Stars who have had babies in 2021: Freida Pinto welcomes baby boy


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

There are a host of A-list names expecting babies in 2021, from Jennifer Lawrence and Olivia Munn to Rachel McAdams.

This week, actress Freida Pinto has welcomed her first child.

The latest royal baby was born in late September. Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli-Mozzi welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Sienna.

In the same month, notoriously private actress Alicia Vikander revealed she had her first child with husband Michael Fassbender earlier this year. The pair had been spotted out and about with a baby, but neither had confirmed the news.

In August, three Little Mix babies came into the world. Singer Perrie Edwards, 28, announced her new arrival on August 21. Only a couple of days later, on August 23, her bandmate Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 29, announced she had delivered twins on August 16.

Following the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's baby girl, Lilibet, in June, actress Gal Gadot and sportsman Usain Bolt's families have also grown in recent months.

Some celebrities chose to keep their pregnancies a secret, including Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost, who have announced the arrival of baby boy Cosmo, plus Amber Heard, who had her baby girl Oonagh Paige in April.

So far this year, Karlie Kloss, Princess Eugenie, Swedish royals Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, Kit Harington and Rose Leslie, and Mandy Moore have all had their little ones.

Here, we'll keep you up to date with all the new celebrity arrivals ...

Freida Pinto and Cory Tran

On November 21, the Slumdog Millionaire actress announced that she and her photographer husband, Cory Tranhad, welcomed their first child, son named Rumi-Ray.

"Happy Birthday Dada Cory," Pinto captioned an Instagram photo of her husband cradling their son.

"I celebrate you my husband, friend and partner in life. To see you become not just a Dad but Super-Dad makes me so emotional and fills me with joy. It also gives this sleep deprived Mama a break and you have no idea how much I appreciate that! I am so grateful and in love with how we do life together. Love you madly. Rumi-Ray you are one lucky boy!"

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli-Mozzi

Britain's Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli-Mozzi welcomed a daughter in September 2021. AFP
Britain's Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli-Mozzi welcomed a daughter in September 2021. AFP

Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli-Mozzi welcomed their baby girl, Sienna Elizabeth, in September.

Queen Elizabeth's 12th great-grandchild was born just before midnight on Saturday, September 18, weighing about 2.8 kilograms.

Princess Beatrice tweeted the name of the newest addition to the royal family. “We are delighted to share that we have named our daughter Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi," she said.

“We are all doing well and Wolfie is the best big brother to Sienna.”

Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender

British actor Michael Fassbender and Swedish actress Alicia Vikander have welcomed their first child together. AFP
British actor Michael Fassbender and Swedish actress Alicia Vikander have welcomed their first child together. AFP

Actors Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender welcomed their first child earlier this year, The Danish Girl actress revealed in an interview this week.

"I now have a whole new understanding of life in general," Vikander told People magazine. "That's pretty beautiful, and obviously will give a lot to any of my work in the future.

"I'm enjoying finding it out in the moment right now, more than anything."

She did not reveal whether she had a boy or a girl, when the baby was born, or a name. Vikander and Fassbender started dating while filming 2014's The Light Between Oceans.

Cardi B and Offset

Rapper duo Cardi B and Offset announced the birth of their son, born on September 4, with an Instagram post. The married couple, who are already parents to daughter Kulture, 3, shared a picture of them holding the new arrival, wrapped in a blue blanket, in their hospital bed.

They captioned the image with the date of their son's arrival, "9/4/2021", alongside a blue heart emoji, a dinosaur emoji and a teddy bear emoji.

"We are so overjoyed to finally meet our son," the couple said. "He is already loved so much by family and friends and we can't wait to introduce him to his other siblings."

Offset has three children from a previous relationship; Jordan, Kody, and Kalea.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Andre Gray

Two more Little Mix babies! Singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock surprised the world by announcing that she has had twins with footballer partner Andre Gray.

"We asked for a miracle, we were given two," Pinnock wrote on Instagram. "Our cubbies are here."

She also confirmed that the babies were born on August 16, a week before she announced the news on Monday.

The babies came a matter of days before Pinnock's bandmate Perrie Edwards had her first child, last Saturday.

Edwards commented on Pinnock's announcement, writing: "Two bundles of absolute joy! I love you my Lee Lee!" Fellow Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall commented: "Superwoman! Proud of you and love you."

Perrie Edwards and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Little Mix star Perrie Edwards has just had a baby with her footballer partner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Edwards took to Instagram to announce the new arrival, writing, "Welcome to the world baby 21/08/21."

She is yet to confirm the little one's name or gender. However, she did share black-and-white photos of the side of the baby's head and tiny foot.

Speculation that Edwards was in labour was rife on Saturday, as Oxlade-Chamberlain, who plays as a midfielder for English football team Liverpool, was pulled at the last minute from the club's match against Burnley.

Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost

Black Widow actress Scarlett Johansson, 36, and her Saturday Night Live star husband Colin Jost, 39, have welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Cosmo.

Jost took to Instagram to confirm the news last Wednesday, as the couple kept both the pregnancy and birth a closely guarded secret.

"Ok OK we had a baby," Jost wrote in the straight-to-the-point social media post. "His name is Cosmo. We love him very much."

He said: "Privacy would be greatly appreciated," and pointed all inquiries to "publicist" Michael Che, his SNL co-star. Che's Instagram bio now reads, "Cosmo’s publicist."

Jost's post was accompanied with the hashtags, "#wegotawaywithitforalongtime #nokidspolicy #weregoingtodisneyworld".

Johansson and Jost married in an "intimate ceremony" in October 2020, after getting engaged in May 2019 after two years of dating. Johansson is also mum to daughter Rose Dorothy Dauriac, 6, who she had with ex-husband and French journalist, Romain Dauriac.

Halsey and Alev Aydin

Singer Halsey, 26, and her partner, screenwriter Alev Aydin, welcomed a baby boy on July 14.

Named Ender Ridley Aydin, the Be Kind singer wrote of the new arrival: "Gratitude. For the most 'rare' and euphoric birth. Powered by love."

Amber Heard

Surprise baby news, actress Amber Heard announced that she welcomed a baby girl named Oonagh Paige Heard on July 1. She was born via a surrogate on April 8.

Heard wrote on Instagram: "I’m so excited to share this news with you. Four years ago, I decided I wanted to have a child. I wanted to do it on my own terms. I now appreciate how radical it is for us as women to think about one of the most fundamental parts of our destinies in this way. I hope we arrive at a point in which it’s normalised to not want a ring in order to have a crib.

"A part of me wants to uphold that my private life is none of anyone’s business. I also get that the nature of my job compels me to take control of this. My daughter was born on April 8, 2021. Her name is Oonagh Paige Heard. She’s the beginning of the rest of my life."

Gal Gadot and Yaron Varsano

Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot and her property developer husband Yaron Varsano have welcomed their third child, a baby girl named Daniella. She announced the news on June 29.

"My sweet family ... I couldn’t be more grateful and happy (and tired) we are all so excited to welcome Daniella into our family," the Israeli actress wrote on Instagram. "I’m sending all of you love and health."

The couple were already parents to daughters, Alma, 9, and Maya, 4.

Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead

News that Ewan McGregor, 50, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, 36, had welcomed a baby boy was confirmed by his eldest daughter, Clara McGregor, 25, on June 28.

Named Laurie, Clara wrote: "Welcome to the world little brother ❤️ congratulations to my Dad & Mary - this is the greatest gift."

Usain Bolt and Kasi Bennett

Record-breaking Jamaican track star Usain Bolt announced the birth of his twin sons in an Instagram post on Father’s Day.

The post shows Bolt sitting next to his partner Kasi Bennett, their daughter Olympia Lightning and the newborn twins Thunder and Saint Leo. The post did not specific when they were born.

Bennett also posted a shot of the couple posing with the twins and daughter with the caption: "Happy Father's Day to my forever love! @usainbolt You are the rock of this family and the greatest daddy to our little ones. We love you world without end!".

Duke and Duchess of Sussex

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed baby girl Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor on June 4. AFP
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed baby girl Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor on June 4. AFP

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced the birth of their second child, a daughter named Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, on June 4.

The baby was born at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California at 11.40am on Friday. She will be known as Lili.

Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who was affectionately nicknamed Lilibet by her family, and her late grandmother, Princess Diana.

Harry and Meghan said on their Archewell website that their newborn daughter was "more than we could have ever imagined".

"We remain grateful for the love and prayers we've felt from across the globe," they said.

"Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family."

Ellie Goulding and Caspar Jopling

Singer Ellie Goulding and her art dealer husband Caspar Jopling welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on April 29. The news was confirmed by Jopling on Instagram, who said both mother and son were "happy and healthy".

He announced the news by sharing a picture of Google's current world population count, crossing out the number to add one more. In another picture, he shared an image of flowers sent to the family. "I don't ever address the public attention that comes with Ellie's job," he wrote. "But during this magical and personal moment, we would really appreciate being able to enjoy our privacy. Thank you."

To confirm their son's name, Arthur Ever Winter, Jopling shared a photo of the birth notice from a UK paper. There was initial speculation that the couple had welcomed a baby boy.

Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song

Actors Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song have welcomed their first child together, a baby boy called Dakota. EPA
Actors Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song have welcomed their first child together, a baby boy called Dakota. EPA

Actors Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song have welcomed a baby boy.

The new arrival was born on April 5 and is named Dakota, in honour of the Home Alone actor's sister Dakota, who died on December 9, 2008 at age 29.

"We're overjoyed," Culkin, 40, and Song, 33, told Esquire.

Mena Suvari and Michael Hope

Actress Mena Suvari has welcomed her first child, a baby boy with husband Michael Hope.

Christoper Alexander Hope was born in early April, and the American Pie actress's representative said, "Both baby and mum are doing wonderfully."

Leslie Odom Jr and Nicolette Robinson

Hamilton and One Night in Miami ... star Leslie Odom Jr has welcomed a baby boy with actress wife Nicolette Robinson.

"More life! One whole week with our Abe. Watching Nicolette give birth to these kids...? Simply, the bravest acts I’ve ever witnessed from a foot away," the Oscar-nominated star wrote on Instagram. "I love you, sweetheart and I am in awe. Our little family bursts at the seams with joy! And gratitude."

The tot was born on March 25. The couple are already parents to Lucille Ruby, who turned 4 on April 23.

Emma Stone and Dave McCary

La La Land actress Emma Stone and her comedy writer and director husband Dave McCary have welcomed a baby girl, their representative confirmed on March 28.

The couple have not confirmed the newborn's name or birthday.

Famously private, the pair married in secret in early 2020 and kept quiet news of Stone's pregnancy until late 2020.

Sweden's Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia

The Swedish royal couple welcomed their third child on March 26 in Stockholm. The baby, Prince Julian, joins Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's other sons, Princes Alexander and Gabriel.

"We are so happy and grateful to be able to welcome our third son to our family," Prince Carl, 41, said in a press release.

"Princess Sofia and I, and his two big brothers, have all been longing for this day. And now we are looking forward to getting to know this new little member of our family."

Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell

The TV personality and conservationist, who is the only daughter of famous Australian zookeeper and wildlife expert Steve Irwin, has welcomed her first child. Irwin, 22, and her husband, Chandler Powell, became parents to daughter Grace Warrior on March 25.

"Grace is named after my great-grandmother, and relatives in Chandler’s family dating back to the 1700s. Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, are a tribute to my dad and his legacy as the most incredible Wildlife Warrior," explained Irwin on Instagram, as she shared pictures of the tot.

The baby arrived on the couple's first wedding anniversary.

Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma

Former child star Hilary Duff welcomed her third child, a baby girl named Mae James Bair, on March 24. She confirmed the news on March 28.

Duff shared news of the newborn's arrival on Instagram, posting a photo of herself in a birthing pool with older daughter, Banks Violet Bair, 2, and husband, Matthew Koma, and son, Luca Cruz Comrie, 9, looking on.

Duff and Koma share daughters Banks and Mae together, Duff welcomed son Luca with ex-husband, Mike Comrie.

Fans assumed that Duff had welcomed the new arrival when she shared a photo of Banks in the bath on March 27, with the caption: "I’m a big sister ... marinating on how I feel about that!"

Ashley Tisdale and Christopher French

High School Musical actress Ashley Tisdale welcomed a baby girl with husband Christopher French on March 23.

"Jupiter Iris French arrived earth side 3.23.21," Tisdale, 35, wrote on Instagram.

Reflecting on motherhood a few days after her daughter's birth, the actress wrote: "I don't think I've ever felt more exhausted. But it is so worth it. I can't believe what my body was capable of until now, it's amazing and I'm so grateful it brought this beautiful gift into our life. So now I will be gentle with myself and heal and I have a pretty amazing partner taking care of both the baby and me."

Zara and Mike Tindall

Zara and Mike Tindall have welcomed a baby boy, Lucas. Getty Images
Zara and Mike Tindall have welcomed a baby boy, Lucas. Getty Images

British royal Zara Tindall, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, and her rugby player husband, Mike Tindall, have welcomed a baby boy, Lucas Tindall.

During a rugby podcast interview, Mike confirmed the news, saying the baby was born on March 21, after discussing a weekend of rugby news.

A representative for the couple has since confirmed: "Zara and Mike Tindall are happy to announce the birth of their third child, Lucas Philip Tindall." They also revealed the tot was born at the couple's home in Gatcombe Park, reportedly on the bathroom floor. He weighed 3.7 kilograms.

Gatcombe Park is the Gloucestershire, England, home of Anne, Princess Royal and her children. Zara is the daughter of Princess Anne and granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who the couple have paid tribute to with Lucas's middle name.

The couple are also parents to Mia Grace, 7, and Lena Elizabeth, 2.

Baby Lucas is Queen Elizabeth II's 10th great-grandchild after Savannah Phillips, 10, Isla Phillips, 8, Prince George, 7, Mia Tindall, 7, Princess Charlotte, 5, Prince Louis, 2, Lena Tindall, 2, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, 1, and August Brooksbank, newborn.

Karlie Kloss and Joshua Kushner

Supermodel Karlie Kloss has welcomed a baby with businessman Joshua Kushner, the brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

The couple have not announced a name or the tot's gender, just that it was born on March 14. However, Kushner did share a photo of the newborn wearing a little blue hat, which would traditionally imply they had a baby boy.

"Welcome to the world," Kushner captioned the photo on social media.

Andy and Kim Murray

Scottish tennis star Andy Murray and wife Kim Murray have welcomed their fourth baby. The couple confirmed the news to People magazine, without revealing their child's name, gender or date of birth, however, they made the statement on March 12.

The couple are already parents to Sophia Olivia, 5, Edie, 3, and Teddy, 1.

Emily Ratajkowski and Sebastian Bear-McClard

On March 8, supermodel Emily Ratajkowski welcomed baby boy Sylvester Apollo Bear with her husband, Sebastian Bear-McClard.

Ratajkowski wrote on Instagram: "Sylvester Apollo Bear has joined us earth side. Sly arrived on the most surreal, beautiful, and love-filled morning of my life." She has since referred to the newborn with the nickname Sly.

Hilaria and Alec Baldwin

On March 1, Hilaria Baldwin announced that she and her 30 Rock actor husband, Alec Baldwin, have welcomed a surprise new addition, baby Lucia. She was born less than six months after the birth of a baby boy.

The yoga instructor shared a photo of herself with six children, including the newborn beside baby boy, Eduardo "Edu" Pao Lucas, who was born on September 8, 2020.

She later added a second post, announcing the tot's name. "We are so in love with our daughter, Lucia. Just like your brothers and sisters, you are a dream come true," Hilaria wrote.

It is not clear if the new baby was adopted or born via a surrogate, as the mother-of-six has not announced a pregnancy since welcoming Edu.

On her Instagram story, she shared a photo of her husband with the baby girl, captioned: "Welcome to being a Baldwin".

The couple have five older children together: Edu, Romeo, 2, Leonardo, 4, Rafael, 5, and Carmen, 7. Alec is also dad to Ireland Baldwin, 25.

Katharine McPhee and David Foster

Singer and actress Katharine McPhee, 36, and music executive David Foster, 71, welcomed their first child together on February 24.

"Katharine McPhee and David Foster have welcomed a healthy baby boy," a representative for the couple confirmed to People. "Mom, Dad and son are all doing wonderfully."

They have not yet confirmed the baby name.

The newborn is McPhee's first child and Foster's sixth, but his first son; he has five daughters, the eldest being Allison Jones Foster, 50.

Mandy Moore and Taylor Goldsmith

Mandy Moore and husband Taylor Goldsmith welcomed son August Harrison Goldsmith in February. Instagram
Mandy Moore and husband Taylor Goldsmith welcomed son August Harrison Goldsmith in February. Instagram

This is Us star Mandy Moore has announced the arrival of her son, August "Gus" Harrison Goldsmith, with singer husband Taylor Goldsmith.

"He was punctual and arrived right on his due date, much to the delight of his parents. We were prepared to fall in love in all sorts of brand new ways, but it goes beyond anything we could have ever imagined," Moore wrote on Instagram.

The couple announced his name a matter of days after Britain's Princess Eugenie revealed her baby boy is also called August. Interestingly, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, another royal couple, have also chosen the middle name Harrison, as their son is famously called Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Paloma Faith and Leyman Lahcine

British singer Paloma Faith and French artist Leyman Lahcine welcomed their second baby girl on February 21.

Faith has not disclosed the newborn's name, but has shared a very open and honest diary of her pregnancy and post-partum experience on Instagram.

"Well I'm not pregnant anymore! I had a planned C-section yesterday I'm in a lot of pain and didn't sleep last night but it's worth it to see and meet the new little cherub I have in front of me," the singer wrote on February 22.

Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Matthews

Patrick Mahomes and fiancee Brittany Matthews welcomed baby girl Sterling Skye on Saturday. Instagram
Patrick Mahomes and fiancee Brittany Matthews welcomed baby girl Sterling Skye on Saturday. Instagram

NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes welcomed a baby girl with high school sweetheart and fiancee Brittany Matthews on February 20.

Named Sterling Skye Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs star announced her birth on his Instagram, sharing a photo of their baby girl's hand on Matthews's chest, with a glittering "Sterling" necklace.

Wilmer Valderrama and Amanda Pacheco

Actor Wilmer Valderrama and model Amanda Pacheco welcomed a baby girl on February 15, waiting a week to announce the news on Instagram.

"Life is an ever evolving journey, and for all those times when our path needs a light ... often angels are sent to show us the way and that we can be more ... straight out of heaven we welcome our first daughter," Valderrama wrote on Instagram. They are yet to announce their daughter's name.

Rose Leslie and Kit Harington

'Game of Thrones' stars Rose Leslie and Kit Harington have welcomed a baby boy, their first child together. Getty Images
'Game of Thrones' stars Rose Leslie and Kit Harington have welcomed a baby boy, their first child together. Getty Images

Game of Thrones stars Rose Leslie and Kit Harington, both 34, welcomed their first child together, a baby boy.

The couple, who met and fell in love on the set of the hit HBO show, have yet to announce the newborn's name and birth date, but Harington's publicist Marianna Shafran confirmed the birth on February 16.

Shafran told E! that the couple are “very very happy".

Elsa Hosk and Tom Daly

Swedish model Elsa Hosk welcomed a baby girl with her businessman partner Tom Daly.

Tuulikki Joan Daly was born on February 11.

"Happiest day of my life meeting you. Proudest moment in my life giving birth to you," Hosk wrote, sharing a photo of the new family of three.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank

Britain's Princess Eugenie welcomed a baby boy on February 9.

He was born at Portland Hospital in London and was 11th in line to the throne at birth.

On February 20, the couple shared a photo with their baby boy, announcing his name, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank.

"Thank you for so many wonderful messages. Our hearts are full of love for this little human, words can't express. We are excited to be able to share these photos with you," Princess Eugenie wrote on Instagram.

She also explained the name choices, saying Philip is for his great-grandfather, Prince Philip. While August is a tribute to Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert, who had Augustus as a middle name; Prince Albert is August's great-great-great-great-great grandfather.

Meghan Trainor and Daryl Sabara

Singer Meghan Trainor and Spy Kids actor Daryl Sabara welcomed a baby boy on February 8.

The new mum shared an Instagram post announcing the arrival, writing: "This sweet baby boy’s due date was today on Valentine’s Day. We got to meet him Monday, February 8! We are so in love ... Welcome to the world Riley!"

Jenny Slate and Ben Shattuck

Gifted actress Jenny Slate kept her pregnancy news under wraps until December 10, when she announced she was expecting with art curator fiance, Ben Shattuck.

However, on February 3, she announced she had welcomed baby Ida six weeks prior during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel.

"Being a mother is such a joy, it's so cliche, but I love it," she told Entertainment Tonight. "I feel really lucky and happy."

Vanessa Morgan and Michael Kopech

Canadian Riverdale actress Vanessa Morgan and her baseball star husband Michael Kopech welcomed baby River on January 29.

"On January 29, Michael & I welcomed our beautiful baby boy River into the world. Words cannot describe this kind of love," she wrote on Instagram.

"We are enjoying this time home with him, being present and giving him all the loving in the world. Becoming parents is the most rewarding gift in the entire world."

Devon Murray and Shannon McCaffrey Quinn

Harry Potter star Devon Murray, who played Seamus Finnigan in the wizarding franchise, welcomed a baby boy with partner Shannon McCaffrey Quinn in January.

Baby Cooper Michael Murray was born on January 2, and Murray wrote on Instagram: "Yesterday 2/1/21 my life changed forever. Shannon delivered our beautiful little boy Cooper Michael Murray, weighing 6lbs 10oz [3kg]. Both are doing amazing now after a very long labour and a scary few minutes at the end ... I will love you both forever until my last breath."

_______________

Read more:

Calling the publicity shots: Why Harry and Meghan have every right to stage-manage their PR

What it’s like to give birth at the royal-favourite Portland Hospital

17 celebrities who are expecting babies in 2021: from wildlings to royals

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Start-up hopes to end Japan's love affair with cash

Across most of Asia, people pay for taxi rides, restaurant meals and merchandise with smartphone-readable barcodes — except in Japan, where cash still rules. Now, as the country’s biggest web companies race to dominate the payments market, one Tokyo-based startup says it has a fighting chance to win with its QR app.

Origami had a head start when it introduced a QR-code payment service in late 2015 and has since signed up fast-food chain KFC, Tokyo’s largest cab company Nihon Kotsu and convenience store operator Lawson. The company raised $66 million in September to expand nationwide and plans to more than double its staff of about 100 employees, says founder Yoshiki Yasui.

Origami is betting that stores, which until now relied on direct mail and email newsletters, will pay for the ability to reach customers on their smartphones. For example, a hair salon using Origami’s payment app would be able to send a message to past customers with a coupon for their next haircut.

Quick Response codes, the dotted squares that can be read by smartphone cameras, were invented in the 1990s by a unit of Toyota Motor to track automotive parts. But when the Japanese pioneered digital payments almost two decades ago with contactless cards for train fares, they chose the so-called near-field communications technology. The high cost of rolling out NFC payments, convenient ATMs and a culture where lost wallets are often returned have all been cited as reasons why cash remains king in the archipelago. In China, however, QR codes dominate.

Cashless payments, which includes credit cards, accounted for just 20 per cent of total consumer spending in Japan during 2016, compared with 60 per cent in China and 89 per cent in South Korea, according to a report by the Bank of Japan.

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.”

Planes grounded by coronavirus

British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China 

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30

Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong

Ai Seoul:  Suspended all flights to China

Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March

Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February

South Korea's Asiana Airlines,  Jeju Air  and Jin Air: Suspend all flights

List of alleged parties

 

May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff 

May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'

Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff 

Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson 

Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party

Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters 

Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz 

Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party 

Griselda
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Andr%C3%A9s%20Baiz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3ESof%C3%ADa%20Vergara%2C%20Alberto%20Guerra%2C%20Juliana%20Aiden%20Martinez%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank 

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

If you go

The flights

Fly direct to London from the UAE with Etihad, Emirates, British Airways or Virgin Atlantic from about Dh2,500 return including taxes. 

The hotel

Rooms at the convenient and art-conscious Andaz London Liverpool Street cost from £167 (Dh800) per night including taxes.

The tour

The Shoreditch Street Art Tour costs from £15 (Dh73) per person for approximately three hours. 

Profile

Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari

Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.

Number of employees: Over 50

Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised

Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital 

Sector of operation: Transport

The fake news generation

288,000 – the number of posts reported as hate speech that were deleted by Facebook globally each month in May and June this year

11% – the number of Americans who said they trusted the news they read on Snapchat as of June 2017, according to Statista. Over a quarter stated that they ‘rarely trusted’ the news they read on social media in general

31% - the number of young people in the US aged between 10 and 18 who said they had shared a news story online in the last six months that they later found out was wrong or inaccurate

63% - percentage of Arab nationals who said they get their news from social media every single day.

JERSEY INFO

Red Jersey
General Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification by time.
Green Jersey
Points Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the fastest sprinter, who has obtained the best positions in each stage and intermediate sprints.
White Jersey
Young Rider Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the best young rider born after January 1, 1995 in the overall classification by time (U25).
Black Jersey
Intermediate Sprint Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the rider who has gained the most Intermediate Sprint Points.

THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EBattery%3A%2060kW%20lithium-ion%20phosphate%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20Up%20to%20201bhp%3Cbr%3E0%20to%20100kph%3A%207.3%20seconds%3Cbr%3ERange%3A%20418km%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh149%2C900%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
GOODBYE%20JULIA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohamed%20Kordofani%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiran%20Riak%2C%20Eiman%20Yousif%2C%20Nazar%20Goma%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo

Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

McLaren GT specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed

Power: 620bhp

Torque: 630Nm

Price: Dh875,000

On sale: now

Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eco%20Way%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20December%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Kroshnyi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Electric%20vehicles%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bootstrapped%20with%20undisclosed%20funding.%20Looking%20to%20raise%20funds%20from%20outside%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A