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S. Korea hopes for closer ties with Biden

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN VISITED TO IIT BOMBAY

“In the case of Blinken, the nominee for secretary of state, he is known for his ample experience and expertise in foreign affairs. He also has a deep understanding of South Korea-US relations and Korean Peninsula issues,” Choi said in a press briefing…reports Asian Lite News

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN VISITED TO IIT BOMBAY

South Korea anticipates working closely with US President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, to deepen the alliance between the two countries, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

Ministry spokesperson Choi Young-sam made the remark after Blinken was named to be Biden’s first secretary of state, saying the former deputy secretary of state under the Barack Obama administration has a deep understanding of Korean Peninsula issues, Yonhap news agency reported.

“In the case of Blinken, the nominee for secretary of state, he is known for his ample experience and expertise in foreign affairs. He also has a deep understanding of South Korea-US relations and Korean Peninsula issues,” Choi said in a press briefing.

“We will work with these officials under the next US administration in the hopes to further develop the Korea-US alliance,” he said.

Blinken’s nomination raised the prospects that he might take a more realistic approach to North Korea’s denuclearization, akin to the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal.

When asked about Blinken’s views, a foreign ministry official said Tuesday that the government does not presuppose or make predictions based on certain remarks.

“We value his expertise on issues including the Korean Peninsula and we’re doing a lot of research at our bureaus, including the North America affairs bureau, on how we’re going to work with him,” Choi added.

Blinken, 58, served as deputy secretary of state under President Barack Obama and then Vice President Biden from 2015 to 2017. He also served as deputy national security adviser under the former US president.

Also read:Biden to name Janet Yellen as US treasury secretary

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Israel PM to visit Bahrain

Jerusalem, Sept. 13, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a briefing on COVID-19 pandemic in Israel at his office in Jerusalem, on Sept. 13, 2020. Israel will reimpose a nationwide lockdown for three weeks, beginning on Friday, to slow a rapid resurgence of coronavirus infections, the government decided on Sunday. (Yoav Dudkevitch/JINI via Xinhua/IANS)

“We are both excited to bring the fruits of peace to our people and countries in such a short time. That’s why he (Al-Khalifa) invited me to come soon for a formal visit in Bahrain and I will do this happily,” Netanyahu said in a statement about a phone call he held with the crown prince…reports Asian Lite News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday he would visit Bahrain “soon” at the invitation of the Gulf state’s Crown Prince Salman Al-Khalifa. Arab News reports

Bahrain followed the United Arab Emirates in normalizing ties with Israel in a deal brokered by the United States that marked a strategic Middle East alignment against Iran. The shift has enraged the Palestinians who have demanded statehood before any such regional rapprochement.

“We are both excited to bring the fruits of peace to our people and countries in such a short time. That’s why he (Al-Khalifa) invited me to come soon for a formal visit in Bahrain and I will do this happily,” Netanyahu said in a statement about a phone call he held with the crown prince.

A first Bahraini delegation visited Israel last Wednesday.

Meantime, Israel and Bahrain have agreed to open embassies, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries said in a joint press conference.

At the briefing on Wednesday, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani, the first Minister from a Gulf country to make an official visit to Israel, said his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi will visit Manama in December, reports Xinhua news agency.

“I was pleased to convey to minister Ashkenazi the Kingdom of Bahrain’s formal request to open an embassy in Israel and to inform him that Israel’s reciprocal request for an embassy in Manama has been approved,” Al-Zayani said.

He also expressed his hopes for the process to “move forward relatively quickly”.

Meanwhile, Ashkenazi said he hoped that the new Israeli embassy will be inaugurated during his visit in December.Together with the US and Bahraini teams, Al-Zayani arrived at the Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning, as the first Bahraini government official to visit Israel.

Al-Zayani is also scheduled to meet Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in addition to a trilateral meeting with Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who arrived in Israel as part of his 10-day trip to the Middle East.

A US-brokered agreement between Israel and Bahrain to normalize ties was first announced on September 11 before it was officially signed at the White House on September 15.

A similar deal was also signed between Israel and the United Arab Emirates

Also read:Israel army averts bomb attack in West Bank

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Xi calls for closer ties with Ethiopia

Chinese President Xi Jinping

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Ethiopia have helped each other in time of difficulties, setting an example of China-Africa unity in fighting the pandemic, said the Chinese president…reports Asian Lite News

Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged on Tuesday to work with his Ethiopian counterpart Sahle-Work Zewde to enhance China-Africa and the Belt and Road cooperation, so as to bring more benefits to both countries and peoples.

Xi made the remarks in an exchange of congratulatory messages with Zewde on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

In his message, Xi said over the half a century since the establishment of China-Ethiopia diplomatic ties, traditional friendship of the two countries has been getting stronger.

In recent years, with the building of the China-Ethiopia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, the two countries have been deepening political mutual trust and achieving fruitful cooperative results in various fields, said Xi.

The two sides have rendered mutual understanding and support to each other on issues of their core interests and major concerns, and have coordinated closely in international and regional affairs, he said.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Ethiopia have helped each other in time of difficulties, setting an example of China-Africa unity in fighting the pandemic, said the Chinese president.

Noting that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Ethiopia relations, Xi said he is ready to work with Zewde to take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary to implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit and the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19, enhance cooperation on jointly building the Belt and Road, and make more positive contributions to building a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.

In his congratulatory message, Zewde said that over the past 50 years since the establishment of Ethiopia-China diplomatic relations, bilateral ties have been deepening continuously on the basis of close coordination and political mutual trust and bilateral cooperation has yielded fruitful results.

The Ethiopia-China relations have been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, which laid a solid foundation for deepening bilateral cooperation in various fields, and for benefiting the two countries and peoples in the future, Zewde said.

Zewde expressed his willingness to work closely with President Xi to continuously promote traditional friendly relations between the two countries, deepen and expand bilateral cooperation, so as to bring more benefits to the two countries and peoples.

Also read:SCCI, China to boost economic and investment ties

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SCCI, China to boost economic and investment ties

The MoU was inked by Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the SCCI, and Li Aishung, Vice President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in Shanxi Province, in the presence of Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, and senior officials from both sides….reports Asian LIte News

The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SCCI, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in Shanxi Province, as part of the SCCI’s participation in the Shanxi-Middle East Economy and Trade Cooperation Conference, which was held virtually on Monday with the participation of economic organisations and institutions from the UAE and the region.

The agreement stipulates the establishment of a partnership between the two sides and the strengthening of economic cooperation in various fields that serve the common interests to achieve the development goals of the two sides. According to the MoU, the two sides are also committed to exchanging experiences and knowledge, organising forums, seminars, specialised meetings, and professional training, and exchanging information on best practices in the interests of the business community of both friendly countries.

The MoU was inked by Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the SCCI, and Li Aishung, Vice President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in Shanxi Province, in the presence of Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, and senior officials from both sides.

“The MoU is a step in the right direction towards prosperous economic partnerships, as part of Sharjah’s keenness to strengthen its diverse relationships at the global level to serve the local business community,” said Al Owais, adding the emirate is always looking to provide all necessary facilities that help attract foreign investment and enhance the competitiveness of companies operating in foreign markets.

The SCCI Chairman commended the SCCI’s bilateral relations with Shanxi Province and the mutual visits between the two sides, the last of which was the visit of a high-level business delegation of 18 businessmen, stressing that the agreement marks the outcome of the comprehensive strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries and new prospects for joint action in various sectors.

Li Aishung expressed happiness at the cooperation with the Sharjah Chamber, underlining the fact that the MoU will help strengthen existing ties and establish a new phase of cooperation and trade exchange with Sharjah which was and still has the same attractiveness to Chinese investments in all domains.

He stressed that the economic and trade relations between China and the UAE are witnessing a remarkable development, especially that China attaches special importance to investment in the emirate of Sharjah.

Also read:UAE, UK join hands to boost trade ties

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Afghan talks strike breakthrough

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani,

A breakthrough has been reported in the stalled talks between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban after the two sides agreed to include the February 29 US deal, UN endorsements, commitments of the negotiating teams and the will of the Afghan people as bases for upcoming negotiations, according to sources.

The sources said on Sunday that said Afghan chief negotiator Mohammad Massoom Stanikzai and presidential peace advisor Salam Rahimi were on a secret trip to Kabul, seeking President Ashraf Ghani’s approval for the agreed formulation, reports TOLO News.

But there has been no confirmation on this development by either of the two sides.

This comes as negotiators from both the sides met visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Doha on November 21.

During their meeting with the top US diplomat, the Afghan Republic negotiators insisted on an end to violence and called for preserving the country’s achievements.

“Concerns of members of the peace delegation about the increase in violence and the US support to the Afghan peace negotiations, which is a common goal, were discussed,” said Habiba Sarabi, a peace negotiator from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad was also present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Taliban said that during their meeting with Pompeo, they insisted on the implementation of the Doha agreement, the removal of names of the group’s members from UN blacklist, release of their prisoners, and the peace negotiations, TOLO News reported.

“The release of remaining prisoners of the Islamic emirate of Afghanistan and ending the blacklists and also issues around intra-Afghan negotiations were discussed,” Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem said.

Also Read: Aus PM promises justice for Afghan war crimes

Also Read: Pentagon chief declares troop cut back in Afghanistan

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Israel army averts bomb attack in West Bank

An Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday that during “routine searches” in the area, troops spotted improvised explosive devices…reports Asian Lite News

The Israeli army has said that it thwarted a Palestinian attempt to carry out an attack against soldiers in the occupied West Bank using makeshift bombs.

The incident took place near the village of Al-Mughayyir in northeast of Ramallah city, reports Xinhua news agency.

An Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday that during “routine searches” in the area, troops spotted improvised explosive devices.

The explosives were “camouflaged in order to harm IDF (Israel Defence Forces) troops,” said the statement.

Police explosive specialties were dispatched to the scene to neutralize the bombs.

No injuries or damages were reported.

The West Bank was seized by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war and controlled by it ever since, despite international criticism.

The Palestinians wish to build their future state on these lands.

Over the past years, Palestinians have carried out sporadic attacks against Israeli security officers and settlers in the West Bank, but these attacks have recently decreased, especially since the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Also read:Israel ratifies visa exemption deal with UAE

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Iran seeks lifting of western sanctions on Syria

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif

The Minister made the remarks on Sunday during a meeting with visiting UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen in Tehran….reports Asian Lite News

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has urged western countries to lift sanctions against Syria.

The Minister made the remarks on Sunday during a meeting with visiting UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen in Tehran.

“All unjust and illegal sanctions against the Syrian government and people must be lifted, particularly under the current conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic,” Xinhua news agency quoted Zarif as saying.

He criticized some western countries for what he called “obstructing” political process for crisis management in the Arab country.

“In recent years, good opportunities have arisen to end the crisis” in Syria, but they have been squandered by some states, Zarif was quoted as saying.

For his part, Pedersen stressed Iran’s important role in a peaceful settlement of crisis in Syria.

Over the past years, the US and European Union have imposed several rounds of sanctions on Syria.

Also read:Iran to observe nuke deal if Biden lifts sanctions

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Israel ratifies visa exemption deal with UAE

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

The deal comes as Israel and the UAE are working to warm up their ties after signing a US-brokered deal on September 15 to normalize relations…reports Asian Lite News

The Israeli cabinet has ratified a mutual visa exemption deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Jewish state’s first such move with an Arab country.

“We have approved a visa exemption agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates,” Xinhua news agency quoted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying in a tweet on Sunday.

The deal bolsters economic ties and reciprocal tourism between the two countries, according to Netanyahu.

“This is the first Arab country with which we have signed such an agreement. Of course, this will develop and strengthen ties between the countries as well as economic links.

“I believe that every citizen of Israel, the entire world, sees the great change that we are bringing to our region in every field,” The Times of Israel quoted the Prime Minister as saying to reporters also on Sunday



The deal comes as Israel and the UAE are working to warm up their ties after signing a US-brokered deal on September 15 to normalize relations.

Sunday’s development came after Ministers voted unanimously to approve the treaty, which was signed in Tel Aviv last month.

The UAE government reportedly ratified the agreement on November 1, which means that it will enter into force in 30 days.

The UAE-Israel visa exemption agreement will mean that citizens will be allowed to enter each other’s countries without having to go through the hassle of applying for a visa first.

It is the first such arrangement between the Jewish state and an Arab country.

Even Israel’s closest ally, the US, has so far refused to sign a visa exemption agreement with the Jewish state.

Also read:UAE, Indonesia ink AEO Action Plan

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Putin Not Ready To Accept Biden

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said that he is still not ready to recognise Joe Biden as the winner of the United States presidential election, but is ready to work with any other US leader.

“We will work with anyone who has the confidence of the American people,” Putin said on Russian state TV.

“But that confidence can only be given to a candidate whose victory has been recognised by the opposing party, or after the results are confirmed in a legitimate, legal way.”

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN

The Russian President said that the decision to not congratulate Biden is ‘a formality’ with no ulterior motives.

He also said that he believes relations between the US and Russia have been ‘ruined’.

When Trump won in 2016, Putin was prompt in offering congratulations, but Trump’s challenger in that election, Hillary Clinton, also conceded the day after the vote.

Just days after the election was called in Biden’s favour, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that this election is different.

Also Read-UAE, Indonesia ink AEO Action Plan

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Bangladesh PM’s Sewing Snap Goes Viral

Sheikh Hasina.

Two separate photos of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have gone viral on the social media, giving people a glimpse of the leader’s daily life, the media reported on Sunday.

In one photo, Hasina is seen working on a sewing machine while donning a traditional Bengali attire, while is the other the leader was snapped while she was looking at catch after fishing at the Ganabhaban lake, reports bdnews24.

The Prime Minister had earlier described in Parliament how she slightly tweaked her routine amid the coronavirus pandemic, enjoying the thrill of fishing during her morning stroll.

Top Awami League leaders and the party’s official account have shared the photos on Facebook.

Sheikh Hasina.

Salman F Rahman, the premier’s adviser for private industry and investment, shared the photos and wrote: “Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a complete human being. She has successfully transformed the fortune of 170 million Bangladeshis, has given refuge to over a million Rohingya Muslims, but still finds the time to enjoy cooking, fishing and sewing.”

“I don’t have the knowledge to put a caption,” wrote State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam in a post sharing the photo of the Prime Minister fishing.

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak shared both photos and wrote: “Our honourable prime minister, our leader Sheikh Hasina dressed as a common Bengali woman. She sews cloth and goes fishing at the Ganabhaban pond whenever she takes a break from a busy schedule.

“Much love and respect for this extraordinary person who works for the country all day long after losing everything.”

Also Read-UAE, Indonesia ink AEO Action Plan