Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for June 2, 2017, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. Ellen Fortini rounds up 10 things to do today in the UAE.
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Abu Dhabi
Kids’ camp
Register your children ages 5 and older for the ZSC Academy Ice Skating Camp, where they can take part in on-ice sessions with certified coaches of the Ice Skating Institute of Asia, free skate and play off-ice games to develop endurance, balance, coordination and flexibility.
July 2-August 24, 9am to 1pm, Dh750 per week, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, register at 02 403 4333, ice@zsc.ae
Abu Dhabi
Spa offer
Espa at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal features three detoxifying and relaxing spa packages to enjoy over the course of a three-day stay at the hotel or three separate visits: Purity Wellbeing for cleansing and purification; Serenity Wellbeing to enhance sleep patterns; and Tranquillity Wellbeing for mind relaxation. The packages include a consultation with a spa therapist, treatments, fresh juices and a home-care gift box.
Open 11am to 11pm during Ramadan, from Dh3,060 for the Purity Wellbeing Package, Espa, The Venetian Village, Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Abu Dhabi, 02 818 8181, rc.auhrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com
Abu Dhabi
Family fun
Visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi on weekends during Ramadan and enter for free. Enjoy the rides and attractions at individual prices from Dh30 for the Virtual Challenge and Dh65 for the Advance Simulator, or choose several ride-entry options from Dh175, including the Turbo Track rollercoaster.
Valid until the first day of Eid Al Fitr, 6pm to midnight, Thursdays and Fridays; 6pm to 11pm on Saturdays, free entry with various prices for individual rides, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com
Dubai
Meditation session
Plan to attend the weekly meditation sessions throughout Ramadan at the Lululemon store at Dubai Marina Mall as part of its Follow Your Nawaya campaign. Each week, participants will explore a different kind of meditation, which will allow for a variety of experiences.
Until June 24, 8.30am to 9.30am on Fridays; 8.30am on Saturdays, free, Lululemon, Dubai Marina Mall, Dubai, www.facebook.com/lululemonmiddleeast
Dubai
High tea
Enjoy high tea at At.mosphere Lounge in the Burj Khalifa, which features English tradition with French flair. La Gourmandaise is a collection of sandwiches, patisserie, scones and fresh berries served with hot or cold beverages from an extensive menu of teas and coffees.
Daily, 3pm to 5pm, from Dh320 per person, At.mosphere Lounge, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, 04 888 3828, reservations@atmosphereburjkhalifa.com
Nationwide
New movie
Gal Gadot stars in the lead role in Wonder Woman, a DC Comics film that explores the roots of the superhero. Born Diana Prince as an Amazon warrior princess on a tropical island, she meets American military pilot Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) when he washes ashore during the First World War. He tells her of the events of the war and she leaves home to help stop the threat, discovering her true superpowers in the process. Action adventure, also starring David Thewlis, Robin Wright and Connie Nielsen.
Screening at cinemas across the UAE (PG-13)
Dubai
Art exhibition
Visit the exhibition Inheritance by the Dubai-based Indian artist Chandni S Chanana, who presents a collection of oil-on-acrylic contemporary art that blends two art forms in each image by integrating musical instruments with figures and various textures. Pictured: Harmonic Flutes
Today and tomorrow, 4pm to 9pm, Metropolitan Hotel, Exit 41, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 04 343 0000
Dubai
Iftar
Enjoy iftar and suhour at Open Tent, a new concept by Chi-Ka kimono shop and art space. The experience blends Japanese and Arabic cuisine with cultural sensibilities. Break the fast with traditional Arabic dishes and an assortment of Japanese cuisine while surrounded by contemporary minimalist Japanese deco, bonsai gardens, Arabic calligraphy murals and live oud music.
Daily until June 24, 7pm to 10pm for iftar, Dh135; 10.30pm to 2am for suhour, Dh110, Dh65 for children ages 5 to 10, Warehouse 68, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 056 920 6920, opentent@chikaspace.com
Dubai
Performance
South African singer/songwriter Johnny Clegg brings his last world tour, The Final Journey, to Dubai Opera. For more than 40 years, Clegg has pioneered a musical style that blends Western pop with African Zulu rhythms, helping to break down barriers in South Africa. Hit songs include Great Heart, Scatterlings of Africa, The Crossing and I Call Your Name.
September 20, from Dh250, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, www.dubaiopera.com
Dubai
Organic market
Visit the Ripe Farmers Market at Reform Social & Grill every Friday during Ramadan. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables, sample culinary delights and shop boutique market stalls in an air-conditioned marquee that includes family activities.
Fridays until June 23, noon to 8pm, Reform Social & Grill, The Lakes, Dubai, 04 454 2638, www.reformsocialgrill.ae
PRISCILLA
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Russia v Scotland, Thursday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
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.”
SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
MATHC INFO
England 19 (Try: Tuilagi; Cons: Farrell; Pens: Ford (4)
New Zealand 7 (Try: Savea; Con: Mo'unga)
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
