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Najran Chamber of Commerce and Industry to receive exclusive services

Mr. Mohaimeed Saleh Al Salem, Chairman of the Najran Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Sumanth Kapoor, Regional Head – KSA, Bahrain and Oman, VFS Global

VFS Global services are expected to launch at the Chamber’s premises by October 2021…reports Asian Lite News

VFS Global has announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Najran Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the city of Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to provide end-to-end visa and passport services. Moving forward, the Chamber’s members and employees will benefit from the availability of these services on its premises, providing ease, convenience and ensuring they do not have to visit a Visa Application Centre.

Mr. Mohaimeed Saleh Al Salem, Chairman of the Najran Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Sumanth Kapoor, Regional Head – KSA, Bahrain and Oman, VFS Global, signed the MoU on 07 September 2021 at the Chamber’s headquarters.

Mr. Mohaimeed Saleh Al Salem, Chairman of the Najran Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Sumanth Kapoor, Regional Head – KSA, Bahrain and Oman, VFS Global

“We are proud to partner with VFS Global to provide unmatched convenience to our members and employees for their visa and passport requirements. Through this joint initiative, we offer Indian and Philippine residents an additional avenue to renew their passports. Furthermore, the revolutionary doorstep visa service will provide much relief to people living in Najran as they can now apply for a visa in comfort at a preferred location.” said Mr. Mohaimeed Saleh Al Salem, Chairman of the Najran Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

VFS Global services are expected to launch at the Chamber’s premises by October 2021. Following services will be available to customers from Sunday to Thursday between 09.00 am and 03.00 pm.

  1. Indian passport renewal – application form filling assistance, form submission and collection of renewed passport
  1. Indian passport renewal – application form filling assistance, form submission and collection of renewed passport
  1. Indian passport renewal – application form filling assistance, form submission and collection of renewed passport

VFS Global provides a range of optional services, including travel insurance, COVID-19 test booking and document scanning.

ALSO READ: Saudi ministers approve new law to protect personal data

“The need to receive services ‘at your doorstep’, irrespective of location or time, is very crucial in today’s world. Our doorstep visa service offering is of immense benefit to those who reside in cities away from the existing centres and spend time travelling to the nearest centre. Our partnership with Najran Chambers will bring ease and convenience to customers living in the Najran Province,” added Sumanth Kapoor, Regional Head – KSA & Bahrain, VFS Global.

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News Sharjah UAE News

Sharjah explores new synergies with Belgium’s creative industries

Sharjah explores new synergies with Belgium’s creative industries

Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations (DGR) in Sharjah, has recently concluded a key exchange with HE Peter Claes, Ambassador of Belgium to the UAE, on ways to strengthen Sharjah–Belgium cooperation in a variety of emerging sectors, particularly in the creative industries, which have been flourishing in the emirate…reports Asian Lite News

The meeting was also attended by Sheikh Majid Al Qasimi, Director of DGR, where both parties explored new avenues of collaboration, which have opened following the launch of several development projects in Sharjah’s picturesque eastern enclave of Khorfakkan, which presents new and exciting opportunities for Belgian businesses, most notably in the tourism, retail and hospitality sectors.

Sharjah explores new synergies with Belgium’s creative industries

During the meeting, Sheikh Fahim underlined Sharjah’s enthusiasm for organising orientation tours for Belgian delegations to help them explore the myraid opportunities the emirate offers across the sectors of culture, art, education, trade, investment innovation, the environment, and more.

ALSO READ: Sharjah’s trade mission to Russia concludes

“Sharjah and Belgium share a long-standing friendship. And here in our emirate, we believe that nations do not achieve comprehensive development in isolation. Global collaboration, cooperation and exchange bring out every city’s fullest potential, which is why we consider this visit by HE Claes as an exciting opportunity to usher in a new phase of cooperation between Sharjah and Belgian cities, particularly in sectors with potential for sustainable and mutual gains,” said the DGR Chairman.

Sharjah explores new synergies with Belgium’s creative industries

For his part, HE Peter Claes lauded DGR’s proactive efforts to host the meeting, and stressed that the discussion’s action-oriented conclusions would pave the way for a new era of cooperation between the two sides in a variety of key sectors – both existing and emerging. He added that Sharjah had particularly impressive opportunities in the creative industries, the environment, tourism and logistics services.

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News World World News

UN Seeks Talks To Settle Nile Dam Issue

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River

The UN Security Council has encouraged Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan to resume negotiations on the disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River…reports Asian Lite News

In a presidential statement, the Council encouraged the three stakeholders to resume talks at the invitation of the chairperson of the African Union (AU) to finalize expeditiously the text of mutually acceptable and binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam, “within a reasonable time frame”, reports Xinhua news agency

The Security Council called on the three countries to take forward the AU-led negotiation process in a constructive and cooperative manner.

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River

It also encouraged observers that have been invited to attend the AU-led negotiations and any other observers that the three countries may consensually decide to jointly invite, to continue supporting the negotiations with a view to facilitating the resolution of outstanding technical and legal issues.

It underscored that this statement does not set out any principles or precedent in any other transboundary water disputes.

Despite countless tripartite negotiations among experts, ministers and leaders of the three African countries, they are yet to reach a trilateral agreement regarding the project.

ALSO READ: Food Shortage Dogs South Sudan

Ethiopia reiterates that the dam will power its development aspirations, and boost its aspirations to attain the middle-income status by 2025.

Meanwhile, Egypt and Sudan frequently express their concern that the dam would affect their share of the river waters.

Rising from Lake Tana some 570-km north of Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, the Blue Nile or Abay River is one of the two principal headwaters of the world’s longest river.

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-Top News News

Beijing vows response after UK Parliament bans its envoy

The reason given was that the Chinese side had earlier announced sanctions on seven UK parliamentarians…reports Asian Lite News.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly denounced the UK Parliament’s decision to ban China’s Ambassador to the UK from attending its events, and has vowed that it will come up with “necessary responses”, the Global Times reported.

Analysts predicted that the responses may include temporarily terminating or suspending certain exchanges between the two countries, such as the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue; and meting out necessary reciprocity treatment to UK diplomatic bodies in China.

Speakers of the House of Commons and the House of Lords made the decision to ban Zheng Zeguang, China’s Ambassador to the UK, from attending a summer reception of the All Party Parliamentary China Group, which was scheduled on Wednesday night.

The reason given was that the Chinese side had earlier announced sanctions on seven UK parliamentarians.

The Chinese Embassy in the UK claimed the decision reflects “the narrow and parochial mindset of some individuals in the UK… It is a shortsighted, reckless and cowardly move”.

Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that China strongly denounces such a move, and will be forced to come up with necessary responses, the Global Times reported.

Zhao said that China’s sanctions on a handful of anti-China parliamentarians of the UK, announced in March, were completely justified and reasonable, adding that China always staunchly pushes back on any words or deeds that hurt China’s core interests, and that it does not tolerate being attacked in this manner.

“This is a rare and hysteric move from the UK, since Beijing and London share established ties. It also reflected the UK’s condescending attitude towards China, which is ‘I can slap whatever sanction on you, but you cannot slap back’,” Zhao Junjie, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of European Studies, told the Global Times.

ALSO READ-UK, US, Australia Launch New Security Partnership

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Arab News News Saudi Arabia

Saudi ministers approve new law to protect personal data

Saudi-Arabia

The Council of Ministers approved on Tuesday the personal Data Protection Law…reports Asian Lite News

The new law, which protects personal data from unconsented collection and processing, is to be implemented within six months, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) announced.

It’s also designated to protect any personal data that might lead to identifying directly or indirectly the user from unconsented collection and processing, the Saudi Gazette reported.

The data include, name, identification number, address, phone number, personal records, financial records and Images, videos or any other identifying data.

The new law will ensure the privacy of personal data, regulate the sharing of personal data and prevent the abuse of personal data.

The head of SDAIA Abdullah Al-Ghamdi that the law will organize the process of disclosing personal data according to specific controls that ensures optimal use of it.

He assured that it’s not permissible to use personal means of communication for the purpose of marketing or awareness materials except with the approval of the owner of personal data, or the existence of a mechanism that enables him to express his desire to receive it or not.

He noted that awareness materials sent by public authorities are excluded from this.

ALSO READ: Saudi launches project to revive historic Jeddah

Al-Ghamdi stressed that the system guarantees the owners of personal data the right to view their data and know the purpose of its collection and processing, and they have the right to access it or obtain a copy of it.

“The data owner has the right to request restricting the processing of his personal data for cases especially for a limited period of time, bearing in mind that the collection of personal data is limited to the minimum amount of data that enables the achievement of the specified purposes.”

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News World World News

Sisi, Bennett discuss bilateral ties, Palestine

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and

The visit marked the first by an Israeli Prime Minister to Egypt in a decade…reports Asian Lite News

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and visiting Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett discussed the developments of bilateral relations in various fields, as well as the Palestinian issue, according to authorities in Cairo.

The visit marked the first by an Israeli Prime Minister to Egypt in a decade.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and


During their meeting on Monday in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, Sisi and Bennett also discussed the recent developments on the regional and international arenas, Xinhua news agency quoted Bassam Rady, spokesperson of the Egyptian presidency, as saying.

Meanwhile, Sisi affirmed Egypt’s support for all efforts to achieve comprehensive peace in the Middle East, based on the two-state solution and the international legitimacy resolutions.

He also stressed the importance of the international community’s support for Egypt’s efforts to rebuild the Palestinian territories, in addition to the need to maintain calm between the Palestinian and Israeli sides amid Cairo’s continuous moves to ease tension in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

According to a statement released by Bennett’s office after the talks, the Prime Minister said that he and Sisi “created a foundation for deep ties in the future”.

“We discussed a series of issues in the diplomatic, security and economic spheres, as well as ways to deepen ties and strengthen the interests of our countries,” he was quoted as saying in the statement

ALSO READ: ‘UAE-Israel trade reach $523.2 mn in H1’

Bennett was invited by Sisi on August 21 during the visit of Chief of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel to Palestine and Israel to discuss the ceasefire deal between the Jewish state and Hamas.

The last time an Israeli Prime Minister visited Cairo was in 2011, when Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s longest serving premier, met former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak just over a month before the latter was ousted by a popular uprising.

Egypt became the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979.

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News World World News

Emirates to start of scheduled daily A380 service to Istanbul

Emirates to start of scheduled daily A380 service to Istanbul

Emirates will operate the A380 on its daily EK123/124 service…reports Asian Lite News

Emirates announced on Tuesday that it will introduce the first scheduled commercial Airbus A380 service to Istanbul, Turkey from 1st October. For the first time, travellers to and from Turkey will have the opportunity to regularly enjoy the experience of flying on this iconic double-decker jumbo jet.

Emirates will operate the A380 on its daily EK123/124 service. Flight EK123 will depart Dubai at 10:45 and arrive in Istanbul at 14:25. The return flight EK124 will depart Istanbul at 16:25 and arrive in Dubai at 21:50. All times are local.

Emirates to start of scheduled daily A380 service to Istanbul

Deploying its three-class A380, Emirates will offer a total of 517 seats, with 14 private suites in First Class, 76 mini pods with lie-flat seats in Business Class and 427 spacious seats in Economy Class, increasing capacity per flight by more than 150 passengers compared to the current Boeing 777-300ER.

“We are excited to finally bring our flagship to Istanbul to join many other top cities we currently serve with the A380. Since Emirates started operating to Turkey 34 years ago, we have carried six million customers on more than 23,000 flights. Bringing the A380 service to Turkey is a major milestone for Emirates and we would like to thank all our partners and stakeholders for their support in making this a reality,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer.

ALSO READ: Emirates fliers to Dubai offered free Expo pass

“Since we moved to our new home at Istanbul Airport on 6 April 2019, Emirates’ A380 entry is another milestone for us. I am proud that the world’s largest A380 operator, Emirates, will operate the Dubai-Istanbul route with their flagship, making it the first ever A380 operation at Istanbul Airport and Turkey. This increase will help to boost traffic between our two nations. In the post-Covid-19 era, through Emirates’ extensive network, it will bring more inbound tourism to Istanbul and Turkey from currently unserved or underserved destinations. We are looking forward to further developing our good relations with Emirates and would like to welcome the Emirates A380 to Istanbul Airport,” said Majid Khan, Vice President Aviation Development of iGA Istanbul Airport.

Customers are encouraged to check the latest government travel restrictions in their country of origin and ensure they meet the travel requirements of their final destination.

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Dubai News UAE News

Barakah Plant Unit 2 connects to UAE’s transmission grid

Barakah Plant Unit 2 connects to UAE’s transmission grid

The second unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has been successfully connected to the UAE power grid two weeks after start-up of the reactor was completed in late August…reports Asian Lite News

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) on Tuesday announced that its operations and maintenance subsidiary, Nawah Energy Company, has safely and successfully connected the unit to the UAE grid, delivering the first megawatts of carbon-free electricity from the second of four units at the Barakah Plant.

After the start-up in August, the Barakah Plant became the first multi-unit operating nuclear plant in the UAE and Arab World.

Barakah Plant Unit 2 connects to UAE’s transmission grid

With the Unit 2 grid connection successfully completed, the Unit is in preparation to adding a further 1,400MW of clean electricity capacity to the UAE grid, with the first megawatts of emissions-free electricity from this unit now being dispatched to businesses, schools and homes.

This milestone takes ENEC and its subsidiaries another step closer to the half-way mark of its goal to supply up to a quarter of the country’s electricity needs 24/7, while driving reductions in carbon emissions – the leading cause of climate change.

During grid connection, the Unit 2 generator was integrated and synchronised with the requirements of the UAE’s national electricity transmission grid, ahead of the start of commercial operations.

With the integration and connection complete, Unit 2’s nuclear operators will begin the process of gradually raising the power levels of the reactor, known as Power Ascension Testing (PAT).

ALSO READ: UAE Launches ‘United Global Emirates’ Campaign

Once the process is completed, Unit 2 will deliver thousands of additional megawatts of clean baseload electricity for decades to come. This testing will be conducted under the continued oversight of the UAE’s independent nuclear regulator, FANR, which has now conducted more than 335 inspections since the start of Barakah’s development.

By powering millions of businesses and households with abundant, clean electricity from the Barakah Plant, ENEC is leading the largest decarbonisation effort in the region, as the Plant now is the largest single source of clean electricity in the UAE and the Arab World.

The Barakah Plant, located in the Al Dhafra region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, is one of the largest nuclear energy plants in the world, with four APR-1400 units. Construction of the Plant began in 2012 and has progressed steadily ever since.

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India News News World News

First in-person Quad summit in Washington on Sep 24

The four leaders would discuss deepening their ties and advancing practical cooperation on areas like combatting Covid-19, addressing the climate crisis and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, reports Asian Lite News

US President Joe Biden would host the first-ever in-person Quad summit on September 24 which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia and Japanese premier Yoshihide Suga, the White House announced on Monday.

The four leaders would discuss deepening their ties and advancing practical cooperation on areas like combatting COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

In March, President Biden hosted the first-ever summit of the Quad leaders in the virtual format that vowed to strive for an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, inclusive, anchored by democratic values, and unconstrained by coercion, sending a subtle message to China.

“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will host the first-ever Quad Leader’s Summit at the White House on September 24. President Biden is looking forward to welcoming to the White House Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan,” Psaki said.

The Biden-Harris administration has made elevating the Quad a priority, as seen through the first-ever Quad Leaders-level engagement in March, which was virtual, and now this Summit, which will be in-person, she said.

“Hosting the leaders of the Quad demonstrates the Biden-Harris administration’s priority of engaging in the Indo-Pacific, including through new multilateral configurations to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” she said.

According to the White House, the Quad Leaders will be focused on deepening their ties and advancing practical cooperation on areas such as combatting COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, partnering on emerging technologies and cyberspace and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Quad summit will take place amidst China’s aggressive behaviour in the resource-rich South China Sea.

Beijing claims almost all of the 1.3 million square mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory. China has been building military bases on artificial islands in the region also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.

Biden, who is pushing big infrastructure spending at home, said in March he had suggested to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that democratic countries should have an infrastructure plan to rival China’s massive Belt and Road Initiative, which involves projects from East Asia to Europe. read more

Psaki said the Quad Leaders would “be focused on deepening our ties and advancing practical cooperation on areas such as combating COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, partnering on emerging technologies and cyberspace, and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

A senior U.S. official said infrastructure would be among a range of topics discussed at the in-person summit.

The Quad meeting will come after Biden’s image has taken a battering over the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. U.S. officials have said ending America’s longest war will allow the administration to divert resources and attention to tackling China-related issues. read more

Senator Bill Hagerty, a Republican, and former U.S. ambassador to Japan, welcomed the plan to host the Quad leaders.

“Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal debacle made India’s neighborhood more dangerous & raises legitimate questions for Japan and Australia as well, so it’s good we will be hosting Quad partners soon,” he said on Twitter.

“We must repair & renew our alliances, and this one is key.”

ALSO READ-Suga may visit US to attend Quad meeting this month

READ MORE-NATO is Cold War Term, QUAD Looks into Future: JAISHANKAR

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News

Mutton with a twist of Pepper

Food is so much more than just fuel for our body- the quality and preparation of traditional foods, in particular, can have a profound effect on one’s emotional and spiritual wellbeing…writes Nisa Farza Firoz.

Food is so much more than just fuel for our body- the quality and preparation of traditional foods, in particular, can have a profound effect on one’s emotional and spiritual wellbeing…writes Nisa Farza Firoz.

My childhood favourite from my Ummichi’s kitchen, always cooked and served with lots of love. The smell of the dish beckons you to dive in, a little patience and your plate will love the most tender mutton that’s easily separated from the bones.

These foods were passed onto us from our grandmother’s and mother’s are balanced, extremely beneficial, and nutritionally dense. The ingredients build immunity, support brain function, sharpen memory and reduce inflammation. Indian spices and herbs have medicinal and therapeutic values; apart from imparting delicious taste, flavour and aroma!

These recipes from my mom, provide connection and comfort, especially since I grew up eating those foods. A taste of traditional dish can give a feeling that transports us back in time. It’s a beautiful thing.

Food is so much more than just fuel for our body- the quality and preparation of traditional foods, in particular, can have a profound effect on one’s emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Depending on our upbringing, traditions and cultural practices, we may gravitate towards certain flavours and dishes, especially during the holiday season. These familiar foods can be reminiscent of love, family tradition, and sometimes even hardship. Cooking and enjoying these dishes as an adult instils a sense of pride in the roots that shaped who I am today.

Ingredients and method.

  • 500 grams mutton
  • 1 cup coriander
  • 1 tablespoon peppercorns
  • 3 green Chillies
  • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
  • Water [1/2 cup]
  • 2 medium sized onions [roughly chopped]
  • 1 small tomato [cut into 4 pieces]
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • Salt accordingly

Grind together onion, tomato, green Chilies, peppercorns, ginger garlic paste, coriander leaves with 1/4th cup of water to bring it to a fine paste. Heat some oil in the pressure cooker on a medium flame. Sauté the ground paste until the oil separates or until the raw smell goes.

Add turmeric and garam masala, cook for a minute on low flame. Add meat into the masala in the pressure cooker. Add some salt as per your taste. Cook on a low flame for about 5 minutes.

Add hot water [1/2 cup] to the meat. Pressure cook it for 15 minutes [for about 3 to 4 minutes until the meat is done]. You can alter the gravy as per your taste.

Simple yet a delicious version of mutton curry best with Indian breads like naan, Chapati, roti, appams and ghee rice.

ALSO READ-Find comfort in food choices

READ MORE-‘Food preferences and concerns give chance to be more creative’