DUBLIN: Some of the world’s largest aircraft lessors faced off against their insurers in a Dublin courtroom on Tuesday at the start of a months-long battle over around 2.5 billion euros ($2.7 billion) of insurance claims related to jets stranded in Russia.
Lessors are suing dozens of insurers around the world over losses of at least $8 billion after more than 400 planes were prevented from leaving Russia when Western sanctions over Moscow’s war in Ukraine forced the termination of their leases.
The world’s second and third largest lessors, SMBC and Avolon, as well as BOC Aviation, CDB Aviation, Nordic Aviation Capital and Carlyle Aviation Partners, are pursuing their claims in Ireland, where more than 60 percent of the world’s leased aircraft are owned or managed.
Lloyd’s of London, Chubb and Fidelis are among the insurers contesting the claims.
Insurers are balking at payouts, with some alleging that there has not been a physical loss of the planes yet or that the planes are still in the course of being repossessed. Others have argued that lessors voluntarily ended leasing agreements or that Western sanctions prevent insurers from providing cover.
The variety of arguments made by lawyers — including whether the issue only relates to narrower “war risk” policies or also to broader “all risk” insurance — are “bewildering and confusing,” Senior Counsel Paul Gallagher told the court in an opening statement on behalf of four lessors.
“Insurers cannot agree on the meaning of their own policies,” said Gallagher, the first to speak in an opening by lessors that is to run until June 19. The case is expected to last around seven months.
The case is the largest ever heard in Ireland by number of lawyers and is being held in a makeshift court as no courtroom in the country is large enough to accommodate the 180 legal professionals expected to attend each day, a courts service spokesperson said.
On Tuesday, around 50 lawyers were allowed into a courtroom in an open-plan office, with a similar number watching via a video link in an adjoining former canteen.
The world’s biggest aircraft lessor, Irish-based AerCap, is pursuing its insurance claims through London’s High Court, with what its lawyers have described as a “mega trial” due to start in October. Other lessors have taken cases to the United States.
Since launching their lawsuits, lessors have secured settlements with Russia totalling more than $2.5 billion for more than 100 jets, with ownership transferred to Russian airlines.
Multibillion-euro court battle over stranded Russian jets begins in Dublin
https://arab.news/vx47g
Multibillion-euro court battle over stranded Russian jets begins in Dublin
- 400 planes were prevented from leaving Russia when Western sanctions over Moscow’s war in Ukraine forced the termination of their leases
- The case is expected to last around seven months
Mixture of energy, solemnity during this year’s Arab American Heritage Month
- Israeli violence has ‘dampened’ celebrations, Arab America Foundation president tells Arab News
- Senator: ‘From culture and science to activism and business, Arab Americans continue to thrive and inspire’
Chicago: This year’s Arab American Heritage Month is being celebrated in a mixed atmosphere of energetic pride and solemn concern for events overseas, under the theme “Honoring the past, inspiring the future.”
Arab Americans used to celebrate at different times in different states, but the community came together in 2017 to consolidate the heritage month in April.
Leaders from around the country said this year’s celebrations have a solemn tone because of turmoil in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
Warren David, president of the Arab America Foundation, told Arab News: “We’ll honor legendary songstress Umm Kulthum on the 50th anniversary of her passing. We’re also partnering with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library for a special workshop on understanding Arabic music.”
He said an “exceptional” performance is being planned at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington D.C., entitled “Sounds of the Arab world” and featuring musician Nibal Malshi.
However, David acknowledged that Israeli violence “has dampened the celebration as many Arab Americans are distraught with the current situation — tragic loss of life, no ceasefire, no plan for a Palestinian state. We hope to see a peaceful solution.”
He added that while Arab American Heritage Month is officially recognized by 20 US states, AAF is working to secure recognition from the remaining 30.
According to the Arab American Institute, there are about 3.5 million Arabs in the US, in all 50 states.
Major populations are located in 11 states: California, Michigan, New York, Florida, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas, Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
To mark Arab American Heritage Month, AAI is hosting a celebration on April 3 at the Theater Alliance in Washington D.C., featuring playwright Kareem Fahmy and comedian Rola Z.
Michigan’s Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released a video and statement on X saying: “Happy Arab American Heritage Month, Michigan. This month, we celebrate Michigan’s strong, proud Arab-American community.
“They have, and continue to make, immeasurable contributions to our state’s economy, culture and our future.
“Michigan is a stronger, better state because of the diverse groups of people who call it home. This month and all year long, let’s celebrate our friends and neighbors in this community.”
Several New York legislators, all Democrats, took to X to applaud Arab American Heritage Month.
New York City Assembly member Harvey Epstein said: “Let’s celebrate all that Arab-American culture brings to New York.”
New York State Sen. Pete Harckham said: “We acknowledge the amazing contributions of Arab Americans both nationally and here in New York.”
The month, he added, is “a time to celebrate the rich culture, contributions and history of Arab Americans who’ve enriched our communities and nation.
“From culture and science to activism and business, Arab Americans continue to thrive and inspire.”
New York State Sen. Andrew Gounardes said: “This Arab American Heritage Month, I celebrate Arab-American achievements and culture across the arts and sciences, in business and industry, in education and medicine, and in every branch of the military. These contributions enrich our nation and move us toward a brighter future.”
In Illinois, Hassan Nijem, president of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, told Arab News that celebrations are being planned with several elected officials including Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, who had her website and services brochures translated into Arabic.
The annual Arab American Festival and Miss Arab USA pageant, both in Arizona, are recognized as the largest Arab heritage celebrations nationwide, and attract communities from across the country.
Singapore detains two teenagers, one over plan to shoot mosques, other planned to join Daesh
- The 17-year-old male who was detained and subscribed to far-right extremist ideology
- The second detained youth was a 15-year-old female who wanted to marry a Daesh fighter
SINGAPORE: Singapore used an internal security law against two teenagers separately, one over plans to attack mosques and the other for wanting to fight in Syria alongside Daesh militants, authorities said on Wednesday.
The 17-year-old male was detained and subscribed to far-right extremist ideology, seeing himself as an “East Asian supremacist,” authorities said.
He wanted to shoot mosques and had unsuccessfully tried to buy guns, including from the United States, Malaysia and Thailand, the internal security department said.
The teenager wanted to “maximize casualties” and kill at least 100 Muslims, to outdo the 2019 Christchurch attack in which a gunman killed 51 worshippers in a mosque, it said.
Detained in March under the island’s Internal Security Act, he could be held for up to two years without trial.
He was identified following an investigation into an 18-year-old detained in December over similar far-right extremism, authorities said.
Authorities said they were concerned about youth radicalization in Singapore, and have used the Internal Security Act against 17 youth aged 20 and under since 2015.
That law allows suspects to be held for lengthy periods without trial, or to be given a restriction order limiting travel and Internet access, among other conditions.
Of the 17 detained in the past ten years, nine planned to carry out attacks in multi-racial Singapore, where 74 percent of residents are Chinese, 13.6 percent Malay, 9 percent Indian, and 3.3 percent is classified as other, according to population statistics.
The second detained youth was a 15-year-old female who wanted to marry a Daesh fighter and raise a pro-Daesh family or fight for the extremist group in Syria, said the internal security department.
She was issued with a restriction order in February.
“Self-radicalization can happen very quickly. In the case of the 15-year-old, it only took weeks. It is thus critical that the public be vigilant to signs that someone around us may have become radicalized,” said the internal security department.
Kremlin says visit of senior Russian negotiator to US this week ‘possible’
- Kirill Dmitriev took part in Russia-US talks in Saudi Arabia in February
- President Vladimir Putin appointed Dmitriev as the Kremlin’s international economy envoy in February
MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Wednesday said that its negotiator Kirill Dmitriev could visit the United States this week, as US media reported he is expected in Washington to meet Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff.
Dmitriev took part in Russia-US talks in Saudi Arabia in February and his visit would be the first of a senior Russian official to the United States since Moscow launched its offensive on Ukraine in February 2022.
“Yes, I confirm. This visit may be possible. We are continuing to talk to the Americans. I will not give more concrete (details),” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about media reports on the visit.
President Vladimir Putin appointed Dmitriev as the Kremlin’s international economy envoy in February as Moscow seeks to warm ties with Washington during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Russia is hoping for an easing of massive sanctions on its economy under Trump.
His visit to the United States would come as both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating agreements brokered by Washington officials in Saudi Arabia in March.
Citing sources, CNN reported that the United States temporarily lifted sanctions against Dmitriev to allow his visit.
Writing on social media, Dmitriev said “maybe” in a post in which he shared a link to the CNN report.
Witkoff has previously traveled to Russia to meet Putin.
Europe and Kyiv fear the Trump administration could strike a deal with Moscow on Ukraine or lift sanctions on the Russian economy in a bid to force a ceasefire on terms favorable to Russia.
WHO facing $2.5-bn gap even after slashing budget: report
- As the United Nations health agency has been bracing for the planned full US withdrawal next January, it has gradually shrunk its two-year budget for 2026-2027 from $5.3 billion to $4.2 billion
Geneva: The World Health Organization is facing a gaping deficit this year and through 2027 following the US decision to withdraw, even after dramatically slashing its budget, a media report indicated Wednesday.
As the United Nations health agency has been bracing for the planned full US withdrawal next January, it has gradually shrunk its two-year budget for 2026-2027 from $5.3 billion to $4.2 billion.
But even after the dramatic scaling back, it remains $1.9 billion short toward that budget, Health Policy Watch reported Wednesday.
That figure, which the publication said had been provided to staff during a town hall meeting on Tuesday, comes on top of the nearly $600 million the agency had already warned was missing toward this year’s budget, it said.
WHO did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment on the report, which comes as the organization is grappling with the looming departure of its historically biggest donor.
Besides announcing the US pullout from the WHO after returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump decided to freeze virtually all US foreign aid, including vast assistance to health projects worldwide.
The United States gave WHO $1.3 billion during its 2022-2023 budget period, mainly through voluntary contributions for specific earmarked projects rather than fixed membership fees.
But Washington never paid its 2024 dues, and is not expected to respect its membership obligations for 2025, the agency acknowledged.
Altogether, the United States owes $260 million in membership fees alone for 2024-2025, according to a WHO overview.
Only Friday, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had informed staff of the $600-million hole in this year’s budget, warning in a message seen by AFP that the agency had “no choice” but to start making cutbacks.
“Dramatic cuts to official development assistance by the United States of America and others are causing massive disruption to countries, NGOs and United Nations agencies, including WHO,” Tedros said in his email.
He said that even before Trump triggered the one-year process of withdrawing from the WHO, the organization was already facing financial constraints.
“Despite our best efforts, we are now at the point where we have no choice but to reduce the scale of our work and workforce,” said Tedros.
“This reduction will begin at headquarters, starting with senior leadership, but will affect all levels and regions,” he told staff.
Last month, Tedros asked Washington to reconsider its sharp cuts to global health funding, warning that the sudden halt threatened millions of lives.
He said disruptions to global HIV programs alone could lead to “more than 10 million additional cases of HIV and three million HIV-related deaths.”
Congo commutes death sentences for US citizens in failed coup
- The Americans were among some 50 people who stood trial last year
- A total of 37 defendants were sentenced to death by a military court in September
KINSHASA: The death sentences of three US citizens convicted for their role in a failed coup in Democratic Republic of Congo last year have been commuted to life imprisonment, the presidency said, ahead of a visit by the new US senior adviser for Africa.
The Americans were among some 50 people, including US, British, Canadian, Belgian and Congolese citizens, who stood trial last year following the botched attempt to overthrow the government in May.
A total of 37 defendants were sentenced to death by a military court in September, including US citizens Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson and Benjamin Zalman-Polun.
All three were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, terrorism and other charges.
They denied any wrongdoing and unsuccessfully appealed against the verdict. But Congo’s justice ministry then proposed a pardon, which the public prosecutor requested from the presidency.
President Felix Tshisekedi on Tuesday signed three orders to commute their sentences to life in prison, his spokesperson Tina Salama said on national television.
“This presidential pardon is a first step that promises major changes in the future,” one of Malanga’s lawyers, Ckiness Ciamba, said by telephone.
Relatives of Malanga and a lawyer for Zalman-Polun did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Thompson’s parents declined to speak on the record.
Marcel Malanga is the son of US-based Congolese politician Christian Malanga, who led the armed men who briefly occupied an office of the presidency in the capital Kinshasa on May 19 before security forces killed him.
Thompson is a friend of Marcel Malanga who played high school football with him in Utah. Both are in their 20s. Zalman-Polun was a business associate of Christian Malanga.
Their sentences were commuted ahead of a trip to Congo by the newly appointed US senior adviser for Africa, Massad Boulos.
Boulos, the father-in-law of US President Donald Trump’s daughter Tiffany, will travel to Congo, Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda from April 3, the State Department said in a statement on Tuesday.
He will seek to advance efforts for peace in east Congo, where a Rwanda-backed rebellion is raging, and promote US private sector investment in the region.
