Transport

Doha, Qatar: The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announced the completion of all works of Phase 7 of the Road Improvement Project in the Western, as part of Ashghal’s efforts to develop road networks and infrastructure services in various regions of the country. In a statement by Ashghal, the project meets the well-studied needs and requirements of several areas in the North and West of Qatar by improving permanent streets and constructing temporary roads to serve residents and businesses, while providing connectivity to facilities and services. It also provides safety features, parking spaces, infrastructure networks, and beautification works. Project Engineer at the Western Areas Section of the Roads Projects Department, Eng. Hassan Al-Naama, explained that works included the development of roads and infrastructure in Al Sailiya, Al Gharrafa, Al Karaana, Al Nasraniya, Mesaimeer and other areas, where roads were developed with a total length of 39 km.Works also involved the installation of around 285 street lighting poles, the construction of pedestrian paths, and the provision of safety features, signboards, road markings, and 587 parking spaces. He added that the project included the implementation of works related to surface water and groundwater drainage networks, stormwater drainage networks, and sewage works. Grading works were also carried out in many areas to prepare the land for development. Similarly, works were implemented in Al Sailiya area with the development of Al Sailiya Road and the main roads in the area, including the installation of lighting poles and traffic signals, the implementation of sewage and surface water drainage lines, in addition to interlock works, pedestrian paths, and parking spaces.For the works carried out in Al Gharrafa, Al Karaana and Al Nasraniya areas, they included the construction and development of roads and the enhancement of their efficiency while providing associated safety elements, in addition to implementing sewage netowrks, house connections, and surface water drainage works in Al Gharrafa area. The project also includes the construction of a new road with a length of more than 15 km to facilitate access to Al-Kharaij Beach, in addition to implementing and developing a network of roads, as well as landscaping and beautification works to serve many service and governmental institutions and facilities in Mesaimeer area.According to Ashghah, local materials accounting for 85% and manufacturers were relied upon in most of the project work, as local Qatari sources were utilised to supply materials and elements such as gabbro, street lighting poles and lamps, signboards, sewage pipes, rainwater drainage pipes, asphalt layers, and prefabricated manholes.

General

Doha, Qatar: Qatari calligraphy and calligraffiti artist Fatima Alsharshani will represent Qatar at this year’s MURAL Festival in Montreal, unveiling a new public artwork inspired by the words of acclaimed Canadian author Margaret Atwood ‘In the end, we all become stories.’ Presented as part of the Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture, Alsharshani’s participation brings a contemporary Qatari artistic voice to one of North America’s most prominent public art festivals, which each year transforms Montreal’s Saint-Laurent Boulevard into an open-air gallery attracting artists and visitors from around the world. Fatima’s participation marks the beginning of a new artistic exchange between Qatar and Canada that grew from a chance meeting in Doha. In December 2025, MURAL Festival founder and Lead for LNDMRK Nicolas Munn Rico visited Qatar during World Wide Walls street art festival. Speaking about the collaboration, Nicolas Munn Rico said: “What began with a visit to Doha has become a creative exchange between two cities that believe in the power of public art. We’re thrilled to welcome Fatima to Montreal, and just as excited to see Canadian artists travel to Doha later this year. The most meaningful partnerships are built on reciprocity, and this one allows ideas, talent and stories to move in both directions.” Known for her distinctive fusion of Arabic calligraphy and contemporary street art, Alsharshani’s new work explores the traces people leave behind through their actions, relationships and experiences. Drawing inspiration from Atwood’s reflection on memory and legacy, the mural invites viewers to consider how they wish to be remembered and what stories will remain after them. “This artwork was inspired by Margaret Atwood’s words, ‘In the end, we all become stories,’ because they captured something that resonated deeply with me,” said Fatima Alsharshani. “These simple words contain an entire lifetime. We spend our lives writing our story through the choices we make, the people we love and the impact we have on others. This mural is an invitation to pause and ask: when all that’s left is the story, what do we want it to say?” Established in 2012, the Years of Culture initiative uses cultural exchange to build lasting relationships between Qatar and countries around the world through partnerships in the arts, education, heritage, sport and innovation. Read Also QF, BAL collaboration to harness power of sport to advance education, community development Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra brings ‘Sibelius and Tchaikovsky’ to life in electrifying Katara performance Zakat Affairs Department disburses QR6.8m in assistance in May The 2026 edition celebrates Qatar’s relationships with Canada and Mexico through a year-long programme of exhibitions, performances, educational initiatives and community exchanges. Taking place from 4–14 June, MURAL Festival is recognised as one of Canada’s leading urban art events, bringing together local and international artists to create large-scale works that contribute to Montreal’s evolving public art landscape. Through Alsharshani’s participation, festival audiences will encounter a contemporary interpretation of Arabic calligraphy while reflecting on a question that transcends cultures: what story will each of us leave behind?

General

Employees of the Qatar Media Corporation participated in a blood donation campaign organised by the institution on June 14 to mark World Blood Donor Day. The initiative, which continues through the following day, aims to promote social responsibility, encourage a culture of voluntary blood donation, and support national healthcare efforts.