Nov 1 Others

Qatar to hold first-ever parliamentary elections in 2013
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/01/c_131224271.htm
English.news.cn 2011-11-01 18:32:49

DOHA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Qatar will hold its first-ever parliamentary elections in the second half of 2013, the emir of the Gulf state said on Tuesday.

"We have decided to organize elections for Majlis al-Shura (consultative council) in the second half of 2013," state-run QNA news agency quoted Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani as saying Tuesday.

He further said that the move is crucial to build the modern state of Qatar.

Qatar has a resident population of 1.7 million, of which 200, 000 are Qatari nationals and the rest foreigners.

Qatar has a constitution, which was signed into effected in 2005.

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اللاعب ورد طربوش يحرز ذهبية العالم بالشطرنج للناشئين
Ward Tarbush wins gold world junior chess
http://www.sana.sy/ara/11/2011/11/01/379214.htm
November 1, 2011
Damascus, (SANA) -

Made to the national team player for Chess Ward Tarbush gold medal at the World Junior Championships held in the city Kosaala Turkish participation of 26 Arab and foreign countries.

Tarbush managed to make eight out of ten points collected after his victory in seven games, two draws and one loss.

Dr. Hani Al Bitar, president of the Chess Federation delegate Sports SANA that this achievement is the first in the history of chess Syrian noting the excellent level of form as Tarbush in all matches played.

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Maronite Patriarch Rai heads to Iraq to express solidarity with Christians
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Nov-01/152751-rai-heads-to-iraq-to-express-solidarity-with-christians.ashx
November 01, 2011 12:46 AM

BEIRUT: Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai left for Iraq Monday where he led a mass at the Our Lady of Salvation church on the first anniversary of an attack that left 58 people dead. Rai was accompanied by Bishop Camille Zaidan and Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan.

“It is necessary that we go together [with Younan] to Baghdad to express solidarity with the Iraqi people, the entire Iraqi people who definitely reject violence and war,” Rai told reporters at Rafik Hariri International Airport prior to his departure.

“And also to express our solidarity and brotherhood with our Christian brothers and with the victims of the families to whom the church is very close,” Rai added.

The Our Lady of Salvation Syriac Catholic church in Baghdad was attacked by gunmen on Oct. 31 last year, leaving at least 58 people dead, including two priests.