US: UN report ‘whitewashing’ Iran general by criticizing drone strike
Updated 08 July 2020
AFP
WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday blasted a UN finding that a US drone strike that killed a top Iranian general was unlawful, saying the report whitewashed Qasem Soleimani’s record.
“It takes a special kind of intellectual dishonesty to issue a report condemning the United States for acting in self-defense while whitewashing General Soleimani’s notorious past as one of the world’s deadliest terrorists,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Sunday rubbished a “malicious” social media campaign against one of its judges, Justice Babar Sattar, clarifying that he was not a dual national and that all his assets in Pakistan and the United States were legally owned.
The press statement from the Pakistani court came in response to recent social media posts that targeted the judge and members of his family. Some social media users had shared pictures of Justice Sattar’s and his family’s travel documents, suggesting that he was a US national and that he had minted assets after his elevation to the post of high court judge.
Justice Sattar is one of the six IHC judges who accused Pakistan’s premier spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of intimidating and coercing them over “politically consequential” cases in a letter written to the Supreme Judicial Council last month.
The letter grabbed headlines following which Pakistan’s Supreme Court took notice of the matter and started hearing the case.
The IHC said in its press release on Sunday that “untruthful” and “malignant” allegations against Justice Sattar were posted on social media along with details of his properties that were mentioned in his tax returns.
“Justice Babar Sattar has never had any nationality other than that of Pakistan,” the high court said. “He studied law at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar and pursued graduate education at Harvard Law School.”
The IHC clarified that Justice Sattar worked as a lawyer with a New York law firm and was issued the Permanent Resident Card while he was there in the US.
“He left his job in the US in 2005 and returned to Pakistan and has lived and worked in Pakistan since then,” the press release said.
The court said Justice Sattar’s wife and children are citizens of Pakistan and the US, adding that they had been living in the US till 2021 but returned to Pakistan after he was appointed as a
high court judge. It said that they are now living in Islamabad.
The high court said Justice Sattar’s mother is an educationist who established a school in Rawalpindi in 1992 as its sole proprietor. It added that the judge does not have any ownership interest in the school and is not involved with its management.
“Before being appointed a Judge, his law firm acted as legal adviser to the school and received retainer fee for its legal services,” the press release said.
It said that the judge owns real estate assets in the US and Pakistan that are mentioned in his tax returns. The press release said these assets were scrutinized by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan prior to his elevation as a judge of the high court.
“All real estate assets that he owns are either inherited or were acquired while he was a lawyer,” it said. “He has acquired no real estate assets since his appointment as a Judge. He is not
involved with the management of any business entity.”
The press release concluded by saying the IHC was committed to enforcing and upholding the code of conduct for high court judges, adding that it was accountable to the people as it was an institution that exercised public authority.
IsDB chief vows to support private sector in member states
Updated 15 min 42 sec ago
Nadin Hassan
RIYADH: Since its establishment over 30 years ago, the Islamic Development Bank has supported its member states with $151 million in the form of investments and trade deals, said the top executive of the bank.
In his opening remarks at the 12th Private Sector Forum held on the sidelines of the 18th IsDB annual meetings in Riyadh on Sunday, the bank’s president, Mohammed Sulaiman Al-Jasser, said the financial institution has pumped in over $108 billion to support development projects in member states since its inception.
Speaking about the event, the IsDB chief said it offers potential investors an opportunity to network, exchange experiences, establish partnerships, and launch trade initiatives.
Al-Jasser said it is “a very good opportunity” to explore different opportunities and services provided by various IsDB institutions to support the private sector’s development.
He said the IsDB’s body to support the private sector in its member countries has initiated 451 projects worth $6.9 billion across various sectors such as the financial sector, agriculture, and energy.
“It has different investment operations in 50 countries. In 2023, it focused on supporting small and medium enterprises in member states,” Al-Jasser said.
He said the International Islamic Trade Finance Corp. was established in 2008 and has been supporting member states since then with financing facilities. “In 2023 alone, it issues loans worth over $75 million.”
The IsDB president said the bank strongly believed in supporting the private sector in member states.
Al-Jasser went on to say that the IsDB has “also signed many agreements and conventions to make use of the opportunities in the field of investment and trade” in member states.
The annual meetings coincide with IsDB’s golden jubilee, as the institution celebrates 50 years of promoting economic and social development in 57 member countries, under the slogan ‘Taking pride in our past, shaping our future: authenticity, solidarity, and prosperity’ that reflects the bank’s legacy and future goals.
Finance ministers, financial institutions’ representatives, Islamic finance experts, private sector, and non-governmental organizations are participating in the meetings.
Among the annual meetings’ prominent events are the Governors’ Roundtable, the 18th IsDB Global Forum on Islamic Finance, the IsDB Group Private Sector Forum 2024, the Philanthropy Forum, and the Future Vision Symposium, reported SPA.
Discussions address pressing issues such as multidimensional poverty, South-South cooperation, and financing the Sustainable Development Goals.
Meanwhile, the CEOs of the bank’s entities will meet in a strategic session titled ‘Unlocking Economic Potential’ which reflects IsDB’s commitment to promoting economic growth.
Mawani announces first container shipment from Jubail Commercial Port to Riyadh Dry Port
Updated 28 min 5 sec ago
ARAB NEWS
RIYADH: Saudi sea and rail transport links are set to be enhanced with the commencement of the first container shipment from Jubail Commercial Port to Riyadh Dry Port.
This voyage was made possible through collaborative efforts between the Saudi Ports Authority, known as Mawani, the Tax and Customs Authority, Saudi Railway Co., and Mediterranean Shipping Co., according to a statement.
Moreover, the containers were transported through the railway connecting Jubail Commercial Port and the East Railway network, carrying a load of 78 receptacles. The maximum cargo capacity for one trip on the railway is 140 standard containers.
This move falls within the framework of cooperation between Mawani and other concerned parties, especially SAR, which contributes to achieving integration in transporting crates, bulk materials, and general goods by connecting ports using trains.
This comes with the SAR networks linking the Riyadh Dry Port with King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail, Jubail Commercial Port, and Ras Al-Khair Port.
This development adds a competitive advantage for these terminals and supports the growth of ship loading and unloading services.
“The launch of the first container shipment from the Jubail Commercial Port via railways to the Riyadh Dry Port and linking the ports to train networks will contribute to enhancing integration between sea and rail transport modes, raising the efficiency of logistical operations, developing the efficiency of exports and imports, and enhancing the competitiveness of the ports to consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics center in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030,” Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser said in a post on X.
‘Saudi Arabia at forefront of AI,’ says business leader at World Economic Forum
Saudi Arabia 'really a driver of not only the economy of the region, but also the economy of the world,' says global vice chair and chair of Europe, MENA at consulting firm AlixPartners
Updated 28 min 46 sec ago
Nada Al-Turki
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s role in technology advancement is helping to drive not only the regional but also the global economy, business leaders told Arab News at the World Economic Forum special meeting in Riyadh on Sunday.
The Kingdom has been “at the forefront” on artificial intelligence, Stefano Aversa, global vice chair and chair of Europe, the Middle and North Africa at consulting firm AlixPartners, said.
While the war in Gaza and broader Middle East tensions are expected to get top billing at the WEF Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development, technology’s role as a driver of change is also expected to be a major talking point.
Around 1,000 leaders from 92 countries have gathered in Riyadh for the two-day forum.
Saudi Arabia is “really a driver of not only the economy of the region, but also the economy of the world,” Aversa said.
“There are a lot of investors interested, and so it is important to stay close to some of the giga-projects here that will drive not only the growth of the Kingdom, but also the growth of some entire sectors, like energy transition.”
He said that the Kingdom’s move from “an early stage of development to more mature selective investment” is also important.
AlixPartners CEO Simon Freakley said that disruption is a looming issue for global industries ranging from automotive and aerospace to retail.
He defined disruption as “displacement of businesses, markets, and value networks as a result of economic, societal, environmental, political, regulatory, or technological changes.”
Freakley told Arab News that shipping routes, for example, faced disruption because of tensions in the Red Sea.
“Problems are caused by conflicts around the world or other challenges. What we’re finding is some of these themes go cross-industry, not just within industry.”
AlixPartners has 26 offices in 14 countries. Its fifth annual Disruption Index, based on a survey of 3,100 senior executives around the world, showed that 61 percent of CEOs worry they will be unable to keep pace with changing business cycles.
Freakley said: “This disruption work that we now do every year has become a sort of a touchstone of how we help people understand what the best companies, the best leaders, are doing.”
The consulting firm has predicted AI will become the single biggest driver of change across industries, not only as a defense against competitors, but also as a tool to enhance go-to market strategies.
“The people that are winning are the people that have the best data, and weaponize their data to actually get a competitive advantage. How people are using AI and the insight from their data to drive their growth is where we see the real opportunity,” Freakley said.
Jordanian Crown Prince marks Princess Rajwa’s 30th birthday
Updated 56 min 6 sec ago
Arab News
DUBAI: Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II took to social media to wish his Saudi-born wife Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein on her 30th birthday as a new official portrait of the princess was unveiled.
"May God continue to bless and nurture the bond between us. Happy Birthday Rajwa," the Crown Prince wrote on Instagram, sharing a brand new photo of the couple.
The Jordanian royal family also shared a new official portrait of Princess Rajwa to celebrate her birthday. Set against a blue background, the portrait shows the princess in a matching blue outfit from French label Rabanne.
The Jordanian royal family also shared a new official portrait of Princess Rajwa to celebrate her birthday. (Twitter)
Earlier this month, it was announced that the royal couple, who married last year in June, are now expecting their first baby.
The news of the pregnancy was announced by the Jordanian royal family in a statement.
“The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce that their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein are expecting their first baby this summer,” it read.
