UAE Gulf News - 27 June 2024

GN FOCUS Summer activities that promote skill growth WORLD | P12 Biden-Trump debate set to hog prime time THE VIEWS | P10 Withholding food as a ploy in Gaza must end gulfnews.com Scan for our social media NATION | P4 MEET RAMESH BABU, UAE’S AD DESIGNER SINCE 1970’S THURSDAY JUNE 27, 2024 DHU AL HIJJA 21, 1445 WHY UAE IS A HOTSPOT FOR BUSINESSES INVEST UAE Climate action to make airfares soar LUFTHANSA LATEST AIRLINE TO ADD ENVIRONMENTAL CHARGE DUBAI A s a sign that the super low-cost air travel era may end, airline passengers face higher fares due to newly strengthened European Union (EU) regulations to reduce aviation emissions and combat climate change. The EU wants carbon-intensive industries, including aviation, to pay more for pollution. Aviation accounts for 2.5 per cent of global carbon emissions, but it has contributed around 4 per cent to global warming to date. Lufthansa, Germany’s flag carrier, said Tuesday it would add an environmental charge of up to 72 euros (Dh282.3) to its fares, joining at least one European rival in doing so as the industry battles to cover the cost of new EU rules on reducing emissions. Fares revised Air France-KLM imposed an SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) contribution charge in January 2022, which was up to 12 euros on business fares and up to four euros on economy fares. Singapore’s government also introduced a levy on flight tickets earlier this year to help fund the additional cost of SAF. Top officials, including Emirates President Sir Tim Clark, had said at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual general meeting (AGM) in Dubai earlier this month that transitioning to net zero will require airline customers to pay more for their air tickets, at least in the short term. Knock-on effect “I believe that as we move to 10 per cent SAF (sustainable aviation fuels) by whatever date that is, and it starts to scale, the unit costs will start to fall,” Clark said earlier this month. “It is very important to understand that in the short term, if you are uplifting 10 per cent of your fuel and it comes out at three times the price of SAF of JP-1 (a kerosene-type jet fuel) today, then obviously it will have a knock-on effect on pricing,” said Clark. The Emirates airlines President said that if blending SAF with fossil fuel prices remains in equilibrium and doesn’t spike, the airline can absorb some, but not all, of those cost increases in the business. SEE ALSO P6 BY DHANUSHA GOKULAN Chief Reporter Gulf News’ Invest UAE seminar took place on June 25 spotlighting the lucrative economic opportunities within the UAE. The day-long event focused on the country’s thriving business environment, aiming to support both budding entrepreneurs and established enterprises in driving growth and exploring new opportunities. Government officials and experts from free zones, business set-up, legal, taxation, and auditing sectors gathered at Taj Dubai to assist start-ups, SMEs, and investors in navigating the business landscape in the country. From addressing corporate tax issues, common business formation and legal challenges to exploring new opportunities, the conference identified and addressed critical pain points that impact both new ventures and established companies | P8-9 Lufthansa says it would add an environmental charge of up to 72 euros (Dh282.3) to its fares. 1 Transitioning to net zero will require airline customers to pay more for their air tickets, at least in the short term. 2 If blending sustainable aviation fuel with fossil fuel prices remains in equilibrium and doesn’t spike, the airline can absorb some, but not all of those cost increases. ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY FLIGHTS SIGNS OF THE TIMES 4% of global warming is caused by the aviation industry SHARJAH L ured by a free treat, almost all children in a social experiment in Sharjah hearkened to an ice cream seller to step inside his van. Only 1 in 37 children hesitated to accept the man’s offer, showed the experiment, held in a controlled environment (with parental consent) at a park, under the watchful gaze of Sharjah Police and Sharjah Child Safety Department recently. All the rest readily hopped in after they were promised he would offer the ice cream for free if they came onboard and took the ice cream themselves. Shocking reality The “alarming reality” of the experiment’s result, the department said, suggests that most children are not aware of “stranger danger” — the catchphrase which is the advice of many a parent, guardian or teacher to children to not interact with people they don’t know. “The experiment’s results have underscored an urgent need to equip children with the knowledge and skills to deal safely in such scenarios,” it added. SEE ALSO P2 UAE study: Most kids face stranger danger Gulf News Report 31339365_2.1 31337628_53.1 GN FOCUS Summer activities that promote skill growth Ahead of the curve From school activities to summer lessons, education institutions continuously innovate and adapt to change, ensuring learning remains impactful SHAPING MINDS, SHAPING FUTURES T H U R S D A Y , J U N E 2 7 , 2 0 2 4

2 NATION PRAYER TIMINGS Abu Dhabi: +4 mins, Ras Al Khaimah: -4 mins, For other countries, go to gulfnews.com/guides/prayer-times Fujairah: -6 mins FAJR 04:01 DHUHUR 12:25 ASR 15:45 MAGHRIB 19:16 ISHA 20:43 THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024 | GULFNEWS.COM 31339816_1.1 — Gulf News Reports Short takes Sharjah aims to curb ‘negative behaviour’ Man arrested in raid on fake car oil warehouse Indian wins $1m in Dubai Duty Free draw Sharjah City Municipality has launched an “intensive campaign” in the city’s industrial areas to monitor and address “negative behaviour”. The campaign is being held in collaboration with strategic partners including Sharjah Police, Sharjah Civil Defence, Department of Planning and Survey, and Department of Economic Development. The move is in line with regulations and laws and to educate workers about workplace guidelines. This initiative continues efforts to correct establishments that have not complied with safety and precautionary measures. Ajman Police arrested an Asian expat for selling and storing counterfeit lubricants that were passed off as international brands. Colonel Ahmad Saeed Al Nuaimi, director of the Criminal Investigation Department at Ajman Police, said Al Hamidiya Comprehensive Police Station received a report about a warehouse in the New Industrial Area that was involved in counterfeit car oils and lubricants. A team raided the facility and recovered counterfeit oils, with false international labels. Investigations revealed that the suspect had been accused in a previous report filed at a police station. An Indian engineer based in Abu Dhabi won $1 million in the latest weekly Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw. Khaliq Naik Mohammad, 48, has been living in the UAE capital since 2012. The father of three works as an engineerinstructor at a university. Nazeer E, a 44-year-old Pakistani national in Dubai, won a Mercedes Benz S500 car in the Finest Surprise draw. Nazeer had also won a BMW F 900 XR motorbike in 2022. Kevin DSouza, a 40-year-old Portuguese national based in Dubai, won a BMW S 1000 R. Rajasekaran Samaresan, an Indian national based in the UAE, won a BMW R 1250 RS motorbike. Sharjah forum to explore data’s role in development SHARJAH T he power of data in improving health, housing, transport, education and other sectors will be explored in a first-of-its kind conference in Sharjah. The inaugural Regional Data and Community Development Forum will be held at Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre on October 9-10. Announcing details about the forum yesterday, the Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD) said it will bring together experts to highlight the power that data has in turning sustainable social development plans into tangible realities. The forum is being organised in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the GCC Statistical Centre, and various federal, regional, and international entities. Need for accurate data Highlighting the forum’s importance, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of DSCD, said: “Accurate data empowers countries to shape their futures and establish themselves as influential economic, cultural, developmental, and social forces. Within the data-driven world we live in, the effectiveness of government and private initiatives is measured by their ability to harness and utilise data effectively.” Data-driven investment In line with the UAE’s strategic vision to strengthen the data economy, the forum will focus on the rapidly growing data centre market in the UAE, which is expected to reach around Dh6.3 billion by 2027 and Dh9 billion by 2028. This significant growth is reflective of the country’s commitment to data-driven innovation. In fact, UAE ranked ninth globally in the 2023 Open Data Inventory report by Open Data Watch, which assessed data availability and openness across 187 countries. Over two days, the forum will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including decision-makers from the public and private sectors, economists, business community members, and representatives from regional and global statistical data centres. Highlighting the critical importance of data in enhancing services and infrastructure, promoting social welfare, and developing urban plans, the event aims to also serve as a valuable resource for researchers and academics. By providing insights into the latest advancements in data sciences and offering tools for research and analysis, the Forum will promote the integration of scientific data into development initiatives. Focus on turning sustainable social development plans into tangible realities Gulf News Report In the data-driven world we live in, the effectiveness of government and private initiatives is measured by their ability to harness and utilise data effectively.” Shaikh Mohammad Bin Humaid Al Qasimi | Chairman of DSCD ■ Strategic applications of data in enhancing health care efficiency through artificial intelligence, innovative educational approaches, and the role that precise data analysis has regarding housing, work, mobility, and trade. ■ Role of programmers and statistical institutions in addressing societal challenges such as natural disasters, economic turmoil, and pandemics. ■ Entrepreneurs and business owners will gain insights into data-driven strategies that can elevate their competitiveness and ensure sustainability. KEY DISCUSSIONS SHARJAH A lmost all children failed to detect ‘stranger danger’ in a social experiment conducted in Sharjah, and readily agreed to enter a stranger’s ice cream van in exchange for a free ice cream. The Sharjah Child Safety Department (CSD) yesterday unveiled “an alarming reality” about the lack of children’s awareness about their safety, as demonstrated in the social experiment conducted in partnership with Sharjah Police at Kshisha Park. How it was done With 37 young participants in a safe and controlled environment, the experiment showed that only one amongst the 37 children (2.7 per cent) hesitated to enter the ice cream van in exchange for a free ice cream. The remaining 36 children all readily accepted the stranger’s offer. The experiment created a realistic scenario in a bustling public park teeming with families. A friendly ice cream vendor approached the children, offering free treats in exchange for entering his truck. “Alarmingly, the results revealed that the vast majority of children accepted the offer without hesitation,” CSD said. Child safety awareness The social experiment was designed to assess existing child safety awareness levels in the emirate’s young residents during their interactions with strangers, and to understand the kind of guidance they and caregivers would need to navigate out of safely avert stranger danger. “The experiment’s results have underscored an urgent need to equip children with the knowledge and skills to deal safely in such scenarios.” CSD called on parents, teachers, and the wider community to collaborate in raising awareness and strengthening educational programmes to ensure children’s safety. Consequences of ignorance The department highlighted that the numerous risks an “ill-equipped child” faces include potential abduction, and heightened risk of physical harm or abuse. CSD added: “These will severely impact a child’s physical and mental health, disrupt their academic journeys as well as their social development. Gulf News Report Ultimately, CSD highlights that the adverse affects of child abuse can be lifelong and often requires intensive medical and psychological interventions.” Call for vigilance Hanadi Al Yafei, director of CSD, said the experiment’s results are an “out-and-out reminder” of the need for children to learn about safely navigating situations involving strangers, make the right decisions when they are faced with stranger danger, and a reminder to parents, educators and caregivers that they need to be more vigilant about their children’s safety. “Child safety begins with our awareness of it and the guidance we give our children about it”, she added. “The UAE has created one of the safest environments in the world to grow and flourish, however, that should not mean we neglect our responsibilities about teaching them that not always strangers can be trusted. “Awareness and education are essential to ensuring child safety and CSD is strongly committed to developing programmes that equip children with the knowledge and courage to say ‘no’ when necessary.” Families must step up The director added: “We urge every family to join this vital mission, making our homes the first place of learning and our communities a shield that protects our children.” CSD urges parents and children to keep the UAE’s Child Helpline number 800700 readily accessible for any situation threatening a child’s safety. The Department stresses vigilance and awareness as crucial to protecting children and ensuring their safety. Watch: Children fail ‘stranger danger’ social experiment in Sharjah Alarmingly, the results revealed that the vast majority of children accepted the offer without hesitation. The experiment’s results have underscored an urgent need to equip children with the knowledge and skills to deal safely in such scenarios.” Sharjah Child Safety Department The UAE has created one of the safest environments in the world to grow and flourish, however, that should not mean we neglect our responsibilities about teaching them that not always strangers can be trusted.” Hanadi Al Yafei | Director, Sharjah Child Safety Department ALL EXCEPT ONE OF 37 KIDS ENTER ICE CREAM TRUCK IN EXCHANGE FOR A FREE ICE CREAM STRANGER DANGER: Children fail Sharjah social experiment ■ The Sha rjah Child Safety Department in association with Sharjah Police conducted the social experiment at Kshisha Park. It involved a friendly ice cream vendor trying to get kids to enter his van. Sharjah Child Safety Department 800700 UAE’s Child Helpline number, which readily accessible for any situation threatening a child’s safety

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4 NATION Scan for our social media THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024 | GULFNEWS.COM DUBAI T he walls of the nearly four-decade-old building in Baniyas Square have many stories to tell — of days gone by, of people who lived there, and traders who made a living from this bustling street. However, many of these stories pale before the ones narrated by Ramesh Babu in his small office. Babu, 77, is an entrepreneur who came to Dubai 50 years ago and started an advertising company when he saw the first English newspaper and realised there was room for his passion to grow. “Look at this,” he says, “this is an advertisement I conceived and drew up with my own hands.” Babu has saved them all. Filed copies of Gulf News and other newspapers from the 1980s, magazines from yesteryears, and pamphlets that he helped draw up fill his room. The office is a museum of papers, magazines, slides, cinema, radio and TV advertisement material. “I am proud to say that I helped design some of the first advertisements published in Gulf News and other English and Arabic newspapers in the Gulf,” he says. “I used my design and drawing skills to bring out the best in the products that were displayed.” Early years Babu’s early years were spent in Kannur, Kerala, where he discovered a taste for drawing and design while working in a textile company. His trip to Dubai itself is a story. His brother, an Ayurvedic doctor in Kannur, mentioned Babu’s desire to travel to a patient, who then made all arrangements for Babu’s journey and ensured he was taken care of upon arrival. So why Dubai? “I just wanted to come to Dubai,” Babu says. “I thought about it as a place where I could buy luxury goods. It just stuck in my head. Also, I had a business mentality and wanted to make it big. I knew Dubai would give me the opportunity to turn my dreams into reality.” Babu arrived in Dubai on April 16, 1974, after a four-day voyage by ship from Mumbai (then Bombay). He is excited to tell his story because he is retelling history – 50 years of hard work that helped him establish himself in an industry that was in its nascent stages. In the initial months, Babu BY ALEX ABRAHAM Senior Associate Editor What you need to know about UAE’s new abortion legislation DUBAI A new legislation that came into effect on June 21 has added new categories for cases in which abortion is permissible in the UAE. Gulf News spoke with legal experts to find out the details of Cabinet Resolution No. 44 of 2024 ‘Concerning Permitted Abortion Cases’. What are the big changes? Madeleine Mendy, Partner and Head of the Family Law Department at Bin Sevan Advocates and Legal Consultants, explained that abortion was earlier permissible when the mother’s or the foetus’s life was at risk, and when the foetus had severe deformities. The new resolution adds three more circumstances in Article 4. “Women can now obtain abortions if the pregnancy is a result of rape, incest, or forceful intercourse, where consent was not provided or could not be provided, such as when the victim is mentally impaired.” The resolution also provides for abortions to be permitted at the request of spouses, but clarification is needed, Mendy said. Who provides consent? Diana Hamade, Founder and Managing Partner of Diana Hamade Attorneys, noted that only the woman’s consent is needed for an abortion in the UAE. However, “If she is not able to provide consent, the consent of the spouse or the guardian is required,” she said. What about emergencies? Both legal experts clarified that no spousal or guardian request is required if there is an emergency. Conditions for an abortion “Abortions can only be performed under this resolution if a report of the charges is provided by public prosecution, the pregnancy is less than 120 days at the time of the procedure and the woman’s life is not at risk. Once these conditions are fulfilled, a committee will consider each request and provide its approval for the abortion in a licensed facility,” Mendy said. Conditions for expats If the pregnant woman is a non-citizen, she must hold a valid UAE residence permit for at least one year before requesting an abortion. Authority that approves A dedicated committee within each health authority will review abortion requests. This committee will comprise three medical professionals — obstetrics and gynaecology, a psychiatry specialist and a public prosecution representative. They may consult additional specialists, if needed. The approval process The committee will examine the application and documents from the physician or the health facility within five days of the request. “The committee may seek a fatwa [religious edict] to issue its decision. In my interpretation, this will apply to Muslims legally, but not to nonMuslims,” she added. If the request is rejected “The appeal process is stated in the resolution and it is open to the pregnant woman, the husband and the guardian,” said Diana. Abortion procedures The abortion facility should be authorised by the competent health authority and should be performed by a specialist obstetrician-gynaecologist, licensed to practice within the country. Explained: Three new cases permissible for abortion, conditions that need to be met BY ZAINAB HUSAIN Features Writer BEFORE COMPUTERS CAME AROUND, ADVERTISING INDUSTRY PIONEER DREW EVERYTHING BY HAND USING CALLIGRAPHY PENS AND GADGETS NOT FOUND ANY MORE BEFORE COMPUTERS CAME AROUND, ADVERTISING INDUSTRY PIONEER DREW EVERYTHING BY HAND RAMESHBABU: 50 years of designing ads in the UAE worked odd jobs to gain a toehold in the city. Then he got a break in an advertising company, where he was asked to draw up a campaign for an ice-cream company during his interview. “The work I did eventually ran as the advertisement campaign for the ice-cream company.” A new beginning After learning the ropes, Babu started his own company in Ajman in 1977, Nayana International, which was rebranded as Eye Advertising in 1982. He then started another advertising company in Dubai, Al Oyoon Advertising in 1992, named after his father who was an eye physician. That’s when he moved his office to the current address in Baniyas Square. But life was not easy. “Once after delivering advertisement slides at Sharjah Cinema, I took a share-cab to Al Khan roundabout. As it was past 8pm, there was no transport to Dubai. So I walked back home to Deira. Although it was dark and lonely, I never felt the distance because my mind was bubbling with new ideas.” Doing it all himself Throughout his career in the advertising industry, Babu has had very few staff, preferring to do most of the designing and running around himself. When computers came on the scene, he hired a couple of additional staff to help harness technology. Babu’s wife and two daughters have shared in his work. Today he looks at decades-old newspaper clippings with pride. “I can claim to be one of the pioneers in this field in the country, and this gives me immense joy. The hard work I did with my hands has paid off for many of my clients. I am very happy and proud to see them do well.” ■ Ramesh Babu’s office in a four-decade-old building in Baniyas Square is a museum of papers, magazines, slides, cinema, radio and and TV advertisement material. Filed copies of Gulf News and other newspapers from the 1980s, magazines from yesteryears, and pamphlets that he helped draw up fill his room. Photos: Anas Thacharpadikkal/Gulf News I am proud to say that I helped design some of the first advertisements published in Gulf News and other English and Arabic newspapers in the Gulf. I used my design and drawing skills to bring out the best in the products that were displayed.” Ramesh Babu | Owner of Al Oyoon Advertising Before computers became part of our lives, advertisements for print media had to be designed by hand. This is where Babu’s expertise came into play. He painstakingly worked on drawings and created ads needed by companies, using calligraphy pens and gadgets that are not found any more. “This is a spray gun painting device,” Babu says. “I used it to paint the advertisements and label designs, and give them a particular tint.” Babu also created advertisements shown in movie halls, mostly open-air ones whose shows started at 8pm. “At one point in time, I did not have to pay to see any movie. I could just walk in because the staff knew I was the person who produced the advertisements.” Eventually, ads for nearly 50 clients from Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah found their way into print, radio, TV, and cinemas. HAND-DRAWN ADS Watch: Pioneer in advertising industry created hand-drawn images before digital era ■ The introduction of Cabinet Resolution No. (44) of 2024, expands the legal grounds for abortion in the UAE. ■ Diana Hamade ■ Madeleine Mendy Living in UAE: All your queries related to living and working in UAE answered

NATION 5 GULFNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024 70144550_2.1 Scorching summer: 6,000 workers to be trained in first aid MINISTRY INITIATIVE TO PREVENT HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES SHARJAH A s temperatures in the UAE reach close to 50 degrees Celsius and even hotter days expected ahead, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) yesterday launched an initiative to prevent heat exhaustion, heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses. On June 21, the UAE saw its hottest day of the year so far, with a maximum temperature of 49.9C recorded in Mezaira, Abu Dhabi, at 3.15pm. First aid training, site visits, and awareness campaigns through SMS and social media will be conducted to ensure that those who work outdoors are protected from the heat. These details were revealed during a press conference held yesterday in Sharjah to announce the launch of the campaign by MoHAP in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA). The campaign will cover different areas in Sharjah including Al Dhaid, Al Hamriya, Kalba, Khorfakkan, Dibba Al Hisn. It will be conducted in multiple languages. First aid training At least 6,000 workers will be trained in first aid to respond to heat-related illnesses among their colleagues as part of the ‘Heat Exhaustion Prevention’ campaign. Under the theme ‘Your safety is our goal’, the campaign will target workers during the midday work ban period throughout July and August. The campaign features educational awareness lectures at work sites, focusing on the risks and symptoms of heat exposure, providing first aid, and introducing preventive measures and best practices to avoid heat exhaustion. It also aims to educate the workers about the risks of heat exhaustion and related diseases. Free health services Additionally, it offers free screenings for vision, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and oral and dental health. Free eyeglasses will be given away to those requiring them. Workers will also receive personal protection supplies against sunlight, as well as food, water, and gifts, catering to a diverse target group of all nationalities. To promote a healthy lifestyle, the campaign will educate them about food and drinks they can take to ensure proper nutrition and hydration during summer. From July 1, authorities and partners will conduct site visits, said Mohammad Al Zarooni, director of the Ministry’s Representative Office in Sharjah. Special SMS campaign Al Zarooni said a special SMS campaign targeting families in Sharjah will also be conducted. “This is mainly to educate them about the need to protect domestic workers also from heat exhaustion. Domestic workers are required to work outdoors sometimes,” he said. “Community service is a shared responsibility among all government and private entities, institutions and individuals working as one team BY SAJILA SASEENDRAN Chief Reporter Gulf News Archives ■ Under the theme ‘Your safety is our goal’, the health ministry campaign will target workers throughout July and August. WAM ■ Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid meets with local dignitaries, heads of government entities, investors and businessmen at his weekly Majlis at the Union House in Dubai yesterday. Mohammad: Public, private partnership key to progress DUBAI H is Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, met with local dignitaries, heads of government entities, investors and businessmen at his weekly majlis at Union House in Dubai. The meeting was held in the presence of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Shaikh Mohammad said that the UAE’s development journey has been driven by a distinctive model for partnership between the public and private sectors focused on generating opportunities for development and growth. “Dubai’s economic ecosystem continues to attract leading entrepreneurs, innovators and businesses from around the world. The city’s emergence as a leading global investment destination is underpinned by our efforts to create the best conditions for sustainable growth,” he said. During the meeting, he emphasised the business community’s role in fostering entrepreneurial growth. He also highlighted the importance of inspiring more young people to embark on entrepreneurial ventures, especially in burgeoning sectors such as tourism, trade, and technology. Attendees shared insights on Dubai’s growth strategy. Maktoum, Ahmad attend weekly majlis at Union House Gulf News Report Dubai’s emergence as a leading global investment destination is underpinned by our efforts to create the best conditions for sustainable growth.” Shaikh Mohammad ABU DHABI A team of solar physicists at NYU Abu Dhabi’s Centre for Astrophysics and Space Science (CASS), led by Research Scientist Chris S. Hanson, Ph.D., has revealed the interior structure of the sun’s supergranules, a flow structure that transports heat from the sun’s hidden interior to its surface. The researchers’ analysis of the supergranules presents a challenge to the current understanding of solar convection. 23,000 supergranules identified and characterised In the study titled ‘Supergranular-scale solar convection not explained by mixing-length theory’ published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the researchers explain how they utilised Doppler, intensity and magnetic images from the helioseismic and magnetic imager (HMI) onboard Nasa’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) satellite to identify and characterise approximately 23,000 supergranules. Since the sun’s surface is opaque to light, the NYUAD scientists used sound waves to probe the interior structure of the supergranules. These sound waves, which are generated by the smaller granules and are everywhere in the sun, have been successfully used in the past in a field known as Helioseismology. By analysing such a large dataset of supergranules, which were estimated to extend 20,000km below the surface of the sun, the scientists were able to determine the up and down flows associated with supergranular heat transport with unprecedented accuracy. In addition to inferring how deep the supergranules extend, the scientists also discovered that the downflows appeared 40 per cent weaker than the upflows. The authors theorise that the “missing” or unseen component could consist of small scale (under 100km) plumes that transport cooler plasma down into the sun’s interior. The sound waves in the sun would be too big to sense these plumes, making the downflows appear weaker. These findings cannot be explained by the widely used mixing-length description of solar convection. NYUAD SOLAR STUDY Researchers shed new light on how heat is transmitted Gulf News Report to ensure the well-being of all community members.” Mira Shuhail, head of Special Programmes Division at Health Education Department of SCFA, said it is a must for companies to provide first aid before medical help arrives when any worker exhibits symptoms of heat stress. “We will provide them with first aid boxes and our partners will train them in first aid,” she said. Iman Rashid Saif, director of the SCFA’s Health Promotion Department of SCFA, explained that the campaign will focus on raising awareness about the importance of drinking enough water, wearing appropriate clothing, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight during peak hours and eating the right food. satellite to identify and granules. Since the sun’s surface is opaque to light, Community service is a shared responsibility among all government and private entities, institutions and individuals working as one team to ensure the well-being of all community members.” Mohammad Al Zarooni | Director of the health ministry’s Representative Office in Sharjah

BUSINESS 6 Scan for our social media THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024 | GULFNEWS.COM Trial of autonomous delivery robots begin at Dubai Silicon Oasis DUBAI T he pilot testing of Aramex’s pioneering autonomous robot delivery system has begun at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) special economic zone. The initiative, also driven by Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (Diez), marks a significant step towards the integration of sustainable autonomous delivery vehicles within the urban fabric of Dubai. This is in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and represents a pivotal step in the realisation of Dubai’s vision to convert 25 per cent of its transportation system to autonomous mode by 2030. Multi-cabin robot The pilot testing, scheduled to run for three months, is set to achieve full operational status by September. Initially, it will cover the Cedre Villas community in Dubai Silicon Oasis. This phase introduces a state-of-the-art multi-cabin delivery robot, a significant upgrade from previous single-cabin bot deployments. With the capability to make multiple deliveries per trip, it enhances operational efficiency and is projected to reduce carbon emissions by over 500 kilograms during its three-month tenure. Model worth emulating Moreover, the robot is expected to autonomously deliver over 1,000 packages to customers within the Cedre Villas community. Anticipating future expansions, Diez plans to expand this initiative to encompass its other economic zones, including the Dubai Airport Freezone and Dubai CommerCity. Residents expecting Aramex packages will be provided with a secure pin code to access their deliveries, ensuring safety and security. Additionally, the operation will be bolstered by a mobile outlet stationed at Cedre Shopping Centre to facilitate continuous loading and unloading, as well as the monitoring of all bot operations. Eight compartments The delivery bot is outfitted with advanced technologies such as a depth camera, multiple human-bot interface elements, and extensive 360-degree video coverage, ensuring optimal performance in both indoor and outdoor environments. Its design, which includes a swappable battery pack and eight compartments for different parcel sizes, demonstrates a dedication to solving the logistical demands of today’s urban living. Green push Muammar Khalid Al Katheeri, chief officer of engineering and sustainability at Diez, said, “By introducing carbon-neutral delivery robots at DSO, as part of our Smart City Strategy’s focus on smart mobility, we are showcasing our dedication to incorporating advanced technology for a greener future.” Tarek Abuyaghi, general manager of Aramex, added, “We are thrilled to partner with Diez for this groundbreaking initiative, which enhances our last-mile delivery services. Our commitment to operating smart, efficient, and customer-friendly services is unwavering, with innovation at its core — driving us to continuously improve efficiency and prioritise environmental sustainability.” Pilot testing to run for three months, will be operational by September Remittances to developing nations to pick up pace DUBAI A fter a period of strong growth during 2021- 2022, officially recorded remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) moderated in 2023, reaching an estimated $656 billion, according to the World Bank’s latest Migration and Development Brief, released yesterday. The modest 0.7 per cent growth rate reflects large variances in regional growth, but remittances remained a crucial source of external finance for developing countries in 2023, bolstering the current accounts of several countries grappling with food insecurity and debt issues. In 2023, remittances surpassed foreign direct investment (FDI) and official development assistance (ODA). Looking ahead, remittances to LMICs are expected to grow at a faster rate of 2.3 per cent in 2024, although this growth will be uneven across regions. Potential downside risks to these projections include weaker than expected economic growth in high-income migrant-hosting countries and volatility in oil prices and currency exchange rates. Regional remittance trends “Migration and resulting remittances are essential drivers of economic and human development,” said Iffath Sharif, global director of the Social Protection and Jobs Global Practice at the World Bank. Regional remittance trends show that remittances to East Asia and Pacific, excluding China, grew by 4.8 per cent to $85 billion in 2023 and remittances to Europe and Central Asia fell by 10.3 per cent to $71 billion. In Latin America and the Caribbean, remittance growth slowed to 7.7 per cent in 2023, reaching $156 billion. Remittances to the Middle East and North Africa fell by 15 per cent to $55 billion. Those to South Asia grew by 5.2 per cent in 2023, reaching $186 billion and to sub-Saharan Africa reached $54 billion in 2023, a slight decrease of 0.3 per cent. Sending remittances remains too costly. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the global average cost of sending $200 was 6.4 per cent of the amount being sent, slightly up from 6.2 per cent a year earlier. and well above the SDG target of 3 per cent. — WAM World Bank predicts growth will be uneven across regions given oil, currency volatility LUFTHANSA THE LATEST AIRLINE TO ADD ENVIRONMENTAL CHARGE AFTER AIR FRANCE IN 2022 BERLIN L ufthansa will add an environmental charge of up to 72 euros ($77) to its fares, the airline group said on Tuesday, joining at least one European rival in doing so as the industry battles to cover the cost of new EU rules on reducing emissions. The question on everyone’s minds are will more airlines follow suit? Airlines have warned for years that global regulations requiring them to use more expensive sustainable jet fuel could drive up costs. Ticket prices worldwide have already surged in recent years in the post-Covid travel boom, raising fears that further increases could start deterring travellers from flying. Contribution charge The German airline group flagged that fares will go up between 1 euro and 72 euros, depending on the type of ticket, on all flights departing from European Union countries, Britain, Norway and Switzerland. Some of the increases were effective from yesterday for departures starting from Jan. 1, 2025 onwards. It added the charge would “cover part of the steadily rising additional costs due to regulatory environmental requireAirfares are on the rise ■ RTA, Diez and talabat UAE announced the pilot launch of autonomous food delivery robots in DSO in February last year. Shutterstock Gulf News Report ments” such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from bio-based materials — regarded as crucial to making flying less polluting. Aviation is deemed responsible for about 2 per cent of the world’s emissions but is considered one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise as fuel for flights cannot be easily replaced with other kinds of power. Ripple effects European regulators introduced rules that ask fuel suppliers to ensure 2 per cent of fuel at EU airports is SAF by 2025, rising to 6 per cent in 2030 and 70 per cent in 2050, with many arguing these measures will increase costs for the sector. “I think it is logical to assume that other airlines will follow Lufthansa’s lead as it looks to pass on the increasing cost of environmental regulations in the EU,” said Dudley Shanley, an analyst at Ireland-based brokerage Goodbody. Followers and outliers Air France-KLM imposed an SAF contribution charge in January 2022, it said, adding up to 12 euros on business fares and up to four euros on economy fares at the time. It is now considering broadly similar measures to Lufthansa, a person familiar with the matter said, indicating a charge that could be higher. “We have a SAF contribution in place, applicable to all flights [not only on departure from Europe] to transparently reflect the additional cost of incorporating sustainable aviation fuel,” an Air France-KLM spokesperson said in an emailed statement. British carrier easyJet, which has focused much of its environmental strategy on carbon reductions using hydrogen technology, said it wasn’t planning on following in Lufthansa’s footsteps. “We don’t apply legacy carrier surcharges and have no plans to do so,” an easyJet spokesperson told Reuters. Cost warnings British Airways owner IAG, Ryanair and Wizz Air were not immediately available to comment on whether they would introduce similar measures to Lufthansa. Singapore’s government also introduced a levy on flight tickets earlier this year to help fund the additional cost of SAF. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr warned last year the EU targets would be hard to achieve and hinted that higher costs would be passed on to customers. The price hike, which the airline called an “Environmental Cost Surcharge”, will cover part of these costs for 2025 and will apply for all airlines in the Lufthansa group except for Eurowings tickets sold directly by the company, a spokesperson said. Bite across the board On short and medium-haul flights, the fares will go up by up to five euros in economy and seven for business class. On long-haul flights, the costs will go up between 18 and 36 euros for business fares and up to 72 euros for first class fares from 2025, Lufthansa confirmed to Reuters. A spokesperson said the move was not tied to Lufthansa’s high labour costs after strikes this year, which led the airline to issue a profit warning ahead of first quarter results. — Reuters 2% of global emissions is caused by the aviation industry, considered one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise 72euros Lufthansa’s green fee per ticket on long-haul first class flights; 18- 36 euros on business class; 7 euros on short and mediumhaul business class flights and 5 euros for economy 70% of fuel at EU airports must become SAF by 2050; 2% by 2015 and 6% by 2030 1,000 packages to customers within Cedre Villas to be delivered during the trial 500kg carbon emissions projected to be reduced during 3-month pilot By introducing carbon-neutral delivery robots at DSO... we are showcasing our dedication to incorporating advanced technology for a greener future.” Muammar Khalid Al Katheeri| Chief officer of engineering and sustainability at Diez The delivery bot is outfitted with advanced technologies such as a depth camera, multiple human-bot interface elements, and extensive 360-degree video coverage. $656b remittance flows to lowand middle-income countries in 2023 2.3% growth of remittances to LMICs in 2024, against 0.7% in 2023 Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr warned last year the EU targets would be hard to achieve and hinted that higher costs would be passed on to customers. GREENER SKIES, HIGHER COSTS

BUSINESS 7 GULFNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024 Trust robots with your money? ON GULFNEWS.COM Is artificial intelligence revolutionising investment strategies? In the fast-paced world of finance, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a gamechanger, promising to revolutionise the way we approach trading and investment strategies. — Chantal Fouad, Assistant Editor AI in investing: Friend or foe? Unlock profitable strategies Dubai Airports taps AI for inventory forecasts DUBAI D ubai Airports said its AIpowered tool has helped it predict how many spare parts it will need in the future for operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). According to the operator, its Material Requirement Planning (MRP) tool, powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, “transformed behind-the-scenes supply management operations”. “This innovative approach has enhanced service levels, streamlined inventory management, and boosted operational efficiency across the organisation, contributing to a superior experience for airport guests,” said Dubai Airports. “Over the past year, the MRP tool helped the inventory team predict future spare parts consumption. With parts on hand, the team can promptly execute engineering work orders, resulting in quicker maintenance responses and fewer disruptions for airport guests.” The MRP tool has improved forecast accuracy by 30 per cent, allowing for precise inventory planning and reducing excess stock by 12 per cent. The airports operator said improved forecasting has led to a 24 per cent increase in service levels, enabling faster response times for facility maintenance and enhancing the overall guest experience. — WAM Tool enhances forecast accuracy by 30%, cuts excess parts by 12% DUBAI R etail prices of smartphone and personal computers (PCs) in Dubai are dropping significantly, with discounts reaching up to 50 per cent, even on the latest models. These reductions, the biggest in four years, are partly due to summer promotions, but also reflect retailers’ efforts to clear inventory ahead of the anticipated launch of high-profile AIenabled devices in the second half of the year. Currently, notebook PCs, tablets (except the latest iPad), and even some newly released smartphones are available at discounted prices. Discounts range from 10 to 20 per cent online and in stores, with some PC brands offering up to 50 per cent off. What will fuel sale? “The heavy discounts could make this summer the best one since mid-2020 for tech gadgets and smartphones,” said an online retailer. “This summer, retailers are hoping that they can capture significant sales from shoppers who want to wait before upgrading to AI-enabled gadgets. This year’s summer and ‘back to school’ promotions will be extremely crucial for UAE tech retail.” AI-powered tech Upcoming releases include Microsoft’s new Copilot notebook PCs. “All tech brands are preparing to launch new PC line ups that integrate AI capabilities and AI enabled devices,” said Rajat Asthana, chief operating officer at Eros Group, a Dubai-headquartered tech retailer. “What we see with in UAE market is a serious attempt to clear the old inventory before the next big launches. It’s great news for tech retailers as we feel AI is going to stimulate new demand for upgrades of devices and be the new driver to growth.” Tech retail industry sources say that PC brands are rushing to ensure they have the Copilot BY MANOJ NAIR Business Editor Why phones, computers sell up to 50% cheaper in UAE now DISCOUNTS ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST IN 4 YEARS — SUMMER OFFERS ARE JUST HALF OF THE STORY loaded devices available in plenty in the UAE and Gulf markets ahead of the school reopenings and through September and October, which is when the tourist and corporate buying season starts to pick up. Initially, the AI features will make the products costlier. “Lenovo, Asus and HP recently introduced Copilot-based notebooks in the Dh4,000 plus range,” said Asthana. “The Asus Vivobook S15 is one of the first Copilot notebooks to hit the local market at the end of this month and priced at Dh5,499. User experience is key Tech companies understand that user experience is key to AI adoption. “The rapid advancement of AI technology has indeed placed a significant responsibility on tech companies to integrate AI capabilities into their products swiftly,” said Fadi Abu Shamat, Head of the Mobile eXperience Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics. “This urgency mirrors the roll-out of 5G — where the availability of compatible devices was crucial for adoption. For companies like Samsung, the imperative to embed AI into our devices is not just about keeping pace with technological trends but redefining user experiences and putting AI-powered applications into the heart of devices.” Apple’s AI play With its new iPad, Apple has provided a taster for what AI devices could be in for in the second-half of the year. The UAE release of the iPad, which is Apple’s first model with an extensive set of AI features, has been met with solid initial demand, according to retailers. “The Samsung Galaxy S24 [launched early this year] has already shown that smartphone users are willing to upgrade to AI,” said a retail sector analyst. “Until recently, the question was what Apple’s plans were for AI. That’s been answered, and Gulf markets will see heavy demand for AI-backed devices. “A clear beneficiary will be the next iPhone.” It was in mid-2020 that the UAE tech market last saw the biggest rise in consumer spending on new devices. At the time, residents were rushing to upgrade to be prepared for the Covidinduced work or study from home requirements. Device prices too were higher because of shortages of chips and supply. Retailers are hoping that 2024 will bring on a similar level of demand for AI-powered gadgets. —M. N. WILL AI-ENABLED DEVICES SET OFF A SALES SPIKE? The integration of AI is seen as a transformative step that can elevate the functionality and intelligence of everyday devices, making them more intuitive and responsive to user needs.” Fadi Abu Shamat | Head of the Mobile eXperience Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics Dh4,000 starting price of PCs with Microsoft’s AI tool Copilot built in Dh5,499 price of Asus Vivobook S15, one of the first Copilot notebooks 3591915_1_1 3591780_2_2 31339779_1_1 3591927_2_2 JOBS E-mail: [email protected] Tel. 600 587234 &CAREERS

BUSINESS INVEST UAE 8 THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024 | GULFNEWS.COM Do the research and decide on the sector you want to operate in. It can be overwhelming as the UAE offers so many opportunities across various sectors.” Micky Bhatia | Founder of Elevate Trips Free zones offer SMEs, start-ups, and established businesses convenient, accessible, and seamless solutions for launching and expanding operations.” Mohammad Bin Humaidan | Director of Meydan Free Zone Kezad aims to be a global platform for various industries... Each zone offers specific incentives... tailored to meet the needs of different sectors.” VinayaM. George| Comm &Business Development Manager, Kezad Entrepreneurs often face various challenges... We educate investors on local rules and regulations to ease their business set-up process.” Zubair Makhdoomi | Head of B2B, Free Zones Authority of Ajman Free zones offer ideal conditions for B2B transactions with mainland entities, as well as import-export businesses...” Syam Prabhu | MD & senior consultant, Aurion The UAE stands out due to its geographical location, outstanding infrastructure, and strong security and safety. Recent legislative advancements have elevated the UAE’s global standing.” Charbel Fadel | Partner, Galadari Advocates & Legal Consultants The UAE’s location and government support are critical in fostering a thriving business environment. The government makes it easy for entrepreneurs to set up their companies remotely.” Haya Daye | Business development manager, Shuraa Consultancy Ourmandate is to grow Dubai’s digital economy with a target of nearly 20 per cent.Given Dubai’s limited oil and gas resources, the focus is on business and advanced technologies. The D33 Economic Agenda lists numerous initiatives to double growth.” Hans Larsen | Manager, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy The main reason the UAE is an investment hub is because of the country’s leadership and their vision. Long-term visas and opportunities for entrepreneurs are key enablers, making the UAE the best in the world for business.” Rajesh Somani | Chairman, Institute of CAs of India in UAE NAVIGATING UAE’S BUSINESS LANDSCAPE: PERSPECTIVES FROM INDUSTRY LEADERS FREE ZONES AUTHORITY OF AJMANSETTO DOUBLE DOWN ENTITY HAS PLANS TO BRING IN TWICE THE FIRMS IT DID LAST YEAR DUBAI F ree Zones Authority of Ajman is targeting to register over 10,000 companies this year, which marks a 100 per cent increase from last year, Ismail Al Naqi, director-general of Free Zones Authority of Ajman, told Gulf News on the sidelines of the Invest UAE seminar at Taj Dubai, Business Bay. “Last year we successfully registered 5,000 companies. This year, reflecting our ambitious spirit, we have set a target to double this number. This growth target is an expression of our confidence in the conducive business environment we strive to create and maintain within the UAE,” he said. Free Zones Authority of Ajman, Platinum Sponsor of Gulf News’ Invest UAE seminar, operates Ajman Free Zone, Al Zorah Free Zone, Ajman China Mall, Ajman Car Souq and Ajman Media City. Bringing together industry experts from free zones, business set-up, legal, taxation, and accounting realms, Invest UAE showcased lucrative business opportunities within the UAE. Achieving this target required a transformative overhaul of Ajman free zones’ internal processes. “We’ve revamped our entire product offerings through collaborative efforts with industry experts and entrepreneurs,” said Al Naqi. Zero bureaucracy Embracing the UAE’s zero bureaucracy approach, Free Zones Authority of Ajman has eliminated unnecessary red tape involved in establishing and running a business. “We are among the fastest growing authority globally in terms of company registrations. Entrepreneurs can now establish businesses at Ajman Free Zone and Ajman Media City with just one click — this is a testament to our commitment to efficiency and support for entrepreneurial success in the UAE.” Free Zones Authority of Ajman aligns closely with the strategic vision of the UAE to position itself as a global hub BY CHIRANTI SENGUPTA Senior Editor, Commercial Publishing across various industries. “To support this vision, we focus on understanding the needs of start-ups and entrepreneurs looking to establish or expand their businesses within the UAE. Our approach involves co-creating products, solutions, and services through a scientific process with our current and potential clients,” he explained. To achieve its goal of registering 10,000 companies across diverse industries, Free Zones Authority of Ajman is expanding its international alliances and aggressively promoting the UAE worldwide. “We attract RAKEZ committed to supporting SMEs DUBAI R AKEZ, with its robust ecosystem supporting over 23,000 companies, prioritises innovation and sector-specific support to empower SMEs and advance the UAE’s economic diversification agenda. “Eighty per cent of companies operating at RAKEZ are SMEs. Our focus is on attracting SMEs from across the world to the Mena region by offering easy, cost-effective market entry packages,” said John Cunliffe, Strategic Business Development Director at RAKEZ, on the sidelines of Gulf News’ Invest UAE seminar. Making it easier “These packages allow foreign investors and entrepreneurs to quickly get visas and licences, test their products or services, and assess market traction with minimal risk. We provide ongoing support to them by facilitating introductions within our diverse ecosystem and helping businesses connect with government entities through our government relations team,” said Cunliffe. Plans to attract SMEs from around the world to the Mena region Gulf News Report Compliances make it complex for firms DUBAI F or home-grown businesses that have thrived in the tax-free regime of the UAE, acclimatising themselves to the new corporate tax ecosystem is a huge task. Misconceptions abound about exemptions, excluded activities, qualifications for zero per cent taxation in free zones, mainland intercompany transactions, transfer pricing rules and more, said Sahil Mehta, CEO of Shuraa Tax Consultants, on the sidelines of Invest UAE, organised by Gulf News. “All these are quite new and challenging concepts for businesses. There are chances of misinterpretation if a layperson tries to understand the legislation by himself. That’s where we add value.” According to Mehta, compliance complexity has proved to be a major challenge for businesses. Safeguarding interests With the help of professional service providers such as Shuraa Tax Consultants, businesses can become compliant and safeguard their interests. “We help clients with corporate tax assessment, planning their revenue streams, expenses, advising them on transfer pricing methods and, of course, filing of taxes so they don’t end up paying any penalties or fines.” Service providers like Shuraa Tax Consultants help simplify the process Gulf News Report Al Naqi: UAE free zones serve as powerful engines for start-ups and SMEs ■ John Cunliffe ■ Sahil Mehta ■ Ismail Al Naqi, directorgeneral of the Free Zones Authority of Ajman, addresses a keynote session, ‘An ecosystem designed for growth’, at the Gulf News’ Invest UAE seminar. Anas Thacharpadikkal/Gulf News 23,000 number of companies that RAKEZ’s ecosystem supports

BUSINESS INVEST UAE 9 GULFNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024 ■ Nirav Shah, Sahil Mehta of Shuraa Tax Consultants, Mostafa Elrefaey, Alia Noor, and Hozefa Saifuddin talked about how corporate tax will boost global competiveness. ■ Wasiff Khan, Partner and MD GCC, Liberty Business Advisors, during a session on navigating business acquisitions in the UAE market. ■ Naveen Sharma, Sheetal Soni, Jaison Mandapathil, and Muneer Al Wafaa exchanged ideas on corporate tax and auditing in the UAE and how to adapt to change. ■ Mohammad Bin Humaidan, Zubair Makhdoomi, John Cunliffe of Rakez, Neelam Sharma, and Syam Prabhu discussed the role of free zones in fostering entrepreneurial growth at the insightful seminar. ■ Charbel Fadel, Haya Daye, Hans Larsen, Rajesh Somani, Micky Bhatia, and Vinaya M. George explored why the UAE is an investment haven, at the Gulf News’ Invest UAE seminar held at Taj Dubai, Business Bay, on Tuesday. The UAE remains a land of unparalleled opportunity for savvy investors ready to navigate its dynamic market.” Wasiff Khan | Partner and MD, GCC, Liberty Business Advisors The UAE’s innovation in artificial intelligence, VR, and renewable energy opens up significant opportunities in emerging sectors.” Neelam Sharma | Managing partner, Neeja Corporate Services For businesses with revenues exceeding Dh50m, and for qualified free zone companies, auditing is mandatory under the new corporate tax regulations.” Naveen Sharma | Founder & chairman, Taxation Society in UAE Along with its geographical location and overall ease of doing business, this new tax compliance is helping [the UAE] attract more international businesses.” Nirav Shah | Director, Fame Advisory Compliance now encompasses tax, anti-money laundering measures, and corporate regulations,making it a comprehensive landscape for businesses.” Jaison Mandapathil | Hussain Al Shemsi Chartered Accountants According to a Mars Intelligence report, corporate tax holds the potential to generate a revenue of Dh47.7 billion in the first year for the UAE government.” Alia Noor | Associate partner, Ahmad Alagbari Chartered Accountants Corporate tax necessitated upgrading our technology to align our accounting systems, auditing processes, and internal controls to meet global standards.” Muneer Al Wafaa | Founder and CEO, Al Wafaa Group Most firms in the UAE, more than 85 per cent, are SMEs, so it will take some time for all of them to become tax-compliant.” Mostafa Elrefaey | MD, Integrity Accounting Services The tax legislation offers various reliefs, extending opportunities to eliminate the entity’s tax liabilities pertaining to pre-tax regime.” Sheetal Soni | Partner, MICS International DMCC Beingmore tax-compliant, understanding taxation better, and accepting it as part of your business cost would make your business much better.” Hozefa Saifuddin | Co-founder and CEO, Brooks Group talent, entrepreneurs, and businesses that contribute to the region’s rapid growth.” Regarding sectoral growth, Free Zones Authority of Ajman caters comprehensively from freelancers to start-ups, SMEs, and large industries. In its journey to support entrepreneurs, Free Zones Authority of Ajman aims to be more than just partners. “We strive to be integral to their success. Our ultimate objective is sincere and honest: add value to our business community and play a significant role in contributing to the development of the creative and knowledge economy in the UAE.” Embracing the UAE’s zero bureaucracy approach, Free Zones Authority of Ajman has eliminated unnecessary red tape involved in establishing and running a business. UAE is the ultimate business launchpad DUBAI W ith the UAE elevating its global hub status and enhancing ease of doing business, entrepreneurs are seizing the moment to start, grow, or expand, says Neha Thomas, Head of Marketing at Creative Zone, in a fireside chat at Invest UAE at Taj Dubai. “People are coming here from across the globe,” she says. “If you ask me if today’s the right time, I would say yes, even if you asked me yesterday or tomorrow. The UAE economy shows no pause, especially in the past five years.” Thomas highlighted the surge in real estate transactions and the streamlined process of obtaining business licences. “It’s so much easier to start a business now,” she explained. “You can get your licence in 24 hours, 12 hours, or even two hours. However, the trade licence is just the beginning. What comes after that involves compliance, tax, accounting, banking, and visas.” The government’s incentives and the presence of angel investors create a fertile ground for new ventures, she added. Now is the perfect time to start a business, says marketing expert Gulf News Report It’s so much easier to start a business now. You can get your licence in 24 hours, 12 hours, or even two hours.” Neha Thomas | Head of Marketing at Creative Zone

10 THE VIEWS Scan for our social media THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024 | GULFNEWS.COM WEAPONISING HUNGER IN GAZA MUST END Images of starving Palestinians chasing aid boxes parachuted into the besieged enclave highlight our failed morality H umanitarian aid should never be politicised though, quite often, the very survival of nations is used as political bargaining chips. Sadly, Gaza remains a prime example. Even before the current war, the Gaza Strip suffered under a 17-year hermetic blockade, which has rendered the impoverished area virtually unlivable. That very term “unlivable” was used by the then-UN Special Rapporteur for the Situation of Palestine, Michael Lynk, in 2018. As of mid-December, “nearly 70 per cent of Gaza’s 439,000 homes and about half of its buildings have been damaged or destroyed”, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing experts who conducted a thorough analysis of satellite data. As tragic as the situation was in December, now it is far worse. Sixty seven per cent of Gaza’s water, sanitation facilities and infrastructure have been destroyed or damaged, according to a statement by the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees, on June 19, leading to the spreading of infectious diseases, which has ravaged the beleaguered population for months. The spread of disease is also linked to the accumulation of garbage everywhere in Gaza. Earlier, the refugees agency reported that “as of June 9, over 330,000 tonnes of waste have accumulated in or near populated areas across Gaza, posing catastrophic environmental [and] health risks”. Israel’s strategy of complete siege The situation was already disastrous. Indeed, three years before the war, the Global Institute for Water, Environment and Health said, in a joint statement with the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, that 97 per cent of Gaza water was undrinkable and unfit for human consumption. Yet, so far, any conversation on allowing aid to Gaza, or the rebuilding of Gaza after the war, has been placed largely within political contexts. By shutting down all border crossings, including the Egypt-Gaza Rafah Crossing — which, on June 17, was set ablaze — Israel has politicised food, fuel and medicine as tools in its war in the Strip. This is not a mere inference, but the actual statement made by Israeli Minister of Defence, Yoav Gallant, who on October 9, declared that he had ordered a “complete siege” and that “there will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, no water” entering Gaza. The timing of the statement, which has indeed been put into action from the first day of the war, suggests that Israel did not apply the strategy as a last resort. It was one of the most important pieces in the war stratagem, which remains in effect to this day. On March 3, the US Air Force started airdropping aid into northern Gaza. A far more conducive option for Palestinians, however, would have been direct US pressure on Israel to allow access to aid trucks arriving through Rafah, Karem Abu Salem Crossing or any other. Consequences of politicising aid Scenes and images of thousands of starving Palestinians chasing after boxes of aid parachuted in Gaza will remain etched in the collective memory of humanity as an example of our failed morality. News reports spoke of whole families who were killed under the weight of the dropped ‘aid’, much of which had fallen in the Mediterranean, never to be retrieved. Even the Gaza pier, constructed by the US military on the Gaza shore last month, did little to alleviate the situation. It merely transported 137 aid trucks, according to the US’ own estimation, enough to cover Gaza’s need for food for a few hours only. During the years of siege, an average of 500 trucks arriving daily in Gaza has kept the 2.3 million population of the Strip alive, though malnourished. To deal with the outcome of the war, and to stave off current starvation, especially in the north, the number of aid trucks would have to be much higher. Yet, whole days would pass without a single truck making its way to the suffering population. This is unacceptable. The problem with politicising aid is that innocent civilians become a bargaining chip for politicians and military men. This goes against the very foundation of international humanitarian law. According to the International Red Cross, citing The Hague Conventions, “international humanitarian law is the branch of international law that seeks to impose limits on the destruction and suffering caused by armed conflict.” In Gaza, no such “limits” have been “imposed” by anyone. Providing aid to Gaza and ensuring the reconstruction of the Strip must not be a political item for negotiations. It is a basic human right that must be honoured under any circumstance. Meaningful pressure must be placed on Israel to end the Gaza siege, and urgent plans must be drafted, starting today, by representatives of UN humanitarian institutions, the Arab League and Palestinian authorities to be the entities responsible for delivering aid to Gaza. Humanitarian aid to Gaza must not be used as political leverage, or a tool in a cruel war, whose primary victims are millions of Palestinian civilians. ■ Dr. Ramzy Baroud is a journalist, author and editor. He is the author of six books. BY RAMZY BAROUD | Special to Gulf News _____•_____ Priyanka Gandhi: Will the late bloomer shine? A new chapter for Rahul Gandhi’s sister as she makes her debut in Indian electoral politics I n India, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, 52, is an instinctive politician who has conformed to traditional patriarchal norms, perhaps even by herself, deferring what the Congress party considered a “natural debut” to her late 40s. Priyanka has always deferred to her older brother Rahul Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi, both former Congress party presidents, and will finally make her parliamentary debut from Wayanad in Kerala, which her elder brother is vacating in favour of being the member of parliament from Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh. The Gandhi family is close-knit, inseparable, and fiercely protective of each other, so much so that many attempts by the Delhi durbar, who thrive on palace politics, to cause rifts between them have been repulsed. The Gandhi family is intensely private, and perhaps the bonds of tragedy involving the assassination of two beloved family members, both former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, have strengthened family ties with heavy tragic bonds. Nevertheless, Priyanka, who was pulled out of Welham, a girls’ boarding school, after the tragic death of her grandmother to be homeschooled, bid to snatch a normal Delhi girl’s life from the extraordinary circumstances that surrounded her. Priyanka did her graduation in psychology from Jesus & Mary College, a girls’ college in Delhi, and has done her post-graduation in Buddhist studies, which apparently fascinated her. Priyanka has two children with her husband Robert Vadra, who is always given the suffix “controversial” in Indian media. Vadra has publicly aired his desire to get into active politics from time to time. As the three members of the Gandhi family will now all be in Parliament together for the first time, Vadra’s political debut is unlikely to happen. Priyanka is always quick to credit her brother as a political inspiration but is a much more articulate and effective speaker than Rahul Gandhi. Her political jibes, which don’t cross the line into being personal and disrespectful, hark back to a vintage political era when electoral democracy was about opposing the government, not personal vendettas. Gandhi looked delighted when it was announced that she would be the candidate for Wayanad, as her electoral debut has been delayed many times. Despite her heirloom status, Priyanka has had an uphill battle in politics, trying and failing to revive the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh as the general secretary in charge of UP. It was an underwhelming debut. Priyanka, however, also took political calls behind the scenes, some total failures, such as the removal of Captain Amrinder Singh as Punjab chief minister, which virtually ushered in the Aam Aadmi Party government in the border state. Priyanka offers no transformational politics but what she has displayed is grit and courage not to abandon politics when the Congress party hit its nadir. Priyanka has always worked behind the scenes for the Gandhi family. It will be interesting to finally see her face off against the Modi government in Parliament. ■ SwatiChaturvedi is an award-winning journalist and author. BY SWATI CHATURVEDI | Special to Gulf News _____•_____ Readmore Views online Biden vs Trump: A critical debate for Democrats Netanyahu’s future hangs in balance with Biden’s peace plan ON GULFNEWS.COM Rising temperatures E xcessive heat worldwide is becoming an increasingly pressing issue that demands our attention. From scorching heatwaves to rising average temperatures, the impact of excessive heat is being felt across the globe. The consequences of this phenomenon are farreaching and affect various aspects of life, including public health, agriculture, and the environment. One of the most immediate and concerning effects of excessive heat is its impact on public health. Addressing the issue of excessive heat requires a multifaceted approach that includes mitigation, adaptation, and international cooperation. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources and implementation of sustainable land use practices are essential for mitigating the long-term impacts. Additionally, governments, communities, and individuals must invest in adaptation strategies to protect public health, ensure food security, and safeguard vulnerable ecosystems in the face of rising temperatures. International collaboration and information sharing are also crucial for addressing the global nature of this challenge. We can strive to mitigate its adverse effects and build more resilient and sustainable communities. ■ PRIYA MOHAN UAE India at T20 World Cup A s the T20 Cricket World Cup draws to a close, the performances of some Indian players are under scrutiny. One particular area of concern for India is Shivam Dube’s performance (“Why India should replace Shivam Dube with Yashasvi Jaiswal or Sanju Samson in T20 Cricket World Cup”, Gulf News, June 21). One potential replacement for Dube could be Jaiswal. His ability to score quickly and aggressively could make him a valuable asset in the T20 format. Another contender for the spot is Sanju Samson. His aggressive yet composed style of batting could provide the Indian team with the stability and firepower it needs in the middle order. Ultimately, the decision of whether to replace Dube with Jaiswal or Samson will depend on various factors, including current form, team balance, and specific match conditions. It will be a challenging decision for the team management, but one that could have a significant impact on India’s performance. ■ AFSAL SHAH India ■ Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on [email protected]. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @ GNReaders A treat for skywatchers T he world is set to witness a rare and potentially remarkable astronomical event on Saturday (“Brightest asteroid in over a decade to pass close to Earth next Saturday”, Gulf News, June 24). The asteroid designated 2024 MK will make its closest approach to our planet at approximately 5.41am UAE time, coming within just 295,000km from Earth. With a diameter of 187 metres, the 2024 MK is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid due to its size and proximity to Earth. This close encounter serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for continued scientific exploration and vigilance in monitoring nearEarth objects for the safety of our home in the cosmos. ■ AJAY SHANKAR UAE Letters to the Editor Printed and Published by Al Nisr Publishing LLC, P.O. Box 6519, Dubai, UAE www.gulfnews.com DISCLAIMER. Opinions expressed by writers and readers don’t necessarily reflect the newspaper’s views, unless otherwise stated. LEGAL NOTICE. Unless otherwise stated all graphics, illustrations and pictures published herein are of Gulf News copyright. Permissions in writing have to be gained beforehand to use any Gulf News copyright material. Gulf News reserves the right to take appropriate legal action should there be any contravention of this statement. Contact numbers: SUBSCRIPTIONS UAE:600 587234 EDITORIAL UAE:3447100 Email: [email protected] ADVERTISING 600 587234 Email: [email protected] CIRCULATION 600 587234 Email: [email protected]

MIDDLE EAST 11 GULFNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024 Presidential hopefuls in Iran struggle to offer fix for economic woes VOTERS STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET IN A COUNTRY THAT HAS SEEN INFLATION, UNEMPLOYMENT SOAR DUBAI C andidates in tomorrow’s Iranian presidential election have vowed to revive the flagging economy, but voters see little prospect of relief from a cost of living squeeze without an end to sanctions and an easing of Iran’s international isolation. The daily struggle of ordinary Iranians to make ends meet is a persistent challenge for Iran’s ruling clerics, who fear a revival of protests that have erupted periodically by lower and middle-income communities. The reinstatement of US sanctions in 2018 hit Iran’s oil exports, slashing government revenues and forcing it to take unpopular steps such as increasing taxes and running big budget deficits, policies that have kept annual inflation close to 40 per cent. Although the country has avoided total economic meltdown, thanks mainly to oil exports to China and higher crude prices, petroleum exports are still below their pre-2018 levels. Focus on self-reliance Most candidates seeking to replace Ebrahim Raisi, following his death in a helicopter crash last month, say they plan to emulate his policy of economic self-reliance and ties to Asia. During Raisi’s three years in power, Iran’s economy reemerged from a slump caused by the 2018 reimposition of sanctions, and growth peaked at 5.7 per cent for the year ending in March, according to Iran’s Statistical Centre. Most of this expansion was driven by the energy sector, as the country experienced a 70 per cent rise in oil output, now running at about 3.5 million barrels per day, with oil exports exceeding 1.4 million barrels per day, and mainly going to China. Without hydrocarbons, Iran’s growth last year would have been just 3.4 per cent and its trade balance would have hit a deficit of $16.8 billion, said Mohammad Rezvanifar, the head of the Iranian customs service. Foreign direct investment has also stalled at $1.5 billion in 2022, according to UNCTAD. Falling purchasing power Unemployment is running at about 7.6 per cent, according to the World Bank, compared to 9.6 per cent when Raisi was elected. Yet, many formal jobs pay a pittance. For instance, a teacher’s monthly salary is about $180. “It is not difficult to understand why most Iranians are angry” said Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, Professor of Economics at Virginia Tech. Iranians’ purchasing power continued to shrink during Raisi’s presidency as the Iranian rial’s free market rate more than halved, according to Iranian currency tracking website Bonbast, now reaching a value of 600,000 to the US dollar. Prices for basics like dairy, rice and meat have skyrocketed. The subsidised price of Lavash bread, the most popular for Iranian households, shot up by at least 230 per cent in three years, while the price of red meat rose by 440 per cent to $10 per kg. Candidates have promised to implement the country’s seventh development plan approved last year by parliament. It aims to curb inflation and develop exports and sets out ambitious targets of achieving 8 per cent annual growth under sanctions. But World Bank forecasts for the next three years see annual growth rates below 3.2 per cent for Iran, as a result of subdued global demand, sanctions and domestic energy shortages. Voters interviewed by Reuters said the economy was tied to the country’s diplomatic posture, which is anti-Western and determined by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. — Reuters TEHRAN S ix candidates — five conservatives and one reformist — are competing in Iran’s presidential election tomorrow to succeed the late Ebrahim Raisi. Here is a look at the candidate list: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf Ghalibaf, 62, is a prominent conservative who has served as parliament speaker since 2020. Born on September 23, 1961, he has held various governmental roles including mayor of Tehran. Ghalibaf has run for the presidency thrice — 2005, 2013 and 2017, the last of which he withdrew from to support Raisi’s candidacy. Before politics, he was in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Amir-Hossein GhazizadehHashemi Ghazizadeh-Hashemi, 53, is an ultraconservative doctor and a staunch supporter of Raisi’s government. Born on April 14, 1971, he serves as vice-president and heads the Martyrs’ Foundation. He represented Mashhad in parliament for four terms. Saeed Jalili Jalili, 58, is an ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator, known for his anti-West stance. Born on September 6, 1965, he was selected by Khamenei as one of his representatives in Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. He led Iran’s nuclear programme negotiations between 2007 and 2013 and opposed the 2015 deal with the United States and Western governments. Jalili ran for president in 2013 and supported Raisi in 2017, withdrawing his candidacy. Massoud Pezeshkian Pezeshkian, 69, is the oldest and the sole reformist in the race. Born on September 29, 1954, he is an outspoken heart surgeon. He was health minister in the government of reformist president Mohammad Khatami. In 2021, he was disqualified with other reformists. Mostafa Pourmohammadi Pourmohammadi, 64, is the only cleric in the elections. A conservative and a veteran politician, he was born on December 23, 1959. He held multiple positions, including in Iran’s intelligence ministry. Alireza Zakani Zakani, 58, is an ultraconservative who has served as Tehran’s mayor since August 2021. Born on April 2, 1965, Zakani was a candidate in the 2021 presidential election before withdrawing to support Raisi. — AFP THE HOPEFULS Who are the candidates running in Iran’s presidential election? Potentially apocalyptic: UN’s stark warning if the Gaza war spreads GAZA STRIP T he outgoing United Nations humanitarian chief warned yesterday that a spread of the Israel-Hamas war to Lebanon would be “potentially apocalyptic”, as fighting raged on in the southern Gaza Strip. Martin Griffiths described Lebanon as “the flashpoint beyond all flashpoints”, especially its southern border with Israel which has seen daily cross-border violence since the October-7 Hamas attack on Israel. “It’s beyond planning. It’s potentially apocalyptic,” warned Griffiths whose term as UN humanitarian coordinator ends this week. A war involving Lebanon “will draw in Syria ... it will draw in others”, he told reporters in Geneva. “It’s very alarming.” Griffiths spoke as witnesses reported intense fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, amid growing fears of a wider war. With the conflict nearing its 10th month, Israel’s top ally, the United States, warned of the risk of a major conflict with Hezbollah following an escalation in threats after months of cross-border fire. Glimmer of hope However, Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip appeared to ease days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war’s “intense phase” was nearing its end, and as his defence minister was in Washington. “Another war between Israel and Hezbollah could easily become a regional war, with terrible consequences for the Middle East,” US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told his visiting Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant. “Diplomacy is, by far, the best way to prevent more escalation,” Austin said. — AFP Lebanon is ‘the flashpoint beyond all flashpoints’ AFP ■ Firefighters try to extinguish a blaze after a drone fired from Lebanon landed near Kfar Dishon in northern Israel Tuesday. The sweltering summer is worsening conditions in Gaza where nearly all the 2.3 million inhabitants have been driven from their homes by Israel’s military campaign and where there is almost no electricity and little clean water. Families living in tents, in crowded shelters in UN schools or crammed into private homes, face the rising summer temperatures without air conditioning, showers or a functioning health system amid rising rates of malnutrition and disease. In a school classroom shared as a shelter among different families in Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip, Amal Nsair, 38, is worried that the rising heat and humidity and the increase in mosquitoes and other insects will harm their health. Her son cannot sleep and she has nothing to cool him except a fan made from cardboard. “My son’s body is full of heat. In the past, I would wash him, but I need water. I’m worried about my husband’s health too. He has lost half his weight from carrying water,” she said. Temperatures in Gaza this week are forecast above 30 degrees Celsius and recent years have brought a series of lethal heatwaves across the Mediterranean as the summer advances. Gaza’s electricity was largely provided from Israel, but this was cut off as soon as the war began, along with fuel for the territory’s only power station. — Reuters SUMMER HEAT BRINGS MORE MISERY ■ Presidential candidates (clockwise) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Alireza Zakani, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, Masoud Pezeshkian, Saeed Jalili, and Amirhossein GhazizadehHashemi during a debate at the Iran State television studio in Tehran on June 17. AFP ■ Iran’s conservative Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reaches out to a female supporter during an election campaign, ahead of a presidential vote to replace the late president, in the Iranian capital Tehran yesterday. AFP 40% annual inflation in Iran, caused by high taxes and big budget deficits $180 a teacher’s monthly salary. It points to low salaries even among those employed 230% rise in the price of Lavash bread, popular in Iranian households — 2005, 2013 and 2017, health minister in the government of reformist president Mohammad Khatami. In 2021, he was disqualifi ed with other reformists. Mostafa Pourmohammadi 64, is the only cleric in the elections. A conservative and a veteran politician, he was born on December 23, 1959. tions, including in Iran’s ■ Presidential candidates intelligence ministry. (clockwise)

WORLD 12 THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024 | GULFNEWS.COM CANBERRA W ikiLeaks founder Julian Assange landed to an ecstatic welcome in Australia yesterday, after pleading guilty to violating US espionage law in a deal that sets him free from a 14-year legal battle. Assange disembarked from a private jet at Canberra airport just after 7:30pm, waving to waiting media and cheering supporters before passionately kissing his wife, Stella, and lifting her off the ground. He embraced his father before entering the terminal building with his legal team. Needs time, says wife Assange needs privacy and time to recover after more than five years in a high-security London prison, his wife Stella said. “He needs time, he needs to recuperate, and this is a process,” she told a news conference, appearing close to tears. “I ask you please to give us space, to give us privacy, to find our place, to let our family be a family before he can speak again at a time of his choosing.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has lobbied to free Assange, said he had spoken to him by phone. “He was generous in his praise of the Australian government’s efforts,” Albanese told reporters. Assange’s arrival ends a saga in which he spent more than five years in a British jail and seven years in asylum at the Ecuadorean embassy in London, battling extradition to Sweden. — Reuters WikiLeaks’ Assange gets hero’s welcome AFP ■ WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gives the thumbs up sign after arriving at Canberra Airport yesterday. SOFIA, BULGARIA T he United States announced yesterday a reward of up to $5 million for information that could lead to the arrest of fugitive Bulgarian-born “cryptoqueen” Ruja Ignatova. US ambassador to Bulgaria Kenneth Merten said Ignatova is wanted in the US and Germany “for her participation in one of the largest global fraud schemes in history” which defrauded victims of more than $4 billion. Ignatova, 44, evaded arrest by fleeing on a flight from Sofia to Athens two weeks after her indictment in October 2017 and her whereabouts remain unknown. Ignatova, who has German citizenship, is accused of being the mastermind behind the mammoth fraudulent virtual currency scheme, OneCoin. In 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation placed her on its 10 most wanted list. Merten said the US will issue a statement explaining how people can “anonymously provide tips.” Ignatova launched OneCoin in Sofia in 2014, with the intention to pocket some of the money placed on the platform by clients, the indictment said. In fact, having entered the scheme, it was virtually impossible for clients to recover their funds, authorities say. Instead, OneCoin offered credits to those who recruited others, enabling the company to grow rapidly. Bulgaria is planning to also press charges, allowing proceedings to confiscate her property worth over 10 million euros, chief prosecutor Borislav Sarafov. — AFP US offers $5m reward for Bulgarian ‘cryptoqueen’ People have spoken: Kenya’s Ruto does a U-turn, pulls finance bill NAIROBI K enyan President William Ruto said yesterday that a bill containing contentious tax hikes would “be withdrawn”, dramatically reversing course after more than 20 people were killed in clashes with police and parliament was ransacked by protesters opposed to the legislation. The initially peaceful demonstrations were sparked last week by the 2024 finance bill — which politicians passed Tuesday afternoon — and took Ruto’s administration by surprise as rallies gathered momentum across the country. But the Gen-Z-led protests spiralled into violence Tuesday when police fired live bullets at the crowds outside parliament, leaving the complex ransacked and partly ablaze. Nineteen people were killed in the capital Nairobi, a statefunded rights watchdog said. Marked shift “I concede and, therefore, I will not sign the 2024 finance bill and it shall subsequently be withdrawn,” Ruto told a press briefing. “The people have spoken,” he said. “I will be proposing an engagement with the young people of our nation, our sons and daughters, for us to listen to them,” he said, in a marked shift from his late-night address Tuesday when he likened some of the demonstrators to “criminals”. Immediately after his speech, prominent protester Hanifa Adan dismissed Ruto’s announcement as “PR”. Referring to his comments the previous night, she said on X: “He made that speech trying to intimidate us and he saw it won’t work, hence the PR.” “The bill is withdrawn, but are you going to bring everyone that died back alive ??” ‘You cannot kill all of us’ Ahead of Ruto’s about-turn, protesters had called for fresh rallies today. “We march peacefully again as we wear white, for all our fallen people,” Adan had said. “You cannot kill all of us.” Demonstrators shared “Tupatane Thursday” (“we meet Thursday” in Swahili), alongside the hashtag #Rejectfinancebill2024 on social media. Ruto came to power in 2022, promising to champion the needs of impoverished Kenyans, but tax increases under his government have only made life tougher. The Kenyan leader had already rolled back some tax measures last week, prompting the treasury to warn of a gaping budget shortfall of 200 billion shillings. Ruto said yesterday that withdrawing the bill would mean a significant hole in funding for development programmes to help farmers and schoolteachers, among others. The cash-strapped government had said that the increases were needed to service Kenya’s massive debt of some 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion), equal to roughly 70 per cent of GDP. Earlier on Wednesday, Roseline Odede, chairwoman of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, said, “We have recorded 22 deaths”, 19 of them in Nairobi, adding that they would launch an investigation. “This is the largest number of deaths (in) a single day protest,” she said. — AFP President to start dialogue with youth and work on austerity NEW YORK T here will be no studio audience. Microphones will cut out when a candidate’s speaking time is over. The presidential debate will not be business as usual. CNN, which is hosting President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump for their first debate of the 2024 campaign in Atlanta, wants to avoid the chaos seen when the two men squared off in 2020. Here are some facts about the 90-minute debate. Averting mayhem In their first war of words four years ago, Trump repeatedly cut off the veteran Democrat, launched into lengthy diatribes and taunted his rival, who ended up shouting at one point: “Will you shut up, man?” It was hardly the height of presidential decorum. To cut down on the hijinks, CNN has set up a series of rules. Among the most notable: When the candidates take the stage at the network’s Atlanta studios at 9pm tonight (5am Friday UAE), there will be no one in the audience. Microphones will be muted except for the candidate asked to speak. There will be two commercial breaks during the showdown between 78-year-old Trump and 81-year-old Biden, the two oldest presumptive Bureau of InvestigaAFP ■ Signage for the CNN presidential debate is seen outside their studios at the Turner Entertainment Networks yesterday. White House nominees. Moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, both regular CNN on-air presenters, will “use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilised discussion,” the network said. Trump gets last word Biden won the coin toss, allowing him to choose either his podium position or whether he preferred to speak first or second in final statements. The incumbent chose the podium on the viewers’ right, and Trump opted to have the last word. No live fact-checking CNN has not revealed the debate themes, and does not plan to fact-check candidate statements in real time — even if Trump repeats the baseless charge that the 2020 election was stolen from him. For Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a professor of communication at the University of Pennsylvania, “one problem with a debate that features Donald Trump is that the moderators don’t fact check in real time, nor should they.” “It’s highly risky to try to do that and it would be disruptiv ... The danger is instead of informing, a debate could actually increase the amount of inaccurate knowledge,” she said. Biden and Trump will not have teleprompters and they cannot bring pre-written notes to the stage. Consulting with campaign staff during commercial breaks will not be allowed. Debate airs on all networks Both candidates rejected the oversight of the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates formed in 1987 to manage such events. Instead, they made a direct deal with CNN. The news network, now owned by media conglomerate Warner Bros Discovery, afforded its rivals the opportunity to broadcast the debate live in the name of public service, under conditions. Impact on campaign? The debate will certainly be a key moment in the campaign, watched by tens of millions. But it will not necessarily be a game-changer. — AFP Big Biden-Trump debate: Muted mics and no audience CNN, HOSTING FIRST DEBATE OF 2024 CAMPAIGN, WANTS TO AVOID CHAOS The 90-minute debate, which will start at 9pm ET tonight (5am Friday UAE), will air on CNN channels and will be simulcast on MSNBC — where primetime coverage with Rachel Maddow and others will kick off at 7pm — and other major networks. DEBATE TELECAST I will be proposing an engagement with the young people of our nation, our sons and daughters, for us to listen to them.” William Ruto | Kenyan President

SPORT 13 Scan for our social media GULFNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024 DUBAI T his edition of the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA has been full of surprises, shredding the ICC T20 rankings. New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan were eliminated in the first round, while hosts West Indies, Australia and Bangladesh bowed out in the Super Eight stage. The biggest newsmakers are Afghanistan, defeating New Zealand and Australia to book a place in the last four. Afghanistan will face another big test against South Africa today, but have the edge as the Proteas have not been convincing in their victories. However, the team under Aiden Markram has shown the ability to pull off wins. The slow-paced West Indian wickets are assisting the seamers and spinners, which the Afghans have in plenty. Openers vs spinners The openers have been giving Afghanistan good starts and Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will have to play a big role in the semi-finals. Spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi have been playing a big role for South Africa, but against Afghanistan, they might not be as effective. This contest could be a banana skin for South Africa with Rashid Khan and his men primed to clinch their maiden spot in the final of a World Cup. “It’s a dream for us to be in the semi-finals. The only guy who put us in the semi-finals Romania, Slovakia draw tomake last 16 FRANKFURT R omania’s Razvan Marin scored a first-half penalty to cancel out Ondrej Duda’s headed goal for Slovakia as the teams played out a 1-1 Euro 2024 Group E draw yesterday to both reach the last 16. All four sides in Group E finished on four points, with Romania earning top spot on goals scored from Belgium, and Slovakia ending third, ahead of Ukraine on goal difference. Romania and Slovakia must wait until the completion of the group stage to learn their last-16 opponents, but Belgium go to Duesseldorf and face France on Monday. Romania reached the knockout stages of the Euros for the first time since 2000, while for Slovakia it will be a second appearance in the last 16 after 2016, when they lost to Germany. The game in Frankfurt was played in a feverish atmosphere, with the fervour in the stands matched by the helterskelter nature of a match that was not high on quality, but had plenty of entertainment and intrigue. The teams came into the game knowing a draw would be enough to send both through and there was plenty of talk in the build-up of the potential for them to contrive that, something the coaches denied vehemently. Certainly, there was no lack of energy and endeavour, which slowed only towards the end of the game. Slovakia open scoring Slovakia opened the scoring midway through the first half with the simplest of goals that will have left Romania coach Edward Iordanescu fuming. Juraj Kucka curled in a cross from the right and Duda was left unmarked between two defenders to head across goal and into the net. Romania were restricted to shots from range, none of which troubled Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. That was until they were awarded a penalty when Ianis Hagi was felled by Slovakia defender David Hancko. German referee Daniel Siebert initially gave a free kick as the contact looked outside the box, but compatriot Bastian Dankert in the Video Assistant Referee booth ruled it was inside. Marin made no mistake with the spot-kick as he rifled it into the top corner, signalling a thunderous eruption of joy from the Romanian fans in the stadium. — Reuters Belgium face France in Duesseldorf on Monday AFP ■ Romania’s players celebrate after reaching the last 16 at the Frankfurt Arena in Frankfurt am Main yesterday. It’s the T20World Cup semi-finals, and India face England again. It didn’t go well the last time, as Jos Buttler and Alex Hales pummeled India for a 10-wicket win in Adelaide. That was in 2022. Two years isn’t a long time. India pack most of the players from the last T20World Cup. The pain and humiliation of that defeat should spur India to turn the tables on England. — ShyamA.Krishna,SeniorAssociateEditor Find out how India can beat England in the semi-final of the T20World Cup Grenville-Wood up against it DUBAI T he UAE’s No. 1 professional golfer, Joshua GrenvilleWood, will have to fight off a host of star names if he is to play his way into The 152nd Open Championship. The 26-year-old will be one of the 288 golfers competing across four venues in Final Qualifying on July 2, with a minimum of 16 places available into The 152nd Open at Royal Troon. Grenville-Wood has been drawn in the Burnham & Berrow 36-hole qualifier, which includes the likes of former World No. 1 Justin Rose, 2023 Ras Al Khaimah Championship winner Daniel Gavins and LIV Golf duo Anirban Lahiri and Abraham Ancer. Trump International Golf Club Dubai member, Garrick Porteous, will return to Royal Cinque Ports to try and book his spot in the final Major Championship of the season, 11 years after winning the prestigious Amateur Championship at the same venue. The Englishman, who moved to Dubai last year, will go up against fellow Dubai resident Thomas Detry, 2023 King Hamad Trophy champion Cole Madey and 2010 US Open winner Graeme McDowell in Kent. Fellow Dubai resident, Rafa Cabrera Bello, will hope to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2021 when he takes on the Dundonald Links qualifier, while former Dubai Desert Classic champion Sergio Garcia will play at West Lancashire. The 26-year-old is looking to book his spot at Royal Troon BY THOMAS WRAGG Golf Editor What next for England at Euro 2024? was Brian Lara, and we proved him right. When we met him at a welcome party, I told him we won’t let you down,” said skipper Rashid Khan after defeating Bangladesh. Playing at Lara’s home turf will give Afghanistan the extra motivation. Big showdown In the second semi-final today, defending champions England take on a confident India. Skipper Jos Buttler returning to form might be good news for England. Incidentally, it was Buttler who led England’s thrashing of India in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Australia, but the conditions are different in the West Indies. The England batting unit has been inconsistent in the tournament. Rohit Sharma’s men are flying high after their victory over Australia in their last Super Eight match. The lone concern is the lack of runs for Virat Kohli, who has had two ducks. India will do well to move Kohli back to No 3 and pick Yashasvi Jaiswal to open with Sharma, with Rishabh Pant coming in at No 4 and Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya to follow. Young left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah have combined well to give the early breakthroughs and the return of Kuldeep Yadav has added variety to the attack. What happens if it rains? The ICC has allotted an extra 250 minutes for the India-England contest, with 60 minutes given on the first day and an additional 190 minutes on the reserve day for the other semifinal. However, should there be a washout, the team that finished higher in the Super Eight stage will qualify for the final. England started the World Cup with a washout and could finish in a washout as India will be declared the winner after finishing on top of Group 1 with six points. The fans would not want to see that after such an absorbing World Cup. ICC CRICKET WORLDCUP 2024 FIXTURES Semi-finals South Africa v Afghanistan (4.30am UAE) India v England (6.30pm UAE BY A.K.S. SATISH Sports Editor —Agencies Short takes Robinson smashed for 43 in single over Raducanu saves match point against Pegula Austrian GP: Red Bull wary of Norris England’s Ollie Robinson was smashed for 43 runs in the most expensive over in the history of the English County Championship yesterday as Louis Kimber raced to the fastest double hundred in the competition. Sussex paceman Robinson was struck for two sixes, six fours — three of which were off no-balls — and a single by Leicestershire’s Kimber in the fourth and final day of their Division Two match. Kimber, batting at number eight, smashed 243 runs off just 127 balls but he was bowled by Nathan McAndrew. Sussex won by 18 runs. Emma Raducanu registered her first victory over a top-10 player in dramatic fashion at the Eastbourne International yesterday, saving a match point on the way to upsetting second seed Jessica Pegula as defending champion Madison Keys cruised into the quarter-finals. Former US Open champion Raducanu edged a tight tiebreak to level against her American opponent and held her nerve to win 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 after a major wobble in the decider. Red Bull will be wary of McLaren’s Lando Norris at a home Austrian Grand Prix that Max Verstappen has dominated in the past but this time looks a tight battle between the two. The 11th round of the Formula One season is a sprint weekend, for the third time this year, with a 100km race at Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring on Saturday before the main event on Sunday. Red Bull’s triple world champion, cheered on by his orange army of travelling fans, will hope to stretch the 69-point lead he enjoys over closest challenger Norris in the papaya-liveried McLaren. Raducanu saves match ■ Joshua Grenville-Wood Yesterday’smatches Slovakia 1 Romania 1 Ukraine 0 Belgium 0 Playing later Georgia v Portugal Czechia v Turkiye RESULTS 250 extra minutes allotted for India-England tie in case of rain Why Afghanistan, India willwin semis SOUTH AFRICA, ENGLAND HAVEN’T BEEN CONVINCING ON GULFNEWS.COM How India can beat England in semi-final All four sides in Group E finished on four points, with Romania earning top spot on goals scored from Belgium, and Slovakia ending third, ahead of Ukraine on goal difference.

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ENTERTAINMENT 17 GULFNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024 F ourteen years after launching One Direction on The X Factor, music mogul and television personality Simon Cowell is looking for the UK’s next big boy band, embarking on a new project that will differ from the talent shows he is known for. Cowell will hold auditions for 16-18 yearolds in Liverpool, Dublin and London over the summer in a bid to form megastars on levels not seen in Britain since the best-selling One Direction. The group found fame on his televised singing competition, The X Factor, before parting ways several years later. “Weirdly, since One Direction, there hasn’t been a successful UK band, which I don’t understand,” Cowell told Reuters. THE BEST ROUTE “As an entry point into the music business, it’s by far the best route. Diana Ross became Diana Ross because she was in the Supremes. Beyoncé became Beyoncé ’cos she was in Destiny’s Child.” Unlike The X Factor, there will be no weekly televised shows or vote, but a potential documentary series. “As a viewer, I’d find it more interesting, particularly if I was a performer, I’d really want to see why people get chosen and what is the process you go through,” Cowell said. “In my opinion, that’s never been shown, certainly since I’ve been making these shows ... you see a side of it. I don’t think you really see the interesting part ... the highs and lows. And trust me, there are a lot of lows.” The X Factor last aired in Britain in 2018. Once hugely popular, it had seen ratings fall over time. “More people than you think watch these shows ... Now, of course, in different ways as well — on YouTube, TikTok,” Cowell said. “I think they’re still very popular.” He said talent shows had a purpose, helping new artistes get noticed. “Right now, with the amount of songs that are being uploaded every day and the amount of artistes that are breaking globally ... I think it’s something like two UK artistes in seven years have broken globally ... which is horrendous. “ ... A lot of these artistes get their first break (on televised talent shows) ... even their first audition if it goes out and goes viral, that is a step on the ladder. In the last few years, K-Pop bands such as BTS have become hit phenomena, building global fan bases. K-Pop filled a void,” Cowell said. “So, when I look at BTS filling out Wembley Stadium, you say, well ... Then, of course, there’s still a market for bands, possibly bigger than ever.” Cowell, who said his ideal boy band are “people who know who they are”, started his search earlier this month. Asked what response he had received so far, he said: You really don’t know until you turn up on the day ... If not enough people turn up or that I just don’t think they’re right, then we’re gonna have to keep going.” — Reuters The music mogul, who had launched One Direction 14 years ago, plans to hold auditions over summer A union representing Hollywood film and television crew said on Tuesday it has reached a tentative three-year deal with major studios that includes agreed-on pay hikes and guardrails against the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) members, which include lighting technicians and costume designers, are to ratify the deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents Disney, Netflix and others. On the AI front, the deal includes “language that ensures no employee is required to provide Al prompts in any manner that would result in the displacement of any covered employee.” That contract also provided for pay raises and streaming bonuses. — Reuters Union reaches deal with top studios During the trailer launch of Indian 2, actor-turnedpolitician Kamal Haasan recalled working with Bollywood’s Shah Rukh Khan, who did not charge any money for his directorial, Hey Ram, released in 2000. “As a matter of fact, Shah Rukh sahib made that film for free,” Kamal Haasan said, adding, “What more do you need? ... That’s not something a superstar would do. That takes a true fan of cinema, a connoisseur of art and a good actor. I’m ever thankful for him.” On the title of “superstar”, he said, “We don’t see all that. I don’t see a superstar; he does not see a super director. We are friends. You all give us titles and we shyly accept it.” Hey Ram is written, directed, and produced by Kamal Haasan. He also played the lead role in the film. —ANI Shah Rukh did not charge for‘Hey Ram’ “As a matter of fact, Shah One Direction and (below) Simon Cowell. understand,” Cowell told Reuters. interesting, particularly if I was a performer, I’d really want to see why people see a side of it. I don’t think you really see the interesting part ... the highs and lows. And trust me, there are a lot of lows.” Britain in 2018. Once hugely fall over time. think watch these shows ... Now, of course, in diff erent ways as well — on YouTube, TikTok,” Cowell said. “I think they’re still very popular.” He said talent shows had a purpose, helping new artistes get noticed. SIMONCOWELLLOOKSFOR UK’S NEXTBIGBOYBAND Photos: Reuters, ANI 31339771_3.1

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