Panorthodox Synod : ADDRESS BY ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH AT THE CONFERENC...

Panorthodox Synod : ADDRESS BY ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH AT THE CONFERENC...:   Οικουμενικόν Πατριαρχείον Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Conference “Confluence of Conscience: Uniti...

IF20 UAE Live - Day 1: Stream 1 - Address of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the G20 Interfaith Forum (begins at 35:00) in Abu Dhabi,UAE on 12 December 2020

This forum runs from 12-13 December 2020.It brings together global religious leaders in order to advise the 2023 G20 meeting of world political leaders in India.

Of Note:Ecumenical Patriarch Departs for UAE

On Thursday 8 December,His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew departed Constantinople for the United Arab Emirate of Abu Dhabi.Accompanied by His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon,he will attend two interfaith and multicultural conferences in the Middle Eastern nation.It will be recalled that the Patriarch also attended a similar event in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

Around a War-torn Region,Part 2:CENTCOM Commander Briefs Congress on the Strategic Road Ahead

US Army General Joseph L. Votel,Commander,US Central Command,continued to brief the House Armed Services Committee on 27 February 2018 on the challenges CENTCOM faces in its massive Area of Responsibility:
We do maintain a constant presence in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden,into the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman as well,and through our very close partnership with our partners.We have three combined maritime task forces that are led out of our naval headquarters in Bahrain,that include a variety of different nations.I think that this is a very key way for us to maintain our influence and pursue our interests in the CENTCOM maritime environment.*
In the Bab el Mandeb Strait,60-70 ships a day go through it.Mining is a very real threat that we have to pay attention to,using our intelligence and experience to help our partners Saudi Arabia and the UAE to optimise their capabilities.We absolutely do have intelligence assets on the Bab el Mandeb,and I would be very glad to go into the details with you in a different setting.*
In Afghanistan this season,our intention is to grab the initiative,break the stalemate and begin to expand population control in this year and next (the Taliban currently have 12% of the population under their control,while the Afghan government has 64% of the population,and the rest is contested),and then ensure that we create an environment for credible elections to take place.It's one of the most important things that the Afghan people need to see from their government.
It's very clear that the majority of the ISR (Intelligence,Surveillance and Reconnaissance) in the region is being provided by the United States.We have the largest concentration of MQ-9s (drones) down at Kandahar Airfield  to support General Nicholson and his forces,and that's adequate for what he needs right now;but,given his druthers,I'm sure that he would want more,and so we would want more in all these areas.The faster that we can continue to provide those capabilities,the better.*
I am concerned that these areas in the Southwest of Syria are becoming collection zones of
unsavoury elements,and eventually they will have to be dealt with.I am concerned that these will become bigger problems.In places like Idlib,these groups that have come together do potentially pose long-term challenges for the security of the region,above and beyond Syria,General Votel told the Members of Congress on Capitol Hill last month.

Air and Artillery Strikes Hit ISIL Targets in Syria,Iraq

Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve continued to strike the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant on 3 January in both Syria and Iraq,a news release said.In Syria,among the 21 strikes by attack,bomber,fighter and remotely piloted aircraft on the Islamist extremists were:
Near Shedaddi,three strikes destroyed a vehicle bomb;a vehicle bomb storage facility and a fighting position;and damaged a repeater box and a communications tower.
Near Raqqah,seven strikes destroyed a vehicle bomb;a vehicle bomb storage facility;a weapons cache and 11 fighting positions;and suppressed a tactical unit.*
In Iraq,among the six strikes by attack,bomber,fighter and remotely piloted aircraft and rocket artillery conducted with and in support of Iraq's government on the ISIL militants were:
Near Hawayjah,two strikes destroyed a pickup truck and vehicle bomb storage facility.
Near Mosul,three strikes destroyed two mortars;a tactical vehicle and two command and control nodes;damaged two supply routes and suppressed nine mortar teams and a tactical unit.*
Those who have conducted strikes in Iraq include the US;Australia;Belgium;Canada;Denmark;France;Jordan;the Netherlands;and the UK.
Those who have conducted strikes in Syria include the US;Australia;Bahrain;Canada;France;Jordan;the Netherlands;Saudi Arabia;Turkey;the UAE;and the UK.

Thailand's Phatlum Takes Omega Dubai Title

The Omega Dubai Ladies Masters,the final event of the 2013 Ladies European Tour,was played over the weekend at the Emirates Golf Club.Thailand's Pornanung Phatlum,24,took the championship trophy,with American Stacy Lewis second and Spain's Carlota Ciganda third.Phatlum shot an outstanding 15 under par 66 in the fourth round to cap off her second career victory on the LET.She won 75,000 euros,or 102,770 dollars,placing her 23rd on the 2013 money list with 660,210 dollars for the season.Phatlum had also won the 2012 Women's Indian Open.
In the second round,South Africa's Connie Chen made a hole in one at the fifteenth to win a Mercedes Benz E-400 convertible.She finished 39th out of 64 for the tournament.
Besides Mercedes and Omega,sponsors of the 7th annual edition included Dubai Aluminium;CNN;Drydocks World/Maritime World;Emirates NBD;and Gulf News.The tournament was under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein,Wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.Played against the backdrop of the soaring Dubai skyline,it was founded in 2006.Annika Sorenstam was the first champion and repeated in 2007.

DP World Tour Championship,Dubai;Portuguese Visas

The DP World Tour Championship,Dubai is underway in the United Arab Emirates.It is being played at Jumeirah Golf Estates,a luxury resort community.The tournament is the culminating event of the European Tour's Race To Dubai,the overall season championship of the Tour.Henrik Stenson of Sweden is current leader of the Race To Dubai,while Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is defending champion of the tournament. McIlroy is currently tied for the first round lead with Spain's Rafa Cabrera-Bello at -3.*
Partners of the European Tour are BMW;Genworth;and Rolex.Sponsors are ClubCar and Titleist.*
Peter Uihlein is the only American participant.*
Meanwhile,the Australasian PGA Tour is holding the Australian Masters at Royal Melbourne.Adam Scott is defending champion,and American Matt Kuchar is also participating.*
NBC Universal's Golf Channel is broadcasting both events.*
Investors who transfer at least 1 million euros to Portugal or create at least 10 jobs are eligible for a Portuguese residence visa.The program is also for those
who buy property in Portugal worth a mimimum of 500,000 euros.Since inception,it has netted 198 million euros of investment.Up to 400 visas will be issued in the program this year;there is currently no limit for 2014.

Ladies European Tour Concludes in Dubai With a Chinese Win

The Ladies European Tour has ended its season with the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai,UAE.American Lexi Thompson yielded her title to China's Shanshan Feng on Sunday and her final round 21 under par 69.Dewi Claire Schreeful of the Netherlands was second with a 16 under par 69;third place on the leader board was shared by Caroline Masson of Germany and Becky Brewerton of Wales.
Carlota Ciganda of Spain won the Handa Order of Merit for the season with her earnings total of 251,289.95 euros.She was also named Rookie of the Year.
The tournament was played out against the looming backdrop of the ultramodern skyline of the desert city.
Following her win,Swiss watchmaking titan Omega named Feng a brand ambassador,adding her to a list including Greg Norman,Sergio Garcia and Michelle Wie.Fiancial terms were not disclosed.
In a statement,Omega said it is proud that this outstanding competitor,whose smile lights up every course she plays on,has joined its family of golfing brand ambassadors.The brand looks forward to celebrating with Shanshan Feng each time she adds to her already impressive list of victories and achievements on the golf course.
Besides Omega,tournament sponsors included Gulf News,Drydocks World,Maritime World,Mercedes Benz,Emirates NBD and CNN.

Emirates Chooses Boeing Jets

Emirates Air has ordered 50 more 777 airliners from Boeing for a record 18 billion dollars.The deal includes an option for 20 more 777s,which would bring the total cost up to 26 billion.At the same time,Oman has ordered six Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
Jeff Johnson,President of Boeing Middle East,says Emirates Air aims for global aviation domination.We're sold out for years to come.They want the technology.The Middle East sets the standard for wanting this technology.
The Middle East also hungers for military aircraft.There are big air bases in Qatar,Kuwait and Bahrain.These countries want interoperability with the U.S. military.A 60 billion dollar U.S. arms deal with Saudi Arabia is influenced by the fear of Iran,Mr.Johnson noted.
Boeing(BA)

Dubai Retail Recovers

The retail sector in Dubai is on the mend.There is growing optimism this is a solid trend as tourists and shoppers return in droves.At the iconic Mall of the Emirates,consumer traffic is up 15% on the year.
Gulf region consumers think Dubai is retail central.The consumption of luxury goods is up 3% and projected to double.The regional consumers are supplemented by a gaggle of shopping tourists from both Saudi Arabia and the Indian subcontinent.
The Mall of the Emirates has 520 stores,anchored by the hypermarket Carrefour,the incredible Ski Dubai indoor slopes,CineStar Cinemas and several others.There are eighty eateries,two hotels and 60 luxury designer stores.Child care is also available at the huge emporium.
According to noted researcher Jim Bianco,the high end is doing better than the Wal-Marts of the world.The wealthy are benefiting from the higher stock market.If stocks start to slump,all bets are off for the consumer discretionary business.
For now,though,the woes of the financial crisis are fading in the desert sun.

Golf on the Gulf:The Omega Dubai Desert Classic 2011

Spaniard Alvaro Quiros overcame two triple bogeys to clinch victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates this past weekend.Quiros eagled the eleventh with a hole in one,giving him the momentum he needed to take home the trophy,an enormous Arabian teapot.He has won a tournament every year since 2007,among them the Qatar Masters in 2009.
Denmark's Anders Hansen and South African James Kingston were tied for second on the leader board.
The stubble-bearded Quiros got 558,376 euros for the win-that's about 755,307 U.S. dollars.Tournament sponsors included Emirates Air,Dubai Aluminium,Omega,CNN,Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts,Gulf News and Mercedes Benz.
The tournament was first held in 1989.Since then,the desert backdrop has been transformed by an impressive massing of skyscrapers in the heat haze.The Emirates GC course,where the tournament is held,has an extensive palm plantation for even more visual appeal.

European Tour Ends In Dubai

The Dubai World Championship ended the golf year for the European Tour this past weekend.Only the heat reminded one it was a desert location.The Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth course has no sand to speak of-just the ordinary bunker sand.The rest of the course is grass,trees and wood chips,with a lake to cool things off visually.
Ironically,the golfer from the coldest country,Robert Karlsson of Sweden,did the best in Dubai,winning the tournament in a second playoff with England's Ian Poulter.Poulter faltered when his first shot landed in the wood chips.After a lackluster second shot,he then made an error when he dropped his ball on top of its marker,incurring a one-shot penalty.
It was Karlsson's 11th career victory and Sweden's 6th win of the season.Overall winner of the Race to Dubai,as the European Tour is also known,was Germany's Martin Kaymer.Karlsson was awarded a golden scepter for a trophy.
Sponsors of the tournament included DP World,Emirates Air and Rolex.
Jumeirah Golf Estates has an oasis ambiance,with grass and trees throughout the luxury development.There are four golf courses.

Dubai Fund Feeling Good

Ististhar,a Dubai sovereign wealth fund,has come through a tough period earlier in the year.CEO David Jackson described February-March as difficult.They had to sell some assets,as cash was needed elsewhere.Now we're feeling pretty good about the portfolio,Mr.Jackson said.Like everyone else,we're cautious now.We're making small,bolt-on acquisitions.We're holding on to Barneys stores.We believe in the brand,but luxury bands aren't fairly valued right now.
Dubai's projects,such as its palm islands development,are going forward.We're still alive and kicking,Mr. Jackson assures us.I have an excellent relationship with the sheikhs.At one point,everyone's job was on the line.I'm committed to preserving what we have in the portfolio,Mr.Jackson noted.
Dubai is one of the United Arab Emirates.The UAE is on the Persian Gulf,between Oman to the south,and Qatar to the north.

Dubai Firm Wins Contract

Prime Projects International,a company based in Dubai,one of the United Arab Emirates,has been selected to design and construct a prison on a U.S. air base.PPI is to receive 50 million dollars U.S. for the project.The prison will be built on Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.It is to hold 1,000 prisoners.The U.S. military is also seeking an Islamic religion specialist for the prison.The specialist will minister to the prisoners and serve as a linguist/interpreter during emergencies.The prison won't be completed until 2009 at the earliest.