Category: Arab News

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Syrian President alters military service law

Syrian males have to serve in the military upon reaching the age of 18 and those who study in the universities can postpone the service until finishing their education…reports Asian Lite News

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has made a big change in the military service law, mainly for Syrian expatriates.

The new amendment to the law announced on Sunday is mainly about setting military service exemption fees for Syrians living abroad and for one category of Syrians inside the country, reports Xinhua news agency.

Syrian males have to serve in the military upon reaching the age of 18 and those who study in the universities can postpone the service until finishing their education.

Previously, Syrian males living abroad for four years and above could pay $8,000 to get exempted from the two-year mandatory military service.

Now, the law covers those who spend as short as one year abroad as they have to pay $10,000.

For those who spend two years, three years and four years and above abroad, they should pay $9,000, $8,000 and $7,000, respectively to get exempted.

For Syrians who live inside the country, there was no exemption fee for military service before the new amendment.

Now, Syrians with medical conditions whose service is in fixed places in the army, largely office service, can pay $3,000 to get exempted.

The new amendment to the law is welcomed by Syrians, which will also help in supporting the state coffers as the country is reeling under tough economic pressure.

Also read:Syria to host refugee conference next month

Also read:UN expects ‘common ground’ over Syrian political process

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-Top News Arab News Iraq

Iraqi forces carry out major anti-IS offensive

The first day of the several-day operation resulted in the seizure of 14 roadside bombs, rocket launchers, and 10 mortar rounds as well as finding two tunnels used by the IS militants in the mountains…reports Asian Lite News

Iraqi security forces have launched a major offensive against the Islamic State (IS) terror group in a mountainous area in Salahudin province, the military said.

Iraqi forces, backed by the US-led coalition and Iraqi aircraft, began the offensive on Sunday in the mountain ranges of Makhoul and Khanogah, Xinhua news agency quoted the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) as saying in a statement.

The first day of the several-day operation resulted in the seizure of 14 roadside bombs, rocket launchers, and 10 mortar rounds as well as finding two tunnels used by the IS militants in the mountains, the JOC statement said.

The forces conducted a series of airstrikes on the IS positions, Yahia Rasoul, spokesman of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi forces said in a separate statement.

JOC spokesman Tahsin al-Khafaji told the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the security forces “pursued a new tactic through setting up towers and thermal cameras for surveillance to prevent the extremist militants from returning to the areas”.

The mountains and vast rural areas in Salahudin province have witnessed intense IS activities during the past months, despite repeated military operations to hunt them down.

The security situation in Iraq has been improving since security forces fully defeated the IS militants across the country late in 2017.

However, IS remnants have since melted in urban areas or deserts and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians.

Also read:Thousands gather in Iraqi street on anti-govt protest anniversary

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French FM affirms ‘deep respect’ for Islam

Le Drian’s visit on Sunday came in a bid to ease the recent tensions sparked by French cartoons of Prophet Muhammad, which were criticized as offensive by many Muslim states and organizations…reports Asian Lite News

Visiting French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has expressed his country’s “deep respect” for Islam following talks with top Egyptian officials, including President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi.

Le Drian’s visit on Sunday came in a bid to ease the recent tensions sparked by French cartoons of Prophet Muhammad, which were criticized as offensive by many Muslim states and organizations, including Cairo-based Al-Azhar, the top Islamic institution in Egypt and the Sunni Muslim world, reports Xinhua news agencu.

During his talks with Sisi, the Minister stressed “France’s respect for all religions and their principles and values”, said the Egyptian presidency in a statement.

Le Drian added that Paris is looking forward to enhancing cooperation and consultation with Cairo “to combat the spreading phenomenon of intolerance and extremist ideology”.

For his part, the Egyptian President affirmed the urgent need for all efforts to consolidate the values of coexistence and tolerance among all religions.

  • Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi



Sisi also urged for extending bridges of understanding and brotherhood and avoiding offending religious symbols, “expressing complete rejection of all forms of terrorist acts or linking any religion to acts of violence and extremism”, according to the statement.

Later in the day, the French ForeignMinister held talks with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, where they agreed to intensify joint counterterrorism efforts.

“I’ve emphasized, and I emphasize here, the deep respect that we have for Islam. This is the message I carry and will convey when I meet with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar,” Le Drian said in a press conference following the meeting.

“The Muslims in France are part of the French history and identity,” he continued,

“We fight terrorism, we fight misrepresentation of religion and we fight extremism.”

Shoukry said that the talks addressed joint efforts between Egypt, France and international partners in combating and eliminating terrorism and condemning all terrorist and criminal activities.

“I surely affirmed the complete separation between such criminal acts and Islam or any religion. These acts aim at undermining stability and achieving political goals,” he told reporters.

Also read:Indian Muslim Body Condemns France Attack

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-Top News Arab News

Asian Lite Daily Digital – November 9, 2020 – Biden Begins Healing Mission

Biden Begins Healing Mission; Harris Inspires ‘Every Little Girl’; Portrait of a Stutter As President; Will Biden go soft on China?; We Will Miss ‘Chacha Ki Comedy’; Thejaswi In Nitish Out, Say Exit Polls – all in Asian Lite Daily Digital – click here to read the edition.

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-Top News Arab News

Hope Mission set to reach Mars orbit on Feb 9, 2021

The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM), the first interplanetary mission undertaken by an Arab nation, today announced the successful completion of TCM3 – its third and last major trajectory correction maneuver.

Mars Hope’s arrival and Mars Orbit Insertion (MOI) will mean the United Arab Emirates will become the fifth nation to reach the Red planet.

With 189 million kilometers remaining, the Hope Probe will reach its planned orbit around Mars on February 9, 2021. It has already covered 60 percent of its journey, equivalent to 290 million kilometers in 111 days since its launch on July 20.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “The Hope Probe mission is the culmination of a 50-year journey, which began in 1971. It also marks the beginning of another 50 years that will bring about major achievements based in the fields of science, knowledge and innovation. Our nation does not have the word impossible in its dictionary and our leadership will not settle for anything less than the first place.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and ruler of the Emirate of Dubai had tweeted earlier today: “The Hope probe has completed its last trajectory correction maneuver after travelling 290 million km into space in 111 days. We officially announce Hope probe will arrive to Mars on Feb. 9, 2021 at 7:42pm UAE timing. We will celebrate the arrival of the first Arab mission to Mars.”

He affirmed that the UAE’s arrival at Mars as the fifth country in the world is a historic achievement and places great responsibility on future generations to continue the march of progress.

The Dubai ruler praised the EMM team’s efforts and said: “I want to thank you for your efforts, perseverance, determination and dedication in prioritizing the success of this project despite the unusual circumstances the world is going through. You are achieving this mission with success that far exceeds expectations. We will celebrate together – by God’s will – on February 9, when the Hope Probe reaches its orbit.”

Also Read: Emirates Post Launches Stamps on Hope Probe

Also Read: Hope Probe completes 100 Mn Kilo Metres

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-Top News Arab News

Palestine congratulates Biden, expects change

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden in a statement that indicated the Palestinian leadership would drop its three-year political boycott of the White House, reports Arab News.

“I congratulate President-elect Joe Biden on his victory as President of the United States of America for the coming period, and I congratulate his elected Vice President Kamala Harris,” the Arab news quoted Abbas as saying in a statement issued from his office in Ramallah.

It added: “I look forward to working with the President-elect and his administration to strengthen the Palestinian-American relations and to achieve freedom, independence, justice and dignity for our people, as well as to work for peace, stability and security for all in our region and the world.”

The Palestinians have been holding out for a change of US president for three years, hoping for a chance to hit the reset button on relations with Washington.

Also Read: Palestine to take legal action against Israeli settlers

Also Read: Palestine denounces Sudan-Israel normalisation

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-Top News Arab News

Egyptians cast votes in second phase parliamentary elections

Egyptians voted in the second stage of parliamentary elections in 13 out of the country’s 27 provinces, including the capital Cairo, Suez, Port Said, Ismailia, North Sinai and South Sinai.

Out of the total 63 million eligible voters in Egypt, more than 31 million were entitled to cast their ballots in the two-day second and last stage to elect their representatives in the country’s legislative body, or the House of Representatives, reports Xinhua news agency.

At least 2,367 candidates are competing for 284 out of 568 parliament seats in the stage that started on Saturday.

Just like the first stage, half of the seats are allocated to individual candidates and the other half to party lists.

The elections are being held amid intensive security deployment and tight precautionary measures against the Covid-19 pandemic, where voters pass through disinfection gates to reach their polling stations and everyone wears medical face masks.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi

The Egyptian presidential media center showed footage of President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi casting his vote in the parliamentary elections earlier in on Saturday at one of the polling stations in Cairo.

In addition to the main 568 seats, the President will appoint 28 members according to the law, raising the total seats of the House of Representatives to 596.

At some 9,468 polling stations in the 13 provinces, the polls were overseen by about 12,000 judges and nearly 570 correspondents from 166 media institutions, as well as local and foreign organizations and candidate representatives.

The first stage of the Egyptian parliamentary elections was held on October 24-25 in 14 provinces including Giza, Alexandria, the Red Sea, Luxor and Aswan, with a similar number of candidates competing for half of the seats.

The turnout in the first stage, which involved 31.7 million eligible voters, stood at 28.06 per cent, according to the National Election Authority (NEA).

The result of the second stage will be announced on November 15.

The run-off rounds of the first stage inside the country will be held on November 23-24 and those of the second, if any, on December 7-8.

In August, Egyptians elected the country’s first Senate with 300 members, one third of whom are appointed by the President.

The newly created Senate will be an advisory body without legislative authority.

Also Read: Egyptian president extends state of emergency for 3 months

Also Read: Egypt votes in 1st stage of parliamentary elections

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Arab News Business

Vistara’s non stop Doha flight to start on 19th

Vistara.

Full-service carrier Vistara will operate special, non-stop flights between Delhi and Doha from November 19.

The airline will operate its Airbus A320neo twice a week between the two cities, on Thursdays and Sundays, as part of the bilateral ‘transport bubble’ agreement between India and Qatar.

“We are pleased to strengthen our presence in the Middle East by adding another global city to our steadily growing network, albeit for special flights under the ‘transport bubble’,” said Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara.

“As an economic hub of the region, Doha continues to draw business travellers and is home to a large number of Indian expatriates.”

The Tata SIA Airlines Ltd, known by the brand name Vistara, is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIA).

Also Read: Vistara operates first Delhi-London long haul flight

Also Read: Tata may take over Air India by New Year

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Arab News Economy

India grants 100% Tax Exemption To Abu Dhabi’s SWF

India has granted tax free status to Abu Dhabi’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) – MIC Redwood 1 RSC Ltd – to expedite foreign investment in the country’s priority areas during the Covid pandemic.

With this, MIC Redwood has become the first foreign SWF that has been notified and granted 100 per cent income tax exemption for long-term investments to be made in the specified priority sectors in India.

A Finance Ministry statement said that India has gradually opened up the economy for FDI, except for a very few sectors, and has also extended a lot of tax concessions for sovereign funds to attract long-term investments in India’s infrastructure sector.

MIC Redwood has been provided 100 per cent income tax exemption to income from interest, dividend and long-term capital gains for its investment in India’s priority sector. This was part of the Finance Act, 2020.

Now with the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) notification, MIC Redwood became the first notified SWF which will be availing this exemption.

“This 100 per cent income tax exemption facility was well received by the SWFs and Pension Funds across the globe and a large number of SWFs and Pension Funds have shown interest in making investment in India’s infrastructure sector.”

The CBDT issued detailed guidelines on July 22 to facilitate the process of SWFs’ notification. Notified foreign Pension Funds were also granted similar exemption subject to fulfilment of certain prescribed conditions.

An official closely in the know of the matter said that to expedite foreign investment in India’s priority areas during the Covid pandemic time, the process of notification of MIC Redwood 1 RSC Ltd was completed in a record time.

On September 18, MIC Redwood 1 RSC Ltd made the application for seeking tax exemption notification as per the CBDT guidelines. Amidst the challenges of Covid-19, all deliberations and meetings between the applicant and tax authorities were held through video conferencing and communications were made only through emails.

MIC Redwood 1 RSC Ltd submitted its final replies on October 20 and after that the process of notification including consultation with Ministry of Law & Justice for legal vetting of the notification, etc, has been completed in less than two weeks, and with the completion of all legal and other formalities, the notification granting 100 per cent tax-exemption was issued on November 2.

The Indian government, in order to incentivise long-term investment by the SWFs of foreign governments in priority sectors, had granted through the Finance Act, 2020, a 100 per cent income tax exemption to income of a notified SWF in respect of its investment made in the specified infrastructure sectors.

The income tax exemption to SWFs and the Pension Fund is expected to provide foreign funding to the infrastructure sector and to boost the growth in the infrastructure sector.

The government had issued a notification on July 6 to broaden the scope of this exemption and made all sub-sectors of Harmonised Master List of the infrastructure eligible for this income tax exemption.

Also Read: UAE, Bahrain Sign Historic Deal With Israel

Also Read: UAE, US, Israel Ink Deal To Bring Peace & Progress

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-Top News Arab News UAE News

G-20: UAE takes part in 3rd Sherpa meeting

The UAE attended in its capacity as a guest invitee at the G-20 Summit, which will take place virtually in November 2020….reports Asian Lite News

Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, UAE Minister of State, participated in the Third Extraordinary Group of 20, G-20, Sherpa Meeting, held virtually from October 27-29.

The UAE attended in its capacity as a guest invitee at the G-20 Summit, which will take place virtually in November 2020.

The Sherpa Meeting gathered official representatives from G-20 members to further progress discussions and find consensus for the wording of the Leaders’ Declaration, as all Ministerial Meetings and Working Groups have now concluded their meetings for the year.

The meeting also saw the participation of Abdulnasser Alshaali, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Sous-Sherpa.

Reflecting on the Meeting, Al Sayegh commended the work of all of the Sherpas and expressed confidence in concluding this year’s work with an impactful and positive message: “As we approach the Leaders’ Summit, I am continuously impressed by my counterparts in their passion and dedication to coming together to find common ground. I’m confident that the work we’ve been able to do will help pave the way to building back better – ensuring an inclusive recovery – and tackling the most pressing challenges of both today and tomorrow, together.”

In December 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia invited the UAE, in its capacity as current Chair of the GCC, to engage in the 2020 G-20 process.

Established in 1999, the G-20 Summit is an annual gathering of representatives of the world’s largest economies that works to strengthen international economic cooperation. This year’s theme under Saudi Arabia’s G-20 presidency is “Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All,” with the broad aims of “Empowering People, Safeguarding the Planet, and Shaping New Frontiers.”

Also read:Israel set to commence agro exports to the UAE