Msheireb Properties Announces 2025 Innovation in Design Awards in Partnership with Fast Company Middle East
Doha, Qatar – 17 February 2025: Msheireb Properties announced the 2025 Innovation in Design Awards, a prestigious initiative in partnership with Fast Company Middle East that champions creativity, innovation, and sustainability in design and architecture. With an expanded list of categories, the second annual awards will highlight groundbreaking contributions that align with Msheireb Properties’ vision of transforming urban living and advancing Qatar’s position as a global hub for innovation excellence. “The Innovation in Design Awards presented by Msheireb Properties was created to promote design thinking as a catalyst for positive change, spotlighting ideas that tackle individual, community, and global challenges. By expanding the award categories for our second season, we want to inspire even more trailblazers who are redefining the future of urban living,” said Eng. Ali Mohammed Al Kuwari, CEO of Msheireb Properties. “Design is the ongoing story of human progress. And so, to celebrate the best of design is to recognise some of the most important human achievements. By honouring outstanding design work, these awards will not only acknowledge corporate achievements but also inspire others in the industry to strive for excellence,” said Ravi Raman, publisher of Fast Company Middle East. The Innovation in Design Awards were launched last year to recognise exemplary design-driven solutions, signalling Msheireb Properties’ plans to be an active player in shaping the future of design innovation in the Middle East. It was launched during the first Fast Company Innovation by Design Summit. This year’s winners will once again be crowned during the official awards ceremony on the sidelines of the Innovation by Design Summit on May 21 in Msheireb Downtown Doha. Last year’s winners included global brand consultancy Landor for human-centric design, cardiac diagnostic technology innovator Dr. Mario Garcia for technology-powered design, MAD Architects for sustainable design, and Pandora for luxury and lifestyle design. Entries for the 2025 awards are now open to designers, architects, and innovators from around the world. Winners will be selected based on criteria such as replicability, design thinking, and audience impact at individual, community, and global levels. The expanded award categories for 2025 include: To enter the 2025 Awards for Innovation in Design, please visit https://event.fastcompanyme.com/innovation-in-design-awards-2025/ while submissions close on 10 April 2025. This initiative is part of Msheireb Properties’ ongoing efforts to promote sustainable urban development and enhance quality of life through innovative and thoughtful design solutions. It reinforces Msheireb’s dedication to creating a brighter, more sustainable future while positioning Doha as a leading city for cultural and design excellence.
Qatar Charity’s Projects Support 736,400 People Affected by the War in Sudan
The year 2024 marked a pivotal chapter in Qatar Charity’s over thirty-year humanitarian and developmental success story in Sudan. Throughout the year, Qatar Charity launched a series of impactful humanitarian projects, significantly aiding displaced families and communities affected by the war. These projects focused on alleviating the severity of the ongoing crisis, particularly in areas like food security, health sector support, and assistance to the most vulnerable groups in Sudan. Below are the key highlights showcasing the performance and accomplishments of Qatar Charity’s Sudan office in 2024. Food Security Initiatives In 2024, Qatar Charity launched one of its largest food security projects to date, distributing 50,000 food baskets to families affected by the war. Funded by the Qatar Fund for Development, this project was aimed at providing urgent relief to people impacted by the ongoing war and displacement. The baskets were distributed across multiple Sudanese states most severely affected by the conflict. In addition to the areas suffering directly from the war, the project also provided aid to states hosting large numbers of displaced people, particularly Khartoum and Al Jazirah. The initiative made a significant impact in easing the suffering of war-affected communities by improving their food security, providing essential food items of adequate quality and culturally appropriate for local diets. 300,000 Beneficiaries in War-affected States Qatar Charity’s field teams successfully delivered food assistance to the most impacted states, such as Khartoum, Al Jazirah, Sennar, Gedaref, Kassala, the Red Sea, Nile, White Nile, and Northern States. Approximately 300,000 people, including displaced persons and host communities, benefited from this food security project in 2024. The food baskets, distributed to 50,000 families, contained critical items such as flour, oil, rice, lentils, sugar, and milk. These provisions brought much-needed relief and comfort to the displaced families. Providing Essential Medications for Kidney and Cancer Patients As part of its emergency medical supplies project, Qatar Charity provided essential medications for kidney dialysis patients, cancer patients, and blood bank services. Supported by the Qatar Fund for Development, Qatar Charity successfully distributed 70% of the received medical aid to regions in dire need of these supplies. This initiative focused on Northern, Nile, and Sennar States, where there was a severe shortage of medicines and medical consumables. It marked the first shipment of vital medication for kidney transplant and cancer patients following the outbreak of the war and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Improving Environmental Conditions for Displaced People In response to the urgent need for support in Kassala state in eastern Sudan, which received nearly 52,593 displaced families, including vulnerable groups like children and women, Qatar Charity implemented a project in 2024 aimed at improving environmental conditions for displaced people in shelters. The project provided essential healthcare services such as nutrition, vaccinations, and reproductive and mental health care in selected shelters. Five health centers were chosen for this initiative, which was recognized by local health and humanitarian authorities in Kassala as a model for responding to the needs of displaced communities. Environmental Sanitation Campaigns and Health Support The project to improve living conditions in the shelters also included essential interventions in water, sanitation, and hygiene. This included providing safe drinking water, maintaining health centers and facilities, distributing medical supplies, and conducting environmental sanitation campaigns. Over 7,000 people directly and indirectly benefited from the project in shelters such as Al-Mirganiya, Al-Suraybah, Al-Karmata, Biryay, and Tarawa. The project included waste management campaigns, training for shelter staff on water chlorination, and workshops on disease prevention for displaced families. Supporting Health Workers and Patients Qatar Charity continued its dedicated efforts to support Sudan’s healthcare sector in multiple ways. In addition to providing 60 tons of medicines, laboratory consumables, and blood bags, the organization also supported health workers, administrative staff, and patients at hospitals such as Al-Jikeeka in the Nile State and Bar Al-Walideen in the Karri locality of Khartoum state. This support was crucial in ensuring that healthcare services could continue amidst the ongoing crisis. Emergency Response to Floods and Heat Waves In collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Qatar Charity also launched an emergency response project to address the devastating impacts of floods and extreme heat in eastern Sudan. The project provided tents and shelter materials to displaced families affected by both the war and the climate crisis. This initiative was focused on providing shelter in Port Sudan, the capital of the Red Sea state, and in surrounding areas such as Sinkat. The partnership between Qatar Charity and IOM led to the provision of essential shelter materials to both displaced communities and host populations in the area. The support included blankets, mattresses, kitchen kits, solar-powered lighting, plastic water storage bags, personal item bags, and mosquito nets, helping thousands of displaced people cope with the harsh conditions. In summary, Qatar Charity’s efforts in 2024 were crucial in addressing the immediate humanitarian needs in Sudan, providing vital assistance in food security, healthcare, and emergency relief to those most affected by the ongoing crisis.
ONE 171: Qatar Open Workout And Meet And Greet Highlights
February 17, 2025 – Doha, Qatar: ONE Championship™ (ONE), the world’s largest martial arts organization, in partnership with Visit Qatar, held the ONE 171: Qatar Open Workout and Meet and Greet at the iconic Place Vendôme, featuring athletes competing at the event including Joshua Pacio, Jarred Brooks, Jonathan Haggerty, Wei Rui, Jake Peacock and Ritu Phogat. ONE 171: Qatar will be broadcast live on Thursday, February 20, from Lusail Sports Arena in Lusail, Qatar. Fans can visit watch.onefc.com for more information on how to watch. In the main event, ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio will face off against interim title holder Jarred Brooks for the third time in a highly anticipated World Title unification bout. In the co-main event, ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty will defend his belt against Chinese icon Wei Rui. ONE Championship would like to thank Official ONE 171 Presenting Partner Visit Qatar, Official Media Partner Media City Qatar, and Official Telecom Partner Ooredoo, as well as Gloabl Energy Drink Partner Monster Energy, Global Blockchain Partner Walrus, Official Venue Partner Lusail Sports Arena as well all supporting partners of ONE 171: Qatar. Joshua Pacio – ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion: “I love the people here, and I call this my home away from home because there are a lot of Filipinos here. I’m just so excited. Filipino Kabayans – I’m so happy to see you again! This is a new Joshua Pacio. I’m calm, and I’m collected. We will deliver on Thursday night.” Jarred Brooks – ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Champion: “It’s amazing to be in Doha again. Everything in Doha is perfect. I love this country, I love the people in this country, and I love the Pinoys in the country. Thank you so much for your support. I am going to be the person who puts Joshua ‘The Passion’ Pacio out. I want to be ONE’s World Champion. I want to be the best in the world. I have the utmost respect for Joshua. He is a great man. But we are going inside the ring, and we are going to show you guys the energy.” Jonathan Haggerty – ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion: “It’s a pleasure to be here again in Doha, and I’m excited to put on a performance for everyone here. Everyone I face is going to be the best version of themselves, so it’s up to me to be my best version. Come Thursday, I’m ready. I am going in there for a demolition job. I understand he is number one for a reason. He’s a great opponent, so let’s see.” Wei Rui – ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title Challenger: “I’m well prepared, and this is my first time in Doha. I hope everyone will like my performance, as I’ve been waiting to win the ONE title belt for 20 years. I am really, really motivated; this is my third time striving for the word title and this time I am sure I will take it back to China”. Jake Peacock – ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Contender: “I am thrilled that ONE Championship is coming to Qatar for the second time. The first event was amazing. I’m going to have a spectacular performance. Training is going fantastically, and I’m really excited to give an incredible performance to the fans in Qatar. ONE Championship is the biggest and the best promotion in the world. And I’m excited to showcase that to everyone here in Qatar. I’ve been here for a bit, and I might move here. We never know… People are amazing. They’re just lovely people. I’m going in there to take him out, and we’re shutting down and shutting him out right from the get-go. Two rounds max. That’s going to be great. Absolutely…there will be a finish.” Ritu Phogat – ONE Atomweight MMA Contender: “Qatar is a fantastic place and I am thrilled to be back here, doing what I love in ONE Championship. It has been a long time, but I’m ready. I want to prove I still belong among the best and that I have a lot left to offer in my career. This is only the beginning of the second chapter of ‘The Indian Tigress.’ I came here to represent all mothers and fight for all women out there to prove we are strong!”
IWC Schaffhausen launches limited-edition Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL dedicated to Toto Wolff
Schaffhausen, 17th February 2025: As the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team gears up for the new season, IWC Schaffhausen presents the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team. Limited to 100 pieces, it combines the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s Sprin-g Protect® shock absorber system with a technical design inspired by the team’s colours. The shock absorber spring is manufactured from a bulk metallic glass and coated with Petronas green Super-LumiNova®. Formula One™ is a sport that demands everything from the drivers and their teams. In their narrow cockpit, the drivers are constantly being thrown around and exposed to high centrifugal forces when braking or cornering. However, the emotions also run high off the racetrack, all the way up to Toto Wolff. When the racing action on the track sparked maximum levels of excitement, the CEO and principal of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1™ Team has been spotted wearing a prototype of the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL. These moments have inspired a watch that is engineered to withstand the enormous stresses of Formula One™, also on Toto Wolff’s wrist. As the team unveils its race car for the 2025 season and welcomes George Russell’s new teammate, driver Kimi Antonelli, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer launches the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team (Ref. IW356201). Limited to 100 pieces, it combines IWC’s Sprin-g Protect® shock absorber system with a technical design inspired by the team’s black and Petronas green colour scheme. The spring that protects the movement against the extreme g-forces generated by impacts on the watch has been coated with Super-LumiNova® in the team’s signature green and glows in the dark. Protecting the Movement from High G-Forces The patented Sprin-g Protect® shock absorber system was developed by IWC’s engineering division XPL and first introduced with the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL (Ref. IW357201) in 2021. Taking movement shock protection to the next level, it is based on a cantilever spring that cushions the movement inside the case. If the watch suffers an impact on the case, the movement and the case typically are subjected to high g-forces. The spring absorbs a large portion of these forces before they can reach the movement. Designed with a special form allowing it to evenly spread the stress across its length and width, the spring is manufactured from a bulk metallic glass (BMG). Thanks to a complex manufacturing process, this advanced material is significantly more elastic than conventional crystalline metals. Ceratanium® Case and Blackened Movement The Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team features a case and crown made of Ceratanium®. Developed by IWC, this advanced material combines the lightness and robustness of titanium with a hardness similar to ceramic. The black dial features a grainy technical structure, which is stamped into the brass base with a special tool. The newly designed triangular black hands also feature Super-LumiNova® around their edges. The outer ring with the minute scale appears to be floating freely on lamellae attached around the dial. The watch is powered by the IWC-manufactured 32101 calibre with a double pawl automatic winding system and a power reserve of 120 hours. The plates, bridges, and oscillating mass are blackened to match the all-black design. The movement is visible through a tinted sapphire glass case back featuring a print with Toto’s signature. It is fitted with an integrated green rubber strap. An additional black rubber strap is included as an accessory.
