Sam Malik, the owner of PR Professionals, says people should respect money and save for a rainy day as it can bring you peace of mind. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
Sam Malik, the owner of PR Professionals, says people should respect money and save for a rainy day as it can bring you peace of mind. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
Sam Malik, the owner of PR Professionals, says people should respect money and save for a rainy day as it can bring you peace of mind. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
Sam Malik, the owner of PR Professionals, says people should respect money and save for a rainy day as it can bring you peace of mind. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Dubai PR exec keeps it professional with her finances


  • English
  • Arabic

Sam Malik, the owner of PR Professionals, a public relations agency, grew up under the strict supervision of her Pakistani parents in London. But after a rough patch in her married life, during which she went through a divorce, her father told her to go to Dubai in 2007 to fix herself. She did - and was working as a vice president at a property developer when the recession hit. Here, the 32-year-old entrepreneur talks about her financial journey.

How would you describe your financial journey so far?

I come from a secure financial background. But I always have been financially independent. I was financially independent since I was 16. I never wanted to hear from my father "I got this for you". By 18 years, I was packing my bags, going to Lahore, buying ethnic shoes from there and selling them three folds their price in London. At 20, I went on to work as a desktop publisher and a research analyst at banks and as a TV presenter at 21. In 2007, when I came to Dubai, I was financially secure and in 2008 and 2009 - after I stepped down from the job - I sustained myself through consultancy work. I also worked as a TV presenter for a fashion channel called Star 360. In 2010, I woke up with my right side paralysed. I could not move my limbs. I had to go to London for treatment. The condition is still undiagnosed. In January 2011, I came back to Dubai because I have a buzz for work. I started PR Professionals in 2010, right before I got sick, but 2011 gave a great start for my business. I invested Dh100,000 in setting up the office here. In the next three to five weeks, we will be five permanent people plus the freelance staff that work with us globally. I want to have a branch in Qatar.

Are you a spender or a saver?

I am sensible about spending, not unnecessarily spending as I did before. Business-wise, I am a [small to medium-sized business] and will continue to be so. That is because it gives you more control over spending. Personally, I am a saver. I invest in properties in Dubai and London. Any luxury in life is by invitations, for example, big dinners. Most of my wardrobe is sponsored by Mumbai Se and [designers] Anjalee and Arjun Kapoor besides others.

What is your philosophy regarding money?

Money is easy come, easy go. Respect and save for the rainy day. I invest in properties. These will retain your value. I saw a lot of friends being wiped out because of their flashy lifestyle.

Did you make any financial mistakes along the way?

I was very careful, and never lost money. But in 2007, I bought a property in Dubai. Its value is now halved, but I live there. So, that is OK. I have a few more properties in Dubai and prices of those are estimated to go up. The London ones are fine. I buy Armani shoes, but do not have massive credit-card debts.

Do you believe in planning for the future?

Absolutely. As a woman, I want to be able to give to my children and help my partner if I have a family. If you have an extra Dh10,000 or Dh20,000, tuck it away. Four to five years down the line, it will come in handy. Psychologically, it can bring you peace of mind and avoid health issues. It changes the personality as well.

Is money important to you?

In terms of driving me for business, yes. In terms of personal life, no, because that is not what makes us.

What is your idea of financial freedom?

It is good to have it. One less worry.

What do you enjoy spending on?

Hospitality and spas. I need to relax. And I invest in properties.

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

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.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:

​​​​​​Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field

​Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55

Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out

Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets

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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

What is tokenisation?

Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets. 

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Results

5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Nadhra, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Dars, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Taghzel, Malin Holmberg, Ernst Oertel

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: M’Y Yaromoon, Khalifa Al Neyadi, Jesus Rosales

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeem, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet

Long Shot

Director: Jonathan Levine

Starring: Charlize Theron, Seth Rogan

Four stars

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The biog

Favourite car: Ferrari

Likes the colour: Black

Best movie: Avatar

Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy

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While you're here