QSE Index Closes 0.14 Percent Higher


Doha: Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) general index closed at 9,924.16 points on Sunday, 14 points (0.14 percent) higher from its previous closing.

A trading volume of 116,673,618 shares was traded in 12,612 transactions in all sectors, with a total trading value of QR 315,139,622.192.

The prices of 23 companies went up and those of 23 declined, while two companies maintained their previous closing price.

The market capitalization closed at QR 576,295,747,591.840 compared to QR 575,055,012,610.140 in the previous session.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Orange and Pink Lines of Lusail Tram are Open to Public


Doha: Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) has started the services on the full Orange Line and Pink Line of the Lusail Tram to the public starting today.

All stations on the Orange Line are now fully operational with the opening of the new stations, including Naifa, Fox Hills – South, Downtown Lusail, Al Khayl Street, Fox Hills – North, Crescent Park – North, Rawdat Lusail, Erkiyah, Lusail Stadium, and Al Yasmeen.

The current service expansion also includes the opening of all Pink Line stations, starting from Legtaifiya and reaching Seef Lusail North, excluding Al Sa’ad Plaza station, which will be announced to be operational at a later time.

The newly opened stations will give direct access to several key attractions in Lusail city including Al Seef area, Crescent Park, the Lusail Boulevard and Al Maha Island.

This expansion further supports the public transportation system in Lusail City, providing safe and sustainable transportation services.

On this occasion, Chief of Program Delivery at Qatar Rail
stated, Eng. Jassim Al Ansari, “We are pleased to announce the expansion of Lusail Tram services in Lusail City through the completion of the operations for all Orange Line stations and the launch of the Pink Line. We have successfully completed the operational testing for the current phase, which represents a significant milestone and a qualitative leap in our journey towards developing the public transportation system in Lusail City. By providing high-standard and reliable transportation services for customers, we aim to meet the needs of Lusail City’s residents and visitors and enhance sustainable travel while reducing traffic congestion in the city.” He added, “The expansion of Lusail Tram services reflects our commitment to achieving our vision of supporting Qatar’s efforts in providing an integrated and sustainable transportation system. We are proud of the efforts made by the teams working on this important project, and we look forward to continuing to enhance tram services, expanding their scope, and
opening the remaining lines to serve the residents and visitors of Lusail City.” In this regard, Senior Project Director Lusail Tram, Eng. Ahmed Al-Saleh, stated, “At Qatar Rail, operating trams on Lusail streets can present significant road safety challenges. As a result, we’ve joined forces with our partners to initiate awareness campaigns focused on promoting road safety and responsible interaction with tram trains in Lusail City. This is particularly important considering that the tram system differs from other vehicles on the road. Trams run on fixed tracks at a steady speed and cannot stop as quickly as cars.” He added, “We are dedicated to providing a sustainable and safe transportation for the residents and visitors of Lusail City. We remain committed to continuing our efforts in ensuring the highest standards of safety in the tram network to ensure safe and efficient operation at all stations and facilities.” The Lusail Tram network covers a distance of 19 kilometers and consists of four lines (Orang
e, Pink, Purple, and Turquoise), connecting various government offices, residential towers, leisure and sports facilities, avenues, marinas, and other major attractions across Lusail City.

The Lusail Tram service operates during the same service hours as the Doha Metro: Saturday through Wednesday from 05:30 AM to 12:00 midnight. On Thursdays, the service runs from 05:30 AM to 01:00 AM, and on Fridays from 02:00 PM to 01:00 AM.

For the first time, the services of the tram network will include the operation of at-grade stations and the tram moving alongside traffic and pedestrians in Lusail City.

Since the start of operational testing for the tram network, Qatar Rail has coordinated with various partners in the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Interior to conduct awareness campaigns aimed at introducing the tram system and emphasizing the importance of pedestrians and drivers adhering to traffic safety guidelines, signs, and signals.

The Lusail Tram is both eco and user-friendly, providing a greene
r and more efficient alternative to cars. It relies on ground-level electric power supply, uses LED lighting systems, and state-of-the-art electric braking systems. Additionally, trams are much more efficient in terms of road usage, as one train can replace about 40 cars, which occupy a significantly larger area of road space.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Occupation Aircraft Launch Airstrikes on Various Towns Southern Lebanon


_:Beirut, The Israeli entity intensified its bombing of villages and towns in southern Lebanon, and Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on the outskirts of the towns of Halta, Kfarhamam, and Kfar Shuba.

The Israeli entity also launched an airstrike with missiles targeting the town of Al Adisa and another airstrike on the town of Kfarkela. Israeli reconnaissance planes flew at a very low altitude over Naqoura, the sea, and the airspace of the western sector, and carried out mock raids.

The Israeli entity continues its escalation against the towns and villages of southern Lebanon, in conjunction with its brutal and continuous aggression against the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, which resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians and forced hundreds of families to flee their homes.

Source: Qatar News Agency

QRCS, QC Provide Modern Catheterization Device to Support Heart Patients in Yemen


Doha: The Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), in partnership with Qatar Charity (QC), launched work on the “Azurion 3 F15” cardiac catheterization device, in preparation for the opening of the cardiac catheterization department at the Cardiovascular Center in Taiz, Yemen.

This device is one of the most advanced and modern devices used in the accurate diagnosis and safe treatment of cardiovascular diseases. It is characterized by a high-definition, three-dimensional imaging system, which supports integration with artificial intelligence techniques to improve image analysis and speed up the diagnosis process. It also enhances the quality of health care at the center and provides advanced and comprehensive medical services to patients.

This initiative aims to improve the quality of medical services provided to cardiovascular patients in Yemen and is considered a qualitative shift that would provide more accurate diagnosis and more efficient and quality care, at a total cost estimated at USD 1,141,289, equivale
nt to QR 4,160,000, funded by charitable people in the State of Qatar.

Marking the occasion, HE Minister of Public Health and Population of Yemen Dr. Qasim Bahibah said that the Cardiovascular Center in Taiz is specific and exemplary and has achieved many accomplishments in a short period of time and is the only one that performs heart surgeries. He voiced his hope that it would be replicated in other governorates. In this regard, he appreciated the efforts of the center’s staff and partners from regional organizations.

For his part, Director General of Cardiovascular Center in Taiz Abudar Alganadi expressed his happiness with the project and the support provided to it. In this context, he said that today, the Heart Center, Taiz, and all of Yemen owe their thanks to the State of Qatar, represented by the QRCS and QC, as implementing agencies for the Center’s support project, and both of them involved in the work goodness and alleviating the suffering and burdens of heart patients who need great support.

Di
rector of Programs at QC Abdullah Al Nuaim said that the launch of the aforementioned device would alleviate the suffering of a large segment of Yemeni heart patients, voicing his hope that this project would be the seed for future projects specialized in open-heart surgeries and kidney transplantation.

The support for this project is not only limited to providing the center with a cardiac catheterization device, but also includes providing medicines and medical supplies, in addition to performing 404 free surgical operations and therapeutic catheterizations for patients in need, with a focus on the weak, displaced, low-income groups, and people with special needs.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Presidents of Turkiye, Indonesia Discuss Efforts to Develop Bilateral Relations


Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed with his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto the bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of common concern between the two sides, especially in the fields of defense industries, military communications, and trade.

The Turkish President stressed the importance of continuing to unify efforts between the two countries on issues related to the Palestinian cause and the Islamic world.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Palestinian Prime Minister Discusses Relief Efforts in Gaza with Norwegian Peace Envoy


Ramallah, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa met Monday with Norway’s Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process Hilde Haraldstad.

The meeting focused on supporting relief efforts in the Gaza Strip and the agenda of the upcoming donor conference.

The Palestinian Prime Minister emphasized that the upcoming donor conference should concentrate on supporting relief efforts in Gaza, to address the urgent humanitarian needs in the region. Additionally, he stressed the importance of mobilizing support and enabling the Palestinian government agenda and vision for the coming years, particularly its government reform program, in addition to supporting the budget to ensure the government’s ability to fulfill its obligations.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Saudi Foreign Minister, UN Secretary-General Discuss Regional Developments


Riyadh, Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed via phone the recent developments in the region, particularly the evolving situation in Gaza and its surroundings.

The call, held Monday, also involved reviewing the latest efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Minister of State for International Cooperation Meets UN Under-Secretary-General and Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza


Doha: HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater met Monday with HE UN Under-Secretary-General and Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag, who is visiting the country.

During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, and the entry of the largest amount of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

HE the Minister of State for International Cooperation expressed the State of Qatar’s condemnation of the targeting of the humanitarian relief convoy of the World Central Kitchen organization in the Gaza Strip.

Her Excellency stressed the importance of supporting the efforts of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in helping millions in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Crescent Sighting Committee Announces Wednesday First Day of Eid Al Fitr


Doha: The Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs announced that tomorrow, Tuesday, April 9, will be the last day of the blessed month of Ramadan and that Wednesday will be the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

This came in the Committee’s statement after its meeting at the headquarters of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs on Monday evening. (MORE)

Source: Qatar News Agency

Ministry of Interior Organizes Medical Activities on Occasion of World Health Day


Doha: The Ministry of Interior, represented by the Departments of Human Rights and Medical Services, organized medical activities to conduct vital measurements for employees of several departments within the Ministry of Interior at the Human Rights Department headquarters, on the occasion of World Health Day, which falls on the seventh of April every year and is celebrated this year under the theme “My Health, My Right”.

In a press statement, the ministry said that the activities aimed to remind people of the importance of international occasions as a means of effective education and awareness.

Director of the Human Rights Department Brigadier Abdullah Saqr Al Muhannadi explained that the right to health is a social and economic right according to Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

He stressed that the State of Qatar attaches utmost importance to the right to health and provides high-level health care to citizens, residents and visitors through numerous and i
ntegrated paths in the areas of health policies, implementing health programs developed by the World Health Organization, adopting advanced legal instruments, applying innovative strategies and following best practices to improve results, strengthening health care systems and committing to raising the level of health and well-being in the country.

The Medical Services Department, on its part, organized an awareness exhibition in several clinics, including a section for vital measurements such as blood pressure and glucose levels for the visitors from the Ministry of Interior and their families. Additionally, a range of health tips and guidance was provided to promote health and body safety and preserve them from ailments. Symbolic gifts were also distributed to children on this occasion.

Assistant Director of the Medical Services Department Colonel Abdullah Abdul Hadi Al Dosari emphasized the department’s commitment to celebrating international and national events, especially those related to health, due to
their importance in enhancing societal awareness of health aspects.

He stressed the importance of teamwork at all levels as it is the way to achieve health for all people as a right.

He pointed out that the Medical Services Department at the Ministry of Interior is part of the medical system of the State of Qatar and contributes significantly to achieving the highest levels of medical care for the Ministry’s employees and their families within the National Health Strategy, wishing everyone good health and safety.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Palestinian Woman Killed, Others Injured in Israeli Bombing of Homes in Gaza


Gaza, A Palestinian woman was killed and a number of Palestinians were injured on Monday, as the occupation forces bombed homes in the central and southern Gaza Strip.

Palestine News and Information Agency (WAFA) reported medical sources as saying that a female citizen was killed after Israeli forces bombed a house in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.

The same sources added that a number of Palestinians were injured as a result of the occupation artillery shelling of homes in the town of Al-Qarara, north of the city of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli occupation continues its aggression against the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air, amid the destruction of the infrastructure and an unprecedented humanitarian tragedy, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians live. The residents of the Gaza Strip are in very difficult conditions in light of the lack of water and electricity, and the occupation authorities prevent humanitarian aid from reaching them.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Emperor of Japan Receives Credentials of Qatar’s Ambassador


Tokyo, HM Emperor Naruhito of Japan received the credentials of HE Jaber bin Jarallah Al Marri as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to Japan.

HE the Ambassador conveyed HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s greetings and wishes of good health and happiness to His Majesty and continued progress and prosperity to the government and people of Japan.

For his part, HM Emperor of Japan entrusted HE the Ambassador with his greetings to HH the Amir, wishing His Highness good health and happiness and the State of Qatar further progress and prosperity.

Source: Qatar News Agency