When it comes to tourist hotpots that also hold favour with Dubai residents, the Souk Madinat Jumeirah is usually one of the top picks.
Surrounded by three kilometres of waterways and with awesome views of the Burj Al Arab, the traditionally inspired bazaar is home to a wealth of popular bars and restaurants and usually frequented by locals and visitors alike.
Without tourists around, it's a lot quieter at Souk Madinat Jumeirah than it would normally be at this time of year, but things are beginning to come back to life as outlets reopen. With social distancing measures in place and pre-booking often required, here’s a guide to where you can go.
McGettigan's
The waterfront McGettigan's at Souk Madinat is a popular choice for locals. The Irish bar is open daily, from 3pm on weekdays and from noon on weekends. Serving up plenty of Irish hospitality, there's also all-day drinks promotions. Social distancing measures are in place and pre-booking is required. It’s the second McGettigan’s outlet to reopen, after the branch in JLT.
Maria Bonita
If you’re craving authentic Mexican fare, you can do a lot worse than Maria Bonita. One of Dubai’s longest-running Mexican joints, this taco and Mexican grill serves up amazing tacos, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas and more. Don't miss the churros for dessert and, if you can brave the heat, enjoy a chilled beverage from the terrace where you’ll have awesome views of the Burj Al Arab. Open daily from noon until 10pm.
Taverna Greek Kitchen
While Greece may have reopened to tourists, you can't quite jump on a plane and head there just yet. But that doesn't mean you need to miss out on all of your favourite Greek food.
Tide yourself over with a visit to Taverna. It’s open daily until 10pm and you’ll have book a table. All customers will be welcomed in with a complimentary summer drink.
The Noodle House
A pan-Asian crowd pleaser, the Noodle House is a good pick when you’re not sure what you are in the mood for, but know that you want something comforting and tasty. This family-friendly haunt serves up favourites like bao, wok-fried noodles and Singaporean duck every day of the week from noon until 10pm.
Trader Vics
If the stress of living in a global pandemic is getting to you – hands up everyone – then escape to Trader Vics where exotic Polynesian vibes are on hand to help you forget about the world for a while. Food portions are huge, drinks are served in coconuts and the staff are wearing tropical print face masks. There’s very limited seating thanks to social distancing measures so be sure to book ahead.
Trattoria Toscana
Rustic Tuscan dishes cooked with finesse are what’s on the menu at laid-back Trattoria, which has also reopened at the Madinat. Tuck into delicious plates of pasta, seafood and more by the waterside or opt to sit in the traditionally styled taverna. It’s family-friendly and open daily from noon until 10pm.
Perry & Blackwelders
Not only has this American smokehouse reopened, it’s gearing up for a big weekend with celebrations for the 4th of July. Happenings include Hollywood movies screened on a giant screen and a Yankee classics menu. Now that its open for business, this is a good one to add to your list anytime you're craving a slice of stateside.
Belgian Café
If you’re craving traditional Belgian fries and mussels, then you might want to book a table at Belgian Cafe. The bar reopened on Thursday, July 2 and there are some special promotions to celebrate being newly back in action.
Americano Dubai
The vintage US inspired bar and restaurant has reopened and is serving up food and drinks every day of the week. The speakeasy-themed hangout also has daily offers on drinks and great value lunchtime promotions from Sunday to Thursday.
The Meat Co
Carnivores may want to beeline to The Meat Co which has been welcoming diners back since early June. Tables have been spaced further apart and staff are following strict new hygiene measures. Try going during the day when there's some decent lunch promotions to be found. It’s open daily from noon to 10pm.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
'Downton Abbey: A New Era'
Director: Simon Curtis
Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan
Rating: 4/5
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
Uefa Nations League
League A:
Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, France, England, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Iceland, Croatia, Netherlands
League B:
Austria, Wales, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Turkey
League C:
Hungary, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Norway, Montenegro, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania
League D:
Azerbaijan, Macedonia, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Latvia, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Malta, Andorra, Kosovo, San Marino, Gibraltar
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Background: Chemical Weapons
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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RACE CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200
7.05pm Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m
9.25pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m
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6.30pm Underwriter
7.05pm Rayig
7.40pm Torno Subito
8.15pm Talento Puma
8.50pm Etisalat
9.25pm Gundogdu
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More from Neighbourhood Watch
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.”
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Persuasion
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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
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
