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Blinken set to meet Russia’s Lavrov as Ukraine tensions flare

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday during a European security conference, amid escalating tensions over Moscow's build-up of troops near its border with Ukraine.

The meeting is due to take place on the sidelines of the summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Stockholm. Blinken will also meet separately with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

Speaking in Riga on Wednesday after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, Blinken expressed US concerns about Russia's large-scale military operations and what he said were its efforts to destabilize Ukraine from within.

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“We don't know whether President (Vladimir) Putin has made the decision to invade. We do know that he's putting in place the capacity to do so in short order, should he so decide,” said Blinken.

The United States is ready to respond with “a range of high impact economic measures that we have refrained from pursuing in the past”, he added, without elaborating.

Blinken is expected to relay to Lavrov the threat of further sanctions if Russia fails to end the troop build-up on Ukraine's border and to remind him that there is a diplomatic solution, a senior State Department official told reporters.

“The dialogue is more important when things are not going well,” the official said. “Beyond making clear the cost of Russian actions, I’m certain that the Secretary is also going to want to make clear that there is a diplomatic off-ramp.”

Flashpoint

Ukraine, a former Soviet republic that aspires to join the European Union and NATO, has become the main flashpoint between Russia and the West as relations have soured to their worst level in the three decades since the Cold War ended.

Ukraine says Russia has deployed more than 90,000 troops near their long shared border.

Moscow accuses Kyiv of pursuing its own military build-up. It has dismissed as inflammatory suggestions it is preparing for an attack on Ukraine but has defended its right to deploy troops on its own territory as it sees fit.

But Putin has also said Russia would be forced to act if NATO placed missiles in Ukraine that could strike Moscow within minutes.

The Kremlin annexed the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and then backed rebels fighting Kyiv government forces in the east of the country. That conflict has killed 14,000 people, Kyiv says, and is still simmering.

As well as Ukraine, other issues including cybersecurity and the Kremlin's treatment of its critics have also helped drive relations between Washington and Moscow to post-Cold War lows.

US Central Intelligence Agency director William Burns earlier this month raised the issue of Russian cyberattacks during a rare visit to Moscow, where he met high-ranking security officials, three sources told Reuters.

Another focal point for East-West tensions has been the refugee crisis on the borders between Belarus, a Russian ally, and NATO members Poland and Lithuania.

Western nations accuse Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko of engineering the migrant crisis in retaliation for sanctions imposed on Minsk over its human rights record. Minsk blames the West for the humanitarian crisis.

Read more:

US bombers practiced using nuclear weapons against Russia in November: Moscow

US, Russia military chiefs speak on the phone

US seeks balance as fears grow Russia troop buildup may lead to invasion of Ukraine

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CyberArrow and Mobily Announced a Strategic Partnership for CyberArrow’s AI-Powered GRC at Black Hat 2023

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Mobily, one of the largest telecom companies in Saudi Arabia, and  CyberArrow , a leading UAE- based Compliance Automation Platform and Cyber Security Awareness Platform provider, proudly announced their strategic partnership at Black Hat 2023. This partnership marks a significant step towards revolutionizing the approach to compliance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The announcement cements Mobily as a strategic partner using CyberArrows AI-Powered GRC to boost cybersecurity compliance in the region. CyberArrows latest AI GRC was featured at the center of Black Hat 2023.  Key Highlights of the Strategic Partnership
The strategic partnership between CyberArrow and Mobily is a dynamic collaboration aimed at
reshaping the landscape of cyber security and compliance in Saudi Arabia. As a strategic partner,
Mobily helps organizations across Saudi Arabia enhance compliance processes and streamline
governance, risk, and compliance by utilizing CyberArrows AI-Powered GRC. This collaboration goes beyond physical presence; it symbolizes a shared vision for transformative advancements in compliance. The strategic partnership is designed to provide organizations in Saudi Arabia with intelligent solutions for navigating the complexities of cyber security and compliance with unprecedented efficiency. The partnership highlights the profound impact of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into cyber security and compliance. Through cutting-edge solutions and strategic partnerships, CyberArrow demonstrates its commitment to leveraging AI as a catalyst for transformative change. As CyberArrow strategically partners with Mobily, these key messages echo their shared vision, amplifying the call for utilising CyberArrow’s AI-powered GRC platform and fortifying the digital landscapes of businesses in Saudi Arabia. “The collaboration with Mobily signifies more than just a partnership; it's a shared vision to make cyber security compliance accessible and robust for businesses in Saudi Arabia”, said Amar, Co-founder of CyberArrow

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TÜYAP will host the Carpet and Flooring Expo 2023

Around 400 companies will converge in Istanbul for Carpet and Flooring Expo
2023. This event, taking place from 5-8 December, will open new market avenues
for these companies. Türkiye, a nation responsible for crafting 40% of the worlds carpets, is playing host to this prestigious event.Türkiye, a key player in the global carpet industry, is gearing up to host the Carpet and Flooring Expo (CFE 2023) in Istanbul. This pivotal event, orchestrated by TÜYAP – the country’s foremost exhibition organizer – in partnership with the Istanbul Carpet Exporters’ Association and Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters’ Association, will take place at the Istanbul Expo Centre from 5-8 December. The Expo, expected to attract around 400 companies from across the globe, will showcase an extensive array of products, providing an invaluable opportunity for manufacturers to tap into new markets. Türkiye has a 40% market share of global carpet production İlhan Ersözlü, General Manager of TÜYAP Fairs Productions Inc., highlights Türkiye’s significant role in the global carpet trade, stating, “Türkiye currently accounts for 17% of the worlds carpet trade volume. Through CFE 2023, we aim to foster new agreements, boosting our
export volume to 25%.” The global carpet market, valued at USD 64.99 billion in 2022, is anticipated to soar to USD 97.41 billion within a decade. Türkiye, producing nearly half of the worlds carpets, is a pivotal player in these global gatherings. 400 companies expected to participate in CFE 2023 Ersözlü stated, “Currently, our fair features nearly 400 participants, with 75% from Türkiye and 25% being international stakeholders. We’ve seen substantial interest from manufacturers in countries including Iran, China, England, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Indonesia, Morocco, Ukraine, Egypt, and Jordan. Our goal is to host one of the largest fairs in this sector.” He added, “The fair will display a spectrum of products, from traditional to contemporary designs. Registered visitors from 81 countries will have four days to explore these offerings. Additionally, well host discussions and workshops on future trends, designs, colours, and
recycling. Li Edelkoort, a renowned trend forecaster, will be present to deliver a talk titled ‘2025 Interior Trend and Colour Forecasts’ on 6 December at 16.00. This event will be an enormous source of inspiration for professionals in the carpet industry as well as designers, decorators, and
architects.”

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Gulf Scientific Corporation Achieves ISO 9001:2015 Certification, Setting New Standards in Quality Management

Gulf Scientific Corporation (GSC) has recently achieved a significant milestone by obtaining the ISO 9001:2015 certification, reinforcing its commitment to quality and excellence in the field of scientific solutions. This certification, awarded by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), is a testament to GSCs dedication to meeting and exceeding global standards in its operations. ISO 9001:2015 is the latest version of the international standard for quality management systems, emphasizing a process-oriented approach to ensure organizations consistently deliver high-quality products and services. GSCs successful certification process reflects its adherence to rigorous quality management practices and continuous improvement initiatives. One key aspect of ISO 9001:2015 is its focus on customer satisfaction. GSCs commitment to understanding and meeting customer requirements is highlighted through this certification, as it demonstrates the company’s dedication to providing products and services that consistently meet or exceed customer expectations. This customer-centric approach is crucial in todays competitive business environment, where customer satisfaction plays a pivotal role in the success of any organization. Furthermore, the ISO certification positions Gulf Scientific Corporation as a reliable and trustworthy partner for businesses seeking high-quality scientific equipment and solutions. It enhances the company’s reputation and opens doors to new opportunities and collaborations on a global scale. By implementing a robust quality management system, GSC will also be better equipped to manage risks and seize opportunities, ensuring the organizations resilience and adaptability in a dynamic market. Internally, the certification process has led to improved operational efficiency within GSC. Through a thorough examination of its processes and procedures, the company has already identified areas for enhancement and optimization. This commitment to continuous improvement not only aligns with
ISO 9001:2015 requirements but also positions GSC as a forward-thinking and adaptive organization. Gulf Scientific Corporations attainment of the ISO 9001:2015 certification underscores its dedication to quality, customer satisfaction, and ongoing improvement. This achievement not only enhances GSCs reputation in the industry but also instils confidence in its customers, partners, and stakeholders. As GSC continues to uphold these high standards, the ISO 9001:2015 certification serves as a symbol of the company's commitment to excellence in the ever-evolving landscape of scientific solutions.

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