America celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday, although for many people, this year looked a little different.
With the US among the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, many enjoyed a scaled down celebration.
Around the world, people took to social media to express their thanks, which for many was all the more poignant this year.
It was also an emotional day for fans of game show Jeopardy! as a special pre-recorded Thanksgiving message from late host Alex Trebek was aired. Trebek died on November 8 after being diagnosed with cancer.
“You know, in spite of what America and the rest of the world is experiencing right now, there are many reasons to be thankful," Trebek said in the video.
"There are more and more people extending helpful hands to do a kindness to their neighbours," he continued, "and that's a good thing."
The message ended with Trebek urging America to “keep the faith”. “We're going to get through all of this, and we will be a better society because of it.”
US basketball player Rex Chapman tweeted to say: “Alex Trebek recorded a Thanksgiving message prior to his passing. I’m not crying, you’re crying. Happy Thanksgiving everyone — and RIP, Alex...”
Other stars took to social media to share messages of thanks and show glimpses of how they celebrated the holiday. Here’s a look at how they saw in Thanksgiving 2020…
Huda Kattan
Iraqi-American make-up mogul Huda Kattan saw in Thanksgiving surrounded by her friends and family from her home in Dubai. The Huda Beauty founder shared an insight to the celebrations on her Instagram page, from hand-painting seasonal decor for the table to basting and preparing the Turkey. She also shared a glimpse the finished feast, which looked seriously impressive. "This is all homemade," she reassured her followers, as she showed off the food in industrial-sized serving trays. She also offered a look at the table outside, set against the backdrop of The Palm Jumeirah. "The weather in Dubai is just amazing right now,' she said.
Gigi Hadid
New mother Gigi Hadid revealed that she and partner Zayn Malik hosted Thanksgiving for the famous family this year. She shared snippets of food prep throughout the day, as well as a glimpse at the table settings, which featured individual name cards made from mini pumpkins, and dried corn for decoration. Sister and fellow supermodel Bella Hadid shared pictures of her preparing brie and cranberry tarts, as well as an indulgent looking mac and cheese.
Chrissy Teigen
Model, presenter and chef Chrissy Teigen loves to show off her cooking skills on social media, and Thanksgiving was no different. Teigen showed off her mouth-watering dishes, including a beef prime rib roast, smothered in herb butter, as well as a traditional turkey and all the trimmings. “Happy Thanksgiving, my loves,” she captioned a post shared with her 33 million followers.
The Kardashians
As you might expect from one of the world's most famous families, Thanksgiving at the Kardasians' in hardly a low-key affair. From turkey-themed table wear to a dedicated smores bar, various members of the family shared snippets from their day on social media. Khloe Kardashian proudly showed off the Oreo cupcakes and huge cake she made for the occasion, while Kris Jenner revealed the family settled down to watch Home Alone after their feast.
Kate Hudson
Actress Kate Hudson chose the holiday as a chance to share her reflections on the challenges of 2020. “I am about to take out the turkey to get to room temp and start the holiday bustle of a family of 5. I am sitting at my desk, writing. I am thinking of my family, not spending this holiday with my mom and dad, my siblings, my cousins, my friends. My family holiday looks different this year, as it does for many others. And all I can think about is how many people are spending their first holiday away from someone they lost,” she wrote.
“This year brings that front and centre. I hope everyone who is saddened by this today, either directly or indirectly, can join me in choosing to pray and give thanks for the gift of life and love, that everyone can understand there is freedom in letting go and understanding that we are all impermanent.”
Aayan%E2%80%99s%20records
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
TO%20CATCH%20A%20KILLER
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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.”
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Results
6pm: Dubai Trophy – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Silent Speech, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby
(trainer)
6.35pm: Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m
Winner: Island Falcon, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Dirt)
1,400m
Winner: Rawy, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
7.45pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Desert Fire, Hector Crouch, Saeed bin Suroor
8.20pm: Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Naval Crown, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.55pm: Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Al Tariq, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watsons
9.30pm: Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Dubai Icon, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
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Zodi%20%26%20Tehu%3A%20Princes%20Of%20The%20Desert
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Mobile phone packages comparison
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
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SupplyVan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2029%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MRO%20and%20e-commerce%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
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