Lady Gaga sent a message of support to Japan on the 10th anniversary of its massive earthquake and tsunami, saying the resilience of its people offers hope in the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
"Through the years, seeing and hearing about the vast recovery of your beautiful cities, I have so much respect to the people of Japan for your strength, kindness and love for each other," the American singer-songwriter and actress said in a video posted on her Twitter account.
"It gives hope to the people now that are fighting through the Covid pandemic all around the world."
A 9.0-magnitude quake – one of the strongest on record – and tsunami hit north-eastern Japan on March 11, 2011, claiming nearly 20,000 victims, destroying towns and triggering nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima, the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.
"It seems like yesterday that I was watching the shocking footage of the devastating earthquake and tsunami on the news and thinking, what can I do to help," the Born This Way singer said.
Following the disaster, the singer contributed to the Songs for Japan charity album and $1.5 million to relief funds from the sales of a wristband on her website. She also performed at a benefit show for the Japanese Red Cross Society.
"I can also imagine there are still many people fighting through the pain, emotionally and mentally. So let's all continue to support each other, be kind to each other and love each other," Lady Gaga, who wore a light pink top, hoop earrings and her hair in mauve bunches in the video, said.
She ended her message with "aishitemasu", the words "I love you" in Japanese.
Take a look at Lady Gaga's style over the years in the photo gallery below:
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Lady Gaga, in a black dress with plastic detailing, attends the DLD Star Night at Haus der Kunst on January 26, 2009 in Munich, Germany. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Bernard Chandran, poses backstage during the Brit Awards at Earls Court on February 18, 2009 in London, England. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in swirling prints, at IFA Fair on September 7, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in head-to-toe black, makes an in-store appearance at HMV on September 8, 2009 in London, England. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Atsuko Kudo, meets Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Performance on December 7, 2009 in Blackpool, England. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Francesco Scognamiglio, attends The Brit Awards at Earls Court on February 16, 2010 in London, England. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in structured trousers, arrives at Narita International Airport on April 13, 2010 in Narita, Japan. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in a taupe gown, at a press conference ahead of her performance at the ArtScience Museum on June 7, 2011 in Singapore. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in modern corsetry, attends the MTV Video Music Aid Japan press conference on June 23, 2011 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in a studded leather jacket, during the MTV Video Music Aid Japan on June 25, 2011 in Chiba, Japan. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in a voluminous-sleeved white gown, arrives at Sydney Airport on July 9, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in a ruffled midi and veil, arrives at Nevermind Nightclub on July 11, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Antonio Berardi, arrives at the Stamford Plaza on June 5, 2012 in Auckland, New Zealand. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in a purple midi, arrives at Brisbane Airport ahead of her Australian tour, on June 11, 2012 in Brisbane, Australia. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in a floral Philip Treacy headpiece, attends the Philip Treacy show at London Fashion Week on September 16, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in a leather-topped gown, attends her perfume launch at Sephora Champs-Elysees on September 23, 2012 in Paris, France. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Alaia, attends the launch of her new fragrance at Harrods on October 7, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Versace, attends the Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball at 02 Arena on December 8, 2013 in London, England. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Versace, attends the Atelier Versace show at Paris Fashion Week on January 19, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Versace, arrives for the 86th annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on March 2, 2014. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in a leather jacket, meets and greets fans inside Crown Metropol on August 17, 2014 in Perth, Australia. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in a gold beaded gown, arrives at Dubai International Airport on September 8, 2014. EPA -

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, in Brandon Maxwell, attend a press conference about their album 'Cheek to Cheek' at City Hall on September 22, 2014 in Brussels, Belgium. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Brandon Maxwell, arrives for the 57th annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, on February 8, 2015. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Alaia, arrives for the 87th annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on February 22, 2015. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Alexander Wang, arrives for the Met Gala in New York on May 4, 2015. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Balenciaga, attends the Balenciaga show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 6, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in a shimmering maxi, and Tony Bennett at the Royal Albert Hall on June 8, 2015 in London, England. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Tom Ford, attends the British Fashion Awards at London Coliseum on November 23, 2015 in London, England. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Versace, arrives for the 73rd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 10, 2016. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Saint Laurent, arrives for the Saint Laurent fashion show at the Palladium in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 2016. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Marc Jacobs, arrives for the 58th annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 15, 2016. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Brandon Maxwell, arrives for the 88th annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on February 28, 2016. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Brandon Maxwell, arrives for the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on November 20, 2016. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in a lace two-piece, poses backstage during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on November 30, 2016 in Paris, France. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Brandon Maxwell, attends The Fashion Awards on December 5, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Colin Horgan, arrives for the screening of the documentary 'Gaga: Five Foot Two' during the 42nd annual Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, on September 8, 2017. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Armani, arrives for the 60th annual Grammy Awards ceremony at Madison Square Garden in New York on January 28, 2018. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Alaia, attends 'A Star Is Born' photocall during the 75th Venice Film Festival at Sala Casino on August 31, 2018 in Venice, Italy. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in feathered Valentino, walks the red carpet ahead of the 'A Star Is Born' screening during the 75th Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande on August 31, 2018 in Venice, Italy. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Armani, arrives for the screening of 'A Star Is Born' during the 43rd annual Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, on September 9, 2018. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Alexander McQueen, attends the UK premiere of 'A Star Is Born' at Vue West End on September 27, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images -

Lady Gaga, in Givenchy, arrives for the premiere of 'A Star Is Born' at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on September 24, 2018. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Valentino, arrives for the 10th Annual Governor's Awards in Hollywood, California, on November 18, 2018. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Valentino, arrives for the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, California, on January 6, 2019. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Ralph Lauren, arrives at the National Board of Review in New York on January 8, 2019. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Dior, arrives for the 25th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on January 27, 2019. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Celine, arrives for the 61st annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 2019. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Alexander McQueen, arrives for the 91st annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on February 24, 2019. EPA -

Lady Gaga, in Brandon Maxwell, arrives for the Met Gala in New York on May 6, 2019. EPA
Champions League Last 16
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG)
Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED)
Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA)
Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG)
Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA)
Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG)
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
Civil%20War
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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
The%20specs
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
While you're here
HER%20FIRST%20PALESTINIAN
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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.”
A%20Little%20to%20the%20Left
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
RESULTS
Company%20Profile
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
While you're here
Editorial: The case for repatriating ISIS Europeans
Jamie Prentis: Alleged ISIS member living off benefits in the UK
Sholto Byrnes: Neither Shamima Begum nor Sajid Javid should be above the law
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
The specs: Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Ferrari GTC4Lusso T
Price, base: Dh840,000; Dh120,000
Engine: 4.0L V8 twin-turbo; 3.9L V8 turbo
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic; seven-speed automatic
Power: 509hp @ 6,000rpm; 601hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 695Nm @ 2,000rpm; 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.9L / 100km; 11.6L / 100km
In numbers: China in Dubai
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
Pathaan
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
More from this package
Results
United States beat UAE by three wickets
United States beat Scotland by 35 runs
UAE v Scotland – no result
United States beat UAE by 98 runs
Scotland beat United States by four wickets
Fixtures
Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland
Admission is free
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
25%20Days%20to%20Aden
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
Scores
Scotland 54-17 Fiji
England 15-16 New Zealand
Cherry
Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo
Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo
1/5
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Saint-Etienne v Montpellier (10.45pm)
Saturday
Monaco v Caen (7pm)
Amiens v Bordeaux (10pm)
Angers v Toulouse (10pm)
Metz v Dijon (10pm)
Nantes v Guingamp (10pm)
Rennes v Lille (10pm)
Sunday
Nice v Strasbourg (5pm)
Troyes v Lyon (7pm)
Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain (11pm)

