Russia says against Iran suspending IAEA cooperation
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday spoke out against Moscow's key ally Iran suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), after Iranian lawmakers voted in favour of halting work with the UN nuclear agency.
"We are interested in continuing cooperation between Iran and the IAEA, so that everybody respects Iran's repeated statements that Iran does not have and will not have plans to develop a nuclear weapon," Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow.
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The National
an hour ago
- The National
Prince Turki Al Faisal: Unlike other western leaders, Mr Trump should not follow double standards
In a world where even-handedness reigns, we would have seen American B2 bombers' buster bombs rain on Dimona and other Israeli sites. After all, Israel has nuclear bombs, contrary to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. What's more, Israel did not join that treaty, staying outside the writ of the International Atomic Energy Agency and no one has inspected Israel's nuclear installations. Those who justify Israel's unilateral attack on Iran by referring to the declarations of Iranian leaders calling for the disappearance of Israel ignore the statements of Benjamin Netanyahu ever since he became Prime Minister in 1996, calling for the destruction of the Iranian government. Iran's bluster brought destruction to them. The West's hypocritical support for Israel's attack on Iran is expected. After all, their support for Israel's assault on Palestine is ongoing, although some countries have recently become less supportive. The West's sanctioning of Russia for invading Ukraine stands in sharp contrast to what is allowed Israel. The international rules-based order, so long heralded and proclaimed by the West, is in shambles. We in the Arab world are not impervious to that. Our principled stand on those conflicts is a shining example of what countries, their leaders and their peoples should do. What is galling about the West's leaders is that they continue to proclaim platitudes about their supposed beliefs. Fortunately, especially about the Palestinian people's struggle for independence from the Israeli occupation, vast numbers of common women and men in the West have rejected their leaders' false stands. People of all faiths, colours and ages continue to show their support for Palestinian independence; hence the growing shift in their leaders' positions. That is a welcome development. US President Donald Trump on Saturday night gave his country's military the green light to bomb three nuclear sites in Iran. Having done so, he believed Mr Netanyahu's enticements and his embellishment of successes in his ongoing, illegal attack on that country. He courageously opposed his own leadership's illegal attack on Iraq more than two decades ago. Remember the law of unintended consequences. It worked in Iraq and in Afghanistan. It will surely work in Iran. It is still possible to return to diplomacy. Unlike other western leaders, Mr Trump should not follow double standards. He should listen to his friends in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. Unlike Mr Netanyahu, they seek peace, like Mr Trump, not war. However, I can do nothing about the double standards, Mr Netanyahu's genocidal conduct, Iran's history of nefarious activity, the Palestinian leaders' fratricidal feuds, Europe's pusillanimity, Mr Trump's pledge to bring peace to the Middle East, while he wages war on Iran, and his congratulations to Iran for signing on to his call for a ceasefire. There's also his effusive adulation for Mr Netanyahu. What I will do is to follow the example of my late father King Faisal's decision when then-US president Harry S Truman reneged on his predecessor Franklin D Roosevelt's promises and helped birth Israel. My father kept himself from visiting the US until Mr Truman left office. I will keep myself from visiting the US until Mr Trump leaves office.
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Ceasefire with Iran gives Israelis a chance to return from temporary Cyprus haven
Police at Limassol's port were jumpy as Israelis who had sought a safe haven and were stranded by weeks of airline disruption arrived on Thursday in dribs and drabs to get on a cruise ship to take them home. Many had spent weeks away from home after Israel closed its airspace to commercial flights but were boarding the cruise ship Crown Iris. It is conducting a final repatriation voyage to Ashdod port as operations at Ben Gurion resume. The 11 deck Panamanian-registered ship has ferried 2,000 to Israel on each of its voyages. Israelis are purchasing real estate in sensitive areas that pose a threat to national security Stefanos Stefanou On the dockside concourse a set of polite, if slightly stressed local Cypriot officers, took passport details and made a few calls to their bosses. There have been reports of Iranian-linked sleeper agents on the island and last week police arrested a suspect conducting surveillance against the nearby British airbase, RAF Akrotiri. A statement said a British citizen was being investigated for ties to Iran in attacking the base. Once they have taken details, the senior officer of the three, apologetically nodding in the direction of the ship, said: 'You understand this is sensitive.' He then made it clear reporting from the scene 'is over'. The sailing has been organised by Israeli national airline El Al and comes as flights began departing Cyprus for Israel after it began the phased reopening its airspace in the wake of a ceasefire with Iran. Israel first closed its airspace on June 13 when its troops launched their attack on Iran, leaving and 100,000 to 150,000 Israelis stranded abroad. Speaking as she prepared to get ready to board the ship back in her hotel, stranded El Al passenger Nesher Drohah told The Nationa l she has been out of Israel since June 6. 'We travelled to Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania and we were meant to be there until June 18 when the war broke out,' she said. 'But we've been stuck in Tirana until two days ago so now we're here to go home by boat.' She said it she is anxious to return to Israel after people she knows had a narrow escape from an Iranian missile but lost their home. 'He's OK but the house is not OK, the car is not OK,' she said. 'For that reason we were trying to fly back to get home fast and I hope tomorrow we will be home.' Ms Drohah said she backed the decision by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch an attack on Iran. She said that 'Iran is dangerous for all over the world but for us the most'. Cyprus has become a key transit point for Israelis wishing to return home in the absence of direct flights there and also the foreign nationals looking to escape the conflict. These include UK citizens first evacuated by the UK's Royal Air Force to the Akrotiri airbase. It is further along the same peninsula as Limassol's port. There are frequent flights to Cyprus from Israel, the result of the island's popularity as a tourist destination for Israelis. At different points of tension including the months since the October 7 assault by Hamas that led to Israel's Gaza operation, Cyprus has been a point of refuge for those who want to get out of the danger zone. The spillover from the Israeli assault on Gaza has seen a steady flow of Israelis arrive in Cyprus. While there is a ceasefire with Iran, the warplanes, drones and artillery attacks continue against the Palestinians both in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The Cyprus chief Rabbi Arie Zeev Raskin has previously said that about 6,500 Israelis were in Cyprus after leaving the war zone for the east Mediterranean island, the closest European nation to Israel. Others had travelled there to catch flight or boat trip back to their country. Many Israelis have now settled in Cyprus and bought property there. There are now six Chabad Houses, which are community centres and also places of worship, on the island. Israeli restaurants cater for compatriots in the handsome Mediterranean port city that attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year. Targeted purchases The presence of Israelis has provoked a backlash. This week, a local political party Akel, singled out the purchase of land by them, as part of its highlighting of foreign land purchases by non-EU nationals. Stefanos Stefanou, the left-wing party's leader, accused Israelis of making 'targeted purchases' of land with the aim of creating gated communities in Larnaca and Limassol. 'Our country is being taken away from us,' he said. 'Israelis are purchasing real estate in sensitive areas that pose a threat to national security.' The party has put forward legislation in parliament aimed at restricting 'golden visas', which issued to non-EU nationals for an investment of at least €300,000 ($351,000) in real estate or company shareholding. Mr Stefanou appeared to focus on Israelis buying land claiming 'Zionist schools are being built' and quoting what he said were media reports 'suggesting that Israel is preparing a 'backyard' in Cyprus'. At Limassol's Chabad House, Rabbi Yitzchok Lapidus told The National that recently he has seen an increase in what he described as 'antisemitic graffiti'. He is one of three Rabbis, who work there under leadership of Rabbi Yair Baitz, and also with their wives. But for Rabbi Lapidus, his mind has been focused on providing food and shelter for the 'thousands' of Israelis and majority, he estimates, have come through the doors of the Chabad Houses in Cyprus. A traditional Israeli breakfast of fried eggs, salad and bread was laid on in the cafe next door just in case any travellers arrived that morning. Such has been the desperation of Israelis to get home, many have resorted to unusual methods, explained the Rabbi. 'They tried to go to Israel by yacht, by helicopter. There are a lot of families who were stuck here and need help to get out because of an emergency. People needed medicine, there were pregnant women,' he told The National. 'Some of them went for one day or for business and they were stuck for a week, two weeks. In the marina area of the city there one yacht charterer who asked not to be identified confirmed that her company had leased boats out to Israelis. 'It was our company that did most of this. There was a lot of demand last week and through the weekend but that's now over as people can get flights.' But another yacht charter company said it turned down requests by Israelis to charter yachts. 'We had a lot of inquiries from people who wanted to go to Israel but we decided it would be too risky because of the war but I know others were happy.' Omer Gonen is one of the unlucky ones who was only meant to be out of Israel for weekend. He came to Limassol with his wife and two children, along with their friends, two weekends ago but has been stuck here. 'We just wanted a weekend holiday but we're still here,' he said. 'We're now booked on a very expensive flight on Saturday. It's good to be going home now, finally but it's been terrible here.' Sitting on the floor with his two friends at Larnaca airport, Uriel, 24, from Jerusalem, explained they had just been released from the army and were about to return from a holiday in Tblisi, in Georgia when they became stuck. 'We had been on holiday for two to three weeks and then we got stuck,' he said. 'We came from Tblisi to here because it's easy for us to get a visa.' Uriel explained that him and his friends were about to board a special flight organised by a wealthy Israeli, which was exempt from the ban on commercial flights. He said their families 'were in the safest place but it's still a worry' but he added 'we've had two and a half years of war'. Meanwhile, the first RAF flight set off from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Monday afternoon carrying 63 British passengers, who landed in Cyprus and were then flown back to Birmingham Airport, where they arrived in the early hours of Tuesday. In the days since, more Britons have made the journey home as part of the Government's evacuation strategy. Meanwhile, the US has helped about 400 of its citizens and others to fly out of Israel since Saturday amid conflict with Iran and hopes to accommodate more in the coming days, a senior State Department official said.
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
CBUAE concludes Climate Forum in Abu Dhabi
High-level local and international participation reflects the UAE's leadership in sustainable finance Abu Dhabi: The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) concluded its Climate Forum today in Abu Dhabi, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CBUAE. The forum reaffirmed the importance of effective dialogue and close collaboration among key stakeholders in addressing climate-related financial risks, advancing sustainable finance and exchanging best practices to strengthen the resilience of the financial system and accelerate climate action. The forum comes as part of the CBUAE's ongoing efforts to drive the transition towards a more sustainable financial system and strengthen its vital role in leading sustainable finance efforts, in line with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 strategy. H.E. Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, opened the forum in the presence of H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, H.E. Abdulaziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of the UAE Banks Federation, and Mr. James Talbot, and Chair of the Monetary Policy Workstream at the Network for Greening the Financial System, alongside a group of financial leaders, policymakers, international experts in sustainable finance and climate risks, and senior officials from regulatory bodies, central banks, and local and international financial institutions. In his keynote address, H.E. Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, emphasised that the Climate Forum represents a strategic milestone in the UAE's journey of climate and financial action, especially in light of the geopolitical and economic challenges and accelerating climate changes witnessed globally. He added: 'The Climate forum represented a pivotal turning point towards transitioning from a phase of dialogue and exchanging visions to a phase of practical implementation, through systematic investment in building institutional capabilities, updating policies, and developing operational processes within financial institutions. This contributes to enhancing the resilience and stability of the financial system and raising its level of preparedness in facing future risks, further solidifying the desired balance between sustainable economic growth and environmental protection.' His Excellency also stressed that the forum reflects the ambitious vision of the UAE and its keenness to consolidate its position as a leading global hub for institutional dialogue on issues of sustainable finance and responsible climate action. The forum discussed ways to enhance the integration of climate policies in risk management and investments, and the necessity of finding effective solutions to strengthen the financial sector's resilience in facing future climate and environmental challenges. It also addressed frameworks for activating regional and international cooperation in the areas of legislation, financial policies, and adopting a proactive approach in developing sustainable Islamic finance solutions, in a step that affirms the UAE's growing position as a leading global centre in leading the dialogue on the future of sustainable finance. The forum's agenda included a number of themes in the field of sustainable finance, most notably strategies for integrating climate risks into regulatory frameworks, adaptation finance tools in emerging markets, and policies for enhancing the resilience of financial systems in the face of climate change. The forum also highlighted empowering financial institutions to adopt best global practices in analysing environmental risks and enhancing sustainability-related disclosures. The forum also included a number of dialogue sessions that brought together policymakers, representatives of central banks, and green finance experts, to discuss ways to align monetary and financial policies with climate goals, and the importance of innovation in developing green investment tools. The sessions addressed ways to build institutional capabilities and activate frameworks for regional and international cooperation in the areas of greening banking operations and sustainable Islamic finance, further enhancing the integration of roles between the public and private sectors. Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, said: "The UAE's commitment to climate action and sustainable development is a cornerstone of our national vision. This is powerfully demonstrated by our Net Zero 2050 Strategy and Green Agenda 2030, and further reinforced by our whole-of-society approach. We are actively integrating climate policies directly with financial goals, thereby driving sector-wide sustainable growth. We firmly believe that by strategically directing climate finance and investment, we can drive profound change, unlock green economic opportunities, and build a resilient financial system that ensures lasting prosperity. Recognizing the urgency of our collective climate action, we commend the instrumental work of the UAE Central Bank and the NGFC in bolstering green finance infrastructure. Their efforts are integral to helping the nation achieve its climate and sustainability goals while simultaneously driving socio-economic growth." H.E. Abdulaziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of the UAE Banks Federation, said in his opening speech: ' Organising the Climate Forum reflects Central Bank of the UAE's proactive approach and firm commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles as a core driver of our growth in line with the UAE's Net-Zero 2050 strategy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)'. 'UBF, as the sole representative and unified voice of UAE banks, remains committed to continuously enhancing our financial and banking ecosystem and facilitating innovative finance solutions towards a sustainable and inclusive future. UBF's member national banks' pledge to dedicate over AED 1 trillion in sustainable/green finance by 2030 is a testament to our efforts. Our member banks continue to lead innovative solutions in ESG financing." In his closing remarks, H.E Ebrahim Al Zaabi, Assistant Governor of Monetary Policy and Financial Stability at the CBUAE affirmed the forum's success in achieving its strategic objectives by providing a high-level platform for constructive dialogue and strengthening frameworks for joint cooperation among regulatory and financial entities to address climate-related challenges. He added: 'The fruitful discussions witnessed by the forum contributed to enhancing the understanding of current climate challenges and exploring promising prospects for building and developing a more resilient and integrated financial system, by expanding the base of partnerships and strengthening international cooperation.' His Excellency affirmed the CBUAE's commitment to supporting the UAE's sustainable development agenda and continuing to work closely with the Network for Greening the Financial System and all local and international partners, in order to formulate effective climate policies that contribute to solidifying financial and monetary stability at both local and international levels.
