JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett held talks with the US national security adviser Wednesday, as Israel reaffirmed its opposition to negotiations on reviving a 2015 agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.
Jake Sullivan landed in Israel late Tuesday and met with President Isaac Herzog, who voiced “concern with Iran’s progress toward nuclear weapons under the cover of the negotiations in Vienna,” the president’s office said.
Israel has criticized talks in Vienna to restore the 2015 deal negotiated between Tehran and major powers that saw Iran agree to curbs on its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has called for the negotiations to be halted, accusing Iran of “nuclear blackmail” and charging that revenue it gained from sanctions relief would be used to acquire weapons to harm Israelis.
Ahead of Sullivan’s visit, a senior US administration official told reporters that Iran will “be very high on the agenda” for the Israel trip, during which Sullivan is also scheduled to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in the occupied West Bank.
Lead US Iran negotiator Rob Malley told CNN Tuesday that there are only “some weeks” left to revive the deal if Tehran continues its nuclear activities at the current pace.
Negotiations to restore the pact known as the Joint Collective Plan of Action resumed in November.
Washington was a party to the original agreement, but withdrew under president Donald Trump in 2018.
President Joe Biden’s administration has warned it may soon be too late to revive the JCPOA.
“It really depends on the pace of their nuclear process,” said Malley, the US special envoy for Iran.
“If they halt the nuclear advances, we have more time.
“If they continue at their current pace, we have some weeks left but not much more than that, at which point the conclusion will be there’s no deal to be revived,” he said.
Iran says it only wants to develop a civil nuclear program but Western powers say its stockpile of enriched uranium goes well beyond that, and could be used to develop a weapons capability.
Israeli PM meets US national security adviser on Iran
https://arab.news/ywqek
Israeli PM meets US national security adviser on Iran
- Iran says it only wants to develop a civil nuclear program but Western powers say its stockpile of enriched uranium goes well beyond that
Suspected rebels kill political activist in Indian-administered Kashmir
- Two Indian tourists visiting the Himalayan territory were also wounded in a separate attack in Anantnag
- Rebel groups opposed to Indian rule have for decades waged an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir
NEW DELHI: Suspected rebels shot dead an activist from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party in Indian-administered Kashmir, local authorities said Sunday after the latest violent attack in the disputed region.
Police named the victim as Aijaz Ahmad, a local leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who was fired upon in Shopian district on Saturday evening, days after the region began voting in India’s six-week national elections.
The BJP’s local office in Kashmir confirmed Sunday that Ahmad had died and announced plans to stage a protest against the attack.
Two Indian tourists visiting the Himalayan territory were also wounded in a separate attack by suspected rebels in nearby Anantnag on the same day, police said, adding that both had been hospitalized.
Security forces had cordoned off the surrounding area to find those responsible for separate incidents, police said.
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947, with both claiming the Himalayan territory in full.
Rebel groups opposed to Indian rule have for decades waged an insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir, demanding either independence or a merger with Pakistan.
India accuses Pakistan of backing the militants — charges Islamabad denies.
The conflict has left tens of thousands of civilians, soldiers and militants dead.
Violence has drastically reduced since 2019, when Modi’s government canceled the Muslim-majority region’s limited autonomy and brought it under direct rule from New Delhi.
Security forces have reported a spate of clashes in Kashmir since voting began last month in ongoing general election.
Earlier this month suspected rebels killed an Indian air force member and injured four others in an ambush on a military convoy.
Saudi aviation sector contributes $21bn to GDP: GACA
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is experiencing steady growth in its aviation sector, contributing $21 billion to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product in 2023 and solidifying its position as a global tourism hub.
The General Authority for Civil Aviation stated that the aviation industry is creating positive impacts in other key areas of Saudi Arabia’s economy, with the sector responsible for a further $32.2 billion in tourism receipts, according to a press statement.
GACA added that the aviation industry alone has enabled 241,000 jobs in the Kingdom and has contributed to supporting 717,000 jobs in tourism-related areas.
The authority revealed that the nation outperformed global aviation sector growth rates in 2023, achieving 123 percent of international pre-pandemic seat capacity compared with a worldwide and regional average recovery rate of 90 percent and 95 percent, respectively.
GACA will present these findings in an analysis titled “2024 State of Aviation Report” at the Future Aviation Forum on May 20.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of GACA, Saleh Al-Jasser, said: “The Saudi aviation sector is providing unprecedented opportunities for global aviation, achieving major leaps in global rankings in support of Vision 2030 and in line with the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics services.”
Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy seeks to increase the industry’s contribution to the Kingdom’s GDP to 10 percent from the current 6 percent by 2030.
“The inaugural State of Aviation report highlights the contribution that the aviation sector makes to the Saudi society and economy, with the great support from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Highness the Crown Prince,” added Al-Jasser.
Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, president of GACA, said that the Kingdom is building a more resilient, connected, high-performing aviation sector across various verticals, including airlines, airports, cargo and logistics, and human capability and training systems.
“GACA has developed this report to fulfill its role as a strategic aviation regulator, measuring and recording the progress of the sector in line with the targets of the Saudi Aviation Strategy. The report also informs GACA’s ongoing regulatory work and the impacts of new regulations in creating greater competition, value, and choice in Saudi Aviation,” said Al-Duailej.
During the Future Aviation Forum, Saudi Arabia is expected to unveil a roadmap detailing how the Kingdom will grow its aviation sector tenfold into a $2 billion industry by 2030.
This year’s gathering will bring together more than 5,000 sector experts and leaders from more than 100 countries to discuss ways to shape the future of international air travel and freight management.
Alkhobar’s farmers’ market ends on a sweet note
ALKHOBAR: Alkhobar seafront bustled with activity as the farmers’ market, organized by the Culinary Arts Commission in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the Eastern Province Municipality, came to town.
The three-day evening market, which ended on Saturday, showcased the seasonal bounties of the Eastern Province with homegrown goodies for sale, and quickly attracted more footfall despite the humidity and sweltering heat.
The market featured 15 booths from 10 farmers who were mostly from neighboring areas, along with a few from other parts of the Kingdom.
The Culinary Arts Commission set-up a bookstand in which Saudi-centric, food-related books were on sale in both English and Arabic, as well as games, hoodies and socks.
The family-friendly event was a stone’s-throw from the waves of the corniche, where seating options were ample and offered the perfect spot to relax and snack.
Ghada Abdullah Al-Garyafi, a beekeeper from Qatif for the past four years, told Arab News about participating at the event. “As a Saudi beekeeper, I produce many types of honey in addition to derivative products. I make organic syrup, which is in very high demand, as well as organic honey vinegar.”
Additionally, she offers other items such as honey spoons — sealed spoons filled with honey that can be unwrapped and used to stir tea, or consumed directly.
She also used the event as a way to test out new recipes. “We introduced a new honey drink, with bits of passionfruit and other produce mixed in. I wanted to see the opinion of customers and the visitors to the festival, and they liked it very much.”
Speaking about taking up beekeeping, she explained that what started out as a fear became her whole life. “I used to be afraid of bees! I challenged myself during (COVID-19) period when my husband brought maybe four or five hives within a farm he rented. I would go with him and make a big fuss about being scared,” she said, laughing. “Little by little, he told me to get closer and that they wouldn’t sting me if I wore the protective gear. He showed me how to inspect the hives.
“Eventually, I overcame my fear, thank God, and became a honey producer. I worked during the mangroves season, which was my first experience. All of our production comes from the Eastern region, specifically from Qatif, Saihat, Safwa and Ras Tanura,” she said.
Other entrepreneurs at the market included the organic company, Planet of Plants at Jenan Al-Nakheel Farm, as well as many other local and regional goods.
Children could have their faces painted or their names written in Arabic calligraphy during the event. A live oud player serenaded the crowd.
The farmers’ market is just one of the stops in the commission’s seasonal tour, which will continue in the coming weeks.
Saudi envoy to Dhaka praises Makkah Route efficiency
- Makkah Route Initiative streamlines the performance of Hajj for Bangladeshi pilgrims
RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa bin Youssef Al-Duhailan lauded the Makkah Route Initiative as a unique program that streamlines the performance of Hajj for Bangladeshi pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Al-Duhailan highlighted the initiative’s role in the Pilgrim Experience Program, a Saudi Vision 2030 program focused on enhancing services for Hajj performers, and emphasized how the initiative has significantly improved the Kingdom’s organization and planning for pilgrims visiting the holy city of Makkah.
“The initiative showcases excellence in management, organization, and efforts to facilitate the journey of pilgrims to the holy lands,” Al-Duhailan said.
The initiative’s features, he added, include the issuance of electronic Hajj visas and luggage coding at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, which enables Bangladeshi pilgrims to be processed upon arrival in Saudi Arabia as domestic travelers and expedites their transportation to their places of residence in Makkah and Madinah.
“Pilgrims are welcomed with hospitality, security, and safety throughout their journey, creating a rich and unforgettable spiritual experience,” Al-Duhailan said, expressing his gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its vision and to all those involved in the Makkah Route Initiative for their dedication to serving Hajj pilgrims.
The Arab Energy Fund and Dussur sign $200m MoU to boost greenfield energy projects
RIYADH: Greenfield energy projects are set to receive a boost, as The Arab Energy Fund has signed a $200 million funding agreement with the Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Co.
A memorandum of understanding was executed between the energy-focused financial institution TAEF and the Saudi-based industrial investment and development company, also known as Dussur.
This deal aims to fast-track and facilitate prospective financing opportunities for TAEF through bridge financing in selected greenfield projects promoted by Dussur.
Nicolas Thevenot, chief banking officer at TAEF, said: “We are thrilled to sign this MoU with Dussur and enter an era of collaboration to support the advancement of the flourishing energy sector in Saudi Arabia.”
He added: “Our strategic partnership with Dussur is also aligned with our planned investment of up to $1 billion to advancing the energy transition with a focus on decarbonization and related technologies over the next five years.”
The MoU contributes to the Kingdom’s efforts to advance industrialization and economic diversification by defining a broad framework agreement between TAEF and Dussur.
“Dussur is pleased to have signed this MoU with TAEF, which could unveil multiple collaborative opportunities to maximize Dussur’s impact on the Saudi economy,” said Omar Al-Qarawi, director of finance and accounting at Dussur.
He added: “Through this MoU, Dussur and TAEF aim to further their joint efforts to leverage strategic and sustainable industrial investments.”
In February, the Public Investment Fund-backed Dussur launched an oilfield services and industrial chemicals factory in Jubail in collaboration with Bakers Hughes, a Texas-based oilfield services provider.
The Saudi Petrolite Chemicals facility is expected to increase the Kingdom’s supply base of raw materials such as solvents and glycols.
It is intended to accelerate the development of the skills and capabilities of Saudi human resources in manufacturing, thus contributing to the increase in localization rates and the rapid delivery of chemical solutions.
The opening ceremony was attended by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef.
