Tag: SPAIN

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-Top News Arab News Saudi Arabia

Saudi navy launches new combat ship in Spain

Walid Abukhaled, the CEO of the Saudi Arabian Military Industries, said the launch of the HMS Al-Diriyah was a further boost for the country’s national defense system…reports Asian Lite News

The Royal Saudi Naval Forces has launched the newest addition to its fleet at a ceremony in San Fernando, Spain, with several top officials from both countries in attendance, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday.

The HMS Al-Diriyah Avanti 2200 Corvette is the second ship, after the HMS Jubail, to be launched in four months. The Kingdom’s joint Sarawat manufacturing project will produce a further three vessels to add to the fleet.

During the commissioning ceremony, RSNF Commander Lt. Gen. Fahd Al-Ghufaili hoisted the Saudi flag on the HMS Al-Diriyah, marking its official entry into the navy’s service.

He said the Sarawat project would ensure the navy was combat-ready, and able to strengthen the country’s maritime security, and protect its vital strategic interests in the region.

Al-Ghufaili said the project was an important part of the Kingdom’s plan to develop the country’s local military industry with the latest technology. He praised the government for supporting these initiatives.

Walid Abukhaled, the CEO of the Saudi Arabian Military Industries, said the launch of the HMS Al-Diriyah was a further boost for the country’s national defense system.

He said the five RSNF ships that form part of the Sarawat project will be equipped with the first-ever Saudi naval combat management system called HAZEM. This was indicative of the progress made in developing such advanced systems locally, and nurturing local talent to achieve this feat.

Abukhaled said the Kingdom’s agreement with the Spanish company Navantia would ensure the transfer of much-needed technology to boost the country’s defense manufacturing sector.

The Sarawat project is a joint venture between SAMI and Navantia to build five Avanti 2200 Corvettes for the RSNF. It forms part of the Kingdom’s vision to localize 50 percent of the military industry by 2030.

The ships feature the latest combat systems to deal with air, surface and underwater threats. The project includes training for crew, and long-term technical and logistics support.

ALSO READ-Saudi crown prince holds talks with Greek PM

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-Top News Europe

Spain eases immigration rules to offset labour shortages

Pedro Sánchez (IANS)

The reform will also allow international students to work up to 30 hours a week while studying, and to start work in Spain at the end of their studies…reports Asian Lite News

Spain’s government on Tuesday eased the country’s immigration laws to make it easier for citizens from outside the European Union to work in the country to address labor shortages in areas such as tourism and agriculture.

Under a reform approved at a weekly cabinet meeting, foreigners from outside of the bloc who have lived in the country for two years or more can seek temporary residency papers.

The reform will also allow international students to work up to 30 hours a week while studying, and to start work in Spain at the end of their studies.

It will also make it easier for foreigners to obtain a work visa to come to Spain and take up jobs in areas facing labor shortages.

These measures will “improve the Spanish migratory model and its procedures, which are often slow and unsuitable” and have “high social and economic costs for Spain,” the social security ministry said in a statement.

Social Security and Migration Minister Jose Luis Escriva said the reform aims to “encourage regular, orderly and safe immigration.”

While Spain’s unemployment rate of 13.65 percent is high by European standards, employers say they struggle to hire workers in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, construction and trucking.

Citizens of European Union nations are allowed to live and work in Spain but this has not been enough to help ease labor shortages.

Spain also has migration programs with countries such as Morocco, Ecuador and Colombia to ease job shortages in specific areas.

ALSO READ-Spain rejects EU gas usage proposal

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-Top News Europe

Spain rejects EU gas usage proposal

Ribera said consumption in Spain had been within reasonable limits. “We want to help, but we also want to be respected,” she said…reports Asian Lite News

The Spanish government rejects the plan announced by the European Commission to cut gas consumption by 15 per cent in the coming months in view of the possibility that Russia will cut gas supplies to Europe, Teresa Ribera, Minister for Ecological Transition, has said.

“Whatever happens, Spanish families will not suffer gas or electricity cuts in their homes and the government will defend the position of Spanish industry, which has paid a special price to guarantee the security of supply,” the minister was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

Ribera said consumption in Spain had been within reasonable limits. “We want to help, but we also want to be respected,” she said. She added that “a disproportionate sacrifice cannot be imposed on us,” especially when “we have not been asked for an opinion”.

The European Commission’s proposal aims at a voluntary 15 percent reduction in average consumption over the last five years. In the case of Spain, this would be 55 terawatt hours (TWh) out of an average of 367.28 TWh

ALSO READ-EU ready for Russian gas cut-off: Von der Leyen

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-Top News Europe

Heatwave kills 510 people in Spain

heatwave

According to the ISCIII System of Monitorisation of Daily Mortality, the number of heat-related deaths increased sharply as the heatwave escalated…reports Asian Lite News

Spain’s Health Ministry has said that 510 people died from heat-related causes in the first week of a heatwave when the mercury reached 45 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country.

The fatalities were reported by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) on Monday, which forms part of the Ministry, between July 10 and 16, with Saturday the deadliest to date with 150 victims.

According to the ISCIII System of Monitorisation of Daily Mortality, the number of heat-related deaths increased sharply as the heatwave escalated.

It said deaths quadrupled from 15 to 60 in the four days from July 10 to 13. The figure then jumped further to 93 last Thursday and 123 on Friday, before reaching a climax of 150 on Saturday.

The toll is feared to rise even further when new figures are published for Sunday.

The heat is especially affecting the elderly, with 321 of the 510 victims aged 85 years or above, 121 between 75 and 84 years of age, and 44 between 65 and 74 years of age.

However, deaths were also reported among the younger population, including two municipal workers in Madrid who died of heatstroke. This prompted the city hall to adopt more flexible working hours, so that workers could avoid working outdoors during the hottest hours of the day.

Among the younger victims were also a fireman and a shepherd, who died in the wildfires that are engulfing Spain as well as some other areas in southern Europe.

This is Spain’s second heatwave of the summer. The previous one, from June 11 to 17, caused 829 deaths, according to ISCIII.

ALSO READ-Delhi, London could run out of water amid rising heatwave

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Community Europe India News

Annual General Assembly of Hindu Forum of Europe held in Spain

Attendees and organisers of HFE General Assembly at Campus Phi

The two-day Annual General Assembly of Hindu Forum of Europe was successfully held at Campus Phi, Caceres in Spain recently.

National Hindu representatives from different countries including Hindu Federation of Spain, Hindu Forum of Sweden, Hindu Forum of Italy, Hindu of Forum of Belgium, and Hindu Forum of Germany were in attendance, besides Jain Temple Antwerp, Hinduisa Italy, Hindu Matters in Britain and Sanskruti Centre.

Swami Rameshwarananda Giri introducing Mayor Alviz

Spiritual advisor of HFE Swami Rameshwarananda Giri welcomed all at Campus Phi on the first day, which saw the Mayor of Acebo Javier Alviz Rodriguez speaking and a wonderful video message from the President of the Government of Extremadura (Spain) Mr. Guillermo Fernandez Vara.

The plenary session started with a traditional invocation dance by Ragasudha Vinjamuri followed by the presentation of each of the member’s activities and milestones during the last two years. Dr. Lakshmi Vyas outlined the activities of HFE and acknowledged its Patrons, Advisors, and Spiritual Leaders.

The members later discussed issues and challenges faced by the Hindu communities in different countries ranging from the availability of chaplain and priest services, and cremation sites, to the recognition of Hindu/Sanatana Dharma at national levels. Dr. Lakshmi Vyas, Marie Mandakini, Krishna Kripa Dasa, Gianluca, Parabhakti, Martin Gurvich, Vaidyanath, Arun Jogani, Kesh Morjaria, and Ragasudha Vinjamuri have all presented their reports and inputs on-site and have touched upon the need to act as a unified force.

Mayor Alviz speaking at HFE Meet

Meditation, Yoga, Vishwa Shanti Homa, a presentation on Vedantic answer for a Sustainable Lifestyle, and other environmental activities were key elements on the second day marking World Environment Day and month-long celebrations of International Day of Yoga in Spain.

Elections took place and the new Board took charge in the presence of all members. Dr. Lakshmi Vyas continues to serve as the President of HFE, while Krishna Kripa Dasa takes charge as the Vice President and Gianluca serves as Treasurer and Secretary.

President Mr Guillermo Vara giving his message
Dr Lakshmi Vyas outlining the HFE activities
Ragasudha Vinjamuri presenting invocation at HFE General Assembly
Vishwa Shanti Homa
Vishwa Shanti Homa
Yoga session
Interacting with the Diplomat from Indian Embassy Spain
Categories
Africa News

 Algeria Snaps Ties With Spain

Algerian Army Chief Said Chengriha

Algeria suspends friendship treaty with Spain over Western Sahara issue

Algeria has announced suspension of the Treaty of Friendship, Good-neighbourliness and Cooperation signed with Spain 20 years ago to protest Madrid’s shift in position on Western Sahara.

Wednesday’s announcement came hours after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reportedly said his government’s policy shift on Western Sahara has “improved (Spain’s) bilateral relations with Morocco”, reports Xinhua news agency

In March, the Spanish government shifted its long-standing position on Western Sahara by endorsing Morocco’s autonomy plan for the territory, paving the way for easing diplomatic tensions between the two kingdoms.

The new Spanish position “violates international legitimacy, and directly contributes to the deterioration of the situation in Western Sahara and the region as a whole”, the Algerian statement said.

  The friendship treaty agreed on October 8, 2002 with Spain has framed the development of bilateral relations between Algiers and Madrid, it noted.

 Western Sahara is claimed by Morocco, but the Algeria-based Polisario Front movement has been fighting for its independence. Algeria recalled its ambassador to Madrid in March after the position shift of the Spanish government on Western Sahara.

 Meanwhile, Algeria and France have been working on reviving their bilateral relations, said French Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian during his visit to the North African country.

France and Algeria “were working on reviving bilateral relations,” said Le Drian after his meeting with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, adding that “Algeria and France share historical, deep and multiple human relations that bring together the two peoples.”

The French top diplomat said the two countries’ cooperation on security is indispensable in the region, while stressing the urgency of relaunching the transition process in Libya and improving the situation in the Sahel region.

He said that France and Algeria also share major challenges amid the situation in Ukraine and its repercussions on Europe’s security and international stability, noting that Europe has to diversify energy resources.

ALSO READ:Lebanon, Algeria sign deal on criminals extradition, judicial cooperation

Le Drian said the two countries agreed to resume dialogue on a number of cooperation activities including immigration and the fight against terrorism.

This is Le Drian’s second visit to Algeria within four months.

France has been trying to mend its ties with Algeria, which were soured by Algeria’s decision to recall its ambassador to France in October 2021 in protest over French President Emmanuel Macron’s critical remarks against Algeria. Macron criticized the “political-military system” in Algeria, a former French colony, for rewriting Algerian history and fomenting “hatred” toward France

Israel Ties

Morocco and Israel have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in high-tech innovation and scientific research.

Moroccan Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Abdellatif Miraoui, and visiting Israeli Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen signed a scientific cooperation agreement on Thursday in Rabat, which also covers artificial intelligence, agricultural technologies, and water management, Xinhua news agency reported, citing official RIM radio.

“I am thankful for the honor to come to Morocco following the Abraham Accords and sign an important cooperation agreement,” Farkash-Hacohen was quoted as saying.

“Together we will address challenges in the sectors of renewable energy, water technologies, transportation, science, environment, and health,” she told a signing ceremony.

  For his part, Miraoui said the agreement will advance cooperation between universities of both countries and scientific research programs in green energy, sustainable agriculture, health and modern industries.

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Africa News News

Morocco, Spain Resume Bilateral Ties

Morocco and Spain reiterated their will to open a new chapter in the bilateral relations, said a statement issued by the Moroccan Royal Cabinet…reports Asian Lite News

Moroccan King Mohammed VI and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, during their talks held in Rabat, pledged to start a new stage in the bilateral ties “based on mutual respect, reciprocal trust, permanent consultation, frank and loyal cooperation,” the statement said.

They also agreed to take concrete actions in the framework of a roadmap covering all areas of their partnership, the statement added.

Bilateral relations between Morocco and Spain deteriorated in April last year, after Spain admitted the Polisario Front leader for medical treatment using Algerian documents.

In last month, Spain announced a major shift in its policy by endorsing Morocco’s autonomy plan to settle the dispute over Western Sahara, paving the way for easing their strained ties.

Sanchez reaffirmed his country’s position on the Western Sahara issue, which considers “the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the most serious, realistic and credible basis for resolving the dispute,” the statement added.

Another report says the state-run company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will provide Morocco with an advanced air and missile defence system, after they signed a $600 million.

IAI will provide Morocco with the Barak MX system, in a deal that began to take shape during Defence Minister Benny Gantz’s visit to Morocco in November last year, according to Israel’s Channel 12 TV news and financial website Globes.

ALSO READ: MBZ attends Iftar banquet hosted by King of Morocco

Barak MX provides a single integrated solution for multiple simultaneous aerial threats from different sources and ranges in several mission types and battle conditions, Xinhua news agency quoted the reports as saying.

These threats include fighters, sea-skimming and cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, drones, helicopters and gliding bombs, and the system offers three interception ranges of 35, 70 and 150 km.

Morocco and Israel signed a historic agreement for the establishment of full diplomatic relations in December 2020.

The deal comes amid Morocco’s growing tension with its neighbour Algeria and a possible threat of booby-trapped drones against the North African country, according to Channel 12.

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-Top News Asia News Europe

5 Pakistani teens nabbed in Spain on terrorism charges

The arrests triggered the alert especially after learning that the detainee had maintained contacts with a compatriot based in Barcelona….reports Asian Lite News

Giving body blow to the already settled radical Islam in the country, the National Police of Spain arrested five Pakistani citizens for encouraging their compatriots through social networks to assassinate those who raise their voice against them.

Police arrested the Pakistani citizens on February 21 in Barcelona, Gerona, Ubeda (Jaen) and Granada, according to a media report.

The detainees, all in their twenties, were sympathizers neither of the Islamic State (ISIS) nor of Al Qaeda, the groups to which practically all of those arrested in Spain are related, but of a radical Islamist group of Pakistan, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), with parliamentary representation and which advocates the implementation of Islamic law and execution of those who are branded as blasphemers, said the report.

The judge of the National High Court Manuel Garcia-Castellon has ordered the admission to preventive detention of all of the accused on charges of collaboration with a terrorist organization, glorification and incitement to commit murders.

The investigation that has led to these arrests began after the attack in September 2020 on the former Paris headquarters of Charlie Hebdo. The satirical magazine had already suffered a jihadist attack in January 2015 in which eight persons had died.

In the second attack, in which two people were seriously injured, Zaheer Hassan Mahmoud, a 25-year-old Pakistani who assured that his intention was to attack the publication again for its decision to re-disseminate the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, was arrested. The French police investigation found links between Zaheer Hassan Mahmood and the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, the media report said.

According to the report, that arrest triggered the alert among Spanish anti-terrorist experts due to the fear of being faced with a new terrorist phenomenon, especially after learning that the detainee had maintained contacts with a compatriot based in Barcelona.

The investigations have revealed that those now detained used social networks, mainly profiles on Facebook and Tik-Tok, as an authentic propaganda device in Urdu (the language spoken in Pakistan) through which they disseminated audiovisual material, in part created by them, in which they praised the terrorist attacks that were being committed both in Europe and in Pakistan against those they considered blasphemous, said the report.

Pic credits ANI

“They were very active and had numerous followers, and not only in Spain, but also in other European countries, such as France, Greece or Italy,” sources close to the investigation pointed out, according to the report.

It was the increasing reach of their radical messages that precipitated the arrests. The alleged leader of the group was arrested in Barcelona; another two, in Girona; one more, in Ubeda (Jaen); and the last, in Granada.

In the records of their homes, the Police have not located weapons or plans to commit a specific attack, but abundant jihadist material from the Islamic State in which threats against Europe and Israel were poured, according to the report.

“They considered the brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi [perpetrators of the attack against Charlie Hebdo] as heroes of Islam”, highlights the same sources.

The operation was carried out by the Barcelona Provincial Intelligence Unit and the General Information Police Station, the National Intelligence Center (CNI) and Europol, the EU agency for police collaboration. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Pakistani dissidents’ bid to kill Gen Zia-ul-Huq received Russian support

ALSO READ: Pakistan to host India, Pakistan Indus Commissioners meet

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Dubai EXPO 2020 UAE News

Spain Pavilion reaches 1 million visits

Spain Pavilion reaches 1 million visits (WAM)

The Spain Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has exceeded one million visits since its opening in October 2021, nearly nine percent of the total visitors to the world fair to date…reports Asian Lite News

On 15th February, the Executive Commissioner General of the Spain Pavilion, Carmen Bueno, welcomed the millionth visitor, an Irish man living in Abu Dhabi who was visiting the Expo site together with his family, according to a statement issued by the Spain Pavilion.

Speaking of the occasion, Bueno said, “The Spain Pavilion has been one of the key attractions at Expo 2020 Dubai and has received great interest from visitors from all over the world.”

Located in the sustainability district, the pavilion with motto ‘Intelligence for life,’ aims to become an example of intelligent creativity, capable of uniting people around sustainable projects in the fields of science, technology, education, and art.

ALSO READ: India to showcase its millets’ strength at Dubai Expo

Commissioned to Amann-Cánovas-Maruri studio, the Spain Pavilion is an eco-friendly exhibition that seamlessly blends ancient heritage and cutting-edge innovation.

The Pavilion stands out for its enormous colourful cones, partially covered with ultralight and flexible photovoltaic panels that lead visitors to an airy ground floor containing several, naturally cooled plazas featuring, ‘Glimpses’, a series of exhibitions synthesizing some of the most relevant contributions of Spain to the global culture, highlighting some of the historical links between the country and the Arab culture. (WAM)

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Dubai EXPO 2020 UAE News

Spain Pavilion at Expo 2020 records 500,000 visits

Spain Pavilion at Expo 2020 records 500,000 visits

The Spain Pavilion in the heart of the Sustainability District at Expo 2020 Dubai has recorded a total of 500,000 visits since its opening on October first…reports Asian Lite News

Themed “Intelligence for life”, the pavilion aims to become an example of intelligent creativity, capable of uniting people around sustainable projects in the fields of science, technology, education, and art.

In a recent survey carried by the pavilion in regards to how much visitors would recommend on a scale from 1 to 5, stopping by (being 5 highly recommended), the pavilion reached an average score of 4.7.

Expo

Moreover, since Expo was inaugurated, 33,976 children from the kinder garden to C3 have visited the Spain pavilion. When speaking with Expo school guides about the reaction among the pupils and teens, responses were very positive being ‘The forest of intelligence’ the most sought-after attraction for children of all ages. For the little ones, the second most popular exhibit is the August Moon movie, while for older students (15+ y/o), is divided between the dynamo sculpture and the giant chessboard.

Speaking of the occasion, Carmen Bueno Executive Commissioner of the Pavilion said, “We are delighted with the great reception we have had since the very beginning but especially, with the response that visitors are showing. With all the wonderful pavilions at Expo not to mention all the incredible attractions that the UAE has to offer, reaching such incredible feedback, is something we definitely feel very proud of. I welcome everyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to visit us yet, to experience all the different attractions that make our pavilion unique as well as, to discover all the actions Spain is taking to champion sustainability in an innovative way.

Commissioned to Amann-Cánovas-Maruri studio, the Spain Pavilion is an eco-friendly exhibition that seamlessly blends ancient heritage and cutting-edge innovation. The Pavilion stands out for its enormous colourful cones, partially covered with ultralight and flexible photovoltaic panels that led visitors to an airy ground floor containing several, naturally cooled plazas featuring, ‘Glimpses’, a series of exhibitions synthesizing some of the most relevant contributions of Spain to the global culture and highlighting some of the historical links between the country and the Arab culture.

Connecting the old and the new, is Dynamo, an audio-visual sculpture by renowned artist Daniel Cologar. The artistic installation hangs inside the Atrium and is surrounded by the ramps that descend visitors into the Theatre and the underground exhibition area. It consists of three sculptural screens in the form of an interlaced ringlet that show constantly changing generative audio-visual content thanks to the visitors’ interaction with the handrails along the ramp. As the handrail detects more contact, the content on the screens of Dynamo become more dynamic and saturated; and the sound intensifies.

Spain Pavilion at Expo 2020 records 500,000 visits

At the Pavilion theatre, visitors have also the opportunity to enjoy ‘August Moon’, an 8-minute movie by one of the most creative minds in the Spanish film industry today, Nacho Vigalondo. Following Expo 2020 Dubai theme, ‘Connecting minds, Creating the future’, and the slogan of the Spain Pavilion, ‘Intelligence for life’, the film presents Spain as a dynamic, lively country, brimming with talent and creativity, that is committed to a sustainable and inclusive future.

On the lower floor, visitors can find the most sought-after attraction at the pavilion, ‘The forest of intelligence’. A 3D printed artificial forest capable of producing oxygen and an interactive tree that reacts to the sustainable habits of the public. A mix of design, art and technology to create a unique immersive experience in which the richness of the Spanish heritage, science, biodiversity, innovations in sustainability and the circular economy are highlighted.

ALSO READ: With 5 lakh visitors, India Pavilion stands tall at Expo

The exhibition ends with a ramp that accompanies visitors along a 100-m long corridor with pictures of Spaniards of all ages, classes and backgrounds smiling at visitors while texts appear with some of the highlights that make Spain one of the countries with the best quality of life.

During the six months of the Expo, a total of 32 Spanish companies, including 200 artists, will present their work in Dubai. Around 100 shows will take place in the Spain Pavilion and on the main stages in the Expo venue. Inside the pavilion, numerous activities ranging from arts to sports are taking place with thematic weeks and international days, along with, business forums and activities organised by its sponsors. (WAM)