Latest news with #MinistryOfForeignAffairs
UAE Moments
18 hours ago
- Climate
- UAE Moments
31 Dead in Philippine Typhoon; UAE Sends Condolences
The UAE has extended its support and sympathy to the Philippines following the devastation caused by Typhoon Co-may —also known locally as Emong —which battered Luzon Island and nearby areas with winds reaching 102 km/h. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Filipino government and people, expressing solidarity during this tough time. 31 Dead, 7 Missing After Week of Storms According to the Philippines' National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 31 people have died and seven are still missing after a string of storms swept through the country over the past week. Co-may is just the latest in a series of powerful weather systems to hit the region. Storm Now Heading Toward China The storm is now on track to affect eastern China, where authorities have already launched emergency protocols. Parts of the country are still reeling from record-breaking rainfall that dropped nearly a year's worth of rain in just a few days. Weather forecasts also show more heavy rain and strong winds expected across northern Philippines, Taiwan, southern Japan, Ryukyu Islands, and eastern China in the coming days.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
False update about China travel policy for Pakistanis spreads online
China's foreign affairs ministry has not removed Pakistan from its list of visa-free countries during an update in June 2025, contrary to rumours swirling online. A review of an earlier list before the recent update found visitors from the South Asian nation had always required visas to enter China. "China has removed Pakistan from the list of visa-free countries," reads a post on X published on July 14, 2025. The post carries a graphic of Chinese President Xi Jinping holding a list of countries titled "Visa-Free Countries". Text on the graphic says: "China just announced 'visa-free entry for 74 countries' but 'Pakistan didn't make the list." It also shares a link to a website. Similar posts also surfaced on Threads and Facebook. A keyword search on Google found the latest lists published in July detailing visa exemptions granted by China to foreign citizens holding valid ordinary passports visiting for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit (archived here and here). Compared with a previous list on May 22, the only change is to grant visa-free access to four more countries announced on June 9. No countries have been removed, and Pakistan has not been on the earlier lists (archived link). It is also not covered in China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy, according to the National Immigration Agency (archived link). Visa-free access to China is only given to Pakistani citizens holding diplomatic or official passports (archived link). "I confirm that we were not on the list so no question of removal," Foreign Ministry spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan told AFP on July 28, 2025. China is Pakistan's largest arms supplier and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar confirmed that Islamabad used Chinese jets in the conflict with India in May (archived link).
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
UAE offers condolences, expresses solidarity with Cyprus over wildfire victims
The UAE has expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with Cyprus over the victims of wildfires near the city of Limassol, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed its solidarity with the government and people of Cyprus over this tragedy and expressed its sincere condolences to the families of the victims, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The UAE also commended the efforts of the Cypriot authorities in containing the fires and reaffirmed its solidarity with the leadership and people of Cyprus during this difficult time. Devastating wildfire Cypriot authorities said on Friday they had contained a devastating wildfire that claimed two lives and destroyed scores of homes on the Mediterranean island. Fire service chief Nikos Logginos described Friday's situation as "very, very good," after small flare-ups overnight. Logginos said that the three-day fire has been contained, but firefighters remained on alert for any flare-ups. "Firefighting forces will be needed in the coming days. Temperatures are extremely high, humidity is low and the terrain in the affected area is challenging," he added. The fire, one of the worst in Cypriot history, burned around 125 square kilometres (50 square miles) of mountainous terrain, according to the Cyprus University of Technology. The Mediterranean island has been gripped by a multi-year drought, while a heatwave this week sent temperatures soaring to 44C and strong winds fanned the flames. An elderly couple, trying to escape the wildfire outside Cyprus's second city of Limassol, died in their car. Health authorities said seven victims were being treated in hospital, with two in a serious but not life-threatening condition. Local authorities reported that, so far, 72 residential homes have been damaged, with 43 completely destroyed. Police are investigating evidence that the fire may have been started deliberately.
The National
5 days ago
- Business
- The National
UAE has hosted more than 17,600 Afghan evacuees since 2021
Almost four years since the Taliban took power following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, UAE authorities have provided details of how many Afghans it has hosted. The UAE has spent almost Dh1.35 billion ($367.6 million) hosting Afghan refugees before relocating them to other countries since 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. There have been 17,619 Afghans hosted in Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi since there were widespread evacuations after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, two decades after they were toppled by the US and Nato. The assistance covered all the needs of Afghan citizens − including health care, logistical and diplomatic services, communications, shelter and food − ensuring comfort, a dignified life and well-being, said a statement from the ministry released on Thursday. EHC also provided services related to departure procedures, with 17 offices opened for the embassies of the countries to where Afghans were seeking relocation. School transport was also provided, along with on-site education and training courses. Almost 2,600 Afghans benefitted from training and professional development workshops, the ministry added. 'The UAE has spared no effort in assisting the Afghan people, being at the forefront of countries that have initiated support for Afghanistan,' said the ministry. 'This reflects its humanitarian mission, which is based on the values of giving, charitable work, spreading peace and consolidating coexistence, tolerance, and the principles of human fraternity. 'It also promotes solidarity with peoples during the most difficult circumstances and crises facing countries. 'The focus on caring for people and preserving their dignity has been a constant approach in the UAE's journey since its founding, regardless of ethnic, religious, or geographical backgrounds and in line with its noble humanitarian principles. It has become a global symbol of humanitarian giving and sustainable good.' A US news outlet reported earlier this month that the UAE was preparing to send a small number of evacuees back to Afghanistan in July.
Arab News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Saudi Foreign Ministry condemns Israeli Knesset's call to Impose control over Occupied West Bank and Jordan Valley
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreogn Affairs has condemned on Thursday the Israeli Knesset's call to impose control over the occupied West Bank and Jordan Valley, describing it as a blatant violation of international law and United Nations resolutions. Israel's parliament approved a symbolic measure calling for the annexation of the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. Lawmakers voted 71-13 in favour of the motion which called for 'applying Israeli sovereignty to Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley'. In a statement, the ministry said the actions by the Israeli authorities undermined efforts to achieve peace through the two-state solution, and reflected a continued insistence on destruction and destabilization. #وزارة_الخارجية: المملكة تدين وتستنكر مطالبة الكنيست الإسرائيلي بفرض السيطرة على الضفة الغربية والأغوار الفلسطينية المحتلة، والذي يُعد انتهاكًا صارخًا للقوانين الدولية وقرارات الأمم المتحدة. — واس العام (@SPAregions) July 24, 2025 The motion, advanced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition is non-binding and the Kingdom reaffirmed its rejection of all violations committed by the Israeli authorities against the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights to self-determination. It also called on the international community to take serious steps to implement UN resolutions that uphold the Palestinian people's inherent right to live in dignity on their land, within an independent state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. has no direct legal implications, though it could place the issue of annexation on the agenda of future debates in the parliament.
