The English website of the Islamic magazine - Al-Mujtama. A leading source of global Islamic and Arabic news, views and information for more than 50 years.
February 09, 2025
Staff
Turkish President Erdogan, Elon Musk hold video call
December 17, 2021Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Elon Musk, the founder of electric carmaker Tesla and space exploration company SpaceX, held a video call on Thursday and spoke on a range of issues including digital economy and Turkey's National Space Program.
According to Turkey’s Communications Directorate, cooperation between the public, private sector institutions in Turkey and Musk's companies in different fields, especially satellite and space technologies, were discussed.
The talk also focused on electric vehicles, long-term investments, and steps to improve the existing cooperation.
Besides joint steps that can be taken regarding lithium batteries of Turkey’s first domestic electric vehicle TOGG, the process of launching Turkey’s Turksat 5B communications satellite into orbit was also discussed. Turkey launched the Turksat 5-A satellite into space through SpaceX in January.
Musk, the richest man in the world, was recently named Person of the Year 2021 by Time magazine./aa
European Central Bank keeps interest rates stable, cuts asset purchase
December 17, 2021The European Central Bank on Thursday kept interest rates unchanged and confirmed it will end the pandemic emergency purchase program by the end of March.
Yet it said, "net purchases under the pandemic emergency purchase program could also be resumed, if necessary, to counter negative shocks related to the pandemic."
Interest rates on main refinancing operations, marginal lending, and the deposit facility were 0.00%, 0.25%, 0.50%, respectively.
Eurozone inflation saw a record high of 4.9% in November, with concerns over the new omicron variant of coronavirus rising across the continent.
"Monetary accommodation is still needed for inflation to stabilise at the 2% inflation target over the medium term," the bank said.
In line with a step-by-step reduction in asset purchases, the bank decided on a monthly net purchase pace of €40 billion ($45.3 billion) in the second quarter and €30 billion in the third quarter under the asset purchase program.
The European Central Bank has held a more dovish tone so far compared to other major central banks such as the Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve, having employed an unprecedentedly expansionary monetary policy to back up the eurozone economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Bank of England on Thursday increased interest rates 0.15 percentage points to 0.25% for the first time in more than three years, the bank said in a statement.
The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday removed the word "transitory" from describing inflation and indicated it will end tapering, the process of reducing monthly asset purchases, earlier and faster than previously planned./agencies
Spain expands aid package for volcano-hit La Palma's recovery
December 17, 2021Spain will enhance the financial assistance being provided to help La Palma recover from the destruction wrought by the Cumbre Vieja volcano, the country’s prime minister said on Thursday.
The proposal aims to support the “economic relaunch” of the island by “expanding existing aid and [ensuring] that it arrives as soon as possible,” Pedro Sanchez told reporters after reaching Brussels for a European Union summit.
He said the plan will be approved by Spain’s Council of Ministers on Friday.
According to Sanchez, the housing aid limit will be doubled from €30,000 (about $34,000) to €60,000 (over $67,800), while €17.5 million ($19.7 million) will be given “to small and medium-sized companies and also for the relaunch of the tourism sector.”
Seafarers will not have to contribute toward social security as long as they are grounded and the deadline for repayment of debts will be extended until May 2, he added.
Direct aid to farmers and ranchers will also be hiked by €12 million ($13.5 million) to €30 million (about $34 million).
The announcement came as the Cumbre Vieja seems to be finally quietening down after three months of devastating volcanic activity.
The longest eruption in recorded history on La Palma, part of the Canary Islands archipelago, has destroyed some 3,000 buildings and around 1,200 hectares (over 2,950 acres) of land, as well as forcing thousands from their homes since Sept. 19.
Officials said earlier this week that earthquakes and flow of lava and gas emissions have stopped, while scientists remain cautiously optimistic that the improving indicators could herald the end of the eruption./aa
Turkey to raise minimum wage over 50% in 2022
December 17, 2021Turkey is raising the minimum wage by 50.4% as of Jan. 1, 2022, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Thursday.
The net minimum monthly wage will be 4,250 Turkish liras ($275), the president said in a televised address in Ankara. “The increase in the minimum wage is 50%, the highest raise in the last 50 years."
The monthly minimum wage for 2021 was TL 2,826.
He added: "I believe that, with this increase, we have shown our determination not to crush our employees in the face of price hikes."
Erdogan also announced that starting next year, Turkey will abolish the income and stamp tax collected on the minimum wage.
The president said the government is resolute in putting an end to uncertainty due to fluctuations in the exchange rate, and exorbitant price increases as a result, as soon as possible.
Turkey's annual inflation stood at 21.31% in November, while the 12-month average rise in consumer prices was 17.71%./aa
All EXPATS PROHIBITED FROM RENEWING DRIVING LICENSE
December 16, 2021
KUWAIT CITY, Dec 15: All expats in Kuwait have been suddenly prohibited from renewing their driving licenses at present as the authorities are awaiting for a mechanism to withdraw driving licenses of expats who do not meet the conditions.
The decision was implemented about a week ago to block access to an automated system for renewal of driving licenses. Directives were passed not to renew, replace, and apply for lost license until the mechanism was established by a technical committee formed by the Undersecretary of the Ministry Interior team Faisal Al-Nawaf.
The sources stated that even if the expats meet all the conditions for holding a driving license, the traffic department has stopped receiving renewal and other transactions. Those holding expired driving licenses in the event of traffic mishaps will have to face legal consequences, reports Al Rai. The Kuwaiti citizens are also affected by this decision as their drivers and workers driving license have expired.
The traffic patrols have been briefed to register a traffic violation for those caught driving a vehicle with an expired license. From Dec 26 driving licenses of expats who have obtained illegally will be revoked. Since Manpower and Residence Affairs systems are interconnected those who meet the conditions will be allowed to renew the license. The automated system verifies past and current profession, salary and university degree.
This decision will cause a new crisis by completely paralyzing the medical service sector, engineers and technicians on projects which will cause huge financial losses in private and public sectors. Especially since the majority of workers are expats and they have obtained the driving license from the Ministry of Interior legally as they meet the condition quick decision is required to avert losses.
The sources stated that the committee is continuing to solve the traffic congestion problem in Kuwait by reorganizing and granting driving licenses to those who meet the conditions. Those driving licenses are blocked or withdrawn if found driving will be in violation of traffic law and will be deported from Kuwait.
Conditions to obtain driving license
As per Ministerial Resolution No. 5598/2014 issued on 11-25-2014 states that an expat working in private or public sector can acquire driving license requires
1. 2 yrs residence in Kuwait
2. Monthly salary should be KD 600
3. Should have University degree
Which expats can apply for driving license
1. Kuwaiti wives / widow / divorced having children
2. Husband of Kuwaiti woman and their children
3. Students studying in University or applied institute in Kuwait
4. Members of diplomatic bodies
5. Professional players of sports clubs and federations in government agencies
6. Drivers and delegates of embassy
7. Servants working for sponsors for a period of not less than 5 years provided their profession is driver
8. Technicians specialized in oil fields in oil companies
9. Pilots, captains and their assistants.
10 .Nurses, physiotherapists and technicians of medical professions.
11. Dead body washers
12. Housewives having children and their spouses from the following categories: The judiciary, Members of the Public Prosecution Office, Advisors and experts, Faculty members in universities and institutes, Doctors and pharmacists – general managers and their assistants.“
7 categories excluded from Salary and Residency requirement
1 – Judges, members of the Public Prosecution Office and advisors.
2 – Faculty members in universities and applied institutes.
3- Journalists and media professionals.
4- Doctors and pharmacists.
5- Researchers of all their names, jurists, translators, librarians and imams of mosques working in government agencies.
6- Teachers, social workers and engineers.
7- Sports coaches working in sports federations and clubs in government agencies.
3 categories excluded from Residency requirement
1 – The general managers and their assistants of all their names.
2- Directors of all their names.
3- Delegates of all their names.
Withdrawing of driving license
• The driver’s or representative’s license is canceled by canceling his residence or changing his profession. A new license is not granted but only after two years and with new procedures can apply.
• The license shall be canceled upon changing the profession to a profession not covered by the decision.
• All driving licenses issued to expats are valid according to the length of stay
In Brief:
The traffic department refused to receive expats who wanted to renew driving license.
Many expats have become violators for driving without a valid license.
Kuwaiti citizens have been affected by this decision as their domestic helpers (drivers) driving licenses have been expired.
This decision has also affected Kuwaiti wives and their children.
Even if expats meet conditions currently cannot renew their license.
Only Kuwaitis, Gulf Citizens and Bedouns can renew.
The insurance company will not cover any accidents for those having expired driving license./arabtimesonline
Burnley vs. Watford fixture postponed for COVID-19
December 16, 2021The English Premier League postponed another fixture Wednesday because of a coronavirus outbreak.
"The Premier League has confirmed that this evening's game against Burnley has been postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the squad," Watford said on Twitter.
Meanwhile, the Premier League said because of the outbreak, Watford has an "insufficient number of First Team players available to fulfil the match."
The league postponed Brentford's home match against Manchester United for similar reasons on Monday.
It said that there was an "ongoing COVID-19 outbreak within Manchester United’s squad."
That match was scheduled for Tuesday.
Since COVID-19 cases are on the rise across the UK, the Premier League adopted several protocols such as frequent testing, wearing masks while indoors and applying the social distancing rule./aa
Plot to assassinate Germany's Saxony state premier foiled
December 16, 2021German police said on Wednesday that they uncovered a conspiracy to assassinate the premier of the country's eastern state of Saxony.
The suspects – known to be anti-vaccination activists – planned to assassinate Michael Kretschmer, the premier of Saxony from the center-right Christian Democratic Union of Germany party, as well as other Cabinet members, according to a statement released by the Saxony Police and the Dresden Prosecutor's Office.
Six suspects, aged 32 to 64, including a woman, created a discussion group on instant messaging application Telegram and plotted a serious act of violence that would imperil the state, it added.
Saxony has one of Germany’s highest levels of COVID-19 infection and the lowest vaccination rate.
The statement said searches were conducted in homes and other areas throughout Dresden city shortly after the plot was detected.
Weapons and other evidence were confiscated during these searches, the police said, and added that the investigation into the group continued.
The searches were successful, Saxony state Interior Minister Roland Woller said. "This is a signal that the rule of law is working," he added.
According to German media reports, one person has so far been detained.
The plot to assassinate Kretschmer was first uncovered by ZDF, the country's public broadcaster./agencies
US Senate approves $768B defense bill
December 16, 2021The US Senate gave final approval to a $768 billion defense bill Wednesday, sending the measure to President Biden for signature.
The bill was hotly debated in the House of Representatives and the Senate, but the National Defense Authorization Act, passed overwhelmingly 89-10 in the Senate.
Among provisions in the bill is the establishment of a bipartisan congressional commission to delve into what went right and wrong during the 20-year Afghanistan war that ended in August. That report would be due within three years.
Republicans and Democrats scored wins in the bill. Republicans managed to include a $25 billion increase in defense spending that the Biden administration did not seek. Republicans argued the spending was needed to counter military build-ups by Russia and China.
Democrats wanted provisions that required young women to register for the military draft and they wanted the establishment of a Pentagon office to counter right-wing extremism in the military. But Republicans managed to get those provisions dumped from the final bill.
But Democrats got a provision that allows military members who commit crimes such as sexual assault, murder and kidnapping to be prosecuted outside the usual chain of military command. Critics contend that the military does not do enough to police its members when it comes to sexual assault.
And Democrats also successfully approved a provision that blocks state governors from using the National Guard to cross state lines for deployments, on any matter other than a natural disaster. The governor of South Dakota was heavily criticized for taking private donations to send that state’s National Guard troops to offer security at the US-Mexico border.
Republicans and Democrats did mostly agree, however, on spending for Pentagon weapons programs. The bill authorizes $27.3 billion in spending on 13 new Navy warships and adds five more ships than the Navy requested.
The bill also bumps pay for US troops by 2.7%.
US Federal Reserve signals 3 rate hikes for 2022
December 16, 2021The US Federal Reserve signaled Wednesday as many as three interest rate increases for 2022, in an aggressive move to tame record inflation.
The projections showed the median projection for the federal funds rate at 0.9 next year, which means the central bank may make three hikes of 25 basis points each.
The projection in November, 0.3, indicated only one hike for next year.
The bank expects the unemployment rate to average 3.5% next year, down from its previous estimate of 3.8% in September.
It forecasts US GDP growth at 4% for 2022, also up from the previous expectation of 3.8%.
Inflation figures were revised upward for next year.
The Fed's preferred inflation indicator, personal consumption expenditure (PCE) inflation is anticipated at 2.6%, up from 2.2%.
Similarly, core PCE inflation was revised to 2.7% from 2.3%.
The Fed forecasts both indicators to reach 2.1%, toward its long-term 2% inflation goal, only in 2024./aa
US agency releases John F. Kennedy assassination documents
December 16, 2021US President Joe Biden released secret documents Wednesday concerning the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy.
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) published nearly 1,500 confidential documents about the assassination, which include memos by CIA officers in the aftermath of the murder.
The NARA said on its website that it was "processing previously withheld John F. Kennedy assassination-related records to comply with" Biden's request to disclose the records by Dec. 15.
"The National Archives has posted records online to comply with these requirements," said the government agency.
Most of the documents are about Lee Harvey Oswald, Kennedy's assassin. According to researchers, the release will not change the perception about Kennedy’s death because they believe previously classified documents do not shed light on the killing.
The former president was killed by Oswald on Nov. 22, 1963, while riding in his motorcade in Dallas, Texas.
As a result of an investigation, then-Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren concluded Oswald acted alone in the assassination.
The probe drew criticism for allegedly being incomplete and a commission was set up in Congress that later declared the assassination could be a conspiracy./aa
