World leaders send congratulations as Donald Trump claims victory

Senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, called on Trump to avoid the perceived policy missteps of President Joe Biden. (FILE/AFP)
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Updated 06 November 2024
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World leaders send congratulations as Donald Trump claims victory

  • Saudi Arabia’s king and crown prince send cables of congratulations
  • Hamas urges Trump to end war on Gaza, while Iran downplays poll outcome

DUBAI: World leaders have started offering their congratulations to Donald Trump following his victory in the US presidential election on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent a cable of congratulations to Trump following his win. He wished Trump success in his endeavors, and the American people further progress and prosperity.

The Kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a cable of congratulations to Donald Trump, expressing his best wishes and a successful tenure.  

Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, emphasized the strength and significance of the UAE’s relationship with the United States.  

“The UAE and the US are united by an enduring partnership based on shared ambitions for progress,” Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said, expressing optimism about the continued collaboration.  

“We look forward to continuing to work with our partners in the US toward a future of opportunity, prosperity, and stability for all,” he added. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s return, describing it as “history’s greatest comeback.”  

Netanyahu emphasized that Trump’s leadership represented “a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.”  

The Israeli leader expressed hope that the renewed partnership would strengthen strategic ties and deepen cooperation on key issues.

Highlighting the historic bond between the two nations, Netanyahu was optimistic about what he described as a promising chapter for US-Israel relations.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy congratulated Trump on his “impressive” victory.

“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer,” Zelenskiy wrote on X.

NATO chief Mark Rutte wrote on X: “I just congratulated Donald Trump on his election as President of the United States. His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was looking forward to working with Trump.

“Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory,” Modi wrote on X. “As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration.”

Iran’s government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said the livelihood of her nation’s citizens would not be impacted by the US election, according to semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Iran’s currency fell Wednesday to an all-time low following the news that Trump was on the verge of clinching the US presidency again, trading at 703,000 rials to the dollar.

In 2015, at the time of Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers, it was at 32,000 to a dollar.

Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord in 2018, sparking years of tensions between the countries that persist today.

Referring to it as an “historic election victory,” Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he looked forward to working with Trump.

“From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come.”

France’s President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: “Congratulations, President Donald Trump.”  

Macron’s message was accompanied by calls from within his administration for Europe to focus on self-reliance in the wake of Trump’s return.

French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon underscored the need for European independence in key areas.

“We must not ask ourselves what the United States will do, but what Europe is capable of doing,” Bregeon said during an interview with RTL, emphasizing the importance of defense, industrial recovery, and decarbonization efforts.

“We must take charge of our own destiny,” Bregeon added, reflecting a growing sentiment for strategic autonomy in Europe.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala wrote on X: “Our shared goal is to ensure that the relations between our countries remain at the highest level, despite changes in administration, and that we continue to develop them for the benefit of our citizens.” 

Italy’s right wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said a Trump victory would strengthen ties between the two countries.

In a post on X, Meloni offered her “most sincere congratulations” to Trump, and said Italy and the US had an “unshakeable alliance.”

“It is a strategic bond, which I am certain we will now strengthen even further,” she said.

Senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, called on Trump to avoid the perceived policy missteps of President Joe Biden.

“We urge Trump to learn from Biden’s mistakes,” the official emphasized, referencing dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s handling of Israel’s war on Gaza.

Abu Zuhri described the Democratic Party’s likely loss as “the natural price” for its leadership’s “criminal stance” toward Gaza.

Highlighting expectations for Trump, he said the former president’s return puts him “to the test” to act on his promises.


Ousted Bangladesh PM Hasina’s son denies graft in $12.65 billion nuclear deal

Updated 6 sec ago
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Ousted Bangladesh PM Hasina’s son denies graft in $12.65 billion nuclear deal

  • Bangladesh’s Anti Corruption Commission has launched corruption inquiry into Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, backed by Russia’s state-owned Rosatom
  • Rosatom, world’s largest supplier of enriched uranium, refuted the allegations, adding that it was committed to combat corruption in all its projects

NEW DELHI: Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son and adviser on Tuesday described allegations of corruption involving the family in the 2015 awarding of a $12.65 billion nuclear power contract as “completely bogus” and a “smear campaign.”
Bangladesh’s Anti Corruption Commission said on Monday it had launched an enquiry into allegations of corruption, embezzlement and money laundering in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, backed by Russia’s state-owned Rosatom.
A deal for two power plants, each with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, was signed in 2015.
The commission has alleged that there were financial irregularities worth about $5 billion involving Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed and her niece and British treasury minister Tulip Siddiq, through offshore accounts.
Rosatom, the world’s largest supplier of enriched uranium, refuted the allegations, adding that it was committed to combat corruption in all its projects and that it maintains a transparent procurement system.
“Rosatom State Corporation is ready to defend its interests and reputation in court,” it said in an emailed statement to Reuters.
“We consider false statements in the media as an attempt to discredit the Rooppur NPP project, which is being implemented to solve the country’s energy supply problems and is aimed at improving the well-being of the people of Bangladesh.”
Siddiq did not respond to a request for comment.
A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Siddiq had denied any involvement in the claims and that he had confidence in her. Siddiq would continue in her role, the spokesperson added.
Wazed, speaking on behalf of the family, said they were the targets of a political witch hunt in Bangladesh.
“These are completely bogus allegations and a smear campaign. My family nor I have ever been involved or taken any money from any government projects,” he told Reuters from Washington, where he lives.
“It is not possible to siphon off billions from a $10 billion project. We also don’t have any offshore accounts. I have been living in the US for 30 years, my aunt and cousins in the UK for a similar amount of time. We obviously have accounts here, but none of us have ever seen that kind of money.”
Reuters could not contact Hasina, who has not been seen in public since fleeing to New Delhi in early August following a deadly uprising against her in Bangladesh. Since then, an interim government has been running the country.
The government in Dhaka said on Monday it had asked India to send Hasina back. New Delhi has confirmed the request but declined further comment.
Wazeb said the family had not made a decision on Hasina’s return to Bangladesh and that New Delhi had not asked her to seek asylum elsewhere.


Kashmir’s ‘bee queen’ sets out to empower women, inspire youth

Updated 25 December 2024
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Kashmir’s ‘bee queen’ sets out to empower women, inspire youth

  • Sania Zehra manages about 600 bee colonies, sells products across India
  • She created an empowerment group to help aspiring women entrepreneurs

NEW DELHI: For the past four years, beekeeping has become central to Sania Zehra’s life. Every morning, she wakes at about 6 a.m. to tend to her colonies, before spending the rest of the day building the enterprise that turned her into the “bee queen” of Kashmir. 

Her beekeeping journey began as a 16-year-old, watching her father hard at work at the family farm in Balhama in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

“I first saw my grandfather working with the bees, and then I saw my father doing the same business. When I saw my father working hard, I decided to also contribute and support him,” Zehra told Arab News. 

She overcame her initial fear of bee stings and got to work immediately, applying for a government scheme that allowed her to expand the business. 

It was not always smooth sailing — she struggled to make a profit in the first couple of years and had to juggle maintaining the hectic routine of beekeeping and selling her products. 

But as her hard work of managing hundreds of colonies garnered her the “bee queen” title, today her products are being sold across the country.

“I am selling my product across India (and) I am getting orders from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Dubai, South Africa, Qatar and all,” Zehra said. 

Beekeeping is a multi-pronged passion for the 20-year-old, who sees it as a way to protect the environment and preserve her family legacy. 

She joins an increasing number of women in Kashmir who are running their own businesses, many of whom access government programs aimed at training and supporting women entrepreneurs. 

Despite the social barriers that persist to this day, Zehra found support from her family, especially her mother. 

“My mother supports me wholeheartedly. She says ‘I have sons but you have gone ahead of the boys and there is nothing that can stop a woman if she wants to,’” she said. 

“For me, it’s a passion as well as a desire to carry the family legacy … I have been fascinated by bees’ social structure and the importance of bees in our ecosystem. I want to contribute to their conversation and produce natural honey and connect with nature. They are an inspiration for me.” 

As time went by, she found that beekeeping was not only therapeutic for her mental health but also a way to support the entrepreneurial landscape in Kashmir. 

To fuel that mission, Zehra created an empowerment group whose members comprise talented women who lack access to resources. 

“My main focus is that I should act as a catalyst for many and help others to grow too,” she said. 

With 40 members so far, Zehra is aiming to take it to 100 and help them gain access to the government initiatives that once helped her. 

“I want to give employment to all,” Zehra said. “I have a future plan to address the unemployment issue in Kashmir and make Kashmir a wonderful place. I want to inspire young people.”


Pope calls for ‘arms to be silenced’ across world

Pope Francis waves as he delivers his traditional Christmas Day Urbi et Orbi speech to the city and the world.
Updated 25 December 2024
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Pope calls for ‘arms to be silenced’ across world

  • “I think of the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, particularly in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave,” Pope Francis said

VATICAN: Pope Francis called Wednesday for “arms to be silenced” around the world in his Christmas address, appealing for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan as he denounced the “extremely grave” humanitarian situation in Gaza.
He used his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and the world“) message to the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics to call for talks for a just peace in Ukraine as the country was pummelled by 170 Russian missiles and drones on Christmas morning.
“May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine,” the 88-year-old pontiff said, his voice strained and breathless. “May there be the boldness needed to open the door to negotiation and to gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace.”
In front of thousands of the faithful gathered in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, also appealed for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the freeing of Israeli hostages held there by Hamas.
“I think of the Christian communities in Israel and Palestine, particularly in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave. May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and aid be given to the people worn out by hunger and by war,” he added.
Francis extended his call for a silencing of arms to the whole Middle East and to Sudan, which has been ravaged by a ravaged by 20 months of brutal civil war where millions are under the threat of famine.
“May the Son of the Most High sustain the efforts of the international community to facilitate access to humanitarian aid for the civilian population of Sudan and to initiate new negotiations for a ceasefire,” he said.


Passenger plane flying from Azerbaijan to Russia crashes in Kazakhstan with many feared dead

Updated 25 December 2024
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Passenger plane flying from Azerbaijan to Russia crashes in Kazakhstan with many feared dead

  • The plane was carrying 67 passengers and five crew, Kazakh authorities say 12 people had survived
  • Azerbaijan Airlines said aircraft forced to make emergency landing approximately 3 km from Aktau

ASTANA: An Embraer passenger plane flying from Azerbaijan to Russia crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday with 67 passengers and five crew on board, Kazakh authorities announced, saying 12 people had survived.
Unverified video of the crash showed the plane, which was operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, bursting into flames as it hit the ground and thick black smoke then rising.
The Central Asian country’s emergencies ministry said in a statement that fire services had put out the blaze and that survivors were being treated at a nearby hospital.
Azerbaijan Airlines said the Embraer 190 aircraft, with flight number J2-8243, had been flying from Baku to Grozny, the capital of Russia’s Chechnya, but had been forced to make an emergency landing approximately 3 km (1.8 miles) from the Kazakh city of Aktau.
Russian news agencies said the plane had been rerouted due to fog in Grozny.
Authorities in Kazakhstan said they had begun looking into different possible versions of what had happened, including a technical problem, Russia’s Interfax news agency reported.


Pakistan air strikes kill 46 in Afghanistan: Taliban spokesman

Updated 25 December 2024
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Pakistan air strikes kill 46 in Afghanistan: Taliban spokesman

  • Border tensions between the two countries have escalated since the Taliban government seized power in 2021

KABUL: Pakistan air strikes in an eastern border province of Afghanistan killed 46 people, the Taliban government spokesman told AFP on Wednesday.
“Last night (Tuesday), Pakistan bombarded four points in the Barmal district of Paktika province. The total number of dead is 46, most of whom were children and women,” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.
He added that six more people were wounded, mostly children.
A defense ministry statement late Tuesday condemned the latest strikes by Pakistan on Afghan territory, calling them “barbaric” and a “clear aggression.”
“The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered, but rather considers the defense of its territory and sovereignty to be its inalienable right,” the statement said, using the Taliban authorities’ name for the government.
Border tensions between the two countries have escalated since the Taliban government seized power in 2021, with Islamabad claiming militant groups are carrying out regular attacks from Afghanistan.
Islamabad has accused Kabul’s Taliban government of harboring militant fighters, allowing them to strike on Pakistani soil with impunity.
Kabul has denied the allegations.