Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran suspects US sabotage in its failed satellite launches. AP Photo
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran suspects US sabotage in its failed satellite launches. AP Photo
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran suspects US sabotage in its failed satellite launches. AP Photo
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran suspects US sabotage in its failed satellite launches. AP Photo

Iran confirms second satellite launch failure and suspects US


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Iran has confirmed the failure of another attempted satellite launch and suggested sabotage by the United States was to blame.

Iran suffered two failed attempts to launch satellites over the past two months, Foreign Minister Mohammad told NBC News in an interview on Friday in Munich, where an annual global security conference was being held.

Mr Zarif said there might be a US sabotage campaign against Iranian satellite launches. "It's quite possible. We don't know yet," he said. "We need to look into it very carefully."

The US accuses Iran of using its space programme to develop ballistic missiles, a charge Tehran denies. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in January that the satellite launches showed Iran's defiance of a UN Security Council resolution that calls on it to undertake no activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Mr Zarif gave no details of the latest launch attempt but Iranian officials had said the satellite sent up in January failed to reach the necessary speed in the third stage of its launch. The telecommunications ministry said the satellite, named Payam, was to be used for imaging and communications for about three years.

Iran views its space programme as a matter of national pride. It launched its first domestically-built satellite in 2009, on the 30th anniversary of the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution. This month, Iran marked the 40th anniversary of the revolution.

Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.

Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.

The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.

MATCH INFO

New Zealand 176-8 (20 ovs)

England 155 (19.5 ovs)

New Zealand win by 21 runs

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The biog

Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology

Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India

Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur

How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993

Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters

Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo

Tickets

Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.

Results

57kg quarter-finals

Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.

60kg quarter-finals

Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.

63.5kg quarter-finals

Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.

67kg quarter-finals

Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.

71kg quarter-finals

Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.

Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.

81kg quarter-finals

Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0

The biog

Hobbies: Salsa dancing “It's in my blood” and listening to music in different languages

Favourite place to travel to: “Thailand, as it's gorgeous, food is delicious, their massages are to die for!”  

Favourite food: “I'm a vegetarian, so I can't get enough of salad.”

Favourite film:  “I love watching documentaries, and am fascinated by nature, animals, human anatomy. I love watching to learn!”

Best spot in the UAE: “I fell in love with Fujairah and anywhere outside the big cities, where I can get some peace and get a break from the busy lifestyle”

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5