Monday, September 14, 2026

New life has settled in the ORCHARD. - HIA - Qatar

 


___Hamad International Airport has added koi fish to the pond at The ORCHARD, its 6,000 sqm indoor tropical garden in Concourse C, bringing colour, movement, and ecological balance to the space. Opened in 2022 and LEED Gold certified, the garden holds over 300 trees and 25,000 plants from sustainable sources, uses natural daylight through a grid shell roof, and consumes 30% less energy and 55% less water than standard designs. A video shows the koi swimming among rocks and greenery, inviting transit passengers to relax and connect with nature in this airport oasis combining shopping, dining, and calm.






 

Private Business Jet Crashes on Landing at Misrata Airport, Libya

 

Heavy rain in Mecca - September 13

 On September 13, 2026, Al Jazeera English shared footage of intense rain and thunderstorms soaking the Kaaba and the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Worshippers in ihram continued praying and performing tawaf despite the downpour. Saudi authorities issued flood warnings, advising residents and visitors to stay away from valleys and low-lying areas, as thunderstorms were forecast to affect Makkah and surrounding regions through mid-September. The rare rainfall in Mecca's typically arid climate produced striking scenes — water cascading over the Kaaba's black cloth and flooding the marble courtyards beneath dark, stormy skies.



Sunday, September 06, 2026

Protein-Packed Chocolate Mousse with Dates & Greek Yogurt

 Nutritionist Amanda Flavours posted a short X video showing how to whip up a speedy chocolate mousse using wholesome ingredients like dates, Greek yogurt, and chia seeds. Simply blitz everything with cocoa, milk, and vanilla in a food processor, chill for 45–60 minutes, and top with raspberries. It’s a fuss-free, nutritious dessert that skips refined sugar while packing in protein and fiber.



Tuesday, September 01, 2026

From Spectator to Champion: How Doha 2006 Inspired a Medalist

 Footage was shot  about  Reem Al Sharshani at Lusail Shooting Range—a facility that has endured since Qatar hosted the 2006 Asian Games and still serves as a training ground for top athletes. Al Sharshani first took up competitive shooting in 2011, inspired by those very Games, and has since collected World Cup medals in both bronze and gold, all while maintaining her career as a clinical dietitian.



Monday, August 31, 2026

Is Your Cosmetic Practitioner Licensed? Qatar Issues Urgent Warning

 Qatar’s Interior Ministry, working with the Public Health Ministry, arrested three Europeans for performing unlicensed medical and cosmetic treatments. Police seized drugs, tools, and equipment linked to the illegal practice. Authorities warned residents to always check practitioner credentials before receiving treatment.

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Weekly Chess meet-ups at QNL

 


📚 Weekly casual chess at the library. Open to all ages and skill levels ♟️—learn the basics, meet players, or compete for fun. Chess sets provided ✅. Just show up—no RSVP required 🚪✨.



Sunday, August 23, 2026

NEW - fast money-transfer service to India

 

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Doha Metro is welcoming students for the new academic year

 


 Qatar Rail launched a bilingual back-to-school campaign encouraging students to use the Doha Metro for their daily commute. A 14-second animated video features a train-themed backpack mascot demonstrating the full journey—from entering Al Messila station and tapping tickets, to using escalators and boarding the train—aiming to promote the metro as a convenient and fun option for school travel.


Student use of public transport in Qatar remains low, with dedicated school buses (operated by Karwa) serving as the main option, while the Doha Metro sees very limited school-related ridership. Private cars dominate, causing significant congestion around schools. A 2023 survey of public school students identified barriers like long trip times, safety concerns, inconvenient schedules, and cultural factors. School bus usage varies (around 40–45% in some government schools), with private cars accounting for 55% or more. The Metro's Green Line serves education hubs but attracts few student trips. Qatar is promoting metro use through campaigns and school visits, and is transitioning buses to electric fleets by 2030. However, challenges remain in coverage, timing, safety perceptions, and integration. Increasing student transit use would require better route alignment, incentives, awareness, and first/last-mile connectivity.

Mass swimming lessons in Gaza

 In late August 2026, over a thousand children in Khan Younis, Gaza, took part in a seaside swimming workshop designed to encourage physical activity and emotional resilience following years of conflict and uprooted lives. Organized by local trainers, the event was part of a broader campaign called "Swim with Gaza," founded by coach Amjed Tantish. The pools were improvised using sandbags and debris, and the project intends to involve many more children through holiday sessions that provide uncommon opportunities for recreation and learning. With humanitarian agencies like UNRWA and UNICEF reporting that roughly 1.1 million young Gazans require psychological care, the swimming class represented a brief, meaningful escape from the enduring effects of violence, loss, and limited safe environments.


Wednesday, August 12, 2026

artistic galaxy - universe of ME 3 Ring Binder

 


This eye-catching 3-ring binder features a flying saucer/UFO set against an artistic galaxy background, capturing the mystery and wonder of outer space. With the phrase "Exploring the Universe of Me" on the front and "Universe of Me" on the spine, it’s designed for those documenting personal journeys, self-observations, and reflections. A cosmic and creative space for writers, dreamers, and self-discovery explorers.

What to expect on Qatar skies tomight until Aug 14

 While half the world is in eclipse fever (which, sadly, won't be visible from Qatar) – there are still plenty of celestial events to feast your eyes on up here in the Qatari skies. So no   fear of missing out  – the universe always has a backup plan. 🌙✨🔭"






Just in case the August heat wasn’t dramatic enough – the Qatar Calendar House confirms the Perseid meteor shower will blaze across our skies from Thursday night, August 13, until the crack of dawn on Friday. 🌠🔥
No eclipse? No problem. The universe is still sending us free fireworks. Just look up – and maybe bring bug spray. 😎🌙

 Wh at time ?  from 11 pm to sawn 

  Where to watch ? With no clouds and no bright moon to interfere, it's the perfect night for some serious stargazing. To make the most of it, the key is to escape the city lights for a truly dark sky. Here are some of the best spots in Qatar to enjoy the panorama.


You can catch the Perseids from just about any dark spot in Qatar – no need to overthink it. 🌠
For most locations, a 4x4 is recommended (or required), but there are a couple of exceptions where a regular sedan can handle the trip just fine – like the Al Kharrara desert point. 🚗✨
So if you don't have an off-roader, don't worry – just head to one of the accessible spots, find a dark patch, and look up. The universe doesn't discriminate. 😉🌌









 

expat Qatar