Central News Hub

Category: UAE News

  • Emirates flies 100 tonnes of relief cargo to India free of charge

    Emirates flies 100 tonnes of relief cargo to India free of charge

    Under the Emirates India Humanitarian Airbridge, Emirates donated cargo capacity to transport essential supplies such as relief tents and thousands of oxygen cylinders…reports Asian Lite News

    Emirates SkyCargo flew 100 tonnes of relief materials free of charge from Dubai to India in May to support the Indian community to battle the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Under the Emirates India Humanitarian Airbridge, Emirates donated cargo capacity to transport essential supplies such as relief tents and thousands of oxygen cylinders and concentrators on flights to Indian destinations.

    “Emirates is deeply connected and committed to India. The Emirates India Humanitarian Airbridge was our contribution to assist the Indian community fight the second wave of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. We are heartened that India is overcoming the virus and we are honoured to have supported the efforts of partners by donating much needed air cargo capacity for moving essential goods quickly and reliably into nine Indian cities,” said Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo.

    “The Emirates India humanitarian airbridge confirms the important role that is being played by the private sector worldwide, for providing assistance to millions of people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This airbridge done with Emirates, confirms the strong partnership and commitment of the two Dubai entities in facilitating the humanitarian action of the international organisations and United Nations agencies operating within IHC,” said Giuseppe Saba, CEO of the IHC.

    “IHC has embraced the Sustainable Development Goal ‘Partnership’ and is very proud to have partnered with Emirates SkyCargo and the International humanitarian community for the extraordinary efforts done for responding to the requirements due to the pandemic in addition to other emergencies,” he added.

    Emirates set up the India Humanitarian Airbridge in early May 2021 to boost the transportation of urgent medical and relief items to India by offering cargo capacity on its flights from Dubai to India.

    The first shipment under the Airbridge initiative flew from Dubai to Delhi on 13 May and comprised 12 tonnes of multi-purpose tent equipment for field hospitals sent by the World Health Organisation through the IHC.

    ALSO READ: UAE takes part in coalition meet against Daesh

  • Abbas slams Arab normalisation deals with Israel

    Abbas slams Arab normalisation deals with Israel

    “The agreements to normalise relations recently signed by Israel with some Arab countries are an illusion that will not succeed,” said Abbas…reports Asian Lite News

    Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has slammed the normalisation agreements that some Arab countries have reached with Israel in recent times.

    “The agreements to normalise relations recently signed by Israel with some Arab countries are an illusion that will not succeed,” Abbas said in an online address on Tuesday.

    The President added that peace and security “will only be achieved” at the end of the Israeli occupation, reports Xinhua news agency.

    Abbas also said that peace with Israel can only be achieved by “the recognition of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, mainly the rights of freedom, independence, and establishing a Palestinian state”.

    “We agreed to sign painful historic peace agreements, recognized the state of Israel under the UN Resolutions 242 and 338, and signed the Oslo accords in 1993,” he said, adding that the Jewish state has violated these agreements.

    UAE, Israel ink key pact on economic, trade cooperation

    In September last year, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed separate normalisation agreements with Israel.

    Later, Morocco and Sudan followed in their footsteps.

    Palestine has also called for imposing international sanctions against Israel to stop its policies against the Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

    ALSO READ: UAE welcomes ceasefire in Tigray

    The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that it supports an Amnesty International report issued on June 24 saying Israeli security forces committed violations against the Palestinians.

    “Israel doesn’t care about reports issued by credible international organizations like Amnesty International, which considers Israeli practices the most heinous forms of racial discrimination against the Palestinians,” the Ministry statement said.

    Pic credits Twitter@IsraelMFA

    The statement also slammed the US and the European Union for not exerting serious pressure on the Israeli government to stop its practices against the Palestinians.

    On June 24, the Amnesty International report said that Israeli police carried out “a catalogue of violations against Palestinians across Israel and occupied East Jerusalem”.

    The report said the violations included “unlawful force against peaceful protesters, sweeping mass arrest and subjecting detainees to torture and other ill-treatment”.

    There has been no immediate response from Israeli police to the Amnesty International report.

    ALSO READ: UAE takes part in coalition meet against Daesh

  • UAE, Israel ink key pact on economic, trade cooperation

    UAE, Israel ink key pact on economic, trade cooperation

    Sharing the vision of deepening economic ties between the two countries for the benefit of both peoples, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Yair Lapid signed key agreement, reports Asian Lite News

    UAE’s minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Israeli minister of foreign affairs Yair Lapid on Wednesday met in Abu Dhabi and agreed to cooperate on key areas. Both the leaders expressed their conviction that bilateral ties will be deepened, broadened and “strengthened even further soon for the benefit of both countries and the region as a whole.”

    Recognising the brave decision made by the leadership of the UAE and Israel, thus paving the way for historic change in the region and creating a better future for the region’s youth, both ministers expressed the importance of peaceful and friendly relations between the UAE and Israel and between the Emirati and Israeli peoples.

    The Abraham Accords are a beacon of light that paves the way for other countries to join the circle of peace and will enhance stability and prosperity for both countries, as well as for the entire region. Both sides also acknowledged the significant advances made since the signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020.

    Both ministers emphasised the importance of the opening of diplomatic missions in the UAE and Israel as a key component of promoting relations between the two countries.

    Pic credits Twitter@IsraelMFA

    Economic Cooperation

    Sharing the vision of deepening economic ties between the two countries for the benefit of both peoples, the two ministers signed an Agreement on Economic and Trade Cooperation.

    The agreement reflects the two governments’ commitment to the development of economic relations and the free flow of commodities and services, as well as cooperation in the fields of exhibitions, the exchange of expertise and knowledge, the exchange of delegations, cooperation between chambers of commerce, the promotion of joint research and development, and agro technologies.

    ALSO READ: UAE welcomes ceasefire in Tigray

    The parties agreed on establishing a joint economic committee headed by the respective ministries of economy of both countries and tasked with implementing the agreement to remove barriers and increase bilateral trade.

    Both sides expressed that they are looking forward to signing a free trade agreement, and they have commenced discussions on this matter.

    Both ministers discussed ways to further explore means to increase investments in each other’s economies, infrastructure, and science and technologies, thereby bringing together the ingenuity and spirit of innovation and vision of both countries’ peoples and leaderships.

    UAE, Israel ink key pact on economic, trade cooperation@AmbAlKhaja

    Regional Cooperation

    The ministers discussed the importance of deepening strategic dialogue and cooperation between the two countries to address regional challenges and seize opportunities. They agreed that close strategic dialogue would provide an effective mechanism to promote the positive force of peace in the region.

    The ministers agreed to work together to promote a narrative of peace and coexistence throughout the Middle East to discourage divisiveness, aggression and conflict.

    The two countries discussed the importance of regional cooperation in the fields of technology, clean energy, climate change, agro and water technologies, combating desertification, transportation, and health.

    Building on the spirit and vision of the Abraham Accords, and believing in the common goal of bringing prosperity not only to their countries but also to the entire region, both ministers discussed opportunities including multilateral cooperation to share the fruits of peace with the peoples of the Middle East.

    UAE, Israel ink key pact on economic, trade cooperation@AmbAlKhaja

    Overcoming Covid-19 Challenges

    Recognising the global challenges presented by Covid-19, both in health and economy, as well as other areas, the two ministers agreed that international cooperation is a key factor to overcome the crisis.

    The parties decided to work together towards enabling quarantine-free travel between the two countries for those fully vaccinated against Covid-19, whilst ensuring public health and safety. Both sides will work towards formulating a mutually acceptable mechanism to be implemented as soon as possible.

    Meetings between the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs to finalise the arrangement began in March intending to increase tourism between the two countries. The travel corridor is also expected to generate additional opportunities to reinforce economic and people-to-people ties.

    Both ministers expressed their belief that a successful effort to control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic will expedite their efforts in this respect.

    ALSO READ: UAE takes part in coalition meet against Daesh

  • Burmese grapes from Assam exported to Dubai

    Burmese grapes from Assam exported to Dubai

    North-Eastern states are becoming part of the agricultural and processed food products export map…reports Asian Lite News

    In a major boost to harness the export potential of agricultural and processed food products from north-eastern states, a shipment of fresh Burmese grapes referred as ‘Leteku’ in Assamese language has been exported to Dubai from Guwahati by air route.

    According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, a consignment of Leteku, which contains vitamin C and Iron, was sourced and packed at a collection center in Darang district of Assam.

    The consignment was exported by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) registered Kiega EXIM Pvt. Ltd from Guwahati airport to Dubai via Delhi.

    APEDA has been carrying out promotional activities to bring the North-Eastern states on the agricultural and processed food products export map of India.

    Recently, APEDA facilitated exports of the first consignment of ‘red rice’ to the USA from Assam. Iron rich ‘red rice’ is grown in Brahmaputra valley of Assam, without the use of any chemical fertilizer. The rice variety is referred to as ‘Bao-dhaan’, which is an integral part of Assamese food.

    Ripe fruits of Burmese grapes(WIKIPEDIA)


    APEDA assisted in exports of Geographical Indications (GI) certified KajiNemu (Assam lemon) to London. So far around 40 metric tonnes of Assam Lemon has been exported.

    Jackfruits sourced from the Tripura based Krishi Sahyog Agro Producer Company Ltd was exported to London.

    APEDA has provided financial assistance to the private sector to set up a pack house at Guwahati which has fulfilled the mandatory requirement or infrastructure for export of fresh fruits and vegetables to Europe.

    The organization undertakes market promotion activities for evolving structured marketing strategies for export of food products, market intelligence for taking informed decisions, international exposure, skill development, capacity building and high-quality packaging.

    “APEDA would continue to focus on the north eastern region both in terms of capacity building, quality upgradation, and infrastructure development. Linking buyers to farmers, strengthening the entire supply chain of agricultural produce from the north-eastern region would bring in dividends,” the Commerce ministry said in a statement. (INN)

    ALSO READ: India asks UN to address terrorists exploiting cyberspace

  • UAE takes part in coalition meet against Daesh

    UAE takes part in coalition meet against Daesh

    The UAE delegation was headed by Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State…reports Asian Lite News

    The United Arab Emirates participated in the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition Against Daesh, which was co-chaired by the United States and Italy in Rome today.

    The UAE delegation was headed by Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State, who delivered the UAE speech, stressing the need to continue working and cooperating to counter the Terrorist Group of Daesh and its extremist ideologies.

    Al Marar also emphasised the importance of maintaining the cooperation and progress made in preventing the regrouping of Daesh, continuing joint efforts to counter its terrorist ideologies and to curb its ability to spread in other parts of the world, specially in Africa.

    “The UAE believes that joint action is the most effective way to eradicate terrorism and extremism,” he added.

    Al Marar concluded by saying that combating terrorism and extremism is consistent with the UAE’s vision for building the future, promoting tolerance and fostering stability, peace and prosperity.

    ALSO READ: UAE welcomes ceasefire in Tigray

  • UAE welcomes ceasefire in Tigray

    UAE welcomes ceasefire in Tigray

    A constructive dialogue within the framework of state institutions along with the rule of law and the constitution is the only way to bring lasting peace,said statement…reports Asian Lite News

    The UAE has welcomed the declaration of a ceasefire in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, stressing that a political solution is the only way to end the conflict in the country.

    In a statement today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation affirmed that this decision is an important step to achieve a political settlement and the aspirations of the Ethiopian people to build a future that meets their aspirations for peace and prosperity.

    The statement added that a constructive dialogue within the framework of state institutions along with the rule of law and the constitution is the only way to bring lasting peace and stability to the country.

    The Ethiopian government, in a statement published late Monday night by state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC), said the move followed a request by the Tigray regional state interim administration.

    The unilateral ceasefire is said to facilitate humanitarian assistance, peaceful livelihood in the region as well as agriculture activities amid the approaching rainy season.

    ALSO READ: US, UK, Ireland seek UNSC meet on Tigray

    Since the early hours of November 4, 2020, the Ethiopian government has been undertaking military operations against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which used to rule the regional state.

    “Fighters loyal to the TPLF, who are presently dispersed in the desert will return to peace if conditions are made conducive for it, the Ethiopian government has accepted the Tigray interim administration’s request for ceasefire positively,” the statement read.

    “For the farmer to till the land peacefully, for the aid work to be distributed free from military pressure, for TPLF remnants to return to peaceful road, an unconditional unilateral ceasefire has been declared from June 28 to last until the end of farming season,” the statement added.

    Earlier, the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland had sought an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss the issues in Tigray, where rebel fighters were able to enter the regional capital of Mekele on Monday.

    The reports suggested that the UNSC meeting could be held on Friday. However, the decision to set up a date and time is up to France, which holds the Security Council Presidency in July.

    Meanwhile last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had expressed shock at the killing of three staff members of Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders in Ethiopia’s conflict-hit Tigray region.

    ALSO READ: Israel’s Foreign Minister begins historic UAE trip

  • Shiekh Mohammed launches new economic growth initiatives

    Shiekh Mohammed launches new economic growth initiatives

    Sheikh Mohammed also launched the UAE Growth Lab initiative established in collaboration with four leading universities…reports Asian Lite News

    The vision, proactive strategy and committed efforts of the UAE’s federal and local teams have enabled the UAE economy to be progressive, resilient and stable, said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

    His remarks came as he reviewed the plans and programmes of the Ministry of Economy in the presence of other rulers.

    The Economy maintains a high level of preparedness to deal with any kind of crises and challenges, he added.

    Sheikh Mohammed also launched several initiatives of the Ministry of Economy that together represent a new development roadmap for the UAE and an innovative growth-oriented economic model in line with the vision for the UAE’s future.

    “Today, we launched a number of economic initiatives – an accelerator for family-owned businesses that supports them in accessing new markets; an economic research institute established in collaboration with leading universities (UAE Growth Lab); and a global investment conference (Investopia) to be held in March 2022 that will discuss strategies to leverage the opportunities created by the new economy,” he said.

    “We have also launched an entrepreneurial academy (Skill-Up Academy) and a new platform to support the growth of startups (Scale-Up Platform), in addition to a web portal (Grow in UAE) to provide comprehensive information about policies and investment opportunities in the UAE. Furthermore, we have launched a new national agenda to attract talent to the UAE,” he added.

    ALSO READ: India issues notice to UAE in Kerala gold smuggling case

    Sheikh Mohammed also launched the UAE Growth Lab initiative established in collaboration with four leading universities – UAE University, Zayed University, American University of Sharjah, and New York University Abu Dhabi.

    The Lab is designed to be a leading research institute that utilises data and advanced economic models to develop policies that can support the UAE’s competitiveness and leadership in the global economy, especially in trade, investment, SMEs, and fourth industrial revolution sectors.

    The Skill-Up Academy, an initiative to promote entrepreneurship and the Scale-Up Platform, a new platform focused on supporting the growth of companies, was also launched on the occasion. The Skill-Up Academy seeks to develop the entrepreneurial skills of citizens and residents through educational initiatives and policies that also aim to promote diversification and the competitiveness of the local economy. The Scale-Up Platform supports the growth of small and medium sized companies with services and products designed to accelerate their expansion.

    Sheikh Mohammed also announced the Investopia Investment Summit, a new conference to be held in March 2022, that aims to bring together major global investors to discuss opportunities in various sectors of the new economy.

    ALSO READ: Israel’s Foreign Minister begins historic UAE trip
  • Emirates suspends Pak-Dubai flights

    Emirates suspends Pak-Dubai flights

    The inbound United Arab Emirates (UAE) flights have been suspended for travellers from Pakistan as part of the COVID-19 precautionary measures…report Asian Lite News

    Dubai-based carrier Emirates on Sunday suspended Pakistan-Dubai flights as part of COVID-19 precautionary measures.

    While responding to passengers’ queries about travel updates, Emirates said flights from Pakistan to Dubai are suspended till further notice, reported Gulf Today.

    The inbound United Arab Emirates (UAE) flights have been suspended for travellers from Pakistan as part of the COVID-19 precautionary measures.

    ALSO READ: Terror financing: Doubts mount over Pakistani diplomats

    “Our flights from Pakistan remain suspended. We don’t have a resumption date yet as it’ll depend on government mandate. Please continue to monitor our website for travel updates,” the national carrier said on Twitter.

    Many Pakistani expats are stuck in their native country due to the suspension of flights. Similarly, those who wish to visit their families back home have postponed their travel plans as uncertainty prevails over the flights’ status, reported Gulf Today.

    The UAE has taken strict measures to contain the spread of coronavirus, which has claimed nearly four million lives across the world.

    Meanwhile, the total number of cases in Pakistan has risen to 955,657 and the death toll is 22,231 on Monday. The positivity rate is 2.05 per cent, reported Dawn.

    The airline also said passengers who have connected through Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka in the last 14 days will not be accepted to travel from any other point to the UAE, reported Gulf Today.

    Further, the UAE nationals, UAE Golden Visa holders and diplomatic missions’ officials who comply with updated COVID-19 protocols are permitted to enter the country. (ANI)

    ALSO READ: Ban on flights from India, Pakistan to continue

  • Israel’s Foreign Minister begins historic UAE trip

    Israel’s Foreign Minister begins historic UAE trip

    Yair Lapid is set to inaugurate Israel’s embassy in Abu Dhabi and its consulate in Dubai, as well as sign a pact on economic cooperation, reports Asian Lite News

    Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Tuesday began the first ever official visit by an Israeli minister to the United Arab Emirates, after the two nations normalized ties in September.

    Lapid tweeted a picture of himself from inside a plane, with the caption: “Taking off for a historic visit to the UAE.”

    Israeli ministers have previously visited the Gulf nation, but Lapid is the most senior Israeli to make the trip, and the first to travel on an official journey.

    Since the normalization accord with the UAE was brokered by then US president Donald Trump’s administration, Israel has signed a raft of deals with the UAE, ranging from tourism to aviation and financial services.

    The head of mission at the Jewish state’s embassy to the UAE tweeted “30 years as a diplomat, but to see the blue and white (Israeli colours) here at the Abu Dhabi airport, whilst waiting for the minister of foreign affairs to land — is exciting!”

    Pic credits Twitter@IsraelMFA

    Lapid is scheduled to meet several ministers during his trip, including his Emirati counterpart, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, State Minister for Economic Matters Ahmed Al Sayegh and Culture Minister Noura Al Kaabi. He will also meet with representatives of the Jewish communities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

    Lapid is set to dedicate the Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Israeli Consulate in Dubai. Emirati government officials and Jewish community representatives will attend the events.

    In addition, Lapid will visit Israel’s pavilion at the Expo 2020 world exposition, which will begin in October.

    “The Israeli delegation will land late morning at Abu Dhabi, and will be received by the minister of economic affairs at the foreign ministry,” the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

    In March, a planned official visit by former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was canceled due to a “dispute” with Jordan over the use of its airspace, according to Israeli officials.

    Netanyahu, replaced as prime minister by Jewish nationalist Naftali Bennett in a coalition government cobbled together by Lapid, had already postponed a February visit to the UAE and Bahrain over coronavirus travel restrictions.

    ALSO READ: UAE Ministry of Defense delegation visits Lockheed Martin’s Centre

    The normalization accords between Israel and the UAE, as well as Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan, have been condemned by the Palestinians as they break with years of Arab League policy which has held that there should be no relations with Israel until it makes peace with the Palestinians.

    According to the Jerusalem Post daily, Netanyahu sought prevent his foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi from making an official visit to the UAE, to keep him from stealing the spotlight ahead of March elections.

    Then-tourism minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen, now science and technology minister, reportedly also had to cancel trips.

    Pic credits Twitter@IsraelMFA

    In August 2020, former White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and Israeli national security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat made history flying to Abu Dhabi on an El Al plane from Israel.

    That was feted by both sides as a breakthrough in efforts for peace in the Middle East, marked by the El Al jet touching down adorned with the word “peace” in English, Arabic and Hebrew.

    The normalisation accords between Israel and the UAE, as well as Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan, have been condemned by the Palestinians.

    After taking over earlier this month, the new Israeli foreign minister said he had spoken with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and that both agreed to “build relations based on mutual respect and better dialogue.”

    Lapid succeeds Gabi Ashkenazi, a former army chief-of-staff, who became chief diplomat in 2020 as part of a power-sharing deal between the Netanyahu camp and opposition parties.

    He also vowed that Israel “will do whatever it takes to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear bomb” and said he was opposed to a revived nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers that could see the United States rejoin the accord.

    And one month after a deadly 11-day war broke out between Israel and Gaza-based Hamas militants, Lapid reaffirmed that “Israel has every right to defend itself.”

    ALSO READ: India issues notice to UAE in Kerala gold smuggling case

  • India issues notice to UAE in Kerala gold smuggling case

    India issues notice to UAE in Kerala gold smuggling case

    The notice was issued by the Ministry of External Affairs based on 251-page Customs report…reports Asian Lite News

    In a crucial turn of events in the now infamous Kerala gold smuggling case, the Ministry of External Affairs has served a notice to the UAE Embassy based on a 251-page report of the Customs which probed the case.

    The Customs report has named three employees who were attached to the UAE Consulate office, here. Of the three, two are UAE nationals and the third an Egypt national.

    The notice which has now been given by the MEA to the UAE Embassy is with regards to the two UAE nationals and this is part of the procedure for the Customs going ahead in the case.

    The Customs, which is probing the gold smuggling case in Kerala, has alleged serious breach of protocols in meetings of the UAE Consul General and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

    Kerala gold smuggling case

    ALSO READ: Dubai-based Indian homeopath receives Golden Visa

    The Customs claims that there were serious breach of protocols in these meetings organised by the Consul General through gold smuggling prime accused Swapna Suresh and suspended IAS officer and former top Vijayan aide, M. Sivasankar, at both their residences.

    In the report there is also a reference that their investigations have unearthed illegal dealings of some state ministers with the UAE Consulate, as per the show cause notice to three top former UAE officials working at the UAE Consulate — the Consul General, the Attache, and the Chief Accountant.

    Soon after the gold smuggling case broke, the three top officials in the UAE Consulate, now in the dock, had left the country.

    The gold smuggling case surfaced on July 5 last year, with the arrest of P.R. Sarith, a former UAE Consulate staffer, and then came the arrest of another former staffer, Swapna Suresh, who afterwards worked in the Kerala IT Department’s Space Park.

    Things went sour for Vijayan, when the Enforcement Directorate arrested Sivasankar, who is now out of bail after few months in jail.

    ALSO READ: T20 World Cup shifted to UAE: Ganguly

    ALSO READ: Two Kerala Ayurveda docs get UAE Golden Visa