For the second straight time, Pakistan is on the brink of losing the hosting rights of a multi-team tournament, this time of the 2025 Champions Trophy, due to India and BCCI's stance of not sending their team to the country.&nbsp;

Due to disturbed political relations between both countries, and security being a major concern, India had opted out of playing the 2022 Asia Cup in Pakistan - the original host. The tournament later was played in the hybrid model, with Sri Lanka and Pakistan co-hosting it.

The latest reports have suggested that Pakistan might suffer the same fate again, depending on the BCCI's stance.&nbsp;

However, if the Indian government and the cricket board decide against sending the team to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, the tournament would be played entirely in the UAE or the hybrid model, with Pakistan hosting non-India matches.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ban-vs-nz-1st-test-saqlains-knowledge-of-asian-conditions-will-come-in-handy-for-us-luke-ronchi-663374">BAN vs NZ, 1st Test - Saqlain's knowledge of Asian conditions will come in handy for us: Luke Ronchi</a>

As per a report of news agency PTI, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf and COO Salman Naseer met the ICC executive board in Ahmedabad to discuss uncertainty surrounding the venue of the 2025 Champions Trophy.&nbsp;

“Pakistani officials discussed the probability of the Indian board (BCCI) again refusing to send its team to Pakistan and made it clear that in any given situation, the ICC must avoid taking unilateral decisions on the tournament,” a source told PTI.

The PCB's top bosses argue that several top teams have toured Pakistan in the past two years, including England, New Zealand and Australia, without any team facing or complaining about security concerns.&nbsp;

They added that if India insists on complaining on security grounds, the ICC must appoint an independent security agency, which could liaise with the Pakistan government and their security officials to assess the situation of the participating teams, including India.

“The PCB officials said many top teams had toured Pakistan in the last two years without any security concerns. They also made it clear that in case of India not sending its team and its matches being moved to another country, then the ICC must compensate Pakistan for this,” the source added.

<h2>The return of the Champions Trophy</h2>

The ICC Champions Trophy - an eight-team event in 2025, will return for the first time since 2017 when Pakistan beat India to win their maiden title.

While India and Australia have won it twice, with the Men in Blue last winning in 2013, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa have won it once.

For the second straight time, Pakistan is on the brink of losing the hosting rights of a multi-team tournament, this time of the 2025 Champions Trophy, due to India and BCCI's stance of not sending their team to the country.

For the second straight time, Pakistan is on the brink of losing the hosting rights of a multi-team tournament, this time of the 2025 Champions Trophy, due to India and BCCI's stance of not sending their team to the country. Due to disturbed political relations between both countries, and security being a major concern, India had opted out of playing the 2022 Asia Cup in Pakistan - the original host. The tournament later was played in the hybrid model, with Sri Lanka and Pakistan co-hosting it. The latest reports have suggested that Pakistan might suffer the same fate again, depending on the BCCI's stance. However, if the Indian government and the cricket board decide against sending the team to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, the tournament would be played entirely in the UAE or the hybrid model, with Pakistan hosting non-India matches. ALSO READ: BAN vs NZ, 1st Test - Saqlain's knowledge of Asian conditions will come in handy for us: Luke Ronchi As per a report of news agency PTI, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf and COO Salman Naseer met the ICC executive board in Ahmedabad to discuss uncertainty surrounding the venue of the 2025 Champions Trophy. “Pakistani officials discussed the probability of the Indian board (BCCI) again refusing to send its team to Pakistan and made it clear that in any given situation, the ICC must avoid taking unilateral decisions on the tournament,” a source told PTI. The PCB's top bosses argue that several top teams have toured Pakistan in the past two years, including England, New Zealand and Australia, without any team facing or complaining about security concerns. They added that if India insists on complaining on security grounds, the ICC must appoint an independent security agency, which could liaise with the Pakistan government and their security officials to assess the situation of the participating teams, including India. “The PCB officials said many top teams had toured Pakistan in the last two years without any security concerns. They also made it clear that in case of India not sending its team and its matches being moved to another country, then the ICC must compensate Pakistan for this,” the source added. The return of the Champions Trophy The ICC Champions Trophy - an eight-team event in 2025, will return for the first time since 2017 when Pakistan beat India to win their maiden title. While India and Australia have won it twice, with the Men in Blue last winning in 2013, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa have won it once.

2025 Champions Trophy venue likely to change as BCCI remains firm on not travelling to Pakistan - Reports

COP28 Climate Summit is about to begin from Novemeber 30 in UAE. COP28 Chief outlines global climate challenge.

COP28 Climate Summit to begin from Nov 30, key issues on the negotiation table

According to statements made in the public interest, the UK government plans to examine the proposed sale of the Telegraph Media Group to an investment fund backed by Abu Dhabi. The fund, RedBird IMI, declared on Monday that it was going to seize ownership of The Spectator magazine, The Daily Telegraph, and The Sunday Telegraph, which are sister newspapers.

UK government to review the proposed sale of the Telegraph Media Group

On the basis of public interest, the UK government announced on Wednesday that it was "minded" to examine the planned sale of the Telegraph Media Group to an investment fund backed by Abu Dhabi.

UK MPs warn against UAE takeover of Telegraph, to review proposed sale of Telegraph Media Group

The first group of Palestinian children wounded in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday (Nov 18). This rescue is part of a pledged relief effort by the UAE to aid 1,000 children.

The first group of Palestinian children wounded in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday (Nov 18). This rescue is part of a pledged relief effort by the UAE to aid 1,000 children. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, the group of 15 people, including children and their families made it across Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Friday. They then took a flight from the Egyptian city of El-Arish to the UAE's capital Abu Dhabi, the report said. Some of the seats of the aircraft were removed to make room for the most critically wounded children, who were lying on stretchers. 'My uncle was killed, dad was injured...' Speaking to the Associated Press, 12-year-old Amr Jandieh said that his uncle was killed and his dad was injured in a missile strike. "My dad, uncle, and I were talking on the street. My uncle was killed. My dad was injured ... all of a sudden a missile hit and I lost consciousness. I woke up and found myself in the hospital," a tearful Jandieh said as he arrived in the UAE alone. Click here to follow all updates on the Israel-Hamas war Fourteen-year-old Mohammed Abu Tabikh, who was one of the more seriously wounded children on the flight, suffered injuries to his neck and spine when a car he was travelling in was hit in a strike. “When I got injured, I felt shock. And then I stopped moving,” Tabikh added. Another passenger- Nabila Mahmoud travelled from Gaza with her 17-year-old daughter Rawan, who suffered a broken pelvis. Mahmoud said their house was hit by a direct missile and 13 of her family members were killed. UAE announces $20 million humanitarian package for Gaza Since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Hamas on Oct 7, the UAE has provided a $20 million aid package for Gaza. Under this package, the country has sent 51 planes carrying 1,400 tonnes of food and relief supplies. Also read: Five countries request for war crimes investigation in Palestinian territories Maha Barakat, the assistant minister of foreign affairs for health, said that all medical and healthcare staff and the UAE's hospitals were prepared to receive the remaining Palestinian children and their families. Barakat also said that as part of the "Gallant Knight 3" operation, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered the establishment of an integrated field hospital inside Gaza. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: First group of wounded Palestinian children arrives in UAE

Global fossil fuel production in the next seven years will be more than double the levels pushing the world far beyond the climate goals, including the 1.5 degree Celsius target, set under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, said the United Nations and researchers, on Wednesday (Nov 8).&nbsp;

The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Production Gap report comes ahead of the COP28 climate conference which will take place later this month, where the future of fossil fuels is set to be a key point of discussion.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the UNEP report find?</h2>

The report assesses the gap in fossil fuel production cuts and what’s needed to meet climate goals. “Fossil fuel phase out is one of the pivotal issues that will be negotiated at COP 28,” said Ploy Achakulwisut, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) scientist and a lead author of the report said in a press briefing.&nbsp;

She added, “We need countries to commit to a phase out of all fossil fuels to keep the 1.5C goal alive.” Leaders from across the world are set to convene for the global COP 28 climate meeting starting November 30, in the oil-rich nation of United Arab Emirates (UAE).&nbsp;

Under the Paris climate deal, nations have committed to a long-term goal of limiting average global temperature to less than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and even try to limit them further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;

However, the report analysed 20 major fossil fuel producers and found they plan to produce a total of 110 per cent more fossil fuels than what would be consistent with limiting the degree of warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and 69 per cent more than would be consistent with two degree Celsius.&nbsp;

The report also noted that none of the 20 countries – which account for 82 per cent of production and 73 per cent of consumption of the world’s fossil fuel supply – have committed to reducing coal, oil, and gas production in line with limiting the warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;

This comes as burning fossil fuel has been attributed as the main cause of climate change as it accounts for most of the planet-heating carbon pollution driving global warming.&nbsp;

<h2>Calls for unity ahead of COP28</h2>

“Governments’ plans to expand fossil fuel production are undermining the energy transition needed to achieve net-zero emissions, throwing humanity’s future into question,” said UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen.&nbsp;

She also called for nations to “unite behind a managed and equitable phase-out of coal, oil and gas – to ease the turbulence ahead and benefit every person on this planet.” The countries analysed include Australia, China, Norway, Qatar, Britain, the UAE and the United States.

Out of the 20 countries, 17 have pledged to reach net zero emissions but continue to promote subsidies, support and plan the expansion of fossil fuel production, said the report.&nbsp;

In fact, the US which aims to reach net zero emissions by 2050 has accelerated domestic production of oil and gas since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Global fossil fuel production in the next seven years will be more than double the levels pushing the world far beyond the climate goals, including the 1.5 degree Celsius target, set under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, said the United Nations and researchers, on Wednesday (Nov 8).

Global fossil fuel production in the next seven years will be more than double the levels pushing the world far beyond the climate goals, including the 1.5 degree Celsius target, set under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, said the United Nations and researchers, on Wednesday (Nov 8). The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Production Gap report comes ahead of the COP28 climate conference which will take place later this month, where the future of fossil fuels is set to be a key point of discussion. What did the UNEP report find? The report assesses the gap in fossil fuel production cuts and what’s needed to meet climate goals. “Fossil fuel phase out is one of the pivotal issues that will be negotiated at COP 28,” said Ploy Achakulwisut, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) scientist and a lead author of the report said in a press briefing. She added, “We need countries to commit to a phase out of all fossil fuels to keep the 1.5C goal alive.” Leaders from across the world are set to convene for the global COP 28 climate meeting starting November 30, in the oil-rich nation of United Arab Emirates (UAE). Under the Paris climate deal, nations have committed to a long-term goal of limiting average global temperature to less than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and even try to limit them further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, the report analysed 20 major fossil fuel producers and found they plan to produce a total of 110 per cent more fossil fuels than what would be consistent with limiting the degree of warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and 69 per cent more than would be consistent with two degree Celsius. The report also noted that none of the 20 countries – which account for 82 per cent of production and 73 per cent of consumption of the world’s fossil fuel supply – have committed to reducing coal, oil, and gas production in line with limiting the warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This comes as burning fossil fuel has been attributed as the main cause of climate change as it accounts for most of the planet-heating carbon pollution driving global warming. Calls for unity ahead of COP28 “Governments’ plans to expand fossil fuel production are undermining the energy transition needed to achieve net-zero emissions, throwing humanity’s future into question,” said UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen. She also called for nations to “unite behind a managed and equitable phase-out of coal, oil and gas – to ease the turbulence ahead and benefit every person on this planet.” The countries analysed include Australia, China, Norway, Qatar, Britain, the UAE and the United States. Out of the 20 countries, 17 have pledged to reach net zero emissions but continue to promote subsidies, support and plan the expansion of fossil fuel production, said the report. In fact, the US which aims to reach net zero emissions by 2050 has accelerated domestic production of oil and gas since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (With inputs from agencies)

Global fossil fuel production plans threaten 1.5 degree Celsius warming threshold: UN report

The International League T20 (ILT20) has launched a school cricket program in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, and Sharjah – the ILT20 Schools Cup. The program is aimed at encouraging and promoting the sport of cricket in schools with a long-term vision of identifying talent at a young age and investing in the future of UAE cricket. This program establishes a direct channel of the ILT20 to UAE’s young and aspiring cricketers and provides them with a platform to show their talent.

A total of six pools have been created for this competition. The six DP World ILT20 franchises Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors have been assigned a pool each.

The program has been organised for under 18 players. A total of 35 schools are competing for the ultimate prize and title – ILT20 Schools Cup Champion. One team from each of the six pools will be progressing to the final stage of the competition. The program commenced last week and will conclude just before the start of ILT20 Season 2 – Friday (17 Jan 2024).

The franchises, through this initiative, will develop a strong support base with school children of their home city franchise. The winner of the final stage will be crowned the ILT20 School Champion.

Meanwhile, as an extension of the program, before the start of each ILT20 Season 2 fixture, school, and cricket academy kids (seven to 10 years) will get an opportunity to play softball cricket matches on the field. This pre-match activity will last for around an hour each day and will provide the kids with an incredibly exciting opportunity to take the field at three world-class stadiums amid their favourite cricket players and heroes with their families watching them from the spectator stands.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/odi-world-cup-2023-it-was-disappointing-says-bangladesh-bowling-coach-donald-on-shakibs-time-out-appeal-656478">ODI World Cup 2023: 'It was disappointing,' says Bangladesh bowling coach Donald on Shakib's time out appeal</a>

ILT20 CEO David White: “The International League T20 is all about shaping the future of UAE cricket. Following the big success of our inaugural development tournament, we are delighted to launch the ILT20 Schools Programme. The ILT20 Schools Cup is aimed at providing school children, an incredible opportunity of playing at our three world-class venues, which have hosted some of the biggest cricket tournaments and players throughout their rich history.

“Through this initiative, we are engaging with schools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah besides other UAE emirates. All our six franchises are working closely with us. Hundreds of school children will participate in the program and we are confident that many of them will take up the sport as their passion and potentially as a career. By participating in this program for the next couple of months, these children are likely to fall in love with this great game of ours just like billions have from around the world.”

The International League T20 (ILT20) has launched a school cricket program in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, and Sharjah – the ILT20 Schools Cup. The program is aimed at encouraging and promoting the sport of cricket in schools with a long-term vision of identifying talent at a young age and investing in the future of UAE cricket.

The International League T20 (ILT20) has launched a school cricket program in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, and Sharjah – the ILT20 Schools Cup. The program is aimed at encouraging and promoting the sport of cricket in schools with a long-term vision of identifying talent at a young age and investing in the future of UAE cricket. This program establishes a direct channel of the ILT20 to UAE’s young and aspiring cricketers and provides them with a platform to show their talent. A total of six pools have been created for this competition. The six DP World ILT20 franchises Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors have been assigned a pool each. The program has been organised for under 18 players. A total of 35 schools are competing for the ultimate prize and title – ILT20 Schools Cup Champion. One team from each of the six pools will be progressing to the final stage of the competition. The program commenced last week and will conclude just before the start of ILT20 Season 2 – Friday (17 Jan 2024). The franchises, through this initiative, will develop a strong support base with school children of their home city franchise. The winner of the final stage will be crowned the ILT20 School Champion. Meanwhile, as an extension of the program, before the start of each ILT20 Season 2 fixture, school, and cricket academy kids (seven to 10 years) will get an opportunity to play softball cricket matches on the field. This pre-match activity will last for around an hour each day and will provide the kids with an incredibly exciting opportunity to take the field at three world-class stadiums amid their favourite cricket players and heroes with their families watching them from the spectator stands. ALSO READ | ODI World Cup 2023: 'It was disappointing,' says Bangladesh bowling coach Donald on Shakib's time out appeal ILT20 CEO David White: “The International League T20 is all about shaping the future of UAE cricket. Following the big success of our inaugural development tournament, we are delighted to launch the ILT20 Schools Programme. The ILT20 Schools Cup is aimed at providing school children, an incredible opportunity of playing at our three world-class venues, which have hosted some of the biggest cricket tournaments and players throughout their rich history. “Through this initiative, we are engaging with schools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah besides other UAE emirates. All our six franchises are working closely with us. Hundreds of school children will participate in the program and we are confident that many of them will take up the sport as their passion and potentially as a career. By participating in this program for the next couple of months, these children are likely to fall in love with this great game of ours just like billions have from around the world.”

ILT20 launches latest initiative across UAE ahead of new season

The diplomatic adviser to the president of UAE on Saturday (Nov 4) called for the United States to push for an immediate end to the war between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist militant group Hamas in Gaza.&nbsp;

Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, further said that if the US fails to find a process to end the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict then it would be seen as ineffective.

Gargash also stated that Israel's policy of restraint, which has been the "hallmark" of the Palestinian issue for the past 20 years, had fallen and called for a new policy that takes refugees, borders and East Jerusalem into consideration.

"US involvement will be seen by when we end this war, the quicker the better, and whether we can have another you know, sort of process at problem-solving, at issue solving," he said at a policy conference in the capital Abu Dhabi.

"If this crisis continues, and especially the humanitarian side, and if this crisis, brings us back full circle, to the old containment policy of pre-Seventh of October, I think the American role here is not going to be, forget right and wrong, is not going to be seen as effective," he added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-turkey-recalls-ambassador-from-israel-after-tel-avivs-refusal-of-ceasefire-in-conflict-655116">Israel-Hamas war: Turkey recalls ambassador from Israel on ceasefire refusal</a>

<h2>UAE warns against risk of regional spillover&nbsp;</h2>

The United Arab Emirates on Friday (Nov 3) warned against the risk of regional spillover of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas further adding that it was making efforts "relentlessly" towards a humanitarian ceasefire.

"As we continue working to stop this war, we cannot ignore the wider context and the necessity to turn down the regional temperature that is approaching a boiling point," Noura Al Kaabi, a minister of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told a policy conference in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi.

"The risk of regional spillover and further escalation is real, as well as the risk that extremist groups will take advantage of the situation to advance ideologies that will keep us locked in cycles of violence."

As per news agency Reuters reports, the UAE said that it has planned to treat 1,000 Palestinian children from Gaza, but did not elaborate on how the kids would leave the besieged Palestinian enclave.

"We are working relentlessly to reach an immediate and full humanitarian ceasefire so life-saving aid could be delivered to the Gaza Strip," Al Kaabi said.

She further called for the safety of civilians and said that the upsurge in violence was an outcome of "decades of long failure" to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

(With inputs from agencies)

The diplomatic adviser to the president of UAE on Saturday (Nov 4) called for the United States to push for an immediate end to the war between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist militant group Hamas in Gaza.

The diplomatic adviser to the president of UAE on Saturday (Nov 4) called for the United States to push for an immediate end to the war between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist militant group Hamas in Gaza. Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, further said that if the US fails to find a process to end the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict then it would be seen as ineffective. Gargash also stated that Israel's policy of restraint, which has been the "hallmark" of the Palestinian issue for the past 20 years, had fallen and called for a new policy that takes refugees, borders and East Jerusalem into consideration. "US involvement will be seen by when we end this war, the quicker the better, and whether we can have another you know, sort of process at problem-solving, at issue solving," he said at a policy conference in the capital Abu Dhabi. "If this crisis continues, and especially the humanitarian side, and if this crisis, brings us back full circle, to the old containment policy of pre-Seventh of October, I think the American role here is not going to be, forget right and wrong, is not going to be seen as effective," he added. Also read: Israel-Hamas war: Turkey recalls ambassador from Israel on ceasefire refusal UAE warns against risk of regional spillover The United Arab Emirates on Friday (Nov 3) warned against the risk of regional spillover of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas further adding that it was making efforts "relentlessly" towards a humanitarian ceasefire. "As we continue working to stop this war, we cannot ignore the wider context and the necessity to turn down the regional temperature that is approaching a boiling point," Noura Al Kaabi, a minister of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told a policy conference in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi. "The risk of regional spillover and further escalation is real, as well as the risk that extremist groups will take advantage of the situation to advance ideologies that will keep us locked in cycles of violence." As per news agency Reuters reports, the UAE said that it has planned to treat 1,000 Palestinian children from Gaza, but did not elaborate on how the kids would leave the besieged Palestinian enclave. "We are working relentlessly to reach an immediate and full humanitarian ceasefire so life-saving aid could be delivered to the Gaza Strip," Al Kaabi said. She further called for the safety of civilians and said that the upsurge in violence was an outcome of "decades of long failure" to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (With inputs from agencies)

UAE urges US to push for immediate end to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (Nov 3) dialled UAE President Mohammaed Bin Zayed and shared concerns over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and the loss of civilian lives in the West Bank amid the war.

During the telephonic conversation, both leaders agreed on "the need for early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation" in the region after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack against Israel on Oct 7.

Taking to his official X handle, PM Modi sharing details about the conversation.

He said, "Had a good conversation with my brother HH @MohamedBinZayed, President of UAE, on the West Asia situation. We share deep concerns at the terrorism, deteriorating security situation and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation and that a durable regional peace, security and stability is in everyone's interest."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Had a good conversation with my brother HH <a href="https://twitter.com/MohamedBinZayed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MohamedBinZayed</a>, President of UAE, on the West Asia situation. We share deep concerns at the terrorism, deteriorating security situation and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early resolution of the security and…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1720429442592555188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Earlier, the Indian prime minister spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on&nbsp;the ongoing military operations conducted by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-says-it-shares-goals-with-india-to-prevent-spreading-of-israel-hamas-war-654589">US says it shares goals with India to prevent spreading of Israel-Hamas war</a>

The rough translation of the post shared by the spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency read, "President Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi has received a phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, in which the two leaders exchanged views on the updates of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, and the danger of the ongoing escalation either for its devastating effects on civilian lives, or the threat it poses to the security of the region as a whole."

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&nbsp;

The post highlighted that the two leaders spoke about the crucial impact the war will have on civilians and the threat it poses to the security of the region.

He then said that Modi and El-Sisi also "reiterated their satisfaction on the outstanding level of bilateral relations and strategic partnership between Egypt and India, and their determination to continue leading the institutions of the two countries towards further strengthening the mutual cooperation between the two friendly countries."

PM Modi, sharing details of his conversations with the Egyptian President on his social media handle, said that both leaders shared concerns over the scourge of terrorism and the loss of civilian lives amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

"Yesterday, spoke with President @AlsisiOfficial. Exchanged views on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in West Asia. We share concerns regarding terrorism, violence, and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early restoration of peace and stability and facilitating humanitarian assistance," PM Modi posted from his official handle on X.

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Yesterday, spoke with President <a href="https://twitter.com/AlsisiOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlsisiOfficial</a>. Exchanged views on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in West Asia. We share concerns regarding terrorism, violence and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early restoration of peace and stability…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1718461804270006607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Last month, the humanitarian aid sent by India for the people of Palestine arrived in Egypt, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The Indian envoy to Egypt, Ajit Gupte, handed over the relief material to the Egyptian Red Crescent for onward transmission to Palestine.

"India's humanitarian aid for the people of Palestine arrives in Egypt. Amb @indembcairo@AjitVGupte handed over the relief material to the Egyptian Red Crescent for onward transmission to Palestine," the official spokesperson for the MEA, Arindam Bagchi, shared on his official social media handle.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (Nov 3) dialled UAE President Mohammaed Bin Zayed and shared concerns over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and the loss of civilian lives in the West Bank amid the war.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (Nov 3) dialled UAE President Mohammaed Bin Zayed and shared concerns over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and the loss of civilian lives in the West Bank amid the war. During the telephonic conversation, both leaders agreed on "the need for early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation" in the region after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack against Israel on Oct 7. Taking to his official X handle, PM Modi sharing details about the conversation. He said, "Had a good conversation with my brother HH @MohamedBinZayed, President of UAE, on the West Asia situation. We share deep concerns at the terrorism, deteriorating security situation and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early resolution of the security and humanitarian situation and that a durable regional peace, security and stability is in everyone's interest." Had a good conversation with my brother HH @MohamedBinZayed, President of UAE, on the West Asia situation. We share deep concerns at the terrorism, deteriorating security situation and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early resolution of the security and… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 3, 2023 × Earlier, the Indian prime minister spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the ongoing military operations conducted by Israel in the Gaza Strip. Also read: US says it shares goals with India to prevent spreading of Israel-Hamas war The rough translation of the post shared by the spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency read, "President Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi has received a phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, in which the two leaders exchanged views on the updates of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, and the danger of the ongoing escalation either for its devastating effects on civilian lives, or the threat it poses to the security of the region as a whole." × The post highlighted that the two leaders spoke about the crucial impact the war will have on civilians and the threat it poses to the security of the region. He then said that Modi and El-Sisi also "reiterated their satisfaction on the outstanding level of bilateral relations and strategic partnership between Egypt and India, and their determination to continue leading the institutions of the two countries towards further strengthening the mutual cooperation between the two friendly countries." PM Modi, sharing details of his conversations with the Egyptian President on his social media handle, said that both leaders shared concerns over the scourge of terrorism and the loss of civilian lives amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. "Yesterday, spoke with President @AlsisiOfficial. Exchanged views on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in West Asia. We share concerns regarding terrorism, violence, and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early restoration of peace and stability and facilitating humanitarian assistance," PM Modi posted from his official handle on X. Yesterday, spoke with President @AlsisiOfficial. Exchanged views on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in West Asia. We share concerns regarding terrorism, violence and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early restoration of peace and stability… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 29, 2023 × Last month, the humanitarian aid sent by India for the people of Palestine arrived in Egypt, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The Indian envoy to Egypt, Ajit Gupte, handed over the relief material to the Egyptian Red Crescent for onward transmission to Palestine. "India's humanitarian aid for the people of Palestine arrives in Egypt. Amb @indembcairo@AjitVGupte handed over the relief material to the Egyptian Red Crescent for onward transmission to Palestine," the official spokesperson for the MEA, Arindam Bagchi, shared on his official social media handle. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi holds telephonic conversation with UAE President over ongoing situation in West Asia

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expansive geo-economic outreach towards West Asia appears to yield benefits for the world's fifth-biggest economy. That's because the united arab emirates are reportedly planning to invest about 50 billion dollars in India, as part of its broader bet on India's rising economic potential. A Bloomberg report suggests that the UAE could announce these investments next year, coinciding with the general elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term in office.

UAE considering investments of about $50 BN in India: Report

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expansive geopolitical and geo-economic outreach appears to be yielding the benefits for the world's fifth biggest economy. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is reportedly considering investing as much as $50 billion in India as part of its broader bet on India's rising economic potential.

According to a report in Bloomberg, the UAE could announce these investments into India next year, coinciding with the General Elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to seek a third term in office.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/uae-emerges-as-social-media-capital-of-world-india-comes-19th-report-590554">UAE emerges as social media capital of world, India comes 19th: Report</a>

The term of India's Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indian parliament directly elected by the people, is set to end in May 2024.&nbsp;

The new set of investments would follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meetings with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.&nbsp;

<h2>India-UAE ties</h2>

New Delhi and Abu Dhabi&nbsp;aim to increase the non-oil bilateral trade to $100 billion. A total of 2.8 million Indian citizens live in the UAE.&nbsp;

Modi's recent visit to Abu Dhabi marked his fifth trip to the West Asian nation since he took over as prime minister in 2014.&nbsp;

The last Indian premier to visit the UAE before him was Indira Gandhi in 1981.

<h2>What the new investment deals will be about</h2>

The Bloomberg report said that the deals being discussed include stakes in key Indian infrastructure projects and state-owned assets.&nbsp;

Some of the investments could involve sovereign wealth funds such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Mubadala Investment Co. and ADQ, the publication cited its sources as saying.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-india-and-uae-have-strong-economic-partnership-says-uae-minister-al-sayegh-643570">Exclusive: India and UAE have strong economic partnership, says UAE Minister Al Sayegh</a>

India since long has been described as a prized economy in the United Arab Emirates due to a rising middle class seeking to diversify away from other investment destinations such as Europe.

The UAE’s plan is a further indicator of the government’s push to position itself as a country that avoids taking sides in a world increasingly split between Washington and Beijing. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expansive geopolitical and geo-economic outreach appears to be yielding the benefits for the world's fifth biggest economy.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expansive geopolitical and geo-economic outreach appears to be yielding the benefits for the world's fifth biggest economy. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is reportedly considering investing as much as $50 billion in India as part of its broader bet on India's rising economic potential. According to a report in Bloomberg, the UAE could announce these investments into India next year, coinciding with the General Elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to seek a third term in office. Also read | UAE emerges as social media capital of world, India comes 19th: Report The term of India's Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indian parliament directly elected by the people, is set to end in May 2024. The new set of investments would follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meetings with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. India-UAE ties New Delhi and Abu Dhabi aim to increase the non-oil bilateral trade to $100 billion. A total of 2.8 million Indian citizens live in the UAE. Modi's recent visit to Abu Dhabi marked his fifth trip to the West Asian nation since he took over as prime minister in 2014. The last Indian premier to visit the UAE before him was Indira Gandhi in 1981. What the new investment deals will be about The Bloomberg report said that the deals being discussed include stakes in key Indian infrastructure projects and state-owned assets. Some of the investments could involve sovereign wealth funds such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Mubadala Investment Co. and ADQ, the publication cited its sources as saying. Also read | Exclusive: India and UAE have strong economic partnership, says UAE Minister Al Sayegh India since long has been described as a prized economy in the United Arab Emirates due to a rising middle class seeking to diversify away from other investment destinations such as Europe. The UAE’s plan is a further indicator of the government’s push to position itself as a country that avoids taking sides in a world increasingly split between Washington and Beijing. (With inputs from agencies)

UAE to bet on India's prized economy with up to $50bn in investments: Report

The world leaders are getting out for the COP 28 summit, a new report has now shared more details about one of the pledges there. According to a report by the news agency AFP, next month a cooling pledge will be unveiled.

COP28: India, China likely to avoid 'cooling pledge'; India to join COP28 in UAE in November

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau spoke to the president of UAE, who is a close friend of India and preached the rule of law. Why is the Canadian PM pushing his agenda without giving any proof? Does he think his unfounded claims can shake India-UAE ties?

Gravitas: Trudeau preaches rule of law to India, again

In an exclusive interview to WION, Minister of State of the UAE in the Foreign Ministry, Ahmed Al Sayegh, has highlighted the burgeoning ties between India and the UAE. Their partnership, he emphasised, was not merely symbolic but deeply rooted in economic synergy. "India and the UAE have a strong economic partnership," Minister Al Sayegh stated, "with extensive collaborations across sectors like energy, trade, technology, and infrastructure development."

The Minister went on to underline the remarkable growth in non-oil trade and investments between the two nations, illustrating the tangible benefits of their relationship. Speaking to our correspondent Sidhant Sibal he pointed to "notable increases in non-oil trade" even as "investment relations have thrived, with substantial investments flowing in both directions and spanning various key sectors. These developments reflect the strong economic cooperation and shared interests between the two countries."

On India Middle East Europe connectivity project, the minister revealed that the UAE is actively participating in the project, an endeavour designed to export electricity and clean hydrogen to enhance regional supply chains while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Furthermore, the Minister discussed the ambitious I2U2 project, which aims to strengthen economic cooperation across various sectors, emphasising, "These collaborative efforts are aimed at reducing carbon emissions, advancing healthcare, and promoting green technologies, contributing to sustainable development and prosperity." 

Full interview

WION: How would you characterise India-UAE relations?

Ahmed Al Sayegh: The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of India have long-established strong and robust strategic relations, rooted in cultural and economic ties that have developed over many years.&nbsp;The signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the UAE in February 2022 signified a deepening economic relationship, with the CEPA aiming to boost trade and investment between the two nations by reducing trade barriers and fostering economic cooperation.&nbsp;India and the UAE have a strong economic partnership, with the UAE being one of India's significant trading partners in the Gulf region. The two countries have extensive economic collaborations in sectors such as energy, trade, technology, and infrastructure development.&nbsp;Furthermore, both India and the UAE are actively engaged in international forums such as the G20 and BRICS.&nbsp;Their participation in these groups highlights their growing roles on the global stage and their commitment to addressing pressing global issues collectively. These forums provide platforms for dialogue and cooperation on various global challenges, including economic stability and development.

WION:&nbsp;&nbsp;In terms of investment and trade relations, how has the relationship picked up, especially since the signing of the trade pact?

Ahmed Al Sayegh:&nbsp;The UAE and India have experienced significant growth in trade relations, with notable increases in non-oil trade. Moreover, their investment relations have thrived, with substantial investments flowing in both directions and spanning various key sectors. These developments reflect the strong economic cooperation and shared interests between the two countries.&nbsp;More than one year on from its implementation, CEPA is increasingly emerging as the model for an effective and mutually beneficial economic partnership. By removing or reducing tariffs on 80 per cent of goods and eliminating unnecessary barriers to trade the UAE and India are benefitting from mutual strengths and ushering in a new era of dynamic, sustainable growth.&nbsp;The total non-oil trade between both countries experienced a notable 9.9 percent increase, rising from USD 44.8 billion in 2021 to USD 49.2 billion in 2022. This growth is primarily attributed to substantial increases in UAE imports, which surged by an impressive 26.4 percent, going from USD 20.8 billion in 2021 to USD 26.3 billion in 2022. Additionally, UAE re-exports demonstrated healthy growth, rising by 10.3 percent from USD 11.48 billion to USD 12.6 billion during the same period.&nbsp; &nbsp;In terms of investment relations, UAE investment flows into India have been substantial, amounting to approximately USD 36.6 billion between 2003 and 2022. Simultaneously, Indian investments in the UAE also reached a substantial figure of around USD 30.5 billion during the same period. These investments have been diverse, spanning various sectors such as communications, software, and IT services, real estate, consumer products, automotive industry, renewable energy, metals, hotels, and tourism. These figures underscore the mutual economic interests and commitments of both nations, contributing to the strengthening of economic ties.

WION: India invited UAE to participate at the G20 summit, how do you see that as?

Ahmed Al Sayegh:&nbsp;The UAE’s participation in the G20 reflects the country’s steadfast commitment to multilateral cooperation and international priorities across all sectors. In this regard, the UAE is dedicated to supporting the global agenda while forging partnerships that will benefit the international community and future generations.&nbsp;The UAE commended the endeavors by the Indian Presidency describing it as the most ambitious in the history of the G20. Moreover, the country welcomed the efforts of the participating countries within the G20 meetings, their cooperation, and their commitment to working together to shape a brighter future through constructive international collaboration in the face of pressing challenges.&nbsp;Throughout the UAE's engagements with the G20, including its participation as a guest country in France in 2011, Saudi Arabia in 2020, Indonesia in 2022, and now with India in 2023, the country has consistently demonstrated its commitment to aligning with the priorities of the G20.&nbsp;These commitments have encompassed a broad spectrum of crucial topics, including post-COVID-19 recovery, climate change mitigation, energy transition, disaster risk reduction, debt risk management, and the attainment of sustainable development goals.

WION: How does UAE see the India Middle East Europe connectivity project since it is part of it? any details as to how it will work, planned route?

Ahmed Al Sayegh:&nbsp;One of the G20 initiatives, the UAE's participation in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project underscores its commitment to enhancing international partnerships and contributing to a sustainable future. As the host of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in November, the UAE recognizes the importance of initiatives such as IMEC.&nbsp;IMEC seeks to stimulate economic development by promoting economic connectivity and integration between regions, aligning perfectly with the UAE's foreign policy objectives of supporting economic prosperity and fostering strong international partnerships through trade, industry, and investment. As part of this project, participants, including the UAE, will explore the possibility of exporting electricity and clean hydrogen to enhance regional supply chains, contributing to efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and integrating environmental conservation considerations.

WION: How has the I2U2 group been doing, what next for the grouping?

Ahmed Al Sayegh:&nbsp;The UAE remains steadfast in its commitment to working closely and constructively with its partners in the I2U2 Initiative, which includes Israel, India, and the United States. The launch of the I2U2 website, which was recently announced on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, stands as a testament to this commitment and marks an exciting step forward in the journey of economic cooperation among these nations. The platform will serve as a hub for attracting new investment projects under the group’s umbrella, empowering businesses and investors to propose innovative projects, fostering collaboration and economic growth.

The overarching goal of the I2U2 Group is to strengthen economic cooperation among its member states across a wide spectrum of sectors, including food security, water, energy, space, transportation, health, and technology. Joint projects are set to be implemented through partnerships forged within the business sectors of the member countries. These collaborative efforts are aimed at reducing carbon emissions, advancing healthcare, and promoting green technologies, contributing to sustainable development and prosperity.

The UAE is fully committed to its membership in the group and its initiatives, underscoring the vision of the UAE's wise leadership, which places a strong emphasis on building bilateral and multilateral partnerships to foster peace and security for all. The efforts of the I2U2 Group align with the shared objective of enhancing stability and prosperity for the peoples of the region and beyond.

WION:&nbsp;Role played by the Indian diaspora in connecting the 2 countries. UAE hosts the largest number of Indians outside of India.

Ahmed Al Sayegh:&nbsp;There is a substantial Indian expatriate community in the UAE, contributing significantly to the socio-economic and cultural fabric of the country. The people-to-people ties are strong and play a vital role in fostering goodwill and understanding between the nations, a further indication of the close ties across a multitude of areas. In addition,&nbsp;the Indian diaspora plays a significant role in the country's economic development. Many Indians are employed in diverse sectors, including healthcare, education, technology, and finance, contributing to the UAE's economic growth through their expertise, labour, and investments.&nbsp;The UAE acknowledges and values the diverse contributions of the Indian diaspora to its society and economy, recognising them as an integral part of the country's growth and development.

WION: UAE will host the Conference of the Parties (COP 28), your expectations from India and do you see attendance of PM Modi?

Ahmed Al Sayegh:&nbsp;COP28 UAE carries significant expectations and ambitions to address the urgent global challenge of climate change. The UAE envisions this event as a pivotal moment in the world's efforts to combat climate change and is dedicated to catalyzing transformative and accelerated climate action. COP28’s Presidency is hoping that all participants will actively engage with the conference, and are confident of seeing high-level representation from all invited countries. COP28 UAE is expected to be a groundbreaking conference that not only underscores the urgency of climate action but also emphasizes the need for collaboration, inclusivity, and innovative solutions.&nbsp;The Presidency is fully committed to working with the global community to deliver unprecedented and impactful results, making COP28 a conference of action and a turning point in the fight against climate change.

&nbsp;

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In an exclusive interview to WION, Minister of State of the UAE in the Foreign Ministry, Ahmed Al Sayegh, has highlighted the burgeoning ties between India and the UAE.

In an exclusive interview to WION, Minister of State of the UAE in the Foreign Ministry, Ahmed Al Sayegh, has highlighted the burgeoning ties between India and the UAE. Their partnership, he emphasised, was not merely symbolic but deeply rooted in economic synergy. "India and the UAE have a strong economic partnership," Minister Al Sayegh stated, "with extensive collaborations across sectors like energy, trade, technology, and infrastructure development." The Minister went on to underline the remarkable growth in non-oil trade and investments between the two nations, illustrating the tangible benefits of their relationship. Speaking to our correspondent Sidhant Sibal he pointed to "notable increases in non-oil trade" even as "investment relations have thrived, with substantial investments flowing in both directions and spanning various key sectors. These developments reflect the strong economic cooperation and shared interests between the two countries." On India Middle East Europe connectivity project, the minister revealed that the UAE is actively participating in the project, an endeavour designed to export electricity and clean hydrogen to enhance regional supply chains while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the Minister discussed the ambitious I2U2 project, which aims to strengthen economic cooperation across various sectors, emphasising, "These collaborative efforts are aimed at reducing carbon emissions, advancing healthcare, and promoting green technologies, contributing to sustainable development and prosperity." Full interview WION: How would you characterise India-UAE relations? Ahmed Al Sayegh: The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of India have long-established strong and robust strategic relations, rooted in cultural and economic ties that have developed over many years. The signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the UAE in February 2022 signified a deepening economic relationship, with the CEPA aiming to boost trade and investment between the two nations by reducing trade barriers and fostering economic cooperation. India and the UAE have a strong economic partnership, with the UAE being one of India's significant trading partners in the Gulf region. The two countries have extensive economic collaborations in sectors such as energy, trade, technology, and infrastructure development. Furthermore, both India and the UAE are actively engaged in international forums such as the G20 and BRICS. Their participation in these groups highlights their growing roles on the global stage and their commitment to addressing pressing global issues collectively. These forums provide platforms for dialogue and cooperation on various global challenges, including economic stability and development. WION: In terms of investment and trade relations, how has the relationship picked up, especially since the signing of the trade pact? Ahmed Al Sayegh: The UAE and India have experienced significant growth in trade relations, with notable increases in non-oil trade. Moreover, their investment relations have thrived, with substantial investments flowing in both directions and spanning various key sectors. These developments reflect the strong economic cooperation and shared interests between the two countries. More than one year on from its implementation, CEPA is increasingly emerging as the model for an effective and mutually beneficial economic partnership. By removing or reducing tariffs on 80 per cent of goods and eliminating unnecessary barriers to trade the UAE and India are benefitting from mutual strengths and ushering in a new era of dynamic, sustainable growth. The total non-oil trade between both countries experienced a notable 9.9 percent increase, rising from USD 44.8 billion in 2021 to USD 49.2 billion in 2022. This growth is primarily attributed to substantial increases in UAE imports, which surged by an impressive 26.4 percent, going from USD 20.8 billion in 2021 to USD 26.3 billion in 2022. Additionally, UAE re-exports demonstrated healthy growth, rising by 10.3 percent from USD 11.48 billion to USD 12.6 billion during the same period. In terms of investment relations, UAE investment flows into India have been substantial, amounting to approximately USD 36.6 billion between 2003 and 2022. Simultaneously, Indian investments in the UAE also reached a substantial figure of around USD 30.5 billion during the same period. These investments have been diverse, spanning various sectors such as communications, software, and IT services, real estate, consumer products, automotive industry, renewable energy, metals, hotels, and tourism. These figures underscore the mutual economic interests and commitments of both nations, contributing to the strengthening of economic ties. WION: India invited UAE to participate at the G20 summit, how do you see that as? Ahmed Al Sayegh: The UAE’s participation in the G20 reflects the country’s steadfast commitment to multilateral cooperation and international priorities across all sectors. In this regard, the UAE is dedicated to supporting the global agenda while forging partnerships that will benefit the international community and future generations. The UAE commended the endeavors by the Indian Presidency describing it as the most ambitious in the history of the G20. Moreover, the country welcomed the efforts of the participating countries within the G20 meetings, their cooperation, and their commitment to working together to shape a brighter future through constructive international collaboration in the face of pressing challenges. Throughout the UAE's engagements with the G20, including its participation as a guest country in France in 2011, Saudi Arabia in 2020, Indonesia in 2022, and now with India in 2023, the country has consistently demonstrated its commitment to aligning with the priorities of the G20. These commitments have encompassed a broad spectrum of crucial topics, including post-COVID-19 recovery, climate change mitigation, energy transition, disaster risk reduction, debt risk management, and the attainment of sustainable development goals. WION: How does UAE see the India Middle East Europe connectivity project since it is part of it? any details as to how it will work, planned route? Ahmed Al Sayegh: One of the G20 initiatives, the UAE's participation in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project underscores its commitment to enhancing international partnerships and contributing to a sustainable future. As the host of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in November, the UAE recognizes the importance of initiatives such as IMEC. IMEC seeks to stimulate economic development by promoting economic connectivity and integration between regions, aligning perfectly with the UAE's foreign policy objectives of supporting economic prosperity and fostering strong international partnerships through trade, industry, and investment. As part of this project, participants, including the UAE, will explore the possibility of exporting electricity and clean hydrogen to enhance regional supply chains, contributing to efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and integrating environmental conservation considerations. WION: How has the I2U2 group been doing, what next for the grouping? Ahmed Al Sayegh: The UAE remains steadfast in its commitment to working closely and constructively with its partners in the I2U2 Initiative, which includes Israel, India, and the United States. The launch of the I2U2 website, which was recently announced on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, stands as a testament to this commitment and marks an exciting step forward in the journey of economic cooperation among these nations. The platform will serve as a hub for attracting new investment projects under the group’s umbrella, empowering businesses and investors to propose innovative projects, fostering collaboration and economic growth. The overarching goal of the I2U2 Group is to strengthen economic cooperation among its member states across a wide spectrum of sectors, including food security, water, energy, space, transportation, health, and technology. Joint projects are set to be implemented through partnerships forged within the business sectors of the member countries. These collaborative efforts are aimed at reducing carbon emissions, advancing healthcare, and promoting green technologies, contributing to sustainable development and prosperity. The UAE is fully committed to its membership in the group and its initiatives, underscoring the vision of the UAE's wise leadership, which places a strong emphasis on building bilateral and multilateral partnerships to foster peace and security for all. The efforts of the I2U2 Group align with the shared objective of enhancing stability and prosperity for the peoples of the region and beyond. WION: Role played by the Indian diaspora in connecting the 2 countries. UAE hosts the largest number of Indians outside of India. Ahmed Al Sayegh: There is a substantial Indian expatriate community in the UAE, contributing significantly to the socio-economic and cultural fabric of the country. The people-to-people ties are strong and play a vital role in fostering goodwill and understanding between the nations, a further indication of the close ties across a multitude of areas. In addition, the Indian diaspora plays a significant role in the country's economic development. Many Indians are employed in diverse sectors, including healthcare, education, technology, and finance, contributing to the UAE's economic growth through their expertise, labour, and investments. The UAE acknowledges and values the diverse contributions of the Indian diaspora to its society and economy, recognising them as an integral part of the country's growth and development. WION: UAE will host the Conference of the Parties (COP 28), your expectations from India and do you see attendance of PM Modi? Ahmed Al Sayegh: COP28 UAE carries significant expectations and ambitions to address the urgent global challenge of climate change. The UAE envisions this event as a pivotal moment in the world's efforts to combat climate change and is dedicated to catalyzing transformative and accelerated climate action. COP28’s Presidency is hoping that all participants will actively engage with the conference, and are confident of seeing high-level representation from all invited countries. COP28 UAE is expected to be a groundbreaking conference that not only underscores the urgency of climate action but also emphasizes the need for collaboration, inclusivity, and innovative solutions. The Presidency is fully committed to working with the global community to deliver unprecedented and impactful results, making COP28 a conference of action and a turning point in the fight against climate change. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Exclusive: India and UAE have strong economic partnership, says UAE Minister Al Sayegh

The ADIPEC summit shifts its traditional focus away from oil and towards climate change and decarbonization. The United Arab Emirates must delicately strike a balance between promoting global emission reductions and pursuing ambitious oil expansion with COP28 just around the corner.

Energy transition in the spotlight at ADIPEC summit

The fight to be an AI superpower is still anyone's game. But the UAE is certainly poised to disrupt it. The emirates is aiming to transform its image on the world stage. It wants to be the leading tech supplier of the global south.

UAE aims to be the new Artificial Intelligence king

Ahead of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) summit scheduled to be held in&nbsp;Dubai later this year, senior executives from UAE's national oil company are said to be working with the COP28 team, providing ‘support’ to handle the all-important climate summit, a Guardian report has claimed.&nbsp;

The publication, citing a leaked COP28 communications strategy document stated that two PR professionals from the&nbsp;Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) were currently providing "additional support" to the COP28 team running the summit. The development comes at a time when the UAE is ramping up its campaign surrounding the summit, despite obvious doubts surrounding its legitimacy.&nbsp;

The two executives identified as&nbsp;Philip Robinson and Paloma Berenguer have a combined experience of 28 years in the fossil fuel industry, according to their LinkedIn accounts. Prior to working for Adnoc, they worked with another fossil fuel giant - Shell.&nbsp;

The government of UAE, on whose soil the climate summit will take place, controls six per cent of the world's oil reserves. A country with heavy reliance on fossil fuel is needed to take a non-controversial line when hosting a summit of such significance. However, it appointed Al Jaber - a fossil fuel boss&nbsp;and Adnoc's chief executive&nbsp;as the head of COP28.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-seven-sins-of-greenwashing-527609">WATCH |&nbsp;The seven sins of Greenwashing</a>

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<h2>Not the first controversy surrounding the summit</h2>

Earlier this year, reports claimed that members of Jaber's team edited Wikipedia pages to 'control the narrative'&nbsp;amid criticism of an oil boss leading the main summit aimed at tackling the climate crisis.

One of the edited Wikipedia entries includes adding an editorial that said Al Jaber was “precisely the kind of ally the climate movement needs”. The editors also removed reference to a multibillion-dollar oil pipeline deal.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greenwashing-at-finest-cop28-presidents-wikipedia-entries-being-edited-598321">Also read |&nbsp;Greenwashing at finest? COP28 president's Wikipedia entries being edited</a>

After WION carried out the&nbsp;report, COP28 reached out and stated Al Jaber's page was absolutely accurate and that information about the posts he had handled were in the public domain.&nbsp;

"Every business and public figure revisits Wikipedia pages and reviews the content to ensure that it is up to date and accurate. That is how this platform is built. Dr Al Jaber’s Wikipedia page represents his over 30-year career. Everything in his Wikipedia page is absolutely accurate," read the statement.&nbsp;

However, a few months later, another report claimed that Adnoc was able to read emails 'to and&nbsp;from' the COP28 climate summit office and was consulted on how to respond to a media inquiry.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Ahead of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) summit scheduled to be held in Dubai later this year, senior executives from UAE's national oil company are said to be working with the COP28 team, providing ‘support’ to handle the all-important climate summit, a Guardian report has claimed.

Ahead of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) summit scheduled to be held in Dubai later this year, senior executives from UAE's national oil company are said to be working with the COP28 team, providing ‘support’ to handle the all-important climate summit, a Guardian report has claimed. The publication, citing a leaked COP28 communications strategy document stated that two PR professionals from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) were currently providing "additional support" to the COP28 team running the summit. The development comes at a time when the UAE is ramping up its campaign surrounding the summit, despite obvious doubts surrounding its legitimacy. The two executives identified as Philip Robinson and Paloma Berenguer have a combined experience of 28 years in the fossil fuel industry, according to their LinkedIn accounts. Prior to working for Adnoc, they worked with another fossil fuel giant - Shell. The government of UAE, on whose soil the climate summit will take place, controls six per cent of the world's oil reserves. A country with heavy reliance on fossil fuel is needed to take a non-controversial line when hosting a summit of such significance. However, it appointed Al Jaber - a fossil fuel boss and Adnoc's chief executive as the head of COP28. WATCH | The seven sins of Greenwashing × Not the first controversy surrounding the summit Earlier this year, reports claimed that members of Jaber's team edited Wikipedia pages to 'control the narrative' amid criticism of an oil boss leading the main summit aimed at tackling the climate crisis. One of the edited Wikipedia entries includes adding an editorial that said Al Jaber was “precisely the kind of ally the climate movement needs”. The editors also removed reference to a multibillion-dollar oil pipeline deal. Also read | Greenwashing at finest? COP28 president's Wikipedia entries being edited After WION carried out the report, COP28 reached out and stated Al Jaber's page was absolutely accurate and that information about the posts he had handled were in the public domain. "Every business and public figure revisits Wikipedia pages and reviews the content to ensure that it is up to date and accurate. That is how this platform is built. Dr Al Jaber’s Wikipedia page represents his over 30-year career. Everything in his Wikipedia page is absolutely accurate," read the statement. However, a few months later, another report claimed that Adnoc was able to read emails 'to and from' the COP28 climate summit office and was consulted on how to respond to a media inquiry. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Top UAE oil company executives working with COP28 team, show leaked documents

UAE has decided to ban fresh meat imports from Pakistan via sea route. The decision comes after the UAE found fungus in a consignment of meat from Pakistan. Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: UAE bans imports of fresh meat from Pakistan

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed a ban on fresh meat imports from Pakistan via sea route after fungus was found on meat, according to ARY News.

A restriction was imposed when fungus was discovered on meat sent from Karachi to the UAE by a firm. The restriction will be in effect until October 10.

It should be worth mentioning that Pakistan sends fresh meat to the UAE on a monthly basis for a value of USD 12 million, reported ARY News.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/practice-what-you-preach-even-today-women-continue-to-shoulder-the-burden-of-housework-survey-638258">'Practice what you preach': Even today, women continue to shoulder the burden of housework - Survey</a>

The majority of Pakistan's meat exports go to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Notably, it was following an 8-year restriction, that&nbsp;Pakistan was finally able to export chickens and poultry products in 2017.

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed a ban on fresh meat imports from Pakistan via sea route after fungus was found on meat, according to ARY News. A restriction was imposed when fungus was discovered on meat sent from Karachi to the UAE by a firm.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has imposed a ban on fresh meat imports from Pakistan via sea route after fungus was found on meat, according to ARY News. A restriction was imposed when fungus was discovered on meat sent from Karachi to the UAE by a firm. The restriction will be in effect until October 10. It should be worth mentioning that Pakistan sends fresh meat to the UAE on a monthly basis for a value of USD 12 million, reported ARY News. Also read | 'Practice what you preach': Even today, women continue to shoulder the burden of housework - Survey The majority of Pakistan's meat exports go to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Notably, it was following an 8-year restriction, that Pakistan was finally able to export chickens and poultry products in 2017. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UAE imposes ban on fresh meat imports from Pakistan after fungus detection

The United Arab Emirates has expressed its eagerness to join South Korea’s KAI KF-21 Boramae fighter jet development programme, according to local media sources.

South Korean news outlet The Financial News reported Thursday (Sept 14) that UAE sent a letter to South Korea’s Office of National Security, urging co-operation on KF-21’s development.&nbsp;

Interestingly, the UAE even insisted on replacing Indonesia’s investment in the programme in the face of delayed payments from Jakarta.

Jakarta has a 20 per cent stake in the programme but has increasingly failed to meet its financial obligations. As per the latest data, Jakarta owes $745 million to South Korean partners even as the Southeast Asian country recently promised a new payment timetable.

<h2>Why is UAE investing in Korea’s defence sector?</h2>

In January, the UAE promised to invest $30 billion in South Korean industries, making the country’s defence sector a lucrative destination for the Emiratis.

Watch:&nbsp;US, India, UAE, Saudi, Eu announce rail &amp; port corridor

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By investing in South Korea’s defence sector, Abu Dhabi wants to develop its own defence industries at home through significant technology transfer initiatives.

<h2>Narrowing options for UAE</h2>

In late 2021, the UAE halted negotiations regarding a significant deal for 50 fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth jets from the United States due to disagreements over American conditions and the UAE's cooperation with China.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-to-change-the-face-of-the-middle-east-israel-pm-634703">Also read:&nbsp;India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to change the face of the Middle East: Israel PM</a>

Furthermore, in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, partnering with Moscow on such projects has become increasingly problematic.

With the F-35 deal now seemingly unavailable, the UAE lacks alternative options for purchasing off-the-shelf fifth-generation stealth fighters. Consequently, joining the KF-21 programme appears to be a logical choice, as it can facilitate the acquisition of advanced aircraft for Abu Dhabi.&nbsp;

<h2>Drawbacks</h2>

The only drawback is that the initial version of the KF-21, although more stealthy than existing 4.5-generation aircraft, will incorporate external hardpoints instead of internal weapons bays.&nbsp;

This characteristic places it just shy of a true fifth-generation classification, leading some to informally refer to it as a "4.75-generation" aircraft. Nonetheless, future iterations may address this limitation.

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The United Arab Emirates has expressed its eagerness to join South Korea’s KAI KF-21 Boramae fighter jet development programme, according to local media sources.

The United Arab Emirates has expressed its eagerness to join South Korea’s KAI KF-21 Boramae fighter jet development programme, according to local media sources. South Korean news outlet The Financial News reported Thursday (Sept 14) that UAE sent a letter to South Korea’s Office of National Security, urging co-operation on KF-21’s development. Interestingly, the UAE even insisted on replacing Indonesia’s investment in the programme in the face of delayed payments from Jakarta. Jakarta has a 20 per cent stake in the programme but has increasingly failed to meet its financial obligations. As per the latest data, Jakarta owes $745 million to South Korean partners even as the Southeast Asian country recently promised a new payment timetable. Why is UAE investing in Korea’s defence sector? In January, the UAE promised to invest $30 billion in South Korean industries, making the country’s defence sector a lucrative destination for the Emiratis. Watch: US, India, UAE, Saudi, Eu announce rail & port corridor × By investing in South Korea’s defence sector, Abu Dhabi wants to develop its own defence industries at home through significant technology transfer initiatives. Narrowing options for UAE In late 2021, the UAE halted negotiations regarding a significant deal for 50 fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth jets from the United States due to disagreements over American conditions and the UAE's cooperation with China. Also read: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to change the face of the Middle East: Israel PM Furthermore, in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, partnering with Moscow on such projects has become increasingly problematic. With the F-35 deal now seemingly unavailable, the UAE lacks alternative options for purchasing off-the-shelf fifth-generation stealth fighters. Consequently, joining the KF-21 programme appears to be a logical choice, as it can facilitate the acquisition of advanced aircraft for Abu Dhabi. Drawbacks The only drawback is that the initial version of the KF-21, although more stealthy than existing 4.5-generation aircraft, will incorporate external hardpoints instead of internal weapons bays. This characteristic places it just shy of a true fifth-generation classification, leading some to informally refer to it as a "4.75-generation" aircraft. Nonetheless, future iterations may address this limitation. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

UAE willing to join South Korea’s KF-21 fighter jet programme, replacing Indonesia

China's Belt & Road initiative has a new challenger. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. What does the project entail? Which countries have joined it? Can IMEC counter the BRI? Molly Gambhir tells you all that you need to know.

Gravitas Plus: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor Explained | Can IMEC counter BRI?

Vikram Chandra explores the geo-political dimensions of the strategic India-Middle East- Europe trade corridor that would link South Asia to Europe through Israel and Saudi Arabia with former Ambassador Ajit Kumar and political analyst Dr. Waiel Awwad.

Reviving India's old 'spice route' | IMEC: Most tangible outcome of G20? | The India Story

Can Pakistan ever live at peace? Islamabad's ties with every neighbouring country are falling apart. From Afghanistan to Iran to UAE, every neighbouring nation is distancing itself from Islamabad. Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: Pakistan's ties with every neighbour are falling apart

India, U.S, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union have seemingly check-mated Chinese President Xi Jinping by establishing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to connect Asia and Europe by promoting economic integration.

New spice route & geopolitical ramifications

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday (September 5) pledged USD 4.5 billion to invest in clean energy in Africa at a landmark climate summit aimed at project the continent's potential as a green powerhouse. The African Climate Summit is taking place in Nairobi, Kenya.

Kenyan President William Ruto has sought to use the summit to shift the narrative on the region and is presenting transition to clean energy as a routine opportunity for Africa if it attracts enough financing to realise the potential.

The most significant pledge so far in the conference came on Tuesday with UAE announcing USD 4.5 billion. The country is slated to host COP28 Summit in Dubai in November-December.

Sultan Al Jaber, head of UAE's national oil company ADNOC and state-owned renewable energy company Masdar, said that the investment would "jumpstart a pipeline of bankable clean energy projects in this very important continent".&nbsp;

Jaber is also president of the COP28 climate summit. He said that a consortium including Masdar will help develop 15 gigawatts of clean power by 2030.

In 2022, Africa's renewable generation capacity was 56 GW in 2022 as per data with the International Renewable Energy Agency.

The three-day summit in Nairobi began on Monday. It has attracted heads of state, government and industry. Leaders from Mozambique and Tanzania have come as well. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and US climate envoy John Kerry are in attendance as well.

The summit is being viewed as an event that is setting the tone for international diplomatic flurry before COP28 meeting.

A front-page healdine in Kenyan media said that the summit marked "Africa's moment".

However, the continent is facing huge challenges especially the mounting debt costs and dearth of finance. Though Africa has abundant natural resources, it attracts just three per cent of worldwide energy investments.

UN chief Antonio Guterres urged the world to help "make Africa a renewable energy superpower".&nbsp;

"Renewable energy could be the African miracle but we must make it happen," Guterres told government and industry leaders.&nbsp;

Guterres focused his words at G20 nations as well. The leaders from these countries are meeting in India for G20 Summit. Guterres told them to &nbsp;"assume your responsibilities" in the battle to reduce planet-warming emissions.  &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
A clean energy transition across the world's developing nations will be crucial in order to keep alive the Paris Agreement goal of capping global warming "well below" two degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times, and 1.5C if possible. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday (September 5) pledged USD 4.5 billion to invest in clean energy in Africa at a landmark climate summit aimed at project the continent's potential as a green powerhouse.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday (September 5) pledged USD 4.5 billion to invest in clean energy in Africa at a landmark climate summit aimed at project the continent's potential as a green powerhouse. The African Climate Summit is taking place in Nairobi, Kenya. Kenyan President William Ruto has sought to use the summit to shift the narrative on the region and is presenting transition to clean energy as a routine opportunity for Africa if it attracts enough financing to realise the potential. The most significant pledge so far in the conference came on Tuesday with UAE announcing USD 4.5 billion. The country is slated to host COP28 Summit in Dubai in November-December. Sultan Al Jaber, head of UAE's national oil company ADNOC and state-owned renewable energy company Masdar, said that the investment would "jumpstart a pipeline of bankable clean energy projects in this very important continent". Jaber is also president of the COP28 climate summit. He said that a consortium including Masdar will help develop 15 gigawatts of clean power by 2030. In 2022, Africa's renewable generation capacity was 56 GW in 2022 as per data with the International Renewable Energy Agency. The three-day summit in Nairobi began on Monday. It has attracted heads of state, government and industry. Leaders from Mozambique and Tanzania have come as well. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and US climate envoy John Kerry are in attendance as well. The summit is being viewed as an event that is setting the tone for international diplomatic flurry before COP28 meeting. A front-page healdine in Kenyan media said that the summit marked "Africa's moment". However, the continent is facing huge challenges especially the mounting debt costs and dearth of finance. Though Africa has abundant natural resources, it attracts just three per cent of worldwide energy investments. UN chief Antonio Guterres urged the world to help "make Africa a renewable energy superpower". "Renewable energy could be the African miracle but we must make it happen," Guterres told government and industry leaders. Guterres focused his words at G20 nations as well. The leaders from these countries are meeting in India for G20 Summit. Guterres told them to "assume your responsibilities" in the battle to reduce planet-warming emissions.   A clean energy transition across the world's developing nations will be crucial in order to keep alive the Paris Agreement goal of capping global warming "well below" two degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times, and 1.5C if possible.  (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Africa Climate Summit: UAE pledges $4 billion for clean energy in the continent

The six new members of the five-member BRICS grouping of emerging economies would have a combined GDP share of barely 11 per cent as of January, with Saudi Arabia contributing the most at 4 per cent, according to an analysis.

According to an SBI Research analysis, the proposed membership of Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will increase the five-member BRICS—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, grouping’s share of the global GDP to 30 per cent from the current 26 per cent and its population share to 46 per cent.

The decision for expansion was announced at the last BRICS summit in Johannesburg, which is to be effective on January 1, 2024.

China’s share of the BRICS’ GDP currently stands at 70 per cent, but it will soon drop to 62 per cent. India currently provides 13 per cent, but that share will soon drop to 12 per cent. South Africa produces just 2 per cent, Brazil gives 7 per cent, and Russia contributes 8 per cent, totalling 26 per cent of the world’s economic output.

Brazil’s stake will remain unchanged following the expansion, the study added without providing a justification, while South Africa’s share will decrease by 50 per cent to 1 per cent and Russia’s share by 7 per cent.

According to Soumya Kanti Ghosh, chief economist at State Bank of India, of these six economies, the UAE is India’s largest trading partner with bilateral trade worth Rs 6,81,259 crore ($82 billion) in FY23. Saudi Arabia is second with Rs 4,23,834 crore ($51 billion), Egypt is third with Rs 48,792 crore ($5 billion), Argentina is fourth with Rs 39,100 crore ($4 billion), Iran is fifth with Rs 18,680 crore ($2 billion), and Ethiopia is sixth with Rs 5,154 crore ($623 million).

Saudi Arabia will have the largest economy among the new members, contributing 4 per cent of the group’s GDP. Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Iran will each contribute 2 per cent, while Ethiopia’s entry will have essentially no effect on the economy.

According to the data provided, the Saudi economy was approximately $1.1 trillion in 2022 (it was already a G20 member), Argentina’s was $632 billion, the UAE’s was $507 billion, Egypt’s was $477 billion, Iran’s was $388 billion, and Ethiopia’s was $127 billion.

According to Ghosh’s prediction in the report, the BRICS+6 economies'&nbsp;combined GDP will increase from the existing BRICS by 11 per cent, or 4 per cent of the global GDP in 2022, and will contribute to the BRICS+6’s share reaching 30 per cent.

Even with the new member, China ($18.1 trillion in 2022) and India ($3.75 trillion) will still account for 74 per cent of the bloc’s total GDP, down from 83 per cent of the $26.2 trillion pre-expansion economy.

In 2022, the Russian economy had a value of $2.2 trillion, compared to Brazil’s $1.8 trillion and South Africa’s $468 billion.

Currently, the BRICS+6 and G20 (Group of 20 largest economies) have respective population shares of 3.7 billion and 5.1 billion, $29.2 trillion and $70.4 trillion in terms of GDP, and $5.5 trillion and $9.4 trillion in terms of foreign exchange reserves.

40 per cent of the world’s population lives in the five countries, which together account for 26 per cent of the world’s GDP. However, with the addition of the six additional members (BRICS+6), their GDP share will increase to 30 per cent and their population share to 46 per cent.

According to the report, the biggest effect will be on the global oil production share, which would rise from 18 to 40 per cent, while their oil consumption portion will climb from 27 to 36 per cent.

The statement added that their portion of the world’s FX reserves would climb by 600 basis points to 45 per cent and that their shares in global merchandise trade and services trade would both expand from 20 per cent to 25 per cent and 11 per cent to 15 per cent, respectively.

The oil equations could be a game changer for the payment system and price discovery due to the significant increase in the share of oil commerce; Saudi Arabia has the second largest oil reserves behind Russia.

(With inputs from PTI)

&nbsp;

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The six new members of the five-member BRICS grouping of emerging economies would have a combined GDP share of barely 11 per cent as of January, with Saudi Arabia contributing the most at 4 per cent, according to an analysis.

The six new members of the five-member BRICS grouping of emerging economies would have a combined GDP share of barely 11 per cent as of January, with Saudi Arabia contributing the most at 4 per cent, according to an analysis. According to an SBI Research analysis, the proposed membership of Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will increase the five-member BRICS—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, grouping’s share of the global GDP to 30 per cent from the current 26 per cent and its population share to 46 per cent. The decision for expansion was announced at the last BRICS summit in Johannesburg, which is to be effective on January 1, 2024. China’s share of the BRICS’ GDP currently stands at 70 per cent, but it will soon drop to 62 per cent. India currently provides 13 per cent, but that share will soon drop to 12 per cent. South Africa produces just 2 per cent, Brazil gives 7 per cent, and Russia contributes 8 per cent, totalling 26 per cent of the world’s economic output. Brazil’s stake will remain unchanged following the expansion, the study added without providing a justification, while South Africa’s share will decrease by 50 per cent to 1 per cent and Russia’s share by 7 per cent. According to Soumya Kanti Ghosh, chief economist at State Bank of India, of these six economies, the UAE is India’s largest trading partner with bilateral trade worth Rs 6,81,259 crore ($82 billion) in FY23. Saudi Arabia is second with Rs 4,23,834 crore ($51 billion), Egypt is third with Rs 48,792 crore ($5 billion), Argentina is fourth with Rs 39,100 crore ($4 billion), Iran is fifth with Rs 18,680 crore ($2 billion), and Ethiopia is sixth with Rs 5,154 crore ($623 million). Saudi Arabia will have the largest economy among the new members, contributing 4 per cent of the group’s GDP. Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Iran will each contribute 2 per cent, while Ethiopia’s entry will have essentially no effect on the economy. According to the data provided, the Saudi economy was approximately $1.1 trillion in 2022 (it was already a G20 member), Argentina’s was $632 billion, the UAE’s was $507 billion, Egypt’s was $477 billion, Iran’s was $388 billion, and Ethiopia’s was $127 billion. According to Ghosh’s prediction in the report, the BRICS+6 economies' combined GDP will increase from the existing BRICS by 11 per cent, or 4 per cent of the global GDP in 2022, and will contribute to the BRICS+6’s share reaching 30 per cent. Even with the new member, China ($18.1 trillion in 2022) and India ($3.75 trillion) will still account for 74 per cent of the bloc’s total GDP, down from 83 per cent of the $26.2 trillion pre-expansion economy. In 2022, the Russian economy had a value of $2.2 trillion, compared to Brazil’s $1.8 trillion and South Africa’s $468 billion. Currently, the BRICS+6 and G20 (Group of 20 largest economies) have respective population shares of 3.7 billion and 5.1 billion, $29.2 trillion and $70.4 trillion in terms of GDP, and $5.5 trillion and $9.4 trillion in terms of foreign exchange reserves. 40 per cent of the world’s population lives in the five countries, which together account for 26 per cent of the world’s GDP. However, with the addition of the six additional members (BRICS+6), their GDP share will increase to 30 per cent and their population share to 46 per cent. According to the report, the biggest effect will be on the global oil production share, which would rise from 18 to 40 per cent, while their oil consumption portion will climb from 27 to 36 per cent. The statement added that their portion of the world’s FX reserves would climb by 600 basis points to 45 per cent and that their shares in global merchandise trade and services trade would both expand from 20 per cent to 25 per cent and 11 per cent to 15 per cent, respectively. The oil equations could be a game changer for the payment system and price discovery due to the significant increase in the share of oil commerce; Saudi Arabia has the second largest oil reserves behind Russia. (With inputs from PTI) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

BRICS’s six new members to have GDP share of just 11 pc: Report

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, his crewmates from NASA, Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev returned to Earth in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on Monday, September 4.

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, his crewmates from NASA, Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev returned to Earth in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on Monday, September 4. The splashdown happened in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, at 08:17 am (UAE time). Al Neyadi's mission has become the longest in Arab history, as Crew-6 spent 186 days in space. The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohemed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stated on X (formerly Twitter), "Al Neyadi, the people of the UAE are immensely proud of you and the entire team for achieving major advances in space exploration. You carried the dreams of a nation to new frontiers, and we celebrate your pioneering journey and safe return." Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi appeared from the Dragon spacecraft one hour after the splashdown. Many people witnessed AlNeyadi and his colleagues slide out of the capsule. He received people's support and greeted the gathering with a smile and thumbs up. However, his initial steps were unsteady as the astronaut needed time to readjust to gravity, especially after the six-month mission. Later, recovery personnel carried him and the crew to the medical bay on a rolling chair. ALSO READ | Bedtime for Pragyan rover as Sun sets on Moon, here are its remarkable findings Al Neyadi said he couldn't wait to rejoin friends and family and enjoy "a hot cup of coffee." Crew-6 commander Stephen Bowen, a former submariner, told CBS News that he looked forward to witnessing "the nice ocean air and peaceful calm seas. That'll be nice to get back to." Pilot Woody Hobury said he was looking forward to a "real shower." On March 2, Crew-6 was launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. They spent 185 days and 22 hours in space, orbiting the Earth 2,976 times and travelling 78.9 million miles. Throughout their mission, the Crew-6 astronauts welcomed seven visiting vehicles. They also carried out three spacewalks. Al Neyadi joined Bowen for a third excursion to retrieve a failed antenna package and do other maintenance. Station commander Sergey Prokopyev, Dmitri Petelin and NASA astronaut Frank Rubio were launched to the station last September and will return to Earth 12 days later. Crew-7 members, launched on August 26, will replace Bowen and company. The squad includes Crew-7 commander Jasmin Moghbeli, European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa and cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi & three space station fliers return to Earth after six-month voyage

In an alliance of engineering prowess, cutting-edge research, and innovation, a significant leap has been made in the realm of artificial intelligence. Meet 'Jais,' a large language model that's set to redefine the boundaries of generative AI applications. Named after the highest peak in the United Arab Emirates, 'Jais' is the result of a joint initiative involving cerebral systems, the Silicon Valley chip innovator, the Mohamed Bin Zayed University Of Artificial Intelligence, and G42's subsidiary, inception, specialising in AI advancements.

From Silicon Valley to UAE: The journey of 'Jais' language model

Saudi Arabia has reportedly sentenced to death Mohammed al-Ghamdi, a government critic, for denouncing alleged corruption and human rights abuses via his social media posts.

The judgement was handed down by the nation's Specialised Criminal Court in July — the court that handles terrorism cases in the country.

<h2>X and other social media</h2>

Talking to AFP on Monday, al-Ghamdi's brother and other sources familiar with the case said that the case against the government critic was at least partially built on his posts on X, formerly Twitter, where he criticised the government and expressed support for "prisoners of conscience" or jailed religious clerics like Salman al-Awda and Awad al-Qarni.

His X account, as per the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, had only nine followers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swedish-russian-national-accused-of-espionage-supplying-western-tech-to-moscow-629978">Swedish-Russian national accused of espionage, supplying western tech to Moscow</a>

"How can the world believe the country is reforming when a citizen is going to have his head cut off over tweets on an anonymous account with less than 10 followers?" questioned Lina al-Hathloul, head of monitoring and communication for the rights group ALQST.

"Saudi courts are escalating their repression and unveiling publicly their empty promises of reform," said al-Hathloul.

<h2>Charges against him</h2>

The charges against Mohammed al-Ghamdi as per AFP include conspiracy against the Saudi leadership, undermining state institutions, and supporting terrorist ideology.&nbsp;

Mohammed's brother Saeed al-Ghamdi, who is a prominent religious scholar, said that the country's political climate "is polluted with repression, terror, and political arrests just for expressing an opinion, even with tweets or liking tweets criticising the situation."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/raids-executions-as-saudi-arabia-wages-war-on-drugs-606972">Saudi Arabia launches crackdown on drugs with raids, executions</a>

The case has led to human rights activists pointing out Saudi Arabia's intensifying crackdown on criticism published on social media, even on accounts with few followers.

Saudi frequently faces condemnation for its human rights record and the prolific&nbsp;use of the death penalty. Last year, as per an AFP tally, the nation executed 147 people. This year, so far, there have been 94 executions.

Despite Saudi Arabia's attempts at reform under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 agenda, concerns over the nation's human rights practices and stifling of dissent persist. Vision 2030 agenda is aimed at transforming the Kingdom into a global business and tourism destination.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly sentenced to death Mohammed al-Ghamdi, a government critic, for denouncing alleged corruption and human rights abuses via his social media posts.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly sentenced to death Mohammed al-Ghamdi, a government critic, for denouncing alleged corruption and human rights abuses via his social media posts. The judgement was handed down by the nation's Specialised Criminal Court in July — the court that handles terrorism cases in the country. X and other social media Talking to AFP on Monday, al-Ghamdi's brother and other sources familiar with the case said that the case against the government critic was at least partially built on his posts on X, formerly Twitter, where he criticised the government and expressed support for "prisoners of conscience" or jailed religious clerics like Salman al-Awda and Awad al-Qarni. His X account, as per the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, had only nine followers. Also read | Swedish-Russian national accused of espionage, supplying western tech to Moscow "How can the world believe the country is reforming when a citizen is going to have his head cut off over tweets on an anonymous account with less than 10 followers?" questioned Lina al-Hathloul, head of monitoring and communication for the rights group ALQST. "Saudi courts are escalating their repression and unveiling publicly their empty promises of reform," said al-Hathloul. Charges against him The charges against Mohammed al-Ghamdi as per AFP include conspiracy against the Saudi leadership, undermining state institutions, and supporting terrorist ideology. Mohammed's brother Saeed al-Ghamdi, who is a prominent religious scholar, said that the country's political climate "is polluted with repression, terror, and political arrests just for expressing an opinion, even with tweets or liking tweets criticising the situation." Also read | Saudi Arabia launches crackdown on drugs with raids, executions The case has led to human rights activists pointing out Saudi Arabia's intensifying crackdown on criticism published on social media, even on accounts with few followers. Saudi frequently faces condemnation for its human rights record and the prolific use of the death penalty. Last year, as per an AFP tally, the nation executed 147 people. This year, so far, there have been 94 executions. Despite Saudi Arabia's attempts at reform under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 agenda, concerns over the nation's human rights practices and stifling of dissent persist. Vision 2030 agenda is aimed at transforming the Kingdom into a global business and tourism destination.

Saudi Arabia to execute man for criticising government on X account with only nine followers

After months of deliberations, six new nations have become the new members of the bloc including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Ethiopia, Egypt and UAE - this was announced by the host Cyril Ramaphosa in the ongoing BRICS summit 2023.

BRICS: PM Modi chats with Xi Jinping at summit | World News | WION

BRICS gets new members: Bloc invites Iran, Saudi Arabia among others to join | World News | WION

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