforts across various fields.Pioneering projectQC established the university residence for female students in 2019 in the heart of Sarajevo, near four universities offering various scientific disciplines. The location was carefully chosen to provide a safe and comfortable environment for academic pursuits, benefiting students from low-income rural backgrounds aspiring for higher education and better futures. Additionally, QC implements diverse projects across humanitarian and developmental sectors while enhancing healthcare and educational services and contributing to improving the quality of life for local communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid AlKhater, met yesterday with the visiting Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Co-operation Dr Wael Zaqout, and Minister of State for Palestinian Relief Affairs Dr Basil Nasser.Discussions during the meeting dealt with the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, Israeli violations in the West Bank, and the Israeli occupation authorities' freezing of Palestinian Authority funds.HE AlKhater renewed Qatar's condemnation of the genocide in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli violations of all international laws and conventions in the West Bank, occupied Jerusalem and all Palestinian territories, including the intensification of the policy of displacement, settlement and economic restrictions, and reiterated Qatar's supportive position of the Palestinian brothers in all the occupied Palestinian territories.

It’s been a while – 40 years to be exact – since Venezuelan trap shooter Leonel Martinez last competed at the Olympics. He was only 20 when he took part in the Los Angeles Games in 1984, but says he’s in better shape now, at 60, as he prepares to compete in Paris after the second-longest gap between Olympic appearances in history. Only Japanese dressage rider Hiroshi Hoketsu waited longer to return to the Olympics. He first competed in Tokyo in 1964 and returned to the Games in Beijing in 2008.

Qatar has maintained a strong presence in the Olympic Games since its debut at the Los Angeles in 1984. The country has shown significant progress from one edition to the next, earning a prominent position among Gulf and Arab nations through the medals won by its athletes over the years.Qatar’s total Olympic medal tally stands at eight: two golds, two silvers and four bronzes. The Qatari delegation is optimistic about increasing this historic haul in Paris, thanks to the unwavering support and continuous development of Qatari sports, which have propelled the nation to the top rank in the Gulf region and fifth among Arab countries in terms of Olympic medals.Qatar first participated in the Olympics at the Montreal Games in 1976 with an administrative delegation only. On March 14, 1979, the Qatar Olympic Committee was established, joining the International Olympic Committee in 1980 and the Olympic Council of Asia in 1981.Qatar’s active participation began at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, competing in football, athletics, and shooting. The football team made a notable debut by drawing 2-2 with France, which went on to win the gold medal. Despite this strong performance, losses to Chile and Norway prevented Qatar from advancing to the quarter-finals.In the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Qatar sent a delegation of 12 members, including eight athletes in athletics. This participation was crucial for gaining experience, especially as it was only the second Olympic Games held in Asia, following the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.Qatar achieved its first Olympic medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where 31 athletes participated. Mohamed Suleiman won the bronze medal in the men’s 1500 metres, outpacing a field of renowned global athletes and marking a historic moment for Qatar and the Gulf region.The football team also excelled, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time. They secured a 1-0 victory over Egypt, drew 1-1 with Colombia, and lost 2-0 to eventual champions Spain, advancing as the second team in their group but falling to Poland 2-0 in the quarter-finals.At the 1996 Atlanta Games, Qatar’s 12-athlete delegation competed in athletics, shooting, volleyball, and table tennis. This edition marked the Olympic debut of shooter Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah, who would go on to achieve significant milestones in Qatari sports history. Additionally, Hamad al-Hamad participated in table tennis, having earned his spot by winning the West Asia Championship.Qatar’s fifth consecutive Olympic participation came at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in Australia. This marked the first appearance of Qatari swimmers in the Olympic Games. Qatar was represented by a delegation of 17 athletes competing in athletics, weightlifting, table tennis, shooting, and swimming. At the Sydney Olympics, Qatar secured a bronze medal in weightlifting through athlete Asaad Saif in the 105kg category, marking the country’s second Olympic medal.In the 2004 Athens Olympics in Greece, Qatar competed in five sports: shooting, wrestling, weightlifting, swimming, and athletics. Shooting champion Nasser al-Attiyah carried the Qatari flag during the parade. This participation was the largest for Qatar compared to previous Olympic editions, with a total delegation of 41 members, including 20 athletes.At the 2008 Beijing Olympics in China, Qatar participated in six sports: athletics, shooting, swimming, weightlifting, fencing, and taekwondo. The number of participating athletes increased to 22, along with the administrative delegation. This Olympic edition saw the largest Qatari athletics delegation to date, with 14 athletes, marking the largest compared to previous Olympic participation.The 2012 London Olympics marked a new milestone for Qatar with the achievement of two medals: a silver by Mutaz Barshim in the high jump and a bronze by al-Attiyah in the skeet shooting event. This brought Qatar’s total medal tally to four: one silver and three bronzes. Qatar participated in shooting, athletics, swimming and table tennis at the London Olympics, with four Qatari women athletes making their debut, and shooting champion Bahia al-Hamad carrying the Qatari flag at the opening ceremony.At the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil, Qatari successes continued with Barshim winning a silver medal, giving Qatar its fifth Olympic medal. Qatar’s delegation included 38 athletes representing 10 sports federations: athletics, handball, shooting, equestrian, boxing, beach volleyball, swimming, table tennis, judo and weightlifting.The 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan marked another significant achievement for Qatar, recording its most successful participation ever.Qatar won two gold medals through Barshim in the high jump and Fares Ibrahim in weightlifting, along with a bronze in beach volleyball through duo Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, marking the first time an Arab team sport won an Olympic medal. This brought Qatar’s total Olympic medal count to eight, with aspirations for more success in future Olympic Games.At the Paris Olympics, which will begin from Friday, Qatar is aiming to surpass its three medals won in Tokyo. This time around, there are more athletes – 14 in total – than there were three years ago in Tokyo, increasing the chances of improving the medal tally. The fourteen athletes representing Qatar at Paris 2024 are:Mutaz Essa Barshim, Abderrahman Samba, Abubaker Haydar, Bassem Hemeida, Ismail Dawood, Ammar Ismail, Saif Mohamed and Shahad Mohamed in track and field, Saeed Abu Sharab and Rashid Saleh al-Athba in shooting, Fares Ibrahim in weightlifting, Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan in beach volleyball and Abdulaziz al-Obaidly in swimming.