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    As Ukraine war rages, diplomats near Iran nuclear agreement

    AP – As the war in Ukraine rages on, diplomats trying to salvage the languishing 2015 Iran nuclear deal have been forging ahead with negotiations despite distractions caused by the conflict. They now appear to be near the cusp of a deal that would bring the United States (US) back into the accord and bring Iran back into compliance with limits on its nuclear programme.

    After 11 months of on-and-off talks in Vienna, US officials and others said only a very small number of issues remain to be resolved. Meanwhile, Russia appears to have backed down on a threat to crater an agreement over Ukraine-related sanctions that had dampened prospects for a quick deal.

    That leaves an agreement – or at least an agreement in principle – up to political leaders in Washington and Tehran. But, as has been frequently the case, both Iran and the US said those decisions must be made by the other side, leaving a resolution in limbo even as all involved said the matter is urgent and must be resolved as soon as possible.

    “We are close to a possible deal, but we’re not there yet,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Wednesday.

    Reentering the 2015 deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has been a priority for the Biden administration since it took office.

    International Atomic Energy Organization Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi speaks with Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami. PHOTO: AP

    Once a signature foreign policy achievement of the Obama administration in which now-US President Joe Biden served as vice president, the accord was abandoned in 2018 by then-US President Donald Trump.

    The Biden administration argues that any threat currently posed by Iran would be infinitely more dangerous should it obtain a nuclear weapon. Deal opponents, mostly but not entirely Republicans, said the original deal gave Iran a path to developing a nuclear bomb by removing various constraints under so-called “sunset” clauses. Those clauses meant that certain restrictions were to be gradually lifted.

    Both sides’ arguments gained intensity over the weekend when Iran targetted the northern Iraqi city of Irbil with missile strikes that hit near the US consulate compound. For critics, the attack was proof that Iran cannot be trusted. For the administration, it confirmed that Iran would be a greater danger if it obtains a nuke.

    “What it underscores for us is the fact that Iran poses a threat to our allies, to our partners, in some cases to the US, across a range of realms,” Price said.

    Yet, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdolahian said a deal depends entirely on Washington.

    “More than ever, (the) ball is in US court to provide the responses needed for successful conclusion of the talks,” he said after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday. Amirabdolahian said he had been “reassured that Russia remains on board for the final agreement in Vienna”.

    Lavrov said the negotiations were in the “home stretch” and suggested that last-minute Russian objections to the potential spillover of Ukraine-related sanctions into activities Moscow might undertake with Tehran under a new nuclear deal had been overcome.

    He said the agreement under consideration would carve those activities out, something the US has not denied and has said the Russians should have understood from the beginning.

    “We would not sanction Russian participation in nuclear projects that are part of resuming full implementation of the (deal),” Price said. “We can’t and we won’t and we have not provided assurances beyond that to Russia.”

    MoU inked to expand expertise

    Rokiah Mahmud

    Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) established a strategic cooperation with higher learning institutions in Indonesia.

    Following this, UNISSA virtually inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Universitas Medan Area (UMA), Indonesia on March 16.

    Signing on behalf of UNISSA was Rector Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal, while UMA was represented by Rector Professor Dr Dadan Ramdan.

    Professor Dr Dadan Ramdan said the MoU will expand the universities’ knowledge and expertise.

    “Studies and assessment in the field of academic can be beneficial for both universities towards producing innovative and professional graduates,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Dr Haji Norarfan thanked UMA for the cooperation in fostering cooperation with UNISSA.

    The network will serve as a platform to further expand Islamic eminence in the archipelago and at the international level.

    UNISSA hoped that UMA will support the university in broadening cooperation, especially in the fields of technology, agriculture and Islamic finance.

    UNISSA Rector Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal (R) and UMA Rector Professor Dr Dadan Ramdan. PHOTO: UNISSA

    Asian stocks follow Wall Street higher after Fed rate hike

    BEIJING (AP) – Asian stock prices surged for a second day yesterday after the Federal Reserve announced its first interest rate hike since 2008 and China promised support for its real estate and Internet industries.

    Hong Kong’s benchmark jumped more than six per cent and Tokyo gained more than three per cent. Shanghai, Seoul and Sydney also advanced.

    Oil prices gained nearly USD2 per barrel but stayed below USD100.

    Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index rose 2.2 per cent on Wednesday after the Fed raised its short-term lending rate by 0.25 percentage points. The widely anticipated change was less than the 0.5-percentage-point hike advocated by some officials.

    “First rate hikes in a tightening cycle don’t normally signal the end of a bull market,” Shane Oliver of AMP said in a report. “But they are consistent with a more constrained and rougher ride. High inflation and the war in Ukraine also add to the risks.”

    Asian markets also were buoyed by Wednesday’s promise by the Chinese government that it would “invigorate the economy” by supporting the struggling real estate industry, Internet companies and entrepreneurs who want to raise capital abroad.

    Chinese leaders appeared to be trying to rebuild private sector confidence after a drumbeat of anti-monopoly, data-security and anti-debt crackdowns caused stock prices to plunge.

    A currency trader watches monitors in front of screens showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index at KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul. PHOTO: AP

    The Hang Seng in Hong Kong rose 6.2 per cent to 21,330.72, adding to the previous day’s explosive 9.1 per cent gain.

    The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo surged 3.5 per cent to 26,508.77 and the Shanghai Composite Index advanced 2.6 per cent to 3,252.97.

    The Kospi in Seoul was 1.8 per cent higher at 2,705.94 and Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 added 1.1 per cent to 7,257.30. India’s Sensex opened up 1.8 per cent at 57,811.37. New Zealand and Southeast Asian markets also gained.

    The Fed, in a move officials discussed in advance, is trying to cool inflation that is at a four-decade high by gradually withdrawing ultra-low interest rates and other stimulus that boosted share prices.

    Other central banks also are preparing to withdraw stimulus they poured into the global economy after the coronavirus pandemic struck.

    That is fuelling anxiety among investors about economic growth, which also faces threats from Russia’s war on Ukraine, coronavirus outbreaks in China, soaring oil prices and uncertain global consumer demand.

    Forecasters expect as many as seven United States (US) interest rate hikes this year.

    Fed chairman Jerome Powell said that before the Russian invasion of Ukraine he expected inflation to stabilise in the first quarter of this year. He said he now believes inflation will come down in the second half.

    The S&P 500 rose to 4,357.86. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1.4 per cent to 34,063.10. The Nasdaq composite gained 3.8 per cent to 13,436.55 for its biggest daily gain in 16 months.

    In energy markets, benchmark US crude added USD1.61 to USD96.65 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell USD1.40 to USD95.04 on Wednesday. Brent crude, the price basis for international oils, gained USDUSD1.83 to USD99.85 per barrel in London. It declined USD1.89 the previous session to USD98.02.

    Oil prices jumped in late February over concern President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine might disrupt supplies from Russia, the second-biggest exporter.

    Saudi king leaves hospital after pacemaker battery changed

    RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (AP) – Saudi Arabia’s octogenarian monarch underwent medical tests and had the battery of his pacemaker changed, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

    King Salman will rest for several days following the procedure and “successful medical tests”, the news agency said.

    Government-produced images showed the king leaving the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in the capital, Riyadh, using a cane but otherwise walking unassisted.

    King Salman was accompanied by an entourage that included his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as he left the hospital.

    The monarch’s health is closely watched because he holds absolute power in the kingdom.

    King Salman has appointed his 36-year-old son Prince Mohammed, as his successor, though he’s also already empowered him to lead day-to-day affairs. In July 2020, the king was admitted to a hospital in Saudi Arabia for medical tests due to inflammation of the gall bladder. He spent 10 days in the hospital, during which the gall bladder was removed.

    Saudi King Salman leaves the hospital as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman follows. PHOTO: AP

    Villarreal humiliate Juventus to make European quarters

    TURIN, ITALY (AFP) – Villarreal reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League early yesterday after inflicting a humiliating 3-0 defeat on Juventus in Turin to go through 4-1 on aggregate.

    Penalties from Gerard Moreno and Arnaut Danjuma and Pau Torres’s tap-in in the final quarter of an hour were enough for Unai Emery’s well-organised side to see off the Italians at the Allianz Stadium and make the last-eight draw.

    “It’s a magical night,” said Moreno to Movistar+.

    “We thought we could do it, we’ve always shown that in the big games we compete, the team gives its best… we all want to be in there with the best in Europe, we’re going to keep dreaming and we’re going to do it together.”

    Europa League holders Villarreal stunned Juve with three sucker punches after spending most of the match on the back foot, content to hold off the hosts’ attacks which got less potent as the match wore on.

    Villarreal’s Pau Torres celebrates with teammate Gerard Moreno after scoring against Juventus. PHOTO: AP

    An embarrassing loss was just Juve’s second since the end of November and punctures a dogged run of form which has put them back into the league title race at home.

    Massimiliano Allegri’s side were loudly booed off by the home crowd who watched their team shrink from a promising start and bounce off a yellow wall before being bundled out of the competition.

    Italy are now without a single representative in this season’s Champions League as it moves into its latter stages, as a cynical, clinical Villarreal beat a Serie A team at their own game.

    “For the first 75 minutes we played well, we had chances in the first half. They put themselves behind the ball and only an episode like the one that happened could have changed the course of the match,” Allegri said to Amazon Prime.

    “They had nine men behind the ball and they didn’t come out to counter-attack. Their intention was to take advantage of a piece of good fortune.”

    Dangerous homecoming

    LVIV, UKRAINE (AFP) – The station in the west Ukraine city of Lviv teems with outgoing passengers, vying for seats on trains leaving the war-torn nation.

    But on a desolate platform, far from the main hall, carriages disgorge small huddles of refugees returning home despite the conflict still raging with Russia to the east.

    While grateful for Europe’s welcome, many find themselves unable to start a new life abroad.

    Wiping a tear from her grandson’s eye, Svitlana Natalukha, 60, said her family travelled for a total of five days, first escaping Ukraine, then turning back.

    The grandmother, her 28-year-old daughter Galyna Kanuka, and two grandsons left home in the eastern Kharkiv region and arrived safely in Poland, but came to Lviv on Wednesday. The family praised Poland’s hospitality but were paralysed by the mammoth prospect of a rootless new life abroad.

    “Volunteers helped a lot, but only at the place where they are located,” said Kanuka, huddled on the chill-swept platform next to a mound of packed bags.

    ABOVE & BELOW: Ukrainian servicemen board a train as they depart in the direction of Kyiv at the central train station in Lviv; and people fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine board an evacuation train to the Polish city of Przemysl. PHOTOS: AFP

    “They were telling us to carry on to other cities and find more volunteers there.”

    The family also cited a language barrier complicating the treatment of one son’s illness for their decision to return. Three million have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion began three weeks ago, according to the United Nations. There are no official figures for the numbers choosing to return as the conflict grinds on.

    But this week, AFP witnessed three trains carrying between 100 and 250 passengers from the Polish city of Przemysl for Lviv.

    Some were foreign volunteers answering Ukraine’s call for military support, others ferried aid supplies, but most were women and children bearing indigo Ukrainian passports.

    At the Lviv station, a handwritten sign above a stairwell where travellers are waved aboard trains heading for the border tells them: “Come back home, the motherland is waiting for you.”

    Conductor Oleksandr, who declined to give his surname, said as many as 300 sometimes make the return trip – about a third the number crammed into his train preparing to make the outward journey.

    He said, “First there were no such cases” but “lately many women with children started coming back”.

    Although many nations – particularly in the European Union – have made special provisions welcoming those leaving the war zone, it is hard to soothe the refugees’ fears over starting a new life.

    “They feel like they won’t be looked after in the long run,” said Oleksandr, perched in the cab of a hissing engine car.

    “One woman said she stayed for a couple of days homeless there and it was better to come back to Ukraine.”

    The journey from Poland back to Ukraine plays out the flight to safety in reverse. At Przemysl, passengers leave behind a station teeming with volunteers offering food, shelter and onward travel.

    The return trains to Lviv are not advertised on the departures board, and travellers negotiate their way against the flow of refugees through a door marked “no entry” to passport control.

    The sparsely packed trains begin a 90-kilometre journey past a road border clogged with traffic where helicopters patrol the outer limit of the Polish skyline.

    Then, beyond a rusted barbed wire fence, the countryside becomes a war zone once more – dotted with checkpoints staked with Ukrainian flags. Passing packed trains going the other way, the return passengers eventually arrive in Lviv.

    Though far from the frontlines, it is fringed with checkpoints, windows are sandbagged and air-raid warnings ring out throughout the night – it is unmistakeably a country at war.

    Last Sunday, a military base outside the city was hit by a Russian airstrike, killing 35.

    But for Natalukha’s family, Lviv will be a home away from home – a slim comfort in trying times.

    “We wanted the kids to be safe in Poland, but we failed,” she said. “We hope they might be safe in Lviv.”

    Sri Lankan leader seeks IMF help as economic crisis deepens

    COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (AP) – Sri Lanka’s president said on Wednesday that his government was in discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), other agencies and countries on deferring loan repayments and requested people’s support by limiting electricity and fuel consumption to cope with the worst economic crisis in memory.

    President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his televised address asked the nation not to be discouraged and have faith in his steps to salvage the situation. His appeal comes amid widespread public anger at the severe shortages of essential goods including medicine, cooking gas, fuel and daily power cuts.

    He said the government has initiated talks with international financial institutions and “friendly countries regarding repayment of our loan instalments”.

    “Yesterday’s discussion with the IMF was also held for this purpose,” he said.

    His government’s decision to deal with the IMF marks a policy shift after it had resisted calls from experts and politicians to seek the agency’s help. It had argued that asking international financial institutions for assistance could bring along conditions detrimental to the country’s interests.

    Sri Lanka’s usable foreign reserves are said to be less that USD400 million, according to experts, and it has nearly USD7 billion in foreign debt obligations for this year.

    Supporter of Sri Lanka’s main opposition burn placards and a coffin during a protest outside the president’s office in Colombo. PHOTO: AP

    The dollar shortage has led to authorities struggling to pay for shiploads of fuel, cooking gas and food items docked at Colombo port. At the same time, people and vehicles were forming long lines near gas stations and cooking gas dealers for hours.

    Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa was currently in India, where he is expected finalise a USD1 billion credit line to buy essential supplies.

    Rajapaksa said that along with his decision to free float the local currency and positive signs about a revival of tourism and exports after a respite in the COVID-19 pandemic, he expects a better inflow of foreign currency and hopes the deficit can be managed at around USD2.4 billion this year.

    Rajapaksa said fuel makes up about 20 per cent of Sri Lanka’s total imports. Recent sharp rises in fuel prices were the result of the increase of crude oil prices globally, he said.

    “Therefore, by limiting the use of fuel and electricity as much as possible, the citizens too can extend their support to the country at this time. I hope that you will understand the responsibility lies with you at this challenging time,” he said.

    Political parties and citizen groups have launched protests around the country, accusing the government of being responsible for the economic crunch. The main opposition party in Sri Lanka’s Parliament held a demonstration near the president’s office on Tuesday demanding Rajapaksa’s resignation.

    New Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class unveiled

    Izah Azahari

    The new C-Class Avantgarde and E-Class facelift will be unveiled at the Mercedes-Benz Autohaus, Jati Transport Sdn Bhd today.

    Following the high tech features of the S-Class model, the C-Class Avangarde is a dynamic, modern and sportier interpretation of the flagship S-Class. It includes a fully digitised 11.9 inch MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), which was first integrated in the premium S-Class model.

    Regarded as the baby S-Class, the C-Class’ sporty exterior shares the similar curves and lines as the E-Class, while maintaining its own identity and elegance.

    It features a portrait style multimedia touchscreen display that is driver-oriented and compatible with iOS and Android connectivity with a MBUX Voice Assistant touch control which allows the driver to control many infotainment and comfort functions vocally.

    Safety remains a priority for Mercedes-Benz and the C-Class is no exception. Compared to its predecessor, the driver assistance package offers superior safety features with additional and improved functions. It also includes a 12.3-inch customisable and fully digital driver display with speed detection and blind spot assistance.

    ABOVE & BELOW: The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Avantgarde at the showroom; and the digital display with Android and IOS connectivity. PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR

    The new C-Class features low fuel consumption with a four-cylinder in-line petrol engine with a 48-volt on-board electrical system that delivers an additional 200 Nm of torque via EQ boost. The engine start is quiet, while still maintaining the advantage of power from the EQ boost. The additional torque from the power delivery of the EQ boost helps accelerate the car from a standstill.

    Rear-axle steering for the C-Class is available as an option for the first time, and allows for more control and increased agility, superior road-holding and a smaller turning radius to assist in L parking.

    Meanwhile, the E-Class 200 Sedan facelift boasts an exterior which has been sharpened all year round and retains its timeless sense of appeal.

    For the first time with an E-Class facelift, the rear end has been completely redesigned.

    The dynamic front-end features the radiator grille with vertical bars, headlamps with a new contour, front bumper and elongated bonnet as well as the strategically positioned air intakes underscored the accentuated wide look.

    The revised rear-end design showcases the two-part tail lights with new internal design, redesigned boot lid and rear bumper.

    Russian government sites facing unprecedented cyberattacks

    CNA – Russian government websites are facing unprecedented cyberattacks and technical efforts are being made to filter foreign web traffic, the TASS news agency cited the Digital Ministry as saying yesterday.

    Russian government entities and state-owned companies have been targetted over events in Ukraine, with the websites of the Kremlin, flagship carrier Aeroflot and major lender Sberbank among those to have seen outages or temporary access issues in recent weeks.

    The ministry was working to adjust to the new conditions, it said, as cyberattacks
    ratchet up.

    “If previously their power at peak moments reached 500 gigabytes, then now it is at one terabyte,” the ministry said. “That is two to three times more powerful than the most serious incidents of this kind that have been previously reported.”

    As Russia becomes increasingly isolated from global financial systems and supply chains, the government has proposed a raft of measures to support the IT sector, among others.

    Technology firms will have access to preferential tax and lending conditions and the digital ministry has previously suggested Russian IT companies discuss a phased transfer of technical support components with foreign firms.

    Citing draft government documents, Interfax reported late on Wednesday that the digital ministry proposed allocating USD134.30 million to support IT companies in the form of grants.

    News agencies could not immediately verify that report.

    Nadal neutralises Opelka to extend perfect 2022 start

    INDIAN WELLS, UNITED STATES (AFP) – Rafael Nadal battled past big-hitting American Reilly Opelka 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/5) on Wednesday night to push his 2022 record to 18-0 and reach the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells WTA and ATP Masters.

    The 35-year-old Spaniard, who won a record-setting 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and lifted the trophy in Acapulco last month, stayed on track for a fourth title in the California desert.

    But he had all he could handle from the 2.11-metre tall American, including a raft of serves that topped the 140mph mark and had Nadal’s back against the wall – literally.

    “I manage it so-so,” he said of Opelka’s serve, which the Spaniard stood as far back in the court as possible to receive. “I don’t know if the cameras can follow me like 10 metres behind the baseline.”

    Opelka saved the only break point of a tense first set. A patient Nadal worked the rallies in the tiebreaker and after he gained a 4-3 lead Opelka produced three straight errors to surrender the set.

    Rafael Nadal returns a shot to Reilly Opelka during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. PHOTO: AFP

    Impervious on his own serve in the opening set, Nadal gave Opelka a break chance with a double fault in the fifth game of the second and the American pounced on it.

    Unable to take advantage of a break point in the next game, Nadal saved three more break points in the seventh game before breaking back to knot it at 4-4.

    Nadal roared ahead in the second set tiebreaker, and after Opelka saved two match points with thundering serves the Spaniard finished it off with a winner.

    Nadal became just the second player to start a season 18-0 since the ATP Tour launched in 1990. Novak Djokovic has done it twice, starting 41-0 in 2011 and 26-0 in 2020.

    The Spaniard will face Australian Nick Kyrgios today, who advanced on a walkover when Jannik Sinner withdrew due to illness.

    Nadal was followed into the quarter-finals by 18-year-old compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, who notched another breakthrough with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over 35-year-old Gael Monfils of France.

    Alcaraz, into his first Masters 1000 quarter-final, is the youngest Indian Wells ATP quarter-finalist since 17-year-old Michael Chang in 1989.

    Alcaraz, winner of the title in Rio de Janeiro last month, gradually ramped up the pressure with a powerful ground game, converting his third break chance in the opening set with a forehand winner.

    He didn’t face a break point in the match, and gained an early edge in the second set with a deft drop shot that caught Monfils flat-footed behind the baseline.

    Monfils, who captured a title in Adelaide in January, had upset world number one Daniil Medvedev in the third round, but his tournament ended with a whimper as he was broken for the fourth time of the night in the final game.

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