The five US prisoners released by Iran today as part of a controversial prisoner swap have arrived in Doha to begin their journey back to America. 

The prisoners were flown first from Tehran to Doha on a Qatar Airways jet today. They were greeted on the tarmac at Doha Airport by the US Ambassador to Qatar, Timmy Davis. 

Only three of the five released US prisoners have been named publicly. They are businessmen Siamak Namazi , 51, and Emad Shargi, 59, and Morad Tahbaz, 67, an environmentalist who also holds British citizenship. 

The other two prisoners – a man and a woman – have requested anonymity, according to a statement released by President Biden this morning.

The female detainee was comforted by Davis today on the tarmac in Doha. All were imprisoned in Iran on unsubstantiated spying charges. 

In exchange for their release, the Biden administration not only released five Iranians jailed in the US, but officials also unfroze $6billion in seized cash. 

He has been widely panned for the deal, which many say sets a dangerous precedent for America negotiating with terrorists. 

Siamak Namazi , 51, (top right), and Emad Shargi, 59, (bottom left) and Morad Tahbaz, 67, (center) arrive in Doha today after being freed by Iranian officials. They had been on house arrest for a month and spent years in prison before that after being convicted of spyin gkn

Morad Tahbaz (left) Siamak Namazi , 51, (hugging a Qatari official, right) and Emad Shargi, (not pictured) arrive in Doha along with an unidentified woman (far right) 

Morad Tahbaz (right, wearing a mask) is embraced on the tarmac at Doha Airport on Monday after being freed by Iran

Among the Iranian prisoners is Reza Sarhangpour-Kafrani, a dual US-Iranian citizen who was jailed in February for supplying the Central Bank of Tehran with computer equipment and technology through a front company in the UAE, and, who was caught obtaining equipment that could be used in missiles and electronic warfare. 

The deal has been widely criticized by Republicans who say Biden is paying ransom to terrorists by releasing the men and the funds, which were frozen in South Korea in 2018 by President Donald Trump.  

The Biden administration insists there are ‘guardrails’ on what Iran can spend the money on, but critics are now demanding to know how he or his administration will police how it is used. 

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi however said this week that Iran would decide how the money would be spent. 

Trump was among the first to criticize the agreement when details of it became public on 9/11, an ill-timed announcement that was widely panned. 

A female prisoner is also being released along with a fourth, unnamed male.

FREED BY USA: Mehrdad Ansari, who was convicted of supplying Iran with materials to be used in missiles, and Reza Sarhangpour, who was convicted of assisting the Central Bank of Iran by supplying it with computer equipment and software, are among those being freed by the US

Journalists wait for the US prisoners to arrive in Doha, where they will board a second flight 

Namazi has been in prison since 2015, when he was arrested during a business trip and convicted of cooperating with a hostile government – the US. 

 Shargi was arrested with his wife in 2018 on unsubstantiated espionage charges. She was later allowed to return to the US. 

Tahbaz was also convicted of spying charges. He was left out of a previous prisoner swap brokered by former British Prime Minister Liz Truss. 

But they remain deeply divided on other issues ranging from Iran‘s nuclear program and its influence around the region to U.S. sanctions and America’s military presence in the Gulf.

Qatar, a tiny but hugely wealthy Gulf Arab energy producer, has sought to raise its global profile, hosting the soccer World Cup last year and carving out a role in international diplomacy.

The Sunni Muslim nation hosts a big U.S. military base but has also forged close ties with Shi’ite Muslim Iran.

Doha hosted at least eight rounds of talks with Iranian and U.S. negotiators sitting in separate hotels, speaking via shuttle diplomacy, a source previously told Reuters.

Under the agreement, Doha agreed to monitor how Iran spends the unfrozen funds to ensure the cash is spent on humanitarian goods, such as food and medicine, and not any items under U.S. sanctions.

The transfer of Iran’s funds has drawn criticism from U.S. Republicans who say President Joe Biden, a Democrat, is in effect paying a ransom for U.S. citizens.

The White House has defended the deal.

Ties between Washington and Tehran have been boiling since Donald Trump, a Republican, pulled the U.S. out of a nuclear deal between Iran and global powers when he was president in 2018. 

Reaching another nuclear deal has gained little traction since, as Biden prepares for the 2024 U.S. election.

As a first step in the deal, Washington waived sanctions to allow the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds from South Korea to Qatar. 

The funds were blocked in South Korea, normally one of Iran’s largest oil customers, when Washington imposed sweeping financial sanctions on Tehran and the cash could not be transferred.

A view of the entrance of Evin prison in Tehran, Iran, where the Americans were held

When little-known senator Ralph Babet jumped to his feet on Tuesday to raise concerns about the transparency of Scott Morrison’s government, there was a split- second of silence as his colleagues pondered his question.

The question was directed at Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, who represents the Prime Minister in the Senate. 

The United Australia Party senator asked her: ‘Now minister… the former Morrison government, this mob over here, honoured an appallingly low rate of just 48.7 per cent of Senate order for production of document requests. How terrible. 

‘Does the minister believe that the former Morrison government was a transparent government? Because I don’t think they were.’

She rose to her feet as those behind her appeared perplexed. Some even grumbled about the failings of the previous government.

Then Liberal senator Michaelia Cash stated the obvious: Beware the supplementary questions. 

When Senator Ralph Babet jumped to his feet in the chamber on Tuesday and raised concerns about the transparency of Scott Morrison’s government, there was a split second of silence as his colleagues pondered his question

The Government is under increased pressure to be more transparent, amid further questions about the decision to block Qatar Airways from having more access to Australia. The decision is said to have cost Australian travellers up to 40% on their airfares. 

But Penny Wong has been in parliament for 21 years, and her guard was up.

‘I am going to anticipate your next question… I am someone who has been her for quite a long time. I have never seen as many OPDs [orders for the production of documents] used as indiscriminately as the Opposition… are using them,’ she said.

‘I don’t believe any fair minded person looking at Mr Morrison’s secret ministries or the Robodebt tragedy would think the standards of transparency were sufficient.

‘We remember what Mr Morrison was like and the lack of accountability… even to his own colleagues when he took their jobs from them.’

Mr Babet said she obviously knew where he was going this ‘not being your first rodeo’. 

‘Your government is at 20.4 per cent. Twice as secretive as Scott Morrison’s government. Why?’

Minister Wong has been in politics for 21 years, and it was apparent her guard was up

Ms Wong said: ‘We remember what Mr Morrison was like and the lack of accountability… even to his own colleagues when he took their jobs from them’

Ms Wong argued there had been a significant increase in the amount of OPDs being filed, and the amount being approved, but has vowed to investigate Mr Babet’s question. 

Ms Wong was subjected to most of the scrutiny in the Senate on Tuesday given her role as the representative for the Prime Minister in the chamber.

She was also peppered with questions from Nationals Leader of the Senate Bridget McKenzie, who questioned the division within Labor about the Qatar Airways decision.

Ms McKenzie asked for clarity as to ‘what exactly the national interest grounds’ in blocking additional flights from Qatar were.

‘The minister considers a range of factors when determining whether an expansion of bilateral air rights is in our national interest,’ Ms Wong said.

She maintained there was nothing unusual about the government’s decision, and noted Qatar is welcome to increase flights into Adelaide, Avalon, Cairns, Canberra and the Gold Coast. 

Mr Albanese and Labor are being peppered with questions about the decision to deny Qatar Airways more flights into key Australian airports (pictured, the PM with former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce)

Her answer was met with jeers from the Coalition, demanding to know just what those factors were.

Meanwhile, in the House of Representatives, Mr Albanese was facing intense questioning of his own. 

The Nationals MP for Cowper, Pat Conaghan asked if the PM had ‘a conversation of any kind with Mr Alan Joyce prior to the government’s decision concerning Qatar Airways’.

The PM, realising the breadth of the question, responded: ‘I can confirm that I’ve met Alan Joyce, which is basically what the question was.’

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton later asked if Mr Albanese had any conversations with Virgin Australia over the application.

Mr Albanese said: ‘Yes.’

Later, Mr Albanese faced another question, this time from LNP’s Bert van Manen, who asked if he had any conversations with Mr Joyce or senior execitves regarding the application before a decision was handed down.

Mr Albanese said: ‘No.’   

Labor was elected on a policy of transparency, and is now facing increasing calls from across the chamber to honour that commitment.

While the Coalition would like an inquiry into the Qatar decision, the Greens are first calling on the government to release documents from the time of the decision. 

While the Coalition would like an inquiry into the Qatar decision, the Greens are first calling on the government to release documents from the time of the decision

Singapore Airlines has been named the world’s best airline at the ‘Oscars of Aviation’.

The carrier reigned supreme over 325 airlines at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2023, swapping places with last year’s number one, Qatar Airways, which now ranks second, breaking its seven-year streak in the top spot.

In third place, meanwhile, it’s Japanese airline ANA All Nippon Airways.

The leading UK airline is British Airways, which ranks 18th worldwide – sliding down the ranking from 11th place last year. The number one carrier in North America, meanwhile, is Delta Air Lines, which has climbed the ranks from 24th to 20th worldwide.

Fiji Airways is top in the Australia/Pacific ranking and 15th globally, while Qantas is second in the Australia/Pacific ranking and two places behind in the global list, falling from fifth to 17th.

Singapore Airlines has been named the world’s best airline at the ‘Oscars of Aviation’ and dominated in the first-class categories of the contest – it takes the gong for ‘World’s Best First Class’, the ‘World’s Best First Class Seat’ and the ‘World’s Best First Class Comfort Amenities’. Above is a suite that’s part of the carrier’s first-class offering on A380s

Spacious bathrooms in Singapore Airlines’ first-class A380 cabin feature sit-down vanities

It’s the fifth time that Singapore Airlines has scooped the ‘Airline of the Year’ title in the 23-year history of the awards

Mr Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Airlines, said: ‘This award is a testament to the indomitable spirit of our people, who worked tirelessly and made many sacrifices to ensure that Singapore Airlines was ready for the recovery in air travel. That has allowed us to emerge stronger and fitter from the pandemic as a leading international airline.

‘Today… we are firmly committed to innovating and investing in industry-leading products and services and ensuring that Singapore Airlines continues to offer our customers a world-class travel experience.’

It’s the fifth time that Singapore Airlines has scooped the ‘Airline of the Year’ title in the 23-year history of the awards, this year announced at a gala ceremony in the iconic Air and Space Museum at the Paris Air Show, with a large number of airline CEO’s, presidents and senior management in attendance.

Singapore Airlines also dominated in the first-class categories of the contest – it takes the gong for ‘World’s Best First Class’, the ‘World’s Best First Class Seat’ and the ‘World’s Best First Class Comfort Amenities’.

Second-place Qatar Airways, meanwhile, reigns supreme in the business-class section of the awards, taking prizes for the ‘World’s Best Business Class’, the ‘World’s Best Business Class Seat’, the ‘World’s Best Business Class Lounge’ – the Al Mourjan lounge at Hamad International Airport – and the ‘World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining’.

Qatar Airways ranks second in the global airline ranking, breaking its seven-year streak in the top spot

Qatar Airways reigns supreme in the business-class section of the awards, taking prizes for the ‘World’s Best Business Class’. Above is the carrier’s business class ‘Qsuite’ 

The leading UK airline overall is British Airways, which ranks 18th worldwide – sliding down the ranking from 11th place last year. Above is the carrier’s first-class offering 

British Airways has been named as the 10th best airline for families globally 

Tenth place in the global low-cost ranking goes to Jet2.com – making it the best low-cost airline in the UK

Third-place ANA All Nippon Airways also scoops the award for the ‘World’s Cleanest Airline’ for the third consecutive year.

Looking to the rest of the top 10, Emirates ranks fourth overall, while also claiming the gong for the ‘World’s Best Premium Economy Seat’.

Japan Airlines is fifth globally and dominates the economy class categories of the awards, taking the prize for ‘World’s Best Economy Class’ as well as the award for the ‘World’s Best Economy Class seat’.

Turkish Airlines is sixth globally and receives the award for the ‘Best Airline in Europe’. Not only that but it’s been recognised for its ‘very high’ catering standards, snapping up both the ‘Best Business Class Catering’ and ‘Best Economy Class Catering’ awards.

Air France takes seventh place in the global ranking, with the carrier’s first-class offering earning it the gong for the ‘Best First Class Airline Lounge’, ‘Best First Class Lounge Dining’, and ‘Best First Class Catering’.

Eighth place goes to Cathay Pacific, which also takes the crown for the ‘World’s Best Inflight Entertainment’.

In ninth place in the global ranking, it’s EVA Air, which has also won the award for the ‘World’s Best Premium Economy Class’ – the cabin it invented more than 30 years ago.

Tenth place, meanwhile, is handed to Korean Air.

The number one carrier in North America, is Delta Air Lines, which has climbed the ranks from 24th to 20th worldwide. Pictured is a ‘Delta One’ business-class cabin on a Boeing 767

Delta takes the gong for ‘Best Airline Staff Service for North America’

Turkish Airlines is sixth globally and receives the award for the ‘Best Airline in Europe’. Above is the airline’s business class on a Boeing 777 

Turkish Airlines has been recognised for its ‘very high’ catering standards, snapping up both the ‘Best Business Class Catering’ and ‘Best Economy Class Catering’ awards

Moving to the budget airline ranking, AirAsia has yet again been named the ‘World’s Best Low-Cost Airline’, a title it has earned each year since 2010.

Second place in the low-cost ranking is Scoot, which also wins the ‘World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline’ award, while in third place it’s Indian airline Indigo and Saudi carrier Flynas is fourth.

Spanish airline Volotea is fifth in the low-cost ranking, making it the best budget airline in Europe – ‘one of the most competitive low-cost airline markets in the world’, the awards notes.

Transavia France is sixth in the budget ranking, while U.S carrier Sun Country Airlines is seventh worldwide and the recipient of the ‘Best Low-Cost Airline in North America’ gong for the first time.

Japanese airline ANA All Nippon Airways comes third globally. Above is ANA’s business class offering – a seat known as ‘The Room’, which comes complete with a closing privacy door and aisle access 

Emirates ranks fourth overall, while also claiming the gong for the ‘World’s Best Premium Economy Seat’. Above is the Mail’s Harriet Sime in an Emirates premium economy seat, which she put to the test earlier this year

U.S carrier Southwest Airlines is eighth in the global low-cost ranking, while ninth place goes to Latvian carrier airBaltic, which also snaps up the ‘Best Airline in Eastern Europe’ award.

Tenth place in the global low-cost ranking, meanwhile, goes to Jet2.com – making it the best low-cost airline in the UK.

EasyJet takes 11th place in the low-cost ranking, 12th place goes to Vueling Airlines and Ryanair – which last year ranked as Europe’s number one budget airline – is 13th.

Fiji Airways is top in the Australia/Pacific ranking and 15th globally

Looking at other gongs that have been handed out in Europe, Finnair has been named the ‘Best Airline in Northern Europe’ and the ‘Cleanest Airline in Europe’.

Virgin Atlantic takes home several prizes – the gong for the ‘Best Business Class in Europe’, the ‘Best Premium Economy in Europe’ and the ‘Most Family Friendly Airline in Europe’, a new category for 2023.

Austrian Airlines, meanwhile, snaps up prizes for the ‘Best Airline Staff Service in Europe’ and the ‘Best Cabin Staff in Europe’, and Greek carrier Aegean Airlines has been named the ‘Best Regional Airline in Europe’.

Across the Atlantic, other awards garnered by top-ranking U.S airline Delta include the gong for ‘Best Airline Staff Service for North America’.

Air France takes seventh place in the global ranking, with the carrier’s first-class offering earning it the gong for the ‘Best First Class Airline Lounge’, ‘Best First Class Lounge Dining’, and ‘Best First Class Catering’. Above is the airline’s first-class cabin

Alaska Airlines has been declared the ‘Best Regional Airline in North America’ while Canadian airline Air Transat has been named the ‘World’s Best Leisure Airline’. Air Canada takes the crown as the ‘World’s Most Family Friendly Airline’.

Elsewhere in the awards, Kuwait Airways has been named as the ‘World’s Most Improved Airline’, while Garuda Indonesia has been awarded for having the ‘World’s Best Cabin Staff’.

The winners of the Skytrax World Airline Awards are decided by a huge passenger satisfaction survey. This year over 100 customer nationalities participated in it, with the 2023 Awards based on 20.23million eligible survey entries. The online survey operated from September 2022 to May 2023.

For more information visit www.worldairlineawards.com.

Bank owned by friend of Prince Andrew fined £10m for allegedly plotting to wage economic war on Qatar

By Mark Shapland For The Daily Mail

Published: 16:51 EDT, 5 May 2023 | Updated: 16:51 EDT, 5 May 2023

A bank owned by a friend of Prince Andrew has been fined £10m for allegedly plotting to wage economic war on Qatar.

Banque Havilland, a private bank based in Luxembourg, was hit with the sanction by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) after the watchdog ruled it attempted to use manipulative trading strategies to devalue the Qatari riyal currency.

The bank is controlled by the Rowland family, including Conservative Party donor David ‘Spotty’ Rowland, famous for reportedly bank-rolling Prince Andrew. 

Rowland’s son Edmund, the bank’s former UK boss, was hit with a financial services ban and fined £352,000. The FCA fined and struck off ex-branch manager David Weller and employee Vladimir Bolelyy.

The bank and Rowland have appealed. Edmund Rowland said: ‘I refute the FCA allegations in full. I am challenging them in the independent tribunal.’

Helping hand: David ‘Spotty’ Rowland is famous for reportedly bank-rolling Prince Andrew

The FCA said that in 2017, the bank drew up trading strategies aimed at devaluing Qatar’s currency relative to rivals, aimed at creating a false or misleading impression about the Qatari bond market, intending to present the document to Qatar’s rivals who may want to put economic pressure on it.

It did not believe the strategy was ever implemented, but said that such a strategy could have been a criminal offence had it taken place in the UK.

Therese Chambers, head of enforcement at the FCA, said the bank’s ‘conduct actively encouraged the commission of financial crime, providing ideas for manipulative trading to someone it saw as having the political motivation to be potentially interested in such ideas. The misconduct of Edmund Rowland was deliberate.’

She added: ‘Weller claimed to have believed that the other two were joking around but as a senior manager he behaved recklessly.’

David Rowland is a Guernsey resident who has been dubbed the ‘tax haven tycoon’ – and has acted as Prince Andrew’s financial adviser, attending Princess Eugenie’s wedding in 2018.

In 2017 he reportedly paid off a £1.5m loan for Andrew.

He owns a palatial estate, Havilland Hall, where in 2005 the prince unveiled a bronze statue of Rowland smoking a cigar.

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