The six-day forum kicked off on Monday in the Tunisian capital of Tunis, with UN Acting Special Representative Stephanie Williams and other 75 representatives attending the event….reports Asian Lite News
The European Union (EU) has welcomed the holding of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum aimed at ending the years-long conflict in the war-torn country.
“The EU Heads of Mission welcome the recent positive and courageous steps taken by Libyans to end years of conflict and division and to move towards the stability, unity and sovereignty of their country free of foreign interference,” Xinhua news agency quoted the bloc as saying in a statement on Monday.
It also called for a full inclusion and participation of women in the country’s peace process.
SIRTE, Oct. 14, 2016 (Xinhua) — Members of the forces loyal to Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) gather in the coastal city of Sirte, east of the capital Tripoli, during their military operation to clear the Islamic State (IS) group’s jihadists from the city, on Oct. 14, 2016. (Xinhua/Hamza Turkia/IANS)
The six-day forum kicked off on Monday in the Tunisian capital of Tunis, with UN Acting Special Representative Stephanie Williams and other 75 representatives attending the event.
The forum’s overall objective is a consensus on a unified governance framework to “restore Libya’s sovereignty and the democratic legitimacy of Libyan institutions”, according to a statement by the UN Support Mission in Libya.
The eastern-based army and the Tripoli-based UN-backed government engaged in a deadly armed conflict for more than a year in and around Tripoli, which ended recently with the UN-backed government taking over all of western Libya after the withdrawal of the eastern-based troops.
They have signed a UN-sponsored permanent cease-fire agreement.
The discussions were held on sidelines of the French Ambassador’s visit on Monday to the 39th Sharjah International Book Fair, SIBF…reports Asian Lite News
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority, SBA, and Xavier Chatel, Ambassador of France to the UAE have discussed developing joint cultural programmes to facilitate the opening of new horizons of dialogue and communication between Emirati publishers and their French counterparts, and expand collaborative efforts and joint initiatives.
The discussions were held on sidelines of the French Ambassador’s visit on Monday to the 39th Sharjah International Book Fair, SIBF.
Accompanied by Ahmed Al Ameri on the tour, Chatel met with participating French publishers, as well as the representatives of local, Arab and international publishing houses.
They discussed the key role SIBF plays this year in offering an impetus to the global publishing industry, in light of the challenging circumstances publishing businesses and creative industries alike are facing in both Arab and international markets, in the wake of Covid-19.
Al Ameri talked about the annual exhibitions, events and cultural initiatives organised by SBA, including SIBF and the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, and Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, SPCFZ, explaining to him the plethora of facilities and competitive advantages businesses can avail in the world’s first free zone dedicated to the publishing, printing and allied businesses.
Sheikh Abdullah and his Italian counterpart discussed cooperative relations between the two countries across a number of fields, including economic, commercial and cultural….reports Asian Lite News
The UAE and Italy on Sunday held the fourth strategic dialogue between the two countries in Abu Dhabi, under the chairmanship of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Luigi Di Maio, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Sheikh Abdullah and his Italian counterpart discussed cooperative relations between the two countries across a number of fields, including economic, commercial and cultural.
The two sides exchanged views on the latest developments in the region, notably Libya and Iran, and discussed a number of regional and international issues of common interest, in addition to developments in the eastern Mediterranean.
The two officials also discussed the latest developments on COVID-19 and the efforts of the two countries to combat the pandemic, while supporting global efforts in developing a vaccine.
Sheikh Abdullah and Luigi Di Maio stressed the importance of strategic UAE-Italy dialogue in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and developing joint cooperation across all sectors.
UAE FM welcomed Di Maio and his accompanying delegation, stressing the distinguished Emirati-Italian relations and joint work and their importance in achieving common interests.
Sheikh Abdullah said that the current challenges brought by the pandemic necessitate that countries strengthen joint international action to contain its effects, especially on the health sector and the economy, and move forward on the path of sustainable development.
For his part, the Italian Minister praised the distinguished bilateral relations between the UAE and Italy and the continuous development of joint cooperation between the two nations.
The strategic dialogue was attended by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, and a number of senior officials from both sides.
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.
A staff member measures a visitor's temperature at Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy, on Sept. 4, 2020. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
The new decree “allocates further resources to support businesses and employees that are directly or indirectly affected by restrictions imposed” to contain the pandemic, the government said in a statement on Saturday….reports Asian Lite News
A staff member measures a visitor’s temperature at Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy, on Sept. 4, 2020. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
The Italian government announced that it has issued a new decree to increase aid to families and businesses struck by the latest anti-coronavirus restrictions, which were imposed in the wake of a second wave of the pandemic.
On November 4, the government imposed a nationwide curfew, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., as the pandemic surged in Italy, reports Xinhua news agency.
It also closed shopping malls on weekends and holidays, curtailed the operating hours of bars and restaurants to 5 a.m.-6 p.m., and shut down museums, theatres, concert venues, movie theaters, and betting venues.
The new decree “allocates further resources to support businesses and employees that are directly or indirectly affected by restrictions imposed” to contain the pandemic, the government said in a statement on Saturday.
Rome, Aug. 18, 2020 (Xinhua) — Restaurant staff wait for customers in Rome, Italy, Aug. 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Cheng Tingting/IANS)
The new measure builds on a 5.4-billion-euro aid package included in a previous October 28 decree, which was aimed at hard-hit businesses such as bars, restaurants, gyms and hotels, seasonal workers, and employees in the sports and entertainment sectors.
The new decree, which covers November and December, increases grants for businesses and employees, suspends taxes and social security contributions, provides a babysitting bonus to families in areas where elementary schools have been shut down, and increases funds for public transportation.
The government’s statement however, did not give an overall figure for the new aid package.
The new measure came as the Ministry of Health on Saturday reported 39,811 new infections in a 24-hour span in Italy, with 25,109 patients hospitalized and 2,634 in the ICU.
The country’s overall coronavirus caseload and the death toll currently stood at 902,490 and 41,063, respectively.
European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis
The European Union’s (EU) economic recovery from the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is expected to be slower than previously thought due to a second wave in several countries of the bloc, a top official said in Brussels.
“The months ahead will be challenging for everyone, so it is especially important that we discuss and coordinate our policies,” Xinhua news agency quoted European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis as saying at a press briefing.
His remarks came after a virtual meeting of the EU’s economy and finance ministers.
The ministers met to discuss the economic recovery in the bloc against a backdrop of tightened measures to curb the second wave of the pandemic.
The Commission will publish its autumn economic forecast on Thursday, Dombrovskis said.
He highlighted the urgency of reaching an agreement within the EU institutions on the 750-billion-euro recovery plan, the bulk of which is a 672.5-billion-euro tool named Recovery and Resilience Facility.
European Commission
Dombrovskis stressed that the member states need to prepare and implement the ambitious plans with reforms and investments to support the recovery and transformation of their economies.
At the meeting, the Ministers renewed the discussion of new fiscal rules, which was disrupted by the pandemic early this year.
“We shall come back to it once this acute phase of the crisis is over,” said Dombrovskis.
Wednesday’s meeting also adopted conclusions on an action plan against money laundering and terrorism financing presented by the European Commission in May.
The continent’s overall coronavirus caseload and death toll currently stood at 10,866,134 and 277,125, respectively, according to the latest update by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
The Indian Muslims for Progress and Reform (IMPAR) on Friday condemned the murder of a French school teacher and also the attacks on three innocent civilians in Nice.
“IMPAR, a body of more than 10,000 prominent Muslims of India and Indian origin worldwide, wish to unequivocally condemn in the strongest possible terms the terrorist incidents that have taken place in France both yesterday as well as on 16th October. The attack on Samuel Paty in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine two weeks ago, and yesterday’s attacks on three innocent civilians in Nice, have no place in a civilized society,” the IMPR said in a press statement.
“The murder of Mr. Paty, a French school teacher, for showing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in a classroom as part of a lesson on the subject of free speech, means that today’s attacks came during heightened tensions in the country over radical Islamism, secularism and freedom of speech.”
IMPAR appealed to the international community, and especially to the Muslim -majority countries, to join them in denouncing “these acts of mindless violence.” It said that no inhumane acts can ever be permitted to be performed in the name of religion.
French President Emmanuel Macron
Meanwhile, the body also announced its support to President Macron in condemning radicalization of the Islamic faith, and “trusts him to ensure the safety and security of the vast majority of Muslims living in France whose only desire is to live peacefully and contribute constructively to the life of this proud, democratic, and secular nation.”
IMPAR also urged the President and the people if France “not to allow such incidents to undermine the perception of these people and their way of life – for whom depiction of the Prophet Mohammed is a sensitive subject but would never condone acts of violence in the name of blasphemy, and uphold the principle of free speech in French society.”
The President of IMPAR, Dr. MJ Khan, stated: “Violence and hate are the biggest obstacle in the accomplishment of global peace should find no place in today’s civilized world.”
Al-Hajraf reiterated the firm position of the GCC towards terrorism and extremism and his organisation’s rejection of all kinds, forms, sources and justifications of terrorism…reports Asian Lite News
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC ) Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf has denounced the terrorist attack which took place near Notre-dame church in the French city of Nice, killing and injuring a number of people.
Al-Hajraf reiterated the firm position of the GCC towards terrorism and extremism and his organisation’s rejection of all kinds, forms, sources and justifications of terrorism, calling for up-rooting it and drying up the sources of its support and finance.
He extended sincere condolence and sympathy to the relatives of the victims and to the friendly people of France.
To contain the spread of the virus, the president ordered the nation to go back into a national lockdown, like in mid-March when COVID-19 patients in the first wave of the epidemic overwhelmed hospitals….reports Asian Lite News
France will go into national lockdown starting from Friday to stem the second wave of the coronavirus epidemic, President Emmanuel Macron announced.
“The virus is circulating at a speed that not even the most pessimistic forecasts had anticipated,” said Macron in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported. “Like all our neighbours, we are at the same point, overwhelmed by a second wave which will undoubtedly be harder and more deadly than the first.”
To contain the spread of the virus, the president ordered the nation to go back into a national lockdown, like in mid-March when COVID-19 patients in the first wave of the epidemic overwhelmed hospitals.
For the new lockdown, the only authorized out-of-home trips will be “to go to work, to a medical appointment, to provide assistance, to go shopping or to take the air,” said Macron.
The restrictive measures would affect universities, libraries, bars, cafes, restaurants, gyms, etc. Public gatherings are banned and cultural ceremonies and conferences are suspended, according to the president.
Paris, Sept. 4, 2020 (Xinhua) — People wearing masks walk on the Trocadero Place near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, Sept. 3, 2020. The French government aims to mobilize 100 billion euros (118 billion U.S. dollars) in a recovery plan “of historic size” to help the country recover from the coronavirus pandemic crisis, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced on Thursday. Ecological transition, competitiveness and social cohesion were identified as the three pillars of the plan dubbed “France Relaunch,” which Castex said was “the most massive announced to date among major European countries.” (Xinhua/Gao Jing/IANS)
But unlike the first lockdown, nurseries, primary schools and middle schools will remain open, said the president, arguing that “our children would not be lastingly deprived of education, of contact with the school system.”
And public services, factories, farms and constructions will continue their activities “in strict compliance with health protocols,” said the president. Visits to nursing homes will also be allowed.
Detailed measures of the new lockdown will be announced by the government on Thursday.
Starting from Thursday midnight, the measures will be applied nationwide until at least early December. The government will meet in two weeks to consult on whether adjustments are necessary, Macron said.
If in the next two weeks people rigorously respect the rules and the health situation improves, the government will review the possibility of re-opening some non-essential businesses, he added.
“We need everyone’s sense of responsibility. Stay at home as much as possible. Respect the rules. Success depends on the good citizenship of each and every one of us. Every hour counts,” stressed the president.
Paris, Aug. 29, 2020 (Xinhua) — People wearing face masks walk on the Champs Elysees Avenue in Paris, France, Aug. 28, 2020. (Xinhua/Gao Jing/IANS)
France was in a national lockdown from March 17 to May 11 to contain the spread of the virus.
Two weeks into the lockdown, the daily infections reached the peak of the first wave (7,578) on March 31. But the figure dropped to a little above 4,500 in the first half of April and then went below 1,000 in May.
However, the number crept back up in recent months and reached a record 52,010 on October 25.
France on Wednesday recorded 36,437 new COVID-19 infections, 3,020 more than the number registered in the previous 24 hours. The cumulative number of coronavirus cases soared to 1,235,132, including 35,785 deaths, up by 244 in one day, figures released by Public Health Agency showed.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov. (Credit: Xinhua)
The 61-year-old leader added that he has “postponed all meetings and public events for the upcoming days”…reports Asian Lite News
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov. (Credit: Xinhua)
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov announced that he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, joining a handful of world leaders to be infected with the disease.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Borisov said: “After two PCR tests from today I’m positive with Covid-19. I generally have a general malaise, at the moment at the discretion of doctors I’m staying on home treatment.
“All contacts with me are submitted to the RZI (Metropolitan Regional Health Inspectorate). I’m sure that we will manage it together.”
The 61-year-old leader added that he has “postponed all meetings and public events for the upcoming days”.
The development comes in the wake of a recent spike in the number of new Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria.
The country has so far reported a total of 37,889 cases and 1,094
Borisov joins Polish President Andrzej Duda, US President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the list of infected world leaders.
