Iraq’s cleric warns neighbouring countries against interfering in poll results
Iraq’s prominent Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has warned the neighbouring countries against interfering in the ongoing dispute over the preliminary results of the October 10 parliamentary elections…reports Asian Lite News
“We will not allow any country to interfere with the dispute on the results of the elections, the formation of the government, and so on. Everything that happens is a democratic struggle between members of one people,” al-Sadr tweeted on Sunday after his party appeared as the frontrunner in the parliamentary elections.
The cleric said that if the interfering countries refrain from halting their interference, Iraq will resort to diplomatic means according to the international law as well as “reducing economic relations”, reports Xinhua news agency.
Iraq’s cleric warns neighbouring countries against interfering in poll results
Iraq would not interfere in the internal affairs of the neighbouring countries, Al-Sadr added, noting that the relations between Baghdad and these nationswill not be in accordance with sectarian or unilateral interests.
Iraq held early parliamentary elections on October 10, in showed the Sadrist Movement, led by al-Sadr, took the lead with more than 70 seats, while the al-Fateh Coalition (Conquest), which includes some Shia militias of Hashd Shaabi, garnered only 17 seats compared with 47 seats in the 2018 parliamentary elections.
The results were surprising to many political parties, who denounced the elections as manipulation and fraud, and warned that they would not accept the “fabricated results” whatever the cost is.
The parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for 2022, were held in advance in response to months of protests against corruption, poor governance, and a lack of public services.
A total of 3,249 candidates within 167 parties and coalitions competed for 329 seats in the upcoming Parliament.
The resort is expected to reopen on May 1, 2022 for guests to indulge in the abundance of experience that awaits…reports Asian Lite News
Following excellent results during the summer season despite the pandemic, The Emerald Collection further establishes its focus in the Maldives and the Indian Ocean, announcing the acquisition of a second 5-star luxury property in Raa Atoll, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa.
The Emerald Collection expands with new Maldives resort
The resort is expected to reopen on May 1, 2022 for guests to indulge in the abundance of experience that awaits. Originally inaugurated in summer 2019, the resort will return to welcome international travelers under the aegis of The Emerald Collection. The resort will undergo a careful restyling to integrate the Italian touch, a part of the brand’s DNA, along with a series of new services.
Immersed in lush greenery and surrounded by a 100-hectare private lagoon with natural coral reef, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa is located on an intimate 7-hectare island in Raa Atoll, just a 25-minute journey by boat from the first property of the Group in the destination; Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa and is already in the affiliation phase in The Leading Hotels of the World circuit.
Guests can unwind in any of the 80 luxurious independent villas that boast refined and contemporary style, featuring warm colors of wood and an abundance of natural stone. The resort also features a private dock that leads to 39 Water Villas with Pool and three Superior Water Villas with Pool. Adding further to the incredible offering, the resort will feature 27 Beach Villas, 10 of which are accompanied with private pools, along with 10 Family Beach Villas with Pool and one Presidential Beach Villa.
The Emerald Collection expands with new Maldives resort
The key highlight of the property will once again be the brand’s signature Deluxe All-Inclusive offering, included in the cost of the stay, featuring countless water and land sports activities, as well as the à la carte gourmet experiences in its four restaurants of international cuisine and two bars that will serve a selection of the best international grape, hops and spirits.
The Emerald Spa is immersed in a tropical garden with eight panoramic treatment rooms featuring a futuristic design, sauna, Turkish bath, outdoor jacuzzi and relaxation area. The spa will be the ideal refuge where guests can spend moments of tranquility and indulge in rebalancing massages based on natural products by ELEMIS brand, following their day of discovering Maldivian underwater wonders.
Among the innovations that will be introduced by The Emerald Collection is the Dolphin Kids Club. Conceived as a real “kids resort within the resort”, providing a rich program of dedicated activities, the kid’s club will provide a child-friendly stay to the little guests at the property. It will also offer a Sports Center located in the island’s private marina with a Technogym-equipped fitness center overlooking the sea, along with tennis and padel courts.
Upon announcing the expansion, Aldo Scarapicchia, Partner & Managing Director of The Emerald Collection commented, “We are excited about this new acquisition which allows us to consolidate the presence of The Emerald Collection as a luxury hospitality brand in the Indian Ocean with a focus on sustainability. Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa is significantly different from Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa, both in design and in the concept, which in this case is characterized by what we call ´Barefoot Elegance´ luxury and modern in style. Starting from next Summer, we will offer our guests an incredible experience of island hopping in a Deluxe All-Inclusive offering on two islands whose landscape and facilities will be complementary, mainly with the combined accommodation packages between the sister properties.”
The Emerald Collection expands with new Maldives resort
The Emerald Collection expands with new Maldives resort
Japanese authorities plan to utilise ‘”Japan Day” event – that will be held at Expo 2020 Dubai on 11th December – to promote the next world expo, which the Japanese city of Osaka will host in 2025…reports Asian Lite News
Ichiro Matsui, Mayor of Osaka, has called on the Japanese government to ease coronavirus-related travel restrictions, so that the officials in charge of Expo 2025 Osaka can travel to Dubai to attend ‘Japan Day’ and meet with participants there, especially businessmen, according to Sankei Shimbun newspaper.
Japan Pavilion
Matsui and Hirofumi Yoshimura, the Governor of Osaka, will travel to Dubai to attend Japan Day, which will see several activities including a reception and a show. “I would like to meet with the business community and our citizens during the event and invite the largest number of people to come and visit Expo 2025 Osaka,” Matsui was quoted by the newspaper.
The newspaper reported that Matsui and Kenji Wakamiya, Minister of the Expo 2025 Osaka, have urged the central government to relax the coronavirus-related restrictions through the use of “COVID-19 passports” so that the social and economic activities in Osaka can be reactivated.
Officials at the Ministry of Commerce in charge of Expo 2025 said that Osaka plans to allow participants to attend the reception that is planned in Dubai.
Matsui said that the quarantine is a barrier that limits the activity of those in charge of Expo Osaka as well as foreigners arriving for the event. “We can’t work if we need to quarantine, after returning to Japan [from Dubai],” he said.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had said that Expo 2025 Osaka is “a great project for the new era” after overcoming the coronavirus crisis.
As of 15th October, the number of countries that have confirmed their participation at the Expo Osaka has reached 58 countries and 5 international organisations, while Japan aims to attract the participation of 150 countries and 25 international entities.
The Sankei Shimbun newspaper has reported that Expo 2020 Dubai is of great significance to Japan’s success in promoting Expo 2025 Osaka. The officials of the event believe that the ‘Japan Day’ in Dubai is “a priceless opportunity” to spread awareness about Expo 2025 Osaka.
Pakistan is witnessing a continuous rise of dengue cases and in the last 24 hours, an additional 832 people were infected in different areas of the country…reports Asian Lite News
The new cases were detected in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, as well as in the capital city of Islamabad, reports Xinhua news agency.
In Islamabad, 118 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, including 79 recorded in the suburbs, bringing the city’s total tally to 2,721, District Health Officer Zaeem Zia told local media.
Pak witness rise in dengue cases
In the cited period, 168 more dengue cases were detected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, taking the total number of infections to 4,672 in the province, local media said.
Five people have died from the disease in the province and 214 patients are currently hospitalized.
Meanwhile, 546 more dengue cases were recorded in Punjab, a health official told local media, adding that 361 of them were found in the provincial capital Lahore.
According to the official data, the total number of dengue cases across the province have risen to 9,491, with 6,294 of them reported in Lahore alone.
The Pakistani government is taking special measures at the dengue hotspots in order to curb the spread of the disease.
'US, India make attempts to manoeuvre Pak out of CPEC'
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority czar Khalid Mansoor has alleged that the US is colluding with India and hatching plots against the multibillion-dollar project…reports Asian Lite News
Mansoor, the special assistant to the Pakistan Prime Minister on CPEC affairs, accused the Us of conniving in cahoots with India against the economic lifeline of Pakistan, the report said.
“From the point of view of the emerging geo-strategic situation, one thing is clear: the Us supported by India is inimical to CPEC. It will not let it succeed. That’s where we have to take a position,” Mansoor said.
‘US, India make attempts to manoeuvre Pak out of CPEC’
Islamabad is the seventh largest recipient of Chinese overseas development financing with 71 projects worth $27.3 billion currently under way as part of CPEC.
Many Western think tanks and commentators have termed CPEC an economic trap that has already resulted in bloated public debt levels and disproportionately high Chinese influence in the domestic economy.
The premier’s aide said the Us and India continue to make attempts to manoeuvre Pakistan out of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) —- a global infrastructure development plan under which the Beijing government has been investing heavily in about 70 countries, the report said.
“There’s no way Pakistan will forgo any of its benefits. It has more than once burnt its fingers in (the Western) alliance in the past,” he said, adding that their attempts to dilute China’s strategic influence in the region will fail.
He said the Western powers view CPEC as a symbol of China’s political ambition.
“That’s the reason CPEC is seen suspiciously by both the US and Europe… They view CEPC more as a move by China to expand its political, strategic and business influence,” said Mansoor, noting that China has been able to manage that apprehension “to a great extent”.
The US is now “taking stock of the economic and political consequences” of withdrawing from the region, he said.
Mansoor said Islamabad is seeking the expansion of CPEC to Afghanistan and has discussed the possibility of Taliban-led Afghanistan joining the multibillion-dollar economic corridor, the report added.
He said there’s been “deep interest” in developing economic connectivity between Afghanistan and Pakistan and with other neighbouring countries, including Iran.
“Some European countries have started showing interest (in CPEC). Their ambassadors keep on coming.”
Putin hopes consistent policy of Israel towards Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he hopes the Israeli government will pursue a policy of continuity with regard to bilateral relations…reports Asian Lite News
“We have developed sufficiently business-like and trust-based relations with the previous government,” Putin said during a meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in the resort city of Sochi.
Putin noted that trade and economic ties between the two countries are developing successfully, and bilateral trade grew by 50 per cent in the first seven months of this year despite pandemic-related restrictions.
He also voiced readiness to exchange views with Bennett on the situation in the region, including issues regarding Syria.
For his part, Bennett said he wanted to discuss with Putin the development of the Israel-Russia cooperation in economic, scientific and cultural spheres, as well as the situation in Syria and the Iran nuclear program.
Israeli security forces said that they have thwarted an attempt to smuggle drugs and weapons from Lebanon into the Jewish state’s territory…reports Asian Lite News
Troops on patrol observed suspects carrying bags from Lebanon into Israel at midnight between Friday and Saturday in Metula, a northern city near the countries’ border, Xinhua news agency quoted the military as saying in a statement.
Israel foils smuggling attempt from Lebanon
Soldiers and police officers were dispatched to the scene and confiscated two pistols and 21 bags containing nine kg of drugs worth approximately 350,000 new shekels ($109,171), the military added.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation received at Expo 2020 Dubai, Ingrida Simonyte, Prime Minister of Lithuania…reports Asian Lite News
The meeting dealt with friendship and cooperation relations between the UAE and Lithuania across various sectors and ways to develop these relations.
UAE FM receives PM of Lithuania at Expo 2020
The two sides also reviewed a number of issues of common concern and the role of Expo 2020 Dubai in giving the participating countries an important platform for exchanging experiences and enhancing joint cooperation in various sectors.
During the meeting, Abdullah bin Zayed praised the distinguished relations between the UAE and Lithuania and both sides’ interest in strengthening and developing cooperation in all fields.
UAE FM receives PM of Lithuania at Expo 2020
Sheikh Abdullah praised Lithuania’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, highlighting the importance of this global event in promoting international cooperation and supporting global efforts to achieve sustainable development in societies.
The meeting was attended by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General for the Expo 2020 Dubai Office.
Airbus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Esharah Etisalat Security Solutions during GITEX Global 2021…reports Asian Lite News
Airbus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Esharah Etisalat Security Solutions during GITEX Global 2021, by which the two parties will collaborate to deploy the Tactilon Agnet communication and collaboration platform across Dubai to support the government’s operations and the Emirate’s public safety and security efforts.
In the frame of the MoU, Tactilon Agnet licences will be used by relevant organisations which will give them access to integrated features, including voice services, instant messaging, video communication, location mapping, and emergency calls.
The planned implementation of Tactilon Agnet, which runs on standard and ruggedised smart devices, will benefit public safety personnel and first responders such as Dubai police, ambulance operators, and Civil Defence forces, as well as transport, utility, and industry organisations, corporate sectors, and others.
Tactilon Agnet is a collaborative tool for business- and mission-critical users. It offers a hybrid work environment allowing Tetra and LTE radio users to coordinate with their team members using their existing communication infrastructure and smart devices.
On this occasion, Ali Bahlooq, General Manager of Esharah Etisalat Security Solutions, said, “Our latest MoU with Airbus reflects our shared goal to help fast-track the digital transformation of Dubai and the UAE. It is a testament to our keenness to play a key role in the emirate’s bid to become not only the world’s safest place to live and work in, but also the leading smart city globally. This is aligned with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. We are delighted to partner with Airbus in our quest to implement ground-breaking sustainable solutions capable of preserving and enhancing smart living in the country.”
From his side, Walid Lahoud, Head of Sales Middle, East North Africa and Asia regions for Secure Land Communications at Airbus, said, “Our team will work closely with Esharah to ensure the successful deployment of secure and reliable mission-critical solutions for use by security forces, first responders, and business-critical users in Dubai. We are honoured that Esharah has renewed its confidence in us through our mutually supportive and beneficial agreement signed during this year’s GITEX. Airbus’ portfolio of Tactilon solutions and services fully meets the demand for mission-critical and interoperable collaboration and communication tools. Our MoU is another opportunity for us to support the work of public safety entities in Dubai and contribute to seamless operations of businesses, which is vital to the emirate’s growth and development.”
For the first time after taking office earlier this year, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett departed for Sochi on Friday where he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin…reports Asian Lite News
Bennett will pay a one-day visit to the seaside resort city of Sochi and has only one scheduled meeting, his office said in a statement.
Before his departure, Bennett told reporters at the airport that “the ties between Russia and Israel are a significant element in the foreign policy of the State of Israel” due to Moscow’s regional and international role, and to the Russian-speakers in Israel who constitute “a bridge between the two countries”, reports Xinhua news agency.
Earlier this week, Bennett’s office said that the two leaders will discuss political, security and economic issues involving both countries and regional matters, “primarily Iran’s nuclear program”, according to the statement.
This is Bennett’s first official trip to Russia after becoming Prime Minister in June.
His predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, held many meetings with Putin.
