Rajinikanth Receives UAE's Golden Visa, Thanks Yusuff Ali for Support: 'I'm Deeply Honoured

Superstar Rajinikanth has been awarded the prestigious UAE Golden Visa by the Department of Culture and Tourism. The veteran actor shared the news on social media, expressing his gratitude to the Abu Dhabi government and MA Yusuff Ali, chairman and managing director of Lulu Group, for their support.

In a now-viral video, Rajinikanth stated, “I am deeply honoured to receive the prestigious UAE Golden Visa from the Abu Dhabi government. My heartfelt thanks to the Abu Dhabi government, and also to my good friend Mr. Yusuff Ali, CMD of Lulu Group, for facilitating this visa and for all the support.”

During his recent stay in the UAE, Rajinikanth met with Yusuff Ali and other top executives of the Lulu Group. The superstar and the businessman were even seen sharing a ride in a Rolls Royce, sparking fan speculation about a potential collaboration between Rajinikanth and the Lulu Group owner.

On the professional front, Rajinikanth recently completed filming his upcoming movie “Vettaiyan,” written and directed by TJ Gnanavel and produced by Lyca Productions. The film features a star-studded cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Manju Warrier, and Dushara Vijayan, with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander.

Earlier this month, Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan were seen filming scenes together. Amitabh Bachchan shared photos of the two on Instagram, writing, “Am honoured and privileged to be with the Thala the Great Rajni again .. he hasn’t changed at all .. the same simple humble down to earth friend despite his stratospheric greatness!!!”

Lyca Productions also shared the photos on their X handle, captioning, “The Titans of Indian Cinema! Superstar @rajinikanth and Shahenshah @SrBachchan grace the sets of Vettaiyan in Mumbai, with their unmatched charisma.” The photos showed Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth in stylish black formals, striking poses, hugging, and engaging in serious conversation. Fans reacted enthusiastically, with many dropping heart emojis in the comments.

Abu Dhabi court jails 79 people for swindling investors in fake stock trading scam

 

Group included 72 Chinese nationals

Abu Dhabi Criminal Court has sentenced 79 people to jail for fraud and money laundering.

Each was fined between Dh200,000 to Dh10 million, while the prison sentences ranged from three to 15 years, followed by deportation, the court said in a statement.

Judges heard how the accused tampered with the online address of a China-based stock trading website and created a fake address that victims used to invest.

After they fraudulently obtained money from the victims, they tried to conceal the sources to make their gains look legitimate.

The group includes 72 Chinese people, a Jordanian, Nigerian, Cameroonian, Ugandan and Kenyan.

The total amount that the group swindled was not revealed.

Authorities said the group was helped by an unidentified person.

Thirteen people were found guilty during court proceedings in their absence while 66 were present. It was not made clear if the 13 people are in the UAE or outside the country.

Money, cars, jewellery, devices and other assets found in their possession were confiscated.

According to UAE law, sentences issued by any of the country’s criminal courts are subject to appeal.

In March, the country’s Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism said, via state news agency Wam, that the country takes “its role in protecting the integrity of the global financial system extremely seriously”.

The Financial Action Task Force, the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, has praised the UAE for its efforts and said it had made “significant progress” to strengthen its anti-money laundering controls including by demonstrating increased and swifter action against financial criminals.

In recent months the Emirates has expanded its efforts to tackle money laundering and terrorism financing risks. The Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing, which was established a year ago, said authorities had confiscated Dh2.33bn as part of intensive efforts against financial crime.

Indian spiritual leader Sadhguru in Dubai for ‘save soil’ campaign

 

Yogi dubbed the mystic on a motorbike has a mission to avert famine

An Indian yogi on a motorbike rode into the UAE this week with a powerful message to ask people to join him in protecting the planet’s soil for future generations.

Jaggi Vasudev, or Sadhguru as he popularly known, is on a 100-day journey from Britain to India.

He spoke at the Indian Consulate in Dubai on Thursday evening, and will visit 27 countries meeting world leaders and the public with the aim of persuading governments to include soil regeneration in their national policies.

The 65-year-old reached the UAE a few days ago and has planted mangroves with Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, in Abu Dhabi.

An agreement was signed between the UAE’s International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture and Sadhguru’s Conscious Planet to exchange knowledge to safeguard agricultural soil in the country and raise awareness about conservation.

“The desert accounts for more than 80 percent of our country’s territory, which makes us all the more cautious to preserve our soil and the vital ecosystem services it provides,” Ms Al Mheiri told Wam news agency.

“The collaboration with Conscious Planet is a new step in our ongoing efforts to safeguard our precious soil for the next generations.”

Sadhguru said the Emirates, which will host the Cop28 climate summit next year, could occupy a leadership position by demonstrating how to fertilise deserts.

“The UAE government has been most progressive. While the rest of the world is busy turning fertile land to desert, it’s wonderful to see here how deserts are being converted to fertile land,” he said at the Indian consulate in the first of two public meetings in the city.

“In many ways, the UAE can take the leadership. It’s a hub of business, airlines. It can be an ecological hub also.”

Readmore:https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/2022/05/19/indian-spiritual-leader-sadhguru-in-dubai-for-save-the-soil-campaign/

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed receives foreign leaders for a second day

 

Delegations offer condolences following the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed

Leaders from around the world continued to arrive in Abu Dhabi to pay their respects on Sunday following the death of Sheikh Khalifa and the election of the President, Sheikh Mohamed.

From Britain to Israel and India to France, leaders paid tribute to the world’s newest head of state.

Senior figures from the US and other nations are expected to follow on Monday on the third day of mourning.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his thanks and appreciation for the sincere feelings expressed by their Highnesses, Majesties and Excellencies towards the UAE and its people at the death of Sheikh Khalifa.

He wished good health and continued prosperity, progress and prosperity to all brotherly and friendly peoples and their countries, state news agency Wam reported.

Sheikh Mohamed accepted condolences following the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed on Friday.

They included President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani of Mauritania, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, state news agency Wam reported.

Wavel Ramkalawan, President of Seychelles, and Indian Vice President Venkaiah Naidu also offered condolences.

Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad was pictured walking through Abu Dhabi airport with Sheikh Mohamed in his first visit since 2016.

Israel’s President Issac Herzog paid his respects alongside two senior ministers. Britain’s Boris Johnson travelled from London to meet the new president.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Morocco’s Prince Moulay Rachid met Sheikh Mohamed also in person.

Readmore:https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/2022/05/15/president-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-receives-foreign-leaders-for-a-second-day/

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed congratulates Emmanuel Macron on winning the French elections

 

The two leaders discussed strategic relations between their countries

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has congratulated French President Emmanuel Macron on winning a second term.

During a phone call, Sheikh Mohamed wished Mr Macron continued success in performing his presidential duties and responsibilities.

The two leaders also discussed strategic relations between the countries and ways to support and advance them in various fields.

They also talked about the need to continue working together to promote peace and stability in the Middle East and the world.

Mr Macron thanked Sheikh Mohamed and wished him a blessed Eid. He also expressed his wish that the UAE and its people would enjoy further progress and prosperity.

Mr Macron was re-elected as president of France last month after defeating his far-right opponent Marine Le Pen.