Doha, September 29 (QNA) - The Organizing Committee of the prestigious FINA airweave Swimming World Cup 2016 has intensified its managerial and technical arrangements to host the prestigious event in October. The finest swimmers from around the world will hit the pool when the FINA airweave Swimming World Cup 2016 begins at the Hamad Aquatic Centre in Doha on October 8.

The two-day event will see newly-crowned Olympic champions take to the waters in Doha, following their successes at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. FINA Swimming World Cup winners and reigning FINA Swimmers of the Year, Chad Le Clos (RSA) and Katinka Hossz (HUN) will once again compete in Doha. Le Clos battled hard in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and took home two silver medals in the 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly.

Hossz won incredible three gold medals and one silver medal along with setting a new world record at Rio Olympics. Chad Le Clos recorded amazing performances at Hamad Aquatic Centre in 2014 and 2015.

At the FINA Swimming World Cup in August 2014, he took home gold in the 50m and 100m butterfly, his signature events, as well as the 100m freestyle. Katinka also has a storied history in the FINA Swimming World Cup, and broke two world records and a championship record in the 2014 edition alone.
Among other world swimming stars participating in Doha are Australians Brittany Elmslie and Madeline Groves who took home the gold medal in a stunning 4x100m freestyle relay final in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Rikke Miller Pedersen (Denmark), World record holder in 200m breaststroke is also expected to compete, as well as 100m breaststroke world record holder Alia Atkinson (Jamaica) and former world record holder Roland Schoeman (South Africa).

Doha, September 29 (QNA) - Deputy Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani toured Hamad bin Khalifa Medical City and inspected new hospitals and health facilities. He was accompanied with Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa AlThani, Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Qatar. Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health was also present on the occasion who gave a brief on Medical City's various facilities and services. Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani toured Women's Wellness and Research Center, Medical Care building, Emergency Building, Hamad General Hospital, Qatar Rehabilitation Institute and the state-of the-art operating rooms, various installations, facilities and research centers.

Medical City is built on 227,000 square meters and is one of Qatar's key healthcare projects with the objective to provide a world-class health care.

Doha, September 29 (QNA) - The State of Qatar and the Republic of Bosnia & Herzegovina signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of security. at the Foreign Ministry's headquarters on Thursday.

Khaled bin Rashid Al Mansouri, Director of European Affairs at the Foreign Ministry of Qatar and Tarik Sadovic, ambassador of Republic of Bosnia & Herzegovina to State of Qatar signed on behalf of their respective countries. The ceremony was held on Thursday at the Foreign Ministry of Qatar.

New York, September 29 (QNA) - Sultan bin Sa’ad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar has said that the State of Qatar is firmly committed to the promotion of a peaceful communities, just and comprehensive. He was addressing at a meeting on the sidelines of 71st session of United Nations General Assembly. The meeting on ‘Creating communities of peace, a just and comprehensive in order to achieve sustainable development: the transition from words to deeds’. United Nations Secretary General was also present in the meeting.

Al Muraikhi said that armed conflicts and violence were the cause of the destruction of the lives of many people, leaving significant and serious repercussions on the human development. He stressed the importance of implementing the goals of the sustainable development as a precondition for reconstruction after the end of the conflict.

The State of Qatar has played an important role in mediation to reach a peaceful settlement of the conflicts in many areas, and has provided significant assistance to countries in transition, post-conflict and support for reforms that could enhance security, stability, and peace, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar said. Qatar had implemented several aspects of the objectives of the establishment of communities of peace, a just and comprehensive through a variety of initiatives including the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, by setting up the National Committee for Integrity and Transparency which had been provided with all the conditions and requirements that ensure the discharge of its duties with full objectivity and independence, he said.

Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi stressed that the State of Qatar fully understands the importance of a rule of law to the stability of the international community. He added that the Qatari constitution and the country's developmental policies reflect that relationship. He emphasized on the importance of collecting data and statistics as a method of monitoring progress in societies. Al Muraikhi stressed that the cooperation between government authorities, non-governmental organizations, academics and the private sector were paramount to collecting comprehensive data that helps improve the lives of people.

Doha
27 Sep 2016
Qatar Rail

Qatar Rail completed on Sunday 25th September 2016, all tunneling on the Doha Metro project with the final breakthrough taking place at Terminal One of Hamad International Airport (HIA). The first tunnel boring machines started tunneling in July 2014 and the final 111th kilometer was crossed by TBM "Msheireb" on the southern part of Red Line of this landmark mega project.

Celebrating this highly significant milestone at HIA station was Sheikh Abdulla Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Interior Minister of the State of Qatar, Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications and Vice Chairman of Rail Steering Committee, Qatar Rail, Eng. Abdulla Al Subaie, Qatar Rail's Managing Director and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Qatar Rail's CEO Dr. Eng. Saad al-Muhannadi along with other VIPs and members of management and staff who gathered to watch the final breakthrough.

In order to achieve 100% of the tunneling for the Doha Metro project 470,497 concrete segments were required to produce 70,071 tunnel rings to make the 111 km of tunnels. The overall completion of Doha Metro now currently stands at 50 %.

In his remarks, Minister of Transport and Communications and Vice Chairman of Rail Steering Committee, Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti said that Transportation projects are given great attention under the wise leadership of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and follow-up and supervision of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani. That led to a clear vision for implementing the best programs in the country to the benefit of our society.

He noted that the Doha Metro project would form the vital backbone of the integrated public transport system, supported by other Qatar Rail projects such as the Lusail Light Rail Transit and the Long Distance Passenger and Freight Rail, to encourage the use of public transport and services.

Al Sulaiti added that Qatar Rail has made several remarkable achievements. And finalizing tunneling for Doha Metro brings the company one step closer towards making this landmark mega project operational, according to the planned timeline and budget, highest quality standards, use of eco-friendly technologies, best international standards in that unique project that would contribute to national development and become a global legacy for Qatar and coming generations, achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.

He also said the Ministry of Transport and Communications set policies and formulated strategies that contribute to the development of the transportation infrastructure, promote the use of state-of-the-art technologies in transportation projects, and facilitate the movement of passengers and cargo. The Minister stressed that the Ministry is committed to implementing an integrated railroad project that is connecting Doha to all parts of the country and connecting Qatar to rail systems in brotherly countries in the GCC.

Eng. Abdulla Al Subaie, Qatar Rail's Managing Director and Chairman of the Executive Committee said taht Qatar Rail's achievements and its ambitious plans are made possible through the leadership and continuous guidance of Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the State of Qatar and the Chairman of Rail Steering Committee, and Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications and Vice Chairman of Rail Steering Committee. The end of tunneling marks an impressive milestone in the progress of construction of this important project, and therefore, I would like to congratulate all those involved in making this milestone happen. It has been made possible due to the combined efforts of the entire Qatar Rail team and JV Contractors.

'This is an incredible feat of engineering and I am especially proud that the tunnels have been built to a world-class standard with the very highest standards of quality and safety having been achieved. Tunnelling for the Doha Metro began just over two years ago and has seen a record breaking 21 TBMs work to achieve this milestone. The Doha Metro project is a vital part of Qatar's long term plan to support a growing economy while improving the lives of the country's residents. The achievement of this significant milestones brings us one step closer to its much anticipated delivery."

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Eng. Saad Al Muhannadi, Qatar Rail's Chief Executive Officer said: "Completion of tunneling on the Doha Metro is yet another major milestone for the project and one we are delighted to have achieved on plan and to schedule. Until now 7.5km of above ground tracks viaducts have been installed and base slab and foundations have been completed on 33 stations. Roofs have been completed on 8 stations and roof slabs are progressing at 27 different stations. We are delighted to have been able to achieve all this within the timelines and budgets allocated and this is due to the hard work and dedication of all parties involved. We look forward to sharing many more milestones with you, especially the arrival of the Doha Metro train mock up later this year."

The 21 state-of-the-art TBMs which saw Qatar Rail recognised by the Guinness World Records for "The Largest Number of Tunnel Boring Machines Operating Simultaneously on a Single Project" were shipped to Doha from the manufacturer - Herrenknecht in Germany to carry out this mammoth task.

Tunneling started in July 2014 on the northern part of Red Line by TBM "Lebretha" in Al Qassar site. During 2016 Qatar Rail has celebrated completion of tunneling on Doha Metro's Red, Green and Gold Lines. Completion of tunneling on the northern section of the Red Line was achieved in March by TBM "Lebretha" which achieved the final breakthrough on this part of the line between Legtaifiya Station and Qatar University (QU).

Following this tunneling on Doha Metro's Green Line was completed in April this year with the breakthrough of tunnel boring machine (TBM) "Al Messila" at Education City station. Whilst Qatar Rail also saw the completion of tunneling on Doha Metro's Gold Line with the final breakthrough on 19th May at Msheireb station.

Dr. Eng. Saad Al Muhannadi went on to conclude that although tunneling has been completed, much still remains to be done, "Now that tunneling has been completed we are moving to the laying of the tracks, awaiting the arrival of the train mockups, and working on the completion of the interiors of the stations with mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works)."

The first phase of the Doha Metro project is expected to be complete in 2020.

By 2030, all the three networks – Doha Metro, Lusail Tram and the long-distance rail, which will link Qatar with the GCC Rail network – are expected to be complete.

By 2020 Doha Metro's 37 metro stations are expected to be operative, with an average journey time of two minutes between adjacent stations.

21 September · Qatar based business groups including American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), Qatar Australia and New Zeland Business Associate (QA-NZBA), Qatar British Business Forum (QBBF) and Spanish Business Council held an innovative 'Speed Networking' and a fun way building connections and networking.

It was held at the Hotel Oryx Rotana Doha on Wednesday evening 21st Sept 2016.