A UAE delegation led by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, attended the state funeral of assassinated former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Sheikh Khaled was joined by political leaders and heads of state from around the world, including US Vice President Kamala Harris, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad, at the service.
He offered condolences on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
Sheikh Khaled met Akie Abe, the widow of the late leader, and family members to extend his sympathies.
Abe was delivering a speech near a train station in the western city of Nara when he was fatally shot on July 8. It was the first assassination of a sitting or former Japanese prime minister since the 1930s. He was 67.
Hours before the ceremony began, dozens of people carrying bouquets queued at public flower-laying stands at nearby Kudanzaka park.
Abe played a key role in bolstering ties between the UAE and Japan during his tenure, Abu Dhabi Media Office said.
“This included the signing of a large-scale strategic partnership agreement during his visit to the UAE in 2018 to further strengthen co-operation between the two countries and advance strategic partnerships across various fields,” a media office statement said.
Sheikh Khaled was accompanied by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Shehab Ahmed Al Fahim, UAE ambassador to Japan, as well as a number of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Shinzo Abe state funeral — in pictures
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
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