FARUKH SHEHZAD

BAKU, NOV 10 (DN) - Since September 27, 2020 the armed forces of Armenia have been targeting the civilian population, private houses and civilian infrastructure in Azerbaijan in a deliberate, widespread and systematic manner.

By doing so, Armenia grossly violates its obligations under international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions and its Additional Protocols as well as disregards the humanitarian ceasefire declared on October 10, 18 and 26.

On November 7-9, Armenia continued to launch attacks in various directions, including across the international border with Azerbaijan. Dashkesen, Gadabay and Tovuz regions of Azerbaijan were subjected to artillery and mortar fire from the direction of Berd, Chambarak and Vardenis regions of Armenia.

Moreover, Armenia’s armed forces  subjected to artillery fire residential areas of Aghdam, Aghjabedi, Barda, Goranboy, Gubadli and Tartar regions. On November 7, as a result of artillery fire a 16 years-old boy was killed in a private house in Barda’s Yeni Ayrija village. The next day, a 58 years-old man was wounded in Tartar’s Aski Para village when an artillery shell hit the yard of his house.

As of November 8, Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) conducted clearance operations in two big cities and more than twenty regions of Azerbaijan that became targets of Armenia’s deliberate missile, rocket and artillery attacks. As a result of the operations, ANAMA found 345 unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO), 1177 pieces of 9N235 bomblets (cluster munition), 819 exploded missile parts and etc.

As of November 9, Armenia’s attacks inflicted 500 civilian casualties with 93 civilians killed, including children, females and elderly, and 407 civilians seriously injured. Moreover, 3326 private houses, 120 apartment buildings and 504 civilian infrastructures were destroyed or damaged.

Below are photo evidences of destruction / damage caused from Armenia’s attacks and ANAMA’s clearance operations:

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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan,

BUCHAREST, NOV 10 - Romania’s tennis star Simona Halep, currently second in the WTA singles ranking, has recovered from COVID-19. She made the announcement on Twitter.

Simona Halep announced on October 31 that she tested positive for coronavirus. 

She thus spent more than a week in isolation at home, with mild symptoms.

Now that she has got a negative test, Halep can start training for the next season. 

Many international and Romanian athletes have been infected with COVID-19.

Among them, tennis star Novak Djokovic and football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. 

From Romania, handball star Cristina Neagu, tennis player Ana Bogdan, and top 

artistic gymnast Larisa Iordache were also infected.

COURTESY ROMANIA INSIDER!

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OSLO, NOV 10 - LO (Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions) does not believe the government is doing enough for Norwegian aviation and calls for a more comprehensive plan. The Norwegian Pilots’ Association believes that aviation is about to collapse.

“The government said no to joining the issue with SAS. It has said no to contributing equity in Norwegian. 

“More debt is not what aviation needs now. What the government is doing is not enough, nor does it seem as if it has a plan for aviation in the future,” deputy leader Peggy Hessen Følsvik of LO said in a press release.

Air traffic is down about 70% this year compared to last year, and LO fears that aviation may be affected by the corona crisis until 2023.

“We have requested that there be more measures for aviation than expensive loan schemes. 

It is positive that the tax level has become lower and that the state buys FOT routes, but it doesn’t work when aviation is in such a deep crisis,” Følsvik said.

New measures

On Monday Nov 9, the government announced new measures for aviation. 

Among other things, it proposed to allocate a significant amount for the purchase of a minimum offer on domestic flights. 

The government will also extend the aviation loan guarantee scheme.

“It does not seem as if the government has taken into account that a minimum offer will hit most people, business, and the districts very hard. 

“The government’s main objective must be to ensure critical national infrastructure, and that there will be aviation in Norway after the crisis,” Yngve Carlsen, leader of the Norwegian Pilots’ Association, said. 

Carlsen believes that Norwegian aviation is now about to collapse.

COURTESY NORWAY TODAY!

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A coronavirus vaccine developed by the American company Pfizer and the German company BioNTech is 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 infections, the companies say.

According to preliminary results, patients were protected from the disease seven days after the second of two doses was given and 28 days after the first.

“The first results from our phase 3 tests of the COVID-19 vaccine provide early indications that the vaccine is capable of preventing COVID-19,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement.

“We are one big step closer to being able to give people around the world a much-needed breakthrough to end this global health crisis,” the statement further stated.

However, the results do not mean that a vaccine is imminent. 

Preliminary results

The preliminary results are based only on 94 cases of infections that have so far been registered among 44,000 people in the USA and other countries.

The news comes as the coronavirus is on the rise in large parts of the world, with more and more people being admitted to intensive care units. 

The company says it expects to be able to offer around 50 million doses of the vaccine in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021.

The vaccine is among ten candidates who are in the final stages of testing.

COURTESY NORWAY TODAY!

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OSLO, NOV 10 - The next question hour about the corona on Facebook is scheduled to be rendered in Polish. Question time in Urdu is also being planned.

“In some immigrant groups, there is a high proportion of COVID-19. Therefore, the Norwegian Directorate of Health, in collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, has directed much of its communication to various parts of the immigrant population,” Director of Health Bjørn Guldvog said at the government’s press conference on Monday.

He outlined a number of measures being taken to reach immigrants during the ongoing pandemic.

“We have made a film about close contacts which has been translated into English, Polish, Arabic, Somali, Urdu, and Turkish,” he said.

Guldvog further stated that films with infection control messages such as hand washing and keeping distance at home are being shared on Facebook in many languages.

Communication via multiple channels

“The new stricter quarantine rules – which resulted from increased imported infection – are communicated to the target groups in a large number of languages ​​with posters in the workplace, advertisements on social media, and via various networks. We are also considering sending out an SMS,” he added.

The health authorities have an ongoing dialogue with the Islamic Council of Norway about information to the mosques about compliance with infection control rules and the number of people. 

They have a similar dialogue with other organizations.

COURTESY NORWAY TODAY!

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Miral has appointed Hilton to bring two new and unique hospitality offerings to Yas Island, while it invests AED627 million (£130 million) in their development.

The WB Abu Dhabi, the first Warner Bros. branded hotel in the world, will be operated and managed by Hilton under its upper-upscale Curio Collection by Hilton brand, while the serviced residences will be managed by DoubleTree by Hilton.

Signed by Mohamed Abdalla Alzaabi, chief executive of Miral, and Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, president for Hilton in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, the agreement brings the two brand to Abu Dhabi for the first time.

The deal also demonstrates a commitment from Miral to bringing exclusive hospitality venues to Yas Island, which further positions it as one of the top global destinations for entertainment, leisure and business.

Yas Island is already considered the World’s Leading Tourism Development Project by voters at the World Travel Awards.

BR Kiran, chief portfolio officer at Miral, said: “Hilton is a globally recognised partner, and we are honoured to be partnering with them to bring the Curio Collection by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton brands to Abu Dhabi for the first time.

“This supports our strategy and vision of creating unforgettable experiences for every guest on Yas Island, while increasing the diversity of hospitality options available to them.

“We are confident that residents and visitors alike will welcome the diverse and flexible range of new accommodation options, while enjoying the unmatched experiences and unique attractions available to them on Yas Island.”

The agreement reinforces the existing collaboration, which was initiated in 2017 between the two companies and builds on Miral’s strategy to partner with leading global brands as a part of its long-term vision for Yas Island.

Miral first appointed Hilton back in 2017 to operate and manage the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Hotel, currently under construction on Yas Bay at the southern end of Yas Island.

Yas Island is also home to Ferrari World, considered the World’s Leading Theme Park by the World Travel Awards, while Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is recognised as the Middle East’s Leading Tourist Attraction. 

Carlos Khneisser, vice president, development, MEA at Hilton, said: “We are proud to be partnering with Miral on these two new hotels, which will see us introduce two new brands to Abu Dhabi. 

The WB Abu Dhabi, which will be part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, is a magnificent example of the sort of unique guest experiences we look for with Curio Collection, while DoubleTree by Hilton Yas Island Residences continues the successful growth of this brand in the UAE.

“Miral has a clear vision to develop Yas Island into a global destination and we look forward to being a part of this transformation.”

The WB Abu Dhabi, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, is set to become a unique hotel adjacent to the award-winning Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi theme park.

The hotel is currently more than 75 per cent complete and once finished will allow guests to experience recognizable characters from across Warner Bros.’ iconic collection of film, television and comics.

Set to open in 2021, the hotel will feature 257 rooms over eight levels, with guests able to access a range of amenities, including signature WB restaurants, WB store, a premier spa and fitness club, kids club, family pool and an exclusive rooftop pool overlooking Yas Island’s distinctive skyline.

DoubleTree by Hilton - Yas Island Residences currently stands at more than 75 per cent complete and is due for completion in 2021.

The property provides a variety of options that accommodate different needs, especially larger families looking for more space and in-room amenities.

A total of 156 units offer guests a range of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom accommodation.

Full amenities will include in-room kitchenettes, gym, pool and a variety of recreation facilities.

The new hotels are all within walking distance from Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld – the World’s Leading Waterpark - and are in close proximity to Yas Island’s other attractions and experiences, including Clymb Abu Dhabi and numerous world-class food and beverage outlets on the Island.

COURTESY BREAKING TRAVEL NEWS!

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ISLAMABAD, German Ambassador Bernhard Schlagheck on Monday said Pakistan’s national poet Allama Muhammmad Iqbal had a great affection with Germany and its culture.

Paying homage to Allama Iqbal on his 143rd birth anniversary, the ambassador said Iqbal had a life long affection with the German writers, poets and culture, as among his wonderful books and writings “Eastern and Western Dewaan” was considered to be his master piece by the Germans.

Ambassador Bernhard Schlagheck said Allama Iqbal had studied in Germany and keeping in view his strong affection with Germany and its culture, a road (Iqbal-Ufer) had been named after him in the country.

Acknowledging his services that he had rendered in the fields of literature and philosophy, he said, “Muhammad Iqbal roughly around century later responded to the German poetry and its poets with his master piece writing-the ‘Message of East’.”

The envoy said,“There was a kind of ongoing dialogue between these two important thoughts of poets. I am very grateful for their inspiration in my life and a wonderful opportunity to see, how different-cultures have different-approaches for solution of societal problems.”

The best way to pay tributes to Allama Iqbal was to understand his message and imbibe his teachings, he added.

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The 34-year-old retired from the game back in 2010

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Zulqarnain Haider has announced that he is coming out of retirement.

The 34-year-old announced in 2010 that he was hanging up his boots after claims of being threatened.

After leading the Green Caps to one-wicket victory against South Africa in the fourth game of the five-match ODI series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) back in 2014.

“The way my situation is right now, I am retiring from international cricket,” he was quoted saying by cricket website ESPNcricinfo back in 2010. “There is too much pressure on me, I have received threats, my family has received threats.”

The Lahore-born cricketer posted a video on his official YouTube channel that he is now coming out of reitrement.

“I had retired from the game due to some reasons,” he said. “But I have now decided to take my decision back. I will soon hold a press conference in which I will take about my return to the international team and domestic cricket.”

“I will render my services to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as much as I can.”

The former Rawalpindi player went on to say that he is keen to make a place in the national side on the back of performance in domestic structure.

Zulfiqar, who played a key role in helping the Men in Green secure a crucial win against South Africa in the UAE, while speaking with a local news channel a decade ago, said that he sought “protection” in the UK after refusing to be influenced by people he would not name.

“The fourth ODI, the things I was told to do I didn’t, and the fifth ODI, what they wanted done I didn’t do,” Haider said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “That is why I did what seemed right to me and I came here. I can’t tell what kind of threats I received to the country because my family is still in Pakistan.”

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RAWALPINDI, NOV 9 – Nong Rong, newly arrived Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at GHQ.

Matters of mutual interest including regional security issues were discussed during the meeting.

The two noted the exceptional mutual relations between both countries and pledged to further improve the same.

Visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s contributions for conflict prevention in the region.

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Munaza Kazmi

Past decades witness, a change in the White House is always followed by a shift in foreign policy shift of Islamabad. Moreover, every United States president comes with a new dogma that pointedly influences global geopolitics. Hence, it is predictable with Joe Biden taking the presidential position, Pakistan’s relations with the US and its allies will take a new turn.

By retracting the history, it could be assumed, with Biden’s holding of the White House, things might start in a refreshing manner. Since, Biden has historically looked upon Pakistan as a strategic regional ally. 

During his tenure as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden along with Senator Richard Lugar, promulgated the Enhanced Partnership Act with Pakistan 2008. Their efforts to strengthen the US-Pakistan relationship later culminated in the famous Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act 2009 after Senator Kerry became the Chairman of SFRC. The main aim of Biden’s effort was to improve the political and economic situation in Pakistan for regional stability.

Similarly, Biden also sees Pakistan as a valuable and trustful ally in the context of the Afghan problem. Since during his visit to Kabul as the vice president of the US, Biden advised to be “Silent” to Hamid Karzai when he demanded that the US should pressurize Pakistan diplomatically to curb its support for the Afghan Taliban. Biden countered this by asserting that “Pakistan is fifty times more important than Afghanistan for the US”.

Furthermore, a change in the White House will also alter Pakistan’s relationship with India. Well, it is unlikely that the diplomatic relations between Washington and New Delhi will change significantly under Biden, since India’s economic influence in South Asia makes it the only formidable force against Chinese expansionism. 

However, the Biden administration would likely strive to improve Indo-Pak relations through dialogue – something he explicitly endorsed during the Vajpayee-Musharraf talks as a US senator. Moreover, it is likely that, the US will diplomatically pressurize India to curb its human rights violations in Kashmir, as hinted at by Biden’s running Vice President Kamala Harris.

Finally, now when the power is transferred to Biden. The change might be what the people in the red-zone desire but cannot openly express. 

Though, Biden’s historical position and his views regarding Pakistan suggest that under him the Washington-Islamabad diplomatic exchange will flourish, and the US might resume its civil-military assistance to Pakistan. However, the point to ponder is that, the new administration might induce Islamabad to move away from Beijing’s influence because of the strained US-China relationship. Therefore, maintaining a good balance between the two powers is a job Pakistan’s foreign policy experts should undertake.

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