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 🚪✨.

learn more 

NEW - fast money-transfer service to India

 

Qatar Post has teamed up with India Post to introduce a fast money-transfer service to India, unveiled on India's Independence Day, August 15, 2026. The PosTransfer system uses UPI to send funds directly to recipients' UPI-linked bank accounts in local currency. Transfers range from QAR 10 to 4,000 (about ₹1 lakh maximum) and cost a flat QAR 15 per transaction. To use it, the sender provides a Qatar ID and the recipient's UPI ID, while the receiver must enable foreign inward remittances in their UPI app. Transfers clear in just minutes, giving the large Indian expatriate population in Qatar a fresh, reliable way to send money home via postal services.

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OST) August 15, 2026

Doha Metro is welcoming students for the new academic year

 

مع اقتراب العام الدراسي الجديد، نتطلع لاستقبال طلبتنا الأعزاء على متن شبكة مترو الدوحة
مهما كانت وجهتكم الدراسية هذا العام، #مترو_الدوحة مستعدٌ لإيصالكم إليها.
#العودة_إلى_المدارس

As the new academic year approaches, we look forward to welcoming our students aboard the Doha… pic.twitter.com/F1vqHozzc1

— Qatar Rail (@QatarRail) August 23, 2026

 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.

An initiative on Gaza’s shore brought 1,300 Palestinian children together for a mass swimming class, helping them stay active and cope with the trauma of Israel’s genocidal war. With 1.1 million children needing mental health support, the class offers a rare sense of normality. pic.twitter.com/y08SzWgqzE

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 22, 2026

artistic galaxy - universe of ME 3 Ring Binder

 

artistic galaxy - universe of ME
by almawad

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. 😉🌌

 

Qatar Bans 27 People for Using Fake Certificates to Get Health Jobs

 n the first half of 2026, Qatar's health department found 27 people who used fake work papers to get healthcare jobs. These papers were false experience certificates. The fraud was caught early during the document check. After that, these 27 people were put on a blacklist. They can never work in Qatar's health sector again.

A top health official, Dr. Saad Al-Kaabi, said that Qatar has strict rules to check all documents. The ministry also works with other trusted groups to make sure all certificates are real. This is done to keep patients safe and maintain good care.

Other Countries Have Similar Problems

This kind of cheating happens in other countries too.

In India, in the state of Rajasthan, the police found a group selling fake medical exam certificates in 2026. About 25 people were arrested. Some foreign-trained doctors used these fake papers to get registration and hospital training.

In the United States, there is a big investigation called Operation Nightingale. It started in 2025 and is still going on in 2026. The case involves fake nursing diplomas and school records. Many people have been charged with crimes, and some have lost their nursing licenses in different states.

Sheikha Asma bint Thani summited Gasherbrum II

 

إنجاز تاريخي جديد للمرأة القطرية والعربية

بعد نجاح أسطورة تسلق الجبال الشيخة أسماء بنت ثاني آل ثاني في تسلّق 11 قمة جبال يتجاوز ارتفاعها 8,000 متر، لتواصل مسيرتها الاستثنائية نحو إكمال أعلى قمم العالم، وذلك بتسلقها قمة جبل غاشربروم 2 في سلسلة جبال قراقرم، على الحدود بين باكستان… pic.twitter.com/PwPbRh9FDF

— Team Qatar 🇶🇦 (@qatar_olympic) August 9, 2026

Qatar Olympic Committee announces Sheikha Asma bint Thani Al Thani's summit of Gasherbrum II on July 30, 2026, marking her 11th of the world's 14 peaks over 8,000 meters in the Karakoram range. The post frames the ascent as a historic milestone for Qatari and Arab women, noting the extreme risks in the "Death Zone" where oxygen drops sharply and conditions turn deadly. Sheikha Asma, a pioneering high-altitude climber with prior firsts including Everest and oxygen-free eight-thousanders, continues her "Beyond Boundaries" campaign to complete all 14 peaks while inspiring regional youth.

 

Hot tea or soup to cool down ? Learn why it works ...

 

For many Americans, a heat wave means iced drinks and frozen treats.
But across parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America, people still sip hot tea, eat steaming soup and load their food with chiles.

It may sound counterintuitive – but there’s science behind it. pic.twitter.com/JeF9s2subV

— AJ+ (@ajplus) August 9, 2026

 Ever wonder why folks in scorching climates reach for chili peppers and hot broth? 🌶️ Here’s the science-backed reasoning behind this refreshing paradox:

• Sweat-activated cooling 💦 – Capsaicin, the fiery compound in chilis, flips on your TRPV1 heat sensors, prompting your body to produce sweat. As that moisture evaporates from your skin, it whisks internal heat away. (This trick works like a charm in dry, arid conditions where evaporation happens easily! 🌬️)

• The hot drink surprise ☕🔥 – Downing a hot beverage adds a slight burst of warmth, but it ramps up your sweating rate significantly. If that extra perspiration evaporates fully, your total body heat can actually drop lower than if you'd sipped something cold—provided the humidity stays low.

• Electrolyte boost 🍲 – Warming broths (think pho) don’t just rehydrate you; they replenish crucial electrolytes and minerals, keeping your system primed to sweat productively without tanking your hydration levels.

This clever physiological mechanism explains why spicy, steaming meals are staples across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. 🌍 The golden rule? It all hinges on evaporation—so without decent airflow and low humidity, that cooling magic just won’t kick in! 

The "Smart Observer - launched by Qatar's Ministry of Environment

 

أطلقت وزارة البيئة والتغير المناخي ممثلة بإدارة الرصد والتفتيش البيئي مشروع "الراصد الذكي" وهو قارب يعمل عن بعد مزود بأنظمة متقدمة لرصد المتغيرات البيئية وجمع العينات والبيانات من المواقع البيئية البحرية، وذلك ضمن جهودها لتطوير منظومة الرصد البيئي ورفع كفاءة جمع البيانات.

ويدعم… pic.twitter.com/qsnKNqixBT

— وزارة البيئة والتغير المناخي (@moecc_qatar) August 4, 2026

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 🌊 The "Smart Observer" – a remotely operated boat launched by Qatar's Ministry of Environment – is revolutionizing marine monitoring with faster, smarter, and more efficient data collection across the country's waters. 🛥️🔬🇶🇦

 

marine safety advisory by MOI Qatar

 Qatar's Ministry of Interior has issued a marine safety advisory, reminding everyone heading out to sea to strictly follow safety requirements – all in the interest of preventing accidents and ensuring public safety. 🛥️⚓

The advisory is part of the ongoing awareness efforts under #MOIQatar and #CoastsAndBorderSecurity. 🏷️

An accompanying infographic breaks down the key safety guidelines every seafarer should follow, including:

📡 Checking weather conditions before departure
📻 Installing a VHF radio tuned to Channel 16 (the international marine distress frequency)
🧭 Carrying a reliable marine compass
🦺 Wearing life jackets at all times
🔄 Ensuring lifebuoys are on board and easily accessible
📶 Activating the AIS (Automatic Identification System) upon departure
🚫 Avoiding restricted and off-limits areas

Adhering to marine safety requirements during sea voyages helps prevent accidents and ensures a safe journey. Your safety is our priority.#MOIQatar #CoastsAndBorderSecurity pic.twitter.com/SJosofHGPL

— Ministry of Interior - Qatar (@MOI_QatarEn) July 29, 2026

49°C and Rising – Qatar's Summer Is No Joke!

 🌡️ Qatar Meteorology Department has released the recorded min/max temperatures for August 7, 2026, across its monitoring stations – complete with a map revealing the scorching heat in full force.

🔥 Multiple inland locations sizzled at 49°C, including Shahaniyah, Mukaynis, Karanah, and Turayna – while coastal spots like Doha Airport saw a max of 45°C and a min of 35°C.

🌊 Meanwhile, coastal and northern areas experienced slightly milder peaks around 40–43°C – but don't be fooled! This is classic August in Qatar, where the inte

nse summer heat barely gives you a break, with nighttime lows rarely dipping below 30°C. 🥵

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درجات الحرارة الصغرى والعظمى المسجلة في مختلف محطات الرصد #قطر

Min & Max Temperatures Recorded in different regions#Qatar pic.twitter.com/YJvON3fbLc

— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) August 7, 2026