The Turkish government has changed the regulation for foreigners to acquire citizenship in a bid to support the national currency, or the lira, according to a decree…reports Asian Lite News
Foreigners who make a certain investment in the country, buy real estate or make a fixed capital investment could get Turkish citizenship, Xinhua news agency quoted the decree issued in the official gazette as saying.
For example, foreigners who own real estate in Turkey worth at least $250,000 and hold the property for at least three years will be able to acquire Turkish citizenship.
According to the new regulation, the foreign currency obtained from the sale of the property to foreigners will be sold to the central bank through a local bank and converted into Turkish lira.
The currency that foreigners keep in the bank for investment will also be converted into the local currency, it said.
The regulation comes amid the currency turmoil in Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his government’s 2023 goal to include Turkey among the 10 largest economies in the world…reports Asian Lite News
In a message to mark the new year, the Turkish leader said Turkey has “positively distinguished” itself with its “successful” performance in the face of security and health-related crises as well as political and social challenges.
Erdogan added the country’s economy has started a historic transformation driven by investment, employment, production, exportation etc, Xinhua news agency reported.
“The 2023 goal, which is placing Turkey among the top 10 economies in the world… are our pledge to our nation,” he said.
Turkey’s economy has seen robust growth in 2021 as financial institutes are predicting a 9 per cent growth in the country’s GDP. The high inflation and forex instability have cast a shadow over the growth in 2022.
Kuwait has formed a new government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah…reports Asian Lite News
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received the Prime Minister, approved the new cabinet formation handed by him, and wished him the best in serving the people of Kuwait, Xinhua news agency quoted the state media report as saying.
Kuwait forms new government
The Emir hoped that the executive and legislative powers would cooperate for the sake of Kuwait’s development and welfare, the report said.
On November 8, the government submitted its resignation, which was accepted by the Emir on November 14.
On November 23, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued an order on behalf of the emir to appoint Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah as Prime Minister and assign him to form a government.
Cabinet reviews government performance and rankings in 2021
The Cabinet reviewed a detailed report prepared by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre highlighting the UAE Government performance in 2021…reports Asian Lite News
Chairing the last cabinet meeting scheduled for 2021, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, affirmed that the UAE has accomplished, in a short period of time, major achievements, assumed leading global ranks in various sectors, confirming that the UAE is moving into the next 50 years with confidence and enthusiasm to be among the best countries and governments in all global indicators.
Cabinet reviews government performance and rankings in 2021
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “Today, I chaired the last cabinet meeting for 2021. We looked at what we did over the year. It was remarkable; the biggest legislative reforms in UAE history, updating 50 laws. UAE passport is the most powerful, UAE is the safest and UAE government is the most trusted by its citizens in the world.”
The meeting, held at EXPO 2020 Dubai, was attended by H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
The Cabinet reviewed a detailed report prepared by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre highlighting the UAE Government performance in 2021. The report listed the laws and regulations, which enriched the legislative environment and enhanced the UAE performance in global competitiveness reports, making the country the first globally in 152 indicators, among the top 5 in 274 indicators, and among the top 10 countries in 425 global indicators.
Commenting on the report, His Highness said, “In 2021, our teams worked to enhance UAE global competitiveness, making our country the first globally in 152 indicators. UAE economy is the most attractive regionally to foreign investments and the first globally in attracting talents. UAE performance in 2021 was exceptional.”
His Highness also said, “UAE has received the highest sovereign rating in the region and ranked first regionally in rule of law and transparency. Our science and math education is the best regionally. Also, UAE ranked second globally on government adaptability and has been the most resilient to the pandemic.”
“2021 has passed quickly and beautifully, but it was full of work, achievements, and overcoming challenges. I am optimistic 2022 will bring more success, driven by the energy and determination of our young men and women. And with confidence and enthusiasm, our nation enters its new 50th,” His Highness said.
The Cabinet approved the establishment of the UAE Industry Development Council with the aim of supervising the implementation of the initiatives and projects of the UAE Industry Strategy.
The Council is mandated with supporting industrial development capacity and promoting entrepreneurship. The Council shall propose appropriate initiatives that enhance cooperation and exchange experiences and expertise between the various government entities concerned with the industrial sector and advanced technology, in addition to consolidating cooperation between the public and private sectors.
The Industry Development Council is also responsible for coordinating with federal and local government entities with the aim of developing policies and legislations necessary for the growth of the industrial sector, adopting unified performance indicators and publishing periodic reports to evaluate industrial performance.
Based on the Cabinet decision, the Industrial Development Council is formed for a period of three years, subject to renewal, headed by the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and the membership of: The Minister of State for Foreign Trade in the Ministry of Economy, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
Members also include: the Director General of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center, the Director General of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security, the Secretary General of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Undersecretary of the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi, the Director General of the Department of Economic Development in Dubai, the Director General of the Department of Economic Development in Sharjah, the Director General of the Department of Economic Development in Ajman, the Director General of the Department of Economic Development in Ras Al Khaimah, the Director General of the Department of Economic Development in Umm Al Quwain, the Director General of the Department of Industry and Economy in Fujairah, the Assistant Undersecretary for Support and Defense Industries at the Ministry of Defense, the Assistant Undersecretary for the Policy and Strategy Sector at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and CEO of the Emirates Development Bank.
The Cabinet approved the budget of the General Pension and Social Security Authority for the fiscal year 2022.
The Cabinet approved the federal law regarding the regulation of worship places for non-Muslims, with the aim of consolidating the values ​​of tolerance and coexistence in the UAE society. The law includes the conditions and controls for licensing.
The Cabinet approved the organizational structure of the Federal Center for Geographic Information.
Good agreement reachable in Iranian nuke talks: Rouhani
If the US lifts anti-Tehran sanctions, a “good agreement”, which the Islamic Republic is looking for, will be reached in the ongoing negotiations over the 2015 nuclear deal, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said…reports Asian Lite News
“The Islamic Republic participated in the negotiations with dignity, and showed by presenting the text (proposals) that it is serious in the negotiations,” Raisi was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
The Iranian President, who was making the remarks at a meeting of ambassadors and heads of missions of Iran to the neighboiring countries, said that “if the other side is determined to lift the sanctions, a good agreement will be reached and we are looking for that”.
Good agreement reachable in Iranian nuke talks: Rouhani
Underlying his administration’s policy for improving relations with the neighbouring states, he noted that Iran’s neighbourhood policy and relations with neighboirs to counter and neutralize sanctions is a strategic, not a tactical move.
Talks aimed at reaching common ground on the Iranian nuclear situation in Vienna resumed on Thursday.
This is the seventh round of negotiations on the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) currently being negotiated by EU officials and China, France, Germany, Russia, the US and Iran.
The goal of the JCPOA is to restore the 2015 nuclear agreement, which the US withdrew from in 2018 under the administration of former President Donald Trump, unilaterally re-imposing sanctions on Iran.
Tehran has retaliated by gradually stopping implementing elements of the deal since May 2019.
The seventh round of talks started on November 29, lasting for five days, during which Iran submitted draft proposals for a restored 2015 nuclear agreement.
However, senior diplomats from the UK, France and Germany on December 3 voiced “disappointment and concern after thoroughly and carefully analysing Iranian proposed changes to the text negotiated during the previous six rounds”.
The militant group TTP has released many video clips and pictures of its Chief Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud’s visits to Malakand Division, Bajuar, Peshawar, Mardan, Khyber and Hazara divisions of Waziristan region…writes Mrityunjoy Kumar Jha
The month-long ceasefire after the secret deal between the Imran Khan government and the banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is ending on December 9 and it was said that the truce could be extended if talks continue to make progress. While there is no news about these talks, the TTP has asked its fighters to resume attacks on the Pakistani Army from December 10.
The militant group TTP has released many video clips and pictures of its Chief Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud’s visits to Malakand Division, Bajuar, Peshawar, Mardan, Khyber and Hazara divisions of Waziristan region.
Pashtun nationalism gathers momentum in AfPak
In one of the video clips, the TTP Chief is seen moving in flagged convoys and being welcomed by the locals. He is surrounded by uniformed fighters to underline that the TTP is better equipped and trained men at his disposal. In the background a song is playing evoking Pashtun nationalism.
“TTP’s efforts to move away from the global jihadist narrative of al-Qaeda and frame its propaganda in Pashtun nationalist rhetoric-just like the “elder brother” Afghan Taliban-and to switch from an indiscriminate to discriminate targeting strategy is an effort to evolve from a “terrorist” group to an “insurgent” group,” says Human Rights activist, Anees Jilani adding that the group has been regrouping and consolidating its strong hold during the period of ceasefire.
Questions have been raised by the Pakistani Supreme Court and the civil society whether Prime Minister Imran Khan had the right to make a “secret” deal with the UN-designated terror group responsible for the deaths of Pakistan Army soldiers and the students of Army Public School Peshawar, without taking Pakistani Parliament and people into confidence. The deal was brokered last month by another designated terrorist and Chief of notorious Haqqani Network Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is the Interior Minister of the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
Many Pakistani experts, including retired Army generals of Pakistan have been warning that such a deal does not serve Pakistan’s national interests and it will not work because the TTP, like before, is unlikely to abide by its terms. The deal will allow it to regroup, reorganise, rearm, and bolster its capacity for death and destruction. Pakistan has previously negotiated at least a half dozen “peace deals” with the TTP. Every single one failed.
But Imran Khan’s supporters are pragmatists.
“We cannot give them Sharia, a long-standing demand by the TTP because the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is part of the Pakistan state. The only thing we can talk about is to accept as citizens those who surrender their arms. And if they (TTP) don’t agree, the Army will deal with them in that way,” one Pakistani Army source told The News.
But the Pakistani Supreme Court does not agree with the reconciliation steps taken by the Imran Khan government.
“We are bringing TTP back to the negotiating table instead of taking action against them?” The court grilled Imran Khan. “Are we going to surrender once again?”
According to Pakistani experts, Imran Khan and the military establishment, both are under pressure after making a secret deal with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in November and lifted the ban and released all TLP supporters including the Chief. The TLP has emerged as the third-largest political party in Pakistan’s Punjab province in recent elections. The TTP also wants to join the mainstream but on its own terms. Though TLP and TTP are not similar, there seems to be a mutual understanding between the two.
“TLP and TTP are no longer buds that can be nipped. Both the groups have grown substantially over the recent past, thus the cost that will be paid will be larger if the matter is not dealt with wisely,” says Pakistani journalist Irfan Ashraf.
Although there are no details about the “secret” deals, the sources insist that the TTP had the upper hand in the last round of negotiations which led to the temporary truce and it is this policy of appeasement that has hugely empowered the group. Some experts believe that the vulnerability of Pakistan to events in Afghanistan is clear. The ceasefire with the TTP is also contingent on the Taliban in Kabul maintaining control of the country. And there is a Chinese pressure on both the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan to keep Chinese projects safe from the TTP.
The Supreme Court has rejected the plea of diplomatic immunity raised by Aircel founder C. Sivasankaran to resist the prosecution in money laundering cases in India…reports Asian Lite News
A bench comprising Justices A.M. Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and C.T. Ravikumar dismissed the writ petition filed in 2019 by Sivasankaran, who claimed that he was an Ambassador of the Republic of Seychelles.
The bench noted that the Madras High Court had rejected Sivasankaran’s plea for diplomatic immunity in 2019 and that he had filed the writ petition in the Supreme Court without challenging the High Court judgment, the report said.
Further, the bench also took note of a communication from the Seychelles Government to the Ministry of External Affairs in which it was stated that while Sivasankaran was the ambassador-at-large of Seychelles and had a diplomatic passport, his presence in India had no diplomatic purpose.
Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, who appeared for Sivasankaran, submitted that the petitioner was a serving Ambassador of the Republic of Seychelles and he has immunity under the Vienna Convention from criminal proceedings in India.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union Government, relied on the Seychelles Government’s communication to submit that Sivasankaran’s presence in India was not on official duty.
Taking note of these factors, the bench held that Sivasankaran’s claims for diplomatic immunity cannot be accepted. Further, the bench observed that the Madras High Court’s judgment “stares at the petitioner”. It also expressed its agreement with the views of the Madras High Court, the report said.
Tanzania to acquire spray plane to fight locusts' invasions
The government of Tanzania has set aside 3 billion Tanzanian shillings (about $1.3 million) for buying a spray plane to fight invasions of locusts, the Minister for Agriculture, Adolf Mkenda, has said…reports Asian Lite News
Mkenda told a press conference in the capital Dodoma that the government has decided to buy the spray plane to fight the locusts that have been invading the country from time to time, Xinhua news agency reported.
Tanzania to acquire spray plane to fight locusts’ invasions
He said although Tanzania got support from the Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa and the International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa during locusts’ invasions, buying its own spray plane could reinforce the fight against the destructive pests.
“When locusts invade our country we request for spray planes from these organisations but acquiring our own spray plane will boost the fight against the locusts,” the Minister added.
Mkenda said the buying of the spray plane will go in tandem with strengthening of the agricultural aerial spraying unit.
In February 2021, swarms of locusts invaded in Monduli, Longido, Simanjiro, Siha and Mwanga in northern Tanzania but they were wiped out before they inflicted damage on farm crops.
Icelandic ruling coalition starts new term with climate agenda
The coalition parties have 37 members in the country’s 63-seat parliament and the government program highlighted climate issues…reports Asian Lite News
Iceland’s new government leadership was announced at a press conference. Katrin Jakobsdottir of the Left-Green Movement continues as the Prime Minister in a renewed term of the three-party coalition with the Independence Party and the Progressive Party.
Icelandic ruling coalition starts new term with climate agenda
The coalition parties have 37 members in the country’s 63-seat parliament and the government program highlighted climate issues, Xinhua news agency reported.
Iceland is to set an independent national target of a 55 per cent reduction in emissions of its direct responsibility by 2030 compared to 2005. The island country is to achieve carbon neutrality no later than 2040 and would be “the first state independent of fossil fuels,” Icelandic national broadcaster RUV reported.
“There must be agreement on new power plants to build a green and carbon-neutral society. The most important thing is that this is done with caution towards the sensitive nature of the country and in line with growing energy consumption in parallel with the phasing out of fossil fuels,” RUV quoted the government program.
The Icelandic Parliamentary elections took place on September 25. The final confirmation of the election result was delayed until this past week and the new parliament could not convene until last week.
The summit comes in line with the Department’s strategic map and the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031…reports Asian Lite News
The second edition of the Abu Dhabi Smart City Summit is beginning tomorrow (Tuesday), bringing together more than 25 local and federal government agencies, and 400 specialists, experts, officials, leaders, strategists and policy makers, as well as governmental and private organisations.
The summit will discuss the best practices for developing smart cities and addressing challenges, contributing to enriching participants’ knowledge and developing action plans that will lead to smarter and more efficient solutions.
Abu Dhabi
Under the patronage of the Department of Municipalities and Transportation, (DMT) this year’s specialised regional physical gathering of high-level decision makers will be held under the theme “Shaping the Cities of the Future” on 23rd and 24th November 2021, at the Conrad Abu Dhabi – Etihad Towers.
The summit comes in line with the Department’s strategic map and the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which represents the new direction on which the country’s future services, sectors and infrastructure will depend. The summit will develop the frameworks and support ambitious plans for smart cities in the emirate and review the latest technological developments and innovations from the public and private sectors, in addition to ensuring the availability of a world-class infrastructure capable of supporting investments in modern technologies in roads, parks, recreational and infrastructural projects.
The organising committee of the summit said that the second edition will pave the way for strengthening cooperation between all sectors and emphasise the need for key players in the smart cities and artificial intelligence sector to focus on innovation in order to chart a better and more prosperous future, bring about the real changes needed for the benefit of societies and individuals, and strengthen the position of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as a global leader in investing in artificial intelligence across all sectors.
Key governmental partners will be part of the summit activities, including the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Ministry of Interior, Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Abu Dhabi Civil Defense, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, Abu Dhabi Global Market Authority, Abu Dhabi Integrated Transport Center, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Ports, Al Ain City Municipality, Al Ain Distribution Company, Al Dhafrah Region Municipality (DRM), Masdar and Tadweer.
The summit’s key sponsors include Bayanat, Cisco, Huawei, Foresight Group, UBERBINDER, Streamax Technology, Software AG, Injazat, Tahaluf Al Emarat, Consent Group, EE Consulting AG and PTV Group.
