International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Grossi says Iran has enough enriched uranium for 'several' nuclear bombs. AP
International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Grossi says Iran has enough enriched uranium for 'several' nuclear bombs. AP
International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Grossi says Iran has enough enriched uranium for 'several' nuclear bombs. AP
International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Grossi says Iran has enough enriched uranium for 'several' nuclear bombs. AP

Iran and UN nuclear watchdog make no progress in safeguard talks


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No progress has been made in talks between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog on outstanding safeguard issues, including unexplained uranium traces at undeclared sites, according to two reports by the agency.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran has slowed its enrichment of uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels.

Iran's stock of uranium enriched to up to 60 per cent purity – close to weapons grade – continued to grow compared with the previous quarter, but at a far slower rate than in earlier counts, one of the IAEA's confidential reports to member states said. Some of the material has been diluted, the report said.

The IAEA report said Iran has 121.6kg of uranium enriched to 60 per cent. In May, a report put the stockpile of 60 per cent uranium at about 114kg. It had 87.5kg in February.

It is a technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent.

The nuclear watchdog has a number of agreements with countries to monitor their nuclear programmes and ensure they are for civilian purposes only, or for existing nuclear powers, to ensure their technology is not transferred to military programmes.

These are known as safeguard agreements.

The IAEA also has not been able to access surveillance camera video since February 2021 under Iranian restrictions, while the only recorded data since June 2022 has been from cameras at a workshop in the city of Isfahan.

Iran and the IAEA announced an agreement in March on reinstalling surveillance cameras introduced under a deal with six world powers in 2015, but removed by Iran last year.

A fraction of the number of cameras and other monitoring devices the IAEA wanted to set up have been installed.

Iran insisted its programme is peaceful, but IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said Tehran has enough enriched uranium for “several” nuclear bombs if it chose to build them.

World powers struck a deal with Iran in 2015 to prevent it from developing atomic weapons. Iran agreed to limit enrichment of uranium to levels necessary for nuclear power in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

UN inspectors were given the responsibility of monitoring Iran's nuclear programme.

Former US president Donald Trump unilaterally pulled Washington out of the accord in 2018, saying he would negotiate a stronger deal, but that did not happen. Iran began breaking the terms a year later.

Iran is likely to require months of enrichment to reach weapons grade.

American intelligence agencies said in March that Tehran “is not currently undertaking the key nuclear weapons-development activities that would be necessary to produce a testable nuclear device”.

The IAEA, the West and other countries claim Iran had a secret military nuclear programme it abandoned in 2003.

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands

50-man Royal Rumble

Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe

SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos

Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho

John Cena v Triple H

Matches to be announced

WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Raw Tag Team Championship, United States Championship and the Cruiserweight Championship are all due to be defended

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The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands

The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands

50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias

Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura

Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe

United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal

SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos

Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt

Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho

Singles match John Cena v Triple H

Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Story of 2017-18 so far and schedule to come

Roll of Honour

Who has won what so far in the West Asia rugby season?

 

Western Clubs Champions League

Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners up: Bahrain

 

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners: Dubai Exiles

Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons

 

West Asia Premiership

Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons

Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

 

UAE Premiership Cup

Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Runners up: Dubai Exiles

 

Fixtures

Friday

West Asia Cup final

5pm, Bahrain (6pm UAE time), Bahrain v Dubai Exiles

 

West Asia Trophy final

3pm, The Sevens, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sports City Eagles

 

Friday, April 13

UAE Premiership final

5pm, Al Ain, Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

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
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Mobile phone packages comparison
Updated: September 04, 2023, 1:27 PM