Nakheel Malls and DP World expand strategic partnership to boost and diversify regional trade flow. A multitude of attractive features for traders include 100% foreign ownership and going direct to consumer.

Launching in April 2021, the new retail trade market will support SMEs' trade at a wholesale level at an affordable cost. Nakheel Malls, the retail arm of master developer Nakheel, has launched Souk Al Marfa in partnership with DP World, the leading smart trade enabler and provider of global end-to-end supply chain logistics.

Strategically located at Deira Islands and stretching 1.9 km along the waterfront, Souk Al Marfa is in close proximity with Mina Rashid, Mina Al Hamriya and Deira Wharfage, with the potential to ship and import directly to its 2,500 shops and pavilions. Due to open in April 2021, the vibrant retail and trading hub will operate seven days a week and 365 days a year. UAE citizens, residents and tourists are welcome to visit and enjoy a diverse, large-scale shopping destination.

A centralised one-stop-shop at Deira, Dubai's oldest and most traditional trading hub, Souk Al Marfa provides affordable growth opportunities to traders by offering multiple benefits including 100 per cent foreign ownership, repatriation of capital and profit, no restrictions on currency movement, logistical ease and ancillary amenities such as warehousing, office space, showrooms, ancillary retail and F&B facilities; all with minimal paperwork.

Dubai is already the world's third-largest re-exporting hub, serving countries including the GCC, Africa, Iraq and Yemen. Souk Al Marfa brings a unique opportunity to unlock inbound investment and increase trade from surrounding countries.

Omar Khoory, Chief Hospitality and Assets Officer, Nakheel, said: "Dubai excels in the movement of goods globally through its port facilities, but we uncovered an opportunity for SME traders at a wholesale level. Souk Al Marfa will bridge this gap and provide a vibrant centralised trader experience and a new stream of economic activity. Nakheel Malls' partnership with DP World further cements our long-standing commitment to drive the retail industry in Dubai."

Mahmood Al Bastaki, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Trade World said: "The launch of Souk Al Marfa will further enhance the wholesale trade capabilities in Dubai. By partnering with Nakheel Malls, the leading retail developer in Dubai, we reaffirm our commitment to provide global supply chain solutions and enhance cargo logistics in the region. Additionally, we hope this project leverages from our recently launched NAU application that connects Dhow owners with traders allowing them to search, negotiate and book shipments, and utilise the strategic location of Mina Rashid, Mina Al Hamriya and Deira Wharfage that are managed by DP World."

Deira Islands, Nakheel's new, 15.3 square km mixed-used waterfront city, is set to transform the emirate's oldest and most traditional trading hub into a world-class destination for living, tourism, retail and leisure. The development has added 40 km, including 21 km of beachfront, to Dubai's coastline.

Souk Al Marfa is the second collaboration between Nakheel Malls and DP World to be announced in the last five months. The first, dragonmart.ae, was launched in September 2020.

For more information, please visit http://www.soukalmarfa.ae.

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About Nakheel Malls (www.nakheel.com)

Nakheel Malls owns and operates a diverse range of world-class retail experiences with a distinct portfolio of iconic lifestyle, shopping, dining and entertainment destinations across Dubai. Its strong heritage has been a driving force behind its well-established footprint, which spans 1.4 million square metres of gross leasable space. Nakheel Malls' 14 developments and 5,000 retailers together shape the lifestyle of 90 million customers every year.

The Palm Jumeirah - Nakheel's award-winning, world-famous landmark and a symbol of the UAE's ambition and creativity - is home to Nakheel Mall, Golden Mile Galleria, The Pointe, home to the world's largest fountain, The Palm Fountain, Club Vista Mare, Palm West Beach, The Palm Monorail, a celebration of enhanced lifestyle experiences for residents and tourists alike and Souk Al Marfa.

Nakheel Malls' expanding portfolio is a testament to its creative spirit that reflects people's aspirations. It includes distinguished, large-scale shopping centres such as Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart (which recently launched its e-commerce platform in partnership with DP World) and a collection of Pavilions located across six Nakheel residential communities. Upcoming projects include The View at The Palm, Souk Warsan, Al Khail Avenue and The Circle Mall.

Nakheel Malls is the retail arm of world-leading master developer Nakheel and the exclusive franchisee for its gourmet food hall concept, Depachika and Food District.

About DP World

We are the leading provider of worldwide smart end-to-end supply chain logistics, enabling the flow of trade across the globe. Our comprehensive range of products and services covers every link of the integrated supply chain from maritime and inland terminals to marine services and industrial parks as well as technology-driven customer solutions.

We deliver these services through an interconnected global network of 136 business units in 61 countries across six continents, with a significant presence both in high-growth and mature markets. Wherever we operate, we integrate sustainability and responsible corporate citizenship into our activities, striving for a positive contribution to the economies and communities where we live and work.

Our dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 53,360 employees from 137 nationalities are committed to delivering unrivalled value to our customers and partners. We do this by focusing on mutually beneficial relationships - with governments, shippers, traders, and other stakeholders along the global supply chain - relationships built on a foundation of mutual trust and enduring partnership.

We think ahead, anticipate change and deploy industry-leading digital technology to further broaden our vision to disrupt world trade and create the smartest, most efficient and innovative solutions, while ensuring a positive and sustainable impact on economies, societies and our planet.

Security forces in Myanmar made mass arrests and appeared to use lethal force on Sunday as they intensified their efforts to break up protests a month after the military staged a coup.

There were reports of gunfire as police in Yangon, the biggest city, fired tear gas and water cannons while trying to clear the streets of demonstrators demanding that the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi be restored to power. Photos of shell casings from live ammunition used in assault rifles were posted on social media, adding to evidence that live rounds were fired.

A violent crackdown also occurred in Dawei, a much smaller city in southeastern Myanmar, where local media reported at least three people were killed during a protest march. The fatalities could not immediately be independently confirmed. Confirming reports of protesters’ deaths has been difficult amid the chaos and general lack of official news.

The Feb. 1 army takeover reversed years of slow progress toward democracy after five decades of military rule. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party would have been installed for a second five-year term in office, but the army blocked Parliament from convening and detained her and President Win Myint, as well as other top members of her government.

Sunday’s violence erupted in early morning when medical students were marching in Yangon’s streets near the Hledan Center intersection, which has become the gathering point for protesters who then fan out to other parts of the city.

Videos and photos showed protesters running away as police charged at them, and residents setting up makeshift roadblocks to slow their advance. Nearby, residents were pleading with police to release those they picked up from the street and shoved into police trucks to be taken away. Dozens or more were believed to have been detained.

There was no immediate word on Yangon casualties. Sounds of gunfire could be heard in the streets and there were what appeared to be smoke grenades thrown into the crowds.

Demonstrators later Sunday regrouped and were said to be planning to march to the local police station to demand the release of the medical students.

Also read: Myanmar anti-coup protesters honor woman shot dead by police

In Dawei, video from the online media company Dakkhina Insight showed a young man receiving urgent medical attention in the street for what appeared to be a wound in his upper chest. Medics held an oxygen mask to his face while calling out for an ambulance.

Security forces on Saturday began employing rougher tactics, taking preemptive actions to break up protests and making scores, if not hundreds of arrests. Greater numbers of soldiers have also joined police. Many of those detained were taken to Insein Prison in Yangon’s northern outskirts, historically notorious for holding political prisoners.

Also read: Myanmar police deploy early to crank up pressure on protests

According to the independent Assistance Association of Political Prisoners, as of Saturday, 854 people had been arrested, charged or sentenced at one point in relation to the coup, and 771 were being detained or sought for arrest. The group said that while it had documented 75 new arrests , it understood that hundreds of other people were also picked up Saturday in Yangon and elsewhere.

MRTV, a Myanmar state-run television channel, broadcast an announcement Saturday night from the Foreign Ministry that the country’s ambassador to the United Nations has been fired because he had abused his power and misbehaved by failing to follow the instructions of the government and “betraying” it.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun had declared in an emotional speech Friday at the U.N. General Assembly in New York that he represented Suu Kyi’s “civilian government elected by the people” and supported the struggle against military rule.

Also read: Myanmar military must restore democracy, say UN experts

He urged all countries to issue public statements strongly condemning the coup, and to refuse to recognize the military regime. He also called for stronger international measures to stop violence by security forces against peaceful demonstrators.

The junta said it took power because last year’s polls were marred by massive irregularities. The election commission before the military seized power coup had refuted the allegation of widespread fraud. The junta dismissed the old commission’s members and appointed new ones, who on Friday annulled the election results.

Officials at the Pompeii archaeological site in Italy announced Saturday the discovery of an intact ceremonial chariot, one of several important discoveries made in the same area outside the park near Naples following an investigation into an illegal dig.

The chariot, with its iron elements, bronze decorations and mineralized wooden remains, was found in the ruins of a settlement north of Pompeii, beyond the walls of the ancient city, parked in the portico of a stable where the remains of three horses previously were discovered.

The Archaeological Park of Pompeii called the chariot “an exceptional discovery” and said “it represents a unique find - which has no parallel in Italy thus far - in an excellent state of preservation.”

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD destroyed Pompeii. The chariot was spared when the walls and roof of the structure it was in collapsed, and also survived looting by modern-day antiquities thieves, who had dug tunnels through to the site, grazing but not damaging the four-wheeled cart, according to park officials.

The chariot was found on the grounds of what is one of the most significant ancient villas in the area around Vesuvius, with a panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea. on the outskirts of the ancient Roman city.

Also read: Israeli archaeologists claim to discover ancient city

Archaeologists last year found in the same area on the outskirts of Pompeii, Civita Giulian, the skeletal remains of what are believed to have been a wealthy man and his male slave, attempting to escape death.

The chariot’s first iron element emerged on Jan. 7 from the blanket of volcanic material filling the two-story portico. Archaeologists believe the cart was used for festivities and parades, perhaps also to carry brides to their new homes.

While chariots for daily life or the transport of agricultural products have been previously found at Pompeii, officials said the new find is the first ceremonial chariot unearthed in its entirety.

The villa was discovered after police came across the illegal tunnels in 2017, officials said. Two people who live in the houses atop the site are currently on trial for allegedly digging more than 80 meters of tunnels at the site.

India Sunday successfully launched into space as many as 19 satellites, including the 637-kg Amazonia-1 for Brazil.

The 19 satellites were launched on board the state-owned Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) polar satellite launch vehicle PSLV-C51 around 10.30 am (IST) from the southern spaceport of Sriharkota.

This was ISRO's first commercial mission in 2021 and PSLV's 53rd.

PSLV will put the 19 satellites into Sun Synchronous Orbit over a duration of nearly two hours, officials said.

Also read: India successfully launches 10 satellites

While Amazonia-1 is an optical earth observation satellite, the 18 'co-passengers' include four of IN-SPACe and 14 of ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India (NSIL).

Amazonia-1 will provide remote sensing data to help monitor deforestation in the Amazon region in Brazil, according to ISRO.

IN-SPACeeee satellites, on the other hand, will study space radiation, among other things, the agency has said.

Also read: India launches communication satellite CMS-01

One of IN-SPACe's satellites is also carrying an engraved picture of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi symbolising his Atmanirbhar (self-sufficient) initiative.

Also read: India says it successfully test-fires anti-satellite weapon

Last year, ISRO did not launch a single satellite due to the Covid pandemic.

Police fired tear gas and water cannons and there were reports of gunfire Sunday in Myanmar’s largest city where another anti-coup protest was underway with scores of students and other demonstrators hauled away in police trucks.

The violence erupted early morning when medical students were marching in Yangon’s streets near the Hledan Center intersection, which has become the gathering point for protesters who then fan out to other parts of the city.

Footage showed protesters running away from police as they charged at them, and residents setting up makeshift roadblocks to slow their advance. Nearby, residents were pleading with police to release those they picked up from the street and shoved into police trucks to be taken away.

There was no immediate word on casualties. Sounds of gunfire could be heard and what appeared to be smoke grenades thrown into the crowds.

Security forces now appear to become more aggressive in using force and making arrests as the popular uprising against the Feb. 1 military takeover gathers steam.

Also read: Myanmar anti-coup protesters honor woman shot dead by police

Myanmar’s crisis took a dramatic turn on the international stage over the weekend at a special session of the United Nations General Assembly when the country’s U.N. ambassador declared his loyalty to the ousted civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi and called on the world to pressure the military to cede power.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun declared in an emotional speech to fellow delegates Friday that he represented Suu Kyi’s “civilian government elected by the people” and supported the fight against military rule.

MRTV, a Myanmar state-run television channel, broadcast an announcement Saturday from the Foreign Ministry that the ambassador was fired because he had abused his power and misbehaved by failing to follow the instructions of the government and betraying it.

Also read: Myanmar police deploy early to crank up pressure on protests

Kyaw Moe Tun had urged all countries to issue public statements strongly condemning the coup, and to refuse to recognize the military regime. He also called for stronger international measures to stop violence by security forces against peaceful demonstrators.

There were arrests Saturday in Myanmar’s two biggest cities, Yangon and Mandalay, where demonstrators have been hitting the streets daily to peacefully demand the restoration of the government of Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy party won a landslide election victory in November.

Police in Dawei, in the southeast, and Monywa, 135 kilometers (85 miles) northwest of Mandalay, also used force against protesters. Both cities, with populations of less then 200,000 each, have been seeing large demonstrations.

Nearly 800 people have been reported arrested since the coup.

Also read: Myanmar military must restore democracy, say UN experts

The junta said it took power because last year’s polls were marred by massive irregularities. The election commission before the military seized power coup had refuted the allegation of widespread fraud. The junta dismissed the old commission’s members and appointed new ones, who on Friday annulled the election results.