The four countries isolating Qatar say its efforts to stop the funding of extremist groups are insufficient, and they added organisations and people to a list of alleged terrorists they say are linked to Doha.
On Friday, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said Qatar had been “very aggressive” in implementing the bilateral agreement with the US two weeks ago to fight terrorism and stem its financing.
However, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt continue to voice concerns about Doha’s support for extremist groups.
The quartet yesterday added nine Libyan and Yemeni aid and media organisations and nine people from Qatar, Kuwait, Yemen and Libya to the list of entities the four Arab countries had said were supported by Qatar and tied to terrorist groups.
The memorandum of understanding signed by Qatar with Washington has already begun to be implemented.
Along with an amendment to its counter-terrorism laws and the unblocking of a Qatari-owned sports channel in the UAE, they had created the perception of progress towards talks between the parties.
In a joint statement accompanying the latest terrorist designations, the four nations said: “While noting that the Qatari authorities had previously signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States to stop terror financing and then announced that it was amending its terror-combating laws, the four states consider this step, even if it is a submission to the tough demands to combat terrorism and one of many awaited steps to achieve the Qatari authorities’ return to the right track, not enough.”
The newly listed Libyan people and organisations are all linked to Islamist militia factions such as the Benghazi Defence Brigades and the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council that are opposed to the military commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who is supported by the UAE and Egypt.
Details published by Saudi media claim the individuals are also linked to Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Al-Saraya Media Centre, the media wing of the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council, has published numerous articles praising Al Qaeda and ISIL. Libyan militants have used the “media centre” to publicise their attacks. Both Twitter and Facebook have suspended its accounts.
One of the other Libyan media outlets listed is Nabaa TV, which supports militant political groups and militias who are financed by Doha.
The designations link the three Yemeni charitable organisations, to varying degrees, with large Qatari aid groups such as Eid Charity and Qatar Charity.
One of the three, Rahma, is on the US terrorist blacklist for being tied to Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
The quartet’s latest list stated that Rahma has links with Al Ihsan Charitable Society, which has received support from Qatar’s state-backed aid organisations.
Rahma, Al Balagh Charitable Foundation and Al Ihsan all operate in Hadramout province in southern Yemen.
The Yemeni people are not on US or UN sanctions lists, but the men – Mohammed Al Dabaa, Ahmed Ali Ahmed Baraoud and Abdullah Mohammed Al Yazidi – “worked with Aqap’s Hadhrami Domestic Council and its leadership to oversee projects and activities in Mukalla while the city was under Aqap control”, the designation said.
“In June 2017, the US government identified the Hadhrami Domestic Council as a ‘proxy or cover organisation’ established by Aqap,” it said.
The Qatari and Kuwaiti individuals Saad bin Saad Al Kabi and Abu al Latif bin Abdullah Al Kuwari, were allegedly involved in working with US-sanctioned fundraisers supporting the Syrian Al Qaeda affiliate formerly known as the Nusrah Front.
The Kuwaiti citizen named in the new list, Hamid Hamad Al Ali, is also on US and United Nations terrorist sanctions lists, and has had close links with Qatar.
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
MATCH STATS
Wolves 0
Aston Villa 1 (El Ghazi 90 4' pen)
Red cards: Joao Moutinho (Wolves); Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)
Man of the match: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
