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Prime Minister Modi congratulates Anwar Ibrahim Malaysia’s new prime minister

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Prime Minister Modi congratulates Anwar Ibrahim Malaysia’s new prime minister

Prime Minister Modi congratulates Anwar Ibrahim Malaysia’s new prime minister

Diplomat Times (Petaling Jaya) – The India has congratulated Anwar Ibrahim on his appointment as the prime minister and described the 15th general election as “a demonstration of the power of democracy”.

Buddhist monk, Dalai Lama also wished Anwar “every success in meeting the challenges that lie ahead”.

Malaysia is one of the prominent leaders of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), together with Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. All four countries enjoy multi-faceted ties with India, both in the regional and bilateral contexts, while also having a very substantial relationship with China.

On the diplomatic side, India and Malaysia work together to uphold the freedom of navigation and over flights in the South China Sea and elsewhere and to adhere to the UN Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also display a resolute will to counter terrorism and radicalization. In fact, India admires the Malaysian model of moderate Islam and the success of its de-radicalization programme. The latter may have some relevance to the situation in India.

The people-to-people aspect of the relationship is also significant. A nation of 28 million, Malaysia is home to a nearly two million-strong Indian origin community that accounts for 7% of the total population. This is rated as the highest share of Indian diaspora in any East Asian country.

Formally, the two nations have an “enhanced Strategic Partnership”. India views its ties with Malaysia as a core element of its Act East Policy, Both nations .

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Supporters of Anwar Ibrahim gather outside the National Palace on November 22, 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE

Anwar comes with heavy political baggage and his repeated failure to grasp the reins of the top office over the years had left him vulnerable to being derided as a perpetual “prime minister-in-waiting”.
But his backstory has given him a strong base, no matter the odds against him.

Asim Munir : Who is Pakistan’s 17th army chief Asim Munir?

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Asim Munir : Who is Pakistan’s 17th army chief Asim Munir?

Asim Munir appointed Pakistan’s General on Thursday. Asim Munir as the new chief of Pakistan Army after President Dr Arif Alvi approved the summary sent by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the appointment, ending days of speculations.

Diplomat Times (Islamabad) – He is Pakistan’s 17th army chief since it declared independence from Britain in 1947. That compares with about 30 prime ministers during the same period.

He was prematurely removed as chief of the ISI at the request of then-prime minister Imran Khan. No reason was given for his removal. He was serving as the army’s quartermaster general.

He is the most senior ranking general after outgoing army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Here are a few facts about General Asim

He was chief of the country’s two most influential intelligence agencies, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Military Intelligence (MI).

There are different reactions in India too on Asim Munir becoming the Pakistan Army Chief.

The army has historically wielded huge political influence in Pakistan, ruling it for half of its 75-year history, and also oversees the country’s nuclear program. Like neighboring China and India, Pakistan has nuclear arsenals and a missile system, which is mainly aimed at India.

Lt. Gen. Syed Asim Munir replaces Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, who completes his six-year extended term on Nov. 29. Munir begins his new role amid bitter feuding between Sharif and former premier Imran Khan. Khan has publicly accused Bajwa of playing a role in his ouster, a charge the outgoing army chief has denied.

On Thursday, Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told reporters that Munir’s nomination as the army chief was “based on merit, law and according to the constitution.” He said he hoped that Alvi would not make the key appointments “controversial” and would endorse Sharif’s decision without any delay.

“It will also help our country and the economy to get back on the right track, as right now everything is at a standstill,” he said.

Azim Chaudhry, a senior political analyst, told The Associated Press that Munir held key positions under Bajwa, including head of military intelligence. He said he hoped the new army chief would keep the military away from politics, in line with Bajwa’s policy.

Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb also said Sharif had named Lt. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee to replace Gen. Nadeem Raza, who retires this week.

About Asim Munir 

Munir joined the Pakistani military through the Mangla Officers Training School (OTS) programme, where he won the prestigious Sword of Honour, given to the best performing cadet.

He has commanded a division which overlooks Pakistan’s northern areas, including the disputed region of Kashmir, where he worked in tandem with Bajwa, who then headed the Pakistan army’s elite X Corps.

“He is a rare officer in the sense that he has led both the MI and the ISI. He is the first army chief who has headed both the intelligence agencies,” the source said.

“The MI experience will help him look at the army’s internal dynamics, while the ISI experience will serve him well for a global outlook in future.”

“Based on his postings and the results of his courses, it is pretty evident that he proved himself worthy of where he is today,” he told Al Jazeera.

Munir is the son of a schoolteacher who grew up in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, according to local source.

Asim Munir is from the 17th course of the Officers Training School in Mangla. He was commissioned in the 23rd Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment. He started his military career in 1986.

India seeks to use global energy challenge as opportunity, says Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

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India seeks to use global energy challenge as opportunity, says Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

India seeks to use global energy challenge as opportunity, says India oil minister

Diplomat Times (New Delhi) – Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday that India, the world’s third largest oil importer, hopes to convert the current global oil challenges from the Ukraine crisis into an opportunity to access cheap energy. Russian oil price range.

India, which rarely used to buy Russian oil because of costly logistics, has emerged as Russia’s second biggest oil client after China as some Western entities shunned Moscow purchases following its February invasion of Ukraine.

“At this time, the worry is not about from where we will get energy,” Puri said at a broadcaster Times Now summit. “It is a global challenge but we have and we will convert this into an opportunity. And I don’t foresee any difficulty in procuring energy and securing at affordable prices.”

The United States has stopped buying Russian energy and European countries will stop Russian crude and refined product imports from December 5 and February 5, respectively.

The Group of Seven nations, including the United States, as well as the European Union and Australia, are planning to implement a likely price cap of $65 to $70 a barrel on sea-borne Russian oil exports from Dec. 5.

EU fails to agree gas price cap amid deep differences

Some Indian refiners are already getting Russian oil at below or near the prices cap levels.

The West has exempted Russian oil supplies via pipelines to Hungary and China, and exports from Sakhalin-2 projects to Japan. “So the question arises that on whom this price cap will be imposed, if these three large exemptions are there,” Puri said, indicating that the mechanism is aimed at supplies to India.

Russian President Vladimir Putin discusses West’s oil price cap with Iraqi leader – Kremlin

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Russian President Vladimir Putin discusses West’s oil price cap with Iraqi leader – Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin discusses West’s oil price cap with Iraqi leader – Kremlin

Middle East (Reuters)- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday discussed Western attempts to cap the price of Russian oil during a phone call with Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the new Iraqi prime minister, the Kremlin said in a readout of the call.

It said Putin had told Sudani that a price cap would have serious consequences for the global energy market.

“Attempts by a number of Western countries to impose restrictions on the cost of crude oil from Russia were touched upon,” the Kremlin’s statement said.

“Vladimir Putin stressed that such actions contradict the principles of market relations and are highly likely to lead to serious consequences for the global energy market.”

The European Union and United States have stepped up attempts in recent days to strike an agreement on where to set a price cap on their imports of Russian oil.

Russia and Iraq are both major oil producers and members of the OPEC+ agreement, which sets oil production levels in a bid to manage world prices.

 

FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 HIGHLIGHTS: URUGUAY-SOUTH KOREA BATTLE TO SCORELESS TIE

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FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 HIGHLIGHTS: URUGUAY-SOUTH KOREA BATTLE TO SCORELESS TIE

The 2022 FIFA World Cup continued Thursday with Uruguay and South Korea battling to a scoreless draw.

Diplomat Times (AL RAYYAN) – The 2022 FIFA World Cup continued Thursday with Uruguay and South Korea battling to a scoreless draw.

Each squad had chances to break the tie in the final minutes of Thursday’s match, but failed to capitalize. While there were 17 combined shots in the game, there was only one shot on goal between the two teams.

Uruguay unable to capitalize

Uruguay was able to create some traffic in the box, with two opportunities for shots off a cross. Both weren’t able to connect though with Darwin Nunez whiffing on the receiving end of a pass and Suarez unable to get to the ball first for the other.

South Korea gets its chance, but also fails to take advantage

Several careful and precise passes set up an opportunity for Hwang Ui-Jo to score for the middle of the box. But the forward’s shot sailed over the net to keep the game scoreless.

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USA Walmart store shooting: Manager killing six people and himself at Virginia Walmart supermarket

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USA Walmart store shooting: Manager killing six people and himself at Virginia Walmart supermarket

USA Walmart store shooting: Manager killing six people and himself at Virginia Walmart supermarket

Diplomat Times – A manager at a Walmart Inc. WMT.N store in Virginia entered a break room and opened fire on fellow employees before turning the gun on himself, according to an eyewitness.

A total of seven were killed in the shooting incident.

The dead included a 16-year-old boy who police did not identify and 70-year-old Randy Blevins, who was planning to retire within the year, a cousin wrote on Facebook.

The others were Kellie Pyle, 52, Lorenzo Gamble, 43, and Randy Blevins, 70, all from Chesapeake, and Tyneka Johnson, 22, of neighboring Portsmouth.

“I looked up and my manager just opened the door and he just opened fire,” Ms Tyler said. “He didn’t say a word. He didn’t say anything at all.”

At least four people were injured in the shooting, Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky told a news conference. He did not disclose a possible motive for the shooting, but said the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Bing was armed with a single handgun and carried multiple magazines of ammunition, according to a tweet from Chesapeake, a city of about 250,000 people south of Norfolk.

US President Joe Biden today called the shooting “yet another horrific and senseless act of violence,” vowing any federal resources needed to aid in the investigation.

“There are now even more tables across the country that will have empty seats this Thanksgiving,” he said in a statement, noting a shooting earlier this month that left three University of Virginia students dead. “We must take greater action.”

Bing worked at the company since 2010, most recently as an overnight team leader at the cavernous Walmart Supercenter just off Battlefield Boulevard in Chesapeake.

“The Battlefield Walmart just got shot up by one of my managers. He killed a couple of people. By the grace of God I made it out,” another employee, Kevin Harper, told CBS.

Jessica Burgess, a surgeon who treated victims at a Norfolk hospital, said she had contacted a colleague in Colorado Springs just two days earlier to offer support.

“So it’s very disheartening that I’m now in the same position with my colleagues from across the country checking in on me and my team,” Burgess said. “Sometimes there is only so much we can do when the injuries have already been done.”

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who was already facing stepped-up calls for policies to address gun violence after the University of Virginia killings, ordered flags at local, state and federal buildings to be flown at half-staff.

Walmart, which has thousands of stores across the country, has been hit by gun violence before.

In August 2019, 23 people were killed at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, near the U.S.-Mexico border in an act described as domestic terrorism by law enforcement. It was also the deadliest attack on the Hispanic community in the United States in modern times.

Walmart enacted new restrictions on gun and ammunition sales following that 2019 shooting, as it had after other shootings at its stores.

Walmart in a statement on Wednesday said it was “shocked” at the violence at the Chesapeake store and it was working closely with law enforcement.

“The devastating news of last night’s shooting at our Chesapeake, VA store at the hands of one of our associates has hit our Walmart family hard,” Walmart Chief Executive Doug McMillon wrote in a LinkedIn post.

Input Via Reuters  | Dawn, Editing by Shashi Kumar & Roshan Bilung .

 

Saudi Arabia Executes 15 People in 12 Days For alleged drug offences

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Saudi Arabia Executes 15 People in 12 Days For alleged drug offences

Saudi Arabia Executes 15 People in 12 Days For alleged drug offences, Most of those people are migrants. 3 Pakistan, 4 Syria and 2 from Jordan.

Diplomat Times (Riyadh) –  Saudi Arabia has executed 15 people for non-violent drug offences – some thought to be beheaded by sword – in the last 12 days, despite promising to end them.

In January 2021 the country announced a moratorium on drug-related executions. It came in the wake of the gruesome murder and dismembering of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey in 2018 by a Saudi death squad, a hit the CIA said was ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

But legal NGO Reprieve said that in the last fortnight the regime had quietly resumed secret executions for drug offences. Ten of those executed are foreign nationals, from Pakistan, Syria and Jordan. Five of them – including a man executed on Monday morning – are Saudi nationals. Because executions are carried out behind closed doors and bodies are not returned to families, methods of execution cannot be confirmed. However experts believe people are killed by a mixture of beheading by sword and by shooting.

Taha al-Hajji, a former Saudi defense lawyer who specialized in defending people on death row in Saudi Arabia, said executions for drugs had continued because they were only halted two years ago as a stunt to create good PR for the super-rich Gulf kingdom.

“The resumption of executions in drug cases after two years of moratorium reveals how Saudi Arabia uses its media power and influence to promote lies. An official promise is made and used politically to whiten its image for a period of time. Then when the lie has fulfilled its purpose, the killings begin again,” Hajji, who works for the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights, a Europe-based human rights organization for documenting and promoting human rights in Saudi Arabia told VICE World News.

“It is impossible to believe Saudi propaganda about reform unless it is accompanied by legislation amending laws. The return of executions in drug cases confirms the regime’s complete lack of sincerity in respecting people’s lives and its tolerance for bloodshed,” said Hajji, who has had to leave Saudi Arabia for his own safety.

“To prove its seriousness, Saudi Arabia must formally change the penalty for deviating from the drug law. In the longer term, truly meaningful reform would require the creation of a penal code, since at the moment the Kingdom is a country with neither a penal code nor a constitution.”

Saudi Arabia has so far executed at least 135 people this year, a big rise compared to 2021 and 2020, despite repeated promises since 2018 to reduce capital punishment.

There were no drug-related executions carried out on 2021 for the first year in a decade, according to Harm Reduction International (HRI), which surveys the death penalty for drug offences. Before the moratorium was announced, there were at least 84 drug-related executions in 2019, and five in 2020 just before the moratorium was announced.

“Mohammed bin Salman has repeatedly touted his vision of progress, committing to reducing executions and ending the death penalty for drug offences,” said Maya Foa, Reprieve’s Director. “But as a bloody year of executions draws to a close, the Saudi authorities have begun executing drug offenders again, in large numbers and in secret.”

She said the latest executions came days after it was made official that bin Salman will face no consequences for ordering the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. “Proof once again that when Saudi Arabia’s international partners signal that the regime can kill with impunity, the Crown Prince and his subordinates get the message – and act on it,” she added.

Editing by Shasi Kumar Input from Vice Media | Human Rights Watch

 

The Fifth annual Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue to Begin in Doha today

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The Fifth annual Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue to Begin in Doha today

The Fifth annual Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue to Begin in Doha today.

Diplomat Times (Qatar) -The fifth annual strategic dialogue between the State of Qatar and the United States of America will kick off today in Doha and will be chaired by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and His Excellency U.S. Secretary of State Mr. Antony Blinken.

The Qatar-U.S. Strategic Dialogue addresses several issues of mutual interest, including regional stability, defense cooperation, public health, counterterrorism, combating human trafficking, human rights, climate change, energy efficiency, humanitarian assistance, strategic investments, economic cooperation, and cultural and educational exchanges.

In that context, Dr. Majid bin Mohammed al-Ansari, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed that Strategic Dialogues are a milestone in the relations between our countries and reflect the well-established and advanced level of our partnership in all fields. He also noted that the celebration of the two partners of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the classification of Qatar as a major non-NATO ally of the United States, and the continuous close cooperation between the two countries in bilateral, regional and international fields all serve as evidence of a shared commitment to enhance those relations.

In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. al-Ansari mentioned that these dialogues also demonstrate the concept of joint coordination on regional and global issues, and enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of health, humanitarian assistance, international development, human rights, regional cooperation and climate change, as well as trade, investment, culture and education. He also expressed his full confidence that the outcomes of the fifth session of the Strategic Dialogue will contribute to reinforcing long-term cooperation, including continuous coordination to bring peace and stability to the region.

Dr. al-Ansari also noted the coincidence of the strategic dialogue with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, praising the close cooperation between the State of Qatar and the United States to ensure a safe and successful tournament. He added that the two sides recently have had in-depth discussions on cybersecurity, law enforcement training, public relations, and human rights.

Dr. al-Ansari also stressed that the State of Qatar and the United States share a common interest in combating human trafficking and promoting labor rights, pointing to the U.S. Department of State’s recognition of Assistant Undersecretary of Labor Mr. Mohammed al-Obaidly as a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Hero as evidence of the progress made by the State of Qatar on this issue.

Dr. al-Ansari also complimented the strong security partnership between the two countries, including cooperation in law enforcement, aviation, border security, countering violent extremism, countering terrorism, and countering financing of terrorism. He reaffirmed the commitment of the State of Qatar to provide $75 million over five years and implement efforts to support the work of the United Nations Office on countering terrorism.

Dr. al-Ansari also indicated that relations between the State of Qatar and the United States have been established through various institutions throughout different periods of time, stressing that the distinguished partnership shown by the two countries in dealing with the Afghanistan issue, especially on relocation efforts, clearly reflects the high level of these well-established relations.

Dr. al-Ansari also said that the State of Qatar operates in an environment of international, bilateral, and multilateral alliances, and considers the United States its strongest ally and its most important partner in many fields. He expressed his confidence that the close strategic cooperation will continue between the two countries on various issues.

Source : Qatar News Agency

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will represent India at inauguration of FIFA World Cup 2022

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Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will represent India at inauguration of FIFA World Cup 2022

Diplomat Times (New Delhi) – Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will represent India at inauguration of FIFA World Cup in Qatar on November 20: Ministry of External Affairs.

At the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, the Hon’ble Vice President of India will pay an official visit to Qatar on 20-21 November and represent India at the inauguration of the FIFA World Cup 2022.

India and Qatar enjoy close and friendly relations with multifaceted partnership extending to areas of trade, energy, security, defense, health, culture, education, among others. In the last financial year, bilateral trade crossed US $15 billion. Qatar plays an important partner in India’s energy security and India participates in Qatar’s food security. Next year, both countries would be celebrating 50 years of establishment of full diplomatic relations.

People to people ties form an important element of bilateral relationship with over 840,000 Indians in Qatar. During his visit, besides attending the inaugural ceremony on 20 November, Hon’ ble Vice President will also interact with the members of the Indian community.

Hon’ble Vice President’s visit would be an opportunity to join a close and friendly country Qatar as it hosts a major sporting event and also to acknowledge the role played and support extended by Indians in this World Cup.

Daniele orsato to take charge of FIFA World Cup 2022 Opening Match

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Daniele orsato to take charge of FIFA World Cup 2022 Opening Match

Italian chosen to officiate Qatar v Ecuador in FIFA World Cup Opening Match.

Diplomat Times (Qatar) – Daniele Orsato of Italy will referee the opening fixture of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 between the hosts and Ecuador on Sunday 20 November.

The 46-year-old became a FIFA official in 2010 and worked as a video assistant referee (VAR) at Russia 2018. He took charge of the 2020 UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in Lisbon.

Qatar and Ecuador meet in Doha’s Al Bayt Stadium at 19:00 local time. The home team are the only debutants among the 32 nations at the 2022 World Cup, while Ecuador are participating in the tournament for the fourth time.

The teams are in Group A with Senegal and the Netherlands.
Orsato is the only Italian referee at this World Cup and has been chosen to oversee the first match of the competition.

Qatar and Ecuador are in Group A with Senegal and the Netherlands.

Who is Daniele Orsato ?

Born 23 November 1975 (age 46)
Live in Montecchio Maggiore, Vicenza, Veneto, Italy.

Orsato became a FIFA referee in 2010. He has served as a referee in qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2012. Orsato refereed group stage matches in the 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2014–15 UEFA Champions League competitions.

In 2016, Orsato refereed the round of 16 match between PSV Eindhoven and Atlético Madrid in the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League.

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