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The Queen of Spain arrived in Port-au-Prince yesterday, to visit locations in Haiti where the Spanish government gave money to. Funds from Spain came in last year after four hurricanes devastated the country. 
Queen Sofia already spent 72 hours in neighboring Dominican Republic where Spanish funds also helped the local people.
Upon arriving, the Queen first met with President Rene Preval.
The next day, she flew over a mountain reforestation project aboard a U.N. helicopter. S
Later on, the Queen visited fishermen and market vendors supported by the Spanish government in the southern city of Jacmel.
She plans to meet with refugees in the storm-lashed city of Gonaives on Thursday.
Nearly 800 Haitians were killed when four hurricanes struck Hispaniola, the island it shares with the Dominican Republic. Haiti is perhaps the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, where most of its citizens live on less than $2 a day.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum met with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Zabeel Palace in Dubai today. The Sheikh, who is both ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, talked with his Malaysian counterpart about how to deal with the current global recession. 
The two leaders suggested unifying the energies in the Islamic countries for the sake of regaining the growth of their respective economies in a steady way.
They also noted that the Islamic countries have the capability for overcoming this phase of economic slump through harnessing their energies, intellectual powers, material resources and a joint vision.
The UAE and Malaysia both rely on each other for economic reasons. There are around 6,000 Malaysians living and working in the UAE as of now, and last year about 34,000 people from the UAE toured Malaysia.
Many Malaysians countries are active in building up the United Arab Emirates, and the Malaysian Prime Minister will take time to visit those projects.
The Prime Minister’s visit to the UAE was the final stop in his tour of the Middle East. His previous stops included Bahrain and Qatar.
The future King of the Netherlands gave a speech at the World Future Energy Summit held in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates on Monday. The speech was part of Crown Prince Willem-Alexander’s visit to the country, along with his wife, Crown Princess Maxima. 
During the speech, the Crown Prince spoke of how the use of oil and gas likely has peaked in terms of their use.
“We are now facing a century of at least four undesirable peaks,” he said.
“Peak Oil, Peak Gas, Peak Coal and Peak Uranium. Mountaineers may be proud to conquer peaks, but there is no reason whatsoever for us to be proud.
“We can however change the course of history. The technologies we need are there.”
Willem-Alexander went on to suggest the use of solar energy to replace oil and gas. He pointed out in the desert city of Abu Dhabi that deserts themselves could be used for solar energy.
“Many regard deserts as a barren and hostile environment. In fact, they are a precious source of life, which we should embrace and protect for the common good. The circle of deserts embracing the globe, presents us with wonderful opportunities for both generating and transmitting solar energy.”
The Crown Prince mentioned the use of “green” greenhouses and vacuum sewage for toilets and other disposal. He even talked about the use of garbage gasification.
“99.8% of the total garbage supply is re-used or converted, producing 80% more biogas than it uses. No water is wasted during the process; on the contrary, water is one of the products.”
Willem-Alexander closed his speech by reminding the audience of how the ancient Romans deforested Europe to use trees for firewood.
“Let’s not end up like the Romans. Instead, let us harvest the infinite energy generated by this majestic star, that rises and sets on us each and every day. Here in Abu Dhabi we can see the challenges ahead of us and set the example.”
Abu Dhabi was where the Crown Prince and his wife ended their tour of the Gulf nations. They spent some time outside of Abu Dhabi in the desert, where they rode a richly decorated camel and learned falconry.
During the end of their trip, the royal couple visited the immense Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. Maxima covered herself in a black abaya will inside the Islamic house of worship.
 Norway’s future Queen turned five years old today. In celebration, the royal palace released photos and videos taken when Princess Ingrid Alexandra vacationed in Svalbard with her family last summer.
The pictures show a sporty and happy family on the trip, where they stayed in a hunting cabin for three weeks – without electricity or running water.
Little Ingrid Alexandra attends school near her family’s home in Skaugum. In September 2010, she may attend Janslokka, where half brother 12 year old Marius currently goes to.
Despite all the excitement for the little girl’s milestone, she will be celebrating her birthday privately with her family, and likely with her classmates at school.
When Ingrid – who’s name is pronounced In – gree in Norwegian – becomes Queen, she will be the first woman to be the reigning sovereign in Norway.
For video and photos of the family’s trip to Svalbard, click here
Emma Tallulah Behn, the daughter of Norway’s Princess Martha Louise, was christened today at Oslo’s Palace Chapel. 
Emma is the third daughter of Martha Louise and her husband, Ari Behn. The couple’s two other daughters are 5 year old Maud Angelica and 3 year old Leah Isadora. Emma was born on September 29.
The little girl’s godparents were Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Alexia of Greece, Sigvart Dagsland, Annbjørg Sætre Håtun, Carl Christian Christensen and Christian Udnæss.
Among well-known personalities in the baptism were among other Magne Furuholmen, Kåre Conradi, Bård Tufte Johansen, Harald Rønneberg, Elin Tvedt, Morten Harket, Christian Skolmen, Trond Moi and Trond Giske.
Emma also wore the same baptismal dress that Norwegian royals have been wearing since 1920. Even her two sister’s wore it.
The chapel was decorated with pink amaryllis, and tulips in the windows and on the altar. There were also pink tulips in the “curtains” between the columns.
 It was the pastor of Lommedalen, Gunnar Næsheim, which accounted for baptism. Usually the bishop of Oslo baptizes the children, but this time the Behns’ chose their local pastor
During the ceremony, the pastor told the congregation about the baby’s name
“Tallulah is not the most used name in Lommedalen, or the rest of the country. It is a beautiful name that means running water. Water is life necessary, water is the source of life, “he said.
Lommedalen is where Princess Martha Louise lives with her family. It is located not far from the capital of Oslo.
Three psalms were read during the ceremony, one of them read by Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
After the service, King Harald V and Queen Sonja held a private reception for the guests.
Emma Tallulah is the fifth grandchild of the King and Queen, and is seventh in line to the Norwegian throne. However, she, along with her two sisters, does not have any royal titles. Her mother is married to a commoner, and even she gave up some of her royal titles when she married Ari Behn. Martha Louise is still known as a Princess but no longer goes by “her royal highness.”
For video of the baptismal service, click here. It is the video at the top of the screen.
An Australian writer has been sentenced to three years behind bars for insulting Thailand’s royal family. 
Harry Nicolaides, 41, pleaded guilty in a Bangkok criminal courtroom Monday for writing a book, “Versimilitude”, which criticized Thailand’s widely revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.
“He was found guilty under criminal law article 112 and the court has sentenced him to six years, but due to his confession, which is beneficial to the case, the sentence is reduced to three years,” a judge told the court.
“He has written a book that slandered the king, the crown prince and Thailand and the monarchy,” the judge added.
Article 112 refers to Thailand’s harsh “lese majeste” laws protecting the monarchy from insult, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.
Nicolaides already has been in a Thai jail for nearly five months after being arrested in August.
 “This is an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ experience. I really believe that I am going to wake up and all of you will be gone,” Nicolaides told reporters. “I would like to apologize. This can’t be real. It feels like a bad dream. I respect the king of Thailand. I was aware there were obscure laws (about the monarchy) but I didn’t think they would apply to me.”
Even though the king himself has said he should not be above criticism, the police feel obliged to investigate every complaint that lands on their desks, fearful that dismissing an apparently trivial case might itself be deemed disrespectful.
Nicolaides was a regular, long-time visitor to Thailand and had been teaching English at a university in the northern city of Chiang Mai, writing the occasional article for regional newspapers and websites.
The Queen of Spain is spending 72 hours in the Caribbean nation to see how its people are benefiting from Spanish funds for developmental projects. Most of these funds came in after the island of Hispaniola was hit by four hurricanes last year. 
In 2008, Spanish government aid to the Dominican Republic exceeded 23 million euros on projects in education, basic sanitation and health support to the sectors of culture, gender and development and raised to keep the same amount of resources. The aid is expected to surpass that this year.
The day before, the Queen arrived in the Dominican Republic with U.S. Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Soraya Rodriguez, by the Las Americas Airport, on a special flight from the Spanish Air Force, being received by the Spanish ambassador Diego Bermejo.
On Monday, the Queen went to various locations to see firsthand how Dominicans are benefitting from Spain’s funds.
She first went to school, and an hour later, visited the headquarters of the Foundation for Development and Welfare of Women and Children (Fundebmuni – Paideia). Both locations are in the province of San Cristobal.
Queen Sofia then moved on to a preschool and a community center for the elderly. All of this in less than half a day.
Tomorrow, the Queen will meet with Dominican President Leonel Fernández, president and first lady Margarita Cedeno. She would then visit a sector dedicated to improving the lives of women.
After that, Queen Sofia heads west to Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. It is expected that although she will arrive in the capital of Port-au-Prince, the Queen will spend her time outside of the city. Once again, she will be visiting sites that have received funding from the Spanish government.
Belgium’s Queen Fabiola has been admitted to the hospital for the second time this month. She is being treated for bronchial pneumonia, according to the palace.
The 80 year old widow of King Baudoin underwent surgery last week for thyroid problems in a hospital in Liege.
She is now staying at St John’s Hospital in Brussels.
Queen Fabiola is a Spanish born aristocrat who married King Baudoin in 1960. She was Belgium’s Queen Consort from that moment on till 1993, when Baudoin died. Her brother in law, Albert became King afterwards. However, Fabiola maintained her title as Queen.
Monaco’s Princess Stephanie inaugurated the 33rd International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo yesterday. The event will run until January 20th, where awards will be given out to the best circus acts. 
The Festival first opened in 1974 by the late Prince Rainier, and has been run by the princely family since. The Grimaldis’ have long been fans of the circus, so this was a chance for Princess Stephanie, along with 14 year old daughter Pauline Ducruet, to enjoy a family tradition.
The Princess met with the various circus acts, and got a look at some of the paintings inspired by the circus. She even met with some of the major circus stars, the elephants! At one point, Princess Stephanie stuck her head inside an elephant’s mouth!
 Stephanie once spent several months touring Europe with a circus troupe while seeing elephant trainer Franco Knie in 2000. That relationship did not last long, but the Princess’ passion for the greatest show on earth remains.
Stephanie’s big sister, Princess Caroline and her children were not at the opening, and it is unknown if they will ever show up at the festival.
Meanwhile, brother Prince Albert, Monaco’s ruler, is still touring through Antarctica. But it is expected that he will be in attendance for the closing of the festival. When that happens, the awards – which will be gold, silver and bronze clowns – will be given out to the best circus acts.
The Swedish Royals are overseeing the 200 year celebration of Finland’s secession from Sweden. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Finnish President Tarja Halonen held a gala in Stockholm on Thursday to formally mark the occasion. 
The King escorted Halonen to the event, while his wife, Queen Silvia behind them with Finland’s speaker of parliament Sauli Niinisto. Crown Princess Victoria was in attendance, wearing a gown she wore at a Nobel Prize dinner some years before. Her younger sister, Princess Madeleine was also there. Brother Prince Carl Philip was not.
Also in attendance was Sweden’s Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and his Finnish counterpart Matti Vanhanen. Business and cultural representatives of both countries were at the gala too.
“We usually do not celebrate divorces, but today we do,” said Sauli Niinisto during the gala.
It was in the defeat of the war in 1809 that Finland was lost by Sweden and instead became a Russian Grand Duchy. The defeat also was the opening for a Swedish coup d’etat when the military displaced the King Gustav IV Adolf. A new royal house and system of government was installed.
A major turning point for Swedish history indeed, but one guest at the gala noted it does go unnoticed.
“In Finland, a country with a more dramatic history than Sweden, the memory is more alive. In Sweden, the large oblivion prevails”, Horace Engdahl, Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy, remarked in his oration.
“1809 is an important date in our history, but for most people the year do not ring any bells,” he said according to news agency TT.
 For Sweden, the September 1809 peace treaty with Russia meant the loss of a third of its territory and a fourth of the population – a traumatic event.
For Finland, the events of 1809 are more easily remembered since Finland became an autonomous Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire, and was to declare independence in 1917, he said.
“Sweden and Finland before 1809 were not a pair of siblings, but rather Siamese twins,” said Engdahl.
Prior to 1809, Finland and Sweden were in many aspects regarded as one entity for over 600 years, sharing joint administration, legislation and economy, even though the majority of the inhabitants in the eastern part – what is Finland today – spoke Finnish.
Finland still has two official languages – Finnish and Swedish – and some 5-6 per cent of the population of 5.3 million have Swedish as their mother tongue.
Swedish PM Reinfeldt said the year also offered a chance to ‘highlight 200 years of good cooperation, especially in recent years.’
Since 1995, both Nordic neighbours are members of the European Union, and cooperate closely on numerous issues – but compete strongly in sports.
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