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Morocco’s Princess Lalla Salma was in the outskirts of Rabat Monday to host the World No Tobacco Day celebrations. As chairwoman of the Lalla Salma Fight Against Cancer Association and goodwill ambassador for the World Health Organization, it was natural for the Princess to take part in such an event.
 Maghreb Arabe Presse The ceremony included reports of anti-tobacco efforts and a presentation on how to successfully combat tobacco. Awards were given out to companies who ban the use of tobacco. Maroc Telecom won the golden label, while BMCE Bank and ONCF got the silver labels.
Lalla Salma also gave out awards from the cancer association that bears her name. The first went to the 20th August Hospital in Casablanca as a “tobacco free hospital”. The second went to Amira Lalla Salma High School in Rissani for being a tobacco free high school while the Jamal Eddine Afghani Junior High School in El Haouz got the award for being a tobacco free junior high school.
World No Tobacco Day 2010 was organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Lalla Salma Fight against Cancer Association, under the slogan, “Let every day be a World No Tobacco Day.”
Sources: Maghreb Arabe Presse, Aufait Maroc
It was rainy Sunday in Århus, but that didn’t stop 335 children from showing up at Mindeparken to do a relay race set up by Crown Princess Mary for her fight against bullying. The race was meant display the importance of taking care of each other.
 Axel Schutt/Stiftstidende Afterward, medals were given out as part of Mary’s campaign against this significant problem on behalf of her Mary Foundation and the Save the Children Foundation.
“I would like to help to make it clear that bullying is unacceptable. The baton race is an important part of ‘Free of Bullying Project’, and this day is to support each other and show that you are good mates,” said Crown Princess Mary, who gave her time to present the medals to the astonished children and meet with their parents.
Even though it was pouring out, many were excited to meet their future Queen.
“It’s been super nice and people are in a good mood, even though weather is not with us. I do not actually think there are many who have been at home because of rain,” said Project Manager Helle Østergaard from The Mary Foundation.
The Mary Foundation launched its anti-bullying campaign back in 2007. Mary takes her fight across Denmark as well as her home country of Australia.
Source: Stiftstidende
At the place where they will be married in less than a month, Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling made their marriage banns during a service at Storkyrkan Cathedral in front of their families. King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Prince Carl Philip and several of Victoria’s relatives were present, as were Daniel’s parents – Ewa and Olle – his sister and brother-in-law, and niece.
 JONAS EKSTROMER/AFP/Getty Images In Sweden, marriage banns are like registrations or licenses. It is for the couple to announce their intention to marry, as well as insist that they are not related and are not married to anyone else.
The 75-minute mass included Victoria and Daniel signing their bann which First Chaplain Lars-Goran Lonnermark, who was conducting the service ,blessed the banns. Not long afterward, the mass ended.
Later, there was a reception at the Palace, given by the Swedish government and Parliament. They presented their gifts to the couple, which were a case of wineglasses designed by Professor Erika Lagerbielke and hand made by Orrefors. Victoria seemed delighted by the gift.
Sunday’s function is the beginning of many celebrations leading up to the royal nuptials on June 19th. This week, there were be two more receptions in honor of Victoria and Daniel.
 Svenska Dagbladet Source: Aftonbladet, Expressen
 Monaco’s Princess Caroline stopped by the Princess Grace Hospital in Monte Carlo Thursday, to meet with her principality’s mothers and their newborn babies. It was all part of Monaco’s Mother’s Day celebrations this coming Sunday.
Armed with gift bags and flowers, Princess Caroline, a mother of four herself, met with staff members before moving on to the maternity ward to see the mothers and their babies.
It is a tradition for the Monegasque Princesses to do this on behalf of the Red Cross. Last year, Princess Stephanie was the one paying the visits.
The Princess Grace Hospital is where Caroline gave birth to her three eldest children – Andrea, Charlotte and Pierre Casiraghi. Youngest child, Princess Alexandra of Hanover, was born in Austria.
Source: The Royal Forum blog
The investment company controlled by the ruler of Dubai wants to extend its debt payback by three months. This had raised questions on just how far deep are Dubai’s credit problems.
 Chris Jackson/Getty Images/FILE Dubai International Capital, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, said in a short statement Thursday that it has asked lenders for an extension “of certain maturities” until September 30.
“The extension period would allow the implementation of a consensual longer term plan that would enable DIC to maximize the value of its business for the benefit of all its stakeholders,” the company said.
DIC did not give more details of its debt involved. The company has a $1.25 billion loan coming in June.
“The extension period would allow the implementation of a consensual longer-term plan that would enable DIC to maximise the value of its business for the benefit of all its stakeholders,” said the DIC.
DIC will “continue to pay interest” during the extension period, its spokeswoman said.
The parent firm of DIC – Dubai Holding, which is also run by the Sheikh – is believed to have debts mounting to a total of $15 billion. The International Monetary Firm believes the entire Sheikhdom is about $109 billion in debt.
Sources: AP, Big Pond News
The wife of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, attended the opening ceremony of the third United Nations Alliance of Civilization forum in Rio de Janiero, Brazil on Friday. She was one the speakers at the event, which included leaders and representatives from such countries as Turkey, Portugal and South Korea.
 AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo The Sheikha’s speech highlighted the importance of cultural diversity, the plight of the Palestinians and human rights. She began her speech by mentioning the last forum five years earlier.
“Five years after the Mallorca meeting, there is no doubt that we have gained a wealth of experience which have required us to examine the issues and to look forward rather than backwards,” Mozah said.
“I personally believe that this previous phase of dialogue was extremely necessary because it helped us to enhance our conviction that the objective of the Alliance of Civilizations was not and will never be to bridge the gap between the West and Islam nor to dispel the causes of tension between them. This phase as well, with all the fruitful dialogues it has known directed the course of our minds towards the real objective consisting of addressing global issues threatening the civilizations’ unity armed with the desire to develop a real understanding of our contemporary world which enhanced our conviction in the need to refuse preconceived judgments and ideas.”
The Sheikha then brought up cultural diversity and how it can bring about peace.
“Raising the subject of cultural diversity again under the umbrella of the Alliance of Civilizations stresses that there still exists uncertainties relating to the right for difference and for diversity,” Sheikha Mozah said. “Therefore, I believe in the need to work on promoting and strengthening the role of major regional groups to enable them to play an active role in ensuring peace and security.”
“First, I firmly believe that the Arab community with its human, natural and strategic potential can, along with other major groups from Asia and Latin America and others form a driving force to enhance the values of the Alliance of Civilizations. Such a step falls within the principles of the Alliance. Second, you will agree with me that in order for the culture of peace to be more than just a symbol and perhaps an illusion, we must build trust and repel the doubts by eradicating the causes of tension and injustice.”
At this point, Sheikha Mozah discussed the Palestinian people. “As a citizen who takes pride in her Arab identity, rich civilization and cultural heritage, I, like hundreds of millions of my people, cannot accept the suffering of our brothers under siege in Gaza and the West Bank, whose values and cultural heritage in Jerusalem are threatened,” she said.
Then Mozah addressed human rights and security, citing the conflicts in the Middle East since the early 1990s.
“Since the two Gulf wars scientists have been studying the long term effects of the use of depleted uranium on the environment and human population. And the region has witnessed a rise in the number of chronic and untreatable diseases since the first gulf war which has been connected to adverse effects on the environment in addition to birth defects,” she said.
Sheikha Mozah also pointed out that fighting illiteracy, the right to an education and combating diseases and environmental changes are the challenges facing humanity.
The day before, she was given a tour of Pavilion of the State of Qatar at the exhibition of the Alliance of Civilizations.
Next year, the fourth forum will be held in Mozah’s country in its capital, Doha.
Source: Gulf Times
 AFP/File/Carl Court A member of the royal family of Saudi Arabia appeared in London’s High Court Friday where he denied murdering a traveling companion back in February.
Prince Saud Abdulaziz Bin Nasir Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, age 32, pleaded not guilty to killing 32-year-old Bandar Abdullah Abdulaziz. According to authorities, Bandar died of strangulation and suffered head injuries at a London hotel.
The Prince also denied inflicting bodily harm onto his companion.
After making his pleas, Saud was sent back to jail where he is awaiting an October 4th trial.
His grandfather is one of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s brothers.
Sources: AFP, AP
Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit was Britain’s Prince Charles’ host when the British royal heir traveled to Oslo Wednesday night.
 Gorm Kallestad / Scanpix Charles, who is very keen on environmental issues, was one of many world leaders and officials to take part in the Oslo Climate and Forest Conference which discussed preserving rain forests.
Mette-Marit was the royal host at the dinner where all those participating gathered. Besides the Prince of Wales, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was also there. Representing Norway was Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.
Prince Charles praised President Yudhoyono for his dedication to saving his country’s rain forests, as did Prime Minister Stoltenberg.
As for the Prince, his speech brought up the idea of brokering a binding global climate agreement.
“In this period of increased stringency, governments will need to know that every dollar made available will be spent wisely in order to avoid any unnecessary duplication,” he said.
Crown Prince Haakon would’ve been the host for this event, but he is currently on his way to Shanghai to see Norway’s part of World Expo 2010.
Sources: Kongehuset.no, AP
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi began his three day official visit to South Korea by invitation of President Lee Myung-bak on Tuesday. The point of his trip is to strengthen ties between the United Arab Emirates and the east Asian nation as they celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations. 
As part of his official visit, Mohammed toured landmarks and facilities in Korea, one of them being the Doosan Group for Heavy Industries and Construction manufacturing plant to get an idea of the country’s nuclear energy.
“The UAE’s peaceful nuclear program is a step forward in the UAE’s comprehensive development strategy due to its positive and promising aspects, which will complement the UAE’s constant development,” the Crown Prince told reporters.
He also toured the Shin Kori power plant which is working on a Generation III reactor. A similar reactor will soon be built in the UAE.
Crown Prince Mohammed praised South Korea’s nuclear sector for being environmentally safe, and he hoped for the same when his country gets its own nuclear facilities.
“There is a growing need for safe and reliable sources of alternative and clean energy that will meet the increasing requirements for development and serve the rapid population and urban growth,” Mohammed said, adding that he hoped UAE-South Korea ties will also include nuclear energy.
Sources: WAM, Gulf News
Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Queen Rania gave out the fifth annual King Abdullah II Award for Physical Fitness Wednesday at the Prince Hamzah Hall at the Al Hussein Sports City in Amman. The award honors Jordan’s school children in maintaining their physical health, and this year, Abdullah and Rania’s two daughters, Princesses Iman and Salma, were among the recipients.
 REUTERS/Ali Jarekji The girls joined over 400,000 students from all over the Kingdom in receiving their awards. The Award for Physical Fitness began in 2005 to promote healthy lifestyles for young people, whom make up one-third of Jordan’s population.
At the start of the ceremony, the King and Queen, along with their youngest son, Prince Hashem, watched a documentary describing the award and how it judges the fitness of students.
Their Majesties then signed a map of Jordan and vowed to spread the award to all eligible schools in the country. So far, 2,171 schools take part in the initiative – from private to military to government to UNRWA schools.
Then the awards were given out, according to age groups. Princesses Iman and Salma won the gold standards for their ages, which are 14 and 10.
In an interview with the Jordan Times, Award Project Manager Samer Al Kasih talked about ways of getting all the students in the Kingdom physically fit.
“This is the award’s 5th anniversary and we are really happy and satisfied that the number of students and schools taking part is increasing year after year and this time we have a very significant increase which makes us proud.”
“This year a total number of 9,535 students – 3,033 males and 6,502 females – were able to achieve an average of 85 per cent and this is a great achievement,” he added.
Kasih also said that the “students at all levels should be encouraged to do sports by joining the programs of the award which are organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Royal Health Awareness Society.”
The point of this award is help children ward of diseases such as cancer, heart problems and diabetes through daily sports activities which would encourage them to stay fit.
It also aims to detect sport abilities at an early age so children could train at special facilities.
Chairman of the Board of the Royal Society for Health Education Dr. Rami Farraj told the Jordan Times, that the award will work to find a Jordanian national standard for measuring the level of physical fitness for all, with a draft award aimed at the whole community.
Source: The Jordan Times
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