Month: July 2024

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North Korea trying to steal nuclear secrets, warns US  

Seoul :Nearly 560K foreign hacking attempts against S.Korean govt detected over past 6 yrs.(Yonhap/IANS)

The North Korea-backed hackers, known as Anadriel or APT45 by cybersecurity researchers, have targeted or breached computer systems at a wide range of defense or engineering companies…reports Asian Lite News

North Korean hackers have waged a global cyberespionage campaign to steal classified military secrets in support of Pyongyang’s banned nuclear weapons program, the United States, Britain and South Korea said in a joint advisory on Thursday.

It was co-authored by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the US National Security Agency (NSA) and cyber agencies, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).

The North Korea-backed hackers, known as Anadriel or APT45 by cybersecurity researchers, have targeted or breached computer systems at a wide range of defense or engineering companies, including the makers of tanks, submarines, naval ships, fighter jets, missiles and radar systems, according to the joint advisory.

Seoul :Nearly 560K foreign hacking attempts against S.Korean govt detected over past 6 yrs.(Yonhap/IANS)

Andariel has been identified as an arm of Pyongyang’s spy agency.

“The authoring agencies believe the group and the cyber techniques remain an ongoing threat to various industry sectors worldwide, including but not limited to entities in their respective countries, as well as in Japan and India,” the advisory said.

“The global cyber espionage operation that we have exposed today shows the lengths that [North Korean] state-sponsored actors are willing to go to pursue their military and nuclear programs,” said Paul Chichester at the NCSC, a part of Britain’s GCHQ spy agency.

According to the FBI, Andariel has used software vulnerabilities to launch cyberattacks, including malware and phishing, to access sensitive data and information.

The FBI urged companies involved in defense, aerospace, nuclear and engineering sectors “to remain vigilant in defending their networks from North Korea-state-sponsored cyber operations.”

The FBI said Andariel had been trying to obtain information such as specifications and design drawings for uranium processing and enrichment as well as missiles and missile defense systems.

ALSO READ: Harris ‘ready’ to debate Trump

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-Top News Social Media USA

‘WhatsApp now has 100 mn monthly active users in US’

Globally, the popular mobile messaging service has over 2 billion users….reports Asian Lite News

Meta-owned WhatsApp has reached 100 million users in the US, said its CEO Mark Zuckerberg. This is the first time the social media company has revealed its US figures for the WhatsApp service.

Meta also said that over 50 per cent of WhatsApp’s users own iPhones. Compared to the US, WhatsApp has with more than 500 million monthly active users in India.

Globally, the popular mobile messaging service has over 2 billion users. Earlier this month, WhatsApp rolled out a new feature that will help users stay safe in group messaging.

According to the company, this has already started rolling out to users and will be available to all users in the coming weeks. This includes who added you, how recent the group was created, and who created it. From there, you can decide whether to stay or leave the group and review some of the safety tools available to stay safe and secure on WhatsApp.

The platform is also reportedly working on a new feature to bring a ‘communities tab’ to iPad. It is also working on a new in-app dialler feature that will allow users to make calls directly from the app.

Elon Musk.(photo:IANS/Twitter)

Musk cries foul

Meanwhile, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk slammed Meta-owned WhatsApp for allegedly exporting users’ data every night. An X user posted that WhatsApp exports user data nightly, which is “analysed and used for targeted advertising, making users the product, not the customer”.

Musk replied that “WhatsApp exports your user data every night”. “Some people still think it is secure,” said the tech billionaire. Meta or WhatsApp were yet to comment on Musk’s allegation.

Computer programmer and video game developer, John Carmack, responded to Musk, saying is there any evidence that the content of messages is ever scanned or transmitted? “I assume usage patterns and routing metadata is collected, and if you invoke a bot in a conversation you are obviously opening it up, but I am still under the impression that the message contents are secure by default,” Carmack posted on X.

ALSO READ: Harris ‘ready’ to debate Trump

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-Top News Politics USA

Trump could have been hit by shrapnel, says FBI director  

The FBI in a statement on Thursday said it had been “consistent and clear that the shooting was an attempted assassination”…reports Asian Lite News

Donald Trump could have been hit by shrapnel rather than a bullet during his attempted assassination, the director of the FBI has suggested. Thomas Crooks, 20, tried to assassinate the former president at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on 13 July.

Trump dropped to the floor after a bullet appeared to narrowly miss his head and graze his ear when the gunman opened fire – killing one person and wounding two others. But at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, FBI director Christopher Wray suggested it was unclear whether he was hit by a bullet or something else.

“There’s some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel that hit his ear,” he said. “As I sit here right now, I don’t know whether that bullet, in addition to causing the grazing, could have also landed somewhere else.”

Republican candidate Donald Trump is seen with blood on his face surrounded by secret service agents as he is taken off the stage at a campaign event at Butler Farm Show Inc. in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024. The suspected shooter who wounded Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a rally is dead, US media reported Saturday, along with one bystander. (Photo by Rebecca DROKE / AFP)/2024-07-14 11:57:35/

The FBI in a statement on Thursday said it had been “consistent and clear that the shooting was an attempted assassination”. A Trump campaign spokesperson, Jason Miller, called the idea that Trump was not hit by a bullet a “conspiracy,” adding an expletive.

Representative Ronny Jackson, who was formerly Trump’s chief medical advisor, called Wray’s remarks “absolutely irresponsible” on social media. He said they marked “another politically motivated move by the man that has repeatedly weaponized his office to tear down President Trump,” and added he had seen the wound. Wray was nominated as FBI director by Mr Trump in August 2017.

The FBI director also told the committee hearing that Crooks had searched for details on the assassination of John F Kennedy in the week leading up to the attempt. Lee Harvey Oswald killed Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, on 22 November 1963, while the then-president was travelling in a motorcade.

Wray said the Google search “how far away was Oswald from Kennedy?”, thought to have been carried out on 6 July, was “significant” in terms of Crooks’s “state of mind”. “That is the same day that it appears he registered” for the Trump rally, scheduled for 13 July, Wray added.

Crooks’s motive remains unknown, Wray said, adding: “A lot of the usual repositories of information have not yielded, anything notable in terms of motive or ideology.” It comes after the director of the US Secret Service resigned over the assassination attempt on Tuesday after she called it the “most significant operational failure” in decades

Kimberly Cheatle told the House of Representatives Oversight and Accountability Committee on Monday that members of the public had pointed out a suspect to law enforcement officers before the shooting – and admitted the agency was told about a suspicious person “between two and five times”.

“We failed. As the director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse,” Cheatle said.

ALSO READ: Harris ‘ready’ to debate Trump

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-Top News Politics USA

Harris ‘ready’ to debate Trump

Kamala Harris, who ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket after President Joe Biden withdrew his bid for a second term on Sunday, confirmed her commitment to the September 10 debate…reports Asian Lite News

Vice President Kamala Harris stated on Thursday that she is prepared to debate former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Harris, who ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket after President Joe Biden withdrew his bid for a second term on Sunday, confirmed her commitment to the September 10 debate.

“I’m ready to debate Donald Trump,” Harris told reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. “I have agreed to the previously scheduled September 10 debate. He had agreed to that earlier, but now it seems he is reconsidering. However, I’m ready.”

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, initially expressed his desire to debate Harris, who is now the Democratic presidential nominee. Although Trump had agreed to an ABC News debate with Biden on September 10, he has recently indicated a preference for Fox News to host the debate instead.

Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign communications director, mentioned on Thursday that the debate details are still uncertain. “Due to the ongoing political turmoil surrounding Crooked Joe Biden and the Democrat Party, the finalization of general election debate details is pending the formal nomination decision by the Democrats,” Cheung said in a statement.

“Many within the Democrat Party view Kamala Harris as a Marxist fraud who cannot defeat President Trump, and they are hoping for a different candidate. Therefore, it would be premature to schedule debates with Harris as the nominee could still change.”

Biden decided to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race over the weekend and endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee shortly thereafter. Harris quickly gained the support of Democratic leaders and raised a record $126 million since Biden’s announcement.

On Monday, Harris secured the required number of delegates to become the Democratic nominee, and she is expected to formally accept the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from August 19-22.

White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean Pierre emphasised that no one is more qualified to step in as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee than US Vice President Kamala Harris.

Jean-Pierre noted that Kamala Harris has been vice president for more than four years now.

“The vice president (Kamala Harris) has been vice president for more than four years. I do not see anyone more qualified to step in at this moment. She was a senator. She was an attorney general…,” she said while addressing the White House briefing.

Jean-Pierre noted that Kamala Harris was a partner in that to the president, adding that President Joe Biden is proud to make this decision.

“I’ve listed out what we’ve been able to accomplish in the last three and a half, almost four years, an unprecedented record. She was a partner in that with the president. This is a decision that this president made, and I think he (US President Joe Biden) is proud to have made that decision…,” she added.

Harris, over the past 3.5 years as vice president, has visited more than 19 countries and met with more than 150 foreign leaders, according to the White House website.

She has visited over 19 countries and met with more than 150 foreign leaders, according to information available on the White House website.

Democrats adopted the rules the party will use to choose their presidential nominee, with voting to officially nominate Harris likely to begin on August 1.

Harris will have to secure the support of the majority of delegates at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago in August.

President Donald J. Trump listens to participants deliver remarks during the National Dialog on Safely Reopening America’s Schools event Tuesday, July 7, 2020, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)

Under the rules approved by the Democratic National Convention’s rules panel Wednesday, presidential hopefuls have until Saturday evening to formally declare their candidatures and until Tuesday, July 30, to submit signatures from at least 300 delegates, with not more than 50 from a single state counting towards the threshold, reported CNN.

Voting will be conducted by electronic ballots sent to convention delegates. If only one candidate meets the petition requirements, which is likely considering how quickly the party has coalesced around Harris, voting is expected to begin on August 1, although it will be up to party leaders to set the times for voting to begin and end.

If more than one candidate were to meet the requirements, party leaders can set a period of no more than five days for candidates to make their case to delegates, reported CNN.

The party has said its goal is to nominate its presidential and vice presidential candidates by August 7 to avoid the possibility of litigation over ballot access in Ohio.

While the state has pushed its deadline for political parties to submit their official nominees to September 1, the new law won’t take effect until the end of August.

ALSO READ: Biden, Netanyahu Seek Unity on Gaza Ceasefire

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-Top News Arab News Asia News

Pak Governor felicitates Shaandar Bukhari for his noble cause  

Atoken of kind words and appreciation, carries a long way, for any human being who does a selfless job taking care of human beings… reports Vinod Raghavan who interacted with a Samaritan Shaandar Ali Shah Bukhari who was felicitated by the Punjab Governor in Pakistan.

It’s very difficult to find someone, who thinks for the well being of others, but here’s a Samaritan, Shaandar Ali Shah Bukhari, hailing from Pakistan’s Attock district, who was born and broughtup  in the Sultanate of Oman, is a multi-faceted personality covered with layers of  humbleness, sincerity and a concern for humanity. He is always available for the needy, cutting across regions, boundaries and religion.

As his name Shaandar which means (uniqueness) he often rushes on getting a call with a request for any types of help viz. providing free wheel-chairs for the disables or ailing elders. To help the hapless prisoners released after their jail-term with air tickets, arranging fees for the weaker sections of the community or taking efforts for coffins of expats back home to Pakistan, is not a small job but a noble cause, which only a few people does whole-heartedly.

This noble cause he has inherited from his late father Syedzada Sakhawat Ali Shah Bukhari, who was a teacher and landed in Oman in the early 70s, and had seen Oman developing from a single school in the Muscat governorate to scores of schools and colleges in every nook and corner of the Sultanate, thanks to the great visionary late Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

As a token of appreciation, Shaandar Bukhari, a philantrophist was felicitated by the Governor of Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, with the prestigious “Outstanding Citizen Award’ for his social welfare services for the expats and Pakistani communities residing in the Sultanate of Oman. It has helped in enhancing the bilateral relations and has strengthened the social fabric of both the societies (Oman and Pakistani).

Pakistan Ambassador in the Sultanate of Oman, Imran Ali Choudhary, conveyed his best wishes and appreciated his efforts and described him as a Pride of Pakistan and assured him the support of Embassy for noble causes.

ALSO READ: UAE sets out journey to Paris Olympics

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-Top News China UAE News

China, UAE explore boosting industry, energy ties

During the visit, agreements and MoUs were signed in vital areas and sectors of common interest…reports Asian Lite News

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), held bilateral meetings with government officials and CEOs of Chinese companies during a visit to the People’s Republic of China.

His visit builds on the industry and energy outcomes from the successful state visit made by the President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to China in May, which witnessed the celebration of the 40th anniversary UAE-China diplomatic relations.

During the visit, agreements and MoUs were signed in vital areas and sectors of common interest, within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership – CSP.

During the visit, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber met with Ding Xuexiang, Chinese Vice Premier; Zhao Chenxin, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and Xuande Wu, Mayor of Fuzhou.

The meetings were also attended by Hussain Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to China.

Dr. Al Jaber conveyed the greetings of the UAE leadership and extended its wishes to the government and people of the People’s Republic of China for further progress and prosperity. The two sides also discussed ways to enhance cooperation and partnership between the two countries in key areas such as Oil and Gas, Petrochemicals, Renewable Energy, PV Manufacturing, logistical services, shipping, and storage, among others.

He said that the UAE and China have close relations based on mutual respect, a shared vision, and sustainable economic interests, thanks to the directives of the leadership of the two countries and their keenness to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

He added that his visit reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to collaborating with partners, exploring new opportunities for collaboration in vital fields, and building on the positive discussions that took place during President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit in May.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber stated that China is one of UAE’s strategic partners, playing a vital role in strengthening partnerships and initiatives that support sustainable economic development. China is also among the most significant markets for ADNOC, for its production of crude oil, refined products, and petrochemicals. He emphasised that the UAE will remain a partner for China for its role as a reliable energy supplier.

He also indicated the importance of strengthening collaboration and leveraging economically viable opportunities and strategic partnerships to achieve mutual and sustainable benefits for both countries in all fields, including oil and gas, renewable energy, shipping, and storage.

During his meetings with representatives of the Chinese government, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber expressed his aspiration to achieve greater cooperation by creating new opportunities in the priority sectors of both countries, aiming to serve common interests and enhancing existing cooperation within the CSP framework.

He also met with CEOs of leading companies in energy, petrochemical, renewable energy, manufacturing, shipping and logistics. The meetings focused on enhancing cooperation and exploring new joint investment opportunities in oil and gas, renewable energy, logistics, manufacturing of solar panels and batteries.

Meetings included Dai Houliang, Chairman of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the national oil and gas corporation of China and one of the largest integrated energy groups in the world; Wang Dongjin, Chairman of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC Group), one of China’s largest national oil companies producing crude oil and natural gas from offshore fields; Wang Yuetao, Chairman of ZhenHua Oil; Zengtai Liao, Chairman of Wanhua Chemical Group Co Ltd.; Hu Kai, President of China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. (CSTC); Ou Lin, Chairman of Jiangnan Shipyard; Wu Gang, Chairman of Goldwind, Dr Jianhui Zhang, Founder and CEO of Hyperstrong; Yanming Xu, Chairman and President of Zhuhai Cosmx Battery Co, Ltd; Cao Renxian, Chairman & Founder of SUNGROW, Cao Lu, Chairman of Jolywood and Dr. Chen Guanfu, Chairman of POWERCHINA International Group Limited.

The meetings with private sector companies witnessed the signing of strategic agreements with the Chinese side, including: the announcement of two agreements between ADNOC Logistics and Services and Wanhua Chemical Group’s join venture AW Shipping, Jiangnan Shipyard, and China Shipbuilding Trading (CSTC), to construct nine Very Large Ethane Carriers, priced at approximately US$1.4 billion, and construct two to four Very Large Ammonia Carriers priced at US$250 million to US$500 million.

This was in addition to a strategic cooperation agreement between ADNOC and CNPC across the energy value chain, including low-carbon solutions, liquefied natural gas, oil and gas exploration and development, advanced technologies, refining, marketing and trading; a strategic collaboration agreement between ADNOC and CNOOC to explore opportunities in new energies and low-carbon solutions international gas and LNG ventures, oil and gas activities and marketing, sales and trading projects.

A project collaboration agreement was also signed between a consortium comprising ADNOC, Borealis, and Borouge with Wanhua Chemical Group and Wanrong New Materials, for a feasibility study to establish a specialty polyolefins complex in China.

The UAE’s delegation included Omar Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Musabbeh Al Kaabi, Executive Director of Low Carbon Solutions & International Growth Directorate at ADNOC; Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, CEO of Borouge; and Captain Abdulkareem Al Musabi, CEO of ADNOC Logistics & Services.

China is the UAE’s largest trading partner, with trade reaching US$95 billion in 2023, including US$83 billion in non-oil trade, marking a 7.5 percent growth compared to 2022. This reflects efforts by both countries to reach a US$200 billion target by 2030.

ALSO READ: Hamdan lauds UAE’s globally unique government system

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-Top News Arab News UAE News

UAE proposes ‘temporary mission’ to restore order in Gaza

Al Hashimy added that as part of the UAE’s historic commitment to the Palestinians, the country continues to provide urgent humanitarian assistance and supplies to the Gaza Strip…reports Asian Lite News

Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, affirmed that the UAE believes that securing stability and peace in the region, can only be achieved through a sustainable and just solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and a political path that leads to the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, existing in security and peace alongside the State of Israel, in accordance with bilateral agreements and international law.

Furthermore, it is crucial that any solution enhances the humanitarian response to the ongoing tragic situation in the Gaza Strip.

Al Hashimy added that as part of the UAE’s historic commitment to the Palestinians, the country continues to provide urgent humanitarian assistance and supplies to the Gaza Strip, following the directives of its leadership. The UAE is steadfastly committed to extending a helping hand to the Palestinians and implementing humanitarian relief initiatives whether via land, sea, or air routes.

She also highlighted that during the past ten months, the UAE has dispatched 39,756 tonnes of urgent supplies to the Gaza Strip through 8 ships, 1,271 trucks, and 337 flights. Furthermore, Al Hashimy stated that the UAE will continue to extensively work – through its leading and pioneering role – with the UN and international partners to intensify necessary efforts to support all endeavours aiming to alleviate the humanitarian suffering.

Furthermore, Al Hashimy underscored that a return to the status quo before 7th October 2023 cannot achieve the desired sustainable peace for both the Palestinians, Israelis, and the wider international community. The UAE believes that the first step to achieve peace and security in the Palestinian Territory and the region is through an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of all hostages and detainees.

Al Hashimy stated that consolidating peace and security and ending the humanitarian suffering should begin by the deployment of a temporary international mission in Gaza with a formal invitation from the Palestinian government. A credible, and independent new Prime Minister must lead this government, ensuring transparent operations aligned with the highest global standards. Additionally, the government must commit to necessary reforms to address the challenges faced by Palestinians, fulfil their legitimate aspirations for independence and statehood, achieve growth and security, and also be able to take on the responsibility for rebuilding Gaza. This international mission will be responsible for efficiently responding to the humanitarian crisis the citizens in Gaza are facing, establishing law and order, laying the groundwork for governance, and paving the way to reunite Gaza and the West Bank under a single, legitimate Palestinian Authority.

In this regard, Al Hashimy stressed that Israel, as the occupying power, must do its part to achieve the vision of the international community according to international law and human rights principles. Gaza cannot recover if it continues to live under a blockade, or if the legitimate Palestinian Authority is not allowed to take on its responsibilities and to stop withholding its financing, highlighting the need to halt constructing settlements and violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Al Hashimy emphasised that the UAE believes in the importance of intensifying efforts by regional and international partners, as well as coordinating collective action to achieve a peaceful and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians and all nations in the region. She also affirmed the significance role of the United States within these endeavours, including rebuilding Gaza, and also promoting peace, together with the countries of the region. Critical elements for the success of the international mission is an American commitment to achieving the two-state solution, and Palestinian reforms.

Al Hashimy also affirmed that the UAE will continue its extensive humanitarian support for the brotherly Palestinian people, and stands ready to actively contribute as part of a sustainable endeavour that resolves the conflict in line with the two-state solution, in partnership with the regional and international community. The outcome we endeavour to achieve extends beyond the Gaza Strip and necessitates comprehensive cooperation. Moreover, establishing peace is to everyone’s advantage on a broader scale, benefiting the entire Middle East and the global community.

ALSO READ: Hamdan lauds UAE’s globally unique government system

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AMF forecasts 6.2% growth for UAE economy in 2025

The report added that the UAE’s economy shows strong fundamentals supported by a dynamic non-oil sector…reports Asian Lite News

The UAE’s economy is expected to grow by 3.9 percent in the current year, 2024, rising to 6.2 percent in 2025, according to the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF).

In its Arab Economic Outlook report issued today, the AMF stated that the expected growth of the UAE’s economy this year is driven by continued improvements in tourism activity, real estate, and international trade, increased capital spending, and ongoing efforts to support the economy, including developments in high-tech industries.

The report added that the UAE’s economy shows strong fundamentals supported by a dynamic non-oil sector and robust public and monetary policies aimed at maintaining economic development, financial stability, and the soundness of the financial sector.

The country’s growth relies largely on its strategic initiatives to strengthen its position as a global hub for trade and finance, continuous infrastructure development, a strong regulatory framework that attracts foreign investments, and a focus on innovation, growth, and technology-based sectors.

The report explained that the UAE witnessed significant economic growth in 2022, amounting to 7.5 percent, driven by a successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic, supportive financial measures, and the enhancement of a business-friendly environment implemented in previous years.

Additionally, there was strong growth in the fuel sector and a significant recovery in the tourism sector. The country also achieved a positive growth rate of about 3.6 percent last year.

The report projected that the growth rate of Arab economies would improve in 2024, reaching about 2.8 percent compared to 0.3 percent in 2023. The pace of economic growth is expected to further improve to 4.5 percent in 2025, with declining interest rates and tightly controlled inflation. This is in addition to the stability of oil prices at relatively high levels and the stability of commodity prices.

The report indicated that the main oil-exporting Arab countries are expected to benefit from improved energy price levels, which is expected to positively affect their economic growth in 2024 and 2025. The major oil-exporting countries are projected to witness a growth rate of 3.7 percent in 2024, rising to 5.1 percent in 2025.

The Arab Monetary Fund report estimated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s economy would grow by 4.4 percent in 2024 and 5.7 percent in 2025, while the Qatari economy is expected to grow by about 1.8 percent in 2024 and 3.1 percent in 2025.

The Kuwaiti economy is projected to grow by 2.7 percent by the end of this year, rising to 3 percent next year.

The report anticipated that the Sultanate of Oman’s economy would achieve growth rates of 2.3 percent and 2.7 percent in 2024 and 2025, respectively, while Bahrain’s economy is estimated to grow by 3.5 percent and 3.2 percent in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

ALSO READ: Hamdan lauds UAE’s globally unique government system

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-Top News Asia News UAE News

UAE calls for disaster prevention at BRICS meet

The meeting addressed common strategies and challenges in emergency and crisis management, as well as shared experiences and expertise in the field….reports Asian Lite News

A delegation from the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), led by Deputy Chairman Obaid Rashid Al Hassan Al Shamsi, participated in the BRICS Group heads of emergency agencies meeting in Kazan, Russia.

The meeting addressed common strategies and challenges in emergency and crisis management, as well as shared experiences and expertise in the field.

Al Shamsi delivered NCEMA’s speech, emphasising that the UAE’s participation in the BRICS Group reflects its strong commitment to multilateral cooperation and achieving international priorities.

He highlighted the UAE’s development of a national strategy aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the Sendai Framework and SDGs 2015-2030, which includes customised policies for various demographic groups.

He added that the UAE actively participates in international forums and organisations, engages in constructive dialogue through platforms representing developing and emerging economies, and supports many countries globally.

Al Shamsi concluded by stressing the importance of investing in disaster risk management and shifting from disaster response to disaster prevention by fostering a culture of risk reduction and focusing on prevention programmes, particularly in vulnerable areas, noting the success of the UAE’s early warning systems established in 2017.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the delegation witnessed the signing of the Kazan Declaration, which reflects agreement on joint policies to confront emergencies and crises, and which stressed the importance of strengthening the state’s role in the BRICS Group in terms of emergencies, crises and disasters.

In addition to organising official visits to both the Russian Federation and Belarus to exchange experiences and visit universities and training centres to benefit from specialised training in the two countries.

ALSO READ: Hamdan lauds UAE’s globally unique government system

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Paris gears up for Olympic spectacle

In a first, the opening ceremony will not be conducted inside a stadium. The traditional Parade of Nations will be taking place along the river Seine, flowing through the heart of Paris….reports Asian Lite News

The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris was seen decorated with the five Olympic rings as the multi-sport extravaganza officially kickstarts today with a glittering opening ceremony.

The Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony will kickstart at 1:30 p.m., EDT/7:30 p.m. and IST 11.00 p.m. It is the first time in 100 years that the French capital has hosted the summer Games, with the majority of the events taking place in or around the city’s most iconic areas.

As per Olympics.com, in a first, the opening ceremony will not be conducted inside a stadium. The traditional Parade of Nations will be taking place along the river Seine, flowing through the heart of Paris.

Over 10,000 Olympic athletes will be cruising through the Seine and passing through some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks, like Notre Dame, Pont des Arts, Pont Neuf and more on around 100 boats.

This floating parade will depart from Austerlitz Bridge beside the Jardin des Plantes and will meet its conclusion at the Trocadero, where the last remaining Olympic-related protocols and shows will be performed.

The ceremony is expected to last more than three hours. The Paris 2024 Games is pledged to be the “greenest in history,” and the French have promised a “Games Wide Open.”

French theatre director and actor Thomas Jolly is overseeing the ceremonies for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in the capacity of an artistic director.

IOC hosts eve summit

On the eve of the Opening Ceremony of the XXXIII Olympic Games in Paris, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) organised an unprecedented summit in the interests of sport, youth and sustainable development that brought together more than 60 heads of state and government and heads of international organisations and got five global commitments and promises of big investments from IOC, FIFA, private and public entities. 

The first Sport for Sustainable Development Summit, the largest meeting ever organised on this subject, took place on Thursday on the eve of Paris 2024. On this occasion, France and the IOC wanted to kick off an unprecedented movement to accelerate the contribution of sport to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron and IOC President Thomas Bach, the Summit brought together 500 participants -– heads of state and government, heads of international organisations and public banks, members of the Olympic Movement and socially committed athletes, representatives of civil society and young citizens -– and gave rise to ambitious and measurable political, financial and sporting commitments.

On the political level, the commitments of the Paris Agreement for Sport and Sustainable Development received the support of more than 60 heads of state and government and heads of international organisations, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, who issued a call for the participants to join the Summit of the Future in September, the IOC informed in a release on Thursday.

This Agreement, to which the Olympic Movement has signed up, consists of 10 commitments around the five main priorities of the Summit:

Education and employment, Health and nutrition, Equality and inclusion, Financing and impact measurement, Sustainability and legacy.

On the sporting front, the heads of some of the biggest international sports competitions have announced significant commitments:

The IOC, through its President, Thomas Bach, has announced a 10% increase in its budget dedicated to Olympic Solidarity (USD 650 million for 2025-2028). This will support athletes and sports development programmes around the globe, and includes a budget increase to support National Olympic Committees (NOCs) in their endeavours to actively contribute to the IOC’s strategy to strengthen the role of sport as an important enabler for the UN SDGs.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced an ambitious programme to install 1,000 sustainable football pitches in schools in support of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

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