Day: April 14, 2023

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US welcomes Yemen’s prisoner swap

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan welcomed Friday the “breakthrough” prisoner exchange between the warring parties in Yemen.

“The United States welcomes the exchange of nearly 900 prisoners across both sides of the conflict today in Yemen,” Sullivan said in a press statement.

“This breakthrough prisoner exchange is being overseen by the ICRC and was the result of many months of constructive engagement and mediation overseen by the UN’s Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg.” Sullivan affirmed the US support to this UN-led deal and commitment to helping consolidate the truce that has now been in effect for over one year and helping to set the conditions for a more enduring peace.

He noted that the past year in Yemen has been the quietest since the war began, saving thousands of Yemeni lives and allowing for vast increases in humanitarian assistance, fuel imports, and civilian flights to and from Sanaa.

“Building on the prisoner exchange today, we encourage all parties to further consolidate these positive trends and ultimately forge a diplomatic resolution to the conflict,” the US official advised

Source: Kuwait News Agency

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US lauds Qatar-Bahrain deal as crucial step towards stable Mideast

The United States congratulates “our key partners Bahrain and Qatar” on their decision to resume diplomatic ties, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said Thursday.

“This breakthrough represents a crucial step in our collective efforts to forge a more integrated, stable, peaceful, and prosperous region,” Patel noted in a press release one day after the two GCC states reached a deal in this regard.

“The United States has sought to promote regional integration and de-escalation, including among these two important partners and Gulf Cooperation Council member states.

“The United States will continue to actively work with regional partners to advance this shared aim of a more integrated, stable, and prosperous Middle East region,” he added.

Earlier today, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan welcomed, in a press release, the decision announced last night by Bahraini-Qatari Follow-up Committee to resume the diplomatic relations between both countries.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

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MAG contributes AED10 million towards ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign

DUBAI, 14th April, 2023 (WAM) — MAG Group Holding announced its contribution of AED10 million towards the “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign over the next 5 years, to be utilised in creating sustainable programmes to fight and eradicate hunger within an institutional framework. Moafaq Al Gaddah, Chairman of MAG Group Holding, said, “The 1 Billion Meals Endowment campaign embodies the UAE’s commitment to its role as a humanitarian force coming to the aid of those in need. It is a practical application of the values of generosity, tolerance and solidarity rooted in the Emirati community. We are honoured to be part of this noble effort which aims to directly provide a food safety net for underprivileged populations in countries struggling with food insecurity.” The campaign aims to create sustainable solutions to fight hunger, eradicate its causes and limit its repercussions through clear programmes and targeted processes to effectively support vulnerable groups, in collaboration with relevant humanitarian organisations in affected communities. The campaign continues to welcome donations and contributions to the endowment fund from institutions and individuals across five main channels including the campaign’s website (www.1billionmeals.ae), as well as a dedicated call center via the toll free number (800 9999). Donations are also possible via bank transfers in the UAE dirham to the campaign bank account number with Emirates NBD (AE30 0260 0010 1533 3439 802). Donations via SMS give contributors the option to donate AED1 daily through a monthly subscription, by sending the word “Meal” to 1020 for du users, or to 1110 for Etisalat by eand users. Those who wish to donate to the campaign through the DubaiNow app can do so by clicking on the “Donations” tab. Esraa Esmail/ Rola AlGhoul

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

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Kuwait oil price traded at US$89.45 pb

KUWAIT, April 14 (KUNA) — Kuwait oil price rose by US$1.75 to US$89.45 pb on Thursday compared to US$87.70 pb on Wednesday, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said on Friday. In international markets, forward Brent crude contracts moved down by $1.24 to settle at $86.09 pb, while the rate of identical transactions of the West Texas Intermediate crude also dropped by $1.10, settling at $82.16 a barrel, reported Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). Esraa Esmail/ Rola AlGhoul

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

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UAE Judo Federation official receives Japanese award

class=”slides BU DHABI, 14th April, 2023 (WAM) — Naser Al Tamimi, Secretary-General of UAE Judo Federation, has received a prestigious award from the Government of Japan. kio Isomata, Ambassador of Japan to the UAE, conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays on Al Tamimi at a ceremony held at the Ambassador’s residence in Abu Dhabi yesterday. The Government of Japan had announced the award in November 2022, in recognition of Al Tamimi’s significant contributions to the promotion of judo in the UAE. l Tamimi has been making a tremendous contribution to promoting judo in the UAE for more than 20 years. His unwavering passion and tireless efforts have helped this sport flourish in this country, and under his guidance the UAE has been sending judo athletes to every Olympic Game since 2008. His efforts have also contributed to fostering judo exchanges and friendship between Japan and the UAE, and greatly advanced the bilateral relations through judo. Binsal Abdulkader/ Esraa Esmail

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

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DEWA rings Nasdaq Dubai’s Bell in support of ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ campaign

DUBAI, 14th April, 2023 (WAM) — In collaboration with Nasdaq Dubai, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) rang the market opening bell to mark the “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign. DEWA has announced an AED20 million contribution in support of the campaign and its aim of implementing sustainable programmes to fight and eradicate hunger. The campaign was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to provide a food safety net for underprivileged populations and positively impact the lives of millions of people worldwide. The 1 Billion Meals Endowment campaign, which coincides with the Holy Month of Ramadan, aims to mobilise local, regional and international efforts to implement sustainable programmes and measures for the fight and eradication of hunger within an institutional framework. The campaign will establish the largest Ramadan sustainable food aid endowment fund as part of its main objective of providing a food safety net in countries struggling with food insecurity, and supporting vulnerable groups around the world, including victims of conflicts and natural disasters. Esraa Esmail/ Rola AlGhoul

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)