G7 leaders say Tehran failed on nuclear deal as group condemns Iran

The world’s seven wealthiest democracies have said Iran has not made the “necessary decisions” on a nuclear deal, despite “many months of intense negotiations”.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Group of Seven said Iran has failed to return to the table to discuss the nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which puts limits on the country's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

“We note that despite many months of intense negotiations on a return to the JCPOA, Iran has not made the necessary decisions,” they said.

Ukraine has shot down 300 Iranian drones, air force says

They “strongly rejected” Iran’s practice of detaining dual and foreign citizens, while also condemning Tehran's continued “destabilising activities” in and around the Middle East.

The G7 — an informal bloc of industrialised democracies made up of the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK — also pledged to “stand firmly with Ukraine for as long as it takes”.

Ukraine and its western allies have accused Iran of sending “kamikaze” drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to Russia, which have been used to devastating effect in attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.

Iran denies the charge.

Kyiv said last week that Ukrainian forces had shot down more than 300 Iranian-made drones so far.

Iranian-made drones have reportedly damaged up to 40 per cent of Ukraine's power system and Ukrainian authorities warned residents that they may face hours of electricity cuts due to limited supplies.

The G7 also said any use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with “severe consequences” and renewed their call on Moscow to end its war.

“Russia's irresponsible nuclear rhetoric is unacceptable,” the G7 foreign ministers said in a statement after two days of talks in the German city of Muenster.

A G7 official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the group agreed to co-ordinate their support for repairing, restoring and defending Ukraine's critical energy and water infrastructure.

Flags wave on the walls in Muenster during the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting. AFP

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba joined the G7 discussion via video link.

“They discussed what needs Ukraine was facing as it heads into the winter and agreed that there needed to be a G7 co-ordinating mechanism to help Ukraine repair, restore and defend its critical energy and water infrastructure,” a G7 official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told reporters.

“That's something that will be a core focus of this group in the days and weeks ahead.”

The countries also discussed the state of the battlefield to figure out which weapons to provide to Kyiv, although this time the focus was more on assistance that would allow Ukraine to defend itself from the intensifying Russian attacks on its energy and water infrastructure, said the official.

The assistance the G7 provides will allow Kyiv to defend itself against and respond to Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure, the official said.

The group also said it remained “seriously concerned” about the situation in and around the East and South China Seas and it aimed for “constructive co-operation” with China.

It also “reaffirmed” the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The group said it strongly condemned recent missile launches by North Korea.

“We, the G7 members, strongly condemn the unprecedented series of unlawful ballistic missile launches,” the foreign ministers from the G7 countries said in a joint statement.

It added that “any nuclear test or other reckless action must be met with a swift and united and robust international response.”

'Munich: The Edge of War'

Director: Christian Schwochow

Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons

Rating: 3/5

MATCH INFO

South Africa 66 (Tries: De Allende, Nkosi, Reinach (3), Gelant, Steyn, Brits, Willemse; Cons: Jantjies 8)

Canada 7 (Tries: Heaton; Cons: Nelson)

Alita: Battle Angel

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Stars: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Keean Johnson

Four stars

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

MATCH INFO

Austria 2
Hinteregger (53'), Schopf (69')

Germany 1
Ozil (11')

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20

%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes

Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.

Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

England World Cup squad

Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

While you're here

Essam Al Tamimi: The UAE’s new company law explained

Editorial: Legal overhaul reaffirms the UAE's open values

What are the main cyber security threats?

Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.

While you're here

Joyce Karam: Chaotic first debate unlikely to swing undecideds

Hussein Ibish: Donald Trump's 3-step plan to cling to power

Sulaiman Hakemy: Make America lose again

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.

- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme

Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
Flexible payment plans from developers
Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates