Dubai stocks show biggest gains for five months

Stocks listed in Dubai rose 5.23 per cent yesterday, their best one-day gain since February as investors piled back into battered financial and property shares. Leading the way with a 12.1 per cent rise was the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), the company that manages the exchange. It announced a 48 per cent decline in second-quarter profits two weeks ago compared with the same quarter last year, but its Dh128.3 million (US$34.9m) in earnings still beat analysts' expectations.

DFM's share price has surged 29 per cent since July 13. Shares in Union Properties, a developer based in Dubai, rose 9.47 per cent on a big day for property and construction firms in the emirate. Emaar Properties, the Middle East's largest developer, saw its stock rise 8.98 per cent and Arabtec increased 8.71 per cent. Dubai Islamic Bank's stock gained six per cent after it reported robustearnings at the end of last week, and du, one of the UAE's two telecommunications companies, rose 4.8 per cent on strong earnings yesterday.

Trading elsewhere in the region also was mainly positive. Abu Dhabi-listed stocks rose 0.5 per cent, Qatar's main index added 3.1 per cent, Omani shares rose 1.7 per cent and the Kuwaiti market advanced 0.9 per cent. Saudi Arabia's bourse lost 0.2 per cent and Bahraini stocks lost 0.5 per cent. afitch@thenational.ae

Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.

As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.

Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.

Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.

Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Five expert hiking tips

Always check the weather forecast before setting off

Make sure you have plenty of water

Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon

Wear appropriate clothing and footwear

Take your litter home with you

'Operation Mincemeat' 

Director: John Madden

Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton

Rating: 4/5

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Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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The burning issue

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.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE