Transport

Doha, Qatar: The Public Works Authority, Ashghal, announced that its field teams successfully dealt with the heavy rainfall that the country experienced on Dec. 18, confirming that traffic flow was restored back to normal on most roads and tunnels within a few hours. Eng. Mohammed Al Kubaissi from the Authority’s Sewerage treatment plans explained that Ashghal had implemented all advance preparedness plans from the moment the weather conditions were first monitored. He noted that field teams worked around the clock, in coordination with municipalities and the General Directorate of Traffic, to ensure smooth traffic flow and rapid response to water accumulation. He pointed out that, according to meteorological reports, the highest accumulated rainfall was recorded at approximately 90.4 millimeters in the Al Kiranah area, 80.1 millimeters in Al Wakrah, and 71.5 millimeters in Abu Samra. Al Kubaissi said that more than 371 water tanker trucks were deployed to remove water, along with more than 44 mobile pumps dedicated to rapid response teams, in addition to the deployment of dozens of technicians and workers in the most affected areas. Rapid response teams were also stationed in the areas surrounding Lusail Stadium and Khalifa International Stadium, which hosted the finals of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, in order to secure traffic movement. Ashghal confirmed that it monitors 111 tunnels across the country, none of which were affected by the rainfall. It explained that it received 414 reports related to water accumulation, all of which were addressed within no more than six hours. The most affected areas included Muither, the Industrial Area, Mebaireek, and Al Wakrah. The Authority called on the public to exercise caution while driving during rainfall and to contact the Customer Service Center via 88 to report any emergency cases, affirming that Ashghal’s teams continue to work in the field around the clock.

General

Washington: Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) announced that Qatar Investment Authority has increased its stake in the company. MSE is a leading firms that integrate sports, media, and entertainment. The Authority first invested in MSE in 2023, as part of its focus on long-term, high-value investments. In a statement issued yesterday, MSE revealed the addition of Arctos Partners (Arctos) as a new minority investor. Both MSE and Arctos share a commitment to developing the capital, Washington, DC, and transforming it into one of the world’s strongest hubs for sports and entertainment. MSE owns and operates the Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Mystics (WNBA), Capital City Go-Go (NBA G League), Wizards Gaming (NBA 2K League), in addition to the local media platform Monumental Sports Network (MNMT), along with several other significant investments in the sports and entertainment sectors. MSE also operates Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, DC, and is leading a transformation of the arena and the surrounding sports and entertainment district valued at more than $800m. The project is part of a public-private partnership with the District of Columbia government. In this context, CEO of the Qatar Investment Authority Mohammed Saif Al Sowaidi, said: “since QIA first invested in MSE in 2023, the company hascontinued to createtremendousvalue for both fans and investors. We aredelighted to further our partnership withthe company as it welcomes Arctos -demonstratingthe continued potential in the commercialisation of professional sports.QIA’s continued commitment to MSE is an example of our focus on long-term, high-growth investments, and our growing portfolio of sports and entertainment investmentswith like-minded partners.” Qatar Investment Authority is a significant investor in several leading US companies across various sectors, including real estate, technology, consumer goods, and healthcare. It is worthnoting that its diversified investment portfolio includes CityCenterDC, a mixed-use development near Capital One Arena, in which the Authority is the principal owner. For his part, Founder,Chairman, Managing Partner, and CEO of MSE Ted Leonsis reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to Washington, DC, through a focus on building a comprehensive sports ecosystem that creates added value and enables continued strategic investment in its teams while delivering a world-class fan experience, expressing his excitement at welcoming Arctos as a partner. In turn, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Arctos Doc O’Connor described Monumental Sports & Entertainment as one of the most important ownership groups in terms of innovation and development in global sporting events. “We’re proud to partner with Ted and the MSE team as they continue to elevate the fan experience, invest in the community, and build long-term value across a world-class platform,” he added.

General

DOHA: Nations are ultimately shaped by how they invest in people, not only by infrastructure but by learning, curiosity, and individual potential, according to Executive Director of Community Engagement and Programming at Qatar Foundation, Kholoud M. Al Ali. In a statement marking Qatar National Day, Al Ali said: “Nations are shaped over time by the choices they make about people — not only by what they build, but by how they invest in learning, curiosity, and the capacity of individuals to engage with the world around them. Progress rises through people, and the future depends on what they are empowered to become.” Reflecting on this year’s Qatar National Day theme, ‘With You It Rises, From You It Awaits’, she noted that it underscores the inseparable link between national progress and human development. “At Qatar Foundation, we see this as a long-term commitment, strengthened through an ecosystem that places education, culture, and public engagement side by side,” she said. Al Ali highlighted that learning is a lifelong process that extends beyond formal education systems. “Learning does not begin or end at a particular stage of life, nor does it take place in a single setting,” she said, adding that resilient societies depend on learning environments that encourage questioning, confidence, and engagement within public and cultural spaces. She emphasised culture as a central pillar of this broader understanding of learning. “Culture is where identity takes form and where connection happens,” Al Ali said. “In Qatar, cultural development has never been about choosing between tradition and modernity, but about creating a dialogue between them.” Education City, she explained, reflects this integrated approach by bringing education, research, culture, and community life together. “It is a place where learning exists as much beyond the classroom as it does within it,” she said. Al Ali pointed to Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum as a key example of this philosophy in practice.