Iran and the US are expected to conclude talks in Vienna soon, despite Iranian chief negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani leaving for Tehran on Monday.
The two countries were edging towards the conclusion of an 11-month effort to revive the defunct 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, when Russia demanded a sanctions exemption, tying the nuclear talks to the Ukraine invasion.
The EU's top envoy Enrique Mora, who is co-ordinating the talks, tweeted: “Just to clarify. There are no longer 'expert-level talks.' Nor 'formal meetings.' It is time, in the next few days, for political decisions to end the #ViennaTalks. The rest is noise.”
Mr Mora's Twitter post followed the departure of Mr Bagheri on Monday for consultations in Tehran and reports in Iranian media that experts would further pursue talks in Vienna.
In Washington, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters the US and its allies are “getting closer” to a nuclear deal with Iran but “important components” still need to be decided.
At the weekend, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said a deal was close, but gave a warning that "nothing is done until everything is done", a now-common refrain among diplomats working on the nuclear deal.
The stakes are high in Vienna and, if talks collapse, world leaders have warned the consequences could be dire. Former president Donald Trump's exit from the JCPOA in 2018 pushed Tehran to expand enrichment. Without a new agreement, Iran could quickly go past its current levels.
Although Iran has long said that it would not be pursuing nuclear weapons, any perception that its programmes are headed that way carries the risk of igniting conflict in the region.
Further enrichment by Iran is also likely to push the West to impose further sanctions on the country and, in turn, push already high oil prices even higher.
Negotiators last week said a deal would be ready within days, but now representatives from France, Britain, and Germany have temporarily left, urging Iran and the US, the main players in the deal, to get it to the finish line.
Despite last week's optimism over the deal coming together, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov threw a damper on chances of a resolution, tying Iran talks with the war in Ukraine.
Mr Lavrov asked for a guarantee from the US that its trade, investment and military-technical co-operation with Iran would not be subject to the sanctions recently imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
On Monday, Mr Lavrov insisted on Moscow's demand by telling Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a phone conversation that the revived nuclear deal should not allow for any discrimination between participants. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, however, said that while he understood Russia's issue, the Iran talks should not be affected by other issues and sanctions.
France, one of the few countries to keep relations with Russia, warned Moscow not to resort to blackmail over efforts to revive the deal.
Diplomats have said that several issues still needed to be resolved to revive the nuclear pact, under which Tehran limited its nuclear programme in return for relief from US, EU and UN sanctions.
While Tehran said it would not allow “any foreign elements to undermine its national interests”, Iran's top security official, Ali Shamkhani, called on Washington on Monday to make political decisions.
“Priority of Iranian negotiators is to resolve remaining issues that are considered red lines for Iran. Reaching a firm agreement requires new initiatives from all parties.” Mr Shamkhani tweeted.
Russia's concerns about the impact of Western sanctions on its dealings with Iran follow a push by senior Iranian officials for deeper ties since hardliner President Ebrahim Raisi took office last year.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for closer ties with Russia due to his deep mistrust of the US.
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
SQUADS
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
