Latest from Khaleej Times
Khaleej Times
18 minutes ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Qatar to compensate residents for debris damage after Iranian missile strike
Qatar's citizens and residents whose private properties were damaged by debris from intercepting Iranian missiles during the attack on Al Udeid base last month will be compensated. On June 23, the Islamic Republic responded to US participation in Israel's air war against it by firing a volley of missiles at the US air base in Qatar, but no one was hurt after Tehran gave advance warning, and a ceasefire was announced hours later by US President Donald Trump. Explosions were heard in the Qatari capital on that night and debris from intercepting the missiles were seen in some roads. Qatar's Ministry of Interior (MOI) took to X to say on Sunday that damages sustained by all private properties, like residential buildings, vehicles, industrial facilities, and commercial establishments, as a result of falling shrapnel from the interception of Iranian missiles, will be compensated. However, it clarified that these damages must be previously documented through official reports filed with the competent security departments. The affected individuals will then be contacted by the Civil Defence Council to complete the compensation procedures by the approved laws and regulations. Those who have not yet documented their cases may still submit a compensation request through the "Metrash" application within two days from the date of the compensation announcement. No claims will be accepted after the expiration of the deadline, the MOI clarified. waiving all traffic violations issued on that day for motorists.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Middle East, India key strategic markets for Air France-KLM
The Middle East remains a key market for Air France-KLM, and the European carrier is taking steps to expand capacity here. 'Overall, the aviation sector in UAE is experiencing growth. For Air France and KLM, we've good load factors and positive trends, which has enabled us to increase capacity in Dubai, with the deployment of the Boeing 777s. There are opportunities for further expansion in the region, our willingness to add more capacity from Dubai is strong, however, we are currently facing constraints, as the slots are limited,' Stefan Gumuseli, Air France-KLM's general manager for India and the Middle East, told Khaleej Times in an interview. Currently, Air France and KLM serve eight cities across Middle East and India, operating 89 weekly flights. 'In the Middle East, our network includes Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, Dammam, and Riyadh and In India, we operate from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai and soon Hyderabad. Air France and KLM offer seamless connections for both business and leisure travelers, with smooth access for our customers from Middle East and India to over 300 destinations worldwide through our hubs in Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris, Charles de Gaulle,' Gumuseli said. The Middle East is witnessing a positive growth in aviation, further accelerated by ambitious initiatives such as Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to position the region as a key global hub. 'Our operations are well-structured to meet this growing demand,' Gumuseli said. In the region, the airline group is expanding its network in the Middle East and India. 'In the Middle East, our codeshare partnership with Saudia significantly enhances connectivity between France, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia. This partnership was further strengthened through a strategic MoU last year, which aims to further improve connectivity between Saudi Arabia (Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh) Paris, Amsterdam & beyond. In return, Air France and KLM will also gain access to Saudia's extensive network, offering passengers more travel options,' Gumuseli said. In India, the group has a successful codeshare partnership with IndiGo. With this partnership, Air France and KLM customers have access to over 30 destinations in India. This partnership opens the opportunity for IndiGo customers to connect to the vast global network of Air France and KLM,' Gumuseli said. Fleet renewal is one of the key aspects of Air France-KLM's strategy. The group has been investing 2 billion euros per year in the renewal of its fleet. In September 2023, the group placed an order for 50 Airbus A350 aircraft, with purchase rights for an additional 40. These aircraft, comprising both A350-900 and A350-1000 models, are scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2030. This move aims to replace previous generation aircraft i.e. Airbus A330s and older Boeing 777s, positioning the Ar France-KLM as the world's largest operator of the Airbus A350 family. 'The A350's advanced technology offers 25 per cent better fuel efficiency and a 40 per cent reduction in noise compared to previous generations, aligning with our sustainability goals. By 2030, the share of new generation aircraft in the Group's fleet is expected to reach 80 per cent,' Gumuseli said. The Middle East is a strategically important region for the Air France-KLM Group. It serves as a key hub for both passenger and cargo operations. Air France and KLM share a rich history with the UAE, having operated in the region for over 50 years. 'Over the years, we've seen increased demand, which has led us to increase our capacity, including the deployment of the Boeing 777 to Dubai. This allows us to meet the growing needs of both leisure and business travellers,' Gumuseli said. One of the highlights for the Dubai market is the Air France La Première cabin, available on only 10 destinations worldwide, with Dubai being one of these exclusive locations. 'Our presence in the region is strong, with services connecting major cities such as Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam, Beirut and Cairo to our European hubs in Paris and Amsterdam. We are continuously enhancing our footprint in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where we have recently launched a new direct service between Riyadh and Paris-Charles de Gaulle from May 20. Air France will operates five weekly flights. Riyadh and Dammam are already being served by KLM. With the launch of Air France operations, our customers can experience the best of both brands. Transavia, the subsidiary of Air France – KLM also has a prominent position in the region. Transavia connects customers from many cities in the region including Beirut, Cairo, Jeddah and soon the holy city of Madinah, Gumuseli said.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
When Dubai Ruler donated millions to Live Aid 1985 concert to save Ethiopia from famine
In 1985, humanity came together for a charitable event, the likes of which was never seen before at this scale. The Live Aid concert sought to raise funds for Ethopia famine relief; its biggest donation came from Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. At a time when streaming was not the buzzword it is today, nearly 2 billion people from 150 nations watched the concert live 40 years ago. The transatlantic event was one of the largest television broadcasts of all time. Some of the biggest names in music, such as Queen, U2, David Bowie, Elton John and Bob Geldof, performed on stage for the televised international charity show, held simultaneously at London's Wembley Stadium and the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. What prompted the concert? In the early 1980s, the world looked on in horror at images of dying famine victims in Ethiopia. Ethiopia was hit by extreme drought, but that spiralled into famine as the hardline Marxist government of Mengistu Haile Mariam battled rebels led by Meles Zenawi, who went on to become the country's leader. A Human Rights Watch report entitled "Evil Days: 30 Years of War and Famine in Ethiopia" set the estimated famine death toll at between 400,000 and 1 million. The world sensed an urge to intervene. How did it go? While Live Aid unfolded with renowned musicians performing alternately in the UK and the US, donations were falling short of the scale and spirit of the event—causing widespread frustration among the organisers. Despite the massive global reach, the first few hours of the event saw disappointingly low donations coming in via telephone pledges—a problem that nearly undermined the concert's mission. Many argued that donating via the telephone was not popular enough at that time and people dealt with Live Aid more like a musical event, not an urgent call for help. At that time, donations did not exceed 10 thousand sterling pounds. Sheikh Mohammed steps in Just as the mega charity event was at a risk of failure, Sheikh Mohammed, who is also Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, stepped in and donated a whopping one million sterling pounds. As per British diplomatic correspondence, the Dubai Ruler was following the concert at his Majlis in London. At first, Live Aid organisers were in shock and doubted the news of the royal's generous contribution, but an official call with Sheikh Mohammed's London office confirmed the news. The donation rekindled interest in the campaign and donors worldwide began to give money. In total, the event raised about $100 million and spawned similar events all over the world for decades afterwards.
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Angel Versetti urges adoption of startup-friendly policies in UK Parliament speech
Innovation was high on the agenda this week at the UK Parliament which hosted two high profile gatherings: Frontier Family Office Forum at the House of Commons and Sustainability Leaders Roundtable at the House of Lords. Speakers included some of the highest profile British policymakers dealing with matters of technology and innovation in the UK. Among them Lord Ranger, Baron Ranger of Northwood, Baroness Uddin, Andrew Rosindell MP and Lisa Cameron. Chair of CFTC Caroline Pham additionally provided insights on developments from the US perspective. Discussions centered around the emerging technologies and how they can serve national interests of the UK and Europe and usher in economic prosperity. Challenges were likewise discussed. Angel Versetti of Versetti Family Office, who spoke at both the House of Lords and the House of Commons, noted, 'As the megatech of the US and China consolidate their hold on worldwide markets, the window of opportunity for Europe to remain relevant at the global innovation stage is rapidly shrinking.' John Ridge of NATO Innovation Fund echoed the sentiment stressing, 'We need to find, invest in and scale our most promising dual-use start-ups to help secure the future and lay the foundation for the revitalisation of Europe's industrial base.' Versetti also highlighted a range of policy issues in the UK such as 'overregulation, startup-unfriendly taxes and lack of deep capital markets' that in his opinion 'stifle growth of innovative companies and drive budding entrepreneurs to build elsewhere.' Lisa Cameron, chair of Digital Assets All Party Group, noted, 'It is vital that policy makers understand the technology that is transforming our lives." The forum presented a unique opportunity for the select family offices to participate in the dialogue between the leading high-tech entrepreneurs and policymakers to understand how the dynamics of national interests influence the industry and investment landscape. Angel Versetti is the Founder of Versetti Family Office and Owner of (the world's oldest Dogecoin community). He is a serial entrepreneur and investor, having previously co-founded and exited PrivateAI, Ambrosus, GintonicAI and Smart Security Systems. His family office's funds specialise in turnarounds of cryptocurrencies and have been institutional investors in Solana, Syscoin, Ethereum and Sonic. Prior to his entrepreneurial journey, Angel Versetti was a project lead and researcher at the United Nations including, UNIDIR Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme, UNESCAP Trade and Investment Division, UNEP Investments in Sustainable Technologies. He studied at the University of Oxford, where he earned a Master of Science in Evidence-Based Healthcare; at the University of Cambridge, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Land Economy as a Santander Scholar; and at Sciences Po, where he completed a Master of Public Affairs in International Security and an Emile Boutmy Scholar. Angel was recognised on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Global list and has received awards from Pope Francis (SDSN Global Youth Leaders) and Prince Albert II of Monaco (JCI Enterprise of the Year). His work has been featured in international publications including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Vice Media, The Independent, CNBC and NASDAQ. He has also spoken at prominent venues such as the European Parliament, UK Parliament, Davos, the Vatican, UNESCO Headquarters, the University of Oxford, Imperial College London and ETH Zurich. He is passionate about longevity and human life extension technologies, and has actively supported research and development initiatives in the field through funding and donations.
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
'Give kids a break': UAE doctors warn against children's burnout during summer holiday
Doctors in the UAE are highlighting that the relentless push to fill every hour of your child's day with structured learning and activities could quietly be affecting their mental and physical well-being. The warning comes on the heels of a viral Instagram post by Mary Catherine, a US-based paediatric nurse practitioner and a mother (@ who reminded parents that childhood is not a checklist. She recently wrote, 'If your activity/sports schedule for your kids elementary age and below still allows for: Rest, Free play, Family meal and bedtime you are probably doing all right. 'But most of the families I see in my personal life and in practice, are over scheduling to where multiple of those green check marks are being sacrificed and that's too much.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mary Catherine | Pediatric Health and Wellness Education (@ More harm than good Additionally, in a study featured in the February 2024 edition of the Economics of Education Review, three economists from the University of Georgia and the Federal Reserve Board discovered that when students are overloaded with homework and extracurricular activities, the 'last hour' no longer contributes to improving their abilities. Rather, these commitments then negatively impact their mental health, increasing feelings of anxiety, depression, and anger. As schools closed for the long summer break this June, working parents rushed to sign their children up for an array of activities—from robotics to football camps and swimming lessons to piano and coding classes. Though, the intention is often to keep kids engaged and off screens, medics across the country are emphasising that a jam-packed day may be doing more harm than good. 'Overscheduling of activities for children is a common occurrence during the summer holidays in the UAE,' said Dr Hanan Kandil, Specialist Psychiatrist at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital. 'It is good for children to be bored occasionally so that they can themselves come up with their own creative ideas to handle their boredom.' Physical, emotional toll In clinical settings across the UAE, a pattern has emerged each summer: more children complaining of headaches, fatigue, disrupted sleep, and even stress-induced stomach aches. These are all signs of burnout, doctors explained, often caused by too much structure and not enough rest. Kandil lists several key indicators: 'Fatigue or low energy despite a full night's sleep, frequent infections due to weakened immunity, mood swings, anxiety around time-bound activities, and even a lack of interest in hobbies they once loved.' Dr Mamata Bothra, a specialist in paediatrics and neonatology at International Modern Hospital, Dubai, also echoed similar concerns. 'Every summer, we see more children showing signs of being stretched too thin — fatigue, poor sleep, irritability, and emotional withdrawal. In the UAE, many parents sign kids up for multiple camps and classes, but too much structure can be overwhelming.' 'Children need balance — not just to avoid burnout, for mental and emotional wellbeing,' added Bothra. Experts underscored that sometimes unstructured time, whether it involves daydreaming, doodling, or just lying on the couch with a book, also plays a vital role in creativity and emotional regulation. Dr Barjis Sulthana, a psychiatrist at NMC Speciality Hospital in Al Nahda, adds that burnout, common even in adults, is increasingly being seen in young children. 'An over-scheduled child is a moody irritable child, and will be noticed as lacklustre when schools reopen.' She also encouraged involving children in planning their schedules. 'Best way to avoid this is by involving your child in the decision-making process and involving activities which are both relaxing, as well as fun and enriching for kids. Every child is unique so customised plans will benefit the child, especially in balancing and avoiding over-scheduling.' What can parents do? Experts stress that summer should be a blend of learning and leisure. Kandil recommends creating a flexible routine with no more than one or two structured activities per day. 'Alternate high-energy camps with calmer hobbies like art or reading. Monitor your child's mood and energy levels. If they appear constantly tired or stressed, cut back on certain activities. Avoid enrolling children in back-to-back classes unless they are excited and coping well.' Bothra suggests dividing the day into thirds. 'One-third for camps or classes, one-third for movement or play, and one-third for rest or family time.' Another practical tip is to make the most of early mornings. 'Take advantage of early mornings: Early mornings between 7am–10am are ideal for children to burn off their energy so make use of this time strategically, to allow children to get their physical activity, said Kandil. 'Then allow the rest of the day to unfold with some quiet downtime.' For younger children especially, playdates or time at community parks can offer just as much value as a structured program. These unhurried social settings help develop interpersonal skills organically and without pressure. 'Choose quality over quantity,' advised Kandil. 'Instead of five different short camps, opt for one or two that offer a well-rounded experience with built-in breaks and playtime.'
