IOM deported 140 illegal Bangladeshi migrants from Libya
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that it has deported 140 illegal Bangladeshi migrants to their country of origin…reports Asian Lite News
The migrants, including nine with medical conditions, were assisted to return to Bangladesh from Benghazi last week, in the first Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) flight from the city since the resumption of the IOM’s VHR program, Xinhua news agency quoted the UN migration agency as saying.
IOM deported 140 illegal Bangladeshi migrants from Libya
“Closely facilitated and supported by the Embassy of Bangladesh, the returning migrants underwent health checks and were provided with counselling services and protection screening, as well as personal protective equipment and Covid-19 tests before boarding,” the statement said.
Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of its leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.
The VHR program, run by the IOM, arranges the return of illegal immigrants stranded in Libya to their homelands.
Since 2015, more than 53,000 migrants have been returned from Libya through the VHR programme, with support from the European Union and the Italian Migration Fund, according to the IOM.
UAE, Japan agree closer cooperation in space sector
The UAE Space Agency has held high-level talks with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to discuss progress enjoyed by both parties since they signed a cooperation agreement in 2016…reports Asian Lite News
Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency, welcomed a Japanese delegation led by JAXA President Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa during a meeting held at the 72nd International Astronautical Congress in Dubai. It provided an opportunity for both agencies to build on their extensive partnership, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding more than four years ago.
UAE, Japan agree closer cooperation in space sector
The UAE and Japan have deep cultural, diplomatic and economic ties which have led to closer cooperation in the field of space. Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata is a member of the UAE’s Space Agency’s advisory committee, while the Emirates Mars Mission Hope Probe was successfully launched on a Mitsubishi H-IIA rocket from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan on 19th July 2020.
Al Amiri said, “The 72nd IAC in Dubai serves as a vital platform to galvanise international cooperation in space exploration, scientific progress and technological innovation. It is in this spirit of global collaboration that we met with Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa and his team at JAXA to lay the foundations for an even stronger partnership that promotes economic growth and human progress. Japan has been a consistent and considerable partner in our efforts to explore new frontiers and we believe there is a great deal more we can accomplish together.”
For his part, Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa praised the extensive cooperation between the UAE Space Agency and JAZA, which includes the launch of the KhalifaSat satellite onboard a Japanese-made Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rocket. The two sides have also deepened research through the Japanese Kibo Laboratory with Emirati students taking part in the Kibo robot programming challenge.
He praised the UAE’s continued achievements in the field of spatial research and interplanetary exploration. Since the UAE Space Agency was established 2014, it has developed a competitive space program at an accelerated pace and launched numerous satellites and put the first Emirati astronaut into space. Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa also stressed the desire of the Japanese government to enhance space cooperation with the UAE by ensuring Japanese astronauts work more closely with Emirati astronauts in the future.
The UAE has successfully become an established space player, an international space advocacy organisation said…writes Lina Ibrahim
Speaking with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Pascale Ehrenfreund, President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), said the space sector has become extremely vibrant as more emerging countries and commercial players are entering it.
“I think the UAE is not anymore an emerging space nation. I think it has already really managed ambitious goals and has a mission at Mars and is looking for future for the mission to the Moon. It has satellites… I think it’s already really an established space actor,” she said.
IAF, in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), is currently holding the 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC), the world’s largest global space event, which is taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, with the participation of about 4,000 industry players and experts.
“We are living in a very exciting time of space activities. New commercial actors are entering the market, which is obviously a new component, but it is a multistakeholder approach,” Ehrenfreund said when asked about the commercial ventures that entered the space tourism industry.
There are currently three dominant players from the private sector in space tourism: Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, Richard Branson’ Virgin Galactic and Elon Musk’ SpaceX.
“We’ve had very impressive demonstrations of space tourism from Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and Space X. Each of those missions is different, but they are more or less paving the way, so that after some time everybody can go to space and it will be affordable for everybody,” Ehrenfreund explained.
When asked about a timeline during which this can be possible, Ehrenfreund said that it is “very difficult to predict a timeline, but it has been increasing enormously and has been developing very fast in the past years”.
According to Deloitte, the global space economy stood at over US$420 billion in 2020 and is forecasted to grow to over US$1.1 trillion by 2040. How much will the share of the commercial space industry be by then is not clear.
Ehrenfreund is optimistic that the industry will be “steadily growing”, as many emerging nations willing to enter the race.
That is why our next conference is dedicated to emerging countries, she said, in reference to the Global Conference on Space for Emerging Countries (GLEC 2022), which will take place in Quito, Ecuador, in May 2022.
“All the established space agencies and organisations like IAF really have to help emerging countries in order to get [more] space actors,” she added.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, attended the opening of the IAEA ConvEx-3 ‘Barakah UAE…reports Asian Lite News
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, attended the opening of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) ConvEx-3 ‘Barakah UAE’, which is aimed to test the global emergency response system for a severe accident simulated at the Barakah nuclear power plant.
Hamdan bin Zayed attends the opening of IAEA ConvEx-3 ‘Barakah UAE’
During the exercise, 75 member states and 12 international organisations are participating to evaluate their emergency response actions in order to identify good practices and highlight areas needing improvement.
The exercise is supervised by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority NCEMA) in accordance with the regulatory framework of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), with the participation of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and its operating arm, Nawah Energy Company, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Interior, the Abu Dhabi Police and other competent authorities.
Hamdan bin Zayed attends the opening of IAEA ConvEx-3 ‘Barakah UAE’
Major General Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, and Director of the Exercise, received Sheikh Hamdan and briefed him on the details of the exercise and its objectives and phases.
Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the UAE’s readiness to address various risks and threats, efficiently invest in early warning systems and participate in related local and international exercises.
Engineer Awaidha Murshed Ali Al Marar, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp, and a number of high-ranking officials also attended the exercise. (WAM)
Hamdan bin Zayed attends the opening of IAEA ConvEx-3 ‘Barakah UAE’
Hamdan bin Zayed attends the opening of IAEA ConvEx-3 ‘Barakah UAE’
The IRENA Council will aim to further enhance cooperation and collaborative action on key elements of the global energy transition…reports Asian Lite News
The twenty-second Council meeting of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will get underway in Abu Dhabi from today. The two-day meeting brings together high-level delegations from 97 countries to chart the Agency’s medium-term strategy until 2027, which paves the way for IRENA’s strategic objectives and priorities in the next five years.
With global momentum for the achievement of net zero economies reaching new heights in the lead up to COP26, the role of the energy transition in achieving climate and economic goals grows increasingly central. The IRENA Council will aim to further enhance cooperation and collaborative action on key elements of the global energy transition just days before global leaders gather at the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow.
“With COP26 on our doorstep, this is a critical moment in time that calls for all nations to make important choices about the future of our economies, and our wellbeing, for generations to come,” said IRENA Director General Francesco La Camera, “As the principal platform for energy transition cooperation, IRENA will respond by working to translate commitment into action and implementation. To achieve climate goals and keep the world on a climate-safe path towards 1.5 C by 2050, we need concrete action to accelerate the energy transition and scale up its pace. The Council will meet in this context.”
The Council meeting will be held in a hybrid setting (part in-person and part virtual configuration) with SHII Masahiro, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan as Chair. IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera will present IRENA’s progress report to the Council, highlighting the Agency’s work and activities in 2020 and 2021. The Director-General will also present the Agency’s Medium-term Strategy 2023-2027.
The Council, which is composed of 21 Members elected for a two-year term, serving on a rotating basis to ensure fair and equitable geographical distribution, will also hear reports from the co-facilitators of three recently concluded IRENA Collaborative Framework meetings on green hydrogen, just transition and renewables-based energy systems.
The latest Collaborative Framework on Just and Inclusive Energy Transition featured a high-level launch of a special edition of IRENA’s Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review, developed in cooperation with the International Labour Organisation. The report finds that 12 million people were employed in the renewable energy sector in 2020, underscoring the jobs potential of an ambitious climate strategy and calls for comprehensive policies in support of a just transition.
Dubai Municipality (DM) is set to launch the 15th Dubai International Food Safety Conference (DIFSC) virtually, which is going to be organised by the Municipality from 18th to 22nd November 2021, coinciding with Expo 2020…reports Asian Lite News
The DIFSC will be held under the slogan, “Creative Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems.”
The opening session of the conference will witness interactive discussions on enhancing the leadership of Dubai and the UAE in enabling food business operations in the Emirate of Dubai, in addition to holding a series of seminars that will be organised with several organizations.
Dubai Municipality with new logo
Dubai Municipality has started organising this conference in 2006, and it provides an opportunity for presenting international best practices by experts and specialists from countries around the world in the field of food safety and nutrition.
The conference witnessed a resounding success in previous years, as the average annual number of attendees reached about 3,000 participants from different parts of the world, representing more than 70 countries, and the educational hours exceeded 53,000 hours, presented by more than 90 local and international speakers.
The consumers can now scan the barcode of the products to verify the product details, in addition, to using the App to report food products not registered in Dubai Municipality E-Systems. It also offers the service of verifying food safety assessments for hotels, restaurants and food supply companies. (WAM)
The return of consumer confidence in light of easing COVID-19 restrictions and the anticipated rise in international visitors will provide some relief for the retail sector, according to JLL’s Q3 2021 Real Estate Market Overview…reports Asian Lite News
Driven by footfall from the population living in close proximity, the report has revealed that community malls across the UAE have been performing particularly well in the third quarter.
Additionally, some retailers in the F&B and convenience segments were able to better weather the impact of the pandemic.
“The cooler weather and the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai will see a gradual return of tourists that will provide much relief for landlords and retailers alike,” said Khawar Khan, Head of Research for the Middle East, Africa & Turkey region.
“The change in rules in September to allow the free flow of traffic between the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi will also help support the UAE’s retail sector.”
In the residential market, strong demand for villas and townhouses continued to drive the recovery in villa sales prices across both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Apartment prices have picked-up in Dubai on the back of higher demand, however they remained flat in Abu Dhabi. At a city level, residential prices in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi were up by around 4% year-on-year in Q3.
With the off-plan market starting to attract investors again, developers have started to launch projects with attractive payment plans in place to capitalise on the uptick in activity.
Over the remainder of this year, JLL expects demand for quality villa stock to underpin the recovery in sales prices.
The third quarter saw approximately 40,000 sq. m. of office space delivered in Dubai and 15,000 sq. m. in Abu Dhabi in Q3.
In Dubai, enquires from technology and e-commerce companies have been strongest as they look to expand their footprints to accommodate their growing workforces.
Dubai
“Over the rest of this year, we expect further growth in new enquiries as business activity continues to rebound,” said Khan.
The UAE hotel market is also continuing its gradual recovery from the pandemic, with the luxury market taking advantage of strong leisure demand owing to the country being one of the few international destinations open for tourism.
Luxury offerings and ease of travel restrictions have helped capture demand from European source markets, however, in contrast the mid-scale and budget segments remain under pressure, awaiting the return of business travel as well as the reopening of key Asian source markets.
Expo 2020 Dubai will attract visitors to emirate over the next two quarters, with recently completed hotel projects well placed to benefit from the anticipated influx of tourists, says the report.
For further information on the UAE’s commercial, residential, retail and hotel sectors, please see the report attached.
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
Sheikh Salem Al Qasmi inaugurated 23rd National Career Exhibition and 17th IES
Sheikh Salem Al Qasimi inaugurates 17th International Education Show, 23rd National Career Exhibition…reports Asian Lite News
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office inaugurated Tuesday the 23rd National Career Exhibition and the 17th International Education Show 2021 (IES).
The two events are being organized by the Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), from 19 to 21 October.
Sheikh Salem Al Qasmi inaugurated 23rd National Career Exhibition and 17th IES
After the inauguration, Sheikh Salem Al Qasimi toured the exhibition which brings over 75 local and international educational and academic institutions, and numerous government and private agencies and agencies together under one roof.
He was accompanied by HE Abdullah bin Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the Expo Center Sharjah, HE Sheikh Majid bin Faisal Al Qasimi, First Vice-President, SCCI, HE Waleed Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, Second Vice-President, SCCI, Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General, SCCI, HE Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah, and a number of SCCI board members.
During his tour, Sheikh Salem Al Qasimi met with representatives of the participating bodies, who briefed him on the latest career opportunities and training courses they provide to enhance the job skills of Emirati graduates.
He was also briefed on the latest services and programs provided by the universities, institutes, and colleges to the students in various disciplines and educational levels.
SHEIKH SALEM AL QASMI, RULER OF SHARJAH, SUPREME COUNCIL MEMBER: “The National Career Exhibition and the IES are a true translation to the forward-looking vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah in terms of preparing a highly educated generation capable of assuming responsibility and managing work in different sectors,” said Salem Al Qasimi. He added that the two events are considered among the most important national initiatives that seek to achieve the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071, by harnessing youth energies and the best education outputs to prepare responsible generations that enjoy the highest academic and professional levels.”
Abdullah bin Sultan Al Owais stressed the importance of the two events in strengthening Sharjah’s status as a perfect environment for the academic and research community and the investment in knowledge economy based on productivity, innovation, and sustainability.
Al Owais remarked that the two events provide a golden opportunity for students to get acquainted with the higher education programs offered by the most prominent local and foreign universities.
He added: “They are also considered an important platform that brings together public and private institutions and those seeking job opportunities, which enhances the opportunities to recruit our national cadres.
Sheikh Salem Al Qasmi inaugurated 23rd National Career Exhibition and 17th IES
“National Career Exhibition and IES 2021 play an essential role in linking the labor market with our national human cadres, as well as enhancing the outputs of the educational process to fulfill the requirements of public and private sectors in recruiting high-caliber individuals,” said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa.
He underlined that the broad participation of local and international academic institutions, public and private institutions in the two events clearly reflects their outstanding reputation in providing students with wonderful opportunities to spot the appropriate higher education programs and secure the requirements of government bodies and economic establishments from the ambitious national cadres.
The IES, which is held in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Sharjah Private Education Authority, offers hundreds of the latest education programs and a wide range of learning options from universities, colleges, and institutes of higher education from different countries of the world.
The National Career Exhibition, which is held in cooperation with Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS), provides valuable job opportunities offered by numerous entities, in addition to workshops and training courses aimed at helping Emirati graduates secure appropriate career opportunities.
Hosting T20 World Cup reinforces Dubai’s rising status as one of the globe’s most prominent and safest destinations for international sporting events…reports Asian Lite News
Dubai, the headquarters of the International Cricket Council, is all set to stage the finals of the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The seventh edition of the global tournament, being held for the first time in the Middle East, reinforces Dubai’s rising status as one of the globe’s most prominent and safest destinations for international sporting events.
IPL 2021 champions
Dubai was chosen as the venue for the final of the 16-country tournament, featuring world cricket’s biggest stars, because of its exceptionally successful record of hosting multi-stage global tournaments.
Furthermore, its comprehensive hospitality and health infrastructure as well as its ability to create the internationally benchmarked bio-secure bubbles necessary for the safe organisation of a tournament as extensive as the T20 Cricket World Cup made it the ideal venue for the event.
“Dubai’s steady growth as a global sporting hub has been made possible by the strong support and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the extensive investments made in world-class infrastructure under His Highness’s directives,” said Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council.
He noted that the T20 Cricket World Cup is one of a series of mega sporting events that Dubai has provided a safe venue for, amidst the current exceptional global circumstances. The emirate’s ability to implement rigorous precautionary protocols and high vaccination rates have made it a preferred destination for international tournaments, he added.
The 16-team ICC Twenty20 World Cup is being held in the UAE and Oman from 17 October to 14 November 2021 features a total of 45 matches, 13 of which will be played in Dubai.
Cricket fans from around the world are eagerly anticipating the second day of the Super 12 round of the ICC T20 World cup when traditional rivals India and Pakistan renew their cricketing rivalry in Dubai on 24 October. India vs Pakistan is one of the most exciting rivalries in sports, and with 90 per cent of cricket’s billion-plus fans coming from South Asia, the match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is the biggest talking point of the tournament.
The first match between two countries in more than two years, the fixture is generating considerable interest among the more than 4 million people from India and Pakistan who call the UAE their home. Tickets for the India-Pakistan match were sold out in less than five hours. More than 2 billion viewers all over the world are expected to watch the contest on international channels.
The magnificent 25,000 seat Dubai International Cricket Stadium located in Dubai Sports City, the emirate’s state of the art sports complex, will also be the venue for the final of the Twenty20 World Cup on 14 November. Dubai is already a major hub for international cricket, being home to the headquarters of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body of the sport, and the ICC Academy, where emerging cricket stars are being mentored.
In 2021, with many sporting events being cancelled across the world due to the pandemic, Dubai emerged as one of the safest venues for global tournaments. The annual Dubai World Cup, organised by the Dubai Racing Club, was among the world’s top ten sporting events in the first quarter of 2021.
Dubai’s prime location and exceptional infrastructure also made it a preferred location for international athletes to train ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In the coming months, Dubai will also host more than 30 international sports events including the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup qualifiers, the European Tour’s ‘Race to Dubai’ finale and the DP World Tour Championship.
