Myanmar’s junta-appointed election commission will dissolve Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy Party (NLD) because of what it said was fraud in a November election, news outlet Myanmar Now said on Friday, citing a commissioner.
Myanmar Now said the decision was made during a meeting with political parties that was boycotted by many parties including the NLD.
The election fraud conducted by the NLD was illegal “so we will have to dissolve the party’s registration,” the chairman of the junta-backed Union Election Commission (UEC), Thein Soe, was cited in the report as saying.
“Those who did that will be considered as traitors and we will take action,” said Thein Soe.
LONDON: A gradual oil demand recovery is largely on track as economies re-open, British bank Barclays said on Friday, adding that it remained constructive on oil prices despite rising coronavirus cases across Asia and potential return of Iranian supplies.
It cut demand estimates for the Emerging Markets Asia (ex-China) region, flagging the risk of further downside if the recent surge in infections persisted.
“Extended mobility restrictions in the region might slow the demand recovery somewhat, but seem unlikely to stall it for a sustained period, given largely positive results of vaccination programs worldwide,” Barclays said.
The bank expects Brent and WTI oil prices to average $66 a barrel and $62 a barrel, respectively, this year. It sees an increase of $5 to $6 a barrel in 2021.
DUBAI: Twitter is rolling out its new verification process that allows anyone from the general public to apply for the blue badge for the first time since 2017.
To apply, user accounts must be “authentic notable, and active” and belong to one of these six categories: government; companies, brands and organizations; news organizations and journalists; entertainment; sports and gaming; activists, organizers, and other influential individuals.
In addition to the category-specific eligibility criteria, accounts must have a profile name, a profile image, a confirmed email address and a phone number. Accounts must also be active within the last six months and have a record of adherence to the Twitter rules.
RIYADH: Iran said it will soon export oil from a new port that allows it to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, as nuclear talks between Tehran and other world powers show signs of progress, Bloomberg reported. State-controlled National Iranian Oil Co. (NIOC) will start shipping crude from the Jask terminal on the Gulf of Oman coast next month, according to a statement. NIOC is already pumping oil into a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) pipeline connecting Jask with the southwestern energy hub of Goreh, Managing Director Masoud Karbasian said. The pipeline will be officially opened by President Hassan Rouhani in the near future, Karbasian said, without giving a timeframe or stating how much oil will initially be exported.
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has appointed former Mexican tourism minister Gloria Guevara Manzo as chief special adviser. Guevara Manzo has served as a former president of the World Travel and Tourism Council since 2017, and is considered one of the most influential women in the sector at the global level. She also served as minister of tourism and CEO of the Tourism Promotion Board of Mexico between 2010 and 2012, and succeeded in developing the country’s tourism sector and strengthening Mexico’s position as a leading global tourist destination. “We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Gloria Manzo in Saudi Arabia to work as an adviser of the ministry, to contribute her extensive experience and to move to the next stage of the sector development in line with Vision 2030,” the ministry said on its official Twitter account.