MIDDLE EAST Israeli forces strap wounded Palestinian to jeep during Jenin raid | P9 NATION Abu Dhabi Police step up measures to rein in speeding offences | P2 WORLD India medical exam scam: Some students paid Rs4 million to pass test | P 10 NATION Now, UAE residents get visa-free entry to 10 destinations | P4 SPORT Afghanistan beat Australia to keep T20 World Cup hopes alive | P 11 gulfnews.com Scan for our social media JUNE 24, 2024 MONDAY DHU AL HIJJA 18, 1445 ENTERTAINMENT | P14 TOP MOVIES AND SHOWS TO CATCH THIS WEEK BUSINESS | P5 Foreign trade to aid UAE economic growth in 2024-25 NATION | P3 KHDA inspection for only new schools next year THE VIEWS | P8 Netanyahu’s future uncertain with Biden’s plan Subscribe In print and online www.store.gulfnews.com www.gulfnews.com/subscriptions Tel : 600 587 234 E mail : circ@gulfnews.com Bahrain: BD 0.500 Oman: RO 0.500 India: Rs 40.00 S.Arabia: SR 5.00 Pakistan: Rs 100.00 PRICE UAE: Dh 5.00 31338255_6.2 31337628_53.1 Chaos at Manchester airport, UAE flights face disruptions SCHEDULES AFFECTED AS POWER CUT THROWS TERMINALS OUT OF GEAR LONDON F lights at the UK’s third-busiest airport were being delayed or cancelled yesterday after a major power cut, the airport operator said. The Manchester Airports Group, which also operates London Stansted and the East Midlands airports, said Manchester Airport had been “affected by a major power cut in the area earlier this morning.” Power has now been restored at the international airport in the north of England, but passengers due to travel from Terminals One and Two were told to “not come to the airport” as all flights were cancelled “until further notice”. Passengers for Terminal Three were told to come to the airport as normal, but were warned they “could be affected by delays”. The airport was resuming operations and expected flights to restart later in the evening, airport authorities said. Baggage woes The airport operator said that while passengers already checked in were scheduled to depart as planned, the disruption meant “some baggage may not be on those flights”. The airline Jet2 — which operates from both terminals — said that as well as cancelling dozens of flights, it was unable to load bags onto planes as the airport’s baggage system remained “inoperable”. In addition, some arriving flights were being diverted to other airports, including London Heathrow and Birmingham Emirates, Etihad impacted Flights operated by UAE carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways were also impacted by the incident. Dubai’s Emirates delayed its Manchester to Dubai flight, EK020, due to operational reasons. It will now operate as EK8022 on June 24. The airline is currently rebooking customers to their final destinations and providing updated itineraries on its website. “Customers can view their updated itinerary on www.emirates. com/MYB,” the airline said. The flight tracker on Etihad’s website showed EY16 also awaiting updates. —Agencies ABU DHABI P rivate sector companies in the UAE have been banned from employing and training students during vacations across 31 categories of “hazardous” work roles and professions. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has set six distinct administrative and professional obligations for employers in this connection. UAE laws allow students aged 15 years and above to work and receive training in private sector establishments, provided that a contract exists explaining the nature of the work and other related matters. The ministry does not grant work permits to students under 15. Work during vacation MOHRE has also stressed the need for students who undergo training or take up employment during vacations to be granted an experience certificate at the end of the training or employment period. This should include an evaluation of the performance during that period. FULL REPORTON P2 Students in UAE barred from 31 work categories BY ALI AL HAMMADI Reporter Fines await UAE businesses failing June 30 tax deadline DUBAI T he Federal Tax Authority (FTA) yesterday reminded UAE-based companies subject to Corporate Tax with licences issued in March and April, regardless of the year, to register by June 30 to avoid penalties. Failing to register within the specified timeframe will subject those taxable to an Dh10,000 administrative penalty. The FTA has urged taxpayers to follow the timelines which apply to all those that are taxable under the Corporate Tax norms. All UAE incorporated companies, including Limited Liability Companies, Private Joint Stock Companies, Public Joint Stock Companies, are subject to Corporate Tax. Public clarification Taxpayers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the FTA’s public clarification on Corporate Tax registration deadlines. This clarification provides detailed information and examples for various business categories. It also addresses registration requirements for those seeking taxexempt status. According to the public clarification, those incorporated or established before March 1, 2024, must register based on their licence issuance month. This applies even if the license expired before March 1, 2024. For businesses with multiple licences, the deadline is determined by the licence with the earliest issuance date. Those incorporated or established on or after March 1, 2024, must register within three months of incorporation. Those recognised under foreign legislation but controlled and managed in the UAE must register within three months of their financial year-end. — WAM SEE ALSO P6 Failure to register within the specified timeframe will result in Dh10,000 penalty Reuters ■ Passengers queue outside Terminal 1 after an overnight power cut led to disruptions and cancellations at Manchester Airport in Manchester, Britain, yesterday. For businesses with multiple licences, the deadline is determined by the licence with the earliest issuance date.
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 04:00 DHUHUR 12:24 ASR 15:45 MAGHRIB 19:16 ISHA 20:42 MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 | GULFNEWS.COM 31339760_1.1 Speeding? It may cost you up to Dh3,000 ABU DHABI A bu Dhabi Police have ramped up efforts to curb speeding across the emirate and highlighted eight specific violations, with corresponding fines and black points. Driving below the minimum speed limit also carries a fine of Dh400. Failing to maintain a minimum speed of 120km/h in designated lanes results in a Dh400 fine Since May 1, minimum speed limits are actively monitored on Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Road. Speeding fines ■ Exceeding by less than 20km/h: Dh300 ■ 20-30 km/h over: Dh600 ■ 30-40 km/h over: Dh700 ■40-50km/hover:Dh1,000 ■ 50-60 km/h over: Dh1,500 fine, six black points ■ More than 60km/h over: Dh2,000 fine, 12 black points ■ More than 80km/h over: Dh3,000, 23 traffic points The police campaign emphasises safe driving practices, including maintaining appropriate speed, avoiding distractions behind the wheel, keeping a safe distance between vehicles, and signalling lane changes only after checking surroundings. Abu Dhabi Police leverage advanced technology, including radars, to monitor traffic flow and enforce regulations, promoting a safer driving environment. As summer sets in, proper tyrere pressure becomes essential. Drivers are advised to inspect their tyres for damage and ensure their validity for safe driving conditions. Abu Dhabi Police outline eight specific speeding offences and penalties BY ALI AL HAMMADI Reporter Abu Dhabi Police released a video to clarify that drivers have to stick to a designated lane without swerving. Traffic signs and ground markings also indicate no-overtaking zones or designated lanes for specific vehicle types like buses and taxis. According to Article No 86 of the amended executive regulations of Traffic Law No (178), a fine of Dh400 will be imposed on vehicles failing to adhere to mandatory lane rules. — Gulf News Report DH400 FINE FOR LANE INDISCIPLINE MAXIMUM WORKING HOURS FIXED AT 6 HOURS A DAY, WITH ONE OR MORE REST INTERVALS ABU DHABI T he Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has banned private establishments from employing and training students during vacations across 31 categories of work and professions that are deemed hazardous. This includes working underground in mines and quarries and all work related to the extraction of metals and stones, working in furnaces for smelting metals, and at bakery ovens, in addition to working in petroleum refineries, cement, ice and refrigeration plants and welding jobs. Administrative and professional obligations have been set for establishments and employers that wish to train and employ students, the most important of which is not to undertake this at night in industrial projects. The maximum working hours for students has been fixed at six hours a day, interspersed with one or more intervals of rest. Who is allowed to work? MoHRE stated that the laws of the UAE allow students — both citizens and expats — aged 15 years and above to work and receive training in private sector establishments, provided that a contract is written explaining the nature of the work and any other related matters, emphasising that the federal law regulating labour relations prohibits the employment of juveniles of both genders under the age of 15. The ministry does not grant work permits to any juvenile under this age. No work or training at night The ministry has specified six administrative and professional obligations for establishments and employers that wish to train or employ a juvenile student during academic leave, including not training or employing them at night in industrial projects. The word “night” means a period of no less than 12 consecutive hours from 8pm to 6am the next morning. The maximum actual working hours for a juvenile student is fixed at six hours a day, interspersed with one or more periods for rest, eating or prayer (not less than an hour in total), and this period or periods are determined so that the student does not work more than four consecutive hours. If a student’s working hours include a rehabilitation or trainBY ALI AL HAMMADI Reporter DUBAI T hanks to the efforts of a duty officer at Dubai International airport, a pet dog that was left behind at Terminal 1 was reunited with its owner, an outbound passenger, who had to be rushed to hospital after he collapsed suddenly. In a video on social media, Terminal 1 Duty Officer Bader Eddin Elmaki recalled the “sad moment” when his service partners drew his attention to a dog that was left behind in a carrier after the passenger was rushed to hospital. He said that the passenger’s grand daughter, who subsequently met them, was panicking and in tears. She feared that with the dog separated from the passenger, “the situation could get worse”. “When we hear such words, emotions kick in,” said Elmaki. Swinging into action immediately, he then went about the formalities to stop the dog’s onward travel with necessary intervention from immigration and other departments. “We also had to get the police involved for screening in order for the dog to be taken out of the airport premises,” he said. He said it was a huge relief to see the grand daughter smile as she took the dog to the hospital for a touching reunion with the passenger. Pet dog reunited with hospitalised passenger BY SHARMILA DHAL UAE Editor Prompt action by Dubai airport staff saves the day after animal was left behind in carrier passenger was rushed to hospital. He UAE firms banned from hiring students in 31 work categories ■ Private establishments are not allowed to make students work overtime under any circumstances, or train or make them work on days of rest. Students cannot be kept in the workplace after their scheduled duties. Picture for illustrative purposes. Gulf News Archives ing period, they are counted in his working hours, and no juvenile student is to remain in the workplace or training for more than seven consecutive hours. No overtime According to MoHRE, the list of six obligations for employing students includes not assigning them to work overtime under any circumstances, not keeping them in the workplace after scheduled appointments, and not training or employing them on rest days. There is a need to train the student on how to use occupational safety and health methods, and monitor them, taking into account their circumstances. The obligations also include the need to inform the student’s guardians of any illness, absence, or behaviour during work or training hours that requires attention. ABU DHABI T he Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation stressed that establishments, which train and employ students during vacations must give each student an experience certificate at the end of the training or employment period, which includes an evaluation of the performance during that period. Some benefits may be granted to establishments that achieve outstanding results in training or employing citizen students. 3-month restriction Any facility may employ students who have reached the age of 15, during their academic vacations, for a period not exceeding three months at a time, except in cases that are excluded by a decision of the minister or of an authorised representative. In all cases, a written contract must be provided stating the nature of the work, its duration, the student’s wage, the time of weekly rest and the number of daily working hours that the student needs to put in. Each student must be given an experience certificate BY ALI AL HAMMADI Reporter STRINGENT RULES ■ Industrial occupations: Underground work in mines and quarries, extraction of metals and stones in furnaces prepared for smelting mineral materials or refining them, in petroleum refineries, in front of ovens in bakeries, cement factories, ice and refrigeration factories, treating mirrors with mercury, making firecrackers and related jobs, melting and maturing glass, and welding with oxygen, acetylene and electricity. ■ Hazardous jobs: Painting with deco, processing, preparing or storing ash containing lead, extracting silver from lead, manufacturing tin and metal compounds containing more than 10 per cent lead, and manufacturing lead monoxide (golden mercury) or yellow lead oxide and lead dioxide (Sulfone), lead carbonate, lead orange oxide, lead sulphate, chromates, and sulphate, and the processes of manufacturing or repairing electric batteries, cleaning workshops in which hazardous work is practised, managing or monitoring moving machines or repairing or cleaning them while they are being operated, asphalt manufacturing and the manufacture of oil by mechanical methods, manufacturing fertilisers or working in its warehouses or in factories for mineral acids and chemical crops. ■ Physically demanding work: Working in tanneries, skinning animals, cutting them and melting their fat, making rubber, filling cylinders with compressed gases, loading and unloading goods at docks, ports and warehouses, transporting passengers by land or in internal waters, making charcoal from animal bones (except for the process of sorting bones before burning them), and the processes of bleaching, dyeing and printing textiles, working as hosts in amusement parks, in bars and carrying, pulling or pushing weights. WHAT ARE THE 31 TYPES OF WORK BANNED? 8pm-6am companies are not allowed to train or employ students in industrial projects during this period 15years or older students are allowed to work and receive training in private establishments under specific conditions 7hours maximum time a student can be kept in a workplace for training
NATION 3 Scan for our social media GULFNEWS.COM | MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 31339734_1.1 NEXT YEAR, FULL INSPECTIONS ONLY AT NEW SCHOOLS THAT COMPLETE THIRD YEAR OF OPERATION DUBAI P rivate schools in Dubai will not be subjected to full inspections during the 2024-25 academic year, with the exception of new schools that will complete their third year of operation during the next academic year. This decision, announced by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), aims to support the teaching and learning process for students and gives schools the opportunity to implement changes to support their development and improvement plans. Quality assurance visits KHDA will conduct quality assurance visits that target specific focus areas to monitor schools’ progress on improvement plans during the next academic year, the education regulator said. It said schools that wish to undergo a full inspection may submit a request to the inspection team, which will be subject to review and approval upon KHDA’s discretion. No private school in Dubai rated ‘Very Weak’ this year Meanwhile, no private school in Dubai has been rated ‘Very Weak’, with 23 of them deemed ‘Outstanding’, in the latest inspection of 209 schools. According to the results released by KHDA, a total of 23 schools were rated OutstandGulf News Report Dubai revises inspection criteria for private schools ing, 48 were rated Very Good, 85 Good and 51 Acceptable, while two were rated Weak. Overall ratings improved for 26 schools while three schools saw a decline in their ratings. A total of 209 schools with more than 360,000 students enrolled were inspected this year, including 10 schools that were inspected for the first time. Full inspection reports and individual parent summary reports for the 2023-24 academic year are now available on the KHDA website and mobile app. 81% of students attend Good or better schools As many as 81 per cent of Dubai students now attend private schools rated Good or higher compared to 77 per cent during last year’s inspection cycle. This equates to nearly 49,500 students who have benefitted from this improvement. Aisha Abdullah Miran, Director-General of KHDA, said: “Our schools are among the world’s highest performing, according to international assessments, ranking sixth for literacy in PIRLS, top 10 globally for maths, and top 14 for science and reading in PISA assessments. These results reaffirm Dubai’s competitiveness as a world-class destination for education.” She added: “We are grateful to the school community, principals, teachers, and parents for their efforts in enriching the learning experiences for students and contributing towards making Dubai one of the top 10 cities in the world for quality education. We look forward to increasing the number of students who are receiving good or better education and providing more distinguished education opportunities to Emirati students.” Fatma Belrehif, CEO of Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB), said: “Private schools continue to achieve significant improvements in the quality of their overall performance, which reflects the commitment of school leaders and teachers to ensure that high-quality educational opportunities are available to our students.” She added: “We are proud of the efforts of the education community in Dubai to enhance the quality of education and its global competitiveness.” ■ 90 per cent of schools improved in one or more quality indicators, with 67 per cent related to student outcomes, 26 per cent to schools’ provisions for learners, and 7 per cent to leadership. ■ 64 per cent of schools rated Good or higher on Arabic as a first language compared to 52 per cent in the previous year. ■ 77 per cent of schools rated Good or higher for progress of students in Islamic education, compared to 68 per cent in 2022-23 academic year. ■ Inclusive education has improved, with a substantial 76 per cent of schools now providing Good or higher rated provisions for for students of determination. ■ 83 per cent of schools offering wellbeing provision rated Good or higher. IMPROVEMENT ACROSS INDICATORS 2023-24 ACADEMIC YEAR 209 schools with more than 360,000 students were inspected this year. 10 schoolswereinspected for the first time 19,782 classroom visits by inspectors with 4,407 hours of discussion with students, parents and school leaders Private schools continue to achieve significant improvements in their overall performance, which reflects the commitment of school leaders and teachers to ensure that high-quality educational opportunities are available to our students.” Fatma Belrehif | CEO of Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau
4 NATION MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 | GULFNEWS.COM 31339751_1.1 31339759_1.1 Dubai platform backs innovation for change LATIFA TO LEAD NEXT PHASE OF DUBAI FUTURE SOLUTIONS DUBAI S haikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), yesterday approved the launch of the next phase of the Dubai Future Solutions initiative. The Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity initiative will be overseen by Shaikha Latifa Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture. This initiative aims to build on the Prototypes for Humanity initiative over the past nine years. Shaikh Hamdan and Shaikha Latifa witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Dubai Future Foundation and the Hussain Sajwani — Damac Foundation (HSDF), which pledged Dh100 million to support innovation and technology in Dubai and across the UAE. Signed by Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of DFF, and Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties, the agreement makes HSDF a strategic partner. Shaikh Hamdan said: “The objective of the Dubai Future Solutions — Prototypes for Humanity initiative is to create a dynamic platform that attracts leading innovations, projects, and experimental ideas from across the world, including contributions from bright students, top universities Gulf News Report DUBAI F or UAE residents, the world just got a little smaller. Ten countries now welcome UAE residents with a visa on arrival, eliminating the complexities of pre-entry visa applications. The accessible destinations for UAE residents sans pre-entry visa requirements are: Georgia, Maldives, Azerbaijan, Mauritius, Armenia, Montenegro, Seychelles, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Nepal. Travellers must ensure they carry essential documents before departure, including a passport valid for at least six months, a valid UAE residency visa, confirmed reservations at their destination, and adequate funds for travel expenses. UAE residents get visa-free entry to 10 destinations BY KHITAM AL AMIR Chief News Editor Courtesy: Dubai Media Office ■ Shaikh Hamdan and Shaikha Latifa witness the signing of an agreement between Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of DFF, and Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of Damac Properties. UAE pledges $25m to UN for Sudan aid NEW YORK T he UAE has signed an agreement with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to provide emergency food assistance to populations affected by the crisis in Sudan and South Sudan. The agreement was signed by Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister for International Development Affairs, and Matthew Nims, Director of WFP’s Washington Office, in the presence of Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, and Amina Mohammad, Deputy Secretary-General, at a special ceremony at the UAE Mission to the UN in New York. Around 17.7 million people in Sudan and 7.1 million in South Sudan are facing acute food insecurity as a result of war in Sudan. To help alleviate this crisis, UAE has committed a total of $25 million in aid: $20 million for Sudan and $5 million for South Sudan. Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, said: “WFP welcomes all pledges towards our lifesaving food operations in Sudan. With this contribution, we will be able to assist vulnerable people who are at risk of sliding into famine.” This contribution is part of UAE’s $70 million commitment announced in April at the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries to UN agencies and humanitarian organisations to alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Nusseibeh stated” “With widespread hunger in Sudan and neighbouring countries, our partnership with WFP will assist those most vulnerable facing the devastating ramifications of this war.” Agreement signed with WFP to provide emergency food assistance Gulf News Report Smart traffic systems to cover main roads in Dubai DUBAI D ubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started the study and design of Phase II of the Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS) Improvement and Expansion Project. Mattar Al Tayer, DirectorGeneral, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA, said that Phase II will expand the coverage of the main road network from the current 60 to 100 per cent by 2026. The road network covered by the system will extend from 480km to 710km. The initial phase included the addition of 116 traffic surveillance cameras, bringing the total to 311, installation of 100 incident monitoring and vehicle counting devices, installing 112 Variable Message Signs that relay real time information about road conditions, fitting 115 travel time and speed measurement devices, setting up 17 weather sensor stations, and constructing 660km of power lines and a fibre optic network with a total length of 820km. Road network under ITS will extend from 480km to 710km Gulf News Report ■ Georgia offers 90-180 days visa-free travel for UAE residents. Hotel reservations, and proof of sufficient funds needed. ■ Maldives offers a 30-day free visa on arrival, which can be extended for a fee. Travellers must submit a health declaration 48 hours before travel. ■ Azerbaijan offers visa on arrival for Dh92. Proof of hotel and flight reservations, and two recent passport photos needed. ■ Mauritius offers a visa on arrival valid for 90 days. Tourists need to have a health permit. ■ Armenia offers a visafree entry for UAE nationals, while residents must present a UAE residence permit upon arrival. ■ Montenegro: UAE nationals enter without a visa, and residents can obtain a visa on arrival. ■ Seychelles offers visa on arrival for UAE residents. Return ticket, confirmed hotel booking mandatory. ■ Malaysia allows UAE residents to visit for up to 90 days without an eVisa. ■ Indonesia offers UAE residents a visa on arrival. Return tickets and hotel booking mandatory. ■ Nepal offers visa on arrival. Proof of travel and hotel reservation needed. 10 COUNTRIES 17.7m people in Sudan and 7.1 million in South Sudan are facing acute food insecurity due to war Courtesy: RTA ■ RTA manages traffic in the emirate through the Intelligent Traffic Systems Centre at Al Barsha. The objective of the Dubai Future Solutions — Prototypes for Humanity initiative is to create a dynamic platform that attracts leading innovations and projects from across the world with the aim of transforming these ideas into impactful solutions benefiting humanity.” Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad and international institutions, with the aim of transforming these ideas into impactful solutions benefiting humanity.” Shaikha Latifa said: “We are committed to cultivating strategic partnerships with government entities, the private sector, global universities, and academic, cultural, technological and creative institutions. Our objective is to spotlight a variety of future-oriented ideas and innovations that have a positive impact on society.” Annual celebration An annual event will be hosted at the Dubai Future District, showcasing the best 100 innovations from the initiative. Over the past nine years, the Prototypes for Humanity, initiative has showcased hundreds of innovative projects from over 10,000 applications submitted by students from more than 700 universities worldwide. In the past year, the initiative received over 2,800 project submissions encompassing more than 200 research fields across diverse technological and future-oriented sectors. The collaboration between DFF and HSDF will establish a global framework to enhance partnerships with academic institutions, students, laboratories, startups, and leading innovators worldwide. It offers a platform for innovators to exhibit their work and convert experimental projects into thriving startups. It also aids in patenting innovations, while providing investment avenues for innovators looking to expand from Dubai to global markets. These objectives will be realised in collaboration with Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai Culture. HOW IT WORKS Dh100m pledged by the Hussain Sajwani — Damac Foundation
BUSINESS 5 Scan for our social media GULFNEWS.COM | MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 NON-OIL SURGE, STRONG FOREIGN TRADE TO BOOST UAE GDP BY 6.2% IN 2025 AFTER SUSTAINING GROWTH AT 3.9% THIS YEAR ABU DHABI T he Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) expects the country’s strong foreign trade performance to continue in 2024 and 2025, sustaining its projected growth for the UAE’s real GDP in 2024 at 3.9 per cent, with expectations for it to further accelerate to 6.2 per cent in 2025. In its June 2024 Economic Quarterly Review, the apex bank said that country’s nonhydrocarbon GDP growth is expected to remain strong at 5.4 per cent in 2024 and 5.3 per cent in 2025, with the hydrocarbon sector set to grow by 0.3 per cent in 2024, followed by further expansion by 8.4 per cent in 2025. 4.3% growth in Q4 In the fourth quarter of 2023, the UAE economy expanded 4.3 per cent year-on-year (YoY), above the 2.5 per cent growth registered in Q3 2023. The quarterly increase is due to accelerated non-hydrocarbon growth, which accounts for around 75 per cent of GDP, and better performance of the hydrocarbon sector. Corporate tax to help These latest figures also showed that the consolidated fiscal balance in 2023 remained positive at Dh85.6 billion, equivalent to 4.5 per cent of GDP, with total revenue declining by 13.9 per cent to Dh526.1 billion (27.9 per cent of GDP). Government expenditure increased by 3.1 per cent to Dh440.5 billion (23.3 per cent of GDP), the report further added, noting that the fiscal sector remains sustainable and will be further strengthened as a result of the recently introduced corporate income tax. Indicators point towards robust economic activity within the non-oil private sectors, the CBUAE said. As of April 2024, the UAE’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was reported at 55.3, driven by continued business optimism on economic prospects. According to the figures, the number of employees covered by the CBUAE Wage Protection System (WPS) and average employee salary increased by 7.5 per cent and 9.4 per cent YoY in April 2024, respectively. These positive readings for employment and wage growth point to robust domestic consumption and sustainable GDP growth going forward. Non-oil boost The real estate, tourism and hospitality sector, and transportation sectors collectively represent around 30 per cent of the non-oil GDP, the report highlighted. The number of residential real estate sales transactions in Abu Dhabi in January-April 2024 was estimated to have increased by 7.7 per cent YoY. Data for Q1-2024 indicated that Dubai sustained its role as a top international tourism hub. The emirate’s hotel occupancy rates stood at 83 per cent, equal to the previous year’s figures. Furthermore, Dubai recorded an 11 per cent rise in tourist arrivals in the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. During this period, the emirate welcomed 5.2 million international overnight visitors. Zayed International Airport welcomed over 6.8 million passengers in the first quarter of 2024, taking advantage of the top-tier facilities and services at its newly opened terminal in Abu Dhabi. This emphasises Abu Dhabi’s status as a major transportation hub, with a 36 per cent increase in passenger numbers compared to the first quarter of 2023. Dubai International Airport had an exceptional start in 2024, recording its busiest quarter ever, which highlights its importance as a global aviation hub and a major contributor to Dubai’s economy. Dubai’s appeal to travellers During the first quarter, there was a remarkable increase in passenger traffic, with 23 million travellers passing through its facilities. This represents an 8.4 per cent rise compared to the same period last year. Boosting its status as a global travel and tourism hub, Dubai approved an ambitious Dh128 billion project for a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport. This expansion will increase the size of Dubai’s main international airport five times, to become the largest in the world by size and capacity, capable of handling up to 260 million passengers annually. — WAM Central Bank: UAE economic growth will accelerate further in 2025 5.3% projected growth of UAE’s non-hydrocarbon sector for 2025 8.4% projected growth of UAE’s hydrocarbon sector for 2025 70144701_1.1 6.8m passengers welcomed to Zayed International Airport in Q1-24 4.3% UAE economy expansion in Q4-23 9.4% average employee salary increase in April 2024 7.7% growth in residential realestate sales transactions inAbu Dhabi inQ1-24 11% rise in tourist arrivals in Q1-24 for Dubai 23m passengers who passed through Dubai International Airport in Q1-24 ■ The CBUAE revealed its real GDP growth predictions in its June 2024 economic quarterly review on Friday.
6 BUSINESS MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 | GULFNEWS.COM Required for a Civil Contracting Company DOCUMENT CONTROLLER DRAFTSMAN All candidates should have minimum 5 years UAE experience preferably in Civil Construction. Email CV to: construction.job@hotmail.com 3591879_2_3 REQUIRED! HARMONY SURFACES MARBLES TR. LLC JOIN OUR AMAZING TEAM... SALES MANAGER – DUBAI Harmony Surfaces LLC – Subsidiary of a leading Tile Company, engaged in Manufacturing of Porcelain Slabs/Tiles, Ceramic Wall Tiles, Bathware & Engineered Quartz Stone. Candidate Should expert & dynamic in Sales Manager with relevant minimum 5 year experience in the Quartz & Porcelain big size slabs industry in UAE. Candidates can WhatsApp their resume to info@harmonysurfaces.world or call on +971 545002170 / +97150 4786360 www.harmonysurfaces.world SALES MANAGER – 3591725_1_2 31339753_1_1 REQUIRED FOR A WELL-ESTABLISHED BUILDING MATERIALS COMPANY IN AL QUOZ, DUBAI. MALE OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR With knowledge of general office handling and accounts. Email CV to: metforce10@gmail.com 3591755_1_1 31339805_1_1 3591734_3_3 JOBS&CAREERS E-mail: jobsandcareers@gulfnews.com Tel. 600 587234 ENTITIES WITH BUSINESS LICENCES ISSUED IN MARCH OR APRIL MUST REGISTER BY THIS TIMEFRAME TO AVOID A DH10,000 PENALTY DUBAI T he UAE’s Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is doing its part in easing the process for businesses registering for corporate tax purposes. However, it is crucial for businesses to ensure they have provided all the required details for tax registration. The second of the key deadlines for UAE companies is June 30, 2024, by which time all entities with business licences issued in March or April must register for corporate tax. Failure or delays to do so will invite penalties of Dh10,000. “The Federal Tax Authority has had multiple outreach sessions and communication on the deadlines with UAE businesses,” said Girish Chand, senior partner at MCA Consultants. “Generally, BY MANOJ NAIR Business Editor the registration granting process for corporate tax is quick. Also, the FTA has removed the need to update profile documents for clients who are already registered for Vat.” How are businesses faring on registration? Initially, there was some delay in the process, but the FTA has been issuing regular updates on which businesses should prioritise registration. The month of the business licence issuance is critical in determining the registration deadline. Similar to how a January or February licence required compliance by the May 31 deadline, those with March or April licences must comply by June 30, and so on. Common mistakes “Primarily it is a case of awareness,” Chand said. “There have also been some cases of documentation not being up to date, such as the trade licences, owner details, etc. There are still some ambiguities around offshore entities and their applicable registration dates.” Create a new user profile on the EmaraTax platform via the FTA’s e-services portal using your email address and phone number. After account creation, identify the taxpayer, select ‘Corporate Tax registration’, and complete the registration. “The EmaraTax registration portal has been setup to handle Vat and corporate tax through a single login,” said Girish Chand, senior partner at MCA Consultants. “The corporate tax registration numbers will have similar TRN [Tax Registration Number] as Vat with a suffix of 1. There is no duplication as there is a single login and separate tabs for Vat and corporate tax.” —M.N. HOW TO DO IT Are UAE businesses ready for June 30 tax deadline? The Federal Tax Authority has had multiple outreach sessions and communication on the deadlines with UAE businesses.” Girish Chand | Senior partner at MCA Consultants India mulls tax cuts to boost consumption NEW DELHI P rime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is considering consumption-boosting measures worth more than 500 billion rupees ($6 billion) in India’s upcoming budget, including tax cuts for lower income individuals for the first time in seven years, according to people familiar with the matter. Officials in the Ministry of Finance have discussed proposals to reduce taxes for consumers with the highest propensity to spend, the people said, asking not to be identified because the talks are private. Individuals with annual earnings of 500,000 rupees ($5,987) to 1.5 million rupees — currently taxed anywhere from 5 per cent to 20 per cent — could benefit from the move, the people said. A new tax slab may also be considered, they said. The details of the plan is still being worked on and a final decision will be taken closer to the time of the budget, due sometime in July, after approval from the prime minister’s office, they said. Despite the revenue loss from the tax changes, the government plans to stick to its fiscal deficit target of 5.1 per cent of gross domestic product for the current financial year, one of the people said. Cash payment to farmers Almost half of the 500 billion-rupee worth of measures will come from tax cuts, with the rest coming from other programmes, the people said. Talks are underway to raise the annual cash payment to small farmers to 8,000 rupees from the current 6,000 rupees, they said. In addition, there are also discussions to increase the annual payment under the minimum job guarantee programme, and expand financial support for women farmers, they said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is holding prebudget consultations with stakeholders, including economists, trade unions and industry chambers this week. Local media reported the budget for the new Modi government may be announced on July 22. — Bloomberg Budget relief aimed at consumers with the highest propensity to spend Individuals with annual earnings of 500,000 rupees to 1.5m rupees — currently taxed anywhere from 5% to 20% — could benefit from the move. $6billion targetted consumption boosting measures in upcoming budget
BUSINESS 7 GULFNEWS.COM | MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 What’s the cost of Musk’s pocket-sized Starlink Mini? ON GULFNEWS.COM Starlink ‘Mini’ is the latest innovation promising high-speed internet access in a portable package. Elon Musk, the man behind the internet constellation, just announced that the StarlinkMini will come at half the price of the original standard kit (at $599).The backpackborne satellite antenna is designed for adventurers, remote workers, and anyone frustrated with spotty internet. — Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor X | Gulf News ■ Starlink Mini is a game-changer for those seeking reliable internet access beyond the reach of traditional providers. Musk unveils pocketsized Starlink Mini: But for how much? CEO PIETER ELBERS TALKS ABOUT EXPANSION WITH DOMESTIC, INTERNATIONAL, BUSINESS CLASS PLANS DUBAI I ndian airline IndiGo has shed its low-cost carrier status for good. And now, it is introducing Business Class on select domestic flights, with plans to expand this service internationally. The airline currently operates 210 flights a week into the Gulf. CEO Pieter Elbers sees potential for further growth. “If at any point, we decide that [Gulf frequencies] would be part of the busiest business routes, we will launch it.” The airline also has plans to expand into Oman, given the near-collapse of Indian budget carrier Go Air and Air India’s ongoing route consolidation plans. “Because of that, we still have further room for growth in Oman,” the CEO added. IndiGo’s next growth phase is clearly to expand beyond being a low-cost carrier, and this includes keeping options for other cabin classes such as Premium Economy. As far as Elbers is concerned, IndiGo ‘left that station already’ when referring to the airline’s low-cost categorisation. “We have a tailor-made product for the Indian market... India still has millions of firsttime flyers each year. Today, we have [a fleet of] 300 aircraft and 100 million customers. We will double by the end of the decade, and we will still have millions of first-time flyers, for whom our promise of affordable fares remains crucial,” he said. Fast-growing fleet The airline has solid plans for the future with its upcoming BY DHANUSHA GOKULAN Chief Reporter Can China’s Comac break Airbus, Boeing duopoly in jet market? DUBAI C hinese state-owned planemaker Comac has the opportunity to break Airbus and Boeing’s duopoly of the passenger jet market over the next decade, the chief of aircraft leasing company Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) told Reuters. Airbus and Boeing are the main suppliers of aircraft to airlines, but the European planemaker is struggling to boost production amid record orders and Boeing is under scrutiny from regulators after a mid-air panel blowout on a new plane in January. The narrow-body C919 jet, which is manufactured by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) and is pitted against Airbus’ A320 and Boeing’s 737 Max, is a “perfectly fine aircraft”, Firoz Tarapore said in a recent interview. Duopoly to triopoly “Over the next decade Comac has a unique opportunity to break this duopoly into a triopoly because on the one hand Airbus is sold out, and Boeing is having production problems,” he said in Dubai this month. Comac’s planes fly almost exclusively within China and with one Indonesian airline. The planemaker is pursuing certification with Europe’s aviation regulator for its C919 jet while also looking for international customers. Aviation industry sources, however, caution that Comac is a long way from making inroads internationally, especially without benchmark certifications from the United States or European Union, or more efficient planes. Tarapore said that the demand for aircraft from China and nearby countries is “extremely robust” and that Comac has a “a very good chance of making a solid inroad”. Airbus has said production slots for its popular A320 family of aircraft are sold out until the end of the decade. Boeing, on the other hand, is engulfed in a sprawling safety crisis. Tarapore said he hopes Boeing will initiate structural and cultural change that results in the “production of high-quality aircraft. Problems at Boeing are slowing supplies for DAE, one of the world’s top 10 lessors, with a 500-strong fleet of owned, managed or ordered aircraft. DAE has previously said it expects to receive only around half the number of aircraft from Boeing this year than the planemaker had committed to deliver. “In 30 years from now, I believe we will not be talking about a duopoly, we will definitely be an industry where Comac plays a much more significant role,” Tarapore said. — Reuters Dubai aircraft lessor DAE’s chief executive thinks so WAM ■ DAE has previously said it expects to receive only around half the number of aircraft from Boeing this year than expected. Delhi Airport becomes first in India to launch fast track immigration NEW DELHI I ndira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has became the first airport in India roll out an expedited immigration clearance programme. The Fast Track ImmigrationTrusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) is designed to benefit Indian passport holders and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders. Similar to the Global Entry Programme offered by the United States Department of Homeland Security, the Trusted Traveller Programme allows pre-approved, low-risk travellers to benefit from expedited immigration and security clearance upon arrival. Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the programme by unveiling dedicated counters at Terminal 3. To join the programme, eligible individuals must apply online. The registration process for FTI-TTP may take up to a month. Applicants must ensure their passport has at least six months of validity at the time of application. To register, applicants will need to submit their fingerprints and facial image along with other required information. Applications will be processed after verification and confirmation of eligibility. This first-of-its-kind facility in India aims to significantly reduce congestion at airports by offering expedited emigration/immigration clearance for pre-verified travellers, both arriving and departing. Delhi Airport’s Terminal 3 is equipped with eight electronic gates — four for arrivals and four for departures — to facilitate a seamless experience for programme participants. The number of gates may increase based on demand. — ANI Eight electronic gates at Delhi’s Terminal 3 to facilitate programme ■ The first-of-its-kind immigration facility in India aims to significantly reduce congestion at the airport in Delhi. aircraft orders, which include planes from the Airbus A320 family, including the A321XLR aircraft, which opens up opportunities to operate non-stop flights linking primary and secondary cities worldwide. Earlier this year, the airline forayed into the wide-body space with a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The airline also has purchase rights for an additional 70 Airbus A350 aircraft. “The A350s are coming only in 2027, so we have another three years to figure that out,” said Elbers. Delivery delays The airline made history in 2023 by placing an order for 500 A320 Family aircraft. The CEO is not too concerned about timely delivery. “What’s important for us is that we have an order book of this magnitude, which is allowing us time to absorb some fluctuations and potential variations in the delivery scheme,” said Elbers. “We have 1,000 planes on order between today and the middle of the next decade. That means we will have a new plane coming in every week, which is a very, very significant number.” IndiGo ditches low-cost label as it sets sights on premium travel India’s population is very diverse. [Our] business model is to serve the market in an adequate way for India.” Pieter Elbers | CEO of Indigo Airlines Over the next decade Comac has a unique opportunity to break this duopoly into a triopoly because on the one hand Airbus is sold out, and Boeing is having production problems.” Firoz Tarapore | CEO of DAE 1,000 Airbus A320 family aircraft on order by IndiGo 500 aircraft in DAE’s fleet, one of world’s top 10 lessors Similar to the Global Entry Programme offered by the United States, the Trusted Traveller Programme allows pre-approved, low-risk travellers to benefit from expedited immigration and security clearance upon arrival.
8 THE VIEWS Scan for our social media MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 | GULFNEWS.COM NETANYAHU’S FUTURE HANGS IN THE BALANCE Accepting Biden’s plan would place Netanyahu among Israeli prime ministers who failed in their wartime objectives A ntony Blinken’s eight trips to the Middle East have not succeeded in stopping the Gaza War, not even with US President Joe Biden’s recent peace plan. Biden packaged it as a “comprehensive road map,” calling for a halt to hostilities, withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and return of displaced Palestinians, in addition to the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023. When all of that is done the US would lead international efforts for the delivery of aid to Gaza. Stage One of the Biden Plan would start with a partial withdrawal of the Israeli army coming hand-in-hand with Hamas’ release of 33 Israeli hostages. Unarmed Palestinians would be allowed to return to their homes — or what remains of them — also over a 42-day period. For each female or child hostage, 30 Palestinian women or children will be released, and in return for every Israeli hostage that is sick or injured, or those over the age of fifty, 30 elderly, sick, and injured Palestinian prisoners will be set free. Israel would release 50 female Palestinians in exchange for every Israeli female soldier. During Stage One, humanitarian aid would be raised to 600 trucks and restoration of medical centres to Gaza. Stage Two, also 42-days, would include a ceasefire, the release of civilian and male soldiers held by Hamas, and the complete withdrawal from Gaza. Stage Three would lead to the exchange of dead bodies from both sides, and a three to five year rehabilitation process for Gaza, to be overseen by the UN, Egypt, and Qatar. The end result, according to Biden, would lead to lifting the blockade of Gaza. Responses to the peace plan Hamas has responded with a set of modifications, seen as an indirect conditional “yes”. For starters, they demanded a written assurance from the United States regarding a permanent ceasefire. Hamas wants the ceasefire to start with Stage One, rather than Stage Two, and allow 50 of its wounded armed combatants free passage out of Gaza. During Stage One, they asked that Israeli troops withdraw from densely populated areas in Gaza. They have also asked that the phrase “lift the siege” is replaced with “end the siege” and mentions explicitly the reopening of all crossings, including Rafah. Hamas also demanded 24-hours of electricity for Gaza and asked that the guarantors list is expanded to include UNRWA, among others, which Biden will probably reject. Doha-based Ismail Haniyya said that Hamas’ response is “consistent” with the Biden Plan. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan added that some of the proposed changes are “expected, and can be managed.” Blinken acknowledged the proposed amendments, saying: “Some are workable. Some are not.” Elephant in the room The elephant in the room remains Hamas, which Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu had promised to annihilate. The Biden Plan implies that Hamas gets to stay in Gaza, without actually saying it. There is nothing in the road map that calls for their immediate or eventual departure or disarmament, and nothing about giving control of Gaza to President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority. Basically, it re-sets Gaza to pre-7 October 2023, without changing the status quo. Despite Biden’s insistence that the road map was signed off by Israel, Netanyahu is yet to endorse it openly in light of UNSCR 2735. If he does, it would be a major concession on his part, unleashing a Pandora’s Box within Israel, the day after the guns go silent in Gaza. He will try to market it as a success while his many opponents would describe it as a major climb-down, citing it as a reason for his removal from office. For the past eight months, the long-serving premier had set forth a series of objectives that were impossible to meet, and anything short of achieving them would be seen as no less than a major defeat. He remembers only too well that Golda Meir resigned in 1974 as PM not because she lost the October War of 1973, but because she was unprepared for it. The same applies to Ehud Olmert after the Lebanon War of 2006. He had promised to destroy Hezbollah, bomb Lebanon back to the Stone Age, and release two Israeli soldiers taken hostage the Iran-backed group. They were proclaimed dead in June 2008. Far from being destroyed, Hezbollah is presently engaged in a war of attrition with Israel. Accepting the Biden Plan would secure a permanent place for Netanyahu among the list of Israeli prime ministers who failed to achieve their wartime objectives. It would undoubtedly lead to his political departure from the scene. ■ Sami Moubayed is a historian and former Carnegie scholar. He is also author of the bestseller Under the Black Flag: At the frontier of the New Jihad. BY SAMI MOUBAYED | Special to Gulf News _____•_____ India’s flawed entrance test sparks chaos Unless the government acts decisively, consequences could reflect in the coming assembly elections T he national medical entrance exams in India, better known as the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test or Neet, is in the spotlight. One can only imagine how angry and frustrated the youth in India feel if the medical entrance test, whose 2024 edition attracted over 2.6 million prospectors, turns out to be unfair or rotten, compromising the future of a whole generation of would-be doctors in a country where youth unemployment is already a problem. And where opportunities are so limited that millions of aspiring youth go abroad each year to study, forking out exorbitant fees, because they cannot get admissions to the highly competitive and reservation-saddled institutes and universities. Actually, the Neet system was a step forward to regulate admissions to highly rewarding and competitive medical degree programmes. Earlier, a distressingly high percentage of seats were practically “sold” by private institutions under the guise of “capitation fees.” These ran into millions of rupees. Neet was meant to end such malpractices by using the highly successful Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) model. Each year, over 1.5 million students appear for IIT-JEE, and the results have never caused the sort of stink that has now spread nationwide with Neet. It determines the eligibility of candidates for college and university-level lectureship and for the award of the Junior Research Fellowship. With the National Testing Agency (NTA) admitting that the integrity of the 2024 test was forfeited and thus scrapping the results, chaos has erupted in middle-class families all over India. At the heart of these controversies is the NTA, the government-run nodal agency responsible for conducting these tests. It is run by senior and respectable academics, whose own track record or integrity can scarcely be doubted. But the rot runs so deep in the system that it is hard to understand exactly where it is compromised. The scandal-hit Neet and the scrapped UGC-Net point to the broader crisis in the Indian education system, particularly concerning high-stakes entrance examinations. The nationwide protests over the former intensified with the award of “grace marks” to 1,563 Neet candidates and allegations of paper leaks and irregularities during the exam in some states. On June 4, the very day that the outcome of the epochal 2024 general elections became known, Neet results were also announced. An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720/720, and others scored 718 or 719 — marks some claim are impossible given the grading scheme. The youth in India constitutes a formidable force that, in the past, has unseated governments. The youth, whose futures are at stake, are incensed and disappointed. Rightly so. Unless the government acts decisively, the consequences could reflect in the coming assembly elections. ■ Makarand R. Paranjape is a noted academic, author and columnist BY MAKARAND R. PARANJAPE | Special to Gulf News _____•_____ Readmore Views online Indian media at crossroads after election missteps Macron’s election gamble as populists surge in France ON GULFNEWS.COM Priortise air safety R ecently, air travel safety has been in the spotlight due to several incidents involving air turbulence. I would like to share my experience regarding passenger behaviour. One common issue I noticed was that despite repeated announcements, passengers continue to use mobile phones during the flight. Many passengers do not fasten their seat belts and have to be reminded multiple times by the crew. Upon landing, some passengers start opening overhead lockers and retrieving luggage before the flight comes to a complete stop. It is crucial for all of us to prioritise safety, not only for ourselves but also for our fellow travellers. We all need to take responsibility for our safety. ■ AJEET KUMAR S PILLAI UAE For a better tomorrow T ime flies and nothing is permanent. Pain, failure, happiness, success, relationships — they all come and go. We can’t even be certain if we will see the next day’s sunrise. So, why burden ourselves with worries about things that might not even happen? The hurt, frustration, anxiety, and disappointment over things beyond your control areall temporary. Give yourself time. Nothing lasts forever, not even pain or happiness. Forgive, love more, and distance yourself from things that cause you pain. Embrace growth that benefits not just you but also those around you. Be gentle, be kind, and remind yourself that if today was tough, if things didn’t go as planned, tomorrow’s sunrise will bring new hope and a better day. ■ TEJAL SHAH Dubai Dube, Jadeja struggling C ongratulations to the Indian cricket team for their victory in the first Super 8 match against Afghanistan. Credit to Surya Kumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya for their valuable partnership, which helped set a target of 182 runs. However, a better performance may be needed against top teams like South Africa, Australia, and England. The bowlers are performing well, but it seems that Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja are struggling both with bat and ball. Therefore, they could be replaced by Yashasvi Jaiswal or Sanju Samson. Mohammad Siraj or Yuzvendra Chahal could also be more effective. ■ VINAY MAHADEVAN 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 readers@ gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us@GNReaders 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: editor@gulfnews.com ADVERTISING 600 587234 Email: advt@gulfnews.com CIRCULATION 600 587234 Email: circul@gulfnews.com Yoga for mindfulness I am writing to you about something that has had a profound impact on my life — yoga (“Photos: International Yoga Day celebrated around the world”, Gulf News, June 21). Incorporating yoga into my daily routine has been transformative. It has taught me to be more mindful, to stay in the moment and to be kinder to myself. The deep breathing and meditation have helped me manage stress and anxiety. Whether it’s a gentle stretching session or a more dynamic flow, there is always a style of yoga that suits my needs and mood. The discipline required in yoga has influenced other aspects of my life, helping me stay focused on my goals and priorities. ■ RAMACHARAN N. India
MIDDLE EAST 9 GULFNEWS.COM | MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 31339757_1.1 ISRAELI FORCES TIE WOUNDED PALESTINIAN TO JEEP IN JENIN RAID Military launches investigation, says conduct of troops does not conform to army values JERUSALEM I sraeli troops tied a wounded Palestinian man to a military vehicle during a raid in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, the army said yesterday, admitting that soldiers had violated operational procedures. Footage of the incident, which occurred on Saturday, has gone viral and shows a Jenin resident strapped horizontally to the bonnet of a military jeep as it passes through a narrow alley. Medics identified the Palestinian as Mujahid Raed Abbadi, 24, from the Jabriyat neighbourhood, located between the towns of Burqin and Jenin. The military said the Palestinian was wounded during a “counterterrorism operation” in the area of Wadi Burqin. During an exchange of fire between troops and militants, one of the suspects was wounded and apprehended, the military said in a statement. “In violation of orders and standard operating procedures, the suspect was taken by the forces while tied on top of a vehicle,” the statement said. “The conduct of the forces in the video of the incident does not conform to the values of the IDF (military),” it added. Man being treated “The incident will be investigated and dealt with accordingly,” the military said, adding that the wounded man was transferred to the Palestinian Red Crescent for treatment. Abbadi is currently being treated at Jenin’s Ibn Sina hospital, medics at the facility said. Jenin has long been a stronghold for Palestinian groups, and the Israeli army routinely carries out raids in the city and adjacent refugee camps. Violence in the West Bank, which had already surged before the Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7, has only escalated since. At least 553 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli troops or settlers since the Gaza war broke out, according to Palestinian officials. Attacks by Palestinians have killed at least 14 Israelis in the West Bank over the same period, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. War toll The Gaza Strip has been gripped by more than eight months of war since Hamas’s unprecedented October-7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Militants took 251 hostages, 116 of whom remain in Gaza, including 41 the army says are dead. Israel’s military offensive on Gaza has since killed at least 37,598 people, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. — AFP —Agencies Short takes Palestinian footballer, family killed in Gaza Drone attack damages ship in Red Sea: UK Hezbollah targets Israeli army position Palestinian soccer player Ahmad Abu Al Atta and his family were killed in their home by an Israeli air strike in Gaza, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said. Abu Al-Atta, 34, who played as a defender for the Gaza Strip team Al-Ahly Gaza, died along with his wife Ruba Esmael Abu Al-Atta, a medical professional, and their two children after the air strike hit their home in Gaza City, the PFA said in a statement released on Saturday. Local media reported that the air strike took place on Friday, but the PFA did not give a date. A drone attack damaged a merchant ship in the Red Sea near Yemen early yesterday morning, though no injuries were reported, according to a British maritime security agency. Vessels in and around the Red Sea, which is vital to world trade, have come under repeated attack for months by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The rebels say they are acting in support of Palestinians during the IsraelHamas war in the Gaza Strip. The attack occurred about 65 nautical miles (120km) west of the Yemeni port city of Hodeida, said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which is run by the Britain’s Royal Navy. Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group said yesterday it had targeted a military position in northern Israel with an armed drone in response to the killing of an Islamist commander. Hezbollah’s announcement came hours after it published a video excerpt purporting to show locations in Israel along with their coordinates, amid heightening fears of an all-out conflict between the two foes. On Saturday, the Jamaa Islamiya group announced the death of one of its commanders, Ayman Ghotmeh, saying he was killed “in a treacherous Zionist raid” in Khiara in Lebanon’s Bekaa area. ■ Left: Israeli forces strap a Palestinian on the bonnet of a military jeep during a raid in Jenin in West Bank on Saturday. ■ Below: Palestinians carry an injured woman outside the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency following an Israeli strike in Gaza City yesterday. Photos: Reuters 37,598 people, mostly civilians, have been killed due to Israel’s offensive in Gaza 553 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli troops 14 Israelis in the West Bank have died due to attacks by Palestinians CAIRO E ight Palestinians were killed yesterday in an Israeli air strike on a training college near Gaza City being used to distribute aid, Palestinian witnesses said, as Israeli tanks pushed further into the southern city of Rafah. The strike hit part of a vocational college run by the UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, providing aid to displaced families, the witnesses said. “Some people were coming to receive coupons and others had been displaced from their houses and they were sheltering here. Some were filling up water, and suddenly, we heard something falling. We ran away,” said Mohammad Tafesh, one of the witnesses. A photographer saw a low-rise building completely demolished and bodies wrapped in blankets laid out beside the road, waiting to be taken away. “We pulled out martyrs [from under the rubble], one who used to sell cold drinks and another who used to sell pastries and others who distributed or received coupons,” Tafesh said. “There are about four or five martyrs and 10 injured. Thank God, the condition of the injured is good.” The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s Director of Communications, said the agency was looking into the details of the reported attack before providing more information. “Since the beginning of the war, we have recorded that nearly 190 of our buildings have been hit. This is the majority of our buildings in Gaza,” she said. A total of 193 UNRWA members had been killed in the conflict, she said. More than eight months into Israel’s war in the Hamas-administered Palestinian enclave, its advance is focused on the two areas its forces have yet to seize — Rafah on Gaza’s southern tip and the area surrounding Deir al-Balah in the centre. Israel’s ground and air campaign in Gaza was triggered when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7. — Reuters Israeli air strike kills 8 at Gaza aid centre, witnesses say RELENTLESS DUBAI A popular Indian restaurant operating clandestinely inside a residential apartment in Salmiya, Kuwait, has been shut down, and its workers deported, following a promotional video that inadvertently revealed its location. The incident unfolded when the restaurant owners hired an Indian TikTok celebrity to film and promote their establishment, targeting the Indian community in the area. The advertisement inadvertently drew the attention of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce. Many Kuwaiti bloggers shared the video, making humorous comments about the owners’ mistake in revealing the restaurant’s location. This attention prompted the Ministry of Commerce to take swift action, conducting a raid on the restaurant. During the inspection, authorities discovered several violations: The restaurant was using government-subsidised materials, not complying with safety regulations and there was a pervasive smell of gas. As a result, the ministry ordered the closure of the restaurant and referred its workers to the Salmiya police station, from where they were deported for violating local laws. Local media reports criticised the restaurant, highlighting Indian eateries often showcased on social media for their lack of hygiene. This incident occurs amid heightened surveillance in Kuwait following a tragic fire that claimed the lives of 49 workers, mostly Indians, recently. Kuwait shuts illegal Indian eatery after ad reveals location BY KHITAM AL AMIR Chief News Editor
WORLD 10 MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 | GULFNEWS.COM —Agencies Short takes Missile kills three people in Crimea Liquor tragedy: Deaths now 54 UK official berates Rwanda policy A Ukrainian missile attack yesterday on a city in the Russianannexed Crimea peninsula killed three people, including two children, and wounded over 100, officials said. Fragments hit beachgoers in Sevastopol after at least one missile was intercepted by air defences and exploded in the air, according to officials. The death toll has climbed to 54 from consumption of tainted liquor in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu, with more than 100 people still in hospital, an official said on Saturday. Nearly 200 people have been treated sinceWednesday after drinking liquor spiked with methanol in Kallakurichi, 250km from Chennai. The UK interior minister has defended a parliamentary aide who called the government plan to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda “crap”, in a leaked audio revealed. James Sunderland, a parliamentary aide and Conservative party candidate, was heard saying: “the policy is crap, ok? It’s crap.” PARIS Jogger mauled nearly to death by 3 wolves at French lodge T hree wolves in a zoo outside Paris attacked a 37-year-old woman leaving her fighting for her life, a source familiar with the case and local prosecutors said. The woman was bitten “on the neck, the calf and the back” at the Thoiry zoo around 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of the French capital, the source familiar with the case told AFP. Maryvonne Caillibotte, chief prosecutor in Versailles, said the woman’s life was in danger. The woman is believed to have gone out alone for a jog after spending the night with her family in a safari-style lodge at the zoo. The woman “ended up in the safari zone, which is supposed to be restricted to cars. That’s where she was attacked”. Jogger mauled ON GULFNEWS.COM Four members of UK’s richest family jailed for exploiting staff Fourmembers of the billionaire Hinduja familywere found guilty of exploiting poorly paid house help at their Geneva villa, in a damning verdict for the Swiss branch of one of India’s wealthiest and most influential clans. Family scionAjay Hinduja, his wife Namrata and his parents Prakash and Kamal illegally took advantage of staff hired in India, paying them wages that were a fraction of the rate in Switzerland. — AFP Detained men gave NEET paper to 30 students: Report THREE ACCUSED CHARGED UP TO RS4M TO HELP STUDENTS PASS EXAM IN BIHAR NEW DELHI T he three men arrested in Bihar in connection with the alleged paper leak of the medical entrance exam NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test), had copies of all the question papers and the answer sheets, NDTV reported, quoting sources in the HRD ministry, after the police sent in its investigation report. The head of India’s National Testing Agency (NTA), Subodh Kumar Singh, has been dismissed. The government has also appointed a committee to recommend reforms in the fiercely competitive process. So far, 13 people have been arrested in Bihar in connection with the leak. Answer sheets circulated There were allegations of irregularities, including cheating, impersonation and other malpractices after the results of the NEET-UG 2024 were declared on June 4 — days before schedule. The police found photocopies of admit cards of four NEET candidates, an iPhone 15 Plus and One Plus mobile from them. After questioning the men — Sikandar Yadvendu, Akhilesh Kumar and Bittu Kumar — the police found they circulated the papers and answer sheets among four candidates, NDTV said. ANI ■ Members of the All India Students’ Association and other students’ union protest in New Delhi recently. WASHINGTON F ormer US president Donald Trump urged evangelical Christians Saturday to vote en masse for him in November, vowing to “aggressively” protect their religious freedom if he is elected. The ex-leader, who rarely appears in church himself, has built a crucial base among the religious right, promising — and delivering — on some of their biggest priorities, including by appointing Supreme Court justices who helped overturn the federal right to abortion. “The evangelicals and the Christians, they don’t vote as much as they should,” Trump told supporters at a Washington conference by the Faith and Freedom Coalition, a conservative group. ‘Don’t vote in 4 years’ “They go to church every Sunday, but they don’t vote,” he said, adding in a half-joke: “In four years, you don’t have to vote. Okay? In four years, don’t vote. I don’t care.” Trump will be ineligible to run for president in 2028. Evangelical voters were crucial for Trump’s 2016 victory and in his failed 2020 campaign, when 84 per cent of white evangelical Protestants voted for him, the Pew Research Centre said. “We will protect Christians in our schools, in our military, in our government, in our workplaces, in our hospitals and in our public square,” he said. — AFP Must vote, Trump tells evangelical Christians The conspiracy involved the arrested men, and a few others — Sanjeev Singh, Rocky, Nitish and Amit Anand, sources told the news media company. The questioning of the candidates revealed that besides them, 25-30 other candidates also received the question paper and the solved answer sheets. The arrested men said they had charged each candidate Rs3 to 4 million to help them pass the exam, sources said. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has now taken over the probe into the alleged paper leak after a complaint was filed by the HRD ministry. They have filed a case of fraud and criminal conspiracy and are expected to take charge of the people arrested in the case as well. The ministry has also asked the CBI to inquire into the role of public servants, if any, connected with the holding of the exam and the “larger conspiracy”, sources said. After taking over the probe, the CBI formed special teams to investigate the case, the central agency said yesterday. According to the CBI, special teams are being dispatched to Patna in Bihar and Godhra in Gujarat, where local police cases have been registered. — Gulf News Report 2.4m students appeared for the NEET test which was held on May 5 1,563 candidates, who had initially received grace marks, rewrote the test UK’s richest family, the Hindujas, get jail terms for exploiting staff at Swiss villa Reuters ■ Donald Trump Evangelical voters were crucial for Trump’s 2016 victory and again in his failed 2020 campaign, when 84 per cent of white evangelical Protestants voted for him. Student protests have been raging across the country, amplified by the Opposition, leading to a political row. They have been demanding the exam be rescheduled for everyone and not the 1500-odd students who received grace marks. This, however, has not been accepted by the government and the re-test for the 1,563 candidates was held yesterday.When the results were previously declared, it was found that 67 students scored an unprecedented 720/720 marks. RAGING PROTESTS ■ Authorities lead theNEET paper leak accused out of hospital after their medical test, in Patna yesterday. ANI
SPORT 11 Scan for our social media GULFNEWS.COM | MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 —Agencies Short takes Super subs ensure victory for Venezuela Kim holds one-shot lead at Travelers Murray’s Wimbledon participation in limbo Verstappen continues his reign in Spain Goals from substitutes Jhonder Cadiz and Eduard Bello gave Venezuela a 2-1 win over 10-man Ecuador in their Copa America Group B match on Saturday. In the group’s other game, Mexico made a winning start to their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in Houston but lost their captain Edson Alvarez to injury. Mexico laboured for long stretches against Jamaica before a superbly struck 69th minute goal from Gerardo Arteaga earned them the three points. Brazil kick off their campaign against Costa Rica tomorrow. The scores are so good in the Travelers Championship that South Korea’s Tom Kim knows his lead might not be safe. Kim shot 5-under par 65 to maintain the lead in a tight competition Saturday despite Cameron Young’s 59 in Saturday’s third round at Cromwell, Conn. Kim is at 18-under 192 going into yesterday’s final round, holding a one-shot advantage on world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Akshay Bhatia. Scheffler finished the third round with four straight birdies, including a tap-in at No. 18. Bhatia birdied his last two holes to match Scheffler’s 64. Confusion surrounded the Wimbledon fate of twotime former champion Andy Murray after back surgery appeared to rule him out of this year’s tournament. The Scot had been aiming to make a farewell appearance at the grass court Grand Slam, which he won in 2013 and 2016. However, the 37-year-old will need an expected six weeks to recover from a spinal cyst operation, with Wimbledon starting on July 1. He now also faces a race against time to be fit for next month’s Paris Olympics, with Murray twice a gold medallist in the singles. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix for the third year in a row yesterday after McLaren’s pole-sitter Lando Norris lost out at the start and finished 2.2 seconds behind. Seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton was third for his first podium appearance of the season with Mercedes team mate George Russell fourth on a sunny afternoon at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. Verstappen continues No retirement talk after De Bruyne masterclass COLOGNE F or a brief moment on Saturday, Belgian maestro Kevin De Bruyne looked like he was about to drop a bombshell on his country when he started talking about leaving the national team in good shape for when he moves on. It would have been terrible timing for De Bruyne to announce he was hanging up his international boots after an astonishing performance in their 2-0 win over Romania, when he netted his 28th goal for Belgium and was instrumental in keeping their Euro 2024 hopes alive. “When I leave the team it will be up to them to be left to their own devices,” said the Belgian captain, who was player of the match. After a few moments of puzzlement among media, De Bruyne quickly clarified. “I was more thinking about the fact that there are lots of young lads coming in,” he said. — Reuters Belgian maestro in top form against Romania Rashid:Massive win for us as a team ARNOS VALE A fghanistan captain Rashid Khan described his side’s 21-run victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup Super Eight match yesterday as a “massive win for us as a team and as a nation.” The Afghans took advantage of a poor performance in the field from the Australians to post 148-6 in their innings before bowling the 2021 champions out for 127, a result that keeps alive their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals. “It’s not just like a bilateral game,” said Rashid. “It’s a World Cup game, and definitely in a World Cup, you’re beating one of the best sides. It’s a great achievement.” It was Afghanistan’s first ever win over Australia and came a year after Glenn Maxwell had rescued the eventual world champions from defeat in the ODI World Cup in India. ‘Means a lot’ “It means a lot. Beating teams like Australia... it gives the people back home so much hope. Especially the young generation getting involved in the cricket. Cricket is the only source of happiness back home, you all know that. And I feel like we are so lucky to be here giving this happiness to the people back home. “As a team we can make them more proud and give them more happiness.” Politics has added some needle to their encounters with Cricket Australia withdrawing from bilateral series because of the “deterioration in human rights” for women and girls in Afghanistan. “I don’t think cricket is the solution of politics and things like that. So, yeah, if we play in World Cup, why don’t we play in bilateral series?” — AFP Afghanistan record first ever victory against Australia AFP ■ Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz, right, celebrates his team’s win against Australia at Arnos Vale Stadium. record is equally remarkable. He has a proven track record of improving team performance and fostering young talent. His tenure at Cedevita Olimpija in Slovenia stands out, where he led the team to several notable victories and significantly improved their standings in both domestic and international competitions. Dubai Basketball will take part in the 16-team ABA League, which runs from September to May. The Dubai outfit will compete against some of Europe’s top clubs like Partizan and KK Crvena Zvezda, who defeated Partizan in the final to clinch the coveted title last month. While the Dubai club will be playing their matches away in Europe, the emirate will see some top-class action during the home legs. All the 15 teams will come to Dubai, allowing fans to watch some of the continent’s prominent names showcasing their talents at the Coca-Cola Arena during the nine-month season. “Our ultimate goal is to reach the EuroLeague, but now we are taking our first step towards reaching that target. About three weeks ago, we signed with the Adriatic league, which is one of the greatest regional leagues in European competition,” Djokovic told Gulf News last week. Momentous occasion Golemac’s arrival marks a momentous occasion for Dubai Basketball. His extensive experience as both a player and a coach provides him with a unique perspective that combines tactical expertise with an empathetic understanding of players’ needs. Golemac is expected to instill a winning mentality and a culture of discipline and hard work within the team. His coaching philosophy emphasises a strong defensive foundation, quick transitions and versatile offensive plays, which are all areas where Dubai Basketball aims to improve. Golemac’s strategic approach and ability to adapt to different game situations will be crucial in navigating the challenges of the upcoming season. Moreover, Golemac’s track record in player development aligns perfectly with Dubai Basketball’s vision of nurturing local talent while competing at the highest levels. His mentorship will be invaluable to the young players, who will benefit immensely from his experience and insights. Dejan Kamenjaševi, General Manager, said: “With Jurica Golemac’s appointment as our first head coach, we are poised to build a competitive and dynamic team that will make a significant impact in our debut ABA season, while also helping us as a club to build a healthy foundation for the future.” ■ Partizan will be seen in action in Dubai along with KK Crvena Zvezda during Dubai Basketball’s home matches against them. We are confident that his [Golemac’s] extensive experience and leadership will set a strong foundation for our team’s success.” Djordje Djokovic » Vice-President & CEO of Dubai Basketball ICC CRICKET WORLDCUP 2024 Bridgetown: Reigning champions England qualified for the semifinals of the T20 World Cup after hammering the United States by 10 wickets in their concluding Super Eights match in Barbados yesterday. Chris Jordan took four wickets in five balls as England dismissed the USA for 115. England captain Jos Buttler then made 83 not out as his side raced to 117- 0 in 9.4 overs to guarantee a place in the last four. .— AFP ENGLAND IN SEMIS SCORES/FIXTURES Afghanistan 148-6 in 20 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 60, Ibrahim Zadran 51; Pat Cummins 3-28) beat Australia 127 all out in 19.2 overs (Glenn Maxwell 59; Gulbadin Naib 4-20, Naveen ul Haq 3-20) by 21 runs. USA 115 in 18.5 overs (Nitish Kumar 30; Chris Jordan 4/10) lost to England 117-0 in 9.4 overs (Jos Buttler 83 n.o., Phil Salt 25 n.o.) by 10 wickets. Today’s matches West Indies v South Africa (4.30am UAE) Australia v India (6.30pm UAE) Today’smatches Albania v Spain (11pm UAE) Croatia v Italy (11pm UAE) FIXTURES Golemac joins Dubai Basketball as head coach FORMER EUROPEAN PLAYER EXPECTED TO INSTILL WINNING MENTALITY, DISCIPLINE AND HARD WORK DUBAI D ubai Basketball, a new franchise that will take part in the ABA (Adriatic) basketball League, has appointed Jurica Golemac as the new head coach. Golemac, a seasoned basketball professional with a wealth of experience both as a player and coach, is set to bring a fresh and dynamic approach to the team. His arrival marks a significant step forward for the club, reflecting the club’s commitment to excellence and ambition to elevate the performance on the court. Salem Bin Dasmal, President of Dubai Basketball, said: “Golemac’s arrival marks a significant milestone for our club and we are excited to support his vision and leadership as we embark on this exciting journey together.” Djordje Djokovic, Vice-President & CEO, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Golemac as the first head coach of Dubai Basketball in our inaugural ABA season, and we are confident that his extensive experience and leadership will set a strong foundation for our team’s success.” A stellar playing career Born in Slovenia, Golemac quickly rose through the ranks to establish himself as a formidable player in European basketball. His career spanned several top-tier leagues, including stints in Italy, Greece, Germany and Slovenia. He is known for his versatility, having played both as a forward and centre, demonstrating exceptional skill, intelligence and leadership on the court. Golemac has won multiple domestic league titles and his ability to perform consistently at a high level earned him respect and admiration across the European basketball community. Notably, his time with Panathinaikos in Greece saw him compete at the highest levels of European basketball, including the prestigious EuroLeague. Transition to coaching After retiring as a player, Golemac transitioned into coaching, bringing his deep understanding of the game and strategic acumen. His coaching BY A.K.S. SATISH Sports Editor
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ENTERTAINMENT 14 MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 | GULFNEWS.COM Britain’s Prince William posed for a photo with US music star Taylor Swift and two of his children, Charlotte and George, at the first night of Swift’s Eras tour in London over the weekend. A photo posted on Kensington Palace’s X social media feed with the caption “Thank you @taylorswift13 for a great evening!” showed William smiling as Swift took a selfie with him and the children. William celebrated his 42nd birthday on Friday. Swift also posted a photo of her with the royals and her partner Travis Kelce with the message: “Happy Bday M8! London shows are offto a splendid start”. Ahead of the first of her London shows, the city published a special version of its distinctive London Underground map to mark the occasion. — Reuters The original watercolour illustration for the first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone — the book that introduced the world to the young bespectacled wizard — will go up for auction in New York on Wednesday. The work by Thomas Taylor, who was just 23 years old in 1997 when he painted the iconic image of the young boy with the lightning bolt scar and the round glasses, is expected to fetch from $400,000 to $600,000 at Sotheby’s. Taylor was working at a children’s bookstore in Cambridge, England, when he was tapped by publisher Barry Cunningham at Bloomsbury to paint the image for J K Rowling’s book, which was to have been released in London on June 26, 1997. He was one of the first people to read the book, getting an early copy of the manuscript to inform his artwork, according to Sotheby’s books specialist, Kalika Sands. “So he knew about the world before anybody else and it was really up to him to think of how he visualised Harry Potter,” Sands told AFP. Rowling and Taylor were unknown when the book was released, and few expected it would become a global phenomenon. Only 500 copies of the first edition were printed, and 300 of them were sent to libraries, according to Sotheby’s. — AFP Taylor Swift poses with Prince William after ‘splendid’ London concert Original ‘Harry Potter’ art to be auctioned her partner Travis Kelce with the message: “Happy Bday — Reuters after ‘splendid’ London concert image of the young boy with the lightning bolt scar and the round glasses, J K Rowling’s book, which was to have think of how he visualised Harry Potter,” Sands told AFP. when the book was released, and few expected it would become a global phenomenon. Only 500 copies of the fi rst edition were printed, and 300 of them were sent to libraries, according to Sotheby’s. ‘Bridgerton’ is back, while Vijay Sethupathi’s thriller, ‘Maharaja’, hits the right spots TOP 8 HOLLYWOODANDBOLLYWOOD FILMS,SHOWSTO WATCHTHISWEEK By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor Inside Out 2 (UAE cinemas) Here’s a film that reminds you that emotions — good and bad — make you whole. The second instalment of this beloved animated feature follows Riley (Kensington Tallman) during her teenage years along with her core emotions — Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale, replacing Bill Hader), and Disgust (Liza Lapira, replacing Mindy Kaling). In this new chapter, she encounters another new emotion, Anxiety (Maya Hawke). This family-friendly film brings alive the inner workings of our minds delightfully. True Detective Season 4 (OSN+) Hollywood star Jodie Foster is a force to reckon with as the stony police chief, Liz Danvers, investigating a series of disappearances in a remote town in Alaska. Mexican filmmaker Issa Lopez sets the tone for a haunting murder mystery in a town that sees very little sunshine. The chilling and stark six-episode season — which begins with eight scientists at a secretive research station vanishing — may not be an easy watch, but the well-acted series is hugely satisfying. Chandu Champion (UAE cinemas) If you love an underdog tale, then Kartik Aaryan-led Chandu Champion will endear. This slightly on-thenose biopic, directed by Kabir Khan, chronicles the remarkable life of Paralympic champion, Murlikant Petkar, who brought home an Olympic gold medal in the 500-metre swimming event in 1972.While the film can get exploitative in some parts, director Khan and actor Aaryan do a neat job of corralling together nuggets from Petkar’s life. Plus, you get to watch Aaryan and actor Vijay Raaz do all the heavy lifting. Maharaja (UAE cinemas) Vijay Sethupathi is in top form in this Tamil-language thriller.He plays a seemingly powerless barberwhowants tofind hismissing trash can that he calls Lakshmi.The police,naturally, ridicule him.But there’smore to this insipid case than a dustbin disappearance.Brilliantly acted,Sethupathi’s 50thfilm is a defining one.Bollywood directorAnurag Kashyap also adds a twist to thismacabre thriller.Withoutgiving the plot away, the climaxwill impress.Bewarned, theviolence and thegoremight put you off,but staywith thisfilm until theend. Bridgerton Season 3 (Netflix) Thesecond-halfofthe thirdseasonisallfireandnoice. Theseries throwslighton thesteamy friends-to-loversarc between thedishyColin(LukeNewton)and the feisty,but perenniallyoverlookedPenelope(NicolaCoughlan).But thingsgetdarkand twistedwhenColin realises that the loveofhislifeandhisbest friendis theinfamousgossip writerLadyWhistledown,sending theirnew relationship intoadownwardspiral.Will these twomakeit,against suchodds? Nadanna sambhavam (UAE cinemas) Trust Malayalam movies to take a dense subject like toxic masculinity and make a quirky satire about it. Starring the supremely talented Biju Menon and Suraj Venjaramoodu, this movie is about two neighbours with contrasting personalities locking horns. Menon plays the popular and amiable Sreekumaran Unni, while Venjaramoodu plays the surly and sexist Ajith Neelakantan. The two are out to school the other, unleashing a battle of relentless wills. Presumed Innoncent (Apple TV) Academy nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this legal thriller created by David E. Kelly. Based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Scott Turow, this miniseries is about a hotshot prosecutor Rusty Sabich (Gyllenhaal) who’s accused of a colleague’s murder. The twist: this married man with kids had an affair with the victim,making the whodunit murkier. Themes like infidelity,violence, and obsession are dealt with in the soapiest manner. Ishq Vishq Rebound (UAE cinemas) Young actor Rohit Saraf spearheads this coming-of-age romantic comedy about four friends as they navigate love, break-ups, and rebounds in their twenties. Featuring a raft of relatively unknown talents, this glossy sliceof-life film will remind you that falling in and out of love can be a treacherous terrain. The movie also dwells into bro-code and whether it’s a good idea to date your best friend. Photos: IMDb, Netflix, Apple TV, Instagram/taylorswift, Reuters Taylor Swift with Travis Kelce and the royals.
K im Kardashian opened up about the impact of Botox on her acting aspirations during the latest episode of The Kardashians, shedding light on the challenges she faces in portraying emotions on screen. Kardashian humorously discussed the difficulties of emoting while having Botox injections. “You need less Botox for more emotions, and I don’t have it,” she quipped to her friends during a candid conversation about her acting career on the June 20 episode of The Kardashians, as per E! News. The reality TV star acknowledged the complexities of taking on emotionally demanding roles, citing her appearance in American Horror Story: Delicate as a noteworthy experience. LOSE 500 POUNDS? NO WAY Despite her reservations, Kardashian expressed a tentative interest in pursuing acting further, but emphasised her reluctance to undergo extreme physical transformations for roles. “I’m not going to be gaining 500 pounds for a role and losing a million. That’s just not where I need to be,” she said, according to People magazine. Reflecting on her future ambitions, Kardashian revealed her “10-year plan” to establish herself on the big screen, aiming to take on a movie role annually. “I’ve got about 10 years where I still look good, so that’s all I’ve got in me. And then I’ll take some time off,” she shared in a confessional on the show. ‘LOVE THE IDEA OF A FEMALE 007’ While Kardashian hadn’t originally envisioned an acting career, she disclosed a dream role that excites her. “I really love the idea of being a female 007,” she enthused, hinting at her desire to portray a gender-swapped version of the iconic James Bond character. “Bond Boys with a female 007? That would be epic,” she said. — ANI ‘ ... And I don’t have it,’ says Kim Kardashian as she discusses the challenges of acting ‘You need less Botox for more emotions’ ENTERTAINMENT 15 Actors Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal married in an intimate ceremony in Mumbai yesterday, in the presence of friends and family. Sonakshi and Zaheer, who dated for seven years, shared beautiful pictures from their wedding day on Instagram. Sonakshi looked beautiful in an ivory sari with embroidery work, her hair tied into a bun and adorned with white roses. Zaheer opted for an all-white ensemble. “On this very day, seven years back (23.06.2017) in each other’s eyes, we saw love in its purest form and decided to hold on to it. Today, that love has guided us through all the challenges and triumphs ... leading up to this moment ... where with the blessings of both our families and both our Gods ... we are now man and wife,” they wrote. — ANI From now until forever: Sonakshi and Zaheer share wedding pictures Kim Kardashian GULFNEWS.COM | MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 31339745_5.1 Instagram/kimkardashian, Instagram/aslisona Zaheer Iqbal and Sonakshi Sinha. Below: The couple register their marriage in the presence of the bride’s father, Shatrughan Sinha.