SpaceX founder Elon Musk said earlier that Starlink would seek an exemption from US internet sanctions on Iran. AP
SpaceX founder Elon Musk said earlier that Starlink would seek an exemption from US internet sanctions on Iran. AP
SpaceX founder Elon Musk said earlier that Starlink would seek an exemption from US internet sanctions on Iran. AP
SpaceX founder Elon Musk said earlier that Starlink would seek an exemption from US internet sanctions on Iran. AP

Elon Musk 'activating Starlink' after US eases Iranian internet sanctions


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SpaceX founder Elon Musk tweeted that he was activating his broadband service Starlink after the US Treasury Department announced it was easing internet sanctions on Iran after Tehran curtailed its citizens' access to social media.

The Treasury's move means that American technology companies can expand their businesses in Iran, allowing people living there to use secure platforms and services.

The updated guidance authorises the companies to offer access to social media platforms, cloud-based services and online maps.

Lifting the restrictions is aimed at bypassing Iranian censorship and surveillance efforts after more than 80 million people were cut off from WhatsApp and Instagram.

Protests have erupted across the country over the death of Mahsa Amini, who died last week while in the custody of Iran's morality police for allegedly not covering her hair properly.

“In the face of these steps, we are going to help make sure the Iranian people are not kept isolated and in the dark,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said a statement.

In a response to a tweeted-out version of Mr Blinken's statement, Mr Musk said: “Activating Starlink …”

Mr Musk's Starlink system is not covered under the updated guidance, so the world's richest man would still need to seek an exemption to use his constellation satellites to beam data into Iran because of the specifics of the project, the Treasury Department said.

He has said he will seek an exemption to sanctions so Iranians can gain access to his company's technology.

The Tesla founder had indicated earlier this week that his company would seek an exemption from sanctions on Iran to provide service to the country.

Starlink is a satellite constellation system that uses low-orbit satellites to provide high-speed internet services to remote and rural locations.

Users who sign up for the service receive a kit that contains a Starlink satellite dish, a Wi-Fi router and cable.

Mr Musk on September 18 said that Starlink was now available on all seven continents.

Elon's Musk in 2022 — in pictures

  • Tesla chief Elon Musk and his children Damian, Kai, Saxon and Griffin meet Pope Francis in July at the Vatican. AFP
    Tesla chief Elon Musk and his children Damian, Kai, Saxon and Griffin meet Pope Francis in July at the Vatican. AFP
  • Mr Musk speaks by video in June to the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha. Bloomberg
    Mr Musk speaks by video in June to the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha. Bloomberg
  • Mr Musk answers questions at the Qatar Economic Forum. Bloomberg
    Mr Musk answers questions at the Qatar Economic Forum. Bloomberg
  • Mr Musk arrives at the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in May. Reuters
    Mr Musk arrives at the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in May. Reuters
  • Mr Musk and his mother Maye Musk arrive at the Met Gala in May. AFP
    Mr Musk and his mother Maye Musk arrive at the Met Gala in May. AFP
  • The Musks pose and laugh on the Met Gala red carpet. EPA
    The Musks pose and laugh on the Met Gala red carpet. EPA
  • Mr Musk waves at the Met Gala. Reuters
    Mr Musk waves at the Met Gala. Reuters
  • Mr Musk joins in online at the 'Financial Times' Future of the Car Summit in May. Financial Times
    Mr Musk joins in online at the 'Financial Times' Future of the Car Summit in May. Financial Times
  • Mr Musk attends the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, in March. Reuters
    Mr Musk attends the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, in March. Reuters
  • Mr Musk at the Tesla factory in Berlin, Germany, in March. AP
    Mr Musk at the Tesla factory in Berlin, Germany, in March. AP
  • Mr Musk speaks at SpaceX's Starbase centre in South Texas in February. AFP
    Mr Musk speaks at SpaceX's Starbase centre in South Texas in February. AFP
  • The entrepreneur shakes hands with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in Porto Feliz, Brazil, in May. AP
    The entrepreneur shakes hands with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in Porto Feliz, Brazil, in May. AP
  • Mr Bolsonaro and Mr Musk greet each other in Sao Paulo. Reuters
    Mr Bolsonaro and Mr Musk greet each other in Sao Paulo. Reuters
  • Indonesian President Joko Widodo meets Mr Musk at the SpaceX launch site in Boca Chica, Texas, in May. Reuters
    Indonesian President Joko Widodo meets Mr Musk at the SpaceX launch site in Boca Chica, Texas, in May. Reuters
  • Mr Musk shows Mr Widodo his mobile phone during a tour of the SpaceX launch site in Texas. Reuters
    Mr Musk shows Mr Widodo his mobile phone during a tour of the SpaceX launch site in Texas. Reuters
Army of the Dead

Director: Zack Snyder

Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera

Three stars

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 

Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania ​​​​​​​
Verdict: 4 Stars

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Profile of Bitex UAE

Date of launch: November 2018

Founder: Monark Modi

Based: Business Bay, Dubai

Sector: Financial services

Size: Eight employees

Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The%20BaaS%20ecosystem
%3Cp%3EThe%20BaaS%20value%20chain%20consists%20of%20four%20key%20players%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsumers%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20End-users%20of%20the%20financial%20product%20delivered%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDistributors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Also%20known%20as%20embedders%2C%20these%20are%20the%20firms%20that%20embed%20baking%20services%20directly%20into%20their%20existing%20customer%20journeys%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEnablers%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Usually%20Big%20Tech%20or%20FinTech%20companies%20that%20help%20embed%20financial%20services%20into%20third-party%20platforms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProviders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Financial%20institutions%20holding%20a%20banking%20licence%20and%20offering%20regulated%20products%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company Profile

Name: JustClean

Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries

Launch year: 2016

Number of employees: 130

Sector: online laundry service

Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding

Anxiety and work stress major factors

Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.

A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.

Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.

One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.

It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."

Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.

“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi. 

“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."

Daniel Bardsley

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
UNSC Elections 2022-23

Seats open:

  • Two for Africa Group
  • One for Asia-Pacific Group (traditionally Arab state or Tunisia)
  • One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
  • One for Eastern Europe Group

Countries so far running: 

  • UAE
  • Albania 
  • Brazil 

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

RESULT

Manchester City 1 Sheffield United 0
Man City:
Jesus (9')

The biog

Age: 59

From: Giza Governorate, Egypt

Family: A daughter, two sons and wife

Favourite tree: Ghaf

Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense 

Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”

MATCH INFO

Northern Warriors 92-1 (10 ovs)

Russell 37 no, Billings 35 no

Team Abu Dhabi 93-4 (8.3 ovs)

Wright 48, Moeen 30, Green 2-22

Team Abu Dhabi win by six wickets

Brief scores:

Southampton 2

Armstrong 13', Soares 20'

Manchester United 2

Lukaku 33', Herrera 39'

Updated: September 23, 2022, 9:57 PM