Category: Arab News

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-Top News Arab News

Israeli Move To Build New Settlement draws Ire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Yoav Dudkevitch/JINI via Xinhua/IANS)

Israel approved more than 1,300 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday in the first such go-ahead since it suspended annexation plans in the territory, reports Arab News.

The decision has drawn an angry response from Palestinians, who seek to establish a state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

“We urge the international community to intervene immediately to stop this settlement madness, which destroys any chance for a genuine peace process,” said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

As for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces protests from the citizenry, the construction could help mute criticism from settler leaders, who are traditional allies. They had expressed discontentment over the suspension of the annexation of occupied territories, which paved way for a diplomatic truce with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates also condemned the move to build thousands of housing units in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The ministry’s spokesperson Dhaifallah Fayez, affirmed Jordan’s rejection of the Israeli settlement policies in the occupied Palestinian territories breaching of international law and UN Security Council resolutions, according to Saudi Press Ageny.

The official stressed the need to stop all settlement practices, whether in the form of construction, expansion or confiscation of lands, in accordance with Israel’s obligations as an occupying power.

Fayez called on the international community to take “decisive” stances to pressure Israel to stop its practices that undermine peace efforts and opportunities.

Also Read: Israel inks aviation deal with Jordan

Also Read: UAE, Israel Foreign Ministers Hold First Review Meeting

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-Top News Arab News UAE News

UAE chairs Arab ministers meeting

The meeting was held remotely on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and attended by relevant Arab ministers…Reports Asian Lite News

The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, chaired the 85th meeting of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Ministers of Housing and Reconstruction.The meeting was held remotely on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and attended by relevant Arab ministers.

In his opening speech, Al Mazrouei stressed the importance of ensuring the future of housing and urban development and the necessity of advancing this vital sector, affirming that the UAE is ready to share its housing and urban development plans.

He also highlighted the importance of holding the meeting amidst the exceptional conditions witnessed by the world caused by the coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic, to discuss ways of achieving the sustainability of the housing sector, which is key to sustainable development.

He added that the majority of Arab countries are facing mutual challenges, in addition to the challenges resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, which requires everyone’s cooperation to achieve their desired objectives and the happiness of their citizens.

Al Mazrouei explained that the UAE Government, since the establishment of the Union in 1971, has always prioritised the housing sector, noting that its related plans include supporting, development and organising the sector, to enable all citizens to obtain suitable housing that will achieve family stability and quality of life, which are two key pillars of the UAE Vision 2021 and major features of the preparations for the next fifty years from 2021 to 2071.

Also read:UAE witnesses highest single day spike of 1431 Covid 19 cases

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-Top News Arab News

Asian Lite daily Digital October 15, 2020 – UAE Inks Deal with IMF to Draw Policies

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Arab News Saudi Arabia

UNRWA applauds Saudi Arabia’s support for Palestinian Refugees

UNRWA also praised the decades-long strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia …Reports Asian Lite News

Commissioner-General of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini has commended the generous support that UNRWA receives from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia represented by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief),continues supporting Palestinian refugees in various countries worldwide.

This came in message addressed to KSrelief where the Commissioner-General also extended thanks to Saudi Arabia, represented by KSrelief, for its support and vital role that had a great impact on Palestinian refugees.

He also praised the decades-long strategic relationship between Saudi Arabia and UNRWA and looking forward to further cooperation between the two sides.

Also read:Saudi Begins Campaign to Host Asian Games 2030

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-Top News Arab News

G20 Forum values Kingdom’s fight against Covid: Saudi minister

Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, hailed the humanitarian role and international status the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia is enjoying worldwide crowned by its presidency of the G20 and hosting the G20 Interfaith Forum which discusses the international efforts to fight coronavirus COVID-19 and other important issues facing the humanitarian societies, highly valuing the Kingdom’s prudent leadership’s decisions to face the pandemic according to the principles of Islam.He said.


In a speech to the opening session of the forum, Al Al-Shiekh conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his Crown Prince to the participants in the event, held under the sponsorship of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Dialogue among followers of religions and cultures and the alliance of international partners which was kicked off on Tuesday

He highlighted the measures taken by the Kingdom to combat the coronavirus, making it among the best, citing the cooperation of religious authorities in carrying out the government-led measures.

Also read:Fashion Industry Affected as Saudi delays Turkish Imports

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Arab News World News

UN mourns loss of late Amir of Kuwait

United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir praised the late Amir as a pioneer of preventive diplomacy, due to his commitment to peace and conflict resolution through dialogue…Reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

Nations mourned the passing of the late Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, during a United Nations General Assembly special session on Tuesday.

Global delegates stood for a minute of silence to mourn the loss of the virtuous ruler, once granted a ‘Humanitarian Leader’ award by former UN chief Ban Ki-moon, in memory of his legacy in humanitarianism, diplomacy, peace-making and conflict resolution.

United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir praised the late Amir as a pioneer of preventive diplomacy, due to his commitment to peace and conflict resolution through dialogue.

For his part, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the late Amir as a distinguished statesman, a distinguished human being, a builder of bridges and a messenger of peace, saying he prioritised cooperation and pluralism.

Throughout his reign, His Highness gained everyone’s appreciation and respect for his outstanding leadership and commitment to keeping peace. He has always been ready to build bridges between religions, cultures and countries in the neighborhood and beyond, and thanks to insight, political wisdom and perseverance, His Highness formed the preventive diplomatic line of Kuwait in the region and at the international level, Guterres added.

Guterres indicated that Sheikh Sabah played a vital role in mediating, facilitating dialogue and spreading messages of peace, tolerance and coexistence, describing him as a close friend of the UN.

Also read:China loses support in UN Human Rights Council

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-Top News Arab News UAE News

G-20: Abdullah bin Zayed heads steering committee meeting

The G-20 Leaders’ Summit will take place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, from 21 to 22 November, under the chairmanship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia…Reports Asian Lite News

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, presided over the third Group of 20 (G-20) Steering Committee Meeting to review the UAE’s approach for the remainder of the 2020 G-20 Process as a guest invitee at the G-20 Leaders’ Summit.

The G-20 Leaders’ Summit will take place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, from 21 to 22 November, under the chairmanship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In his remarks to the Steering Committee, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed extended thanks to the ministries and the relevant entities which have contributed to the success of the UAE’s participation in the G-20, whether by representing the UAE in meetings and events, or providing proposals and information aimed at enhancing the country’s benefit from this participation.

.The meeting discussed the work of the UAE across both the Sherpa and Finance Tracks to date, initial preparations for the G-20 Summit, and ways in which the UAE could stay engaged with the G-20 Process following the Summit.

Obaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, stated that the Ministry of Finance participated in 46 meetings held under the G-20 Finance Track during the G-20 Presidency of Saudi Arabia. The minister added, “We will double down on our efforts during the remaining G20 meetings to position the key points that will best showcase the UAE’s capabilities and value added of our participation in the best way.”

Also read:Asian Lite Daily Digital – UAE, Israel To Boost Biz Ties

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Asia News Syria

UN plans aid for Syrian wildfire victims

Early estimates indicate that up to 140,000 people may have been impacted by the damage…Asian Lite News Reports

The UN and its humanitarian partners have coordinated with authorities in Syria to develop a contingency response plan after wildfires have killed three people and displaced as many as 25,000 others.

In a statement on Monday, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that 79 others were also hospitalised due to the wildfires in the coastal regions of Latakia and Tartous and Homs, Xinhua news agency reported.

Early estimates indicate that up to 140,000 people may have been impacted by the damage.

“Our colleagues at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs are coordinating with authorities and humanitarian partners to help develop a contingency response plan,” Dujarric said.

At least 156 wildfires were reported in the three governorates, with significant spread reported across several areas on October 9 and 10, he said.

Local authorities reported on Sunday that all the fires had been contained but the risk of reignition remains in some areas

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Arab News Business Fashion

Fashion Industry Affected as Saudi delays Turkish Imports

File photo of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa/IANS)

As the regional tussle between Turkey and its rivals, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates gathers heat, the flow of goods and merchandises between these countries is taking a hit.

Various fashion brands which house their production facilities in Turkey and import the finished goods to the lucrative markets in the rich Arab nations is one among the affected industries.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Though Saudi authorities reject the existence of such a ban of Turkish goods, various exporters from Turkey say they face long delays at Saudi ports, according to a Financial Times report.

Earlier this month, the chairman of Riyadh chamber of commerce, Ajlan al-Ajlan had called to boycott ‘everything Turkish’ in response to Ankara’s alleged involvement in the Arabian geo-political scene.

The report also states that a number of European and US fashion retailers with production facilities in Turkey are looking out for alternatives to tackle the clearance delays their goods face in Saudi Arabia.

According to the report, Spanish fashion brand Mango isn’t very much worried about the situation. “We are confident we will be able to continue with business under normal circumstances in Saudi Arabia,” the Financial Times cited a quote from the company’s sources.

Sweden’s H&M said “too early to comment on the most recently communicated trade restrictions”.

Also Read: Turkey Calls For Urgent Reconciliation With EU

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Categories
-Top News Arab News

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