Day: April 2, 2023

Two people have died after a hot-air balloon flying near Mexicos famed Teotihuacan archaeological site caught fire.

“The passengers jumped from the balloon,” the government of the state of Mexico said in a statement, adding that a child suffered burns.

It identified the dead victims as a 39-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man without saying whether any other passengers were on the balloon.

With its Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and its Avenue of the Dead, Teotihuacan is a popular tourist destination, a surviving monument to the pre-Columbian period.

Source: Qatar News Agency

China successfully sent a new remote sensing satellite of the Yaogan-34 series into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 14:27 (Beijing Time) on Friday.

Xinhua news agency said that the Yaogan-34 04 satellite, carried by a Long March-4C rocket, successfully entered its planned orbit.

This remote sensing satellite will be used in areas such as land resources survey, urban planning, crop yield estimation, and disaster prevention and mitigation, Xinhua added.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Four people killed in avalanches in northern Norway.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store called for the need to follow the recommendations of the relevant authorities and to exercise caution, adding that the deadly avalanches in the northern province of Troms are a tragic start to the Easter celebrations.

After the deaths were reported in Troms, the police, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), and the chief medical officer have warned people against staying in the mountains as two more avalanches occurred in the region.

The local police said on twitter that the Arctic Norway region will be evacuated due to avalanches that have killed four people so far, noting that the decision was based on a recommendation from the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) and will include several parts of the municipality of Tromso in the Arctic.

Source: Qatar News Agency

HE President of Qatar University (QU) Dr. Hassan bin Rashid Al Derham affirmed the role of scientific research in the country’s development process.

This came during Ramadan Majlis, an event organized by the Ministry of Culture as part of Ramadan Book Fair’s activities at Darb Al-Saai headquarters in Umm Salal, which will last until April 5.

The event was held in the presence of HE Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, a number of officials at the Ministry of Culture and a group of thinkers and intellectuals.

Dr. Hassan Al Derham spoke about his scientific career, which began with a scholarship to study architecture in the United States, and after the study, he joined Qatar University as a teaching assistant. He obtains a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech, USA. He holds a Ph.D. in Construction Project Management from University of Glamorgan (currently University of South Wales), UK.

HE underlined the keenness of the administration of the QU’s College of Engineering to attract Qatari students in engineering disciplines, especially architecture, adding that he worked in teaching, and then became the head of civil engineering department in 2003, passing through several positions until he assumed the position of President of Qatar University on June 15, 2015.

HE QU President also talked about the history of universities globally, as they have always been a place for knowledge, and play their role in spreading knowledge and science and transmitting them to generations, in addition to their role in constantly developing science, stressing the importance of universities’ role in their cultural and social environment, HE affirmed that since its establishment, Qatar University has been an incubator for generations who develop our country.

Dr. Al Derham said that the vision of establishing Qatar University was from the beginning related to scientific research, so research centers in applied and social sciences and others were established, and the best professors in various disciplines were attracted, indicating that QU was interested in promoting scientific research in order to be linked to community issues. HE pointed out that the establishment of the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) played an important role in enhancing the culture of scientific research, as it was an opportunity for the university to re-establish its centers and direct researchers towards researches that are concerned with the challenges facing the State of Qatar and contribute to its development.

He added that the university has set a plan that is in line with the State’s vision and has grown in various fields, as it now has 16 research centers, most of which are independent and some of which belong to colleges, but they are all linked to the State’s research plan. He also noted that QU’s strategic plan has moved from mere teaching to the development stage and then to the innovation stage, referring to the establishment of QU Holding Company, which is a platform for researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs to develop the ideas and skills of entrepreneurs among students based on scientific research.

HE QU President confirmed that the university’s development and its attainment of advanced positions in international rankings and institutional accreditation was the result of the unlimited support of the wise leadership, pointing out that there are academic plans at the university, including the establishment of a college for mathematical sciences, the transformation of the media department in the college into an independent college, and the establishment of a college of architecture, design, and others. These plans will be submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval in due course.

The event witnessed an interaction from the attendees and participants, the most prominent of which was the intervention of HE Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, who said that the Ramadan Book Fair is an important contribution to cultural life, with its important activities, especially the Ramadan Majlis, which reviews the development process in various fields in our country with lecturers who were part of this process.

Dr. Al Kuwari also appreciated Qatar University’s cultural and scientific role in the society, as it contributes to advancing the cultural movement, and its initiative to establish QU Press in this regard.

For his part, Assistant Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali Al Maadeed called for strengthening cooperation between the Ministry and Qatar University in promoting volunteer work, which was welcomed by QU President, pointing out that the university is working to spread the culture of volunteer work and the practice of volunteer work as well.

Ramadan Book Fair is being held from March 30 to April 5, 2023, at Darb Al-Saai headquarters in Umm Salal, with the participation of 79 local, Arab and international publishing houses. It is accompanied by many cultural events.

Source: Qatar News Agency

An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale struck Kastamonu, northern Turkiye.

According to data published by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkey (AFAD) on Sunday, the earthquake occurred late last night at a depth of 11.83 km, and its epicenter was the Ihsangazi district.

A strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkiye and northern Syria on Feb. 6, followed by another 7.6-magnitude earthquake and thousands of powerful aftershocks that claimed tens of thousands of lives and damaged buildings and property.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The State of Qatar affirmed that peace and security are crucial for sustainable development, stability, and prosperity, pointing out that development policies that address the root causes of conflicts and promote social and economic development can contribute significantly to achieving peace, security, and sustainable development.

This came in the statement of the State of Qatar, delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani before the Security Council’s open discussion session on Peace and Security in Africa: The Impact of Development Policies in the Implementation of the Silencing the Guns Initiative.

HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations said that the focus of the State of Qatar, through its bilateral and international partnerships, is on giving priority to achieving inclusive economic growth, reducing poverty and inequality, increasing access to education and health care, capacity building and the resilience of states and societies to resolve conflicts peacefully and prevent the spread of terrorism and violence.

Her Excellency renewed the State of Qatar’s support for the Silencing the Guns initiative, and called on the UN and member states to continue their support for this initiative to achieve its goal by 2030, noting that the implementation of the initiative will contribute effectively to maintaining international peace and security, and achieving prosperity and well-being in the world.

She added that based on the principles and objectives of the foreign policy of the State of Qatar, which adopts preventive diplomacy and mediation in resolving conflicts, through its long-term experience in resolving many regional and international disputes, the State of Qatar sees the feasibility and necessity of focusing and investing in addressing the roots of conflicts, peace-building projects, mediation and dialogue, and ensuring the effective participation of women, youth, and marginalized sectors affected by conflicts and humanitarian crises.

Her Excellency expressed Qatar’s pride in the high and distinguished level of its advanced strategic relations and partnership with the countries of the African continent at all levels, pointing out that it has become an important strategic partner for many African countries and the African Union (AU) in particular, through its diplomatic efforts and mediation in settling disputes as an honest mediator, and peacemaking and peace building in Africa in accordance with the priorities of the AU initiative related to Silencing the Guns, in addition to the efforts of the UN related to peacemaking, peacekeeping and peace building operations in Africa, in addition to the humanitarian and development efforts of the State of Qatar in Africa to meet the challenges on the continent.

She also expressed the State of Qatar’s welcome for the progress made since the launch of the Silencing the Guns initiative, which has contributed to stopping many conflicts thanks to the efforts of the AU, African governments, and regional and international partners.

HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations called for working together to make the session a landmark occasion in which the international community renews its determination to support the Silencing the Guns initiative in Africa for an Africa free of conflicts and a more secure and peaceful world to achieve the aspirations and hopes of present and future generations.

Source: Qatar News Agency

China’s photovoltaic (PV) sector posted robust growth in the first two months of 2023 with major products of the industrial chain logging year-on-year growth rates of around 60%, official data issued by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology showed.

China produced about 176,000 tons of polysilicon during the period, up more than 60 % from a year earlier, China’s News Agency (Xinhua) reported.

The output of polysilicon wafers expanded 78% over the previous year, the data showed.

In the two-month period, the output of crystalline silicon PV cells rose 57.5% to reach 62.2 gigawatts, while that of modules hiked 62.2%, according to the ministry.

Source: Qatar News Agency

HH Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development Sheikha Moza bint Nasser visited on Sunday Renad Academy, a school established by Qatar Foundation to support children with autism in Qatar and the region.

In this regard, Her Highness said: “It has been a special honor to meet and observe the students. The children made my day. Im so impressed with their efforts in class. It is wonderful to see what they are achieving with the equipment, facilities, and the great help they have here.” Following her tour of the classes and the academy’s various facilities, Her Highness participated in a roundtable discussion entitled ‘Autism Support in the State of Qatar: Current Practices and Future Prospects.’ The roundtable highlighted the efforts of the State of Qatar in providing the needed support for individuals with autism, upholding their rights, and working on integrating them within the community.

During the roundtable, HH Sheikha Moza commented on the tremendous progress that has been made and encouraged the gathered experts to continue to collaborate and find new ways to work together In turn, Associate Professor at the College of Science and Engineering at Hamad Bin Khalifa University Dr. Dena Al Thani said: “The roundtable reflects the importance of stakeholders collaborating and adopting holistic approaches to ensure a better future for individuals with autism in Qatar. It also highlights Her Highness’s and QF’s local and global leadership of efforts to increase awareness of autism, as well as support for individuals and their families.” HE Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation (QF) Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al-Thani also attended the roundtable discussion, along with a number of experts and specialists in that field.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Qatar National Library (QNL) has launched “Manara” Qatar Research Repository, an open platform that captures, preserves, and provides access to scholarly research created in the country. It aims to promote the global visibility, impact and discoverability of Qatar’s research across all disciplines.

Manara, which is available at https://manara.qnl.qa/, is managed by the Library and co-funded by Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF). By becoming a digital archive of Qatar’s research, the new platform aligns with the Library’s mission to create and sustain an intuitive and trusted information environment in a culturally and technologically exceptional setting. The repository supports both Arabic and English traditional research outputs, such as articles, conference proceedings, and monographs, as well as non-traditional outputs in the form of datasets and software, multimedia materials, posters and presentations.

Executive Director at Qatar National Library Tan Huism said: “Manara Qatar Research Repository enriches the country’s research infrastructure by supporting researchers to make their work discoverable, which can raise their international visibility and impact. We are excited at the possibilities and opportunities to support these goals. Our aim is for Manara to be a reliable, respected and sustainable shared service, facilitating the best management practices for research output, and preserving Qatar’s research output for future generations.” Open access is a core value for the Library and has motivated its efforts to develop and advocate for open access research in Qatar and internationally for many years. One of the Library’s main initiatives is the Open Access Program, which supports the transformation of research publishing to new models that ensure outputs are open and re-usable. The Open Access Program also supports research publications by covering article processing charges. Since the program began operating in 2017, the Qatar National Library Consortium has supported around 1,500 researchers from 33 Qatari institutions, with more than 3,300 papers published as open access. Manara will preserve all research papers supported by the Library’s Open Access Program, eventually expanding to all open access research outputs from Qatar.

The Manara Repository is also an element of a broader cooperation between the Library and QNRF on research data management and preservation, and it was designed and developed in cooperation between the Library and QNRF. Manara’s support for research data archiving and publishing will also allow Qatar-based researchers to comply with open access requirements of international research funding agencies and publishers.

The Library aims to engage with various research and public institutions in Qatar, to see how Manara can serve as their own institutional repository. This approach would allow the institutions to maintain full control over their research outputs and promote them, while building on the Library’s expertise and infrastructure. The Library also invites individual researchers to use the platform to preserve and share their research with global audiences.

Source: Qatar News Agency

An earthquake measuring 7.2 struck Papua New Guinea today.

According to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the quake was at a depth of 80 km.

The US Tsunami Warning System said there was no tsunami warning after the earthquake.

Source: Qatar News Agency