Doha
29 Jan. 2017 (QNA)

Adama Dieng, Special Adviser to UN Secretary General on the Prevention of Genocide hailed the efforts of the State of Qatar in support of the international community to prevent the perpetration of terrible crimes and genocide in many parts of the world.

In his two interviews with Qatari dailies, Al-Sharq and Arrayah, the UN official said that the United Nations highly appreciates Qatar's role and humanitarian contributions in the conflict-hit areas around the world.

"Doha has made significant contributions to "The Responsibility to Protect (R2P)" commitment in many regional and international areas of conflict, in addition to its continued support to the UN organizations in the efforts aiming to halt the terrible crimes and genocide, he said.

He pointed out to the recent meeting held in Doha which he said reflected the GCC significant role in preventing serious violations and stopping genocide in war and conflict zones, mainly in the Middle East.

He also praised the GCC important role in achieving sustainable development in those areas, stressing the need to work with the international community institutions to put an end to the abuses of vulnerable groups such as children, women and the elderly.

Meanwhile, the UN official hailed Qatar's role in succeeding the negotiations of the peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLMA) on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur, affirming the significant role of Qatar in establishing peace in Sudan in general, and in Darfur in particular.

He highlighted the huge and remarkable efforts exerted by the Qatari officials in order to end the conflict, and hailed Qatar's contributions to the efforts of development and reconstruction of Darfur and other provinces in Sudan.

The UN official said that the efforts of relief and preventing genocide come as part of compliance with legal and ethical obligations, noting that the United Nations has put many plans and mechanisms to develop these efforts so as to ensure the prevention of mass crimes. He noted that there is a steady increase in religious and ethnic conflicts in different regions of the world, which requires more attention and resolve urgently.

On the issue of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, the UN official stressed that there are real concerns about how to address the ongoing violence in northwestern Myanmar.

On Syria, the official said Bashar Al-Assad and officials in his regime accountable for the crimes and serious violations they have committed. He called for extensive investigations into the crimes committed in Syria, and demanded the transfer of the Syrian file to the International Criminal Court.

Yahoo News
29 Jan 2017

Referring UNTV News, Yahoo News reports today that a Department of Homeland Security official said people holding green cards, making them legal permanent U.S. residents, were included in President Donald Trump’s executive action temporarily barring people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.

“It will bar green card holders,” Gillian Christensen, acting Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman, said in an email.

A senior White House official later sought to clarify the situation, saying green card holders who had left the United States and wanted to return would have to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate to undergo additional screening.

“You will be allowed to re-enter the United States pending a routine re-screening,” the official said.

Doha
29 Jan. 2017:

Vodafone has recently named the Grand Prize lucky winner of QAR 500,000 in its World of Prizes competition. Ms. Kurniah BT Warim participated in the first 90 days of World of Prizes, which ran from 11 October 2016 to 8 January 2017.

Owing to its success and popularity, Vodafone decided to extend the SMS-based competition until the 8th of April 2017 giving customers the chance to win a lot more, including another grand cash prize of QAR 500,000.

During the 1st phase of the competition, Vodafone gave out cash prizes of QAR 750,000. With the extension of World of Prizes, Vodafone customers now have another chance to win the same in addition to another Grand Prize of QAR 500,000.

The Monthly cash prize winners of the first phase of the competition were:
Prasanna Premathilaka Gedara , Ahmed Mohammed Elshami and Jassim Almhimid.

Vodafone Qatar said: “We’d to like to congratulate all of our winners and particularly Ms. Kurniah BT Warim on winning the cash prize of QAR 500,000.

At Vodafone, we continuously look for ways to reward our customers with unmatched experiences that add great value, hence why we have decided to extend our World of Prizes competition to give the opportunity to a lot more customers to participate and win.”

Throughout the extended 90 days, Vodafone customers can join World of Prizes for free by sending an SMS with the code FREE to 98895.

Moreover, World of Prizes is offering a premium edition to Vodafone customers through which they can compete for the chance to win the ultimate cash prizes of QAR 500,000 or Monthly QAR 100,000 at only QAR 5 per day.

Additionally, customers joining the premium edition of the competition will get an extra daily bonus of 10 Local minutes.

29 Jan 2017

Business Insider reports today that a federal judge in Brooklyn, New York issued an emergency ruling Saturday evening to prevent the deportation of travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries who have already entered the country, following President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration.

The ruling will affect all those who landed at US airports Friday evening and Saturday, after Trump signed the order halting refugee arrivals into the US for 120 days, and barring citizens of Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen for 90 days.

The ruling, a temporary emergency stay, now allows those who landed in the US and hold a valid visa to remain. Federal judges in Virginia, Massachusetts, and Washington also made emergency rulings on various aspects of the executive order.

The ACLU had filed a habeas corpus petition on behalf of two Iraqi refugees, who were detained by border agents at John F. Kennedy airport in New York City, despite having previously been granted asylum and holding valid visas. Both men were released Saturday.

"There is imminent danger that, absent the stay of removal, there will be substantial and irreparable injury to refugees, visa-holders, and other individuals from nations subject to the January 27, 2017, Executive Order," US District Judge Ann Donnelly said in her ruling.

The court order will "not allow the government to remove anybody who has come and is caught up in the order nationwide. They cannot remove anybody," Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, who argued the case, said in a video posted by the organization. "The key tonight was to make sure no one was put back on a plane."

Gelernt also said the court ordered the government to give the ACLU a list of names of the people who are being detained, and that "at a minimum" they will not be returned.

At the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Judge Leonie Brinkema ordered that “all legal permanent residents being detained at Dulles International Airport” be permitted to recieve access to lawyers, BuzzFeed's Chris Geidner reported. Brinkema also issued an order blocking for seven days the removal of any permanent residents being detained at Dulles International Airport, the Washington Post reported.

In Washington, US District Judge Thomas Zilly granted an emergency stay on the order to deport two unnamed individuals.

In Massachusetts, US District Judge Allison Burroughs andd Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein ruled early Sunday morning for a temporary seven-day stay on the removal, detainment, or additional screenings of lawful permanent US residents under the authority of Trump's executive order. The judges also expanded the stay to pertain to citizens, visa-holders, approved refugees, and individuals from all nations named in the executive order according to freelance reporter Joshua Eaton, who was at the courthouse.
The ACLU of Massachusetts, along with other immigration lawyers, filed the suit in federal court on behalf of two detained Iranian professors. Mazdak Pourabdollah Tootkaboni and Arghavan Louhghalam, two associate professors at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth who are both Iranian nationals and lawful permanent US residents were being detained at Logan Airport in Boston as of Saturday evening.
In a statement, ACLU executive director Anthony Romero slammed Trump for suffering "his first loss in court" in his first week in office.

"Clearly the judge understood the possibility for irreparable harm to hundreds of immigrants and lawful visitors to this country. Our courts today worked as they should as bulwarks against government abuse or unconstitutional policies and orders," Romero said.

Trump's order, signed Friday afternoon, had prompted widespread chaos at airports across the country as refugees and travelers were detained after arriving and denied entry.

The ACLU lawyers argued the order was "unconstitutional" and a "violation of international law."
Demonstrators outside the courthouse erupted in cheers as news of the stay spread.
"I hope Trump enjoys losing. He’s going to lose so much we're going to get sick and tired of his losing," Faiz Shakir, the ACLU's national political director told Yahoo News.

About Commercial Bank Qatar Masters

Since 1998 the prestigious Qatar Masters golf tournament has been hosted by Doha Golf Club at the beginning of each year as part of the European Tour. The annual tournament celebrates its 20th edition in 2017 and has been title sponsored by The Commercial Bank (Q.S.C.) for over 10 years. A stellar field of the world's top golfers will compete on Doha Golf Club's unique and challenging desert-type Championship Course from 26-29 January 2017.

Designed by Peter Harradine and unveiled in 1997, the 7,374-yard Championship Course has proven to be one of the longest par 72 courses on The Tour. It features eight strategically positioned lakes, 65 giant cacti, numerous imposing limestone rock formations and an abundance of lush and lengthy green fairways, presenting a startling contrast to the desert that lies beyond.

Commercial Bank Qatar Masters past champions:
2016 – Branden Grace (South Africa)
2015 – Branden Grace (South Africa)
2014 – Sergio Garcia (Spain)
2013 – Chris Wood (England)
2012 – Paul Lawrie (Scotland)
2011 – Thomas Bjørn (Denmark)
2010 – Robert Karlsson (Sweden)
2009 – Alvaro Quiros (Spain)
2008 – Adam Scott (Australia)
2007 – Retief Goosen (South Africa)
2006 – Henrik Stenson (Sweden)
2005 – Ernie Els (South Africa)
2004 – Joakim Haeggmann (Sweden)
2003 – Darren Fichardt (South Africa)
2002 – Adam Scott (Australia)
2001 – Tony Johnstone (Zimbabwe)
2000 – Rolf Muntz (Netherlands)
1999 – Paul Lawrie (Scotland)
1998 – Andrew Coltart (Scotland)

For further information visit qatar-masters.com

Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Partners

The 2017 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is generously supported by the following partners: Commercial Bank, Fifty One East, Rolex Diners Club International, Byrne, Al Fardan Automobiles, St Regis, Doha, Gulf Times, De Boer, Qatar Duty Free, Al Maktab Al Qatari Al Hollandi, Radisson Blu, Intercontinental Doha, B&B Italia, Qatar Insurance Company, Titleist and Rayyan Water.

Islamabad
27 Jan 2017 (APP):

Outgoing Secretary General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Arjun Bahadur Thapa, who is on a visit to Pakistan, paid a farewell call on Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz here Friday.

The Adviser reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation under the umbrella of SAARC for promoting welfare of the people of South Asia, improving their quality of life, economic progress, social uplift and cultural cooperation.

He said that due to several impediments and challenges, SAARC had been unable to fulfill the vision that was laid out for it by its founding members. He believed that the SAARC Secretariat could play an important role as a catalyst to bring all the member states together and ensure timely and effective implementation of program and activities that would benefit the region.

Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan was looking forward to welcoming SAARC leaders for the 19th Summit that was scheduled in Islamabad in November but was postponed when India impeded the SAARC process and violated the spirit of the SAARC Charter.

Pakistan, he added, remained committed to hosting the 19th SAARC Summit at Islamabad at the earliest so that the objectives of regional cooperation under the SAARC umbrella could be pursued more vigorously.
The SAARC Secretary General emphasized the need to overcome the difficulties that the organization faced and expressed the hope that the 19th SAARC Summit would be held in Islamabad as soon as possible.

Earlier, Arjun Bahadur Thapa also held a meeting with Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry. The Foreign Secretary appreciated Thapa’s contributions to the SAARC process and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the SAARC objectives.

He also emphasized that internal and bilateral problems of member states must not be allowed to affect the organization and that 19th SAARC Summit should be held as soon as possible to put the whole SAARC process back on track.

On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Syed Zulfiqar Gardezi, Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific) hosted a lunch for the Secretary General, which was attended by Amjad Hussian B. Sial, Secretary General-elect of the SAARC.

Thapa, who hails from Nepal, is the 12th Secretary General of SAARC.

He completes his tenure on February 28 after which Amjad Hussain B. Sial, former Special Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, is to take charge as the next Secretary General of SAARC.

WASHINGTON
Department of Defense
USA
27 Jan. 2017

President Donald J. Trump signed two executive actions and watched as Vice President Mike Pence ceremonially swore in Defense Secretary Jim Mattis at the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes here today.

Mattis once again swore “to support and defend the Constitution of the United States” just as he did as a young Marine reservist in 1969. Mattis retired as a four-star general in 2013.

The defense secretary welcomed the president to the headquarters of the military “where America’s awesome determination to defend itself is always on display. I would just tell you that you have made clear, Mr. President, your commitment to a strong national defense and the Americans honored in this hall remind us of our strength as a nation of patriots.”

The president reemphasized his “total confidence” in Mattis, calling him “a man of honor, a man of devotion and a man of total action.”

The secretary has been in place since he was confirmed by the Senate on Jan. 20. He reported to the Pentagon for work the next day.

Military America’s Backbone

Trump said the men and women in the military are the backbone of the United States. “You are the spirit of this nation in every sense,” he said. “The men and women of the United States military are the greatest force for justice and peace and good that have ever walked the face of this Earth.”

The president pledged to support service members and their families.

While at the Pentagon, Trump signed two executive actions to ensure “the sacrifices of our military are supported by the actions of our government.”

The first action initiates “a great rebuilding” of the armed services. It calls for developing a plan for new planes, new ships, new tools and new resources for the services. “As we prepare our budget request for Congress -- and I think Congress is going to be very happy to see it -- our military strength will be questioned by no one, but neither will our dedication to peace,” he said.

The second action establishes new vetting measures “to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States of America -- we don’t want them here,” the president said. “We want to ensure that we are not admitting into our country the very threats that our soldiers are fighting overseas. We only want to admit into our country those who will support our country and love, deeply, our people.”

Trump promised to service members that his administration will “always have your back, we will always be with you.”

Before the ceremony, Trump and Pence met with defense leaders in the “Tank” -- the meeting room of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Mattis Orders Program Reviews

Earlier in the day, Mattis directed reviews of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program and the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program. Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said the purpose of the reviews is “to inform programmatic and budgetary decisions, recognizing the critical importance of each of these acquisition programs.”

He called it a prudent step in anticipation of the budget process, which will help inform the secretary's recommendations to the president regarding critical military capabilities.

“This action is also consistent with the president’s guidance to provide the strongest and most efficient military possible for our nation’s defense,” Davis said, “and it aligns with the secretary’s priority to increase military readiness while gaining full value from every taxpayer dollar spent on defense.”

Friday
27 January 2017
Doha, Qatar:

Korean Wang Jeunghun joined Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat in saying that 2017 could be the year the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters crowns its first Asian champion.

Wang, 21, carded a five-under-par 67 at Doha Golf Club to join playing partner Kiradech and seven others in a share of the lead at eight-under. The nine-way tie matched the European Tour record for most players tied for a lead, set in the first round of the 2007 Wales Open.

Despite narrowly missing a birdie putt on 18, Wang – the youngest player in last year’s Olympic Men’s Golf Tournament – was in an upbeat mood as the 2016 European Tour Rookie of the Year shone on his tournament debut.

“I’ve never seen nine players tied for the lead – and I really tried to make a birdie on the last,” laughed Wang, who broke through on the European Tour with back-to-back wins in Morocco and Mauritius last May.

“I was close to holing the putt, but I still have the third and final round to go so I feel okay. I feel confident. This is a big chance to win. I like the course and the wind conditions, and I think I have a really good chance right now.”

Wang is paired with South African Jaco Van Zyl for the third round after playing two rounds with Kiradech and Australian Scott Hend, the 2016 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner.

“I was so happy to play with my friends. I think it helped me to shoot eight-under over the first two days,” said Wang, who’s not worried about the possibility of the wind blowing up at the weekend.

“Actually, I hope it’s going to be windier. I don’t know why I’m good in the wind, but I think my distance control in the wind is good so I think I have a good chance to win.”

Kiradech, a three-time European Tour winner, opened with a 66 but fell back on Friday after bogeys at one and six before the burly 27-year-old bounced back on the back nine with birdies at 10, 12, 16 and 17.

“I had a lot of birdie chances on the front nine, but I just couldn’t make it, so the key was to make the first birdie on 10. For some reason, the ball just wasn’t going in and I was two-over, then the birdie on 10 changed the momentum,” said Kiradech, who’s in a rich vein of form after a tie for fourth in Abu Dhabi last week.

“It’s a great honour to be among the Asian players at the top with Wang. We had a lot of fun today and talked a lot. He’s a good friend, a nice guy and a great player. It was so nice for both of us to finish well.

“I’m confident going into the weekend as I’ve been striking the ball well, rolling the putts and recovering well, so I just need to keep doing what I’m doing. Who knows, on Sunday, at the end of the day, it might be my day.”

Wang and Kiradech shared the halfway lead with South Africans Van Zyl and Thomas Aiken, Spaniards Jorge Campillo and Nacho Elvira, England’s Andy Sullivan, Finland’s Mikko Korhonen and Welshman Bradley Dredge, the first-round leader.

The congested leaderboard also featured seven players tied at seven-under and 10 more at six-under including four-time Major winner Ernie Els and World Number 10 Alex Noren.

First held in 1998, the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters has helped establish Qatar as a world-class sporting venue and is considered the country’s annual ‘must-attend’ sporting and social event. Sitting at the heart of the European Tour’s Middle East swing, the tournament attracted over 25,000 spectators in 2016 and was broadcast to a global TV audience of over 400 million.

Tickets for the 20th Commercial Bank Qatar Masters are available for purchase at Virgin Megastores (online and in-store in Doha), Doha Golf Club, St Regis Hotel Doha, Intercontinental Hotel Doha, Radisson Blu Hotel Doha, Fnac Lagoona Mall and online on the following websites: q-tickets.com, 800tickets.com and iloveqatar.net:

Tournament day Ticket type Ticket price
Saturday 28 January General admission ticket QAR 200
Sunday 29 January General admission ticket QAR 200

Entry is free for children under 14 years of age. For those looking for an extra-special experience with the best views of the course and an exclusive culinary experience hospitality packages are now available to purchase through the tournament’s official website qatar-masters.com/hospitality.

Doha
26 Jan. 2017 (QNA)

Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani patronized Thursday the graduation ceremony of the 12th class of officer cadets at Ahmed bin Mohammed Military College.

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani along with number of ministers, Defense and Security Officers and delegates from friendly countries were also present on the occasion.

Emir of State of Qatar inspected the graduates' parade.

Commander, Ahmed Bin Mohammed Military College, Brig. Abdullah Abdulrahman Al Kaabi welcomed the Emir.

Al Kaabi in his speech said that the 12th class included 90 officer cadets for the Armed Forces, Ministry of Interior, Lekhwiya, Emiri Guard, and state security. He noted that the graduates received training in Qatar, Mongolia, Britain and France that helped elevate their spirits and strengthen their sense of belonging to the country and to the Emir of Qatar.

Commander of the Ahmed Bin Mohammed Military College said that the experience will help the new graduates play their part in Qatar's renaissance.

Al Kaabi said that graduates also got training from colleges including Ali Al Sabah Military Academy Kuwait and Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, UK. The latter carried out training in Qatar last November. The Ahmed bin Mohammed Military College in cooperation with various different countries provide the best training possible in terms of military academic programs and training techniques.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani honored the students of the 12th class. Cadet Mohammed Khalfan Al Mansouri stood top in military science, Top in law, Top in leadership and also topped in physical fitness.

Cadet Abdullah Hussein Al Marri took 2nd position and third position holder award was given to Cadet Mohammed Fahid Al Faheeda.

Cadet Ghanem Sultan Al Ghanem got first position in Police Science and Cadet Mohammed Mahfouth Mohammed got first position in Information Systems.

In recognition of his services and efforts in the development of the Military College, Emir of Qatar facilititated Brig. Hamad Ahmed Al Nuaimi, former Commander of Ahmed bin Mohammed Military College.

Emir of Qatar watched a performance of the Pakistani military band. The band was comprised of 52 military personnel.

Later, the graduates took the oath.

Moscow
25 Jan. 2017
(QNA)

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Ivan Glasenberg, CEO Glencore PLC and Carlo Messina, Managing Director and CEO of Intesa.

President Putin lauded their contribution towards Rosneft privatization program and investments. Igor Sechin, Chairman of the Russian Rosneft Company was also present in meeting.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al -Thani said that the QIA concluded yesterday an agreement with the Russian Direct Investment Fund , worth two billion dollars for investment in Russia.

Sheikh Abdullah briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on joint investments with VTB in St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport project and other investments along with Russian Sovereign Fund.

The Russian President hoped for the further joint investments in other areas.