The oldest member of K-pop phenomenon BTS will begin his military service on December 13, becoming the first in the band to enlist, local media reported on Thursday.
All able-bodied South Korean men under the age of 30 must perform about two years of military service, mainly because the country remains technically at war with nuclear-armed North Korea.
That means the age cut-off is approaching for Jin, 29, a senior member of the hugely popular septet.
He will begin his mandatory five-week training at Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi province before being deployed to a "frontline unit", the Yonhap news agency reported, citing military and industry sources.
The singer had previously hinted on social media that he had been assigned to the front line.
Scroll through the gallery below to see Argentina fans say goodbye to Jin
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Fans of BTS unable to attend the concert gather outside the Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires, to listen to Jin perform his single 'The Astronaut' with Coldplay. All photos: AFP -

Fans outside the stadium for Coldplay's concert in Argentina. -

A fan holds up a sign in Korean for BTS member Jin. -

BTS fans queue to access to River Plate's Monumental stadium to attend the fourth of 10 concerts from Coldplay in Buenos Aires. -

A BTS fans holds an image of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, left, with BTS member Jin. -

A fan holds up a sign in Korean for Jin ahead of the Coldplay concert. -

A fan has a sign asking Jin to marry her. -

Fans in Argentina show their support for BTS. -

Fans hold up photos and posters for Jin. -

Argentinian fans of Jin pose with a flag made specifically for him. -

BTS fans show off their signs ahead of the concert. -

BTS fans wear Argentina's football team shirts, with one specifically for Jin.
The news left fans overwhelmed and emotional, with some even expressing concern about Jin's safety.
"My heart literally dropped when I read that he will be deployed to the front line," one fan tweeted, adding: "This military thing that surround BTS for years NEVER really concerns me until now. Why front line?? Why??"
Another fan said: "I can't help but think they're sending him to the hardest scariest place as punishment."
BTS are credited with generating billions for the South Korean economy, and their label enjoyed a surge in profits despite holding fewer concerts during the coronavirus pandemic.
But the prospect of mandatory military service has long hovered over the K-pop superstars, and has triggered years-long debate in South Korea over whether they deserved exemptions — which are given to classical musicians and Olympic medallists, for example.
Their agency announced last month that band members would carry out their mandatory military service, starting with Jin.
Seoul's defence minister had said in August that BTS might be allowed to continue performing and preparing for international concerts even while undertaking military duties.
New high-energy musical takes K-pop to Broadway — in pictures
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Playwright Jason Kim appears at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York, where his musical KPop will open on November 27. AP Photo -

South Korean singer Luna during a performance of KPop. O+M / DKC via AP -

Luna rehearsing. O+M / DKC via AP -

The cast in action. O+M / DKC via AP -

KPop features an almost entirely Asian American and Asian cast. O+M / DKC via AP -

The musical is set as a backstage look at some K-pop performers as they get ready for their debut show in New York City. O+M / DKC via AP -

Korean pop star Luna makes her Broadway debut with KPop. AP
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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