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Max Verstappen will be aiming to bounce back from his rare retirement in Australia with a statement win in Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix but Ferrari are confident they can take the fight to him at Suzuka.Red Bull’s triple Formula One world champion has won from pole position on his last two visits to the figure-of-eight circuit owned by engine partner Honda, and both times by a considerable margin after a previous setback.In 2022, when Suzuka returned after a two-year absence following the Covid-19 pandemic, Verstappen beat teammate Sergio Perez by 27 seconds in a rain-shortened race to secure his second drivers’ title.He had finished only seventh in the previous race in Singapore, won by Perez.Last year, Verstappen was fifth in a Singapore Grand Prix won by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz – Red Bull’s sole defeat of the season – and he then dominated at Suzuka, with fastest lap, to beat McLaren’s Lando Norris by 19 seconds.This time he turns up after suffering his first retirement since 2022, ending a run of nine successive wins, with Sainz going on to win in Melbourne in a Ferrari one-two with Charles Leclerc.Both of Verstappen’s Japanese wins came much later in the year, with Suzuka moving from a September/October title-deciding slot to peak tourist season, but Red Bull hope the story remains the same.“Unfortunately we had a retirement in Australia so we want to come here and show that we are quick again,” Verstappen said at a fan event in Tokyo.“For the last two years, but especially last year, for me Suzuka was a great place, so hopefully we can do something similar.”Suzuka’s fast and flowing lines, with the awesome 130R corner, make it a very different challenge to the three races so far in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Melbourne but the sinuous circuit could also play to Red Bull’s strengths.The champions are also rumoured to be bringing a significant car upgrade, with attention focusing on aerodynamic modifications to the sidepods.Ferrari have emerged as Red Bull’s closest rivals, with Leclerc now only four points adrift of Verstappen.“Everybody is very, very tight and each weekend we will need to start from scratch and push again and again and again,” said Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur at the fan event.“Last year we didn’t perform very well (in Suzuka) but I think we took a step forward in this kind of very high-speed corner. We are in a much better shape compared to one year ago.“I’m convinced that Red Bull will be very strong in Japan, it will be difficult, but it’s open and I think it’s a good motivation the fact that we won last week.”Japanese fans will have two home drivers to cheer in first practice, with Ayumu Iwasa replacing Australian Daniel Ricciardo alongside Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull-owned RB.Haas’s Japanese team boss Ayao Komatsu will also be making his home debut since taking on the role in January, with the US-owned team chasing a third successive finish in the points.

The world is on the precipice of a technological cold war. As authoritarian regimes develop new digital tools that endanger open societies and threaten democratic values, the West must decide whether to compete or concede.Winning the race for future technologies demands a united front. Just as the West came together to deter Soviet expansionism and stop the spread of communism in the postwar period, the United States and the European Union must revitalise the transatlantic alliance to win the competition for global tech leadership. That means developing a new joint strategy, pooling resources and capabilities, streamlining regulations, and leveraging their strengths – such as advanced tools for semiconductors and lasers, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and genomics in Europe, and fusion energy, commercial space operations, and synthetic biology in the US.It will also be necessary to build resilient supply chains. With China dominating the supply of metals and rare-earth elements necessary for batteries, semiconductors, and other technologies, the US and the EU are sleepwalking into a critical-minerals crisis. For example, China’s market share of high-powered permanent magnets for offshore wind turbines is nearly 90%.Lastly, both the US and the EU must focus their efforts on achieving new breakthroughs in vital sectors, including AI, biotech, advanced networks, clean energy, and the manufacturing technologies of tomorrow. To that end, the US CHIPS Act and the European Chips Act offer a blueprint – or at least the beginnings of one – for bolstering competitiveness in the next big technologies.Co-operation on technology is not new. From the Council of Europe in Strasbourg to the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva, from the OECD to the European AI Act, the race to artificial intelligence seems sometimes to be a policymaking race, to control and co-ordinate it – and rightly so, in some cases. For example, the main risks identified by the interim report of the UN’s AI Advisory Body include risks to the stability of financial systems and to critical infrastructure, as well as strains on the environment, climate, and natural resources.These issues are too important to be overlooked. In a recent report, the French AI Commission called for the creation of a World AI Organization to “evaluate and oversee AI systems.” This could be a good idea, but it is not the only way to move forward. After all, the existence of the WHO is fundamental, but while it has played a vital role in the eradication of some diseases, it did not prevent the Covid-19 pandemic.Moreover, regulation should be a means to an end, not an end in itself. Despite the so-called Brussels effect, the EU’s alleged ability to set global standards, the bloc’s landmark regulations on electric vehicles or the General Data Protection Regulation have hardly made the EU a superpower in electric mobility or in data privacy. That is why transatlantic co-operation should be broadened to include research and development programmes and large “moonshot” projects.Just as sanctions alone have not curbed Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, regulation will not be enough to prevent bad actors from misusing AI. Similarly, the West will have to go on the offensive against China’s techno-authoritarian model. Sharing intelligence can identify supply-chain vulnerabilities and facilitate “friend-shoring.” In addition to developing technological ecosystems with like-minded partners, it will be crucial for US and EU policymakers to expose short-sighted private ventures that play into the hands of those who see technology as a tool of oppression, not liberation.Moreover, the US and the EU cannot expect to win the technology race – which is also a war of ideas – when their citizens have been herded into social-media echo chambers, and when 44% of children globally use TikTok. On this cognitive battlefield, the West must lead the charge to develop technologies that encourage critical thinking and protect privacy, and to stop the destabilising fragmentation of the digital sphere and the spread of online hate and disinformation.A revitalised transatlantic alliance must ensure that emerging technologies reflect democratic principles and boost strategic autonomy. Forging partnerships with like-minded countries, including Australia, India, Japan, and South Korea, and enhancing co-operation among the G7 and the OECD could support these efforts. Together, they could develop an alternative model of technological empowerment – free of digital repression and authoritarianism – for developed and developing countries alike.Western leaders should take inspiration from the Covid-19 vaccines, which, building on collaboration, massive experimentation, and decades of fundamental science, were developed in a record eight months. We must keep this spirit alive. — Project Syndicate

Christians celebrated a grim Easter in Gaza and Jerusalem Sunday, with the tiny Catholic community in the war-torn Palestinian territory holding their vigil service as fighting raged on outside.Around 100 people gathered by candlelight on Saturday night at the Holy Family Church in Gaza City in the famine-threatened north to mark the resurrection, when Christians believe Christ rose from the dead.The church is a short drive from Al-Shifa hospital where heavy combat has been raging for two weeks between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters.The atmosphere in Jerusalem was equally heavy, with few people at the sacred sites which are usually crowded at Easter.Even the main Catholic Easter Sunday service at the Holy Sepulchre Church -- built on what is said be the tomb of Jesus -- was not full.Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, led worshippers who bowed down and kissed the marble slab where Christians believe Christ's body was anointed after he was taken down from the cross.Sister Angelica, an Italian nun from Perugia, said she was heartbroken to see so few people at the ancient church, regarded as Christianity's holiest shrine."We were so few. It breaks my heart. But we are like the first Christians, they were few too."She said pilgrims were staying away because of the "suffering and death (in Gaza)".With pilgrims prostrating themselves on the marble stone, she said most years there was a crush even to get into the square in front of the Holy Sepulchre Church."Look, how (this year) it is empty, even inside," she told AFP.Mother and daughter Kasia, 33, and Ewa, 60, from Warsaw in Poland -- veterans of 10 Holy Land pilgrimages -- said they had never seen the sacred shrines so quiet."It is no wonder with the war," said Kasia, who spoke on condition her full name not be published. "It is terrible. They are killing children (in Gaza). It is so wrong."A Nigerian Pentecostal pastor from Agege near Lagos said the war would had not put him off staying for a month.But he admitted that in 30 years of visits he had never seen "the Holy City so empty. There were more priests than people in the Holy Sepulchre Church on Holy Thursday. People are afraid".Shopkeeper George Habib in the Old City said Easter -- usually his busiest period -- "is a disaster"."There is no one here. It is worse than Covid... It feels that this war is never going to end."

Well-capitalised banks are supporting economic development in Qatar, along with maturation of the domestic financial systemThis year’s analysis of Qatar’s economy by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) covered a range of subjects comprehensively and in some depth. There is a considerable degree of overlap between the respective views of the IMF and Qatari institutions, including the Qatar Central Bank (QCB). Both agree that the role of a central bank is to be prudent, including deployment of counter-cyclical measures, to smooth out peaks and troughs in economic activity and help sustainable economic growth.This is generally the best disposition, and especially in the case of an economy with strong exports from oil and gas. Viewing a central bank as the engine for growth risks encouraging short-term GDP growth through public sector spending, causing imbalances in the economy. Cheap money also tends to result in speculative bubbles of asset valuations, causing further destabilising effects.Maintaining the dollar peg is another example of fiscal conservatism, where the IMF and QCB share the same policy preference. The downside of, on occasion, having to follow an increase in US interest rates owing to a rise in inflation in the US that Qatar has not experienced, is more than offset by the stability and transparency of pegging the riyal to the world’s primary reserve currency, in which oil and gas are traded.The banking industry is well-capitalised, the IMF reported, as confirmed by a recent stress test by the Qatar Central Bank which showed the banking sector to be resilient overall, though a few of the weaker banks may have to increase capitalisation if distressed conditions arose. There has been a modest increase in non-performing loans (NPLs) at 3.8%, but provisioning coverage is high, at nearly 80%. The QCB has sought technical assistance from the IMF on stress testing.IMF economists signalled, not for the first time, a potential risk from relatively high rate of overseas deposits to Qatari banks by non-residents. It also noted that Qatari banks’ exposure to such deposits had declined since the QCB introduced measures in 2022, and that funding needs were lower. The QCB has also refined policy measures to mitigate risks associated with banks’ short-term foreign asset-liability mismatches.It is helpful to have diverse sources of deposits for the banking system, and what is more important than the level of deposits from overseas is their nature; the longer-term, the better. Mitigating this and other risks is further development of the domestic bond market. Commercial bonds issued in Qatari riyal are now available. A mature bond and debt market would also improve access to financing for companies, and increase the range of domestic options for investment, adding to equities and to real estate investment – the latter of which has been subject to over-supply. The real estate sector is a potential source of further increase in NPLs.Generally, the greater the development of a domestic bond market and secondary debt market, the greater the potential to reallocate capital resources towards more profitable assets and ventures.The IMF noted that banks had withstood the gradual exit from government financial support relating to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Qatar Development Bank has stepped in with soft loans or other forms of support where subsidies are discontinued for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It recommends vigilance, to ensure the viability of firms in receipt of support, and to monitor any increase in NPLs. It recommends regular stress testing and information sharing among financial supervisors to identify vulnerabilities.Qatar has a strategy in place respectively for both fintech sector and green technology. The National Fintech Strategy established by the QCB has four pillars – infrastructure, regulation, capacity development and ecosystem development and the IMF recommends monitoring against international benchmarks. For green technology and environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies, Qatar has made progress on policy, reporting requirements, and risk management.In a detail of the report, the IMF notes that the government’s level of foreign exchange holdings has not risen in line with the healthy increases in public sector surpluses. This indicates a higher level of investment by the sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority. The report noted a lack of detail available, but was able to report a strong reserves position, including the QIA’s sizeable overseas assets, a combination that serves to limit risks and vulnerabilities to capital flows.Overall, a promising picture emerges of the Qatari banking and financial system featuring caution regarding macro-prudential issues assisting financial stability, alongside some innovations that help deepen and diversify domestic financial instruments and strategies.The author is a Qatari banker, with many years of experience in the banking sector in senior positions.

Gold prices are gaining and have hit a record high last week propelled by major geopolitical tensions and expectations of interest rate cut in the world’s largest economy, the United States.These, analysts say, push global investors to turn to gold as a neutral reserve asset.Gold’s role in the economic and investment landscape has long been a subject of considerable debate.“Historically, gold has served as a store of value, safe haven and internationally convertible asset for millennia,” QNB said in a recent research note.In fact, gold has even underpinned the global monetary system during the Gold Standard (1871-1914) and the Bretton Woods System (1945-1971), when major currencies had to be pegged to the yellow metal in order to be considered “convertible” or a true reserve currency.Despite its non-income-generating nature and the expenses involved in its extraction, gold continues to be held in high regard by investors, including households, sovereign states, and corporations. Its enduring appeal lies in its proven ability to act as a reliable store of wealth, safeguarding assets against periods of significant economic distress and systemic macroeconomic challenges, such as the Great Financial Crisis of 2008-09 or the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020-22.Importantly, after a significant slide from the pandemic highs, gold has recently benefited from a resurgence in demand.Spot gold gained 1.2% to $2,220.85 per ounce on March 28, logging its best month since July 2020, at a 9% increase, and a second straight quarterly rise. Bullion hit a record high of $2,225.09 per ounce earlier.Gold could rise further if the markets start to expect a deeper Fed cutting cycle, and has the potential to “hold on to these highs, but we do see signs of buying exhaustion emerging in the very near term,” said Daniel Ghali, commodity strategist at TD Securities.According to QNB, gold has recently demonstrated again its enduring value as a safeguard against inflation. In the aftermath of the pandemic, monetary authorities in advanced economies faced significant challenges due to a surge in inflation.This created concerns about the rapid pace of decline in the “real value of money,” as more units of currency would be needed to buy the same baskets of goods and services.Not surprisingly, during this period of higher inflation, gold prices reached all-time highs. This offered a compelling affirmation of the long-held belief that gold is an effective hedge against inflationary pressures.Second, the monetary policy cycle in the US and Europe should soon become a tailwind for gold prices. While nominal yields are now much higher than they were in the recent past in most advanced economies, this dynamic is set to change significantly in short order.Third, the current global economic climate is beset with geopolitical uncertainties, such as the Russo-Ukrainian War, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and increasing US-China tensions in the Taiwan Strait.“These factors can contribute to a heightened risk premium on traditional assets, steering investors to hedge with alternative safe havens,” QNB noted.With its proven track record as an inflation hedge, gold has reaffirmed its position as a cornerstone of alternative investments.

QNB said that it expects growth of the economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN-6) will remain slower in 2024 than the pace recorded pre-pandemic, due to weak external demand and tightening domestic and international financial conditions.The bank pointed out in its weekly report that, although growth in ASEAN-6 countries remains strong according to international standards, it is lower than its pre-pandemic historical performance. It noted that Southeast Asia has been the most dynamic region in recent decades, achieving the best economic growth. The six major countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN-6), which include Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, have been among the fastest-growing economies in recent years.The report added that with the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was expected that these countries would return to the strong growth rates they had achieved in previous years. However, the economic environment in 2023 provided less support, and in 2024, the performance of these economies will remain weaker than the growth rates recorded before the pandemic.The report attributed this to two key factors. Firstly, external demand is expected to remain weak in 2024, indicating a decline in the support provided for economic growth in the member countries, which are highly globally integrated. International trade is a key factor for their growth, with exports accounting for between 20 and 30 percent of GDP in Indonesia and the Philippines, between 65 and 95 percent in Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, and 180 percent in Singapore.In 2023, global trade performance was disappointing and contracted slightly. Over the past forty years, a contraction in global trade has only occurred in 2009 due to the global financial crisis and in 2020 due to the pandemic. The report expects a moderate recovery this year, with international trade set to expand by around 2.8 percent due to improved performance in global manufacturing. Although this growth rate represents an improvement compared to last year, it implies a significant decline compared to the long-term average of 4.6 percent recorded during the period 2000-2022. Given the importance of trade for ASEAN-6 economies, this slowdown represents a major obstacle to economic growth, making it more difficult for the region to return to the growth rates that prevailed before the pandemic.The second factor on which the bank based its forecast is that high interest rates in major advanced economies as well as in ASEAN-6 countries have increased challenges to economic growth.In advanced economies, interest rates have reached their highest levels in years, with the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank raising interest rates by 525 and 400 basis points respectively since mid-2022. Although the two major central banks have reached the end of their tightening cycles and are now discussing the timing of rate cuts, the process will be gradual, and interest rates are expected to stabilize at higher levels than in the previous economic cycle.Similarly, central banks in ASEAN-6 countries implemented their own monetary tightening cycles to contain rising prices. In these economies, the average increase in benchmark interest rates was 240 basis points, higher than those prevailing at the onset of the pandemic. The report expects central banks in Southeast Asia to reach a turning point in monetary policy by mid-year, given the slowdown in economic growth and continued downward trends in inflation.It concluded by saying that relatively high interest rates and the lagged effects of monetary policy will continue to weigh on activity in the coming quarters. (QNA)

After almost two years in power, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is more popular and influential than ever, not only in Italy but also across the European Union. For the leader of Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) – a political party with roots in Italian fascism that, until recently, had relatively few members, no culture of governance, and a firmly anti-EU, anti-euro stance – this is a remarkable achievement.Meloni leads a three-party coalition with the far-right Lega and the centre-right Forza Italia. But the Brothers of Italy enjoy a solid majority. And that is not the only thing that distinguishes it from its coalition partners. Unlike the pro-Russia Matteo Salvini, who leads Lega, Meloni is vocally pro-Nato. This is a major reason why EU leaders – as well as markets – view her in an increasingly positive light.Meloni is now poised to have lasting influence in European politics, where the Brothers are part of the centre-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group – of which Meloni is president. Forza Italia, for its part, belongs to the European People’s Party (EPP), while Lega belongs to the Identity and Democracy Group, along with far-right parties like Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland and France’s National Rally.Already, Meloni is taking advantage of expectations that this June’s European Parliament elections will strengthen the right and weaken the centre to boost the ECR’s relevance. While the EPP is leading in the polls, it will have to form a coalition to govern – and it will need ECR votes. Meloni may well seize this opportunity to secure a senior position for the Brothers in exchange for supporting the EPP’s Ursula von der Leyen in her bid for a second term as European Commission president.To be sure, a formal alliance between the ECR and the EPP, together with the liberals, is unlikely. The ECR’s membership – which includes radical right-wing parties, such as Spain’s Vox, Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS), and new arrivals like France’s Reconquête! – makes the group difficult for mainstream parties to accept.But pragmatic negotiations and support on specific issues will not be impossible. And here, Meloni might emerge as a key power broker. Amid all the political wheeling and dealing, however, some of the exiting Commission’s commitments, such as its green policy, are likely to be diluted.Meloni’s impact on European politics is likely to extend beyond the European Parliament. The marriage between a party with roots in fascism, a pro-Russian party, and an EPP member might seem to be an Italian idiosyncrasy, which is unlikely to be repeated. But, so far, it has worked. And if it works in Italy, it could provide a way forward for other political parties in Europe.In the last two decades or so, voters in many advanced democracies have steadily become less faithful to political parties. There have been large swings in support, and new parties have risen – and sometimes fallen – rapidly. Whereas traditional parties used to offer comprehensive political programs, new movements often focus on narrow issues. As voting becomes increasingly transactional, space for “unnatural” alliances is growing.But the picture for Meloni is not all rosy. In fact, continued stable support in Italy is far from guaranteed. The Brothers’ rise has been meteoric, with its share of the popular vote soaring from 4% in 2018 to about 27% today. But the party’s strength has been mostly a result of others’ weaknesses. This is true elsewhere in Europe as well: the governments of most EU countries – France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain – are unlikely to survive the next election. It is also true in Italy, where a divided opposition cannot mount much of a challenge.But Italy’s electorate can be fickle, not least in the face of economic hardship. And while the Italian economy has performed relatively well since the Covid-19 pandemic – better than Germany – the outlook seems to be darkening, as the crisis-response measures, especially generous subsidies to the construction sector, are rolled back.Italy’s fiscal deficit is projected to reach 4.3% of GDP this year – 0.6 percentage points above the government’s original target – and its net primary expenditure is forecast to violate the EU’s new fiscal rules. Add to that concerns from independent forecasters that growth estimates for 2024 are overly optimistic, and a sharper-than-expected fiscal adjustment seems likely. As four years of government largesse come to an end, growth will decline.Fortunately, the risk premium on Italian government bonds has not yet been affected. Gone are the days of financial-market instability driven by bets against the euro. But the market is watching Italy’s performance closely, and sentiment may turn.Though Meloni has proved to be a creative politician – and not the populist many feared she would be – leadership based on others’ weakness is not sustainable. And so far, Meloni has failed to formulate any strategy for addressing Italy’s structural problems, its regional disparities, and the need for reform of the health and pension systems. Sooner or later, voters may well leave the Brothers behind. – Project SyndicateLucrezia Reichlin, a former director of research at the European Central Bank, is Professor of Economics at the London Business School and a trustee of the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation.

The largest crane on the US Eastern Seaboard readied Friday to begin salvage work to clear Baltimore harbor after a cargo ship crashed into a major bridge causing it to collapse.Vessel traffic through the busy Port of Baltimore has been suspended indefinitely since the accident brought down the Francis Scott Key Bridge in stunning speed, claiming the lives of six men working on a pothole repair team.Road traffic has also been impacted, with thousands of motorists each day being diverted to an already congested tunnel under the city.The work of clearing tons of steel debris from the deep waters of the Patapsco River is expected to be difficult and dangerous, made more delicate by the fact that the bodies of four workers have yet to be recovered.But the arrival of the huge floating crane -- able to lift a 1,000-ton load -- will allow the work to begin.The four missing workers are believed to have been killed when the Singapore-flagged, 300-meter container ship Dali lost power and careened into a bridge support column early Tuesday.Officials said that as the crane begins work, with two more smaller floating cranes en route, an early challenge will be to cut the twisted bridge wreckage into pieces the cranes can handle.The federal administration has approved $60 million in emergency funding for the complex cleanup and recovery operation, while the cost of building a new bridge could ultimately hit $1 billion.The operation will likely take place in three phases: trusses from the bridge removed to allow one-way traffic into and out of the port; bridge segments on the ship lifted so the ship can be moved; and then steel and concrete debris from the river bed cleared.The project will likely take months, though one analyst told the US Naval Institute that the channel could be reopened for limited traffic in as little as a month.The Army Corps of Engineers, which is leading the effort, said it has activated an emergency plan to deploy more than 1,100 engineering, construction, contracting and operations specialists.The Corps is also sending remotely operated vehicles and sonar equipment; several ships to help in debris removal; and dive safety experts.The accident had an immediate impact on cargo shipping -- and on the jobs of an estimated 15,000 people employed directly at the major port -- with auto, coal and sugar shippers immediately affected.Baltimore is the biggest vehicle-handling port in the country, according to US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.Cruise lines were also hit. Royal Caribbean, one of four cruise lines to use the Baltimore terminal, said it had rerouted a returning liner, the Vision of the Seas, to Norfolk, Virginia.Abe Eshkenazi, CEO of the Association for Supply Chain Management, told CNN that the country's supply chains were more resilient today thanks to work done after the Covid-19 pandemic caused huge shipping delays.

Adele Nicoll has travelled a long way from the person who was “sad” and “rather lost” in 2020, to the extent she has a live chance of achieving the rare feat of competing in both a Summer and Winter Olympics.In that relatively short space of time, the multi-talented 27-year-old has twice been crowned British shot put champion in 2022 and 2023, and in a polar opposite to that discipline competed in the world bobsleigh championships this year.“I reflect on the progress from 2020 to now, and my life has completely changed,” she said from Germany. “I remember aged nine writing down what I wanted to be by 2020 and putting it in an envelope. “I opened it when I was sorting through my stuff at home during the Covid lockdown and was very, very sad as the target had been to be a professional athlete.“I realised I had failed my younger self and it gave me the kick up the bum to go on and fulfil my childhood dream.”She has already been to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing – as a reserve brakewoman in the British bobsleigh team – and is targeting the 2026 edition in Italy.An eighth-place finish at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham showed she remains a competitive force in athletics but Nicoll admits that qualifying for the Paris Olympics this year could be a stretch – Los Angeles in 2028 is more realistic – because she has invested so much time into transitioning from a bobsleigh brake woman to a driver.“The 2026 Winter Games are my main priority, but if I qualify for Paris that will be a bonus,” she said, admitting she has had “six months away from the shot.”If she does not make it, it will not be for want of trying as she has followed the advice her parents gave her at an early age – “always show up and never give up”. 100 percent I have lived up to it,” she said. “I look back and realise how pivotal the manner in which parents bring you up is. They are the reason why my mindset is as it is and that I always show up regardless of how I feel. Perseverance is very hard to beat. If you are not willing to make it through when you are at rock bottom you are never going to deserve to be on top of the world.”Nicoll did battle through when things were none too rosy – and the catalyst was an unlikely one.“From 2019 to 2021 I was having a hard time with everything to do with sport,” said Nicoll, who finished ninth in the monobob and 11th in the two-woman bob at the world championships.“I am not a quitter but I knew I was not enjoying it or getting results. I was really lost with life and where I wanted to go. The bobsleigh opportunity came at the perfect time, a message from (British bobsledder) Mica McNeill on Instagram saying: ‘Have you ever tried bobsleigh? I saw your training video and you look very powerful.’”She hopped on board but not before she had to shed almost 20 kilograms. It paid off as she and McNeill finished runners-up in a World Cup race on only her second outing – the first podium finish for British women in 13 years.Her mental power is not in doubt as she has a degree in clinical neuroscience, a masters in psychology and wanted to do a doctorate in clinical psychology.“I postponed it as most of them require you to work on site, and my bobsleigh takes priority, not least as I owe that to Mike Harris who funds me for the two-woman bob,” she said. Harris is chairman of 15-time Welsh football champions The New Saints who train in Oswestry, the town where Nicoll coincidentally first trained aged nine.It is her parents who have been the backbone to their only child’s career – from father Paul being her ‘taxi service’ and training her when she was young to her mother Justine organising her travel and entries.“Dad has kept me grounded all my life,” said Nicoll. “When I won silver at the Europa Cup race in St Moritz in January he said if you polished your runners a bit more you would have won gold... the next day I did win gold with Kya (Placide). I must have given them a bit of an extra rub!” she added.

Even as Covid-19 recedes into the background of everyday life, the broader decline in US life expectancy is still with us, because too many elected officials refuse to take its causes seriously.Covid-19 has killed nearly 1.2mn Americans, making it the main reason that US life expectancy fell by 2.4 years between 2019 and 2021. But while life expectancy has started to tick back up, it is still 1.3 years lower than it was in 2019, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every racial and ethnic group now has a lower life expectancy than before the pandemic, with American Indian and Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic people suffering the largest setbacks. Meanwhile, other countries – including Sweden, Belgium, and Denmark – have returned or nearly returned to pre-pandemic life expectancy.The main reasons that the United States lags many other rich countries can be summed up in three words: guns and drugs. The US far outpaces other high-income countries in overdose and gun deaths, and both problems have worsened since 2019. In fact, they have reached record levels. At the same time, chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are among the leading causes of death in the US. Obesity is a major risk factor for all these conditions, and America’s obesity rate is the highest among large, developed countries.Despite having the world’s largest economy and the world’s most advanced health-care facilities, the US ranked 40th in global life expectancy, according to the most recent available data. And that data was released in 2019, before Covid pushed the US even further behind. Given the cascading challenges of the past five years, it probably still ranks at the bottom of the Western world.This is a national disgrace, but it isn’t inevitable. Americans don’t have to live and die like this. We can use public health – the science of protecting as many people as possible from diseases and injuries – to preempt threats every day. Change starts with listening to public-health experts and developing practical, data-driven responses.Unfortunately, the pandemic’s path of destruction did not spare the field of public health. Scientists and doctors were subjected to relentless attacks from partisans trying to score political points, and public trust in their views declined as a result. Of course, scientists and doctors are fallible like the rest of us. But ignoring their warnings and guidance is deadly. We saw that during the pandemic and during the vaccine rollout, and we are still seeing it today.Even before the pandemic, public health was undervalued, because its power is so often hidden. Patients leaving a hospital after receiving emergency surgery are almost always grateful, and they know exactly whom to thank for saving their lives. By contrast, public-health interventions save lives every day, but those who are saved rarely even know it. Such interventions – whether it’s a seatbelt or an airbag, a smoke-free workplace or a trigger lock – do not produce grateful patients (or grateful policymakers, who could better fund them), because they keep people out of hospitals (and the morgue).Strengthening trust in those who work in public health begins with raising awareness of what they do and how they do it. That is why the new four-part documentary series The Invisible Shield (produced by RadicalMedia, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, and airing in the US on PBS) aims to shine a spotlight on public health and the historic gains it has made possible.From 1900 to 2000, US life expectancy increased by more than 30 years, and child mortality plummeted as measles and diphtheria were nearly eliminated. By 1980, the world had eradicated smallpox. Polio could be next. These extraordinary successes, once unimaginable, show what is possible when societies commit to keeping children safe and extending all our lives. But the political courage to take the steps necessary to save and extend lives – from enacting stronger gun laws to taxing tobacco – seems to be in shorter supply than ever before.To push life expectancy back to its pre-pandemic highs – and then higher – the elected officials need to be braver and bolder in deploying the “invisible shield.” And for that, there is a need for voters who recognise the stakes and hold their representatives’ feet to the fire.

Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on Tuesday after a container ship slammed into it will have economic repercussions, as it caused the closure of the Port of Baltimore, as well as a major highway, Bloomberg said.Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen said importers will likely want to send their cargoes through West Coast ports and move them on trains eastward to avoid any bottlenecks at East Coast ports. Many were doing so already to avoid potential disruptions involving East Coast dockworkers in contract negotiations this year.Bloomberg noted that this would repeat the scenario that occurred during COVID-19 pandemic, as a sudden increase of 10 percent or 20 percent in shipment volumes at the port is enough to cause huge accumulation, congestion and waiting time for ships on the coasts."Baltimore isn’t a huge port for containers- about 3% of the total on the East and Gulf Coasts- but it handles the nations largest volume of automobiles, as well as a lot less-consumer-facing items like coal, gypsum and lumber. With total trade last year amounting to about $80 billion, every day Baltimore is closed is another $217 million thats not crossing its docks," Bloomberg said.Principal industry analyst at DAT Freight & Analytics Dean Croke also said that farmers gearing up for planting season may also feel the impact, as Baltimores proximity to the Midwests major farm and construction equipment manufacturers "has helped it become the leading US port for importing combines, tractors, hay balers, excavators, and backhoes."Head of research at logistics firm Freightos Judah Levine said, "we are omitting Baltimore on all our services for the foreseeable future, until it is deemed safe for passage through this area."Rerouting cargo to Philadelphia, Norfolk or the Port of New York/New Jersey could push up trucking and rail prices if the volumes are significant, and could cause some congestion at those alternative ports, said Levine, according to CNN.The US network noted that freight rates on transatlantic routes are roughly back at 2019 levels following a spike in shipping costs during the pandemic. But prices for trips heading from Asia to the US East Coast are more than double their March 2019 level because attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have forced vessels to divert around Africa rather than sailing through the Suez Canal.Despite potential for some increased cost of shipping, chief economist for Moodys Analytics Mark Zandi, said the disruptions arent likely to cause problems for the US economy as a whole since the goods are likely to find other ports.

On December 18, 2023, Gulf Times got into an exclusive conversation with Zafar Abbas, an exemplary figure, synonymous with compassion and transformative impact in Pakistan, talking about his commitment to uplift the underprivileged, leading the charge at the JDC Foundation, spearheading a staggering 89 welfare projects spanning critical sectors such as rescue operations, healthcare, education, and general welfare in Sindh, Pakistan. Since then, Abbas has continued his upward trajectory, driving positive change and dignity for the less fortunate, with recently being honoured with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz by Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori on Pakistan Day, a recognition that places him among esteemed individuals celebrated for their remarkable contribuions. The Tamgha-e-Imtiaz represents a distinguished accolade bestowed by the state of Pakistan. This prestigious honor is reserved for exceptional civilians whose achievements have left an indelible mark on the nation. Recipients of the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz are recognized for their outstanding contributions across various fields, reflecting the diversity and richness of talent within Pakistan.From its modest beginnings in Aisha Manzil, Karachi, Pakistan, the JDC Charity Foundation has evolved into a comprehensive organization, responding swiftly to disaster situations and pioneering liberation and rescue management across the province.This prestigious award stands as a tribute to Abbas's exceptional endeavors in the realm of philanthropy, underscoring his profound impact both locally and internationally. Abbas's dedication and expertise in advancing humanitarian causes through the JDC Foundation have earned him widespread acclaim. His tireless efforts have not only uplifted countless lives but have also brought global attention to Pakistan's philanthropic endeavors.In a poignant display of humility and meritocracy, Zafar Abbas, adorned in the simplest of attire—a humble pair of chappals and a plain T-shirt—became the first Pakistani to be bestowed with this esteemed award. His unassuming appearance served as a powerful testament to his character, embodying the essence of humility amidst accolades.In the moment of gratitude, as Abbas accepted the prestigious honour, he dedicated it wholeheartedly to the unsung heroes behind the scenes—the flood relief workers and volunteers who had stood by his side in unwavering support of his noble cause. With tears glistening in his eyes, Abbas acknowledged their tireless efforts and selfless dedication, recognizing that it was their unwavering commitment that truly fueled the transformative impact of the JDC. In a world often blinded by individual accolades, Abbas's heartfelt tribute serves as a poignant reminder of the collective strength and spirit of solidarity that underpins every humanitarian endeavor.Through his visionary leadership Abbas has embarked on a journey of profound impact, touching countless lives in the realms of education and healthcare. His unwavering commitment to societal betterment resonates deeply, transcending the materialistic facade of success. In a world marred by suffering and disparity, Abbas's steadfast dedication to uplifting the underprivileged epitomizes the essence of compassion and empathy, illuminating a path towards a brighter, more equitable future for all.He has been instrumental in elevating the country's standing and amplifying its humanitarian voice on the world stage, effectively addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by the underprivileged in today's interconnected world.About JDC Foundation:JDC foundation has swiftly responded to disaster situations through free rescue and relief services during floods, providing food and shelter in Pakistan. Additionally, their teams had been actively involved in city fire incidents, offering immediate aid. During Covid-19 pandemic, Abbas and his team extended support by providing essential food supplies to those in need. During the floods in Pakistan, in 2022, JDC not only rescued people and provided temporary shelter, but also served meals for almost 2,400,000 victims in four months, answering the call for rescue and need by setting up makeshift tent cities and distributing over 80,000 tents to those affected.