Qatari Composer Dana Al Fardan is set to leave an indelible mark on the global stage as she prepares to grace the prestigious 77th Cannes Film Festival with her groundbreaking performance of “Indigo,” solidifying her status as the first composer from the GCC to achieve this remarkable feat. Representing Qatar with pride, Dana’s appearance at the esteemed Trophee Chopard gala promises to be an unforgettable sensory experience, merging sound, colour, and introspection.

“Indigo” is more than a concert; it’s an immersive experience. Rooted in neoclassical music and electronic elements, Dana’s innovative composition interacts with colour, light, and electronics, guiding audiences on an introspective path towards enlightenment. Dana’s vision for “Indigo” transcends conventional boundaries, offering a holistic exploration of art and emotion.

With an illustrious career already under her belt, Dana Al Fardan continues to captivate audiences worldwide with her mesmerising compositions and groundbreaking collaborations. Her recent triumph in Italy marked a pivotal moment, as her music took centre stage at the Politeama Garibaldi di Palermo in the play “Giocando con Orlando.” Collaborating with Stefano Acorsi, stage director Federica Cellini and performed by the Symphonic Orchestra of Sicily under the baton of the conductor Giovanni Pasini, Dana’s compositions breathed new life into Ludovico Ariosto’s epic poem “Orlando Furioso,” captivating audiences with a fusion of contemporary soundscapes and classical storytelling.

Dana’s creative journey continues with the release of “Falling,” her latest single in collaboration with French producer Yaans. Available on all major streaming platforms, “Falling” showcases Dana’s versatility as an artist, seamlessly blending electronic beats with her distinctive style. Embracing electronic music as an alternative dimension of storytelling, Dana’s exploration of diverse genres reflects her multifaceted talent and artistic vision.

Dana Al Fardan is also a pioneer, building bridges with her talent and creativity. Representing Qatar and the first GCC composer to perform at the official gala of the Cannes Film Festival, Dana’s historic achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists across the region, paving the way for future generations of talent.

Dana Al Fardan is a visionary Qatari musician, celebrated for her innovative compositions that transcend cultural boundaries and resonate with audiences worldwide. With a diverse repertoire spanning classical, electronic, and beyond, Dana continues to push the boundaries of musical expression, leaving an enduring legacy on the global stage.

On October 27, 2023, Engineer Samira Al-Kandari, the Commissioner General of Kuwait Pavilion at Expo 2023 Doha Horticulture, hosted a special tour of the pavilion with its slogan, “Towards Sustainability” serving as its guiding theme.

The tour featured the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including His Excellency Ambassador Badr Bin Omar Al Dafaa, the Commissioner General of Expo 2023 Doha; Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions Dimitri Kerkentzes; His Excellency Mr. Khalid Badr Al Mutairi, the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the State of Qatar; and several other notable figures. The attendees explored the pavilion, where they were introduced to Kuwait’s initiatives in environmental awareness and sustainability.

Al-Kandari emphasized that Expo Doha offers an invaluable opportunity to learn from the experiences of countries in combating desertification, and the efforts of those who are concerned with the environment and agriculture. Furthermore, it provides insights into the latest technological advancements and expertise in this field, all of which contribute to addressing desertification and achieving the desired sustainability.

Al-Kandari highlighted the diligent efforts put into finalizing Kuwait Pavilion to ensure a prominent and impactful participation, effectively showcasing Kuwait’s contributions to horticulture and the fight against desertification. She stressed that the design of the pavilion was carefully thought out to exemplify Kuwait’s environmental initiatives and dedication.

The pavilion comprises two distinct buildings representing both historical and contemporary Kuwaiti symbols. It offers interactive activities for children, designated spaces for meetings and conferences, and a tranquil central corridor reminiscent of the peaceful atmosphere of Al Ahmadi Oasis. It also showcases several ongoing projects in Kuwait, including specialized workshops in collaboration with both governmental and private organizations, as well as the active involvement of Kuwaiti individuals passionate about Expo’s theme.

Al-Kandari emphasized the Kuwait Environment Public Authority’s commitment to raising awareness on environmental issues. She stressed that this aspect is no less important than any other, as it conveys accurate messages based on scientific facts to the public, especially to young people and future generations. The pavilion achieves this by organizing events that promote the idea of sustainability and the dissemination of environmental awareness, in line with its guiding slogan, “Towards Sustainability.”

Doha, Qatar, 7 June 2023 – As we approach peak summer, a period that’s poised to be busy for travel, Uber is presenting its annual Lost & Found Index, a roundup of the most unique and commonly forgotten items left behind by passengers over the last year. Entering its seventh iteration across the MENA region, this report also sees Qatar making its much awaited debut. 

Given that the football tournament in Qatar dominated the world’s attention throughout November and December last year, the dates for most reported lost items also came about in those very months. The most commonly forgotten rider items in Qatar were the wallet, purses, phones and cameras, while the most bizarre items included a TV, an airbed, and Mexican Sombreros!

Take a look at the full list below, the findings do provide a fascinating peek into what people left behind! 

10 most commonly forgotten items

1. Wallet / purse
2. Clothing
3. Phone / camera
4. Backpack / bag / folders / box / luggage
5. Headphones / speaker
6. Jewelry / watch / make-up
7. Keys
8. Vape / e-cig
9. Cash
10. Phone charger

 Most forgetful dates

1. 2022-12-02 
2. 2022-11-27 
3. 2022-12-01 
4. 2022-11-28 
5. 2022-11-25 

  Most forgetful times of day 

1. 16:00:00
2. 15:00:00
3. 18:00:00

 Most forgetful days of the week

1. Friday 
2. Monday 
3. Saturday 
4. Sunday
5. Thursday 
6. Tuesday
7. Wednesday 

Craziest Items

1. Mexican Hats (Sombreros)
2. TV
3. Airbed

“Personal items left behind in any public transport can effectively spoil well-planned trips and outing plans. At Uber, we do not think the cost of forgetfulness should be so high as to scar the memories of your most sought after plans in any way. If you ever lost any item in a vehicle requested via the Uber app, all you have to do is follow the steps to retrieve it.  Your Uber experience doesn’t end the minute you step out of the vehicle. ” said Nasser Al-Sharshani, General Manager, Uber Qatar.

Each year, the Uber Lost & Found Index offers a snapshot of the items that riders tend to forget, both everyday objects and unique belongings. It also highlights the cities that have shown the highest rates of forgetfulness, the specific times of day and days of the week when items are most left behind, and, of course, provides helpful tips on retrieving lost items using the Uber app.

If you’re one of those people who left something behind, look no further than this video, which outlines the simple steps you can take the next time you leave something behind in your Uber. 

The best way to retrieve a lost item is to call the driver – but if you leave your phone itself, you can login to your account on a computer. Here’s what to do:

1.  Tap “Your Trips” and select the trip where you left something

2.  Scroll down and tap “Find lost item”

3.  Tap “Contact driver about a lost item”

4.  Scroll down and enter the phone number you would like to be contacted at. Tap submit.

5.  Your phone will ring and connect you directly with your driver’s mobile number.

6.  If your driver picks up and confirms that your item has been found, coordinate a mutually convenient time and place to meet for its return to you.

7.  If your driver doesn’t pick up, leave a detailed voicemail describing your item and the best way to contact you.

And if you lost your personal phone, and are unable to sign into the app you can be connected to support via webchat at the link here.

Its first ever FIBA world cup

Following the success of the World Cup, Qatar is establishing a reputation as a major sports hub, and basketball is the latest sport to relocate to Doha.

The FIBA World Cup 2027 will be held in the entire city and will be hosted by the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF).

Since the already-built venues are only 30 minutes apart, fans will be able to watch multiple games on the same day, similar to the World Cup.

As the first FIBA flagship event to be held in this region of the world, it will introduce basketball to millions of people in the Middle East and contribute to the sport’s rising popularity.

The country’s connectivity, both domestically and internationally, is what sealed the deal for Qatar, according to FIBA, the sport’s international governing body.

Qatar has demonstrated its ability to offer guests excellent services with its direct flights to the majority of the potential participating countries, its cutting-edge infrastructure facilities, and its easily accessible public transportation network.
When the action gets underway in Qatar, FIBA President Hamane Niang said, “While we are all anticipating what we are sure will be another outstanding FIBA event, we will also enjoy the entire journey to Doha.

“The qualification path to the World Cup has been a great success since its introduction in 2017, and we will be ready once again to follow all the action.”

The Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia will co-host the 2018 FIBA World Cup, which will take place from Friday, August 25, to Sunday, September 10. Spain won the 2019 competition, which featured 32 teams and was held in China.