Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                      28 Aug. 2018

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) said the stem cell transplantation for the treatment of malignant diseases of the blood and bone marrow offered by the National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) is achieving the goal to treat patients in Qatar without needing to travel abroad.

Hematology services at NCCCR provide blood cancer patients with the highest standards of medical care and the latest treatment technologies.

According to the Qatar National Cancer Registry (QNCR) at the Ministry of Public Health, leukemia is the most common blood cancer and the third most common of all cancers diagnosed among men in Qatar. It is also the most common cancer diagnosed among children in the country. Blood cancer is cancer of the blood, bone marrow, or lymph nodes and affects normal blood cell production or function. It can strike anyone, at any time. There is no way to prevent or screen for most blood cancers.

In recognition of Blood Cancer Awareness Month, clinicians at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) are working to increase awareness of leukemia and other types of blood cancer as well as the disease's signs and symptoms.

By 2020, more than one million new blood cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed globally.

Senior Oncology Consultant and Head of the Hematology Section at the NCCCR, Dr. Halima El Omri said blood cancer can be difficult to diagnosis as the signs and symptoms are easy to dismiss, particularly the early warning signs.

"With blood cancer, we are facing real diagnostic challenges as the symptoms of the different types vary, and each can have different risk factors. While some types of blood cancer elicit pronounced symptoms, such as loss of appetite or persistent fatigue, other symptoms can go unnoticed or be mistaken for something less severe. The same challenge applies to the risk factors as some of the most common, such as age, race, and gender, cannot be controlled or prevented."

There are three main types of blood cancer, leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphomas. Leukemia is a cancer that originates in blood-forming tissue. It is found in the blood and bone marrow and is caused by the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells. Multiple myeloma is cancer that develops in the bone marrow and affects plasma cells. Lymphomas are diseases that affect the cells in the lymphatic system. There are dozens of lymphomas, but the disease is largely categorized as Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

While no cancer is completely preventable, Dr. El Omri says healthy lifestyle choices can play a role in lowering one's risk of developing some cancers.

"As cancer specialists, we urge the public to stay away from lifestyle behaviors that increase their risk of cancer, such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, and excess body weight. Medical screenings and regular checkups are highly recommended and do save lives," said Dr. El Omri.

Dr. El Omri said cancer treatment can be complex. She says HMC's blood cancer treatment options incorporate the latest research and technology.

"Through a multi-disciplinary team approach involving diagnostic radiology, radiotherapy, pathology, pharmacy, and surgery, hematology services at NCCCR provide blood cancer patients with the highest standards of medical care and the latest treatment technologies. The availability of stem cell transplantation for the treatment of malignant diseases of the blood and bone marrow means that patients are able to receive their treatment in Qatar without needing to travel abroad."

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                      28 Aug. 2018                                                                                                                                                                                         (QNA)

Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani met today on Tuesday Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, Commander of US Air Force Central Command in Southwest Asia  and his accompanying delegation who came to greet ruler of State of Qatar on completion of his assignment.

They reviewed mutual strategic relations especially in the areas of military and defense fields, joint efforts in fight against terrorism and a number of other issues of mutual interest.

In recognition of his services towards strengthening strong relations and strategic partnership between the two friendly countries, Amir of Qatar decorated him with medal of Sheikh Joaan for military bravery (First Class), one of the military honours given on exceptional service in the military field.

Amir of Qatar thanked the Commander of the US Air Forces Central Command for his role in promoting joint action between Qatar and the United States of America, especially in the fight against terrorism.

Lt. Gen. Harrigian expressed his gratitude to Amir of state of Qatar on receipt of the medal.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                      28 Aug. 2018                                                                                                                                                                                       (QNA)

Amir of State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met at the Amiri Diwan Office on Tuesday morning with Adrian Norfolk, Ambassador of Canada to Qatar , who called on the Amir to greet him on the occasion of ending his tenure in the country.

The Amir wished the Canadian Ambassador success in his future mission, and the relations between the two countries further progress and development.

Outgoing envoy of Canada expressed thanks and appreciation to ruler of State of Qatar and the State's officials for the cooperation he received during his tenure, which contributed to the success of his work.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                       27 Aug. 2018

Vodafone Qatar launched it's first live G5 network  this evening of Monday 27th August 2018 in presence of Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications of State of Qatar and other senior officials from various walks of life.

Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim Al Thani , CEO, Vodafone Qatar describing this major landmark in bringing 5G to Qatar said “Today we have laid down a very clear marker in shaping our country’s future. This trans-formative technology has the potential to touch all walks of life, improving it for each and every one of us. Qatar is focused on the future, and we are fast becoming one of the most digitally connected countries on the planet. There’s no business better placed to move further or faster in delivering this.”

He aid out the business’ vision for how 5G will accelerate Qatar’s journey towards becoming one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. He also highlighted the trans-formative potential of 5G in changing how we all connect to people and things around us forever.

Diego Camberos, COO, Vodafone Qatar showcased a number of potential applications of 5G technology, explaining how these will improve the lives of the country’s residents and support Qatar’s progress.

With the Middle East’s first World Cup coming to Qatar in 2022, Camberos outlined the vision for how Vodafone’s 5G network will deliver the ultimate experience for millions of sports fans watching and sharing the action live in person, or accessing it via uninterrupted, super-fast connectivity.

The positive potential of 5G for the transportation sector was also explained, with 5G enabling sophisticated communication between vehicles, traffic management and coordination, advanced driver assistance, and ultimately fully autonomous self-driving.

With the huge strides that Qatar has made in the drive to be self-sufficient, it was explained how 5G will  accelerate in areas like industries, Transport, Healthcare sector to Agricultural sector. Vodafone COO said that  5G will monitor, track and automate systems at lightning fast speed, support the development of smart-farming and allow farmers to better measure things on a day-to-day basis remotely.

On the occasion, to showcase what can be achieved with 5G’s ultra-low latency, the event included a faultless performance by the world’s first-ever 5G orchestra made up of five leading musicians in different locations performing music together that was perfectly synchronized thanks to the technology. And in another first for Qatar, attendees were entertained throughout the event by a digital Master of Ceremonies.

With roll out now well underway, Vodafone Qatar expects to connect its first customers when 5G devices are available. In achieving this ambition, it is building on a long-established track-record of innovation.

The business is leveraging the expertise of its international peers to deploy 5G capabilities in the country.  International Vodafone offices across the globe are currently working to completely revolutionise the way people work and live by transforming the internet. From conducting trials to leading research groups, the converged digital services provider is world-leading on the development of 5G, having completed the world’s first 5G call earlier this year.

Lahore                                                                                                                                                                                                    26 Aug. 2018                                                                                                                                                                                        (APP)

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), ruling party in Punjab Province on Sunday announced a 23-member                  cabinet.
According to a PTI Media Wing statement, the cabinet members include :

Makhdoom Hashim Bakht, Minister of Finance;                                                                                                                           Raja Rashid Hafeez, Minister of Revenue;                                                                                                                                   Faiz-ul-Hassan Chouhan, Minister of Information and Culture;                                                                                             Yasir Humayun Sarfaraz, Minister of Higher Education / Tourism Department;                                                               Murad Ross, Minister of School Education,                                                                                                                                 Dr Yasmin Rashid, Minister of Primary and Secondary Healthcare/Specialized Healthcare and Medication               Education;                                                                                                                                                                                             Raja Basharat, Minister of Law & Parliamentary Affairs;                                                                                                         Anser Majeed Niazi, Minister of Labour and Manpower.                                                                                                         Sami Ullah Chaudhry, Ministry of Food;                                                                                                                                       Mian Aslam lqbal, Minister of Industries, Commerce and Investment;                                                                                 Hafiz Mumtaz, Minister of Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control;                                                                                       Mian Mehmood-ur- Rasheed, Minister of Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering,                   Aleem Khan, Minister of Local Government and Community Development as Senior Minister;                                     Taimor Khan, Minikster of  Youth Affairs/Sports;                                                                                                                     Mohsin Laghari, Minister of  Irrigation:

         Ministers without Portfolios

Muhammad Sibtain Khan, Sardar Asif Nakai, Hafiz Ammar Yassir, Malik Nouman Langrial, Hasnain Dareshak, Malik Muhammad Anwar, Chaudhry Zaheer ud Din and Hashim Dogar.

Ekaterinburg, Russia                                                                                                                                                                          23 Aug. 2018                                                                                                                                                                                        (TASS News)

The one-piece 1.6-kg emerald found in the Sverdlovsk Region, Russia, earlier this year was sold for 4 mln rubles ($58,700). A Russian company engaged in gem cutting purchased it, press service of the Mariinsky Mine told TASS on Monday.

"The emerald was sold. The sum is over 4 mln rubles ($58,700). A Russian cutting company purchased it," the press service said, without detailing the buyer’s name.

The gem was found at the end of January 2018 in the Mariinsky Mine. It is the largest-ever emerald mined there since the 1990s. Until just recently, the 1.2-kilogram emerald "President" mined in the early 1990s was considered to be the largest.

More:
http://tass.com/economy/1018415

Arizona, USA                                                                                                                                                                                        26 Aug. 2018                                                                                                                                                                                       (US Today/Media)

John McCain, Six-Term Senator from his hometown Arizona, USA, 2008 Republican presidential nominee died at age 81 today at 0428 PM, MST, announced by his office. His wife and other family members were with him.

John McCain, son of Admiral John S. McCain Jr. served in Vietnam. Lt. Commander John McCain was captured by North Vietnamese where he spent 5 years as POW until his release in 1973 along with other POWs.

Destined to be remembered among the political giants of Arizona history, the six-term U.S. senator disclosed in July 2017 that he had been diagnosed with a deadly form of brain cancer called glioblastoma.

Meghan McCain, his TV commentator daughter, wrote Saturday on Twitter: "I love you forever - my beloved father."

McCain was a two-time presidential candidate, losing the GOP nomination in 2000 to then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush and the general election in 2008 to then-Sen. Barack Obama.

The unsuccessful White House bids were spotlight moments in a long political career that began with his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982. After two terms, McCain ascended to the U.S. Senate in 1987, replacing legendary Republican U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, who in 1964 was the only other Arizonan to top the national ticket of a major U.S. political party. McCain was re-elected to the Senate in 1992, 1998, 2004, 2010 and 2016. He became Arizona’s senior senator in 1995 and chairman of the influential Armed Services Committee in 2015.

He was ensnared by the “Keating Five” scandal of the late 1980s and was deemed by the Senate Ethics Committee to have demonstrated poor judgment by joining four Senate colleagues in meeting with federal thrift regulators on behalf of political benefactor Charles H. Keating Jr., a savings-and-loan tycoon and developer.

It was in the wake of that scandal, in the 1990s and early- to mid-2000s, McCain's "maverick" reputation began to take shape, as he led fights for campaign finance reform and comprehensive immigration reform and against Big Tobacco. During his 2000 presidential run, McCain famously decried leaders of the Religious Right as “agents of intolerance,” a gutsy fight to pick for a Republican.

Florida City                                                                                                                                                                                           26 Aug. 2018                                                                                                                                                                                       (USA Today)

A number of people are killed and several injured today when a white man opened fire in an entertainment complex 'The Jacksonville Landing' along the St. Johns River. The area includes waterfront restaurants and an indoor shopping mall. The GLHF Game Bar – GLHF stands for good luck, have fun – bills itself online as "Jacksonville's home for gamers and nerds alike."

The shooting took place less than two days after a gunfire at a high school football game a few miles away, which left one person dead and two wounded.

Sheriff Mike Williams said the lone shooter, a white male, was among the dead. He declined to reveal the death toll.

The sheriff's office said there were "multiple fatalities" and that many other victims were transported to hospitals. Multiple media outlets, including WJXT-TV, said four people were dead and several more wounded at the GLHF Game Bar.

Authorities had urged people hiding in the area to call 911 so police can get them out.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said President Donald Trump had been briefed and was monitoring the situation. Gov. Rick Scott said he had promised Mayor Lenny Curry and other officials in Jacksonville any state support they might need.

Jacksonville is about 300 miles north of Parkland, where a gunman killed 17 people in a rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine's Day. Sen. Bill Nelson issued a statement after Sunday's shooting saying: "Word of another tragic mass shooting in our state brings shock and outrage."

Ankara                                                                                                                                                                                                   26 Aug. 2018                                                                                                                                                                                      (Anadolu News)

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that the "issue" is not about himself and his party but "Turkey and Islam".

Speaking in the eastern province of Mus at a ceremony marking the 947th anniversary of Battle of Malazgirt, Erdogan stressed that Turkey’s security is not limited to its borders, adding it starts wherever there is a brother under threat.

“Thus, we have to be powerful in politics, diplomacy, economy, trade and technology. Otherwise, put this homeland and geography aside, they won’t give us a single day to live in this world,” Erdogan said.

“If we show even a small sign of weakness, or perceive a situation in that way, you will see they will come onto us like hooded crows.”

Pointing at “some unwary people among us”, Erdogan said they assume the issue is about the president himself and the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.

“No, the issue is about Turkey. The issue is about Islam, which they symbolize with our nation,” he said.

Battle of Malazgirt

Praising Turkish victory in Anatolia nearly a millennium ago, Erdogan said the Battle of Malazgirt (Manzikert) paved the way to Europe for the Turks.

The Battle of Malazgirt of Aug. 26, 1071 saw Seljuk Turks led by Sultan Alparslan defeat a Byzantine army and open up Anatolia for Turkish domination.

Describing Anatolia as a linchpin of the future of humanity, Erdogan said: "If Anatolia falls, neither the Middle East nor Africa, Central Asia, the Balkans, or the Caucasus will remain."

The president also called on Turkish youth to take ownership of the country’s centuries-old legacy.

“Not only were we victorious in [the Battle] of Malazgirt, we also showed the entire world what a nation we are. The young people! Protect this legacy born in the past, moving forward into the future,” Erdogan said.

The president also said the spirit of Malazgirt is the key to the past, as well as the future, referring to Turkey's 2023 objectives, in particular.

"Turkey carries the responsibility of a big civilization, a huge history and great humanity... I expect you, [the young people] to act likewise in whatever field you opt for," Erdogan said.

Normalize ties with US

Turkish Parliament Speaker and former Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also attended the program.

During his speech, Yildirim blasted those, who try to destroy Turkey’s unity, saying: “They will never be able to accomplish this.”

“In Turkey, economic coup attempts or coup attempts such as the one on July 15 carried out by traitors have never borne fruit, nor will they [in the future].”

Referring to the Washington administration, Yildirim called for exerting new efforts to normalize the relations.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) head Devlet Bahceli, drew parallels between current events and those during the Byzantium era.

“The inspiration for those who brutally fictionalize political and economic operations is driven by Byzantium’s provocation,” Bahceli said.

“The game of foreign exchange and foreign exchange rate are the method of Byzantine.”

Political tensions between Ankara and Washington had sparked worries in markets early this month, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to use economic pressure over the detention of an American pastor who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey.

The Turkish lira declined but staged a recovery recently, after positive messages from European capitals and Qatar’s decision to invest $15 billion in Turkey.

Jakarta                                                                                                                                                                                                  26 August 2018                                                                                                                                                                                    (Xinhua News)

Nicole Marie Tagle of the Philippines competes during the Recurve Women's Individual 1/16 Eliminations of Archery at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aug. 23, 2018.

Picture by Fei Maohua - Xinhua News