China’s President Xi Jinping on Thursday urged members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to resist US trade restrictions on the export of advanced technologies and to ensure supply chain stability.
“Facing the risks of ‘small yard, high fence,’ we need to defend our rights to develop,” Mr Xi said in speech at the Eurasia-focused political and economic group’s two-day summit in Kazakhstan, Bloomberg reported, citing local state media.
Mr Xi encouraged officials from developing nations to collaborate in advancing technological innovation.
The Chinese leader’s comments come as the US tightens restrictions on exports of advanced semiconductors and equipment used to manufacture them to the Asian country.
The move could slow China's progress in chip-making, a crucial technology for military and economic applications.
Meanwhile, Beijing, a leading producer of rare earth elements essential for chip-making, has introduced licensing requirements for their export, potentially restricting access for US companies.
China is also continuing to promote its flagship foreign policy programme – the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a mega project launched in 2013 that aims to connect several countries in Asia, Europe and Africa through a network of infrastructure and trade-related projects.
The BRI encompasses about 65 nations and represents 30 per cent of the world's gross domestic product.
The SCO, which was founded by China and Russia in 2001 to address security concerns in Central Asia, added Belarus, Moscow’s closest ally, to the group on Thursday.
It also includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, India, Pakistan and Iran.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not attend this year's meeting, sending his foreign minister in his place.
At the summit, the foreign ministers of Russia, China and Mongolia reaffirmed their interest in integrating joint economic projects, the Russian Foreign Ministry was quoted as saying by state news agency Tass.
“We are interested in interconnecting the development of trilateral projects with the activities of the Eurasian Economic Union, with China’s implementation of One Belt – One Road initiative and with Mongolia’s Steppe Road Plan,” Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, said in a ministerial meeting.
“This reflects our common interests and will contribute to harmonising various information processes as part of creating the Greater Eurasian Partnership. I expect us to make a contribution into these efforts today,” Mr Lavrov added.
On Wednesday, Mr Xi met Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hailed the Eurasian security group as a force for global stability.
China and Russia have forged a “no limits” friendship since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Beijing is now Russia's top trading partner, buying a significant portion of its oil and gas.
“Russia-China relations are at their highest period in history. Our co-operation is not aimed against anyone. We do not create any blocks or unions … we just act in the interests of our nations,” Mr Putin said during a speech at the event.
“[The relationship] is built on principles of mutual equality, mutual benefit, and respect to the sovereignty of each other,” he added.
The US and EU have called on China to leverage its influence with Russia to advocate for a ceasefire and negotiations.
Beijing has publicly called for peace talks while steering clear of directly criticising Russia for its war in Ukraine.
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on Quran memorisation:
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
The five pillars of Islam
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Fixtures
Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
Ballon d’Or shortlists
Men
Sadio Mane (Senegal/Liverpool), Sergio Aguero (Aregentina/Manchester City), Frenkie de Jong (Netherlans/Barcelona), Hugo Lloris (France/Tottenham), Dusan Tadic (Serbia/Ajax), Kylian Mbappe (France/PSG), Trent Alexander-Arnold (England/Liverpool), Donny van de Beek (Netherlands/Ajax), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon/Arsenal), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany/Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Juventus), Alisson (Brazil/Liverpool), Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands/Juventus), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands/Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands/Liverpool), Bernardo Silva (Portugal/Manchester City), Son Heung-min (South Korea/Tottenham), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich), Roberto Firmino (Brazil/Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria/Manchester City), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal/Napoli), Antoine Griezmann (France/Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Eden Hazard (BEL/Real Madrid), Marquinhos (Brazil/Paris-SG), Raheem Sterling (Eengland/Manchester City), Joao Félix(Portugal/Atletico Madrid)
Women
Sam Kerr (Austria/Chelsea), Ellen White (England/Manchester City), Nilla Fischer (Sweden/Linkopings), Amandine Henry (France/Lyon), Lucy Bronze(England/Lyon), Alex Morgan (USA/Orlando Pride), Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands/Arsenal), Dzsenifer Marozsan (Germany/Lyon), Pernille Harder (Denmark/Wolfsburg), Sarah Bouhaddi (France/Lyon), Megan Rapinoe (USA/Reign FC), Lieke Martens (Netherlands/Barcelona), Sari van Veenendal (Netherlands/Atletico Madrid), Wendie Renard (France/Lyon), Rose Lavelle(USA/Washington Spirit), Marta (Brazil/Orlando Pride), Ada Hegerberg (Norway/Lyon), Kosovare Asllani (Sweden/CD Tacon), Sofia Jakobsson (Sweden/CD Tacon), Tobin Heath (USA/Portland Thorns)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
