Month: June 2021

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Abbas slams Arab normalisation deals with Israel

“The agreements to normalise relations recently signed by Israel with some Arab countries are an illusion that will not succeed,” said Abbas…reports Asian Lite News

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has slammed the normalisation agreements that some Arab countries have reached with Israel in recent times.

“The agreements to normalise relations recently signed by Israel with some Arab countries are an illusion that will not succeed,” Abbas said in an online address on Tuesday.

The President added that peace and security “will only be achieved” at the end of the Israeli occupation, reports Xinhua news agency.

Abbas also said that peace with Israel can only be achieved by “the recognition of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, mainly the rights of freedom, independence, and establishing a Palestinian state”.

“We agreed to sign painful historic peace agreements, recognized the state of Israel under the UN Resolutions 242 and 338, and signed the Oslo accords in 1993,” he said, adding that the Jewish state has violated these agreements.

UAE, Israel ink key pact on economic, trade cooperation

In September last year, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed separate normalisation agreements with Israel.

Later, Morocco and Sudan followed in their footsteps.

Palestine has also called for imposing international sanctions against Israel to stop its policies against the Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

ALSO READ: UAE welcomes ceasefire in Tigray

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that it supports an Amnesty International report issued on June 24 saying Israeli security forces committed violations against the Palestinians.

“Israel doesn’t care about reports issued by credible international organizations like Amnesty International, which considers Israeli practices the most heinous forms of racial discrimination against the Palestinians,” the Ministry statement said.

Pic credits Twitter@IsraelMFA

The statement also slammed the US and the European Union for not exerting serious pressure on the Israeli government to stop its practices against the Palestinians.

On June 24, the Amnesty International report said that Israeli police carried out “a catalogue of violations against Palestinians across Israel and occupied East Jerusalem”.

The report said the violations included “unlawful force against peaceful protesters, sweeping mass arrest and subjecting detainees to torture and other ill-treatment”.

There has been no immediate response from Israeli police to the Amnesty International report.

ALSO READ: UAE takes part in coalition meet against Daesh

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-Top News Asia News UAE News

UAE, Israel ink key pact on economic, trade cooperation

UAE, Israel ink key pact on economic, trade cooperation

Sharing the vision of deepening economic ties between the two countries for the benefit of both peoples, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Yair Lapid signed key agreement, reports Asian Lite News

UAE’s minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Israeli minister of foreign affairs Yair Lapid on Wednesday met in Abu Dhabi and agreed to cooperate on key areas. Both the leaders expressed their conviction that bilateral ties will be deepened, broadened and “strengthened even further soon for the benefit of both countries and the region as a whole.”

Recognising the brave decision made by the leadership of the UAE and Israel, thus paving the way for historic change in the region and creating a better future for the region’s youth, both ministers expressed the importance of peaceful and friendly relations between the UAE and Israel and between the Emirati and Israeli peoples.

The Abraham Accords are a beacon of light that paves the way for other countries to join the circle of peace and will enhance stability and prosperity for both countries, as well as for the entire region. Both sides also acknowledged the significant advances made since the signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020.

Both ministers emphasised the importance of the opening of diplomatic missions in the UAE and Israel as a key component of promoting relations between the two countries.

Pic credits Twitter@IsraelMFA

Economic Cooperation

Sharing the vision of deepening economic ties between the two countries for the benefit of both peoples, the two ministers signed an Agreement on Economic and Trade Cooperation.

The agreement reflects the two governments’ commitment to the development of economic relations and the free flow of commodities and services, as well as cooperation in the fields of exhibitions, the exchange of expertise and knowledge, the exchange of delegations, cooperation between chambers of commerce, the promotion of joint research and development, and agro technologies.

ALSO READ: UAE welcomes ceasefire in Tigray

The parties agreed on establishing a joint economic committee headed by the respective ministries of economy of both countries and tasked with implementing the agreement to remove barriers and increase bilateral trade.

Both sides expressed that they are looking forward to signing a free trade agreement, and they have commenced discussions on this matter.

Both ministers discussed ways to further explore means to increase investments in each other’s economies, infrastructure, and science and technologies, thereby bringing together the ingenuity and spirit of innovation and vision of both countries’ peoples and leaderships.

UAE, Israel ink key pact on economic, trade cooperation@AmbAlKhaja

Regional Cooperation

The ministers discussed the importance of deepening strategic dialogue and cooperation between the two countries to address regional challenges and seize opportunities. They agreed that close strategic dialogue would provide an effective mechanism to promote the positive force of peace in the region.

The ministers agreed to work together to promote a narrative of peace and coexistence throughout the Middle East to discourage divisiveness, aggression and conflict.

The two countries discussed the importance of regional cooperation in the fields of technology, clean energy, climate change, agro and water technologies, combating desertification, transportation, and health.

Building on the spirit and vision of the Abraham Accords, and believing in the common goal of bringing prosperity not only to their countries but also to the entire region, both ministers discussed opportunities including multilateral cooperation to share the fruits of peace with the peoples of the Middle East.

UAE, Israel ink key pact on economic, trade cooperation@AmbAlKhaja

Overcoming Covid-19 Challenges

Recognising the global challenges presented by Covid-19, both in health and economy, as well as other areas, the two ministers agreed that international cooperation is a key factor to overcome the crisis.

The parties decided to work together towards enabling quarantine-free travel between the two countries for those fully vaccinated against Covid-19, whilst ensuring public health and safety. Both sides will work towards formulating a mutually acceptable mechanism to be implemented as soon as possible.

Meetings between the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs to finalise the arrangement began in March intending to increase tourism between the two countries. The travel corridor is also expected to generate additional opportunities to reinforce economic and people-to-people ties.

Both ministers expressed their belief that a successful effort to control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic will expedite their efforts in this respect.

ALSO READ: UAE takes part in coalition meet against Daesh

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-Top News India News USA

Atul Keshap is new charge d’affaires in India

Keshap will replace former deputy secretary of state Daniel Smith, who was appointed in May to spearhead cooperation on shared priorities…reports Asian Lite News

The Joe Biden administration has named Atul Keshap, a career diplomat and old South Asia hand, as the new chargé d’affaires in India, saying it will reinforce the bilateral partnership and collaboration in the fight against Covid-19.

Keshap will replace former deputy secretary of state Daniel Smith, who was appointed in May to spearhead cooperation on shared priorities, including overcoming the global pandemic. Keshap will depart for New Delhi following the retirement of Smith, the US state department said.

“Ambassador Keshap will bring a wealth of experience to the role, having served previously at US embassy New Delhi and as deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia,” the US state department spokesperson said.

“Keshap will bring a wealth of experience to the role, having served previously at US Embassy New Delhi and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia,” the statement said.

He most recently served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and as the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives.

ALSO READ: US House passes resolution on Covid-19 help for India

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Crime World World News

Brazil suspends Covaxin deal as Bolsonaro faces graft charges

The minister, Marcelo Queiroga, made the announcement about Covaxin at a press conference, following the guidance of the federal Comptroller General of the Union (CGU)…reports Asian Lite News

Brazil’s health minister has announced the suspension of a $324 million contract with an Indian firm for made in India vaccine against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) which has seen president Jair Bolsonaro mired in accusations of irregularities.

The minister, Marcelo Queiroga, made the announcement about Covaxin at a press conference, following the guidance of the federal Comptroller General of the Union (CGU). Queiroga further said his team would probe the allegations during the period of the suspension of the contract.

“According to the preliminary analysis of the CGU, there are no irregularities in the contract, but for compliance, the health ministry chose to suspend the contract,” a statement from the ministry read.

The allegations against Bolsonaro, who is facing mounting pressure and protests at home for his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, became known after whistleblowers went public with the alleged irregularities. An official of the health ministry said he, too, alerted the president about his concerns.

Brazil signed a deal with India’s Bharat Biotech International Limited for 20 million doses of its anti-Covid vaccine Covaxin. But federal prosecutors have now opened an investigation into the deal, citing comparatively high prices, “quick talks,” and pending regulatory approvals as red flags. The deal is also under the scanner of a Senate panel probing the federal government’s handling of the pandemic.

Additionally, a leading opposition member on the Senate panel, Senator Randolfe Rodrigues, on Monday filed a formal complaint against Bolsonaro at the Supreme Court, seeking a probe into the “serious allegations” by the court. Bolsnaro, who has denied any wrongdoing, faces a presidential election next year.

According to Johns Hopkins University, Brazil’s cumulative Covid-19 infection tally stands at over 18.5 million, the third-highest globally behind the infection tallies of the United States and India respectively. The virus has till now claimed more than 510,000 lives in the South American nation, the Johns Hopkins’ dashboard shows; this is the second-highest coronavirus-related death toll in the world after that of the United States (604,474). Also, the US and Brazil are the only two countries with a Covid-19 death toll exceeding 500,000.

ALSO READ: Brazil to produce Covid vaccine by April

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-Top News India News USA

US House passes resolution on Covid-19 help for India

The passage of the resolution came just a day after the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced $41 million more in assistance…reports Asian Lite News

The House of Representatives passed a resolution on Tuesday calling for urgently facilitating assistance to India to help it fight the second wave of Covid-19 epidemic.

The resolution, which is non-binding and expresses the sense of the House, was introduced by the Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the House India caucus and also expresses bipartisan solidarity with India.

“The resolution stands with the people of India as they collectively work to stem the spread of Covid-19,” said Congressman Brad Sherman, a Democrat. “The US must work with our partners around the world to quell the virus everywhere it persists.”

Steve Chabot, the Republican co-chair, said, “India’s Covid-19 second wave has caused immense suffering, both in India and among the Indian-American community many of whose members have family in India. Our close ties to India and India’s support for us early in the pandemic call for our support. As case rates continue to decline, we must help them finish the battle against the second wave and win the war against Covid-19 altogether.”

Modi-Biden

The resolution “recognises the efforts of the administration to deliver urgently needed medical supplies and vaccine raw materials to India; (and) urges the administration to facilitate private, in-kind medical supply donations to India and work to deliver additional, urgently needed medical supplies to India, including oxygen generator plants and a cryogenic oxygen tanker and containers.”

The passage of the resolution came just a day after the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced $41 million more in assistance, taking up the total to $200 million, in addition to $500 million of supplies and relief.

While criticised for being slow to mobilise support for India, over the course of May, the U.S. had provided – as per official estimates – over $100 million in government assistance and a total of over $500 million in assistance including individual and private sector contributions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also spoken with U.S. President Joe Biden as well as Vice President Kamala Harris on the assistance India needed and the U.S.’s plans to share its excess vaccines.

ALSO READ: Imran Khan admits pressure from US over China ties

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-Top News Africa News USA

US State Dept terms Ethiopia’s ceasefire as positive step

The Biden administration, Price added, also calls for the “immediate, verifiable withdrawal of all Eritrean forces from Ethiopian territory,” which is necessary to sustain the ceasefire….reports Asian Lite News

The United States sees Ethiopia’s ceasefire announcement in Tigray as a potential positive development if it leads to changes on the ground, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

On Monday, the Ethiopian government declared an unconditional ceasefire in the conflict-torn province following the recapture of the regional capital of Mekelle by rebel forces that forced the government forces to retreat.

“The Government of Ethiopia’s announcement yesterday of a unilateral ceasefire in the Tigray region could be a positive step if it results in changes on the ground to end the conflict, stop the atrocities, and allow unhindered humanitarian assistance. We are closely monitoring developments. We call on all parties to commit to an immediate, indefinite, negotiated ceasefire, so as to end the violence, restore stability to Tigray, and create a context for an inclusive dialogue that preserves the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ethiopian state,” Price said on Tuesday.

People display photos of Tigrian deceased fighters during the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) at Mekelle Stadium in Mekelle, northern Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde/IANS)

The Biden administration, Price added, also calls for the “immediate, verifiable withdrawal of all Eritrean forces from Ethiopian territory,” which is necessary to sustain the ceasefire.

The United States also urges Ethiopian authorities to immediately restore telecommunication services in Tigray and “permit unhindered freedom of movement for and ensure the safety and security of humanitarian organization personnel,” Price said.

Clashes in the province of Tigray erupted in November after the Ethiopian government accused the local ruling party — the Tigray People’s Liberation Front — of ambushing a regional army post to hijack weapons and arm anti-government militia. The Tigray region has been occupied by the Ethiopian military since then, resulting in the fighting with the rebels and heavy civilian losses. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Saudi, US foreign ministers hold talks on Iranian interference

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-Top News Saudi Arabia USA

Saudi, US foreign ministers hold talks on Iranian interference

The two officials spoke of ways of strengthening the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the US to serve common interests…reports Asian Lite News

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the US discussed strengthening coordination between the two countries to stop Iranian interference in the region.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his American counterpart, Antony Blinken, also discussed stopping the Islamic Republic’s financing of the Houthi militia in Yemen and terrorist groups that threaten international peace and security.

The two officials spoke of ways of strengthening the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the US to serve common interests on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting being held in Matera, Italy.

Prince Faisal and Blinken also touched upon the most prominent topics raised at the G20 meeting.

Foreign ministers from the Group of 20 major economies met on Tuesday for the first time in two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Later, Blinken and Prince Faisal met with France’s foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, and they discussed the latest regional and international developments.

The US secretary of state wrote on his Twitter account that the three officials held an important discussion “regarding the need for Lebanon’s political leaders to show real leadership by implementing overdue reforms to stabilize the economy and provide the Lebanese people much-needed relief.”

ALSO READ: Biden talks tough on Iran’s N-programme

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-Top News China USA

Imran Khan admits pressure from US over China ties

Emphasising the deep relationship with China, Khan said that Pakistan would never bend under any kind of pressure, reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan was under “pressure” from the US and other Western powers over his country’s all-weather ties with China and vowed to never buckle under pressure.

Pakistan and China enjoy a “very special relationship” spanning over 70 years and nothing could change these time-tested ties, Khan said in an interview with China’s English-language state-broadcaster China Global Television Network (CGTN), an excerpt of which was shared on his Instagram account.

Talking about the evolving regional rivalry between the US and China, Khan said that “Pakistan thinks it is very unfair for the US or other powers – western power” to pressurise “countries like us to take sides” in a conflict with China.

“Why should we take sides? We should have good relations with everyone. It is not going to happen if pressure is put on Pakistan to change its relationship or downgrade its relationship with China, it wouldn’t happen,” Khan said.

Emphasising the deep relationship with China, Khan said that Pakistan would never bend under any kind of pressure. “Whatever will happen, our relationship between the two countries – no matter what pressure is put on us – is not going to change,” he said.

He said that there was a “strange, great rivalry” taking place in the region which was public knowledge.

ALSO READ: World Bank grants $800mn loans to Pakistan

“World Bank grants $800mn loans to PakistanYou see the United States being wary of China. The way United States and China are looking at each other creates problems because what the United States is doing is it’s formed this regional alliance called the Quad, which is US, India and a couple of other countries,” Khan said.

The Quad or Quadrilateral alliance consisting of the US, India, Japan and Australia has been resolving to uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific amid growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.

Responding to a question about how to further deepen Sino-Pakistan ties, Khan said that the two sides enjoyed strong political ties but the relationship was not only limited to official relations but it was also “people to people relationship”.

He said trade was important to increase ties in future and termed the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the “biggest thing happening in Pakistan”.

The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan’s Balochistan with China’s Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of China’s ambitious multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Highlighting the 70 years of diplomatic ties, Khan said China always stood with Pakistan, which “always had a very special relationship with China”.

He said that China “always stood with us” whenever Pakistan was in trouble politically or internationally or in a conflict with its neighbour, in an apparent reference to India.

“In good times, everyone stands with you but in your difficult, tough times, bad times, you remember those people who stood by you. That’s why you will find that in Pakistan, people always have a special fondness for people in China,” he said.

ALSO READ: TTP terrorists from Afghanistan posing threat: Pakistan

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-Top News EU News

Belarus cancels participation in EU initiative

Head of the EU Delegation to Belarus Dirk Schuebel was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Minsk on Monday and informed of the suspension…reports Asian Lite News.

Belarus has suspended its participation in the Eastern Partnership initiative of the European Union (EU) due to the bloc’s recently imposed sanctions against the country.

Head of the EU Delegation to Belarus Dirk Schuebel was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Minsk on Monday and informed of the suspension.

Belarus considers it “unacceptable” to use sanctions as an instrument of pressure on an independent state, and is forced to take concrete steps as a response to the actions that threaten the country’s national security and are detrimental to the economy and citizens, the statement added.

EU representatives involved in the introduction of restrictive measures against Belarus will be prohibited from entering the country, the ministry said, and more restrictions are being planned.

Partially in response to the diversion of a Ryanair passenger flight to Minsk on May 23, the EU announced new sanctions against 78 individuals and eight entities in Belarus on June 21.

Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich and his partner Sofia Sapega were on board a commercial flight between Greece and Lithuania that was rerouted on May 23 to Minsk shortly before it reached Vilnius due to an alleged bomb threat.

No bomb was found, but both were detained.

The Eastern Partnership is a joint initiative involving the EU, its member states and six Eastern Partner countries, namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. (Xinhua/IANS)

ALSO READ- EU slaps Belarus with economic sanctions

READ MORE-UK sanctions Belarusian individuals, entity

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-Top News Europe

EU urged to act against money laundering, terror funding

Money laundering is the practice of legitimising the proceeds of crime by filtering them into the regular economy to disguise their illegal origin…reports Asian Lite News.

The European Union (EU) has a fragmented approach to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) has warned.

In a special report on the subject released on Monday, the ECA said that although the value of suspicious transactions within the EU is estimated to be hundreds of billions of euros, its approach to counter it was fragmented, adding that the bloc needed a stronger oversight framework for combating money laundering,reports Xinhua news agency.

Although the relevant EU bodies have a policymaking and coordinating role and limited direct powers, efforts are largely managed at the national level.

The special report from the ECA concludes that EU-level action to combat money laundering and terrorist financing has weaknesses, and that the bloc’s oversight framework is fragmented and poorly coordinated and thus fails to ensure a coherent approach and a level playing field.

Money laundering is the practice of legitimising the proceeds of crime by filtering them into the regular economy to disguise their illegal origin.

Within Europe, Europol estimates that the value of suspicious transactions is equivalent to about 1.3 per cent of EU’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“EU-level weaknesses with regard to money laundering and terrorist financing need to be addressed, and the EU’s supervisory role significantly strengthened,” said Mihails Kozlovs, a member of the ECA responsible for the report.

“Much more needs to be done to ensure that the EU law is implemented promptly and coherently. For a start, the EU should use regulations in preference to directives wherever possible, given the need for legislation to be implemented coherently at Member State level,” Kozlovs added.

ALSO READ-EU excludes Covishield from ‘Green Pass’ list