Emirati singer Ahlam has sent fans into a frenzy on Twitter by announcing she will collaborate with K-pop band BTS.
The The Voice Ahla Sawt host confirmed the collaboration in response to a fan who tweeted her to ask if she would be working with the seven-piece band.
“Please answer me Ahlam, will there be a collaboration with BTS?” the tweet said, to which she replied, “Yes, of course there is”, alongside three dancing emojis.
While Ahlam did not elaborate on the tweet further, it was enough to spark major excitement from fans in the region and around the globe, causing the hashtag #AhlamxBTS to trend.
The singer then posted her amusement at the attention the tweet was getting, saying “one tweet made up of five words has gone worldwide”, alongside several laughing emojis. Does this mean she was joking?
With so many K-pop fans in the region and Ahlam one of the Middle East’s biggest stars, this meeting of worlds would certainly welcomed by many.
In fact, K-pop fans in the UAE have been embarking on an ongoing quest to bring BTS to the country to perform, with the hashtag #UAEwantsBTS regularly trending on Twitter.
Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena even responded to the requests, saying, “We’ve received all your requests and trust us, we want #kpopinuae too! Your enthusiasm continues to inspire us and we’re working to bring the best to Coca-Cola Arena! #UAEwantsBTS #wewantbtsinuae”
Perhaps a collaboration with Ahlam could finally bring them here.
Watch this space…
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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Sand storm
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- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
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- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
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