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UAE falcon hospital a window into Emirati tradition

Good Health

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |Eid al-Qobeissy's two birds perch majestically in the waiting room of Abu Dhabi's falcon hospital, awaiting a routine check-up ahead of their hunting trip to Azerbaijan.

Like other well-travelled residents of the United Arab Emirates, the falcons will make the journey with their devoted owner on a well-worn route from a country where the creature is both a national symbol and treasured tradition.

"This has been a hobby of mine since 2007," said the 26-year-old, gently stroking one of the prized birds of prey, which wear leather hoods to keep them calm and quiet.

After waiting in the pristine white-marbled reception area of the animal hospital, the falcons will undergo blood tests in order to complete paperwork for the trip.

They are among about 11,000 falcons the hospital treats annually, a number that has more than doubled in the past 10 years.

"Falcons have a very special place in the heart of the Emiratis," said the hospital's director Margit Muller.

"Here, falcons are not considered birds, they are considered children of the Bedouins because, historically, falcons were used to hunt meat, allowing the Bedouin’s family to survive in this very harsh desert life."

In 2010, UNESCO added falconry to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

- Talons and training -

The Abu Dhabi facility is the world's largest falcon hospital, frequented by falconers from across the Gulf region.

As well as check-ups and routine trimming of talons, it also conducts complicated surgery and offers a training programme for veterinary students from more than 40 countries to learn about avian medicine.

"The very complicated procedures are either broken legs or broken wings, or when a falcon has a really messy accident that results in big injuries," Muller said.

"Very long surgeries... can take up to three or four hours. That is the longest we can keep a falcon under anaesthesia."

Opportunities to take a falcon hunting are limited in the UAE, where it is only permitted in designated reserves.

That means that for many birds, the hospital is an essential stop-off before heading to popular overseas hunting destinations including Morocco, Kazakhstan and Pakistan.

Emirati falconers are only legally allowed to own captive-bred birds, which must have their own passports that comply with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for transport.

Animals other than guide dogs are not usually allowed in the cabins of the UAE's main carriers, but for falcons exceptions are made.

Abu Dhabi's Etihad permits falcons in the cabin or as checked baggage, and Dubai's Emirates allows birds to travel alongside their owner to certain destinations in Pakistan.

"The most popular destination for falconers travelling with their falcons in the passenger cabin is Pakistan," an Emirates spokeswoman told AFP.

- Girl power -

While the hospital has its own programme and facilities to breed falcons that can be purchased, most of the birds are imported to the UAE from breeders in the Americas and Europe.

"They stay with the falconer for as long as they live," Muller said. "They will not be released because they are captive-bred falcons."

Muller added that the most sought-after and expensive falcons are females, which can carry up to five times their own body weight. They are also considered the most beautiful.

"The female is usually one third bigger than the male, and more powerful," she said, adding that captive-bred female falcons can cost upwards of 100,000 euros ($108,000).

For falconer Salem al-Mansouri from Abu Dhabi, the tradition is much more than an expensive pastime -- it is a symbol of Emirati culture.

"Falcons were used to hunt, and you can say that it was the only method for hunting for survival, especially when travelling long distances hundreds of years ago," the 30-year-old told AFP.

"We inherited it from our grandfathers and fathers, who taught us, and now we teach the next generation."

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Rome unveils tomb that may belong to wolf-suckled king

Travel

Rome, Italy |An ancient tomb thought to belong to Rome's founder Romulus was presented to the world on Friday, after months of investigation by history sleuths.

The 6th century BC stone sarcophagus, with an accompanying circular altar, was discovered under the Forum in the heart of Italy's capital over a century ago -- but experts could not agree on whether or not it belonged to the fabled figure.

According to legend, Romulus founded the city after killing his twin brother Remus.

The brothers had been raised by a she-wolf -- the symbol of Rome shows them sucking at her teats -- but later fell out over where to build the new metropolis.

Historians have long been divided not only over whether the pair actually existed, but if so where Romulus' body -- which was reportedly dismembered after his death by angry senators -- may have been buried.

The tomb was found in the 19th century and was known to specialists at the time but was forgotten until new digs within the past year.

The Colosseum Archaeological Park, which manages the Forum where the sarcophagus lies, said recent clues all pointed to it being the founder's tomb, in what it labelled an "extraordinary discovery".

Still, archaeologists called for caution, saying it was impossible to scientifically confirm -- and no bones were found inside the sarcophagus.

"It's only a suggestion based on ancient sources, all of which speak of the presence of the tomb of Romulus in this area of the Forum," Patrizia Fortini, who was charged with the dig, told AFP.

"It's certainly an important monument. The shape of the chest reminds us of a memorial, a place of remembrance, but what it really was, we can't say."

- 'Rome's political birth' -

Romulus, made popular by writers such as Livy, Ovid and Plutarch, is said to have ploughed a square furrow around the Palatine Hill to demarcate the walls of the future city.

When a mocking Remus hopped over the "wall" to prove how ineffective it would be against invaders, his brother killed him.

A team of scientists carrying out a dig in the late 1980s discovered a long, deep gash marked by large stones, which they claimed was the "sacred furrow" ploughed by Romulus.

Legend has it he went on to establish the Roman senate and rule as the city's first king for nearly 40 years, before disappearing into thin air one day while out inspecting his troops.

Some versions of the tale have him taken up to heaven by the god of war but others have him brutally murdered by jealous senators, who tore him limb from limb and scattered his body parts across the city. There may have been no body to bury.

In any case, Romulus acquired a cult following, making it more than plausible that the ancient city built a shrine to its beloved -- and possibly mythical -- founder.

"Whether Romulus existed or not is not important," archaeologist Paolo Carafa told AFP.

"What matters is that this figure is considered by the ancients to mark the political birth of the city."

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Zaha Hadid's 'exoskeleton' tower an instant Miami landmark

Business

Miami, United States |

In the heart of Miami, among the towering skyscrapers that rise above Biscayne Bay, the eye-catching new luxury condo building by late star architect Zaha Hadid dominates the skyline.

The unique curved "exoskeleton" design of the One Thousand Museum building has created buzz. The futuristic structure is the only residential space in downtown Miami with a helipad.

The high-rise also honors the legacy of the Iraqi-British architect, who died in Miami in 2016 at age 65, when the 62-story tower was built up to about the eighth floor.

"We felt a big obligation to make sure we got this particular project right because Miami was her second home," said Chris Lepine, who took over as director of the $300 million project after her death.

"She spent a lot of time here, had a lot of friends."

Hadid -- sometimes dubbed "Queen of the Curve" for her love of the form -- was the first woman to win the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize, and also won two Stirling Prizes, Britain's highest honor for architecture.

Forbes once named her one of the most influential women in the world.

Among her acclaimed projects are Beijing Daxing International Airport and the London Aquatic Centre for the 2012 Olympics.

About six months ago residents began moving into the Miami building -- which has been in the works since 2012.

"We wanted to make sure that we left this landmark of her achievements," Lepine said.

One Thousand Museum -- Hadid's first tower in the Western Hemisphere -- is now the crown jewel of her design firm, which is based in London.

It has 84 units, two pools, a juice bar and the helipad, among other high-end amenities. It is 709 feet (216 meters) tall.

In the gym, a swirling tornado spiral staircase snakes up to the spa.

The penthouses offer stunning views of the park surrounding the Perez Art Museum Miami, the bay and then out to the Miami Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

The structure's signature curves stand out among the traditional linear buildings near One Thousand Museum.

"There are 360 angles. Why only use one of them? Why only use 90 degrees?" said Lepine, paraphrasing his late boss.

- Form and function -

The building's "exoskeleton," as architects call it, flows from the base to the top of its exterior, and sinks at times between the tower's windows.

That structure is not just for aesthetics -- it is functional. It is made of white fiberglass-reinforced concrete, and allowed the design team to play with open spaces inside, without the need for columns.

"The exoskeleton for us was a real look at how architecture could be synthesized with structure into an overall very elegant expression," Lepine said.

The flexibility and finishing of the novel material used in this "permanent formwork" technique allowed for a fluid look.

One Thousand Museum was developed by Louis Birdman, Gilberto Bomeny, Gregg Covin and Kevin Venger.

Prices start in the $5 million range, and shoot up to $24 million for units that take up an entire higher floor.

Residents hail from about 20 different countries. A handful of apartments are still on the market.

"It has all the basic elements of a residential tower, but I think configured in a way that's very, very clever, very creative and in a way that sort of stands out," Lepine said.

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Message, enthusiasm, cash driving Sanders to Democratic nomination

The World

Washington, United States |His message is clear, his supporters enthusiastic and his pockets flush with cash -- Bernie Sanders is the clear favorite to win the Democratic presidential nomination.

The Vermont senator looks to be the most likely Democratic candidate at this point to take on Republican Donald Trump in November's presidential election.

The next nominating contest in the Democratic race is in South Carolina on Saturday followed by "Super Tuesday" on March 3, when 14 states will go to the polls.

These are some of the factors that have put Sanders, a 78-year-old self-described "democratic socialist," in pole position to capture the nomination that he lost to Hillary Clinton in 2016:

- Clear message -

On the campaign trail, Sanders delivers simple policy positions: tax the rich, raise the minimum wage, health care for all, free college tuition and a battle against climate change.

An impassioned speaker, he rails against "corporate greed," the fossil fuel industry and corrupt Wall Street elites.

Sanders was asked over the weekend on CBS's 60 Minutes if the Democratic Party has moved away from the center and towards him on the left.

"In many ways, they have," he said "And the ideas that seemed radical four years ago are now kind of mainstream."

At a rally in Texas, one of the states voting on Super Tuesday, Sanders said his campaign "is about beating Trump but it is about more than that."

"It is the story of the labor rights movement in this country. It is the story of the civil rights movement in the country. It is the story of women's rights in this movement. It is the story of the gay rights movement in this country. It is the campaign about the environmental movement in this country," he said.

- Enthusiastic support -

David Barker, a professor of government at American University, said one of things Sanders shares with Trump is a "very committed base."

Sanders also appears to have managed to expand his 2016 support among young white voters to include that of more Hispanics and African-Americans.

Sanders, during that Texas rally, said he has built a "multigenerational, multiracial coalition."

"Our movement is about bringing working-class people together, black and white and Latino, Native American, Asian American around an agenda that works for all of us and not just the billionaire class," he said at the last debate.

In the Nevada caucuses, Sanders won the support of voters in every group under the age of 65 and also attracted a majority of Latino support.

Among his prominent backers is the young and dynamic New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

At the same time, Sanders' rivals have denounced a toxic streak among his more ardent supporters known as "Bernie Bros," accused of aggressive and at times sexist online tactics.

The upcoming primary in South Carolina is seen as a key test of the depth of Sanders' support among African-American voters -- key to a Democratic victory in November.

A skilled debater, Sanders has also proved to be adept at using social media and -- critically -- attracting donations.

Sanders raised $25.1 million in January, the most in a month since he entered the race, taking the total raised to $121 million.

- Indefatigable -

Despite suffering a heart attack in October and having two coronary stents inserted, Sanders is a tireless campaigner

"Follow me around the campaign trail, three, four, five events today," he challenged a reporter who asked at the last debate about his health. "See how you're doing compared to me."

Born on September 8, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York, Sanders would be 79 when he assumes office, making him the oldest US president ever to enter the White House.

- November election -

Sanders' avowedly leftist leanings have some Democrats worried that he would prove to be a weak opponent against Trump in the November election.

Trump has already played on lingering Cold War fears among Americans by labelling Sanders a "communist" and referring to him as "Crazy Bernie."

Expressing the fears of some moderate Democrats, former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg called Sanders "polarizing" at the last debate.

"Americans don't see where they fit if they've got to choose between a socialist who thinks that capitalism is the root of all evil and a billionaire who thinks that money ought to be the root of all power," Buttigieg said.

But a number of polls give Sanders a fighting chance against Trump -- a polarizing figure himself.

The latest CBS News/YouGov poll of registered voters, for example, has Sanders up by three points nationally over Trump in a head-to-head race.

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Economic risks 'less pronounced' as trade tensions ease

Business

Frankfurt am Main, Germany | European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said risks to the eurozone economy had become "less pronounced" in the wake of a US-China trade truce even as President Donald Trump reignited a trade spat with Europe.

Speaking to reporters after chairing her second meeting as president, Lagarde said the bank's ultra-easy money policies remained necessary in the face of stubbornly low inflation and slow growth.

But she hinted that the ECB was more optimistic about the euro area outlook following the partial US-China trade deal struck after two years of tensions that roiled the global economy.

"Risks related to geopolitical factors, rising protectionism and vulnerabilities in emerging markets remain tilted to the downside, but have become less pronounced as some of the uncertainty surrounding international trade is receding," Lagarde told reporters in Frankfurt.

She said the US-China deal had reduced uncertainty but would also have knock-on effects on other countries, creating winners and losers.

The ECB would now "very carefully" study the impact of the deal, she said.

But Trump already appeared to be gearing up for his next trade battle, after saying in Davos on Wednesday that the European Union was next in his line of sights.

"The European Union is tougher to deal with than anybody. They've taken advantage of our country for many years," Trump told Fox Business Network.

He also threatened to impose crippling tariffs on EU-built cars unless the EU budges on a transatlantic trade deal.

Asked about the flare-up in tensions, Lagarde said she took "some comfort" from the upbeat sounds that followed Trump's meeting with European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen in Davos.

"While we all know that the results of those meetings are preliminary, the tone and the determination on both sides to draw positive conclusions from that meeting...I think is to be taken as a positive signal."

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Greta Thunberg patents own name and 'Fridays for Future'

Good Health

Stockholm, Sweden |Teen eco warrior Greta Thunberg said she has registered both her own name and her "Fridays For Future" global protest movement as trademarks in order to prevent them from being hijacked for fraudulent purposes.

"My name and the #FridaysForFuture movement are constantly being used for commercial purposes without any consent whatsoever," the 17-year-old Swede wrote on her Instagram account.

"I assure you, I and the other school strikers have absolutely no interests in trademarks. But unfortunately it needs to be done."

She complained that "there are still people who are trying to impersonate me or falsely claim that they 'represent' me in order to communicate with high profile people, politicians, media, artists etc."

There had also been instances of marketing, product selling and people collecting money "in my and the movement's name," she wrote.

"That is why I've applied to register my name, Fridays For Future,... as trademarks. This action is to protect the movement and its activities."

Thunberg, whose protests have attracted millions of young people across the globe, also said she was setting up a non-profit making foundation to handle the financial side of "Fridays for Future", such as book royalties, donations and prize money.

She insisted that the foundation would be "completely transparent," for example, with regard to the taxes it has to pay.

"The foundation's aim will be to promote ecological, climatic and social sustainability, as well as mental health," the campaigner wrote.

Thunberg's climate struggle began quietly in August 2018 when she skipped school for the first three weeks, and then on Fridays to spend the day outside Sweden's parliament with a sign labelled "School strike for climate".

Since then, she has become the face behind the global protest movement, particularly for young people.

Thunberg has also come under ferocious attack from climate changes deniers, who accuse her of being manipulated by a "green lobby".

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Time to cross Palawan off your 2020 travel bucket list

Travel

Book a luxurious, sustainable getaway at Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa

This 2020, we welcome another year and a new decade! What better way to start a fresh page in your life than working on fulfilling your goals, whether it’s an item from last year’s bucket list you haven’t crossed off yet or a set of new plans in your 2020 to-do notes. For many, traveling to places and visiting their dream destinations are usually on top of their must-achieve checklist—and high on that list is the beautiful Palawan.

Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa lets you achieve your dream trip to the world-renowned island with its year-round accommodation offers and packages. Plus, you can enjoy Palawan’s breathtaking sceneries with a luxurious vacation experience, complete with lavish accommodation, exciting activities, and sumptuous food.

Pristine haven

Known to be one of the most beautiful destinations here in the Philippines, Palawan is a scenic island that offers various unique attractions—and it’s quite a feat to experience it for the first time.

For a perfect stay at the must-visit travel destination, Princesa Garden Island offers its sprawling four-hectare property for a comfortable accommodation that is only 10 to 15 minutes away from the city airport. The resort greets you with its captivating coconut-shaded gardens with a glimpse of the island's beauty.

The resort utilizes organic and recycled materials—including corals, rocks, and bamboo, as well as the Palaweno wood carvings—in its many facilities, giving the resort a uniquely local atmosphere. Focused on sustainability, Princesa Garden Island highlights environmentally-friendly solutions such as having its own water treatment and desalination facility, as well as the use of solar panels for sustainable electricity. Even the 1,640-square meter pool in the Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa is chlorine-free and uses nothing but natural sea salt water.

Extravagant accommodation

As you explore the island and its enjoyments, Princesa Garden Island also opens the doors of its various amenities and accommodations for you to relax.

The resort features a wide array of spacious rooms and villa options—the Signature, Pool, and Luxury Collection—spanning from 45 to 120 square meters. Each room pampers the guests with modern Filipino decor, free Wi-Fi, a 40-inch television, and 12-inch rain showers as well as the most comfortable beds and pillows. Meanwhile, suites and family rooms have either a jacuzzi or direct access to pool where they can enjoy the best views while lounging on the sunbeds.

For the ultimate luxury stay, the Water Villa rooms presents you the most opulent experience. These bungalows levitate above the water, providing a flawless 180-degree view of the ocean horizon through its wall-to-ceiling glass. The villa includes a wooden deck with daybeds, comfortable hammocks, and an outdoor Jacuzzi.

Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa also takes pride in its Hari Ballroom, which is perfect for big special occasions given its 600-seat capacity. Its Reyna Function Hall features state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and can accommodate a maximum of 200 people. The Hari/Reyna room is one of the five Philippine winners to receive the ASEAN MICE Venue Award (Meeting Room Category) 2020-2022 for providing quality MICE facilities and services. The resort also has a chapel which is perfect for weddings, or simply for guests looking for peace and spirituality during their vacation.

Sumptuous dining

When it comes to food options, you can enjoy world-class dining in the various restaurants at the Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa.

If you are craving for Filipino and international cuisine, visit the open-theater kitchen of Rice, the resort’s all day dining cafe. Meanwhile, lovers of Italian cuisine can dine at Tomato and Basil Cuicina Italiana, an al fresco specialty restaurant where wood-fired baked pizza and other Italian dishes are served with a glass of Italian wine. The Sala Lobby Lounge, on the other hand, warms you up with a cozy ambiance, cocktail bites, and soothing music that fills the main reception building.

Best times at Palawan

To make your travel to Palawan more memorable, best engage in the various activities that the island has to offer.

For nature lovers, a majestic getaway awaits. Marvel at the unique natural wonders such as the saltwater pool, sunny sandbar, and leafy mangrove forest available only in Palawan. Meanwhile, the adventure-seeking peeps can ask Princesa Garden Island’s tour desk for assistance on trying out activities offered outside the resort such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and island hopping.

Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa also offers in-resort activities. You can go on active jogs, walks, bikes, and even stop by the resort’s gym in the morning. The group can also bond over non-motorized water sports, hang out in the entertainment center, or have a fun game of jumbo chess.

Cap the adventure-filled day by stopping by the Hilot Spa, which promises a blissful retreat to soothe the mind and body. Housed in a modern minimalist casita that exudes rustic simplicity, this wellness haven provides pampering like no other. It has eight rooms that feature its own shower and pocket garden, and a couple of rooms with jacuzzi. Plus, all treatments at the resort and spa include the use of jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room. Hilot Spa also provides in-room service for guests who do not want to leave the comforts of their room.

All-in vacation packages

Princesa Garden Island ensures that your first time visit to Palawan is one for the books thanks to its satisfactory trip itinerary that includes their beautiful scenery, luxurious accommodations, fun activities, and wide range of food selections.

The resort also offers hassle-free trip planning through its online booking system. With just a few clicks, you can book everything seamlessly, from accommodation to food to activities. Once you're in the resort, Princesa Garden Island staff personally goes over your trip details to make sure you get the best service during your stay.

Get to know more about Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa, located in Puerto Princesa, City, Palawan. You may log on to https://www.princesagardenisland.com/ or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can call or text (+63)917-873-9574 or (+63)918-967-5132 for inquiries.

'I am here': Holocaust survivors mark Auschwitz liberation

The World

Jerusalem-

Their faces lined by age and haunting memories, about 100 Holocaust survivors joined political leaders in Jerusalem to recall the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp 75 years ago.

While many of the dignitaries at the sombre ceremony were born after World War II, with no personal memories of Nazi Germany's industrial-scale murder of Jews, for 81-year-old Yona Amit, the event was deeply personal.

Just five years old when she and her family escaped Nazi-occupied Italy for Switzerland, she spoke of her remarkable survival, accompanied by her granddaughter at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial centre.

Amit said her family was forced to flee her home by horse and cart, spending much of the war in hiding.

"We couldn't travel as Jews, because they collected the Jews and they took them straight to Auschwitz," she told AFP.

The escape through the Alps was horrifying, she said: "It wasn't easy, it was the most terrible thing -- the Germans, with their Alsatian dogs looking for us."

She remembers one day playing with her cousin, and exchanging shoes, before they were separated and her young relative was betrayed to the Nazis by smugglers.

"They were straight away sent to Auschwitz. And of course my cousin with my shoes: straight away up in the chimneys.

"My shoes are in that big mound of shoes in Auschwitz ... I am here."

- 'People who helped' -

More than a million people -- most of them Jews, but also ethnic minority members, communists, homosexuals and others -- were killed at the extermination camp in Nazi-occupied Poland.

Amit finally reached Israel in 1949, going on later in life to also teach Hebrew in South Africa and Australia.

On Thursday she was at Yad Vashem, along with hundreds of journalists and other survivors there to listen to speeches by leaders such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Amit said the event was an opportunity to remember those who took grave risks to save European Jews.

"So many priests, and so many monasteries, endangered their lives to save Jews," she said.

"I think this is the most important message of this war. Not the horrible things that were done -- we all know about them -- but the simple people who helped."

- 'Plague of anti-Semitism' -

Yad Vashem chairman Avner Shalev, who had a fall days before the event, reached the stage on crutches, joking that breaking a leg was good luck ahead of such an occasion.

He and Moshe Kantor, founder of the World Holocaust Forum which organised the event, both spoke about the importance of continuing the fight against anti-Semitism.

But Fanny Ben Ami, whose parents were killed in Nazi extermination camps, told AFP she feared that anti-Semitism will not be eradicated.

"I think that the leaders of the whole world have come, above all, to affirm that anti-Semitism is a plague, but ... nothing changes," said the 89-year-old.

Ben Ami joined the French resistance at the age of 12, helping children flee to Switzerland, and emigrated to Israel in 1957.

Auschwitz survivor Nahum Rottenberg also voiced doubt about what could be achieved at the memorial, dubbed the most important event Israel has ever hosted.

The frail 92-year-old talked with tears in his eyes about his family who died at Auschwitz.

"I fight against anti-Semitism each time I tell my story," he said.

He voiced dismay at present-day wars raging unabated, including in the Middle East.

"Today we kill in Syria and elsewhere," he said. "The world keeps quiet. I don't think that things will really change."

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After China, Trump trade wrath likely to find new targets

Business

Paris, France |

Governments across the world breathed a collective sigh of relief when the US on Wednesday signed a partial trade deal with China, but analysts predict that the pact frees President Donald Trump up for new trade war fronts, notably with the EU and emerging economies.

"This deal may cause short-term relief, but it's just a stage," said Sylvain Broyer, European chief economist at Standard and Poor's, calling it "the tip of the iceberg" of global trade tensions.

"Trade tensions could move on, and Europe could find itself at the centre of the debate," he said.

EU officials remember only too well the tariffs the World Trade Organization (WTO) allowed Washington to slap on European products in retaliation for rule-breaking subsidies paid to the Airbus aircraft maker.

Another reminder of Trump's willingness to weaponise trade came Thursday when Germany's defence minister confirmed a report that the US was threatening to impose a 25 percent tariff on EU car exports if European governments continued to back the Iran nuclear deal.

- Stuck in the middle? -

"The question is now how the US behaves towards towards Europe," said Johan Bjerkem, an analyst at the European Policy Centre in Brussels.

The trade deal between China and the United States is "a good thing", said Evelyn Herrmann, director at BofA Research, "but there are plenty of other things going on that we can't ignore".

A visit to Washington by EU trade chief Phil Hogan just as the US and China signed their truce could be seen as an early attempt to head off any coming transatlantic tensions, analysts said.

"Everyone is pleased that we've emerged from a logic of escalation, but we don't yet know what the impact will be," one EU source said. "After the (US-China) deal we must make sure that the EU does not find itself stuck in the middle."

The most likely trigger for any future trade moves against the EU is a tax on the revenues of internet giants decided last year by France, that the Trump administration sees as discriminatory, analysts said.

"If the US administration decides to take trade measures against France, and therefore against the EU, this would turn into an international question," said one French finance ministry source.

"The EU would defend its rights in a determined and proportionate way against American measures that would be illegal in the eyes of the WTO."

- The price of peace -

There is every chance that emerging economies could get caught up in new international trade tensions, said Gareth Leather at Capital Economics.

"Last year, President Trump called Vietnam 'almost the single worst abuser of everybody' and threatened tariffs unless more was done to reduce its bilateral trade deficit," Leather said.

Thailand was also drawing Washington's unwanted attention, he said, and is in danger of being labelled a "currency manipulator" to be punished with trade measures, just like China was previously, he said.

Emerging countries must now also fear the consequences of a Chinese commitment to buy $200 billion worth of additional US products over the next two years, as Beijing is now likely to cancel farm contracts with countries like Brazil and buy American instead.

"The deal could have negative trade consequences for Brazilian farm product exports to China," said Pedro da Motta, head of the Cindes think tank, singling out soy beans. "The same sectors that benefitted from the trade war may be the ones paying the price for peace," he told AFP.

Brian Coulton, chief economist at Fitch Ratings, cautioned that implementation of the deal and its impact on the rest of the world were still uncertain.

"Its full impact will depend on how the deal is implemented, including whether China can meet its commitment to dramatically increase imports from the US, as well as possible trade diversion effects on other exporting economies," Coulton said.

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EU announces strict 5G rules, but no Huawei ban

Innovations

Brussels, Belgium | EU countries could ban telecoms operators deemed a security risk from critical parts of 5G infrastructure under guidelines issued Wednesday, amid US pressure to shut out Chinese giant Huawei.

The EU plan, which closely mirrors rules set out Tuesday by Britain allowing a limited role for Huawei, stops short of barring the company from the next-generation communications network designed for near-instantaneous data transfers.

It leaves member states with the responsibility to ensure the safe rollout of 5G and warns them to screen operators carefully, saying security of the network will be critically important for the entire EU.

The so-called "toolbox" outlined by the European Commission avoids naming Huawei and does not call for an outright ban on any supplier.

But it urges countries to "assess the risk profile of suppliers (and)... apply relevant restrictions for suppliers considered to be high risk" accordingly, including shutting them out of "key assets defined as critical and sensitive".

It also recommends EU states avoid "major dependency on a single supplier" and "dependency on suppliers considered to be high risk".

The guidelines are the fruit of months of agonising within the EU, which has struggled to find a middle way to balance Huawei's dominance in the 5G sector with the security concerns pressed by Washington.

Any bans on Huawei will now ultimately be up to individual member states, but the commission's middle road recommendations give cover to European capitals to resist pleas from Washington.

Huawei welcomed the guidelines, saying they would allow it to continue playing a role in Europe's 5G rollout.

"This non-biased and fact-based approach towards 5G security allows Europe to have a more secure and faster 5G network," the company said in a statement.

"Huawei has been present in Europe for almost 20 years and has a proven track record with regard to security. We will continue to work with European governments and industry to develop common standards to strengthen the security and reliability of the network."

Thierry Breton, the EU commissioner for the single market, said the bloc would not target any company, stressing that the new system was based on "objective criteria".

"We in Europe accept everyone but we have rules -- these rules are clear and exacting," he told reporters.

- 'No safe option' -

London's announcement on Tuesday of a limited role for Huawei infuriated Washington, which says the company cannot be trusted with such important infrastructure because it is too close to the Beijing government.

Britain, like the EU, plans to exclude risky operators from "sensitive" locations such as nuclear sites and military bases, but US officials insist there was "no safe option" for Huawei to control any part of the network.

The US has said the possibility of China using its commercial presence to spy on Britain -- or even shut down the network -- could force Washington to stop sharing intelligence with London.

"Our view of Huawei is putting it in your system creates real risk. This is an extension of the Chinese Communist Party with a legal requirement to hand over information to the Chinese Community Party," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday during a visit to London.

"We'll evaluate what the United Kingdom did.... But our view is we should have Western systems with Western rules and American information should only pass across a trusted network. We'll make sure we do that."

Huawei is widely viewed as providing the most advanced alternative for super-fast data transfers behind technologies such as self-driving cars and remotely operated factory robots.

Along with European telecom companies Nokia and Ericsson, it is one of the few suppliers capable of building 5G networks.

The commission warned that 5G will offer "more potential entry points" for cyber attacks -- a growing threat as more and more critical services such as hospitals and power grids depend on data networks.

"5G will be a ground-breaking technology but it cannot come at the expense of the security of our internal market," commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas said in a statement.

"The toolbox is an important step in what must be a continuous effort in the EU's collective work to better protect our critical infrastructures."

Doubts about Huawei come amid a more general anxiety about Beijing's growing presence in the EU, where a growing number of countries in the east are opening the door to Chinese investment in infrastructure.

With the job of vetting prospective 5G suppliers left to member states, there will be questions about whether all have the capacity or political willingness to carry out the job thoroughly, particularly if it might involve embarrassing a major partner such as China.

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The Foreign Post is the newspaper of the International Community in the Philippines, published for foreign residents, Internationally-oriented Filipinos, and visitors to the country. It is written and edited to inform, to entertain, occasionally to educate, to provide a forum for international thinkers.