Jerusalem                                                                                                                                                                              30 April 2018                                                                                                                                                                   (Xinhua News)

The United States is “deeply concerned” about Iran’s efforts to expand its forces in the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said after meeting Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

“We remain deeply concerned about Iran’s dangerous escalation of threats towards Israel and the region,” Pompeo said during comments alongside Netanyahu.

The two met at the defense ministry in Tel Aviv amidst the newly-appointed secretary of state’s three-day visit to the region.

The prime minister congratulated Pompeo upon taking office last week, saying Israel is “very proud of the fact that this is your first visit as secretary of state.”

Pompeo called Netanyahu “an incredibly important partner” as a reply.

Commenting on the upcoming May 12 deadline when U.S. President Donald Trump is due to decide on the extension of the waiver on nuclear-related sanctions against Iran, Pompeo said that Trump will exit the agreement if the U.S. administration “can’t fix it.”

Pompeo also reiterated the U.S. commitment to relocating its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on May 14. The controversial move has triggered a strong Palestinian condemnation and a new wave of violence between Israel and the Palestinians.

He also stressed that Trump said in December 2017 that the borders of the Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem are subject to “negotiations between the sides,” and the United States has remained committed to achieving “a long and lasting peace that offers a better future for both Israel and the Palestinians.”

Pompeo arrived in Amman from Tel Aviv late evening of Sunday for two-day visit as part of a Middle East tour that also covered Saudi Arabia and Israel.

During the visit, Pompeo will hold talks with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi over ways to enhance political and economic ties between the two countries.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman received on Sunday US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is using the Middle East leg of his first trip abroad as America’s top diplomat to call for concerted international action to punish Iran for its missile programs.

He’s also urging Saudi Arabia and its neighbors to resolve a long-festering dispute with Qatar that US officials say Iran is exploiting to boost its influence in the region, including in Yemen and Syria.

“I think they would all agree that it’s in everyone’s best interests that the Gulf states all figure out how to be together,” Pompeo told reporters as he traveled to Israel. “We’ve got a common challenge in Iran I think they all recognize that. We’re hopeful that they will in their own way figure out their dispute between them.”

Kathmandu                                                                                                                                                                           28 April 2018                                                                                                                                                                   (Xinhua News)

The Nepali government is preparing two pairs of rhinos to give to China as gifts, authorities confirmed here last Saturday.

A team of around 50 people including officials from national park, technical experts, veterinary doctors, Nepal army officials captured a one-horned rhino from the Chitwan National Park(CNP) on Saturday.

"A male rhino of around two years old has been captured from the western sector of the park on Saturday evening. It has been kept in a special enclosure within the park premise," Nurendra Aryal, Information Officer and Assistant Conservation Officer at CNP, told Xinhua.

This is the first rhino among two pairs, which will be gifted to China by the Nepali government within few months. The decision to provide two pairs of endangered rhinos as gifts to China was made by Nepal's KP Sharma Oli government in 2016.

"The search operation will continue for few days to capture other rhinos," Aryal added.

Nepal has constructed a special enclosure called "boma" within the park premise where the captured rhinos will be kept for observation and to help those mammals to get accustomed to enclosure.

"Boma" reflects the natural habitat for rhinos including trees, grasses and small water reservoirs.

Chitwan National Park, located some 170 kilometers away from Kathmandu, is the largest habitat of rhinos in Nepal. As per the 2015 census, there are a total of 645 rhinos in Nepal. Of them, 605 are in Chitwan National Park alone.

As per the agreement, Nepal will dispatch two pairs of rhinos below four years old including both male and female to China. The rhinos will be sent to the national parks in Guangzhou and Shanghai.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                       30 April 2018

Lulu Cookery Contest Awards ceremony held on last Thursday at the Lulu Group Regional Office in Doha, Qatar.

Regional Director, Lulu Group Shaijan MO and Regional Manager Shanavas PM distributed the prizes to the winners in the presence of other Lulu officials.

An expert food panel comprises on renowned Chef Anilkumar, Executive Chef Nagesh of Qatar Airways and Chef Ravishankar Thangavel, Regional Chief Chef of Lulu Group shortlisted 52 applications out of  400 applicants.

Following are the winners in various categories:

'Non-Vegetarian Category'

Shaguftha Zahir Panwala, Ismath Beevi Najimudeen and Karle Haven P. Reyes won the 1^st, 2^nd and 3rd Prizes.

'Vegetarian Category'

Aisha Alumma, Shabina Khajoon Ansari and Seema Sachdeva won the 1^st, 2^nd and 3rd Prizes.

'Dessert Category'

Sabna Zamil, Salma Khanam and Omar Abdel Aty got 1^st, 2^nd and 3rd Prizes.

A Special Prize was presented to Geetha Priya in the 'Non-Vegetarian Category' and to Jaseena Shafeeque in 'Dessert Category'.

All short listed participants were presented Consolation Prizes on the occasion.

It is to note that 'Big Chef Cookery Contest' was held on 7th of April on lines with Lulu 16th Annual Food Festival 2018.

Lulu Food Festival offers shoppers a 'relishing experience' along with a wide range of activities aimed at educating customers about different food habits and giving them insights into various cooking styles and ingredients that go into different cuisines.

The ‘Big Chef Cookery Contest’ on lines with annual food festival required contesters to fill up an entry form with details about the name of the recipe, list of ingredients used and method of preparation.  A panel of  eminent food experts as judges evaluate the dishes and decide the winner based on various norms, namely appearance, taste, aroma and innovation of the recipe.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                   30 April 2018

Renowned Indian and Pakistani Urdu scholars,-  Syed Muhammad Ashraf and Dr. Mazhar Mahmood Shairani  have been named winners of the 22nd Aalmi Frogh-e-Urdu Adab Awards for the year 2018.

The annual awards instituted since 1996 by Qatar based world renowned literary organization, Majlis-e-Frogh-e-Urdu Adab (Forum Promoting Urdu literature) will be presented to the winners  at a glittering ceremony in November this year.

2018 nominated awardee from India Syed Muhammad Ashraf was born on 8th July,1957 in  Sitapur. He served in Government's Indian Revenue Service and held the position of Income Tax Commissioner, Aligarh.

In recognition of his services in promoting of Urdu literature, Syed Mohammad Ashraf has been honoured with the highest literary awards in India including Sahitya Academy Award (2003), UP Urdu Academy Collective Services  Award (2013), Madhya Pardesh  Govt.'s 'Iqbal Samman Award' (2017) and 'Katha award' (1995).

Dr. Mazhar has compiled innumerable articles of Hafiz Mahmood Shairani spread over a number of different books, magazines and journals, in 10 heavy volumes, which  were published by Majlis-e- Taraqqi Adab. He wrote his valuable footnotes over these books . These articles are invaluable asset to Urdu research and literature

Dr. Mazhar's Ph.D. thesis also had great depth in it. He wrote it in two volumes about Hafiz Mahmood Shairani's works, which is a guide for all Urdu research workers. This book was titled '' Hafiz Mahmood Shairani aur unki ilmi w adabi khidmat''.

Dubai                                                                                                                                                                                     29 April 2018                                                                                                                                                                (Reuters)

Qatar Petroleum (QP) said on Sunday it has signed an agreement to supply Vietnam with up to 2 million tonnes per year of LPG and naphtha.

It signed the 15-year agreement with Long Son Petrochemicals Company Limited, a subsidiary of The Siam Cement Public Company Limited, QP said in a statement.

“The agreement will commence with the start of Vietnam’s first green-field petrochemical complex, which is being constructed on Long Son Island,” QP said, adding the facility is expected to start production in 2022.

It marks Qatar’s first long-term contract to sell LPG and naphtha directly to Vietnam, said QP CEO Saad al-Kaabi said in the statement.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                   29 April 2018

The Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) and the Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organization (AIDMO) signed a memorandum of understanding aiming at promoting cooperation, coordination and the exchange of information about the industrial and economic sectors and relevant activities. The event took place during the opening of the 25th session of the AIDMO general assembly at the Sheraton, Kuwait, from April 24 to 26, 2018.

Ministers of industry and mining from the region and the world and many decision makers and stakeholders in the industrial sector attended the event.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                     29 April 2018

United Development Company (UDC), a leading Qatari shareholding company and master developer of The Pearl-Qatar announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2018, reporting net profit of QR 220 million on revenues of QR 528 million. The net profit attributable to the equity shareholders stood at QR 215 million and basic earnings per share was QR 0.61.

Turki bin Mohammed Al-Khater, UDC Chairman  said he was pleased to see such performance showing, given the challenging economic conditions that have prevailed. These results are especially noteworthy when considering they are a product of UDC’s existing portfolio. With many new developments coming up at The Pearl-Qatar to compliment the properties already in operation, it shows that the future is indeed bright for UDC as we continue to develop The Pearl-Qatar in such a favorable manner”.

Al-Khater continued by saying, “UDC launched Gewan Island, our newest mixed-use real estate development, during Cityscape Exhibition on April 22, 2018, offering a new investment and residential venture on the promising local market”.

Ibrahim Al-Othman, UDC President and Chief Executive Officer expressed his optimism on UDC’s outlook being prospective. He said, “it is the variety of innovated properties placed in a first class community setting  that sets The Pearl-Qatar apart from its competition and has given UDC the flexibility needed to successfully manage its business through tough times. This distinction is becoming readily apparent with the new projects at Al Mutahidah Towers, Giardino Village, Floresta Gardens and the new island Gewan coming on. We are ambitious about what these new projects will bring as they will allow UDC to realize the great potential of the planned objectives”.

Al-Othman further said, “The Company has also witnessed a steady increase in the retail leasing occupancy rate at The Pearl-Qatar. The volume of leased retail properties during Q1 2018 had increased by 20% compared to the first quarter of 2017, making The Pearl-Qatar a “must have” location for the predominant retailers operating in Doha. UDC has also concluded a major lease agreement with a corporate tenant covering 285 residential units at Medina Centrale commencing in Q2 of 2018.”

Al-Othman concluded by saying he was, “pleased to see UDC getting off to a good start in 2018 as this year will become the springboard for our future success. While the current market challenges to deliver on the new developments are formable, I am optimistic that the course of action set by the company is achievable and will be rewarding to our shareholders, who have put their trust in UDC”.

Community services are also part of UDC’s planned developments, including masajid, amenities, an international school and a general hospital. A total community experience awaits all residents, tenants and visitors who come to The Pearl-Qatar.

UDC is a leading Qatari public shareholding company with a mission to identify and invest in long-term projects contributing to Qatar’s growth and providing good shareholder value. Established in 1999, the company became listed on the Qatar Exchange in June 2003. It has an authorized share capital of QR 3.54 billion and total assets of QR 18 billion at 31 March 2018.

UDC activities cover a multitude of vital investment sectors including real estate development, property management, infrastructure and utilities, energy-intensive industries, hydrocarbon downstream manufacturing, maritime related businesses, and hospitality.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                       29 April 2018

Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar received Sunday a copy of the credentials of Faizal Moosa, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Qatar .

The Secretary-General wished the Ambassador success in his duties, and the bilateral relations between the two countries further progress and prosperity.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                   29 April 2018

Qatar’s foremost musical composer, Dana Al Fardan, has composed a new masterpiece for the musical Broken Wings in collaboration with West End Star Nadim Naaman. Broken Wings is set to launch in London at Theatre Royal Haymarket in August 2018.

Nadim Naaman, who rose to prominence for his work in The Phantom of the Opera as 'Raoul' in the hit musical at the Her Majesty's Theatre. Having played numerous roles in the West End as well as contracts in high profile fringe productions such as Titanic, Chess and the 2014 hit revival of Sweeney Todd, Nadim collaborated with Dana on the music for this theatre production which is based on Lebanese-born poet Kahlil Gibran’s 1912 masterpiece, Broken Wings.

Dana Al Fardan says: “Kahlil Gibran felt strongly about the universal language of music, often referring to it as the language of the soul. Our musical aims to offer the audience a deeper understanding of both Gibran’s work and the man behind it. We hope it will be both enjoyable and enlightening.”

Dana will work with a 9-piece semi-staged production orchestra by Joe Davison (who has worked with Adele and Leona Lewis) at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Broken Wings will debut on 1 August and run for four days. The Theatre Royal Haymarket dates back to 1720 and is the third oldest playhouse in the UK with a seating capacity of close to 900. The cast for Broken Wings is yet to be announced soon.

Dana also says: “This is the first Arabic inspired musical to hit London’s West End featuring a Qatari composer and Lebanese writer. The first single from Broken Wings¸ Spirit of the Earth¸ has also been featured on BBC Radio 2 on Elaine Paige’s Sunday show and has received rave reviews from critics and listeners in the United Kingdom. The musical is a summary of Gibran’s best-selling book “The Prophet” placed within the context of Broken Wings, performed by the character of Gibran’s mother, older Gibran and younger Gibran. “

A Broken Wings concept album featuring an all-star cast will be released on Thursday 10 May.

As well as available on iTunes, CDs can be pre-ordered via Auburn Jam Music using this link www.brokenwings.auburnjam co.uk

A Broken Wings concept album featuring an all-star cast will be released on Thursday 10 May.

28 April 2018                                                                                                                                                                     (Daily The Nation Int'l)

China General Nuclear Power Group is building two Hualong One nuclear stations in Karachi and will build another one in Argentina starting in 2020.This is the part of the world’s first AP1000 third-generation nuclear unit started fueling in east China’s Zhejiang Province, a much-awaited landmark in China’s actualization of the advanced technology, bringing the country a step closer to the mass-production and export of the third-generation nuclear facilities.

Permitted by National Nuclear Safety Administration of China, 157 fuel assemblies were loaded into the honeycomb core of the 1250 MW No.1 unit reactor of Sanmen Nuclear Power Station, marking the start of the plant’s trial run.

Qian Zhimin, Chairman of energy behemoth State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC), lead developer and contractor of the project, has vowed to put the unit into operation this year.

SPIC introduced the third-generation pressurized water reactor design AP1000 (AP = Advanced Passive) from the US company Westinghouse Electric Corporation in November 2006. Since then, China has built two AP1000 units in Sanmen and another two units in Haiyang, east China’s Shandong Province.

The Sanmen project is of great significance to China’s nuclear energy development.

The AP1000 is the world’s safest reactor technology for commercial purpose. It is designed to passively cool itself during an accidental shutdown, theoretically avoiding accidents like those at Ukraine’s Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

If all goes well at the Sanmen facility, China could unleash a wave of approvals for new reactors. Bloomberg has reported that South Africa, India, Mexico, and the Czech Republic are among the countries that are considering the design, and are more likely to adopt it once China has taken the first, crucial step.

SPIC and China National Nuclear Corporation jointly started construction on the Sanmen nuclear plant in April 2009. The plant is designed to hold six 1250 MW reactors, with altogether 7.5 GW installed capacity.

What is notable for China, over 55 % of the facilities are produced by domestic firms. More than 40 Chinese manufactures, including Dongfang Electric and China National Erzhong Group have broken technical bottlenecks to localize the production of key equipment such as pressure vessels, steam generators.

China National Nuclear Corp created the first fuel assembly line for AP1000 power plants, capable of supporting mass production of the fuel. These progresses have paved the way for further deployment of such facilities in China and around the world.

The introduction of China’s AP1000 arose from a larger ambition to make its own reactor from practicing and absorbing foreign technology.

With the culmination of 20,000 scientists and technicians from multiple state energy companies over ten years, China has now crystallized the CAP1400 (C = China) reactor design, an upgraded version of the AP1000 with a capacity scaled up to 1400 MW and a more stable and safer design. More importantly, China owns the intellectual property right of the CAP1400.

Currently, the engineering work is steadily making progress. SPIC has developed its indigenous simulated digital control system for the CAP1400 nuclear model, NuSIM, which simulates the normal operations and possible emergencies of a nuclear power station, and can be used to train future nuclear station operators.

According to SPIC, the company is building two CAP1400 reactors in a demonstration area located in Shidao Bay of Rongcheng City in east China’s Shandong Province. As much as 85% percent of equipment in the Rongcheng nuclear project will be made in China.

In May 2016, CAP1400 successfully passed the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Generic Reactor Safety Review, opening the door to exports and the deployment of the advanced reactor design.

SPIC has teamed up with 160 companies from both home and abroad to build a global supply chain of AP1000 and CAP1400 equipment, making it a powerful international marketer of such models.

China’s homegrown third-generation design, Hualong One, has already carved out a spot overseas, making China one of the a few countries to support research consultancy, big-volume construction, operation service support, as well as other related services.