Mr Trump, right, and Hassan Rouhani, left, are speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. EPA
Mr Trump, right, and Hassan Rouhani, left, are speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. EPA
Mr Trump, right, and Hassan Rouhani, left, are speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. EPA
Mr Trump, right, and Hassan Rouhani, left, are speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. EPA

WATCH: Donald Trump, Hassan Rouhani and Antonio Guterres speak at UNGA


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It's the opening day of the United Nations General Assembly debate in New York and US President Donald Trump and Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani are taking to the podium.

The morning session started at 9am (Coordinated Universal Time-5), and runs until 2.45pm. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, presented a report, announcing a new summit on climate change next September.

Then President of the General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, laid out her priorities for the session. Brazil made the first speech among the individual nations, which traditionally would be followed by the host nation, the United States, but Mr Trump had not arrived in time.

The Ecuadorian president spoke instead.

Later in the morning session, Iran's President Rouhani will address the assembly.

Mr Trump and Mr Rouhani's appearances at the UNGA come four months after the US ditched a nuclear deal with Tehran.

Hours before taking to the podium, Mr Trump tweeted that he did not have any plans to meet with Mr Rouhani, but says he remains open to the idea.

In his address, Mr Rouhani will stress that Iran continues to stick to the 2015 deal and will likely portray the US as a pariah for breaking its international commitments.

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Watch: 'Iran's leaders sow chaos, death and destruction'

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Iranian President address the UN after Trump calls for Iran isolation

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly Reuters
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly Reuters

The current US administration "seems determined to render all international institutions ineffectual," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told the General Assembly, criticising the US for backing out on the nuclear deal.

Mr Rouhani promised to match violation for violation, threats for threats and step for step.

In a rebuke to US President Donald Trump, who spoke just hours before, Mr Rouhani said Iran was pleased other countries did not "acquiesce" to the US demands to break the deal.

Read the full story here

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Trampling on Palestinians won't solve the crisis, Macron says

French President Emmanuel Macron launched a passionate defence of multilateralism and defended a diplomatic end to conflict between Israel and Palestine.

"What can resolve the crisis between Israel and Palestine? Not unilateral initiatives, nor trampling on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to legitimate peace," Mr Macron said in what is seen as a rebuke to Mr Trump. "There is no credible alternative to the two-state solution."

Mr Macron also launched a strong defence of multilateralism, calling for a new world order based on regional blocs.

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President Erdogan rebukes US for using sanctions as 'weapons'

Turkey cannot remain silent over the use of sanctions as "weapons," the country's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the UN General Assembly.

Rebuking the US for the doubling of tariffs on Turkish aluminium and steel imported into the US.

"None of us can remain silent to the arbitrary cancellation of commercial agreements and the use of economic sanctions as weapons," Mr Erdogan said his country's address in the General Debate.

"We are in favour of solving our problems through conducting a constructive dialogue on equal terms," he said.

The US and Turkey are at odds over interests in Syria and are in a bitter standoff over the fate of an American evangelical Christian pastor.

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US President Donald Trump asks international community to isolate Iran

US President Donald Trump begins his speech. Timothy A Clary / AFP
US President Donald Trump begins his speech. Timothy A Clary / AFP

At the opening of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, US President Donald Trump set a combative tone against Iran, calling on the international community to isolate the regime.

Mr Trump said "many countries in the region strong supported my decision to remove the United States from the Iran deal."

He also asked, "all nations to isolate Iran's regime as long as it continues."

Read our full coverage of Mr Trump's speech here

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Unexpected change of events as Ecuadorian president speaks second

In an unexpected turn of events, Mr Trump will not speak second as he had not arrived by the time Brazil had finished speaking.

Lenin Moreno of Ecuador took to the stage instead. Mr Trump arrived shortly afterwards and is due to speak later.

Traditionally, as the host nation, the United States speaks second.

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UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres announces a new climate summit next September

pa07045398 United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks to open the General Debate. EPA
pa07045398 United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks to open the General Debate. EPA

UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres kicks off the general debate saying that multilateralism is under threat and “under fire precisely when we need it most”.

In his speech to the general assembly, he harked back to Europe a century ago during WW1 and the emergence of a unity of nations to address global war.

He also made references to war in Syria and Yemen, the Rohingya crisis and the transfer of refugee status for the Palestinian people.

He called upon the member states to band together to avoid the humanitarian toll in those countries and to help remedy the violence that has taken place.

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Read more:

Donald Trump and Hassan Rouhani set for UN clash

How is the order of speakers at the UN General Assembly decided?

The most memorable moments of the UN General Assembly

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Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Basquiat in Abu Dhabi

One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier. 

It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.  

“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October

Volunteers offer workers a lifeline

Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.

When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.

Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.

Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.

“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.

Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.

“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m, Winner: Zalman, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hisham Al Khalediah II, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Qader, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Mujeeb, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly

8pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nayslayer, Bernardo Pinheiro, Jaber Ramadhan