News Analysis India

Tag: UAE

  • Rains Trigger Floods In Dubai, Airport Waterlogged, Flights Diverted- Watch | world news

    New Delhi: Heavy thunderstorms battered the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, unleashing an unprecedented flood situation in Dubai, swamping major highways and crippling operations at its international airport. The downpour exceeded the typical rainfall for over a year and a half.

    Meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport revealed that the storm unleashed over 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) of rain late Monday, intensifying throughout Tuesday, ultimately drenching the city with more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall within a 24-hour period. This volume far exceeded the average annual precipitation of 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) recorded at the airport, reported the news agency AP.

    Due to heavy rains in Dubai yesterday, flood situation has arisen, life has been disrupted, airports are submerged in water, the situation is worrying ___ #dubaiflood#heavyrain #BreakingNews_ pic.twitter.com/vMeQTUdxgt – NR jangid (@NRjangid46) April 17, 2024

    Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest hub for international travel and a vital artery for the global carrier Emirates, was particularly hard-hit. Numerous flights were delayed or canceled on April 16. Affected routes include those to India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.

    Dubai Airport enjoying a light shower ___ pic.twitter.com/4g9pEf3RKg – Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) April 16, 2024

    Runways were submerged under water, prompting the suspension of arrivals and stranding passengers who struggled to navigate flooded roadways to reach terminal buildings.

    The city’s driverless Metro system also experienced disruptions, compounding the challenges faced by residents and commuters.

    Scenes of current Dubai weather pic.twitter.com/z7rGzUtlIB – Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) April 16, 2024

    According to AP, in Ras al-Khaimah, a 70-year-old man lost his life after his vehicle was swept away by the raging waters. Meanwhile, in Fujairah the storm unleashed its fury with 145 millimeters (5.7 inches) of rainfall.

    The heavy rain extended beyond the borders of the UAE, with neighboring countries such as Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia also experiencing precipitation.

  • Myth about Israel Army debunked: Former diplomat

    Express News Service

    BENGALURU: Even as Israel has been signaling that it is preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza in response to the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas, retired Indian Foreign Service officer and former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE, Talmiz Ahmad, claimed that the “mythology” around the Israeli army stands debunked. 

    “Israel has failed as an army at the strategic, intelligence and military levels. Hamas came and killed around 1,400 people including 300 Israeli soldiers. A music festival was being held next to Gaza without any effective security. This was despite the situation in the occupied territories deteriorating over several months. There had been settler violence against the Palestinians in the West Bank, while there had been repeated desecration of the sacred Al Aqsa mosque since January this year. How did the Israelis not anticipate an attack by Hamas?” asked the noted author on the Middle East.

    He further noted the ‘delay’ in ground strike at Gaza by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and said that this could be because of serious problems associated with the attack.  “For the last three days, the IDF has been threatening a ground attack in Gaza and has ordered people to evacuate northern Gaza in preparation of an apparent ground offensive, but they have not got their boots on the ground yet.

    First, even if they kill several hundred civilians, as they had done in 2014, they will suffer dozens of deaths in their ranks as well. Then, there is the problem of what happens next. Will they remain in Gaza as an occupation force and suffer further casualties? Will they really be able to eliminate the Hamas leaders and rescue over 195 Israeli hostages, who may have been held captive inside the labyrinthine tunnelled network? But if there is no attack on Gaza, it would be a serious blow to Netanyahu’s standing. He is already a discredited leader back home and facing a huge trust deficit from his own people,” said the former diplomat. 

    “Again, if the IDF exits from Gaza after the assault, there is every possibility that Hamas will return, and with a greater vigour,” he added. In a possibility that the IDF manages to kill some Hamas leaders they will not be able to “decimate the organisation because it is a resistance movement that enjoys the support of the Palestinian people,” said the retired diplomat.

    Ahmad said that under the circumstances, “The IDF may carry out a short ground strike in Gaza or there may be a negotiation for truce. The latter may not be easy for Netanyahu,” said Ahmad, adding that there is a possibility that “Netanyahu steps down and a government of national unity, made up of moderate figures, is formed.” Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    BENGALURU: Even as Israel has been signaling that it is preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza in response to the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas, retired Indian Foreign Service officer and former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE, Talmiz Ahmad, claimed that the “mythology” around the Israeli army stands debunked. 

    “Israel has failed as an army at the strategic, intelligence and military levels. Hamas came and killed around 1,400 people including 300 Israeli soldiers. A music festival was being held next to Gaza without any effective security. This was despite the situation in the occupied territories deteriorating over several months. There had been settler violence against the Palestinians in the West Bank, while there had been repeated desecration of the sacred Al Aqsa mosque since January this year. How did the Israelis not anticipate an attack by Hamas?” asked the noted author on the Middle East.

    He further noted the ‘delay’ in ground strike at Gaza by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and said that this could be because of serious problems associated with the attack.  “For the last three days, the IDF has been threatening a ground attack in Gaza and has ordered people to evacuate northern Gaza in preparation of an apparent ground offensive, but they have not got their boots on the ground yet.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    First, even if they kill several hundred civilians, as they had done in 2014, they will suffer dozens of deaths in their ranks as well. Then, there is the problem of what happens next. Will they remain in Gaza as an occupation force and suffer further casualties? Will they really be able to eliminate the Hamas leaders and rescue over 195 Israeli hostages, who may have been held captive inside the labyrinthine tunnelled network? But if there is no attack on Gaza, it would be a serious blow to Netanyahu’s standing. He is already a discredited leader back home and facing a huge trust deficit from his own people,” said the former diplomat. 

    “Again, if the IDF exits from Gaza after the assault, there is every possibility that Hamas will return, and with a greater vigour,” he added. In a possibility that the IDF manages to kill some Hamas leaders they will not be able to “decimate the organisation because it is a resistance movement that enjoys the support of the Palestinian people,” said the retired diplomat.

    Ahmad said that under the circumstances, “The IDF may carry out a short ground strike in Gaza or there may be a negotiation for truce. The latter may not be easy for Netanyahu,” said Ahmad, adding that there is a possibility that “Netanyahu steps down and a government of national unity, made up of moderate figures, is formed.” Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • SBI loan fraud: SC stays Bombay HC order permitting private firm chairperson to travel to UAE

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has stayed a Bombay High Court order permitting Suman Vijay Gupta, the chairperson of a Mumbai-based private company, to travel to the UAE after taking note of a case in which she is accused of defrauding State Bank of India of Rs 3,300 crore.

    Gupta is the chairperson of Ushdev International Limited (UIL).

    A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha on Thursday took note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the law enforcement agencies have had a bad experience allowing economic offenders and fraudsters to go abroad on personal undertakings as they seldom honour their undertakings come back to face the proceedings here.

    “She is the chairperson of a company that took a loan of Rs 3,300 crore. The CBI is investigating (the case). After the loan was declared an NPA (non-performing asset), she renounced the citizenship of India and got the citizenship of Dominica,” the top law officer said.

    A lookout circular (LOC) was issued and she was prevented from travelling, he said, adding that the Bombay High Court said that it will let her go if she filed an undertaking stating that she will return to face legal proceedings in the case against her.

    “We have a very bad experience with the undertakings,” Mehta said.

    The bench said, “We will issue a notice. Pending further orders, there shall be a stay on the High Court order.”

    Mehta said the insolvency proceedings were initiated against UIL after the fraud was detected and the CBI later registered a case against Gupta, who relinquished her Indian citizenship and became a  Commonwealth of Dominica citizen while residing in the UAE.

    Gupta had come to attend her nephew’s wedding and the LOC was issued in 2020, he said.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has stayed a Bombay High Court order permitting Suman Vijay Gupta, the chairperson of a Mumbai-based private company, to travel to the UAE after taking note of a case in which she is accused of defrauding State Bank of India of Rs 3,300 crore.

    Gupta is the chairperson of Ushdev International Limited (UIL).

    A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha on Thursday took note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the law enforcement agencies have had a bad experience allowing economic offenders and fraudsters to go abroad on personal undertakings as they seldom honour their undertakings come back to face the proceedings here.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “She is the chairperson of a company that took a loan of Rs 3,300 crore. The CBI is investigating (the case). After the loan was declared an NPA (non-performing asset), she renounced the citizenship of India and got the citizenship of Dominica,” the top law officer said.

    A lookout circular (LOC) was issued and she was prevented from travelling, he said, adding that the Bombay High Court said that it will let her go if she filed an undertaking stating that she will return to face legal proceedings in the case against her.

    “We have a very bad experience with the undertakings,” Mehta said.

    The bench said, “We will issue a notice. Pending further orders, there shall be a stay on the High Court order.”

    Mehta said the insolvency proceedings were initiated against UIL after the fraud was detected and the CBI later registered a case against Gupta, who relinquished her Indian citizenship and became a  Commonwealth of Dominica citizen while residing in the UAE.

    Gupta had come to attend her nephew’s wedding and the LOC was issued in 2020, he said.

  • India declares one-day mourning to mark respect for UAE President’s death

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: India has declared one-day national mourning on Saturday (14 May), as a mark of respect to his highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, who passed away on Friday.

    The national flag will be flown at half-mast on the day of mourning throughout India on all buildings where the national flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on the day.

    President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed condolences at the demise of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

    In their messages, they noted that he was a statesman and a visionary leader and recalled his contribution to the strengthening of India-UAE bilateral relations and the welfare of the Indian community in UAE.

  • India, UAE will stand shoulder to shoulder against terrorism: Narendra Modi

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India and the UAE will stand shoulder to shoulder against terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday at a virtual summit with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

    In his remarks, Modi also referred to the recent terror attacks in the Gulf nation even as he delved into various facets of the expanding ties between the two countries.

    “We strongly condemn the recent terrorist attacks in the UAE. India and the UAE will stand shoulder to shoulder against terrorism,” he said.

    The prime minister also complimented the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for showing interest in investing in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “Following the successful visit of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to the UAE last month, several Emirati companies have shown interest in investing in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

    “We welcome investment by UAE in all sectors, including logistics, healthcare, hospitality, in Jammu and Kashmir,” Modi added.

    In a significant development, the two sides also inked a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to further boost trade and investment ties.

    In his remarks, Modi said the agreement reflects the deep friendship, the shared vision and the trust between the two countries.

    “I am sure this will usher in a new era in our economic relations. And our business will grow from USD 60 billion to USD 100 billion in the next five years,” he said.

    The prime minister said both sides can encourage startups through joint-incubation and joint-financing, adding that there is scope for cooperation in the skill development of people as well.

    At the summit, the two sides also firmed up a vision statement that lays out the contours of the future course of bilateral relations and highlights the areas of focus.

    In the vision statement, the two sides agreed to enhance maritime cooperation with an aim to contribute to the maintenance of peace and security in the region.

    The two sides also reaffirmed their joint commitment to fight against extremism and terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism, at both regional and international levels.

    It also refers to working on a dedicated investment zone for the UAE companies and joint ventures with a focus on setting up a food corridor and the establishment of a dedicated India Mart in the Jebel Ali Free Zone.

    It also seeks to create investment opportunities for Indian investors in establishing specialised industrial advanced technology zones in Abu Dhabi, with a specific focus in the areas of logistics and services, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, agriculture, agri-tech, steel and aluminium.

    On energy partnership, the vision statement said collaboration will be forged to support India’s energy requirements, including new energies, and ensure the provision of affordable and secure energy supplies to India’s growing economy.

  • India, UAE to sign comprehensive trade pact on Friday

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will firm up a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on Friday during a virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan.

    Making an announcement on the summit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday that both leaders are expected to lay out their vision of the historic and friendly bilateral ties at a time when India is celebrating 75 years of its independence and the UAE marking the 50th anniversary of its foundation.

    It said Modi and Al Nahyan, who is also the deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces, will discuss bilateral cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

    India and the UAE will sign the CEPA at the summit, people familiar with the development said.

    “A major initiative in bilateral relations is the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Negotiations for CEPA were launched in September 2021 and have been completed,” the MEA said.

    “The agreement will take India-UAE economic and commercial engagement to the next level,” it added.

    The MEA said the UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner, and bilateral trade and investment ties are expected to see significant enhancements.

    “Both sides have collaborated closely during the Covid-19 pandemic in critical areas of healthcare and food security. Bilateral trade, investment and energy relations have remained robust,” the MEA said in a statement.

    “The two sides are also strengthening their cooperation in new areas of renewable energy, start-ups, fintech, etc,” it added.

    India is participating with one of the largest pavilions in the Dubai Expo 2020.

  • PM likely to visit UAE by first half of next month

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the first half of next month which would be his first trip abroad in 2022, people familiar with the development said on Monday.

    Both sides are looking at firming up the visit around January 6 but there is no finality on the dates yet, they said.

    The prime minister’s proposed visit to the strategically important Gulf nation comes as the two countries look at celebrating 50 years of their diplomatic ties.

    Modi is also expected to visit the ongoing Dubai Expo during the visit.

    Both India and the UAE have been holding talks to firm up a comprehensive free trade agreement to further boost economic ties and there is a possibility of forwarding movement on it during the visit.

    In reflection of their growing strategic ties, India and the UAE recently became part of a new four-nation grouping that is expected to be focusing on issues relating to trade and investment. The other two members are the US and Israel.

    The ties between the two countries witnessed a major upswing following Modi’s visit to the UAE in 2015 as it marked the beginning of a new phase in partnership.

    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, visited India in 2016. He again visited India in January 2017 as the chief guest at the Republic day celebrations. It was during this visit that the bilateral relations were upgraded to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’.

    Prime Minister Modi visited UAE again in February 2018 for the 6th World Government Summit in Dubai, where India was the guest of honour. He visited the UAE again in August 2019 to receive the UAE’s highest civilian award, ‘the Order of Zayed’.

    The UAE is home to over 3.3 million Indians who have been playing a key role in overall cultural and people-to-people ties between the two sides.

    In August, Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic advisor to UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, visited India.

    The bilateral defence and strategic ties between the two countries have also witnessed steady expansion.

    In December last year, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane travelled to the UAE and it was the first-ever visit by a head of the Indian Army to the Gulf nation.

    In July, then Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria visited the UAE, in reflection of the growing strategic ties.

  • Struggling Mumbai Indians face inconsistent Punjab Kings

    By PTI

    ABU DHABI: On a slippery slope after a hat-trick of losses, defending champions Mumbai Indians will need their famed top-order batting to fire and turn things around when they take on Punjab Kings in the IPL here on Tuesday.

    Time is running out for Mumbai after they lost all the three games post the resumption of the IPL in the UAE, slipping to the seventh spot with 8 points from 10 games.

    While the five-time champions faltered in their run-chase against Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, the team couldn’t defend its total against Kolkata Knight Riders.

    MI’s batting has been a major worry for the franchise as their mainstays with the willow, including Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan, have been struggling for runs.

    Skipper Rohit Sharma scored 33 and 43 in the last two games but couldn’t capitalise on the starts.

    After being left out of the first two games due to fitness issues, Hardik Pandya was included in the playing XI against RCB, but his stay was short-lived.

    The form of these players, who are also part of the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, is a worrying sign not only for the franchise but also for the country’s campaign in the showpiece event, which will be held in the UAE and Oman after the IPL.

    In bowling, Jasprit Bumrah has consistently delivered, returning with 8 wickets so far in the last three matches, while fellow pacers Trent Boult and Adam Milne, too, have contributed with 3 scalps each.

    But the spin duo of Rahul Chahar and Krunal Pandya has disappointed and will need to step up their performance if MI are to qualify for the knockout stage.

    Punjab, on the other hand, are placed in the fifth spot after returning to winning ways in their last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad following a splendid performance from the bowlers, who made up for the team’s below-par batting display.

    With 8 points from 10 games, just like MI, Punjab too can’t afford any slip-up.

    Punjab boast of some excellent Indian and foreign talent, and yet, they have regularly messed up games, and are one of the most inconsistent teams in the league.

    After failing to score 4 runs in the final over against Rajasthan Royals, the Mohali-based team made three changes in their previous game and it will look to continue with the winning combination after making too many changes over the last 14 seasons.

    Punjab possess a formidable batting line-up with skipper KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal scoring the bulk of the runs at the top of the order.

    With the ageless Chris Gayle, Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran also in the ranks, Punjab do have the firepower in batting to blow away any attack.

    However, Punjab’s batters couldn’t adjust to the slow conditions at Sharjah in their last game, prompting skipper Rahul to ask them to learn to bat according to the surface.

    In the bowling department, Mohammed Shami and young Arshdeep Singh have shone the brightest, while spinner Ravi Bishnoi grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he returned with three wickets after his inclusion in the last game.

    Squads

    Punjab Kings: KL Rahul (captain), Mayank Agarwal, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Porel, Shahrukh Khan, Mohammed Shami, Nathan Ellis, Adil Rashid, Murugan Ashwin, Harpreet Brar, Moises Henriques, Chris Jordan, Aiden Markram, Mandeep Singh, Darsan Nalkande, Prabhsimran Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Utkarsh Singh, Fabian Allen, Saurabh Kumar, Jalaj Saxena.

    Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (captain) Quinton de Kock, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Aditya Tare, Anmolpreet Singh, Chris Lynn, Saurabh Tiwary, Anukul Roy, Arjun Tendulkar, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, James Neesham, Jayant Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Marco Jansen, Yudhvir Singh, Adam Milne, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohsin Khan, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Piyush Chawla, Rahul Chahar, Trent Boult.

    Match starts at 7:30 pm IST.

  • We’ve given ourselves a good chance to qualify for playoffs: Rabada

    Delhi Capitals registered six wins from eight matches in the first half of the tournament and led the points table before the league was suspended midway in May owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Ultimate goal is to win IPL, says Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant

    By PTI

    DUBAI: Coming off a long tour of the United Kingdom, Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant sought to get acclimatised to the UAE’s extreme heat by spending time on the balcony of his hotel room during the mandatory quarantine.

    However, it was still not comfortable when he did his first training session on Friday ahead of the IPL’s resumption.

    Pant said that he is currently focussing on getting used to the conditions in the UAE.

    “It’s pretty hot here in the UAE. I was trying to sit on the balcony during my quarantine period as much as possible to get used to the conditions. But, it still felt quite hot when I took part in my first practice session here.

    “I’m just trying to get used to the conditions now and hopefully, I will be fully acclimatised to the conditions in 2-3 days,” Pant said in a release issued by Delhi Capitals.

    The wicketkeeper-batsman said that the team will look to continue its brilliant performance from the first half of the IPL 2021 season.

    The Delhi Capitals are currently at the top of the table with 12 points from eight matches.

    “Our ultimate goal is to win the trophy, but we are going to focus on our process. Hopefully, we can continue to play the way we did in the first half of the IPL 2021 season and we can go on and win the IPL trophy this year,” said Pant.

    He has also expressed his excitement about meeting his teammates after completing his quarantine period.

    “It’s really nice to meet everyone after coming out of quarantine. It’s been great meeting the teammates here in training.”

    Delhi Capitals will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on September 22, in their first match on resumption.