Tag: United States

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Sheikh Abdullah meets US counterpart at COP26

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Head of the UAE delegation to the COP26 meeting, has met with Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State…reports Asian Lite News

During the meeting, held on the sidelines of COP26 (the 26th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – UNFCCC), Glasgow, United Kingdom, Sheikh Abdullah and Blinken discussed the longstanding historic relations between the UAE and the US as well as a number of regional and global issues of mutual concern.

Sheikh Abdullah emphasised the strong and strategic UAE-US relations and the continuous cooperation development in all fields between the two sides.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, and Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, attended the meeting.

The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) – a major new initiative led by the UAE and US with the support of over 30 governments – officially launched on Tuesday and announced an “early harvest” of US$4 billion of increased investment to accelerate innovation for climate-smart agriculture and food systems over the next five years. The UAE has pledged US$1 billion of increased investment as part of this initiative.

Launched as part of COP26, the initiative aims to increase and accelerate agricultural and food systems innovation in support of climate action. Nearly 25 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture. AIM for Climate is focused on leveraging high-potential economic returns and job creation from innovation investment in a sector that employs over 2 billion people and feeds the world’s growing population.

ALSO READ: UAE, Germany to jointly develop green hydrogen, artificial fuel

AIM for Climate’s diverse list of supporters include over 30 countries from six continents including the recent addition of Azerbaijan, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as numerous other non-governmental agencies.

The AIM for Climate partners intend to catalyse greater public and private sector investment in, and other support for, climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation to help to raise global ambition and underpin more rapid and transformative climate action in all countries, including by enabling science-based and data-driven decision and policy-making. AIM for Climate partners are committing to significantly increase total investment in agricultural innovation by 2025 versus the 2020 baseline.

The initiative seeks to enable ambitious investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation to help create a surge of solutions, enabling the world to meet nutritional needs, increase agricultural productivity, improve livelihoods, conserve nature and biodiversity, build resilience to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and sequester carbon.

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-Top News News UAE News

UAE embassy in US launches ’50 Years | 50 Faces’ campaign

UAE flag

The UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C., has launched a new campaign “50 Years | 50 Faces,” honouring the country’s 50th anniversary and telling the story of the UAE’s friendship with the US across five decades…reports Asian Lite News

The groundbreaking campaign is part of the UAE’s “Year of the 50th” celebration, which is taking place through March 2022.

The celebration will highlight the UAE-US relationship, which has been guided over the last 50 years by deep friendships, shared values and a common vision for a better future. Through a series of 50 short videos that will be featured on a story hub at “UAEUSAUnited.com” and promoted by the Embassy’s social media platforms, Emiratis, UAE residents and Americans, will share their personal experiences as they relate to the meaningful relations between the UAE and US.

Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE Ambassador to the US,

The stories reflect the breadth and depth of the UAE’s history and relations with the US – and range from 15 to 50 years old, and everywhere in between.

“We’ve captured some of the special ‘moments’ that reflect aspects of the 50-year-old UAE-USA relationship, as told by individuals. Their accounts are unique, personal and unexpected, and tell the story of a friendship that has withstood the test of time,” said Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE Ambassador to the US, whose own story about first coming to Washington, D.C. and forging friendship on his college soccer team is featured.

“As the UAE approaches its National Day, ‘50 Years | 50 Faces’ is a fitting tribute to the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed, and his vision for a more open, globally engaged and inclusive society,” continued Ambassador Al Otaiba.

The videos will feature contributions from Emirati and American officials, thought leaders, academics and students in subjects that include space, education, the arts and culture, religion and diplomacy.

One of the featured videos launching today tells the story of when, nearly 50 years ago, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan held an extraordinary meeting with three of NASA’s Apollo 15 astronauts, who had just returned from a historic visit to the surface of the Moon. The story of this astounding meeting, as told 47 years later by former NASA scientist Farouk El-Baz is one example of the people-to-people connections illustrated by the 50 Years | 50 Faces project.

In addition to Farouk El-Baz, the launch of 50 Years | 50 Faces will feature the following individuals and their stories: – UAE Ambassador to the United States Yousef Al Otaiba recalling the friendships he formed through his love of soccer while studying at Georgetown University.

ALSO READ: UAE, US Launch AIM For Climate Initiative

– Deeply personal moments shared by former US Ambassador to the UAE Marcelle Wahba, about the days following 9/11/2001.

– New York University Abu Dhabi Professor Michele Bambling’s work alongside Emirati students who delved into their family archives to curate the groundbreaking “Lest We Forget” project.

– Middle East pitmaster Hattem Mattar and his journey to bring Texas-style brisket to the UAE.

Additional videos will be added to the story hub UAEUSAUnited.com over the coming days and weeks. For more information, or to view the videos, visit uaeusaunited.com/50-years-50-faces

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-Top News UAE News World

UAE, US Launch AIM For Climate Initiative

UAE, US Launch AIM For Climate Initiative

The initiative aims to increase and accelerate agricultural and food systems innovation in support of climate action…reports Asian Lite News

The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) – a major new initiative led by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and United States (US) with the support of over 30 governments – officially launched on Tuesday and announced an “early harvest” of US$4 billion of increased investment to accelerate innovation for climate-smart agriculture and food systems over the next five years.

UAE FLAG

The UAE has pledged US$1 billion of increased investment as part of this initiative.

Launched as part of the World Leaders’ Summit at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), the initiative aims to increase and accelerate agricultural and food systems innovation in support of climate action.

Nearly 25 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture. AIM for Climate is focused on leveraging high-potential economic returns and job creation from innovation investment in a sector that employs over 2 billion people and feeds the world’s growing population.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said, “AIM for Climate is focusing on a sector that has been previously overlooked in terms of the opportunities it offers for global climate action. This initiative demonstrates the UAE’s holistic and inclusive approach to climate action, which characterises our offer to host COP28.”

UAE, US Launch AIM For Climate Initiative

“The United Arab Emirates has already driven change in the energy sector through green innovation and growth, investing over US$17 billion in clean energy around the world. AIM for Climate is a smart extension of that investment strategy, and the UAE is pleased to pledge US$1 billion as part of the initiative.”

John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, said, “The United States is proud to be launching the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate initiative alongside the United Arab Emirates and over 80 partners across the globe. Investment in climate-smart agriculture innovation is critical to addressing the climate crisis. Innovation can reduce emissions, feed the world’s growing population, and help farmers and ranchers mitigate and adapt to climate change.”

“AIM for Climate has an impressive start, garnering US$4 billion in increased investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation thus far, but together AIM for Climate partners can and must do more to catalyse even greater investment in the years ahead. I look forward to seeing what AIM for Climate can accomplish and encourage more to join this effort.”

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, said, “A major part of the climate challenge revolves around food and agriculture. When we consider that about a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture, and the world’s growing population is increasingly dependent on climate-vulnerable food production, we can see the urgency of driving investments in agricultural innovation and R&D.”

“AIM for Climate is the kind of bold move towards accelerating the global food systems transformation that we need, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 and eradicate world hunger by 2030. The initiative will go a long way in mobilising a global movement to strengthen food security, transform our food systems into more sustainable ones and mitigate climate change.”

TOM VILSACK, U.S. AGRICULTURE SECRETARY: “The climate crisis threatens to disrupt food systems around the globe, exacerbate food insecurity and negatively impact farmers’ livelihoods. We must invest in innovative, science-based solutions to help agriculture mitigate and adapt to climate change – and that’s what AIM for Climate is all about. We welcome our newest AIM for Climate supporters and urge additional nations and organisations to join us in this global effort to accelerate agricultural innovation through increased investment in research and development.”

AIM for Climate’s diverse list of supporters include over 30 countries from six continents including the recent addition of Azerbaijan, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as numerous other non-governmental agencies.

ALSO READ: UAE, UK to conduct exercise to toughen border controls

The AIM for Climate partners intend to catalyse greater public and private sector investment in, and other support for, climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation to help to raise global ambition and underpin more rapid and transformative climate action in all countries, including by enabling science-based and data-driven decision and policy-making. AIM for Climate partners are committing to significantly increase total investment in agricultural innovation by 2025 versus the 2020 baseline.

The initiative seeks to enable ambitious investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation to help create a surge of solutions, enabling the world to meet nutritional needs, increase agricultural productivity, improve livelihoods, conserve nature and biodiversity, build resilience to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and sequester carbon.

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Arab News News World

Egypt signs 7 grant agreements with the US

Egypt signs 7 grant agreements with the US

Egypt has signed seven grant agreements with the US, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), worth $125 million as part of the joint economic relations program between the two countries…reports Asian Lite News

The agreements aim to bolster Egypt’s development efforts in the fields of education, science and technology, agriculture, health, economic governance, trade and investment, Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation, Rania al-Mashat said in a statement.

Egypt signs 7 grant agreements with the US

Al-Mashat pointed out that the strategic partnership with the United States is integrated with Egypt’s national efforts to achieve economic and social development, Xinhua news agency reported.

She revealed that Egypt’s International Cooperation Ministry and the National Council for Women, as well as the World Economic Forum, had launched the “Closing the Gender Gap Accelerator” initiative, the first of its kind in Africa and the Middle East, which works to take institutional measures to empower women.

ALSO READ: Prince Charles to visit Jordan, Egypt

“The Ministry is seeking to agree on a new partnership with the USAID in the context of achieving the goals of the initiative to bridge the gender gap, improve the work environment for women in the private sector, and enhance financial inclusion for women,” the Minister added.

She noted that the partnership with the USAID is also reflected in motivating the participation of the private sector in Egypt’s development and increasing its role in various projects, by supporting small and medium-sized companies.

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News World World News

Erdogan Drops Plan To Expel Diplomats

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Erdogan on October 21 threatened to expel the ambassadors of these 10 countries on the grounds that they interfere with Turkey’s judiciary…reports Asian Lite News

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stepped back from his threat to declare the Ambassadors of 10 countries, including the US, Germany and France, as “persona non grata” after they made a joint statement for the release of a jailed businessman.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Erdogan welcomed a new statement by several Western embassies in Ankara, which noted that they abide by a diplomatic convention that stipulates not to interfere in a host country’s internal affairs, reports Xinhua news agency.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“Our intention is never to cause a crisis but to protect our honour, our pride, our sovereign rights. The new statement shows they have taken a step back from the slander against our country. They will be more careful now,” President said.

“It is the duty of the head of state to give the necessary response to this disrespect towards our judicial members,” he stated.

The US and several other embassies on Monday issued similar statements, saying they respected a UN convention that required diplomats not to interfere in the host country’s domestic affairs.

ALSO READ: Turkey’s Erdogan in revenge mode

The diplomatic crises erupted last week after the embassies of the US, Germany, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden in Ankara made a joint statement on October 18 for the release of Osman Kavala.

Erdogan on October 21 threatened to expel the ambassadors of these 10 countries on the grounds that they interfere with Turkey’s judiciary.

Kavala was acquitted in 2020 of charges related to nationwide Gezi protests in 2013.

But his ruling was overturned and was combined with a probe into a coup attempt in 2016 on the accusation of spying.

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Arab News News World

US Envoy: Iran nuclear deal in a critical phase

US Envoy Iran nuclear deal in a critical phase

US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley has said that the efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal are “in a critical phase,” reiterating the negotiation window to revive the deal will not be open forever…reports Asian Lite News

“We’re in a critical phase of the efforts to see whether we can revive the JCPOA,” Malley told reporters on Monday during a press call, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, Xinhua reported.

“We’ve had a hiatus of many months and the official reasons given by Iran for why we’re in this hiatus are wearing very thin.”

US Envoy Iran nuclear deal in a critical phase

Malley’s comments followed his week-long trip to the Middle East and Europe over the Iran nuclear issue. US allies and partners shared “a deep and growing concern” about Iran’s nuclear progress, he said.

According to Malley, diplomacy is still a preferred path to address the Iran nuclear issue, but the United States and allies would also have to consider alternative tools.

ALSO READ: Iran’s Prez concern over IS militants in Af

“We are always open to diplomatic arrangements with Iran, and we believe that this can only be resolved diplomatically. The question is whether the JCPOA can still be revived,” he added.

The US and Iranian officials began indirect talks in Vienna this April to restore the 2015 nuclear agreement. The two sides still have significant differences after six rounds of negotiations, which have been stalled since June.

Malley stressed that the window for negotiations on a return to the JCPOA will not be open forever. “This is not a chronological clock. It’s a technological clock. At some point, the JCPOA will have been so eroded because Iran would have made advances that cannot be reversed.”

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Africa News News World

US suspends $700mn economic aid to Sudan after coup

The US has suspended $700 million in economic aid to Sudan after the military forces arrested civilian leaders, including Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and declared a coup in the North African nation…reports Asian Lite News

“The US strongly condemns the actions of the Sudanese military forces. We firmly reject the dissolution of the civilian-led transitional government and its associated institutions and call for their immediate restoration,” the State Department announced late Monday.

“The arrest of Prime Minister Hamdok and other civilian leaders is unacceptable. The military forces must ensure their safety and release them immediately. These actions have the potential to derail the country’s transition to democracy and are a betrayal of Sudan’s peaceful revolution.”

Sudan police fire tear gas to disperse protesters

The Department went on to say that in the wake of these developments, “the US is immediately pausing the delivery of $700 million in emergency Economic Support Funds to Sudan, which were intended to support the country’s democratic transition, while we evaluate next steps”.

In response to the continued protests across Sudan against the coup, the State Department said “the US strongly supports the right of the Sudanese people to assemble peacefully in support of democracy”.

“We are gravely concerned by reports that Sudanese security forces have used live ammunition against peaceful protesters. Security officials should immediately cease the use of violence against peaceful protesters. We also urge the restoration of Internet services,” it added.

Following the arrest of Hamdok, members of the Transitional Sovereignty Council’s civilian component, and several other Ministers earlier on Monday, internet services were suspended in capital Khartoum, while phone lines were also down.

The office of the Prime Minister said Hamdok and his wife were taken an unknown place.

The coup and a state of emergency was declared by Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan on Monday. He also dissolved the transitional sovereign council, the government and relieved of all state Governors of their post.

Addressing the nation in a live broadcast, Al-Burhan said that the division among partners in the transitional government prompted the military intervention to prevent the country from chaos, Xinhua news agency.

He expressed commitment to the constitutional document but announced suspension of the items relating to the coalition with the Freedom and Change Alliance, the civilian component in the ruling coalition that accused Al-Burhan of carrying out a military coup.

ALSO READ: ‘UAE’s AI economy opens opportunities for further US ties’

Meanwhile, street demonstrations rejecting the military intervention were continuing in Khartoum, despite army retaliation.

According to a BBC report, at least three people have died and more than 80 others were injured.

Demonstrators have blocked roads with piles of bricks and burning tyres.

The city’s airport is closed and international flights are suspended.

Besides the US, the UK, EU, UN and African Union, of which Sudan is a member, have also condemned the coup and demanded the immediate release of the civilian leaders.

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-Top News UAE News World

‘UAE’s AI economy opens opportunities for further US ties’

Thomas Debass

The UAE moving towards an Artificial Intelligence economy gives more opportunities for the US to strengthen the existing bilateral relations, a senior US official told Emirates News Agency (WAM).

“I think all these emerging technologies give us an opportunity [for the US and UAE] to strengthen the bilateral relationship. AI is an area that the US is a leader in and it helps both investments and innovations to come out. The UAE positioning itself as an AI economy gives us again another opportunity to strengthen that relationship,” said Thomas Debass, Managing Director of the Office of Global Partnership at the US Department of State.

“There is a lot that we can contribute to [the UAE’s AI economy] in terms of experiences and investments, but there is a lot that we can learn as well,” added the official responsible for coordinating the Department’s private sector engagement efforts and providing thought leadership on partnerships related to economic growth, global finance, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Debbas pointed out that the White House has launched the National AI Initiative by putting together a legislation on AI governance.

AI is so powerful and its governance has to be done carefully and transparently from a data privacy and humanity perspective, he stressed.

“I think there is a lot of international cooperation that can emerge out of that. The UAE is lending itself to be a leader in that space. We are already a leader. How do we form into collaboration to make sure that the next generation of AI comes to serve the humanity and make us prosper better and to address the challenges that we face such as COVID-19, climate change and others,” the official continued.

AI has greatly contributed to tackle COVID-19 with the rapid research on vaccines, and using it for contract tracing, education and public health, Debbas said. “We have already seen its promise. The question now is … how does AI help us create efficiency from a climate change perspective, in creating tech technologies, energy management and all those types of things?”

The US official emphasised that now the deployment of AI has to be scaled up. “I think AI is going to need a platform to scale up and I think that is where I see the opportunity for collaboration between the US and UAE,” the official said at the US Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

ALSO READ: Sheikh Mohammed Lauds UAE Space Sector

The US Pavilion has captured the spirit of America’s diversity, prosperity, innovations and its promises into the future. “The Expo gives you an opportunity to see what these countries are all about, especially the common bond that we have in humanity’s perspective. It is just amazing.”

He regularly gives lectures and talks about the intersection of policy, business and society. Prior to joining the State Department, he was Lead Economist/Deputy Director in the Office of Investment Policy with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). He has also served as a senior technical advisor at the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

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India News PAKISTAN World

‘US, India make attempts to manoeuvre Pak out of CPEC’

'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.

ALSO READ: FATF Retains Pakistan in Grey List, Turkey New Entrant

“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.”

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Arab News Syria World

Drone attack targets US base in Syria

Drone attack targets US base in Syria

A drone attack targeted a US base in the al-Tanf area in Syria..reports Asian Lite News

Multiple explosions rocked the US base late Wednesday night as a result of the attack, Xinhua news agency quoted SANA as sayonh without giving any other details.

Drone attack targets US base in Syria

Meanwhile, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported the explosions, saying it was not yet clear whether the attack was carried out by pro-Iran militia or not.

It’s worth noting that Israel has carried out its recent attacks from over the al-Tanf area, targeting positions of pro-Iran fighters.

ALSO READ: The latest round of Syrian constitutional talks held at Geneva

In 2016, the US established the base in al-Tanf, located in a triangle of border regions between Syria, Iraq and Jordan.

The Syrian government has repeated calls for the US to withdraw from Syria, deeming its presence “illegal”.