• The owl will be released back into the wild after being given a clean bill of health. Lindsay Possumato / Ravensbeard Wildlife Centre via AP
    The owl will be released back into the wild after being given a clean bill of health. Lindsay Possumato / Ravensbeard Wildlife Centre via AP
  • Rockefeller was rescued from a Christmas tree in New York's Rockefeller Centre. Reuters
    Rockefeller was rescued from a Christmas tree in New York's Rockefeller Centre. Reuters
  • Rockefeller is a northern saw-whet owl, one of the tiniest owls. Ravensbeard Wildlife Center / Handout via REUTERS
    Rockefeller is a northern saw-whet owl, one of the tiniest owls. Ravensbeard Wildlife Center / Handout via REUTERS
  • A worker helping transport the Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree to New York City found the tiny owl among the tree's massive branches. AP
    A worker helping transport the Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree to New York City found the tiny owl among the tree's massive branches. AP
  • Rockefeller is held after bring rescued. Reuters
    Rockefeller is held after bring rescued. Reuters

Tiny owl rescued after hiding in Rockefeller Centre's Christmas tree


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

In what feels like a perfectly timed story for the holidays, a tiny saw-whet owl has been rescued after being discovered clinging on to the branches of the Rockefeller Centre's Christmas tree.

Workers helping transport the large spruce 274 kilometres from Oneonta, New York, to New York City spotted the small bird among the massive branches of the 23-metre Norway evergreen.

The Rockefeller Centre's Christmas tree is an annual festive tradition that takes place in Manhattan. The towering tree is put in place in front of Rockefeller Centre, a large complex housing a number of commercial buildings, and then decorated over some weeks before being lit for the public in early December.

The little owl, now named Rockefeller, was found dehydrated and hungry but otherwise unharmed. He was brought to a veterinarian and given a clean bill of health, said Ellen Kalish, director and founder of the Ravensbeard Wildlife Centre in Saugerties, New York, where the bird was taken.

In an update on Facebook, the centre writes: “Saw-whet owls find a new mate every year and are resilient in finding safe places. This owl is a full-grown adult and is very capable of finding new territory. We believe it would be even more traumatic to transport him yet again when he can be safely released here on the grounds of Ravensbeard Wildlife Center where there are acres of trees to choose from."

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From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases

A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.

One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait,  Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.

In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.

The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.

And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.

 

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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

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Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

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Full Party in the Park line-up

2pm – Andreah

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4.30pm – The Boxtones

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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.

The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.

“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.

“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”

Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.

Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.

“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.

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."